Chapter 21 The Bearing of a True Master, Like That of a Deity! (First Update)

A true master of this era? Old Master Shen’s words were calm, his tone unhurried. Yet to everyone present, it was as if thunder had exploded in their ears, leaving them reeling.

Xia Hou-sheng’s hand froze, the wine in his cup spilling. As the head of the Xia family’s left branch, he had weathered countless storms over the years and possessed a wealth of experience. He had encountered true masters before. Back in the day, during the grand martial gathering of Jiangbei, thousands upon thousands of Condensed Force experts assembled, with over a hundred sects and schools involved. Even masters of the Combined Force had revealed themselves.

Such masters carried an aura that seemed to devour the world—immortal bearing, vigorous presence. Before such figures, even someone like Xia Hou-sheng, or Ma Tianzong, had no right to speak; they could only stand aside in awe. It was only after meeting a true master back then that Xia Hou-sheng truly understood the world’s vastness.

Every master of the Combined Force shared a defining trait: they were all over a hundred years old. Yet the youth before him, Jiang Yu, just eighteen or nineteen, was actually one such master?

“Old Master Shen… could there be some mistake?” Xia Wuchang’s mouth was dry, and the look he gave Jiang Yu had already changed entirely.

Jiang Yu alone remained unruffled, lifting his cup and sipping with perfect composure, unmoved by praise or insult.

Kneeling on one knee, Old Master Shen forced a bitter smile. “Let me ask you all: after witnessing Master Jiang’s means, have none of you realized the truth?”

“The aura of a true master shines bright as the full moon. I, Shen, was simply too blind to see.”

With a clatter, Xia Ning’s chopsticks fell to the table, unnoticed by her. Her eyes swirled with emotion—astonishment, delight, suspicion, shock…

Young Master Shen, Shen Rong, was even more unsettled, sitting as if on needles. To think he had dined at the same table as a master of the Combined Force! That alone was enough for him to boast about for a lifetime.

A grandmaster of formations, an alchemy sage, a master of the Combined Force—three dazzling identities, all gathered in a youth of eighteen or nineteen!

Heavens…

Xia Ning’s eyes sparkled like stars.

Jiang Yu neither confirmed nor denied the claims, indirectly acquiescing.

Xia Hou-sheng struggled to rise, but Jiang Yu waved him off. “No need.”

Xia Hou-sheng ignored this, gritted his teeth, and stood anyway, bowing in the disciple’s salute. “I, Xia Hou-sheng, failed to recognize greatness and was remiss in my hospitality tonight. I hope Master Jiang will not take offense.”

Xia Wuchang looked helplessly at Xia Ning. “Xia Ning, my girl, just what kind of immense fortune have you stumbled into?”

Old Master Shen was drenched in cold sweat, recalling how he had offended Jiang Yu earlier, feeling as if he had been plunged into an icy abyss.

The authority of a true master was akin to that of a deity.

“All right, let’s eat,” Jiang Yu said, unmoved by titles. In truth, if one were to truly rank by strength, even the gods and Buddhas above would kneel before Jiang Yu, let alone these ordinary mortals.

After a long moment, Xia Ning finally calmed her overflowing joy and looked at Jiang Yu with shining eyes. “Well, well, Jiang Yu, who would have thought you hid your strength this deeply?”

At the very least, for now, Jiang Yu maintained a cordial relationship with the Xia family’s left branch.

Everyone had their own thoughts, but a worldly-wise man like Jiang Yu could easily read them. Each person hoped to find some fortune through him. He only smiled faintly, not exposing them. If he felt like it, bestowing a cultivation manual would be enough to create a new martial sect.

Xia Ning glanced at her father with a quiet sigh. She had never seen him so serious before.

Xia Hou-sheng’s sharp gaze swept over Xia Ning and Xia Wuchang. “Remember, from now on, when you meet Mister Jiang, treat him as the honored guest he is. Anyone from the left branch who dares offend Mister Jiang will answer to me.”

Choosing to befriend Jiang Yu was the wisest choice. Everyone understood this. With the support of a master of the Combined Force, the left branch could reverse its disadvantage against the right, perhaps even suppress it.

Wasn’t it because the right branch had a master behind them that they constantly held the upper hand? Looking further ahead, if Jiang Yu continued to support them, Xia Hou-sheng could one day lead his branch out of Jiangbei and expand into other provinces.

In the modern world, where martial arts flourished, every renowned family had at least one master backing them. Take the world-famous Rothschild family, said to control sixty percent of the global economy—they were protected by three masters of the Combined Force. Rumor even held that a terrestrial immortal resided among them.

Now, Jiang Yu, at just eighteen or nineteen, was already a Combined Force master. Achieving the realm of terrestrial immortality in the future was all but assured.

Terrestrial Immortal!

As this thought struck Xia Hou-sheng, his breathing became rapid. Such figures were living immortals who could support a nation.

Over the years, even as neighboring states tested China’s patience, they never dared cross the line. Beyond China’s military might, the presence of Gu Changsheng, a terrestrial immortal, was a crucial deterrent.

Who would dare act recklessly, knowing that not even armies could withstand the assassination of a terrestrial immortal?

The Xia family was confined to Jiangbei simply because they lacked a martial backer. Now, having encountered Jiang Yu, Xia Hou-sheng resolved to win his favor at any cost.

“Xia Qinghan, you little rascal, just wait and see how I’ll deal with you,” he muttered with a chuckle.

Xia Ning beamed, her appetite growing, eating more than ever before. This was truly killing two birds with one stone—not only was her father’s malaria taken care of, but she had also met a master of the age. The left branch’s disadvantage could finally be overturned.

Clever as she was, Xia Ning quickly spoke up, “Mister Jiang, it’s my birthday in a few days. I hope you’ll do me the honor of attending, so I can properly thank you for treating my father.”

Xia Hou-sheng looked at his daughter with open approval. Like father, like daughter—it was clear to all what Xia Ning intended.

Meeting her hopeful gaze, Jiang Yu could only smile. “Very well, I’ll come.”

After all, one does not strike a smiling face. Jiang Yu always acted as he pleased—if he wished to agree, he would; if not, even a king could not force him.

Xia Ning nodded vigorously, her admiration for Jiang Yu soaring. At heart, she was still just an innocent girl of eighteen or nineteen, with all the traits of her age. To idolize a great hero was every girl’s secret dream.

Having witnessed Jiang Yu’s extraordinary abilities, how could a privileged young lady like Xia Ning not be moved?

On the other side, Shen Rong, noticing the spark in Xia Ning’s eyes, clenched his fists.

“After the meal, might I have a look at your family’s collection?” he asked.

What Jiang Yu cared for most was the Biyue Golden Flame. Xia Hou-sheng did not ask further, readily agreeing. To win Jiang Yu’s friendship, he would not hesitate to offer mere treasures—or even shares in the family business.

This meal was eaten with joy; even his pains were greatly relieved. Just when the Xia family had nearly lost hope, a new light appeared.

Worried that some thoughtless junior might offend Jiang Yu, Xia Hou-sheng resolved to have his photo printed and distributed to every younger member. Such was human nature; even as he made this plan, part of him secretly wished that the arrogant right branch would be foolish enough to offend Jiang Yu instead.

As everyone dined, a bodyguard entered.

He seemed about to address Xia Hou-sheng, but Xia Hou-sheng waved a hand. “We’re all family here. Speak freely.”

The bodyguard reported, “Li Hao of Cloud City is here.”

Li Hao?

Everyone was taken aback.

Li Hao, the underground emperor of Cloud City, monopolized half the real estate market, owned dozens of casinos, two docks, and three KTV clubs. His fortune exceeded a billion, with over a hundred enforcers under his command.

Even Xia Hou-sheng grew serious when facing Li Hao.

“How odd. The left branch and Li Hao have always kept to themselves. Why would he come today?” Xia Hou-sheng mused aloud.

Nevertheless, he nodded. “Show him in. I’d like to see what that old fox wants. Has he heard I’m terminally ill and come to carve up the left branch’s assets? Hmph, I’m not dead yet!”

Before the family split, Li Hao would have been nothing to worry about. But now, with the Xia family divided, the right branch boasted not only a master but also a military general as a supporter. The left branch was at its weakest, facing potential annexation at any moment.

At the door, a burly man strode in, followed by his trusted lieutenant, Wolfhead.

“Li Hao, what brings you here?” Xia Wuchang rose to block his path. It was well known that Li Hao, after a stroke of childhood fortune, had reached the middle stage of Condensed Force and was a formidable figure in the mundane world.

The room tensed as he approached.

Li Hao laughed heartily. “Xia Hou-sheng, are you that wary of me? Is the left branch truly at its end?”

With that, he pushed past Xia Wuchang and, to everyone’s shock, strode up to Jiang Yu.

“Disciple Li Hao greets Master!”

“Wolfhead greets Mister Jiang!”

The two spoke in unison.

Xia Hou-sheng was dumbstruck.

Xia Ning nearly leapt from her chair in astonishment, staring open-mouthed at Jiang Yu.