Chapter 6, frightened.

This move is the first technique of the Lu family's ancestral deadly Thirteen Blades, known as "Three Lives, Ten Thousand Things"

Lu Bing stepped onto the wall beside him, leaping upward. He turned around and struck down with a powerful blow, wielding his knife with the strength of a mountain. The force of his descent, accompanied by a fierce gust of wind, aimed directly at Xia Dade's head. Xia Dade let out a cry, realizing the tremendous power behind the strike. Not daring to underestimate it, he could only brace himself with both hands holding his weapon, attempting to withstand Lu Bing's formidable attack.

Xiao Er Ge heard Xia Da De boasting about his looks again and almost burst out laughing. He then teased, "Master Xia, I am eating right now. At least someone has invited me to have a bowl of lamb noodles, so please don't let me waste this good food"

The young man’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he repeatedly expressed his gratitude. The man surnamed Xia also clasped his fists and said, "Then I must thank you. I, Xia, have a fondness for this, and it is truly hard to part with it, hahahahaha"

Xia Dade suddenly let go and said, "Penny-pincher, if you won't lend it, then you won't lend it. It's just a broken knife, after all." As Xia Dade abruptly released his grip, Lu Bing had not yet regained his balance, nearly causing himself to fall. He staggered backward, colliding with several tables and chairs, displacing them from their positions, and the chopstick holder on the table tipped over, sending chopsticks rolling everywhere.

Taking the initiative, Lu Bing swung his knife to strike. However, he felt that although Xia Dade was reckless, he was not inherently bad. If he truly intended to ambush him, he could have easily splashed the boiling hot soup on him instead of using a bench. Moreover, Xia had previously shown some reason, so Lu Bing was unwilling to let this minor incident jeopardize Xia Dade's life. Therefore, he refrained from using the ancestral technique, the deadly thirteen strikes that draw blood at once.

"Why are you attacking me and ambushing me from behind?" Lu Bing asked, realizing that good people are often bullied and gentle horses are often ridden. If he did not clarify the situation today, he would inevitably be entangled by this villain.

Those who travel through time usually change history, transforming ancient times into modern metropolises. Hehe, if I were to build a railway, wouldn't those ancient people be astonished? The sound of the locomotive could be worth a fortune, and becoming a wealthy tycoon would also be a good choice.

After finishing his meal, Lu Bing let out a satisfied burp, stretched lazily, and felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him. He had often seen on television the scenes of overnight marches and urgent journeys spanning eight hundred miles, but he had never thought much of it. Now, having traveled all night himself, he felt such fatigue that he suddenly understood the hardships faced by the post stations and soldiers, prompting him to reflect on their struggles.

Every time Lu Bing clashed weapons with Xia Dade, he felt a wave of soreness and numbness in his arm. Realizing that he could not continue like this, he decided to use a technique to subdue Xia Dade. Lu Bing suddenly dashed to the side, and Xia Dade, thinking Lu Bing was trying to escape, shouted, "Don't go!"

The action of combining movements allows one to deliver three strikes in an instant. While it appears deceptively simple, it is, in fact, extremely difficult to master. Typically, a person can only deliver a single downward strike, or the blade may be redirected from vertical to horizontal. This is akin to chopping meat; even a skilled chef can only quickly bring the knife down onto the cutting board before proceeding to the next cut, and certainly cannot strike into thin air.

Xia Dade did not understand what it meant, and with a fierce glare, he said: "You eat yours, who is stopping you from eating?"

Lu Bing did not respond further, merely smiling. The young waiter was also quick to act, bringing two bowls of noodles, one for Lu Bing and one for himself, while he squatted in the corner, devouring his bowl ravenously. Lu Bing savored his meal slowly; although this lamb noodle was not the first bowl, it was still delicious and satisfying. Lu Bing was indeed very hungry, so he even drank the soup.

The man glanced sideways at Lu Bing, and his gaze unexpectedly carried a hint of provocation, causing Lu Bing to clench his fists in anticipation of a confrontation. However, the man burst into hearty laughter, clasped his fists, and said: "I apologize, young brother. I am just a rough fellow and didn't notice earlier. Little brother, please bring a bowl over to this young man."

Lu Bing swung the long bench and sheathed his knife, only to hear Xia Dade burst into hearty laughter: "Good knife! Good knife technique!"

Although it was difficult to speak up, Lu Bing still let out a cold snort in response, making his meaning very clear: he would not lend it!

Lu Bing was somewhat annoyed at this moment, thinking to himself that since he was not well acquainted with you, even if you wanted to borrow the knife to observe the situation, you should at least seek my consent. How could you just ask and then seize the knife? Feeling displeased, Lu Bing exerted force with his hand.

Lu Bing embraced his sword and was about to leave when Xia Dade suddenly grabbed Lu Bing's waist knife, saying: "What a beautiful treasure blade, let me take a look"

Lu Bing smiled at the corners of his mouth, watching as the weapons clashed. Suddenly, he flicked his wrist, and the tiger-headed weapon was retracted like a flash of lightning. Then, with great force, he thrust it forward, piercing right between Xia Dade's shoulder and neck. Lu Bing positioned his blade horizontally, resting it against Xia Dade's neck, and asked, "Do you submit?"

Xia Dade's veins bulged as he gritted his teeth and said, "You really won't lend it!" Lu Bing's face turned slightly red; he had also exerted considerable strength. Fortunately, his foundation was solid, and coupled with several months of modern training, otherwise, he would truly be no match for Xia Dade's great strength. However, even so, it was difficult for him to speak again, clearly indicating that Xia Dade had the upper hand.

Although he thought this way, Lu Bing could not say much and could only smile awkwardly, clasping his fists and saying: "I have met Brother Xia. I am a bit fatigued from the illustrations and books, so I will find a place to rest. We shall meet again if fate allows."

Lu Bing cupped his hands and said, "My surname is Lu, with the given name Chong. How shall I address you, brother?" Lu Bing was not foolish; he was not familiar with this big man. If the government issued a warrant for his capture and he reported his true name, it would be tantamount to revealing his whereabouts. Thus, he casually adopted a pseudonym.

"Oh? Is that so? You still have a reason, then let's see what you've got," Lu Bing said. Xia Dade seemed to have been looking forward to this moment for a long time, nodding and saying, "This is just what I wanted." As he spoke, he drew out a giant butcher's knife from his waist, and then took out an iron rod from behind, which was a sharpening stick. It appeared that these were his weapons. Lu Bing was slightly taken aback, not expecting that Xia Dade was someone who used both hands for his tools.

Xia Dade suddenly did not move, being straightforward in temperament, he exerted more strength. Lu Bing was taken aback and thought to himself, Xia Dade possesses great strength. Thus, he took a deep breath and also increased his effort. The two began to compete in strength. Although Xia Dade was simple-minded, he was not foolish; he naturally realized that Lu Bing was matching him in strength and had forgotten that he was the one who had been rude first. He shouted, "Brother Lu, you have such great strength! I merely wanted to borrow your knife to take a look. How can you be so stingy? I will ask you once more, will you lend it or not!" The two continued to compete in strength. Although Xia Dade was simple-minded, he was not foolish; he naturally realized that Lu Bing was matching him in strength and had forgotten that he was the one who had been rude first. He shouted, "Brother Lu, you have such great strength! I merely wanted to borrow your knife to take a look. How can you be so stingy? I will ask you once more, will you lend it or not!"

Lu Bing let out a cold snort and replied, "Not lending it." The young waiter was taken aback; he knew of Xia Dade's capabilities. Although this man was reasonable, he was also reckless, often standing up for others but prone to conflict. The immensely strong Xia Dade had few rivals in this town. He never expected that this newly arrived young gentleman, with his fair complexion, would possess such abilities to contend with Xia Dade.

Lu Bing let out a heavy sigh, his complexion slightly flushed, and his movements somewhat awkward. He glanced at Xia He and the esteemed scholar, contemplating an action, but then thought better of it. It was wiser to avoid trouble, to take a step back and embrace a broader perspective, to endure for a moment and enjoy calmness. With this thought in mind, Lu Bing stepped towards the door. Just as he was about to exit, he heard a strong wind behind him. Suddenly, he drew his sword and, with a single stroke of his technique, cleaved the approaching bench into three pieces.

The young waiter picked up the bowl and, with a smiling face, said: "Esteemed guest, it is usually Master Xia who comes to drink the first bowl. I did not expect you to arrive earlier than him today. Since Master Xia is not here, I apologize on his behalf."

As Lu Bingzheng was dreaming of recruiting heroes and talented individuals from all over the world, aspiring to be a contemporary "Sai Mengchang," he suddenly heard a man with the surname Xia say: "This young gentleman, may I ask your esteemed surname and name?"

My name is Xia Dade. Judging by my appearance, I should be a few years older than you, so you can call me Brother Xia. I am a pig butcher from Dongqiao Town. Hehe, you didn't expect that a pig butcher could look as handsome as Pan An.

Moreover, Lu Bing is a well-behaved youth raised in a society governed by the rule of law. From a young age, he has been learning about political thought, and the concept of law has deeply ingrained itself in his mind. Subconsciously, he often thinks about the principle of retribution, such as the idea that taking a life must be compensated with a life, and the various articles of criminal law. This is precisely why Lu Bing was taken aback when Zhu Houzong severed the tendons of the Jiang family's young master. In modern times, such an act would result in serious injury and warrant a criminal sentence. The capabilities of our judicial department in apprehending fugitives are beyond doubt; even if one were to escape to the moon, they would still be brought back to serve their sentence.

The two engaged in a lively exchange of blows, creating quite a commotion. Although Xia Dade wielded weapons in both hands and was taller and stronger than Lu Bing, who stood at 1.8 meters, his speed was significantly slower than Lu Bing's. It was only due to his considerable size and strength, along with Lu Bing not using lethal force, that the two of them were entangled for a good while, lasting as long as it takes to brew a cup of tea

Lu Bingxiang recalled that the big man had just taken a sip from the bowl, and combined with the unclean beard that had fallen into it, he couldn't help but feel a bit nauseous. He quickly clasped his fists and said: "Well said, well said, I will let this bowl be for Master Xia. Young waiter, please bring me another bowl. If you wish to eat, I will treat you to a bowl."

Xia Dade, however, said with an indifferent expression: "Who told you not to let me see the knife just now? I merely wanted to test how sharp it is, and it was by no means an attempt to launch a sneak attack from behind. If I truly intended to ambush you from behind, you probably wouldn't be standing here now."

If it were merely a feint with three strikes, it could be acceptable; however, Lu Bing's moves are clearly not mere tricks. The three strikes did not descend from above but abruptly halted in mid-air, each one a genuine lethal blow, exuding power. This is why he was able to instantly cleave the long bench into three segments. As the blade passed, a fierce wind surged, causing the face of the waiter to sting painfully, prompting him to shout and throw down his bowl before retreating to the inner hall. This is the rhythm of an impending fight

Upon hearing this, Lu Bing nearly vomited the noodles he had just eaten. There is no one so narcissistic; with such a visage, there is no need for self-introduction, one can tell he is a butcher. How dare he claim to be as handsome as Pan An? Does that mean I must be a celestial being with the looks of a jade-faced official? And this name, Xia Dade, is too auspicious; it’s terrifying. This fellow truly has no small amount of courage, having been frightened since childhood. No wonder he can boast so shamelessly about himself; he has a thick skin and a bold demeanor.

The waiter hurriedly said, "Master Xia, this was ordered by that young man. You might as well wait for the next bowl." Lu Bing couldn't help but relax his brows slightly. Looking at the burly man's fierce appearance, he seemed quite rough in his actions. However, the fact that the waiter dared to say this indicated that this man surnamed Xia was still reasonable, and his earlier actions might have been unintentional.