There are certain internal details unknown to Li Banfeng.
After Lu Dongjun became a lost soul, his specialization enhanced his combat prowess, but his mindset grew increasingly fixated.
The present circumstances evaded his comprehension. Even with Li Banfeng's deliberate provocation, he couldn't discern the weaknesses. His malice was evident when he lied, yet he was uncertain if his deception would succeed. However, he was absolutely certain of one thing: Lu Dongliang's nature.
Having grown up together, the concept of 'forgiveness' simply did not exist in Lu Dongliang's vocabulary.
Regardless of Lu Dongliang's reasons for saving him, Lu Dongjun was convinced that Lu Dongliang would not spare him.
Lu Dongjun contemplated escape, but he knew escaping Lu Dongliang was impossible.
Still reeling from his recent battle with Chu Zikai, Lu Dongjun was significantly depleted and severely injured, placing him in a precarious situation.
Rapidly closing the distance and engaging in a decisive fight to eliminate Lu Dongliang was the optimal strategy Lu Dongjun could devise.
After an extensive search within the shed yielded no sign of 'Lu Dongliang,' Lu Dongjun began to feel a sense of panic. Losing sight of Lu Dongliang under any circumstance meant placing himself directly in danger.
"Brother, come out! Let's have a proper conversation!" Lu Dongjun declared, delivering a downward punch that utterly demolished a row of sheds.
From within the swirling dust, Li Banfeng emerged slowly behind Lu Dongjun.
Lu Dongjun whipped his head around, fixing his gaze on Li Banfeng for a moment before exclaiming, "You're not my brother?"
Li Banfeng gave a slight nod and then began to sing the opera piece "Stable Military Mountain": "Lu Dongjun, my son, it is fine if you do not come. But if you do, come to your father's house for a feast!"
What kind of individual was this?
Without much thought, Lu Dongjun casually grabbed two broken tiles and hurled them at Li Banfeng.
The tiles shot through the air with a loud whistle, demonstrating their velocity, but they failed to strike Li Banfeng.
Lu Dongjun's throw missed; his hand was somewhat impaired, a consequence of the sound cultivation technique.
Li Banfeng continued his operatic rendition, and Lu Dongjun picked up on a crucial detail.
This person was just like the one he encountered earlier, also a sound cultivator. This was not Lu Dongliang, nor was he here to rescue him. Instead, he had arrived with another sound cultivator, intending to contend for business.
Sensing the unfavorable turn of events, Lu Dongjun attempted to retreat, but his feet felt as if they were sinking into cotton, making every step incredibly arduous.
Engaging in close-quarters combat with a wandering cultivator was indeed a sound strategy.
However, to engage in close combat with a resident cultivator near their own dwelling was far from advantageous.
Lu Dongjun found himself ensnared by the sound cultivation technique, his movements drastically slowed as Li Banfeng produced Prince Chun's horsewhip and ensnared Lu Dongjun from behind.
Lu Dongjun grasped the whip's end, attempting to sever it with his fingernails. However, Li Banfeng swiftly retracted the whip and altered the song from "Stable Military Mountain" to "Battle of Dragon and Tiger": "The Black Steed neighs incessantly, and when the whip is raised, even gods and ghosts grow fearful!"
Pa!
Li Banfeng delivered another sharp crack of the whip, sending Lu Dongjun sprawling to the ground.
Lu Dongjun scooped up a handful of mud and sand from the earth and flung it towards Li Banfeng; Li Banfeng easily dodged the debris using the Carefree Technique.
Seeing Li Banfeng still standing before him, Lu Dongjun prepared to fight with the desperation of a cornered beast. Suddenly, he realized the whip was no longer in Li Banfeng's grasp.
Where had the whip vanished to?
The whip was now in the hand of a shadow persona.
The shadow struck Lu Dongjun's head with the whip more than ten times. Lu Dongjun's body swayed uncontrollably and then collapsed, utterly unable to rise.
This opponent was undeniably formidable; an ordinary lost soul would have dissipated after enduring such a barrage.
Yet, Lu Dongjun not only withstood the assault but had not surrendered mentally, still contemplating a method to stall for time, hoping to regain his breath and launch a counterattack.
Li Banfeng, being a pragmatic individual, observed Lu Dongjun's remarkable resilience. He promptly opened his portable residence, pulled the incapacitated Lu Dongjun inside, and stated, "Come, rest within my dwelling. Once you've recuperated, we shall resume our confrontation."
Lu Dongjun lifted his gaze, finding himself within a completely dark chamber.
Hong Ying glanced back, witnessing Li Banfeng dragging a lost soul inside. She set down her eyebrow pencil and inquired, "Qi Lang, are we once again excluded from this bounty?"
Li Banfeng chided, "Do not speak such impropriety in front of our guest; we are a respectable household."
Gazing upon Hong Ying’s elegant form, her lustrous long hair, and feeling an inexplicable aura surrounding her, coupled with Hong Ying’s potent presence.
Recollections of a past life surfaced, prompting Lu Dongjun to inquire, "Are you the renowned General Zhao Xiaowan?"
The Lu Family did indeed possess some knowledge regarding General Zhao Xiaowan and had even delved into investigating their current whereabouts.
Hong Ying couldn't suppress a laugh and declared with evident pride, "Indeed, I am Zhao Xiaowan. Do you recognize me?"
"Who in Puluo State wouldn't know of this hero?" Lu Dongjun responded amiably, then shifted his gaze to Li Banfeng, "My good sir, may I ask your esteemed name?"
Li Banfeng replied, "I am Zhao Xiaowan's husband."
Lu Dongjun observed Li Banfeng and Hong Ying, then questioned, "Are you two by chance husband and wife?"
Hong Ying nodded, "Precisely, you possess a keen perception!"
The phonograph lightly touched Hong Ying, addressing Li Banfeng, "Beloved husband, from whence did this mutated lost soul emerge? I feel as though I've encountered him before."
Li Banfeng turned back, inquiring, "What do you mean by 'mutated'?"
"It's akin to metamorphosis; ordinary cultivators experience a decline in combat prowess after death. However, certain special cultivators, as lost souls, find their fighting capabilities greatly enhanced, their souls so solidified as to appear corporeal. Such individuals are termed mutated lost souls."
This explanation aligned perfectly with Jin Shunying's earlier account, confirming Lu Dongjun's exceptional nature.
Li Banfeng stated, "This is Lu Dongjun, a prominent figure from the Lu Family. For reasons unknown, I happened upon him in the outer provinces and extended an invitation for him to join us here."
Chuckle ~
The phonograph let out a chuckle, "Ah, so you are the second young master of the Lu Family. I recall seeing your likeness in the newspapers."
Lu Dongjun slowly got to his feet from his seated position on the ground. "It appears you are all individuals of extraordinary caliber. Having fallen into your hands, I submit both in spirit and in word. Ask whatever you will, and provided you spare my life, I shall answer without reservation."