A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage)
Chapter 1856

"Grandpa? Are you..."

Despite her flawless skin and exquisite features, the girl emitted a vibe that differed greatly from the flamboyant ladies in the city.

Lu Ziming could feel an inexplicable aura from her, which could only be found in a martial artist.

Obviously, it wasn't just any ordinary martial artist that exuded such a vibe, for it only belonged to those that were highly skilled.

"I'm Zhang Zixi. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lu," the girl greeted Lu Ziming with a bow.

He was taken by surprise. "Oh, it's you, Zixi. I didn't expect you to be all grown up now. Your skills seemed to have caught up with your grandpa's. Looks like the rumors are true. Jiangbei's martial arts world finally has an heir," Lu Ziming remarked in relief.

Twenty years ago, he had heard that a martial arts genius was born into the Zhang family. Evidently, the girl standing in front of him was that genius.

Nonetheless, Lu Ziming wasn't bothered by it, for his son, Lu Hua, was equally exceptional. The latter had joined the program for gifted martial artists within China's martial arts world.

Subsequently, his son became one of the martial artists that the War God Castle was focused on grooming.

As for Zhang Jiuling's niece, she simply faded away without any news.

Lu Ziming figured she had been training by Zhang Jiuling's side all this while.

He let out a sigh.

If I had kept my son by my side just like her, he wouldn't have found fame at such an early age. More importantly, he wouldn't have been killed by that b*stard, while the Lu Clan wouldn't have fallen into such dire circumstances.

Looking at Zhang Zixi, Lu Ziming couldn't help but feel a sting in his heart.

If my son were still alive, he would probably be her age.

Prior to that, he hated Ye Fan and could think of nothing else but to kill him.

But after reflecting on the incident, he felt he bore significant responsibility for what happened.

If only he hadn't allowed Lu Hua to become famous at an early age, his son wouldn't have behaved with such impunity.

Therefore, it was more of an inevitable end for Lu Hua than a tragedy caused by Ye Fan.

Even if Ye Fan weren't the one who killed him, someone else would have done the same because of Lu Hua's behavior.

Lost in his sentimental thoughts, Lu Ziming followed Zhang Zixi into one of the mansion's halls.

Inside, he caught the smell of incense and saw a row of plaques that commemorated the different heads of the Zhang family.

In front of the plaques sat an old man in a grey robe. With his eyes closed, he was meditating cross-legged on a bamboo mat.

"Mr. Zhang, it really is difficult to see you. I have been waiting outside for an entire day and night," Lu Ziming complained the moment he saw the old man.

After all, the Lu Clan was the most prominent family in Jiangbei, while his father, Lu Songliang, was given the title of Supreme Grandmaster.

Even though his father had been crippled by Ye Fan, their family used to be famous before. Moreover, his father enjoyed a close relationship with Zhang Jiuling.

He had assumed that he could easily see the latter during the visit instead of jumping through so many hoops.

"Mr. Lu, you should know I retired from the martial arts world two years ago. The Zhang family of Jiangbei no longer has anything to do with it. Why are you here to see me? Despite your presence, there's nothing I can do to help you," Zhang Jiuling replied calmly with his back facing Lu Ziming.

Throughout his speech, his eyes remained closed.

"It's not about the martial arts world," Lu Ziming explained.

"If it's about the mundane world, there's even less reason to see me. I handed everything to Zijiang decades ago. It truly has been a long time since I got myself involved in family matters. Whatever it is, you

should talk to him instead."

Zhang Zijiang was the current head of the Zhang family. Therefore, he had the authority to decide on all matters related to it.

Lu Ziming shook his head. "Mr. Zhang, I'm afraid no one else in the Zhang family other than you can decide on the matter I'm here to see you about. It's not a question of authority but one of courage." His words caused Zhang Zixi's eyes to narrow as she grew curious.

What is it that only Grandpa can decide upon while everyone else isn't worthy of doing so?

"Mr. Lu, you have overestimated me. I'm no longer the head of the Zhang family nor the president of the Martial Arts Association. I have no authority and no resources. The only thing I have left is this small piece of land right here. Given that my days are numbered, there is little else I can do. Therefore, please go."

Zhang Jiuling had no intention of finding out the purpose of Lu Ziming's visit, as it wasn't necessary for him to do so.

After deciding to retire, he had withdrawn from the worrisome mundane world and the martial arts world.

Since he had decided to stay away, there was no need for him to get involved in matters of the outside world.

However, Lu Ziming had no intention of leaving. Instead, he questioned in a grave tone, "Mr. Zhang, do you really think you can truly wash your hands of the martial arts world just because you say so? Even though you do not possess any resources or authority, you shouldn't forget about the power contained in your body. Now that the Lu Clan has fallen, the Zhang family will be the first target of any enemies who try to claw their way into Jiangbei. Do you think you can really stay out of this just because you want to?"

Lu Ziming's scathing words suddenly caused the tension in the room to build up.

As a deathly silence ensued, all one could hear was the rustling of the grass in the surroundings.

Zhang Jiuling let out a sigh after a long silence.

"Mr. Lu, you're right. Sometimes, not everything is under our control. Even the most powerful warrior on the Sky Ranking fell due to the conflicts in the martial arts world, let alone an old man without a title such as me. Go on, tell me who is trying to claw their way into Jiangbei? You can tell him that the Zhang family has no intention of getting into a power struggle with him.

"If he wants to control Jiangbei's martial arts world, I will definitely not interfere. If he is still concerned that I'm a potential threat and wants to dispose of me, tell him to wait for me at Westlake where Songliang was killed. If I were unlucky enough to fall there and have my body buried inside the lake, I would at least be reunited with my old friend," he answered calmly as if his death barely mattered at all.

As someone who was about a hundred years old, Zhang Jiuling had seen his fair share of conflicts and how despicable men could be.

Having been enlightened to the true nature of the world, life or death was nothing but a common occurrence to him.

In fact, he didn't even open his eyes nor experience any change of emotions when he spoke about the matter.

After hearing her grandpa's pessimistic words, Zhang

Zixi approached him anxiously. "Grandpa, you can't die. I will accept this challenge on your behalf! My Nine Swords of Westlake has reached a level so powerful that I can even take on a Grandmaster." Lu Ziming couldn't help but snort, "Nine Swords of Westlake? Zixi, not that I want to run you down, but this enemy isn't someone you can beat even if you have ninety-nine swords. In fact, the combined strength of your grandpa and the rest of the Zhang family isn't even close to being enough. He is someone so strong that no one in Jiangbei can stand against him."

"That's impossible!" Zhang Zixi exclaimed in defiance. "Grandpa has told me before that other than the Pillars of China within the War God Castle, I can fight against anyone else."

In the face of Zhang Zixi's pride, Lu Ziming responded with just a smile.

"Zixi, leave us. This is a matter for the elders, and you're still too young to get involved. Your time will come after all of us old fogies are gone," Zhang Jiuling persuaded his granddaughter to stand down. "Mr. Lu, can you now tell me who is coming?" Zhang Jiuling eyes remained closed.

Lu Ziming fell silent as if he were hesitant to mention the name.

Finally, he replied with an icy glint in his eye. "He's someone that you know who has wreaked devastation across Jiangbei and Mount Van. Not only did he force the Chu family into submission, but he also shook the world while doing so. He also survived attacking the Chu Sect alone and being struck down by a God Realm warrior. He is none other than the Unrivalled, most powerful warrior on the Sky Ranking.