As Lu Ming's words left his mouth, everyone in the room was stunned, including Jiang Mengxin.
Previously, when Jiang Mengxin contradicted the Moon Emissary Shi Hengxiao, it was merely from a standpoint of justice and morality, a righteous defiance. But Lu Ming's was different; he was outright cursing!
Calling them the Black Lotus Sect, tut tut, he was completely slandering the White Lotus Sect. Did he even value his life?
Indeed.
Upon hearing this, Shi Hengxiao's face turned ashen, his expression darkening.
It felt like he was about to explode at any moment!
Yet, Lu Ming didn't intend to stop. He continued, "Auntie isn't sick, she's been poisoned. And as far as I know, this poison is currently only contracted by followers of your White Lotus Sect. Heh, and now you're here putting on a show of false sympathy. Who are you trying to fool? And this holy water and holy medicine of yours."
Lu Ming picked up the dregs of the medicine and sniffed them, saying, "The so-called holy water is just some baking soda added to water; the so-called holy medicine is merely a detoxifier with added coloring. This stuff might fool a three-year-old, but it won't work on me."
Good heavens, he was utterly demolishing them!
In one breath, Lu Ming exposed the White Lotus Sect and Shi Hengxiao's deceptive tricks, leaving them with nothing to hide behind.
It's said you shouldn't slap someone's face when fighting, but Lu Ming didn't just slap his face; he practically shoved Shi Hengxiao's face down and spanked him with a shoe sole, leaving him no dignity whatsoever.
Too ruthless.
Everyone was terrified, having seen ruthlessness before, but never this much.
Especially Jiang Xueyi. He knew Lu Ming's temper, but he never imagined it would be even more stubborn than he thought, like a stubborn ox!
Even if you knew the White Lotus Sect was shady, even if you knew the holy water and holy medicine were problematic, couldn't you just say it behind their backs?
Saying it out loud in such a public setting, wasn't this just bringing trouble to the Jiang family?
Sigh.
One word: foolish!
The bodyguards nearby couldn't stand it anymore. Without a word, one of them grabbed a dagger and approached Lu Ming. This time, Shi Hengxiao didn't stop him.
Others frowned, lamenting Lu Ming's bravery and foolishness.
However, there was something even bolder to come.
As the bodyguard neared Lu Ming, Lu Ming suddenly raised his hand and made a swift motion in the air. The silver needle in his hand directly grazed the bodyguard's dagger.
Normally, a silver needle versus a dagger, the outcome would be obvious.
But to everyone's surprise, Lu Ming's silver needle not only held its ground but won spectacularly!
With a 'ding,' everyone turned to look. The dagger in the bodyguard's hand had snapped cleanly in two in mid-air! The upper half clattered to the ground.
Incredible.
The hard dagger had been split in two by a tiny silver needle. How much power and skill would that require?
Even more astonishing things were yet to come.
The bodyguard was first shocked, then enraged. As he prepared to argue with Lu Ming, he felt a stinging pain in his neck. He touched it and found it bleeding!
It turned out Lu Ming had not only broken the dagger but also sliced the bodyguard's neck, drawing blood.
Lu Ming had only grazed his neck, choosing not to kill him, which demonstrated how masterful his control was, far beyond that of an ordinary expert.
Even Jiang Mengxin, who had witnessed Lu Ming's moments of glory, was stunned by this 'remarkably ordinary' simple flick of his wrist.
Instantly, the entire room fell silent.
Even the ruthless Shi Hengxiao dared not speak loudly now. Though arrogant and lustful, he was not stupid. After witnessing Lu Ming's extraordinary skill, he knew his bodyguards couldn't protect him.
If he provoked Lu Ming further, he would be the one in an awkward position.
With Shi Hengxiao silent, it was inappropriate for anyone else to speak, so they all stared at each other, waiting for someone else to break the silence.
The atmosphere was incredibly awkward.
Finally.
Lu Ming retracted his silver needle and said to Shi Hengxiao, his back turned, "No matter what kind of dog emissary or bird emissary you are, in front of me, you're all just shit! You think you can do whatever you want with the White Lotus Sect behind you? You wish!"
Dominant, arrogant, and defiant.
The true nature of the Dragon Warlord was on full display at this moment.
What a joke. How could a hero of China, a pillar of the nation, be afraid of these demons and monsters that appeared out of nowhere?!
Jiang Xueyi, Chen Yuan, and others couldn't help but swallow, a mix of shock and fear on their faces.
Conversely, Jiang Mengxin's affection for Lu Ming grew even more.
Everyone else was intimidated by Shi Hengxiao, acting so subserviently that it was sickening. But Lu Ming was different. Whether you called him brave or brainless, at least he wasn't afraid of Shi Hengxiao.
This was the charm a man should possess.
True manly spirit!
After a long while, Shi Hengxiao recovered from his shock, his expression turning to rage. Ever since he became the Moon Emissary of the White Lotus Sect, he had never suffered such humiliation.
Where was the honor of the White Lotus Sect?
"Good, very good. Your name is Lu Ming, isn't it? I'll remember you," Shi Hengxiao said coldly. "Do you know what happens to those who dare to offend our White Lotus Sect in Jinling?"
Lu Ming scoffed, "You mean disappear? Then I'll be waiting for you to make me disappear!"
Direct confrontation.
Who's afraid of whom?!
Shi Hengxiao raised an eyebrow. "Fine, Lu Ming, you're the most spirited person I've ever met. But I hope you can remain spirited forever, and don't end up crying and begging me for mercy."
Lu Ming waved his hand. "Stop your babbling and get out."
Get out?
Using the word "get out" towards Shi Hengxiao, there was likely only Lu Ming in all of Jinling who would dare to do so.
Shi Hengxiao's face was extremely unpleasant.
Just leave like this?
Wouldn't that be equivalent to being kicked out by Lu Ming, truly "getting out"?
At this moment, Xu Qin, who was lying on the sickbed, suddenly turned cold and snapped, "Lu Ming, you're the one who should get out!"
Huh?
Everyone turned to look at Xu Qin simultaneously.
Xu Qin struggled to sit up, her face filled with anger, and said, "Emissary Yue is a noble figure of the White Lotus Sect, my superior, immensely respected. How can you insult him like this? Moreover, Emissary Yue is here to give me holy medicine to save my life! Lu Ming, instead of thanking him, you maliciously insult and slander him. What are your intentions?"
She paused, then continued, "Oh, I understand now. You want to drive away Emissary Yue so I can die from my illness, and then you can trick my foolish husband and stupid daughter, and seize our Jiang family's assets, right? Lu Ming, you're the one with ulterior motives, a sinister villain! Get out, get out of here, I don't want to see you!"
As she spoke, Xu Qin began to cough violently, clearly agitated.
Lu Ming's brows furrowed.
He had seen foolishness before, but never this level of foolishness. How could there be such a nonsensical fool like Xu Qin in the world? If he were to marry Jiang Mengxin, this fool would actually become his mother-in-law, and he'd have to take orders from her in the future?
The thought was vexing.
Jiang Mengxin gave Lu Ming a look and said, "You should go out first."
Lu Ming insisted, "Auntie's poison isn't difficult to cure. Believe me, one dose of medicine will surely cure her."
"I don't believe a word you say!" Xu Qin immediately cursed. "Even if I die of illness, I absolutely will not take your medicine! Get out, go as far away as you can, get out, get out, get out!"
Getting worked up, Xu Qin coughed violently.
Although Jiang Mengxin believed Lu Ming, seeing Xu Qin in this state, she knew Lu Ming couldn't stay any longer.
Helplessly.
She said to Lu Ming, "You should go out first. We can talk later."
Sigh…
Lu Ming shook his head and turned to leave.
As he passed Shi Hengxiao, their eyes met.
Shi Hengxiao smiled. "What's the use of knowing so much? I'm sorry, but Auntie would rather believe me, she won't believe a single word of your nonsense."
This was the tragic part.
Lu Ming was telling the truth, Xu Qin's poisoning wasn't difficult to cure, and Lu Ming could have easily healed her. But the crux of the issue was—Xu Qin didn't believe him!
Prejudice.
Extreme prejudice.
Furthermore, as a follower of the White Lotus Sect, Xu Qin naturally preferred to believe the high and mighty Moon Emissary Shi Hengxiao.
With no other choice, Lu Ming left the room.
After Lu Ming departed, Xu Qin panted heavily. Once her anger subsided slightly, she said to Shi Hengxiao, "Emissary Yue, I am truly sorry. That Lu Ming is an unreliable lunatic. Please, do not hold it against our Jiang family because of him."
Shi Hengxiao nodded. "This emissary distinguishes clearly between right and wrong. Those responsible should bear the responsibility, and the innocent will not be implicated."
Xu Qin was grateful. "As expected of the White Lotus Sect's Moon Emissary, you are truly noble and of impeccable character. Also, Emissary Yue, my illness still requires two more doses of holy medicine to be cured, doesn't it? Will you still give me your portion?"
Heh, there was hope!
Shi Hengxiao feigned difficulty. "Of course, I'm willing. The problem is, you've taken one dose, and with mine, that's only two doses. We're still one dose short."
Then, Xu Qin looked at Jiang Mengxin, holding her hand.
With tears welling up, she said, "Mengxin, my dear daughter, your mother wouldn't ask you unless it was absolutely necessary. Now, my life is in your hands. Are you willing to join the White Lotus Sect to get the remaining dose of holy medicine for your mother?"
This…
Awkward.
To say she was willing would be a lie; Jiang Mengxin was a million miles from wanting to.
Moreover, she found Shi Hengxiao unreliable and was more inclined to believe Lu Ming's words, believing that Lu Ming could cure Xu Qin.
But the situation was dire. If she refused, Xu Qin might become excessively distressed, possibly even dying on the spot.
She couldn't let her mother suffer anymore.
Hoo—
Jiang Mengxin took a deep breath and said, "Mom, for your life, I am willing to join the White Lotus Sect."
"That's wonderful!" Xu Qin's eyes lit up with joy.
Shi Hengxiao was even happier.
He had thought his plan had failed, but unexpectedly, Xu Qin, this die-hard fan, had provided divine assistance, leading Jiang Mengxin to join the White Lotus Sect. Heh, with this, obtaining Jiang Mengxin in the future would be as easy as taking something from his palm.
This beauty would ultimately fall into Shi Hengxiao's hands!
He cleared his throat and said happily, "Since Madam Jiang is willing to join the White Lotus Sect, I will be your recommender. Day after tomorrow, go to the Bai Lian Jiao Qiao Nan Church, and I will hold the initiation ceremony for you!"