Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 107 Stepping onto the Stage
Pei Chuyun didn't know why she hadn't launched a sneak attack when the battle was at its most intense.

Perhaps it was because she sensed that Lu Xingzhou already suspected her and should be prepared, making it not a good opportunity to launch a sneak attack; or perhaps it was because she also found the infant ghost disgusting and felt that she shouldn't cause trouble for Lu Xingzhou at this time.

But she knew very well that Lu Xingzhou would soon have a second battle.

Lu Xingzhou would not wait until Huo Lu officially became the prefectural magistrate before taking action.

Although Huo Lu had already been appointed as the Prefectural Assistant, he hadn't officially taken office, so the public was unaware of his position. Even if the case came to light, he could claim ignorance, and by involving the Prefectural Governor, there was plenty of room for maneuver. Therefore, the only way to take action against him was now; once he officially took office, it would be much more difficult.

As for Huo Lu's situation, the prefect is unlikely to intervene. Lu Xingzhou can only rely on A Nuo and Jing Ge, and perhaps also the man in black who went to the inn to find him earlier.

Huo Lu also has a third-rank protector by his side, so the power is not heavily tilted, and it will still be a relatively stalemate, with opportunities for a sneak attack.

“You know I am…” Pei Chuyun murmured to herself, “But I really can’t understand what other means you have to deal with me and the evil infant. Let’s try one last time. If I fail again, I, Pei Chuyun, will avoid you for the rest of my life.”

Anyway, the teleportation artifact was ready to cool down, and if anything went wrong, she could still escape. With her last bit of confidence, Pei Chuyun flew back.

She wasn't even entirely sure if her motivation was revenge or simply to see what Lu Xingzhou was up to...

The introduction of Prefect Meng Guan into the battle against the infant ghosts was truly astonishing to Pei Chuyun. While most people who knew about the case still considered Meng Guan a suspect colluding with demonic cultivators, Lu Xingzhou had already attempted to cooperate. Pei Chuyun didn't even dare to think of it this way, and Jing Ge, Huo Lu, and the others were probably in a dream at this moment.

To encounter such an opponent so early in one's career... it's no wonder I was defeated by him several times.

The Yama King's Palace is missing such a strategist... Is the Yama King really willing to let go? Pei Chuyun felt that she really wanted one.

…………

Meng Guan and Jing Ge, however, could not believe Lu Xingzhou's empty boast that "there is someone to support us and we can make it in time," and both of them wanted to give chase.

If that beast gets away, Dream City will never have a peaceful day again.

Lu Xingzhou sat back in his wheelchair and said leisurely, "I told you before that if you followed me, you could catch the demonic cultivators. I'm afraid Brother Jing didn't quite believe me. How about it now?"

Jing Ge coughed dryly: "I believe you."

Although I still don't understand why the baby ghost suddenly appeared and tried to kill me, it really happened, so I have to accept it.

Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "Then I'll say it now: if Brother Jing keeps his promise and helps me deal with Huo Lu, I can see the Infant Ghost again. Do you believe me, Brother Jing?"

Jing Ge was at a loss for words, and after a long while he finally said, "Since Brother Lu says so, then I believe you."

Lu Xingzhou turned to Meng Guan: "Prefect, how about we make a deal?"

Meng Guan looked at him with a somewhat serious expression: "What does Mr. Lu want to say?"

"I want to kill Huo Lu, and the Prefect also hopes to use me to get rid of Huo Lu..."

Meng Guan immediately replied, "I cannot intervene in this matter. If you cannot eliminate Huo Lu, then you cannot eliminate him. It is not my order for you to do so."

Lu Xingzhou waved his hand: "Your Excellency misunderstands... What I mean is, I'm not sure what kind of commotion will occur when dealing with Huo Lu, or if anyone will see it. If that happens, I hope Your Excellency can help me cover it up, at least to remove the serious charge of murdering an official of the imperial court. I don't want to be a wanted criminal, and I certainly don't want to implicate the Heavenly Sword Sect. This is a small matter; Your Excellency, considering that we share the same goal, it shouldn't be difficult for you to lend a hand, right?"

Seeing Meng Guan's hesitation, Lu Xingzhou added, "Of course, I will also put on a show to make things easier for the prefect. At the very least, if Huo Lu calls for help, the prefect should try to stall for time."

Meng Guan breathed a sigh of relief: "Alright. It is precisely because of your merit in finding the infant ghost that I should also offer some assistance."

The so-called procrastination is something that Meng Guan would do even if Lu Xingzhou didn't say it...

Lu Xingzhou smiled and said, "If we're really talking about this credit, I'd like to ask the Prefect for a small favor."

"Please say."

"I know that the Prefect himself does not want to pursue Brother Jing... In addition, Brother Jing has made great contributions here, could you please drop the warrant for his arrest?"

Jing Ge was taken aback.

This guy is asking for favors, all for his own sake?
Meng Guan sighed: "Official matters are not calculated like that... Unless His Majesty grants a special pardon, I cannot do this job."

Jing Ge shook his head: "It doesn't matter."

Meng Guan looked at him and said, "We have worked together for many years, and I really don't want you to fall into such a state. How about you come and work for my prefectural governor's office incognito in the future?"

Jing Ge laughed heartily: "I said before that the purpose of working in the Demon Suppression Division is to seek justice, not to make a living. This incident has just reminded me that justice does not necessarily have to be limited by status... After this matter is settled, I will travel all over the world to seek justice. What is wrong with that? There is no need to add another pair of chopsticks to Prefect Meng's mansion."

After saying that, he turned to Lu Xingzhou: "Brother Lu, shall we go find Huo Lu now?"

Lu Xingzhou smiled and said, "Yes."

"Walk."

Ah Nuo pushed Lu Xingzhou and ran off in a flash, Jing Ge carrying a long sword on his back followed closely behind. Meng Guan watched the three of them disappear into the distance and sighed softly. ...

Huo Lu felt that Lu Xingzhou was in a den of demonic cultivators and was doomed to die.

To create an image of being unrelated to himself, Huo Lu ostentatiously bid for the most beautiful courtesan at the Yihong Pavilion, with the price soaring to a thousand taels of gold, leaving the people of Menggui City speechless with astonishment.

Huo Lu was very satisfied with the result. He figured his move would be widely known by tomorrow, and he could distance himself from Lu Xingzhou, whether he was dead or missing.

While the county magistrate's guards trampled through Hongfa Temple, the bidding for the most beautiful courtesan also came to an end.

In reality, Huo Lu wasn't particularly interested in women. He was a womanizer in his youth, but as he grew older, he naturally realized that secretly fighting for the family business was the most important thing now, so he calmed down a lot and was much more sensible than Huo Yu.

Since the photos were already taken, they couldn't be wasted. Huo Lu was leisurely about to enter the room with the courtesan in his arms when a guard rushed over and said urgently, "Young Master, something has happened at Hongfa Temple! The prefect led his men to raid Hongfa Temple and unearthed a large number of infant skeletons. Abbot Yuanhui's identity has been exposed!"

Huo Lu was horrified, his third leg went weak: "What happened? How did the prefect know? Where is that bastard?"

"Nobody knows. The army is currently sealing off Hongfa Temple and arresting the evil monk. Nobody knows the details inside. All we know is that ghosts are wailing and demonic energy is soaring through the sky. The background of Hongfa Temple can no longer be hidden."

"Let's go." Huo Lu pushed the courtesan aside. "Let's go take a look. I'm a prefectural magistrate, after all; I have the qualifications."

The group quickly left the brothel and headed straight for Hongfa Temple.

It was already late at night, and even the busiest city streets were almost deserted, cold and quiet.

Footsteps echoed in the darkness. It was early spring, and the cold moonlight seemed to carry an air of desolation.

At the end of the dark alley, Lu Xingzhou sat quietly, silently watching Huo Lu and his group approach. A boy stood silently beside him; what seemed like a heartwarming scene in broad daylight appeared all the more eerie in the darkness.

Huo Lu's heart skipped a beat, and he stopped abruptly, coldly saying, "You're still alive..."

In the darkness, Lu Xingzhou's expression was obscured, but his chilling voice, so unlike his usual demeanor, could be heard: "Since none of you are dead, how could I bear to die first?"

Huo Lu took a deep breath: "What do you want to do? Assassinate me in the street?"

Lu Xingzhou chuckled, but his voice held no mirth: "Doing this in the street is indeed not a good idea, but I couldn't help it... Actually, I originally had two much simpler solutions, which I abandoned myself... Fourth Brother, would you like to hear them?"

These words were tantamount to saying "I'm going to kill you," and the old man beside Huo Lu stepped forward.

Huo Lu waved his hand to stop him: "Listen to what he has to say."

Lu Xingzhou said calmly, "I used to know a lot of assassins, and this old man by your side really can't protect you... But I think that if assassins kill you suddenly, it would be too easy for Fourth Brother to die without any pain."

Huo Lu sneered: "What's the second option?"

"I planned to lure Fourth Brother here during the battle at Hongfa Temple, and then, like Huo Yu, fabricate a story that he died at the hands of a demonic cultivator, so I wouldn't have many future troubles..." Lu Xingzhou sighed, "But then I felt uncomfortable. Why do you trash have such good reputations after your deaths? So I abandoned that approach and preferred to ambush people in the street, which would have endless consequences. Fourth Brother, tell me, am I treating you better than I treated Huo Yu?"

“If that’s how you see it, then I’ve been good to you too. Killing your brother in the street isn’t a good reputation, and I’ll take responsibility for it this time.” Huo Lu finally stopped worrying about the reputation of fratricide and waved his hand: “Uncle Lin, kill him.”

The old man, Uncle Lin, flashed his sword and stabbed at Lu Xingzhou.

A flash of light appeared in the sky, and a blade slashed down furiously.

With a loud clang, Jing Ge and Uncle Lin both staggered, their strength evenly matched.

The clash of swords and blades between the third-rank martial artists caused the shockwaves to shatter windows in the surrounding streets and alleys, waking countless people from their sleep and causing them to quietly hide in their rooms to watch.

"Isn't this the wanted criminal Commander Jing?" Huo Lu said coldly, "As expected of a shameless person, he hangs out with wanted criminals."

Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly, completely unconcerned.

The eyes of the masses are discerning. Do the onlookers really think Jing Ge is a wanted criminal?
On the contrary, Huo Lu, who is currently on the opposite side of Jing Ge, is seen by people as the same as the former prefect.

Last time, I made up a story about Huo Yu bravely fighting against demons. I feel disgusted doing that every time. That time, it was to clean up the mess for Shen Tang and Sheng Yuanyao. I didn't want to involve them in the Huo family's feud. I had no choice but to do it.

This time, the goal is to utterly destroy the Huo family's reputation.

This will also be Lu Xingzhou's first battle as he steps from behind-the-scenes planner to the forefront.

Aside from reckless demonic cultivators, normally high-ranking cultivators of the third rank, if they get into a conflict in the city, will proactively take to the skies to fight in order to avoid harming civilians. This is an unwritten rule among high-ranking cultivators. Uncle Lin and Jing Ge exchanged a blow, and then, with remarkable tacit understanding, took the initiative to fight their way into the sky.

On the ground, Lu Xingzhou and Huo Lu faced each other again. A'nuo pushed the wheelchair closer to Huo Lu. Lu Xingzhou chuckled and said, "I've been away from home for ten years and I envy you all for being able to enjoy the company of your parents. Whenever I think of it, I grit my teeth. Now it seems that the pampered and wealthy Fourth Young Master Huo is no match for me, a destitute man. That's why I need the protectors to take action and make a fool of myself in Menggui City."

Huo Lu could almost feel the mockery in the countless eyes peeking from behind the house, and his expression turned ashen: "You want to fight me one-on-one?"

"Of course. A duel in the main street, life or death is irrelevant." Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly: "Fourth Brother, are you afraid?"

(End of this chapter)