Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 117 Let your father come and invite me himself.
Even Pei Yu felt that if he were in Lu Xingzhou's position, he would also visit the Huo family.

Because the Huo family is currently in the eye of the storm, they would never dare to invite someone to dinner only to detain or kill them, as that would be handing a knife to their political enemies. Therefore, this meal is absolutely safe.

Then you might as well go and take a look, and see what the Huo family has to say.

Perhaps by taking advantage of this opportunity, he could obtain a formally recognized identity. Most people still believe that what Huo Shang wants is a family identity or even the right to inherit the family. If it is only for revenge, then why was Huo Yu's death made to be "killed by demons"? And why was Huo Lu only crippled and not killed?

All signs suggest that Huo Shang probably wanted to "strive for his rightful place," so his act of "murdering his brother" was partly revenge and partly to eliminate obstacles—a line of thinking that is easy for everyone to understand.

The reason Lu Xingzhou had been using Huo Shang's identity half-truthfully was precisely to mislead everyone. The Huo family also thought that he wanted family power and wanted to trample all those who had bullied him underfoot, so they wouldn't have chosen to send a top expert to eliminate him completely.

After all, the Huo family still considered her status as a "princess's advisor" to be a valuable investment. Killing her outright would also offend Shen Tang terribly, and they wouldn't make that choice unless absolutely necessary.

The reason Yang Dechang was sent to deliver the old house to him earlier was for the same purpose, to see if a "reconciliation" could be reached. If Huo Shang was willing to acknowledge his ancestors and return to his clan, that would not be out of the question.

It's ultimately a "family matter"... Even killing one's brother has to be done in secret, how could you dare to kill one's father? Once you've vented your anger enough, that's enough.

To this day, no one has ever imagined that Lu Xingzhou really just wanted everyone in the Huo family to die, not even Sheng Yuanyao, who had been following this whole affair.

Therefore, the Huo family's invitation for him to return for dinner was a genuine attempt to confront him and ask what he wanted, and to see if they could discuss how to clear Lu Xingzhou of suspicion that Huo Lu was colluding with demonic cultivators. As the person directly involved, his words carried weight.

Grand Tutor Huo never expected that this guy would actually refuse, humiliating his grandfather in front of everyone.

Huo Jin was even more surprised to be rejected in front of Pei Yu, whom she didn't get along with, and her face was still flushed with embarrassment.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger: "You're an adult now, don't just act on impulse. You should know it's a good thing your family is calling you back!"

"You should enjoy this good thing." Lu Xingzhou drank his wine indifferently: "I only know that normal adults would not forcibly pull guests away when others are eating. The Huo family's family upbringing has been a disgrace to the entire capital, and it's not my fault."

"you!"

Lu Xingzhou said leisurely, "You want to speak on Huo Lu's case of colluding with demonic cultivators? Let Huo Xingyuan or Huo Liancheng come to me themselves, bring gifts and beg me! Who do you think you are, Huo Jin? Do you even deserve it?"

"How dare you address my father and grandfather by their given names!"

"A name is meant to be called out. What, is it shameful to call out the Huo family's name?" Lu Xingzhou sneered. "Nonsense."

"Very well, very well." Huo Jin's face turned pale with anger: "Brother Pei, this man is rude and has insulted my ancestors and father. I must teach him a lesson. Brother Pei won't stop me, will you?"

Pei Yu raised his glass with interest, indicating, "Personal grudges are none of the Pei family's business."

Huo Jin strode forward and grabbed Lu Xingzhou's shoulder with one claw: "Today I will capture you and take you back to my father for judgment!"

Lu Xingzhou grabbed it casually.

Although his speed didn't seem fast, he actually arrived first despite being slower. Huo Jin found that he couldn't dodge at all; his hand that was grabbing his shoulder was as if it were offered up, and his wrist was directly grabbed.

Immediately afterwards, a tremendous force twisted, and with a "crack," the forearm was dislocated.

The third-rank protectors behind him never expected that Huo Jin, a fifth-rank cultivator, would be injured in a single move against Lu Xingzhou, a sixth-rank cultivator, as if he were a child... They were too slow to rush forward to help, as Huo Jin's hand had already been dislocated.

Amidst screams, Lu Xingzhou casually tossed Huo Jin aside and said coldly, "I don't understand. Fourth Brother and Sixth Brother have both suffered greatly here, so why do you still dare to bark and howl in front of me?"

The protector caught Huo Jin in a hurry, and looked at Lu Xingzhou with utter disbelief.

Everyone knew that Huo Lu and Huo Yu had suffered a great loss at Lu Xingzhou's hands, but since the incident happened outside, no one knew the details. You could have set a trap, surrounded them, or ambushed them, but who would have thought that a crippled sixth-rank soldier could actually crush them in a one-on-one fight? Huo Jin's strength wasn't weak, yet he couldn't even withstand a single move from Lu Xingzhou.

Lu Xingzhou said indifferently, "This is Pei family territory, and it's a friend's treat. I don't want to see blood. Take your fifth young master and get out."

Huo Jin crossed his arms, drenched in cold sweat: "Lu Xingzhou, your arrogance is unacceptable; my father will not let you get away with this!"

Ah Nuo asked Pei Chuyun curiously, "Sister, how old is this person? Is he still breastfeeding? He's only said a few words since he came here, and every sentence he says mentions his father."

Pei Chuyun couldn't help but laugh: "Yeah, she might not even be as big as Anuo."

Several people at Pei Yu's table were laughing. Huo Jin was both embarrassed and angry, and turned to leave, saying, "Let's go!"

They came with great fanfare, but left like stray dogs; the farce quickly came to an end. Pei Yu watched with a smile the whole time, and only then did he speak: "Brother Lu, are you really not afraid of the Huo family's retaliation? It wouldn't be difficult for them to kill you in a dark alley."

"If they want to kill me, what's the difference between me being cautious and timid, and me arrogantly defying them?"

Pei Yu thought for a moment: "If things go smoothly on the surface, they might not kill you." "But the bigger the fuss I make, the less likely they are to kill me."

Pei Yu admitted, "That's true. After all, we're under the Emperor's nose. His Majesty is watching. The Huo family has already had enough troubles lately, and they wouldn't dare give us any more excuses to attack them."

"Look, since the result is the same, why can't I choose the way that makes me feel comfortable?"

Pei Yu chuckled: "Not bad."

Lu Xingzhou blinked: "Besides, if I really go back with him, Brother Pei will probably have to sever ties with me from now on... I'm still waiting for Brother Pei to make another appointment, I can't let that meal go to waste."

Pei Yu laughed heartily: "Good, good. Since Brother Lu is missing the Huo family banquet, how about coming to my Pei family for a casual meal? Hmm, how about tomorrow night?"

Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly: "That is exactly what I wish for."

Pei Chuyun, standing beside her, held her breath.

Lu Xingzhou gently squeezed her small hand, signaling her to calm down.

Pei Chuyun's face flushed slightly. Taking advantage of the moment when the dishes were served, she quietly pulled her hand away and picked up her chopsticks.

Sheng Yuanyao glanced at their little exchange but didn't take it to heart. After all, it was common knowledge that a personal maid would accompany a concubine in bed. She ate her fill of melon with satisfaction and then smiled as she put a piece of food on Lu Xingzhou's plate: "This is dragonfish, a specialty of the capital. Try it."

Lu Xingzhou breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that it's not soy milk."

"what is that?"

"It's nothing..." Lu Xingzhou smiled and said, "You said you didn't want to get involved in my affairs, but since you're so close to me and don't avoid suspicion, will it affect you?"

Sheng Yuanyao scoffed, "I'm afraid of getting involved in these things, but as long as they're not sick, they won't actively provoke another enemy of my family."

"What if they determine that your house is closer to mine?"

“What makes you so special that people can rely on you?” Sheng Yuanyao suddenly lowered her voice. “No one thinks you can represent Shen Tang. To be honest, you only represent the Huo family’s private grudges.”

Lu Xingzhou nodded, agreeing.

In the eyes of the Pei family, he was nothing more than a good pawn to strike at the Huo family.

To be honest, Lu Xingzhou didn't want to drag Sheng Yuanyao into this mess. He could consider the Pei family, but only if he could ensure that he, as a pawn, wouldn't be used as cannon fodder.

The gap in strength is quite large... If it weren't for wanting to enter the Pill Academy to gain prestige, going to the capital at this time would have been far too early.

Of course, there are also ways to play early. At least each company doesn't pay too much attention to itself and won't be in the spotlight too much.

As for Shen Tang's background, it's difficult to decide whether to use him or not at the moment, as that could complicate matters further. At least for now, the princes' attention isn't focused on this little Karami, but if they find out he's more than just a guest advisor, the outcome is unpredictable.

While pondering these matters, he refrained from discussing serious topics with Sheng Yuanyao. Instead, they chatted casually about the changes in Xiazhou after Sheng Yuanyao's departure, the promotion of Manager Chen, and so on. The meal was enjoyed by both host and guest.

The casual conversation of Pei Yu and Chu Qingchen at the next table drifted over to his ears: "Brother Chu, what brings you to the capital this time?"

Chu Qingchen said, "I originally wanted to travel the world and broaden my horizons. In particular, I wanted to meet the number one on the Rising Star List, Ye Wufeng of the Yama Palace. Unfortunately, after wandering the martial world for several months, I haven't seen a single person from the Yama Palace."

Pei Yu said, "In the past year, the Yama Palace has rarely appeared. I wonder if it has anything to do with the departure of their judges."

"The Yama's Palace doesn't rely on judges to carry out assassinations, so it shouldn't be a big deal. Besides, the claim that they rarely appear doesn't mean they never do; didn't Ye Wufeng kill someone in the outskirts of Beijing just last month?"

"So, Brother Chu's trip to the capital was mainly to find him?"

"Yes, I wonder if Brother Pei has any news about him."

Pei Yu chuckled: "Just because someone was in the outskirts of the capital last month doesn't mean they'll always be in the capital. The Demon Suppression Division hasn't been able to find them. My Pei family's information network isn't as good as the Demon Suppression Division's."

Lu Xingzhou swirled the wine glass around his lips, a half-smile playing on his lips.

Sheng Yuanyao said in a low voice, "You know this person, right?"

“He looks familiar.” Lu Xingzhou said leisurely, “A fool who wants to compete with others all day long, thinking he is much better than me, showing off all day long. I doubt even the King of Hell can remember what he looks like.”

(End of this chapter)