Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 120 Sincerity is the ultimate skill
It's quite abrupt for a man and a woman to discuss the harmony of yin and yang; if not handled carefully, it could be interpreted as flirting.

Meng Li was completely dumbfounded.

There are actually people in this world who dare to flirt with the Imperial Advisor to his face! And they even went all out on their first meeting!
Even His Majesty wouldn't dare!
This is the best in the world!

The reason I had her ask you directly was to help you seize a great opportunity. Lu Xingzhou, do you know what you're saying?

Madam Ye is indeed "Ye," but most people would assume it's "Ye" without any explanation, as her surname sounds similar to "Ye." It's not that she intentionally changed it.

Ye Tinglan often went out incognito, referring to herself only as "Madam," in order to personally observe the people's conditions and avoid being like Gu Zhanting, who relied on his subordinates to relay all information, thus becoming too closed off from the world.

Occasionally, he would personally visit the homes of some officials he trusted. Meng Li, of course, had met the Imperial Advisor and recognized her. This time, he had heard that Huo Lu was about to be escorted away, so he thought of asking Meng Li about the specific details of the case.

No matter how bad the Huo family is, it's inappropriate to frame them. If they are caught red-handed and turn around and bite back, neither the Pei nor the Meng families will fare well.

This case is about to unleash a bloody storm, and she needs to be fully aware of it.

The intention to guide Lu Xingzhou's cultivation was not something that could be obtained simply by answering a question. It was because his beloved disciple had recently gone into seclusion, saying he wanted to break through to the third rank. Before going into seclusion, fearing his master would worry about losing contact, he had specially sent a letter. The letter meticulously summarized his recent training, mentioning that he had been ambushed by the Joyful Union Sect, but fortunately Lu Xingzhou had helped him, and this battle had greatly boosted his breakthrough.

Lu Xingzhou owes his precious disciple a great favor, and giving him some pointers is a way of repaying that debt.

As a result, this guy started with sarcastic remarks... Ye Tinglan's eyes darkened slightly as she stared coldly at Lu Xingzhou.

The sharpness and imposing presence in her eyes made Lu Xingzhou's heart skip a beat. This was a woman who had long held a high position; she was definitely not just a "family member," but rather someone who was probably in charge of the household.

Which prestigious family has a young married woman in charge?
The thought flashed through his mind, but Lu Xingzhou showed no sign of flinching and continued to look at the other person intently.

Ye Tinglan observed for a while, then finally spoke calmly, "You know it's presumptuous? If you know it's presumptuous, why ask?"

Lu Xingzhou sighed: "There's nothing I can do. I'm just focused on researching this topic right now... I'd rather your wife were a man; it wouldn't be so awkward if she asked."

Ye Tinglan smiled: "Because your current cultivation method is of this nature? But you are only at the sixth rank of cultivation. Breaking through to the fifth rank is not a big problem. You can ask anyone. Instructor Meng can easily guide you. Are you sure you want to waste this opportunity?"

Lu Xingzhou shook his head: "It's not for breaking through. I'm thinking that my current cultivation method theoretically has an advantage over the Charming Maiden Profound Art, but I don't know how to specifically utilize this advantage, or whether I can ensure that even if my cultivation is inferior to the opponent's, I won't be affected by the Charming Maiden Profound Art."

Ye Tinglan was slightly taken aback: "You're confident you can gain an advantage over the Charming Maiden Mystic Art? Let me see your cultivation."

Lu Xingzhou calmly extended his hand, and Ye Tinglan extended a finger and touched his palm, frowning as she sensed it.

Meng Li glanced sideways, "So you've actually started studying him..."

In fact, this is a regular topic for cultivators. The cultivation of yin and yang harmony and how to deal with demonic cultivation techniques are all things that can be openly discussed. As long as one has nothing to hide, it is a perfectly legitimate matter.

After sensing him for a moment, Ye Tinglan looked him up and down again with her beautiful eyes: "Your cultivation technique is very strong, and its origin is probably quite mysterious. Are you really going to show it to me like this, without any hesitation about revealing its secrets?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "Madam is a great figure whom even Instructor Meng respects. This is a rare opportunity for me. If I don't seize this opportunity now and instead keep it hidden, wouldn't I be a fool? In fact, my technique is still incomplete. If Madam knows where to find the rest, I would be extremely grateful."

Ye Tinglan said, "Your skill in climbing up the pole is far superior to your cultivation."

Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly.

“The incomplete parts of your technique can only exist in some ancient immortal ruins. It depends on your fate. I can’t provide any information.” Ye Tinglan pondered, “But when it comes to dealing with the Charming Maiden Profound Technique… your technique is indeed extremely advantageous. I do have some ideas that I can discuss with you.”

Lu Xingzhou was overjoyed: "Please give me your guidance, Madam."

"First, you need to tell me what level of invasion you are trying to deal with... If it is a regular battle, your own Yin-Yang balance is extremely stable, and it is difficult for ordinary seductive techniques to shake it through combat. Unless you are injured by a sneak attack and your own universe is scattered, then it is not a problem with the technique."

Lu Xingzhou said, "I already know that, which is why I feel that my technique has an advantage."

"So, what you're asking about is sexual intercourse?"

“…” Lu Xingzhou remained silent.

Meng Li's eyes bulged out. "Grand Preceptor, what are you doing? Grand Preceptor, discussing Yin and Yang is one thing, but talking about intercourse is another. Is this something you should say? And Lu Xingzhou, if you really want to have intercourse with the demonic nun, why don't you go sleep with a tiger? Studying how to pull out a tiger's teeth would be safer than this."

Ye Tinglan remained expressionless: "Then my opinion is not to engage in intercourse. If the overwhelming Yin energy of the Charming Maiden Mystic Art rushes into your body, your own universe will undoubtedly be thrown into chaos, especially if your cultivation is inferior to hers. You will be completely dominated without any doubt. If she is still a virgin, then her pure Yin essence can be used to defeat enemies of higher levels, which is their trump card. You still want to fight against enemies of higher levels? You are blinded by lust and don't know what's going on."

Lu Xingzhou said weakly, "I'm just worried about being captured or tricked. I wonder if there will be any surprises."

"If you really want a surprise, there's only one way... You need to prepare a treasure with extremely strong yang energy, and when the opponent invades, suddenly draw the yang energy of the treasure into your body to counteract it. The rest depends on the harmonizing ability of your own cultivation technique... This move is generally unusable. If the yin and yang energies from outside suddenly clash in the body, the meridians cannot withstand it and will undoubtedly be ruined. Only your cultivation technique can offer some hope."

Lu Xingzhou seemed to be deep in thought.

Ye Tinglan turned and left: "This suggestion is only for you to deal with unexpected situations... If you take advantage of your abilities to actively hunt down demonic female cultivators... then when the tide turns and the boat capsizes, no one will sigh for you."

Watching Ye Tinglan leave, Meng Li looked at Lu Xingzhou as if he were a god: "You...you actually discussed the topic of yin and yang harmony with her, and she...she didn't even get angry..."

Lu Xingzhou said, "Because the discussion really is about how to deal with demonic cultivators. Sincerity is the ultimate weapon... That's the nature of the Joyful Union Sect, so discussions naturally involve these topics. Madam Ye is far-sighted and open-minded, so she won't get caught up in these issues. By the way, which family does she belong to...?"

Meng Li: "...You don't even know which family she belongs to, yet you act all high and mighty and magnanimous? She's gone, she can't hear you anymore, and you don't need to flatter her anymore."

“I’m telling the truth. Her demeanor and insight are clearly extraordinary. Besides, you were so respectful to her, Instructor. She must be from a prestigious family.”

"Yes, that's right." Meng Li said with a straight face, "I don't like to talk about others behind their backs. Now that you know each other, you can ask them yourselves later."

Ye Tinglan smiled faintly from afar and drifted away. "Sorry, I could hear you."

Her willingness to guide Lu Xingzhou wasn't entirely due to any lofty or magnanimous spirit, but rather because she felt Lu Xingzhou's entanglement with the demonic female cultivator was likely due to her own disciple. Given this cause and effect, she naturally felt she should lend a hand; otherwise, even the most magnanimous person wouldn't discuss matters of yin and yang harmony with a man they'd just met.

To be fair, this man is honest and knowledgeable... but he's also lecherous, wanting to take in both beautiful women and demonic cultivators. Men who have had such thoughts throughout history have never had a good ending. It's best to keep your good disciple away from him to avoid getting splattered.

However, Qingli probably doesn't need any reminders. Once she breaks through to the third rank, she'll be like an iceberg, and no one can help her then.

…………

Lu Xingzhou bid farewell to Meng Li and returned to the inn in deep thought.

There's no need to specifically search for treasures with abundant Yang energy, because his ham is one of them.

The full potential of these two legs has yet to be realized. So far, they are only serving as an energy source and a "foundation of the earth's veins," gradually transforming one's physical constitution. As for the energy they contain, it is too vast for a sixth-grade cultivator to fully utilize at this stage, and for now, it can only be sealed within the leg bones.

Once released, ham becomes an extremely powerful source of yang energy, while boiled ham becomes an extremely powerful source of yin energy.

His own universe contains both Yin and Yang, and his foundation is indeed better than anyone else's; it just needs to be gradually developed.

In other words, if Pei Chuyun's primordial yin invades, would it be useful for him to release his ham-like power? And would his own cultivation technique be able to withstand this yin-yang impact in time and soothe it?
If possible, the Charming Maiden's Mysterious Skill would completely lose its meaning for me, and only then would I dare to open my heart and do whatever I wanted.

Is it possible? We need to test it... How do we test it?
Back in the inn's courtyard, Pei Chuyun was nowhere to be seen. Entering her room, they found the little vixen still fast asleep on the bed, hugging a pillow.

Lu Xingzhou sat on the edge of the bed, gently brushing the stray hairs from her cheek. Looking at her sleeping like a kitten, he sighed after a long while and murmured to himself, "Actually, you were right before. The reason I brought you to the capital was just to see if I could get a big favor from the Pei family, not because I was genuinely looking out for you. If I'm not sincere myself, I'll naturally be more suspicious of others."

After a pause, he said in a low voice, "But when I saw you were hesitant last night, my desire to find answers for you went beyond personal gain. I wonder if you believe me."

"Now I'm even more hoping that we can find the answer tonight. Then you'll have no reason to stay by my side, and I won't have any more expectations. We can part ways and be done with it."

Regardless of whether she was asleep or not, or whether she heard him or not, he had said what he wanted to say, so Lu Xingzhou didn't dwell on it. He returned to his desk, took out his alchemy notes, and began to study them.

Today's questions were so damn hard, it made him feel a bit of a urgency... Anyway, the rest can't be solved in a short time, so why think so much?

Pei Chuyun, lying on the bed, quietly opened her eyes a crack and watched his back as he leisurely read a book. As she watched, she lay on her side, propping her cheek up, and remained silent for a long time.

(End of this chapter)