Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 158 Qi Tuizhi

While Lu Xingzhou and his disciples understood the material readily and gained a great deal, the other students found it too obscure.

Although Madam Ye was only teaching the most basic level of knowledge among the three grades, the difference in level between students was evident. Lu Xingzhou and his apprentice were clearly a grade above the others, and they shouldn't have been in the same class at all.

Ye Tinglan's beautiful eyes swept over a group of bewildered students. She had initially hoped to see if there would be any surprises, but ultimately felt deeply disappointed. Therefore, she simply simplified the second half of the course, starting directly from the fourth-grade level.

Only then could one see that everyone understood, and Ye Tinglan sighed inwardly.

Gu Zhanting felt that he had promoted the vigorous development of medicine and alchemy in the Great Qian Dynasty, which was theoretically true. However, sometimes things in the world are ruthless. There may be many more ordinary talents, but unfortunately there are only a few geniuses.

"That's all for today's lesson," Ye Tinglan said calmly. "Class adjourned. Lu Xingzhou, please stay behind."

This blatant act of keeping him in the hall was hardly a problem for others; it was perfectly normal for the top scholar to receive some special treatment. Xuanqing Daoist left angrily, and A'nuo gave him a dirty look.

Lu Xingzhou asked, "What business do you have with me, sir?"

Ye Tinglan said, "You don't know?"

Lu Xingzhou was silent for a moment: "I do need an excuse to treat my leg, but I don't know why Madam is helping me so much."

Ye Tinglan said calmly, "You're too audacious... Do you know that you're openly deceiving the emperor?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "I am deceiving the world. This is my private matter. What illness I want to feign is none of anyone else's business. But to say that I am deceiving the emperor is a huge accusation."

“If the monarch could be so reasonable, many unbearable things would not have happened. You should at least think about Sheng Yuanyao. She has a public office, and if she knows about it and does not report it, it is even more deceiving the monarch.”

“Then…” Lu Xingzhou asked cautiously, “Isn’t the lady the same? Why should she wade into this mess herself?”

Ye Tinglan said, "I value talent. What do you think of that reason?"

"My wife was warning me just a few days ago."

“There’s no conflict,” Ye Tinglan said. “I might as well be frank: I need you by my side to keep an eye on things, so would you be willing to study alchemy with me?”

"What you're saying makes me think that you came to Dan Academy as a teacher only because of me."

“You can think of it that way…and of course, there’s Lu Nuonuo too.”

Ah Nuo opened her mouth, then closed it again.

This old woman is too strong; it's best not to mess with her.

Lu Xingzhou asked, "Is it just because of the Yama Palace, or is there another reason?"

"I said I value talent." Ye Tinglan didn't say anything more, turned around and left: "I'll give you time to consider, you can refuse."

It wasn't until long after Ye Tinglan left that A Nuo pushed Lu Xingzhou back. Lu Xingzhou frowned the whole way, feeling that Madam Ye's attitude was very strange.

Although Lu Xingzhou had met this woman several times and she seemed easygoing and willing to communicate, he could always sense a cold indifference beneath her seemingly friendly demeanor, a condescending look down upon her. Just like... when he faced Gu Zhanting.

Although their attitudes differ, they are quite similar at their core. It's not just about the perspective of someone with far superior cultivation; it's also related to status, the nature of the cultivation methods they practice, and so on. Their so-called affability is more like a kind of contrived bestowal.

This is a woman who has long held a high position, but is lonely and isolated, with few people she can confide in. Perhaps she is not much worse off than an emperor who is lonely and isolated.

But she repeatedly expressed different attitudes towards me, whether it was pointing out things or being wary, which was actually not appropriate... She should have looked at me like a lump on the street, without any emotion.

This gave Lu Xingzhou a very conflicted feeling. He sensed that this powerful and high-ranking woman, who could so easily deceive the emperor, seemed to be burdened with many secrets, and he wondered what she truly desired. The Yama Palace alone shouldn't be enough; she must have many more secrets behind her.

"Huh? Why are you two still on the road?" Meng Li was encountered halfway and asked kindly, "It's been half a day since lunch. Don't you want to eat here? Actually, the food at the Alchemy Academy is very good. It's specially prepared by the alchemists and is especially beneficial for cultivation."

"Uh, no, I was kept behind by Madam Ye and we exchanged a few words." Lu Xingzhou asked, "Is Instructor Meng very familiar with this lady? The first time I met her was at Instructor Meng's house. Was it Instructor Meng who invited her to be a tutor this time?"

"I'd say we're fairly familiar." Meng Li actually knew a little about her. How could this person possibly come to work at the Dan Academy? She used to only give a couple of lectures occasionally, which was entirely as an expectation and guidance from the National Preceptor to the students. How could she possibly be a regular lecturer? But this time, she actually volunteered.

Meng Li knew that this was inevitably related to Lu Xingzhou and his apprentice. Perhaps the Imperial Preceptor had truly taken a liking to talent and wanted to get to know them better to see if they could be recruited into the Holy Land? But sending an elder would have been enough for this kind of thing. Meng Li really couldn't guess why the Imperial Preceptor would do it personally.

He could only cautiously add, "Madam Ye's cultivation and alchemy are both top-notch. It's not easy for her to agree to give lectures at the Alchemy Academy, so we should make the most of this opportunity."

Lu Xingzhou asked, "Could you tell me which sect or powerful family this Madam Ye belongs to?"

Ye Tinglan had already explained her identity to Meng Li in detail: "She is the master of the Yunyin Immortal Sect. This sect has been living in seclusion for many years, and most people have never heard of it. I was only able to persuade her to come out of seclusion because I had some connections with them in my early years."

"It has the feel of an ancient, reclusive sect... Maybe they've mastered quite a few ancient techniques?"

"That's how it is." Meng Li patted Lu Xingzhou's shoulder and lowered his voice again: "The inheritance you've mastered lacks guidance, making self-study difficult. That's the greatest significance of your going to the Dan Academy... In that case, she's the most suitable mentor for you; I'm not suitable." "I understand." Lu Xingzhou bowed sincerely: "Thank you, Instructor."

"Furthermore, you shouldn't be too concerned about Madam Ye. I can guarantee that she has no ill intentions towards you. Rather, the ill intentions will come from elsewhere, and that's where you should be more careful... I've sensed some rumors that someone might try to suppress you. It's best to stay in the academy and not go out easily. No matter what kind of conflict occurs in the academy, it won't be too serious."

Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly: "I do know that."

The Huo family has been ruined by their own actions, resulting in the deaths of one member, imprisonment of two others, and the demotion of Huo Xingyuan. It would be strange if they could just sit back and watch their fortunes rise. Suppression is just the tip of the iceberg; framing, or setting themselves up against a powerful force, or even against a prince, are all very likely scenarios.

"I'm afraid they really won't make any moves, then with my current hand, I really won't have any chance to play. If they want to make a move, then there's a weakness I can exploit... I'm looking forward to it."

Ah Nuo didn't care about anything else; all she wanted to do right now was eat.

They quickly pushed Lu Xingzhou to the dining hall, only to find that the dining hall was not separate to the Dan Academy, but shared with the Imperial Academy.

Some of the students from the Imperial Academy went home for dinner, while others who lived far away ate here. The large dining hall gave Lu Xingzhou the feeling of a university cafeteria. However, they arrived late, and most people had already finished eating, leaving only a mess of cups and plates.

Lu Xingzhou immediately noticed a particularly crowded spot in the otherwise sparsely populated canteen.

Pei Chuyun sat there quietly, eating her food in small bites, her demeanor aloof and detached, befitting a well-bred young lady. Many boys around her, who could have finished long ago, insisted on eating with her in their small bites.

The funny thing is that even though there was a group of people around, the atmosphere was very quiet, and everyone was "not talking while eating," not wanting to be seen as ill-mannered by the goddess.

Watching from the sidelines was like watching a group of people perform a pantomime.

Upon seeing Lu Xingzhou appear, many people nervously observed Pei Chuyun's expression. Everyone knew that this man had "helped Miss Pei find her family," and regardless of the magnitude of the favor, the two at least had some connection. They wondered what Miss Pei's feelings were for Lu Xingzhou… Could it be that Miss Pei, a woman of extraordinary talent, would fall for a cripple…?

Pei Chuyun glanced at Lu Xingzhou, then rose slightly and bowed: "Greetings, Young Master Lu."

Lu Xingzhou simply smiled politely and said, "Hello, Miss Pei."

After a brief greeting, Pei Chuyun continued eating, while Lu Xingzhou and A Nuo went to get their food, seemingly indicating that their relationship was just that simple.

Several long sighs were heard from the quiet dining hall.

Miss Pei is indeed pure and innocent. The rumors that she and Lu Xingzhou had an improper relationship were just gossip spread by jealous people!

Suddenly, a young man in white appeared in the corner, scoffed, stood up, and walked directly to Pei Chuyun: "Miss Pei, may I introduce myself?"

Pei Chuyun said calmly, "Please forgive me, but I do not wish to know such a rude person who disturbs people's meals."

"But I am different from them; I must get to know Miss Pei."

Pei Chuyun finally looked up at him; he was indeed a handsome young man with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. She glanced at him briefly, then lowered her gaze again: "I thought he was a prince, but he's not."

Young man in white: "..."

Someone nearby said awkwardly, "Miss Pei, this is Young Master Qi Tuizhi."

The rookie first team all retreated.

Lu Xingzhou and A Nuo finished their meals and huddled together, eating and gossiping: "No wonder they said we have to get to know her. Sister A Yi is currently third among the rookies. If she wants to challenge for first place, then we really have to get to know her."

Lu Xingzhou was just eating.

Pei Chuyun was somewhat surprised: "I thought the students of the Imperial Academy were all scholars from the capital, but I didn't expect there to be people from other sects here as well?"

Qi Tuizhi smiled slightly: "Who says that people from sects can't take the Imperial Academy exam? We are all citizens of the Great Qian Dynasty. Miss, you're being too formal... I entered the Imperial Academy last year."

Ah Nuo translated: "What he really meant was that he was skilled in both literature and martial arts."

The sound wasn't deliberately suppressed, and everyone over there heard it. Pei Chuyun covered her mouth and chuckled softly, like a lotus flower blooming, stunning everyone in her presence.

Qi Tui's thoughts were exposed by a child, and he was a little embarrassed and annoyed, but he quickly suppressed it and said indifferently, "In terms of immortal cultivation, you and I are both among the top three rising stars. I wonder if you would like to have a friendly spar and verify our skills together?"

Pei Chuyun finally finished the last bit of food, took out a silk handkerchief and elegantly wiped her mouth, then said apologetically to Qi Tuizhi, "The previous rookie number one was just hunted down. My father specifically advised me that the rookie rankings mean nothing and one should not compete with others. Especially for those of us who filled in, we should not be arrogant..."

The onlookers couldn't hold back their laughter any longer, and Qi Tuizhi's face finally cracked open. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Lu Xingzhou, who was busy eating and seemed completely oblivious.

Pei Chuyun blinked her clear, doe-like eyes, her face full of curiosity: "But Chuyun is quite curious, where was Young Master Qi when Ye Wufeng was suppressing his peers? I thought he wasn't in the capital, but it turns out he was..."

(End of this chapter)