Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 161 The Enchantress Breaks His Mind Control

Amidst countless admiring glances, the white-haired girl slowly walked through the dimly lit streets of the capital.

This has been her environment for the past eighteen years.

She was solitary, taciturn, and faced strange looks from others as her way of life. Her interactions with most people were limited to those she encountered, such as ancient corpses, spirits, demons, and monsters.

Except for those two short months in Xiazhou, it was different from any other time.

She thought she wouldn't have any friends, but someone told her that Shen Tang was a comrade-in-arms, which meant she was a friend.

The person who said that later added that he was also a friend.

So the girl made two friends, who were her lovers.

The girl thought everyone except her master thought she was a monster, but Shen Tang didn't. He looked at her with gentle eyes, just like her master.

The girl thought Shen Tang was already very good, but then someone actually said that Qing Li was very beautiful... Every time he looked at her, his eyes sparkled, and he seemed to want to stick to her. It was obvious that he really liked her, which made his lover very angry.

That time in the desert town, and this time... Dugu Qingli wanted to ask about more than just Qi Tuizhi and Pei Chuyun. There was always a name she wanted to ask, but she never did.

Why would I ask that person for no reason? Whether he's on the rookie list, where he's ranked, or where he is, what does it have to do with me?

When asked what he was doing, he just said he was good-looking... My heart is only for the sword.

The ancient tomb in the desert was not as easy as she had made it out to the townspeople; it had been the site of a long life-or-death battle, and there was a certain amount of good fortune involved. Dugu Qingli herself was currently on the verge of breaking through to the third rank. Little White Hair felt her training was nearly complete and that she should fight more against comparable human opponents and observe their unique techniques, which might be beneficial for her breakthrough.

Back in Xiazhou, the only cultivation technique that could give me a sense of unease was the Huangji Jingshi Jing... so I talked about it all the time, even though what I said wasn't anything nice.

Now that I've cleared customs, I've found myself ranked second among the rookies... Who's number one? They're so amazing, I definitely have to go see.

The result was a huge disappointment; this was probably the first one I bought.

Who's third? Pei Chuyun had never heard of him before. He was parachuted into such a high position just like her, so his abilities must be about the same. She had to see.

Upon arriving at the Pei residence, Dugu Qingli formally paid her respects: "Dugu Qingli pays her respects to Miss Pei."

As a descendant of the Tianyao Holy Land and a disciple of the Imperial Preceptor, the Pei family dared not neglect her. Pei Yu quickly came out to greet her personally: "Miss Dugu, what brings you here..."

"Let's discuss."

Pei Yu grinned awkwardly. He hadn't expected the Imperial Advisor's disciple to be such an aloof martial arts fanatic...

"Well, my sister is definitely no match for the girl, I think we shouldn't fight..."

"We learn from each other and improve together. It's not about determining who is better or worse, so what does it matter if we're opponents?"

Pei Yu was really in a bind.

Thinking that even the disciples of the Imperial Preceptor would know their limits and wouldn't cause any injuries, he decided to have a sparring match and also see how strong his sister really was.

So he said, “Very well then. Let’s make friends with swords and stop when we’ve reached a point. That’s what I liked when I was training in the martial world. My sister shouldn’t stay hidden in her boudoir all the time. Come with me, young lady.”

Dugu Qingli followed her inside and casually asked, "Are you really at home? Aren't you at the Imperial Academy?"

“Look at what you’re saying, young lady. It’s not like my Pei family has nowhere to live. Why would we let my younger sister go to boarding school? Besides, my father is very strict. It’s rare for me to be allowed to go out late at night, let alone my younger sister.”

Dugu Qingli thought to herself that these powerful families were out of their minds, so she simply kept quiet.

Upon arriving at Pei Chuyun's courtyard, several maids and servants were nearby, and the small building was brightly lit, but Pei Chuyun did not come down to greet him. Pei Yu was puzzled. Dugu Qingli had clearly stated that she was coming to visit Pei Chuyun and had already sent word. Why was she still hiding upstairs? It was very impolite.

He casually pointed to a maid: "Didn't you inform the young lady?"

The maids and servants had strange expressions and all lowered their heads without saying a word.

"Mute?"

The maidservant stammered, "The building...the lights are on, but there's no one inside."

Pei Yu's eyes widened, and he rushed upstairs to take a look, his face turning ashen.

Not only was the building empty, but a mannequin was even placed inside. The candlelight cast the mannequin's shadow on the window, making it look like someone was reading.

Dugu Qingli said, "The Pei family has a very strict family tradition."

Pei Yu: "...You are not allowed to tell the master about this. I will ask Chu Yun first, understand?"

The maids and servants bowed awkwardly and said, "Yes."

Dugu Qingli leisurely held her sword: "Young Master Pei is quite kind to his sister... Well then, that won't stop Young Master Pei from looking for his sister. I'll go look elsewhere."

Dugu Qingli leaped away from the high courtyard wall, seemingly taking the same route Pei Chuyun had taken to escape. Behind her came Pei Yu's suppressed roar: "How long has your young lady been like this? Why hasn't anyone said anything? What are you all good for...?"

Dugu Qingli thought for a moment and decided to go to the Imperial Academy to take a look. Judging from Pei Yu's expression, he hadn't seen his sister at all; maybe she was having fun with her classmates at the Imperial Academy and hadn't come back yet.

The Imperial Academy was heavily guarded, but to Little White Hair, it was like entering an empty place, and he quickly flew in. The Imperial Academy was relatively quiet at night, with a few students strolling and chatting, and some carrying books and reciting them to themselves.

Little White Hair found these scholars quite amusing. Lu Xingzhou was so intelligent, yet he never seemed to be just sitting there reciting... Oh no, why am I thinking of him again? My heart is only for my sword.

Just as I was about to ask someone where Pei Chuyun was, a thought suddenly struck me.

Her powerful senses allowed her to vaguely detect a strange noise outside the tree-lined path in the distance, like the squeaking sound of wheels rubbing against the ground.

How come there are wheels here?
Dugu Qingli followed the sound and saw someone sitting in a wheelchair in the dark shadows. A woman sat in his lap like a snake, and the two of them moved the wheelchair forward by arching their backs.

They know how to have fun.

Dugu Qingli couldn't see the two people's faces clearly, but the wheelchair still gave her a chill.

Lu Xingzhou probably wouldn't be in a place like the Imperial Academy... It's likely that other students are also crippled.

Regardless, let's take a closer look.

The white-haired boy crept closer, almost reaching the back of the wheelchair, when the woman who was kissing the man's neck seemed to sense something and looked up.

Their eyes met, and the atmosphere froze for a moment.

Pei Chuyun's eyes widened.

Dugu Qingli saw her one and only enemy in this life, her eyes filled with murderous intent: "You dare to infiltrate the Imperial Academy and commit crimes, you witch of the Hehuan Sect, prepare to die!"

"Clang!" The sword struck like thunder, far more ruthless than the previous strike aimed at Sha Tianhao and Qi Tuizhi, causing the air in the entire area to turn frigid.

Pei Chuyun reacted quickly, immediately stepping back and grabbing the wheelchair.

The wheelchair tilted up, and Dugu Qingli's sword pierced the backrest with a crisp "clang".

Dugu Qingli dodged the wheelchair and thrust her sword again.

A short blade slid out from Pei Chuyun's sleeve. Before the wheelchair-bound man could react, the two women had already exchanged more than ten blows in an instant.

"Oh~ you found me?" This was the first time Lu Xingzhou had seen Pei Chuyun since their first meeting in days. With her alluring expression and seductive tone, she spoke casually, "Didn't you get enough of her seductive arts last time? Do you want me to send a few more men to the Holy Maiden of Tianyao?"

The white-haired man remained silent, relentlessly launching a fierce attack, his murderous aura soaring to the heavens.

Your seductive arts led me to be kissed by a man, who even stuck out his tongue. I'm still furious about it; I'm utterly mortal enemies!
In truth, Pei Chuyun was also seething with anger. You made me get kicked into a barren wasteland by a man. I am your mortal enemy!

A familiar voice suddenly came from behind: "Qingli..."

Dugu Qingli almost tripped over her own foot with her left, staggered a bit, and then turned her head in horror, looking at the man in the wheelchair in disbelief.

"You've been controlled by the Hehuan demoness? Don't worry, I will kill her and save you!"

"No..." Even with a belly full of ideas, Lu Xingzhou didn't know how to say it at this moment. Sensing the sound of footsteps around him, and that the battle had attracted many people, Lu Xingzhou said helplessly and quickly, "This is Miss Pei, not the Hehuan Demoness."

As she spoke, Pei Chuyun's aura of the Charming Maiden Mystic Art completely dissipated, transforming into a set of Pei family sword techniques that clashed with Dugu Qingli's. Countless people surged over, only to witness the duel between the second and third rising stars.

The third one was indeed being suppressed and was retreating, but the second one seemed to have no intention of pursuing anymore, standing silently in place, his ice sword hanging down, trembling slightly.

Lu Xingzhou said at the right moment: "The duel between the second and third place on the Rising Stars List was indeed wonderful... I originally thought that Miss Pei didn't have much practical experience, but I didn't expect her to be so tight-knit. Miss Dugu is even more impressive, her sword is as cold as ice and her sword is as cold as the nine provinces. I admire her."

Some of the onlookers had heard about Qi Tuizhi's recent defeat with a single sword strike, and now, caught up in the drama, they exclaimed in admiration, "It seems Miss Pei's third place is well-deserved, being able to withstand so many of Miss Dugu's sword strikes..."

Pei Chuyun gracefully bowed slightly to those around her: "It's Sister Dugu and I sparring. Everyone, please disperse. I'd like to say a few words to my sister."

After saying that, she turned and left. Dugu Qingli silently glanced back at Lu Xingzhou in his wheelchair. Lu Xingzhou didn't dare to look her in the eye and whispered, "Let's go talk..."

Dugu Qingli remained silent and strode after Pei Chuyun.

Lu Xingzhou followed in his wheelchair, feeling dejected.

Pei Chuyun chose Lu Xingzhou's cave dwelling as the place. The three of them entered the cave dwelling in silence. Lu Xingzhou closed the door, and the two women simultaneously drew their weapons again, making a mess of the room.

Pei Chuyun precisely parried every sword strike from Dugu Qingli, while the Hehuan Seductive Technique silently began to assault: "Just now, outside, I didn't want anyone to discover my Charming Maiden Technique. You really think I'm afraid of you!"

Dugu Qingli angrily said, "Release Lu Xingzhou from mind control!"

Pei Chuyun paused for a moment, then giggled, "You still think he's under my control? Hmm... he is. Look, he's going to get you..."

Within the cave, the aura of the formation began to spread.

Dugu Qingli's expression froze, and Pei Chuyun's smile also froze on her face.

Lu Xingzhou expressionlessly activated his protective formation, slowing, freezing, immobilizing, and paralyzing the two women. Then, with two quick taps of his fingers, he immobilized them both.

"Can you listen to me for a few words now...?"

(End of this chapter)