Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 178 The Cripple Was Punished by Standing
During the trials of the new students of Dan Academy, the instructor leading the group plotted against his students but was killed by the successor of the Holy Land. A fellow student, who had been following and plotting against them, was unexpectedly killed by a tortoise-like creature.

This was a rare serious incident in recent years, and it caused a sensation in the capital that very day.

Qin Zhiyu cautiously sought out Ye Tinglan to use the Rewind Technique to confirm Dugu Qingli's statement.

While it's difficult to prove that the Xuanming Grass belongs to the Huo family, and it could have been a bribe, at least Xuanqing was cultivated by the Huo family, as Huo Heng stated publicly at the restaurant. Therefore, it's logically sound to consider Wang Yueshen as having been bought off by the Huo family as well.

Qin Zhiyu was furious. That very night, he wrote a lengthy impeachment memorial, and the next morning he openly denounced the Huo family in court for interfering in the alchemy academy's trials and instigating people to harm the students.

Unfortunately, there was no direct evidence that the Huo family was behind it. Xuan Qing could claim it was due to personal jealousy, and Wang Yueshen could easily deny everything. Qin Zhiyu's attack ultimately turned into a mere charade, infuriating the old man so much that his beard bristled.

After several days of turmoil, the Huo family was ultimately unable to be convicted, but it was still a major headache.

Qin Zhiyu was a rare first-rank alchemist in the Great Qian Dynasty. Having served as the head of the Alchemy Academy for so many years, he was highly respected, had countless students, and had treated numerous high-ranking officials and nobles. He had connections throughout half the court. Although the academy itself did not wield much power, Qin Zhiyu's words carried immense weight.

With such an enemy, the Huo family was in a real bind.

If someone could observe the qi (vital energy), they could almost see the decay and withering that permeated the sky above the Huo family's residence.

"The Huo family's power has waned but not yet vanished." On the Star Gazing Platform, Ye Tinglan quietly gazed in the direction of the Huo family and murmured, "A mere fifth-rank official entering the capital and managing to cause the decline of a first-rank family, Lu Xingzhou is quite interesting..."

Dugu Qingli stood beside him, unconvinced, and said, "What do you mean he's interested? Wasn't it me who helped him? Otherwise, if a third-rank enemy killed him, would he still have time to hug Sheng Yuanyao?"

Ye Tinglan sighed: "If it weren't for you, this person might not have participated in the trial. Look at him, he could have easily won first place in alchemy on the spot, but he was willing to be second to last, which means he didn't care about the trial results at all. If it was just for the Demon Subduing Domain, given his relationship with the Demon Suppression Division, I don't think it would be too difficult for Sheng Qingfeng to open a back door for him to participate in the trial alone."

Dugu Qingli was taken aback: "Master means that he deliberately entered the Demon Subduing Domain just to trick the Huo family?"

"It's obvious. With the cards he's dealt, he has no other way to deal with the Huo family normally. This is him throwing himself into the game, trying to take a bite out of the Huo family." Ye Tinglan shook her head again as she spoke: "His obsession is still too strong. If he continues to take such risks, he will fail sooner or later. Like an ant trying to shake a tree, who can guarantee that they will never make a mistake?"

Dugu Qingli remained silent, pondering whether she should try to persuade Lu Xingzhou, but then secretly shook her head, feeling that there was no way to persuade him.

Lu Xingzhou hadn't explained the details of his feud with the Huo family to her, but she knew Lu Xingzhou well. Even with enemies like Ye Wufeng, Lu Xingzhou never intended to cause trouble. He was actually quite magnanimous.

Only a deep-seated blood feud could drive him to such obsession.

Ye Tinglan continued, "Moreover, whether or not the Huo family can be brought down depends on whether or not the emperor can lose his trust in the Huo family. These bloated things are useless; at most, they're just a way to vent our anger... The Huo family has many more heinous things. Does he really think Gu Zhanting doesn't know? Murdering a student is nothing."

Dugu Qingli subconsciously said, "Master doesn't like the Huo family either, so why not give him some pointers on what to do?"

Ye Tinglan gave her apprentice a strange look.

Dugu Qingli quickly added, "It's also to use him as a tool to complete Master's own plan."

Ye Tinglan didn't suspect her disciple much, but suddenly remembered the divination she had performed for Lu Xingzhou: "The deer is caught without a prey."

Lu Xingzhou's revenge against the Huo family, while seemingly effective, was in reality just a prelude. Only Huo Yu truly died; Huo Lu, though seriously injured, still had a chance of recovery; and Huo Jin only served three years in prison. None of these actions crippled the Huo family.

It did create a few major enemies for the Huo family, which was somewhat useful. The Huanhua Sword Sect is now constantly causing trouble for members of the Huo family, and now it has also caused the Dan Academy and the Huo family to turn against each other, which is quite valuable.

But that's not enough.

Without a "guide" to lead the way, he could only put himself in danger, risking everything, and sooner or later things were bound to go wrong.

It seems neither the Sheng nor the Pei family is qualified for this position, but Ye Tinglan is certainly qualified. But why? Because she doesn't even compete for a ranking in the trials and doesn't value the opportunity?

"Although I dislike the Huo family... the Huo family is not the key. You don't understand these things, so don't give advice recklessly." Ye Tinglan didn't say much and directly changed the subject: "Did you gain anything from your battle with the third-rank enemy? Breaking through in cultivation is the only thing you need to focus on right now."

"I had some insights during the fierce battle. He wanted to kill me then, and there was a life-or-death warning that helped me hone my swordsmanship. But then, for some reason, he suddenly tried to run away, which caused me to lose all my insights... Being an alchemist is definitely not a good profession."

"...I can also be considered a master alchemist."

Dugu Qingli fell silent.

“If that’s the case, then you should stay here and meditate to digest what you’ve learned… This is the Mirror of Rewind; look back at the battle and you may gain some insights.” Ye Tinglan stepped away from the Star Gazing Platform: “I’m going out for a bit.”

Dugu Qingli still didn't know that her master was working at the Pill Academy, and she was very curious: "Where did Master go?"

"This is none of your business. Focus on your spiritual practice."

"Wait, Master, something's wrong..."

"what?"

"Besides hair, what other parts of the human body grow hair?"

"Armpit hair." Although for aesthetic reasons, female cultivators started removing their armpit hair a long time ago.

"Other than that?"

Ye Tinglan was stumped by the question and thought for a long time before replying, "No." Dugu Qingli scratched her white fur, looking puzzled. Since her master was the same as her, it must be normal for people to be like this. So, it was Lu Xingzhou who was abnormal?

That's true. What normal person is hugging and kissing Pei Chuyun one day while in a wheelchair, and then hugging and kissing Sheng Yuanyao the next day? Go ask around and find out which disabled person uses a wheelchair like that?
Oh wait, he's stopped pretending to be lame.

…………

Ye Tinglan stepped into the classroom.

His eyes swept across the classroom. Xuan Qing's seat was empty, and Lu Xingzhou was no longer in a wheelchair. Chen Yu remained seated in the back, expressionless, as if nothing had happened.

Those whose eyes swept over her subconsciously felt a chill run down their spines, without knowing why.

He was usually so indifferent, but today he sent chills down everyone's spine, including Lu Xingzhou and A Nuo, who both felt their scalps tingle.

"What a terrifying woman," Ah Nuo muttered under her breath. "Being looked at by her felt like having my cheeks grabbed and lifted up by one hand, my neck felt like it was being strangled..."

Ye Tinglan glanced at her and decided to try this position in the future.

Lu Xingzhou responded in a low voice: "I feel like I'm being stepped on in high heels, looking down at you... Oh right, and there's a pair of glasses."

Ye Tinglan: "..."

What are high heels?
"Today's lecture will still focus on alchemy and pharmacology, but mainly on analyzing the pills you refine from the Demon-Slaying Domain. You are indeed among the best young alchemists, capable of analyzing and combining various unique crops you've never seen before to successfully refine pills. However, there are still shortcomings, such as the pills refined by He Hui..."

Ye Tinglan began her lecture, and everyone understood why she had such a cold demeanor today.

Students have only been enrolled for a short time, yet they are already killing each other during the trials. What teacher would be in a good mood?

Moreover, because of Wang Yueshen's matter, the teachers of Dan Academy are still under investigation, and I wonder who would dare to investigate this terrifying Madam Ye.

"Lu Nuonuo's pills are well-understood and well-balanced. But can someone tell me how a child like you could concoct a pill to calm a succubus's bewitching mind? What does your master usually teach you?"

Ah Nuo: “…”

Blame me?
Lu Xingzhou remained unfazed: "A doctor's heart shouldn't be concerned with such things. Sir, you're being too formal."

"Fine." Ye Tinglan said coldly, "The second to last person to hand in a blank paper, stand at the back of the classroom."

Lu Xingzhou's face turned green. Could he possibly resist such a terrifying woman?

People secretly went to see Chen Yu. The second-to-last student was punished by standing in the corner; what about the last student?
Ye Tinglan said, "What's with that look on your face? Making you stand as punishment means there's still hope. Do you think I'd even bother with someone who's at the bottom of the class and beyond help?"

Chen Yu: "..."

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

The lame man was made to stand as punishment.

The news, tinged with dark humor, quietly spread throughout Dan Academy and then reached the nearby Imperial Academy. Pei Chuyun gracefully strolled over to join the gossip.

Seeing Lu Xingzhou standing obediently at the back like a coward, Pei Chuyun almost rolled on the floor laughing: "Hahaha...you've finally met your match!"

Lu Xingzhou had always given Pei Chuyun a very high impression. To be honest, Pei Chuyun was a little afraid of him. This was the first time she had seen him make a fool of himself and lose face, which was particularly amusing and made her feel that he was cute.

I thought Lu Xingzhou was arrogant and would skip class if he was made to stand as punishment, but I didn't expect him to be so well-behaved. This teacher is amazing!

Lu Xingzhou glared at her, the meaning being, "You'll see after school."

Pei Chuyun's eyes held a hint of seductive charm as she already considered where they would cultivate together tonight... He had been wronged; would he be very violent tonight?

But then the female teacher said calmly from the stage, "Alright, that's all for this lesson. Next time, bring a freshly refined pill and let's see how much you've absorbed. And those two with blank papers, I know you have the materials too, so refine one and bring it up next time. Class adjourned."

Just as Lu Xingzhou was about to run away, Ye Tinglan said coldly, "The one who's being punished, come with me for a moment."

Pei Chuyun's smile vanished.

You're something else, old woman.

“Lu Nuonuo came along too.”

The smile then shifted to Ah Nuo's face.

Pei Chuyun breathed a sigh of relief. The large lantern carrying A Nuo was dazzlingly bright, so it seemed the old woman didn't mean it that way.

My date tonight is probably ruined. Oh well, it's not a holiday anyway. I hope everyone who goes on a date tonight ends up being locked up by an old lady!
(End of this chapter)