Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 186 Even a Saintess or Noble Lady is Inferior to a Maid
Unlike other people's tribulations, Pei Chuyun's tribulation was quite unique.

It's either a mental or physical tribulation, something invisible to the naked eye, and it involves extreme lust.

Lu Xingzhou wanted to say, "As expected of you."

Fortunately, Lu Xingzhou didn't know how Pei Chuyun had overcome the Heart Tribulation, but he was confident that she would be fine.

The desire for revenge is quite simple, since you can just continue doing what you were doing before... you weren't completely satisfied to begin with...

It's unknown whether Pei Chuyun is the only cultivator to undergo tribulation in this kind of process, but it's conceivable that after Pei Chuyun undergoes tribulation, she should possess a mind-guiding ability similar to that of the succubus, which is much more advanced than the previous ability to only stimulate physical desires.

Lu Xingzhou suddenly thought that he might take Pei Chuyun to the second level of the Demon-Subduing Domain. Perhaps the succubus, who was on the verge of death, could offer Pei Chuyun some insights. After all, she was a spirit born of nature, and although she and Pei Chuyun had achieved their power through cultivation techniques, they should be fundamentally different.

If Pei Chuyun wants to gain more leverage within the sect, this should be a viable path.

After an unknown amount of time, the rain stopped and the clouds dispersed.

Lu Xingzhou didn't even bother to ask how Pei Chuyun was dealing with her inner demons. With Pei Chuyun's abilities, there was no need to ask. The two of them hugged each other, both of them breathing heavily and feeling weak.

After a while, Pei Chuyun leaned against his shoulder and scratched his chin with a hint of anticipation: "Once most people have tasted the Charming Maiden Technique, they can't leave it, because it's more comfortable than doing it with anyone else... So, are you now bound to Ayi?"

So that's what they meant.

However, Lu Xingzhou himself also used the Yin-Yang Extreme Intent Technique and the Charming Maiden Profound Technique to counteract each other, and the fact that he felt more comfortable than others was something both of them experienced together; neither of them could live without the other. But Lu Xingzhou wasn't stupid, and he still answered flatteringly, "Of course I can't live without you."

Pei Chuyun hummed twice, knowing that Lu Xingzhou was not the kind of person with a sex addiction, and sighed softly: "Xingzhou, I feel a little guilty."

"What's wrong? Is it because you lost your primordial yin, which is like losing a powerful weapon?"

"It is somewhat... but not the most important thing." Pei Chuyun tightened her grip on his hand: "I'm afraid you'll change your attitude after you get it."

"You know I can't."

"Um……"

"I was just thinking about how to take you to the second level of the Demon-Slaying Domain. There's a succubus there... I'd have to ask Sheng Qingfeng for a favor, I don't know if he'll agree."

“Ha…” Pei Chuyun laughed: “If that’s really the case, I can ask Lao Pei to pull some strings. He has connections.”

"Will Lao Pei notice if you act like this?"

"Are you afraid if we find out?"

“What do I have to be afraid of? I’ll just tell him, ‘Old Deng, I’ve parked my wheelchair downstairs.’”

Pei Chuyun didn't understand the joke, but she could tell from Lu Xingzhou's nonchalant attitude that he was just chuckling, "You really don't care about the Pei family at all?"

“Because the antagonism between the Pei family and the Huo family will not change, no matter what I do, if they want to oppose the Huo family, they will definitely try to win me over. Why should I put myself in their shoes? Do they really think that just because I am from Dan Academy, I can break into the Pei family and kill someone and nothing will happen... They are thinking about Shen Tang and the Huo family.” Lu Xingzhou pinched the nose of the little demon girl in his arms: “So, little Ayi, your backing is useless to the young master.”

Pei Chuyun said in a seductive voice, "So, Ah Yi can only be bullied by the young master..."

In reality, both understood that Lu Xingzhou meant he had no expectations of Pei Chuyun and nothing to scheme against her for. Pei Chuyun knew perfectly well that the only thing he wanted was her body, but she had already given it to him…

But in this respect, who schemed against whom... It was he who used seductive arts to make him break through the city, and it was he who broke through to the third rank.

Pei Chuyun sighed softly and returned to the original question he had asked her: "The Pei family might not find out... When I first arrived at the Pei family, my father secretly asked a nanny who knew how to judge women to see if I was a virgin. But they wouldn't ask someone to check every day. The next time he finds out, it might be when he really wants to arrange a marriage for me."

Lu Xingzhou said "hmm".

Pei Chuyun added, "Actually, even if they find out, it's not a big deal. I used to have expectations of them, wanting to be a daughter and sister they liked... but it doesn't matter now. I don't care what they think of me."

"And what about your sect? Your master could tell at a glance, right?"

"My master ordered me to control you," Pei Chuyun said with a grin. "I was ordered to sleep with her, and then I failed. What can she do about it?"

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

Pei Chuyun sighed: "Master said that only the sect wants to help me take revenge because they also want to avenge the former Holy Maiden... I don't believe that. She probably just wants to use my desire for revenge to stab the Pei family hard... Ideally, she would take control of the Pei family."

Lu Xingzhou said, "It's obvious. Taking advantage of your father's guilt to elevate you to the status of the legitimate daughter is the first step. From then on, you also have the right to inherit. As long as you secretly kill Pei Yu, there is a chance that the Pei family will fall into your hands."

Pei Chuyun gave a sarcastic smile: "It's not that easy. The Pei family doesn't really recognize this so-called 'legitimate daughter'. Even if Pei Yu dies, it would be easier for people to accept my father adopting another branch of the family with a more legitimate lineage than to pass it on to me."

Lu Xingzhou said, "That's how it is now, but what happens after we seize power by taking revenge, eliminating dissidents, and consolidating our power?"

Pei Chuyun narrowed her eyes.

“And this is something you’ll definitely do. You’re a little devil, not exactly an honest person.” Lu Xingzhou smiled: “It’s alright, just do what you’re supposed to do, I’ll help you.”

Pei Chuyun said, "Aren't you afraid of ending up benefiting my sect?"

Lu Xingzhou sighed: "Your father isn't a clay puppet, and Pei Yu isn't stupid. How can things really go the way your master wants? Anyway, she'll definitely help you get revenge now, so use her as a weapon for now. When will a real conflict even happen?"

Pei Chuyun laughed: "So what my young master means is that by that year, you will be my support, right?"

Both of them recalled a topic they had discussed before—the day when you can be someone people can rely on.

After going around in circles, it's still here.

Pei Chuyun had initially thought she would give it to him at that particular time, but now she had. Ultimately, strength is paramount in this world, and Lu Xingzhou knew that his current cultivation was insufficient to get involved in the affairs of a first-tier power.

Lu Xingzhou looked inward. This dual cultivation involved both Yin and Yang, which was different from the previous small-scale activities. His own Yang energy was enough to help Pei Chuyun break through the third-grade barrier, so what about the benefits of Pei Chuyun's enormous Yin energy to him?

Fourth rank, middle level.

It may seem like he only advanced one rank, which is insignificant compared to Pei Chuyun breaking through a major barrier, but his breakthrough to the fourth rank only happened yesterday morning when he received guidance from Madam Ye on bone forging, and now it's only the second night...

In less than two days, he broke through to the first tier... and this is not even the progress bar for entering the intermediate tier; the intermediate tier progress bar is at least halfway through.

Lu Xingzhou was eager to know whether Madam Ye could maintain her aloofness and composure after seeing his cultivation tomorrow.

He didn't boast or brag to Pei Chuyun about what he would definitely do. He simply turned and kissed her forehead: "Little vixen, you're so insecure... Come on, lean against my chest and have a good sleep, experience a sense of security?"

Pei Chuyun chuckled: "With your skinny chest, you call that reassuring?"

Lu Xingzhou protested, "I could accept what you said when we first met, but are you really that thin now?"

Pei Chuyun stroked his firm chest muscles, her face slightly flushed.

The alchemist is really cheating! In just a few months, he transformed a skinny person into someone with such firm and beautiful muscles. It's almost arousing some lustful thoughts...

This was just finished... It's definitely not because I, Pei Chuyun, am lustful, it's a problem with the Charming Maiden Mystic Art!

Lu Xingzhou had no idea that the little vixen had become lustful again during her period of sagehood. He gently held her in his arms and said softly, "Alright, don't think too much, go to sleep first."

"Mmm." Pei Chuyun adjusted her position, nestled comfortably in his arms, wrapped her arms and legs around him, and fell asleep peacefully.

Actually, after reaching the third rank, one can practically stop needing to sleep, as cultivation has long since replaced its function. Of course, one can still choose to sleep if desired, and besides, her cultivation method also considers sleep a form of practice.

Since returning to the Pei family after recognizing her ancestors, she hasn't slept with him for a long time. They always have hurried secret rendezvous, and then she hastily runs away again.

This sense of security and ease—being able to let go of all thoughts, snuggle in his warm embrace, and sleep soundly until dawn—is something I haven't experienced in a long time.

That was only during the time she was his prisoner and maid, yet she felt safer than when she was the Holy Maiden of Hehuan and a noblewoman of the Pei family.

…………

The next morning, Pei Chuyun woke up groggily, scratching her hands and feeling the familiar fleshy texture.

Looking up, she saw Lu Xingzhou staring at her with a slightly helpless expression.

Pei Chuyun, without blushing or skipping a beat, leisurely sat up and stretched: "Good morning, young master."

Lu Xingzhou chuckled: "Since you call me 'Young Master,' don't you know what a maid is supposed to do in the morning?"

Pei Chuyun blinked: "Fetch water?"

Have you heard of "Good Morning Bite"?

"what is that?"

"You're not doing a good job as the Holy Maiden of Union. Come, young master, let me teach you..."

Seeing that he was leading her in that direction, Pei Chuyun suddenly realized and kicked him in an annoyed tone: "It's so sharp, I'm not doing it, I'll wait until you grow back."

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

Pei Chuyun grumbled as she got out of bed and dressed, then suddenly turned back and smiled sweetly: "Do you think Old Pei will explode if I leave here and go to school with you?"

"I'm afraid they were already furious when they found out you weren't home last night," Lu Xingzhou laughed. "Actually, the more open and aboveboard we are with our classmates, the less likely they are to imagine you're sleeping here. They'll probably just think we bumped into each other on the street."

Pei Chuyun's eyes lit up, and she excitedly took his hand: "Then I want to go to school with you."

Lu Xingzhou affectionately pinched her nose: "Not pretending to be aloof at the Imperial Academy anymore?"

"What do you mean by pretending to be aloof? I'm aloof to everyone." Pei Chuyun laughed and pulled him outside, saying, "You didn't manage to get me outside. If you keep pursuing me, I'll ignore you."

"Alright, alright." Lu Xingzhou was both amused and exasperated. "Then you have to let me go first."

Pei Chuyun composed herself, coughed lightly, regained her aloof and elegant demeanor, and opened the cave door to leave.

Ah Nuo had been standing to the side waiting for a while, her gaze sweeping right past her as if she hadn't seen her. Lu Xingzhou followed behind, and Ah Nuo's eyes lit up. She immediately handed him two steamed buns: "Master, breakfast."

"?" Pei Chuyun stopped in her tracks. "Where's mine?"

"I didn't expect any guests to stay overnight, so I wasn't prepared." Ah Nuo walked along, munching on a steamed bun. "Besides, you already have a pair on you, so you can eat them yourself."

"You brat!" Pei Chuyun chased after him, trying to snatch the steamed bun: "You clearly have so many! Give me one!"

A'Nuo took off running, and Pei Chuyun gave chase. They chased her all the way into the academy, but A'Nuo was caught. Pei Chuyun snatched the steamed bun from her arms, but A'Nuo refused to let go.

Lu Xingzhou watched with a smile... Indeed, the scene of Ayi and Anu fighting was still quite memorable...

But you're trying to act like a noblewoman, where's your elegance?

(End of this chapter)