Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 195 Jealousy is Normal

Lu Xingzhou openly escorted Pei Chuyun home; the handsome man and beautiful woman attracted a lot of attention along the way.

Pei Chuyun kept her eyes straight ahead: "Actually, if you hadn't jumped out just now, someone else would have."

Lu Xingzhou also noticed that Pei Chuyun was now followed by several bodyguards...

“Originally, these guards were meant to interfere with our time together.” Pei Chuyun looked up at the sky. “Now I have no idea what they’re thinking. You said you had something to discuss, and I reckon they’re still waiting for you to say what you want to discuss…”

The secret guards who were meant to stop people have become escorts. I wonder if Old Pei will be furious if he finds out.

Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "Anyway, today's task of swatting flies is completely accomplished, right? There shouldn't be any more people buzzing around you like this anymore, right?"

Pei Chuyun asked, "Have you thought about how to deal with Shen Tang's anger?"

"..."

"And another thing, isn't there a very important reason why you're getting your resume gilded so you can marry Shen Tang in the future? Now the emperor thinks you're pursuing me, how are you going to marry Shen Tang later?"

"You've thought about these things before, but you just won't say anything until now that things have blown up, right?"

"My young master is as wise as the sea, why would I need to tell him?" Pei Chuyun smiled, like a little fox: "Would I take the initiative to think about my rival in love? My goal is for you and her to have no chance, okay?"

Lu Xingzhou sighed: "Even your brother suspected that I was using pursuing you to cover up my affair with Shen Tang. Sure enough, you are not as cunning as them. You should observe and learn more."

Pei Chuyun was furious: "Lu Xingzhou! You're turning your back on me now that you've done your bidding!"

Seeing the young couple in front of them start fighting fiercely, with manuscripts flying everywhere, the guards looked at each other in bewilderment.

So, is there really something going on between these two? And why are they fighting...?

"Slap!" The young man and woman slapped each other, separated slightly, and then, with perfect coordination, their hands flew up and caught all the scattered manuscripts perfectly.

Pei Chuyun snatched the manuscript from Lu Xingzhou's hand: "Don't look at it."

Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "This poem is not bad... at least it's no worse than that collection of contemporary poems we bought back then. Shouldn't our talented Pei publish a collection of poems?"

"Hmph." Pei Chuyun hummed and twisted for a while, then said in a low voice, "Father wants to publish it for me, but I feel that no matter how I write it, it can't compare to your few poems. I don't want to publish it anymore. It's so boring."

"Why compare yourself to me? I don't even publish a collection of poems. Do you think I can put you down?"

Pei Chuyun's eyes flickered: "So, where do you want to pin me down?"

Bodyguard: "?"

Just as they were about to intervene, Lu Xingzhou actually got down to business.

The guards had no choice but to stop.

Lu Xingzhou then gave a general account of Huo Zhang's situation and said, "The Imperial Advisor will likely intervene in this matter. Your Pei family will mainly provide some follow-up support, which I don't need to elaborate on. What I want to say is that if Huo Zhang can quickly retake the city, he might resort to violence against the people to cover up the problem. If the Pei family has the ability, see if you can help protect them as much as possible."

Pei Chuyun glanced at him, then suddenly chuckled: "You... you're a disciple of the demonic path..."

"Two things. Now that you know, you should consider it as much as possible." Lu Xingzhou sighed, "After all, I'm not exactly a great hero, and I never intended to do it myself, did I?"

"Ahem." Pei Yu's dry cough came from ahead: "Thank you, Brother Lu, for escorting my sister home. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Pei Chuyun was quite self-righteous this time: "Of course I have important business to discuss. Shall we invite someone in to talk?"

Pei Yu: "..."

Lu Xingzhou smiled and said, "Let Chuyun and Brother Pei talk. I have other things to attend to, so I won't bother you any longer."

Pei Chuyun asked curiously, "Where are you going?"

“Before, I felt that I wasn’t strong enough, and I was in a wheelchair, so I could only keep a low profile. Now that I’ve beaten Qi Tuizhi to his face, there’s nothing left to hide, which means I can beat up others too.” Lu Xingzhou cupped his hands and floated back: “It just so happens that Yanyu Tower is very close to here, I’ll go take a look.”

Watching Lu Xingzhou leave with such a dashing air, Pei Yu asked expressionlessly, "Have you seen enough?"

Pei Chuyun retorted, her neck stiff: "Who's looking at him! I'm thinking about poetry!"

Pei Yu sighed: "I used to think that his actions against the Huo family were like an ant trying to shake a tree, but now I feel that the Huo family has made such an enemy and will be in big trouble sooner or later."

Everyone knows where Lu Xingzhou went.

Huo Heng hosted a dinner at Yanyu Tower and asked Qi Tuizhi to invite Pei Chuyun.

Although Lu Xingzhou didn't know what he was up to, and didn't need to know, he just needed to know that it was a good excuse to lash out.

In the Misty Rain Pavilion, Prince Gu Yicheng of Jin and Huo Heng sat facing each other, while other princes, nobles, and young ladies were also present, enjoying a drink.

The battle between Qi Tuizhi and Lu Xingzhou had already been reported to them, so Xiaozhuo remained somewhat silent.

This time, it wasn't Huo Heng who hosted the dinner; it was Prince Gu Yicheng of Jin. However, Qi Tuizhi couldn't say it out loud at the gate of the Imperial Academy, so he simply used Huo Heng's name.

There's a phenomenon where it would be somewhat inappropriate for the Prince of Jin to privately meet with officials or even just spend time with other young nobles. But when a large group of spoiled young nobles are having a meal and drinks in public, and the Prince of Jin joins, it's perfectly normal—they're all young people, after all…

Even Pei Yu sometimes accepts invitations to such banquets, so it would be even more normal if Pei Chuyun were also present this time.

Therefore, choosing Yanyu Tower, a restaurant with the Pei family's background, was also a deliberate choice. Being in the Pei family's own restaurant, surrounded by a large group of second-generation young masters and ladies, also gave Pei Chuyun a reassuring signal that she could attend the banquet without worry.

Gu Yicheng invited Pei Chuyun this time because he finally intended to make contact with her personally... Qi Tuizhi is obviously unreliable. He can't beat Pei Chuyun in a fight, and he's not good at the literary talent that Pei Chuyun values. Now there are rumors that Lu Xingzhou has secretly entered the Pei residence to propose marriage to Pei Qingyan. How can he be left far behind in this process?
Having already met the "direct descendant of the Holy Land," whose white hair and blue eyes made him look like someone who wasn't normal, how could Gu Yicheng possibly arrange a marriage with such a person? What would happen if they had a child with white hair? Would he still be vying for the throne? Therefore, this time he truly intended to approach Pei Chuyun himself. He would first use a meal together to build relationships and lay the groundwork for future private invitations.

Unexpectedly, before Pei Chuyun could say anything, Lu Xingzhou ruined the invitation, and she couldn't even get it out.

The sound of footsteps echoed upstairs, and Qi Tuizhi appeared: "I am incompetent and have failed to invite Miss Pei."

Huo Heng finally couldn't hold back any longer: "It's one thing that you can't beat Dugu Qingli or Pei Chuyun, but how come you can't even beat that bastard?"

Qi Tuizhi glanced at him, his gaze somewhat mocking: "My skills are indeed lacking. I heard that back then, he was suppressed quite badly by his elder brothers in the Huo family. Then I ask Young Master Huo to help me take revenge in the future."

"He wasn't very bright back then," Huo Heng sneered. "When he reappeared in the world, he was said to be only a seventh-rank official. In just half a year, he suddenly reached the fourth rank. What do you think is the reason for that?"

A playboy chimed in, "He's an alchemist, has he been taking pills?"

"Undoubtedly. It's common knowledge that alchemists rely entirely on piling up pills for cultivation, their own cultivation is superficial, and their practical combat experience is lacking." Huo Heng said, then cupped his hands and said, "I'm sorry, Brother Qi, I'm not making fun of you, I just want to say that this person is notoriously insidious and ruthless. Have you been secretly plotted against without realizing it?"

Qi Tuizhi said expressionlessly, "You're right about everything."

Even if Qi Tuizhi is humiliated now, his ranking as the top rookie wasn't bought. He had never lost to a young person of similar cultivation level before... Now, Huo Heng is also a fourth-rank cultivator, and Qi Tuizhi is confident that Huo Heng is absolutely no match for him.

Dugu Qingli and Pei Chuyun were both abnormal, as was Lu Xingzhou. He really had no choice but to encounter three monsters in a row. Outsiders couldn't imagine encountering three abnormal people in a row; they would only think he was weak, and even Huo Heng and the others looked down on him. Who could he complain to about this injustice?

Huo Heng continued, "Brother Qi is still young, and he fell for a dirty trick. There's nothing I can do about it. If I happen to run into him again, I'll teach this good-for-nothing brother a lesson for you. Come, come, let me apologize to Brother Qi on his behalf..."

He raised his glass and drank it, thinking he was being very classy.

Before the wine glass even reached his lips, a thin needle flew out of nowhere and struck him squarely without a sound.

With a "bang," the wine glass shattered, splashing wine all over Huo Heng's face.

The group of people at the table suddenly stood up, only to see Lu Xingzhou arrive as if riding the wind, lightly stepping on the railing with one foot, smiling broadly: "I, Lu, don't need any useless people to represent me."

Huo Heng's face turned bluish-purple.

If that needle had been aimed at his neck, he would be dead by now... Calling him useless wouldn't be entirely wrong.

"Are you trying to say that I, Lu, am using underhanded tactics and dirty tricks?" Lu Xingzhou scoffed. "Come on, give Third Brother a fair chance to win."

Gu Yicheng said with a stern face, "Lu Xingzhou, do you know what you're doing?"

"I know." Lu Xingzhou grinned, revealing his teeth. "As everyone knows, I'm pursuing Miss Pei. Brother Huo sent someone to invite her out in front of me. Isn't that openly competing for her affections? We young people are just jealous and fight over things. Is Prince Jin going to take this to the Dali Temple?"

Gu Yicheng's expression turned ashen: "You!"

How could he not realize that this was a veiled attack? It was Gu Yicheng, not Huo Heng, who wanted to seduce Pei Chuyun.

"Besides... the Huo family is founded on martial arts, and the Marquis of Zhenyuan is renowned throughout the northern frontier. His family has always taught its members to be fearless and undaunted by challenges. Back then, Fourth Brother Huo was able to fight me in the street in Menggui City. Could it be that Third Brother Huo has forgotten the family tradition and lost his edge just because he became an official?"

"Prince Jin, there's no need for further words." Huo Heng stood up, his expression ferocious. "Since you're courting death, then I'll grant your wish!"

The group of people at the table quickly dispersed, retreating several steps in unison, a sarcastic smile playing on their lips.

Everyone thinks I'm a disgrace, right...? This battle might just be the one that lets me off the hook, they really think I'm bad!
"Since Third Brother has said so... I won't hold back then." Lu Xingzhou stepped onto the railing and kicked Huo Heng directly in the face.

Huo Heng raised his hand to block, and with a "bang," the water elemental energy surged and surged continuously. Huo Heng was unable to withstand it and took a step back to dissipate the force.

As a result, this retreat was endless. It was not a simple, explosive kick like a normal person would give, but rather a never-ending, relentless barrage. Huo Heng retreated once, then again, then a third time, until his back slammed into the pillar.

To onlookers, it looked like Lu Xingzhou kicked Huo Heng from a distance, sending him crashing into the wall.

"Is this all you've got, Third Brother?" A hint of sarcasm flashed in Lu Xingzhou's eyes. He suddenly switched his foot and kicked Huo Heng's right cheek from the side.

Huo Heng raised his arm to parry, but he didn't expect the kick to be so violent that he couldn't withstand it at all.

"Bang!" His forearm was broken, and his foot kicked him directly in the face.

Huo Heng screamed in pain, spun 360 degrees in the air, broke several teeth, and collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Passed out.

"You dare to lecture Brother Qi? Do you even know how many moves Brother Qi took from me?" Lu Xingzhou dusted off his clothes, turned around and left the building: "Useless."

The room fell silent, everyone staring blankly at Huo Heng, who lay on the ground with blood streaming from his mouth.

No one dared to imagine that a mere two moves would cripple an opponent of the same level.

Qi Tuizhi revealed a smile that showed he was not worried about scarcity but about inequality.

Did they really think I was bad at the game?!
“Um… Prince Jin…” someone asked tremblingly, “Lu Xingzhou openly committed violence, beating the Ministry of Works official like this, this matter…”

Gu Yicheng shook his head: "He is now a student of the Dan Academy and is also a Golden Body. He used a jealous excuse and didn't actually kill him. If this gets out of hand, the Dan Academy will only give him a reprimand, and that will only make the Huo family lose face. We should send someone to take the Third Young Master to the hospital first and report this matter to the Huo family so they can make a decision."

Watching the others hurriedly carry Huo Heng away, Gu Yicheng frowned.

Lu Xingzhou really seizes every opportunity to bite the Huo family... It's not about petty things like jealousy; it's just that it gave him a perfect excuse to openly beat someone up and no one could say anything.

Who said he was "as handsome as jade"? This guy is clearly a mad dog!
(End of this chapter)