Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 22 Huo Yu
"Master Shen is being disrespectful." Lu Xingzhou's voice came from outside the door: "You're openly poaching my people like this?"

Shen Tang turned around and watched Dugu Qingli push the wheelchair in. He sighed, "But I feel like you've been trying to poach my people since we met, and you're already doing it."

Anuo stared at Dugu Qingli's hand pushing the wheelchair with eyes as sharp as nails, and Dugu Qingli withdrew his hand.

Lu Xingzhou laughed: "I can't dig it out. I've hit a wall."

Shen Tang smiled and said, "You're back just in time. I was just wondering what to do if Liu Qingcang takes their contract to court. If the government gets involved, we won't be able to hide. Since you initiated this, you should have a plan."

Lu Xingzhou said nonchalantly, "Don't worry about that... I was the one who chose the apprentices and signed the contracts. I deleted all the inherent slavery items long ago. Boss Liu is so busy with his work, how could he possibly look into this..."

The faces of everyone in the yard became very interesting.

Even Dugu Qingli was stunned for a moment.

Of course, the loose apprenticeship contract could not be used to trick Liu Qingcang. It could only be that Lu Xingzhou was kind to the apprentices. No one would have thought that it would come in handy at this time.

His ideas are obviously so sinister, it shouldn't be like this...

Tang Yunzhong worked quickly, quickly bringing in the apprentices' families and settling them in. The Shen's Trading Company established its own alchemy hall, not selling to the outside world, but only producing high-quality products for the sect's own use.

The apprentices were no longer apprentices; they had become full-fledged employees of the trading company. Shen Tang would obviously undergo some assessments, and if they passed, they would be accepted into the Tianxing Sword Sect to formally teach their cultivation methods. If they could truly join the sect, it would be considered a great fortune.

Since the Tianxing Sword Sect is connected to the royal family, their cultivation method must be quite strong.

And the originally biased and dilapidated Sword Sect is visibly becoming more and more vibrant.

Lu Xingzhou did not ask any more questions. Their relationship as a "master and disciple" was very shallow, and it was enough for him to be responsible to this point.

As for whether a talented alchemist would emerge among them, that depended on Shen Tang's luck. The apprentice Lu Xingzhou had personally selected certainly had the aptitude for alchemy, but he was still far from a true master, and could only be considered an apprentice. However, many things weren't solely based on talent; hard work could make up for one's shortcomings, and there was no shortage of late bloomers.

He simply compiled his alchemy skills and experience into a book and gave it to Shen Tang: "Since your sect wants to establish an alchemy system, alchemy knowledge classics are still necessary. What I have can't be considered a classic, but I will give it to you as a textbook."

Shen Tang was stunned: "This is the thing you eat with, and you gave it to me?"

"Everyone has textbooks, but how many can get into Peking University or Tsinghua University?"

"what?"

"Oh, nothing... What I mean is, these things of mine aren't particularly high-end. After all, I'm only a seventh-grade alchemist, so there aren't any big secrets. They're my disciples after all, so it's only natural for me to teach them. I'll need to seek a higher inheritance later on..."

Seeing Shen Tang's eyes move slightly, Lu Xingzhou quickly added: "Don't even think about helping me find it."

Shen Tang couldn't help laughing: "Why do you sound like you're afraid of me helping you find something?"

"Yes." Lu Xingzhou said frankly, "It's hard to repay a debt of favor. It's best not to have one."

"But in fact, I have always been indebted to you." Shen Tang sighed slightly: "Lu Xingzhou, do you think we are very similar? In every sense."

Lu Xingzhou said "hmm".

She wanted to repay Shen Tang's favor. In fact, in Shen Tang's eyes, she was the one who benefited from everything, so she always thought about how to give back a little.

Lu Xingzhou couldn't stand her concern, so he kept repaying her kindness.

From the beginning, both parties felt like they were seeing a gender-reversed version of themselves, and as the contact deepened, they became more and more alike.

But the softer my heart is, the more cautious and evasive I become. Two people with so many secrets in their hearts dare not even communicate more deeply, and always stop at the first step.

After a long silence, Shen Tang suddenly smiled and said, "Apart from anything else, it's not good for you, a man with a child, to always watch you eat cakes and sweet potatoes. From today on, come and eat with us."

Lu Xingzhou also looked up and smiled: "Okay."

Before he finished speaking, there was a loud bang outside the house. The door was kicked open and Liu Qingcang led the crowd in: "Shen Tang! Hand him over!"

"Swish, swish, swish!" Sword beams rose up everywhere, and the people from Tianxing Sword Sect quickly formed a sword formation and blocked the Danxia Gang members in the yard.

Shen Tang leisurely wheeled out in his wheelchair and said calmly, "Boss Liu, you trespassed into our Shen's Trading Company. Do you really think we have no one?"

Liu Qingcang shouted angrily, "Hand over our apprentice!"

"Apprentice? How can your apprentice come to me to look for someone?" Shen Tang sneered: "Boss Liu is neither a government office nor the Demon Suppression Bureau, so how can you have the right to trespass into a private house to look for someone? Get lost!"

"Swish!" An icy blue sword flashed by, and Liu Qingcang, startled, raised his sword to block it, sending Teng Teng retreating several steps. Looking down, he saw frost creeping down the sword, heading straight for his wrist. The chilling force nearly froze the blood in his arm.

A white-haired girl stood in front of him, holding a sword, and said calmly, "Get out. The next sword strike will kill you."

Liu Qingcang wanted to speak very much, but the icy feeling penetrated his blood vessels and seeped into his soul. His teeth were chattering and he was so cold that he couldn't speak.

If this sword was intended to kill, my head would have been gone.

What kind of martial arts and sword is this?

Shen Tang said slowly, "According to Daqian law, anyone who trespasses into a private residence will be killed. Boss Liu, I'll count to three. If you don't leave now, you won't have to leave anymore. Three..."

"Er" didn't even say a word. The Danxia Gang, who had come with such a fierce momentum, retreated like a tide, not daring to say even a harsh word.

Liu Qingcang tried hard to suppress the coldness in his body and walked back with pale lips.

If I had known the other party was so strong, I shouldn't have been so forceful.

In fact, the other party's acceptance of these apprentices was a bad move. The city lord had no excuse to openly deal with you, Shen Tang. This time, as long as you sue, won't you have an excuse? You shouldn't have forced your way in at all.

I hope the city lord can be trusted this time. Otherwise, if this incident goes unresolved, the Danxia Gang will be completely bankrupt...

How did he become like this in just a few days... His business was almost bankrupted by someone who had set him up, and he couldn't win the fight.

Just as he was getting angry, he saw a convoy coming towards this direction from afar. The carriages were extremely gorgeous, and even the pendants exuded a faint spiritual energy. The aura was extremely powerful, and they were actually magical weapons.

They even use magical tools to decorate their carriages... where did this powerful dragon come from?
As the two sides passed each other, a voice suddenly rang out from inside the carriage: "Isn't this Gang Leader Liu? Why are you so flustered..."

As the words were spoken, the curtains opened, revealing a handsome face. He was a young man from a wealthy family and looked somewhat familiar.

Liu Qingcang thought about it for a long time but couldn't remember it: "Do you recognize me?"

The man smiled proudly, "Oh, I was only twelve when I left Xiazhou. I hadn't grown up yet, so it's normal that Gang Leader Liu didn't recognize me."

Liu Qingcang was shocked: "You are from the Huo family..."

"I am the sixth in line, Huo Yu."

Liu Qingcang was ecstatic: "It turns out that the Sixth Young Master has returned!"

From the name, we know that this is not the unpopular Huo Shang, but the sixth son of the legitimate wife who is treated like a treasure!
The reason why his Danxia Gang is so close to the Huo family is because he was once a dog raised by the Huo family.

That year, a mountain dweller accidentally obtained a treasure, and it was Liu Qingcang who reported it to the Huo family. After that, he got money and martial arts skills, and was promoted from the seventh level of cultivation to the fifth level. He went from a small gang of a few hundred people to a large gang entrenched in Danxia Mountain, and rose to prominence rapidly.

He didn't know what Lu Xingzhou was here for. If he knew, he would have to pray to God... Lu Xingzhou didn't know that he was involved in what happened back then, otherwise his methods would not be so gentle.

Unfortunately, the Huo family soon relocated to the capital, and the old butler Huo who remained behind was stabbed in the arm, killing a large number of servants. He lost his support, which put him in such a difficult position this time... Otherwise, why would he need the help of that unreliable city lord? He clearly wanted to deal with Shen Tang but didn't dare to do it openly. What a loser!

Now that the sixth son of the Huo family is back, Shen Tang and Lu Xingzhou are nothing!

"What's wrong with Gang Leader Liu? He looks like he's been bullied." Huo Yu was asking curiously, "Why does he look like he's been kicked out of the gang?"

"Sixth Young Master!" Liu Qingcang howled, "Sixth Young Master, please make the decision for me!"

"What's going on in Xiazhou?" Huo Yu said, half-smiled. "We've been away for a few years now, and the housekeeper's tendons have been cut, countless servants have been killed, and even Gang Leader Liu is being bullied here... Is it because our name, Huo, is no longer effective?"

In fact, after the Huo family left, this place really wasn't considered a Huo family power anymore. This was mainly because after Old Master Huo was reinstated, he became more cautious and avoided suspicion, not wanting to be impeached for establishing an independent kingdom. As a result, Xiazhou didn't really have many students or former officials left. Anyway, it was just a rural area, not very meaningful.

But those who secretly licked the buttocks still had as much as they wanted. Even Xu Bingkun secretly listened to the Huo family. All it took was a backbone to change Xiazhou's color in an instant.

Liu Qingcang said hurriedly, "Sixth Young Master, you don't know that the local families are fine. How would those outsiders know the reputation of the Huo family? They simply don't take the Huo family or you seriously. They are arrogant and domineering!"

Sheng Yuanyao and Shen Tang were both from outside Xiazhou. In fact, even Chen Jinnian wasn't considered a native of Xiazhou.

Huo Yu smiled coldly, his eyes showing a sinister look that was completely different from his appearance. He said slowly, "Come back home with me and we'll talk about everything in detail... Now that I'm back, I'll let them know that Xiazhou still has the surname Huo."

At Shen's Trading Company, Lu Xingzhou's eyes were dim: "Finally here..."

(End of this chapter)