Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 262 This world has truly gone mad.

Lu Xingzhou felt that Xiaobai Mao was probably still suspicious, otherwise his uncle wouldn't have spoken like that on their first meeting. This seemingly interrogation of his uncle was actually a question directed at his master.

The little white-haired guy is just a bit of a robot, he's not stupid.

But this machine was dismantled too drastically.

If Ye Tinglan still had any respect for the Holy Lord, she would directly retort, "What nonsense are you spouting? Which eye saw that I like him?"

That would ruin the whole thing, and even if she wanted to maintain a high-minded image in front of her apprentice, she wouldn't be affectionate anymore.

However, Ye Tinglan hadn't even considered this aspect; she was already putting herself in Dugu Qingli's shoes when thinking about the problem.

What do I like about him?
No, do I like him?

Perhaps it's because they like him. Who would want to be affectionate with a stray dog ​​they don't like, and even cook porridge and feed him?

But this liking doesn't seem to be entirely the same as the liking she implies.

For example, he has Shen Tang... But what does it matter to me if he has Shen Tang? I'm not competing with Shen Tang for a man. What's wrong with flirting with a cute little puppy? I've spent half my life on the battlefield, can't I relax a bit?
They don't care about their master at all. At least Lu Xingzhou knows to make things easier for his master.

So it was right not to contact Qingli before. These past few days have been so joyful, but the arrival of that stinky apprentice has forced us to confront the ugly reality.

Do you expect me to answer? Answer my ass! I really want to throw her out.

Ye Tinglan's smile faded, and she said calmly, "What does it matter to you who I like?"

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

This trend is a bit unexpected.

Dugu Qingli was even more dumbfounded: "But...but..."

Ye Tinglan said, "Is it any right for juniors to speak on matters concerning adults? Is this the kind of etiquette your master taught you?"

Dugu Qingli: "...My master taught me that Tianyao disciples should cherish themselves."

Ye Tinglan said, "I am not a disciple of Tianyao."

The day I sit in the Holy Lord's position, I will no longer be a disciple. Hmm, that makes sense.

Dugu Qingli stood there, stunned, her worldview being reshaped.

Could this really not be my master? How could my master speak like this...?

Still unwilling to give up, she asked one more question: "May I ask your name, Martial Uncle?"

Ye Tinglan said matter-of-factly, "Didn't your master tell you? I've abandoned my old name and now I'm called Yuan Muyu."

Lu Xingzhou: “?”

Dugu Qingli: "..."

For a moment, the atmosphere on the stone table became somewhat awkward. Lu Xingzhou quietly moved the bowl of porridge over and began to eat it.

Whatever, I can't think straight.

I never imagined Ye Tinglan could be so playful. She's even more playful than Zhen Yuan Mu Yu. Who's the real enchantress here? This world has truly gone mad.

Even Lu Xingzhou was left speechless, and Dugu Qingli's brain was completely fried; she just stood there, seemingly smoking.

After a while, he suddenly jumped up, hid outside the door, took out a communication jade talisman, and frantically called for his master.

Ye Tinglan answered the call quietly on the other end.

Dugu Qingli thought her master would refuse to answer, but breathed a sigh of relief when the call actually went through: "Master, Master..."

Ye Tinglan: "What? Didn't I teach you to remain calm even if Mount Tai collapses before you? Where is your composure with such impatience?"

Dugu Qingli: "No, Master, don't you have a younger sister named Yuan Muyu?"

"Have."

"Master, are you aware that your sister is involved with a married man?"

"...Yuan Muyu is indeed a scoundrel. You're just here to report her?"

"I……"

"Yuan Muyu, you can curse if you want, but don't bother me unless it's important."

With communications cut off, Dugu Qingli returned to the stone table as if in a dream.

Feeling incredibly comfortable in her role, Ye Tinglan, who was able to attack or retreat at will, felt as if the world had never been so vast. She leaned back in her chair leisurely and said, "What are you doing standing there like an idiot, niece? Sit down."

Dugu Qingli sat down like a mindless robot.

Ye Tinglan pulled out a tea set from somewhere and placed it on the stone table. She poured herself a cup of tea and pushed it to her disciple, saying, "Have some tea."

Dugu Qingli held the teacup woodenly: "Thank you... Uncle-Master. Um, if Uncle-Master really wants to be with Lu Xingzhou, then..."

"No, what do you mean by 'really wanting to be with Lu Xingzhou'? Did I say anything like that?" Ye Tinglan said irritably, "What?"

"Then how should I address Lu Xingzhou?" Dugu Qingli asked, "Auntie?"

Lu Xingzhou rubbed his forehead, and Ye Tinglan was also stunned for a moment. Even the well-informed Ye Tinglan couldn't answer the question.

Generally speaking, it's correct for a male apprentice's wife to be addressed as "aunt" by his apprentice's brother or sister.

But how should a junior disciple address the husband of a female master?
It would be better to keep the master's identity simple; you could just call him grandmaster... Wait, Lu Xingzhou and I don't have that kind of relationship yet, how did I get caught up in this?

Ye Tinglan said with a stern face, "It's not even close to being settled yet, why are you in such a hurry to shout?"

"So you really want to marry off your master?" Lu Xingzhou replied, "Let each of you do your own thing."

Dugu Qingli fell silent.

Seeing that her difficult little apprentice had finally calmed down, Ye Tinglan poured herself a cup of tea and sipped it comfortably: "Why did Qingli come to this remote little town?"

Dugu Qingli said expressionlessly, "This is a matter of our sect, and it is not convenient to tell Uncle Yuan."

Ye Tinglan: "?"

Lu Xingzhou realized what was happening and quickly said, "Can you tell me about it?"

Dugu Qingli hesitated for a moment.

Actually, it was something she couldn't say openly to Lu Xingzhou. Just like when she said goodbye, she only said that she was going on a mission to a very far place, but she couldn't tell Lu Xingzhou the specifics.

But given the current situation, could we take the opportunity to talk to Lu Xingzhou, and actually tell our master?
My master has gone mad, but I, Dugu Qingli, will stand up for myself.

The Holy Land of Tianyao must not fall!
Dugu Qingli held her teacup and pondered for a long time before slowly speaking: "Do you really want me to say it?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "Is there any inconvenience? Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Don't you trust my character?"

"My biggest mistake was trusting your character."

"..."

Dugu Qingli stole a glance at her "uncle-master" and said seriously, "The King of Hell is carrying out the Ten Kings of Hell Plan... By the way, what's this King of Hell's name again?"

Ye Tinglan: "..."

Lu Xingzhou couldn't hold back any longer; a grain of porridge went down his throat, and he coughed violently.

Dugu Qingli continued expressionlessly, "My master received news that the demonic sects of Tianshuang Kingdom were involved in this alliance, which might be detrimental to the Great Qian Dynasty. He sent me to investigate which demonic sect it was. I've been investigating in Tianshuang Kingdom for nearly two months..."

She paused here, glanced at Ye Tinglan, and her calm expression wavered slightly.

I endured hardships and fought countless battles with various demonic factions in the Frost Kingdom. Even considering it a third-grade training experience, the pace was quite intense. Yet here you are, cuddling with men and refusing to acknowledge any disciples.

It was definitely the right decision not to practice your technique back then; Tianyao Xuanyue really isn't a good technique.

Dugu Qingli took a deep breath and continued, "It can now be basically confirmed that the Ice Prison Sect is the one that participated in the Ten Kings of Hell Alliance."

Ye Tinglan was taken aback: "How could it be the Ice Prison Sect?"

"Uncle Su mentioned this to me and was also surprised, saying that the Ice Prison Sect's collusion with Si Han didn't seem like the kind of rebel faction that the Yama Palace was. Could it be a mistake?" Dugu Qingli said, "I can say with certainty that there is no mistake. The alliance with the Yama Palace does not mean that they want to rebel against the Tian Shuang Kingdom. It's just that they have some things they want the Yama Palace to help with, and the Yama Palace also wants to contact their forces to deal with the Great Qian. This should have nothing to do with Si Han."

Lu Xingzhou asked solemnly, "Do you understand what their purpose is?"

"It should be related to some ancient proverbs, such as awakening demons, possibly a type of ice demon... This matter should point to the origin of the Frozen Moon River and the changes in the terrain of the entire Frost Kingdom." Dugu Qingli said, "This matter is of great importance. I originally wanted to contact my master, but it just so happened that Uncle Su came to me and said that my master is also in the Frost Kingdom now. Um, Uncle Yuan, do you know where my master is?"

Ye Tinglan was deep in thought and did not answer.

Dugu Qingli called out again, "Uncle Yuan?"

Lu Xingzhou nudged Ye Tinglan's arm with his elbow.

"Huh?" Ye Tinglan seemed to wake from a dream: "You called me?"

Dugu Qingli glanced at her sideways: "Yes, my name is Uncle Yuan."

"Ahem." Ye Tinglan coughed lightly: "Your master... your master is in seclusion. But your master's cultivation is so advanced that she probably already knows what happened here, so you don't need to go see her specifically."

"..." Dugu Qingli was speechless again. Today, she had truly and thoroughly reshaped her worldview.

But then again... if this is Master's true face, how much did she suppress under the veil before?

Dugu Qingli suddenly understood why her master was doing this.

She must find it so hard to live as she truly is... that she's rarely this happy in all these years.

If she is forced to admit that he is her master, she will lose her happiness and be extremely embarrassed to be caught by her disciple with a man. How will she cope?
Lu Xingzhou interjected, "If that's the case, the Ice Prison Sect's request to the Yama Palace should be to help with something on the Frozen Moon Cold River... The person who should have been in charge of this matter was Dong Chengbi, the Northern Ghost Emperor, but for some reason Ji Wenchuan went to the Frozen Moon Cold River."

Dugu Qingli said, "The alliance between the Ice Prison Sect and the Yama Palace has not yet begun, so it should be a separate matter from the Bone Dragon incident in Frozen Moon Cold River. Or perhaps the Ice Prison Sect discovered the Bone Dragon during their exploration of Frozen Moon Cold River, which triggered this series of events."

Lu Xingzhou pondered, "Such a big event, involving the top powers of Daqian, Tianyao Holy Land, the Demon Clan, and Tianshuang Kingdom, is actually just a side story triggered by something the Ice Prison Sect wants to do?"

Dugu Qingli seemed to want to say something but stopped himself.

"how?"

"It's nothing," Dugu Qingli shook her head. She had heard the ridiculous rumors about the Demon Emperor and the Heavenly Yao Saintess fighting over a man during the Battle of Hanchuan Bone Dragon, and she had dismissed them as utterly incompetent. But seeing it for herself today, she realized she was the one with the problem.

Well, since Master is happy... let's keep being happy then.

But then Ye Tinglan asked, "Besides the Ice Prison Sect matter, have you discovered anything else?"

Dugu Qingli was taken aback: "No, I came to Tianshuang Kingdom only for this matter, and I wasn't distracted by anything else."

Ye Tinglan frowned and remained silent.

Dugu Qingli asked cautiously, "What's wrong? Uncle...?"

Ye Tinglan said, "According to my calculations just now, you have a great chance of discovering clues about your origins in Tianshuang Kingdom. If you haven't found anything yet, perhaps you can try again?"

Although she was genuinely concerned about her disciple, Dugu Qingli was thinking: This master, in order not to disturb her reclusive life with a man, has once again found an excuse to send her disciple away...

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

P.S.: I laughed while writing these chapters, which is rare for me. I hope you all enjoyed it too. I'll see if I can add an extra chapter tonight.

(End of this chapter)