Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 266 The Little White Hair's Background
However, Lu Xingzhou knew why Ye Tinglan had dragged him out for a meal today instead of cooking porridge for him.

If there's one thing that's least like a normal couple these past few days, it's that it's always Ye Tinglan feeding Lu Xingzhou; the two of them have never sat down to eat together.

Ye Tinglan wasn't indifferent to others saying they were a couple; it was clearly something she herself was creating.

Did getting ready just now give her this idea? Want to experience what it's like to be a married couple?
Lu Xingzhou thought for a moment, then picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and put it into Ye Tinglan's bowl: "This is good."

Sure enough, she refused to eat the beast meat he had once served her, complaining that it was him who had served it to her. This time, however, Ye Tinglan ate it with a smile, as if it were perfectly natural.

They were talking about more natural topics, just like a married couple discussing work: "Qingli went to see Sihan, but there's still no feedback. I'm wondering if I should ask her if you can manage here alone? I'll be right back. If not, I'll use the jade talisman communication to ask."

Lu Xingzhou said, "Of course there's no problem. Nobody knows I'm here, so what could possibly happen... But speaking of which, what's the story behind Qingli's background?"

Ye Tinglan asked, "Didn't she mention it to you?"

"No." Lu Xingzhou shook his head: "I actually have very little contact with Qingli, and we barely exchange a few words in private. Moreover, she is not a talkative person, so it is even less likely that we would talk about her privacy."

Ye Tinglan's expression brightened considerably; her obedient disciple and the young man were indeed not up to any tricks.

Tianyao disciples are self-respecting.

She thought for a moment, then casually set up an anti-eavesdropping barrier before answering, "Qingli was found by my... senior sister. Guess where she was found?"

Without hesitation, Lu Xingzhou replied: "Frozen Moon and Cold River."

“That’s right,” Ye Tinglan said. “Moreover, she was frozen in her infant state and was dug out by my senior sister. My senior sister originally thought she was a stillborn, but when she melted the ice, she found that she could still be saved.”

"You actually went for it, Senior Sister!" Lu Xingzhou was both annoyed and amused, but he was still preoccupied with the incident itself and remained silent.

Such an obviously bizarre event would likely deter most timid individuals from getting involved in its cause and effect, while most members of the demonic path would treat this doll as a subject of study.

However, the person they encountered was Ye Tinglan, who was not only highly skilled and daring, but also the leader of the righteous path. He obviously couldn't bear to abandon a cute human child, so he chose to adopt him.

But judging from this behavior, is the little white-haired creature really a human baby?
No human cub can survive in ice... But when Ye Tinglan saw the little white hair, it should have already been a super-grade, probably at the early stage of super-grade? At that time, her abilities were enough for her to distinguish the attributes of a creature, and no matter how well it was hidden, it would be difficult to escape her deliberate inspection.

As expected, Ye Tinglan said, "Senior Sister checked and found that she is human and there are no demonic creatures parasitizing her. However, she has an innate ice-cold body, which has also mutated into an ice-cold sword body. Ordinary people probably cannot withstand it and would be frozen to death if they were near her. Then, when she opens her eyes, they are blue eyes, which would probably scare people into thinking that a monster has been born."

"Nezha..."

"what?"

“It’s nothing…” Lu Xingzhou pondered, “You… Senior Sister, do you think Qingli was abandoned for this reason, and because of her Ice Body, she wasn’t frozen to death, but was slowly frozen?”

"That's the only possible reason, right?"

Lu Xingzhou held up two fingers: "Two questions."

"Okay, go ahead." Ye Tinglan smiled, her eyes crinkling. She brought this up hoping her little man would offer some advice. Look how well-behaved he is, he doesn't even need her to ask.

"First, how could an ordinary family produce someone with the Ice-Cold Sword Body... Assuming she has parents, they must be powerful cultivators. The reason for abandonment might not be because she couldn't handle it; there's a possibility she was treated as a reincarnated demon."

"Hmm, what's the second one?"

"Secondly, who would deliberately abandon their baby in the Frozen Moon River? They could just find any river near their doorstep and throw it in..."

Ye Tinglan said, "Our Tianyao leadership discussed this back then. Many people found it strange, and because of this, many people did not agree with the adoption, saying that it might bring disaster to the sect."

Lu Xingzhou instinctively felt indignant for the little white-haired boy: "Isn't that too cowardly? This is a sacred place, yet they're wary of a mere infant?"

Ye Tinglan chuckled: "Senior sister thinks so too. No matter what, why would we be afraid of an infant? We have so many years to observe slowly, and we can also instill and cultivate a child's values. What is there to be afraid of? Even if it really is a demon, we'll expose it first. Why start being so hesitant at such a young age?"

Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "As expected of the Holy Lord, you are more magnanimous than others."

What was said in jest was taken seriously by Ye Tinglan. She immediately thought of how he always wanted to snuggle into her arms, and the scene of him holding her breasts and sleeping all night yesterday. Her smiling face instantly turned serious: "Of course, Holy Lord Tianyao has a broad mind. What else could it be?"

"Alright, alright." Lu Xingzhou now felt that the bunch of random identities she had given him were quite amusing. He smiled and put more food on her plate: "I admire the Holy Lord so much, I'm practically in love with him."

Ye Tinglan couldn't help but laugh out loud: "You're professing your love for another woman right in front of me? Do you want to die?"

Lu Xingzhou asked, "So what is our relationship?"

Ye Tinglan turned her head away and remained silent.

Lu Xingzhou smiled and said, "Miss Yuan Muyu, please continue." Ye Tinglan burst out laughing again, but then scolded, "Hey, are you really enjoying being with Yuan Muyu?"

"No! Absolutely not!" Lu Xingzhou raised his hand and swore.

Although it felt very special and strange, the feeling of being amused definitely outweighed the enjoyment.

Ye Tinglan's beautiful eyes swept over his face, and after composing herself, she continued to the main point: "At the time, many higher-ups thought that even if we didn't deal with it, there was no need to take on a disciple; we could just let them grow up freely. At first, I didn't plan to take on a disciple myself. But as Qingli grew up and showed more and more of her extraordinary talent, I couldn't resist the urge to take her on as a disciple. Besides, I also thought that it would be easier to observe her if I took her on myself. What would it be like to just let her grow up freely?"

Ye Tinglan always has the air of a father who is the leader of this world. She is always showing her love for talent. She had the same idea for Lu Xingzhou and A Nuo before. Now, because of this "love for talent", she is being forced to kiss by a man. I wonder if she will regret it a little or feel that this is a sweet fate.

Lu Xingzhou didn't want to make wild guesses, so he just smiled and said, "Sure enough, Qingli has now become the youngest cultivator in history to break through to the third rank, proving that the Holy Lord's vision is indeed far superior to those mediocre people."

Ye Tinglan hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Lu Xingzhou asked in surprise, "What?"

"Ahem." Ye Tinglan coughed lightly and tapped the table. "I, Yuan Muyu, am the youngest cultivator in history to break through to the third rank, but most people don't know that. You shouldn't not know..."

Lu Xingzhou awkwardly lowered his head and drank his porridge.

It's the darkest place under the lamp; I hadn't thought of that. But judging from Ye Tinglan's attitude, she's actually quite proud of her younger sister, isn't she?

But this genius who made him proud eventually became an adversary, and his annoyances were far more unbearable than those caused by mediocrity.

It's quite a sigh-inducing thought.

Ye Tinglan, unaware of his thoughts, continued, "When Qingli was little, her senior sister sent her to train alone in the Frozen Moon River, which was like an exile, because she wasn't well-liked within the sect. Rather than letting a child experience a repressed and unwelcome childhood, which is detrimental to her mental health and would not only prevent her from feeling a sense of belonging to the sect but also foster resentment, it's better to let her go."

Lu Xingzhou nodded slightly.

No wonder. I thought the little white-haired boy was pitiful and alone on the glacier since he was a child. Logically, Ye Tinglan couldn't possibly be such a cruel master who would let a child survive alone in the snow and ice. Sure enough, there's a reason for everything that's unusual.

Ye Tinglan seemed to be cautiously defending herself: "Surviving and honing her skills in her most suitable environment helps her develop her icy sword intent. As for experiencing loneliness from a young age, it actually suits her quite well..."

Lu Xingzhou said, "So your senior sister named her?"

“Yes, Senior Sister saw the little girl wandering alone in the glacier and thought the surname Dugu was very suitable for her.” Ye Tinglan smiled with her eyes crinkling, as if she wanted to praise me: “Qingli is also a good name. I searched through the classics for a long time.”

Lu Xingzhou couldn't help but laugh and reached out to pinch her nose: "Your senior sister is truly the best mother. She's bursting with maternal instincts."

One sentence reminded Ye Tinglan of the embarrassing past when he and A Nuo chased after her calling her "Mother," and her smile froze: "If you can't speak properly, then don't speak."

Lu Xingzhou glanced around furtively like a thief, then whispered, "Mother."

Ye Tinglan picked up the bowl and almost smothered it on his face. His face turned bright red, and he quickly put the bowl down angrily: "I'm not eating anymore, I have no appetite."

Actually, we've been chatting and eating for so long that we've already finished eating.

"It's never as good as my mother's cooking, so I won't eat it anymore."

Ye Tinglan glared: "Is this never going to end?"

Lu Xingzhou then got up and went to her side, extending his right hand in a gentlemanly manner: "I have some thoughts on what we were talking about earlier... let's talk about it when we get back."

Ye Tinglan bit her lower lip and stared at it for a long time before finally putting her hand on his. The two of them left the inn and restaurant arm in arm.

Upon entering the small courtyard, Ye Tinglan said with a stern face, "What are your thoughts? Speak up."

Lu Xingzhou closed the courtyard gate without a word, then turned around and pressed her against the door, whispering in her ear, "I meant calling for your mother..."

His breath tickled her ears, and Ye Tinglan's earlobes quickly turned bright red. She pushed his chest in annoyance, saying, "I knew you'd become mean once you recovered... What is all this nonsense... Ugh..."

Before she could finish speaking, her lips were sealed, all sounds were cut off in her throat, leaving only muffled resistance.

Then the resistance stopped and was replaced by disordered breathing.

Ye Tinglan didn't know what was wrong with her, how she had become so vulnerable, so easily softened by his touch, so easily responsive to his kiss, so intoxicated.

(End of this chapter)