Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 379 Please Execute Lu Xingzhou

The Demon Realm certainly needs a grand victory celebration, after all, it has just defeated the Great Qian and wiped away the humiliation of ten years ago, it is the most glorious moment.

However, that would only happen after the entire army had returned.

Currently, only the Dragon Clan has returned first, so the Dragon Clan's small victory celebration banquet was held in a relatively low-key manner. Furthermore, because Long Qinghuang also invited the Great Qian Envoy, it was not officially called a victory celebration banquet, but rather a welcome banquet.

Among the guests who participated in the welcoming banquet were high-ranking officials such as Prime Minister Long Yan, and the only other foreign guests were Lu Xingzhou, Sheng Yuanyao, and A Nuo.

Oh, and a pig too.

It was less of a welcoming banquet and more of an introduction for Long Qinghuang to her clan. In the eyes of the Demon Emperor, the least popular person at the banquet was the deputy envoy Sheng Yuanyao, who was even less popular than that pig.

Of course, in the eyes of Long Lie and the others, the most unpopular person was Lu Xingzhou, who openly sat below His Majesty.

How come you're the guest of honor at our victory celebration?
You are the defeated side, shouldn't you be kneeling at the door waiting for your fate?

Sheng Yuanyao sat to the left of Lu Xingzhou, between Lu Xingzhou and A Nuo. Seeing the strange atmosphere at the banquet, she tugged at A Nuo and whispered, "You guys must have some gossip you're not including me in. This atmosphere is weird."

Ah Nuo was feeding the pigs with fruit from the table when she heard this. Without even looking up, she replied, "There's no melon. Where would there be any melon?"

Sheng Yuanyao tugged at A Nuo's sleeve and pleaded, "Don't do this, it feels like a million cats are scratching at my heart. Those dragon generals were very polite to us on the way, they didn't show any hostility towards humans, how did the atmosphere turn out like this here..."

Ah Nuo remained silent.

"Okay, Ah Nuo, take me to eat some melon seeds. I'll reward you with a big pigsty later."

This sounds so strange... Ah Nuo sighed: "If I say you're not smart... isn't this obvious? These dragons see Master as a rival in love, they all have a crush on Sister Dragon."

Sheng Yuanyao suddenly realized something, her eyes widening in shock.

It's no wonder she didn't react immediately. In the Great Qian Dynasty, who would say they had a crush on the emperor? There were women who wanted to marry into the palace, but was that because they liked the emperor as a person? It's simply incomprehensible.

Occasionally, some storybooks also describe it this way, and Sheng Yuanyao even uses it as toilet paper.

But looking at Long Qinghuang's graceful figure now, she did understand a little... She was indeed an unparalleled beauty! Moreover, she was a beauty with high cultivation, high status, and power over the world. Which male wouldn't be tempted?
Sheng Yuanyao's gaze then fixed intently on Lu Xingzhou. "Well, seeing how you and I were laughing and ignoring her on the way here, I thought those rumors were just that—rumors. Turns out they were all true!"
What am I supposed to do now? Am I supposed to slay a dragon?
Is there something wrong with the opponents I've been matched with?
Ah Nuo fed the pigs, coldly observing the small banquet hall, a place where enemies swore from all sides. This was true worldly experience; what kind of experience did the white-haired sister have before…?

"Gentlemen," Long Qinghuang finally picked up the wine cup on the table, "it is thanks to your concerted efforts that we were able to achieve a great victory over the Qian Kingdom, reclaim our lost territory, and wipe away the shame of our clan for ten years. Please drink this cup to the brim."

"We dare not accept such praise." All the generals rose and left their seats: "It is Your Majesty's strategy that is appropriate, and it is also Your Majesty who is fighting on the front line. We are just playing a supporting role and we are all benefiting from Your Majesty's glory."

Seeing them celebrating their victory, Sheng Yuanyao, as the defeated party, felt somewhat resentful and drank alone in silence.

Lu Xingzhou, on the other hand, raised his glass and drank with him without any hesitation, smiling broadly.

"Wait a minute," Long Lie suddenly said, "We're celebrating our victory, what merit have you made?"

Lu Xingzhou had already finished drinking and leisurely put down his cup: "Are you talking about me?"

"Of course I'm talking about you!" Long Lie shouted. "Are you trying to celebrate your service in currying favor with His Majesty?!"

Long Lie was going all out, expecting Long Qinghuang to be furious. However, Long Qinghuang didn't say anything, but simply leaned back in her seat and sipped her wine, her beautiful eyes softly fixed on Lu Xingzhou, as if she firmly believed that he would not be made difficult.

In fact, Long Lie and the others knew that Lu Xingzhou had made a great contribution in this battle; simply protecting the Sacred Mountain was a major achievement for the entire Demon Realm. However, firstly, Long Qinghuang had already clashed with the Sacred Mountain, and secondly, in front of Deputy Envoy Sheng Yuanyao, would Lu Xingzhou dare to mention the Sacred Mountain's contribution?

In this situation, his efforts are worthless, and Lu Xingzhou has no merit to speak of.

"I haven't done anything particularly great for the Dragon Clan," Lu Xingzhou said leisurely. "However, for the entire Demon Clan, I helped them protect the Demon Evolution Earth Vein from being invaded by the Ancient Realm. This achievement is something that Long Lie, who merely fought Hai Ruyuan, cannot compare to."

Long Lie was stunned. He glanced at Sheng Yuanyao, who was looking at Lu Xingzhou with her chin resting on her hand, not caring at all whether he was helping the demon race protect the sacred mountain.

Holy crap, aren't you a loyal minister and famous general of the Great Qian Dynasty? You held out against the odds for three days with your own troops, risking your life? What happened? Did you get morning sickness and become stupid?

"Why are you looking at Vice Envoy Sheng?" Lu Xingzhou said leisurely, "My actions have greatly harmed the Dragon Clan, but they have done nothing wrong for the Great Qian Dynasty. Vice Envoy Sheng is well aware of this. How can you warriors be so ignorant of fate?"

Long Lie was even more confused. What was this guy talking about? How could it have caused such a great injury to the dragon clan?

"The rise of the demon lineage and the fall of the dragon lineage. We Qian people know this, but you Dragon Cliffs don't? It's laughable." Lu Xingzhou sighed, "But then again, it's the Demon Court now, not the Dragon Court. Since I protected the demon lineage at the expense of the dragon lineage, it's still a great achievement, don't you think?"

This time, even Prime Minister Long Yan stood up: "Your Majesty, this person is spreading heresy and should be severely punished!"

"Prime Minister, are you anxious? Don't worry, there's more to worry about." Lu Xingzhou said, "As for the damage to the dragon vein, there is actually a way to fix it. If His Majesty and I have a few more little dragon people, wouldn't that solve the problem..."

Long Lie, Long Yun, and the others jumped up from their seats, their dragon eyes blazing with fury.

Long Yun said, "You're just spreading rumors. How could the dragon vein be damaged? My wife is pregnant!" Dragons are just difficult to give birth to, not completely infertile. Long Yun is actually pregnant... Lu Xingzhou blinked and said, "You've been on the expedition for so long and your wife is pregnant? Why don't you go and ask if it's Pudu?"

"You!" Long Yun roared in fury.

Seeing that Long Qinghuang was still leaning back in her seat with a half-smile, the dragons rose in anger and shouted in unison: "To slander the sacred mountain, to blaspheme His Majesty, and to insult the soldiers, deserves a hundred deaths. We request that Lu Xingzhou be executed to set an example!"

Long Qinghuang naturally knew what Lu Xingzhou was doing.

The mole has no leads and needs a strong stimulus. Every word Lu Xingzhou says is an observation of the subtle changes in everyone's expression, their attitude towards the Holy Mountain, and their attitude towards the Little Dragon Man.

Anyway, with Long Qinghuang backing him up, he can act recklessly without any consequences.

At this moment, he finally spoke: "These were just some drunken words, why take them seriously? You have indeed done a good job in protecting the Holy Mountain, so please take your seats."

Long Lie remained unconvinced: "How can someone who spouts such nonsense be a royal consort? Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

"So what?" Lu Xingzhou was sitting below Long Qinghuang. Upon hearing this, he took her slender hand and kissed it. "His Majesty and I have already planned to have a little dragon in a few days."

"You..." Several dragon generals watched as he kissed Long Qinghuang's hand, each expecting the Dragon Emperor to be furious. However, the majestic and awe-inspiring Emperor in their hearts pouted slightly, his eyes filled with reproach: "What nonsense."

It was hard to tell whether those three words were a reproach or a flirtation, but the hand was so soft that she offered no resistance and let Lu Xingzhou kiss it.

Sheng Yuanyao had an expression as if she had just eaten a giant intestine, as if she could hear the sound of dragon hearts shattering all around her.

With Lu Xingzhou standing there, the atmosphere at the victory celebration was clearly not going to continue. Lu Xingzhou himself knew this, and he stood up very casually: "His Majesty hopes that I can build up my relationship with the Dragon Clan members, but unfortunately it seems that they are not welcoming me. Well... since it is a victory celebration and welcome banquet for the Dragon Clan, I will give them the courtesy this time and go back to rest first."

Long Qinghuang knew that he should have already obtained the information. In fact, at this moment, she also felt that Long Lie's behavior was the most excited and the most suspicious.

He then said, "Then you should go and rest."

Lu Xingzhou called out to Sheng Yuanyao and A Nuo, and then leisurely left the banquet hall amidst the fiery gazes of a group of dragons.

Not far away, Sheng Yuanyao clutched her stomach and laughed: "Oh my, my Lord Lu, if your heroic figure were to spread to the Great Qian Dynasty, there would be a story about Envoy Lu angrily rebuking the dragons for failing to uphold the prestige of the nation."

Lu Xingzhou leaned back: "Hey, aren't you angry?"

Sheng Yuanyao scoffed, "Do you think it's my turn? Who am I to you?"

After saying that, he added leisurely, "Speaking of which, Lord Lu can anger a male dragon to death. I wonder if I can anger a female dragon to death. Wouldn't that be bringing glory to the country?"

Lu Xingzhou: “?”

"Don't give me that smug look." Sheng Yuanyao grabbed Lu Xingzhou: "This isn't the person you're acting like today at all. You're deliberately causing this scene; there must be a reason. Are you trying to hide it from me?"

"The storm is coming." Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly: "It will happen tomorrow morning."

Sheng Yuanyao's eyes lit up: "How do we do it?"

Lu Xingzhou shook his head and did not answer. It wasn't until the two returned to the guest house of the Honglu Temple envoy that Lu Xingzhou closed the door and set up a soundproof barrier.

Sheng Yuanyao leaned her head closer.

If an outsider were to look at the shadows from outside the window, it would look as if the chief and deputy envoys of the Great Qian Dynasty had just returned to the room and were already getting together.

With Lu Xingzhou gone, the atmosphere in the banquet hall finally improved a bit.

Suppressing their pent-up frustration, the group briefly set aside their unpleasant feelings and began to feel a sense of celebration.

During the banquet, Long Qinghuang, emboldened by the alcohol, casually asked, "Prime Minister, how are your preparations for the daytime court meeting going?"

Long Yan quickly realized that the question was about the selection of a new high priest, so he said, "I think General Long Lie is quite good."

Long Lie was stunned for a moment, and when he saw Long Qinghuang looking over, he answered loudly, "I am willing to die for Your Majesty!"

Long Qinghuang narrowed her eyes and nodded slightly: "With everyone in the Dragon Clan working together, what great things can't we accomplish? Tomorrow morning, I will personally escort you to the Holy Mountain and stand by you."

Long Yan said, "Over there at Pudu..."

Long Qinghuang replied casually, "For hundreds of years, I have conquered cities and countries, and killed countless people. How could I possibly care about such an old turtle? Ye Tinglan killed his master, so why can't I kill him?"

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.: By the way, are there any monthly passes left at this time?
(End of this chapter)