Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 414 The Pig Archer
Jiang Yuan pursed her lips and did not answer.

They didn't even tell Gu Zhanting about this.

So far, they've maintained a mysterious and aloof demeanor in front of Gu Zhanting, acting as if they've come to this world to "descend to the mortal realm" and "pioneering a new path." Gu Zhanting doesn't dare to treat them like rootless duckweed to bully, which is why he hesitates even to arrange a marriage, fearing that they might usurp his position.

In the eyes of the people of this realm, the ancient world is still very high and mighty, considered the immortal realm. They believe that whatever these "descendants" are plotting, they most likely have the backing of a Qian Yuan or even a Wu Xiang. Apart from Lu Xingzhou and his group, no one else in the world currently realizes they are "smugglers." Even if they do have the backing of a Qian Yuan or Wu Xiang, they're here to capture them…

Jiang Duxu was still stalling for what Gu Zhanting wanted. In Gu Zhanting's mind, he was the one trying to negotiate with a tiger for its skin…

But in fact, they knew very well that they were the ones who were trying to negotiate with a tiger.

If he wouldn't reveal his secrets to Gu Zhanting, why would he easily reveal them to Lu Xingzhou? Lu Xingzhou casually represents Tianyao Holy Land and Longya.

After hesitating for a long time, Jiang Yuan finally chose the same explanation as she had given Gu Zhanting: "The upper realm is fraught with danger and conflict. We were only sent down to the lower realm by our family ancestor to take the test and see if we were suitable to lay a way out. What do you mean by 'being left out'? Do you think a mere lower realm would require the intervention of a powerful ancestor? The few of us are enough."

"Oh." Lu Xingzhou sipped his wine leisurely: "A young woman in the prime of her life, marrying a big-bearded old man, is this your condescending test? I've learned something new. Then you should hurry up and get married, and see if one day I can call you 'Mother'."

"You..." Jiang Yuan had just said that she didn't want a marriage alliance, which was indeed a loophole. She could only stick her neck out and say, "They think that since cultivators have such long lifespans, a few decades make no difference... You yourself are involved with the Dragon Emperor, and she's already a thousand years old! I haven't seen you complain about it!"

“Yes, but the Dragon Emperor is handsome, so I’m willing. Not only willing, I’ve been dreaming of him.” Lu Xingzhou didn’t mention that he was half-forced at this moment, and said leisurely, “But you’re unwilling. Such an awesome immortal from the upper realm came down to take the test, and you still forced your girl to do something she didn’t want to do. This immortal from the upper realm is really amazing.”

"You have such a thick skin..." Jiang Yuan choked up, not knowing how to explain this logic.

Therefore, the Demon Realm's rash action must not be known to Jiang Duxu, much less to Gu Zhanting. Too many flaws have been revealed; how can this be concealed from discerning individuals?

But it's impossible to fully reveal our embarrassing situation. This time, we're stuck in a dilemma, and we can only blame ourselves for being naive before.

Seeing that her embarrassment was almost overflowing, Lu Xingzhou knew that this matter involved their core secrets and probably couldn't be forced out of her. So he didn't press her any further, but instead suddenly asked, "Is a marriage alliance inevitable?"

Jiang Yuan subconsciously hummed in agreement.

"It's been so long and still no agreement? It's been months, hasn't it?"

“At first it was just an intention, and we only started to talk about it formally after we came back from the Demon Realm... You know we were observing there before, and we didn’t come back much earlier than you…” Jiang Yuan glanced at him with a hint of resentment.

That alluring glance from her foxy, seductive eyes, though he knew she had no intention of seducing him and was even a little annoyed, still made his heart skip a beat.

This time, Lu Xingzhou suddenly realized how others felt when he looked at them with "affectionate eyes".

That's a truly overpowered skill.

Looking at it this way, Liu Yan'er was pretty awesome back then. Not only did she withstand the divine skill, but she could also confidently act like a sycophant.

A nonsensical thought flashed through his mind, and he asked, "So when will you finally reach an agreement?"

Jiang Yuan said irritably, "Tomorrow morning, that Huo fellow has to attend court, and there's another discussion in the afternoon. Besides, it's not the final procedure. I don't know where you got such a complicated procedure from, but it suits me just fine. It would be best if we dragged it out until he dies! Look at that consumptive cough, a toad trying to eat swan meat."

Lu Xingzhou found it amusing; she was quite bold: "It's normal for the rules of royal families to be different from those of your secluded immortal sects."

Jiang Yuan asked curiously, "Why are you asking this?"

Lu Xingzhou asked, "If everything settles down, what will you do? Run away from the wedding?"

Of course, it was an attempt to elope, but Jiang Yuan couldn't say it outright. Her grandfather wasn't an ordinary cultivator; he was a Qian Yuan level cultivator who was suppressing his own cultivation level. Elopement under his divine sense was already difficult enough, so she was only taking advantage of the fact that he wasn't as powerful as he used to be, like sneaking into the Holy Mountain... In this situation, she dared not add any variables; who knew if this person would turn around and sell her out?

“Running away from an arranged marriage isn’t easy, otherwise you wouldn’t have risked going to the Holy Mountain to cause trouble. Getting caught by the Dragon Clan is no joke. Besides, running away from an arranged marriage is only a last resort. Of course, you should try your best not to fall out with your family if you can avoid it. That’s why you went to the Holy Mountain but didn’t just run away and went home instead.” Lu Xingzhou smiled and said, “A stranger in a strange land, you must be worried about venturing out on your own.”

"You..." Jiang Yuan had said "you" countless times today, but then stopped herself from saying more.

This person is so perceptive, it's like they can see right into your heart. They know a lot of things you don't want to say, things that are actually meaningless.

Lu Xingzhou suddenly said, "I know that we haven't established trust between us, and you don't dare to easily confide in me. So let's make a deal... If I can help you sabotage this marriage, you can answer my questions about the Ancient Realm, how about that?"

Jiang Yuan's eyes widened: "How will you help me?"

"I don't know, we'll have to see how things go. Anyway, I'll be there tomorrow when you're discussing the marriage, and we'll play it by ear."

Jiang Yuan said decisively, "Fine, if you can really help me, I'll tell you."

"Heh..." Lu Xingzhou laughed, "What I meant was that we haven't established any trust... which means you don't trust me, and I don't trust you either. How can you guarantee you won't betray me after using me? If you don't say anything then, what can I do to you?"

Jiang Yuan asked, "So what do you want?" "First, tell me part of your deal with Gu Zhanting, consider it a deposit. Even if you don't mention the Ancient Realm matter, I won't lose too much—you don't need to stubbornly insist on keeping it a secret for Gu Zhanting, do you?"

Jiang Yuan betrayed Gu Zhanting without hesitation: "Of course he wants to obtain cultivation methods at the Qian Yuan level or above."

“I think it’s more than that. He must have obtained cultivation methods above the Qian Yuan level from Zhao En, at least some of them… Otherwise, he wouldn’t be running a charity, and it’s impossible for him to have gained nothing from so many collaborations with Zhao En.”

"That's not true. What he got from Zhao En was something else entirely. Even if he had cultivation methods, it would only be a part of what you said."

"Oh? In what aspect?"

"It seems to be a method of refining qi meridians, but I don't know much about it. My grandfather would probably know more about it."

Lu Xingzhou narrowed his eyes: "Is it similar to what you saw and heard on the Holy Mountain?"

"It shouldn't be the same, unlike the transfer and theft type... but the mechanism should be similar, ultimately it's about harming others to enrich oneself. Zhao En is a demonic cultivator in the guise of a Buddha, what decent things could he possibly have?"

Lu Xingzhou glanced at her sideways, and his words finally revealed a hint of arrogance from a top-tier family. This was the kind of spirit that dared to go to the Holy Mountain alone and cause trouble, rather than the timidity of a stranger in a strange land.

"Therefore, Gu Zhanting still has something he wants from you, and he will try his best to satisfy your desires until he gets them."

“Yes.” Jiang Yuan raised her head slightly: “If you want a promotion, we can help you.”

"Heh..." Lu Xingzhou chuckled and said, "I know. Well, it's getting late. If Miss Jiang doesn't want to be gossiped about, she should go back now."

Jiang Yuan stood up, her peach blossom eyes showing some confusion.

This person actually doesn't hold back at all. All those seemingly calculated tactics he used before were actually just for exploring the ancient realm.

She turned and left the banquet hall, but after a few steps she turned back as if possessed and asked, "You... really have nothing else to say?"

Lu Xingzhou laughed: "What do you want me to say?"

"No, no." Jiang Yuan gritted her teeth: "Can you give me back that piece of cloth?!"

"No." Lu Xingzhou blinked. "Since you insist, then I'll really tell you..."

Jiang Yuan took a step back warily.

But then Lu Xingzhou turned around and called out, "Anuo~"

Ah Nuo came running out, carrying the little pig: "I'm here!"

Just as Jiang Yuan was about to say something, A Nuo suddenly released the pig, and the master and disciple attacked Jiang Yuan from the left and right.

Jiang Yuan was startled and parried from both sides. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the little pig charged forward headfirst and slammed into her arms, sending Jiang Yuan flying into the courtyard outside.

"Alright, we're even." Lu Xingzhou clapped his hands. "Butler, see the guests out!"

"..." Jiang Yuan clutched her stomach and got up. Meeting the housekeeper's incredulous gaze, she herself looked incredulous as well.

So all you've been doing is avenging a pig?
What kind of vindictive man is this? You haven't even returned my cloth yet, and you've already hit me!

You're so calculating, huh? Well then, should I get revenge for you seeing me naked?
"Um, Miss Jiang..." the butler said cautiously, "would you like a maid to help you up?"

"No need! It's just a pig, how could it hurt me! I can walk by myself!" Jiang Yuan turned around angrily, strode out the door, but after a few steps she bent down again: "Hiss... what kind of pig is this..."

Ah Nuo happily gave her master a high five. The two of them hadn't even exchanged a glance from beginning to end, yet they were so in sync. That's what you call teamwork.

The little pig, having avenged itself, happily rubbed against Anuo's trouser leg, feeling its mind clear and free, even saving two pills in its cultivation.

The steward summoned his trusted aide and quietly instructed, "You can report to Miss now. For some reason, the man surnamed Jiang was kicked out of the courtyard by the county magistrate without any respect. The county magistrate is absolutely upright and honest, not the kind of person who would be tempted by a woman. Miss can rest assured."

As soon as the confidant left, Lu Xingzhou's smiling face suddenly appeared before the steward: "Very good, all future reports should follow this template, and you will be richly rewarded."

The butler broke out in a cold sweat.

Suddenly I feel that even if Miss and Miss Sheng were tied together, they wouldn't be enough for this county boy to play with... Were they really not tricked into bed?

(End of this chapter)