Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 455 Graduation
Jiang Du squinted: "This isn't about the price; attacking the Huo family is tantamount to directly confronting the emperor. I don't think the Tianyao Holy Land has the necessary conditions right now, so I suggest you don't rush into action."

Lu Xingzhou said, "It's the same as with these pills, but we should make a contingency plan in advance. If there are any changes at the last minute and the conditions for action are met, we might miss the opportunity if we discuss it slowly later."

Jiang Duxu asked, "Do you think things will change in the short term?"

"Yes, the royal family and the Tianyao Holy Land will inevitably have a decisive battle, and it won't be long."

Jiang Duxu stroked his beard and pondered.

If the Great Qian royal family and the Tianyao Holy Land wanted to break ties, they could have done so long ago. Especially if the Tianyao Holy Land no longer wanted to be involved with the Great Qian, they could have simply withdrawn from the National Temple and left en masse.

However, Tianyao Holy Land can only withdraw; it cannot take the initiative to turn against them.

Although the current Great Qian Dynasty is rife with hidden problems, the changes in the overall atmosphere can be seen from the list of heroes alone. It is becoming increasingly chaotic and impoverished, with various contradictions and conflicts becoming increasingly acute, a typical period of dynastic decline.

However, the legitimacy of the Great Qian Dynasty is still stable overall, and there has been no major turmoil. If the Tianyao Holy Land were to take the initiative to rebel against the Qian Emperor, it would only be seen as setting off a chaotic era and plunging the people into war. It would also be seen as a traitor and demon in the eyes of many people. Ye Tinglan would definitely not do such a thing.

Jiang Duxu was unaware that this was also a point of contention among the Ye family sisters back then.

But Jiang Duxu knew that if the two were to actually break out into a violent conflict, it would definitely be because Gu Zhanting was about to take action.

No one knows when this rift will begin, and Lu Xingzhou is making preparations in advance... The so-called seizure of the alchemy furnace essentially requires Jiang Duxu's martial prowess to intervene and inquire about the price beforehand.

Jiang Duxu understood all this and nodded slightly: "I don't need anything else, I just need a promise of a defensive alliance if any ancient pursuers come down, and someone will help me deal with them. As a defensive alliance, I will naturally do my duty wherever needed. It's that simple."

Lu Xingzhou smiled: "If my husband successfully breaks through, we will also need to deal with the ancient realm pursuers. Wouldn't that make us natural allies?"

Jiang Duxu said, "This is the premise of our cooperation; otherwise, why would I help the Imperial Preceptor break through..."

Lu Xingzhou said, "So, you chose Gu Zhanting before because you thought Gu Zhanting was about to break through?"

Jiang Duxu's heart skipped a beat; this kid's mind really works fast.

Of course, now that the choice has been made, there is no need to hide anything from Gu Zhanting: "That's right, Gu Zhanting was clearly at a special juncture... at that time he really needed my Qian Yuan Method to make a breakthrough, so he cooperated with me."

Lu Xingzhou lowered his head in deep thought.

Therefore, the things Gu Zhanting did in secret before were not for healing, but for seeking a breakthrough.

The allure of breaking through the Qian Yuan realm is enough to make any cultivator devote all their efforts, and enough for most people to abandon their bottom line.

Jiang Duxu continued, "But we've talked for so long, yet it hasn't been as in-depth as our first two conversations. For example, we haven't even mentioned how he avoided the Heavenly Tribulation. This emperor lacks boldness and decisiveness, and is afraid of being manipulated... But it's ridiculous that we wouldn't know that breaking through requires worrying about the Heavenly Tribulation."

Lu Xingzhou shook his head: "Is it possible that he knows how to avoid the heavenly tribulation?"

Jiang Duxu was taken aback: "Why do you say that? Could it be that Zhao En has been found?"

“Zhao En has always been there. You parted ways with Zhao En, but Gu Zhanting has been profiting from both sides without ever stopping.” Lu Xingzhou smiled: “In the end, what the emperor wants are two groups of subordinates, not so-called cooperation.”

Jiang Duxu finally revealed a cold smile, but said nothing.

But that also meant everything had been said, and the alliance between offense and defense was quickly reached.

As Jiang Duxu left the Lu residence, he kept thinking about how the level of intimacy had changed from initial cooperation to a defensive alliance...

Just as I was getting back home, I saw Jiang Yuan coming back from outside, all excited.

Jiang Duxu grabbed him and said irritably, "Where have you been again?"

"Chu Yun invited me out to play." Jiang Yuan said happily, "There are indeed many things in the lower realm that are quite different from ours."

Of course, even within the same large prefecture, different counties can have vastly different customs and traditions, let alone those separated by borders. Jiang Duxu said irritably, "What's so interesting about a wild girl like you running around everywhere, interacting with the social circles of a well-bred lady like Pei Chuyun? Do you even know she's Lu Xingzhou's wife?"

"Huh? What's wrong with Lu Xingzhou's wife? Besides, weren't you happy about squeezing into the upper-class circles of the capital back then?"

Jiang Duxu didn't know what he was wary of. He had genuinely wanted to be with Lu Xingzhou in the first place, but now he felt inexplicably uneasy. How could someone who had almost been engaged to Lu Xingzhou get along so well with his wife? It felt like he'd been sold out and was still helping the seller count the money.

He didn't know what to say, so he could only say, "I was just talking about your temperament. Shouldn't you be closer to Sheng Yuanyao?"

“Um…” Jiang Yuan said awkwardly, “I have a grudge against Sheng Yuanyao.”

Actually, the grudge between Jiang Yuan and Sheng Yuanyao was nothing. It was over long ago after she was taken advantage of by that pig. But whenever Jiang Yuan saw Sheng Yuanyao, she would think of the surprise attack on the Holy Mountain and the scene of her clothes being torn off. Her bare back was seen by a man, and the rag is still in his hands and he refuses to return it.

This melon was in Sheng Yuanyao's hands, so I subconsciously always tried to avoid it.

Jiang Duxu glanced at her for a while, then suddenly said, "The Huo family is discussing marriage again."

Jiang Yuan, who had just been all smiles, suddenly exploded: "I won't marry him!"

Jiang Duxu nodded and said, "I was thinking of sending you out to gain experience. What do you think?"

Jiang Yuan was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed: "Really?" "You are a second-rank upper-level official, which already surpasses most people in this world. We didn't want you to leave home before because we were new here and didn't know anything. We needed to understand the situation first, and we were also discussing marriage, so it was inconvenient for us to leave. Now that we have a general understanding of the world, and you don't want to get married, it's better to go out and have fun, and avoid the turmoil in the capital."

Jiang Yuan asked happily, "Where are we going?"

"You can decide this yourself. Just tell Grandpa if you have any ideas."

Jiang Yuan had never found her grandfather so pleasing to the eye before, and happily ran off to discuss it with Pei Chuyun.

Jiang Duxu stared at her retreating figure, his mind filled with ellipses.

I told you to leave, but hiding from the Huo family was just a pretense; my real intention was to hide from the Lu family.

Otherwise, I think the whole capital will consider you one of the Lu family's chosen wives. You're still grinning like an idiot. Get out of here!

"Going out to gain experience?" Pei Chuyun stroked her chin. "I didn't know."

The poor little vixen ran headfirst into Lu Xingzhou as soon as she entered the world of martial arts, and was captured and became known as A-Lü. To this day, she is still green and trying to win over the Jiang family's business and befriend Jiang Yuan for her husband. She knows that this may be creating rivals for herself, but what can she do? She's already called A-Lü.

So the little demon girl has never experienced anything in her life, how would she know where to go?

After thinking for a long time, he decided it would be better to send her far away, so he snapped his fingers and said, "I've got it! Tianshuang Kingdom, you're from the upper realm, so you should see the different customs and cultures of the different kingdoms in this realm."

Jiang Yuan thought her best friend was offering advice out of kindness, but little did she know that her best friend considered her an enemy and only hoped that she would get as far away as possible.

Hearing this, she was very happy: "Okay, Yun'er, I'll go tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Pei Chuyun sighed. "Then I probably won't be able to see you off."

"Do you have something to do tomorrow?"

“Yes, my husband is taking an exam.” Pei Chuyun, who usually acts like a well-bred young lady in public, smiled broadly when she mentioned her husband, which made Jiang Yuan want to complain.

Marriage really is a grave. What business is it of yours if he takes an exam? You can't go in and keep him company, can you? Are you going to wait outside in the heavy snow?
Are you sick?

Also, can you ask your husband to return that tattered cloth to me sooner?
As the twelfth lunar month approaches, the academic year at Dan Academy comes to an end. Students usually take their annual assessments and then go home for the New Year holiday.

The three-year program concludes at this point, after which students either enter various sects or families to become alchemy hall attendants or seek official positions in the imperial court, much like graduates in the modern world. The difference is that in the modern world, graduation might mean unemployment, while students of the Alchemy Academy are highly sought after, the kind that all forces are vying for. Becoming an official and entering the Alchemy Department or other departments is a piece of cake for them.

This year's assessment included two special students.

This year's top two freshmen, Lu Xingzhou and Lu Nuonuo, a teacher and student, have not attended classes for more than two months in total, yet they now have to take a graduation assessment.

The news shocked not only the Dan Academy but the entire capital.

Back then, even Qin Zhiyu, the dean, didn't skip grades as much as you guys.

The gambling den has reopened; let's bet on whether these two can pass the assessment smoothly.

Sheng Yuanyao rushed inside to check the market. The previous bet had earned her a Qingyao Garden, and she was itching to try again.

The result was a huge disappointment; more people had actually passed the bets, meaning there was no money to be made.

"No, you trust my husband that much?"

The people at the gambling den all had a good impression of this young master, and upon hearing this, they laughed and said, "Your husband always turns the impossible into the possible, so now none of us dare to underestimate him."

Sheng Yuanyao asked, "Are there any other games?"

"Yes... Although these graduation assessments don't rank students, they do award an 'excellent' grade. Many people are hesitant to bet on whether the master and apprentice can get an 'excellent' grade, thinking that just passing would be good enough. Oh, and there's also betting on who gets a better grade between the master and apprentice, but that's not really interesting. Of course, the master gets a better grade, is that even a question?"

Sheng Yuanyao nodded, took out a silver note and pressed it onto Lu Nuonuo's name: "I bet on her to win."

People's gazes shifted slightly towards pity.

Marriage really is the grave of love; look at her now, she doesn't even stand up for her husband anymore.

Sheng Yuanyao curled her lips and said, "What do you know? Back then it was just guessing, now it's called inside information."

Ah Nuo's alchemy skills have now far surpassed Lu Xingzhou's. Lu Xingzhou gritted his teeth and practiced even more, and last night he didn't even play Jenga anymore... It's heartbreaking to hear and tearful to see.

Not long after Sheng Yuanyao left, another unfamiliar young girl entered the gambling den.

She was pale-faced and petite.

The dealer asked curiously, "Young lady, who are you betting on?"

Yuan Muyu pursed her lips and looked at it for a long time before placing a stack of silver notes on Lu Xingzhou's name.

(End of this chapter)