Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 508 The Current Human Being

It's no use remembering it now; Jiang Yuan realized she couldn't out-argue this white-haired guy.

That serious, earnest expression and calm tone delivered a series of soul-searching questions, making one want to die from everything from the expression to the tone to the content.

Jiang Yuan couldn't understand how a white-haired girl who was having an affair with her master could be so self-righteous.

What's even more puzzling is that the white-haired man then started shooing people away: "Thank you for the clue, Miss Jiang. We'll start the cooperation once we've recovered from our injuries."

Jiang Yuan remained seated.

Dugu Qingli repeated earnestly, "We need to heal our wounds."

Jiang Yuancai then realized what she was saying: "You mean, I should leave?"

Dugu Qingli nodded earnestly.

Isn't that right? We were in a deserted place, peacefully kissing and healing, and what are you doing standing in here, deliberately showing skin?

She's not that fair-skinned, just a healthy wheat color, right? It's not pretty. Xingzhou prefers fair skin.

Jiang Yuan nearly exploded at her self-righteous gaze: "It's freezing outside! I came here to provide clues about the opponents who ambushed you, and you don't even thank me before you want to kick me out?"

Dugu Qingli was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Although I can understand that you really want to stay with him, I was here first."

Jiang Yuan: "???"

"Ahem." Lu Xingzhou finally couldn't hold back anymore and tried to smooth things over, saying, "We are indeed still recovering from our injuries and it's inconvenient for us to go on an expedition right now. Um, this space isn't small, so I'll use an array to separate us into rooms. Miss Jiang, why don't you rest in the room for now?"

Jiang Yuan was furious, but she knew that if her injuries hadn't healed, there was nothing she could do. So she said sullenly, "I can create a room myself. Do I need your broken formation?"

After saying that, he casually tossed it aside, and a wooden wall rose up from the ground, instantly dividing the space in two.

Lu Xingzhou observed the wall with great interest for a while, then reached out and knocked on it.

Jiang Yuan's voice came from the other end: "Get lost."

Lu Xingzhou stopped what he was doing; he wasn't knocking on the door, he was just studying the material composition.

The Jiang family seems to belong to the category of mechanical engineers or puppeteers, a special kind of cultivation I've never seen before in this world. This is truly one of the biggest differences between the ancient world and this world.

However, Jiang Duxu and Jiang Yuan appear more like martial arts cultivators in their daily battles, using these techniques only as supplementary aids. It's unclear whether they're hiding their true abilities or if they're simply unsuitable for combat. To be honest, Lu Xingzhou is more interested in these things than other cultivation methods, but it's not the right time to ask, otherwise the little white-haired boy will get jealous.

Having a wall has another advantage: two people can sit against it, which is more comfortable, but unfortunately the soundproofing isn't very good.

Lu Xingzhou sat down against the wall and immediately set up a soundproofing array.

Jiang Yuan pressed her ear against the wall and couldn't hear anything.

Jiang Yuan: "..."

Do you think you can use this tactic to stop the ancient masters?

Jiang Yuan then pulled out another set of mechanisms and quietly peered out from underground.

A small wooden snail poked its tentacles out from the ground.

Dugu Qingli naturally sat down next to Lu Xingzhou, feeling much more comfortable leaning against the wall: "I didn't expect Miss Jiang to have this effect. Their cultivation in the ancient world is so strange..."

Lu Xingzhou asked in surprise, "Your attitude towards her is really strange. Why are you targeting her like this... You were even bridesmaids together."

Dugu Qingli remained expressionless. Who said that being bridesmaids together would make you best friends?
Who could be in a good mood after their private time was interrupted? When Lu Xingzhou first noticed movement in the water, he was still touching Xue Tuantuan. Being interrupted in the middle of their passionate moment would make anyone feel embarrassed and angry.

Besides, she barged in like she was catching someone cheating. Why should she be a bridesmaid when her darling Tinglan hasn't even said anything yet?

Seeing the little white-haired boy's attitude, Lu Xingzhou could more or less guess what he was thinking, and found it rather amusing. The little white-haired boy had visibly become more human-like these past two days, even throwing tantrums over things like this. So what's there to fear about the ice demonization? Having a man around is the strongest form of humanity.

Lu Xingzhou gently put his arm around her shoulder again and whispered in her ear, "Since she can't see now, shall we continue healing?"

Dugu Qingli struggled for a moment, ruining the atmosphere. She was a little temperamental and didn't want to kiss him.

Lu Xingzhou said, "Speaking of which, your first reaction was to say that she had no right to catch us in the act, instead of denying our relationship... I'm very happy."

Jiang Yuan: "..."

So disgusting.

Dugu Qingli was also stunned. Not only was it her first reaction, but even now she hadn't thought of it.

So, there's a denial tactic too? Little White Hair scratched his head.

That feels a bit stupid. Who can he fool? It's like Master claiming to be Ye Zhuoyu (a legendary fishmonger)? The entire Tianyao Holy Land is begging for his help. Everyone's expression when Master tries to be stubborn is indescribable. He's a perfect example of what not to do. Why learn from that? Wouldn't it be better to just confront him directly?

But to some extent, it seems to prove that his so-called "limited to this place" was not what he really meant, and that he clearly felt that he was a lover to be acting this way.

Dugu Qingli pursed her lips, then suddenly said, "Lu Xingzhou..."

"Ok?"

Why am I different from them?

"what?"

"When I first saw Shen Tang, her eyebrows and eyes would smile when she mentioned you. When you weren't around, she would stretch her neck out, just wanting to see you appear in your wheelchair sometime. Later, I saw your dear Ting Lan too. She tried very hard to put on the same aloof demeanor as before, but as soon as she mentioned you, her eyes would immediately become crescent-shaped. Even a dog would find that distasteful."

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

Jiang Yuan secretly recorded it.

"But I can't. I can't feel that kind of passion. I used to think it was because you were my master that I had to keep my distance, but now that we're like this, I still can't understand their emotions. Is it because I don't like them enough, or is it because I'm just not good at smiling with my eyes crinkling?"

In fact, Dugu Qingli had smiled, a very faint smile, but even that was rare. So when she almost laughed earlier, Lu Xingzhou forgot what he was going to say and immediately told her to smile, but it backfired and she couldn't smile anymore.

The problem isn't her laughter; it's just that she's more detached than others, regardless of joy, anger, sorrow, or emotion.

“Everyone is different, why should I be like them?” Lu Xingzhou kissed her cool cheek: “My little white hair is one of a kind.”

"Is that so? Isn't it because I don't like you?"

"The fact that you don't resist my affection says it all."

Dugu Qingli fell into deep thought.

Lu Xingzhou asked curiously, "What are you thinking about?"

Dugu Qingli said, "Miss Jiang was completely naked in front of you, she must be smitten with you."

Jiang Yuan: "???"

Lu Xingzhou: "...She's just a little simple-minded."

Jiang Yuan clenched her fists.

Dugu Qingli said, "I need to heal my injuries."

Lu Xingzhou was stunned for a moment, not reacting immediately. Dugu Qingli said, "Kiss me."

Jiang Yuan's expression turned into that of an elderly person using a cell phone on the subway.

Lu Xingzhou realized that the little white-haired boy had just been trying to figure out whether he liked him or not, and after getting an answer, he started to be direct.

If you're going to be a lover, then go for it. Is that what you mean?
Who would bother thinking so much at this juncture? Just kiss me and that's it.

Lu Xingzhou quickly kissed her, and Dugu Qingli quietly savored the sensation.

Yes, I really enjoy kissing him, that's for sure.

Lu Xingzhou's hands began to wander again, continuing to search for snowballs. Dugu Qingli didn't resist, finding it very comforting.

It seems all the tests have proven that I really do like him...

Then so be it. After all, the only one he's engaged to is Ye Zhuoyu.

Just as she was thinking this, the communication jade talisman suddenly vibrated. Dugu Qingli leaned against the man's chest, still a little dazed, and answered the call.

Ye Tinglan's voice came through, sounding somewhat anxious: "I heard you went to the Frozen Moon River and even went down to the central ice layer?"

Lu Xingzhou's hand froze on the snowball, holding it motionless.

Jiang Yuan was delighted; the little snail's antennae stood straight up.

The calmest one was Dugu Qingli herself, her voice as indifferent as ever: "Yes."

Ye Tinglan asked, "Si Han said you haven't returned yet. Has something gone wrong?"

“No, we discovered an ancient kingdom, possibly the Beihai Kingdom recorded in the ancient texts, whose entire nation was ravaged by the Ice Demon.” Dugu Qingli calmly explained what she and Lu Xingzhou had seen and heard in the Ice City, even mentioning the matter of Maha and Tianxun. Finally, she said, “We are now looking for a place to heal our wounds.”

Ye Tinglan said, "It really is related to the Ice Demon... It's good that you left. You must never get involved again, you scared your master to death."

Dugu Qingli looked down at her master's hand on her chest and thought to herself, "This is what will scare you to death."

However, the fact that Ye Tinglan contacted him first in her anxious state, instead of her beloved Xingzhou, shows that her master still cares about her safety. This made the illicit young man feel a little guilty. He reached out to pry Lu Xingzhou's hand away, at least not at this moment…

He replied, "Don't worry, your Xingzhou will handle it. If you don't trust me, why don't you trust him?"

She couldn't budge it; her family's boat was firmly in her grasp. Dugu Qingli subconsciously let out a soft groan.

Ye Tinglan asked alertly, "What's that sound?"

Dugu Qingli hurriedly said, "I'm injured, it hurts a little."

Ye Tinglan sighed: "I do trust Xingzhou, but that area is prone to accidents. You shouldn't stay there any longer. Where can't you go for training? Let's find another place."

Jiang Yuan: "..."

You trust me? You trust me even though your own home was robbed by your apprentice.

Lu Xingzhou said, "If we hadn't come, this earthquake would have caused a major disaster."

That's true... Ye Tinglan never expected that sending her disciple out for training with Lu Xingzhou would immediately resolve a devastating disaster. He's incredibly reliable. She was delighted and said with a smile, "Good, good, little hero. I'll reward you later."

Dugu Qingli secretly reached out and pinched Lu Xingzhou's soft flesh. I also contributed a lot, so why is there only one minor contributor?

Lu Xingzhou let out a muffled groan.

Ye Tinglan: "...What's that sound again? Are you injured too?"

“Yes,” Lu Xingzhou said, “Don’t worry, we’re recuperating in a safe place now, and we even ran into Miss Jiang. After we’ve dealt with things here, shall we head south? Far away from the Ice Demons.”

It sounded like a peaceful and prosperous country, so Ye Tinglan felt relieved: "Just do your best, and don't be careless. Also, make sure you and Miss Jiang don't cause any more trouble. Qingli, you keep an eye on that bastard."

Lu Xingzhou squeezed his hand: "...Don't worry, I'm handling it."

Dugu Qingli: "...Don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on him, he won't have a chance to cheat on me."

Jiang Yuan: Don't worry, I've already recorded it.

(End of this chapter)