Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 77 Even Enemies Have Enemies (4K Votes Requested)

Yang Dechang appeared inside the carriage, unnoticed by anyone in the Demon Suppression Division.

The adulterous couple inside had already put their feet down and were sitting upright, as if nothing had happened.

Yang Dechang coughed lightly. He knew that Lu Xingzhou was now assisting Shen Tang, but he really didn't expect their relationship to have reached this point... At this moment, many thoughts raced through his mind...

Aside from the inappropriateness of a lone man and woman touching legs in a carriage, Yang Dechang thought the matter of treating legs was quite normal. To everyone else, they were still two cripples; even the Demon Suppression Division's entourage gave them a carriage, showing courtesy to the disabled…

He kindly remarked, "Actually... Her Highness's leg is better off not being treated..."

Both of them glanced at him, quite surprised.

These words sound cold, but they actually came from a good intention... How could he have such good intentions?

The purpose of this visit is quite interesting... Lu Xingzhou's mind raced, and he smiled, "What new guidance does Elder Yang have for you?"

"I dare not." Yang Dechang actually bowed slightly and said, "I have come to apologize to you, young master."

Lu Xingzhou glanced at Shen Tang, his expression unreadable.

She said she wanted to be Huo Shang herself.

Lu Xingzhou sighed and said calmly, "Yang Gongfeng's claim that I am Huo Shang is unfounded."

"That's not important." Edward Yang smiled slightly. "As long as you wish to be that person, then so be it."

It would be more accurate to say that as long as Yang Dechang, who was sent by the Huo family to verify Lu Xingzhou's identity, could strongly prove that he was Lu Xingzhou, then he was Lu Xingzhou. At least before the Huo family used various methods to verify him, Yang Dechang's words were the strongest evidence.

Lu Xingzhou tapped his fingers lightly on the chair and slowly said, "So, what does Yang Gongfeng mean by 'apologizing'?"

Edward Yang sighed, "With your intelligence, young master, your mind should be as clear as a mirror."

Lu Xingzhou said calmly, "It was you who orchestrated the various factions to cause trouble at our ceremony... and you were also the one who hinted to the Incense Pavilion to break the rules and carry out the assassination. And this time, it was you who supported the Incense Pavilion in launching a full-scale war."

"Yes," Edward Yang readily admitted, "Therefore I apologize."

Lu Xingzhou glanced at Shen Tang, who said, "Does Your Excellency believe that because we suffered no casualties, this crime can be easily overlooked?"

Yang Dechang remained silent. The facts were as they were. First, he was merely following orders; second, he didn't personally intervene; and finally, regardless of what he had done behind the scenes, the Tianxing Sword Sect ultimately suffered no casualties and even gained considerable wealth. Therefore, it was easily resolved. Shen Tang, after all, was a politician; she should consider more than dwell on this grudge.

Shen Tang said, "But has Yang Gongfeng ever considered that your crime is not something we can decide? You have actually offended the Emperor. Of course, he may not know that you did it now... but he will find out one day."

"If the princess and the young master are willing to understand, then His Majesty will not know."

"What about the Incense Burning Pavilion?"

Yang Dechang smiled slightly: "You two have come here precisely to silence Fenxianglou?"

"Is there something else you don't want them to say..." Lu Xingzhou said leisurely, "Yang Gongfeng is quite a talent."

Edward Yang bowed again: "You flatter me, sir."

Lu Xingzhou pondered for a moment and then smiled and said, "If Yang Gongfeng can compile a complete report for me on the existing strength of Fenxianglou, their network of friendly and hostile relationships, and especially the type or weaknesses of their mountain-protecting formation, then all past matters will be wiped clean."

Yang Dechang glanced at Shen Tang, who smiled slightly and didn't interrupt, as if Lu Xingzhou's decision was her decision.

Yang Dechang was secretly amazed and quickly took out a jade slip: "It was prepared long ago, and all the information is in it. In addition... if you need me to do anything, young master, I may be able to lend a hand without revealing my identity."

Lu Xingzhou took the jade slip and patted it lightly in his palm, pondering, "Old Yang, you should be a high-ranking third-grade cultivator, right?"

"I'm ashamed to say that I'm only a third-rank, upper-level one."

"You might be worried about being exposed if I ask you to take action against the Incense Burning Pavilion, and you're unwilling... But if I were to entrust you with another matter, could you help me, Yang Gongfeng?"

Yang Dechang hurriedly replied, "Young Master, please give your instructions."

Lu Xingzhou pointed to Sheng Yuanyao at the front of the line: "Protect her, don't let anything happen to her."

Yang Dechang was taken aback: "How could someone in Dongjiang County possibly be plotting against the Lord of Xiazhou?"

"I don't know, but it's better to be safe than sorry. I'll feel more at ease if you're willing to help..."

Yang Dechang solemnly replied, "In this matter, I, Yang, have no choice but to do it."

As Yang Dechang's figure disappeared, Lu Xingzhou was somewhat lost in thought.

Regardless of what this person is thinking, he is a member of the system, unlike the Fenxiang Tower and other immortal sects that operate outside the system. At least for him, protecting Sheng Yuanyao's safety is a great opportunity to gain favor with Sheng Qingfeng, so there shouldn't be any problems.

As for the rest...

Shen Tang's identity was kept secret, rendering it meaningless to the clueless fools at Fenxianglou. But to people like Sheng Qingfeng and Yang Dechang, he was a rare find... which even shook the Huo family's and Yang Dechang's attitudes towards him.

He hadn't originally intended to use Shen Tang's princess status to scheme against the Huo family, but unknowingly, he was passively drawn into it.

"What are you thinking about?" Shen Tang's voice came.

Lu Xingzhou snapped out of his daze and smiled, "It's nothing."

Shen Tang snorted and said, "You're thinking about my princess status and your revenge plan."

Lu Xingzhou blinked.

"You're not the only smart person in the world." Shen Tang leaned back lazily, resting her head on her hand. "Use it. This is all I have, and it wasn't something you helped me with. If you don't use it, what face will I have left in front of you?"

Lu Xingzhou chuckled and reached out to grab her foot again: "This isn't it either, can it be used too?"

Shen Tang didn't open her eyes, but her face unconsciously flushed as red as the morning sun. "You're already using it, why are you still asking?"

Lu Xingzhou casually played with the little feet, while holding the jade slip that Yang Dechang had just given him in his other hand, and probed into it with his mind.

These politicians are ruthless... After using Fenxianglou, they decide they have no value and might even leak their secrets, so they don't hesitate to sell them off. This information is so detailed it could almost be Fenxianglou's annual performance review form...

He wants to leave not a single blade of grass growing in the Incense Burning Pavilion...

As for the weak points of the protective formation of the Incense Burning Pavilion, Yang Dechang really didn't know, but he described the nature of the formation very clearly.

Lu Xingzhou himself is an expert in formations, so he still has a chance to find a way to break the formation. However, it will take time to deal with a third-grade formation.

Shen Tang felt that his hand had stopped touching her. She secretly opened her eyes a crack and saw that Lu Xingzhou had set up an array plate with various small flags stuck on it, as if he was simulating a simulation.

The way he seriously deduces things is really captivating... He looks even more captivating when he occasionally furrows his brow in deep thought.

So they just kept watching quietly until they reached Dongjiang County.

…………

When Xia Prefecture was both the capital of the prefecture and the capital of the county, Dongjiang was just a subordinate county.

Since the spiritual energy of Xia Prefecture disappeared, Dongjiang has become the seat of the prefecture, exactly one hundred years ago.

In other words, the fact that the Dragon-Tiger Secret Realm was hidden by Maha and used to refine the Dragon-Tiger Pill is not a very long time ago, at least not in this world of cultivation.

The Huo family's maxims have only been passed down for a few generations.

Maha is certainly not some ancient immortal; he's merely someone who attempts to refine an elixir of immortality and ascend to godhood in one step… Such people have always been numerous in this world, including those at the Incense Burning Pavilion, only at a lower level. Maha is at least a first-rank, and at most a super-rank; the Incense Burning Pavilion is another story…

Therefore, Dongjiang County is very close to Xia Prefecture, only a few dozen miles away. The group traveled at a fast pace, leaving at noon and arriving just as dusk fell.

Sheng Yuanyao's guard consisted of only a dozen or so people. Apart from the adulterous couple who disguised themselves in the guard uniform, Zhang Shaoyou, Qin Buwang, and the others had all secretly returned to Dongjiang County in small groups. They were all waiting in the mansion that Zhang Shaoyou had privately purchased in Dongjiang County, and they had arrived long ago.

Dugu Qingli pushed Shen Tang's wheelchair into the house... and the more she pushed, the angrier she became. These two were having a great time playing with each other's feet in the carriage, but now they were pretending to be crippled and needing to be pushed. Dugu Qingli couldn't find the right word to describe their shamelessness; she felt that if this continued, their friendship would be over.

When Shen Tang entered the house, Zhang Shaoyou and a group of people were eating in the courtyard. Upon seeing Shen Tang enter, they all stood up and bowed, saying, "Sect Leader."

Looking at the respectful attitude of these powerful figures who were enemies just last night, Shen Tang still felt a little strange. He nodded and said, "No need for formalities... How is the situation at Fenxiang Tower?"

Zhang Shaoyou said, "Fenxianglou has already recalled its disciples who are away and closed the mountain completely. The mountain protection formation has been activated, so I feel there is no opportunity to take advantage of it."

Shen Tang smiled and said, "Master Yiyang is quite perceptive."

"That's not enlightenment, that's cowardice," Zhang Shaoyou sneered. "Our strength isn't much greater than Fenxiang Tower's, and we might not necessarily lose to them in a real fight. By completely closing the mountain, we're cutting off our own path to development. There will come a day when we can't keep it closed. Even if I just sit here and wait, I'll kill them one by one when they come out. Sooner or later, I'll bring Fenxiang Tower to its knees."

“The Incense Burning Pavilion has connections outside, so delaying things is not a good idea.” Shen Tang waved his hand and said, “Don’t rush, we might have more help… Let’s eat first and wait for Elder Lu’s signal. We might have to get involved in another matter later, perhaps it’s a preliminary step for the Incense Burning Pavilion matter.”

Everyone then realized that Lu Xingzhou was missing, and the child pushing the wheelchair was also gone: "Elder Lu, where did you go..."

Shen Tang smiled slightly: "He got off the car when the city lord's convoy passed by the Dongjiang Gang."

Zhang Shaoyou's heart skipped a beat: "Could the Dongjiang Gang be cooperating with us?"

“That’s hard to say… How can we allow others to sleep soundly beside our bed? Chief Shi of the Dongjiang Gang is a man with ambition…” Shen Tang sighed: “Lu Xingzhou said that turning a war of forces into a one-on-one battle is the most foolish thing to do. The connections of the Fenxiang Tower are due to external factors, and we can’t make such a mistake.”

Dongjiang Gang leader Shi Tielong was discussing matters with Vice Gang Leader Wang and others when they were all stunned to hear that "someone from the Demon Suppression Division has come to visit." When they invited the person in, they saw that it was A Nuo pushing Lu Xingzhou in leisurely.

“Lu Xingzhou…” Vice Leader Wang had attended the Tianxing Sword Sect’s grand ceremony and recognized him immediately: “Why are you wearing the Demon Suppression Division’s official uniform?”

Lu Xingzhou said leisurely, "That's another matter. I have something to discuss with you all."

Less than a day later, the people of Dongjiang County were unaware that the Incense Tower's surprise attack on the Heavenly Sword Sect had resulted in its complete annihilation. They only knew that the Incense Tower had inexplicably closed its doors... It was only when Lu Xingzhou suddenly appeared here that they realized something was amiss.

Shi Tielong raised his hand with a stern expression and gestured: "Someone, serve Mr. Lu tea."

"No need for tea... I'll just say a few words and leave, as I have to rush off to the city lord's place." Lu Xingzhou smiled and said, "Let me get straight to the point. The other day, your gang attended our ceremony, and although you were clearly connected with Fenxianglou, your behavior was completely different from theirs. I think perhaps you have some disagreements with them, right?"

Shi Tielong coughed lightly: "Mr. Lu, you flatter me. We're all neighbors, so a little unpleasantness is understandable, but nothing more. After all, we don't have any business conflicts with Fenxianglou..."

“If there were conflict, there would be fighting, and there wouldn’t be so much bloodshed in the world…” Lu Xingzhou said leisurely, “Don’t blame me for speaking bluntly… First of all, the Dongjiang Gang is known as the number one gang in Dongjiang County, but with the existence of the Fenxiang Tower, isn’t your gang a bit unworthy of the name? Various forces in the county may attach themselves to or pay tribute to your gang, but they may not all ask for your gang’s face. This is the fundamental conflict between your gang and the Fenxiang Tower. Two tigers cannot share one mountain.”

Shi Tielong's face darkened, and he remained silent.

Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "Secondly, the purpose of gangs and sects is not quite the same... Those who join gangs are mainly for money and resources. There are many ways to acquire resources. Doing business honestly is one way, and robbing... is also a way, and it's even faster. Coincidentally, Fenxiang Tower is very rich."

Shi Tielong's cheeks twitched, and he finally said, "I don't understand what Mr. Lu means."

Lu Xingzhou said, "Last night, the Incense Burning Pavilion launched a surprise attack on our sect, losing all its elite forces and causing many powerful members to defect. The Incense Burning Pavilion is currently at its weakest, as evidenced by its complete closure of the mountain. If Chief Shi is interested, how about we work together to destroy the Incense Burning Pavilion and split the spoils fifty-fifty?"

Shi Tielong suddenly stood up, his chair overturning: "You... are you serious?"

"Of course, otherwise why would the Incense Burning Pavilion be closed? Chief Shi might as well send someone to investigate secretly, and you will know that I am not lying."

Shi Tielong's face flushed with obvious excitement, and he gestured to those around him. The others understood and quickly rushed out to investigate.

Shi Tielong gave Lu Xingzhou an awkward smile, then rubbed his hands and paced back and forth a few times: "If we attack the mountain without cause, the prefect will definitely intervene. How do we resolve this?"

“It’s lunchtime, Chief Shi, you can eat first.” Lu Xingzhou smiled warmly: “Didn’t you just ask me why I was wearing these clothes? I’m just going to have lunch with the Prefect. We’ll talk again after we finish eating. I’m sure I won’t disappoint you.”

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.: 4K words, please vote with monthly tickets!
(End of this chapter)