Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 91 Waiting for Spring

Pei Chuyun knew Lu Xingzhou and had seen his portrait, but that was based on the necessity of "knowing an important figure of the same kind"—to have a clear understanding of him upon meeting him—but in reality, she didn't know much about him.

Ultimately, she was just a little demon girl who had been cultivating in seclusion, and her worldly experience wasn't necessarily much better than Xiaobaima's. All she knew was that the organizational structure of the Yama's Palace was established by the judges, who were later responsible for internal management and diplomatic affairs. Initially, they also handled some trade matters, but later they handed those responsibilities over to others.

"The Judge of the Underworld is a very special being." Her senior sisters knew much more than she did: "When he first rose to power alongside the King of Hell, he was only a little over ten years old. Not only did he use a wheelchair, but he also often carried a baby in his arms. At first, people thought it was the King of Hell with a burdensome younger brother, and they secretly laughed at how ridiculous this little girl was, wondering how she could possibly accomplish anything..."

"and after?"

"Later, people watched as the Yama Palace rose rapidly. Most people thought it was because the Yama King was too strong, but anyone who had done a little management work knew that it was difficult to steadily expand a huge organization by relying on just one person who could fight. Either the Yama King was not only good at fighting, or the child beside him was a very capable assistant. Later, as expected, the name of the judge quickly spread. It is said that within the Yama Palace, the judge's words carried the same weight as the Yama King's."

"Doesn't the King of Hell suspect anything? Even his own brother might turn against him, right?"

"So the judge was driven away?"

"..."

"Anyway, even though they were driven away, they weren't pursued or killed, and there wasn't even a statement like 'This person has nothing to do with this hall from now on.' This attitude is really hard to understand. Whether it's the righteous or demonic path, no one who leaves a sect has ever been so carefree. To put it bluntly, no high-ranking member of any of the high-ranking sects has ever been a lower-third-rank cultivator. Only the Yama Palace has opened everyone's eyes several times. How many of these arrogant demonic cultivators would accept a mere lower-third-rank cripple as a high-ranking member? So I heard that the Judge has quite a few enemies in the Yama Palace."

"Lower third rank?" Pei Chuyun finally gritted her teeth. "He's clearly a sixth rank, and his cultivation technique is quite unique and incredibly strong! And he's crippled, he..."

She abruptly stopped speaking, sipping her wine, her eyes unreadable.

Judging from this, the fact that Lu Xingzhou's leg has healed should be information unknown to the world. Keeping it to yourself might have some effect, such as using it as a means to threaten Lu Xingzhou... In short, there's no reason to spread it out casually, so what value would your injury have?
Is this information, obtained at such a high cost, just meant to warn these useless people?

This also reveals that Pei Chuyun and these "senior sisters" may not actually be on the same page. Otherwise, she wouldn't have swallowed her words just to remind her own people.

Ultimately, it boils down to this: "Whether you're convinced or not depends on how much Yama protects you. How can a scholar without cultivation become a prime minister? As a veteran who co-founded the Yama Palace, he deserves half the credit. The reason he can be challenged and defied is simply because Yama also wants to suppress him."

The senior female students all agreed: "That's absolutely true."

Pei Chuyun asked again, "His cultivation is low, but his status is high and his abilities are strong... Haven't any of the sects tried to charm and control him to make him their own? Especially us, haven't we tried? Don't tell me such a ridiculous reason as friendship."

"I tried the mind-controlling technique when we first met. The person who used it was backfired and ultimately didn't dare to confront Yama, so they had to suffer in silence." A senior sister who knew about it sighed, "Later, someone even tried to seduce him, but the judge remained unmoved. He was sixteen that year, the age when love first blossoms. It's quite admirable that he had such self-control."

Pei Chuyun sipped her wine, lost in thought.

"Hey, you're not thinking of seducing him, are you?" someone said. "That's pointless. He's no longer in the Underworld, he has no power, and his status as a guest elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect isn't worth it. If it's for personal reasons, his cultivation level... even if you say he's at the sixth rank, it's not worth your Holy Maiden's effort."

"What's the point of questioning whether it's worth it or not? Isn't it great to have another capable dog?" Pei Chuyun chuckled. "Are we only allowed to have one dog?"

Everyone laughed and said, "It's fine to collect it casually, but if you need to use methods to break a person's virginity, then forget it. You should save those for crucial situations."

A hint of sarcasm flashed in Pei Chuyun's eyes.

Virginity is only used for crucial moments... Do you all really think of yourselves as prostitutes auctioning off their virginity, only offering the highest price?
It's a pity... If we could win over the Holy Maiden of Tianyao, we could probably teach them a lesson about their ridiculous thinking and make our own choices more autonomous in the future.

Who knew it would be ruined by some scoundrel pretending to be a cripple?

The bewitching technique will backfire, most likely because there is a treasure... seduction methods are ineffective because of high willpower?
That's not necessarily true... His relationship with Shen Tang and the Holy Maiden of Tianyao is definitely not ordinary. He has Shen Tang but still tries to seduce the Holy Maiden of Tianyao. Isn't he a lecherous man?
If you can't seduce her, it's because you're too ordinary and she wouldn't be interested...

…………

At this time, Lu Xingzhou had already returned to Lingquan Mountain with Shen Tang and Anuo.

The three strolled along the pool and through the mountains. Shen Tang smiled leisurely: "The imperial court is indeed experienced in dealing with this kind of mysterious magnetic vein. They said it would be difficult to stop its spread, but they could use formations or treasures to guide its spread. In other words, they could try to make it expand downwards."

Lu Xingzhou chuckled, "Indeed, the country's experience in handling such matters is far more useful than my own racking my brains. Hmm... speaking of this kind of guiding method, I do have one."

"You are ultimately just one person." Shen Tang asked, "What's the situation at the Joyous Union Sect?"

"I'll have someone keep an eye on things for now; nothing's happening," Lu Xingzhou chuckled. "Anyway, I'm going back to the mountain to cultivate in seclusion this time. Pei Chuyun wouldn't dare to try and break into our Tianxing Sword Sect, would she?" Shen Tang looked up and thought for a moment. "So, with all the recent turmoil gone, we finally have some peace and quiet?"

"Yes." Lu Xingzhou glanced at her flushed profile and knew what she was thinking.

Because he thought so too.

With things stable, everyone can focus on their own practice and wait for things to settle down... only then can they have the leisure for romantic moments.

Shen Tang sighed softly again: "But I'm still a little sad. It feels like the Tianxing Sword Sect is bustling, but I feel lonely around me... I wonder when I'll be able to see Qingli again."

Ah Nuo glanced at her and asked, "Are you sure you really want to see Qing Li?"

Lu Xingzhou's feelings were more complicated than Shen Tang's, not only because of his ambiguous relationship with Xiaobai Mao, but also because he had seen off two friends in just one or two days, making his heart particularly difficult to express.

The bustling Xiazhou was once vibrant, but now Sheng Yuanyao is gone, and Dugu Qingli is gone, just like the end of a banquet, leaving only desolation.

In fact, Yuan Muyu's judgment was basically correct. Although Lu Xingzhou did not intend to leave the Tianxing Sword Sect, that was different from going out. He did not want to stay in Xiazhou forever. For example, he asked Yang Dechang to keep an eye on the news of the Huo family members going out. Once he found out, he would definitely chase after them and make trouble for them.

But he really didn't want to leave in the short term. His two friends felt empty when he left, and if he left too, Shen Tang's loneliness was unbearable to think about.

Thinking this, he quietly reached out and took Shen Tang's slender hand.

Shen Tang blushed slightly, glanced quickly at A Nuo, and lowered her head, but she didn't want to let go of that hand no matter what.

The family of three strolled slowly, gradually walking to the edge of the cliff.

As dusk approached, the evening glow painted the distant horizon with a brilliant light.

Amidst the Danxia Mountains, sword energy soars into the sky as disciples practice.

Tang Yunzhong and a group of loyal members of the Tianxing Sword Sect have quietly entered the Dragon-Tiger Secret Realm and are cultivating in seclusion amidst the vast spiritual energy. Their collective breakthrough is just around the corner.

Between the Huo residence at the foot of the mountain and the former Shen family business, a vast expanse of continuous farmland has been leased out in preparation for spring cultivation. Both the business and the Huo residence serve as front offices, handling various business dealings.

The newly arrived Qin Buwang was appointed as the leader of the Fenxiang branch, leading a group of former Danxia Gang disciples to cultivate spiritual herbs on Fenxiang Mountain, and to be responsible for the connections between various forces in the county.

A massive sect, occupying two mountains, with sprawling farmlands and branch strongholds, is visibly rising.

With the emergence of spiritual springs and the breaking of the yin-yang balance, spiritual energy is unknowingly growing in the mountains and gradually spreading throughout Xiazhou.

As one thing declined while another rose, Dongjiang withered, the prefectural governor's office fell into ruin, the incense tower was destroyed, and the region's fortunes began to decline.

A northerly wind suddenly rose, and the thick clouds above shifted and changed. The shapes of a dragon and a tiger could be clearly seen converging above Xiazhou, enveloped in a majestic aura, awaiting their time.

Two people, a man and a woman in wheelchairs, first met on the edge of a cliff, each with their own thoughts and feelings. Now, they stand side by side against the mountain wind, holding hands tightly, overlooking the magnificent scenery that belongs to them.

Shen Tang felt a surge of emotion. Unconsciously, she turned her head slightly and leaned on Lu Xingzhou's shoulder, whispering, "The snow is just right, we're just waiting for spring."

Lu Xingzhou reached out and embraced her, instinctively looking down to search for something. Shen Tang, as if by telepathy, slightly raised her head, and their lips met precisely, embracing and kissing.

The mountain wind grew stronger, causing skirts and clothes to flutter wildly. Under the setting sun, the couple passionately embraced and kissed, a scene reminiscent of a fairy tale.

A little girl sat sullenly to one side, hugging her knees and pouting, like a stamp in the corner of a painting.

[End of Volume 1]

(End of this chapter)