Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 92 A New Beginning

The spring rain continues.

Looking out from Danxia Mountain, fireworks and firecrackers can be seen everywhere in Xiazhou City in the distance, and every household has put on new couplets.

Spring has arrived in the blink of an eye, and nearly a month and a half has passed before the Lunar New Year.

The cultivators in the mountains don't have the custom of celebrating the New Year, neither do Shen Tang and Lu Xingzhou. However, many of the disciples who originally belonged to the Danxia Gang resigned and returned to their homes in Xiazhou to spend the New Year with their families.

Ultimately, they had not yet become sword cultivators who had spent years sitting in seclusion on the mountain, enduring countless bullets.

However, everyone's strength has generally increased. Many of the original Danxia Gang disciples were only low-level beginners at the eighth or ninth rank, but now nearly half are at the seventh rank. Among them, several members of the Danxia Gang and Tianxing Sword Sect who were originally at the seventh rank are now trying to break through to the sixth rank.

Elder Tang Yunzhong and another former elder of the Tianxing Sword Sect, Zhang He, both broke through to the fourth rank within the secret realm, and their progress continues.

Zhang Shaoyou and other newcomers also diligently cultivated after receiving the pills, seeking stability and not rushing to break through.

These days, Lu Xingzhou and Shen Tang haven't been spending as much time together as they had originally imagined. Shen Tang is honing her skills at the upper level of the fourth rank and seeking the path to the third rank. Lu Xingzhou, after a few days of cultivation, has recovered the cultivation he lost while with the little white-haired boy and has also begun actively preparing to break through to the fifth rank.

Lu Xingzhou's legs are completely healed... The previous feeling of weakness was not because his legs hadn't healed, but because he was "unaccustomed and uncoordinated." He was not used to the change from mortal bones to immortal bones and couldn't control them in the short term. However, over time, the immortal spiritual energy in his water and fire legs gradually transformed his entire body, and he became more coordinated, so his legs returned to normal.

The resulting increase in cultivation speed meant that one day of cultivation was roughly equivalent to ten days of cultivation in his earlier years. The feeling of spiritual energy surging into his body was like a river flowing backwards. This was the complete transformation brought about by his metamorphosis.

Thus, one can also appreciate the exhilaration of Ah Nuo, who is so young yet already at the fifth rank; her energy intake is truly like a river overflowing its banks.

The little thing is seeking to break through to the fourth rank, and it's almost there... It eats handfuls of pills every day like food; even raising pigs doesn't cost this much.

On this New Year's Day, the Heavenly Sword Sect held a rare festival. Offerings were made to Heaven and ancestors, and the sect's current prosperity was a tribute to the former sect leader and fellow disciples who tragically died last year. The atmosphere was solemn. Lu Xingzhou's thinking has changed somewhat; he rarely participated in meetings in the past, but now he participates in most of them, and he didn't miss this solemn sect festival.

However, if outsiders were to observe the festival, they would be quite surprised by the position Lu Xingzhou was standing in.

He stood to the side and slightly behind the sect leader, almost side by side.

These are usually highly respected elders of the sect, such as the Grand Elder, whose status is extremely important to the sect and second only to the sect leader. In some sects, such people even have a higher status than the sect leader. But here, a guest elder has been given the position. The cultivation level of a guest elder is quite average within the sect... Yet, not a single person in the sect objects to this. It's not that they don't object on the surface, but that they don't even have the idea.

Everyone knows what the Heavenly Sword Sect was like a few months ago; they even planned to hire a trashy seventh-grade alchemist if they wanted to establish themselves... What is the Heavenly Sword Sect like now?
In the past, everyone was worried that Lu Xingzhou would overshadow others, but now they find that he doesn't. He is usually very low-key, and most of the arrangements are made by Shen Tang. He only offers suggestions from behind the scenes.

In the past, everyone was worried that the sect leader would always be spending time with this man, which would damage his reputation, and they were even more afraid that something bad would happen... Recently, it has been found that this is not the case. The two are cultivating separately, and they don't actually meet alone very often.

In public, Lu Xingzhou would bow to Shen Tang, and Shen Tang would also be serious and solemn.

Then all the worries that everyone had had vanished, and they all held Lu Xingzhou in the highest esteem.

Of course, no one knows what the two of them have become behind their seemingly serious facade... The more serious they appear on the surface, the more exciting things are behind the scenes.

Like now.

"Elder Lu, I have something to discuss with you later." After the ceremony, Shen Tang said this calmly in front of all the high-ranking officials.

People assumed it was a peaceful and open discussion, and that it must have been some important business negotiation.

Lu Xingzhou also bowed slightly and said, "Sect Master, there's no need to be so polite. I will be waiting for you on Lingquan Mountain."

The two glanced at each other unintentionally, then both turned their heads away furtively as if they had been electrocuted.

"How about we take a break today and celebrate the New Year?" Half an incense stick later, Lu Xingzhou sat by the pool, immersing his legs in the water to absorb spiritual energy. Shen Tang ran to the pool to find him, and that was the first thing she asked him.

Lu Xingzhou smiled and hugged her: "What is it, Sect Master? Is it about this?"

Shen Tang chuckled and snuggled into his arms: "Otherwise, why would I... want to talk to you about serious business during the New Year?"

Lu Xingzhou's hand stroked her body: "Your Highness, is it possible that you, like me, haven't celebrated the New Year much in the past?"

Shen Tang, who used to be able to hold down dirty hands that would be used to grope in the carriage, now adjusts her position slightly to make it easier for her lover to caress her.

It's clear that although we haven't met that many times, our progress has accelerated rapidly with each meeting... I've gotten used to it now.

For Lu Xingzhou, the fact that the "Sect Master" who appeared respectable on the surface was now embracing him in a frivolous manner was a thrilling, almost illicit affair.

"It's really rare." Shen Tang's voice was a little coquettish as she was being touched. "Back in the Heavenly Sword Sect, the Immortal Sword Sect didn't have this kind of atmosphere. To put it bluntly, everyone basically 'severed worldly ties.' As for me, I would mostly go back to the capital to participate in some royal spring sacrificial ceremonies... but those didn't have much of a festive atmosphere. They were too solemn. Shouldn't we be happy with our families during the holidays?"

The implication is that you are now my family.

Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "How about we go out and have some fun? How about we go shopping?"

From inside came Anuo's complaints: "Master, do you even understand? During the New Year, everything is closed and there are no streets to stroll around."

Lu Xingzhou then realized what he meant and laughed, "Back when you were in the Underworld, didn't you often go to the city to play during the New Year? What did you do?"

"I'm going to snatch firecrackers from the kids!" Ah Nuo poked her head out. "I want to go this year too, are you coming?"

Lu Xingzhou: "...I won't take what others want, you can go."

Ah Nuo went happily. Usually, the New Year was a rare time for her to let go of her childlike heart and play around. On ordinary days, she would stay in the Yama Palace to cultivate.

Besides, there's nothing for Master to cuddle with this year, he already has a stepmother. Master will definitely be spending the New Year with his stepmother, look at how he's rubbing her, he doesn't even rub A-Nuo's face with that much care. A-Nuo shouldn't be on the side, she should be under the bed.

Ah Nuo ran off in a flash, and Shen Tang smiled and gently pinched Lu Xingzhou's cheek: "You're intentionally sending Ah Nuo out to play, aren't you..."

Lu Xingzhou said righteously, "Parents need to take care of important matters. Isn't it normal to send their children out to buy soy sauce?"

Shen Tang smiled faintly, "What important matter?" "Of course, it's about human relationships." Lu Xingzhou gently laid Shen Tang, who was leaning on his shoulder, onto his lap and began to kiss her, "Is there anything more important than this in the world?"

Shen Tang obediently lay down and let him kiss her.

The hand that was gently caressing her unconsciously moved to her sash and gently untied it.

Outside by the pool, the spring snow still chills the air. This is the advantage of being a practitioner: even in this icy, snowy weather, they usually wear only a light robe and a bodice, which they can easily loosen to keep warm.

Sticking out its tongue is no longer unique to Little White Hair; it has also gained momentum in climbing to new heights.

However, both of them were very rational. Even during the most passionate moments, when they were rolling around in bed together, Lu Xingzhou did not try to do anything real.

He knew that it wouldn't be good for Shen Tang... nor for himself.

There are ways to judge women in this world. If someone finds out that the princess had lost her virginity to the blond-haired ghost before her marriage, then forget about everything else. Lu Xingzhou himself might be torn to pieces by the furious Gu Zhanting.

At first, Shen Tang was worried that the man would lose control and act recklessly, and she struggled for a while. Later, she found that he was more rational than she was, so she became very compliant.

I felt a little guilty, thinking that he was struggling to restrain himself.

The two kissed for a while, and then Shen Tang leaned against him, her clothes half-undone, her sash loosened, and her white bodice embroidered with crabapple blossoms trembling by the pool. Something was moving inside the bodice.

The crabapple blossoms on her bib make her seem like a blooming crabapple blossom, bringing spring to the spiritual pool.

Shen Tang's starry eyes were half-closed, her gaze hazy as she stared at the pool in front of her, seemingly unaware of what she was actually looking at. The misty autumn water in her eyes rippled even more than the shimmering surface of the pool: "Boating..."

"Ok?"

Shen Tang reached out and pressed down on the dirty hand that was causing trouble inside her undergarment, pleading in a low voice, "Stop it..."

When passion is at its peak, not only do men desire it, but women do too. If things continue like this, she will suffer even more than he does.

Lu Xingzhou readily stopped and gently kissed her crystal-clear earlobe: "Okay."

Shen Tang trembled and went even weaker: "Xingzhou... I never... ever thought that I would be so close to a man, letting him be so indecent, yet I was still happy and wanted him to have more..."

Lu Xingzhou whispered with a smile, "Didn't you say back then that this was the only reward?"

Shen Tang pouted and said sullenly, "You're bringing up old grievances, aren't you?"

"No," Lu Xingzhou said in a low voice, "I just want my sister, Her Highness the Princess, and the Sect Master to give me a bigger reward..."

Shen Tang found this somewhat amusing, almost ruining the romantic atmosphere: "You're just a subordinate, a subject, what right do you have to ask for rewards on your own?"

Lu Xingzhou flicked it with his large hand.

Shen Tang shuddered again, biting her lower lip resentfully as she looked at him.

Subordinates and ministers not only pressured the emperor to demand rewards, but also turned against the Heavenly Generals and bullied people.

She glanced around instinctively, then struggled to sit up and gently bit his earlobe, even giving it a playful lick: "Here you go, see if you dare to mess around again..."

After spending time studying and exploring each other, the two novices learned many things they didn't know before, things that turned out to be even scarier than touching feet.

Seeing that Lu Xingzhou's breathing was also noticeably heavy, Shen Tang chuckled, "Are you still asking for a reward?"

Lu Xingzhou gritted his teeth: "Little vixen."

"Hey, you're calling her 'little vixen,' but which one are you really thinking of?" Shen Tang knew that Lu Xingzhou had been having people investigate Pei Chuyun recently.

Lu Xingzhou wasn't about to fall into a self-proving trap. He snorted twice and increased the pressure on his hand: "Little vixen, you've provoked me. If you don't take responsibility for putting out the fire, don't blame me for using you to do it myself..."

Shen Tang's heart skipped a beat.

Even though the two were deeply in love before, they had never touched on the topic of putting out a fire, because they both knew it was very dangerous and that one of them could lose control and something bad could happen...

But Shen Tang felt truly indebted. Every time, she could sense his barely suppressed anger, and she wondered how he eventually resolved it. Did he resolve it himself?

How pitiful! Aren't they just like those young men and women who specifically buy erotic pictures to satisfy their desires? How can they still be considered demonic?

Shen Tang felt increasingly guilty and finally bit her lower lip, saying, "Your subject can only wait for a reward... Elder Lu, please sit still, I will reward you accordingly."

As she spoke, she turned and sat down, her small, white feet gently reaching out, her jade-like toes pinching and tugging at his belt.

Lu Xingzhou took a breath and turned his head in surprise. The sect leader's eyes were alluring as she whispered sweetly, "A new year should have a new beginning... Our meeting started from the ground up, and this new beginning also begins from here. Elder Lu, don't you agree?"

Lu Xingzhou leaned back and lay completely flat.

You are absolutely right.

Who was it that said she was a vixen...? I didn't really realize it before, but today I know it's true.

What is inner charm? ... Once you open her heart, you will find the allure of a blooming crabapple tree.

Actually, Shen Tang was quite apprehensive... because she felt indebted to Lu Xingzhou, she secretly went to study erotic illustrations to see if there was any way to improve the situation, which led her to this method. Looking at the illustrations, she felt something was off; wasn't this just scratching the surface? Would it really work?
Seeing how comfortable Lu Xingzhou looked, it was all worth it.

So it really works... Is it really not because Lu Xingzhou's leg is broken that his interests and hobbies are different from normal people?

(End of this chapter)