Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 95 The Little Demoness Hunts Down Wheelchair-bound Men (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Lu Xingzhou now possesses not only the alchemy notes from the Maha Cave, but also the alchemy classics from the Incense Burning Pavilion, as well as the insights and records of Master Yiyang and others.

There's also Master Yiyang's precious alchemy furnace, a top-grade item, even stronger than the one he brought from the Underworld.

The cultivation techniques of the Incense Burning Pavilion were mediocre, and they were given to the Heavenly Sword Sect to enrich their technique library. But their alchemy skills were truly exceptional; they possessed both superb knowledge of the classics and advanced tools, certainly surpassing Lu Xingzhou's level.

But as I said before, learning things on your own by reading classics and notes is different from having a teacher. Otherwise, Lu Xingzhou wouldn't have needed to come and discuss things with Chen Jinnian so often.

It's already difficult enough to practice the Yin-Yang Ultimate Skill on my own; learning anything else on my own would be even more exhausting. Lu Xingzhou felt that he was already quite impressive to have learned to this point on his own. He truly admired the transmigrators who obtained a secret manual and mastered it to the point of dominating everything. He wondered if they could have gotten into Tsinghua or Peking University with just a set of textbooks before they transmigrated.

In short, it is indeed very difficult to improve by studying classic texts and notes on one's own. If there were an opportunity for further study, Lu Xingzhou would be very interested. Just finding an expert to answer his questions about the difficult points in the classic texts and notes would greatly improve his level.

After all, there's really not much to do in Xia Prefecture these days besides dating and cultivating.

This world highly values ​​alchemy. Alchemists from other sects are qualified to be accompanied by protectors. The imperial court has set up a special department to select alchemy talents, and the Alchemy Academy in the capital is a gathering place for the nation's best talents to cultivate the most outstanding alchemy talents.

Given that the emperor still has old injuries, this matter is being taken even more seriously than in previous years.

Aside from the sacred site, this might be the highest institution of learning alchemy in the Great Qian Dynasty. Studying here would not only improve one's alchemical skills but also bring another benefit—a prestigious official background.

Whether a high-level alchemist graduating from the Imperial Alchemy Academy is worthy of a princess is another matter, but he is certainly a match for a typical noblewoman or a direct descendant of a sect. There might even be suitors vying for his hand in marriage.

Shen Tang would want to see that.

And his status as a student at the Imperial Academy of Alchemy, for the Huo family...

Countless thoughts raced through Lu Xingzhou's mind, and his expression became much more serious: "Chief Chen, if the county submits an application, will the Imperial Academy of Alchemy in the capital definitely accept it?"

“There will be an entrance examination. If someone is recommended through connections, they will be rejected immediately.” Chen Jinnian sighed. “This examination is extremely strict. It is said that His Majesty sometimes comes to see it in person. Therefore, many people with real talent may be turned away. In the end, very few people can actually be admitted. In fact, I was rejected several times when I was young, which I deeply regret.”

It's starting to feel like an academic expedition... and it's clear you were rejected, otherwise why would someone your age still be working as a clerk in a county town...

Lu Xingzhou didn't say these words aloud, but simply straightened up and bowed: "I am truly interested in this matter, and I hope Manager Chen will provide much assistance."

“Of course. Selecting talents for the country is one of the missions of our Pill Refining Department. You are the best young alchemist discovered by the Pill Refining Department of Xia Prefecture. If you can be recommended to the Pill Academy in the capital, it will be an achievement for us and bring us honor.”

"It's hard to say. Even Manager Chen didn't pass the test back then, so I'm not very confident in myself either."

Chen Jinnian patted Lu Xingzhou on the shoulder with a smile: "You defeated Bai Jingtian, a fourth-rank official, back then. I don't know the inside story, but I know you're at least good enough to be a county magistrate. If someone of that level can't get into school, how many of your peers are worthy? It would be a disgrace if the Imperial Academy of Alchemy only accepted a bunch of bearded men. Alright, if I can successfully enter the prefecture after the New Year, I'll handle this for you."

"Thank you, Manager Chen."

After leaving Chen Jinnian's house, Lu Xingzhou pondered that the first step in this matter seemed to be to find connections to ensure that Chen Jinnian could be promoted to the county magistrate's office...

Due to the deaths of many officials in Dongjiang County, the positions haven't been fully filled yet. The former head of the Pill Refining Department was Chen Jinnian's senior brother, who had just been promoted to county magistrate, leaving the position vacant. With Chen Jinnian's experience and his senior brother's connections, he's qualified, but his sixth-grade pill refining skill is a bit low. If he can successfully refine that Heart-Saving Pill and advance to fifth grade, then there won't be any problems. He just needs to guard against other outsiders being appointed.

Send a message to Wan Cheng of the Demon Suppression Division about this matter; with his help, things will be much easier.

The Huo family's status is still quite useful...

Just as he was pondering this, a woman walked by and seemed to have stepped on a stone, twisting her ankle and falling into Lu Xingzhou's arms with a cry of "Ouch!"

Lu Xingzhou had just lost his focus when he instinctively grabbed her and caught her; the woman had already sat in his lap.

From a distance, A'nuo held onto Shen Tang tightly: "Master's wife, Master's wife, don't be impulsive..."

Shen Tang's hair was radiating purple light, and he had almost drawn his sword. Upon hearing this, he angrily thrust it back in: "Aren't you afraid that little vixen will unleash a Heart-Shattering Palm strike on your master!"

Ah Nuo chuckled, "What Master's wife is afraid of is a heart-ripping strike, isn't it..."

Shen Tang forced out, "Your master isn't that kind of person."

You didn't say that when you saw the white-haired sister and Master kissing each other...

Shen Tang ignored her and nervously looked towards Lu Xingzhou.

Lu Xingzhou held the soft, fragrant woman in his arms. He quickly regained his senses, glanced at the woman in his arms, and found it somewhat amusing.

Pei Chuyun's disguise skills are quite impressive. Looking at her now, it's really hard to recognize her from before. Even her temperament has changed a lot. Now she looks like a model of a demure young lady, like a little girl who's out for a stroll during the New Year.

She looked like she had twisted her ankle, and sat in his lap with teary eyes, almost crying out loud.

Lu Xingzhou smiled knowingly and released his arm: "Be careful when you walk, young lady..."

Pei Chuyun sniffed: "Thank you for your help, young master."

As she spoke, she seemed to try to stand up, but she couldn't maintain her balance and fell back down. This time, she even adjusted her posture, wrapping her arms around Lu Xingzhou's neck.

Shen Tang clenched his hands tightly, and veins were faintly visible on his forehead.

Anuo's expression twitched: "Master's wife, you're squeezing my hand."

Lu Xingzhou sighed: "Seeing that the young lady's foot is injured, shall I escort her home?"

Pei Chuyun blushed deeply, her face almost buried in his neck, and whispered, "Young master, you were in a wheelchair, carrying me all the way home... If passersby saw this, what would become of my reputation..."

Lu Xingzhou asked, "What do you intend to do with the girl?"

Pei Chuyun glanced shyly at the alley beside her: "There are inns in the alley. Young master, could you carry me to an inn to rest for a while and find medicine to treat my feet?"

A lone man and woman, alone in a dark alley, a small inn, getting a foot massage...

It goes without saying what will happen then.

Pei Chuyun secretly observed Lu Xingzhou's reaction and thought to herself that if this person really did as she was told, then he would definitely be a lecherous villain who would be easily defeated.

“Okay.” Lu Xingzhou responded readily, releasing one hand to rock the wheelchair.

The hand swept across Pei Chuyun's body, brushing past her high breasts, seemingly unintentionally.

This level of skill in taking advantage of others is unparalleled. Even the third most daring person in the world has been taken advantage of in this way without making a sound, let alone a mere little demoness like Hehuan.

Pei Chuyun gritted her teeth as she was touched, but still maintained a shy smile, softly saying, "Thank you so much, young master... If fate allows, I would be willing to push your wheelchair." A'nuo: "?"

Shen Tang: "Anuo, you're squeezing my hand."

In fact, neither Shen Tang nor A Nuo understood why Pei Chuyun would actually appear to seduce Lu Xingzhou when he had just failed to conquer the mountain and Lu Xingzhou was obviously most vigilant. Even an ordinary person would find something amiss, let alone a smart person like Lu Xingzhou.
But Pei Chuyun knew very well that men are all arrogant. Even if he suspected something was wrong with her, he would still think he could resist the temptation, take advantage of her, and leave. Lu Xingzhou was clearly behaving in this way.

Some even more stubborn ones might think they can just have sex with someone, pull up their pants, and leave, getting something for free.

However, the Hehuan Sect's enchantress is not the same as an ordinary woman. If you want to take advantage of a Hehuan Sect woman for free, you might as well go climb a tree.

She deliberately approached Lu Xingzhou because she knew he wanted to see what she was up to. Now that they had been embracing for so long, the seductive charm she subtly exuded had already invaded his body, gradually causing him to lose control and become increasingly aroused.

There's no need to touch any treasures he might possess to resist temptation; just like dealing with Dugu Qingli, you can start with the body's instinctive desires.

When a man and woman enter a dark alley alone, under such strong psychological suggestion, the victim often feels a surge of desire and thinks it's just their lust acting up, when in fact they are under a spell without realizing it.

At that point, there's no need to actually do anything. She just needs to continue her coy guidance, and the man under her spell will naturally become incredibly attached, willing to do anything for her. If there's an ambush, he'll proactively protect her, making the ambush attackers furious.

Therefore, the truly rational person should have immediately distanced themselves from her the moment she pretended to sprain her ankle, avoiding any contact.

"The judge is nothing but a lecherous scoundrel," Pei Chuyun sneered inwardly. Once they were in the dark alley, she suddenly cried out, "Ouch!" and gasped for breath, burying her face in Lu Xingzhou's neck. "My...my foot hurts..."

All that's needed is for Lu Xingzhou to lose control and embrace her, then she skillfully pulls away to prevent real contact, and the whole scene will be successfully guided. Lu Xingzhou, consumed by lust, will forget who he is.

"Really?" Lu Xingzhou said, "I am an alchemist, I can take a look at it for you first."

Before Pei Chuyun could object, Lu Xingzhou reached out and grabbed her small foot, taking off her shoes to reveal a beautiful, delicate foot.

"Your foot isn't injured... It's not good to lie like this. I'm confiscating your shoes." Lu Xingzhou stuffed the shoes into his ring.

Pei Chuyun: "?"

She looked up abruptly, seeing the man's clear eyes, where was the lustful reaction of someone who had been seduced?

Even the spot where she was sitting had nothing to prop it up.

Pei Chuyun suddenly realized that she had been taken advantage of and immediately tried to subdue Lu Xingzhou. However, she saw a faint light emanating from the wheelchair, and a protective shield suddenly opened up around Lu Xingzhou, throwing her away.

It turns out that from beginning to end, Lu Xingzhou had never had any real contact with her. The protective shield of the wheelchair magic weapon had been silently protecting him and isolating him from her secret cultivation techniques.

Even when it comes to "eating tofu," it's always done with gloves on...

The wind howled from both sides as Shen Tang and A Nuo rushed in from both ends of the alley: "Die, you vixen!"

At the same time, Lu Xingzhou pushed his palms out again.

Unpleasant memories flashed through her mind, and Pei Chuyun even felt a phantom pain in the snow-capped mountains, which also spread to the white ground below.

Pei Chuyun suddenly shoved Lu Xingzhou away with a palm strike, and as Shen Tang and A Nuo attacked from both sides, she slammed backward, crashing into the wall of the alley behind her and breaking into someone else's house.

Sword light burst forth in the air, surrounded by countless powerful members of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Shen Tang burst into the hole in the wall and saw that the entire space was filled with the mist of mimosa flowers. Just a little bit of it aroused desire, and his vision was completely blocked, so he had no idea where anyone was.

"He escaped... This time it wasn't teleportation, it was Earth Escape Technique." Lu Xingzhou looked at the ripples on the ground, marveling, "The Joyous Union Sect and Earth Escape Technique, it's really hard to connect them. Does this mean he'll be absorbing earth in the future?"

Shen Tang's expression was grim: "You still can't joke around after such a failed hunt? Are you happy just from touching and hugging?"

Lu Xingzhou laughed, "I've placed a mark on her, so she won't escape my senses if she appears within a certain range again. But I'm quite curious, after all this, will she still dare to hunt me a third time?"

Shen Tang suddenly recalled a dirty joke he had overheard from drinkers while escorting goods: a hunter who went into the mountains to hunt bears... He wondered if he was going to hunt bears or to enjoy that kind of thing.

However, this little vixen is actually extremely clever. She immediately moves away at the slightest sign of trouble; anyone who reacted even a fraction of a second slower would have been dead. Her escape techniques are incredibly diverse, and it's really difficult to catch her without a complete understanding of them.

She's just a bit inexperienced right now, but with this talent, she'll grow quickly. In a sense, everyone has now become the protagonist of this story for training; if they meet again, they might be formidable and extremely difficult enemies.

At this time, Sheng Yuanyao, who was spending the New Year in the capital, was summoned by the Imperial Preceptor.

Sheng Yuanyao knew why the Imperial Advisor wanted to see her. She asked Shen Tang and Dugu Qingli, since they had interacted quite a bit in Xia Prefecture.

Upon arriving at the observatory, one sees Ye Tinglan sitting alone on the platform, her slender fingers calculating as if she were casting a divination.

Sheng Yuanyao curiously strolled over, cautiously peeking for a while, but not understanding, she obediently stood aside and waited.

After a while, Ye Tinglan opened her eyes and saw Sheng Yuanyao's honest and cautious appearance. She couldn't help but smile and said, "I heard you were quite powerful in the county. Why are you so obedient?"

Sheng Yuanyao smiled ingratiatingly: "The Imperial Preceptor's power..."

He suddenly felt a bit of a headache as he spoke. Ye Tinglan had completely returned to her natural state, and he really didn't see any imposing presence from her. If he had to talk about imposing presence, it would be more accurate to say that it was brought about by the environment and Ye Tinglan's status.

Ye Tinglan smiled slightly: "Yuan Yao has a heart that is straight to the source and is not confused by external things. This is her talent."

Sheng Yuanyao mustered her courage: "So what divination did the Imperial Advisor just perform?"

"That man who left a deep impression on your journey in Xiazhou..."

In fact, Ye Tinglan now understood that the divination hexagram "Dragon Appearing in the Field" referred to this man, which greatly puzzled her. According to the divination, this man's status was actually higher than Shen Tang's—what was the reason for this?
Sheng Yuanyao's heart skipped a beat: "What's wrong with him?"

"It's nothing, I just cast a divination to see how he will act next."

"The results of it?"

"If you seize a deer without a herdsman, does Yuan Yao understand the meaning of this?"

Sheng Yuanyao, with her family's scholarly tradition, had heard of these basic symbolic meanings: "Going into the mountains to hunt deer without a guide, one is easily lost in the forest. One should decisively abandon the attempt, otherwise there will be risks."

“Not bad.” Ye Tinglan nodded approvingly. “He treats others the same way, and he treats others the same way… Does he have a deer to hunt?”

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.

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(End of this chapter)