Chapter 120: Sincerity is the Ultimate Skill

A man and a woman discussing the topic of yin-yang harmony is indeed Tang Tu; if things go wrong, they could be mistaken for flirting.

Meng Li stood aside, completely stunned.

There are still people in this world who dare to flirt with the Imperial Preceptor to his face! And on their very first meeting, they go straight for the big move!

Even Your Majesty wouldn't dare!

This is the number one under heaven!

I had her ask you directly because I wanted to help you seize a chance for fortune. Lu Xingzhou, do you know what you are saying!

Lady Ye is naturally "Ye"; generally, when people hear this surname sound, unless they explain it specifically, they will naturally assume it is "Ye", and she did not intentionally change it.

Ye Tinglan often travels in plain clothes, introducing herself only as "Lady", in order to personally observe the conditions of the people, unlike Gu Zhanting who relies entirely on subordinates for information, leaving him too isolated and blind.

Occasionally, she personally visits the homes of officials she trusts to inquire; Meng Li has naturally met the Imperial Preceptor and recognizes her. This time, hearing that Huo Lu was about to be escorted here, she thought to ask Meng Li about the specific details of the case.

No matter how terrible the Huo family is, framing them would still be improper; if they were to seize a flaw and turn the tables, both the Pei and Meng families would not fare well.

This case is about to stir up a storm of blood and violence; she must have a clear understanding in her heart.

Intentionally guiding Lu Xingzhou in cultivation is not something that can be exchanged for merely answering a few questions. It is because her beloved disciple recently entered seclusion, saying she intended to break through to third grade; before seclusion, fearing her master would worry about losing contact, she sent a letter specifically. The letter, written in a rigid manner, summarized her training process, mentioning that she had been ambushed by the Chana Hehuan Sect, fortunately aided by Lu Xingzhou, and this battle greatly assisted her breakthrough.

In that case, this Lu Xingzhou owes a great debt to her beloved disciple; offering some guidance would count as repaying this karmic cause.

But this fellow opens his mouth with yin-yang... Ye Tinglan's eyes darkened slightly, staring coldly at Lu Xingzhou.

The sharpness and authority in those eyes made Lu Xingzhou feel a slight chill in his heart; this is a woman who has long held a high position, absolutely not merely a "household member", and even estimating, she is the head of the household.

Which noble family is run by a young widow?

As the thought flashed through his mind, Lu Xingzhou showed no shrinking on his face, still looking at the other person seriously.

Ye Tinglan watched for a while, then finally spoke lightly: "You know it is Tang Tu? If you know it is Tang Tu, why ask?

Lu Xingzhou sighed: "I have no choice; I am currently eager to research this subject... I would even prefer if Lady were a man, as asking would not be so awkward."

Ye Tinglan smiled: "Because your current technique is of this nature? But you are merely a sixth-grade cultivator; wanting to break fifth grade is not a major hurdle, you can ask anyone, Meng Jiaoyu can easily guide you, are you sure you want to waste this opportunity on this?

Lu Xingzhou shook his head: "It is not for breaking through. I am thinking that my current technique theoretically holds some advantage against the Chana Xuan Gong, but I do not know how to specifically leverage this advantage, or whether it is possible to remain uninvaded by the Chana Xuan Gong even if my cultivation is inferior to theirs."

Ye Tinglan listened, slightly stunned: "You have confidence in gaining an advantage against the Chana Xuan Gong? Let me see your cultivation.

Lu Xingzhou calmly extended his hand; Ye Tinglan extended one finger and pointed at his palm, frowning as she sensed it.

Meng Li glanced sideways, thinking, how can you really be researching this with him...

In fact, this is truly a routine topic for cultivators; yin-yang harmony cultivation and how to deal with demonic cultivator techniques are things that can genuinely be discussed openly; as long as one has no guilt in their heart, it is a righteous matter.

After sensing for a moment, Ye Tinglan's beautiful eyes scanned him up and down again: "Your technique is very strong, and its source is likely quite mysterious; you truly show it to me like this, with no fear of leaking secrets?

Lu Xingzhou said: "Lady is a great figure whom even Meng Jiaoyu respects; for me, you represent a rare opportunity. If I do not quickly seize this opportunity now, but hide and conceal it, would I not be a fool? In fact, my technique is still incomplete; if Lady knows where to seek the remaining parts, I would be deeply grateful.

Ye Tinglan said: "Your skill at climbing up the pole is far stronger than your cultivation.

Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly.

"The incomplete parts of your technique can only possibly exist in certain ancient immortal ruins; this depends on your fortune, and I cannot provide any information." Ye Tinglan pondered: "But regarding dealing with the Chana Xuan Gong... your technique indeed has great advantages; I do have some ideas I can discuss with you.

Lu Xingzhou was overjoyed: "Please guide me, Lady."

"First, you must tell me what level of invasion you are trying to deal with... If it is regular combat, your own yin-yang rotation is extremely stable; general seduction techniques will find it difficult to invade and shake you through combat. Unless you are ambushed and injured, causing your internal universe to scatter, that is no longer a problem of the technique."

Lu Xingzhou said: "I already have a grasp of this point, which is why I feel my technique has some advantage."

"So what you want to ask is, perhaps, sexual union?"

"..." Lu Xingzhou fell silent.

Meng Li's eyes bulged out; Imperial Preceptor, what are you doing, Imperial Preceptor? Discussing yin-yang is one thing, but why even mention sexual union? Is this something you say?

And that Lu Xingzhou, do you really want to have sexual union with a Chana demonic cultivator? Why not go sleep with a tiger? Studying how to pull out a tiger's teeth would be more stable than this!

Ye Tinglan was expressionless: "Then my opinion is no sexual union. The torrential yin qi of the Chana Xuan Gong rushing into your body will inevitably disrupt your internal universe, especially when your cultivation is inferior to theirs; you can only be completely dominated, without a doubt. If the opponent is still a virgin, the purity of their primordial yin essence can defeat enemies across tiers; it is their trump card. You still want to reverse-cross tiers? Obsessed by lust, knowing nothing.

Lu Xingzhou weakly said: "I am just worried about situations like being captured or deceived; is there any chance for a surprise?"

"If there must be a surprise, there is only one method... You prepare a treasure with extremely strong yang qi; when the opponent invades, suddenly draw the treasure's yang qi into your body to clash with it; the rest depends on your technique's own harmonizing ability... This move cannot be used by ordinary people; external yin and yang qi suddenly clashing within the body, the meridians cannot withstand it, and will surely be ruined without a doubt; only your technique offers a slight hope."

Lu Xingzhou pondered thoughtfully.

Ye Tinglan turned and left: "This advice is only for you to deal with accidents... If you rely on having some method and actively hunt Chana demonic cultivators... then when the waves surge and the boat overturns, no one will sigh for you.

Watching Ye Tinglan leave, Meng Li looked at Lu Xingzhou with eyes as if seeing a god: "You... you actually discussed the topic of yin-yang harmony with her, she, she actually didn't get angry...

Lu Xingzhou said: "Because it really was a discussion on how to deal with demonic cultivators; sincerity is the ultimate skill after all... The Chana Hehuan Sect is of this nature, so discussion naturally involves these things; Lady Ye, being highly respected and open and upright, would not dwell on it. By the way, which family is she from..."

Meng Li: "... You don't even know which family she is from, yet you say she is highly respected and open and upright? She has left, she can't hear you, no need to flatter her behind her back."

"These are my true words. That bearing, that knowledge, one glance shows she is extraordinary; besides, Jiaoyu, you are so respectful to her, she must be from a first-grade noble family.

"Mm, yes." Meng Li said with a stiff face: "It is improper for me to discuss others behind their backs; since you now know each other, ask her yourself in the future."

In the distance, Ye Tinglan smiled slightly and floated away. Sorry, I can hear you.

Her willingness to guide Lu Xingzhou in these matters was not entirely due to being highly respected and open and upright, but because she felt Lu Xingzhou getting involved with Chana demonic cultivators was likely due to her own disciple's cause. With this karmic cause existing beforehand, she naturally should lend a hand; otherwise, even if one is open and upright, one would not discuss topics of yin-yang harmony with a man met for the first time.

Speaking of which, this man is indeed open and upright, and has knowledge... but he is still lustful; wanting to capture Chana demonic cultivators, men who have ever had such thoughts have never seen a good end; it is better to keep my obedient disciple far away from him to avoid getting splashed.

However, Qingli probably doesn't need reminding; once she breaks through to third grade, she will be an even greater Bingshan, and no one will be of any use.

On that side, Lu Xingzhou bid farewell to Meng Li and returned to the inn, pondering all the way.

A treasure with extremely strong yang qi; there is no need to search for it specifically, because his ham legs are it.

The effects of these two legs have not been fully explored yet; until now, they have only served as an energy source and a "earth vein foundation" to gradually transform his bone structure. As for the energy contained within being too vast, it cannot be fully utilized by his current sixth-grade cultivation, so for now it can only be sealed within the leg bones.

Once released, the ham legs are an extremely torrential source of yang qi, while the water legs are an extremely torrential source of yin qi.

His internal universe possesses yin and yin naturally; his foundation is truly better than anyone else's, awaiting gradual development.

That is to say, if Pei Chuyun's primordial yin invades, and I release the power of the ham legs, will it be useful? And can my technique in time withstand this yin-yang impact and smooth it out?

If it can, the Chana Xuan Gong will completely lose its meaning for me; only then will I dare to open my heart and do whatever needs to be done.

Whether it is possible needs testing... how to test this?

Returning to the small courtyard of the inn, he did not see Pei Chuyun. Going to her room, he found the little demon girl still clutching a cushion, sleeping like a begonia in spring on the bed.

Lu Xingzhou sat on the edge of the bed, gently brushing aside the messy hair from her cheeks. Watching her sleep like a tiny kitten, he sighed after a long while and murmured to himself: "Actually, what you said before was right. The only reason I brought you to the capital was to test whether I could obtain my lord's favor from the Pei family, not out of genuine care for you. Since I myself lack sincerity, I naturally only grow more suspicious of others."

After a moment's pause, he spoke softly again: "But last night, when I saw your hesitation, my thought of finding an answer for you had already surpassed mere utility. I do not know if you believe that."

"Now I actually hope more than ever to find that answer tonight. By then, you will have no reason to stay by my side, and I will have no more lingering thoughts; we shall part ways and sever all ties."

Regardless of whether she was truly asleep or had heard him, since he had said what he wanted to say, Lu Xingzhou stopped dwelling on it. He returned to the table, took out his notes on alchemy, and began to study.

Today's problem was damnably difficult, giving him a sense of urgency... As for everything else, it couldn't be resolved in a short while anyway; why overthink it?

On the bed, Pei Chuyun quietly opened her eyes a sliver, watching his back as he held the scroll and read idly. Watching and watching, she lay on her side, propping her cheek with her hand, silent for a long time.

(End of this chapter)