Chapter 125: Melon Sister in Danger

After a short while, the attendant brought a formal visit card and a chest of gold and silver, and indeed paid a visit with proper etiquette.

This time, Lu Xingzhou did not put on airs; he let A'nuo open the door and, with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, said to Huo Xingyuan: "The Marquis of Zhenyuan, to save his son, is truly capable of bending and stretching. It would be good if you could keep the scales even..."

The old men and women grabbed handfuls of melon seeds, stretched their necks to listen, and watched the courtyard gate close with their own eyes, letting out a sigh of regret.

Lu Xingzhou felt that the melon sister's personality development was probably somewhat related to her environment...

The door closed. Huo Xingyuan strode to the stone table in the courtyard. Just now, the detestable maid and child stood obediently behind Lu Xingzhou. Huo Xingyuan glared angrily, but the maid and child were fiercer than him, glaring back with puffed-up cheeks.

Lu Xingzhou thought the scene was very cute; Huo Xingyuan only thought: "Is this the family upbringing of you, Lu Xingzhou?"

Lu Xingzhou said calmly: "Sorry, my family has no upbringing; after all, my father died early."

"You!"

"Marquis of Zhenyuan, please sit. You are fifty, right? Arguing with a little maid and a child, aren't you ashamed?"

Huo Xingyuan took a deep breath and sat opposite with a blank expression.

The attendant quickly placed the gold and silver on the table. Huo Xingyuan said calmly: "I have done as you requested regarding your demands. Has your anger subsided a bit?"

"The Marquis of Zhenyuan is joking." Lu Xingzhou laughed helplessly: "This is merely a gift for meeting. As for calming anger, what does that have to do with anything?"

Huo Xingyuan fell silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Lu'er is ultimately your elder brother..."

"Stop..." Lu Xingzhou waved his hand to signal: "If you have business, speak of the business."

"Your private grudge and conflict with Lu'er have been going on for a while before the infant ghost's street ambush. This does not necessarily mean Lu'er and the infant ghost had prior collusion. On the contrary, it should prove they had no collusion; otherwise, given the infant ghost's third-grade strength, he should have struck first, correct?"

"That line of reasoning is enough to fool yourself." Lu Xingzhou sneered: "Once taken to the capital, a soul-search will inevitably be conducted. Don't you know for yourselves whether you colluded with the infant ghost? What use is telling me this?"

"We have our own plans for that. As long as you, as the involved party, state that you see no tacit understanding between Lu'er and the infant ghost, this matter will be considered over."

Lu Xingzhou smiled ambiguously: "I am the victim. Helping the other side speak... Does the Marquis of Zhenyuan take me for some great saint?"

Huo Xingyuan said calmly: "After this matter, you will be restored to the family genealogy. You will receive everything your brothers in the clan should have. Furthermore, the family will do its utmost to protect your future development, offering support and favor as compensation... Also, for your legs, the family will do everything possible to treat them."

Lu Xingzhou sneered: "What about Huo Yu's matter?"

Huo Xingyuan fell silent for a moment: "Regarding Little Six's matter, regardless of the inner details, it will be forgotten."

Lu Xingzhou stared at him steadily for a long while: "Such sudden generosity—is it because of a sudden conscience, or for some other reason?"

Of course, a large part of the reason lay with Shen Tang. But Huo Xingyuan did not say so; he only sighed: "After all, blood is thicker than water. Of course, you are now making something of yourself, listed on the New Talent List, and have received a recommendation to enter the Capital Alchemy Academy... The family naturally sees this."

Lu Xingzhou looked deeply moved and remained silent.

To others listening, it would seem the Huo family had great sincerity this time, and the reason was clear: Lu Xingzhou is making something of himself, while Huo Yu is not; if Huo Yu's death could buy Lu Xingzhou's forgiveness and return to the family, it would be a huge gain for the Huo family. Moreover, the factor of Shen Tang behind the scenes gives the Huo family more room to maneuver in the future.

Huo Xingyuan knew Lu Xingzhou understood and added: "The day Little Five invited you home for a meal, his attitude was poor; I have already scolded him. Consider it well. If you have made up your mind, there will always be a place for you in the family."

Seeing that Lu Xingzhou still did not respond, Huo Xingyuan felt he was moved, so he did not press further. He quickly rose to take his leave: "Let's leave it at that for now... The elders are old and miss their grandchildren; do not let the family wait too long."

Having spoken, he led his group away; it was just a few words from start to finish.

Not long after, a shadow slipped out of Lu Xingzhou's room through the window like a ghost: "Your Lordship, Lu Xingzhou's hair has been obtained."

Huo Xingyuan looked at the hair in his subordinate's hand, pulled out one of his own, and handed it over: "Go and verify it."

The subordinate bowed and left, yet still muttered complaints: "Mixing male and female hair together makes it hard for me to pick. If this one is truly the Seventh Young Master, he is indeed a romantic type."

Huo Xingyuan thought of that detestable maid; she was indeed truly beautiful, just in need of discipline. He shook his head and strode away.

In the courtyard, A'nuo hugged the gold Huo Xingyuan had brought, beaming with joy: "Just in time; we've been using a lot of mortal gold and silver recently, and it's getting a bit short. This money is so easy to earn."

Pei Chuyun spoke in a low voice: "Just now, inside the room..."

"Most likely testing my hair or something." Lu Xingzhou laughed: "No need to worry about it; it's just a blood resonance technique. That thing is vague; it's not as good as science."

Pei Chuyun didn't understand what "science" was; thinking he was the real deal, she naturally had no fear of verification, so she said: "With that attitude just now, do you really intend to return to the Huo family?"

"How is that possible? I was just teasing him." Lu Xingzhou stretched: "They think I'm useful and want me to return... Well, that kind of thinking will bring them great misfortune."

Pei Chuyun pouted; wasn't she also the one who thought he was useful, wanted to subdue him, and ended up in great misfortune...

However, judging by now, whether it is misfortune or good fortune is hard to say.

Lu Xingzhou said: "The first month is almost over; today I truly intend to close the door and study the alchemy texts. Little maid, do you want to come and add fragrance to my red sleeves?"

Pei Chuyun humphed: "If I really stay by your side, you won't be able to study at all. Forget it; I'll go out and find someone from my sect and return tonight."

Lu Xingzhou nodded and said to A'nuo: "A'nuo, go to the Demon Suppression Bureau and find your Sister Yao. See what arrangements she has made regarding Ye Wufeng. She hasn't made a move these past two days; I'm a bit worried she isn't taking it seriously enough and something will go wrong."

Pei Chuyun was just turning to walk out when, hearing this, she couldn't help but turn back in fury: "You still say the two of you are innocent!"

Lu Xingzhou was stunned by her anger, then laughed helplessly: "Hey, do you want to be my private pet, Your Holiness?"

Pei Chuyun's anger froze on her face. She "Hmph"ed and, with puffed-up cheeks, turned and walked away.

On the other side, when Huo Xingyuan arrived at the Huo family, Grand Tutor Huo Liancheng and a group of Huo family members were gathered in the courtyard watching a Daoist Priest perform magic.

Two strands of hair were tangled together, trembling slightly with the magical incantation. Not long after, each turned to ash and merged into a single mass, indistinguishable from one another.

The Daoist Priest stood up and bowed: "Indeed, there is a blood relation; no mistake."

The effect of the spell was far more reliable than the ancient, unreliable method of dropping blood to test kinship, and it could not be faked. Unfortunately, it still lacked the precision of modern genetic technology; Lu Xingzhou had long known this would be the result.

The Huo family members looked at each other with varying expressions, their individual thoughts unclear.

Huo Liancheng sighed: "Regardless, the identity is correct... Truly a tragic fate."

No one spoke; Huo Xingyuan did not speak either.

Regarding bullying Huo Shang, even beating him to death, he, as the father, did not participate, but his bias and indulgence were the main factors, and the same goes for Grand Tutor Huo. Others participated in the bullying to varying degrees, among whom Huo Qi was the one who personally struck the killing blow against Huo Shang.

When an avalanche happens, no single snowflake is innocent; it is no surprise that Lu Xingzhou hates everyone.

Now that Lu Xingzhou is making something of himself, that is secondary. The key is that he is strangely able to borrow various forces, leaving people with no way to strike.

In Xiazhou, it was Sheng Yuanyao one moment and Shen Tang the next; in Menggui City, he dragged in Meng Guan; this trip to the capital involves both being a student taking the Alchemy Academy entrance exam and being the involved party in the Huo Lu demonic cultivation case. He is under the spotlight of all, and even the Emperor has taken an interest. Let alone killing him, even a bad attitude would cause problems; it is extremely frustrating.

If they really want to kill him, they must wait until he finishes his studies at the Alchemy Academy and leaves the capital, killing him on the journey. When will that be... What is infuriating is that the Alchemy Academy's entrance exam this time is particularly difficult to rig; they can't even get him to leave early, so he really is stuck here.

While he is in the capital, they can only grit their teeth and try to win him over, with Huo Xingyuan even sacrificing his own face.

Huo Xingyuan fell silent for a long while before saying: "In our recent conversation, his detestable attitude was expressed only through the maid and the child; his own attitude... was actually not that bad."

Huo Qi said: "That is natural. With his father present, would he dare? In the eyes of others, regardless of whether he has reason or not, he will first appear unreasonable by three parts!"

Huo Liancheng said, "Then what was his stance on the proposal to return?"

"He met it with silence, but his attitude seemed to suggest some inclination." Huo Xingyuan said, "He has done so much; first to vent his anger, and second, to gain the family's recognition..."

Huo Qi snorted, "Surely he doesn't intend to overturn our Huo family."

A sixth-grade cripple... facing a massive family of dual first grades. Indeed, no one in the world would dare to think such a thing.

Huo Liancheng said, "In that case, show him more favor from now on. You lot, if you meet him on the road, do not cause trouble again... the situation is not good now; give him a bit more leeway."

Several young masters of the Huo family were somewhat resentful, but dared not disobey, so they could only agree meekly.

Dispersing with various thoughts, Huo Jin, clutching the splint on his dislocated arm, approached his eldest brother Huo Qi: "Eldest Brother, are we really just going to smile and fawn over that bastard? I am not convinced."

Huo Qi's expression was also grim. If Huo Shang might reconcile with others, it was not certain regarding him, who held the "blood feud." Furthermore, assuming the Princess rises and Lu Xingzhou rides the tide to success, in the worst case, his own position could be stolen by him; that would be a pure tragedy.

After pondering for a moment, a fierce look flashed in Huo Qi's eyes: "Fifth Brother, go contact the Yan Luo Hall... Ye Wufeng was still in the capital last month. If he carries out an assassination on Lu Xingzhou, we might not have much suspicion."

Huo Jin was stunned: "Why? Didn't Father say that under this current storm of fire, no matter who kills Lu Xingzhou, Your Majesty might suspect us, so we must not act rashly?"

Huo Qi sneered: "Judging from information from multiple sources, this bastard might be the former Judge of the Yan Luo Hall, and Ye Wufeng happens to be a mortal enemy of the Judge. You can contact him first; if he truly is, we can create an opportunity for Ye Wufeng. By then, it will be an internal feud within the Yan Luo Hall, having nothing to do with us."

A Nuo returned from the Demon Suppression Bureau to the inn. Lu Xingzhou was still reading a book and asked casually, "How was it? What did Sheng Yuanyao say?"

A Nuo scratched his head: "The people of the Demon Suppression Bureau said that Sister Yao did not have duty today; she went to tour the garden with Pei Yu."

"Tour, tour the garden?" Lu Xingzhou was stunned: "Does Melon Girl have such refined tastes? Truly unexpected. It would be more normal for her to squat at our door this morning eating Huo Xingyuan's melon than to go tour a garden."

A Nuo said, "They said it is the spring breeze of February; young masters and young ladies in the capital often organize such garden tours at this season. Sister Yao did not like to participate before; this time, for some reason, is it Pei Yu's influence or what..."

Lu Xingzhou's face turned somewhat grim: "She didn't participate before, and suddenly participates this time... what influence does Pei Yu have in front of Melon Girl? That day, Melon Girl topped him several times... Pei Yu, is there also that what, Chu Qingchen?"

A Nuo's heart also skipped a beat: "Could it be they want to use this opportunity to hook Ye Wufeng? But the people of the Demon Suppression Bureau said she didn't bring any subordinates from the Demon Suppression Bureau."

"Precisely because they want to create the appearance of a garden tour, they didn't bring any... they believe that relying on their own attendants and the strength of Pei Yu and Chu Qingchen themselves is enough to hunt Ye Wufeng." Lu Xingzhou frowned: "Do you know which garden? It seems we must go take a look."

"I know, Qingyao Garden in the suburbs." A Nuo scratched his head and said, "Judging by Chu Qingchen's standard of fourth grade upper stage, there should be no problem, right? Pei Yu is also fourth grade middle, and Sister Yao has reached fifth grade. They also have a bunch of protectors."

"Theoretically so, but I feel uneasy." Lu Xingzhou said, "You must know that Ye Wufeng became number one on the New Talent List a year ago. No one knows what changes have occurred within this year. Judging a person's strength based on the lagging New Talent List is the stupidest behavior. People always project themselves onto others, thinking that breaking the third grade barrier at fourth grade takes many years, but the reason it is called the New Talent List is that it is the dividing line between mediocrity and talent; he truly might not need many years."

A Nuo also grew nervous: "If Ye Wufeng has already reached third grade and strikes suddenly at the right moment, Sister Yao might not be able to cope. Then let us go take a look; at least we can remind Sister Yao."

"What a coincidence, the little demon girl just happened to go find the sect people, missing a major combat power." Lu Xingzhou thought for a moment: "It is also good; if she exerts herself fully, she might inadvertently reveal the Chastity Mysterious Art in public; it is better not to go. Let us go first."

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PS: Ten thousand characters completed. The badge for ten ten-thousand-character milestones was achieved within 20 days; that's quite something, right?

The double monthly tickets have also just started; requesting monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)