Chapter 150: I Am Lu Nuonuo

Huo Heng looked at the pig head and simply wanted to die.

This debt is hard to deny, but denying it won't make the outcome any better. Whether he speaks or not, others have already placed their bets that he has lost; tomorrow, the whole of Jingcheng will spread the tale of Third Young Master Huo's romance with a roasted pig head, adding embellishments to claim how passionately and emotionally he declared his "I love you."

People have a special interest in spreading such gossip, like Miss Sheng sitting over there with eyes shining.

To refute, "I didn't, I'm denying the debt"? The reputation of denying a debt isn't very pleasant either.

This embarrassment is merely a personal joke for others to discuss, so it's not too bad. Huo Heng knows what true mockery lies hidden in people's gazes.

— Lu Xingzhou is Huo Shang; he originally belonged to our Huo family!

The Huo family is not like the Pei family, an ancient noble house; they rose to prominence only a few generations ago and belong to the "uncultured martial warriors." They desperately need some cultural glory to decorate their facade and build a sense of heritage. Yet, every descendant fails to improve; Eldest Brother Huo Qi and he, Huo Heng, both entered the Imperial Academy through patronage, achieving nothing while studying, and the whole family always tries to project a steady demeanor, yet they always expose their shallowness and decadence at the most inadvertent moments.

This has always been heavily looked down upon by families like the Pei.

This time, the Top Graduate finally came from their own house, which could have made their reputation much better, but what did they do?

This Top Graduate simply does not recognize them as the Huo family; he bears the surname Lu!

Isn't he exactly what originally belonged to the Huo family, yet slipped away like sand through one's fingers?

He could even hear others whispering: "The Huo family is truly ridiculous; a family of decadent youths, finally having someone to decorate their facade, yet they turned into enemies."

"I wonder if Grand Preceptor Huo and Marquis Huo have their intestines turned green with regret, mistaking pearls for fish eyes."

"Lu Xingzhou's performance will continue to make waves; every time he makes a scene, it's like slapping the Huo family in the face. I think this year's entertainment depends entirely on the Huo family..."

"Shh, be quiet; Huo Heng's cultivation isn't low, don't let him hear."

"Not low? For the past two years, he was just hanging around the bottom of the Newcomer List, and now that he's past the age limit, he's been removed... In contrast, their estranged Seventh Brother dares to kill the number one on the Newcomer List. Compared to that, how does he dare say his cultivation isn't low? They aren't even on the same level..."

"Hey, now that you mention it, I remember the top two Alchemist Newcomers entered the Alchemist Academy last year. Even Daoist Xuan Qing, who is number one among those outside, was 'slain' by Lu Xingzhou this time. This old Lu is truly a number-one killer..."

"Third Young Master Huo? Third Young Master Huo?" Pei Chuyun's voice echoed again: "It is time to fulfill the wager."

Huo Heng had never found this delicate and pleasant voice so disgusting; he angrily swept his sleeve: "The wager wasn't about this, it doesn't count!"

After speaking, amidst countless mocking gazes, he angrily left his seat, unable to stay any longer.

Behind him, Pei Yu's voice added another blow: "The Huo family's gambling integrity is known today... It's alright, Brother Huo; we are deeply moved by your romance with the pig head and will spread the story to everyone..."

Huo Heng's liver fire rose directly, and he vanished up the stairs at high speed. Behind him came laughter, while other young masters and young ladies friendly with the Huo family turned red with embarrassment and dared not speak.

It was truly too shameful.

Pei Yu was in high spirits, leisurely sipping tea and looking at the cheap sister he had just found, his gaze infinitely kind.

Originally, having a sister appear out of nowhere, although she couldn't compete for the family estate, naturally made Pei Yu feel a little resistance in his heart. The gaze of a legitimate son toward a concubine's daughter is human nature. Moreover, their father didn't know what evil he had contracted; disregarding public opinion, he made a huge mess, causing the Pei family to be discussed endlessly, which amplified his slight resistance.

But when confronting enemies, it showed what it meant to be family; the feeling of siblings working together was comfortable! Pei Yu, who lacked siblings and playmates since childhood, felt at this moment that having a sister was truly good.

Additionally, Pei Chuyun had given the Pei family great face these past days. Except for losing her grace when encountering Lu Xingzhou, becoming as decadent and foolish as Sheng Yuanyao—for instance, just now she tried to squeeze through below to find Lu Xingzhou and was dragged up by Pei Yu... At other times, she was truly flawless in beauty and elegance, and surprisingly, her literary talent soared. Two days ago, she went to the garden with young ladies from other families to compose poetry; a small lyric topped all others, and a single tune on the flute stunned the entire audience.

When this news returned home, it brought immense face, and even Pei Qingyan happily drank a few extra cups.

Except for enemies like Huo Heng who still stubbornly called her "a village girl found outside," who in all of Jingcheng still truly regarded this girl as a village girl? Countless young masters were infatuated with her, unable to think of food or tea, and now even the voices calling her the number one beauty of Jingcheng were not small.

Beauty, temperament, talent, and family background—every single one was top-tier; the combined effect was terrifying. A storm named "Pei Family Daughter" had been sweeping through Jingcheng these past days.

Of course, there were many beautiful young ladies from noble families in Jingcheng, making it quite difficult to be universally recognized as number one; for instance, there were also voices saying Miss Sheng was no worse than Miss Pei... People who liked a valiant and heroic style had always been numerous, and Miss Sheng Yuanyao gained extra points when wearing her official uniform.

Pei Yu glanced over; at this moment, these two were leaning shoulder to shoulder against the railing, looking down as if searching for someone. At a glance, they were indeed like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each excelling in their own way, very pleasing to the eye.

Pei Yu knew who they were looking for: Lu Xingzhou, of course... How strange, why was he not to be seen at this time?

And who exactly was Lu Nuonuo?

While mocking Huo Heng upstairs, the discussion downstairs was certainly not about this; people were talking about the two dark horses, the Top Graduate and the Bangyan, especially the inexplicable Lu Nuonuo.

"Lu Xingzhou is one thing; at least he is a known figure, but who is this Lu Nuonuo! Who has ever heard of this person?"

"I haven't heard of her!"

"Look at the scores for each item on the list; they are terrifying: full marks in the literary exam, full marks in diagnosis, full marks in prescribing treatment, full marks in alchemy level!"

"Lu Xingzhou also has full marks in everything, plus an additional item; it is said he provided a solution for the blood ulcer disease, a great merit, and thus he is the Top Graduate."

"This session is terrifying; two people with full marks? Usually, it's hard to even see one."

"These two have left Daoist Xuan Qing's score far behind. What accident, what dark horse? Their strength isn't even on the same level, okay?"

"According to this, the strength of this Bangyan, Lu Nuonuo, is not inferior to the Top Graduate. Since she is unknown, if you want to recruit her, do it quickly."

The common people were just eating melons and discussing, while various factions wanting to recruit someone were sweating profusely.

Over there, someone found Daoist Xuan Qing drinking in a bad mood and discovered he had already become part of the Huo family; He Hui and Chen Yu, who had performed excellently, were each being cultivated by different factions. Everyone knew Lu Xingzhou belonged to the Sky-Walking Sword Sect, so recruiting him was a bit troublesome; now, no one knew where Lu Nuonuo came from, and she seemed like someone they could recruit.

Sheng Qingfeng directly ordered his subordinate to gather qi and shout loudly: "Who is Lu Nuonuo? Deputy Head Sheng of the Demon-Suppressing Bureau invites you!"

Others were unwilling to yield and shouted along: "Who is Lu Nuonuo? The Head of the Xie Family offers his greetings!"

"Why go to those families? Come to our Northern Army!"

"Our Treasury of Rare Treasures is willing to offer an annual salary of a thousand taels to invite Mr. Lu Nuonuo to preside."

The group shouted for a long time, their voices mixing together until they were almost indistinguishable.

Far away at a street corner, a little girl with a lollipop in her mouth was pushing a wheelchair, peeking and poking her head toward this side. Hearing the crowd's noise, she hesitantly asked the passerby beside her: "Who are they calling?"

The passerby said: "Lu Nuonuo, the Bangyan of the Alchemist Academy's current session."

The little girl looked completely confused: "Why are they looking for me?"

"They are looking for... hmm?" The passerby paused for a moment, and then, as if by some magic, the silence began from this side and spread to the center until the entire venue was silent.

Everyone turned their heads, their eyeballs gleaming green as they looked at the little girl.

The little girl was even wearing a Daoist robe... Her face was round and chubby, her eyes were large and fluttering, a lollipop stuck in her mouth with the stick showing, and her dazed expression was simply too cute.

The only thing that could be linked to "Alchemist" was perhaps that small Daoist robe...

And Lu Xingzhou sitting in the wheelchair she was pushing.

"You..." Someone asked cautiously: "Who do you say you are?"

The little girl took out the lollipop and spoke clearly: "I am Lu Nuonuo."

"May I ask, Miss, what is your relationship with Young Master Lu Xingzhou?"

"It's my master."

The entire hall fell silent; everyone's mouth felt as if stuffed with a lollipop, their minds empty.

Many had seen Lu Xingzhou had a little boy who helped push his wheelchair, yet even Sheng Qingfeng never imagined this child was Lu Nuonuo.

You tell me the runner-up of this year's Dan Academy list is a child?

And Lu Xingzhou's disciple, with master and disciple taking the top two spots?

Has this world gone mad?

Could it be a coincidence of identical names?

Amidst the utter silence, Sheng Yuanyao vaulted over the railing from upstairs, rushed to Nuonuo, scooped her up, and fiercely "smacked" a kiss on her face: "Nuonuo, why did you go take the exam too?"

"I don't know. They gave me a test paper, asked me to cure illnesses, and told me to refine pills. I figured other families' little boys don't need to do this; isn't this bullying people?"

The crowd snapped out of their daze; this was real!

So the crowd surged forward at once: "Little Miss, come to us! We'll give you ten jin of candy every day!"

Sheng Qingfeng's chest swelled with pride several times over; he led the group to block them: "Everyone, please return. Did you not see that Miss Lu has already reached an agreement with our Demon Suppression Bureau's Director Sheng?"

The crowd: "?"

Look at how she holds her and kisses her face; has she reached an agreement with your Demon Suppression Bureau's Director, or does Young Lady Sheng want to be her stepmother?

So that's the kind of person Old Sheng is!

Sheng Yuanyao suddenly remembered something, grabbed Nuonuo, and dashed off: "Almost forgot! My money, my manor, here I come!"

Lu Xingzhou was utterly stunned: "My child..."

Before his eyes flashed, siblings Pei Yu stood there, smiling as they said to Sheng Qingfeng: "Vice Director Sheng, since the runner-up has been claimed by your daughter, shall we let the top scholar stay with our Pei family for a chat?"

Sheng Qingfeng was confident and very polite: "Please, go ahead, you two."

You think I don't want to recruit the top scholar?

She is the Princess's person; how can I recruit her? Is the Pei family so great?

Yuanyao is smart; her relationship with Nuonuo is so close... I heard this Pei girl, when she was a maid beside Lu Xingzhou, fought with Nuonuo every single day.

This is what foresight looks like!

(End of this chapter)