Chapter 89

Before the solemn Buddha statue, Pei Chuyun pressed her palms together and closed her eyes, as if making a wish. Then, she bowed piously and offered incense.

After offering the incense, she took the divination blocks from the altar and tossed them onto the ground.

The blocks landed with one face up and one face down—a pair of yin and yang, meaning her wish would be granted. Pei Chuyun looked quite pleased.

Lu Xingzhou watched from the side with a strange expression.

*This kind of folk divination—you, a cultivator seeking to ascend, are playing with this? Look at how others divine; how did you calculate this?*

*Not as good as A-Nuo.*

"What wish did you make, Miss?" Lu Xingzhou finally couldn't help but ask.

Pei Chuyun glanced at him with a seemingly blushing face, lowered her head, and said softly: "I won't say. If I say it, it won't come true."

The wish was, of course, whether she could handle this man... Pei Chuyun knew this folk divination wasn't accurate and was just for psychological comfort, not to mention she didn't believe in Buddha at all; her piety was all an act. But seeing the yin-yang result, she was happy nonetheless.

For some reason, she found Lu Xingzhou much more pleasing to the eye now, thinking that once she turned him into her dog, she would at most treat him a little better and not torture him for revenge—at most, she'd kick him once and shave his head.

"Since you're here, Young Master, shouldn't you offer incense and pay respects to the Buddha?" Pei Chuyun asked.

Lu Xingzhou smiled: "My legs are inconvenient; I can't kneel."

Pei Chuyun twitched her mouth and turned her head away.

*Yes, yes, your legs are inconvenient, but you're quite nimble when it comes to kicking people.*

A voice came from behind: "If your legs are inconvenient, why not ask Abbot Yuanhui to take a look? The Abbot is famous for healing the sick."

Lu Xingzhou turned his head to see a young man of twenty-seven or twenty-eight standing at the temple gate, his expression indifferent, his gaze sweeping up and down, somewhat rude.

Lu Xingzhou smiled: "The Fourth Young Master still cares about me?"

Huo Lu's expression changed instantly.

He had come privately, of course, to verify if this person was Huo Shang. If this person couldn't even recognize him, it would be a joke. But the other party had recognized him at a glance, and the probability of this being Huo Shang instantly hit the red line.

This Lu Xingzhou didn't look like Huo Shang, but in the world of cultivation, changing one's appearance wasn't complicated. No wonder Yang Dechang returned to the Huo family and solemnly stated that this person was likely Huo Shang.

And this bastard had called him out in public, which was quite nasty. Hongfa Temple was bustling with pilgrims, and there were plenty of people in the hall; even if Huo Lu had murderous intent, he couldn't do anything in public. Fratricide couldn't be spoken of openly; instead, he had to maintain the facade of a brotherly relationship in front of outsiders.

Huo Lu took a deep breath and said indifferently: "We share the surname Huo, don't we?"

Lu Xingzhou smiled: "That's true."

He was, of course, surnamed Huo. In fact, according to his father's notes, they were indeed from the same branch. Based on the timeline of the Maha Secret Realm, it had only been a hundred years, and the split happened even later, so they were quite closely related—perhaps they split in the generation before Grand Tutor Huo, or even in his own generation.

They were definitely cousins; calling him Fourth Brother wasn't wrong.

But as they faced each other, the atmosphere had nothing to do with brotherhood; both had murderous intent in their eyes.

Huo Lu thought for a moment and decided to treat him like a long-lost brother in front of outsiders: "When are you coming home? Small problems like your legs can always be managed at home. Wandering outside has no future."

"The Heaven-Walking Sword Sect is quite good." Lu Xingzhou also smiled kindly: "If I weren't in the Heaven-Walking Sword Sect, Fourth Brother might not be so polite."

Huo Lu was reminded that Shen Tang was Princess Chaohuang, and Lu Xingzhou was now a close official of the Princess, perhaps even a favorite... He couldn't deal with him openly, which made his expression even worse. He took a deep breath and lowered his voice: "What exactly are you planning to do?"

"What could I possibly do?" Lu Xingzhou smiled lightly: "Sixth Brother went to charge at the demons and was slapped to death. Are you blaming me for not stopping him, Fourth Brother?"

Huo Lu's eyes were gloomy.

Lu Xingzhou added: "But you guys are quite interesting. There are demons in Xiazhou, and Sixth Brother runs toward them. A demonic cultivator case just happened in Menggui City, and Fourth Brother runs to Menggui City. Be careful not to follow in Sixth Brother's footsteps; don't say I didn't warn you."

Huo Lu said coldly: "Likewise. Demonic cultivators are cruel; you should be careful. You're surrounded by children and women; do you want me to send you some guards?"

"You're too kind, Fourth Brother." Lu Xingzhou smiled with his eyes curved: "I came here to see what demonic cultivators look like. The Huo family is righteous and always rushes toward demons, unafraid of risk; how could I fall behind? Besides, my sect is a righteous one; eliminating demons and defending the Dao is our duty."

"With your lame... cough." Huo Lu smiled ambiguously: "Since you have such intentions, that's good. I'm sure Father will be very happy to hear it."

Lu Xingzhou smiled: "Then I wish your father a happy life."

Huo Lu asked casually: "Do you have a place to stay? Do you want to stay at my place?"

"I was staying at an inn, but I've already checked out." Lu Xingzhou looked at the sky outside the hall; it was near dusk, so he smiled: "I've often heard of scholars staying in temples to watch the mountain moon and listen to the midnight bell; it's very elegant, and I yearn for it. If Hongfa Temple still has guest quarters, I'd like to stay here tonight."

A monk standing nearby, who had been terrified by the barbed words between the "brothers," hurriedly said: "Of course there are guest quarters. If Seventh Young Master..."

"Don't." Lu Xingzhou waved his hand and smiled: "My mother only gave birth to me."

The monk was embarrassed. Huo Lu said indifferently: "My brother has been mischievous since childhood and doesn't know etiquette; don't mind him, Master."

Lu Xingzhou didn't argue and chuckled: "Could you please lead the way, Master?"

The monk hurriedly said: "Please follow me."

A-Nuo pushed the wheelchair away. Lu Xingzhou turned his head and smiled: "Do you want to come along, Fourth Brother, and have some vegetarian food?"

Huo Lu smiled: "I have things to do, so I won't go. Be careful when you're out; don't provoke people you shouldn't."

"Thank you for the reminder, Fourth Brother." Lu Xingzhou turned back, and the wheelchair disappeared behind the hall.

An old man beside Huo Lu whispered: "Young Master, it seems this really is the Seventh Young Master; no one else would have that attitude..."

The smile Huo Lu had been wearing vanished, and murderous intent flared in his eyes: "Even if he really is that bastard, does he think we don't dare to kill him?"

The old man advised in a low voice: "It's inappropriate... so many people are listening. If he suddenly dies, the Huo family's reputation will be ruined. Moreover, he is now highly trusted by Princess Chaohuang, and the Princess may rise to power in the future. Tearing off the mask like this is very disadvantageous."

That was why the Huo family was trying to suppress Shen Tang's rise, but unfortunately, it had no effect; instead, they lost the Incense-Burning Pavilion, making the Heaven-Walking Sword Sect even stronger. The future political situation was even more confusing, and no one dared to place bets easily.

Huo Lu said coldly: "Who said we would kill him ourselves? Didn't he just say in public that he wants to eliminate demons and defend the Dao... If he dies at the hands of demonic cultivators due to his own overestimation of his abilities, what does that have to do with us?"

The old man's heart stirred, and he nodded: "You are becoming more mature, Young Master; you truly deserve to be the Assistant Prefect."

Over there, Lu Xingzhou entered the guest quarters and sat in the courtyard, watching the sunset over the mountain temple, silent for a long time.

Pei Chuyun sat at the stone table in the courtyard, resting her chin on her hand, while A-Nuo made tea in front of her. She thought the scene of this graceful young master sitting in a wheelchair, full of thoughts, watching the sunset, with a young attendant making tea, was very poetic.

The sound of the temple bell drifting from afar added a beautiful soundtrack to this poetic scene.

Just as she was thinking this, she heard Lu Xingzhou say: "Do you have a poem, Miss?"

Pei Chuyun's heart skipped a beat. *This man is truly strange.* If Shen Tang were with him, would she feel sweet and think of this as a soulmate? But as an enemy, it only made her feel cold...

If Shen Tang knew her thoughts, she would surely tell her that before they got together, she had also felt cold many times.

But in fact, there was nothing to be cold about; whether enemy or friend, essentially, this was a soulmate.

She steadied herself and smiled awkwardly: "How can I have a poem at a moment's notice?"

Lu Xingzhou said: "I have a poem; would you like to hear it?"

Pei Chuyun was very curious: "I'd love to hear your masterpiece, Young Master."

Lu Xingzhou looked at the sunset on the horizon and whispered: "Why does the sunset draw so near to dusk? It does not know that in the human world, there are still souls yet to be summoned."

Pei Chuyun was stunned and looked at him silently, saying nothing more.

Lu Xingzhou turned his head and smiled: "What is it? Do you think the quality is lacking, Miss?"

Pei Chuyun sighed: "No... you have a lot on your mind, Young Master..."

As for the quality... not to mention whether it was good or not, it exceeded Pei Chuyun's expectations. But there was something in this line that resonated with her, leaving her lost in thought.

*There are still souls yet to be summoned.*

Lu Xingzhou turned his wheelchair back. A-Nuo had finished making the tea, and Lu Xingzhou lifted the pot to fill three cups for them: "Who doesn't have things on their mind? Aren't you also full of thoughts, Miss?"

Pei Chuyun didn't answer.

*Everyone's thoughts are about revenge, it's just that my enemy includes you.*

Lu Xingzhou said at this moment: "After this tea, you should go to the next courtyard, Miss. I've already arranged it with the guest monk."

Pei Chuyun smiled beautifully: "I know you requested two courtyards... but I'm quite curious. You've been so attentive all day; wasn't it for tonight? Why have you suddenly become a gentleman?"

"Sigh, if I say what it was for, it would be awkward, wouldn't it?" Lu Xingzhou laughed freely: "You must have noticed, Miss, that I have enemies. Traveling with a beauty during the day, drinking tea and discussing poetry, has already added good memories to my trip. I can't drag you into the danger that follows, so let's end it here. If fate allows, we can continue this later."

Pei Chuyun looked at him deeply, raised her teacup to toast him: "You're right, Young Master. This is also a good memory of my trip to Menggui City."

The two drank it all in one gulp. Pei Chuyun put down her cup and turned to leave: "If you want to continue this fate, Young Master, you'd better be careful. Don't die here."

Lu Xingzhou smiled: "And if I live?"

Pei Chuyun looked back and smiled: "Then we'll see what you're capable of."