Lu Xingzhou leaned against the cave wall, meditating, his mind also pondering the divination result and reviewing the gains and losses of his four-month trip to the capital from Xia Province.

The divination “Gui Mei Qian Qi,” signifying a delay with an eventual return, could also be applied to his revenge, suggesting a similar outcome.

The trip to the capital had several objectives. Among them, dealing with the Huo family was quite unsuccessful from start to finish. It was like “hunting a deer without a guide” – he had no way to proceed, only managing to make superficial gestures that appeared impressive but had no real value.

The results achieved in the battles in Xia Province and Menggui City were far more significant: he killed Huo Yu in one and crippled Huo Lu in the other. In the capital, he had too many reservations, preventing him from accomplishing anything.

Of course, his opponents also had many concerns; at least they couldn’t take his life. It was a draw.

However, his rapid progress in his romantic life overshadowed the lack of advancement in his revenge.

By the time he gained a mentor and delivered a significant blow to Huo Zhang, it was already time for him to leave the capital.

The changing divination was sufficient; with a delay, there would eventually be an opportunity.

His goal of “gilding” himself was a partial success. Entering the Pill Academy as the top scholar applied a layer of “gold” to him, and he successfully gained a first-rank mentor, acquiring the knowledge he sought. His cultivation advanced directly to the fourth rank, he subdued a new fire seed, his immortal bones permeated his entire body, he killed the former top newcomer, and publicly challenged the current top newcomer, earning widespread renown. In both scholarly and martial pursuits, he achieved great gains, truly filling his coffers.

It was entirely accurate to call him the most dazzling rising star in Great Qian at present.

However, due to the short time, there were still many shortcomings. The most typical was his failure to forge good relationships with his classmates, who would become valuable connections later on. Students admitted to the Pill Academy were highly capable; they either came from prominent backgrounds or were destined to become important figures in various forces. Having these peer connections was in itself another layer of “gilding” for his future.

Lu Xingzhou had already realized this and had actively tried not to incite hatred. After a few small gestures, his classmates’ petty jealousy and resistance faded, but he ultimately didn’t make any friends.

However, according to Ye Tinglan, classmates would always be classmates, different from strangers, and could always be converted into connections at the appropriate time.

This was true; there would always be opportunities to build those relationships gradually in the future.

At the very least, he would return to the capital to graduate after the trials, and would have more time with his classmates then. He could address it later.

Was this not also “Gui Mei Qian Qi,” a delay with a time for return?

This divination was a guide to the future, but was it not also a summary of the past?

For the first time, Lu Xingzhou felt a slight sense of awe towards the art of divination. This thing was quite interesting…

“Um… Master,” Lu Xingzhou suddenly broke the silence amidst the flickering campfire.

“What is it?” Ye Tinglan opened her eyes in a corner.

“I also want to learn divination. Can Master teach me?”

“No.”

Lu Xingzhou: “?”

“What the Yama King taught you, I can teach better. As for what she didn’t teach, do you think I have nothing better to do?”

Lu Xingzhou: “???”

Wait a minute, what’s the point of you taking me as a disciple?

Wasn’t it to monitor me and get information about the Yanluo Temple from me, but rather… to compete with the Yama King?

Ye Tinglan seemed to realize she had misspoken, closed her eyes, and remained silent, no matter how Lu Xingzhou called out to her.

The three continued their journey, camping outdoors for several days, until they reached Menggui City. Only then did Ye Tinglan finally agree to enter a city to rest.

Lu Xingzhou and Anuo thought she simply disliked entering cities and insisted on maintaining the noble demeanor of a recluse living in the mountains. Perhaps it was part of the trials with their mentor?

There was nothing they could do but stay in caves.

Upon reaching Menggui City, Meng Guan, who seemed to have received some notification, had already come out of the city to greet them. He cupped his hands and said, “Madam Ye, your presence honors Menggui City immensely.”

Ye Tinglan returned the bow.

This gesture startled Meng Guan, who nearly jumped but managed to restrain himself, stroking his beard to accept the honor.

After all, this person was currently just a teacher at the Pill Academy, not the Imperial Preceptor, no, not the Imperial Preceptor.

“Prefect Meng, good to see you again,” Lu Xingzhou said, appearing before them with Anuo, looking dishevelled, like a savage.

Anuo’s bun was half-undone, her hair like a bird’s nest.

Meng Guan: “… I’ve always known you to be elegant and refined. What happened?”

“Anyone who spent several days continuously in the wilderness during heavy rain would look similar. We’re already fortunate; at least we could maintain a qi barrier to keep dirt away…”

Meng Guan’s face twitched. “I have prepared guest quarters. Please follow me.”

It was only as they followed Meng Guan towards the guest quarters that Lu Xingzhou and his disciple realized why Madam Ye had refused to stay at inns along the way, insisting on camping outdoors.

She was unwilling to be seen staying with a man and a child, not wanting to endure any glances from outsiders who might see them as a family of three, even if the innkeepers had no idea who they were.

She preferred to camp in the wilderness the entire way, where no one would know.

As for being dirty from the continuous rain, it didn’t bother her; her powerful cultivation kept her spotless, and besides, she didn’t do manual labor or sleep.

Here, with official acquaintances to receive them, it was proper and open, so she was willing to check in.

The master and disciple, who had been put through hardship, suddenly realized that all their suffering on the journey was merely to preserve her reputation. Lu Xingzhou, holding Anuo’s hand, followed behind her, watching her graceful figure, a hint of mischievousness simultaneously rising in their eyes.

You care about appearances, do you?

You’re afraid of what people will say, aren’t you?

Ahead, Ye Tinglan was telling Meng Guan, “There’s no need for a welcoming feast. We are all devoted to ascetic cultivation…”

“Mama!” Anuo rubbed her eyes and hugged her from behind. “I’m tired, I want a hug.”

Ye Tinglan: “?”

Meng Guan: “!!!”

Ye Tinglan nearly lost all her composure and elegance, indignantly tugging Anuo’s ear. “Who’s your mother? What nonsense are you spouting?”

“Oh.” Anuo clapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with fright. “I forgot I wasn’t allowed to… Master, I’m sorry.”

Meng Guan’s gaze became inquisitive, looking at Ye Tinglan, then at the handsome and tall Lu Xingzhou, an unbelievable expression mixed with a knowing ‘I understand’ look.

No wonder. The Pill Academy had never allowed students to independently accompany mentors so early; it usually started after half a year, and rarely with only one student. Now he understood everything.

A charming young man, handsome and good-looking—it was understandable. Who would have thought that the Imperial Preceptor, who claimed to be devoted to asceticism and abstinence, also had needs…

Lu Xingzhou would bet that even a seasoned actor would struggle to replicate Meng Guan’s subtle expression. Unfortunately, this was not the time for appreciation. He swiftly stepped forward and picked up Anuo. “Master, my apologies. Anuo is sleepy and confused…”

Ye Tinglan took deep breaths, her chest heaving, her entire being radiating power like a volcano about to erupt. Anyone with a bit of insight instinctively retreated several yards.

Meng Guan, at an opportune moment, said, “Children tend to shout out names when they see someone close to them. But then again, a teacher is like a parent, so it’s not wrong for Anuo to call Madam Ye that, since she’s her mentor.”

Having smoothed things over somewhat, Ye Tinglan took a deep breath, suppressing her shame and anger. She said indifferently, “Let’s go. Lodging will suffice; I won’t attend the welcoming feast. Anuo loves to eat, so you can take them to eat separately.”

Lu Xingzhou quickly said, “Then we won’t eat either.”

“Eat! Why wouldn’t you eat?!” Ye Tinglan snapped angrily. “Now go!”

The master and disciple said in unison, “Then we’ll grudgingly go eat a little.”

Seeing the matching grins of the master and disciple, Ye Tinglan’s voice caught in her throat. So, you pulled this stunt just to get to the feast?

Just for the feast! You just wait! I’ll make sure you host a feast yourselves later!

Of course, it was just for the feast! They hadn’t died from eating roasted sweet potatoes all this way, and now that they were in Menggui City, she still said no welcoming feast, just lodging? If she wouldn’t eat, Emperor Anuo certainly would!

It wasn’t just about eating; it was also about bringing their prim and proper Master back down to earth.

They thought her cultivation level was so high, and she looked so aloof and tranquil. But it turned out she couldn’t truly remain unbothered by honor or disgrace, or let others’ opinions pass like the wind. Was this also why she was filled with worries, always fretting about things that shouldn’t concern her?

“Um… Xingzhou…”

It was a private meal, with only Meng Guan accompanying Lu Xingzhou and his disciple. Anuo was happily tearing into a roasted chicken. Meng Guan quietly chatted with Lu Xingzhou. His attitude had completely shifted from that of a Prefect guiding a junior to one of three parts caution, and his address had become the very affectionate “Xingzhou.”

Damn, the Imperial Preceptor’s male favorite—that wasn’t something an ordinary person could handle.

“Ah? Prefect Meng, please tell me.”

“No instructions,” Meng Guan said, lowering his voice. “Madam Ye never takes disciples. Xingzhou, it’s truly a fated connection that you’ve gained her favor.”

“Actually, Master is only aloof on the surface; in daily life, she’s quite easygoing.”

Of course, who could truly enjoy her easygoing nature? Meng Guan grumbled inwardly but said aloud, “That demoness from last time… was she perhaps Pei…”

Lu Xingzhou quickly interrupted, “Has the Prefect still not caught that demoness from last time?”

“… No, she probably fled elsewhere long ago, perhaps to the capital.” Meng Guan had already gotten his answer and said no more. Damn, this Lu Xingzhou’s luck was strange. How could a mere young student be connected to such powerful forces: Princess Chaohuang, the Pei family, the Tianyao Holy Land?

Oh, and possibly the Yanluo Temple.

Actually, Meng Guan forgot that he himself was one of the forces Lu Xingzhou was connected to. As a rare good official in Lu Xingzhou’s eyes, who had fought alongside him to defeat the demonic infant ghost, and with his brother Meng Li providing much care for Lu Xingzhou at the Pill Academy, the Meng family was considered very close to Lu Xingzhou in the eyes of outsiders.

The Meng family was not a colossal aristocratic family like the Pei family, nor did it wield as much power as the Huo family, who were currently in high favor at court. However, they were also a thousand-year-old lineage with deep roots. Both Meng Guan and his brother held significant positions. Although they would likely choose to align with a larger power, their relationship was more akin to a partnership. Even the Pei family, whom they currently aligned with, accorded the Meng family the utmost respect and would never treat them as mere subordinates to be ordered around.

In the Great Qian court, families like theirs formed the backbone.

Now, in Meng Guan’s eyes, Lu Xingzhou had become a highly desirable commodity, a rare find. This even subtly shifted his judgment of the Heavenly Sword Sect and Shen Tang.

Lu Xingzhou ate as he casually asked, “I’ve been in the capital these past months and haven’t delved into the martial world. Are there any recent happenings in the realm?”

Meng Guan smiled. “I heard you are on good terms with the editor-in-chief of the Heroes’ Ranking List in the capital. Do you really need us to tell you such things? She knows more than anyone else.”

“Alas, she never gossips about what she hears. That’s the integrity of a true gossip-lover,” Lu Xingzhou sighed. “So, no, I really don’t.”

Meng Guan stroked his beard. “The Yama King of the Yanluo Temple heavily defeated the leader of the Corpse Sect, and then dispatched the Eastern Ghost Emperor Ji Wenchuan to break the Corpse Sect’s Copper-Iron Corpse Puppet Grand Formation, forcing the Corpse Sect to pledge allegiance. Does that count?”

Lu Xingzhou was stunned for a long moment. “How did the Yanluo Temple and the Corpse Sect end up fighting?”

“The cause is unknown. They say the Corpse Sect offended someone from their side, but the Corpse Sect seems to deny it, saying nothing of the sort happened. It’s likely just an excuse.”