Jiang Yuan pursed her lips and did not answer.

In truth, they hadn’t even told Gu Zhanting about this.

For now, they maintained an air of mysterious superiority in front of Gu Zhanting, acting as if they had “descended to the mortal realm to experience life” and “pave a new path.” Gu Zhanting didn’t dare to bully them as if they were rootless wanderers, which was why he hesitated even with the idea of a marriage alliance, fearing they might usurp his position.

In the minds of the people in this realm, the Ancient Realm was still held in high regard, seen as a celestial realm. Whatever the “descendants” were plotting, they most likely had a Qianyuan or even a Wuxiang backing them. Apart from Lu Xingzhou’s group, no one in the world had yet realized that they were “smugglers,” and even if there were Qianyuan or Wuxiang, they would be here to catch them…

The things Gu Zhanting wanted, Jiang Duxu was naturally still dangling. Most likely, in Gu Zhanting’s mind, he was the one playing with fire…

But in fact, they knew very well that they were the ones playing with fire.

If they weren’t going to reveal everything to Gu Zhanting, how could they easily reveal it to Lu Xingzhou? Lu Xingzhou, on his side, casually represented the Tianyao Holy Land and Longya.

Jiang Yuan hesitated for a long time, finally choosing the same explanation she gave to Gu Zhanting: “The upper realm is full of dangers and strife. We were also ordered by our family’s ancestors to descend to this realm for assessment, to see if it’s suitable to establish a fallback route. What do you mean by ‘eating dust’? Is a mere lower realm worthy of powerful ancestors to appear? A few of us are enough.”

“Oh.” Lu Xingzhou leisurely sipped his wine. “A young woman in the prime of her life, subjecting herself to an old man with a long beard, is this your condescending assessment? I’m enlightened. Then hurry and marry him, and see if one day I can call you ‘mother’.”

“You…” Jiang Yuan had just said she didn’t want a marriage alliance, which was indeed a loophole. She could only stubbornly retort, “It’s because they believe cultivators have such long lifespans, a few decades make no difference… Didn’t you also get involved with the Dragon Emperor? She’s a thousand years old, right? I didn’t see you minding!”

“Yes, but the Dragon Emperor is beautiful, and I did it willingly. Not only willingly, but I dreamed of it.” Lu Xingzhou at this moment completely avoided mentioning that he was half-forced, and leisurely said, “But you don’t want to. Such a formidable immortal from the upper realm comes down for an assessment, yet forces its own girls to do things they don’t want to. This upper realm immortal is truly amazing, huh?”

“Your thick skin…” Jiang Yuan choked, unsure how to logically explain this.

Therefore, the matter of the Demon Realm acting rashly must absolutely not be known to Jiang Duxu, and even less to Gu Zhanting. This matter revealed too many flaws; how could it be hidden from discerning eyes?

But it was impossible to truly reveal their embarrassing situation. This time, they were truly caught between a rock and a hard place, and could only blame their own previous immaturity.

Lu Xingzhou saw her embarrassment almost overflowing and knew that this matter involved their core secrets, which probably couldn’t be forced out. So he didn’t press further, but instead suddenly asked, “Is the marriage alliance inevitable?”

Jiang Yuan subconsciously “Hmm”-ed.

“It’s been so long and still not settled? It’s been several months, hasn’t it?”

“At earliest, it was just an intention. We only officially started discussing it after we returned from the Demon Realm… Didn’t you know we were observing there before, and we didn’t return much earlier than you?” Jiang Yuan gave him a somewhat resentful glance.

That enchanting glance, infused with a foxy charm, despite clearly conveying annoyance rather than seduction, still made the man’s heart skip a beat uncontrollably.

This time, Lu Xingzhou suddenly understood what it felt like for others when he looked at them with “deeply affectionate eyes.”

It truly was a BUG skill.

Looking at it this way, Liu Yan’er was quite remarkable back then, wasn’t she? Not only did she withstand the divine skill, but she also confidently acted as a simp.

A nonsensical thought flashed through his mind, and he asked, “So, when do you expect to finalize everything?”

Jiang Yuan said testily, “The man surnamed Huo has to attend court tomorrow morning, and then we’ll discuss it in the afternoon. And it’s not the final procedure. I don’t know why you have so many complicated procedures, but it suits me perfectly. The longer it’s dragged out, the better, preferably until he dies! Look at him, coughing like a consumptive ghost, a toad trying to eat swan meat.”

Lu Xingzhou chuckled to himself, finding her quite spirited. “Princes’ families, their rules are different from your secluded immortal sects. It’s perfectly normal.”

Jiang Yuan asked curiously, “Why are you asking this?”

Lu Xingzhou said, “If everything is settled, what will you do? Run away from the marriage?”

Of course, she would run away from the marriage, but Jiang Yuan couldn’t say it outright. Her grandfather was no ordinary cultivator; he was a Qianyuan suppressing his level. Escaping from his divine sense was not easy to begin with. She could only try because he was currently suppressing his level and wasn’t as powerful, just like sneaking into the Holy Mountain… In this situation, she wouldn’t dare to add any variables, who knew if this person would turn around and sell her out.

“Running away from marriage isn’t easy, is it? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have had to risk causing trouble at the Holy Mountain back then; getting caught by the Dragon Clan is no joke. And running away is only a last resort; it’s best not to fall out with family if possible. That’s why you went to the Holy Mountain but didn’t just run away; you still went home.” Lu Xingzhou smiled. “A stranger in a strange land, you’re also worried about venturing out alone, right?”

“You…” Jiang Yuan didn’t know how many times she had said “you” today, her words trailing off.

This person truly seemed to be able to read her mind. Many things she didn’t want to say, which were actually meaningless, he already knew.

Lu Xingzhou suddenly said, “I know there’s no trust between us, and you dare not easily reveal everything to me. So let’s make a deal… If I can help you sabotage this marriage, then you answer my questions about the Ancient Realm, how about that?”

Jiang Yuan’s eyes widened. “How can you help me?”

“I don’t know that; I’ll have to play it by ear. In any case, tomorrow when you’re discussing the marriage, I’ll appear and act as the situation demands.”

Jiang Yuan declared, “Good, if you can truly help me, I will tell you.”

“Heh…” Lu Xingzhou chuckled. “I said there’s no trust between us… that means, you don’t trust me, and I don’t trust you either. How can you guarantee you won’t cross the bridge and burn it, refusing to tell me then? What can I do to you?”

Jiang Yuan said, “Then what do you want?”

“First, tell me a part of your dealings with Gu Zhanting, as a down payment. That way, even if you don’t talk about the Ancient Realm later, I won’t have lost too much—you surely don’t need to stubbornly cover for Gu Zhanting, do you?”

Jiang Yuan unhesitatingly sold Gu Zhanting out. “He naturally wants cultivation methods for Qianyuan and above.”

“I see more than that. He should have gotten cultivation methods above the Qianyuan level from Zhao’en, at least in part… otherwise, he wouldn’t be running a charity, and it’s impossible for him to have gained nothing from so many collaborations with Zhao’en.”

“That’s really not it. What he got from Zhao’en was related to other aspects. Even if there were cultivation methods, it would be, at most, only parts, as you said.”

“Oh? What aspects?”

“It seems to be a method for refining qi channels. I don’t know the specifics too well; my grandfather probably knows more.”

Lu Xingzhou narrowed his eyes. “Is it similar to what you witnessed at the Holy Mountain?”

“It should be different, not like the transfer or stealing types… but the mechanism should be similar, in short, it’s about harming others to benefit oneself. Zhao’en himself is a demonic cultivator disguised as a Buddhist; what decent things could he have?”

Lu Xingzhou tilted his head and glanced at her. This statement finally revealed a hint of the arrogance that came from a top-tier prestigious family, which was the spirit to dare to go to the Holy Mountain and cause trouble, rather than the cautiousness brought by being a stranger in a strange land.

“So Gu Zhanting still seeks something from you, and before obtaining it, he will try his best to satisfy your wishes.”

“Precisely.” Jiang Yuan raised her head slightly. “If you need a promotion, we can help you.”

“Heh…” Lu Xingzhou chuckled. “I see. Well, it’s getting late. Miss Jiang, if you don’t want to be gossiped about, please head back now.”

Jiang Yuan stood up, her peach blossom eyes now showing some confusion.

This person actually didn’t try to manipulate her. The seemingly manipulative tactics before were truly just to explore the secrets of the Ancient Realm.

She turned and left the banquet hall, but after a few steps, she inexplicably turned back and asked, “You… really have nothing else to say?”

Lu Xingzhou smiled. “What do you want me to say?”

“N-nothing.” Jiang Yuan bit her lip. “Can you return that cloth to me!”

“No.” Lu Xingzhou blinked. “Since you insist so strongly, then I’ll really say it…”

Jiang Yuan cautiously took a step back.

But then, Lu Xingzhou turned and called, “A’nuo!”

A’nuo came running out, clutching her little pig. “Coming!”

Just as Jiang Yuan was about to say something, A’nuo suddenly let go of the pig. The master and disciple, one on the left and one on the right, launched a surprise attack on Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan was startled and parried left and right. The little pig seized the opportunity to charge head-on, rolling into her arms and directly sending Jiang Yuan flying into the outer courtyard.

“Alright, we’re even.” Lu Xingzhou clapped his hands. “Butler, show our guest out!”

“…” Jiang Yuan got up, clutching her stomach, facing the butler’s incredulous gaze, she herself was also in utter disbelief.

You spent all this time just to get revenge for a pig?

What kind of vengeful man is this? You haven’t even returned my cloth, and you hit me!

You want to be so precise, huh? Then should I seek revenge for you seeing me naked!

“Um, Miss Jiang…” The butler carefully asked, “Do you need me to call a maid to help you?”

“No need! Can one pig hurt me! I can walk by myself!” Jiang Yuan turned around angrily and strode out, but after a few steps, she bent over again. “Hiss… what kind of pig was that…”

A’nuo joyfully high-fived her master. The master and disciple had such perfect coordination without even a glance of communication throughout the entire process—now that was teamwork.

The avenged little pig also happily rubbed against A’nuo’s pant leg, feeling a sense of clarity and accomplishment, as if its cultivation would save two pills.

The butler called his confidant and quietly instructed, “You can report to Miss. The woman surnamed Jiang was, for some unknown reason, kicked out of the courtyard by the county lord, without any regard for her dignity. The county lord is absolutely upright, of noble character, and self-restrained, not someone who acts on lust. Tell Miss she can rest assured.”

No sooner had the confidant left than Lu Xingzhou’s smiling face suddenly appeared before the butler. “Very good. All future reports should follow this template. There will be a generous reward.”

The butler broke out in a cold sweat.

He suddenly felt that even if Miss and Miss Sheng were bundled together, they wouldn’t be enough for this county lord to play with… Were they really not tricked into bed?