Chapter 290: Sending You and Yan Jun the Chance to Cuddle

Ye Tinglan felt she had lost face as a master. Why had she become so weak-willed? Would the 'little puppy' upgrade to a 'little wolf' just by recovering from his illness? Before the Holy Master, what difference did it make if you were sick or fully recovered?

Lu Xingzhou was happily kissing the fragrant, soft body of the 'big sister' when a sudden surge of force pushed him backward onto a stone table, making him sit down hard. He tried to struggle, but couldn't move; he was completely immobilized. Ye Tinglan panted softly, her lips still moist from the recent kiss, looking even more sensually alluring.

Lu Xingzhou watched with a strained expression as she leaned in, exhaling playfully into his ear and whispering seductively, "You use this tactic on me all the time; why don't you get a taste of your own medicine?" Lu Xingzhou wanted to say he had already tasted it—in fact, he had been subjected to it for the past two days, which was why he was reciprocating. As it stood, he still couldn't turn the tables. This 'big sister,' though seemingly soft, could restrain his hands with an unyielding grip, harder than iron bands. He couldn't move, not at all.

"'Behave yourself,' the 'big sister' threatened. 'Move again, and I'll punish you.'"

Lu Xingzhou could only remain motionless on the stone table, a mix of suppressed frustration and secret pleasure, allowing the 'big sister' to overpower him. Her red lips brushed his earlobe, then his neck. Due to his height on the stone table, some parts of her body were tantalizingly close to his face, and her delicate fragrance wafted into his nostrils, creating an overwhelming sensation. Then, her lips pressed firmly against his, a fierce provocation. Lu Xingzhou "passively" responded.

This time, both of them consciously employed a bit of the dual cultivation technique. After all, Lu Xingzhou's injuries hadn't fully healed, and this method was still highly effective. Only when she had had enough fun did Ye Tinglan contentedly release him, taking a small step back to observe the 'little puppy's' aggrieved expression. Though she herself was flushed and hot, she still smiled and patted Lu Xingzhou's cheek. "Be good now; your treatment is still your top priority. Don't always be thinking about 'eating tofu' (making advances)."

Lu Xingzhou looked at her exasperatedly. "So, you get to 'eat my tofu'?" It wasn't just the 'eating' part; what was maddening was that he felt like his chest was about to burst, yet she constantly, deliberately, kept him just out of reach. Did she even know what kind of torture that was?

As an experienced and mature woman, how could Ye Tinglan not know where his gaze was fixed and what his desire implied at that moment? Did he really think she was his mother? She bit her lower lip, then leaned in seductively and whispered, "The matter with Qingli requires your strategic input, not just you getting all lustful after asking about some past events. If you can pinpoint the crucial factor in this situation, then I will..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but her ample 'waves' seemed to sway ever so subtly. Lu Xingzhou felt dizzy from the subtle motion. "I'll try, I'll try, okay?" With just that one move, how could Yuan Muyu possibly compare to the 'big sister'? It was a complete and utter defeat in terms of raw power...

"But given the current conditions, there isn't much to analyze. Not even the strength of the Heavenly Yao Holy Master seems problematic, and the vast intelligence network of the Heavenly Yao Holy Land has yielded no information. So what could I possibly glean from your scattered anecdotes about the past? The doubts held by Heavenly Yao's high-ranking officials are precisely my own doubts right now."

Noticing Ye Tinglan's expression turn dangerous, Lu Xingzhou quickly added, "You previously deduced that Qingli's search for her origins is connected to this mission. Considering Qingli's own findings about the Ice Prison Sect and their ancient prophecies, I boldly speculate that these two matters are intertwined. It's possible that the Ice Prison Sect's objectives are strongly correlated with Qingli's true identity."

Ye Tinglan nodded. She harbored similar suspicions, which was why she hadn't actively engaged with her disciple's affairs before, even intentionally avoiding them. Yet today, she was considering making contact.

Lu Xingzhou said, "Qingli's meeting with the Ice Prison Sect was arranged through Sihan, leveraging his influence. The answers she received might not be complete. If we approach the Ice Prison Sect under different identities, we might obtain the other half of the answers. Then, by collaborating with Qingli, we could piece together the full clue."

Ye Tinglan's expression was peculiar. "The Yama Hall?"

"Yes."

"When I suggested the Lord Judge go before, I was joking. Everyone knows the Judge has already left the Yama Hall. What use would it be for you to go?"

"But back then, I also mentioned that now you are Yuan Muyu."

Lu Xingzhou said, "Yuan Muyu typically wears a specially made Yama mask, which I am very familiar with and can replicate. If you, Master, wish to simulate the Yama King's cultivation aura, I can provide guidance, guaranteeing that in others' eyes, you will be Yuan Muyu. The best part is, I'm unsure if Yuan Muyu removed her mask when she allied with the Ice Prison Sect. Normally, out of respect for allies and to avoid future misunderstandings, Yuan Muyu might have shown her true face. If they request the mask be removed, it would be difficult for others to impersonate her, but you can."

"..." Ye Tinglan lowered her gaze, unable to see her own shoetips.

"Other details aside, are you certain that the Yuan Muyu others perceive also looks like *this*?"

"Ahem," Lu Xingzhou mumbled weakly. "Perhaps you could bind yourself a bit first, and then add a touch of illusion? With just a small illusion, Master should certainly be capable of concealing it, right?"

Ye Tinglan remained expressionless. The strongest in the Ice Prison Sect was merely at the peak of the first grade, a qualitative gap from her own power. This small trick of illusion, making a grand display appear minor, was certainly within her capabilities. Simulating cultivation techniques and temperament would also pose no problem at all.

But the awkward part was that her impersonating Yuan Muyu for her disciple was merely a reluctant way to save face or find a convenient excuse. On a normal day, she would never willingly play Yuan Muyu. Not to mention completely playing the role in front of Lu Xingzhou. Yuan Muyu's phrase 'substitute' had always been a thorn in her side, and now she was truly becoming that substitute? To genuinely live with him, in Yuan Muyu's identity and image?

However, after much consideration, Lu Xingzhou's proposal was indeed quite reasonable. Qingli's approach involved a formal visit, leveraging Sihan's personal connections, so any information she obtained would likely be pre-prepared public statements. In contrast, a visit from an allied demonic sect like the Yama Hall would imply the Ice Prison Sect seeks their assistance. Thus, they would naturally reveal more genuine internal details, and even if not entirely transparent, the information gathered would be far more insightful. For her disciple's sake, perhaps disguising herself as Yuan Muyu was truly the optimal choice.

Ye Tinglan hesitated for a long time, finally compromising for her dutiful disciple. "Alright then, make the mask."

Lu Xingzhou then retrieved two pieces of stored metal, and began refining them on the spot, crafting two masks.

"Why two?"

"Oh, the other one is for Ji Wenchuan, the Eastern Ghost Emperor. There's no one else I'm as familiar with."

Far away in Xiazhou, in a guest room of the Heavenly Path Sword Sect, Ji Wenchuan sneezed. Anu, who was playing chess with him, asked curiously, "Uncle Ji, can someone at your cultivation level still catch a cold?"

"Someone's probably talking about me," Ji Wenchuan mumbled. "You wouldn't know until you came here. This Heavenly Path Sword Sect sounds incredibly grand in all the rumors, like they've accomplished so many great feats. But then you see it, and the entire sect doesn't even have a single second-grade cultivator. They're still fighting commercial battles with city gangs... Hey, whose idea was it to go burn down someone else's 'money tree' outside their door?"

"Mine," Anu declared self-righteously. "I also know how to divine and read Feng Shui!"

"Oh, please," Ji Wenchuan scoffed.

"But the East River Gang really is on its last legs now, isn't it?"

"With that gang's rotten character, they'd collapse eventually even if you did nothing," Ji Wenchuan said. "You forced me to stay in this godforsaken, remote county just for this nonsense? I still need to return to Wonderful Sound Mountain."

Anu fell silent for a moment, then looked at him sympathetically. "Uncle Ji, perhaps go back a bit later. I'm doing this for your own good."

A flash of Yuan Muyu's chilling eyes crossed his mind, and Ji Wenchuan suddenly shivered. "Ha... haha, since little Anu is asking me to stay, your uncle will certainly extend his visit for a few more days." Then, lowering his voice, he added, "That Sect Master Shen Tang, after hearing I was Lu Xingzhou's brother, became so polite it was as if she'd met her own younger brother-in-law. Is her relationship with Old Lu truly..." As he spoke, he pressed his two index fingers together.

Anu sniffed. "Let's just play chess, Uncle Ji. That's also for your own good."

Meanwhile, Lu Xingzhou finished crafting the masks and handed the Yama King one to Ye Tinglan. Ye Tinglan put it on and tested it. She had expected it to be quite stifling, but it was surprisingly tolerable... The mask naturally possessed a strong concealing effect, along with an aura characteristic of Yama Hall cultivation techniques. When speaking, it even added a slight metallic resonance, altering her voice. While its quality undoubtedly couldn't compare to Yuan Muyu's genuine item, it was more than sufficient to fool unfamiliar outsiders.

Furthermore, wearing the mask seemed to evoke a more profound psychological shift than the veil she wore previously. She felt that once she put it on, no one would know who she truly was. As the mask's somber aura spread, certain thoughts that she wouldn't normally entertain began to stir within her.

Ye Tinglan suppressed those emotions, applied an illusion to herself, and simulated some of the distinctive cultivation aura of the Yama Hall. Finally, she spun around, performing a playful gesture she remembered her sister making, and turned to ask Lu Xingzhou, "How do I look..." The word 'look' caught in her throat before she could utter it.

Lu Xingzhou was staring at her, his eyes distant and dazed, clearly lost in thought, as if his mind had drifted far away.

"Lu! Xing! Zhou!" Ye Tinglan ground her teeth. "What are you thinking about?"

"Ah, nothing... I just didn't expect that your own simulation of the cultivation aura would be so similar, without me even needing to adjust it..."

Ye Tinglan knew in her heart that wasn't likely the real issue, but she didn't expose him. She said expressionlessly, "Though I haven't personally confronted Yuan Muyu over the years, she has fought with my sect's subordinates many times. I can discern the characteristics of her cultivation technique with just a glance... Besides, they originate from the same source."

"Hmm..." Lu Xingzhou then put on the mask meant for Ji Wenchuan. His imitation of Ji Wenchuan, however, was far less convincing. Moreover, he had already abandoned the Yama Hall cultivation techniques in his martial practice, so he could only forcefully manifest the demonic power of his soul banner to barely give himself a chillingly ghostly aura.

"In any case, it wasn't Ji Wenchuan who previously dealt with the Ice Prison Sect, so they're not familiar with him. There shouldn't be any issues," Lu Xingzhou said, standing up tall. "Shall we go now?"

"Are your injuries alright?"

"Not fully healed, but we're not going there to fight. With my wife by my side, I feel completely at ease."

Ye Tinglan cast a glance at him. "Before you start shouting such nonsense, take off the mask and then speak."

Lu Xingzhou obediently removed the mask, then grinned shamelessly. "So, Master, does this mean you agree to me calling you my wife?"

"Your mouth is on your face; who can control what you say?" Ye Tinglan retorted irritably. "Are you really just going to go without the mask just to say that?"

"I don't necessarily have to wear it anyway; I could just pose as an ordinary attendant. I only made these as a precaution, just in case." Lu Xingzhou put the masks away, and a silence fell between them.

Once Ye Tinglan truly disguised herself as Yuan Muyu, the atmosphere noticeably grew stranger and more subdued. Both of them felt an odd mix of emotions. When Lu Xingzhou uttered 'my wife' while looking at her disguised as Yuan Muyu, he himself couldn't quite describe the sensation. Similarly, Ye Tinglan wondered if, when he called her 'my wife' in this disguise, there was perhaps a fraction less playfulness than when he addressed her directly. Yet, they had discussed this matter numerous times, and Lu Xingzhou had repeatedly affirmed he had no interest in Yuan Muyu and that she was certainly not a 'substitute.' To keep pressing the issue would only make her seem overly unreasonable...

Seeing Lu Xingzhou's silence, Ye Tinglan held it in for a long time before, somehow, blurting out, "You're usually so lecherous, always wanting to get handsy. What's wrong? You have the chance to embrace Yuan Muyu right in front of you, so why are you suddenly hesitant?" Her voice was cold, tinged with accusation, and distorted by the mask's metallic resonance. Lu Xingzhou listened, becoming even more dazed.

But the spark of wit in his mind wasn't extinguished, and he gave a perfect answer: "What are you saying, my wife... I've always said that the Yama King and I have a superior-subordinate relationship. It's precisely because you're in the Yama King's form that I instinctively held back."

Ye Tinglan's expression was hidden by the mask, but she clearly heaved a sigh of relief inwardly. Instead, she smiled and actively linked her arm through his. "Then I, your Master, will grant you an opportunity to get close to the Yama King. Let's go."