Food Fairy Lord

Chapter 729 Performance Review
After a while, Li Xizhou gently bit his lip. Pei Ye looked up and saw her watery eyes, their eyes almost touching.

"Are you never going to stop?" Li Xizhou said softly, his words somewhat muffled.

Pei Ye stared into her eyes, then pressed down and kissed her lips for a few breaths before gently raising his head.

Li Xizhou stared at him with slightly reddened ears. If last time it was because he couldn't control his emotions, this time it was because he was incredibly audacious. He was clearly aware of what he was doing.

Li Xizhou helped him up from the tree trunk by holding his arm around his waist, and raised his hand to smooth his hair: "I think you've got a taste for it now."

Pei Ye didn't deny it, and stared at her snow-white neck again.

Li Xizhou raised his hand to cover himself and said calmly, "Stop looking. I'm asking you, are you fully recovered?"

"Hmm...it still hurts a bit, but it should recover in about a day or two." Pei Ye withdrew her gaze and looked into the distance. "Are we going out now?"

"Yes, it's been a long time since I've been to Shenjing, and I do miss it a bit."

What are you going to do next?

"I'm going back to Zhujing Palace," Li Xizhou said. "My injuries seem to have stabilized, but I still need to rest for two more days. There are still twenty days until the blood test, after which I will have to meet with many people, so I need to make some preparations."

Do you need help with this?

"No need, there's nothing you can help with. I'll take care of everything." Li Xizhou fixed her hair, stood up, and Pei Ye's hand that was on her waist slid down. "What about you?"

“I’ll go to the Immortal Platform to report for duty first. If there’s nothing else, I’d like to return to the Sword Cultivation Academy for a while,” Pei Ye said. “I haven’t practiced swordsmanship in a long time, and there are only about thirty days left until the Feather Scale Trial. I’d like to go up and have a go, and see if I can get into the top ten.”

“Okay, go ahead,” Li Xizhou said. “There’s nothing major going on these next few days, except for finishing up at the Prince Yan’s residence. You can practice your sword quietly and rest. The capital is quite lively these days, so you can go and make some friends.”

"How should this be resolved?"

“After you finish explaining at the Immortal Platform, I will discuss it with Li Jian. We still need to see what the Prince of Yan’s plans are… In any case, we will let you know when we have the results.” Li Xizhou looked at him. “You should go to the Immortal Platform first. I think Li Jian will have something he wants to talk to you about.”

"Yes, I know." Pei Ye had just obtained [White Water], but had not yet illuminated the temple in Xi Ting's heart. He was about to ask Li Jian about the follow-up of this immortal authority.

He thought for a moment, then looked at the woman beside him who was carefully tidying her clothes and hair: "There's one more thing."

"what?"

"Those two sword masters who made the move before... may I pay them a visit?" Pei Ye rubbed his hands together. For a long time, he had only known one sword master, Miss Ming, but in just a few days, he had met two of them.

Li Xizhou paused slightly and looked at him: "Do you want me to introduce you?"

"Will it work?"

Li Xizhou smiled and continued straightening his sleeves: "Whether the Sword Master of Xianghuang is willing or not depends on her. You can ask her yourself in a couple of days. As for the Sword Master of Feiguang, I can help you make an appointment, but he has a unique personality. Whether you can win his favor is up to you."

"I am very good at pleasing people, which is why I am well-liked."

Li Xizhou laughed: "I've never seen anyone so arrogant."

"What, don't I like you?" Pei Ye looked up at her.

Li Xizhou rolled his eyes slightly and gently kicked him.

"When you return to the palace, remember one thing," Pei Ye suddenly said, "Never let anyone enter the Mingyue Old Palace, Jingchi, or any other places."

“…Hmm.” Li Xizhou paused, then nodded solemnly. “I know.”

"I will always protect your Mermaid Palace here," Pei Ye said with a smile.

Li Xizhou smiled at him, turned around, and gently swam towards the lake.

Pei Ye watched her figure disappear from sight, leaving him alone in the vast mirage.

After a while, he stood up in the tree and quietly gazed at the vast and boundless world.

He raised his hand, and a rustling sound came from the branches above his head. A magnificent and large tiger head gently nudged his palm.

……

Just past Shen Shi (3-5 PM), the rain completely stopped, even the last wisps disappeared. The roof tiles were the first to reveal their rough texture, followed by most of the water draining from the ground. The soil had a damp, fresh brown hue, and everything was as clear as if it had just been peeled open.

After days of rain, Shenjing finally welcomed its first sunny day. People came out in surprise, praising each other and looking up at the long-awaited azure sky.

Swordsmen along the Dragon Lake were also celebrating with swordplay. Although the strange celestial phenomenon pleased them, its continued occurrence had indeed cast a pall of oppression over the entire capital. The clear sky brought a sense of comfort to everyone.

Pei Ye walked up from the shore of Longhu Lake, his sword still dripping water, his clothes tattered.

He turned the scabbard upside down to drain the water, then chose a rock to lay his clothes on to dry, and leaned against the rock shirtless.

The long-awaited air carried the scent of earth and grass. Pei Ye looked into the distance and saw several figures still gathered around, sparring with swords. The sky was high and the clouds were light, and the earth had turned completely green.

The woman had already left in a carriage and was probably already in the palace. Pei Ye waited for a while by the vast lake, when he heard the sound of galloping hooves and then stopped.

He looked up and saw Zhu Gaoyang riding one horse and leading another, looking down at him with a smile.

"...Why is it you who came?"

Pei Ye picked up his sword, put on his tattered clothes, and Zhu Gaoyang bent down and offered him a hand. Pei Ye grasped it and mounted his horse.

"I was just bored," Zhu Gaoyang said, looking at him. "When I heard they were coming to pick up meritorious officials, I grabbed a horse and galloped out of the city."

Pei Ye smiled and sighed softly, "I can't really call myself a meritorious official. It's all thanks to His Highness Prince Jinyang's brilliant strategies. I was just a henchman."

Zhu Gaoyang grabbed his forearm: "The other day you told me that you had entered the mirage several times because you were affected by something. Today I realize that the entire capital region was shrouded in misty rain, and you were the only one who was clear-headed."

"You've remembered everything now?"

"I remember everything now." Zhu Gaoyang looked around. "Where is His Highness?"

"She left earlier and went back to the palace first."

"...Then why didn't I bring you along?"

“Didn’t I come to Xianrentai to report on my duties?” Pei Ye said. “Otherwise, what are you doing here?”

Zhu Gaoyang sighed softly and looked at him meaningfully: "Since we have a carriage, wouldn't it be more appropriate to take you to Xianrentai? Instead, we're leaving you here to wait by yourself."

Pei Ye asked curiously, "Going to the Immortal Terrace and going to the palace aren't on the same route, so what's the point? She wanted to go back to the palace to rest, and I had things to do at the Immortal Terrace, so we parted ways."

"I mean, maybe she doesn't really care about you."

"……You think too much."

Zhu Gaoyang shook his head and said no more. He smiled and said, "When Prince Jinyang becomes the Crown Prince and enjoys the support of countless families in the capital, I wonder how many outstanding talents will join his ranks. Young Hero Pei, don't come to me for a drink just because you feel neglected."

Pei Ye was silent for a moment, then glanced at him and asked, "Brother Zhu, have you ever had an affair with a woman?"

"……what?"

Pei Ye looked at him.

"I...do I have anything to do with this? Am I also ten years older than you, and have seen a lot?" "Do you?"

"...Your sister Xing Zhi?"

"Just Sister Xing Zhi?"

Zhu Gaoyang narrowed his eyes: "What do you mean 'just Xing Zhi'? How many do you want? I've known your Xing Zhi since we were little... Anyway, I haven't had much chance to get to know anyone else since then."

Pei Ye paused for a moment, then sighed softly, "Brother Zhu, I don't understand, but you don't understand and yet think you do. I was wrong to be deceived by you before. Let's not talk about this anymore."

Zhu Gaoyang frowned, displeased: "What do you mean by thinking you know everything when you don't? When Shanglang had problems before, I was the one who advised them the whole time, okay? You just can't understand it."

"Really? Did Brother Shang Lang succeed?"

"..."

Pei Ye looked at him.

"It didn't work."

"Ah."

"..."

The two riders galloped away, and Zhu Gaoyang was clearly unconvinced, but the two of them did not discuss the topic again.

After entering the city, the boy's tattered clothes attracted a lot of attention. Pei Ye was not ashamed. They looked at him, and he looked at them in return. Just from the street, it was clear that there were many outsiders. Many of them did not wear the style of the capital. They had arrived in the capital about a month ago. Now, they were all looking at this strange newcomer to the city with curiosity.

Some of those who recognized Zhu Gaoyang suddenly shouted out.

Pei Ye then realized that the atmosphere in the capital was indeed different from when he left. The whole city was probably in a state of excitement waiting for the Yu Lin Trial, and at the same time, a large number of famous martial arts figures from all over the country were pouring in. Countless new information was mixed in, which, although it did not drown out the old ones, pushed them to the back.

He realized this because no one recognized him.

During the New Year celebrations following the Vermilion Bird Sword incident, Pei Ye's name was everywhere in the capital. Now, riding through the streets on horseback, no one recognizes him.

The two dismounted in front of the Fairy Terrace and went straight to the top of the West Tower.

Pei Ye came to Xianrentai mainly to do two things. First, as the Crane Inspector, he left the capital when Zhang Siche entrusted him with the case. Now that the case is closed and he has returned to the capital, he should do his duty and regain his freedom. Second, he needs to meet with Li Jian. On that day, he inquired about the matters related to entering the [Life Dog]. This master of the platform made two requests. Now that he has obtained [White Water], Xitingxin should truly be considered to be his master. The so-called "gift from the Queen Mother of the West" is also complete.

Zhu Gaoyang climbed the steps beside him, but stopped when they reached the corridor.

Pei Ye turned around.

He raised his hand in a gesture: "The Grand Secretary is inside, you can go by yourself."

Pei Ye asked in confusion, "Aren't you going?"

“I already explained everything a couple of days ago,” Zhu Gaoyang said calmly. “There’s no need to go again.”

Pei Ye thought to himself that they had done many things together, so it would be more appropriate for him to be there... Then he suddenly remembered something.

She glanced at the man with a slightly guilty look: "Lord Censor... is he giving you a hard time?"

Zhu Gaoyang was taken aback, his eyebrows immediately rising: "So even you knew!"

"...Ah, yes, why is that?"

Zhu Gaoyang said in a low voice, "A few days ago, I came to this building to report on my work, and Zhang Siche kept giving me the cold shoulder. I thought someone had just offended him. I never expected that after I finished explaining everything, he would suddenly ask me—'Do you often impersonate me outside?'"

"...What, what's going on?"

"Yes! I was on a field mission in such a remote place as Xincang, and I only used his name once. How did he find out about me?"

“Indeed, it is indeed strange…” Pei Ye looked back and was already eager to go report for duty—he really regretted asking one more question just now.

"It must be Shang Lang's mouth!"

"Hmm... Ah?"

“You don’t know, there are no secrets in Shang Lang’s mouth. If he knows something, then everyone else knows it too.” Zhu Gaoyang glanced at him and said angrily, “You must remember never to tell him any secrets you have—I’ve been too busy to see him these past few days, but when I do see him, I’ll make him pay.”

Pei Ye felt ashamed, but dared not show it on his face. He sighed and said, "I don't think Brother Shang meant it."

Zhu Gaoyang sneered: "He still dares to have designs on me."

Pei Ye dared not reply, turned around, walked through the corridor, and entered Zhang Siche's office.

“Zhang Zhongcheng, Fu Changshi.”

"Prosecutor Pei, it's been a long time. The station has been thinking about you a lot these days."

"Your Excellency is concerned; Pei Ye is fine."

Zhang Siche waved his hand: "It's not entirely out of concern for you, but mainly because several cases are tied to you. If you don't come back, everything will be over."

"……came back."

"It's good that you're back." Zhang Siche smiled slightly and gestured to Fu Zaiting, "Pei Hejian, please."

Pei Ye recounted the case in detail, entrusting three cases in total. They were indeed interconnected, starting with the assassination of the Water Envoy, which led to the case of destroying the Mirage City, and then the Mirage City case led to the [White Water] case. The boy's figure was indeed involved in all three cases.

Zhang Siche filed and sealed the document, then chuckled and sighed, "The matter of capturing the leader of Mirage City is still unresolved. Once all the cases are closed, Inspector Pei He can be classified as a 'B' for this achievement."

The statement that the leader has not yet been captured naturally refers to what Li Jian said before leaving the capital: that Xianrentai had communicated with all government offices and cleared the mirage city.

In the past few days, various government departments have sent letters inquiring about the case's closure, but the Xianrentai has rejected them all. Now that Yong Ji is still alive, the matter remains in the hands of the Xianrentai.

Pei Ye nodded and wrote letters and affixed his seal to the case files one by one, thus entrusting all his affairs to the authorities.

Zhang Siche said, "Pei Hejian, please go up to the Observatory. The master of the observatory is waiting for you."

"it is good."

He then bid farewell to the two men and pushed open the door to leave.

But then Zhang Siche said calmly, "By the way, call Zhu Gaoyang in from outside."

Pei Ye walked out the door and met Zhu Gaoyang's pale face.

He patted the man on the shoulder reassuringly and then went downstairs.

When we reached the observatory, dusk had just fallen, a pale moon hung in the sky, and faint stars dotted the night.

Pei Ye entered the spacious domed room and saw Li Jian standing in front of the desk writing something, with a round black cat lying beside him.

Pei Ye quickly stepped forward and picked it up in her arms: "Little cat, I missed you so much."

(End of this chapter)