Editor:
Dragon Boat Translation
As the words fell, Lu Zheng stepped forward.
"Make him see blood!" The leading man shouted sternly and charged forward.
Lu Zhengās eyes flashed. He shifted his body to the left, and when the leading manās center of gravity moved, he suddenly went to the right.
Probe! Sweep! Withdraw!
"Pa!"
A peach branch viciously whipped the face of the man on the right.
"Ah!"
Then came a side kick, directly knocking the person over, turning him into a rolling gourd, spinning to the side, unable to get up while moaning.
"Heās tough!"
Experts know if theyāre up to par with a single move, and Lu Zheng took down one of them with just two moves when they were fully prepared and began their siege.
This was not the level of a street fight.
Street gangs may have many flaws, but theyāre very streetwise. Once they realize they canāt contend with someone, theyāll decisively admit defeat.
So when Lu Zheng looked back, he saw the other two immediately pause, retreating slowly with serious expressions.
Just when Lu Zheng thought they were going to circle around and attack him again, the two actually turned around directly and ran away without looking back.
Not even caring for their companion!
Not even leaving any harsh words!
Lu Zheng: ā(Ā“-ļ½)ā
I just enhanced my Sword Technique a bit more, ready for a big fight, and it ended without satisfaction?
"Wow, Brother Lu, youāre amazing!" Liu Qingquan jumped out from behind her sister with a whoosh, her eyes shining with admiration as she looked at Lu Zheng.
"I didnāt expect Young Master Lu to have such skills." Shen Ying commented thoughtfully.
Liu Qingyan didnāt speak, just smiled faintly, her eyes bright.
Lu Zheng held a tree branch and slowly walked to the third person still twitching on the ground.
"Sir! Sir! I was wrong, Iāll never dare again, please just treat me like a fart and let me go!"
The man curled up, not even daring to stand up.
Lu Zheng tilted his head, signaling him to scram.
"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!"
The man quickly got up and ran away, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
...
"Meeting is destined, and I feel an instant connection with my sister. As itās near noon today, why not come to my house for a meal?"
Liu Qingyan looked at Lu Zheng upon hearing this, "Is it convenient?"
"Thereās nothing inconvenient about it." Shen Ying nodded and said, "There arenāt many people in my house, just two old servants and a maid."
"But we did buy peach blossom pastries," Liu Qingquan mentioned.
"I have peach blossom pastries at home too, theyāre especially delicious, and thereās also peach meat preserves and sweet peach juice."
"Then letās go!" Liu Qingquan nodded as fast as a chicken pecking rice.
So the group followed Shen Ying deeper into Peach Blossom Plain, and after walking less than two miles, they saw an estate emerging faintly.
"Miss is back!"
An old servant opened the door, glanced at Lu Zheng in surprise but didnāt ask much, letting them all in.
"Wow, what a big peach tree!"
Turning past the screen wall, Lu Zheng saw a large courtyard yard, where stood a tall peach tree that required two people to embrace.
The crown of the peach tree covered like clouds, almost shading the entire front yard, with many pink spots at the tips of the branches, countless peach blossoms blooming, an incredibly beautiful sight.
"Itās because of this peach tree that this Taohua Village exists." Shen Ying explained and then told the old servant, "We have guests today, prepare some peach-flavored foods."
"Alright!" The old servant nodded and hurried off in quick steps.
...
In the main hall of the front courtyard, everyone sat around the round table, the table filled with delicious desserts, delicately crafted, their aroma wafting through the air.
As everyone ate and chatted, Lu Zheng learned that Shen Yingās husband had died young, and she returned home alone. Now her parents have also passed away, leaving her alone in this Taohua Village with only two old servants and a maid for company.
As for deeper matters, Shen Ying didnāt say, and of course, Lu Zheng and the others couldnāt ask.
"Young Master Lu, I see your skills are fierce, surpassing ordinary Martial Artists, yet itās all due to your own strength, without any stirring of blood and qi."
Shen Ying asked curiously, "Is it that you disdain to rouse it, or have you not practiced any Martial Cultivation Technique?"
Lu Zheng: (āoā)
Cursing inwardly, but externally calm, Lu Zheng nodded helplessly, "I have been envious of those high-flying knights and masters from a young age but have never had the chance to meet any or receive any teachings. The bit of Sword Technique on me is just something I practiced randomly."
Shen Yingās apricot eyes widened, and the chopsticks in her hand paused in mid-air, clearly genuinely surprised.
"Young Master really hasnāt practiced the Martial Dao?
And yet, with such agile skills, Young Master Lu calls it random practice?"
"Embarrassed, laughed at!"
Shen Ying put down her chopsticks and said seriously, "Young Master has extraordinary aptitude. If you were to cultivate in the Martial Cultivation Technique of blood and qi, you would certainly have achievements, adding another knight who towers over princes to the world."
"Overpraised, overpraised, one mustnāt speak too grandly, what if Iām not suited for Martial Cultivation?
Besides, I now have some self-protection ability; three or five ordinary people canāt get close to me, itās quite sufficient."
"That canāt be determined. Among mountain bandits and night guests, there might be Martial Artists among them. Although the Young Master is skillful and has a good constitution, itās hard to resist the bravery stirred by a Martial Artistās blood and qi.
Moreover, with such skill, the Young Master, full of confidence, is more likely to encounter Martial Artists and thus becomes more dangerous."
Lu Zheng chuckled, "If the opportunity doesnāt come, what can one do? As they say, donāt force things. Forcing will only bring worry.
Besides, Iāll be careful and usually donāt make a move."
"Young Master has a good mindset." Shen Ying nodded, stood up, and said, "Young Master, please wait a moment."
When Shen Ying went into the back hall, Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan exchanged glances.
Lu Zheng whispered, "Could it be..."
Liu Qingyan nodded, her expression a bit delighted, "Itās possible, congratulations to Lu Lang."
"Isnāt this inappropriate... Wouldnāt it be too rushed?"
"If Sister Shen has a heart, Lu Lang, just accept it." Liu Qingyan encouraged.
"Ah huh!" Liu Qingquan bit into half a peach blossom pastry, "Itās so delicious!"
Lu Zheng smiled slightly, and Liu Qingyan blushed, shifting her gaze away.
Footsteps gradually sounded, and Shen Ying returned to the hall, holding a book in her hand.
"This is a Martial Cultivation Technique my father obtained in his early years, but he had limited aptitude and accomplished nothing from it."
Shen Ying handed the book to Lu Zheng, "Meeting is destined. Iāll gift this Martial Cultivation Technique to Young Master Lu."
Lu Zheng hurriedly stood up, repeatedly waving his hands, "This is too precious; Lu Mou dares not accept such a generous gift from the lady without any merit."
Shen Yingās lips curved into a smile, "Young Master Lu, please accept it. This Cultivation Technique only has value in your hands; should it remain with me and gather dust?"
"Sister Shenās heartfelt gesture, Lu Lang, you should accept it, and weāll come often to accompany sister and alleviate her boredom."
"Indeed!"
"In that case, many thanks to the lady, and Iāll accept it reluctantly."
Lu Zheng took it with both hands, immediately looking at the cover of the book.
"Eighteen Mountain-Carrying Techniques."