Chapter 111: Another Task Added

Lu Zheng wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, took the piece of reishi, and casually asked, "This water is useful to you too, right?"

Shen Ying remembered Lu Zheng’s question after the execution of Yan Jie and couldn’t help but smile knowingly.

"The old peach tree has lived over a thousand years, with roots spreading tens of miles. I was born from the peach tree and can also absorb the Moonlight Essence. Although this spring water can make my magic more pure, it’s just icing on the cake and somewhat not worth it.

Moreover, once Taohua Temple is built, I’ll gain the Power of Incense. My cultivation will only speed up. Instead of giving it to me, it’s better for Lu Lang to take it himself or give it to Little Sister Qingyan, or even let the Zhi Ma take it; it would have a greater effect."

"Oh?" Lu Zheng blinked, "Qingyan can also take it?"

Shen Ying paused upon hearing this, her eyes full of a joking smile, "It keeps the face unchanged, spirit reinvigorated."

Lu Zheng nodded, thinking that since Liu Qingyan often stays at Renxin Hall, she might be able to take a small amount of this spring water to supplement her nutrition.

"Alright, I understand, then I’ll leave half for the Zhi Ma."

Lu Zheng planned to divide the remaining half into two parts, leaving one with the Liu Family and the other to be sent to the White Cloud Temple to his master.

As for himself...

"Deep Blue, no, Jade Seal! Enhance!"

"Buzz!"

Five strands of the Light of Fortune were consumed, and all attributes grew another notch.

Unexpectedly, besides being able to provide reishi continuously in the future, the Zhi Ma also gave him thirty-four strands of fortune in one go.

Wonderful!

"Three hundred years for a Zhi Ma, five hundred years for a Zhi Person, this little guy has at least a three hundred year medicinal property. If you’re giving this reishi to a mortal, it shouldn’t be more than half a finger in size." Shen Ying reminded.

Lu Zheng nodded, "Understood."

Having finished the main discussion, Lu Zheng quickly finished his lunch and then went to the backyard with Shen Ying to rest and exchange cultivation insights.

Indeed, after not seeing each other for a few days, the two had quite a lot to discuss, and the exchange was quite delightful.

Thus, the night continued pleasantly, with peach blossom water flowing, birds singing, and flowers fragrant.

...

The next morning, Lu Zheng carried a bamboo basket full of herbs to Renxin Hall.

"Doctor Liu, do we at Renxin Hall accept fresh herbs?"

"Lu Lang?"

"Lu Lang!"

Liu Qingyan immediately put down her brush, rushed to Lu Zheng’s side, and took the bamboo basket he had just set down.

"You’re back, sit down, I’ll get you some water." Liu Qingyan pulled Lu Zheng down to sit, then poured a cup of warm water from the kettle on the stove and handed it to him, "It’s cold, have a drink."

Seeing Lu Zheng drink it all in one go, Liu Qingyan took the cup back, "Just got back?"

Lu Zheng nodded, "Yes, just got back!"

Unable to explain how the Zhi Ma ended up with Shen Ying or how he kept the Zhi Ma contained, Lu Zheng decided to say nothing.

"I found quite a few things in the mountains, why don’t you take a look."

"Sure." Liu Qingyan crouched down to the side, opened the bamboo basket, and started taking things out one by one.

Lu Zheng didn’t bring all the herbs he collected, such as the Old Ginseng King and a few other clearly aged medicines, which were definitely left in the modern setting.

Even so, after venturing a hundred miles into the forest, Lu Zheng had collected quite a number of good herbs.

"This ginseng has about eighty to ninety years of medicinal value, it’s quite good."

"This batch of dendrobium, it’s grown excellently."

"Haha, you even picked some Sanqi." Liu Qingyan checked carefully, and Lu Zheng joked, "Can these herbs buy me a meal from Madam Liu?"

A familiar patient joked, "More than just a meal, I bet it could even earn you a son-in-law position!"

Liu Qingyan blushed but didn’t refute, just picked up the bamboo basket and headed to the backyard to sort the herbs.

Lu Zheng didn’t stay long at Renxin Hall; after having lunch with Liu Qingyan, he left half of the spring water and hurried off to the White Cloud Temple.

...

"Mmm—" Daoist Mingzhang heated some mountain spring water and made tea, then took a light sip and let out a sigh of relief.

"Good tea! Good water!"

"This isn’t spring water; it’s probably rainwater flowing into the mountain, combining with herbs, passing through the earth veins and stalagmites, imbued with some herbal and mineral Spiritual Qi, achieving this effect."

Lu Zheng nodded, got it, mineral water!

"That mountain is probably unusual, there should be a stone grotto inside the mountain." Daoist Mingzhang mused, then said to Lu Zheng, "In the future, whenever it rains in the northeast, you can go to that valley again, fetch some of this water, and bring some back for me to make tea."

Thinking of having Spiritual Water for tea in the future, Daoist Mingzhang inexplicably felt better.

Lu Zheng: ⚆_⚆?

That doesn’t seem right!

Following the usual patterns of internet novels, isn’t it expected to ask for the place and then wield the treasure sword to go into action?

Of course, before diving into action, one should righteously declare, "This object and I are destined!"

Seeing Lu Zheng in a daze, Daoist Mingzhang asked, "What’s the matter?"

"I was just wondering... if the Zhi Ma was so scared, could it be a Great Demon? If I go to the valley to fetch water, would it attack me?"

Can’t really say that I was actually planning to take you to fight together!

Lu Zheng considered and said, "Disciple’s cultivation is shallow, what if I can’t beat it, and the mountain roads are hard to navigate, wouldn’t it be very dangerous?"

"Don’t worry, it’ll be fine. The mountain’s cave, stalactite spring, that demon is definitely not a meat-eater." Daoist Mingzhang waved his hand, "Being in its own territory, it must have plenty of this stalactite spring water and won’t care about the extra flowing out. As long as you don’t touch its roots, it won’t come out looking for you."

Lu Zheng understood and nodded, "Alright, disciple understands."

Daoist Mingzhang had no intention of occupying the resource, which was both unexpected and sensible.

The Daoist family focuses on self-cultivation, refining heart, and nurturing the spirit. From Daoist Mingzhang’s behavior, it’s clear that this world isn’t a dark cultivation realm.

Hmm, that’s good!

Only...

Why do I suddenly have the extra task of fetching water?

A hundred-mile mountain path!

Isn’t it a bit too much, taking so much time!

To speed things up, should I take a...

So Lu Zheng candidly spent the day drinking tea with Daoist Mingzhang, played a few games of chess, sought some advice on cultivation matters, and before leaving, even took two ounces of tea from the White Cloud Temple.

...

The next day, Lu Zheng carried several jugs of Scorpion Wine to the County Government Office, gave two jugs to the County Magistrate, receiving plenty of praises before discussing the arrangements for Taohua Temple, gaining repeated assurances that Taohua Temple’s offerings would never be lacking.

Then he heard that the shrine was already built, and in three days, the plaque would be hung to open the temple.

"I must thank Chief Clerk Li, for your efforts during these days." Lu Zheng bowed in thanks.

Chief Clerk Li quickly returned the salute, "Young Master Lu, you’re too kind, it’s my duty."

He dared not take credit, especially since Lu Zheng had just gifted him a jug of Scorpion Wine.

This is the medicinal wine of a hundred-year-old Great Demon; drinking it strengthens the body and extends life. Didn’t you see the County Magistrate’s mouth couldn’t close with joy after receiving two jugs?

"I will call in the morning, three days later, to bring you along to the opening of the temple."

"Good!"