Time flows like water, and two months passed quickly.
Lu Zheng had hundreds of Lights of Fortune surrounding him, allowing him to cultivate without worry for a long time, enjoying a rare period of peaceful days.
Aside from cultivating every day, he either sat at the Renxin Hall seeing patients, played chess at Peach Blossom Plain, occasionally visited Hundred Springs Valley and Five Beauties Manor as a guest, drank and discussed swords with Xin Zhanting at City God Temple, or had tea with his master at White Cloud Temple.
The only thing he wasnât quite accustomed to was Hu Zhouâs absence. Honestly, the kid was really good. His sudden departure was quite missed, especially since no one was around to handle his chores, making Elder Liu consider hiring another person.
Additionally, Lady River God from Lu River Godâs Mansion and Zhu Yushan and his wife paid a visit, leaving satisfied after being hosted by Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan.
The incense at Taohua Temple was burning more and more vigorously. Many wealthy families from Yizhou Prefecture and other county towns made special trips to Peach Blossom Plain to make offerings.
Liu Qingyanâs fame grew as well; she diagnosed illnesses like a deity and cured them promptly. The title of Little Medical Immortal spread to Yizhou Prefecture.
Life in ancient times was calm, and life in modern times is equally tranquil.
Lu Zheng spent his days leisurely, while Lin Wan was busy working and often overtime. Recently, she was sent to Beidu for some learning program, and when she returned, she told Lu Zheng her grades were the best in the class, especially in combat, she directly knocked down all the colleagues nationwide who went for the training.
"Isnât that a bit inappropriate?" Lu Zheng blinked and said, "This isnât the military; focusing on strength first, you might not have friends."
"Itâs fine; this time, it was all young people attending the training, no complicated thoughts; everyone got along pretty well." Lin Wan laughed, "Moreover, this learning program invited elite police from across the country, each had a particular skill; theyâre all impressive."
"Alright." Lu Zheng nodded and then smiled, "Are you going to get a promotion and a salary increase, so youâll just need to work in the office in the future?"
Lu Zheng was aware that Lin Wanâs wish was to become a frontline operative, a good police officer actively combating crime, not a high-level manager commanding from an office.
Lin Wan cast a glance, "Ugh, I was too naĂŻve before. Now Iâve figured it out; even as management, Iâll still handle cases on the frontline, and my subordinates wonât be able to control me!"
Lu Zheng, "..."
You make a lot of sense, I find myself unable to refute.
...
As winter approaches, all flowers wither, yet Peach Blossom Plain remains pink and white with blooming peach blossoms.
This rather mystical scene attracted even more people to Taohua Temple to offer incense.
"Lu Lang~"
Shen Ying gently descended in front of Lu Zheng, her gaze was somewhat curious.
Three parts amusing, three parts amazed, three parts bashful, and one part eager.
"Whatâs wrong?" Lu Zheng couldnât help but ask, sensing that Shen Yingâs gaze was rather odd.
"Hehe, Lu Lang, come here."
Shen Ying took Lu Zheng by the hand and walked with him towards Taohua Village.
Lu Zheng and Shen Ying walked side by side, just as they stepped into the estateâs gate intending to embrace Shen Yingâs slender waist, before him appeared over a dozen ladies with varied charm, all wearing pink long chiffon dresses.
"Greetings, Young Master!"
Either crisp, soft, melodious, graceful, lively, or gentle, resembling Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix; though differing in tone, they all sounded extraordinarily pleasant.
"Hissââ" Lu Zheng was shocked, "Who are you..."
"They are my subordinate gods, the Eighteen Peach Blossom Celestial Maidens." Shen Ying smiled, her eyes gleaming with a hint of pride, "What does Lu Lang think?"
"Good." Lu Zheng didnât know where to rest his eyes, only able to nod and look at Shen Ying, "Youâve broken through the Mental Confusion Realm?"
"Indeed."
Shen Ying nodded with a smile, "That personâs magical power wasnât very profound, but the Mental Confusion Realm was genuinely formidable, and their Divine Soul True Spirit had long been lured and fallen. Helping them regain their memories without those memories affecting their Heart Spirit was undeniably challenging."
"Oh, oh." Lu Zheng nodded, roughly understanding the difficulty involved.
"In the Mental Confusion Realm, there were a total of twenty-seven womenâs True Spirits, among them, nine chose not to exist in non-human forms and voluntarily returned to the universe." Shen Yingâs voice carried a note of lament.
After all, they were cultivated women, yet cunningly sabotaged to death by that old monk, Shen Ying felt they were regrettably unfortunate.
Lu Zheng knew Shen Ying was reminiscing about her past experiences, empathizing deeply, so he gently held Shen Yingâs delicate hand, "Life is unpredictable, but days will get better and better."
"Definitely!" Shen Ying responded by holding Lu Zhengâs hand, looking at him with endless affection in her gaze.
"Ahem!"
"Hehehe!"
"Oh my, how touching!"
Several Celestial Maidens giggled cheekily, yet Shen Ying wasnât the least bit shy, she merely glared at them, "Iâm truly touched right now, and you all just want to cause trouble!"
"Hehehe!"
"Weâre touched too!"
"Indeed, indeed, speaking of it, we owe our good fortune today to Young Master Lu."
"Indeed, indeed, fortunately, Young Master Lu killed that old monk and composed the timeless classic poem âPeach Blossoms,â allowing us to cultivate the Incense and Candle Divine Dao and glimpse the path to longevity."
"True, true!"
"Thank you, Young Master Lu!"
"Thank you, Young Master Lu!"
A flurry of ladies bowed in gratitude, the gleaming and supple encounter almost blinding Lu Zhengâs titanium alloy dog eyes.
"Hissââ"
Simply dazzling, too blinding!
Lu Zheng: (áá©á)
Shen Ying softly approached, her pink lips brushing Lu Zhengâs ear, "My people are Lu Langâs people, if you desire..."
"No!"
Lu Zheng firmly refused, "They were all unfortunate souls, now free from suffering and becoming your subordinate gods; they are future Celestial Maidens, not to be treated as commodities."
...
A silence descended.
Lu Zheng gulped, feeling both clueless and somewhat dumbstruck.
Whatâs wrong? Did I say something inappropriate?
Why are these womenâs gazes becoming increasingly off?
"Lu Langââ"
Shen Ying coquettishly called out and suddenly threw herself on Lu Zheng, kissing him fiercely.
"Mmmââ"
After a full ten minutes, Shen Ying released him, leaving Lu Zheng panting heavily.
Whatâs going on?
"Lu Lang, meeting you is YingâErâs greatest fortune in this lifetime." Shen Ying softly said.
Lu Zheng could only chuckle dryly.
Oh darling, why are you so excellent, treating us unfortunate women with such equality and respect?
"Honestly!" Shen Ying lightly bit her lip, both exasperated and amused, "Look at these little girlsâ expressions, if I werenât present now, I fear theyâd have already rushed up and devoured you wholly."
Lu Zheng couldnât help but smile wryly; if these Eighteen Celestial Maidens truly rushed forward, even an iron kidney wouldnât be adequate...
Whatâs wrong with them? Has the residual influence of the Mental Confusion Realm not yet been fully cleansed?