The next day, Liu Qingyan entertained the five women, touring Tonglin County and listening to music, while Lu Zheng took ten Biluo fruits and headed to Peach Blossom Ridge.
“Squeak squeak!”
Halfway there, a burst of monkey calls came from a nearby tree.
Lu Zheng turned to look and saw a group of monkeys playing on the trees by the forest’s edge. The monkey king of the group swung from branch to branch, following him, staring at the wooden box in his hand, squeaking loudly.
“Hmm?” Lu Zheng let out a soft sound of surprise. Wasn’t this the same group of monkeys that often played at Peach Blossom Ridge?
When he had brought Liu Qingyan and her sisters to visit Peach Blossom Ridge, this monkey king had clashed with Liu Qingquan. Later, Shen Ying explained it was because a fox had once stolen the monkey king’s brewed monkey wine, so the monkey king, recognising Liu Qingquan as a fox, had attacked in anger.
However, after being scolded by Shen Ying, although the monkey king still frequented Peach Blossom Ridge, it no longer attacked Liu Qingquan when they met.
According to Shen Ying, this monkey king possessed considerable intelligence, teetering on the edge of becoming a demon and transforming into a human, just missing that final step of opportunity.
It could either achieve enlightenment on its own, be guided by a master, or consume a spiritually potent fruit.
“Spiritual fruit?”
Lu Zheng’s eyes flickered as he looked at the monkey king.
The next moment, the monkey king swung down from the tree, landing in front of Lu Zheng. It glanced at the box in his hand, then repeatedly bowed with clasped hands.
“You clever monkey,” Lu Zheng said.
“Squeak squeak!”
“Very well, consider yourself lucky. But I can only spare one fruit. If it works, it works. If not, there’s no more for you.”
Although there were quite a few Biluo fruits, they ripened only once every five years. After sharing some yesterday, fewer than thirty remained.
Liu Qingyan kept a few, giving the remaining dozen or so to Lu Zheng. Lu Zheng set aside a few for Lin Wan, and the ten he had now were meant as a gift for Shen Ying at Peach Blossom Ridge.
Biluo fruits carried strong spiritual energy and did not spoil over time, making them an impressive gift or treat for guests.
Meeting this monkey on the road was its good fortune, especially since this monkey group often kept Shen Ying company, forming a bond. Lu Zheng knew if the monkey king begged Shen Ying, she would likely not be stingy.
One fruit was fine, but Lu Zheng was reluctant to give more.
“Squeak squeak!”
The monkey king understood Lu Zheng’s words, its face lighting up with joy. It dropped to its knees, kowtowing repeatedly.
Lu Zheng opened the wooden box, took out one Biluo fruit, and tossed it to the monkey king.
The monkey king caught the fruit and, without hesitation, popped it into its mouth, crunching through it, skin and pit included, in a few bites.
“Squeak squeak squeak!”
The next moment, the monkey king took several deep breaths, its body trembling, eyes glowing.
The other monkeys playing in the trees noticed the commotion, hurriedly climbing down to surround their king, squeaking loudly.
Lu Zheng stood by the roadside, watching the monkey king intently.
Moments later, the monkey king’s breathing steadied, the light in its eyes faded, and a joyful expression appeared. It rolled on the ground, and in the blink of an eye, transformed into a thin, short middle-aged man.
“Squeak squeak squeak!”
The surrounding monkeys were startled, scattering in a frenzy of cries. A few female monkeys looked at their king with fear and sadness in their eyes.
“Thank you, benefactor! Thank you, benefactor!”
The monkey king examined its new body, then kowtowed repeatedly to Lu Zheng.
“Buzz!”
Six points of luck light were credited, like a small snack.
Lu Zheng squinted, feeling a slight sting.
The monkey king, often playing at Peach Blossom Ridge and familiar with humans, knew people wore clothes. So, it transformed back into a monkey.
“Benefactor, please go to the peach grove first. I’ll come to pay my respects later!”
The monkey king kowtowed in thanks, then leapt back into the trees, calling its group as they disappeared deep into the forest.
…
“That monkey became a demon?”
Shen Ying ate one Biluo fruit and insisted Lu Zheng have one too, before having Xiao Cui store the remaining seven.
“Yes,” Lu Zheng nodded. “It said it would come by later. I reckon it’s gone to find clothes.”
Just as he finished speaking, Shen Ying’s eyes flickered. A voice called from outside Peach Blossom Manor, “Fairy, benefactor, Hou Ping is here!”
“Hou Ping?”
“It’s even picked a name…”
“Xiao Cui, open the door and let him in,” Shen Ying instructed.
Xiao Cui opened the door, and Lu Zheng and Shen Ying saw a short man in a loose robe with rolled-up sleeves, hopping along behind Xiao Cui into the front courtyard.
It was the man the monkey king had transformed into.
Seeing the two together, Hou Ping’s face lit up with joy. He hurried forward, knelt, and gave three loud kowtows.
“Thank you, benefactor! Thank you, fairy!”
Shen Ying couldn’t help but laugh. “Lu Zheng gave you the fruit. Why thank me?”
Hou Ping raised his head, scratching the back of his neck with a grin. “Without the fairy’s connection, how could I have had such an opportunity?”
“You’re a clever monkey,” Shen Ying smiled. “Come sit. Now that you’ve transformed into a human, you’re a guest at Peach Blossom Manor.”
“Thank you, fairy! Thank you, fairy!”
Hou Ping bowed with clasped hands, then tried to mimic their walking, moving slowly without hopping or jumping, following them.
They sat in the hall, and Xiao Cui brought Hou Ping a cup of tea. Flustered, he quickly thanked her, clumsily taking the cup and gulping it down, heedless of the scalding heat.
“Careful, it’s hot…”
“No matter, no matter!” Hou Ping smacked his lips, quickly adding, “My skin’s thick. It’s fine!”
“You’ve got a lot to learn,” Shen Ying said, shaking her head with a smile. “If you have time, you can help Qian Bo and An Bo at Peach Blossom Shrine. Learn some human customs, so you won’t be exposed when you go to the city.”
“Yes, yes, yes!” Hou Ping nodded eagerly. “That’s a good idea. Thank you, fairy!”
“What about your monkey troop if you leave?” Lu Zheng asked.
“Let them play in the mountains,” Hou Ping grinned. “They’re not yet enlightened, so they’re obedient and easy to manage.”
“That’s good then,” Lu Zheng nodded.
“Fairy, benefactor…”
Lu Zheng waved his hand. “Don’t call me benefactor. It sounds awkward. Just call…”
“Call him Young Master Lu,” Shen Ying interjected with a smile.
“Got it! Fairy, Young Master Lu!” Hou Ping nodded repeatedly. “I came here not only to thank you but also to invite you both to the mountains with me.”
“Oh? What for?”
Lu Zheng and Shen Ying exchanged glances, unsure of Hou Ping’s meaning.
“In my…”
“Don’t say ‘I’ like that. Just say ‘I,’ or if it’s someone unfamiliar, call yourself Hou.”
“Got it, got it!”
Hou Ping nodded eagerly. “In the valley where I live, there’s a cave that shields from wind and rain. Back when I was ignorant, I didn’t think much of it, but now I recall there are patterns on the cave walls, like some kind of technique. I’d like to invite the fairy and Young Master to come see them. If they’re useful, it’d be my way of repaying you both.”
