Lu Zheng and Li Ying met up with Lin Wan at the city bureau. After all, Huang Xiumin and her team had to transport the suspects, so they could not linger at the scene, and Lin Wan still needed to coordinate with the maritime police to explain the situation.
“A major case?”
“Very major!”
“How major?”
“At least a third-class merit, quite possibly second-class.”
“That’s impressive, then?”
“Yes!” Lin Wan nodded repeatedly, clearly delighted.
Although Li Ying might not receive a graded merit, participating in such a significant case meant a promotion within the year was certain, even if her contribution had simply been providing clues after being kidnapped.
“Since your family still doesn’t know about this, there’s no rush to go home. Come on, let’s get some late-night snacks to help you calm your nerves.”
Huang Xiumin was tied up with work and could not join, so Lin Wan dragged Li Ying to a 24-hour barbecue place, where they drank beer and ate grilled meat.
…
The next few days passed uneventfully. After a long period of inactivity, Lin Wan finally received a mission. She packed her luggage and flew to Southeast Asia on assignment.
Lu Zheng met up with a few familiar friends, such as Zhao Wenrong and his old dorm mates, for a small gathering, then crossed back to the ancient era.
…
Summer had not yet arrived. The fields outside the city were bursting with flowers, making it the perfect season for outings.
Thinking that there had been no gathering since the new year, Lu Zheng considered hosting another ten-day entertainment event.
“What? We just had one yesterday!” Liu Qingyan said in surprise.
Lu Zheng: ???
Yesterday? Yesterday he had still been in the modern world, drinking with his four dorm mates.
Liu Qingyan explained, “Yesterday Sister Li and Brother Zhu came to visit. Just then, Sister Hua and Sister Bi arrived together, so we all went to Peach Blossom Flat for a small gathering. Oh, we also invited Young Master Ning and his wife.”
Lu Zheng blinked. “Hold on, Ning Zhiqi and Zhu Yushan finally met?”
Liu Qingyan nodded, unable to suppress a laugh. “Yes, yes!”
“You didn’t call me for such a historic moment?”
Liu Qingyan giggled. “My lord husband was not here. What could I do?”
“What happened?” Lu Zheng asked, full of gossip.
“Nothing much, really.” Liu Qingyan waved a hand, as if it were no big deal. “Young Master Zhu just froze for a moment, drank a few extra cups, and seemed a little distracted.”
Clearly, it had been quite entertaining.
“But afterwards he recovered and discussed classics and politics with Young Master Ning. They hit it off immediately, like old friends meeting too late.”
Liu Qingyan shook her head with a smile. “Young Master Ning also greatly admired Brother Zhu. After hearing about his experiences, he kept saying what a pity it was.”
Lu Zheng nodded. “Understandable. One rose from poverty to become a young palace graduate, the other grew up comfortably yet repeatedly failed the exams. They must have plenty in common.”
Liu Qingyan could not hold back her laughter.
Feeling the beauty beside him trembling with mirth, rubbing against him in waves, Lu Zheng’s eyes heated. He rolled over and pinned her again.
“This is for not calling me yesterday!”
“My lord, have mercy. You weren’t here yesterday!”
“This is for not telling me in advance!”
“But I didn’t know either, ah—”
…
“So boring…”
Lu Zheng lay on a recliner in Peach Blossom Manor. Beside him, Shen Ying was shelling peanuts for him. Several Peach Blossom Heavenly Maidens surrounded them, fanning and massaging.
“When I was weaker, demons and ghosts kept appearing. Now that my cultivation is finally strong enough not to fear them, nothing happens…”
Shen Ying smiled. “Isn’t this good? Do you actually want to fight and kill every day? If you’re truly bored, why not visit the Netherworld with Father?”
“No! Absolutely not!” Lu Zheng shook his head. “Father was traumatised last time he was beaten there. He hasn’t gone to the Netherworld in ages.
Fine, fine. Drinking tea and chatting every day is nice enough. Fighting and killing is too damaging to harmony… huh?”
“Heh heh heh! What a pretty little lady. This place is so well hidden, and even the gatekeepers are this beautiful. Looks like my luck is in. The moment I come out of seclusion, I find such a fine spot!”
A cold, sinister voice rang out not far beyond the manor.
Then came the sharp rebukes of Tao Qing and Tao Zhen.
“What demon or ghost are you? Don’t you look in a mirror? This is the manor of the Peach Blossom Immortal. Apologise and leave at once, or we’ll skin you and pull your tendons!”
“Hahaha! Two little female ghosts, talking big. You’re just minor local land spirits. As for this so-called Peach Blossom Immortal, once I take her, you’ll become my maids.”
The voice approached rapidly. “As for the land god… let the court appoint another!”
Lu Zheng was speechless.
Shen Ying’s lips curved slightly. She beckoned, signalling the Peach Blossom Heavenly Maidens to clear the way and return.
The next instant, the manor gates swung open. A man in cyan robes strode in. He had an ugly face and a lewd grin.
His eyes brightened at the sight of Shen Ying.
They brightened even more at Lu Zheng.
“Heh heh heh! There’s even a delicate, fair-skinned scholar. My luck is truly excellent!”
Lu Zheng: ???
“Give me…”
In a flash, white clouds enveloped the manor on all sides. Then a massive white cloud handprint slammed down.
Terrifying dao intent spread, like an impenetrable wall pressing in from every direction, gradually contracting into a cage.
“Immortal, spare me!”
The man cried out in terror and tried to flee, only to find nothing but white clouds ahead. The manor gates had vanished completely.
The white cloud handprint crashed down, smashing him into the ground.
Demonic qi surged as he struggled desperately, lunging forward.
But the handprint clenched, shattering his demonic qi, then poured cloud essence into his body, sealing his entire cultivation.
Plop!
He fell again. Rolling on the ground, he revealed his true form: a toad about one metre across, covered in warts.
“A big green frog?”
“A toad!”
Lu Zheng shook his head. “I was thinking of improving the menu, but this thing looks completely unappetising.”
“Then you could just…”
With a thought, Lu Zheng sent a Golden Palace Heart Sword through the toad, which had only three or four centuries of cultivation, finishing it instantly.
He turned to Shen Ying. “Are demons like this common normally?”
“Of course not,” Shen Ying said with a smile. “Occasionally a demon fresh out of seclusion stumbles here. Most are quite cautious. This one was an exception.”
Since it was inedible, it could only be buried.
Shen Ying flipped her hand. The ground split, swallowing the toad. Peach tree roots rearranged the soil below, and everything looked as though nothing had happened.
“Since my lord is bored, why not play a game of weiqi with me?” Shen Ying suggested with a smile.
Lu Zheng nodded and was about to agree when a paper crane flew into the manor. It carried a message from Liu Qingyan.
“Fan Boyu has come to visit, accompanied by a saintess of the Yuan Sheng Sect.”
