Lu Zheng wiped the sweat from his brow, took the lingzhi, and casually asked, “This water is useful to you too, right?”
Shen Ying recalled Lu Zheng’s question after slaying Yan Jie that day, and couldn’t help but smile knowingly.
“The old peach tree is over a thousand years old, its roots stretching dozens of miles. I was born from the peach tree and can absorb the essence of moonlight. While this spring water can purify my magic, it’s merely a bonus, not entirely worth the effort.
Besides, once the Peach Blossom Shrine is built, I’ll have the power of incense to aid me, and my cultivation will only grow faster. Rather than giving it to me, it’s better for you to take it, or give it to Sister Qingyan, or even the lingzhi horse. It would be more effective.”
“Oh?” Lu Zheng blinked, “Qingyan can take it too?”
Shen Ying paused, her eyes full of amusement, “It preserves youth and boosts vitality.”
Lu Zheng nodded, thinking that since Liu Qingyan was often at Benevolent Heart Hall, she could take small amounts of this spring water to replenish her energy.
“Alright, I understand. Let’s keep half for the lingzhi horse.”
Lu Zheng planned to split the remaining half again, one portion for the Liu family, and one to send to his master at White Cloud Temple.
As for himself…
“Deep Blue, no, Jade Seal! Enhance!”
“Buzz!”
Five strands of fate’s light were consumed, and his attributes grew once more.
To think that the lingzhi horse could not only provide a steady supply of lingzhi in the future but also grant him thirty-four strands of fate’s light at once.
What a delight!
“A three-hundred-year-old lingzhi horse, or a five-hundred-year-old lingzhi spirit. This little one has at least three hundred years of medicinal potency. If a mortal is to take this lingzhi, no more than half a finger’s worth,” Shen Ying cautioned.
Lu Zheng nodded, “Got it.”
With business settled, Lu Zheng quickly finished lunch, then took Shen Ying to the backyard to rest and discuss cultivation insights.
Indeed, after days apart, they had much to talk about, and the exchange was thoroughly enjoyable.
So, they stayed the night, amidst peach blossoms, flowing streams, bird calls, and fragrant flowers.
…
The next morning, Lu Zheng arrived at Benevolent Heart Hall with a bamboo basket of herbs.
“Doctor Liu, does our Benevolent Heart Hall accept fresh herbs?”
“Lu Lang?”
“Lu Lang!”
Liu Qingyan immediately set down her brush, rushed to Lu Zheng’s side, and took the basket he’d just unshouldered.
“You’re back! Sit, I’ll get you some water.” Liu Qingyan pulled him to a seat, then poured a cup of warm water from the kettle on the stove, “It’s cold, drink this.”
Watching Lu Zheng drink it all, Liu Qingyan took the cup, “Just got back?”
Lu Zheng nodded, “Yes, just arrived!”
Unable to explain how the lingzhi horse was with Shen Ying or how it was trapped, Lu Zheng decided to say nothing.
“I found quite a few things in the mountains. Have a look.”
“Alright.” Liu Qingyan crouched beside him, opened the basket, and took out the items one by one.
Lu Zheng hadn’t brought all the herbs he’d gathered, like the old mountain ginseng king or a few other aged medicines, which he’d left in the modern world.
Even so, venturing a hundred miles into the forest, he’d collected plenty of fine herbs.
“This ginseng, about eighty or ninety years old, very good.”
“This cluster of dendrobium, growing splendidly.”
“Hehe, you even brought back some notoginseng.”
Seeing Liu Qingyan inspect them carefully, Lu Zheng teased, “Can these herbs trade for a meal from Aunt Liu?”
A familiar patient joked, “More than a meal, I bet they could earn you a son-in-law’s title!”
Liu Qingyan’s face flushed, but she didn’t object. She just picked up the basket and went to the backyard to sort the herbs.
Lu Zheng didn’t linger at Benevolent Heart Hall. After lunch with Liu Qingyan, he left half the spring water and headed straight to White Cloud Temple.
…
“Hmm…”
Taoist Mingzhang heated mountain spring water, brewed tea, took a sip, and let out a long breath.
“Good tea! Good water!”
“This isn’t just spring water. It must be rainwater seeping into the mountain, mingling with plants, passing through earth veins, and filtering through stalactites, absorbing some herbal and mineral essence to gain this effect.”
Lu Zheng nodded, understanding, mineral water!
“That mountain must be special, likely with a cave system inside,” Taoist Mingzhang mused, addressing Lu Zheng, “In the future, every so often, when it rains in the northeast, you can return to that valley, fetch some of this water, and bring me some for tea.”
The thought of having spiritual water for tea in the future inexplicably lifted Taoist Mingzhang’s spirits.
Lu Zheng: ⚆_⚆?
This wasn’t right!
In typical web novel tropes, shouldn’t he ask for the location, grab his sword, and charge off to claim it?
Of course, before fighting, he’d righteously declare, “This item is fated to be mine!”
Seeing Lu Zheng’s daze, Taoist Mingzhang asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I was just thinking… the lingzhi horse was so scared. Could there be a great demon? If I go to the valley for water, might it attack me?”
He couldn’t exactly say he’d planned to drag the Taoist along for a fight!
Lu Zheng chose his words carefully, “My cultivation is shallow. If I can’t beat it, and the mountain paths are tough, I can’t escape. Wouldn’t that be dangerous?”
“Don’t worry, it’s fine. A mountain cave with stalactite springs? That demon isn’t a carnivore.”
Taoist Mingzhang waved dismissively, “It’s got plenty of this stone spring water in its own territory and won’t care about the excess that flows out. As long as you don’t touch its core, it won’t come after you.”
Lu Zheng nodded, enlightened, “Alright, I understand.”
Taoist Mingzhang showed no intent to seize the treasure, which was both unexpected and reasonable.
Taoist cultivation emphasised nurturing body and mind, refining spirit. From Mingzhang’s conduct, this world clearly wasn’t a cutthroat immortal realm.
Good, very good!
But…
How did he suddenly end up with the job of fetching water?
A hundred miles of mountain trails!
Was this a mistake? It was so time-consuming!
To speed things up, should he bring a…
So, Lu Zheng dutifully drank tea with Taoist Mingzhang all day, played a few chess games, sought cultivation advice, and, before leaving, pocketed two ounces of White Cloud Temple’s homegrown tea.
…
The next day, Lu Zheng carried several pots of scorpion wine to the county office, gifted two to the magistrate, earning heaps of praise, then mentioned the Peach Blossom Shrine arrangements, receiving firm assurances that all offerings would be provided.
He learned the shrine was already built, set to be unveiled in three days.
“Thanks to Clerk Li for all the effort these days,” Lu Zheng said, clasping his hands.
Clerk Li returned the gesture, “Young Master Lu is too kind, it’s my duty.”
He didn’t dare claim credit, especially since Lu Zheng had just given him a pot of scorpion wine.
This was medicinal wine from a century-old demon, strengthening the body and extending life. Didn’t the magistrate, with two pots, grin so wide his eyes disappeared?
“Three days from now, I’ll come early to fetch you for the unveiling.”
“Good!”
