“Clatter, clatter…”
“One bamboo.”
“Pong!”
“East wind!”
“Kong!”
…
The carriage rolled smoothly along the official road. Li Hanyu marvelled at how well-equipped the carriage was, quickly spotting a set of mahjong tiles in a cabinet.
Having not played mahjong in ages, Li Hanyu grew excited, especially since there were exactly four people in the carriage.
What was there to hesitate about?
Let’s play!
They chatted while playing mahjong, enjoying tea and snacks prepared by Lu Zheng, completely oblivious to the fatigue of the journey.
As for Old Huang, the driver? He remained in high spirits!
My master is an extraordinary person!
Able to deal with the Yizhou Bureau of Anomalies!
Well… that’s all he knew, but it was enough. Knowing more might give him a heart attack.
“Brother Lu, isn’t it improper to accept benefits from those ghosts…”
“Nothing improper about it. The facts are clear. Human hearts can be scarier than ghosts. The Bureau generally won’t act against harmless ghosts like them. We’re just doing a small favour.”
Lu Zheng played a five-bamboo tile, smiling, “That ‘Soul-Nourishing Method,’ I’ll make a copy when I get back and send it to you.”
Zhu Yushan was about to refuse but felt a kick from his wife under the table, so he nodded firmly, “Good!”
…
Soon, the carriage arrived at the Lushui Ferry, coincidentally the same place where Lu Zheng had stayed last time and witnessed Zhu Yushan and Li Hanyu’s wedding.
“Qingyan, you haven’t been to the mansion yet. It’s getting late, so why not stay there tonight and continue tomorrow?” Li Hanyu suggested.
Liu Qingyan looked at Lu Zheng, who turned to Li Hanyu, “Won’t we be imposing?”
“My father and Prefect Luo have mentioned you often. They’d be thrilled to have you, and with Qingyan being so charming, my mother will surely adore her.”
“Alright, we’ll trouble you then.”
Lu Zheng nodded, not standing on ceremony. He opened the carriage’s front window and said to Old Huang, “Turn to the riverbank, drive into the river.”
“What?” Old Huang turned back, bewildered.
“Drive into the river,” Lu Zheng repeated.
“But… alright!” Old Huang nearly questioned if Lu Zheng misspoke but remembered his master’s abilities. Since no one else in the carriage objected…
What was there to say? Let’s go!
The carriage veered off the road, heading towards the riverbank, reaching the water’s edge.
At the ferry, many onlookers gasped as the river suddenly parted, revealing the riverbed. The carriage drove onto it without a drop of water touching it.
The riverbed was slightly bumpy. Li Hanyu formed a hand seal, casting a wave-calming spell, using a thin layer of water to cushion the carriage wheels.
Inside, Old Huang was dumbfounded, steering only as Lu Zheng directed.
After a short while, a slightly hoarse voice echoed from the undivided waters ahead, “Lushui River God’s Mansion Patrol Envoy here! Halt and state your names!”
Old Huang’s jaw dropped, swallowing hard. Then, Lady Zhu’s voice came from the carriage, “It’s me.”
“Miss!” the voice responded instantly, “Miss and Young Master are back! Greetings, Miss! Greetings, Young Master!”
“Greetings, Envoy Huang,” Zhu Yushan called from the carriage.
“Greetings, Envoy Huang,” Lu Zheng added.
“Master Lu!” the voice chuckled, “I’ll report your arrival!”
With that, a splash sounded ahead, like a large fish swimming away swiftly.
…
Moments later, the waters parted, revealing a grand water mansion before the carriage.
The mansion had red tiles and white walls, with layered pavilions and water-repelling pearls hanging from the eaves, pushing the river back several feet.
As they approached, the ground turned to bluestone. Li Hanyu dispelled her spell, and the carriage rolled smoothly to the mansion’s gate.
The side door opened, and Prefect Luo Wensheng stood waiting.
“Master Lu!” Luo Wensheng greeted with a smile, cupping his hands.
“Prefect Luo!” Lu Zheng, holding Liu Qingyan’s hand, stepped down, greeting him while introducing, “This is my fiancée, Liu Qingyan.”
“Greetings, Miss Liu!”
“Greetings, Prefect Luo,” Liu Qingyan replied gracefully, giving a slight curtsy.
Led by Li Hanyu, Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan first met the Lushui River God and his wife, then were ushered to a welcoming banquet prepared by Luo Wensheng.
The dinner was a joyful affair for hosts and guests alike.
…
Originally, Lu Zheng planned to stay only one night, but the River God’s wife took a liking to Liu Qingyan, insisting they stay longer, even suggesting Lu Zheng could leave if he had business, while Liu Qingyan could remain as a guest for a few days.
One could refuse the River God, but not his wife, especially since her kindness was for Liu Qingyan.
So, Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan stayed at the River God’s Mansion for three days. Besides occasionally slipping back to the modern world to check messages, they toured the scenic spots around Lushui River, with the River God’s wife personally accompanying them.
Three days later, they bid farewell and left, riding the carriage straight from the riverbed to the opposite shore.
Saving the ferry fare was quite nice.
…
“Why does the River God’s wife like you so much?”
“Hehe!” Liu Qingyan giggled, covering her mouth. Seeing Lu Zheng’s puzzled look, she explained, “Because Aunt Li is also a master of medicine.”
Lu Zheng suddenly understood.
Also…
“Calling her Aunt Li already?”
Liu Qingyan stuck out her tongue, “Aunt Li insisted I call her that.”
“You’re something else!”
“Hehe, Aunt Li also said she’d come to Benevolent Heart Hall to practice medicine when she has time.”
“Li Hanyu goes to Peach Blossom Ridge to play mahjong, and the River God’s wife goes to Benevolent Heart Hall to practice medicine,” Lu Zheng muttered, “Fine! Just fine!”
Liu Qingyan blinked, unsure of Lu Zheng’s meaning.
Lu Zheng said wryly, “One takes my wife, the other my fiancée. What am I supposed to do?”
The sudden quip sent Liu Qingyan laughing, collapsing onto Lu Zheng.
“Lu Lang~”
“Hmm?”
“Tonight, will you teach me that ‘Soul-Nourishing Method’?”
“Gladly!”
…
The carriage reached Tonglin County before sunset. They returned home, agreeing Lu Zheng would dine at the Liu family that evening.
But just after the hour of You, before Lu Zheng could leave, Hu Zhou arrived at his door.
“Master!”
Since teaching Hu Zhou the “Tiger Roar Blade,” Lu Zheng rarely called him back for private lessons.
Any questions were usually addressed casually at Benevolent Heart Hall, resolved quickly.
Hu Zhou’s martial talent was exceptional, rarely encountering issues he couldn’t solve himself.
“So…”
Seeing Hu Zhou’s anxious, uneasy, and distracted expression, Lu Zheng grew serious, “What’s wrong?”
“Master! I think I’ve messed up my blade practice!” Hu Zhou said in a panic, visibly nervous, “There’s a new energy in my body, not blood qi, fierce and violent. It surges every time I wield my blade, doubling my power, but it brings a violent urge.”
“What?” Lu Zheng was startled, thinking Hu Zhou had genuinely gone wrong.
After all, when he used fortune’s light to enhance the “Tiger Roar Blade,” he hadn’t encountered this. The technique was fine.
If so, the problem must be with Hu Zhou.
Lu Zheng went inside, grabbed a blade, and tossed it to Hu Zhou, “Come, show me a set of blade moves.”
