Yan Hongxia gracefully descended from the wall. Dressed in a sharp, red skirt, her petite frame and charming features were underscored by a fierce sword aura. She looked at Lu Zheng with a mix of curiosity and puzzlement.
“Who are you, and how do you know the *Flying Feather Soaring霞 Sword Scripture*?”
“Lu Zheng, lay disciple of the Baiyun Temple.”
Step one: state your affiliation.
Yan Hongxia blinked. “I’ve heard of Baiyun Temple. That’s a Daoist sect, isn’t it?”
“Indeed,” Lu Zheng nodded.
“Then you…”
Yan Hongxia paused, finding it odd that a Daoist like Lu Zheng would practice a sword cultivator’s technique.
Lu Zheng explained, “I obtained this sword technique in the Netherworld Realm, taken from a ghost corpse named Bai Yuqing.”
Step two: clarify the technique’s origin.
Yan Hongxia blinked again, feeling Lu Zheng’s response was somewhat evasive, leaving her momentarily baffled.
“Young… Young Master Lu…”
The Lin family, father and son, cautiously approached, stepping around the corpse infant.
“What should we do with this woman and… this monster?”
“Report it to the authorities,” Lu Zheng said to Lin Kongzhu. “Have the yamen handle the aftermath. From what this woman said, she might be a fugitive wanted by the Bureau of Anomaly Suppression.”
“Yes, yes, absolutely!”
Lin Kongzhu nodded repeatedly, instructing Lin Zhijing to take a few retainers to report to the authorities. Then he turned to Yan Hongxia. “May I ask who this young lady is?”
Yan Hongxia replied boldly, “I sensed a surge of corpse qi rising here and came to assist. I didn’t expect the matter to be resolved by the time I arrived. Even more surprising, I met a fellow sword cultivator.”
She then addressed Lu Zheng. “Dengyun Mountain is close to Feiyu Mountain, so I recognised your sword technique.”
Lu Zheng nodded. “I see.”
Lin Kongzhu quickly added, “It’s late and chilly outside, not a place for conversation. Please, come to the front hall. I’ll have the kitchen prepare some supper.”
Yan Hongxia’s eyes lit up. “Thank you kindly!”
…
While the Lin household sent people to the county yamen at midnight to collect the corpse infant and investigate the hemp-clad woman’s identity, Lu Zheng, his companions, and Yan Hongxia moved to the front hall. Lin Kongzhu accompanied them, rousing the kitchen staff to prepare a simple meal of wine and dishes.
As they sat, Lin Kongzhu briefly recounted the incident to Yan Hongxia.
“So that’s what happened. Your son was quite unlucky, provoking trouble for no reason,” she remarked.
Lin Kongzhu gave a wry smile.
Yan Hongxia turned to Lu Zheng. “So you came to the Lin residence and found this woman and her corpse infant?”
Lu Zheng nodded. “Yes.”
Yan Hongxia nodded, unbothered by the matter, as two beings with just over fifty years of cultivation weren’t worth her attention.
“I never imagined Feiyu Mountain’s scripture would end up in the Netherworld Realm. Either it was stolen, or a disciple died and entered the Netherworld Ghost Domain.”
She shook her head, then looked at Lu Zheng with disbelief. “So you’re not only practicing Daoist arts but also the *Sword Scripture*?”
Lu Zheng nodded. “Yes.”
“Genius!” Yan Hongxia exclaimed, astonished.
Lu Zheng smiled modestly. “You flatter me.”
Yan Hongxia shook her head. “Not at all. Historical records say those who walk two paths of cultivation are geniuses among geniuses!”
“Those are just the recorded ones. Many who tried both paths perished halfway,” Lu Zheng said humbly.
Yan Hongxia: ???
No one had ever explained history to her from that angle.
“Hm, what you say… seems to make sense?” Yan Hongxia said, chewing on a piece of pork elbow, slightly dazed.
Liu Qingyan’s eyes twinkled, suppressing a smile.
“What brought you to Wanfu County, Miss Yan?” Liu Qingyan asked with a smile.
Yan Hongxia glanced at Liu Qingyan, unable to discern her background but guessing, from her calling Huangfu Ning “cousin,” that she might be a fox spirit.
“No particular reason. I’ve achieved some success in cultivation and came out to uphold justice!” Yan Hongxia said, patting her chest. “In over three years since leaving the mountain, I’ve slain plenty of demons and ghosts plaguing the world!”
“Admirable!” Lu Zheng cupped his hands.
Despite her petite stature, Yan Hongxia was clearly accomplished.
“I recall Baiyun Temple is in Jizhou. Are you also traveling for experience?” Yan Hongxia asked, her curiosity piqued as she looked at Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan. “How did you two meet? Did you fall in love at first sight while subduing demons?”
She wasn’t blind; their relationship was obvious. Having heard romantic operas, she didn’t judge human-demon relationships.
Liu Qingyan blushed.
Lu Zheng clarified, “I trained at the Baiyun branch in Tonglin County as a lay disciple. I haven’t been to Jizhou yet.”
“I see!” Yan Hongxia nodded. “I didn’t know Baiyun Temple had a branch in Yizhou, but it makes sense. Yizhou lacks major sects, and with many temples, it’s natural for Baiyun Temple to establish a presence.”
Lu Zheng added, “Qingyan’s family runs a clinic in the county. Her medical skills are excellent, healing and diagnosing with precision.”
“Really!” Yan Hongxia’s eyes widened, nodding knowingly. “No wonder I couldn’t figure her out…”
“The Huangfu family is local to Wanfu County, always kind and virtuous.”
They chatted casually, avoiding sensitive topics. Yan Hongxia shared tales of slaying demons, while Lu Zheng recounted the recent Feng Jin incident, which Lin Kongzhu listened to with fascination. Only then did he realise Liu Qingyan wasn’t exaggerating: Lu Zheng was not only a disciple of a major sect but also had connections with key figures in the Yizhou Bureau of Anomaly Suppression.
Strength brings friends.
After half an hour of chat and supper, Lin Kongzhu arranged a guest room for Yan Hongxia, and they retired for the night.
…
“Lu Lang.”
“Hm?”
“I’ve started practicing the *Flying Feather Soaring霞 Sword Scripture*. Will that cause any…”
“It’s fine. I obtained it from the Netherworld Realm. Just don’t spread it, and practice without worry.”
“Alright, good.”
…
The next morning.
“Good morning, Brother Lu! Good morning, Miss Liu!”
“Good morning, Miss Yan!”
Liu Qingyan invited, “Miss Yan, we’re heading home. If you’re free, why not join us?”
“Back to Tonglin County?” Yan Hongxia asked.
“Yes,” Liu Qingyan smiled. “Tonglin County’s Yuling Garden has several excellent operas worth hearing.”
Yan Hongxia’s eyes lit up, tempted.
“Sure! I’ve got no plans, so I’ll visit Tonglin County.”
…
With that, they bid farewell to the Lin family. Lu Zheng accepted an additional five hundred guan in promissory notes from Lin Kongzhu, Liu Qingyan comforted Xiao Yuzhen, and they boarded the carriage, heading to the Huangfu estate.
