On the carriage ride back to Tonglin County, Yan Hongxia was like a curious child, exploring every inch of Lu Zheng’s carriage. Upon learning that Liu Qingyan was also studying the *Flying Feather Soaring霞 Sword Scripture*, she promptly took on the role of mentor, meticulously explaining the intricacies of cultivating the sword technique.
“This sword technique isn’t particularly sharp in terms of sword qi, but it prioritises speed and agility, making it highly versatile and clever.”
“There’s even a method for refining sword artifacts? Your inheritance is quite comprehensive. Heh, just make sure it doesn’t spread too widely.”
Liu Qingyan shared her reasons for practicing the sword technique, subtly probing if there were any risks. Yan Hongxia seemed unconcerned, which put Liu Qingyan at ease.
“No worries, as long as you don’t use it for evil or spread it recklessly, Feiyu Mountain would be happy to form a connection with you. Besides, you obtained it through your own efforts in the Netherworld Realm. If they were careless enough to lose their technique, what’s that got to do with you?”
As Yan Hongxia spoke, she took a chocolate from a bamboo tube, popping it into her mouth. The rich aroma of cocoa and milk wafted out as she chewed.
Liu Qingquan, on the other hand, looked pained, then decisively grabbed a beef strip from another bamboo tube, munching with a “crunch crunch.”
“Miss Yan, what school of sword cultivation does Dengyun Mountain follow?” Lu Zheng asked.
Yan Hongxia carried no sword, so she wasn’t from a traditional swordsmanship lineage. Being neighbours with Feiyu Mountain, could she also be a flying sword cultivator?
“Hee hee, guess!” Yan Hongxia raised an eyebrow, refusing to tell Lu Zheng.
She tossed a milk candy into her mouth. “This is delicious! I’ve travelled far and wide, but I’ve never tasted such fine sweets. Did you make them?”
Liu Qingquan nodded eagerly, mumbling with her mouth full, “Yup, yup, my brother-in-law made them.”
Lu Zheng blinked. “It’s a unique recipe, low yield.”
“I knew it! If you could mass-produce these, you’d make a fortune in Zhongjing!” Yan Hongxia nodded knowingly.
“You’ve been to Zhongjing?” Lu Zheng asked.
“Of course! It was my first stop after leaving the mountain,” Yan Hongxia nodded matter-of-factly.
“Is it bustling?” Liu Qingquan asked.
“Are there many experts?” Lu Zheng added.
“Bustling!” Yan Hongxia nodded. “The city walls are ten zhang high, stretching for dozens of li, with towering buildings and vast mansions beyond count. As for experts… I’m not qualified to meet the true masters, but the Jing Emperor and the Imperial Ancestral Shrine are in the capital. The Imperial Observatory and the Central Bureau of Anomaly Suppression are there too, with the Dragon Soaring and Phoenix Flying Armies guarding the capital. Plus, Fahua Temple and Chixiao Temple are nearby. You tell me, are there many experts?”
Lu Zheng: “…”
“Plenty!”
…
They arrived in Tonglin County the next afternoon. Instead of letting Yan Hongxia stay at an inn, Liu Qingyan arranged for her to stay at their home. Though they called each other friends, Liu Qingyan treated her with the respect due a mentor.
Liu Qingyan and Yan Hongxia planned to visit Yuling Garden the next day, while Lu Zheng returned alone to… Peach Blossom Ridge.
Weary from the journey, Shen Ying thoughtfully prepared a pot of peach blossom wine and two peach steamed buns, refreshing Lu Zheng and washing away the travel’s fatigue.
…
The next day, Liu Qingyan and Yan Hongxia went out without Lu Zheng. Seizing the opportunity, he returned to the modern world.
“You’re back?”
“Yep,” Lu Zheng smiled. “It’s the weekend, where are you?”
“Want to join me for a private hot spring soak? Care to come?” Huang Xiumin’s voice came through the phone. “Lin Wan brought a bikini!”
“You’re lying, I didn’t!” Lin Wan snatched the phone, explaining, “Some female colleagues from work are going to a hot spring together.”
“Oh, I see,” Lu Zheng nodded. “So, a day trip?”
“Yep,” Lin Wan said. “We’re having dinner together tonight. Can you pick me up?”
“Sure,” Lu Zheng replied. “Where’s the dinner, or will you call me later?”
“I’ll call you. We haven’t decided yet,” Lin Wan said.
“Alright!”
Though Lin Wan wasn’t free, Lu Zheng decided to go out and wander the streets. After days in the ancient world, he felt slightly out of place in the modern one.
It was cloudy, the sun mild, but still warm, as it was summer. Dressed neatly, Lu Zheng headed out, ordering a 9.9-yuan Luckin Coffee. Sipping it, he strolled through the streets.
“What to do?”
“Hm?”
Lu Zheng rubbed his chin. “The new house has been airing out for half a year, almost ready to move into. Should I buy a car?”
“But there’s one thing…”
Watching the parade of long legs on the street, he felt a pleasant ease. “If I move into the new house, should I tell Lin Wan? If we live together… Ugh, I’m overthinking. She knows I have secrets. I can just keep crossing over from the rental. She doesn’t have a key to my place.”
Lu Zheng and Lin Wan had an unspoken understanding. She never pried into his secrets, always calling before visiting, treating him like a real-life superhero.
So…
Lu Zheng hailed a taxi and headed straight for the auto city.
Haicheng’s land was expensive, so the auto city was in the far northwest suburbs. By the time Lu Zheng arrived, it was nearly noon.
After paying the fare and grabbing a meal, he strolled into the auto city.
Inside, he realised just how many car brands there were. Familiar international and domestic brands aside, he saw many he’d never even heard of.
“Good grief, never seen these before. Are these companies sure they can survive making cars?”
“Sir, looking for a car? How about a Toyota?”
“Sir, consider a new energy vehicle? The government’s strongly supporting them.”
“Sir, what price range are you looking at? Imported or domestic?”
Lu Zheng always supported domestic products, cars included, so brands like BBW were out of the question. Sure, those were made in domestic joint ventures, but they were still foreign brands in his eyes. He just wasn’t interested.
With his current mindset, he no longer cared about others’ opinions.
So, he soon turned into a Dongfeng Motor 4S dealership.
A smiling saleswoman greeted him. “Hello, sir!”
“Mm,” Lu Zheng nodded. “Tell me about your cars?”
“Of course! What type of car are you looking for, and what’s your budget?”
“For the type, an SUV,” Lu Zheng said, rubbing his chin. “No budget limit, as long as the car’s good.”
“Alright, here we have Dongfeng Nissan and Dongfeng Peugeot…”
Lu Zheng waved a hand. “I only want Dongfeng Fengxing or Dongfeng Fengshen. Don’t pitch me foreign brands.”
