Time flowed like water, and two months passed quickly.
With hundreds of rays of fortune’s light, Lu Zheng could cultivate without worry for a long time, so he enjoyed a rare period of calm.
His daily routine, aside from cultivation, involved tending to patients at Renxin Hall, playing chess at Peach Blossom Ridge, occasionally visiting Baiquan Valley and Wuxiu Manor, drinking and discussing swordsmanship with Xin Zhanting at the City God Temple, or having tea with his master at Baiyun Temple.
The only thing he wasn’t quite used to was Hu Zhou’s absence. The kid was actually pretty good, and his sudden departure left a void. Lu Zheng missed him, especially since many chores were now left undone, prompting Old Man Liu to consider hiring someone new.
Additionally, the River God’s wife from Lushui River God Mansion and the Zhu Yushan couple paid a visit, leaving satisfied after being hosted by Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan.
The incense at Peach Blossom Shrine grew increasingly prosperous, with many wealthy families from Yizhou Prefecture and other counties making special trips to Peach Blossom Ridge to offer prayers.
Liu Qingyan’s reputation also soared. Her ability to diagnose illnesses was near-divine, and her treatments were remarkably effective, earning her the title of “Little Medical Immortal” even in Yizhou Prefecture.
Life in ancient times was peaceful, and modern life was equally calm.
Lu Zheng lived a laid-back life, while Lin Wan juggled work and overtime. Recently, she had been sent to Beidu for some training course, returning to tell Lu Zheng she topped the class, especially in combat-related skills, thoroughly outclassing her colleagues from across the country.
“That’s not very nice,” Lu Zheng said, blinking. “It’s not the military. Being the strongest might leave you without friends.”
“It’s fine. Everyone at the training was young, without too many ulterior motives. We all got along well,” Lin Wan said with a smile. “Besides, the training invited elite police officers from across the country, each with their own unique skills. They’re impressive.”
“Alright,” Lu Zheng nodded, then grinned. “Does this mean you’ll get a promotion and a raise, and just sit in an office from now on?”
Lu Zheng knew Lin Wan’s dream was to be a frontline officer fighting crime, not a desk-bound manager giving orders.
Lin Wan shot him a look. “Hmph, I used to be naive, but I’ve figured it out now. Even if I become a manager, I can still work cases on the front lines. My subordinates will have even less control over me!”
Lu Zheng: “…”
Your logic is so sound, I can’t even argue.
…
Winter approached, and while flowers withered elsewhere, Peach Blossom Ridge remained a vibrant display of pink and white, with peach blossoms in full bloom.
This miraculous sight drew even more worshippers to the Peach Blossom Shrine.
“Lu Lang~”
Shen Ying gracefully appeared before Lu Zheng, her gaze carrying a peculiar mix of three parts amusement, three parts astonishment, three parts shyness, and one part eagerness.
“What’s up?” Lu Zheng asked, sensing the oddity in her look.
“Hehe, come with me, Lu Lang.”
Shen Ying pulled Lu Zheng along, heading toward Peach Blossom Manor.
As they walked side by side and stepped through the manor’s gate, Lu Zheng reached to wrap his arm around Shen Ying’s slender waist. But then, more than a dozen charming figures in pink gauze dresses appeared before him, each with a unique allure.
“Greetings, Young Master!”
Their voices, crisp, soft, melodious, gentle, bold, or refined, rang out like a chorus of birds greeting a phoenix. Though varied, each was strikingly pleasant.
“Hiss—” Lu Zheng stood dumbfounded. “You are…?”
“They are my divine subordinates, the Eighteen Peach Blossom Heavenly Maidens,” Shen Ying said with a smile, a hint of pride in her eyes. “What do you think, Lu Lang?”
“Impressive,” Lu Zheng said, his eyes unsure where to settle, nodding before turning to Shen Ying. “You’ve broken through the Bewitching God Realm?”
“Indeed.”
Shen Ying nodded, smiling. “That person’s magical power wasn’t particularly profound, but the Bewitching God Realm was formidable. Their divine souls and true spirits had long been seduced into corruption. Restoring their memories without letting those memories affect their minds was no easy task.”
“Oh, I see,” Lu Zheng nodded, grasping the difficulty.
“There were twenty-seven female spirits in the Bewitching God Realm. Nine chose not to exist in a non-human form and willingly returned to the heavens,” Shen Ying said, a trace of regret in her voice.
After all, these were accomplished women, ambushed and killed by that old monk. Shen Ying found their fate both pitiful and lamentable.
Lu Zheng, knowing Shen Ying was reminded of her own past, felt a shared empathy and gently took her hand. “The ways of the world are unpredictable, but things will only get better from now on.”
“They definitely will!” Shen Ying gripped his hand, her eyes filled with boundless affection.
“Ahem!”
“Hehe!”
“So touching!”
A few of the heavenly maidens giggled mischievously, but Shen Ying wasn’t embarrassed. Instead, she glared at them. “I’m in the middle of a moment, and you’re ruining it!”
“Hehe!”
“We’re touched too!”
“Exactly, exactly. We owe our current fortune to Young Master Lu.”
“Yes, yes! Thanks to Young Master Lu killing that old monk and composing the timeless poem *Peach Blossom*, we can now cultivate the path of incense and divine faith, glimpsing the way to immortality.”
“Right, right!”
“Thank you, Young Master Lu!”
“Thank you, Young Master Lu!”
A chorus of graceful voices accompanied their bows, their delicate and fair forms nearly dazzling Lu Zheng’s eyes.
“Hiss—”
It was like a flashbang, too blinding!
Lu Zheng: (ᗒᗩᗕ)
Shen Ying sidled up with a giggle, her pink lips whispering in his ear, “My people are your people. If you want…”
“No way!” Lu Zheng refused righteously. “They’ve suffered enough. Now that they’ve escaped their torment and become your divine subordinates, they’re like heavenly maidens. They shouldn’t be treated like objects.”
…
The scene fell silent.
Lu Zheng swallowed, feeling a bit uneasy and bewildered.
What’s wrong? Did I say something off?
Why are these women looking at me so strangely?
“Lu Lang—”
Shen Ying let out a soft cry, throwing herself into Lu Zheng’s arms and kissing him fiercely.
“Mmph—”
Ten full minutes passed before Shen Ying released him, leaving Lu Zheng gasping for air.
What just happened?
“Lu Lang, meeting you is the greatest fortune of Ying’er’s life,” Shen Ying said softly.
Lu Zheng could only manage an awkward chuckle.
My dear, why are you so exceptional, treating us unfortunate women with such equality and respect?
“You’re too much,” Shen Ying said, biting her lip, half-amused, half-exasperated. “Look at the way these girls are staring. If I weren’t here, they’d probably swarm you and devour you whole.”
Lu Zheng gave a wry smile. If these eighteen heavenly maidens really came at him, even kidneys of steel wouldn’t hold up…
What’s with them? Are there still lingering effects from the Bewitching God Realm?
