Peach Blossom Manor, beneath the peach trees.
Lu Zheng was engaged in a game of Go with Shen Ying, with eighteen celestial maidens attending and observing.
Peach Core massaged his shoulders, Peach Rui kneaded his legs, Peach Jue offered tea, Peach Ying presented fruit.
Peach Hui gently played the zither, Peach Luo plucked the pipa, Peach Sui burned incense and fanned the air, Peach Zhi and Peach Yue danced lightly with flowing sleeves.
Pink peach blossom shadows fluttered about, a delicate sweet fragrance filled the manor courtyard.
Thus, Lu Zheng was decisively trounced by Shen Ying in the game.
Shen Ying: (﹡ˆᴗˆ﹡)
Lu Zheng: Õ_Õ
“Ha, Sister said Young Master Lu’s chess style was unpredictable and mysterious, but I think it’s just a lover’s eyes seeing a genius,” one maiden giggled.
“Not necessarily, perhaps our presence doesn’t suit the Young Master’s taste,” another suggested.
“No way, we’ve served Sister and the Young Master so well,” a third protested.
“Hee, Young Master Lu’s attention was all on what’s beneath the chessboard, so naturally, he overlooked what’s on it,” another teased.
“Oh! Peach Qing, you little minx, how dare you say such things,” a maiden exclaimed.
“Hee, what’s there to fear? Young Master Lu even gave me pointers once,” Peach Qing retorted.
“Huh?” Lu Zheng, bewildered, looked up at Peach Qing.
She was…
Lu Zheng’s pupils shrank as he instinctively glanced at Shen Ying.
Shen Ying, her peach-blossom eyes narrowed, said meaningfully, “To ensure they have no lingering demons or hindrances in their cultivation, we cannot deliberately seal their memories. Doing so would not only be unhelpful but could cause trouble at critical moments.
Thus, I only rescued them from the chaotic sea of desires, clearing the influence of the Bewitching Realm on their souls. However, all their memories from death to liberation remain. They must rely on their own willpower to move past those dark memories.
Only by overcoming them themselves can they cultivate without burdens, free from the influence of sealed memories and inner demons at crucial times.”
Lu Zheng nodded, acknowledging her reasoning, and finally understood why Shen Ying’s gaze had been so peculiar when they first met.
“So…” Shen Ying’s lips curved into a captivating arc, her misty peach-blossom eyes narrowing with a half-smile, “I never imagined the Young Master knew so much.”
Lu Zheng: “…”
Peach Qing leaned forward, chuckling softly, “Qing’er didn’t satisfy the Young Master in the Bewitching Realm. Now, as Sister’s divine attendant, I’m at your disposal. If the Young Master wishes for Qing’er to wear iron rings and chains, Qing’er would have no complaints.”
Lu Zheng: ╭(°A°`)╮
“And me,” Peach Zhen stepped forward, her tall figure among the finest of the eighteen celestial maidens. With phoenix eyes and sharp brows, she exuded a heroic air. With a flick of her jade hand at her waist, a soft whip appeared.
“Whatever Young Master Lu desires, Peach Zhen is willing to endure,” she declared.
Lu Zheng: ∑(°Д°)
“I… I… I…” Peach Jing stammered, “I knew Young Master Lu was coming today, so I prepared a, um, dress yesterday…”
Lu Zheng: (°ー°〃)
As the three spoke, the other celestial maidens looked at them with envy, seemingly jealous of the critiques they received from Lu Zheng.
Peach Qing, Peach Zhen, and Peach Jing were the three Blissful Celestial Maidens Lu Zheng had casually commented on in the Bewitching Realm, partly to provoke an old monk.
He never dreamt those Blissful Celestial Maidens would become the Peach Blossom Celestial Maidens, retaining all their memories.
Thus, Shen Ying’s gaze, as if beholding a deity, was entirely understandable.
“Well, actually…” Lu Zheng blinked, offering a feeble explanation, “I don’t really know anything, just spouting nonsense…”
“Tch,” the maidens scoffed in unison, as if from a comedy troupe.
“Lu Lang?” Shen Ying looked at him, her smile radiant.
Lu Zheng took a deep breath but shook his head.
With a calm gaze and gentle smile, he said, “If they are to move forward, those dark memories are their grindstone and nourishment. They must let go, overcome them, and separate their memories and views of me from my influence on them. Only then can they truly move forward.”
Lu Zheng, a lay disciple of Baiyun Temple, practiced the Nine Heavens Golden Palace True Transformation Method and had insights into mental cultivation.
His words hit the mark.
In truth, they had already moved past it. The Bewitching Realm hadn’t broken them, or they wouldn’t mention those memories so casually.
Even if Lu Zheng had been intimate with them, it wouldn’t affect their future cultivation.
However, following his advice could elevate their cultivation further.
The downside? They might eventually view their memories with Lu Zheng as insignificant.
The eighteen celestial maidens looked at him differently now.
Confident in their beauty, and with Shen Ying’s heart tied to Lu Zheng, they, as her divine attendants, saw no harm in serving him, knowing Shen Ying wouldn’t object.
It all hinged on Lu Zheng’s stance, and surprisingly…
He was truly a gentleman!
…
The eighteen celestial maidens were indeed beautiful, but Lu Zheng had outgrown the phase of seeing beauty and thinking of intimacy. Besides, taking advantage felt wrong. Though he had his flaws, his character was solid.
Of course, if they truly moved past it and still wished to play such games, he wouldn’t mind…
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, smiling, “When…”
“Lu Lang!” Shen Ying, unable to hold back, interrupted, her gaze filled with admiration and love.
“Huh?” Lu Zheng looked at her, words unfinished.
Waving the maidens away, Shen Ying pulled him into the bedroom.
Lu Zheng: (⊙o⊙)
“Lu Lang?”
“Hm?”
Shen Ying’s voice was soft, “Hearing Peach Qing and the others, I, too, prepared some things. Let me show you.”
“Hiss…”
…
Lu Zheng, arm around Shen Ying’s slender waist, strolled through the peach blossom grove, steps light.
Shen Ying, eyes charming, neck flushed, leaned on him as they admired the winter peach blossoms.
Lu Zheng remarked, surprised, “The incense at Peach Blossom Shrine is thriving.”
From a small hill, they saw a steady stream of worshippers on the path between the shrine and the main road, forming a continuous line.
Shen Ying nodded, “Indeed, not only is Peach Blossom Shrine flourishing, but divine power from incense elsewhere is growing too.”
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, “Good or bad?”
Shen Ying smiled, “Good, of course. With a thousand years of practice, I can truly roam the heavens.”
As she spoke, she glanced toward the shrine, frowning slightly, eyes flickering, “A stranger is probing my secrets at Peach Blossom Shrine!”
