As Lu Zheng stepped out, he saw Duan Changzai and Yuan Jing walking together, turning into Tongyi Lane toward his house.
“Senior Brother? Brother Duan?”
“Junior Brother!”
“Brother Lu!”
Seeing Lu Zheng just leaving with two bottles of fruit wine, Yuan Jing asked, “Is Junior Brother heading out?”
Lu Zheng shook his head. “No, just going next door for dinner. Do Senior Brother and Brother Duan have business?”
Duan Changzai shook his head. “It’s been resolved. We were just passing through Tonglin County on our way back, so we thought we’d drop by for a drink with Brother Lu.”
“I’m heading to the Liu residence for dinner. If Brother Duan doesn’t mind, why not join us?” Lu Zheng invited.
“Is it convenient?” Duan Changzai glanced toward the Liu residence.
“No issue. Qingyan has some friends visiting too. If Brother Duan doesn’t mind, it’ll be livelier with more people,” Lu Zheng said.
Duan Changzai smiled. “I don’t mind at all.”
Thus, Lu Zheng led Duan Changzai and Yuan Jing to the Liu residence, knocking on the gate. As they entered, he called out, “Qingyan, I’ve brought my Senior Brother and a friend.”
“Lu Lang!” Liu Qingyan and her sister, along with Hua Yixing and four other women, came to the front courtyard, meeting Lu Zheng’s group.
Liu Qingyan smiled, while Liu Qingquan bounced to Lu Zheng’s side. “Brother-in-law!”
“Young Master Lu!” Hua Yixing and the other four women greeted him in a flurry of voices.
“This is…” Duan Changzai and Yuan Jing stood stunned, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of five stunning women, their minds wandering to other possibilities.
“This is Duan Changzai, Lord Duan from the Yizhou Anomaly Suppression Bureau,” Lu Zheng introduced first.
“These five are from Wuxiu Manor in Yingshan Town, all respectable ladies,” he continued.
Duan Changzai clasped his hands in greeting, and the five women curtsied, exchanging pleasantries. Lu Zheng then introduced his Senior Brother, and the group returned to the front hall.
Duan Changzai didn’t dwell on the women’s identities. With Lu Zheng vouching for them, they were unlikely to cause trouble. Many demons mingled in the mortal world, and as long as they did no harm, the Anomaly Suppression Bureau left them alone.
On the women’s side, Hu Cainiang had met You Che and Du Huanzhen from the Bureau in Xiahe Town and knew of Lu Zheng’s connection. She had told her four sisters, so they weren’t surprised.
Dinner was ready, and everyone took their seats. Lu Zheng opened the fruit wine, and Liu Qingyan brought out the Wuliangye Lu Zheng had given earlier. They ate and chatted.
“The past few times, you all visited Wuxiu Manor, and only Cainiang came here a few times. Since the Biluo fruit behind our manor ripened recently, we picked a basket to share with Young Master Lu, Lady Shen, and Qingyan’s family,” Hua Yixing said.
Hu Cainiang lifted the cloth on her bamboo basket, revealing dozens of walnut-sized, glossy green Biluo fruits.
“Biluo fruit?” Liu Qingyan hadn’t heard of it.
“Biluo fruit?” Yuan Jing, familiar with it, asked, “How many years does it take to ripen?”
Hua Yixing replied, “Five years.”
Duan Changzai nodded. “Impressive. These fruits are quite large. In a few more years, they might take eight years to ripen, but their effects will grow stronger.”
“Spiritual fruit?” Liu Qingyan said, surprised.
Spiritual fruits contained spiritual energy, aiding cultivation. Fruits that ripened over years, defying seasons, were indeed spiritual.
Though Lu Zheng often brought delicious modern fruits that everyone praised, if forced to choose between them and spiritual fruit, the latter would win overwhelmingly. Spiritual fruit might not taste better, but its spiritual energy was invaluable for cultivators, far surpassing modern fruit.
“This gift is too precious, and so many!” Liu Qingyan exclaimed, waving her hands. “How can we accept this?”
Hua Yixing glanced at Lu Zheng, smiling. “When that monk came, if not for you all, we five sisters would have suffered. It’s just some Biluo fruit. Please don’t refuse, Qingyan.”
With gratitude for their life-saving help, Liu Qingyan couldn’t refuse, especially since it included portions for Lu Zheng and Shen Ying. She thanked them and accepted.
“There are plenty of fruits. Since we’re eating, let’s each try one. I want to taste this spiritual fruit,” Lu Zheng said, smiling.
Hua Yixing agreed, and Hu Cainiang circled the table, handing each person a Biluo fruit, giving the rest to Liu Qingyan.
“We’re truly fortunate,” Duan Changzai and Yuan Jing said, holding their fruits.
“No need to be polite. Let’s try them,” Lu Zheng said, waving his hand and popping the fruit into his mouth.
The flesh was soft, slightly sour, resembling apricots. It wasn’t as tasty as modern fruit.
But as Lu Zheng bit through the skin and ate the flesh, a wave of spiritual energy rose from his abdomen, spreading through his organs and meridians, warming his body as if immersed in spiritual liquid, incredibly comforting.
Lu Zheng might not need the fruit, but for Liu Qingyan and Lin Wan, it was a cultivation boon.
…
After eating the fruit, they discussed mountain demons, then the incident in Xiahe Town with Wuxiu Manor.
“By the way,” Lu Zheng turned to Duan Changzai, “Is Brother Duan here because of something the Southern Border people did?”
Duan Changzai shook his head. “No, just a soul-refining murderer who killed many civilians and fled to Yizhou. The Bureau detected him, so I was sent to eliminate him. On my way back, I met Daoist Yuan Jing at the city gate and thought to visit you for a drink, only to get a spiritual fruit.”
“Oh?” Lu Zheng looked at Yuan Jing, assuming he was with Duan Changzai, not just meeting at the gate.
“I went to Dingshan County for a ritual and just returned,” Yuan Jing said.
So, both were just passing through. Lu Zheng had initially thought they needed his help again.
It made sense. One was a Bureau expert, the other a direct disciple of Baiyun Temple. They could handle most matters themselves without frequent aid.
…
After dinner, Duan Changzai and Yuan Jing left. Duan went to the county office, while Yuan Jing reminded Lu Zheng to reserve time during the New Year for the Baiyun Temple festival in Jizhou.
The Wuxiu Manor women planned to stay overnight, but the Liu residence lacked space, so they were arranged to stay at Lu Zheng’s house.
