Ever since reaping a large amount of luck light some time ago, Lu Zheng had purchased many music scores of the Great Jing Dynasty. Spending just three strands allowed him to play most of the dynasty’s tunes with ease. Combined with his qin skills, he was undoubtedly a master of the yaoqin.
Yu Mingxin asked, “Then play a piece of ‘Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix’?”
“Alright!” Lu Zheng replied.
He walked over to the group of women, took out his phoenix-tail qin, placed it on its case, and sat cross-legged on the ground, gently plucking the strings.
“Zheng, zheng.”
Bai Ting’er’s eyes lit up. “What a fine qin!”
The phoenix-tail qin’s tone was bright and clear, superior to the one Shen Ying had bought in Tonglin County. As Lu Zheng played, Bai Ting’er joined in, followed by the other celestial maidens, performing a rendition of ‘Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix’.
“Young Master Lu, your qin skills are remarkable!”
“You’re too kind!” Lu Zheng replied modestly.
Noticing the longing in Bai Ting’er’s eyes, he handed her the phoenix-tail qin to play. Then he moved to Liu Qingyan’s side. Sharing a knowing smile with her, Lu Zheng turned to greet the River God’s wife.
“Greetings, Madam!”
“Young Master Lu, well met!” The River God’s wife nodded slightly, indicating he could be at ease.
Lu Zheng observed for a moment, noting that the chess match between the two was evenly matched, giving him an idea of the River God’s wife’s skill. He then approached the mahjong table, standing behind Shen Ying to watch for a while. The four players were truly well-matched, shouting and competing, each winning and losing in turn.
Zhu Yushan approached. “Brother Lu, how about a game of chess?”
He had little interest in mahjong, feeling it relied too much on luck and lacked skill. Of course, being straightforward but not foolish, he kept this thought to himself and instead invited Lu Zheng to play chess.
“Sure!” Lu Zheng nodded.
“There’s a chess set in Peach Blossom Manor. I’ll fetch it for you both,” Xiao Cui said, standing up.
“No need, I have one here. You continue listening to the story,” Lu Zheng said, patting his gourd. A chessboard and two boxes of chess pieces flew out together.
“Brother Lu is well-prepared,” Zhu Yushan said with a smile.
“There’s more where that came from.”
Then came an assortment of pastries, candies, dried fruits, and fresh fruits. Inviting the Peach Blossom celestial maidens to share them, Lu Zheng sat down with Zhu Yushan and began a leisurely chess game.
“Brother Zhu, your cultivation has improved again!” Lu Zheng remarked as they played.
“Not bad,” Zhu Yushan nodded. “My father-in-law says my talent is decent, no less than my scholarly pursuits.”
Lu Zheng blinked. “So, Brother Zhu, are you still taking the prefectural exam this year?”
Zhu Yushan nodded. “Naturally!”
Lu Zheng smacked his lips but refrained from wishing him success, uncertain if Zhu Yushan would even make it to the exam hall this time.
…
“Amitabha!”
A Buddhist chant sounded, and Guangyue’s voice reached Lu Zheng’s ears. “Brother Dao, Guangyue has arrived!”
The next moment, Guangyue appeared from a small path.
Guangyue: 〣(ºΔº)〣
“Brother Dao! You… this…” Guangyue stammered.
“Guangyue?” Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, then waved him over. “Come, Master, have some fruit and pastries.”
Guangyue’s eyes widened as he approached, only calming slightly upon seeing Zhu Yushan and the River God’s wife and daughter. After Lu Zheng introduced him to everyone, he sat back down opposite Zhu Yushan and asked, “Master, have you come well-prepared?”
“Amitabha!” Guangyue proclaimed. “I’ve made slight progress with the ‘Great Sun Golden Light Sutra’ and seek your guidance, Brother Dao.”
Ever since learning of Lu Zheng’s body-binding spell and earth-walking technique, Guangyue knew defeating him was a distant goal. However, having vowed not to leave until he bested Lu Zheng, Guangyue had no intention of going back on his word. Instead, he settled down, sent word to Rizhao Temple, and prepared to take over as abbot of Jiming Temple, even taking in a few young novices late last year.
Words spoken are like law, and a Buddhist heart remains steadfast! The Buddhist path values fate. Since meeting Lu Zheng and intending to travel with him, Guangyue decided that developing Jiming Temple and living a life of quiet cultivation in Pingtang County was his destined path. With his Buddhist heart resolved, Guangyue’s cultivation progressed even faster.
Thus, Guangyue’s visit to spar with Lu Zheng was purely for exchange, to verify his own learning and familiarize himself with his cultivation. Unaware of Guangyue’s inner resolve, Lu Zheng only sensed that he increasingly exuded the aura of a high monk.
However, Lu Zheng had no intention of holding back in their duel. After all, they had an agreement: if Lu Zheng lost, he would have to travel the world with Guangyue.
So…
“Good,” Lu Zheng nodded with a smile. “I’ve recently learned a few new spells, perfect for exchanging with you, Master.”
Guangyue: (꒪⌓꒪)
New spells? Thinking of Lu Zheng’s trip to Baoyun Temple in Jizhou over the New Year, Guangyue wondered if some old master had passed him secret techniques due to his exceptional talent. Feeling a bit apprehensive, Guangyue considered his recent rapid progress and the Bright Relic, which had boosted his combat strength by at least fifty percent. Surely, he could hold his own… right?
“Amitabha! Please!”
“Please!”
Casually placing a piece on the chessboard, Lu Zheng said to Zhu Yushan, “Brother Zhu, wait a moment, I’ll be right back.”
Zhu Yushan watched, bewildered, as Lu Zheng stood and walked a few steps away with Guangyue to an open area.
“What’s this about?” Li Hanyu asked Shen Ying curiously. “Is there some agreement between the Master and Young Master Lu?”
“I know, I know!” Liu Qingquan jumped up excitedly. Only Shen Ying and her sister knew of the matter between Lu Zheng and Guangyue, so seeing everyone’s curiosity, Liu Qingquan eagerly recounted the story, from the wolf demon Leng Jian to the battle at Jiming Temple.
…
Meanwhile, Lu Zheng and Guangyue wasted no time and began their duel.
“Amitabha!”
A relic rose from behind Guangyue’s head, emitting a radiant glow several zhang wide.
“Golden light shines, illuminating all!”
Guangyue clasped his palms, and a large swastika symbol formed in the air, pressing toward Lu Zheng. The next moment, Guangyue’s eyes widened. Bathed in the glow of the Bright Relic, his body shimmered with golden light, resembling a bronze statue. Following the swastika, he advanced, raising his right palm to strike at Lu Zheng.
“Behold my sword!”
Lu Zheng gave a light shout, and in Guangyue’s mental world, a gleaming golden sword appeared, slashing toward him.
“What?” Guangyue exclaimed, startled.
Holding his mind firm and protected by Buddhist light, he blocked the sword. Surprised, he looked at Lu Zheng. “Is this the heart-sword technique from the Jinhua Sect’s ‘Golden Palace Mystical Art’?”
Lu Zheng nodded, confirming. “Indeed, the Golden Palace Heart-Sword.”
Guangyue: “…”
