“Lu… Master Lu…”
Zhao Wenrong’s smile froze on his face, and he stammered, “I…”
“Brother Zhao!” Lu Zheng cupped his hands. “Last time I heard Brother Zhao mention the matter of the female ghost, but I did not hear the details. This time, thanks to all of you, I got to hear a satisfying account.”
“Huh?” Zhao Wenrong looked utterly baffled.
“Brother Zhao is kind-hearted, full of literary talent, with deep affections and noble intentions. He is truly a model for our generation. Last time during the flood, he donated over a dozen carts of grain. The people who received it were able to survive, and they were all deeply grateful for Brother Zhao’s kindness!”
Lu Zheng stepped forward two paces, patted Zhao Wenrong’s shoulder, raised his eyebrows at him, then nodded to the people beside him, before turning around and pulling Shen Ying away.
“Brother Zhao, who is this?”
Lu Zheng had a commanding presence, and Shen Ying was dignified and elegant. The two of them momentarily subdued these young people. It was only after they left that they began to ask questions.
“The lady beside this young master, I think I have seen her somewhere.” One young man scratched the back of his head.
“This young master seems to be the owner of Sweet Delights House.” A woman said. “Once I passed by Sweet Delights House to buy sweets, I think I saw him.”
Zhao Wenrong nodded. “He is indeed the owner of Sweet Delights House. Brother Lu is as splendid as a clear moon. With him, it was love at first sight. We are as close as brothers!”
“Whoa!”
Zhao Wenrong came from the Zhao family of Yizhou Prefecture. Although he was only the third young master and could not inherit the family head position, it was said that he was deeply favoured by the old lady. She had given him countless sums of pocket money in private. Just his own wealth already rivalled that of the major landlords and merchants in Tonglin County.
Not to mention that in this county examination, he had passed as a xiucai. If he could pass the provincial examination next, he might even obtain an official position in the future.
It must be known that Zhao Wenrong had been in Tonglin County and residing in the county school for several months already, yet there was not a single classmate whom he would call as close as a brother.
“Does this Master Lu have anything special about him?” A man asked.
Knowing that Lu Zheng’s decision not to expose him was giving him face and that he also did not wish to make a fuss about it, Zhao Wenrong said, “Nothing much. I had heard of the fame of Sweet Delights House and went to buy sweets, where I happened to meet him. We chatted a little, and found we got on well. Later, when several northern regions suffered disasters, Brother Lu personally went to the disaster area and contributed his efforts.”
Upon hearing this, the group felt a deep respect.
It must be known that this flood had been quite severe, with strange creatures appearing as well. Those who dared to go personally to the disaster area were all formidable characters.
“Master Zhao also sent a lot of grain to the disaster area?” A woman asked, her eyes sparkling.
Zhao Wenrong blinked, straightened his posture a little more, and nodded nonchalantly. “Indeed. Natural disasters show no mercy, and the common people suffer. In normal times, we are protected by the court. Now is precisely the moment for us to contribute what strength we can.”
“Wow!!!”
“Master Zhao, you are so considerate!”
…
Shen Ying smiled and asked, “What is the situation with this Master Zhao?”
Lu Zheng roughly explained to Shen Ying the grudge between him and Zhao Wenrong.
Previously, because the matter had been too trivial, Lu Zheng had not taken it to heart at all, so he had not mentioned it to Shen Ying. Today, since they had encountered each other, he told her about it.
“Who knows. This Master Zhao might also be a remarkable person. He actually turned the matter around into a different version and boasted about it as a tall tale.” Shen Ying laughed. “However, in this story, there is no place for you, my husband. No wonder his face looked so off when he saw you just now.”
Recalling Zhao Wenrong’s awkward expression upon seeing him earlier, Lu Zheng could not help but chuckle.
Of course, he would not take such a thing to heart. Moreover, because of Zhao Wenrong’s tact, he had even praised him in passing.
“I noticed that Master Zhao seems to have taken a fancy to one of the girls among them.” Shen Ying laughed. “I wonder if he will have his wish fulfilled.”
“Really? How come I did not notice.” Lu Zheng said.
Shen Ying smiled and linked her arm with Lu Zheng’s. “My husband, you are a man, and an honest one at that. How could you see through the thoughts of those dandy young masters?”
Lu Zheng blinked, feeling that what Shen Ying said made a great deal of sense.
Bro is indeed an honest person!
The two arrived at Peach Blossom Shrine. From afar, they saw Uncle Qian and Uncle An busy at work.
“Hmm?” Shen Ying let out a soft exclamation.
“What is it?” Lu Zheng could not help asking.
“Hou Ping is usually helping in the temple. Why is he not here today?”
“Does he have something on today?”
“We will know if we ask.” Shen Ying said, then used the divine statue to transmit a message, asking Uncle Qian who was busy in the temple.
“What?” Shen Ying’s delicate eyebrows rose.
“What is it?”
Shen Ying laughed. “You just said I was stealing the matchmaker’s business. This Hou Ping has gone to steal the hunters’ business instead.”
“In Fengping Mountain, fifty li south of the county, an unknown tiger emerged from some deep mountain forest. It has already eaten two people. The county gathered hunters to go up the mountain. After three days now, there has been no success.”
Shen Ying said. “Hou Ping heard about this in the temple yesterday. In the middle of the night, he picked up his stick and left, saying he wanted to meet that big beast.”
Lu Zheng was speechless. “He, a monkey demon, plans to claim the tiger-hunting reward?”
“Is not that just… Hmm, he is back?”
Within the Peach Blossom Ping area, Shen Ying’s senses were extremely sharp. As soon as Hou Ping approached, she noticed him.
Lu Zheng followed Shen Ying’s gaze. He saw Hou Ping with tattered clothes, carrying a stick taller than himself, swinging from one large tree to another.
“Hou Ping!”
“Immortal!” Hou Ping called back. Then he lifted his head and saw Lu Zheng.
“Young Master! You are here too!”
With a few leaps, Hou Ping arrived in front of the two. He thrust the stick into the ground, then formally bowed. “Greetings to the Immortal! Greetings to the Young Master!”
“Get up.” Lu Zheng looked at Hou Ping, his eyes flashing. “That tiger was not easy to beat?”
“Not easy. It really was not easy.” Hou Ping nodded repeatedly. “That big beast is almost becoming a demon. It is fierce indeed!”
“Oh?”
Lu Zheng and Shen Ying exchanged a glance. They had not expected it to be a tiger almost becoming a demon.
The so-called almost becoming a demon meant that it could instinctively absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, the essence of sun and moon, but it had not yet begun active cultivation, nor had it awakened spiritual intelligence.
Such an existence was far more powerful than ordinary wild beasts. No wonder Hou Ping, even with his tempered iron stick in hand, still looked so dishevelled after the fight.
“What about that tiger?”
“I killed it and gave it to those hunters who were ambushing in the mountain.” Hou Ping said.
“In these three days, none of those hunters who went up the mountain fell victim to the tiger?” Shen Ying asked.
Hou Ping scratched his head. “I do not know. I did not ask. But they seemed only happy, so probably no one died.”
Shen Ying blinked and asked, “How did you give the tiger to them?”
Hou Ping also blinked. “I just gave the tiger to them.”
“Did they recognize you?” Shen Ying asked.
Hou Ping nodded. “They did.”
Those hunters had of course come to worship at Peach Blossom Shrine before and seen Hou Ping.
“You… never mind. It is fine.” Shen Ying shook her head.
In any case, they were an official institution. Hou Ping could be considered the external protector of Peach Blossom Shrine.
