Tonglin County, Taohua Ping.
Large snowflakes fluttered down like goose feathers, the world wrapped in silver, extraordinarily enchanting.
The peach blossoms on the ordinary peach trees in Taohua Ping had long since fallen, and the peaches had already entered the stomachs of the mountain folk. At this time, the ground and branches were all covered in a vast white blanket of snow.
Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan had just stepped into the boundaries of Taohua Ping, taking only two steps, when a figure emerged under the peach tree ahead.
She wore a pink and red light silk phoenix-tail trailing skirt, with a thousand-posture peach shadow falling-flower gold hairpin.
Graceful and swaying, exuding charm, her pink neck like a song, her smile like a flower, a pair of peach blossom eyes rippling with autumn waves, a touch of vermilion lips scorching hot and captivating.
“Lu Lang, Qingyan, you’re back!”
Shen Ying stood under the peach tree, looking at them with a beaming smile.
“We’re back!”
Liu Qingyan consciously stepped back, and Lu Zheng went forward to embrace Shen Ying.
“Come, let’s go home!”
…
While eating the welcoming banquet Shen Ying had prepared for them, they chatted about their experiences on the journey.
The other things were fine, but the appearance of so many big shots at Hu Zhou’s wedding banquet, as well as the faint traces of demonic cultivators, truly shocked Shen Ying.
“Indeed, the world is vast, with many experts and great powers. We are just a drop in the ocean, so we must cultivate more to seek self-protection.”
Liu Qingyan nodded, “In the past, I was just muddling along without looking to the future. Now that there’s hope, I must cultivate diligently.”
The two looked at Lu Zheng.
In the past, Shen Ying was half spirit and half ghost, with no backing, and had to face Yan Jie’s challenges every month, not knowing when she might perish.
Although Liu Qingyan had an ancient bloodline, she lacked cultivation methods and foundations, only practising medicine and diagnosis, using merit golden light to mask her aura, with the crisis of the black wolf demon ready to erupt at any time.
Their fates could be said to have changed because of Lu Zheng.
Now, one was a peach blossom fairy with unending incense aura, the other a Qingyi Niangniang overflowing with merit golden light, with profound cultivation and prospects for longevity, plus a considerate and ideal husband.
This naturally ignited their enthusiasm for cultivation.
And the way they looked at Lu Zheng was naturally filled with deep affection, passionate as fire.
Just as he stuffed the last piece of peach blossom steamed cake into his mouth and took a small sip of peach blossom wine, Lu Zheng suddenly felt his heart skip a beat.
Lu Zheng: ?_??
“Why are you suddenly looking at me like that?”
Liu Qingyan picked up the pottery pot and poured another cup of peach blossom wine for Lu Zheng.
Shen Ying picked up a steamed cake, added a few chopsticks of pickled vegetables, and handed it to Lu Zheng, “Seeing Lu Lang eat so heartily, have some more.”
Lu Zheng nodded, “Madam’s peach blossom steamed cakes are truly exceptional, so white and soft, with a peach blossom fragrance upon entry, lingering endlessly, making one want more after eating.”
As Lu Zheng spoke, his eyes were not looking at the steamed cake in his hand.
Shen Ying giggled, her eyes seductive as silk as she glanced at Lu Zheng, then looked at Liu Qingyan, “Sister Qingyan, didn’t you let him eat his fill on the way?”
Liu Qingyan’s face turned red upon hearing this.
Lu Zheng raised his eyebrow, “Qingyan didn’t prepare any food for me. All along the way, she only knew to eat the chicken I prepared for her… roasted chicken.”
Liu Qingyan’s eyes wandered around, her cheeks even redder, almost dripping with water, and a faint fragrance suddenly permeated the room.
The red pill stirred, a subtle dark scent.
Shen Ying smiled warmly and added another chopstick of vegetables to Lu Zheng’s bowl, her voice enchanting and flirtatious, full of endless charm, “Lu Lang, please eat at ease first. This concubine will surely let Lu Lang eat his fill.”
“I believe it!”
…
Outside the window, the white snow was vast, snowflakes falling profusely. Inside the room, pink curtains hung, hearts opened in conversation.
…
“By the way, this trip to the southern border yielded some small gains. That Xin Yuniang gave a book called ‘Little Earth Emperor’s Ghost Controlling Divine Method’. I looked at it, and actually, you can cultivate it too. It complements the ‘Soul Washing Scripture’ and offers considerable benefits.”
“It can also be passed to the eighteen heavenly maidens. Although this method belongs to a side door, it’s targeted at ghosts and spirits. With the addition of incense aura, perhaps the peach blossom eighteen heavenly maidens can advance further.”
“Thank you, Lu Lang~”
Lu Zheng had read this scripture on the road, and the opening startled him.
[Inheriting Heaven and Emulating the Law of Houtu Huangdi Qi]
This thing is a side door technique? It’s too orthodox, isn’t it!
But upon further reading, he understood why Xin Yuniang didn’t recognise it.
Because this book was obviously not the complete or original inheritance of Houtu Huangdi Qi, but a part derived from it, considered a branch evolved from the source.
The main content is cultivating the divine soul, with many methods for controlling ghosts in combat.
But after all, it’s the inheritance of Houtu Huang, with quite miraculous aspects, suitable for both humans and ghosts to cultivate.
So he could learn it, Shen Ying could learn it, and the peach blossom eighteen heavenly maidens could learn it.
Shen Ying specialised in divine soul methods, currently cultivating the ‘Taiyuan Xuan Book’ and ‘Taiyin Superior Soul Washing Scripture’. Now adding this ‘Ghost Controlling Divine Method’, her foundation was quite profound.
“By the way, there’s also a box of jade and jewels. Qingyan has been keeping it, saying to pick together with you. You two take a look.”
“Oh, such a beautiful cat’s eye. The demons in the southern border are really wealthy. Thank you, Qingyan~”
“This one is nice!”
“This one is nice too!”
“This phoenix flying together, strung on a red rope and tied to the chest, so beautiful.”
“Hee hee, this can be made into a bracelet.”
Lu Zheng laughed, “Let me see which ones match your jade skin better?”
“Ah—”
“No—”
…
After staying one night at Taohua Zhuang, Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan returned to Tonglin County.
Winter had arrived, and there were far fewer people walking on the streets. The villagers from surrounding fields and towns coming to the county to sell mountain goods or attend markets, as well as the townsfolk leisurely strolling, preferred not to go out in winter if possible.
“Sister! Brother-in-law!”
Just as they arrived home, Liu Qingquan leaped in a long bound from the front hall into the arms of Liu Qingyan who had just entered, displaying her astonishing jumping ability.
“Was the southern border fun?”
“Was Hu Zhou’s bride pretty?”
“Are there any delicious things there?”
“Did you bring me a gift?”
“When can I go play too?”
Liu Qingyan reached out and patted Liu Qingquan’s little head, then handed the package she was carrying to Liu San.
“Inside are specialties from Yongzhou in Lingnan Road, various dried mushrooms. They’re especially fresh when boiled in soup.”
“Got it!” Liu San took it with a smile, “We’ll boil soup for lunch today!”
Liu Wu said, “I’ll go call the master, come back for lunch together.”
Liu Qingyan mentioned, “Ask Yueyao to come too.”
“Got it!” Liu Wu responded and left quickly, heading to Renxin Hall.
At this moment, Madam Liu came out from the backyard and approached everyone.
“Mother!”
“Aunt!”
“It’s good you’re back. The southern border is thousands of miles away, safe return is what matters.” Madam Liu said.
Liu Qingyan smiled, “The jewellery in Yongzhou and the southern border villages has unique characteristics, and a friend gave some jade and jewels. Mother, come take a look.”
Liu Qingquan’s little hand raised high, “I want to too!”
“For a child, I’ll give you two agates to make a pendant.” Liu Qingyan patted Liu Qingquan’s little head.
…
At noon, Old Master Liu and Du Yueyao returned, and everyone was lively again.
In the afternoon, Old Master Liu continued with consultations, while Du Yueyao stayed, asking questions with Liu Qingquan to Lu Zheng and the others, very curious.
…
In the evening, Lu Zheng had dinner at the Liu house again, then went home, comforted Uncle Li and Aunt Liu, and returned to the bedroom.
Just as he was about to return to the modern world, Lu Zheng felt the peach wood plaque at his waist tremble lightly.
With his eyes closed, he instantly entered a dream, seeing Shen Ying standing gracefully in the pink mist, her clothes fluttering, dignified and charming, like a dream or illusion.
The pink gauze skirt seemed real and unreal, shifting with the mist, the floral scent lingering at the nose, strands seeping into the heart.
Pink eyeshadow slanting into the temples, vermilion lips quietly approaching Lu Zheng’s ear, “Lu Lang, this concubine has prepared some midnight snacks. Do you want to come eat?”
Lu Zheng: (?￣?￣?)
