Crossgate Seal Chapter 445

After searching for the underwater treasure, the two spent three days sorting and cleaning the loot.
Apart from the items placed in an abandoned warehouse for Grant to retrieve, the finest dozens of jewels were stored in Lu Zheng’s gourd.
When they boarded a flight from Miami to New York, Lu Zheng’s encrypted account had an additional ten million US dollars.
So, this vacation indeed cost them none of their own money.
…
“Lu Lang~”
“Big Brother Lu!”
Upon returning from his trip and arriving at Benevolent Heart Hall, Lu Zheng was warmly welcomed by Liu Qingyan and Du Yueyao.
Lu Zheng winked at Liu Qingyan, turning his back to Old Man Liu and transmitting his voice quietly, “Missed me lately?”
Liu Qingyan’s fair face flushed, and she nodded subtly, pretending nothing had happened.
Lu Zheng smiled, knowing Liu Qingyan was a bit shy, and didn’t tease her further. He took the tea Du Yueyao handed him and drank it in one gulp.
There weren’t many patients waiting in the clinic, and Du Yueyao even had time to pour tea for Lu Zheng, so he knew they didn’t need his help.
He sat down in the clinic, chatting with everyone and catching up on recent events.
Surprisingly, quite a few things had happened in the ten or so days he was gone.
The first incident was that Tonglin County had another ghost problem.
It was a mess left by the Black Wheel King. One of the ghosts that inherited his legacy was relatively cunning, staying hidden for months instead of acting immediately. It only recently started moving, absorbing yang energy sparingly.
Its plan was clever: Tonglin County was a large county with a dense population. By taking only a small amount of yang energy from each person, the victims wouldn’t notice much, if anything.
With the county’s bustling crowds, absorbing energy from passing travellers wouldn’t draw the attention of extraordinary beings, achieving a kind of invisibility in plain sight.
The perfect cover in a busy city.
But it hadn’t counted on Qingyi Niangniang. Two people who had their yang energy drained happened to fall ill, felt unwell, and came to the clinic, where Liu Qingyan spotted the issue.
What followed was straightforward. Shen Ying, with her eighteen celestial maidens, took action, and the ghost met a regretful end.
The second incident involved Monk Guangyue from Pingtan County, who encountered a ghost he couldn’t handle and came for help. Since Lu Zheng wasn’t around, he sought out Yuan Jing instead.
Monk Guangyue came three days ago, and it was unclear if the matter was resolved.
The third incident…
“Lu Lang, the day before yesterday, I referred to the *Chisongzi Left Admonition Jade Water Elixir Scripture* and refined a batch of Jade Ginseng Pills. Take a look!”
Liu Qingyan, like presenting a treasure, took out a white porcelain bottle and poured out two thumb-sized cyan-white pills.
Lu Zheng, “…”
He had studied the *Jade Water Elixir Scripture* the moment he got it and even enhanced it with the light of fortune, yet he still felt he wasn’t ready to refine spiritual pills.
He hadn’t expected Liu Qingyan’s medical talent to extend so remarkably to alchemy.
But this was awfully quick, wasn’t it?
Liu Qingyan giggled, “It’s not that hard. I’ve refined some ordinary pills before, haven’t I? Some of those included jade ginseng, which worked on extraordinary beings.
This time, I just followed the scripture, used more jade ginseng, and added another spiritual herb that boosts blood qi.
Try one. Though it’s not as good as the Jade Essence Pills or Vermilion Fruit from Master Hu, it’s stronger than Biluo Fruit.”
Looking at the delicate hand offering the pill, Lu Zheng picked one up and popped it into his mouth.
The pill melted instantly, turning into a warm current that flowed into his stomach, then spread throughout his body, merging with the true qi circulating in his meridians.
Part of the pill’s potency immediately fused with his true qi, enhancing its foundation, while another part stored itself in his body, releasing gradually, bit by bit.
At this rate, fully absorbing the pill’s effects would take about a month.
If he actively refined it with his true qi, the time could be halved.
Either way, the pill was far more effective than directly consuming jade ginseng, though the initial surge of potency was intense. An ordinary person taking one would probably die from the overwhelming nourishment.
“Impressive!” Lu Zheng gave a thumbs-up.
Praised, Liu Qingyan beamed and handed the porcelain bottle to Lu Zheng, “I used half of that jade ginseng and made five bottles of pills. I’ve already sent Sister Shen’s share. This one’s for you, Lu Lang.”
“Great!” Lu Zheng didn’t stand on ceremony, taking the bottle and saying, “I’ve been studying the *Jade Water Elixir Scripture* these past few days and have some insights into the arts of wind and rain. Let’s discuss them when we have time.”
Hearing this, Liu Qingyan’s cheeks flushed again. She hadn’t forgotten the circumstances under which Lu Zheng passed her the *Chisongzi Left Admonition Jade Water Elixir Scripture*.
If Chisongzi knew his legacy was being taught in bed, would he descend with divine will to strike Lu Zheng?
Du Yueyao watched Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan talk, feeling a mix of envy and slight inferiority.
Sensing Du Yueyao’s thoughts, Liu Qingyan smiled and took her hand, “How’s your qi cultivation going, Yueyao?”
Du Yueyao bit her lip, her delicate brows furrowing as she shook her head, “I still can’t sense it.”
“Don’t rush. Meditate for an hour each day, and you’ll make progress within a year or two.”
Du Yueyao nodded eagerly, clenching her small fists to cheer herself on, “I will!”
“Huh?” Lu Zheng was a bit surprised, looking Du Yueyao up and down, “Yueyao’s cultivating too?”
“I passed on the medical longevity technique from my father’s benefactor to Yueyao,” Liu Qingyan said with a smile, “Yueyao’s kind-hearted. Last year, she helped us with disaster relief and later studied medicine at the clinic. She’s accumulated plenty of merit, so practicing this longevity technique can strengthen her body and enable her to perform various acupuncture methods.”
Lu Zheng nodded in understanding.
With the golden light of merit, one’s constitution could gradually improve, with immunity to all diseases being one outward sign.
With Du Yueyao’s current aptitude, practicing simple qi cultivation techniques was feasible.
Lu Zheng gave Du Yueyao a fist-pump gesture, “Keep it up!”
Du Yueyao: ???
Though she didn’t quite understand, it was probably encouragement, right?
“Mm, mm!” Du Yueyao nodded vigorously.
…
After staying at Benevolent Heart Hall for a while, not wanting to disturb their work, Lu Zheng left and leisurely inspected his candy shop and sugar factory, handing out bonuses to his staff and earning their gratitude.
That evening, naturally, it was time to summon Liu Qingyan and discuss the arts of wind and rain together.
Her delicate cries became the wind, and rain nourished the moment.