It had been a long time since Lu Zheng last “plucked wool” from Zhu Yushan.
For one, Lu Zheng no longer lacked the occasional ten or eight strands of fortune’s light. For another, after debating the Dao with Zhu Yushan twice, Lu Zheng felt it was difficult to easily extract more from him.
Yet, unexpectedly, by shifting perspective, Zhu Yushan had contributed another wave.
This showed that Zhu Yushan’s potential was far from exhausted!
It was decided, then. He would continue in the future!
Though Zhu Yushan resolved to improve his chess skills, this task was likely no easier than passing the scholar’s exam. So, for now, he continued to be suppressed by Lu Zheng, losing both games by a mere one or two points.
However, Zhu Yushan’s mindset was excellent. He remained calm, taking his time to think over each move, unbothered by Lu Zheng’s dominance.
This attitude was a vast improvement over last year, when he missed the exam and came to the peach grove to play mahjong to unwind, only to lose spectacularly.
Compared to the quiet chess match between Lu Zheng and Zhu Yushan, Guangyue and Yuanjing’s game was earth-shatteringly intense.
“Hmph, behold this monk’s move, Universal Buddha Light Converging Tathagata, bold and sweeping, advancing with righteousness to claim victory.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll counter with the Storm Dragon Tiger Entering Pure Yang technique. Let’s see how your Buddha Light gathers!”
“Clack!”
“Clack!”
“Clack!”
Black and white pieces landed on the board rapidly, their pace even faster than Lu Zheng’s game.
But their position…
Liu Qingyan occasionally glanced back, barely containing her laughter, then returned to watching Lu Zheng’s board to compose herself.
It wasn’t that both were terrible players, but their chess skills clearly didn’t match their grandiose slogans.
Liu Qingyan felt their skills were, at best, on par with hers. How did they muster the courage to proclaim moves like Universal Buddha Light Converging Tathagata or Storm Dragon Tiger Entering Pure Yang?
Lu Zheng and Zhu Yushan played leisurely, while Guangyue and Yuanjing bickered noisily during their game. Bored, Lu Zheng glanced at their board once and never looked again.
Finally, as Lu Zheng and Zhu Yushan reached the midgame, Guangyue and Yuanjing concluded their match.
Yuanjing, influenced by Daoist Mingzhang, won by a single point, defeating Guangyue.
Unconvinced, Guangyue demanded a rematch, and Yuanjing, full of enthusiasm, began resetting the pieces.
Joking aside, how could he not cherish a rare chance to beat a monk?
Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan, “…”
Ignoring the two clowns, Liu Qingyan looked around. Everyone else was enjoying themselves. Du Yueyao, with Liu Qingquan’s help, had blended in, cheering excitedly with Liu Qingquan when she made a good move in checkers.
Liu Qingyan peeled a dozen peanuts, placed them in a dish, and pushed it to the side of Lu Zheng and Zhu Yushan’s chessboard. Then she quietly stood and walked to Lin Jing’er, who was farthest away.
Their painting was already more than half complete.
The peach grove was lush, with hundreds of flowers blooming vibrantly, the pavilion and stone tables arranged harmoniously.
The painting was rich in colour, with beautiful scenery and lifelike figures—some laughing heartily, some singing softly, some deep in thought, some playing the zither or flute, some competing fiercely, some drinking or eating fruit—all vivid and full of charm.
“Sister Lin, what a splendid painting!”
“You’re too kind, Sister Qingyan. I had help from Sisters Peach Oriole and Peach Blossom.”
Peach Oriole smiled, “We only mixed the pigments. We didn’t touch the brush.”
“Exactly, Sister Jing’er’s painting skills are truly exquisite,” Peach Blossom added.
Lin Jing’er was quite pleased with her work, nodding proudly without further modesty. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Brother Lu’s skill in calligraphy and painting is no less than mine. Later, we should ask him to inscribe a title on the painting.”
Liu Qingyan smiled, not opposing Lin Jing’er’s idea.
Lu Zheng rarely showcased his calligraphy and painting, but when he did, the results were exceptional—whether it was the portrait he gave her or the “Benevolent Heart of a Healer” plaque, both were masterpieces.
Even if Lin Jing’er’s painting was a highlight of her career, Liu Qingyan didn’t think she surpassed Lu Zheng.
So, Lu Zheng was certainly qualified to inscribe the painting.
Leaving Lin Jing’er’s side, Liu Qingyan visited Bai Ting’er’s music group, then passed by Liu Qingquan’s six-player checkers team. After fulfilling her duties as hostess, she finally reached the mahjong game in the pavilion.
“Sister-in-law, come quick! Old Xin’s about to lose all the incense money from the City God Temple. If I lose any more, I’ll be drinking the northwest wind.”
Xin Zhanting waved to Liu Qingyan, “Hurry and take my place. Let me go have a drink with Brother Lu to calm my nerves. I think the civil and military officials at the City God Temple suit me better.”
Everyone at the table laughed. Though Xin Zhanting lost more than he won, it wasn’t that exaggerated. He simply wanted to go drink.
Liu Qingyan smiled and was about to take Xin Zhanting’s place when Shen Ying’s expression suddenly changed.
“Someone’s entered the peach grove!”
Shen Ying’s eyes sharpened as she spoke softly, “Two people, and the second one’s aura is strangely eerie. This is…”
Before she finished, Lu Zheng stood abruptly, “Demonic energy!”
“Demonic energy!?”
Zhu Yushan, sitting across from Lu Zheng, and Guangyue and Yuanjing nearby, all knowledgeable, were startled and stood up.
Everyone stopped their activities. Du Yueyao grabbed Liu Qingquan and ran to Liu Qingyan’s side. Hou Ping, in one swift motion, picked up the alloy staff leaning against the pavilion’s edge.
“Where are they?” Li Hanyu asked Shen Ying.
Shen Ying looked eastward, “They’re coming over the mountains from the east, just entering the peach grove.”
Lu Zheng said, “I’ll go check!”
Zhu Yushan, Yuanjing, and Guangyue said in unison, “Together!”
“Good!”
Lu Zheng nodded, sensing the demonic energy wasn’t too strong. He formed a seal, and a white cloud appeared underfoot, lifting the four of them into the air, heading east.
Li Hanyu, unaware Lu Zheng could fly, was startled.
Zhu Yushan, however, remained calm, his gaze focused eastward.
As the four sped off, Xin Zhanting, who had been too far to join them, leapt from the pavilion, his figure flashing like lightning toward the east.
Li Hanyu immediately said, “Demonic cultivators are a universal enemy. Let’s all go!”
Shen Ying nodded but singled out Peach Core and Peach Grace, two Peach Blossom Heavenly Maidens, “Take Qingquan and Yueyao back to the manor. Don’t come out.”
“Yes!”
The two maidens obeyed, escorting Liu Qingquan and Du Yueyao toward Peach Blossom Manor.
Shen Ying glanced at Hou Ping, who shook his head firmly, brandishing his staff and chasing after Xin Zhanting.
Shen Ying shook her head, took Liu Qingyan’s hand, exchanged a glance with Li Hanyu and the Wuxiu Manor women, nodded, and together they darted out of the venue, their robes fluttering as they sped toward the eastern peach grove.
