“The ‘Minor Earth Sovereign Ghost Commanding Divine Method’?” Shen Ying let out a soft exclamation. “Did Lu Lang not say this technique comes from a great god of the upper realms? Yet its content is missing too much, and the core is quite biased?”
Lu Zheng nodded. “What a coincidence. This ‘Nether Refining Chapter’ seems to incorporate part of the Houtu Imperial Earth Deity’s inheritance too. It is probably missing a lot as well. So the Obscure Nether Dharma King added some other techniques to it.
That is why the two share similar ideas. If you also cultivate the ‘Soul Refining Chapter’, you might soon purify your divine soul and roam freely across the heavens and earth.”
Shen Ying’s eyes lit up as she listened. Just as Lu Zheng took out the book to explain, she reached over, took the book, and placed it on a distant table.
Lu Zheng: ???
He watched as Shen Ying exhaled with orchid-like breath. Her peach blossom eyes brimmed with watery charm. She leaned sideways against him, her touch soft. Lu Zheng felt a bit dazed.
Had they not just finished a late-night snack? And eaten their fill too?
“Lu Lang~ I want more~”
“Hiss…”
…
The late-night snack turned into an all-night feast. Lu Zheng ate his fill. The next day, he could only support his waist as he went out. Under Shen Ying’s personal care, he washed up. Then he came to the front hall for breakfast.
Deer antler, goji berry, and cassia porridge!
Shen Ying’s slender hands stirred the ladle. She served Lu Zheng a bowl and blew on it carefully before bringing it to his lips.
“Lu Lang, here~”
Lu Zheng took a sip and found the porridge had simmered for at least a night. It was fragrant, sweet, and soft.
“Is it tasty?”
“Very tasty!”
Seeing Shen Ying about to feed him another spoonful, Lu Zheng could not help but take the bowl himself. Better to eat it on his own. Otherwise, he worried he might not leave Peach Blossom Village.
Xiao Cui could not help but giggle. She served Shen Ying a bowl too, then withdrew discreetly.
…
It took two hours to finish breakfast. Lu Zheng and Shen Ying finally reached the study. They discussed the two new techniques together.
These two techniques suited Shen Ying well indeed. Paired with the ‘Minor Earth Sovereign Ghost Commanding Divine Method’, their quality far surpassed the previous ‘Superior Lunar Soul Washing Scripture’. It was like trading an old musket for a modern rifle.
“I never thought the ‘Soul Refining Chapter’ would contain part of the Houtu Imperial Earth Deity’s inheritance. This great god’s legacy is scattered about. I wonder what story lies behind it.”
One part in the hands of a southern border fox spirit, another in the Nether Realm as a fragmented fusion. Who knows if the core inheritance and direct lineage still exist.
After exchanging ideas with Shen Ying for half a day, Lu Zheng left Peach Blossom Village and returned to Tonglin County.
Compared to Shen Ying, Liu Qingyan was much easier to handle. Just play with her fox tail a bit, and Liu Qingyan would turn dizzy and compliant. So Lu Zheng pondered how to make her willingly reveal her fox ears too.
…
When he heard Lu Zheng was back, Constable Liu came with gifts to visit and thank him.
They were old acquaintances. Constable Liu knew Lu Zheng lacked for nothing. So he brought a few famous old-brand pastries and a whole old-style braised chicken. They chatted briefly, then he took his leave.
Then…
Liu Qingquan and Ao Qian followed the scent to the door. They ate while critiquing.
“It is not as tasty as what brother-in-law makes.”
“Make do with it. After all, brother-in-law does not love us anymore. He has not cooked for ages.”
Lu Zheng: ⚆_⚆?
“Did I not personally cook a full meal for you just the day before yesterday!?”
“Ah? Did you?”
“Oh dear, forgot, forgot!”
“It has been days. We cannot even remember. Why not make another table, brother-in-law?”
“Yes, yes! Let us savour brother-in-law’s flavour again.”
Lu Zheng: Õ_Õ
…
It took some effort to send these two little girls away. Lu Zheng wandered the county for a bit. With nothing pressing, he crossed back to the modern world.
Modern day, Haicheng, early winter.
Yet it was in the south after all, and by the sea. Haicheng was not cold at all. The streets still swarmed with girls in skirts. The fabric looked quite precious.
Lu Zheng wore a Qipilang shirt and Jiumuzi trousers. He sat leisurely on a chair outside a street-side cafe, sipping coffee.
His posture was straight, his features handsome. His clothes were casual, but his air was extraordinary.
Some young women with little discernment found Lu Zheng quite ordinary. But a few more experienced women eyed him with a subtle gleam.
Just as one such woman adjusted her clothes to approach and chat him up, she saw the target man stand. He waved towards the opposite street.
Following his gaze, she spotted a woman at the street corner across.
Tall figure, stunning face. She wore a light beige batwing top, form-fitting casual trousers, and black-and-white sneakers.
Youthful, vibrant, cool, with an unbeatable pair of long legs!
The woman who had been about to strike paused. She sat back down silently.
“You actually came to pick me up after work?”
“Surprised? Unexpected?”
“Very surprised! Very unexpected!”
Lin Wan grinned and hugged Lu Zheng. “What if I had overtime?”
“You suffered such a grievance and are about to receive a second-class merit. Surely they will let you rest, no matter what. How could there be overtime?”
At this, Lin Wan could not help laughing.
At the unit, everyone thought Lin Wan had been wronged and faced danger. So they comforted her from time to time.
But the problem was…
She had already taken revenge personally!
Some enemies died on the spot. Others would endure endless torment. And the villains arising from this affair would soon face reckoning one by one.
She was thrilled, even wanting to sing. Yet facing her caring colleagues, she could not laugh out loud.
What to do?
Nothing for it. She had to hold it in…
So Lin Wan forced down her laughter, pretending all was normal. Then everyone thought she was even more aggrieved.
“You poor thing, holding it in so hard.”
“Yes, I am trying to hide my joy. Sometimes I fail, and they think I am forcing a smile.”
Lu Zheng, “…”
Lu Zheng was speechless. He could only smile helplessly. “So, where to tonight?”
“How about we go clubbing?” Lin Wan blinked.
She was truly happy and needed to let it out?
Fair enough. With her colleagues’ reactions, and Lin Wan unable to reveal the truth, it really wore on her.
In that case, off they went.
After a light dinner, the two found a reputable high-end nightclub. They went in, claimed a spot at the bar, and ordered a few beers.
They drank, danced, and partied noisily for two hours before leaving.
After burning off energy, they had some barbecue. Only then did they fully unwind. Hand in hand, they walked back.
From afar, they looked like any of countless young couples. Except their conversation differed vastly from the usual sweet nothings.
“Tomorrow is Saturday.”
“Mm.”
“Target set?”
“Set. He is going to Nara tomorrow for a business deal.”
“Nara? What a coincidence.”
“Yes, too much so.”
“When do we leave?”
“No rush. We just ate meat. Ought to digest first?”
