As soon as the words were spoken, the youth charged forward, swinging a fist towards Lu Zheng’s face.
Lu Zheng felt the opponent’s figure flash, not particularly fast, yet there was an intangible sense of pressure bearing down.
This aura was faint, almost imperceptible; most would likely assume it was merely the speed making them unable to dodge.
What’s going on?
Lu Zheng’s eyes flickered, and he raised his hand to meet the youth’s fist.
“Bang!”
The youth staggered back five steps, his arm numb, but Lu Zheng was even more shocked, for he hadn’t used his martial blood energy, yet he too retreated two steps.
He had imbued his physique with several strands of fate’s light; in terms of raw strength, few ordinary people could surpass him.
This youth looked frail, so how could he possess such strength? Was he born with divine power?
“Again!”
The youth shouted, lunging forward.
Lu Zheng’s eyes narrowed, his body trembled, and a dense aura surged, his blood energy like mercury, his momentum like the rising sun.
Shen Ying, watching leisurely from the side, couldn’t help but exclaim, “Martial blood energy, *Eighteen Forms of Mountain Bearing*? You’ve mastered it?”
In the eyes of the Hu-surnamed youth, Lu Zheng seemed like a blazing sun, waves of heat rolling towards him.
“Bang!”
One punch, and the Hu youth had no resistance, tumbling like a gourd, rolling several zhang before crashing into a tree with a thud, finally stopping.
“Martial artist!”
“Martial cultivator!”
“Run!”
The three youths, terrified, turned to flee.
“Can you escape?”
Lu Zheng kicked off, leaping several zhang in an instant, blocking their path.
The next moment, all three were on their knees.
…
“Thud! Thud! Thud!”
Lu Zheng stacked them like an arhat in front of the Hu youth.
This time, they had provoked him for no reason, so Lu Zheng taught them a lesson, not crippling them but ensuring they’d be bedridden for three days.
Lu Zheng said calmly, “Once or twice, fine, but not a third or fourth time. If there’s a next time, I’ll kill you.”
“No, we wouldn’t dare!”
“Never again, truly!”
A martial artist! Even with all their courage, they wouldn’t dare provoke him again.
“You, you’re a martial artist?” The youth’s expression was a mix of shock and envy, his eyes tinged with fear.
Lu Zheng nodded, “Do you think I’d beat them up just to show off how strong I am?”
The Hu youth instinctively shook his head.
“Alright, go home, and in the future, be more discerning. Don’t make friends or brothers carelessly, lest you’re betrayed and still count their money.”
“You’re letting us go?”
Lu Zheng blinked, “What, should I treat you to dinner or silence you permanently?”
Shaking his head, Lu Zheng ignored them, turning to leave with the girls.
As they walked, Shen Ying kept glancing at Lu Zheng, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief, “Young Master Lu, it’s been less than a month, hasn’t it? You’ve already cultivated martial blood energy?”
“Thanks to you, Madam.”
Lu Zheng smiled warmly, “Perhaps my past efforts laid a foundation, so with your help, I crossed the threshold quickly.”
“I can’t take credit for that,” Shen Ying said gracefully, “Many train their bodies their whole lives and never achieve martial blood energy. This is your own talent. Even without the *Eighteen Forms of Mountain Bearing*, you’d likely have achieved it in time.”
“Thanks to Sister’s gift, Lu Lang avoided many detours.”
Shen Ying gave Liu Qingyan a deep look; Liu Qingyan’s eyes flickered, and she instinctively turned to admire the scenery.
…
Elsewhere.
The youth stood stunned, his mind racing through past events, vivid scenes flashing before him.
He’d lived aimlessly before, ignoring or failing to understand much around him. But under the belief that Lu Zheng might kill him with one punch, it all clicked in an instant.
Shaking his head, he looked at the three before him, feeling only estrangement, “I’m going home. My mother’s waiting.”
…
Dealing with the thugs was merely an interlude in their leisurely outing, and it didn’t dampen their spirits; Liu Qingquan grew even more cheerful.
After a short stroll, they returned to Peach Blossom Manor.
Shen Ying pulled Liu Qingyan to continue their chess game, while Xiao Cui brought out a small table, setting up a stove, tea utensils, and snacks.
“Young Master Lu, please!”
“Thank you!”
“Mm, delicious!” Liu Qingyan munched happily.
“Miss Xiao Cui’s skills are impressive.”
“Hehe, thank you, Young Master Lu, but this peach paste cake you’re eating is Madam’s work.”
“Madam’s skills are impressive!” Lu Zheng gave Shen Ying a thumbs-up.
“As long as it suits Young Master’s taste.”
Shen Ying played a move, her eyes like water, casually asking, “Young Master Lu, now that your blood energy is full and your martial skills advanced, what are your plans?”
“No plans,” Lu Zheng shook his head, “I practice martial arts as a hobby, for self-defence, no different from reading or painting.”
“Young Master truly thinks freely.”
“What’s free about it?” Lu Zheng waved it off, isn’t that common sense?
As a successor of socialism, no matter how skilled, one must follow the law. At most, he’d fight in the UFC.
Chinese martial arts look impressive and are hyped up, but they don’t hold up in modern arenas.
But if he stepped into the ring…
Sigh, better not. If he accidentally became world champion, he’d lose all his free time.
“I’ve met a few martial artists, all arrogant, looking down on others,” Shen Ying said lightly, pulling Lu Zheng’s wandering thoughts back.
“That’s because their vision is narrow,” Lu Zheng smiled, “The ignorant are fearless. The more you see, the more you should learn reverence.”
“Well said, Young Master.”
A glint of approval flashed in Shen Ying’s eyes as she smiled at Liu Qingyan.
Liu Qingyan blushed, her gaze dropping to the chessboard, playing another move.
“Sister, your mind’s unsettled,” Shen Ying smiled, placing a piece and lifting three of Liu Qingyan’s.
…
Late afternoon, Liu Qingyan, unsurprisingly, lost another game.
“The manor is far from the city, so I won’t keep you for dinner, but I’ve prepared some snacks for the road.”
“Thank you, Sister, for your thoughtfulness.”
Shen Ying saw them to the gate, where the coachman, fed and rested, waited with the donkey cart.
…
“By the way, Madam Shen’s manor has just four people, and Peach Blossom Manor is far from the county. It’s quite inconvenient. Why does she stay there instead of buying a house in the city?”
On the road, Lu Zheng suddenly wondered, “From her attire and the manor’s setup, Madam Shen doesn’t seem short of money.”
Liu Qingyan’s eyes flickered, “Perhaps Sister Shen is used to it.”
“Doesn’t she find it inconvenient?”
“With all necessities provided, and since Sister Shen rarely goes to the city, she probably doesn’t find it inconvenient.”
“Is that so? Maybe…”
Lu Zheng rubbed his chin, thinking that was the only explanation, as he couldn’t judge ancients with a 21st-century Chinese mindset.
…
The journey back to the city was uneventful, the donkey cart dropping them at Tongyi Lane.
After seeing the Liu sisters home, Lu Zheng returned alone.
He first crossed back to the modern world, replied to family and friends, then called Lin Wan.
“I’m free this weekend. Shall we train again?” Lin Wan said.
The boxing gym was nearly two weeks ago. Lin Wan was busy, meeting Lu Zheng only thrice in ten days, no wonder Huang Xiumin worried he’d be snatched away.
“Sure, no problem.”
“It’s a deal!”
After hanging up, Lu Zheng washed up and crossed back to the ancient world.
He found himself increasingly fond of sleeping here; the sleep quality felt better, more refreshing.
…
Moon high, night cool as water.
“Hm?”
Lu Zheng frowned. Why was he suddenly at Peach Blossom Plateau?
Not only there, but standing right at the gate of Peach Blossom Manor.
What’s happening?
A dream?
The manor’s gate was wide open, the massive peach tree in the front courtyard rustling in the wind.
Pink peach blossoms hung on the branches, swaying gracefully.
Then, Shen Ying’s figure appeared under the tree.
In a flowing pink phoenix-tail skirt, adorned with a jade-and-gold hairpin, subtle pink lipstick and eyeshadow, she exuded both elegance and allure.
“Good grief, what’s this? Why am I dreaming of Shen Ying? Shouldn’t it be Lin Wan or Liu Qingyan?”
Lu Zheng was stunned, questioning his own heart.
Could it be that mature women are my true preference?
This is a dream, private. Should he let loose?
“Young Master Lu!”
“Yes!”
Lu Zheng’s mind was a mess, missing the urgency in Shen Ying’s voice.
“Young Master Lu, I’m in danger. Please lend your aid!”
“Huh?”
Lu Zheng snapped back. What’s going on?
“This matter shouldn’t involve you, and I shouldn’t ask for your help.”
“But it’s sudden, and I’ve no one else to turn to, so I humbly seek your aid in a dream.”
“You’ve mastered martial blood energy, and only you can help me escape this peril.”
“Slow down, explain. What’s the situation?”
Lu Zheng finally recalled this world’s nature, and Shen Ying was clearly no ordinary manor owner.
“I have an enemy who comes to challenge me every new and full moon. I don’t fear him usually, but this time, he’s brought a pig demon that’s harming my body, and I can’t resist.”
Shen Ying explained, “Your blood energy can counter the pig demon. For the sake of our acquaintance, please help me.”
“Pig demon!” Lu Zheng’s eyes flashed.
Looking up, the towering peach tree swayed more urgently.
“Now?”
“Now!”
