“Cheers!”
Dozens of fair hands raised their cups in unison. Soft, charming, bright, or clear voices rang out together, a symphony of beauty.
Several days had passed since Lu Zheng used the typhoon to wreck the Lighthouse Country’s naval base in the modern world. It happened to be the decennial rest day in the ancient era.
Late summer was turning to early autumn, so Lu Zheng decided to hold a grand gathering at Taohua Ping.
This time, not only did the usual close friends from Five Beauties Villa and Bi Xinyu attend, but Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying had specially gone to the Lushui River to invite Zhu Yushan and his wife. Lu Zheng had travelled to Pingtan County to invite Guang Yue, stopped at the mountain to fetch Yuan Jing, and finally extended a formal invitation to his old friend Xin Zhanting.
With so many beauties around Lu Zheng, Guang Yue and Yuan Jing were long accustomed to it. A crowd of female demons and ghosts had nothing to envy. They greeted each other warmly; from now on, if they met on the road, there would be no need for wariness.
What they had not expected was that Lu Zheng had extravagantly taken in a several-hundred-year-old great demon as a household guard.
Even more surprising was the old man following Zhu Yushan and his wife; his cultivation was on par with Yue Honghai’s.
Guang Yue, “…”
Yuan Jing, “…”
The two exchanged a glance and drained their cups of huadiao wine.
On the other side, Xin Zhanting was bold and forthright. He and Yue Honghai hit it off immediately and kept challenging each other to drink. One boasted of his glorious days in the East Sea, the other of his conquests in the Netherworld.
Yue Honghai’s eyes gleamed. “Little brother, I never knew the Netherworld was so exciting. I’ve never been. Next time there’s a big battle or a strong expert appears, just send word. I’ll come have some fun.”
Xin Zhanting threw an arm around Yue Honghai and roared with laughter. “Easy, easy! Brother Lu is a straightforward man, and I can see you’re the same. We’ll keep in touch!”
In the outer circle, Old Turtle He Dingshan was quietly giving pointers to Hou Ping’s cultivation. As another centuries-old demon, his experience surpassed even Shen Ying’s. He had taken a liking to Hou Ping and was happy to offer guidance.
At the main table, Liu Qingquan and Ao Qian gorged themselves happily while Du Yueyao and Wang Xiaowan chatted and kept their plates full.
Nearby, Liu Qingyan, Hua Yixing, Bi Xinyu, and the others surrounded Li Hanyu, discussing female demon secrets: how to strengthen scorpion-tail venom, uses for shed snakeskin, how foxes, deer, and rabbits kept their fur glossy, how fish kept their scales tough, and so on.
The eighteen Peach Blossom Heavenly Maidens ate and drank while making sure no dish ever ran low in front of anyone.
“Brother Zhu, are you planning to stay home from New Year’s again next year?” Lu Zheng raised his cup.
Zhu Yushan returned the toast, drained it, then shook his head. “No. As the saying goes, if it’s a blessing, it’s not a calamity; if it’s a calamity, you can’t avoid it. I think it’s better to go with the flow. Maybe the troubles will be smaller.”
Shen Ying, who was refilling their cups, paused mid-motion.
Good heavens. Zhu Yushan no longer spoke of “making it to the exam on time”; now he only hoped the disasters would be minor.
Indeed. When he was mortal, his misfortunes were illnesses or getting caught in street brawls. After marrying into the River God Mansion and starting cultivation, they became seclusion breakthroughs, flood demon-slaying, sudden enlightenments that made him miss deadlines.
Now that he had finally reached a certain realm, he immediately ran into a battle between centuries-old great demons.
Zhu Yushan was genuinely worried. What would happen next year? Another raging flood? A millennium-old demon emerging?
Surely a meteor wouldn’t fall from the sky and flatten the provincial academy!
If that happened, he really would be a walking calamity, a living bad-luck charm.
The thought made him shudder. He quickly shook his head. No, no, he didn’t have that kind of cosmic influence yet. He Dingshan and Yue Honghai were probably the limit. Next year’s provincial exam—he would definitely make it!
Having settled his mind, Zhu Yushan’s eyes brightened again. He picked up a vegetable, raised his cup, and said, “Brother Lu, please!”
“Please!”
Lu Zheng lifted his cup. Zhu Yushan’s iron will left even him in awe.
They clinked cups and drained them. Shen Ying stood gracefully at their side, refilling with a smile.
…
The afternoon was spent strolling and admiring flowers. After dinner, the guests gradually departed.
By the time the last friend had been seen off, night had completely fallen. Only then did Lu Zheng and his group set off under the moonlight, heading back to Tonglin County.
“Giddyup!”
On the driver’s seat, Old Huang and Yue Honghai sat side by side. Old Huang flicked the reins while Yue Honghai occasionally tipped a leather flask to his lips.
Inside the carriage, Liu Qingquan, Ao Qian, Du Yueyao, and Wang Xiaowan played Chinese checkers. Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan watched from the side, their hands busy behind their backs with all sorts of little mischief.
At that moment, faint shouts came from ahead.
“Hm?” Lu Zheng’s eyes flashed. All the women turned.
“Highway robbery!”
“A carriage up ahead has been stopped.”
“Two bandits. Not martial artists, but heavy killing aura. Definitely not good people.”
“How bold! Robbing this close to the county seat?”
Apart from Wang Xiaowan, none of the women were weak. They quickly heard or sensed the situation.
“Young Master,” Yue Honghai called from outside, setting down his flask. “Shall I handle it?”
Lu Zheng nodded. “Don’t kill them. Tie them up and send them to the county office. Give Constable Liu a little gift… hm?”
“A ghost?”
“There’s actually a ghost in that carriage?”
“How interesting!”
“Heh.” Lu Zheng couldn’t help laughing. “Robbery is a risky. One must be cautious in thievery!”
“Huh?” Liu Qingyan blinked. “That ghost hasn’t killed anyone?”
“Could it be a good ghost?” Liu Qingquan asked curiously.
“We’ll know once we look,” Liu Qingyan said with a smile.
By now their carriage had drawn close to the one stopped in the middle of the road.
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow in sudden realisation. “No wonder the aura felt familiar. It’s actually acquaintances!”
“Oh?” Everyone looked at him.
Lu Zheng didn’t explain. He simply told Old Huang to stop, then opened the door and stepped down first.
Under the moonlight, he could already see clearly.
On the road beside the other carriage, the coachman was tying up two dispirited bandits. A young man and woman stood to the side.
When they saw another carriage approach and stop, the young man called out loudly, “Travellers need not worry. These two bandits have been subdued and will be delivered to the county office. Please wait a moment; we will clear the road shortly.”
Lu Zheng walked close enough for faces to be recognisable in the moonlight.
“Young Master Ning! Miss Yi! Long time no see. How have you been?”
