At noon, Mingyue Tower, private room.
“Alas! He actually went for Xiaowan. What a pity he did not come for me,” Du Yueyao sighed.
Seeing Du Yueyao’s regretful expression, Wang Xiaowan was speechless. Was being targeted by a deeply cultivated old flower picker something worth looking forward to?
Wang Xiaowan rolled her eyes. “Say that when you leave Tonglin County if you dare.”
Du Yueyao stuck out her tongue and hurriedly picked a piece of food for Wang Xiaowan. “I dare not!”
Yi Xiaoqian giggled nearby, feeling the harmony of being with everyone. Before meeting Ning Zhiqi, she had been merely a wandering ghost. Now she had both love and friendship. Things she had never dared dream of before.
Turning back, she saw Lu Zheng picking dishes for Shen Ying and Liu Qingyan, smiling broadly, yet something seemed off.
“Tonight again?”
“No!”
“Too embarrassing…”
“Come on, come on. Eat, eat!”
Yi Xiaoqian suddenly understood. It resembled the lecherous Lord Huang who had coveted her in life, always looking at her with sleazy eyes.
Ahem! Sinful thoughts. This was Young Master Lu’s deep love for his two madams. She must have misseen.
“Husband, eat more too.” Inspired, Yi Xiaoqian picked a piece for Ning Zhiqi.
The county office had a lunch break. When not out, Yi Xiaoqian cooked for Ning Zhiqi’s midday return home. Today at Mingyue Tower, she came with him.
“Hm?” Lu Zheng turned and spotted Duan Changzai walking down the street through the private room window.
His gaze alerted Duan Changzai, who looked up sharply. They saw each other.
“Brother Duan!” Lu Zheng greeted.
“Brother Lu!” Duan Changzai grinned widely, delighted.
Back when Lu Zheng was weaker, they had met. Now times had changed. Lu Zheng’s cultivation was unfathomably deep, yet he still called him “Brother Duan”. It showed he remembered origins and gave Duan face among colleagues.
“Brother Duan, come up? We have just started,” Lu Zheng smiled.
Duan Changzai did not stand on ceremony. “Good! Then I will intrude.”
Ascending to the third floor and entering the room, he saw many besides familiar Liu Qingyan, Shen Ying, and Du Yueyao. Three more he did not know.
“Let me introduce. This is an expert from Yizhou Anomaly Control Department, Duan Changzai.”
“I dare not claim expert before Brother Lu!”
“This is our Tonglin County’s new assistant magistrate, Ning Zhiqi, and his wife.”
Glancing at Yi Xiaoqian, Duan Changzai raised a brow but minded not. To Ning Zhiqi, “Greetings, Assistant Magistrate Ning. I just came from the office too.”
Ning Zhiqi rose. “Any way this junior can assist?”
“No need, no need. I already spoke to Lieutenant Li. Our department mostly liaises with constables,” Duan Changzai laughed.
Lu Zheng finally introduced Wang Xiaowan, then invited Duan to sit.
Shen Ying and Liu Qingyan poured wine for Lu Zheng and Duan. Lu Zheng raised his cup. “Brother Duan here means another case?”
Duan Changzai nodded. “Several cases in Lingnan Circuit. Paths irregular but heading north. This month, one in Rongzhou. So we scattered to investigate.”
Lu Zheng’s brow arched. “South Border expert?”
Duan Changzai nodded. “Colourful Clouds Between Flowers Sect master. Harmed seven or eight women.”
Everyone: Õ_Õ
Duan Changzai shrugged. “The matter was not widespread, so locals thought ordinary flower picker. Until last month, a victim was chanced upon by Lingzhou colleagues. Then discovered.”
“But now found, he will not return to South Border,” Duan Changzai chuckled, eyes hardening, voice ruthless.
Everyone: (ー_ー)!!
“What?” Seeing odd stares, Duan Changzai touched his face. “Why look at me like that?”
Lu Zheng rubbed his nose and coughed dryly.
“Coincidentally, we met one from Colourful Clouds Between Flowers Sect yesterday,” Lu Zheng said.
Duan Changzai blinked, looked left and right at Liu Qingyan, Shen Ying, Du Yueyao, Wang Xiaowan. Understood.
Surrounded by stunning beauties, the fellow had poor eyesight, crashing into an iron wall.
Duan Changzai said helplessly, “So Brother Lu already dispatched him?”
Cultivators were not commonplace. The sect had only a few hundred total. Impossible for two in Tonglin simultaneously.
Lu Zheng nodded. “Corpse buried at Wangxiang Ridge southwest.”
Wangxiang Ridge, public cemetery for many Tonglin folk. Nearby, a mass grave for unknowns. Lu Zheng dug a pit for Gu Changtian there.
Duan Changzai scratched his head, sighing. “Tonglin County now feels like a deep pool. Crooked paths enter, none leave whole.”
Everyone smiled. Duan still unaware of Yue Honghai’s existence.
Duan drained his cup. “Good he is dead. Tell me yesterday’s details, Brother Lu. For my report.”
“Good!” Lu Zheng nodded.
…
Moments later, Duan Changzai’s expression was wooden.
“So the opponent had at least five hundred years attainment?”
“Yes!”
“Brother Lu took a centuries-old crocodile great demon as guardian?”
“Exactly.”
Duan Changzai: “…”
He felt fortunate Lu Zheng handled it first. Otherwise, colliding head-on would mean serving himself as dish.
“Alright, understood!” Duan clinked cups with Lu Zheng, then to Ning Zhiqi. “I will not return to the office. When Assistant Magistrate goes back, tell Lieutenant Li no need to watch for strange masters anymore.”
Ning Zhiqi nodded and agreed.
After meal, Duan left the city. Ning Zhiqi to office. Liu Qingyan to clinic.
Idle Lu Zheng and Shen Ying departed for hot springs.
Up and down, rising and falling. They bathed again.
…
“Husband!”
Seeing Lu Zheng waiting by the car, Lin Wan hugged and nuzzled him.
“Why pick me up today?”
“Missed you!”
“Do not believe!” Lin Wan giggled, clinging tighter.
Lu Zheng drove. They found beef hotpot. Eating and chatting, they mentioned the National Day holiday.
“Free this time?”
“Not sure.” Lin Wan shrugged, then smiled. “But plan ahead. If possible, go directly!”
Lu Zheng nodded. “Alright!”
