The next morning, Lu Zheng woke refreshed.
Opening his eyes, he saw Shen Ying propped on one elbow, her delicate figure outlined by a thin blanket, gazing at him fondly.
“What are you looking at?”
“You’re handsome, young master~”
Lu Zheng smiled, then, as if recalling something, reached into the pile of clothes by the bed and pulled out a thin booklet.
“I was in such a rush yesterday, I forgot about this.”
“What is it?” Shen Ying took the booklet curiously.
*The Supreme Lunar Soul-Cleansing Scripture*.
It was loot from defeating the corpse ghost, who was a favoured concubine of the Night King of the Netherworld, so this cultivation text likely came from him.
Having practised *The White Cloud Constant Refining Scripture*, Lu Zheng could understand it. As Daoist Mingzhang said, it was a method for ghosts to absorb netherworld qi and refine their souls.
He explained its origin to Shen Ying.
“Take a look. Is it useful?”
Shen Ying’s eyes lit up as she flipped through it, her face growing more delighted with each page.
“Useful?”
“Very useful!”
Shen Ying nodded eagerly, “I’ve never had a cultivation method, only absorbing lunar essence and ambient spiritual qi instinctively.
My soul merged with the peach tree over the years, becoming inseparable. Though strong, I’m bound here.
If I master this scripture, I can refine my soul, absorb only the tree’s essence, split my soul, and break free.”
“Where does netherworld qi come from?”
“The old peach tree’s roots reach deep underground, where yin qi is dense, connecting to the Netherworld, drawing its qi.”
“Oh, that’s great!”
“More than great. Since I’m fused with the tree, my soul can also absorb lunar essence and spiritual qi, giving me more paths.”
“Good.”
Shen Ying beamed, placing the booklet by the bed, then wrapped her arms around Lu Zheng, her peach-blossom eyes full of allure.
“Young master, how can I thank you for this gift of knowledge?”
“You’ve already given yourself to me. What more thanks could I need?” Lu Zheng teased.
Shen Ying’s lips curved, then she slipped under the blanket.
“Hiss—” Lu Zheng gasped, “Didn’t you say we should restrain—hiss—”
…
By mid-morning, Lu Zheng left, hand on his lower back.
“Young master, go back. Don’t come for half a month. I’m worried I won’t—er, I need to focus on cultivating.”
“Cultivation’s good. I should cultivate more too,” Lu Zheng sighed.
Though he said he’d leave, he still ate at Peach Blossom Manor before hurrying back to Tonglin County.
“I’ve been indulging in romance too much. No good, time to cultivate!”
“As they say, romance is the grave of heroes. I must train hard, not waste time on love!”
“I will cultivate! I will strive!”
“Light of fortune, consume!”
*Buzz!*
Cultivation done…
Lu Zheng: ╮(﹀_﹀”)╭
Having used five strands of fortune’s light, he was in the adaptation phase again. Cultivation was indeed done, leaving him helpless.
“Fine, keep cultivating to pass the adaptation phase and boost my realm sooner.”
That afternoon, Lu Zheng meditated in the courtyard, refining qi and spirit.
…
The next day, he continued cultivating.
“Lu Lang.”
Liu Qingyan visited, “Were you serious about learning medicine the other day?”
She paused, adding, “You don’t need to dive deep. Just learn the basics, like using qi to guide needles, enough for common ailments.”
Lu Zheng’s interest in medicine thrilled her, giving them a shared pursuit, but with his progress in qi refinement and martial arts, she worried it might distract him.
“Of course!” Lu Zheng nodded eagerly.
He’d seen her acupuncture skills the other day. Though aided by his vitality, her technique was impressive.
Unfamiliar with traditional Chinese medicine, he wasn’t sure if it was truly so miraculous.
With his cultivation, he’d gain an edge in medicine, and learning it could let him treat his parents when he visited home.
All benefits, no drawbacks—Lu Zheng was all in.
As for Liu Qingyan’s worry about distraction?
Heh!
Seeing his enthusiasm, Liu Qingyan’s face lit up, “With your talent, Lu Lang, you’ll learn quickly.”
“Where do we start?”
She gently pulled two books from her sleeve, “Let’s begin with *On the Internal Organs* and *The Map of Hundred Acupoints*. These are the foundations of medicine and acupuncture.”
She came prepared!
Lu Zheng invited her into the study. Li Bo brought tea, then tactfully left.
At first, Liu Qingyan was shy, but she soon warmed to teaching.
Her explanations were clear and thorough, a natural teacher.
Fresh from graduation, Lu Zheng’s learning ability was sharp, enhanced by fortune’s light for focus. He progressed rapidly.
The afternoon passed in an initial flirtatious, then serious atmosphere.
“That’s enough for today.”
As dusk fell, Liu Qingyan stopped, pushing the books to Lu Zheng, “Read them when you have time.”
“Alright,” Lu Zheng took them, asking, “Continue tomorrow?”
“I’m usually free. If you’re not busy, I’ll come again,” she said, pursing her lips softly.
Lu Zheng thought, “I’m not sure about tomorrow. How about this: it’s not fair to always have you visit. If I’m free, I’ll come to you to study, alright?”
Liu Qingyan smiled shyly, relieved, “Study is too grand a word. Come whenever you’re free.”
Though betrothed, it was tough for a young lady to keep visiting. His offer to visit her eased her burden.
By chance, in guarding his secret, Lu Zheng had acted the considerate gentleman.
After seeing her home, he returned and, on a whim, began reading the medical texts.
He didn’t use fortune’s light to boost learning yet.
Medicine wasn’t urgent. With Liu Qingyan’s guidance, he’d master the basics and read widely first, then enhance his skills for efficiency.
Using a strand of fortune just to memorise these two books would be a waste.
