The Holy Maiden Zhilan naturally could not stop Du Yueyao from her actions, nor was it possible for her to follow Du Yueyao to the Benevolent Heart Hall to treat patients.
“Since the Holy Maiden has not set foot in the Central Plains for many years, why not let me accompany you and stroll around the area?” Shen Ying suggested with a smile. “There are some interesting places in Tonglin County, and although the surroundings lack famous mountains or great rivers, there are some quiet and secluded scenes with their own unique charm. To the south lies Hundred Springs Valley, and now that the weather has just turned warm, it is the perfect time for soaking in the hot springs.”
Shen Ying wore a trailing gown of red and pink peach blossom silk, with pink eyeshadow sweeping upwards into her temples. Her appearance was stunningly beautiful and alluring, her temperament elegant yet sensual. Her aura was pure and profound, and though its depth fell short of the Holy Maiden Zhilan, its purity surpassed hers. At a glance, it was clear she possessed deep foundations and boundless potential.
Facing her directly, she remained neither humble nor arrogant, her attitude calm. Not only did she not lose ground in presence, but with the advantage of being on home territory, she even held a slight edge.
“Thank you for your kind offer, Immortal. I shall impose upon you then,” the Holy Maiden Zhilan replied with a nod. “You may call me Zhilan.”
Shen Ying curtsied slightly, smiling as she gestured invitingly. “Sister Zhilan, please follow me. Why not visit my Peach Blossom Flat first?”
“Please lead the way.”
“Please.”
With a light movement, Shen Ying cast a simple illusion spell sufficient only to deceive ordinary folk, then rose into the air. The Holy Maiden Zhilan followed suit, and the two flew straight south.
Fan Boyu cupped his hands apologetically. “Many thanks for your understanding, Young Master.”
Lu Zheng nodded and asked, “Does the Holy Maiden Zhilan intend to take Yueyao back to the Southern Borderlands?”
Fan Boyu quickly shook his head. “After learning yesterday of the Young Master’s guidance to Yueyao, and of Miss Liu’s care for her, the Holy Maiden has decided not to bring Yueyao back to the Southern Borderlands. She will simply visit more often in the future.”
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow. “More often?”
Fan Boyu explained, “At most once a year.”
Lu Zheng nodded and gestured invitingly. “Shall we head to Leping Tower?”
Fan Boyu smiled and nodded. “Let us go!”
…
That evening, Lu Zheng habitually used the Cloud Palace Treasure Mirror to sweep the surroundings of Tonglin County once more, planting curse seals in several underground spots within a few li as a precaution.
…
A period of calm days passed, with no major events on either the ancient or modern side.
On the modern side, after Lin Wan returned from Southeast Asia, a new case emerged in the country involving cooperation with foreign Interpol. She travelled to the Shu region, then returned to continue working overtime, investigating leads on the final sheep-head bronze statue.
On the ancient side, Lu Zheng continued his routine visits to the White Cloud Temple, paid another visit to the Lushui River God’s Mansion, hosted the Huangfu sisters when they came to play, and spent the rest of his time idly relaxing.
In the blink of an eye, more than a month had passed, and the Holy Maiden Zhilan was about to depart.
…
“Thank you all for your warm hospitality,” the Holy Maiden Zhilan said with evident good cheer and a smile.
During this time, Shen Ying had taken her to tour nearby scenic spots, Liu Qingyan and Du Yueyao had brought her to watch several performances at the Jade Spirit Garden, and the fruits, snacks, mahjong, and other novelties Lu Zheng had brought from his side had provided her with fresh and intriguing experiences.
Over the course of a month, the Holy Maiden Zhilan had enjoyed a rather fulfilling stay.
“You are most welcome. I am glad the Holy Maiden is satisfied,” Lu Zheng replied.
The Holy Maiden Zhilan turned to Du Yueyao again, her tone light with amusement. “And regarding the Pure Maiden Divine Blessing Method, with the completed technique provided by my junior sister, my cultivation these past days has felt some loosening. Perhaps we will not even need her to turn the tide single-handedly. With just us few old bones, we might still turn the tables.”
Du Yueyao smiled somewhat sheepishly. “As long as it helps Senior Sister. I am sorry…”
The Holy Maiden Zhilan shook her head, glanced at Fan Boyu, then at Lu Zheng. “Junior Sister need not apologise. It is only a year, after all, and it does not delay matters. Besides, this is not your fault.”
Lu Zheng sat steadily like an unmoved fisherman, gently fanning himself with his folded fan, his expression unchanged as if he had not caught the implication that she was referring to him.
Fan Boyu, an old hand at this, kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, sitting below the Holy Maiden as though fast asleep.
Du Yueyao could not help but laugh. The Holy Maiden Zhilan had always treated her well. Over the past month, she had shared all her cultivation insights on the Pure Maiden Divine Blessing Method without reservation. Combined with Lu Zheng’s guidance, it had deepened Du Yueyao’s understanding of the technique, ensuring smooth progress in her cultivation for some time to come.
“If you have the time, you should still devote more thought to cultivation,” the Holy Maiden Zhilan advised Du Yueyao. “Even if only for your own safety, so that your Big Brother Lu need not worry so much, you ought to cultivate diligently and soon master the hall. When the day comes that you assume the position of Sect Leader, achieving longevity and eternal vision, will you not then be able to treat the common folk for as long as you wish?”
Du Yueyao nodded seriously. “Thank you for the guidance, Senior Sister. Yueyao understands.”
The Holy Maiden Zhilan shook her head helplessly. Du Yueyao would hardly take it to heart, for she and Lu Zheng had discussed this matter. According to Lu Zheng, each stage of life has its own mindset, and not everything can be compensated for later.
Clearly, Du Yueyao listened more to Lu Zheng.
“Very well. As long as you know your own mind,” the Holy Maiden Zhilan said, no longer pressing the point. After all, Du Yueyao’s current cultivation speed already surpassed that of the direct disciples in the Primordial Saint Sect. What more could she ask for?
The group escorted the Holy Maiden Zhilan and Fan Boyu to the gate.
“Cultivate well. I will come again next year,” the Holy Maiden Zhilan said to Du Yueyao, then bid farewell to the others. With that, she rose into the air, taking Fan Boyu with her, and the two turned into streaks of white light heading south.
…
Dark clouds obscured the moon, leaving the wilderness in pitch blackness.
Du Yueyao had already retired to her room to sleep, and the servants had extinguished their lamps to rest.
Shen Ying had returned to Peach Blossom Flat, the Liu household had long since dimmed its lights, Yue Honghai was meditating in cultivation, and Lu Zheng had entered his bedroom at the hai hour and had not emerged since.
Outside Tongyi Lane, a figure suddenly materialised from thin air. After flickering briefly, it revealed a woman in white robes with a cold and detached appearance.
“She stayed a full month and only left today. It seems this new Holy Maiden is no ordinary person,” the woman in white sneered coldly, her gaze turning towards the Du household, divine light flashing in her eyes. “To be valued so highly by Fan Boyu, and to have caused Xueyi to meet her end in the Central Plains, she must be an exceptional talent for cultivating the Pure Maiden Divine Blessing Method… In that case…”
The woman in white drifted lightly into the rear courtyard of the Du residence, casually setting a barrier to isolate spiritual fluctuations. Without hesitation, she pushed open the door to Du Yueyao’s bedroom.
Du Yueyao awoke with a start, looking at the woman in white with fear in her eyes. “Who are you?”
“Come with me. I have come to take you as…”
The woman in white began to speak, but in the next instant her pupils contracted sharply. Her figure immediately retreated, and in the blink of an eye she shot back out through the bedroom door.
Yet the moment she crossed the threshold, she found the surroundings filled with white cloud qi, mingled with wisps of pink mist. The aura carried killing intent and, combined with innate white cloud qi, sealed the small courtyard, inverting the four directions and trapping her completely on the spot.
