Lin Wan also turned to Lu Zheng. “How are you planning to handle their identity issues?”
“Oh, I have already handled it,” Lu Zheng said calmly. “Tomorrow we just go to the police station to report their ID cards as lost.”
Lin Wan was stunned. “You…”
Lu Zheng nodded. “Exactly.”
“You are really something!” Lin Wan gave him a thumbs up.
“No need for thanks,” Lu Zheng said with a nod, accepting Lin Wan’s praise. “Since they have always lived abroad, it is perfect for laundering those ten billion or so US dollars we have overseas.”
“It can be done like that?” Lin Wan stared in shock.
“Why not?” Lu Zheng shrugged. “Though they have always been abroad, their domestic household registrations were never cancelled. It is simply that no one in the country who knew them is still alive.”
Lin Wan, “…”
…
Over the next few days, Lu Zheng focused mainly on resolving the three women’s identity issues, at least ensuring that if the police stopped them for a check, they would not be flagged as unregistered.
The three women seized the time to learn the basic common knowledge of this world.
Thanks to the internet, they did not need Lu Zheng’s explanations. Unlike Lu Zheng, who had to listen to storytellers to understand the world, once they mastered the writing system and how to use phones, they no longer needed his guidance.
In just a few days, Si Lingxi and the other two transformed into modern urban beauties. As long as the conversation stayed away from relatively obscure topics and remained everyday, even Lin Wan found it hard to spot anything unusual about them.
“If Sister Lingxi were an alien wanting to rule the world, it probably would not be difficult at all,” Lin Wan sighed. “No one would notice anything wrong.”
“You are overthinking it.”
Lu Zheng shrugged. “If she really wanted to rule the world, would she bother acting in secret?”
“What about nuclear bombs?” Lin Wan asked.
Lu Zheng held up three fingers. “First, modern nuclear weapons mostly rely on missiles for delivery. They simply could not get close to her.
Second, even if one did get near, she could instantly move far beyond the blast radius.
Third, even if she took a direct hit, phoenix divine fire is no less than the legendary golden solar flame, and a hydrogen bomb only mimics the sun.
So…”
“So…” Lin Wan stared in shock. “She could withstand a nuclear bomb?”
“It would still shake my protective profound light a little,” Si Lingxi suddenly appeared and said calmly.
Lin Wan, “…”
“Nuclear bombs are not as terrifying as you imagine,” Si Lingxi said with a smile. “The core damage radius of a nuclear explosion is only that large. The power is actually quite limited. Most of the harm comes from radiation. Do you think I would fear radiation?”
“That… you would not?” Lin Wan asked weakly.
Si Lingxi shook her head with a smile. “It is far weaker than yin energy or demonic energy. Never mind me. Once you cultivate the Taiyuan Profound Light, nuclear radiation will not affect you either.”
“Is that so?” Lin Wan stared in shock.
Si Lingxi patted Lin Wan’s shoulder. “The technological explosion on Blue Star over the past few centuries is indeed impressive, but do not underestimate cultivation civilisations, especially one with inheritance from upper-realm immortals.”
Lin Wan gave a wry smile. “I am not underestimating you all. I just never imagined nuclear bombs would be mere trifles to you.”
“That is a trifle only to Sister Lingxi,” Shen Ying said with a laugh, trying to comfort her. “I could not withstand a direct nuclear explosion. Only Sister Lingxi can say a nuclear bomb’s power is limited.”
Lin Wan shot Shen Ying a sideways glance. “But you would not let a nuclear bomb get close, would you?”
Shen Ying nodded. “Of course not! Even if a hundred came, I could detonate them from afar, then hide underground.”
Lin Wan: Õ_Õ
…
Phoenix Mountain, rear mountain, outside the main courtyard.
The four Hong Lu maids looked at each other.
“The Palace Lord and Lu… and the Young Master have been inside for nearly ten days…”
“Could the Palace Lord be injured?”
“No, surely not? After they returned, they even spent a whole day enjoying Phoenix Mountain.”
“Shall we… ask?”
“No!” Hong Lu decisively refused. “The Palace Lord ordered that unless she specifically instructs otherwise, no one is to enter.”
If it were only Si Lingxi in seclusion, even for a hundred years, they would have no questions or concerns.
But this time she had taken Lu Zheng and three other women into her bedroom, which made the four maids deeply uncomfortable.
It felt as though their mistress had been stolen.
Well… perhaps it was not just a feeling…
As they debated, the doors to the Palace Lord’s bedroom gently opened. Si Lingxi and Lu Zheng slowly walked out.
The four Hong Lu maids immediately curtsied. “Greetings, Palace Lord! Greetings, Young Master!”
Si Lingxi gave a faint nod. “Nothing eventful on the mountain these past few days?”
Hong Lu shook her head. “Reporting to the Palace Lord, there have been no major incidents.”
“Good,” Si Lingxi nodded. “I will be staying in the Central Plains for a while. You four will manage mountain affairs. If anything is unclear, go to the phoenix fire in the rear hall and cast the spell to ask me.”
Si Lingxi had a strand of ever-burning phoenix fire in the rear hall, connected to her divine soul. The four Hong Lu maids knew the incantation and hand seals to speak with her directly regardless of distance.
Hearing Si Lingxi’s instructions, the four maids could not help glancing at Lu Zheng.
Hong Lu curtsied. “Palace Lord, shall we accompany you? Even if only Bi He and Xuan Ya?”
“No need,” Si Lingxi waved a hand. “You stay on the mountain.”
The four maids could only acknowledge.
Si Lingxi nodded, then took Lu Zheng’s arm and rose into the sky, transforming into a streak of crimson light that shot straight toward the Central Plains.
“It is over!”
“The Palace Lord has really taken a man!”
“She does not want us any more!”
“She has even abandoned the Phoenix Mountain foundation!”
…
Flying all the way back to Tonglin County, Lu Zheng and Si Lingxi landed outside the county town.
Si Lingxi did not follow further. Only Lu Zheng crossed to the modern world, bringing the fully changed Liu Qingyan, Shen Ying, and Lin Wan back to the ancient one.
Today was not a weekend. Lin Wan had specially taken a day off to tour an ancient city.
“Wow!”
Usually it was Zhao Xiaodao and Li Ying exclaiming behind her. Today it was finally her turn.
The classical city and streets made her feel… well, it was not just a feeling. She truly was in ancient times…
The group entered through the south gate, passing along Anfang Commercial Street. They visited the first and only shop Lu Zheng had opened here, Sweet Delicacies Studio, then passed the famed Spring Breeze Pavilion that modern people only knew by reputation, before finally turning into the east street of the county and arriving at the Liu family business, Benevolent Heart Hall.
“Big Brother Lu! Sister Liu! Sister Shen! You are back!”
Du Yueyao happily came forward to greet them, then respectfully bowed to Si Lingxi. “Greetings, Palace Lord Si!”
She then looked curiously at Lin Wan. “Greetings, miss.”
“Lin Wan, greetings, Miss Du!” Lin Wan looked at Du Yueyao, her eyes flickering with thought.
