Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Revisiting Taohua Village

In just a few days, time flew by.

Lu Zheng used up the remaining four wisps of Light of Fortune, dedicating one each to True Qi, Blood Qi, Constitution, and Spirit, ensuring balanced development.

“The wind blows the eggshell, money spent brings peace, that’s it, no need to fret over the tiny bit of Light of Fortune in the Jade Seal anymore.”

“But where can I find more money, no, more Light of Fortune?”

“Brother Lu!”

Liu Qingquan’s crisp voice interrupted Lu Zheng’s thoughts.

“Yes, what’s up?”

“Brother Lu, we’re going to Peach Blossom Plain tomorrow to visit Sister Shen; she asked if you’re coming.”

Lu Zheng calculated and realized it was another mid-month day off.

“Alright.”

Unconsciously, he had already stayed in the Great Jing Dynasty for nearly two months.

“By the way, you don’t need to prepare any food tomorrow, I’ve got it covered,” Lu Zheng mentioned.

He’d thought about bringing a bucket meal several times but never got the chance; tomorrow’s outing was perfect, so he’d bring two sets.

“Aren’t we eating at Sister Shen’s home? But my sister and I have gifts.”

“Uh, then I’ll bring a little less.”

It was rare he remembered, so he’d just buy one set as a side dish.

…

The next day, Lu Zheng got up early, first went to KFC to buy a bucket meal, poured everything into a food box after getting home, and then grabbed two bottles of Cyan Plum Wine.

Soon enough, the clattering donkey cart arrived at Tongyi Lane’s entrance.

“Brother Lu, get on the cart!”

As he lifted the curtain, Liu Qingquan’s nose sniffed instinctively.

“Brother Lu, what are you carrying that smells so good?”

“Fried chicken!”

“Chicken?” Liu Qingquan’s eyes lit up instantly, “Fried chicken?”

“Yes, mostly chicken legs and wings, along with fried and roasted chicken.” Lu Zheng wasn’t sure what was in KFC’s bucket meal nowadays, he just bought it with eyes closed.

“Gulp!” Liu Qingquan swallowed hard.

Even Liu Qingyan’s throat moved slightly.

They’d all had breakfast, but couldn’t resist the aroma of meat.

All the way, Lu Zheng chatted casually with Liu Qingyan while Liu Qingquan’s gaze kept circling the food box.

“Do you want to just eat one first?” This was Lu Zheng’s second attempt to persuade her.

Liu Qingquan shook her head with difficulty, “No, we’ll share it with Sister Shen, I can’t eat alone first.”

“Alright.”

Lu Zheng nodded and magically pulled out a cloth bag from his pocket.

Liu Qingquan’s eyes sparkled.

This cloth bag was Lu Zheng’s signature move; whenever it appeared, it contained all sorts of delightful treats.

Lu Zheng drew a dried beef stick from it and handed it to Liu Qingquan.

“Thank you, Brother Lu!”

“Crunch!” Liu Qingquan took a bite, “It’s so delicious!”

“You spoil her,” Liu Qingyan glared at Liu Qingquan disapprovingly.

Lu Zheng casually put a beef stick in his mouth and handed another to Liu Qingyan.

Liu Qingyan hesitated slightly but reached out to take it.

“What made you decide to visit Madam Shen?”

Shen Ying hadn’t mentioned her husband’s surname, so Lu Zheng had to address her by her surname.

“It’s been a while since coming over; today happens to be a day off, nothing interesting in the city, so we thought of visiting Sister Shen.”

“I spend my days at home with few female friends, rare to have met Sister Shen, naturally need to pay visits often.”

“Lu Lang?”

“Hmm?”

Liu Qingyan seemed slightly hesitant.

“What’s the matter?”

“Lu Lang, you constantly read and study, yet you don’t plan on taking the imperial exams, practicing martial arts every day, are you planning to travel the world someday?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I, I was just curious.”

“Honestly, I’m not sure; I used to plan on establishing a business and living peacefully.”

Liu Qingyan’s eyes sparkled beautifully, “Isn’t that good?”

“It’s quite good,” Lu Zheng nodded, “Then I stumbled upon Corpse Ghosts, acquired the Martial Cultivation Technique by chance, and joined the White Cloud Temple.”

“Could it be…”

Liu Qingyan pursed her lips, realizing the acquisition of the Martial Cultivation Technique somewhat involved her; had she not invited Lu Zheng to Peach Blossom Plain, how would they have met Shen Ying and gained the Eighteen Mountain-Carrying Techniques?

Lu Zheng quickly shook his head.

“The world is vast and unknown; there are countless masters and monsters; compared to them, I’m just a drop in the ocean.”

Liu Qingyan nodded repeatedly.

“If I ignorantly plunged into this realm, my grave might be covered by grass three feet high next year.”

Liu Qingyan pursed her lips, laughing lightly.

Liu Qingquan mumbled, “What grave, it’d probably be devoured by demons.”

Liu Qingyan heavily tapped Liu Qingquan’s head, “Eat your beef jerky!”

“So, I won’t foolishly run out to be heroic, slay demons, or capture ghosts; that’s courting death.”

“In comparison, I think a small wealthy lifestyle suits me better, cultivating martial arts and spells for self-protection.”

Liu Qingyan nodded repeatedly, her eyes shimmering with radiant light.

As they conversed, the cart arrived at Peach Blossom Plain.

Instead of stopping at the tourist-thronged western side of Peach Blossom Plain, Liu Qingyan directed the driver down a small path, bypassing the peach groves, reaching Shen Ying’s Taohua Village.

“Sister Shen!”

As the cart arrived, Taohua Village’s gate had already opened, Shen Ying stepped out with her maid Xiaocui and two old servants.

“Young Miss Liu, Young Master Lu, welcome, Uncle An, see to our guest, prepare some wine and dishes.”

Shen Ying commanded steadily, ushering Liu Qingyan, her sister, and Lu Zheng into the village.

“It’s rare for the young miss to visit, perfect timing to play some chess with me.” Shen Ying pointed to an unfinished game under the peach trees in the front courtyard, “Xiaocui’s chess skills are poor.”

Xiaocui felt aggrieved but remained silent.

“My chess skills aren’t refined either, Sister, please go easy on me.”

Shen Ying turned her eyes, “Then let Young Master Lu give you some pointers.”

Lu Zheng waved his hand, “There’s a saying, a true gentleman refrains from speaking whilst watching a game; you two play, I’ll observe.”

Joking, I can play Gomoku, know the rules of Chinese chess, but as for this Go in front… hehe…

However, he couldn’t appear weak now; he mustn’t reveal his lack of chess skill to them.

Here in the Great Jing Dynasty, pretending to be a scholar, playing poorly is understandable, but not knowing how at all? What ghost is that?

Lu Zheng regretted using up all his Light of Fortune; truth be told, there were no immediate threats, why boost combat power?

It would be better to enhance skills like music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and singing, then enjoy playing Xiao and the zither, painting or playing chess, composing poems with Liu Qingyan–wouldn’t that be delightful?

Darn, need to find a way to gather Light of Fortune; now that I think of it, I’m truly poor!