Shen Ying is now the Court-appointed Peach Blossom Fairy; she might soon become someone beyond the reach of Duan Zhong and the others.
Now that they’ve finally formed a connection through incense, the group didn’t hold back. They stationed the Ghost Soldiers outside the village, and followed Lu Zheng into the village for a cup of tea, while also receiving a wisp of incense qi from Shen Ying as a gift, prompting Duan Zhong and the others to thank her profusely.
Next, a scout reported that the Ye Lan King at the end of the Yin-Yang Road had withdrawn his soldiers and retreated.
Shortly after, the three City Patrol Envoys returned to the county with the Ghost Soldiers, wisely without suggesting to take Lu Zheng along.
Shen Ying’s body softened as she leaned forward, her hair touching his, "Would Young Master prefer to be here, or should we go to the bedroom in the backyard?"
"Haha! I want it all!"
After drinking a cup of Peach Blossom Brew, Lu Zheng asked Shen Ying worriedly, "If it weren’t for Duan Zhong notifying me, I wouldn’t have known you were already under attack.
You still can’t leave Peach Blossom Plain now, can’t you notify me when I’m awake?"
"I can’t~" Shen Ying blinked and said weakly.
Lu Zheng pondered, "I wonder if the White Cloud Temple has methods like paper crane messaging. I’ll ask at the temple tomorrow."
The Great Jing Dynasty can’t use cellphones, and with Taohua Village and Tonglin County being over ten miles apart, regular walkie-talkies wouldn’t cover that distance. However, with some connections, military-grade walkie-talkies might work.
But the main point is...
Lu Zheng doesn’t want to reveal overly advanced technology in this world.
It’s not that he doesn’t trust Shen Ying, but since this world leans towards the mystical, the more people know, the greater the risk of exposure.
If an accident occurs and one of the world’s top Great Powers discovers such things that don’t belong in this realm, Lu Zheng might end up being pursued by the supernatural forces of the Great Jing Dynasty.
For instance, if Lu Zheng really could fly and showed off in modern times, imagine if the country elevated him to a strategic asset.
"I can’t use the Daoist Sect’s paper crane messaging yet," Shen Ying murmured.
"Young Master need not worry about me. The incense in Taohua Temple is flourishing, and I’ve also received the Nether Heart painstakingly refined by the Ye Lan King. Even if he comes personally, he won’t be able to harm me."
Lu Zheng frowned, "That’s the problem. You’ve taken his treasure and killed his soldiers, he’ll only target you more. How can I be at ease leaving you alone in the Peach Blossom Forest?"
Yet the Ye Lan King is hidden in the Netherworld, and with Lu Zheng’s current strength, he can’t handle him. This matter can only be set aside for now, fortunately, there is still a City God blocking the way at this end of the Yin-Yang Road.
Shen Ying shook her head, "Young Master, don’t worry. I will only become stronger. As ’Peach Blossoms’ and I are mysteriously connected, my cultivation is advancing rapidly. Given some time, the Ye Lan King might not be my match anymore."
As Shen Ying spoke, noticing the late hour, she proceeded to prepare several White Peach Buns for Lu Zheng as dinner.
The next morning, after eating breakfast together with Shen Ying, Lu Zheng filled his stomach and returned to the county.
In the evening, Lu Zheng was invited to dine at the Liu Family.
Liu Qingyan said to Lu Zheng, "Tomorrow is our scheduled rest day, let’s go to Peach Blossom Plain to visit Sister Shen. I’ve been busy diagnosing at Renxin Hall, working without breaks for a long time, and haven’t visited in ages. I wonder if Sister Shen will be upset."
"Sure, sure!" Liu Qingquan on the side clapped her hands and laughed, "I want to eat Peach Blossom Pastries. I heard a new Taohua Temple was built at Peach Blossom Plain; let’s also go pay respects to the Peach Blossom Fairy!"
Liu Qingyan paused at the mention, "A Taohua Temple was built at Peach Blossom Plain?"
She had been busy diagnosing at Renxin Hall, caught in busy routines, and the temple had been completed for over a month, yet she was unaware.
Liu Qingquan nodded carefree, "Yes, yes, it’s said that the Peach Blossom Fairy inside is very beautiful. Sister, let’s go pay our respects!"
Liu Qingyan’s breath became lighter upon hearing this, she glanced at Lu Zheng, "Lu Lang, have you been to the Taohua Temple?"
Lu Zheng steadied himself, and with a composed smile replied, "Not just have I been, the ’Peach Blossoms’ inscription at Taohua Temple was penned by me."
"Ah?" Liu Qingyan exclaimed in shock, her expression pale, "That..."
But before she could react further, Lu Zheng said, "There’s something I need to tell you all, it should have been disclosed long ago, but I didn’t know how to bring it up."
Liu Qingyan and Elder Liu exchanged a glance, inhaling deeply, they softly asked, "What is it?"
"Actually..." Lu Zheng pondered, "Actually, Madam Shen... isn’t human."
Suddenly the Liu Family’s hall fell silent, even Liu Qingquan reacted by shrinking her neck.
"Ahem... don’t be afraid, in fact, Madam Shen is the Peach Blossom Fairy," Lu Zheng said earnestly.
Originally, Lu Zheng didn’t plan on revealing Shen Ying’s identity to the Liu Family, especially Liu Qingyan.
However, once the Taohua Temple was established, it was clear this matter couldn’t be concealed. With Uncle An and Uncle Qian serving as temple priests, and the Peach Blossom Fairy’s image identical to Shen Ying’s, anyone would suspect. Besides, this world indeed possesses mysteries.
Therefore, after Taohua Temple began construction, Lu Zheng mentioned this matter to Shen Ying.
Lu Zheng initially thought Shen Ying might object, as she found it rare to connect with Liu Qingyan at first sight, ideal for typical interactions.
However, Shen Ying had no objections; her original words were, "I’ve felt an immediate kinship with Little Sister Qingyan, so I expect she wouldn’t mind my identity. Also, I am actually eager to see her reaction upon learning of my identity."
Upon hearing Shen Ying’s words, Lu Zheng commented that Liu Qingyan would surely be shocked.
As anticipated, upon hearing Lu Zheng disclose Shen Ying’s origins, Liu Qingyan was indeed shocked.
"Sister Shen... she is... the Peach Blossom Fairy?"
"Yes." Lu Zheng nodded.
"Did she mention... cough..." Seeing Lu Zheng looking at her, expression composed, Liu Qingyan calmed her racing heart and asked, "Lu Lang, how did you find out?"
"Speaking of it, it was quite a coincidence."
Having agreed upon the story with Shen Ying, Lu Zheng recounted the incident where he and Duan Changzai from the Anomaly Suppression Bureau pursued the Scorpion Spirit to the Peach Blossom Forest and Shen Ying assisted them.
"Because Madam Shen rendered great service to the Court, the State Capitol issued an order to construct Taohua Temple for her. I happened to know Madam Shen, so I wrote ’Peach Blossoms’ as the inscription."
"Oh." Liu Qingyan nodded, still somewhat distracted.
"So, that ’Peach Blossoms’ was penned by Lu Lang!" Madam Liu broke the silence with praise, "I’ve heard people talking about this poem esteemed within the county, and thought it was crafted by a renowned writer from the State Capitol, but it turns out to be Lu Lang’s work!"
Drawing the gaze of those present, Madam Liu recited ’Peach Blossoms’.
"Great poem!" Elder Liu exclaimed, raising his glass for a toast with Lu Zheng.
Feeling somewhat anxious, Lu Zheng glanced at Liu Qingyan, noticing her eyes filled with admiration, not at all envious, but rather full of reverence.
Lu Zheng couldn’t help but feel uplifted, thinking how wonderful ancient times are!
"Actually, I should’ve told you this earlier, but never found a suitable chance. Today, as the topic arose, so..." Lu Zheng smiled, "But since Madam Shen and Qingyan found a kinship, you may continue your interactions as usual."
"Yes, yes." Liu Qingquan nodded her head rapidly.
Liu Qingyan also smiled warmly, gently nodding.