The next day, Liu Qingyan hosted five ladies for a tour and music listening in Tonglin County, while Lu Zheng took ten Biluo Fruits and headed to Peach Blossom Plain.
Just as he was halfway there, the sound of monkeys chiming came from the trees beside him.
Lu Zheng turned his head to look and saw a group of monkeys playing in the trees by the forest, and the Monkey King of this group was swinging along with him, eyeing the box in his hand, squeaking.
"Eh?" Lu Zheng let out a small exclamation. Isn't this the group of monkeys that often goes to Peach Blossom Plain to play?
When he brought Liu Qingyan and her sister to visit Peach Blossom Plain, this Monkey King had a conflict with Liu Qingquan. Later, Shen Ying mentioned that it was because a fox had once stolen the Monkey King's brewed Monkey Wine, so when the Monkey King recognized Liu Qingquan as a fox, he got angry. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ ɴovelfire.net
However, after being scolded by Shen Ying, although he still frequently visited Peach Blossom Plain, he no longer made a fuss when he encountered Liu Qingquan.
According to Shen Ying, this Monkey King has a high level of intelligence and is on the verge of becoming human or a demon on his own, just lacking a final opportunity.
Either by acquiring sudden insights, being enlightened by a sage, or finding an exceptionally effective Spirit Fruit to consume.
Lu Zheng's eyes flashed as he looked at the Monkey King.
The next moment, the Monkey King swung down from the tree, stood in front of Lu Zheng, glanced at the box in his hand, then continuously bowed to Lu Zheng.
"Alright then, consider yourself lucky. However, there's only one, and if it works, great; if not, there's no more for you."
Although there were plenty of Biluo Fruits, they matured only once every five years, and after distribution yesterday, less than thirty were left.
Liu Qingyan kept a few and gave the remaining dozen or so to Lu Zheng, who saved a few for Lin Wan and took ten to give to Shen Ying at Peach Blossom Plain.
Biluo Fruit is rich in Spiritual Qi and does not rot over the years; it's impressive both as a hospitality gift and a personal gift.
Encountering this monkey on the road, it seems to be its fate. After all, the monkey group often kept Shen Ying company, so they have some friendship, and Lu Zheng knew that if the Monkey King asked Shen Ying, she definitely wouldn't be stingy.
Giving it one is fine, but more than that, Lu Zheng couldn't bear.
The Monkey King understood Lu Zheng's words and was overjoyed, immediately dropping to its knees and kowtowing several times.
Lu Zheng opened the box, took out a Biluo Fruit, and tossed it to the Monkey King.
The Monkey King caught the fruit and, without hesitation, sent it into its mouth, crunching it until the whole fruit, skin, and pit were swallowed.
"Squeak squeak squeak!"
The next moment, the Monkey King took several deep breaths, its body trembling, and its eyes shining.
The monkeys playing in the trees noticed what was happening and hurriedly came down, surrounding the Monkey King and squeaking.
Lu Zheng stood at the roadside, watching the Monkey King without blinking.
Moments later, the Monkey King's breathing gradually steadied, the brightness in its eyes subsided, and it appeared joyful. Then, in a blink, it transformed into a thin short middle-aged man.
"Squeak squeak squeak!"
The surrounding monkeys were shocked and scattered, calling out as they fled, a few mother monkeys looked at the Monkey King with fear and sadness.
"Thank you, benefactor! Thank you, benefactor!"
The Monkey King looked around at its body and continually kowtowed to Lu Zheng.
Six points of Light of Fortune were added, considered a little snack or dessert.
Lu Zheng squinted his eyes slightly; it was a bit spicy.
The Monkey King often played at Peach Blossom Plain and was frequently in contact with humans, so it knew that humans wore clothes. Thus, with a shift of its figure, it reverted to a monkey.
"Benefactor, please head to Peach Grove. I will visit you later!"
The Monkey King kowtowed and thanked Lu Zheng, then leaped back into the trees and led the monkey group deeper into the woods until they disappeared.
"Did that monkey transform into a demon?"
Shen Ying consumed a Biluo Fruit, forcefully took another from Lu Zheng, and then instructed Xiaocui to store the remaining seven fruits away.
"Yes." Lu Zheng nodded, "He said he'd come over later; I bet he's going to find some clothes."
Just as he finished speaking, Shen Ying's eyes flashed, and calling sounds came from outside Taohua Village, "Fairy, benefactor, Hou Ping is here!"
"He's even chosen a name..."
"Xiaocui, open the door, let him in." Shen Ying instructed.
Xiaocui went to open the door, and then Lu Zheng and Shen Ying saw a short man wearing a wide robe, with rolled-up sleeves, following Xiaocui while hopping into the front yard.
It was the man transformed by the Monkey King.
Upon seeing the two arriving together, Hou Ping appeared joyful and hurriedly approached, kneeling and knocking three heavy taps with his head.
"Thank you, benefactor! Thank you, fairy!"
Shen Ying couldn't help but laugh, "It's Lu Lang who gave you the fruit; why are you thanking me?"
Hearing this, Hou Ping raised his head, rubbed the back of his head, and laughed, "Without the fairy's friendship, where would I get such an opportunity?"
"You're quite clever, monkey." Shen Ying laughed, "Come in and have a seat. Now that you've transformed, you're a guest of Taohua Village."
"Thank you, fairy! Thank you, fairy!"
Hou Ping bowed in thanks, then tried his best to mimic their walking style, refraining from jumping, and followed them at a slow pace.
Upon sitting in the hall, Xiaocui even served Hou Ping some tea, flustering him, who hurriedly thanked her before grabbing the cup. Without worrying about the heat of the tea, he sipped it down in one go.
"Careful, it's hot..."
"No problem, no problem!" Hou Ping blurted as he smacked his lips, "I've got thick skin, I'm fine with it!"
"It seems you still have a lot to learn." Shen Ying shook her head with a smile, "If you have time, you can go to Taohua Temple to help Uncle Qian and Uncle An, learn more about worldly customs, so you don't give yourself away when you enter the city."
"Of course, of course!" Hou Ping nodded repeatedly, "That's great, thank you, fairy!"
"If you leave, what will happen to your monkey offspring?" Lu Zheng asked.
"I'll leave them in the mountains to play." Hou Ping chuckled, "They haven't gained intelligence yet; they are obedient and easy to manage."
"That's good." Lu Zheng nodded.
"Fairy, benefactor..."
Lu Zheng waved his hand, "Don't call me benefactor; it's too awkward. Just call me..."
"Call him Young Master Lu." Shen Ying laughed and interjected.
"Got it! Fairy, Young Master Lu!" Hou Ping nodded repeatedly, "I came this time, not only to express gratitude but also to invite you both to follow me into the mountains."
"Oh? What's the matter?"
Lu Zheng and Shen Ying exchanged a glance, not sure what Hou Ping meant.
"You shouldn't refer to yourself as 'mine,' just say 'I.' When you meet someone unfamiliar, refer to yourself as Hou Mou."
"Ah, alright, alright!"
Hou Ping nodded repeatedly, "In the valley where I live, there's a cave that shields from wind and rain. In the past, I was oblivious, but recalling now, there are some patterns on the cave wall that resemble a Technique. I'd like to invite the fairy and Young Master to take a look. If they're truly useful, consider it my thanks to both of you."