The next day, Lu Zheng took Du Yuru’s family to observe the local customs in Tonglin County, and then the Du family took their leave.
However, it was decided that Du Yueyao would stay behind to learn dicine from Liu Qingyan. A servant and a guard from the Du family remained, renting a courtyard in Tongyi Lane and began tidying up.
Once everything was settled, Du Yueyao would co and live for a while each month to study and assist in dical consultations with Liu Qingyan.
"Why did you agree to it?" Lu Zheng asked Liu Qingyan.
Liu Qingyan chuckled softly, "I could tell that the girl from the Du family genuinely loves studying dicine and has a kind heart. Since that’s the case, why would I refuse?"
"But..."
Liu Qingyan smirked, "Hehe, I don’t mind, after all, I’m a fox spirit, and you’re a direct disciple of the White Cloud Temple. If you were to marry..."
"No way!" Lu Zheng shook his head and gently silenced Liu Qingyan with a kiss.
"Mmm—"
...
Liu Qingyan agreed to teach Du Yueyao dicine, and Du Yuru and his wife didn’t oppose it. In this matter, Lu Zheng beca an outsider and naturally had no grounds to object.
Understanding Du Yuru’s intention, Du Yueyao was a kind-hearted girl, so Lu Zheng tacitly approved as well.
Not to ntion that Du Yueyao would co back in another half month, after seeing off the Du family, Lu Zheng went to Shaotong Mountain to visit his master and senior brother.
As for why he didn’t go right after returning?
Lu Zheng claid he forgot... no, he intended to prepare a batch of freshly brewed Flower Carving wine for his master.
Daoist Mingzhang was very pleased to hear from Yuan Ning that Lu Zheng had stored a full ten jars of fine wine in the cellar, and he kindly asked, "These wines are all self-brewed; I suppose there won’t be much left later?"
Lu Zheng nodded, "Not much, but don’t worry, Master. I’ve already mixed so old yeast, and a new batch is brewing."
"Very good! Very good!"
Daoist Mingzhang stroked his beard with a smile and then turned to the main topic, "Jinhua Sect really gave face this ti. The ’Taiyuan Mysterious Scripture’ was a technique passed down in a dream from Taiyuan True Monarch, sorted over decades by an ancestor. Although it doesn’t fit their core lineage, it still represents the Xuann Orthodox Sect, cultivating the Three Treasures for the path of longevity."
"Indeed." Lu Zheng nodded in agreent.
He had studied this technique too, and although it was slightly inferior in depth and efficiency compared to the ’True Scripture of the Innate Cloud Transformation Qi thod’ and the ’Nine Heavens Golden Palace True God Transformation Technique,’ it was only just beneath them.
Since he intended to pass this technique to Lin Wan, Lu Zheng naturally had to understand it well to guide her afterwards.
"Not to ntion the ’Golden Palace Inference Secret Technique’ text." Daoist Mingzhang remarked with so surprise, "Honestly, I didn’t expect the Jinhua Sect to pass this scripture to you. What did you do at the Jinhua Sect? Gift dozens of swords and wine?"
"No!" Lu Zheng shook his head. "I just played chess with disciples of the ’Rong’ generation for a few days."
Lu Zheng didn’t ntion his victory over the Jinhua Sect leader; unless Master Peng Yu himself spoke of it, he planned to keep this matter to himself.
Daoist Mingzhang knew that so disciples of the Jinhua Sect had a tradition of using chess to refine their spirits, but he was still puzzled, "But that alone wouldn’t warrant gifting you this technique..."
Lu Zheng could only shrug, indicating he didn’t know either.
"Well, the Jinhua Sect’s gesture is significant, probably recognizing your potential." Daoist Mingzhang mused for a mont and then smiled, shaking his head, "In any case, it’s a good thing for you. Building goodwill with the Jinhua Sect is no bad thing."
Lu Zheng laughed and nodded in agreent.
After a pause in conversation, Daoist Mingzhang reminded, "The ’Refining Spirit Technique’ is exquisite, but as you advance, it becos incredibly difficult. Your foundation is still the Qi Refining Cloud Technique; don’t overestimate others."
"Yes, Master. I understand." Lu Zheng nodded repeatedly.
"Good."
Daoist Mingzhang nodded with satisfaction, then gestured to bring over the chessboard and pieces, saying to Lu Zheng, "Co, let see your unparalleled chess skills that even defeated the Jinhua Sect’s ’Rong’ generation, worthy of them breaking tradition and gifting a direct lineage technique."
Daoist Mingzhang had witnessed Lu Zheng’s victory against Daoist Yuting in the illusion technique chess ga, and although Lu Zheng had strong chess skills back then, it wasn’t enough to sweep the younger disciples of the Jinhua Sect.
So over the past year, Lu Zheng must have improved, and Daoist Mingzhang, excited by the prospect, invited Lu Zheng for a match.
"Don’t go easy on ."
"Yes!"
...
Half an hour later.
"Hmm, although this Flower Carving wine lacks spiritual essence, its aroma is rich, and the taste is sweet and llow; truly a top-notch brew!" Daoist Mingzhang praised.
The two had already moved to a small courtyard; as for the chess ga just now...
What chess ga?
They were clearly just chatting a mont ago, with Lu Zheng ntioning encountering the Prefect of Yizhou, Du Yuru’s family, and helping the Huizhou Anomaly Bureau eliminate a Ghost King and capture two Southern Border cultivators.
Daoist Mingzhang shook his head, "Has the Southern Border grown complacent and now seeks trouble?"
Lu Zheng blinked, naturally feigning ignorance.
"Never mind." Daoist Mingzhang shook his head, "The Southern Border, aside from local forces, is mostly filled with remnants from defeated sects, heretical sects, witches, and demon gods.
Even if there are Buddhist and martial offshoots, they aren’t direct lineages, and though masters exist, being beings of longevity, they won’t hastily start conflicts... right?"
"Right?" Lu Zheng blinked.
Daoist Mingzhang too blinked, "Ahem, not to worry, if the sky falls, those in front will handle it. The Eight Immortals Temple, Celestial Dragon Temple, and other major sects are all in the southern three provinces."
Lu Zheng, "..."
...
Returning to Tonglin County, aside from daily cultivation and refining the copper mirror, Lu Zheng found himself in another idle period.
"Hey? Lin Wan, are you still busy?" Lu Zheng dialed Lin Wan’s number.
"No, I just finished eating and was planning to go back to the office for so rest."
"It seems progress is slow?" Lu Zheng couldn’t help but ask.
"Hmm."
The case was confidential, so Lin Wan couldn’t disclose details, only affirming with a hum.
"There’s been so progress, but I might still have to stay here for a while," Lin Wan said.
"No problem." Lu Zheng responded, and before Lin Wan could react, he added, "But I can co see you!"
"Uh..."
Lin Wan was taken aback. It was an unusual suggestion; colleagues’ partners usually had their own work commitnts.
"Isn’t that inappropriate..." Lin Wan stamred.
"Why not? You’re there for an investigation, not an undercover mission. Surely you can’t work twenty-four hours a day?" Lu Zheng argued.
Lin Wan blinked.
Well, maybe, perhaps, possibly, it could be done?
Lu Zheng smiled, ready to speak, but then the sound of sudden exclamations ca through the phone.
"Watch out for the car!"
"Lin Wan, be careful!"
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