"Cheers!"
Dozens of jade hands raised their cups in unison, and the sound of delicate and charming voices, either gentle or seductive or cheerful or graceful, was incredibly captivating.
At this mont, several days had passed since Lu Zheng destroyed the Lighthouse Country's naval base with a typhoon in the modern era, coinciding with the ancient practices of taking a ten-day break.
Coincidentally, it was midsumr, almost autumn, so Lu Zheng wanted to organize a bigger gathering, arranging to et at Peach Blossom Plain and join in a grand eting.
This ti, not only did his usual close friends from Five Beauties Manor and Bi Xinyu co, but Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying also specifically invited Zhu Yushan and his wife from Lu River, while Lu Zheng invited Guangyue from Pingtan County, and then called Yuan Jing from the mountain. Lastly, he sincerely invited his old friend Xin Zhanting.
Lu Zheng was surrounded by countless charms and loveliness, which Guangyue and Yuan Jing were already accustod to. A host of banshees and female ghosts was nothing to be envied; they greeted each other, saving mutual vigilance and precaution for future encounters.
However, what they didn't expect was that Lu Zheng had the extravagance to take in a Great Demon with hundreds of years of Dao practice to guard his ho.
What surprised them even more was that the elder following Zhu Yushan and his wife was comparable to Yue Honghai in cultivation.
Guangyue, "..."
Yuan Jing, "..."
The two exchanged glances and gulped down their Flower Carving wine.
Elsewhere, Xin Zhanting was bold and forthright, matching Yue Honghai's temperant perfectly, as they toasted continuously. One recounted glorious history at the East Sea, and the other their conquest experiences in the Netherworld.
Yue Honghai's eyes glead, "Younger brother, I didn't expect the Netherworld to be so interesting. I haven't been there before, but next ti there's a battle, or if any experts appear, you should let know; I also want to go and enjoy myself."
Xin Zhanting draped his arm over Yue Honghai and laughed heartily, "Sure, sure, Younger Brother Lu is such an upfront person; I didn't expect you, elder brother, to be of such a temper too. In the future, let's get closer."
On the outer circle, Old Turtle He Dingshan was quietly guiding Hou Ping in cultivation. He, a centuries-old demon, was rich in experience, even more so than Shen Ying. Having taken a liking to Hou Ping, he casually provided guidance.
At the dining table, Liu Qingquan and Ao Qian, the two little girls, devoured their als heartily, while Du Yueyao and Wang Xiaowan chatted and occasionally served them food.
Nearby, Liu Qingyan, Hua Yixing, Bi Xinyu, and several won surrounded Li Hanyu, discussing intimate topics among banshees, such as ways to enhance scorpion tail venom, uses of shed snake skin, how to maintain smooth fur for foxes, deer, and rabbits, and how to keep fish scales strong.
The eighteen Peach Blossom Celestial Maidens were eating and drinking themselves, while also attending to everyone, ensuring no shortage of dishes before anyone.
"Brother Zhu, are you still planning not to leave ho from the beginning of next year?" Lu Zheng raised his cup to ask.
Zhu Yushan raised his cup in accompanint, emptied it in one go, and then shook his head, "No, as the saying goes, fortune and misfortune are unavoidable, I think it's better to go with the flow; maybe I'll encounter fewer troubles."
While refilling their cups, even Shen Ying couldn't help but pause.
Goodness, Zhu Yushan wasn't even talking about catching exams smoothly, but rather about encountering lesser accidents.
Indeed, in the past when he was a mortal, he only t with minor incidents like getting sick or involved in fights. But since he married into the River God's Mansion and began cultivating, he faced events like seclusion, dealing with water demons, and missing opportunities due to enlightennt.
Now, after finally reaching a certain level of cultivation, he ran into the Great Demon with several hundred years of magical combat.
Zhu Yushan was sowhat worried about what he might encounter at next year's exam, be it a resurgence of floods or a thousand-year-old Great Demon. Surely, there won't be a teor falling from the sky directly onto the State Mansion Academy!
If that happened, wouldn't he be the embodint of bad luck, a walking disaster?
Thinking of this, Zhu Yushan couldn't help but shiver and quickly shook his head, dismissing the thought. He wasn't quite up to the skill and influence like He Dingshan and Yue Honghai. Next year's local exams, he definitely will manage to catch!
Settling his spirit and determination, Zhu Yushan's eyes regained clarity. He scooped so vegetables and raised his cup again, saying, "Brother Lu, cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Lu Zheng raised his cup; Zhu Yushan's unwavering resolve impressed Lu Zheng.
Lu Zheng and Zhu Yushan clinked glasses and drank heartily, while Shen Ying adorned the scene, refilling their cups again.
...
After spending the afternoon hiking and admiring flowers and finishing dinner, the group finally began to depart separately.
After sending off many friends, the sky had completely darkened, and Lu Zheng and his party headed back to Tonglin County under the cover of night.
"Giddy up!"
In the front seat of the carriage, Old Huang and Yue Honghai sat side by side, with Old Huang whipping the horse and Yue Honghai holding a leather bag, which he sotis lifted to his mouth for a sip.
Inside the carriage, Liu Qingquan, Ao Qian, Du Yueyao, and Wang Xiaowan were playing checkers, while Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan sat beside them watching the ga, their hands subtly performing various gestures behind their backs.
At this mont, distant shouts suddenly ca from ahead.
"Hmm?" Lu Zheng's eyes glead, and all the won turned their heads simultaneously.
"Soone's stopping others to rob!"
"A carriage up ahead has been halted."
"There are two robbers, not martial artists, but with quite a presence of evil; they're not good people."
"Such audacity! Daring to rob so close to the county?"
Besides Wang Xiaowan, the other won were quite adept and soon heard or sensed the situation ahead.
"Young Master." Outside the carriage, Yue Honghai put down his leather bag, "Should I intervene?"
Lu Zheng nodded, "Don't kill anyone, send them to the county governnt office, and add a report for Chief Liu... huh?"
"Ghost?"
"There's actually a ghost in that carriage?"
"Interesting!"
"Hehe." Lu Zheng couldn't help but laugh, "Robbery carries a risk, you should be cautious doing cri!"
"Eh?" Liu Qingyan blinked, "That ghost didn't kill anyone?"
"Maybe it's a good ghost?" Liu Qingquan curiously suggested.
"Let's take a look and find out." Liu Qingyan chuckled.
At this ti, the carriage gradually approached the carriage stopped in the middle of the road ahead.
Lu Zheng raised his brow in surprise, "I thought the aura seed familiar; it's unexpectedly an acquaintance!"
"Oh?" Everyone looked at Lu Zheng.
Lu Zheng didn't explain, but instructed Old Huang to stop the carriage, then opened the door and was the first to step down.
At this mont, they saw beside the road near the carriage ahead, a driver binding both hands of two slumped robbers, while a pair of young n and won stood by.
Seeing a carriage approaching from Lu Zheng's direction, the man quickly shouted, "You travelers need not worry; these two robbers are captured and ready to be sent to the county governnt office. Please give us a mont, we'll soon leave and clear the way."
Under the moonlight, Lu Zheng had walked close enough to see each other's faces.
"Young Master Ning! Miss Yi! Hello to you both, how have you been?"
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