CHAPTER 412: CHAPTER 412: HEAD TO TAOHUA VILLAGE FOR A LATE-NIGHT SNACK

Tonglin County, Peach Blossom Plain.

Large, fluffy snowflakes drifted gently down, wrapping everything in white and creating an enchanting scene.

The peach blossoms on the ordinary peach trees of Peach Blossom Plain had long since fallen, and their fruits had already filled the stomachs of the mountain villagers. At this time, the ground and branches were covered with a blanket of white snow.

Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan had just set foot in the territory of Peach Blossom Plain. After taking just a couple of steps, a figure appeared under a peach tree ahead.

She wore a light pink gauze skirt with a phoenix tail that trailed behind, and a hairpin adorned with gold flowers and peach blossoms dangled elegantly.

Her figure was graceful and elegant, with a swaying charm, her delicate neck sang like a melody, and her smiling face bloomed like a flower. A pair of peach blossom eyes gleamed like autumn waves over water, and her rosy red lips burned with intensity.

"Lu Lang, Qingyan, you are back!"

Shen Ying stood under the peach tree, watching them with a smile.

"We’re back!"

Liu Qingyan instinctively took a step back, while Lu Zheng stepped forward to embrace Shen Ying.

"Come, let’s go home!"

...

While enjoying the welcome feast Shen Ying prepared for them, they chatted about the events of their journey.

Most things were easily discussed, but the appearance of so many influential figures at Hu Zhou’s wedding feast, as well as the hints of demon cultivators, genuinely startled Shen Ying.

"Indeed, the world is vast and filled with experts and powerful beings. We are but a drop in the ocean and must cultivate diligently for our safety."

Liu Qingyan nodded, "In the past, I was aimless with no thought for the future. Now that there is hope, indeed, it’s time to seriously cultivate."

The two looked toward Lu Zheng.

Shen Ying, previously half-spirit and half-demon, had no backing and had to face Yan Jie’s challenges monthly, never knowing when she might meet her end.

Although Liu Qingyan possessed an ancient bloodline, she lacked a foundational cultivation technique, merely practicing medicine and using merit golden light to conceal her Qi, all while the Black Wolf Demon crisis loomed.

Their fates had specifically changed because of Lu Zheng.

Now, one was the Peach Blossom Fairy with endless incense and candle Qi, and the other was the Qingyi Niang with an abundance of merit golden light, possessing profound Dao practice and hopes for longevity, plus both had a considerate and ideal husband.

This naturally stimulated their zeal for cultivation.

And when they looked at Lu Zheng, their eyes naturally reflected endless affection, burning enthusiasm like fire.

Just as Lu Zheng stuffed the last piece of peach blossom pastry into his mouth and took a small sip of peach blossom brew, he suddenly felt a stir in his heart.

Lu Zheng: ⚆_⚆?

"Why are you suddenly looking at me like that?"

Liu Qingyan picked up the clay pot and poured Lu Zheng another cup of peach blossom brew.

Shen Ying picked up a piece of pastry and added a few chopsticks of pickled vegetables, handing them to Lu Zheng, "Seeing Lu Lang eat so sweetly, have some more."

Lu Zheng nodded, "Madam, this peach blossom pastry is truly exceptional, so soft and fragrant with a peach blossom aroma, leaving one wanting more even after eating."

While Lu Zheng spoke, his eyes were not on the pastry in his hand.

Shen Ying chuckled softly, casting a flirtatious glance at Lu Zheng, then looked toward Liu Qingyan, "Did Little Sister Qingyan not keep you well-fed along the way?"

Liu Qingyan blushed at the words.

Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, "Qingyan didn’t prepare food for me; along the way, she only ate the roasted chicken I prepared for her..."

Liu Qingyan’s eyes wandered, her cheeks reddening to the point of almost shedding water, as a faint fragrance suddenly permeated the room.

The red pill stirred emotions, an elusive, faint scent.

Smiling enchantingly, Shen Ying added a pickled vegetable to Lu Zheng’s bowl, her voice seductive and full of infinite charm, "Lu Lang, first enjoy your meal, I will make sure you’re full."

"I believe it!"

...

Outside, the snow gleamed white, falling thickly, while inside the house, pink curtains set the stage for heart-to-heart talks.

...

"By the way, this time in the Southern Border, I gained a little; Xin Yuniang gave me a book, ’Little Earth Emperor’s Ghost-Controlling Divine Communication Technique’. I looked at it; you could also cultivate it, and it complements the ’Soul-Washing Scripture’ well, offering considerable improvement."

"It can also be passed on to the Eighteen Celestial Maidens. Although this cultivation technique belongs to heretical practices, it targets ghostly beings, and with the addition of incense and candle Qi, perhaps the Eighteen Peach Blossom Celestial Maidens could progress even further."

"Thank you, Lu Lang~"

Lu Zheng had reviewed the scripture on the road and its opening startled him.

[Heaven-Receiving and Earth-Imitating Earth Goddess]

This thing is a heretical spell? It’s too orthodox, don’t you think!

But later, upon further reading, he realized why Xin Yuniang didn’t recognize it.

Because it is evident that this book is not the complete or even original transmission of the Earth God but is derived from it, a branch deduced from the source.

The main content is cultivating the divine soul, with many ghost-controlling and enemy-defeating techniques.

After all, being the Earth God’s transmission, it possesses divine properties and can be cultivated by both humans and ghosts.

Hence, he can learn it, Shen Ying can learn it, and the Eighteen Peach Blossom Celestial Maidens can learn it.

Shen Ying’s expertise in divine soul cultivation is now backed by the ’Taiyuan Mysterious Scripture’ and the ’Taiyin Supreme Grade Soul-Washing Scripture’, now combined with this ’Ghost-Controlling Divine Communication Technique’, is quite substantial.

"Also, there’s a box of jade and jewels that Qingyan has always kept, saying she wants to choose with you, so you two can have a look together."

"Wow, such beautiful cat’s eyes, the demons in the Southern Border sure are wealthy, thank you, Qingyan~"

"This one is pretty!"

"This one too!"

"This Phoenix Soaring, wear it with a red string on the chest, so beautiful."

"Hehe, this can be made into a bracelet."

Lu Zheng laughed, "Let me see, which ones match your fair skin best?"

"Oh—"

"No—"

...

After staying a night in Taohua Village, Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan finally returned to Tonglin County.

With winter’s arrival, there were fewer people on the streets. The surrounding rural villagers who came to the county to sell mountain goods or shop, as well as the urbanites leisurely strolling the streets, all stayed indoors if possible during winter.

"Sister! Brother-in-law!"

As soon as they arrived home, Liu Qingquan leapt from the front hall into Liu Qingyan’s arms as they entered, showing her incredible jumping ability.

"Was the Southern Border fun?"

"Was Hu Zhou’s bride beautiful?"

"Were there any tasty foods?"

"Did you bring me any gifts?"

"When can I go play?"

Liu Qingyan gave Liu Qingquan’s little head a pat and handed the pack she was holding to Liu San.

"Inside are specialty dry mushrooms from Lingnan Dao, Yongzhou, great for making soup."

"Alright!" Liu San smiled as he took it, "We’ll make soup for lunch today!"

Liu Wu said, "I’ll go call the master to have lunch together."

Liu Qingyan suggested, "Invite Yue Yao to join us too."

"Alright!" Liu Wu acknowledged and quickly left, heading out to Renxin Hall.

Just then, Madam Liu emerged from the backyard and approached everyone.

"Mother!"

"Auntie!"

"It’s good you’re back. The Southern Border spans thousands of miles; it’s just good to have you return safely." Madam Liu said.

Liu Qingyan smiled, "Lingnan Dao Yongzhou and the Southern Border villages, their jewelry is quite distinctive. A friend also gave some jade and jewels, come have a look, Mother."

Liu Qingquan raised her hand high, "I want to see too!"

"You’re too young; I’ll give you two agates to make a pendant," Liu Qingyan said, gently patting Liu Qingquan’s little head.

...

At noon, Elder Liu and Du Yueyao returned, creating yet another lively scene.

In the afternoon, Elder Liu continued his consultations, while Du Yueyao stayed to bombard Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan with curious questions along with Liu Qingquan.

...

In the evening, Lu Zheng dined again at the Liu Family before returning home to reassure Uncle Li and Aunt Liu, then retired to the bedroom.

Just as he was about to return to the present day, Lu Zheng felt the peach wood token on his waist gently tremble.

Closing his eyes, he instantly entered a dream, seeing Shen Ying gracefully standing amidst a pink mist, her garments fluttering, dignified yet charming, like a dream.

The pink gauze skirt seemed both real and illusionary, shifting with the mist, the floral fragrance clinging to the nose, subtly permeating the heart.

Pink eyeshadow slanted into her temples, her vermillion lips whispered softly in Lu Zheng’s ear, "Lu Lang, I’ve prepared some midnight snacks, would you like to come eat?"

Lu Zheng: (๑‾ꇴ‾๑)