Taohua Village, under the peach trees.
Lu Zheng was playing a game of chess with Shen Ying, with the Eighteen Celestial Maidens attending and watching.
Peach Core massaged his shoulders, Tao Rui kneaded his legs, Tao Jue served tea, Tao Ying offered fruit.
Additionally, Tao Hui gently played the Yaoqin, Tao Luo plucked the pipa, Tao Sui burned incense and fanned the wind, while Peach Blossom and Tao Yue danced with sleeves raised.
Pale pink peach blossom illusions fluttered around, with a subtle sweetness permeating the courtyard of the estate.
Thus, Lu Zheng was decisively defeated by Shen Ying.
Shen Ying: (﹡ˆᴗˆ﹡)
Lu Zheng: Õ_Õ
"Hehe, sister mentioned that Young Master Lu's chess style is strange and unpredictable, but I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
"Maybe not, perhaps it's because we're here, which doesn't suit the young master's preferences."
"How could that be? We've attended to sister and the young master so well."
"Hehe, Young Master Lu's attention was all on what's beneath the chessboard, making it naturally difficult to focus on what's above it."
"Ah! Tao Qing, you little girl, how dare you say such things..."
"Hehe, what can't I say? Young Master Lu even pointed out to me that day."
"Huh?" Lu Zheng looked bewildered and raised his head to look at Tao Qing.
She is...
Lu Zheng couldn't help but narrow his eyes, unable to resist looking at Shen Ying.
Shen Ying squinted her peach blossom eyes, saying with a hint of implication, "To prevent them from future interference from heart demons during cultivation without setbacks, you cannot deliberately seal their memories, as it would not benefit them and might even cause problems at critical moments.
So, I only rescued them from the chaotic sea of desire, clearing the influence of the Mental Confusion Realm on their Divine Soul, but all memories from death to liberation remain. They must rely on their own willpower to walk out from that dark memory.
Only by walking out independently can they cultivate without obstacles, and won't be influenced by sealed memories and heart demons at crucial moments."
Lu Zheng endorsed the reasoning, and at the same time, he finally understood why Shen Ying's gaze had been so peculiar upon first meeting him.
"So..."
Shen Ying's lips curled into an enchanting smile, her peach blossom eyes narrowed, misted with allure, as she said with a half-smile, "I also didn't expect the young master to know so much~"
Lu Zheng: "..."
Tao Qing leaned down a bit and said with a giggle, "Qing'er did not satisfy the young master in the Mental Confusion Realm. Now that I've become sister's subordinate god, I am naturally at the young master's disposal. If the young master wishes for Qing'er to be bound with iron rings and chains, Qing'er would have no complaints."
Lu Zheng: ╭(°A°`)╮
"And me."
Tao Zhen stepped forward, her tall figure among the Eighteen Celestial Maidens was one of the best, with phoenix eyes and sword-like brows, spirited and heroic. From her waist, she drew a soft whip.
"No matter what Young Master Lu wishes to do, Tao Zhen is willing to endure it."
Lu Zheng: ∑(°Д°)
"I... I... I..." Tao Jing stammered, "I knew Young Master Lu was coming today, so yesterday I prepared an outfit, um, a dress..."
Lu Zheng: (°ー°〃)
The three spoke, while the other celestial maidens looked at them with faces full of envy, seemingly admiring that they received Lu Zheng's comments.
Tao Qing, Tao Zhen, and Tao Jing were precisely the three Paradise Goddesses whom Lu Zheng casually remarked upon while in the Mental Confusion Realm, with a sudden interest, also to strike at the old monk.
He never dreamed that those Paradise Goddesses would transform into today's Peach Blossom Celestial Maidens, fully inheriting all their past memories.
Thus...
It was completely understandable that Shen Ying would look at him as if looking at an immortal.
"Actually..."
Lu Zheng blinked, giving a weak explanation, "Actually, I don't understand a thing, I was just talking nonsense..."
"Tch—"
"Boo—"
You all must have traveled from the site of the De Yun Society's performance!
"Lu Lang?" Shen Ying looked at Lu Zheng with a bright smile.
Lu Zheng took a deep breath and still shook his head.
Lu Zheng's gaze was calm, his eyes serene, and his face wore a slight smile, "Since you need to walk out, these dark memories are your whetstone and nourishment. You must view them lightly, overcome them, and separate my influence on you from my memory and impression of me. Only then will you truly walk out."
Lu Zheng, at least, was an Outer Disciple of the White Cloud Temple, and had cultivated the "Nine Heavens Golden Palace True God Transformation Technique," so had some insights on spiritual cultivation.
Thus, he immediately pointed to the heart of the problem.
Actually, they had already stepped out; the experiences in the Mental Confusion Realm hadn't destroyed them, otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to mention these memories without mental barriers.
Even if Lu Zheng had lain with them, it wouldn't influence their subsequent cultivation.
Just that if they adhered to Lu Zheng's words to guide themselves, it could allow them to progress further on their cultivation path.
But in the end, the outcome might be that they would view their memories of Lu Zheng very lightly.
The eyes of the Eighteen Celestial Maidens looking at Lu Zheng indeed changed again.
They were very confident in their own beauty, and Shen Ying had her heart wholly bound to Lu Zheng. They, being Shen Ying's subordinate gods, knew serving Lu Zheng would only benefit her, so Shen Ying wouldn't prevent them.
Then all that remained was Lu Zheng's attitude, which was unexpected...
Lu Zheng really was a gentleman!
...
The Eighteen Celestial Maidens were indeed very beautiful, but Lu Zheng had already matured beyond the stage where he would think of bed upon seeing a beauty, not to mention this situation had a hint of taking advantage of another's plight. Though Lu Zheng was a rogue, his character was certainly sound.
Of course, if they truly walked out and still wished to play such games with him in the future, he surely would also be willing...
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Then..."
"Lu Lang~"
Before Lu Zheng could speak, Shen Ying could no longer hold back, looking at Lu Zheng with eyes full of admiration and love, entirely visible.
"Ah?" Lu Zheng looked at Shen Ying, noting he hadn't finished speaking.
With a wave to scatter the Eighteen Celestial Maidens, Shen Ying took Lu Zheng into the bedroom.
Lu Zheng: (⊙o⊙)
"Lu Lang?"
"Hmm?"
Shen Ying's voice was ethereal, "After hearing what Tao Qing and the others said, I have also prepared several things to show you."
"Sss—"
...
Lu Zheng embraced Shen Ying's slender waist, walking leisurely in the Peach Blossom Forest.
Shen Ying's eyes carried a seductive charm, her neck tinged red, assisting Lu Zheng as they admired the winter peach blossoms together.
Lu Zheng was somewhat surprised, "The incense at Taohua Temple has become even more prosperous."
The two stood on a small hill, observing from afar as a long black line formed by the endless stream of travelers coming and going for offerings between Taohua Temple and the main road.
Shen Ying nodded, "Indeed, not only is Taohua Temple's incense flourishing, but the Incense Divine Power from other places is also increasing."
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, "Good thing or bad thing?"
Shen Ying couldn't help but smile, "Of course, it's a good thing. Once I achieve a thousand years of Dao Practice, I can truly roam the heavens and earth."
Just as she said this, Shen Ying couldn't help but look towards the direction of Taohua Temple, her brows slightly furrowed, eyes flickering, "There is an Abnormal Person probing my strength in Taohua Temple!"