Chapter 280: Chapter 280 Biluo Fruit
However, as soon as Lu Zheng stepped out, he saw Duan Changzai and Yuan Jing walking together, turning into Tongyi Lane, heading toward Lu Zheng’s home.
"Senior brother? Brother Duan?"
"Junior brother!"
"Younger Brother Lu!"
Seeing Lu Zheng had just stepped out, holding two bottles of fruit wine, Yuan Jing couldn’t help but ask, "Are you heading out, junior brother?"
Lu Zheng shook his head, "No, just heading next door for a meal. Do you and Brother Duan have anything going on?"
Duan Changzai shook his head, "It’s already resolved. We were just passing through Tonglin County on our way back, so we came to find Younger Brother Lu for a drink."
"I was just heading to the Liu Family for a meal. If Brother Duan doesn’t mind, how about joining us?" Lu Zheng invited.
"Is it convenient?" Duan Changzai looked toward the Liu Family estate.
"No problem, Qingyan also has some friends visiting. If Brother Duan doesn’t mind, it’s more lively with more people." Lu Zheng said.
Upon hearing this, Duan Changzai laughed, "I certainly don’t mind."
So Lu Zheng brought Duan Changzai and Yuan Jing to the Liu Family entrance, knocking on the door and saying as he entered, "Qingyan, I brought my senior brother and a friend along."
"Lu Lang~"
Liu Qingyan and her sisters, along with Hua Yixing and the five women, came to the front courtyard, bumping into Lu Zheng and the others.
Liu Qingyan just smiled, while Liu Qingquan immediately hopped beside Lu Zheng, "Brother-in-law!"
"Young Master Lu!"
Hua Yixing and the five women chirped and greeted Lu Zheng.
"This is..."
Duan Changzai and Yuan Jing stood there, momentarily stunned. The sudden appearance of five such beautiful women inevitably led them to other thoughts.
"This is Lord Duan Changzai from the Yizhou Anomaly Suppression Bureau," Lu Zheng introduced Duan Changzai first.
"These five are from Five Beauties Manor in Yingshan Town, all respectable women," Lu Zheng continued.
Duan Changzai made a formal gesture, and Hua Yixing and the five women curtsied in greeting. Then Lu Zheng introduced his senior brother; only then did they all return to the main hall.
Duan Changzai didn’t dwell on the identity issues of the five women. With Lu Zheng vouching for them, it seemed unlikely they would cause trouble. After all, demons mixed in the mortal world were numerous, as long as they didn’t commit evil, the Anomaly Suppression Bureau never interfered.
Regarding the women, Hu Cai Niang had previously met You Che and Du Huanzhen from the Anomaly Bureau in Xiahe Town. Knowing Lu Zheng’s connection with the bureau, she had spoken about it with her four sisters, so they weren’t much surprised.
The evening meal was ready, and everyone sat together at the table, where Lu Zheng opened the fruit wine. Liu Qingyan also brought out Wuliangye that Lu Zheng had gifted earlier. As they ate, they chatted.
"Previously, it was always you visiting Five Beauties Manor, with only Cai Niang coming over a few times. Recently, the Biluo Fruit behind the manor ripened, so we picked a basket for Young Master Lu, Madam Shen, and Qingyan’s family to taste." Hua Yixing said.
Hu Cai Niang took out a bamboo basket she carried, lifted the floral cloth covering it, revealing dozens of walnut-sized, entirely emerald green, smooth-surfaced round fruits.
"Biluo Fruit?" Liu Qingyan had never heard of this fruit.
"Biluo Fruit?" Yuan Jing evidently had heard, and upon hearing asked, "How many years does it take for Biluo Fruit to ripen?"
Hua Yixing replied, "It ripens every five years."
Duan Changzai nodded, "Indeed, these fruits are quite large. In a few more years, it might take eight years to ripen, but the efficacy of the fruit will double with that."
"Spirit Fruit?" Liu Qingyan said in surprise.
Spirit Fruits contain Spiritual Qi within them, aiding cultivation.
Ignoring the seasons, fruits ripening over many years are naturally Spirit Fruits.
While the fruits Lu Zheng always brought were praised by those who ate them, if choosing between Spirit Fruits and the fruits Lu Zheng brought, without a doubt, Spirit Fruits would triumph.
Spirit Fruits don’t necessarily taste good, but their Spiritual Qi is abundant. To Abnormal People, consuming a Spirit Fruit might equate to many days of arduous cultivation, how could modern fruits from Lu Zheng compete?
"This gift is too precious, and there are so many of them!" Liu Qingyan said in surprise, waving her hands repeatedly, "How can we accept such a gift?"
Hua Yixing glanced at Lu Zheng with a smile, "That day when the monk came by, if not for you being there, our five sisters would have faced trouble. It’s just some Biluo Fruits; Qingyan, don’t refuse."
This gift carried gratitude for a life-saving favor, making it difficult for Liu Qingyan to refuse, especially since it included Lu Zheng and Shen Ying’s share. So, she could only accept and extend thanks.
"With plenty of fruits and the meal already at hand, everyone can have one each. Let me taste the flavor of the Spirit Fruit as well." Lu Zheng said with a smile.
Hua Yixing naturally wouldn’t refuse, so Hu Cai Niang got up and distributed a Biluo Fruit to everyone as she circled the table with the bamboo basket, and then handed the remaining Spirit Fruits to Liu Qingyan.
"Thus we are fortunate to partake," Duan Changzai and Yuan Jing said, holding the Biluo Fruits.
"No need to be polite, let’s all taste it." Lu Zheng waved his hand, saying this before placing the Biluo Fruit in his mouth.
The flesh was soft and slightly sour, somewhat resembling apricots in taste. If it were to be said it was delicious, it wasn’t as good as modern fruits.
Yet, as Lu Zheng bit through the skin and consumed the flesh, a wave of Spiritual Qi rose from his abdomen, permeating the five viscera and flowing through the meridians into the limbs and body, making him feel as if he were warming in a bath of Spiritual Qi, indescribably comfortable.
Lu Zheng might not need this fruit, but for Liu Qingyan and Lin Wan, it was a valuable aid for cultivation.
...
After eating the Spirit Fruit, they discussed the demons in the mountains and mentioned the encounter in Xiahe Town with Five Beauties Manor.
"By the way." Lu Zheng turned his gaze to Duan Changzai and asked, "Did Brother Duan come here because the people from the Southern Border caused some trouble?"
Duan Changzai shook his head, "Not at all, it was just an Abnormal Person killing and refining souls, causing the deaths of many civilians, fleeing into the Yizhou Earth Realm. The Anomaly Suppression Bureau detected it, so they sent me to handle it, and I exterminated the threat. On my way back, I happened to encounter Daoist Yuan Jing at the city gates, so we thought of visiting you for a drink, not expecting to gain a Spirit Fruit."
"Oh?" Lu Zheng looked at Yuan Jing, initially thinking Yuan Jing was with Duan Changzai, but it turned out they had only met at the gate.
"I went to Dingshan County to perform a Dharma Assembly, just returned." Yuan Jing said.
Alright, both were just returning. Lu Zheng initially thought they had come to seek his help again.
Upon contemplation, with one being a master of the Anomaly Bureau and the other a direct lineage of White Cloud Temple, they handled most matters themselves without the need to frequently ask for external help.
...
After dinner, Duan Changzai and Yuan Jing took their leave. Duan Changzai stayed at the County Government Office, and Yuan Jing reminded Lu Zheng to set aside time for the festive season to visit Jizhou Baiyun Temple together, not to miss the temple’s Dharma Assembly.
The women from Five Beauties Manor didn’t plan to return tonight, but the Liu Family didn’t have enough space, so they were all arranged to stay at Lu Zheng’s home.