"Lu... Young Master Lu..."

Zhao Wenrong's smile froze on his face as he stammered, "I..."

"Brother Zhao!" Lu Zheng cupped his hands in greeting, "Last time Brother Zhao mentioned the affair with the female ghost, but didn't detail it. This time it's thanks to you all that I got a full earful."

"Eh?" Zhao Wenrong looked puzzled.

"Brother Zhao is kind-hearted, filled with talent and virtue, truly a model for us all. Last time during the flood, he donated dozens of carts of grain; the folks who received the grain survived and are deeply grateful for Brother Zhao's benevolence!"

Lu Zheng stepped forward two steps, patted Zhao Wenrong's shoulder, raised his eyebrows at him, then nodded to those beside him, and finally turned around, pulling Shen Ying away.

"Brother Zhao, who is this?"

With Lu Zheng's strong presence and Shen Ying's dignified grace, the young people were momentarily stunned. Only after they left did they inquire.

"This gentleman's wife, I feel like I've seen her somewhere before?" A young man scratched his head.

"This gentleman seems to be the owner of the Sweet Shop," a woman said, "I once passed by the Sweet Shop to buy sugar and I think I saw him."

Zhao Wenrong nodded, "He is indeed the owner of Sweet Shop, Lu... Brother Lu, a person of noble character. We met and instantly clicked, as close as brothers!"

"Wow!"

Zhao Wenrong hails from the Zhao Family in Yizhou Prefecture, though only the third son and unable to inherit as patriarch, it is said he's heavily favored by the old lady and has secretly given him much private money; his own wealth rivals that of major landlords and merchants of Tonglin County.

Moreover, in this county examination, he achieved the scholar's title. Should he pass the provincial exam, he might even secure an official position in the future.

Bear in mind, Zhao Wenrong arrived in Tonglin County, it's been several months since he's been at the County School, yet no fellow student has warranted a claim of brotherhood.

"What about this Young Master Lu, is there something special about him?" a man asked.

Aware that Lu Zheng didn't expose him was out of courtesy and reluctance to make a fuss, Zhao Wenrong said, "Nothing special, just came across Sweet Shop's reputation, bought some sugar, happened to meet him, exchanged words, found to have a rapport. Later on, when the northern regions were hit by disaster, Brother Lu personally lent a hand in the affected areas."

Upon hearing, several people held him in high regard.

One must know, this flood was indeed destructive, with strange occurrences; those who dared to personally attend the disaster area are truly formidable.

"Young Master Zhao also sent lots of grain to the affected areas?" A woman asked, eyes shining.

Zhao Wenrong blinked, straightened his posture slightly, and indifferently nodded, "Indeed, disasters are merciless, the people suffer. Normally, we receive the Court's support, now is the time for us to contribute our part."

"Wow!!!"

"Young Master Zhao, you truly have a great heart!"

...

Shen Ying chuckled and asked, "What's the story with this Young Master Zhao?"

Lu Zheng briefly explained his grudges with Zhao Wenrong to Shen Ying.

Previously, as the matter was trivial, Lu Zheng never minded it, so he hadn't mentioned it to Shen Ying. But since they encountered him today, he decided to tell Shen Ying.

"Who'd have thought, this Young Master Zhao is quite a character, spinning this matter into a boastful tale." Shen Ying laughed, "Though this story omits Lu Lang's part, no wonder he seemed tense upon seeing Lu Lang."

Recalling Zhao Wenrong's awkward expression when he saw him earlier, Lu Zheng couldn't help but smile.

But of course, he wouldn't dwell on such matters and had praised Zhao Wenrong for his wit.

"I observed that Young Master Zhao seems to have developed an interest in one of those girls." Shen Ying laughed, "I wonder if his wishes will be fulfilled."

"Really? I didn't notice that." Lu Zheng replied.

Shen Ying amusingly hooked Lu Zheng's arm, "Lu Lang, you're a man and an honest one at that; how could you understand those young nobles' intentions?"

Lu Zheng blinked, feeling Shen Ying made quite a point.

Indeed, his nature was straightforward!

The two arrived at Taohua Temple, spotting Uncle Qian and Uncle An diligently working from afar.

"Oh?" Shen Ying uttered softly.

"What is it?" Lu Zheng couldn't help but ask.

"Hou Ping usually helps out here at the temple; why isn't he here today?"

"He has business today?"

"Let's just ask and find out." Shen Ying remarked, then she used divine communication to inquire from Uncle Qian who was busy in the temple.

"What?" Shen Ying raised her delicate eyebrows.

"What's the matter?"

Shen Ying laughed, "Earlier, you said I was stealing the matchmaker's job; well, Hou Ping is out stealing the hunters' business."

"At Wind Screen Mountain, fifty miles south of the county, a tiger emerged from some deep mountain forest, already devouring two people. The county gathered hunters to ascend the mountain, yet there hasn't been any success for three days now."

Shen Ying said, "Hou Ping heard of this while at the temple yesterday, and took off with his rod at midnight, claiming he'd go meet the big cat."

Lu Zheng was speechless, "A Monkey Demon like him, intending to claim the bounty for catching a tiger?"

"Indeed...oh, he's back?"

Within Peach Blossom Plain's vicinity, Shen Ying's perception was quite acute. As Hou Ping approached, she immediately noticed.

Following Shen Ying's gaze, Lu Zheng saw Hou Ping, clothes torn, carrying a rod taller than a person, swinging from one big tree to another.

"Hou Ping!"

"Fairy!" Hou Ping replied, then raised his head, saw Lu Zheng, and exclaimed:

"Master, you're here too!"

In a few blinks, Hou Ping was in front of the two, planted the rod into the ground, then formally bowed, "Greetings, Fairy! Greetings, Master!"

"Rise." Lu Zheng looked at Hou Ping, his eyes flashed, "Was the tiger difficult to fight?"

"Difficult indeed, truly difficult." Hou Ping nodded repeatedly, "That big cat is almost becoming a demon, incredibly fierce!"

"Oh?"

Lu Zheng and Shen Ying exchanged glances, surprised to find it was nearly a demonized tiger.

What is called 'almost becoming a demon' refers to the ability to instinctively absorb Heaven and Earth's Spiritual Qi, the Essence of Sun and Moon, yet still unable to actively cultivate or gain intelligence.

Such beings are far more formidable than ordinary beasts, no wonder with an Iron Rod in hand, Hou Ping still emerged quite battered after the fight.

"Where's the tiger?"

"Killed it, handed it over to the hunters who were ambushing in the mountains." Hou Ping said.

"During the three days, those hunters in the mountain weren't attacked by the tiger?" Shen Ying asked.

Hou Ping scratched his head, "I'm not sure, I didn't really inquire. But seeing their happy faces, I assume there weren't any fatalities?"

Shen Ying blinked and asked, "How did you deliver the tiger to them?"

Hou Ping blinked back, "Simply handed the tiger over, right?"

"Did they recognize you?" Shen Ying asked.

Hou Ping nodded, "They recognized me."

Those hunters had of course previously come to Taohua Temple to worship and seen Hou Ping.

"You... never mind, it's alright." Shen Ying shook her head.

After all, she was part of an official institution; considering Hou Ping as Taohua Temple's Guardian when facing outsiders wasn't a bad idea.