CHAPTER 408: CHAPTER 408: BRINGING THE BIG BOSS ALONG FOR ANOTHER TRIP

Xin Yuniang smiled and said, "Mr. Luo’s dishes are truly exceptional, quite rare."

Lu Zheng nodded, "Indeed."

Although I don’t know what seasoning was used, ordinary people shouldn’t eat much, but as for demons...

Alright, forget I said that.

Seeing that both Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan appreciated the dishes, Xin Yuniang was quite pleased and said to Luo Tao, "It’s rare for Young Master Lu and Miss Liu to enjoy your cooking. Later, when you return to the mountain, take some of that pickled rabbit meat and offer it to our distinguished guests to savor slowly."

"Alright!" Luo Tao nodded.

Xin Yuniang then turned to Lu Zheng, "Just some cheap mountain goods, please do not refuse."

"Then, we won’t be polite."

Xin Yuniang laughed, "Both of you shouldn’t be too formal with me."

...

The meal, under the warm hospitality of Xin Yuniang and Luo Tao, was thoroughly enjoyed by both guests and hosts.

"It’s already late. The rooms in the villa have been prepared for the two of you. Rest overnight; there’s no rush to set out tomorrow," said Xin Yuniang.

Then, leaving three maids to tidy the living room, she had one maid lead Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan to their room, while she herself eagerly took Luo Tao and left the villa heading towards the nearby Jiyue Mountain.

Seeing them leave, Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan returned to their room.

"Indeed, someone cautious and skilled at managing relationships," said Lu Zheng.

Liu Qingyan nodded, although she wasn’t fond of Xin Yuniang’s way of handling things, given her superior Dao practice compared to the two of them, she still greeted them with a smile all the way. They couldn’t just show her attitude recklessly.

Wouldn’t that be looking for trouble unnecessarily?

"It’s late; let’s rest. Sleeping on a bed is certainly more comfortable than in a tent," said Lu Zheng with a smile.

"Alright." Liu Qingyan softly smiled, "I’ll help Lu Lang with his clothes."

...

Early the next morning, Xin Yuniang returned to the estate with Luo Tao, indeed bringing ten pounds of rabbit meat.

"Thank you!" Lu Zheng casually took it, expressed his gratitude, then put the rabbit meat into the gourd at his waist.

"By the way, yesterday I had a pleasant conversation with Mr. Luo; I don’t have any gifts to offer, but as for a gentleman’s sword, I happen to have a Cyan Rainbow Sword that is perfect for Mr. Luo." Lu Zheng patted his gourd again and took out a custom-made Eight-sided Han Sword.

Golden-patterned bronze hilt, the entire blade azure.

Luo Tao’s eyes lit up, while Xin Yuniang’s eyes also smiled as she took the sword and drew the long blade, "Young Master Lu, you’re too kind. Such a fine sword is truly rare!"

However, Xin Yuniang didn’t mind much, as it was just a mortal sword, ordinary people wielding it couldn’t break her demon body.

After saying that, Xin Yuniang handed the Han sword to Luo Tao, reminding him, "Aren’t you going to thank Young Master Lu swiftly?"

Luo Tao held the long sword, unable to hide his smile, hurriedly bowed, "Tao thanks Young Master Lu for the bestowal!"

Lu Zheng was taken aback, then blinked, realizing it, gestured to lift him, "No need to thank, please rise swiftly."

Luo Tao stood up, then hung the sword at his waist, matching his scholarly robe, seemingly out of place with the Southern Border, exuding a noble aura like a Spring and Autumn gentleman.

"Thank you, Miss Xin, for your hospitality. We shall take our leave now," Lu Zheng said with a bow.

"Alright, you both take care."

Xin Yuniang and Luo Tao escorted Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan to the villa entrance, bowed again to bid farewell.

After returning the gesture, Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan left hand in hand, their pace like the wind, quickly departing from Jiyue Mountain Villa.

...

"Lu Lang, what are you thinking?" Liu Qingyan turned to look at Lu Zheng.

Just after leaving the villa, as soon as they turned past a stretch of woods, Lu Zheng’s expression changed.

Face solemn, gaze flickering, brows lightly knit, as if troubled by some problem.

"I’m pondering... it’s just a mortal long sword, what influence can it truly have on Luo Tao and Xin Yuniang?"

Liu Qingyan blinked, not understanding the implication of Lu Zheng’s words, "What influence could there be? If Luo Tao cultivates for a few more years, maybe he could use the sword to fight some beasts in the mountains?"

"Really? What about Xin Yuniang?"

Liu Qingyan was puzzled, "What does it have to do with Xin Yuniang?"

Lu Zheng thought for a moment, then explained, "What if Luo Tao gained some opportunity, how would he treat Xin Yuniang in the future?"

Liu Qingyan was taken aback, "Maybe... nothing much? Xin Yuniang has treated him quite well, at least passed down her cultivation method."

"Hmm, perhaps." Lu Zheng’s expression relaxed a bit, nodding.

When he had just gifted the sword, there were two waves at the moment Xin Yuniang handed the long sword to Luo Tao; one absorbed dozens of Qi fortune, and the other absorbed over a hundred Qi fortune—an impressive harvest.

However...

Lu Zheng was contemplating, having just given Luo Tao a sword, how could it have such a significant impact that it even influenced Xin Yuniang.

Could it be that he was more talented than Zhu Yushan? Or was his opportunity too great?

But it doesn’t make sense; the change in Qi fortune only targets already obtained opportunities, one should know that life is uncertain, Heavenly Dao is unpredictable!

Unless his opportunity is this sword, or it’s...

Lu Zheng’s pace halted.

Liu Qingyan also immediately stopped, "Lu Lang?"

"Return to Dingfeng Mountain!"

"What?"

Lu Zheng turned around, by now they had left Jiyue Mountain over ten miles.

Lu Zheng uncovered the gourd lid, said to Liu Qingyan, "There’s something I need to verify, you go inside first, let’s head back to Dingfeng Mountain."

"Fine!" Liu Qingyan nodded, didn’t waste words or resist, flew into Lu Zheng’s gourd.

Lu Zheng put away the gourd, chose the direction, his form sank, burrowed underground, swiftly moving towards Dingfeng Mountain.

...

Dingfeng Mountain.

Hu Zhou was again sparring with Gao Junyu, exchanging blows, move after move.

Wang Yuzhi was inside the rear mountain cave dwelling, sewing a tight-fitting red dress.

Hu Yijun stood at the peak of Dingfeng Mountain, observing the vast mountain range.

"Hmm?"

Hu Yijun’s tiger eyes opened, a spark of lightning flashed in his eyes, gaze fixedly directed towards the mountain foot.

The next moment, Lu Zheng emerged from the ground, swiftly climbing the mountain.

"Younger Brother Lu?"

Hu Yijun blinked, his figure shifted, in the next moment, he was already at the mid-mountain grand hall.

Not long after, Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan entered the grand hall under the Hu Zhou couple’s guidance.

"Father, Master said he has something to discuss with you."

Hu Yijun looked at Lu Zheng, who nodded and said, "Xin Yuniang found a paramour named Luo Tao, seemingly just an ordinary person, but I suspect his power might be comparable to Xin Yuniang’s."

"Oh?" Hu Yijun raised an eyebrow, being able to hide from Xin Yuniang, could it be...

"I suspect he is a disguised demon cultivator." Lu Zheng nodded, "But I didn’t dare to test it, so I came back, hoping a senior would go take a look."

Lu Zheng didn’t mean to ask Hu Yijun to handle it, just asked for one of the mountain’s experts.

Despite Xin Yuniang’s advanced Dao practice, holding a territory north of Dingfeng Mountain spanning over a hundred miles, it was tacitly left by various factions as a buffer zone for others.

And on Dingfeng Mountain, many individuals surpass Xin Yuniang in power.

"With strength similar to Xin Yuniang’s, yet concealed by her side..." Hu Yijun pondered, then said, "I’ll go with you."

Before Lu Zheng could respond, he felt a lightness in his form, as he, Liu Qingyan, and the Hu Zhou couple were together lifted into the air.

Lu Zheng blinked, "Brother Hu, I’m not entirely sure..."

"No problem, Younger Brother Lu meant well, just a thousand miles or so, consider it a stroll."

Lu Zheng, "..."

Before long, they were already near Jiyue Mountain.

"In apology for failing to welcome Master Hu’s visit from afar, I hope for your forgiveness."

A captivating voice echoed, Xin Yuniang gracefully walked out of the cave dwelling, flying into the air.

"Oh? Young Master Lu, Miss Liu, you are..."

"Miss Xin, where is Mr. Luo?" Lu Zheng asked directly.

"Hmm?" Xin Yuniang’s gaze flickered, then immediately turned to look at the cave entrance. She said to the two handsome youths leaning at the entrance, "Go invite Mr. Luo out to meet the guests."

"Yes."

The two youths agreed, turned, and entered the cave.

But just as they entered, Hu Yijun laughed loudly, extending his hand towards the rear of Jiyue Mountain.

Instantly, the ground shattered, rocks broke, a fierce screech sounded.