Although he could cross over at any time and had made thorough preparations in terms of tools, the thought of possibly facing off against a creature from strange legends still left Lu Zheng uneasy.
"Now that I know where that Corpse Ghoul is hiding, I could simply go to White Cloud Temple and tell Daoist Priest Mingzhang."
The target was clear, and scholar Wang's family was obviously well-off. If Daoist Priest Mingzhang saved his life, the reward would surely be substantial. He could also display his divine might in the county, and the temple's incense offerings would certainly flourish.
"So, I still can't bear to part with the Light of Luck on that Corpse Ghoul?"
Six strands of Light of Luck had greatly improved Lu Zheng's physical abilities and directly turned him into a master of the blade.
How could he possibly quit that feeling? "Forget it. I'll try it myself first. If I can't handle it, then I'll go to White Cloud Temple and call for help."
"Besides, that Corpse Ghoul had set its sights on scholar Wang the day before yesterday. It might not necessarily come after me. I can't exactly go knocking on its door, can I?"
For a while, Lu Zheng found himself torn by gains and losses.
He neither dared to take the initiative nor could bear to give up such considerable Light of Luck.
After bringing his things back to the Great Jing Dynasty, Lu Zheng came out to prepare for dinner.
Yet just as he had finished half his meal, the Peace Talisman in his robes began to grow faintly warm.
It was here!
Lu Zheng's pupils contracted sharply.
Knock, knock, knock!
Someone knocked on the door.
"Coming!" A shout came from the kitchen in the front courtyard as Uncle Li hurried out. "Who is it?"
Uncle Li moved quickly. Just as Lu Zheng was about to stop him, Uncle Li opened the front gate with a creak.
"Miss, who are you?"
At that moment, the heat from the Peace Talisman in Lu Zheng's robes vanished.
This was... its malicious intent being concealed? Hearing Uncle Li's vague conversation outside the front gate, Lu Zheng relaxed. It seemed the other party had no intention of tearing off all pretenses and striking directly.
Lu Zheng put down his chopsticks and steadied himself. Naturally, he had no mind left for eating.
A moment later, Uncle Li came around the screen wall and arrived outside the main hall.
"Who is it? What happened?"
"Young Master, there is a young lady outside who has suffered a bandit attack," Uncle Li said. "Her family was moving to Tonglin County when they encountered mountain bandits on the road. Only one guard managed to protect her as she escaped, but he too succumbed to his wounds yesterday.
"Now she has no one to rely on. By chance, she passed our gate, caught the scent of food, and was starving, so she wished to beg for a bowl of rice."
"Just a bowl of rice?"
"If she could be taken in for a month or so, she is willing to write to her uncles and offer a hundred gold pieces in repayment. If that is inconvenient, she would still be deeply grateful for a single bowl of food."
Uncle Li stepped forward and whispered, "Young Master, this old man has taken a look. That young lady has a fine figure, a face like a celestial maiden, and an air of nobility. She must come from a wealthy family. If things go well over this next month..."
Well, well, well. Now you were worrying about your young master's lifelong affairs?
Did you know you had brought a Corpse Ghoul into your young master's home? Although he had no idea why the Corpse Ghoul had changed its appearance, or even whether this woman was that Corpse Ghoul, the warmth of the Peace Talisman could not have been mistaken. The other party had merely hidden its malicious intent.
"I'd actually rather those two were the same Corpse Ghoul. Otherwise, with double the pleasure, I'm afraid I won't be able to take it."
"Bring her in." Lu Zheng controlled his expression and did his best to calm his pounding heart.
"Please wait!"
Beaming, Uncle Li jogged back to the front gate. Before long, he returned with a woman of tall, slender stature and lush, graceful curves.
She wore a warm goose-yellow gauze blouse patterned with scattered flowers, with a willow-fluff floral skirt beneath. A pale gold sash cinched her waist, making the alluring curves of her chest all the more pronounced and her waist seem slender enough to encircle with one hand.
As she walked, twin peaks trembled softly, swaying from side to side with every step, her charm utterly bewitching.
When she came closer, the woman finally revealed her true appearance. Her brows curved like crescent moons, her starry eyes were like water, her skin was whiter and smoother than snow, and her cherry lips resembled plum blossoms.
Coupled with the faint pride beneath her reserved expression, merely looking at her could kindle a blaze in a man's heart.
"This humble woman greets you, Young Master!"
As she dipped slightly, a patch of white, smooth flesh entered Lu Zheng's view.
"Gulp." Lu Zheng swallowed.
"Come, come, Uncle Li, bring another chair. Miss, please take the seat of honor." Lu Zheng suddenly became enthusiastic.
Of course, whether to Uncle Li or the young lady, Lu Zheng's reaction appeared entirely normal.
"Thank you, Young Master."
"No need for courtesy. I am Lu Zheng. May I ask how Miss is addressed?"
"This humble woman's surname is Su, and my given name is Yi."
"Fragrant and pleasant—what a fine name."
"Young Master flatters me. Your heart is filled with brocade, and your talent overflows. You are truly remarkable," Su Yi praised softly.
Lu Zheng looked rather pleased with himself.
Uncle Li set another bowl and pair of chopsticks for Su Yi. Her manner of eating was exceptionally elegant and proper. Though hungry, she showed no loss of decorum. She truly deserved to be called a daughter of a noble family.
Over the course of one meal, Lu Zheng deliberately flattered her, while Su Yi did not reject him much in her words, seeming to hold Lu Zheng in considerable favor.
As Uncle Li waited nearby, he watched with secret delight, thinking the matter was as good as done.
After dinner, Lu Zheng had Aunt Liu clean out the west side room and prepare bedding, then sent the two of them to sleep in the front courtyard.
"No matter what sounds you hear from the rear courtyard tonight, do not come in."
"Rest easy, Young Master. This old servant understands. My wife and I will sleep with our heads under the blankets tonight. No matter how loud you are, neither of us will hear a thing."
Faced with Lu Zheng's instructions, Uncle Li wore an expression that said he understood perfectly.
Lu Zheng nodded with an ambiguous smile, then turned and shut the side gate connecting the front and rear courtyards.
When he turned his head, he saw Su Yi leaning against the doorway of the west side room. Seeing Lu Zheng look over, she blushed and slipped into the room with a twist of her waist.
Lu Zheng chuckled, then slowly entered his own bedroom.
He lightly closed the door, lit an oil lamp, and picked up a volume of Confucian classics he had bought earlier but could not understand, pretending to read it.
"Should I go over, or wait for her to come to me?"
Knock, knock.
A moment later, someone knocked. The door was gently pushed open, and Su Yi's pretty figure appeared in the doorway.
It seemed someone was even more impatient than Lu Zheng.
"Night has fallen, yet Young Master is still studying diligently?"
"My heart-fire is somewhat aflame, making sleep difficult." Lu Zheng smiled awkwardly and bowed slightly.
Su Yi covered her mouth with a smile, her enchanting eyes soft as silk. She gently raised a hand to smooth the hair by her temples, then let it glide downward from her fragrant shoulder.
"Since Young Master did not disdain to take me in, this humble woman has no way to repay such kindness. Only this body can be offered in gratitude."
Lu Zheng's eyes lit up at her words. "Does Miss truly mean that?"
"I only hope Young Master will treat me tenderly."
Lu Zheng's delight was written all over his face. He rose, pulled open the door, and turned toward the bed.
"Miss, please come in."
Seeing Lu Zheng hurry eagerly toward the bed, a smile touched Su Yi's eyes as she gently stepped inside.
Lu Zheng took two quick steps and reached the bedside, extending a hand beneath the quilt.
At this moment, moonlight flowed like water outside the window, while a matched pair of beauties stood within the room.
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