Chapter 57 - 57: She Boldly Approached
The only thing that puzzled Lu Xuan was the secret technique in He Yuanfeng’s possession.
After the old Chancellor’s death, fearing that someone might misuse the technique, Lu Xuan took the handwritten notes containing the secret method and removed them from Sancai Academy.
So the question arose: where did He Yuanfeng obtain his taboo technique for becoming a Saint?
Lu Xuan recalled the morning’s events. When he revealed the origin of the secret technique, He Yuanfeng appeared extremely shocked.
Meaning, he had no idea that the secret technique was created by his own master.
It seemed more like he had obtained the secret method through some “fortuitous coincidence.
“If someone intentionally passed the sacrificial technique to He Yuanfeng with the intent to destroy the Confucian path…”
Lu Xuan frowned slightly, thinking back to the incident with the resurrection of the Ancestral Magus in Dongping Kingdom, where hidden forces had fanned the flames.
“The resurrection of an Ancestral Magus could cause great calamity; He
Yuanfeng, falling into demonhood, destroying the foundation of
Confucianism… If his plan were to succeed, the Archean Eon Realm would also fall into great turmoil…”
Lu Xuan’s fingers tapped lightly on the table.
If both events were driven by the same force in the shadows…
Lu Xuan organized his thoughts, his expression growing serious.
He reached for a drink but instead touched something soft.
It was Cheng Lingzhu’s… hand.
Lu Xuan looked closely and realized that Cheng Lingzhu had taken his cup.
She held his hand while lifting the cup to take a light sip.
Thus, only half a cup of the drink remained. Her cheeks flushed red, she blinked, holding the cup with her delicate, fair hand and offered it.
“Here.”
The cup was brought to his lips, not to be refilled but for Lu Xuan to drink from it.
Lu Xuan glanced down and noticed a faint lipstick mark on the edge of the cup.
Cheng Lingzhu raised her chin, her cheeks rosy.
Whether from the alcohol or something else, she was visibly flushed.
Lu Xuan took the cup, sipping from the edge, slowly drinking the remaining liquid.
After setting down the cup, it was clean, with no trace of the drink left.
Cheng Lingzhu’s lips curled into a smile. She hugged a small wine jar from the table and grabbed Lu Xuan’s sleeve, saying, “Let’s go back.”
“Are you tired already?”
Lu Xuan looked at the ongoing banquet and nodded, “Let’s go.”
As Cheng Lingzhu was about to stand up, she found herself encircled at the waist and lifted off her feet as someone supported her knees, carrying her sideways.
Many around them noticed and turned their attention to this scene.
Lu Xuan walked through the bustling hall, eyes forward, not glancing sideways, while Cheng Lingzhu held her chin up, a look of pride on her face.
Seeing this, a male disciple of Sancai Academy couldn’t help but clench his teeth, as if the wine in his cup and the dishes on his plate had lost their flavor.
“Damn, just because a man carries you, you feel special?” he thought bitterly.
He chuckled coldly, kicked off his shoes, and jumped into the arms of his senior brother.
“Hmph, I have someone too.”
The noise and commotion of the banquet gradually faded behind them.
The moonlight was cold and clear, the night air as cool as water.
Lu Xuan slowly exhaled, feeling his body relax.
Having lived for so many years, he still maintained some dignity as a senior figure. Fortunately, Lu Xuan was different from Cheng Hongtan of the past.
The resetting of his life cycle had cut away all the worldly distractions and traces of time from his spiritual platform, allowing him to maintain a youthful mindset.
Thus, Lu Xuan carried Cheng Lingzhu, who in turn clutched a small wine jar, back to their residence.
As the door to their room opened, near the bed stood a spirit-wood table, accompanied by two high stools.
Lu Xuan set Cheng Lingzhu down, about to fetch some hot water, but his sleeve was tugged.
Cheng Lingzhu placed the wine jar on the table and puffed out her chest, saying, “You haven’t had a proper drink with me yet.” Lu Xuan blinked, “Didn’t we just share half a cup?”
“That doesn’t count.”
Cheng Lingzhu was unyielding.
Lu Xuan agreed with her.
The two lived in the same courtyard but in separate rooms.
Lu Xuan’s room was next to Cheng Lingzhu’s, only a few steps away.
Since she wanted him to stay a little longer, he would oblige.
Cheng Lingzhu fetched two cups from the table and poured the wine.
Lu Xuan sat beside her, watching her movements.
Cheng Lingzhu took a small sip of wine, and after a while, she said:
“You’ve become… Very powerful now, haven’t you?”
“Hm?”
Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow, quickly understanding why she had drunk so much today.
It turned out that Cheng Lingzhu was the one most affected by his manifestation earlier.
Indeed, that was the case.
Although Cheng Lingzhu had witnessed Lu Xuan’s extraordinary feats before regaining her memories, her perspective then was different from now.
Seeing Lu Xuan’s actions today, manifesting in front of everyone, she felt a sense of surrealness.
The disciple who once needed her protection had now grown into a towering tree.
“What’s wrong, are you not used to it?” Lu Xuan’s face bore a hint of a smile.
“A bit.”
Cheng Lingzhu nodded, “But I’m also very happy, extremely happy. Before my tribulation, I was worried that you might get bullied after I was gone…” She looked at Lu Xuan, smiling as she spoke:
“But now, I think anyone who tries will be the one getting bullied.” “That’s a bit of an injustice, considering my high moral character…” Lu Xuan defended himself, “And to be honest, I’m not that strong.”
“You suppressed a cultivator who had completed their tribulation. Isn’t that strong enough?”
Cheng Lingzhu remarked, “You’ve grown into a great senior.”
Hearing this, Lu Xuan took her hand and placed it on his chest.
“If I were truly a great senior, my heart would be undisturbed no matter what happens. But alas, I am a person whose emotions fluctuate a lot. When you’re not by my side, my heart feels empty, always missing you. How can such a worldly person be called a great senior?”
Cheng Lingzhu couldn’t help but smile at his words, playfully retorting, “In that case, someone so troubled by love and affection must have a very unstable
Dao heart.” “That’s true.”
Lu Xuan sighed.
“That’s why my heart needs someone to reside in it, to help hold it steady. Otherwise, whether it’s manifesting in front of others or suppressing evil spirits, I wouldn’t be able to do it.”
Cheng Lingzhu blinked, humming, “You’re just trying to flatter me.”
“Every word is true, there is not a single falsehood contained within them.”
Lu Xuan pointed at his chest, “You can lean over and listen if you don’t believe me.”
“Then come a bit closer.”
Cheng Lingzhu pondered for a moment.
Lu Xuan thought she wanted a hug, so he moved closer.
Cheng Lingzhu looked at him, her eyes sparkling.
The next moment, she cupped his handsome face in her hands and kissed him passionately.
Lu Xuan was taken aback! !!