“Greetings, you two. It’s been a while—I hope you’ve been well!”
Just as Li Chengxing rose to bid farewell to Li Chengfeng, a figure slowly walked in through the hall doors.
Who else could it be but Lu Xuan!
In all of Baidao Prefecture, only the things Li Chengxing carried were worthy of Lu Xuan’s attention.
As it happened, just a couple of days ago, Li Chengxing had told him he was here in Baidao Prefecture.
“Old Lu!”
“Old Lu?”
After getting a clear look at Lu Xuan outside the door, Li Chengxing and Li Chengfeng both blurted out the name “Lu Xuan” almost simultaneously.
Except that Li Chengxing’s tone carried deep confusion and shock.
For no other reason.
The current Lu Xuan had changed far too much in just half a year.
In Li Chengxing’s perception, Lu Xuan’s aura was practically nonexistent—as if he were out of place with this world, like someone from another realm entirely.
What a terrifying feeling!
If he hadn’t seen Lu Xuan with his own eyes up close, Li Chengxing suspected.
That even if Lu Xuan stood just a few meters away from him, he wouldn’t be able to sense him at all.
Could it be that Old Lu had truly taken that step during this seclusion?
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
How could someone break through to the Void Realm in just half a year?
Back then, his own family’s second ancestor had taken a full thirty years to break through to that realm.
Lu Xuan… this.
It was truly unbelievable.
“Old Lu, how did you get here!”
“Old Lu, you… you’re…” Li Chengxing’s voice trembled slightly, his eyes fixed tightly on Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan smiled faintly, his expression calm. He slowly walked into the hall, each step seeming to merge with heaven and earth, giving off an invisible sense of pressure.
“I came here because there’s something I need to trouble you with, Old Li.”
“Trouble me?”
Li Chengxing went from shock to bewilderment. He really couldn’t imagine what Lu Xuan, with his abilities, could possibly need his help with.
Then Li Chengxing furrowed his brow and quickly responded to Lu Xuan.
“Old Lu, just say it!”
“As long as I can do it, even if it means going through fire and water, I won’t hesitate!”
“No need to be so dramatic, Old Li!”
Seeing Li Chengxing looking as if facing a great enemy, Lu Xuan felt speechless.
Li Chengxing’s nervousness was perfectly normal—if even a terrifying existence like Lu Xuan needed his help, then this matter must be enormous.
“My little sister just gave birth to twins a few days ago. I happen to need to prepare some small gifts for my two newborn nephews.”
“I just hadn’t prepared anything yet, so I thought of you, Old Li.”
Hearing this, Li Chengxing immediately let out a sigh of relief, and most of the tension on his face dissolved.
He couldn’t help but laugh out loud, shaking his head: “Old Lu, oh Old Lu, you really scared me to death!”
“I thought it was some earth-shattering matter that made you come tell me in person.”
“So it was just for this!”
“This is a small matter—just say it, Old Li. What do you need?”
“As long as I have it, take whatever you want!”
Li Chengxing looked generous, as if he was about to pound his chest in assurance to Lu Xuan.
“First, lend me three portions of high-grade heaven-earth spiritual items!”
“Children will need to temper their bodies before long.”
“As their uncle, I certainly won’t let my two nephews lose at the starting line.”
“Also, my little sister just gave birth to twins, so her body needs some nourishment.”
“One portion of high-grade heaven-earth spiritual items should be just barely enough.”
…
Li Chengxing and Li Chengfeng both had dark lines on their faces, looking at Lu Xuan with some helplessness.
This guy was truly extravagant!
High-grade heaven-earth spiritual items—such extremely precious things.
Using them on martial artists below the Inner Qi Realm would simply be a waste of heaven’s gifts.
For ordinary people, these high-grade heaven-earth spiritual items were just a great supplement without side effects.
You see, high-grade heaven-earth spiritual items not only contain pure, flawless heaven-earth origin power, but also a trace of the mysterious and wondrous comprehension of heaven and earth.
They can help martial artists at the Inner Qi Realm and above deepen their understanding of heaven-earth spiritual energy.
However, even as Li Chengxing grumbled internally, he would certainly not refuse Lu Xuan.
With Lu Xuan’s current status and position, let alone three portions of high-grade heaven-earth spiritual items.
Even three portions of supreme-grade heaven-earth spiritual items, three portions of cave-heaven spiritual items—there would be plenty of forces lining up to present them to him.
Dengfeng County!
At this moment, the Shen family in the prefectural city was bustling with activity. The mansion inside and out was decorated with lanterns and colored ribbons, red silk hung high, and a festive atmosphere filled the air everywhere.
Outside the gates, carriages and horses came in an endless stream as guests arrived to offer congratulations.
Even the county officials had taken off their official robes, changed into casual clothes, and come to attend this grand event.
After all, the Shen family was one of the top medical families in the prefectural city—practically every notable figure had had dealings with them.
Within the Shen family mansion, the plaza was filled with hundreds of tables, each laden with all kinds of red celebratory items symbolizing good fortune and auspiciousness.
Although today was just a simple arrangement and the formal banquet hadn’t yet begun, the scene was already grand enough.
Obviously, the Shen family placed great importance on this happy occasion.
This was merely a temporary symbolic banquet—by the time of the full-month celebration, the Shen family would surely hold an even more elaborate celebration.
The Shen family servants were run off their feet, attending to the endless stream of guests.
Laughter and cheerful voices echoed throughout the mansion as guests coming through the gates exchanged pleasantries, all offering congratulations to the Shen family patriarch, Shen Yunwei.
“Congratulations, congratulations! The Shen family truly has double happiness today!” one guest said with a smile, cupping his hands in salute.
Shen Yunwei’s face was glowing red at this moment, a complete departure from his usual stern and heavy demeanor. He smiled and replied: “Thank you, thank you!”
“Today is just a small celebration. When the full-month banquet comes, I hope all of you will do us the honor of coming again for a drink!”
Another guest laughed: “But of course! How could we miss a happy occasion of the Shen family?”
Just as everyone was laughing and chatting, a commotion suddenly arose from outside the gates.
A middle-aged man in splendid attire strode in, followed by several attendants.
Seeing this, Shen Yunwei hurriedly went to greet him.
“Oh my, isn’t this Lord Liu?”
“Your presence today truly brings honor to our humble Shen family!” Patriarch Shen said with a smile, cupping his hands.
This Lord Liu was none other than Liu Bifu, who had taken office as the new Dengfeng County Magistrate three months ago.
The previous Dengfeng County Magistrate, Zeng Fan, had been promoted and transferred to neighboring Jingtai Prefecture as an assistant prefect.
Lord Liu laughed heartily and patted Patriarch Shen’s shoulder, saying: “Patriarch Shen, you’re too polite!”
“Today is a great day for the Shen family—how could I not come to share in the joy?”
Patriarch Shen quickly invited Lord Liu to the seat of honor, personally pouring tea and water for him.
After sitting down, Lord Liu looked around and smiled: “Patriarch Shen, today’s spectacle is quite impressive!”
“As expected of a prominent family in the prefectural city.”
“Even I, as the county magistrate of Dengfeng County, am probably far outshone by you, Patriarch Shen.”
Shen Yunwei’s heart suddenly skipped a beat—he was no fool.
What did he mean by “our Shen family is a prominent family”?
This Lord Liu had even pointed out that he, a dignified county magistrate of Dengfeng County, was inferior to a common folk doctor like himself.
That was no small matter!
However, Shen Yunwei forced a smile, continuously nodding in agreement, his attitude extremely humble.
“Lord Liu, what are you saying!”
“Our Shen family can live peacefully in Dengfeng County entirely thanks to your care, Lord Liu.”
Before Liu Bifu could speak, the scrawny man who had been following him suddenly cut in.
This man was thin and frail, with an extremely low presence, but at this moment his eyes were wide open, his gaze carrying a hint of malice.
“Is that so?”
He drawled in a shrill voice, dripping with sarcastic mockery.
“Patriarch Shen, your Shen family is quite powerful indeed!”
As he spoke, the man took a step forward, staring directly at Shen Yunwei.
“I heard that before our lord arrived, your Shen family had been giving out clothes and relieving the city’s common folk.”
He dragged out his tone, biting down hard on the words “relieving,” as if deliberately emphasizing something, the cold sneer on his face growing more pronounced.
“In this vast prefectural city, people only know of you, Shen Yunwei, but not the county magistrate.”
Just as Shen Yunwei was choked up and didn’t know how to respond.
Liu Bifu, sitting in his chair, instantly darkened his expression, his eyes blazing with anger as he harshly scolded the man.
“Insolent! Who are you to speak here?”
“You good-for-nothing with no sense of propriety—get out of my sight this instant!”
“Patriarch Shen, I’m truly embarrassed by this.”
“This official has been remiss in discipline. When I return, I will certainly punish him severely.”
Hearing these words, Shen Yunwei’s heart tightened, and a trace of cold sweat seeped onto his forehead.
He quickly waved his hand, his face plastered with smiles, and said humbly: “Lord Liu, you’re too serious!”
“This official gentleman was merely speaking his mind for a moment—it shouldn’t be taken seriously. How could he be at fault?”
“I hope Lord Liu will be magnanimous and not blame this official gentleman!”
Then Shen Yunwei changed the subject.
“The Shen family merely does small things within our capacity—how would we dare compare ourselves to the county office?”
“Lord Liu is the county magistrate of Dengfeng County, and the people naturally hold you in the highest respect.”
“The Shen family has only benefited from Lord Liu’s grace, which is why we can live peacefully in this prefectural city.”
Liu Bifu smiled faintly, gave Shen Yunwei a deep look, and said slowly: “Patriarch Shen, there’s no need to be so modest.”
“This official has long heard of the Shen family’s reputation in the prefectural city.”
“Giving out clothes and relieving the common folk—these are good deeds. Naturally, this official won’t stop you. It’s just that…”
He paused, his tone carrying a hint of meaning: “It’s just that some matters still require attention to propriety.”
“After all, the county magistrate of Dengfeng County is ultimately this official—not the Shen family.”
Shen Yunwei’s heart shuddered, and he felt a slight chill on his back. He hurriedly nodded, his face covered with a respectful smile.
“Lord Liu speaks most wisely!”
“The Shen family would never dare overstep its bounds—everything is at Lord Liu’s command!”
