Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Open and Unashamed, A Preference for Widows
After bidding farewell to Tan Xiong and the others, Lu Chengfeng quickly made his way back toward Bixiao Peak. Although he had only recently married, he found himself increasingly attached, with thoughts constantly returning to that woman and her every smile, frown, joy, and sorrow.
However, just as he reached halfway up the mountain, he spotted Cai Zhang hurrying down from above. Upon seeing Lu Chengfeng, Cai Zhang's face broke into a joyful smile.
"Senior Brother! You're back?"
Lu Chengfeng's heart skipped a beat, quickening with anticipation. "Junior Brother, do you have any news?"
"Indeed," Cai Zhang nodded. "Not knowing when you'd return, I left a message with the maidservant up the mountain. I didn't expect to run into you here."
Lu Chengfeng took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement and apprehension. "Junior Brother, what did Lady Qiu Tong say?"
Cai Zhang chuckled. "She said she'd like to meet and see if you two are a match. In my opinion, she's clearly interested! With your looks and charm, what are the odds she won't be moved upon meeting you?"
Lu Chengfeng couldn't hide his delight. If she weren't interested, she wouldn't ask to meet him. This was indeed promising. He eagerly asked, "Did Lady Qiu Tong mention when she'd like to meet?"
"She knows you're involved in the demon tide suppression," Cai Zhang replied. "She said you can send word when you have free time, and she'll arrange a meeting then."
Remembering the strength his fellow disciples had displayed in the Marshlands of Enchantment earlier that day, Lu Chengfeng could no longer contain himself. His impatience evident, he said, "If that's the case, there's no time like the present. Let's go see her now."
"Haha! Senior Brother, you're really in a rush!" Cai Zhang couldn't help but laugh. "Here you are, practically at your own doorstep, not even stopping to change into a clean robe, yet rushing off in your armor to meet another woman…"
Only then did Lu Chengfeng realize his current appearance. He looked at the dimming sky and knew that if he returned home first, it would be completely dark by the time they reached Houde Pavilion.
After all, Lady Qiu Tong was a widow, and it wouldn't be appropriate for her to be seen meeting a man late at night. Such a meeting would invite rumors and gossip, and it was unlikely she'd agree to it. But if he went now, there might still be enough light to meet her face-to-face and hopefully settle matters once and for all.
These thoughts flashed through his mind, and Lu Chengfeng made up his mind. He grabbed Cai Zhang's sleeve and started pulling him down the mountain. "Junior Brother, stop teasing me. I'm serious. If I can secure a promise from her, skipping my own doorstep is nothing!"
"Let's go, quickly!"
Cai Zhang had never seen his senior brother so eager and found it amusing. As he was tugged along, he laughed. "So it's true, Senior Brother. You really do have a taste for widows. I didn't believe it before, but now I have to admit it. Haha!"
"A man's natural preference—what's there to hide?" Lu Chengfeng's face flushed, though he kept his composure, countering, "It's widows I like, not married women. I have nothing to be ashamed of."
"Hahaha!" Cai Zhang laughed so hard that he had to stop in his tracks, bent over with mirth. "Just as expected from my Senior Brother! A model man—far beyond my league."
"Bold and honest, with a fondness for widows—truly admirable!"
Lu Chengfeng's face darkened. "Enough of your nonsense! Hurry up, or I'll make you regret it if I miss meeting Lady Qiu Tong."
Cai Zhang raised his hands in mock surrender. "Senior Brother, you're already planning to burn bridges before you've even crossed them! The lady's not even in hand yet, and you're already treating the matchmaker harshly?"
Lu Chengfeng held back a sigh, wondering how he had missed that his junior brother could be this talkative.
He grabbed Cai Zhang's arm firmly, propelling him forward. The sudden burst of speed caught Cai Zhang mid-sentence, filling his mouth with the rushing wind.
"...Senior… Brother… you're… punishing… me…"
"If things work out, I'll give you three Bi Bo Pills."
"Really?" Cai Zhang's eyes lit up with excitement. "How could I refuse?"
The Bi Bo Pill was a rare cultivation aid for the Bihai Qingtian Gong technique, with ingredients costing over a thousand silver taels per batch. A single successful batch produced at most nine pills. Highly sought after and rarely available, these pills were precious. In seven years, Lu Chengfeng himself had only received three, so as a named disciple, Cai Zhang rarely even saw them.
Seeing his junior brother's mock modesty, Lu Chengfeng nearly rolled his eyes. "Fine, if you don't want them, forget it…"
"Yes, yes! If Senior Brother is offering, of course I'll accept! Many thanks for the generous gift." Cai Zhang couldn't stop grinning.
Lu Chengfeng shook his head. Among Zhao Changzhen's belongings were twelve Bi Bo Pills, of which he had distributed three each to himself, Zhao Ling'er, Su Wanqing, and Li Mo. He had never used them, and if he succeeded in marrying Lady Qiu Tong, a few pills would be well worth the cost.
After Cai Zhang had pocketed his prize, he finally stopped his teasing and followed Lu Chengfeng dutifully toward Houde Pavilion.
By the time they arrived, dusk had fallen, with only a faint glow of twilight tinting the sky. Birds flitted across the horizon as evening winds rustled the branches of two large willow trees outside Houde Pavilion.
"Senior Brother, please wait here. I have the Stewards' Hall token and Lady Qiu Tong's invitation, so I can enter without trouble. Others, however, are restricted," Cai Zhang explained to Lu Chengfeng before hurrying inside.
Watching him leave, Lu Chengfeng took several deep breaths to calm his anxious heart, then moved to stand under one of the willow trees away from the main path.
He still wore his dark iron armor, with his hair tied up under a copper crown. Blood and mud still clung to his armor, and traces of demonic aura lingered around him, giving him an intimidating and fierce presence.
Standing there with his sword, tall and handsome yet exuding a cold, lethal aura, he naturally drew the attention of passersby.
The people frequenting Houde Pavilion were mostly the families of sect elders or direct disciples, and among them were many young men and women. Several youths glanced at him with admiration and awe in their eyes.
"Sister, his armor looks so imposing! One day, I'll be like him!"
"That's a dark iron armor only worn by inner disciples during demon hunts. It's not something just anyone can wear."
"Then I'll become an inner disciple, just like Father!"
A young brother and sister passed by, the elder girl looking about fifteen or sixteen, while the younger boy seemed around seven or eight. They spoke quietly as they walked by, their words reaching Lu Chengfeng's ears on the evening breeze.
He couldn't help but glance at the young girl's retreating figure. Although she was young, she already had a graceful elegance, with an alluring figure that was hard to ignore. As she passed by, her veiled face revealed a pair of strikingly deep green eyes, adding a touch of mystery.
Just as he turned his head to observe, Cai Zhang emerged from the pavilion's stone gate, jogging toward him. Lu Chengfeng's face brightened, and he hurried forward to meet him.
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