Ten thousand miles on the return journey, Lu Zheng rides the clouds and drives the mist, heading south with Liu Qingyan's family. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"So, have you gained a lot over these past days?" Lu Zheng looked back at Liu Qingyan.

Liu Qingyan nodded repeatedly, "The Old Lady's understanding of the Tushan Scripture is profound. A single sentence of guidance from her can enlighten me, as if opening a new door. In the past few days, I've gained more than I did in the past half year of cultivation."

Lu Zheng turned to look at the excited Liu Qingquan; this little girl has also gained quite a bit, now boasting over a hundred years of Dao practice, surpassing Madam Liu, and almost catching up with Elder Liu.

"The Old Lady also bestowed upon me a Celestial Fragrance Pill, which slowly purifies the bloodline, refines the divine soul, and boosts cultivation." Liu Qingyan said happily, "Once I fully digest this pill, I might catch up with Sister Ying."

Lu Zheng was speechless, "You were never far behind her, to begin with, your aspirations are way too low."

"Hehe!" Liu Qingyan chuckled lightly and wrapped her hand around Lu Zheng's arm, then extended her left hand, pulling out a small banner from thin air, "And there's also a magical treasure."

"What is this?" Lu Zheng asked.

"A Shadow Banner." Liu Qingyan replied, "It can protect oneself, deflect or even rebound spells, and can pass through arrays and break restrictions without being trapped."

Lu Zheng laughed, "The Old Lady must be very worried that you'll encounter danger!"

Liu Qingyan smiled helplessly, "The Old Lady says with you and Sister Lingxi around, and since I lack combat experience, attack treasures are not of much use; protecting myself is the best help I can offer you."

"The Old Lady has keen insights, cutting straight to the point." Lu Zheng nodded, looking into Liu Qingyan's slightly squinting fox-like eyes, very naturally shifting the topic, "But she overlooked your will and efforts, she's getting a bit senile."

Behind them, Elder Liu and Madam Liu couldn't help but chuckle, while Liu Qingyan tightened her grip on Lu Zheng's arm, clearly enjoying Lu Zheng's caring and warm demeanor.

"Everyone at Tushan was so enthusiastic; looks like we'll have to visit more often in the future." Lu Zheng shook his head with a sigh.

He said this, and not only Elder Liu and Madam Liu, but even Liu Qingyan couldn't resist casting a charming glance at Lu Zheng; doesn't he realize why everyone at Tushan was so enthusiastic?

Lu Zheng shrugged, "This is my first visit to my wife's kin, I wanted to make a good impression."

Liu Qingyan said nothing, but her eyes narrowed slightly, her lips curled, and her cheeks turned a soft red, clearly very satisfied.

Elder Liu and Madam Liu were also warmly welcomed on Tushan, partly because they were descendants of Tushan, partly because Liu Qingyan has extraordinary talent and resembles the Old Lady's third daughter, and partly because Lu Zheng cooked and hosted, gifting wine left and right.

Spirit wine is rare in this world; being able to indulge in Cyan Plum Wine, Flower Carved Wine, and Wuliangye without limit is truly a rare treat.

"First, pick up Yue Yao and bring her home, then visit the East Sea. During the Harvest Festival, should we return to Tushan?" Lu Zheng asked.

Liu Qingyan nodded, "We'll decide when the time comes."

...

Flying along, soon they were about to leave the Northern Domain.

As Lu Zheng flew on, a surge of demon qi suddenly rose from afar, transforming into a sharp blade qi, brazenly and swiftly slashing toward them.

"Hmm?"

Lu Zheng's eyes flashed. He raised his hand to unleash a sword qi.

"Clang!"

With a gentle hum, the blade qi and sword qi both vanished, but a shockwave erupted miles ahead of Lu Zheng, flattening a swath of trees in the forest below in an instant.

Lu Zheng narrowed his gaze. Following the direction from which the blade qi came, on a lonely mountain peak dozens of miles away, he spotted two figures standing against the wind: it was Yue Yifeng and his wife.

"Moon Shadow White Wolf?" Liu Qingyan also saw them.

"Who's Moon Shadow White Wolf? And who's that?" Elder Liu and Madam Liu knew nothing.

"They're bad people! They wanted brother-in-law to cook for them, and when he refused, they tried to ruin our dishes." Liu Qingquan said adorably, "But they were incompetent and got chased away by Sister Yu Ya!"

Elder Liu and his wife were still puzzled, thinking there must be a huge grudge, yet it turns out to be about a table of dishes?

Then Liu Qingquan vividly recounted their adventure in Fragrant Leaf Valley catching the Five-Colored Pheasants for a meal, and how Yue Yifeng brought people to catch pheasants too, wanting Lu Zheng's help. Lu Zheng refused, so they got chased away by Tu Yuya.

"Then what's his intention now?"

Elder Liu looked at Yue Yifeng in the distance, seeing him in snow-white clothes, expressionless, indifferent, standing tall like a pine tree; he didn't look like someone seeking vengeance over a dish.

"We exchanged a move from across the space that day. Your sword dao is extraordinary, and I, Yue, seek to compete."

On the mountain peak afar, Yue Yifeng spoke calmly, "During the New Year, it's inappropriate to fight; you're a guest, and Tushan won't allow you to fight. So I've waited here, hoping you won't disappoint me."

Lu Zheng smirked, "And then you suddenly slashed at me?"

"If you can't even block this slash, you're not qualified to fight me," Yue Yifeng said blandly.

"So arrogant! Brother-in-law! Go get him!" Liu Qingquan clenched her tiny fists, shaking them fiercely at Yue Yifeng.

Lu Zheng, who didn't hide his strength, had shared it with Liu Qingquan. She knew that Lu Zheng's capability enabled him to overpower Tu Yuya, who was equally matched with Yue Yifeng, so the question of Lu Zheng being stronger was straightforward.

Lu Zheng nodded, yet didn't advance nor approach Yue Yifeng, simply hovering mid-air, smiling slightly, and calmly asked, "Is this about winning or life and death?"

Yue Yifeng raised a brow, appearing slightly baffled, then appreciating with a smile, "Of course it's about winning; though if you lose, you'll have to cook three meals for my wife tonight and tomorrow."

Lu Zheng: ???

The Liu family: ???

So it's still about the dishes?

The woman beside Yue Yifeng also blushed but quickly recovered, her gaze filled with love and contentment toward him.

Alright, Lu Zheng understood; he didn't expect Yue Yifeng to be a doting, romantic husband.

However...

"If I lose, I'll cook three meals for you, but if you lose? You won't just let us return peacefully, right?" Lu Zheng wouldn't agree to such a clearly unfair condition.

Yue Yifeng blinked, surprised, never considering his own loss, as he hadn't thought he would lose one-on-one.

"If my husband loses, twelve Five-Colored Pheasants, seven White Jade Milk Sheep, and three Snowfield White Oxen will all be yours," the woman behind Yue Yifeng spoke up.