"Are you going too?"

"Why, do you think I shouldn't go?"

Lu Zheng couldn't help but scratch his head, "I just feel that having you follow me around everywhere doesn't seem quite right."

"But if I don't travel, what else can I do? Stay at Phoenix Mountain, or meditate at home, or perhaps go to Blue Star to read books?" Si Lingxi replied with a smile.

Lu Zheng blinked, momentarily speechless.

Who is Si Lingxi? The Master of Southern Border Phoenix Mountain, the only Fire Phoenix in the world, definitely one of the top figures of this era.

Going to the East Sea, the East Sea Dragon King would personally greet her.

Going to Zhongjing, she's an honored guest of the Da Jing Royal Family.

Treated as an equal by Wansong Daoist, spoken of with respect by Celestial Fox Elder Lady, and approached with cautious humility by Zen Master Dejie.

If it weren't for the Heartless True Desire Demon Ancestor, Lu Zheng's limit would have been perhaps becoming close friends or more intimate acquaintances with Si Lingxi.

Of course, with the Mind Jade Seal in existence, Lu Zheng didn't think he was unworthy of Si Lingxi, but undoubtedly, not at this moment.

Having Si Lingxi follow them to heal, distribute relief, and kill demons felt like using a great talent for a minor task, akin to using an ox to slaughter a chicken, somehow feeling inadequate.

However...

"Lu Lang." Si Lingxi looked at Lu Zheng, speaking earnestly, "Actually, at our level of cultivation, all worldly etiquette, criticism, and perceptions have lost their meaning."

Lu Zheng's eyes flickered, nodding his head.

"So, when it doesn't involve the forces behind us or the world's major events, our personal actions are based on willingness, not appropriateness," Si Lingxi continued.

Lu Zheng nodded again, somewhat enlightened.

"Look at Dejie, that old bald donkey, isn't he begging across the world?"

"Uh, isn't that part of his cultivation?"

"It's basically the same thing," Si Lingxi said lightly, "And how am I any different?"

Si Lingxi looked at Lu Zheng, "I am your wife now too."

Lu Zheng nodded, "Yes!"

"So you should also regard me as your wife," Si Lingxi smiled.

Lu Zheng nodded again, "Yes!"

"I've been very happy during my time with you," Si Lingxi said with a smile.

Lu Zheng raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Me too!"

"Since that's the case, why do you feel apologetic?" Si Lingxi asked, "Moreover, I'm not doing this unwillingly. Whether it's managing water on Blue Star or traveling with you in Great Jing, I'm enjoying it. If I didn't want to, I wouldn't force myself."

Lu Zheng blinked, exhaled a breath, and reached out to hold Si Lingxi's hand, "You're right, my mind was just unsettled."

Si Lingxi brightened with a soft smile, gently leaning closer to Lu Zheng, "In that case, how will you thank me, Lu Lang?"

Lu Zheng immediately pulled up the blanket, turned over and pressed down, "I'll thank you like this!"

...

The next morning, Lu Zheng took Si Lingxi across Blue Star to gather supplies of grain and medicine.

Returning to Great Jing, he distributed the materials, filling the bracelets of Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying, and even Du Yueyao and Yue Honghai packed some, just in case.

"Now... Depart..."

"Young Master Lu!"

"Younger Brother Lu!"

Outside, came the voices of Du Huanzhen and Duan Changzai.

"Sister Du? Brother Duan?" Lu Zheng rose quickly, "Please, come in!"

Lu Zheng personally greeted them, opening the door to see Du Huanzhen in a red dress and Duan Changzai in black combat attire at the door.

"Oh? Daoist Yuan Jing is here too, and Miss Liu and Fairy Shen, greetings everyone!" Du Huanzhen smiled as she greeted them, "Miss Du, it's good to see you too!"

Yuan Jing had many dealings with the Anomaly Suppression Bureau, and Shen Ying's Peach Blossom Fairy Temple was built through their connections. Liu Qingyan had received an imperial plaque, and Du Yueyao was indeed Du Yuru's daughter, so Du Huanzhen and Duan Changzai knew them.

Only Si Lingxi they hadn't met, but seeing the seating arrangement, they knew she was one of Lu Zheng's women, so they greeted her as well.

"Tonglin County hasn't been affected, why are you two here?" Yuan Jing asked curiously, "Is Firefly River alright?"

"Yes, it's fine." Du Huanzhen nodded, "But according to Ha Dazhi's account, tonight is the agreed meeting with the person instructing him to cut off the flow and release the water."

Duan Changzai continued, "With the Anomaly Bureau and Water God's Mansion watching all water sources closely, he didn't dare delay, so they agreed to release water today and meet tonight."

Du Huanzhen's eyes narrowed slightly, "The Anomaly Bureau received reports from local government offices that since yesterday, several upstream tributaries like Lu River and Gui Ling River have suddenly experienced flooding caused by unchecked activities."

"Based on Ha Dazhi's confession, the other party didn't specify which river to release the water from, so they might not be aware that Ha Dazhi was captured and confessed."

Lu Zheng frowned, "However, based on your assessment then, the other party probably wouldn't show up again since it's too dangerous."

It's absurd; the other party already paid the deposit even though the final payment wasn't made, but Ha Dazhi and the others had fulfilled their request.

Since it's a one-off transaction, why bother with final payments, would they be foolish?

Moreover, the actions of Great Jing weren't small, who knows if someone caught by the Anomaly Bureau had already betrayed his details.

Given this, showing up to pay the final payment would clearly be a trick.

"That's why it's only the two of us who came." Du Huanzhen shrugged.

Duan Changzai added, "Regardless, it's a lead worth investigating. Lord Chu has other urgent matters, so he sent us here."

"So..."

"So we're here to try our luck." Duan Changzai said, "Also, we're looking for some help. Ha Dazhi and the other demons killed weren't weak, the person behind them must be stronger. If we really encounter them, I'm afraid we two aren't their match."

Duan Changzai was straightforward about their situation.

But Lu Zheng seemed to consider a deeper perspective, "You're suggesting the other party might intentionally set a trap?"

Duan Changzai raised a thumb approvingly, "Indeed, but the Great Jing World is our domain, how could they possibly know how many experts we'll send? So the likelihood is low."

Lu Zheng nodded.

Though the likelihood is low, the Court wouldn't put their main forces here but would still send grassroots personnel to investigate the situation, like shooting an arrow whether there's fruit or not.

Yet if they truly ran into something, Du Huanzhen and Duan Changzai wouldn't be opponents, so their first stop was to seek help.

And within Yizhou Prefecture, is there a more suitable helper than Lu Zheng?

The others might not know, but Du Huanzhen and Duan Changzai knew that Lu Zheng's cultivation had long surpassed their boss, Chu Jin, and they had established a relationship with him in earlier years.

Indeed, Lu Zheng didn't hesitate to nod in agreement, "No problem, tonight then, I'll accompany the two of you, where is it?"

"Dingshan County, Ling Mountain branch, Longding Mountain."