Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 172: A Hundred Birds

"Speaking of which, although Kaiyang County is a small one, it's relatively stable. I've heard that in some remote areas, demons and ghosts are rampant, and even the government can't do anything about it, so they can only let the local people fend for themselves..."

Wang Ji said sadly, "In a place like that, being an official is a life-threatening thing. No one cares if you die. If we die, at least someone will collect our bodies, and our families will receive compensation."

Seeing that the firewood was burned out, Wang Ji stood up to collect his colleagues' ashes, packing them up carefully one by one.

Lu Zheng said softly, "Where else were you originally going? It's a good opportunity for me to travel around and do the traveling for you, saving you the risk of sending other officials."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ji thanked him and told him a few places to go.

Having witnessed Lu Zheng's strength with his own eyes before, Wang Ji was not worried that Lu Zheng would encounter any danger.

Lu Zheng said, "You should go back now. Be careful on your way."

Wang Ji nodded and said, "Take care, Master Lu!"

After saying that, Wang Ji picked up his things and left quickly.

Lu Zheng went in another direction to look for the bear monster's lair.

Previously, Wang Ji and others accidentally encountered the bear monster in the mountains, and they did not know the bear monster's lair.

Lu Zheng searched all the way and finally found a hidden cave in a mountain stream.

As soon as he entered the cave, Lu Zheng smelled all kinds of indescribable smells.

He went deep into the cave and did not find any other bear monsters, but he found a lot of bones, both human bones and monster bones.

They were all taken as trophies by the bear monster and decorated in the cave.

In addition, there are some leather bags hanging on the stone walls, and a lot of gold, silver and other valuables placed everywhere.

Lu Zheng took the money and then burned the cave clean.

Afterwards, Lu Zheng hurried to the next village.

After finishing the work before dark, they slept outdoors in the mountains.

Lu Zheng and Qing Wan practiced separately and did not rest until late at night.

The next day, before dawn, Lu Zheng woke up and set off on his journey.

Not far away, on the branch of a big tree, a blue bird was sleeping with its eyes closed.

Suddenly, Qingniao heard some noise and opened his eyes slightly, only to find that Lu Zheng was gone.

The bluebird tilted its head, flapped its wings and flew into the air. It looked around and saw where Lu Zheng was, then followed slowly behind him.

Lu Zhengyin sensed something, tilted his head slightly, searched with his eyes, and then set his eyes on the bluebird in the forest.

The bluebird noticed Lu Zheng's gaze, tilted its head and adjusted its feathers, pretending nothing had happened.

Lu Zheng withdrew his gaze and continued on his way.

After a while, he heard the sound of flapping wings from behind.

Lu Zheng stopped again, looked at the blue bird some distance away from him, and asked in a friendly manner: "Sir, why are you following me?"

The bluebird looked at Lu Zheng and spoke in human language, "I'll tell you during the day."

Lu Zheng was not surprised to see the bird speak human language.

But he was a little confused, "Why wait until daytime?"

The blue bird said, "Because Mr. He said that we cannot disturb the young master's rest at night."

Lu Zheng thought to himself that he was not resting now. This bird seemed a little stupid.

"Who is Mr. He?" Lu Zheng asked.

"Old He is Old He." Bluebird said without thinking.

Lu Zheng was speechless for a moment. He pointed to a faint white spot in the east and said, "It's dawn. It's daytime now. If you have anything to say, just say it."

The bluebird tilted its head and looked, "How can we say it's daybreak when the sun hasn't risen yet?"

Lu Zheng couldn't help but say, "Actually, the sun has already risen. If you fly higher, you can see it."

"Really?"

The blue bird was surprised and confused when he heard this.

But I heard that this young man is very powerful and he definitely wouldn't lie.

The bluebird spread its wings and flew high, soon soaring into the sky.

After a while, the blue bird landed lightly and said in surprise, "There really is the sun! You can see it even from such a low position! It's truly amazing!"

Qing Wan in the pocket was also very curious and whispered, "How did you see it?"

Lu Zheng didn't know how to explain it for a moment. It seemed that these two little guys were not stupid, but simply had no experience.

Lu Zheng looked at Qingniao and smiled, "You can tell me now."

The blue bird said, "Yesterday a bird encountered you in the mountains. When Crane Elder heard about it, he sent me out last night to look for you and invite you to visit Crane Elder during the day. I hope you will do me the honor of visiting."

Lu Zheng thought for a moment and nodded, "Please lead the way for me, sir."

"Sir, please come with me."

The bluebird flaps its wings and leads the way ahead.

Lu Zheng quickly followed behind him.

Seeing that Lu Zheng could keep up with him, Qingniao sped up a little.

After crossing several mountains, Lu Zheng came to a lake.

The bluebird landed on a treetop and opened its mouth to let out a clear chirp.

The sound of birdsong broke the quiet night, and many birds around the lake were startled and flew away.

In the distance, a huge white crane flew over.

It has a slender body, white wings spread out, and is almost the size of a small house.

Bai He flew to a place not far from Lu Zheng, looked at Lu Zheng, and said, "But Lu Zheng, Master Lu?"

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "It's really Mr. Lu. You are Mr. He." Upon hearing this, Bai He quickly said, "I am not worthy of being called Mr. He. Mr. Lu, just call me by my name. I am He Zhi."

He Zhi flapped his right wing in front of him and bowed.

Lu Zheng turned around and bowed in return.

He Zhi said ashamedly, "I've heard of Master Lu's great name for a long time. Yesterday, I learned that Master Lu was lurking in the nearby mountains, so I asked this blue bird to invite him over. I didn't mean to disturb his rest, but the blue bird was so ignorant as to ask him to come over so late at night..."

The blue bird beside him heard this and said, "It was the young master who said it was daytime and asked me to bring him here."

He Zhi raised his head slightly, looked at the sky, and then looked at the bright moon that had not yet set...

The blue bird said leisurely, "Young Master is very capable. I clearly didn't see the sun, but he said it was out. I flew to a height of a thousand feet, and indeed I saw a glimpse of the sun!"

Tsuruchi: ...

He Zhi looked at Qingniao and ordered, "Let them prepare a banquet to entertain Mr. Lu."

Upon hearing this, the blue bird flew away excitedly.

He Zhi then invited Lu Zhengdao, "Mr. Lu, please follow me."

He Zhi walked in front with his slender legs, leading the way.

Lu Zheng asked, "I have never heard of you before. Where did you hear about me?"

He Zhi explained in a low voice, "I have some intelligent birds here. They fly around everywhere and can get a lot of information. I heard that Mr. Lu is a newly promoted scholar of heaven and earth. He is a chivalrous man in the county, slaying demons and exorcising ghosts, and he is compassionate to the villagers. He is a gentleman of noble virtue... I admire you and would like to make friends with you."

He Zhi heard some things about Lu Zheng and knew that Lu Zheng would find this place sooner or later.

Instead of waiting for Lu Zheng to come to him, it would be better for him to show goodwill first, so as not to follow in the footsteps of some monsters.

"Your Excellency is too kind." Lu Zheng said with a smile.

He Zhi said with a chuckle, "I live in the deep mountains and have never been out in the world, but I have been aware of human affairs for over forty years. I have never seen or heard of anyone like Mr. Lu."

Lu Zheng couldn't help but ask, "You've been living here for over forty years?"

He Zhi said leisurely, "It took me more than twenty years to gain wisdom and become a demon. It took me another forty years to cultivate to my current level. Even now, I haven't even touched the threshold of the third realm. My cultivation level is not high enough, so I can only stay here and dare not move around freely."

"I see." Lu Zheng nodded.

He Zhi showed envy. "On the other hand, Master Lu has done a lot of great things, even easily slaying that third-level bear monster... That monster has been causing trouble for years, killing countless lives."

Hearing He Zhi's constant praise, Lu Zheng smiled without saying anything.

He could feel that the other party was deliberately trying to please him, and he could understand He Zhi's behavior.

The conflict between humans and demons has never stopped. Without the right way to deal with the world, it is difficult to survive.

He Zhi led Lu Zheng to the foot of a cliff.

There is a flat ground below the cliff with several low tables and straw mats.

Birds of all sizes flapped their wings and flew around, placing some fruits on the table.

There was also a egret guarding a tea stove, flapping its wings from time to time to control the flame and boil tea.

There was also a white crane preparing to grill river fish not far away.

These birds have no arms, but their wings are quite flexible, so they can do various things without any inconvenience.

Even Qingwan was curious and poked her head out to observe carefully.

"Mr. Lu, please take a seat!"

He Zhi quickly invited Lu Zheng to take a seat.

Lu Zheng looked at the seat and knew that with He Zhi's size, even if he wanted to give up his seat, He Zhi would not be able to sit there.

"The guest should follow the host's wishes. It would be disrespectful for Lu to refuse."

Lu Zheng bowed and sat down.

Qing Wan also ran out to join in the fun and sat upright on Lu Zheng's lap.

Bai Lu prepared some hot tea, held the bamboo teacup in her wings, and brought it to Lu Zheng.

"Master, please have some tea."

Bai Lu said this and then retreated respectfully.

"Thank you!" Lu Zheng hurriedly thanked him.

The tea was steaming and had a rich aroma of spiritual flowers. It was not an ordinary tea.

The fruits and vegetables on the table looked very fresh and clean, and were obviously specially prepared.

He Zhi said, "We are just wild birds, and we don't know much about human etiquette. If there is any inadequacy in our hospitality, I hope Master Lu will forgive us."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "It's already very good..."

These birds really put a lot of thought into preparing so many things.

It just so happened that he hadn't had breakfast yet, so he was drinking tea and eating the fruits.

After a while, another grilled fish was served.

Lu Zheng tasted everything, but Qing Wan didn't eat anything and just watched quietly.

Beside him, He Zhi felt relieved when he saw that Lu Zheng was not being polite.

It was only at this time that the sky began to brighten.

A ray of morning light sprinkled on the earth, just illuminating the cliff.

“So many birds…”

Qing Wan muttered softly.

But I saw thousands of birds gathered nearby, of all kinds and sizes.

The birds were all looking at this rare guest who had landed there curiously, chirping and chatting in low voices, making the place quite lively.

(End of this chapter)