I Have A Dual World Seal
Chapter 69: Pledge of Love

Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Pledge of Love

After some polite refusals, Lu Zheng finally found out that the boy’s name was Hu Zhou, who took his mother’s surname. As for his father, Madam Hu shook her head and skipped the topic.

For over a decade, Madam Hu had been caring for Hu Zhou all by herself, doing odd jobs like washing clothes and assisting others, managing to get by.

Later, as Hu Zhou grew up, he began taking on labor jobs, leveraging his strong physique. However, his straightforward mindset and impulsive personality made him act instead of talking things through, which meant he couldn’t keep a job for long, causing more worry for Madam Hu.

As he got older, he fell in with a group of hooligans, who flattered him and took him as one of their own. Madam Hu tried to persuade him several times, but it was to no avail. Just when she was secretly heartbroken and at a loss, Hu Zhou went through some unknown experience and suddenly became mature.

In recent days, Hu Zhou tempered his temper, joined a group of porters to help others with manual labor, and even earned a hundred or so coins for the family, greatly reassuring Madam Hu.

This relief, however, was short-lived. Years of hard work led to illness, and when her body could no longer hold on, she suddenly collapsed during the day, as if out of oil and a burnt-out lamp.

If it weren’t for Hu Zhou who happened to bring Madam Hu to Renxin Hall and coincidentally met Liu Qingyan and Lu Zheng on their way back, she might not have survived the night.

"But it’s best if you rest for three months, taking medicine daily; otherwise, you won’t last even a year," Liu Qingyan advised.

"Alright, alright!" Hu Zhou nodded eagerly, pulling his mother close. "Mom, don’t work anymore. I’m carrying things for people now, they provide lunch, and I can earn ten big coins a day!"

Madam Hu gave a gentle smile but didn’t reply.

Liu Qingyan softly interjected, "Sister, it’s not easy to save a life. Don’t you want to see Hu Zhou get married and have children?"

Madam Hu’s eyes twitched, finally moved.

"But..."

"Don’t worry, I’ll prepare the medicine for you. Remember to take it daily. Three days later, come to the third house at the street entrance of Tongyi Lane, and I’ll administer acupuncture for you."

"Thank you, young lady! Thank you, young lady!"

"Thank you, young lady, thank you, hero! I’ll work hard and repay the medicine money!"

Elder Liu twirled his beard as he stood aside, barely present in the moment but in a good mood nonetheless.

Subsequently, Liu Qingyan prepared ten days’ worth of medicine for Madam Hu and gave detailed instructions. After ensuring Hu Zhou and his mother remembered them, she sent them off.

Lu Zheng observed carefully, noticing that a bright light shone in Liu Qingyan’s eyes.

"Alright, the sun is setting. We should head home," Elder Liu said with a smile as he packed away the needle box.

Liu Qingquan nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes. Mother has also cooked pork and chicken at home. Sister, Brother Lu, let’s hurry back!"

Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan exchanged smiles, helped tidy up the clinic, and returned home just after 5:00 PM.

At the door, Lu Zheng said with a smile, "Uncle Liu, please wait. I’ll fetch two bottles of wine from home."

Elder Liu nodded repeatedly at the words, "Sounds good, sounds good!"

Liu Qingquan secretly giggled, Liu Qingyan shook her head, while Elder Liu remained unaware, enthusiastically signaling to Lu Zheng before returning home.

Returning home, crossing realms, retrieving wine, taking gifts, and crossing back again, Lu Zheng returned to the Liu residence holding two bottles of wine.

Elder Liu and Madam Liu welcomed him warmly, inviting Lu Zheng to take a seat.

Elder Liu even took the wine bottle with familiarity, casually pulling out the cork.

...

The family dinner was a joyful affair for both hosts and guests.

The 35-degree Wuliangye was so delicious that, despite not drinking it for the first time, Elder Liu was still somewhat tipsy, needing Madam Liu to help him back to the room to rest.

As night fell and the darkness deepened.

Liu Qingyan escorted Lu Zheng to the door. After a brief exchange, they naturally fell silent.

"Lu Lang."

"Hmm?"

"I’ve been idle these days and made you a sachet. It contains white atractylodes and sweet fennel, which can drive away insects and mosquitoes. You can carry it with you."

Liu Qingyan retrieved a sachet, about half the size of a palm, from her sleeve and handed it to Lu Zheng.

Liu Qingyan spoke a white lie, as with Lu Zheng’s current vital energy, no mosquito could draw blood from him.

If a mosquito could indeed bite Lu Zheng, the sachet likely wouldn’t help much.

"Thank you, Qingyan." Lu Zheng smiled and solemnly accepted the sachet.

The sachet was made of moon white silk, embroidered with gold thread to depict a pair of lifelike mandarin ducks. Surrounding them were rippling water waves and swimming fish, with fine stitches and exquisite craftsmanship.

"It’s beautiful!" Lu Zheng praised.

Liu Qingyan’s cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, "I’m glad you like it, Lu Lang."

She then looked expectantly at Lu Zheng.

"Qingyan, wait a moment!"

With those words, Lu Zheng turned and quickly ran back to his house.

In less than ten seconds, he returned with two gifts that he had left by the door.

Seeing the wooden box, Liu Qingyan maintained her composure, but her eyes lit up at the sight of the scroll.

Lu Zheng noted this silently and gave himself a mental pat on the back.

"I initially chose a golden hairpin but realized it wasn’t sincere, so I personally painted a picture. However, my skills are a bit clumsy, so don’t laugh at me."

Liu Qingyan didn’t reach for the wooden box but instead took the scroll.

Suppressing her shyness, Liu Qingyan feigned nonchalance as she opened the painting.

There appeared a Summer Peach Grove Painting, showing a demure and elegant young girl leaning against a tree, with a sweet, charming smile, which instantly captivated Liu Qingyan.

Even in the dark, Lu Zheng could see Liu Qingyan’s face beginning to blush.

She quickly closed the scroll and then swiftly grabbed the wooden box.

"I like it a lot. It’s late; you should head home, Lu Lang!"

Not daring to look at Lu Zheng, Liu Qingyan fled back inside and closed the door.

...

Lu Zheng blinked, then smiled and went home.

Regarding accepting Liu Qingyan, he had considered it, with the primary concern being not to let it affect his crossing between worlds.

First, courting and marriage are two different matters. Without discussing how long this might take, Lu Zheng could always use the excuse of focusing on cultivation to delay for another two or three years.

Such a beautiful and virtuous girl, scoundrel Lu just wanted to stake his claim first, letting Liu Qingyan feel secure and preventing anyone else from stealing her away.

With the Mind Jade Seal, Lu Zheng was confident that in two to three years, he would possess even more magical power and strength.

By then, he could explain that his periodic disappearances were part of a spell and aligned with his level of power and skill.

Perfect!

Returning home, Lu Zheng traveled to the modern world, retrieved another painting, changed into dark clothes, and applied the Divine Movement Talisman to himself.

Heading out, he went straight to Peach Blossom Plain!

...

"Young sir!"

Lu Zheng’s arrival clearly brought a lot of joy to Shen Ying.

"A gift for you, take a look!"

Shen Ying received the scroll and slowly unfurled it. A Peach Grove Ladies Painting appeared before her eyes, depicting a noble and beautiful woman.

"Young sir~"

"Hmm?"

"Am I beautiful?"

"Sigh——"

Shen Ying’s eyes were like water, her emotions flowing like a tide, using all her charm, making Lu Zheng feel as if he had stepped into the Immortal Realm.