I Have A Dual World Seal

Lu Zheng’s intentions were felt by Si Lingxi.

Though she wasn’t very concerned about the demon, she didn’t reject Lu Zheng’s goodwill. Instead, she borrowed Lu Zheng for a night, letting him feel her intentions too.

Thus, when Lu Zheng set off the next day, the cloud was slightly unsteady.

...

Traveling from Lingbei Dao to Pingdong Dao, Lu Zheng also passed Sanjiang Dao on his way. However, he pondered for a moment and decided not to summon Dongyangzi.

After all, Wen Jiong’s information might not be accurate; the Underground Grotto Heaven from back then may not be today’s Demon Cave Secret Realm.

So Lu Zheng rode the cloud, quickly sweeping over Sanjiang Dao and soon arrived at Pingdong Dao.

Lianzhou, Sweet Rice County.

Sweet Rice County is the town closest to Lianzhou Prefecture. It’s famous for its rice, thanks to the underground spring irrigating the fields outside the town.

Lu Zheng descended the cloud outside the town and landed on the official road, preparing to walk to the state capital.

According to what Lu Zheng knew, for this demon-seeking event in Pingdong Dao, Huang Ruoxing from the Observatory was stationed at Lianzhou Prefecture, while a Deputy Governor from the Anomaly Suppression Bureau was stationed at Yuezhou Prefecture.

In other words, Huang Ruoxing was above a place suspected to be the Demon Cave Grotto Heaven.

Lu Zheng felt apprehensive and didn’t dare fly directly into Lianzhou Prefecture. Who knows if the demon was watching the situation outside?

So much so that...

Lu Zheng didn’t even plan to enter the city!

...

"Young man, the autumn examination is nearing, and you’re hurriedly traveling like this. You might not make it in time!"

As Lu Zheng was walking along the road, a cow cart rattled over from behind, and an elderly voice sounded in Lu Zheng’s ear.

Lu Zheng turned back to see an old cow cart covered with firewood and hay. An old man sat in front, wearing a straw hat and a sweat towel, holding the reins with one hand and a thin wooden rod with the other.

The old man’s skin was dark, his face full of wrinkles, and his lips were a bit chapped. He looked at Lu Zheng with slight curiosity, and his tone was somewhat urging.

"Oh, thank you, sir, but I’m not heading to the autumn examination." Lu Zheng cupped his hands.

"Isn’t this the way to Lianzhou Prefecture?"

"Yes." Lu Zheng nodded, "I’m going to Lianzhou, but not to Tongzhou."

Tongzhou, the state capital of Pingdong Dao, is hosting this autumn examination.

"So, you’re not heading to the examination." The old man nodded, "Coincidentally, I’m also headed to Lianzhou to sell firewood. There’s still dozens of miles to the state capital. Young man, if you don’t mind the simplicity of my cow cart, you can hitch a ride. It’ll save you from sore feet."

"Thank you very much!"

Without hesitation, Lu Zheng swiftly approached the cow cart, lightly hopped, and sat beside the old man.

The old man was momentarily stunned, "Young man, you’re fit and agile. You’ve trained, haven’t you?"

"Oh, just a bit. Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare travel alone." Lu Zheng laughed.

Only then did the old man give Lu Zheng a closer look, "Are you from Lianzhou?"

"No, I’m visiting an elder at Lianzhou Prefecture," Lu Zheng shook his head, then added, "And staying over for a couple of days."

Lu Zheng realized all his belongings were stashed in the gourd, making him appear unburdened without any bags or baskets. It seemed strange, so he quickly clarified to avoid being mistaken for a wild demon by the old man.

"Oh, I see."

The old man nodded, and Lu Zheng noticed that apart from firewood and hay, the cow cart didn’t contain anything else.

Lu Zheng blinked. He had seen vendors selling firewood or coal in town, usually carrying food and water bags, possibly even basic bedding for an overnight stay.

The old man logically drove to Lianzhou to sell firewood, considering there were more people in Lianzhou and the firewood prices would be higher than in Sweet Rice County.

But traveling these dozens of miles would probably mean spending a night in town, and he brought nothing for such a stay. Was he planning to dine and lodge in the city?

Though there were street stalls and communal lodgings in town for the poor, these extra expenses were much higher than managing on one’s own.

Could it be...

No way...

I was already very cautious, and now I’ve bumped into an unexpected situation upon landing!

Lu Zheng was speechless. Fortunately, he hadn’t mentioned the luggage, though he didn’t know if the old man had discerned his foundation. It seemed the old man hadn’t realized Lu Zheng already sensed something was amiss.

Lu Zheng casually looked around again, then glanced at the old man.

No anomalies visible, no aura detectable; he seemed like an expert.

A note here: after cultivators reach a certain cultivation level, if they mask their qi and disguise themselves as mortals, sensing them is difficult unless there’s a drastic difference in cultivation. Without spellcasting, failing to sense them is normal.

For instance, those two monks from the Great Brahma Heaven Temple didn’t sense the qi of Lu Zheng and Si Lingxi but were unfazed.

Therefore, the true strength of the old man with Lu Zheng was probably between one thousand to ten thousand years.

Lu Zheng: ╮(╯▽╰)╭

Initially, he intended to chat with the old man—ask about his family, business, how much a cart of firewood could sell for, and so on.

But now, he dared not, suspecting the old man wasn’t genuinely a cart driver.

"Your firewood indeed carries the sweet fragrance unique to Sweet Rice County’s mountain firewood. It should fetch a better price than regular firewood in Lianzhou Prefecture," Lu Zheng casually remarked.

Since the old man kindly offered him a ride, he couldn’t stay silent the entire trip, which would be awkward.

"Indeed!" The old man nodded repeatedly, his smile creating several creases, "Ten pounds of firewood sell for three copper coins. This whole cart can bring in over three hundred coins, enough to buy some geese and raise them at home."

Lu Zheng couldn’t help but be surprised and doubt his earlier suspicions. He’d spoken offhandedly, not expecting the old man to provide such clear calculations.

Regular firewood, in Tonglin County, sells for one copper coin per ten pounds. In the state capital, prices are fifty percent more. Bringing fragrant firewood to the state capital to sell to wealthy families at twice the price is very reasonable.

"Geese are great! They can guard the house better than dogs!" Lu Zheng said.

"I didn’t expect you to know about our farming ways." The old man chuckled, "Geese are handy. With them guarding the house, no thief would dare to enter!"

Lu Zheng nodded; he was familiar with short videos of geese chasing dogs and people, looking mighty.

"And geese, once raised long enough, recognize home. After a day out, they return from the river, well-fed, and are easy to raise."

The old man further explained the intricacies of raising geese, speaking eloquently.

Lu Zheng occasionally echoed him, selectively sharing what he knew about farming, engaging in a lively conversation with the old man.

Unconsciously, they covered dozens of miles, already halfway through their journey.

Then, as they passed by a dense forest, three masked men suddenly leaped out.

"Halt! Leave your toll money!"