Chapter 22

While Wang Xiaojun was practicing hard, drenched in sweat, his cousin, whom he was worried about, was in the forest behind the Jade Void Palace, leaning against a big tree, and was passionately courting a classical beauty. The young lady, Zhong Daxiao, who had just turned sixteen and was in the early stages of love, had already been completely won over by this modern Zhou Lang. She had discarded her maidenly shyness and reserve, and was now comfortably nestled in her lover's arms, listening to his tales of his adventures overseas. For his occasional groping, she only twisted her slender waist as a symbolic protest. Naturally, this did not stop the hands from moving, but rather made their owner even more brazen in his advances.

Zhong Ziqi, while occasionally swatting away the hands that were sneaking around, listened with great interest to the stories of their magical experiences on the overseas immortal island. What was originally a fabricated "returnee" identity to appease the ancients had been fully upgraded by Wang Feng. An ordinary large island overseas had been transformed into an immortal island; the common natives on the island had been upgraded to a happy populace under the leadership and protection of immortals; the excuse of the island sinking due to an earthquake had been upgraded to the island being destroyed by the attack of hostile demon immortals; and their escape by boat before the island sank had been upgraded to the immortals, who had been severely injured in the battle against the demon immortals, using their last bit of magic to send them back to the mainland. Although to the穿越者 (time travelers), his words were pure nonsense, for the innocent ancient girl Zhong Ziqi, she was completely captivated by the thrilling stories and believed everything he said. After all, most people in this era still believed in ghosts and gods, and with Wang Feng's smooth talk, how could she not believe him?

After the story of the immortal and demon battle was finished, Zhong Ziqi was completely entranced. She looked up with her beautiful eyes, filled with countless stars, at the young man who had shown extraordinary bravery and fearlessness in the battle, and her heart was filled with admiration and love. Looking at the classical beauty's clear eyes, her rosy cheeks, and her soft lips, Wang Feng was momentarily stunned, and then he could not resist leaning in to kiss those tempting lips. Zhong Ziqi, who had never experienced such a thing, instinctively tried to break free from Wang Feng's embrace, but after a few twists, she failed. After a few minutes of passionate kissing, Zhong Ziqi was completely overwhelmed. When their lips finally parted, she was weak and breathless, leaning against Wang Feng's chest, gasping for air.

After a while, Zhong Ziqi, who had caught her breath, began to retaliate. Of course, the only thing she could do in her current weak state was to hold her small fists and lightly tap Wang Feng's solid chest, while repeatedly murmuring, "Bad boy, rogue. You just know how to bully me." Enjoying the beautiful sight of the young lady, the massage-like taps, and the seductive whispers, Wang Feng, if not for the constant reminder in his mind of his cousin's advice, "cautious, cautious, and more cautious," would have already given in to his desires and taken this tender lamb.

Holding the soft and fragrant beauty in his arms, Wang Feng whispered sweet nothings in her ear, making her ears and heart tingle. As a literate woman, Zhong Ziqi knew a little about the matters of men and women, and if not for a bit of remaining rationality, she might have lost control and engaged in even more shameful acts with Wang Feng.

After sitting in each other's arms for a while, both felt they needed to find another topic to talk about, or they wouldn't know how long they could control their desires. Zhong Ziqi was the first to speak, tidying her slightly disheveled hair, and said, "By the way, a few days ago, my father went to Liangxiang County to attend the birthday banquet of Magistrate Hu's mother. In conversation with Magistrate Hu, he learned about the masterminds behind the ambush on us on the Liangxiang County road last month."

"Oh, who has such a grudge against us to try to harm us so badly?" Wang Feng, hearing this, became interested and asked urgently.

"According to my father, the ambush was led by the notorious bandit leader Shi Feihu and his men, and the person who hired him was actually Xu Wuchi, 'Xu Gao Yao,' whom we met at the Liangxiang County temple fair," Zhong Ziqi said with a hint of resentment.

"It's him! Why did he do that? How did Magistrate Hu find out?" Wang Feng was also confused, as he did not think he had any grudge with 'Xu Gao Yao' and could not understand his motives.

Zhong Ziqi gave him a look and said, "Can't you figure it out? You're such a silly brother." Then, feeling Wang Feng's hands about to move again, she quickly pleaded, "I'm wrong, I'm wrong. Good brother, spare me. I'll tell you, I'll tell you." Seeing that Wang Feng stopped his actions at her plea, she said softly, "Isn't it because he saw you always hanging around me, and his advances were rejected, so he became jealous and turned his love into hate, leading him to take such drastic action?"

Then, Zhong Ziqi recounted to Wang Feng the story she had heard from her father about how Shi Feihu's brother kidnapped Xu Wuchi, how the Xu family spent a lot of money but failed to get their son back, how the authorities rescued the young master, and how he was mutilated by the kidnappers.

Wang Feng, after hearing this, shook his head and said, "Truly, one who brings calamity upon oneself deserves no pity. Xu Wuchi is indeed too cruel, and it is fitting that he should be punished and meet such an end." He paused and then asked, "You mentioned that Shi Feibao and an accomplice escaped. Do you know where they went?"

Zhong Ziqi shook her head, somewhat regretfully, and said, "I don't know. Father said that Magistrate Hu sent many people to investigate their whereabouts, but no one has found them. Some say they saw them run into the mountains. But the mountains west of Liangxiang are vast, and finding two people is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Magistrate Hu can only issue a wanted notice, and when they will be caught is really up to heaven."

After a brief silence, Zhong Ziqi remembered something and said happily, "Also, Father said that he has already spoken with Magistrate Hu, and in about four or five days, he can issue you and your companions official certificates. Then you will be officially recognized as Taoist priests and won't have to hide in the Jade Void Palace anymore."

Wang Feng, hearing this, was also very pleased and said, "That's great. My brother and the others have been worrying about this. They really want to hold an auction in Liangxiang County soon, but they couldn't make up their minds because of the identity issue."

"What is an auction?" Zhong Ziqi asked, blinking her beautiful eyes in confusion. After Wang Feng explained it to her, she clapped her hands and laughed, "How clever of you to come up with such a plan. This is much better than pawning items at a pawnshop."

Wang Feng playfully tapped her little nose and said, "Just wait and see, we have many more innovative ideas up our sleeves."

Zhong Ziqi wrinkled her nose in protest and then, seeing Wang Feng's excited expression, said somewhat sadly, "You and your companions, once you have official status and use your intelligence to achieve success, you will surely become famous and successful, and you won't look at me, a simple and foolish girl, anymore."

Hearing this, Wang Feng quickly pulled her closer and said with unwavering determination, "Silly girl, why would you think that? I, Wang Feng, may not be a great hero, but I am a man of my word. Since I have confessed my feelings to you and you have accepted me, and now we have this intimate connection, I have already decided that you are my lifelong partner, and I will not waver in my resolve due to any changes in status or position." He then released Zhong Ziqi and raised his right hand, extending three fingers, and said solemnly, "I, Wang Feng, swear to heaven that I will marry Zhong Ziqi as my wife and love her for life. If I break this vow, may I be punished by heaven and earth."

Seeing this, Zhong Ziqi quickly rushed over and covered his mouth, saying, "I believe you. Such a heavy vow should not be taken lightly, be careful not to anger the heavens."

Seeing the mixture of blame and joy in Zhong Ziqi's eyes, Wang Feng held her hand tightly and said, "I swear because I am confident I can fulfill it, so I don't need to fear the heavens. Once I have official status and we have a foothold in the mainland, I will immediately go to your father to propose and ask for his consent to our marriage, and then I will marry you as soon as possible."

Zhong Ziqi, moved to tears, said, "Yes, I will wait for you to come and take me in a flower-laden sedan, even if I have to wait for ten or twenty years. As for my father, you don't need to worry. Since he doesn't oppose our relationship, he won't oppose our marriage."

Wang Feng held Zhong Ziqi tightly in his arms and said confidently, "Don't worry, I won't let you wait for ten or twenty years. With our abilities, we will see results in at most one or two years."

Zhong Ziqi nodded and then buried her head deeply in Wang Feng's chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, feeling full of hope.