Chapter 106: The Three True Ones Pay a Visit (Bonus Chapter for Lord Tianming Daochang)

Su Wuniang’s seat was the third on the right-hand main position, ranked below Su Clan Patriarch Su Zhi and Second Elder Su Xun, even ahead of Su Dalang—this was the first time such an order had been used in a formal guest reception, clearly signaling that Su Wuniang had surpassed Su Dalang as the next head of the Su clan.

Su Wuniang accepted without hesitation and took her seat accordingly; as her husband, Liu Xiaolou sat beside her.

Sitting with her was itself a declaration—that Su Wuniang was married and would not marry outside the clan. This declaration would continue until her status was secure and no other clans dared entertain ambitions toward her.

But Liu Xiaolou felt uneasy, nothing more than guilt—especially when facing the three inner-disciples of Dongyang Sect, his palms sweating.

Actually, facing Lou Zhenwu and Su Zhenjiu was bearable; the real discomfort came from Han Wuwang—he could only keep comforting himself inwardly: He didn’t see my face, didn’t hear my voice, didn’t see my face, didn’t hear my voice.

Fortunately, when Han Wuwang looked at him, he showed no sign of recognition, which eased Liu Xiaolou slightly; he then glanced around the room.

He had heard of Lou Zhenwu and Su Zhenjiu: after last year’s assault on Jinping Mountain Villa, Lou Zhenwu led the attack that shattered the Seventh Branch of Pai Sect’s mountain gate—he was a rising star among Dongyang Sect’s younger disciples, with a stable Golden Core cultivation base.

Su Zhenjiu had ties with Su the Shopkeeper, an outer-disciple manager at Zhongyi Alley in Tanzhou; when Liu Xiaolou had sought to join Dongyang Sect, he had asked Su the Shopkeeper for help, and it seemed Su Zhenjiu was the one he’d tried to reach—but failed. Rumor had it this man was at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

As for Han Wuwang, no explanation was needed—he had chased Liu Xiaolou for two years; back then, his cultivation seemed roughly equal to Liu’s, but who knew now? Yet as a scion of a major sect, he enjoyed the advantages of a heavenly blessed land; his cultivation progressed far beyond that of a cultivator like Liu, who relied entirely on spirit stones. He must have surpassed him by now.

Liu Xiaolou dared not stare at Han Wuwang, yet Han seemed deeply interested in him; when their gazes met, Han Wuwang smiled at Liu Xiaolou, who could only force a smile in return before quickly looking away.

He stole a glance at Su Dalang, seated just below him, whose face was expressionless—no telling what he felt, but surely he was uncomfortable. After all, he had occupied the third seat of the Su clan for years; now he was being forced to yield it, and anyone would feel uneasy.

But what could be done? Of the nine male heirs in this generation of the Su clan, none had reached Foundation Establishment. Su Dalang was over forty—the highest among them—and yet he remained stuck at Qi Refining Level Ten, with not a single sign of Foundation Establishment in fifteen years.

In terms of cultivation progress, he was fifteen years behind Su Wuniang; even if he eventually reached Foundation Establishment, his potential would be low—how could he possibly inherit the Su clan?

Lou Zhenwu nodded to Su Wuniang: “I’ve long heard of the name of the Fifth Lady of Mount Shenwu—your Lotus Flying Knives are beyond mortal comprehension. Today, at last, I see you. I am honored.”

Su Wuniang smiled and bowed slightly: “The names of Dongyang Sect’s True Ones are known throughout the land, especially your Fifth True One’s lofty cultivation and swift progress, your profound insight and sharp discernment. My petty skills dare not merit such praise from Elder Brother Lou.”

Su Zhenjiu also offered his congratulations to Su Wuniang, then smiled at Liu Xiaolou: “To be frank, Brother Liu, when we heard you had married into Mount Shenwu, my Fifth Elder and I were both astonished and saddened. Back then, when Dongyang Sect was selecting disciples, you were on our shortlist—but fate played tricks, and we chose someone else. Clearly, talent cannot be buried forever: Mount Shenwu gained a fine son-in-law, while Dongyang Sect lost a talent.”

Lou Zhenwu sighed: “It was my mistake—I failed to recognize jade when I saw it.”

Liu Xiaolou hurriedly rose and bowed deeply: “I am unworthy—this is simply my lack of fortune.”

Even Su Zhi and Su Xun were astonished, staring repeatedly at Liu Xiaolou; Su Zhi said: “So there was this past connection? My son-in-law is unworthy—your kindness is greatly exaggerated.”

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After the pleasantries, they returned to the previous topic.

Su Zhi said: “I’ve heard what was discussed. Tomorrow, I will send Wuniang back to our sect to report your sect’s proposal to our Elders for their decision.”

Lou Zhenwu nodded: “Thank you. Whatever decision the Danxia Sect makes, please inform us quickly—we must return and report.”

Su Zhi said: “We will also strive to persuade our sect to mediate. Whether it’s Qingyu Sect, your sect, Tianmu Mountain, or Zhanglong Sect—all are renowned major sects. If a true conflict erupts, it will not benefit the cultivation world. I believe our Elders will see this clearly.”

Su Zhenjiu sighed beside him: “It’s not our fault—Qingyu Sect has grown increasingly aggressive these years. They have no proof, yet insist that one of our men killed their patrol manager Hou Sheng. We can help find Hou Sheng’s whereabouts, but we won’t take the blame for a crime we didn’t commit!”

Su Wuniang asked: “I arrived late—please forgive me. I’ve heard of Hou Sheng’s case, but why does Qingyu Sect believe your sect is responsible?”

Su Zhenjiu explained again: “Last spring and summer, our outer-disciple Jinping Mountain Villa was raided, suffering heavy losses—several chiefs of Pai Sect’s Seventh Branch were involved. After investigation, Fifth Elder led the assault and shattered their mountain gate, killing several chiefs. One of them was connected to a case Hou Sheng was investigating—he was also tracking that chief. Later, Hou Sheng came to our gate demanding the stolen goods left behind by the chief. We had never seen the items he claimed. I personally received him. He was an outer-disciple manager, not even Foundation Established, with no cultivation threshold crossed, yet his words were hostile, showing no respect to elders. We argued, and I eventually drove him off the mountain, uttering some harsh words. Soon after, Hou Sheng vanished. That’s all.”

Su Wuniang thought a moment, then asked: “What did he demand?”

Su Zhenjiu replied: “A sect master’s token from a fallen sect. We’ve never seen such an item. When we asked which sect it came from, he refused to say.”

Su Wuniang asked again: “What harsh words did you speak, Elder Su?”

Su Zhenjiu sighed: “I was provoked and spoke rashly—I said Dongyang Mountain would not welcome him, Xiangnan would not welcome him, and if he ever returned to Xiangnan, we would not treat him kindly.”

Su Wuniang mused: “Then Qingyu Sect shouldn’t have jumped to such a conclusion so easily.”

Su Zhenjiu said: “Their arrogance has grown too great—we, Tianmu Mountain, and Zhanglong Mountain have all endured enough.”

Su Zhi said: “Wuniang, Dongyang Sect has deep ties with our clan. When you return tomorrow, assist them as much as you can—do not neglect them.”

Lou Zhenwu added: “Actually, before we came, we obtained some clues: two months before Hou Sheng vanished, he had close contact with a courtesan, and after his disappearance, she vanished too. If your sect is willing to mediate, we will reveal all the clues we know.”

Su Zhi nodded: “Then when Wuniang returns to the mountain, she will have an easier time speaking.”

After the matter was settled, the Su clan hosted a banquet in Gualu Hall for the three Dongyang disciples, and Liu Xiaolou was ordered to accompany them, drinking with them. When he toasted Han Wuwang, Han casually smiled: “Brother Liu, you seem familiar—I feel I’ve met you before. Ha! Must be fate.”

Liu Xiaolou broke into a cold sweat, forced a stiff laugh, excused himself, and went outside to relieve himself.

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