Chapter 107: Leave of Absence to Visit Family

The banquet ended deep into the night; the three from Dongyang Sect went to the guest quarters to rest, waiting in Shenwu Mountain for Su Xing’s reply—or rather, for the Danxia Sect’s response to this matter.

At present, Qingyu Sect is far too dominant; in the entire Jingxiang region, they stand alone without rival. Though Dongyang Sect, Zhanglong Sect, and the Li clan of Tianmu Mountain together are not afraid of them, avoiding conflict is always best. Among the surrounding regions of Jingxiang, only Danxia Sect—one of the Ten Great Sects of the World—has the prestige and capability to mediate.

After returning with Su Xing to Qingyu Furong Garden, Liu Xiaolou specifically asked his wife: “When do you expect to return from your trip to the sect tomorrow?”

Su Xing replied coolly: “It could be two or three days, or seven or eight—it’s hard to say. Inside the Cave Heaven, time flows differently from the outside world, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. If it’s slow, it might even take half a month.”

Liu Xiaolou had once heard his master explain that Cave Heavens differ from the outside world, like bubbles trapped between heaven and earth. Within them, spiritual energy is three times denser than in any other blessed land, rendering spirit stones nearly useless. Precisely because of this overwhelming spiritual energy, time and direction become distorted, differing from the outside world.

Thus, Liu Xiaolou made his first request for leave since becoming a son-in-law of the Su family: “Wife, I have been with the Su household for a month now, yet I have not yet paid respects to my master before his spirit tablet. I wish to return to Wulong Mountain during your journey to the Cave Heaven, to honor my master’s memory.”

Su Xing paused, then immediately said: “Of course you may—”

Logically, as his wife, she ought to accompany him to Wulong Mountain to pay respects. But their marriage, strictly speaking, was not even a true reverse marriage—it was at best a “temporary reverse marriage” or “contractual reverse marriage.” Whether she should go was truly questionable.

So she changed her words: “I must go to the Cave Heaven. I’ll visit your master when I have time. This time, return on your own.”

Liu Xiaolou said: “I’ll strive to return within a month.”

Su Xing thought for a moment, then said: “A few extra days won’t matter, but you must be back before the twentieth of May. The Danxia Sect’s thousand-year anniversary celebration requires all Su clan members to attend.”

Liu Xiaolou smiled: “Such a grand event, I would naturally be there.”

Su Xing added: “Shusu should go with you?”

Liu Xiaolou said: “Wulong Mountain is primitive. Shusu has served me devotedly for a month already—I can’t bear to make her suffer again. Let her rest for now. We’ll speak of it later.”

Su Xing was indifferent to this, or rather, she cared nothing for any of Liu Xiaolou’s affairs: “Do as you wish. But one rule: while away, do not bring shame upon the Su family name.”

The couple had nothing more to say. They parted ways: Su Xing ascended to the front pavilion, while Liu Xiaolou returned to Yi Ling Hall.

Upon returning, he briefly instructed Shusu. She was reluctant and volunteered to accompany him back to endure hardship.

Liu Xiaolou indeed wished to take her along to complete their unfinished goal—to study the Yin-Yang Scripture quickly. But this journey involved many secret matters he could not let her witness, so he gently reassured her until she abandoned the idea.

He truly disliked being around the three from Dongyang Sect, especially Han Wuwang. Just because they hadn’t recognized him yet didn’t mean they never would. Every moment spent in Shenwu Mountain now carried risk. He did not wish to delay a single instant and left Shenwu Mountain that very night.

More importantly, Dongyang Sect held clues to Hou Sheng’s case. He had to find those clues before they reconciled with Qingyu Sect. The clue was the courtesan Su Zhen had mentioned—if Liu Xiaolou was not mistaken, the courtesan was very likely Yong’e.

Qingyu Sect had rebuilt Yueyang Market, undertaking massive construction, relocating many outer sect disciples and shops, and opening two courtesan houses: Hongyu and Lüyi. The one managed by Qingjie was Lüyi Courtesan House. Lüyi had recently hired a courtesan of ordinary looks who excelled at playing the pipa. Crucially, on the day Liu Xiaolou saw Hou Sheng, Hou had specifically summoned Yong’e!

Since Yong’e was an ordinary woman with no cultivation whatsoever, and since Hou Sheng had her play music while seated at a distance—to drown out their already faint conversation—Liu Xiaolou had never given her a second thought. Who could have imagined that the clue Dongyang Sect mentioned would be Yong’e of Lüyi Courtesan House?

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Liu Xiaolou traveled under starlight and moonlight, heading straight for Yueyang Market!

From Shenwu Mountain to Yueyang Market stretched over three hundred li. Liu Xiaolou pushed himself to the limit, arriving at noon the next day. He had rested only twice along the way; by the time he arrived, he was nearly collapsed. Only his greatly enhanced cultivation base had made it possible—if not, he could never have made it.

Lüyi Courtesan House was unusually quiet at noon, devoid of visitors. Through its half-open gate, the interior looked empty and cold.

After hesitating briefly, Liu Xiaolou chose to circle around and climb over the back wall. At all times, one must remain cautious—climbing walls is always safer.

He was a familiar guest here; he had stayed for several days last year. Everything was second nature. Soon, he slipped into the courtyard where Qingjie lived.

The side room was locked. That was the room he had occupied. From the main chamber came soft, rhythmic breathing. Liu Xiaolou pushed open the door and saw Qingjie fast asleep in bed.

Qingjie’s chest was half-exposed; her collarbones rose and fell gently with each breath. Her makeup had been washed away, stripped of its heavy, ornate beauty, revealing instead a natural, fresh charm.

Like an elder sister from next door.

Liu Xiaolou sat beside the bed, quietly watching Qingjie, his thoughts drifting far away. Was it because he was married? Why did he suddenly find Qingjie in bed so alluring?

A youth never knew the value of an elder sister—only after marriage does she become a treasure!

Qingjie, after all, was a trained martial master who had opened the Foot Shaoyin Meridian and half of the Foot Taiyang Meridian. Sitting beside her, Liu Xiaolou could not remain completely unnoticed. Her eyelids twitched slightly, then she jolted awake, flipped her wrist, and snatched a short blade from beneath her pillow, thrusting it straight toward his abdomen.

Liu Xiaolou’s two fingers appeared on the blade’s tip, pinching it firmly. The blade could not advance an inch further.

Qingjie blinked, released the blade, sat up swiftly, and wrapped her arms tightly around Liu Xiaolou: “My dear, you finally came back to see me!”

Liu Xiaolou laughed and patted her back: “Aren’t I here now?”

Suddenly, Qingjie remembered something and scrambled deeper into the bed, curling under the quilts: “Get out! Get out!”

Liu Xiaolou was startled: “What’s going on?”

Qingjie covered her face with the silk quilt: “I haven’t put on makeup or washed up—I look hideous, I smell awful, I can’t be seen! Get out!”

Liu Xiaolou shushed her: “Keep your voice down. Don’t let anyone know I’m here.”

Qingjie peeked out with one eye: “What trouble are you in? Did you come here to hide? Don’t worry—stay here safely.”

Liu Xiaolou said: “I want to ask about someone—the courtesan Yong’e, the one who plays the pipa. Is she still here?”

Qingjie said: “She left last month.”

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