Chapter 24

As Liu Xiaolou entered the private room, he froze—so did the “good friend” inside.

Tan Bazhang had a chicken claw stuffed in his mouth, staring blankly at Liu Xiaolou.

“This is Brother Tan Bazhang of Tan Family Village, famed for his Water-Fire Staff and the Eight Forms of Spiritual Birds technique! Tan brother, this is Liu Xiaolou, the sect master of Three Mysteries Sect, who became a sect leader while still young—hah!”

Liu Xiaolou cleared his throat and bowed: “Tan brother, truly fate brings us together across a thousand li.”

The half-eaten chicken claw dropped from Tan Bazhang’s mouth; he finally snapped out of it and returned the bow: “Indeed, fate has brought us together.”

Wei Hongqing beamed: “So you two know each other? Perfect, perfect—spares me the trouble of introductions.”

As they spoke, a flask of Zhuyeqing was brought in by the waiter. Wei Hongqing ordered the leftover dishes removed, added two new ones, poured Liu Xiaolou a full cup, and all three raised their cups and drank deeply.

Zhuyeqing was a premium spiritual liquor; outside, Liu Xiaolou had asked the price—a half-pound flask cost twenty taels. But the high price had its reason: one sip contained far more spiritual power than the liquor he’d drunk earlier.

“Has Brother Wei hit it rich?” Liu Xiaolou asked.

Wei Hongqing waved his hand: “A small fortune, nothing worth mentioning, nothing worth mentioning.”

Though he said it was nothing, he still briefly recounted his past half-year: after leaving Wulong Mountain, he planned to flee far away, but paused for a few days at Tianmu Mountain’s blessed land, hoping to gain some opportunity from the Lu family who controlled it. And indeed—he struck gold and made a fortune.

He did not elaborate on what opportunity it was, or how great the fortune.

When Wei Hongqing stepped out again to urge more wine and dishes, Liu Xiaolou and Tan Bazhang exchanged glances. Liu Xiaolou broke the awkward silence: “Tan brother, what’s the connection between Wei brother and the Lu family?”

Tan Bazhang whispered: “I don’t know, but with his roving ways, when does he ever leave without chasing women? Probably still about a woman. Hey? Liu younger brother, your looks aren’t worse than Hongqing’s—someday you might... hehe...”

Liu Xiaolou adjusted his hairpin with the edge of his palm and replied humbly: “Tan brother, you jest.”

Tan Bazhang picked up a chicken claw, popped it in his mouth, then shoved another into Liu Xiaolou’s: “These claws are delicious—try one, younger brother.”

As they spoke, Wei Hongqing’s loud laughter sounded outside the curtain: “Hahahaha, Left Brother, you’ve arrived just in time—let me introduce you to two good friends...”

The curtain parted, and Wei Hongqing dragged in a man—none other than Zuo Gaofeng, whom they’d parted from just at noon.

The chicken claws in Liu Xiaolou’s and Tan Bazhang’s mouths dropped instantly.

Zuo Gaofeng blinked, stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: “Fate truly brings us together across a thousand li! Brothers, I’ve missed you so much—hahahaha!”

“Indeed, fate has brought us together!”

“Absolutely—this is too much fate...”

Wei Hongqing asked: “Huh? You three already know each other?”

Zuo Gaofeng grumbled: “When you wandered the world, we all gathered at Ghost Dream Cliff to see you off.”

Wei Hongqing understood—they must have exchanged news after he left. He chuckled: “Then it truly is fate.”

Tan Bazhang picked up a chicken claw and shoved it into Zuo Gaofeng’s mouth: “Try it, Left Master.”

Seeing all three busy gnawing chicken claws, Wei Hongqing grabbed one too: “Really that good?”

All three chewed in unison: “Delicious!”

After eating the claws, the awkwardness faded, the mood warmed. They asked why Wei Hongqing had summoned them. He said: “One more friend is still missing—we’ll speak once he arrives.”

“Is the guest Wei brother invited the Hermit of Xishan?”

“Or the Lingling Guest?”

“It’s not the Lingling Guest.”

Wei Hongqing was surprised: “How did you guess? It’s indeed the Hermit.”

He sneered: “We’re about to do something big—someone like the Lingling Guest is too petty, unfit to conspire with.”

Tan Bazhang laughed: “We’re scattered cultivators—what big plans? Just feeding our families is enough to thank heaven.”

Zuo Gaofeng said: “Why belittle yourselves? Can’t we, the cultivators of Wulong Mountain, do something great?”

So they turned to recent gossip from the cultivation world. Wei Hongqing said: “Speaking of great matters, there’s one thing—have you heard? The Heavenly Book has appeared again.”

All of them had heard of the Heavenly Book, including Liu Xiaolou.

His master had once told him: the Heavenly Book was said to be the greatest secret of the cultivation world. Some claimed it contained the methods to attain immortality; others said it was a map to ancient immortal relics; still others claimed it was a recipe for an elixir that could grant ascension in broad daylight; and some even said the Heavenly Book itself was a divine artifact—possessing it meant invincibility across the land.

Zuo Gaofeng frowned: “The Heavenly Book? Its legends are too obscure. I believe it’s merely hearsay, not to be trusted.”

Tan Bazhang disagreed, shaking his head: “If it’s all hearsay, how did Tong Zhenjun of Wei Yu Xianghe Sect attain immortality three hundred years ago? Or Pei Qingling of the Western Xuan Dragon Map Pavilion two hundred years ago? Or Tang Lan of Emei Sect a hundred years ago?”

Zuo Gaofeng replied: “That’s exactly the point—it’s hearsay. Tong Zhenjun, Pei Qingling, Tang Lan—all of them transcended. Where’s the proof they became immortals? If they truly did, why leave no trace?”

Tan Bazhang said: “If they attained immortality, why would they stay in the mortal realm? What do you think, Liu younger brother?”

Liu Xiaolou smiled bitterly: “How would I know? All rumors—no one’s ever seen it. Everyone says these great ones rose to the top because they obtained the Heavenly Book, leaving all others far behind—but who knows if it’s true?”

“True!”

“False!”

“How can it be false?”

“Have you seen it? Just rumors!”

“Then how else do you explain their cultivation levels? Talent? I don’t think mine’s worse than anyone else’s! Or does Left Brother think his own talent is mediocre?”

“Two different things...”

As they argued, the Hermit of Xishan arrived. He stepped in, stroked his beard, and smiled: “I calculated with my fingers—I knew you’d all be here. You’re speaking of the Heavenly Book? I’ve heard rumors that Emei Sect recently refined a Hua Shen Pill, using a recipe from the Heavenly Book...”

Even Liu Xiaolou couldn’t take it anymore—he, Zuo Gaofeng, and Tan Bazhang all hissed twice: “Too far-fetched, not credible.”

Seeing everyone present, Wei Hongqing shut the door tightly, beaming with pride: “Forget the Heavenly Book, forget the Hua Shen Pill—they have nothing to do with us brothers. I’m not ungrateful—I may have left Wulong Mountain, but my heart has always been with you all. Now that I’ve found a way, I naturally want to share the fortune with you.”

Seeing all eyes fixed on him, Wei Hongqing whispered: “Do you know? Tianmu Mountain just lost a Foundation Establishment Pill—it was stolen.”