Chapter 36: Definitely on the Dao

Hearing Xingde Jun’s request, Liu Xiaolou knew his injury wasn’t serious—his days of care hadn’t been in vain. He sighed with relief, then couldn’t resist teasing him: “Aren’t you going to chase me away now?”

Xingde Jun thought for a moment, then repeated: “Fresh meat, not roasted—stewed in soup.”

Liu Xiaolou shook his head: “You’ve got high standards. Rest now.”

Xingde Mountain lies within the Peach Source Ranges, teeming with beasts and birds. Before Liu Xiaolou even reached the valley, he returned laden with prey: two wild rabbits and a pheasant.

Back at Xingde Monastery, he went straight to the kitchen and called loudly toward the eastern annex: “Sir, I’ve also gathered some Sichuan pepper, wild ginger, cinnamon bark, and fagara—the mountain’s wild harvests are plentiful, but I didn’t see any garlic sprouts... Does Xingde Mountain even have garlic? Never mind, I’ll look again later...”

The pheasant was stewed as Xingde Jun requested, though the lack of bamboo grove meant no bamboo shoots to enhance the broth’s flavor; the two rabbits, skinned, were stir-fried in a large iron pot with spicy seasoning, using rendered fat from cured pork—aroma filled the monastery, swirling everywhere.

Xingde Jun had been salivating for hours, waiting eagerly by the door of the eastern annex, table already set, just for Liu Xiaolou to serve.

One pot of pheasant soup, one bowl of spicy rabbit meat, one bowl of steamed cured pork, and two bowls of rice were laid out; the two sat across from each other and ate.

Xingde Jun immediately downed a bowl of soup, savoring it, then suddenly remembered: “Quick, fetch wine! It’s buried beneath the main hall’s altar—pull the candlestick outward to reveal it.”

Liu Xiaolou rose and went to the main hall, indeed finding the mechanism beneath the altar, where a clay-sealed wine jar lay buried.

So there was a hidden stash here—I never noticed before.

He broke the seal; a fragrant, spiritual aroma drifted out. Liu Xiaolou exclaimed: “Isn’t this Zhuyeqing from Hongji Restaurant? You’ve been hoarding such fine wine! Tonight, we must drink our fill!”

Xingde Jun hadn’t eaten properly in over half a month; now he was too busy eating to speak, only murmuring “Mmm.”

After the meal, only a small portion of the spirit wine was consumed—Xingde Jun’s injury hadn’t fully healed, and Liu Xiaolou’s cultivation base couldn’t yet handle more. The rest was resealed for the next meal.

Neither had time for idle talk; each returned to their rooms to cultivate. Liu Xiaolou spent the night in the artifact chamber, fully converting the spirit wine’s energy, convinced it was as effective as using spirit stones.

When he opened his eyes, Xingde Jun was no longer in the annex—he stood on the cliff behind the main hall, gazing into the distance.

Liu Xiaolou joined him, looking out over the surrounding peaks: “Snow’s coming again.”

Dark clouds loomed over the mountain peaks; the north wind howled but carried no chill—the sign of impending snow.

Xingde Jun stared at the clouds for a moment, then asked: “You bought two Yangxin Pills?”

Liu Xiaolou replied: “Yes. Your injury was severe—I feared one wouldn’t suffice, so I bought two, spending six spirit stones. These pills come from Miaofeng Elixir Sect—have you heard of them?”

Xingde Jun frowned, thought, then shook his head: “Never heard of them.”

Liu Xiaolou said: “Never mind. The Yangxin Pills work well enough.”

Xingde Jun said: “Indeed. They seem even superior to elixirs forged by major sects... This time, you’ve spent heavily.”

Liu Xiaolou waved his hand: “Saving a life comes first. Spirit stones are external things. As long as you recover, I’d spend every last one—don’t worry about it.”

As he spoke, snowflakes began drifting down, and the surrounding peaks vanished into a white haze.

Liu Xiaolou moved to help Xingde Jun back inside, but Xingde Jun wished to stay: “My injury has healed by three tenths. A little mountain wind and snow won’t hurt.”

Liu Xiaolou stayed beside him, slowly walking along the cliffside.

Xingde Jun asked: “Which sect are you from?”

Liu Xiaolou replied: “I’m Liu Xiaolou of Sanxuan Sect. Have you heard of Sanxuan Sect?”

Xingde Jun pondered, then murmured: “I seem to have heard the name... Where is your sect located?”

Liu Xiaolou smiled: “Then you truly are well-informed. My Sanxuan Sect is on Wulong Mountain.”

Xingde Jun paused, unsure how to respond. After a moment, he murmured: “Even in Wulong Mountain, not all are bandits. If one truly cultivates... one can still walk the Dao.”

Liu Xiaolou had been disdained more than once—he didn’t mind. He seized the opening: “Thank you for your teaching, Master. I’ll strive hard, sincerely walk the Dao, and never do evil! I came here specifically to learn array techniques—not for a thousand... five hundred miles—to seek your guidance on forging array discs.”

Xingde Jun nodded, then asked: “Who told you Xingde Monastery excels at forging array discs?”

Liu Xiaolou said: “Your great name...”

Xingde Jun cut him off before the flattery could grow awkward: “I know artifact crafting, especially array discs—few know this, so I must ask you plainly.”

Liu Xiaolou could only answer truthfully: “A disciple from Tianmu Mountain told me.”

Xingde Jun was curious: “A Lu from Tianmu Mountain? They’re always pure and aloof, never associating with... well, and they wouldn’t know about me anyway.”

Liu Xiaolou said: “My friend’s surname is Wei—he just entered Tianmu Mountain’s outer sect.”

Fortunately, Xingde Jun didn’t press further—otherwise Liu Xiaolou couldn’t have answered. Would he really name Wei Hongqing’s new lover?

“What array do you want to forge?”

After weeks of preparation, he’d been waiting for this. Liu Xiaolou quickly pulled out the array manual: “Please examine this, Master. I wish to forge the disc for this array.”

“Lin Yuan Xuan Shi Array?”

Xingde Jun flipped through the manual, scanning quickly.

The manual was thin—fewer than twenty pages. The first half detailed materials, structure, and techniques for forging array discs, mostly diagrams; the final three pages described the array’s effects and usage.

Xingde Jun stopped at the effects section, closed the manual, and said to Liu Xiaolou: “A minor illusion array. The disc isn’t hard to forge, but it takes time and some materials.”

Liu Xiaolou hurriedly said: “Yes, I’ll go buy what you need.”

Xingde Jun said: “No rush. I’ll forge it once my injury recovers. Keep the manual here—I’ll study it these few days.”

Liu Xiaolou nodded: “Of course. Study it well—copying a copy won’t hurt.”

Xingde Jun chuckled: “No need. I don’t steal others’ secret methods.”

Liu Xiaolou flattered him: “What dish would you like? I’ll make it right away.”

Xingde Jun nodded: “Then you’ll have to work hard...” He paused, then added: “In a few days, I’ll go down the mountain to gather materials for the array disc.”

Liu Xiaolou was delighted: “Thank you, Master—but your condition...”

Xingde Jun said: “Will you accompany me?”

Liu Xiaolou immediately replied: “Of course! Taking care of you is only right!”