Chapter 41

In the dense forest, Xing Dejun and Zhou Qiniang confided their longing for each other and discussed how to handle the future, unaware that the moon had risen high.

Zhou Qiniang had sneaked out secretly and dared not stay long, so the two parted reluctantly.

Just as they were about to separate, they saw Jiuniang gazing at them from afar, with Liu Xiaolou behind her.

“Jiuniang…” Zhou Qiniang’s face showed a flicker of alarm, then quickly returned to calm.

Jiuniang sighed lightly, glanced at Xing Dejun, and said, “You must be Xing Dejun? Qiqi, let’s go home.”

Zhou Qiniang nodded, smiled at Xing Dejun, and said, “I’m going back.”

Xing Dejun was deeply worried and said to Jiuniang, “Jiuniang, I’ve heard Qiqi speak of you. Though not blood-related, your bond is as close as kin…”

Jiuniang said, “Xing Dejun, I’ll pretend I saw nothing tonight—but this is the last time. This act is extremely dangerous, for you and for Qiqi alike. I don’t know if Qiqi told you, but she’s to be married in six months; Grandfather Zhou himself arranged it last month. If your secret meetings become known, the consequences will be unthinkable.”

Xing Dejun nodded, bowed and clasped his fists. “Thank you, Jiuniang. Qiqi told me—it’s to be the second wife of Elder Zhao of Jin Tingpai.”

Jiuniang added firmly, “This match was arranged by Elder Hou of Qingyu Sect.”

Qingyu Sect is the main house to which the Zhou family is subordinate, and Jin Tingpai, the marrying party, is a renowned sect holding the blessed land of Jin Tingshan. Such an alliance between two great sects is not something Xing Dejun and Zhou Qiniang can resist.

Zhou Qiniang gripped Xing Dejun’s hand tighter, their eyes meeting, words unnecessary.

Liu Xiaolou stepped beside Xing Dejun, gazing after the two women as they left, and asked, “Who is this Jiuniang… exactly?”

Xing Dejun shook his head. “How would I know?”

“Didn’t Qiqi often mention her?”

“She never mentioned her to me.”

“Alright… well, at least she’s reasonable.”

Xing Dejun asked, “When did she find out?”

Liu Xiaolou said, “An hour ago, shortly after Qiqi entered the forest. She startled me. I had to plead for you both for a long time, until her heart was moved by your deep feelings—then she agreed to wait outside with me. Don’t worry; she promised to keep your secret and won’t expose you.”

Xing Dejun nodded.

Liu Xiaolou suggested, “If there’s one time, there can be another. Don’t take her ‘no next time’ seriously—since she didn’t expose you this time, she’s now in the same pit with us, and can’t back out. Next time, go straight to her to arrange contact with Qiqi—it’ll be far easier than me, your fake nephew. This time was too close; I was nearly dragged into the Zhou household, but luckily they didn’t interrogate me. Next time, it might not be so lucky…”

“Xiaolou, thank you.”

“Your affairs are my affairs—this is nothing! Next time, it’s not far—just over a hundred li. So… shall we return to Taoyuan?”

Xing Dejun did not return to Taoyuan. Instead, he took Liu Xiaolou to several places north and east of Dongtinghu, spending several days searching for the remaining materials to forge the array disc.

“The Lin Yuan Xuan Stone Array is an illusion array, its essence lying in illusion—so illusion-inducing materials are essential. The most potent illusion source in the world should be the crown of the Seven-Colored Speckled Finch, but as far as I know, this bird exists only in the Spirit Bird Garden of Weiyu Xianghe Sect—don’t even think about it.”

“Weiyu Xianghe Sect? I’ve heard it ranks among the Ten Great Sects, its celestial realm teeming with rare birds and beasts, like a paradise. I wonder when I’ll ever have the fortune to visit Weiyu Mountain?”

“Celestial realms differ from blessed lands—we don’t even know where their gates open. How can you enter one?”

“If the Seven-Colored Speckled Finch won’t work, what about the Tiger-Eyed Frog? Or the Nine-Foot Butterfly? Can we find them? Never mind—they’re probably too expensive…”

“You’ve heard of these illusion materials too? The Tiger-Eyed Frog is sold at the Tianmen Mountain marketplace—ten to fifteen spirit stones for a qian of frog venom powder. The Nine-Foot Butterfly can be found in the Shanzhou marketplace; regardless of size, each sells for twenty spirit stones.”

“Just tell me outright—what other materials can substitute?”

“The Giant Toad and Shangshou Qing, mixed together, produce equally potent illusion effects. This is our sect’s secret—Xiaolou, never reveal it to anyone. That’s why we’ve come to the shores of Dongtinghu to catch Giant Toads.”

“What about Shangshou Qing? It’s winter—mushrooms don’t grow in the mountains now.”

“I have dried Shangshou Qing powder already—stored in my alchemy chamber.”

“I see… Earlier you mentioned your sect—what sect is that?”

“I am the Thirteenth Generation Sect Master of Zi Ji Sect.”

“Are there others in your sect?”

“My lineage has always practiced single transmission…”

“I understand—I’m also a sect master. I am the Fifth Generation Sect Master of San Xuan Sect.”

“By the way, why is your sect called San Xuan? What are the three ‘Xuans’?”

“That’s our sect’s secret!”

“Forging array discs is also the greatest secret of Zi Ji Sect!”

“Alright, alright… it’s just: the Perfumed Incense, Yin-Yang Harmony Technique, and the Profound Cultivation Art—collectively called San Xuan.”

“...Isn’t that lowbrow?”

“Master, you can’t say that! No one is above or beneath another; no method is inherently good or bad. My teacher often said: a thousand paths lead to the Dao—I take one. What’s high or low? It depends on the cultivator’s character! Even the finest art, if wielded by a wicked soul…”

“Enough, enough—I spoke foolishly.”

“It’s not about speaking foolishly—it’s about the correctness of your cultivation philosophy. If you hold this view, over time you’ll fall into the deviant path!”

“Heh… fine, I accept your teaching… stop looking so angry… Zi Ji Sect, San Xuan Sect—both are fine!”

“Of course they are—just the names sound profound! By the way, Master, why don’t our two sects form an alliance? We could watch each other’s backs! We do this often on Wulong Mountain…”

“Would that work?”

“Why not? We’re both sect masters—can’t we decide with one word?”

“No, I mean—is it even meaningful?”

“Do you think it’s meaningless?”

“What do you think?”

“...Never mind… meaningless is meaningless…”

“Shh…”

“Huh?”

“Listen… that’s the call of the Dongting Toad… Tonight’s luck is good—we found them right away. Before, when I came, I had to search for days.”

“Master, how many should we catch?”

“Catch several—take only the skin’s secretion; too little won’t suffice! Be careful—these things are alert and hard to catch…”

“Master, wait… step back… further back…”

“What… is it ready… how much longer, Xiaolou?”

“Done! Come pick them up! One… two… three…”

“These are… dead toads?”

“Alive—just stunned. Six… seven—enough? Do these toads always come in broods? Saves time.”

“Is this your San Xuan Sect’s secret technique? The Perfumed Incense?”

“Yes. What do you think, Master?”

“I didn’t see you light any incense…”

“Why else call it a secret technique? Do you still think San Xuan Sect’s methods are lowbrow?”

“Impressive…”