Chapter 47

The more Liu Xiaolou recalled Star Dejun's words and actions before they parted, the more he was certain of his guess. The last secret meeting between Star Dejun and Lady Zhou Qi must have been to agree on the time for their elopement.

Calculating this, from the day of their secret meeting until now, it had been about three months, just enough time for Star Dejun to recover from his injuries. And during those days when he was wholeheartedly refining array plates, Star Dejun was probably making various preparations, and his injuries had also fully healed.

If the three-month deadline was indeed the agreement, the specific date could also be calculated; it should be within these few days.

Liu Xiaolou thought about this while gnawing on the cured meat, secretly worrying for Star Dejun.

Perhaps it wasn't difficult for Lady Zhou Qi to sneak out, but to take her and run away far and wide would probably not be so easy.

The Zhou family was not an ordinary family; it was a cultivation clan and a branch of the Green Jade Sect. Could Star Dejun withstand the wrath of such a famous and great sect? To be caught meant death!

One can only hope that the Zhou family relaxes their vigilance, and wish Star Dejun and Lady Zhou Qi good luck.

As for himself, is there any help he can offer?

Thinking of this question, Liu Xiaolou felt it was very difficult.

Sighing, Liu Xiaolou got up, left the residence where he had cultivated for many days, and headed to the Tianmen market to inquire about Wei Hongqing's whereabouts.

Arriving once again at the Hongji Restaurant in the market, Liu Xiaolou ordered a pot of ordinary wine and a plate of side dishes, drinking slowly. Finding an opportunity, he stopped a waiter and asked: "I'd like to ask you about someone, surnamed Wei, slightly older than me, with a dignified appearance, very handsome, um, only about three-tenths less handsome than me."

The waiter raised an eyebrow and chuckled: "The person the guest is asking about, surnamed Wei? His name is..."

Liu Xiaolou said: "Hongqing, he used to come to your restaurant to drink often."

The waiter asked again: "What is the guest looking for him for?"

Liu Xiaolou said: "He is my good brother; he once told me that if I had anything to do, I could come to this restaurant to find him."

The waiter nodded: "Please wait a moment, guest; I will go and ask the manager."

Soon, the manager came over in person and led Liu Xiaolou to a private room in the corner of the third floor. As soon as he entered, he saw Wei Hongqing in the room, laughing at him: "Come, come, I knew it was you as soon as I heard; only you would tell others that my appearance is three-tenths less than yours. Haha!"

Liu Xiaolou said: "It was indeed a bit of an exaggeration; Brother Wei is not even three-tenths less than me, only a little bit."

Wei Hongqing immediately urged for wine and food, and Liu Xiaolou asked: "Brother Wei, you've really made it. How about it, Brother Wei, did you get your wish and mix into the outer sect disciples of Tianmu Mountain? I see that the manager and the waiters are very respectful to you."

Wei Hongqing laughed: "How could they not be respectful? This Hongji Restaurant is originally an industry of the Lu family of Tianmu Mountain, and it will be managed by me from now on."

Liu Xiaolou immediately looked at him with respect: "Yo! Brother Wei, aren't you making a fortune every day? Congratulations, congratulations!"

Wei Hongqing laughed: "Even if I make a fortune every day, it belongs to the Lu family; I'm just collecting money for them, and by the way, inquiring about some news and rumors, that's all."

The two drank three cups, and Liu Xiaolou stuffed the box of letters to Wei Hongqing: "My brother returned from Star Deshan, and when passing through Yang Liu Bay, I rested there for a few days and found a box of things... Brother Wei, take a look."

Wei Hongqing laughed: "I went to search that house long ago; I didn't expect there to be survivors. Xiaolou, you really have great skills."

After opening it, he looked through them one by one, and after a long time, he couldn't help but laugh: "Ancient immortal's cave dwelling... hehe... he really believed it."

Liu Xiaolou said: "I can't understand the things in the letters, and I can't remember them either, but I just felt that they should be handed to you; perhaps they are useful to you."

Wei Hongqing nodded: "They are indeed useful."

Liu Xiaolou said: "As long as they are useful. Brother Wei, you came out of our Wulong Mountain, and we all hope you do well."

Wei Hongqing said: "If Xiaolou has nothing to do, stay here with me for a few more days; there is plenty of good wine and food. I'll see if I can find an opportunity to take you to Tianmu Mountain to walk around the blessed land; I've been there once, and it's truly a good place."

Liu Xiaolou sighed: "My brother doesn't have that blessing. What's the point of going to see it? It only increases envy in vain; if it affects my temperament because of this, it's not good. Forget it, Brother Wei's kindness, my brother accepts. This trip to Star Deshan has also delayed many days; my brother plans to return to Wulong Mountain to cultivate properly, consolidate the foundation and increase vitality, break through the barriers and acupoints, and improve my cultivation as soon as possible."

Wei Hongqing nodded: "That's fine too. How was your trip to Star Deshan? Did you refine the array plate?"

Liu Xiaolou then told him the whole process of refining the array plate on the mountain, and Wei Hongqing was also very happy for him.

While they were chatting, the manager knocked on the door and entered, stuffing a small note to Wei Hongqing. After Wei Hongqing read it, his expression became very colorful, and he handed the note to Liu Xiaolou.

Liu Xiaolou read it, his heart sank, and he didn't know what to say.

The note said that the Zhou family of Dongting Lake had mobilized in large numbers to pursue and capture Star Dejun, a loose cultivator from Star Deshan in Taoyuan.

"Does this matter have anything to do with you?" Wei Hongqing asked.

Liu Xiaolou sighed and said: "Star Dejun and a lady from the Zhou family have a very deep relationship, but the Zhou family looks down on Star Dejun, complaining that he is a loose cultivator with no support, so..."

"So Star Dejun angered the Zhou family?"

"I'm afraid it's not as simple as just angering them; I suspect he kidnapped Lady Zhou Qi."

Wei Hongqing was stunned, then laughed out loud: "I heard that Star Dejun is already at the age of knowing his destiny; I didn't expect him to be able to do something that only young people can do. Interesting, interesting!"

Liu Xiaolou also smiled bitterly: "Actually, he and Lady Zhou Qi have been in love for many years; as far as I know, for at least ten years or more, but the Zhou family just wants to break up the couple. What's more excessive is that they even promised Lady Zhou Qi a marriage, to marry an elder of the Jin Jin Tingpai as a second wife. I guess Star Dejun couldn't bear it; no one could bear this matter if it were them."

Wei Hongqing was very curious: "Jin Jin Tingpai, which elder? Tell me about it?"

Liu Xiaolou said: "Surnamed Zhao."

Wei Hongqing held his stomach: "So it's Zhao Yongchun? This Elder Zhao is very interesting; he is someone with very soft ears. In the beginning, he was controlled by his first wife for decades; whenever his wife had an order, he would obey without exception, never daring to take a wrong step. Lady Zhou Qi will have good fortune after marrying him; this branch of Elder Zhao will have to listen to her, haha."

Liu Xiaolou said helplessly: "Brother Wei, don't make sarcastic remarks. Star Dejun treats me very well; see if there is any way to help him?"

Wei Hongqing said: "This matter is not easy to handle; at least it is not convenient for me to come forward here. The Zhou family has a very high status in the Green Jade Sect, not to be compared with ordinary dependent clans. If I come forward, it will inevitably involve the Lu family of Tianmu Mountain."

Liu Xiaolou sighed: "The Zhou family is indeed highly valued by the Green Jade Sect; Lady Zhou Qi's marriage was arranged by an elder of the Green Jade Sect."

Wei Hongqing shook his head: "Look, that's how it is. Actually, this marriage is quite good; you also said just now that Lady Zhou Qi is a big girl over thirty, and being able to marry Elder Zhao of the Jin Jin Tingpai is a blessing."

Liu Xiaolou said: "Understood. Brother Wei has just established himself in Tianmu Mountain, so it is better to be cautious and not look for trouble."

Wei Hongqing thought for a while and said: "Xiaolou, don't be impatient."

After he went out for a while, he came back and filled Liu Xiaolou's wine: "I'll let people inquire first to see if there is any news. Xiaolou, just sit and wait here."