Chapter 48

Hongji Wine House, as expected, was a reliable local shop for the Lu clan of Tianmu Mountain to gather intelligence; by nightfall, a steady stream of related information flowed in.

The incident occurred last night: the Zhou clan mobilized en masse, sending thirteen cultivators, including two Foundation Establishment and five high-level Qi Refining cultivators from their clan...

It was rumored to be linked to the Zhou clan’s legitimate daughter, Seventh Lady; whispers claimed Star De Jun had forcibly abducted Zhou Qi Niang, but the Zhou clan denied it...

At noon today, the Zhou clan entered the Peach Source Mountains and forcibly searched every peak; it was said this sparked numerous disputes and even a clash with Mo Honghua, the highest-ranked cultivator in the Peach Source Mountains, who conceded defeat—after which the Peach Source Mountains opened fully to the Zhou clan’s search...

It was heard that during the duel, a certain Elder of the Qingyu Sect happened to pass by and witnessed the entire event...

By evening, the Zhou clan was still searching within the Peach Source Mountains...

It was already midnight, yet the Zhou clan still surrounded the mountains...

Wei Hongqing mused: “It seems the Zhou clan is certain Star De Jun is still in the Peach Source—they must have a lead. I’ll have them dig deeper...”

At dawn, new information arrived: the Zhou clan had indeed followed a lead into the Peach Source, and the clue likely lay with Zhou Qi Niang.

A manager from Tianmu Mountain who came to report whispered: “Though the Zhou clan has always denied it, we’ve confirmed it’s tied to Zhou Qi Niang—Star De Jun definitely abducted her. The Zhou clan placed something on her that allows them to track her movements.”

Wei Hongqing asked: “What kind of thing?”

The manager said: “The Qingyu Sect excels in spirit-beating arts; they have a spirit-and-ghost technique that hides a minor spirit inside an object. When attached to someone, it allows constant sensing and tracking. Though the sensing isn’t precise, it can detect the general area. Our Tianmu Mountain once tried to exchange a pill formula for this technique, but they refused. Thus, everyone suspects this is a trap set by the Zhou clan to lure Star De Jun... Master, what’s the upper echelon’s stance? The Peach Source isn’t just Qingyu Sect’s territory, let alone somewhere the Zhou clan can act with impunity—this is a blatant disregard for Tianmu Mountain!”

Wei Hongqing said: “Don’t overthink it. Just gather whatever information you can.”

Having gathered this much, Liu Xiaolou had formed his own judgment and said to Wei Hongqing: “Brother Wei, thank you.”

Wei Hongqing sighed: “Xiaolou, I still hope you’ll be cautious, think it through.”

Liu Xiaolou nodded: “I understand.”

Just as he was about to take his leave, someone burst in, plopped down casually, glanced at Liu Xiaolou, and said to Wei Hongqing: “Old Wei, what’s your plan?”

The man was dressed lavishly, with a smooth, pink complexion, appearing barely twenty—very young.

Wei Hongqing smiled: “Lu Er Young Master, let me introduce you—this is my good brother Liu Xiaolou. Xiaolou, this is Lu Er Young Master; his elder brother is Lu Yuanlang, third-ranked inner disciple of Tianmu Mountain.”

Liu Xiaolou paused, then slowly bowed: “So you’re Lu Er Young Master—pleased to meet you.”

Lu Er Young Master chuckled: “We’ve met before—you’re not Zhou Qi Niang’s nephew, are you?”

Wei Hongqing blinked in surprise: “Nephew?”

Lu Er Young Master smirked: “I saw him at the Zhou manor—he came begging for handouts, mistook someone for a relative, laughed... You didn’t know? Fine, pretend you didn’t. I heard you’ve been sending people to investigate the Zhou clan’s hunt for that hermit—what’s the real story?”

Wei Hongqing said: “We merely heard this rumor and didn’t understand the details, so we asked around. No plan at all. It’s simply part of my duty.”

Lu Er Young Master stared into Wei Hongqing’s eyes, then glanced at Liu Xiaolou, and shook his head with a smile: “Old Wei, that’s not fair. Hiding something from me?”

Wei Hongqing said: “You’re exaggerating, Second Young Master. The Zhou clan is a prominent family of the Qingyu Sect—I’m merely a lowly wine house manager; how could I possibly scheme? I’m only gathering information in case the sect asks.”

Lu Er Young Master’s smile vanished; his face turned cold: “Old Wei, I came here in good faith, thinking you might need help, or that I could offer you some advantage. Yet you dodge me with these excuses? Do you really think Yan Shi is a solid backing?”

Wei Hongqing said sternly: “Second Young Master, if you have another matter, give me orders—I’ll do my best. But the Zhou clan’s actions seem unrelated to Tianmu Mountain, and there’s no advantage to be gained...”

Before he finished, Lu Er Young Master swept his sleeve and turned to leave, tossing over his shoulder: “A hermit-born fool, ungrateful—do as you please!”

Silence filled the private room. After a long pause, Wei Hongqing called in the manager who had gathered the intelligence and asked: “How did Lu Er know?”

The manager bowed his head: “Master, Second Young Master happened to be drinking here, noticed our frequent comings and goings, and came to ask. His status is high—we dared not conceal anything.”

Wei Hongqing stared fixedly at the manager, silent for a long while.

The manager waited a moment, then asked: “Master, is there anything else? If not, I’ll go continue gathering information.”

Wei Hongqing took a deep breath, waved him off, drained his cup, and turned to Liu Xiaolou with a smile: “Xiaolou, forgive the spectacle—great sects are like this.”

Liu Xiaolou asked: “Does this fellow have a grudge against you?”

Wei Hongqing shook his head: “A spoiled brat, Qi Refining third layer, riding on his brother’s coattails, always causing trouble for us... By the way, have you met him before?”

Liu Xiaolou said: “Yes, I thought he was Zhou’s second son—I didn’t realize he was from the Lu clan.”

“Did he give you trouble back then?”

“Not really—he tried to whip me but missed. His cultivation is weak, but his temper’s huge.”

Wei Hongqing patted Liu Xiaolou’s shoulder, signaling he understood: “When I’ve secured my footing, I’ll make sure you get your revenge.”

Liu Xiaolou smiled: “Brother Wei, no need to anger ourselves. For now, endure the humiliation—when you soar one day, this kind of worm won’t even be worth a thought.”

After bidding farewell to Wei Hongqing, Liu Xiaolou checked each private room but found no trace of Lu Er Young Master, so he gave up and left Tianmen Market, heading for the Peach Source Mountains.

The hundred-li journey took half the night; when he reached the outskirts of the Peach Source, Liu Xiaolou slowed his pace, first observing quietly beside the main mountain path—and sure enough, several men stood guard there, clearly Zhou clan members.

Since the main path was blocked, he chose a secluded side trail. After walking less than two li, he suddenly felt a prickling sensation on his back—as if watched by a pair of eyes.

Liu Xiaolou dared not go further. He caught two wild rabbits nearby, tied them with grass rope, and hung them at his waist, humming a tune as he retreated from the trail—the feeling of being watched slowly faded.

What kind of dark art? Could it be Qingyu Sect’s spirit-beating technique? So eerie!

Liu Xiaolou knew the terrain well and immediately chose a hidden spot unlikely to be noticed. Once inside, he meditated deeply, struggling to understand the prickling sensation—he couldn’t grasp it, so he found no way to enter the mountains.

Not being able to enter was bad news, but the Zhou clan still surrounding the mountains was good news—it meant Star De Jun and Zhou Qi Niang had not yet been found, and were still safe for now.

As he pondered, two figures slipped past his hiding spot, moving stealthily, furtively.

Could these be fellow cultivators drawn by the commotion?

Under the moonlight, Liu Xiaolou studied them closely—and recognized them: one was the Hongji Wine House manager who had been gathering intelligence; the other was Lu Er Young Master.

The two wandered nearby for a while, then returned to Liu Xiaolou’s hiding spot, whispering just a few zhang away.

“Second Young Master, it was definitely here—but how did he disappear?”

“You’re sure you didn’t missee?”

“Absolutely certain—he was last seen right here.”

“Where’s the man now?”

“I don’t know...”

“You lost a lowly hermit? You’re useless!”