[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain":3,"chapter-notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-49":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Notes on Cultivation at Wulong Mountain",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2272954,4440,"Chapter 49: Chapter Forty-Eight: Entering the Mountains Together","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-49",49,"\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou suddenly understood—he had been searching for this Lu Er, but he hadn’t realized Lu Er had been searching for him too. Lu Er had trailed him all the way to Taoyuan, and he hadn’t noticed a thing; clearly, his cultivation was still too shallow and urgently needed improvement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er’s cultivation was only Qi Refining third layer; the one capable of tracking him must be the steward beside him, whose cultivation was surely not low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou pondered for a moment, silently retreated farther, exited his hiding spot from another direction, found a tree, dug a hole, and buried his spirit stones, array plates, array manuals, and the Sect Master’s token, then circled back and returned along the mountain path, muttering as he walked: “So heavily guarded—how do I get in? How do I make my fortune?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he muttered, two figures suddenly sprang out, flanking him on either side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou was stunned, opened his mouth to shout for help, but a long sword pressed against his chest. He dared not cry out, stared hard—and saw the sword wielder was none other than the steward from Hongji Winehouse; beside him, arms crossed, sneering, was Lu Er.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward searched Liu Xiaolou thoroughly, handed the Three Mystery Sword and dozens of silver taels to Lu Er, then signaled that Liu Xiaolou had nothing else on him. Lu Er chuckled: “Liu Xiaolou, came here to visit relatives?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou panicked: “What do you mean, Second Master? I’m Wei’s friend—we’re all one family, one family!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er studied Liu Xiaolou for a moment, tilting his head: “Really one family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou nodded frantically like a chicken pecking rice: “Absolutely one family!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er snorted with laughter, pushed aside the steward’s sword, and patted Liu Xiaolou’s shoulder: “If you’re one of us, then things are simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou watched with lingering fear as the steward sheathed his sword, forcing a smile: “What a coincidence, meeting you here, Second Master—pleased to meet you... Oh, and this brother too—you’ve been at the winehouse many times before, hehe...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er grabbed Liu Xiaolou’s collar and dragged him behind a tree: “Let’s talk over here... Little Brother Liu, ever since you arrived at Hongji Winehouse, you’ve been pestering Wei Hongqing to investigate the Zhou family—what’s the real reason? You’re a Zhou clan relative; this behavior is strange.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou hesitated: “Second Master, you’re joking—I didn’t ask for this. Wei heard the rumor and wanted to know the truth, so he arranged inquiries. I just happened to be there...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er frowned: “So you’re not one of us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward spun his wrist—the sword instantly appeared at Liu Xiaolou’s throat, swift as lightning; Liu Xiaolou didn’t even see how he drew it. The tip flickered with mercury-like sword light—his cultivation was at least Qi Refining fifth layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou begged frantically: “No! Brother, let’s talk calmly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er said: “You didn’t talk calmly—don’t blame Zhang the steward for being angry. He’s a master cultivator; I can’t stop him. I’ll count to three. After three, you lose an ear. Three...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou blurted: “I’ll tell you! The Star Deity on Xingde Mountain eloped with my cousin. The Zhou clan is hunting them down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er and Zhang the steward exchanged glances, murmured: “So it was an elopement?” Then asked: “If you know this, why keep asking? What’s the trick?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou clenched his teeth, then lowered his voice: “Do you two have the guts to make a fortune together?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er’s eyes gleamed: “Go on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou said: “The Taoyuan mountains are tightly watched by the Zhou clan—main roads are blocked. Even side paths feel watched... like someone’s tracking us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er sneered: “You’re Zhou clan—you don’t know the Qingyu Sect’s Shadow Capture Technique?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou suddenly understood: “So that’s what it’s called—truly sinister...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chuckled bitterly: “I’m a distant relative—barely connected. How would I know these tricks? So there really are Qingyu Sect experts stationed inside the mountains?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er said: “Naturally. Otherwise, how could the Zhou clan seal off these mountains?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou shook his head: “Then I can’t get in. But I heard Taoyuan’s mountains aren’t solely Qingyu’s territory—they’re under Tianmu Mountain’s jurisdiction. If Tianmu Mountain’s people want to enter, the Zhou clan can’t easily stop them. That’s why I went to Wei—he was supposed to bring me in, but he refused, afraid of sparking conflict between the two sects. Can you two take me in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er said: “First tell me—what are you going in for?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou said: “To be honest, a few days ago, my cousin summoned me to the Zhou estate and gave me a chest, ordering me to bury it somewhere hidden inside Taoyuan Mountain. I obeyed, planning to return and report the location—just a task done. But... I got delayed two days. When I tried to return, I couldn’t get back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er asked: “You’re a distant relative she barely knows—why trust you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou said: “She’s fleeing the Zhou family—who else could she trust?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er fell silent, then asked: “What’s in the chest?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou spread his hands: “I don’t know. It was locked with a heavy padlock. But I’ve been thinking—since she planned to elope, the chest must contain her private savings. She’s a direct daughter of the Zhou family—how much wealth could she possibly not have?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang the steward suddenly spoke: “No wonder they fled here—they came for the treasure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou said: “Exactly! Maybe my cousin hoped I’d enter the mountains and tell them where I buried it—but how can I get in?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang the steward shook his head: “So you planned to steal the treasure? What a good nephew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou sighed: “Taoyuan is sealed tight—how hard will it be for my cousin to escape? If they can’t even get out, what good is the treasure? Better leave it to me, their nephew—I can still burn incense and paper money for them later. The hiding spot isn’t that hidden. If they keep searching like this, I fear Qingyu Sect will find it—then all for nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er strongly agreed: “And if your cousin is caught by the Zhou clan and names you, retrieving the treasure will be impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou said: “You’re right—that’s exactly why I’m desperate. When the Zhou clan comes for me, I’ll be the one they hunt. Second Master, can you take me into the mountains? If this works, I’ll split the treasure fifty-fifty... no, I’ll take only thirty percent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er smiled: “Follow me—we’re going in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er led, Zhang the steward followed, flanking Liu Xiaolou in the middle. They left the side path and marched openly along the main road toward the mountains. At the Zhou clan’s checkpoint, Lu Er frowned and shouted loudly: “Who are you? How dare you set up a blockade and block the mountain path?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards blocked their way: “Dongting Lake Zhou clan is hunting a family traitor. No outsiders allowed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them recognized Lu Er and hurriedly said: “Second Master, the Zhou family is on official business—please show some understanding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Er sneered: “When did Taoyuan become Zhou clan territory? We’ve never heard of it from Tianmu Mountain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled out a plaque from his waist—the plaque glowed faintly silver in the dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang the steward barked: “Tianmu Mountain Lu clan on official business! All others, clear the way! This is Lu Er, younger brother of our Tianmu Mountain Inner Sect’s Third Senior Brother, Lu Yuanlang—open your eyes and look well!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhou clan members recognized the plaque. They hesitated, helplessly watching Lu Er, Zhang the steward, and Liu Xiaolou stride forward into Taoyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>",1274,"2026-06-19T23:11:25.549Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","4cb1f279e24b541ee4f5cbc902ec9becf494608486ad9ce5288d1a80595bb0e4","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-50","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-48",638,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fnotes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-cover.jpg"]