[{"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-54":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},2272959,4440,"Chapter 54","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-54",54,"\u003Cp>At the head of Wuchao Town’s Tiao Street, Zhang Ma and Qing Jie stood as usual, each guarding one side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Business had improved greatly lately: the Qingyu Sect had launched a large-scale crackdown on Wulong Mountain, leaving only two Elders behind to hold the fort, while the Sect Master, the rest of the Elders, most inner-disciples, most stewards, and affiliated clans had all been mobilized—over a hundred cultivators in total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attendants, servants, maids, and others numbered over a thousand more, not to mention the surrounding clans and free cultivators who came to pay respects, seek guidance, or simply watch the spectacle—thus, Wuchao Town at the foot of Wulong Mountain naturally became bustling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qingyu Sect had occupied the mountain for two months and showed no sign of leaving; they had turned the place upside down and caught only a few bandits—like Cat Three—who hadn’t escaped in time, and they were unwilling to give up, so they increased patrols to scour the surrounding areas, hoping to uncover the whereabouts of the main culprits, Wang Laoda and Dai Sheng. This arrangement meant they might stay on Wulong Mountain much longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Zhang Ma and Qing Jie had no shortage of customers; these two months had brought them substantial earnings, for these Qingyu Sect members were far wealthier and more generous with their silver than the Wulong Mountain free cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Qing Jie remained gloomy—actually, she hadn’t smiled much since last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another guest, dressed as a steward, inquired about the alley’s affairs, was warmly ushered in by Zhang Ma, and after being settled, stepped out again to resume leaning against the corner, cracking sunflower seeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, she couldn’t hold back any longer and chattered to Qing Jie: “This guest was generous—he handed out two taels of silver right away. I heard he’s a steward from the Wang family north of Dongting Lake. How do they have so much money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, the Qingyu Sect…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qing’er, next time a guest comes, be more proactive—take them to your side. You’re always so listless, ignoring people—how will you run your business? Your girls are counting on you! Last time Dai Sanren came, you refused outright and made him so awkward—he’s a rare visitor!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know, Zhang Ma…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qing’er, I know what’s on your mind. Ever since you heard last year that Master Sanxuan passed away, you’ve stopped serving yourself. I know that old man was skilled, but the dead cannot be brought back—you must look ahead! These past two months, how many wealthy men have set their eyes on you? The highest offer was twenty taels—and you still refused? Remember, I didn’t retire until I was fifty. How old are you? Thirty yet? Such a fine figure—you’re wasting it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re joking, Zhang Ma…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was Master Sanxuan just good in bed? No—it was different. It wasn’t just intensity; it was etherealness, transcendence. Qing Jie thought this but wouldn’t say it; Zhang Ma was too old to understand—it was simply boring, utterly boring!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the walking wallets on the street felt… hard to describe—just boring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With empty eyes watching the crowd, she recalled a guest from last month. After finishing with his girl Xiao Hong, he suddenly asked who Master Sanxuan was—he’d seen a humble grave on Gan Zhu Ridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps she should visit Gan Zhu Ridge, pay respects to Master Sanxuan, and tidy up his grave? After all, they’d shared countless fleeting intimacies—this debt of gratitude still lingered sweetly in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the way, after the Qingyu Sect leaves, she’d take a look at that young man, Liu Xiaolou—he was Master Sanxuan’s heir. Just how much of the old master’s skill had he learned?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come to think of it, Xiao Lou was truly handsome—why hadn’t she noticed before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she pondered, her eyes suddenly brightened and her posture straightened. The young man hurrying past with a bamboo basket on his back—wasn’t that Liu Xiaolou?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhang Ma, keep an eye out for me—I’ll be back in a moment.” With that, Qing Jie stepped onto the street and vanished into the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She came from a martial arts family; in her youth, she had been a skilled martial artist, her steps light and swift. She gradually caught up to Liu Xiaolou, following closely behind as he arrived at a small courtyard on the southern edge of town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he’d been hiding here all along?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou opened the door and stepped inside—the door remained ajar. Qing Jie tiptoed forward, held her breath, and crept to the threshold, peering inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou set down his basket and took out rice, soy sauce, pickles, and other provisions. Qing Jie’s heart ached: without his master to care for him, he had to manage everything himself—his life must be so hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Liu Xiaolou, while organizing, said: “Qing Jie, come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing Jie stepped inside and asked: “Xiao Lou, have you been living here all along?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou put away the items, turned, and smiled: “With the Qingyu Sect surrounding the mountain, I had to stay here temporarily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing Jie scolded: “Why didn’t you tell me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou chuckled: “I didn’t want to trouble you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing Jie shook her head: “What trouble? We’re neighbors—we should look out for each other. Would you really side with outsiders against your own? Besides, I’m practically family to your Sanxuan Sect. From now on, I’ll take care of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou said: “Take care of what? I can manage on my own—I still need to cultivate…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing Jie rolled up her sleeves: “Just sit still—I’ll cook for you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shoved Liu Xiaolou out of the kitchen, plopped him into a chair beneath the northern room, and pinched his cheek tenderly: “What do you want to eat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, she spotted a large white goose floating in the courtyard pond. She strode over, grabbed its neck, and lifted it out: “So plump—did you just buy it? I’ll make you a stewed goose pot!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goose, peacefully drifting, was suddenly seized—its eyes widened in shock. It squawked twice and snapped its beak at Qing Jie’s wrist with startling speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing Jie, caught off guard, was scratched open. “Good beast!” She flipped her wrist and applied a small locking hand technique, trading several moves with the goose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou quickly called a halt and explained the goose’s origins. Qing Jie finally understood, then rushed forward to hug its snowy long neck: “So it was Master’s! It’s my fault—I misunderstood. I’ll buy a new goose and cook you some stewed goose—it’s delicious!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goose flapped its wings, broke free from her embrace, and waddled back to the pond, ignoring her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou sighed helplessly: “Qing Jie, you really don’t treat yourself like an outsider…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing Jie laughed: “I’m no outsider—I could even count as your half mother-in-law.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou was speechless: “I remember my master never owed you anything…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing Jie said: “The money your master gave me for living expenses—I’ve saved every bit. On the day you marry, I’ll give it all as your bride price!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou was utterly defeated: “Qing Jie, what’s the real reason you came today? Just say it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing Jie tucked a strand of hair behind her ear: “Xiao Lou, did your master pass on the Yin-Yang arts of your Sanxuan Sect? Have you cultivated them? Do you have many questions? Let your mother-in-law guide you—what do you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1227,"2026-06-19T23:11:25.549Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","51864eefd9ca17b293d55d2e8ec158aab1a11d624f7dad27d592923a9350f56e","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-55","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-53",638,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fnotes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-cover.jpg"]