Chapter 71: Chapter Seventy: Do It!

The two sipped their spiritual wine slowly, each lost in thought.

After a long while, Wei Hongqing asked, “Xiaolou, what are you thinking?”

Liu Xiaolou took a deep breath: “That Hou fellow seized the array plate I spent months crafting. He said I could trade it for news about Star Virtue Lord. That plate took me seventeen rare materials, nearly wore out my legs, three months of labor, and five spirit stones to forge. It was brutal—I don’t even know if I’ll ever get another chance to make one.”

Wei Hongqing fell silent again, then finally nodded: “Go wait for me at that house in Willow Bay.”

Liu Xiaolou said no more, rose, and left. Returning to the abandoned house, he found a room, sat cross-legged, clutched a spirit stone, and began forcing his way through Laogong Point.

Laogong Point lies in the palm; once unblocked, it relieves heat in the five extremities, calms anxiety, and greatly aids seated cultivation. It is also a famed reservoir for true qi. As soon as Liu Xiaolou began refining, he immediately sensed its nature—he knew clearing this point and filling its pool would require at least four or five spirit stones.

He had only four left. Not sure if it would be enough.

But as always: even a dull sword shines when sharpened at the last moment—every bit of progress counts.

After three days of solitary cultivation in the ruined house, Liu Xiaolou suddenly heard movement outside the courtyard. He rose to investigate and saw a head peeking over the wall.

Their eyes met. Liu Xiaolou smiled: “Brother Tan.”

Tan Ba flipped over the wall, grinning: “Here I am, here I am. Xiaolou, you’re living easy.”

Liu Xiaolou sighed: “Easy? My heart is burning with worry.”

Tan Ba clapped him on the shoulder and wandered through the house, musing: “It’s been a year already. Do you think this place is haunted? They say when someone dies, if their spiritual sense is strong enough, it lingers—what people call a ghost. That’s why there are all those supernatural ghostly abilities…”

Liu Xiaolou rolled his eyes: “Even if… what’s his name? Right—even if Lu Zian and Pinggu became ghosts, they wouldn’t be here. They’re buried a hundred li east.”

Tan Ba added: “Didn’t the kitchen used to have dried pork hanging? Where’d it go? I was hoping to steam some…”

Liu Xiaolou said: “No ghosts, but plenty of stray cats and dogs. Do you think they’d leave it for you?”

Just then, Wei Hongqing arrived: “Who’s waiting for Ba Zhang?”

Tan Ba said: “Brother Wei, have you leveled up again? You feel a head taller than me…”

Wei Hongqing patted him: “Hurry up. Don’t slack for a single day.”

Tan Ba sighed: “How do I hurry? I’m stuck chasing firewood, rice, oil, and salt—just filling my belly, then scrambling for spirit stones. It’s so much better in the big sects: focus solely on cultivation, no petty worries. I think I’ve progressed fast, yet I’m still far from unblocking the nine points of the Hand Jueyin Meridian. I’ve been stuck at Neiguan Point for ages.”

Liu Xiaolou boasted: “Neiguan? I just cleared it not long ago.”

Tan Ba’s eyes widened: “You’re only at Level Four and already working the Hand Jueyin Meridian? Oh come on, Xiaolou, tell me how you broke Neiguan! That point is stubborn as hell—I can’t get any leverage. The harder I push, the harder it pushes back. I’ve already burned through three spirit stones on it!”

Liu Xiaolou said: “Three spirit stones should’ve been enough. The real qi-hungry point in the Hand Jueyin Meridian is Laogong. I broke Neiguan with less than three. From what you just said, I think a roundabout approach might work.”

Tan Ba urged: “How?”

Liu Xiaolou said: “Don’t rush in. First take the outer gate, strike left and right, then thrust inward to turn the lock.”

Seeing Tan Ba muttering silently, deep in thought, Liu Xiaolou smiled: “Remember that. Cultivation isn’t about haste. When you have time, Brother Tan, find a woman for dual cultivation—study it carefully.”

Tan Ba suddenly understood: “Is this your Sanxuan Sect’s Yin-Yang secret method? Brother Wei, you’ve seen so much—do you think it’ll work?”

Liu Xiaolou smiled without speaking. Wei Hongqing laughed and scolded: “How am I experienced? Nonsense!”

The three chatted and laughed in the courtyard. By nightfall, Zuo Gaofeng arrived last, apologizing: “Sorry I’m late—just now passing Songmaoping, a landslide buried half the village. I helped rescue people, so I’m late.”

Wei Hongqing asked quickly: “Songmaoping? How many casualties?”

Zuo Gaofeng sighed: “Huang Ye, Zhang Shihua, the Seven Brothers of Guzhang Mountain, Old Hu Du—all were there. I lent a hand. Most villagers were saved, lightly injured. But the Lin elders didn’t make it. Only their son remains—the last heir.”

Liu Xiaolou’s heart sank: “The Lin boy’s only three years old…”

Zuo Gaofeng nodded: “So we followed tradition. We discussed it, found a family in the village to take him in. Those who could afford it donated one tael each. We chose the Lin family—honest folks, childless, promised to raise him as their own.”

Liu Xiaolou and Wei Hongqing both said: “Good choice. Count me in.”

Tan Ba said: “I’ll donate ten taels!”

Zuo Gaofeng shook his head: “Brother Tan, you’ve only just joined the mountain. Let me explain: for mourning mountain folk, the usual donation is one tael per person. A few dozen taels total is enough. We don’t accept more—it breaks the rule, causes trouble, and isn’t sustainable.”

Tan Ba nodded: “Understood. Long-term consistency is the way.”

Zuo Gaofeng added: “Besides mourning, there’s rebuilding Songmaoping. Since it’s near Guzhang Mountain’s territory, they’ll handle the labor—over a dozen Daoists will chip in, no need for us. But we still need silver to buy tools, food, and clothing for the villagers. We agreed: those who can afford it should donate two taels…”

“I’ll contribute!”

“Me too!”

“Same here!”

Zuo Gaofeng collected the silver on the spot. Though each gave only three taels, Wei Hongqing, Liu Xiaolou, and Tan Ba all paid with solemn care. Tan Ba had no silver coins, so Liu Xiaolou exchanged some for him.

When that was settled, all turned to Wei Hongqing. He said: “I asked Zuo Brother and Ba Zhang here because Xiaolou is in trouble. Let me reiterate: this matter is serious, dangerous, and the reward is unknown—possibly none. As always, Zuo Brother and Ba Zhang may choose to join—or not.”

Zuo Gaofeng said: “Since I came, I’m in. Brothers in need don’t ask about profit. As for risk—we of Wulong Mountain, what do we do that isn’t risky?”

Tan Ba said: “Just tell us, Brother Wei. Where? Who?”

Wei Hongqing nodded: “Hou Sheng, inner sect enforcer of Qingyu Sect. He’s Qi Refining Level Ten, carries the Qingyu Sect’s Floating Spirit Bind. Rumor says he’s fought a hundred battles in the Peach Source Mountains and never lost. He also has a habit: always travels alone, rarely partners with others. But I’ve acquired something useful—a counter to his Qingyu Sect’s soul-manipulation techniques.”

Zuo Gaofeng and Tan Ba exchanged glances, then clapped together: “Do it!”