Chapter 73: Chapter Seventy-Two: Plan

At Green Yi Courtyard, deep in the night, the front hall was lively, and a small banquet had been set up in the western room of the back courtyard.

“No wine, no overnight stay?” Wei Hongqing frowned, pondering seriously, unable to think of a better plan: “In that case, can Xiao Lou knock him down?”

Liu Xiao poured wine for all three, then said: “Difficult. I’ve asked many people—don’t worry—I’ve subtly inquired. He’s come several times, always in the main hall, never entering private rooms or the girls’ chambers. If it’s truly like this, the best we can do is mimic what we did with Lu Zian: confuse him briefly to create an opening.”

Tan Ba clapped his palms: “Then just strike directly! Lu Zian was at the tenth level of Qi Refining, yet we still took him down. Now all of us have advanced—especially Brother Wei, who’s climbed another level. Four against one, with surprise—how could we fail?”

Zuo Gaofeng shook his head: “Back then it was out in the wilderness. This is Yueyang Market, right in the heart of Green Yi Courtyard. If we make a commotion... how many experts from Qingyu Sect are right here? How could we risk it?”

Liu Xiao also disagreed: “We must act without being seen or heard. We can’t let the Qingyu Sect keep watching us—otherwise none of us will be able to rest easy. Brother Wei finally got into Tianmu Mountain; if we lose it now because of this, it would be my fault.”

Wei Hongqing said: “Then we need another path... If he won’t enter the room, lure him out of Green Yi Courtyard and strike in the wilderness. I’ve been to Miluo River—there’s a narrow river bend with a small stream beside it, perfect for an ambush. Xiao Lou, you lure him there.”

Zuo Gaofeng asked: “Hukou? That place is indeed good...”

Wei Hongqing said: “Tomorrow we’ll go inspect it. But even with an ambush, a direct kill won’t guarantee victory. Xiao Lou must still think of a way.”

Liu Xiao frowned: “If it’s by the river, it’ll be even harder for me—how can we act with the wind blowing?”

After all, Hou Sheng was at the tenth level of Qi Refining, and an inner sect official of Qingyu Sect—no doubt a master of combat. The four of them: Zuo Gaofeng at level eight, Wei Hongqing at level six, Tan Ba at level five, Liu Xiao at level four—even if Wei Hongqing borrowed a rare artifact that counters soul techniques, unless we first catch Hou Sheng off guard, the ensuing direct assault would still be precarious.

Wei Hongqing thought for a moment: “No more wine. Let’s leave tonight and get there early to scout the terrain.”

No one knew when Hou Sheng would see the message in the Connecting Lotus Pavilion, or when he’d come to Green Yi Courtyard to meet them—so time was critical. The three wasted no more time, each climbing over the wall of Green Yi Courtyard under cover of night, heading toward Miluo River.

Liu Xiao remained at Green Yi Courtyard to wait, but now his heart was uneasy—he feared Hou Sheng might arrive before Wei Hongqing and the others were ready, and if communication failed, disaster would follow.

He waited another full day, but Wei Hongqing and the others still hadn’t returned. Liu Xiao grew anxious and, after much thought, decided to temporarily leave Green Yi Courtyard and return only after the Miluo River setup was complete.

He told Qing Jie: “I’m feeling stifled and my cultivation is stuck. I plan to step out for some fresh air—I’ll be back in half a day at the earliest, or a day at the latest.”

Qing Jie asked: “Your cultivation is stuck? Should I help you? I’ve been swamped these past two days, but tonight I’ll make time—I’ll come to your room and keep you company all night.”

Liu Xiao only told Qing Jie this to cover for Hou Sheng—he wasn’t really having cultivation trouble. He replied: “I just want to walk by the lake, catch some wind, ease this suffocation. We’ll talk when you’re free.”

After leaving Green Yi Courtyard, Liu Xiao noticed a newly opened teahouse directly across the street, perfectly positioned to observe comings and goings at Green Yi Courtyard. He turned in, ordered tea and several plates of fruit at a corner table, and sat quietly, waiting for hours.

By evening, Liu Xiao finally spotted Tan Ba’s figure and stepped out of the teahouse, clearing his throat loudly. Tan Ba, exiting Green Yi Courtyard’s gate, circled around; Liu Xiao followed behind and walked beside him.

“Tan Brother, your disguise is brilliant—you’ve changed so much I nearly didn’t recognize you.”

“Just a little trick, heh. We just got back... Stick to the original plan: Brother Wei and Left Cliff Lord are hiding in the back courtyard, I’m in the main hall. First, try luring him into the back room—we’ve prepared some tricks.”

“I’ll try. But what if he doesn’t take the bait?”

“If he doesn’t go to the back, lure him toward Hukou. There’s a cave beneath Hukou, with three willow trees above—very noticeable. We’ve set everything up.”

“If it’s by Miluo River, finding a chance to act alone will be hard—I worry he’ll summon others.”

“Brother Wei checked thoroughly. In the past ten years, he handled seven cases for Qingyu Sect. In every case, he acted alone—even when fighting, six out of seven were done by him alone.”

“A lone wolf?”

“I suspect he’s power-hungry—who knows? Brother Wei said, try probing his intentions. If he breaks protocol this time and brings others, abandon the plan immediately and wait for a better chance. Also, your story must be flexible—don’t lock yourself in. Our setup in the cave will make him believe you weren’t lying.”

The two soon parted. Tan Ba circled around and strode back into Green Yi Courtyard, greeted by the head eunuch.

Liu Xiao waited half a watch, then stepped across the threshold of Green Yi Courtyard.

As soon as he entered, Qing Jie grabbed him by the arm: “Xiao Lou, you’re finally back! Hurry, Hou Zhishi is waiting for you!”

Liu Xiao was startled: “When did he arrive?”

Qing Jie said: “He’s been waiting half an hour. Come with me.”

Liu Xiao caught sight of Tan Ba in the corner of the main hall—he was sipping tea, laughing and chatting with a girl.

Liu Xiao quickly said: “Qing Jie, I just got back—let me use the privy first.”

A head leaned out from the second floor, gesturing to Liu Xiao with a finger: “Come up.” It was none other than Hou Sheng.

Liu Xiao had no choice but to climb the stairs, escorted by Qing Jie to Hou Sheng’s table. Only Hou Sheng sat there—no girl accompanied him.

Qing Jie smiled: “Master Hou, the man has arrived. I’ll summon Yong’e to play you a tune for entertainment!”

A cup and chopsticks were added. Hou Sheng waved his hand: “Sit. Have you been at Green Yi Courtyard these past two days?”

“Yes. I’m well-acquainted with Qing Jie and the others, so I asked her to find me a quiet room in the back courtyard. This place is too noisy—why not come to my room for a private talk?”

“No. This is fine.”

“Then shall I have Qing Jie arrange a private chamber?”

“Here!”

“But it’s so crowded... Very well.”

Liu Xiao felt disappointed but bowed even more respectfully, sitting at the edge of the table, filling Hou Sheng’s cup, then raising his own in salute.

Hou Sheng glanced at him, didn’t lift his cup, and sneered: “I told you to sit so you could answer me easily—not so you could offer me wine. Understand this clearly.”

Liu Xiao awkwardly set down his cup: “Yes, yes, yes.”

Yong’e soon arrived with her pipa, sat seven feet away, plucked a few strings to tune it, bowed slightly, and began to play.

Amid the pipa’s melody, Hou Sheng’s eyes swept the upper and lower floors without pause. Liu Xiao guessed that was why he refused private rooms—he was cautious, plain and simple: afraid of death. Thus, the original plan to ambush him quietly in the back courtyard was now impossible.