Chapter 74: Guide the Way

Liu Xiaolou’s gaze followed Hou Sheng’s as it swept through the hall; when it reached Tan Ba, Hou Sheng paused slightly, then moved on, and Liu Xiaolou exhaled deeply. Hou Sheng had seen Tan Ba once on Ghost Dream Cliff, but had had little contact with him, and Tan Ba had altered his appearance with disguise, so he failed to recognize him.

When one tune ended, another began; the guests below initially looked up, but soon grew accustomed to it, resuming their conversations, and the hall filled with noise.

Hou Sheng finally spoke, his voice kept low, barely audible over the pipa’s melody—Liu Xiaolou caught it, but barely.

“So, have you decided?”

“I have...”

“Tell me.”

“It’s... Xingde...”

“Don’t mention names.”

“Yes... they didn’t run far—they’re nearby.”

“Oh?”

Since the original plan wouldn’t work, they’d have to resort to the backup. Liu Xiaolou glanced again at the hall below and said, “They... might be at Miluojiang.”

“Might?”

“Master Hou, after we split up, I never saw them again, but he said if anything happened, I should leave a message at Hukou on Miluojiang.”

Hou Sheng stared into Liu Xiaolou’s eyes for a long moment, then smiled: “He’s bold—he’s been hiding near Dongting all along. Hmm, not a bad choice. Clever.”

After a brief pause, Hou Sheng asked, “Where exactly in Hukou are they hiding?”

Liu Xiaolou said, “I don’t know. When I get there, I’ll leave a token; they’ll see it and come to meet me.”

“They’re actually in Hukou?”

“I don’t know that. Probably not—if they were, they wouldn’t have asked me to leave a mark.”

“What token?”

“Master Hou, my formation disc...”

“You haven’t even captured them yet, and you’re thinking of your disc?”

“Without the disc, I won’t speak.”

“Are you bargaining with me?” Hou Sheng’s face darkened as he glared fiercely at Liu Xiaolou.

Liu Xiaolou felt Hou Sheng’s contempt and killing intent, yet held firm: “Master Hou, I poured my heart and soul into this disc, spent every last bit of my wealth. If not for this, I’d never have come here to meet you. Our Wulong Mountain brethren never betray friends. I was forced into this—if word gets out, I’m ruined!”

After a tense standoff, Hou Sheng’s expression softened slightly. He coldly said, “You lead the way. When it’s done, I’ll give you three spirit stones as reward. But remember—don’t try anything, or I’ll chop you into pieces and feed you to the dogs.”

He pulled the formation disc from his sleeve and waved it before Liu Xiaolou’s face: “I’ll give it to you when we reach Hukou.”

Liu Xiaolou watched reluctantly as Hou Sheng tucked the disc away and suggested, “Master Hou, how many people are you planning to bring?”

Hou Sheng replied coldly, “Why do you ask?”

Liu Xiaolou explained, “Xingde’s cultivation matches yours, and Qi Niang is said to be at the seventh level.”

Hou Sheng smirked. “And?”

Liu Xiaolou pressed, “You’re not going alone, are you? My cultivation is too low to help, and though your skill is formidable, you’re not afraid—but capturing both won’t be easy.”

Hou Sheng sneered, “You’re worried about yourself.”

Liu Xiaolou fretted, “How can I not worry? What I’ve done makes me hated—if they see me leading you there, I’ll be the first they kill!”

Hou Sheng said coolly, “Relax. I guarantee you won’t be harmed.”

Liu Xiaolou probed a few more times, but got no clear answer—he still didn’t know if Hou Sheng was going alone or summoning his sect. He sighed. He’d just have to take it one step at a time.

When the third tune ended, Hou Sheng nodded slightly to Yong E. She rose, bowed, and carried the pipa away.

“Let’s go.” Hou Sheng rose and descended the stairs.

Liu Xiaolou blinked in surprise: “Now?”

Hou Sheng countered, “When else would you suggest?”

Liu Xiaolou said, “I didn’t mean to rush you—wouldn’t you want to prepare first...?”

Hou Sheng seized Liu Xiaolou’s arm with his free hand, clamping hard on his meridians, making him gasp in pain, unable to speak.

Thus, the two left Lüyi Courtyard like old close friends.

Cui Jie called after them: “Master Hou, are you leaving already?”

No sooner had she spoken than Hou Sheng tossed a silver ingot. Cui Jie snatched it up and smiled: “Master Hou, come again soon...”

Seizing the chance, Liu Xiaolou turned to glance at Tan Ba and finally caught his gaze—Tan Ba gave a slight nod, then rose from his seat and headed for the back courtyard, going to alert Wei Hongqing and Zuo Gaofeng.

After leaving Yueyang Market, Hou Sheng released Liu Xiaolou’s arm: “Lead the way.”

Liu Xiaolou smiled bitterly: “Forgive me, Master Hou—I’ve never been to Miluojiang, let alone know where Hukou is. I don’t know the way.”

Hou Sheng frowned, shook his head, and walked ahead. Soon they reached a riverbank—the Miluojiang. It was narrow, with swift currents. They followed it westward for two hours, then turned into a tributary.

The stream wound through the hills, rising steadily, until the river narrowed sharply, flanked by sheer, treacherous cliffs on both sides.

Now, Hou Sheng and Liu Xiaolou stood atop a cliff, overlooking the rushing water.

Hou Sheng said, “This is Hukou. Where do you leave your message?”

Liu Xiaolou replied, “Please return my formation disc.”

Hou Sheng coldly said, “I’ll give it to you once you find the spot. Don’t try tricks—or I’ll dig up your master’s grave.”

Liu Xiaolou hesitated, then said, “I can find it. Master Hou, you mustn’t break your word again.”

Liu Xiaolou walked ahead, Hou Sheng behind. He had already spotted the three prominent willows far ahead, but he moved slowly, occasionally climbing higher to survey Hukou’s terrain, or dashing about as if searching—his goal: to buy Wei Hongqing and the others more time to prepare.

Along the way, he also noticed Hou Sheng had not sent any message or signal to summon help. It confirmed Wei Hongqing’s assessment—this man was a lone wolf.

Finally, they reached the three willows. Liu Xiaolou approached the riverbank and peered down, faintly seeing a cave mouth on the cliff face, five or six zhang below, just a few chi above the water. Though unclear from above, it clearly looked like an ideal ambush spot.

“Well? Found it?” Hou Sheng urged.

“Master Hou, you really won’t summon help? Xingde is nearly at the peak, and Qi Niang too...” Liu Xiaolou made one last attempt to pry.

Hou Sheng eyed him: “What are you trying to ask?”

“Master Hou, I’m not asking anything—I just want to know if I need to leave right now!” Liu Xiaolou’s voice cracked with desperation.

Hou Sheng stared at Liu Xiaolou for a long moment, then smiled: “So this is the place?” He glanced around, nodded: “These three willows... indeed conspicuous...” Then he stepped to the cliff’s edge and peered down: “There’s a cave below?”

Liu Xiaolou sighed and nodded.