[{"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-93":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},2272998,4440,"Chapter 93: The Long-Term Meal Ticket","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-93",93,"\u003Cp>Song the steward quickly laid out the terms, largely identical to those announced earlier by Patriarch Su Zhi in Gualu Hall, except that the term as a son-in-law was reduced to three years, with added emphasis on avoiding any actions that might tarnish the Su family’s reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou fell into deep thought, while Song the steward calmly sipped tea, listening to the music of flutes and strings drifting from Gualu Hall—his posture clearly conveying: if you refuse, there are plenty waiting in line upstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long wait, Liu Xiaolou spoke: “Being a son-in-law carries a bad reputation; if it were for life, I’d accept it—but being divorced after three years? That’s too shameful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song the steward paused, then said: “So…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou was firm: “Add more money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song the steward smiled: “How much more?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou said: “Two spirit stones per month.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song the steward shook his head: “Impossible. You’re only a nominal son-in-law, not fulfilling the role—Su Family provides your food, clothing, lodging, and travel. Giving you one spirit stone monthly is already generous. I can authorize an additional twelve spirit stones as compensation upon completion of the three years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Liu Xiaolou, the bad reputation meant nothing—among the outlaws of Wulong Mountain, anyone who could marry into a prestigious clan would consider it an honor, not a disgrace; as for being divorced, who cared? Having secured the benefit, he stopped pretending. What truly bothered him was the excessive restriction: “If I’m not fulfilling the role of a son-in-law, then I’m just a hired helper. As a helper, I shouldn’t be confined to the estate. The rule forbidding me to leave without permission is too harsh—I demand three months of leave each year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song the steward’s greatest fear had been being stuck with Liu Xiaolou; hearing his “hired helper” phrasing, he was relieved and volunteered: “At least three months—if Fifth Lady agrees, it could be extended further. Anything else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou thought a moment, then added: “Everything must be decided by my wife—the master’s word is final. But since I’m a helper, I’ll follow her orders on matters within my duties—but she cannot force me to do anything I refuse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song the steward had been about to ask what exactly Liu Xiaolou would refuse, but suddenly understood—and laughed: “Of course, absolutely no coercion. Anything else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The terms were so lenient that Liu Xiaolou was thoroughly satisfied with this three-year long-term meal ticket—even briefly considering extending it to five years—but he dared not push further—there were still many waiting in line at Gualu Hall!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said: “Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song the steward smiled: “Then let’s sign the contract?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared Liu Xiaolou would renege; Liu Xiaolou feared they’d deny payment—so he agreed readily: “Agreed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song the steward left briefly and returned with a document matching the terms just discussed, but requiring strict confidentiality—no disclosure to outsiders. The signature at the bottom read Patriarch Su Zhi, bold and forceful, ink still damp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou dipped his brush in ink, paused above the document, hesitating whether to sign only “Liu Xiaolou” or add the prefix “Sect Master of Sanxuan Gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Liu Xiaolou delay signing this “indenture,” Song the steward pulled out a red envelope and placed it before him: “A gift for the new son-in-law.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside was three spirit stones. Liu Xiaolou exhaled deeply—since Su Family paid the signing fee, he’d sign, and he didn’t bother writing the five extra characters “Sect Master of Sanxuan Gate”—he simply signed his name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song the steward clapped his hands. A young maid entered from outside—the same one who had spoken to Liu Xiaolou earlier. Song introduced: “This is Susu, your personal attendant, selected for you. She’s a long-time servant of the estate, quite presentable. She’ll manage your daily needs. For now, you’ll stay in the guest quarters; the wedding date is set for three days from now—afterward, you’ll move into Lotus Garden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please visit the latest address\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou followed Susu out, winding through endless corridors, crossing multiple courtyards, passing flowerbeds and groves, returning to the guest quarters where they’d been lodged before—this time, he would occupy the main chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, Liu Xiaolou’s mind drifted, feeling absurd and unreal. He’d only wanted to score some gifts—but now he’d landed a three-year meal ticket. Even if the ticket expired and the food stopped, he’d still be golden—having once been a son-in-law of the Su family of Shenwu Mountain—wouldn’t that make every outlaw on Wulong Mountain envious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought of his good friend Wei Hongqing, who boasted of ingratiating himself with an inner-disciple of Tianmu Mountain—but that Lu Yuanshi was a widow, and worse, had no official status—how could that compare to his own legitimate position as a son-in-law?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sorry, Brother Wei—I’ve beaten you to it, ha ha!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For at least three years, he wouldn’t have to scramble for spirit stones. He counted what he had—six stones left. Plus one per month, and twelve more after three years—he was more than content.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Content, Liu Xiaolou slept soundly. In his dream, he wore silk brocade, feasted on delicacies, strolled markets with a birdcage in hand. Whatever he fancied, he’d lift his chin—and servants would rush forward, spending silver by the fistful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When cultivating, he held a spirit stone in one hand and stood on another; when drinking spirit wine, he poured a bowl and drank a bowl; he cooked two huge pots of fragrant spirit rice—one for himself, one for the white goose—must be dry, no broth; he carried a large sack of Bai Lu snails from Hongluo Manor, cracked them open in the carriage, and whenever he saw a beautiful view, he’d lean out the window and spit—sending shells flying—how lavish, how grand!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He woke from the grand dream, stretched lazily, still savoring it—when a voice came at the door: “Master, awake? Your maid will wash and dress you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master? Liu Xiaolou called out: “Come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid entered, carrying a basin of steaming washwater, a sapphire-blue silk towel draped over her shoulder. She carefully wiped his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After letting her fuss for a while, Liu Xiaolou grew uncomfortable, grabbed her wrist, snatched the towel: “I’ll do it myself. You’re Susu, right? The steward said so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Susu replied: “Yes, I’ll serve you from now on. Let me attend to you, Master…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need. You’ve worked hard already…” Liu Xiaolou squeezed her wrist, thinking—no wonder she was a maid from a wealthy household; her skin was as soft as a noblewoman’s: “How do you keep your hands so smooth?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Susu blushed: “It’s Qingyu Dew—I made it myself, haphazardly, in the back mountain. If you’d like to use it, I’ll bring you some later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou waved: “No need, no need, just asking.” He released her wrist. He was nineteen, two months from twenty; after being trained by Qing Jie, he understood matters between men and women—but one key point remained unbroken, so he couldn’t yet truly practice the Yin-Yang Scripture, only feel and fantasize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you always served Fifth Lady?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could I be so lucky? I used to tend the gardens in the back mountain. Only recently transferred into the estate—told I’d serve the new son-in-law. If I serve poorly, Master, please say so—I’ll improve.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Susu helped him rinse his mouth and relieve himself, she said: “Heavy snow last night, cold today—wear something warm.” She changed him into a new robe with a sable-lined collar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Freshly dressed, Liu Xiaolou opened the door to find the courtyard blanketed in snow. He turned and laughed: “So much snow, and I didn’t even notice—slept too soundly. What are you staring at?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Susu sighed: “I didn’t realize Master was this handsome…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please visit the latest address\u003C\u002Fp>",1279,"2026-06-19T23:11:25.549Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a6de937fe0d1b5c31919780e0a7677f7090b3e51a633db6ff648a83ab8e0671d","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-94","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-92",638,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fnotes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-cover.jpg"]