Chapter 99

The pride he’d felt from breaking through to Qi Refining fourth level vanished completely before this expert, at least Qi Refining tenth level, who could crush him at any moment—especially since she had already been Qi Refining tenth level when she left home two years ago; now that she’d returned, who knew if she’d reached Foundation Establishment?

Fortunately, he was now the Su family’s son-in-law—even if a reverse one—still a son-in-law, and that status alone was enough to save his life.

Moreover, over the matter of Star Deity and Zhou Qi Niang last year, he and this Su Jiuniang still shared a mutual understanding, which formed the basis for their conversation.

His life was safe, but whether he’d suffer punishment was uncertain; to avoid punishment, he had to explain quickly.

“Jiuniang, truly, it’s not my fault. How was I to know you were a high elder of Shenwu Mountain Manor? And how was I to know my wife—”

“Shameless!”

“Yes yes, I didn’t even know Wu Niang was your fifth sister! I just got here and was randomly chosen—this—”

“Even if you didn’t know, where did you get the nerve to come to Shenwu Mountain to answer the bridegroom recruitment? Do you know your own status? Wulong Mountain? Hmm?”

Liu Xiaolou felt deeply wronged: “As the saying goes, people climb upward, water flows downward. The Su clan’s prestige is renowned—who wouldn’t want to curry favor? My origins are indeed humble, but I too wish for a better life. You’ve never lived among the folk of Wulong Mountain—you don’t know how hard it is there. To gain even a sliver of cultivation progress, every autumn we had to labor at Eyang Mountain, working ourselves to the bone for barely half or a full spirit stone— you know how grueling that work is, though you went there to train, but for us lowly cultivators, it’s how we survive.”

“Back then, to earn a few coins for wine, I trudged back and forth over two hundred li between Wulong Mountain and Tianmen Mountain marketplace, day and night, without rest.”

“Finally saved up two spirit stones, ready to settle down and cultivate, only to be conscripted by those noble clans and dragged off to fight others, with no guarantee of life or death.”

“Even if I sat idle at home, I was constantly dragged down by others—those great sects would suddenly ascend the mountains to purge us; what could we do? Only pack our bags and flee, wandering in misery.”

Su Jiuniang waved her hand: “Enough, don’t talk anymore!”

Liu Xiaolou sighed: “I shouldn’t burden you with these miserable tales, but since you asked why I dared come to Shenwu Mountain, I can only say—I was driven by necessity.”

After a long silence, Su Jiuniang said: “It’s done now. I’ll only warn you this: if my fifth sister suffers any mistreatment from you, I’ll peel your skin off.”

Liu Xiaolou smiled bitterly: “Jiuniang, I’m a reverse-in-law, my cultivation is shallow, I have no family backing—how could my fifth sister suffer any mistreatment here? Doesn’t everything depend on her? To be honest, Jiuniang, since our wedding nearly a month ago, I’ve only seen my fifth sister once.”

Su Jiuniang’s expression softened slightly, her tone finally calming: “Only once?”

Liu Xiaolou nodded: “Yes. On our wedding night, we entered the bridal chamber, and after that, never saw each other again. To be truthful, if I met my fifth sister again, I’m not sure I’d even recognize her.”

Su Jiuniang’s anger finally dissipated; a faint pang of sympathy stirred in her heart. She fixed her gaze on Liu Xiaolou, then after a moment, blurted: “Turn around. Don’t look at me. Look at the mountains beyond.”

Liu Xiaolou was utterly baffled—this had happened before at the Zhou estate, and now again. What was wrong with this girl?

He turned his body to face the mountains outside the pavilion. In his peripheral vision, Su Jiuniang let out a quiet sigh, then said: “Sit.”

Liu Xiaolou sat: “Can I turn back now?”

Su Jiuniang waved her hand: “Do as you please.” Her tone was listless.

Liu Xiaolou didn’t understand what this high elder was suffering from, but facing her sideways made him uneasy—as if a hunter were aiming at him from the flank, always fearing a sudden mid-body strike. So he turned around and sat facing Su Jiuniang.

They sat facing each other for a while; Liu Xiaolou felt deeply uncomfortable, and finally broke the silence: “When did you return?”

Su Jiuniang said: “This morning. I heard my fifth sister got married and rushed back.” She grew angry again: “Who knew it was you! My fifth sister truly has a wretched fate!”

This topic was impossible to continue. He’d signed an agreement with Su Zhi—three years’ term must not be revealed, or the cost would be great. He could only hint vaguely: “My fifth sister isn’t blind. I think, if she chose me, there must be a reason.”

Su Jiuniang snapped: “My fifth sister had to compromise for the sake of the Su clan’s reputation—but choosing you as a reverse-in-law? That’s blindness! It’s all my fault. If I’d returned sooner, I’d have stopped her. Anybody else would’ve been better than you!”

Prejudice ran too deep to argue. Liu Xiaolou quickly changed the subject: “Yes yes, it’s all my fault. Jiuniang just returned, hasn’t rested yet? I’ll have Susu and the others prepare a meal right away to welcome you home.”

Su Jiuniang shot him a glare: “This is my home. I don’t need you.”

Liu Xiaolou added: “Yes yes, you haven’t seen my fifth sister yet? She’s cultivating in the back mountains—I’ll have Susu—”

Before he finished, Su Jiuniang suddenly asked: “Where’s my seventh sister?”

Liu Xiaolou froze: “Huh? Seventh Niang? Susu said she died young—”

“Zhou’s seventh sister! Your aunt by marriage!”

“Ah—that seventh Niang! Didn’t she contact you?”

“No. When Qingyu Sect surrounded the mountain, we heard she was rescued by Tianmu Mountain—but Tianmu Mountain denies it, otherwise Lu Er wouldn’t have died in Taoyuan Mountains. What’s the real story?”

“I’m just a lowly cultivator—how would I know?”

“Didn’t they tell you where they went?”

“I truly don’t know. The Lu Er Young Master you mean—the one who escorted your carriage at the Zhou estate? He’s dead? That’s truly tragic. I always felt he had feelings for you, Jiuniang.”

“Don’t mention him—he’s disgusting! Good riddance!”

“Yes yes.”

After another silence, Liu Xiaolou tried to take his leave: “Does Jiuniang have any further orders?”

Su Jiuniang glanced at Liu Xiaolou twice, then mused: “Back at Eyang Mountain, when you stole from my spirit fields and I caught you—what did you promise me then?”

Liu Xiaolou’s heart sank. Helplessly, he said: “I promised you then—anytime you give an order, I’ll obey without question.”

Su Jiuniang nodded: “Good. You remember. There’s a small matter now that needs you.”

Liu Xiaolou quickly agreed: “Command me! Though my cultivation is shallow and I can’t handle great tasks, if Jiuniang gives the word, I’ll brave fire and water!”

Su Jiuniang sneered: “Relax. It’s not a big task, and you won’t need to brave fire or water. If there were a real emergency, you’d be useless anyway—no need to beg in advance. Go back now. I’ll find you tomorrow night.”