Yangliu Bay

They said they would make long-term plans, but these people were audacious enough to show no fear towards a Qi Refining tenth layer cultivator. Among them were one at the eighth layer, one at the seventh, two at the fifth, and one at the third. Attacking a tenth layer cultivator was something they had experience with, and the chances were high. Although the risks were equally high, who among the Dao companions of Wulong Mountain didn't dance on the edge of a knife every day?

Thus, everyone rubbed their hands together, urging, "Quick, quick, Brother Wei, reveal any clues as soon as possible. Before the news of Tianmu Mountain issuing bounties spreads, it's better for us brothers to get a head start by even an hour!"

Wei Hongqing said, "It's quite a coincidence, really. I happen to know this Lu Zi'an. We met a few times many years ago. The reason I came to Tianmu Mountain was because I heard he had been doing well here these past few years, so I came specifically to find him, hoping to gain some opportunities. However, I never saw him after arriving. Later, I learned he was assigned to guard the elixir room and went into seclusion with several elder alchemists. I don't know where Lu Zi'an is, but I do know a place where he hides. I've been watching it these past few days, and I estimate he's very likely there. However, I'm not brave enough to act alone, which is why I invited you brothers here to discuss our grand plan."

As he spoke, Wei Hongqing chuckled, "These past few days, I've been on edge, fearing the clues would disappear. Fortunately, you all have arrived. When the night is dark and the wind is strong, that will be our time of wealth."

Tonight, Tianmen Mountain was cloudy, with gusts of north wind chilling people to the bone. It was indeed a dark and windy night.

Leaving the market town, they headed southeast. After half an hour, they crossed several low mountains, and a small river appeared below. The river flowed north, then made a large bend at the foot of the mountain, turning east.

Wei Hongqing said, "This is Yangliu Bay. Lu Zi'an has a lover who lives across the river bend." He pointed to a small hill on the opposite side of the river and said, "Everyone, please look, it's right behind that hill. The trees on the hill are dense, making it difficult to distinguish. Remember the direction, and head for the densest part of the fir trees."

Without moonlight, nothing could be seen clearly, only the faint shapes of the hills. Even the river at the foot of the mountain could only be vaguely discerned by the gurgling sound of the water.

Wei Hongqing assigned roles: "Layman, ascend the hill and watch from above. Brother Zuo, go around the north of the hill. Brother Tan, cover the east. Xiao Lou and I will approach from the south. We will surround the courtyard together. Be careful not to act rashly. Lu Zi'an is already at the tenth layer of Qi Refining, and his lover is also at or above the fifth layer of Qi Refining. If we startle them, capturing them will be difficult. When you hear my partridge call, then charge in!"

Everyone nodded and parted ways here, quietly encircling the area across the river bend.

Liu Xiaolou followed Wei Hongqing down the small mountain and found a shallow spot to cross. It was already near the beginning of winter, and the river water was bone-chillingly cold. For Liu Xiaolou, who had cultivated for many years, it was nothing, but it did calm his eager excitement.

After crossing the river, they took a wide detour along the hill. The two walked cautiously through the dense forest. After a short while, the area ahead suddenly lit up, revealing an exquisite courtyard. With red walls and white tiles, and several layers of flying eaves, it looked quite lively under the lamplight.

This small courtyard was indeed hidden deep within the forest behind the hill, making it difficult to find.

Wei Hongqing lightly leaped onto a nearby treetop, observed the courtyard for a moment, then quietly descended. He pulled Liu Xiaolou back to a larger locust tree further away and leaped to the top of the tree side by side. From here, the courtyard was almost invisible, with only a few residual lights indicating a dwelling.

"We need to be patient and wait," Wei Hongqing whispered. "When the people inside are asleep, you just need to incapacitate them. You don't need to worry about anything else."

Liu Xiaolou nodded, then after a moment of silence, asked, "Brother Wei, is the woman you know from the Lu clan on Tianmu Mountain reliable?"

Wei Hongqing smiled and nodded, "She's alright..." He stared at the few remaining lights for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What are you worried about?"

Liu Xiaolou replied, "I... I feel uneasy."

Wei Hongqing pondered and asked, "Uneasy? What makes you uneasy?"

Liu Xiaolou said, "If that woman is unreliable, how can the information Brother Wei obtained be reliable? If that woman is reliable..."

At this point, Liu Xiaolou didn't know how to continue.

Wei Hongqing finished his sentence, "If she's reliable, why would I have to recruit you all from Wulong Mountain? Is that what you mean?"

Liu Xiaolou sighed, "I was just thinking, wouldn't it be more convenient for Brother Wei to work with her?"

Wei Hongqing shook his head, "Whether she's reliable or not, I don't know. I was born on Wulong Mountain and grew up on Ghost Dream Cliff. The only people I can trust are you few."

"Then why did you trick us out of our belongings?"

"Just a joke. Did any of you really care? If you really cared, you wouldn't have come."

"That's true."

After a moment, Wei Hongqing suddenly said, "Xiao Lou, you must be careful on Wulong Mountain."

Liu Xiaolou was stunned, "Brother Wei means, after this deal..."

Wei Hongqing shook his head, "I'm talking about something that happened in March. The Dongyang Sect might have found some traces of me, which is why I left the mountain to hide. But don't worry, Xiao Lou, even if they find me, I will never reveal you. It was my carelessness back then, I just casually reported 'Wei,' unlike your caution. Now that I think about it, 'Wei' and 'Wei' sound the same, so the Dongyang Sect might suspect..."

Liu Xiaolou comforted him, "It's just a surname. Even if they suspect it's Wei, there's no other evidence."

Wei Hongqing said, "When these sects act, their so-called testimony and evidence are only for their own people. They don't care about rogue cultivators like us. At that time, they'll capture someone first, and then use all sorts of methods. Whether you admit it or not, it's up to you! That's why I have to do everything I can to join Tianmu Mountain. As long as I become a member of Tianmu Mountain, even if the Dongyang Sect suspects me, they can't act arbitrarily. They'll have to investigate properly, and they won't be able to find out about this... I'm just reminding you."

Liu Xiaolou said, "So, Brother Wei, have you really gotten involved with someone from the Lu clan? I heard from Eight Palms just now that the woman is a widow, and over thirty, a full ten years older than you..."

Wei Hongqing was silent for a moment, then sighed, "Let alone ten years older, I'd be willing even if she were twenty years older! We who came from Wulong Mountain, what others call wild cultivators, rats, petty thieves, hehe, if we don't take a gamble, how can we have a chance to rise? Those prestigious sects and noble families, if they curse our mothers, we can only endure it. If they kick us, we have to smile and accept it. If they break their promises, we can only bear it. How can we live like this? Can we go on living like this?"

Liu Xiaolou immediately fell silent. He turned his head away, staring at the faintly flickering lights of the distant courtyard, lost in thought.

He also wanted to join a prestigious sect.

Just then, the lights suddenly went out.

Liu Xiaolou took a black cloth from his huai, covered his face, and slid down from the tree. Without looking back, he crept towards the courtyard. Wei Hongqing also covered his face with a black cloth and followed closely behind.

Silently approaching the courtyard wall, Wei Hongqing leaped up lightly, gripping the top of the wall with one hand. His eyes slowly probed over. After a moment, like a swift cat, he agilely flipped over the wall.

Liu Xiaolou leaped up with him, grabbed Wei Hongqing's arm with one hand, and landed in the courtyard together.

Wei Hongqing pulled Liu Xiaolou, lifting him slightly to neutralize the sound of his landing, ensuring not a single noise was made.

When he jumped down, Liu Xiaolou also supported his arm, landing silently.

There were only five rooms in the courtyard. The main room where the light had been on was easy to identify. The two reached it in a few steps. Wei Hongqing climbed onto the roof beam, hung upside down, with eight iron darts clamped between his fingers, ready. If someone inside pushed the door open, they would immediately face a surprise attack from above, making it impossible to defend against.

Liu Xiaolou crouched low, hidden by the side of the door, listening intently to the sounds inside the room.

A rhythmic breathing sound came from within the room, the sound of someone asleep.

There was only one set of breathing.

Liu Xiaolou looked up at Wei Hongqing on the roof beam. Wei Hongqing clearly hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded, signaling Liu Xiaolou to act.

Liu Xiaolou's wrist twisted slightly, and the Misty Incense Tendon emerged slightly from his sleeve. Driven by true essence, it formed a faint, invisible wisp of smoke that snaked under the door.