The more Liu Xiaolou recalled Lord Xingde's words and behavior before they parted, the more certain he became of his guess. Lord Xingde and Seventh Mistress Zhou's last secret meeting had probably been to settle the time of their elopement.
Counting from that meeting to now, it had been roughly three months—just enough time for Lord Xingde to recover from his injuries. During the days Liu Xiaolou had devoted himself heart and soul to refining the array disc, Lord Xingde had likely been making all sorts of preparations, and his injuries had fully healed as well.
If three months had truly been their agreed time limit, then the exact date could be worked out. It should have been within these next few days.
As Liu Xiaolou gnawed on cured meat, he pondered the matter and secretly worried for Lord Xingde.
Perhaps it would not be difficult for Seventh Mistress Zhou to sneak out once, but taking her and fleeing far away together would likely be no easy task.
The Zhou clan was no ordinary household. They were a cultivation family, a branch of the Qingyu Sect. Could Lord Xingde bear the wrath of such a Renowned Great Sect? If he were caught, it would mean death!
He could only hope the Zhou clan would lower their guard and pray for Lord Xingde and Seventh Mistress Zhou's good fortune.
As for himself, was there anything he could do to help?
Thinking of that question, Liu Xiaolou found it difficult.
With a sigh, Liu Xiaolou rose and left the residence where he had cultivated for many days, heading for Tianmen Market to inquire after Wei Hongqing's whereabouts.
Returning to Hongji Restaurant in the market, Liu Xiaolou ordered an ordinary pot of wine and a plate of small dishes to go with it. He drank slowly, then seized an opening to stop a waiter and ask, "I'd like to ask about someone. His surname is Wei, a little older than me, handsome and imposing, the sort of man with striking features. Mm, only about three parts less handsome than me."
The waiter raised a brow and chuckled. "The person you're asking about is surnamed Wei? His given name is...?"
"Hongqing," Liu Xiaolou said. "He used to come to your restaurant often to drink."
The waiter asked again, "What do you want with him?"
"He's a good brother of mine. He once told me that if I had business, I could come to this restaurant to find him."
The waiter nodded. "Please wait a moment, sir. I'll go ask the manager."
Before long, the manager came in person and led Liu Xiaolou to an elegant private room in a corner of the third floor. The moment he entered, he saw Wei Hongqing in the room, grinning at him. "Come, come! The moment I heard it, I knew it was you. Only you would tell people that I'm three parts less handsome than you. Hahaha!"
"I did exaggerate somewhat," Liu Xiaolou said. "Compared to me, Brother Wei is not even three parts behind—only a little."
Wei Hongqing immediately called for more wine and dishes. Liu Xiaolou asked, "Brother Wei has truly made it big. So, did you get your wish and slip into Tianmu Mountain as an outer disciple? I see the manager and waiters are all extremely respectful toward you."
Wei Hongqing smiled. "How could they not be? This Hongji Restaurant is originally an asset of the Lu Clan of Tianmu Mountain. From now on, it is under my management."
Liu Xiaolou immediately regarded him with solemn respect. "Oh! Doesn't that mean Brother Wei rakes in gold by the day? Congratulations, congratulations!"
Wei Hongqing laughed. "Even if gold comes pouring in every day, it belongs to the Lu Family. I merely collect it for them, and while I'm at it, gather some news and rumors. That is all."
After the two drank three cups together, Liu Xiaolou stuffed the box of letters into Wei Hongqing's hands. "After returning from Xingde Mountain, I rested for several days at Yangliu Bay along the way and found this box of things there... Brother Wei, take a look."
Wei Hongqing smiled. "I searched that residence long ago. I never expected there would still be fish that slipped through the net. Xiaolou, you truly are capable."
After opening it, he read through the letters one by one. When he had finished, after quite some time, he could not help laughing. "An ancient immortal's cave estate... Heh... He really believed it."
"I couldn't make sense of what was in the letters, and I couldn't remember it either," Liu Xiaolou said. "I only felt that I should give them to you. Perhaps they might be useful to you."
Wei Hongqing nodded. "They are indeed useful."
"As long as they're useful. Brother Wei came from our Wulong Mountain, and all of us hope you do well."
Wei Hongqing said, "If Xiaolou has nothing else to do, stay with me for a few more days. There will be plenty of good wine and food. I'll see whether I can find an opportunity to take you into Tianmu Mountain's blessed land for a look around. I've been there once—it really is a wonderful place."
Liu Xiaolou sighed. "I do not have such fortune. What would it matter if I saw it? It would only breed envy. If it affected my state of mind because of that, it would be worse than useless. Forget it. I appreciate Brother Wei's kindness. This trip to Xingde Mountain has already delayed me for quite some time. I intend to return to Wulong Mountain and cultivate diligently, strengthen my foundation and replenish my essence, break through the pass and open my acupoints, and raise my cultivation as soon as possible."
Wei Hongqing nodded. "That is fine. How did your trip to Xingde Mountain go? Did you refine the array disc?"
Liu Xiaolou then told him everything that had happened while refining the array disc on the mountain, and Wei Hongqing was delighted for him as well.
As they chatted idly, the manager knocked and entered, slipping a small note to Wei Hongqing. After Wei Hongqing read it, his expression immediately became quite colorful, and he handed the note to Liu Xiaolou.
Liu Xiaolou read it, and his heart sank. He did not know what to say.
The note said that the Dongting Lake Zhou clan had mobilized in force to hunt down Lord Xingde, the Rogue Cultivator of Xingde Mountain in Taoyuan.
"Does this have anything to do with you?" Wei Hongqing asked.
Liu Xiaolou sighed. "Lord Xingde and a young mistress of the Zhou clan are deeply in love, but the Zhou clan looks down on Lord Xingde, considering him a Rogue Cultivator with no one to rely on, so..."
"So Lord Xingde angered the Zhou clan?"
"I'm afraid it is more than simply angering them. I suspect he ran away with Seventh Mistress Zhou."
Wei Hongqing froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. "I heard Lord Xingde is already at the age of knowing one's destiny. Who would have thought he could still do something worthy of a young man? Interesting, interesting!"
Liu Xiaolou gave a bitter smile as well. "In truth, he and Seventh Mistress Zhou have been together for many years. As far as I know, at least ten. But the Zhou clan insisted on tearing apart this pair of mandarin ducks with a cudgel. Worse still, they arranged a marriage for Seventh Mistress Zhou, intending to marry her off to an Elder of the Jinting Sect as his second wife. I reckon Lord Xingde could no longer endure it. No one could endure such a thing."
Wei Hongqing was very curious. "The Jinting Sect? Which Elder? Tell me."
"His surname is Zhao," Liu Xiaolou said.
Wei Hongqing clutched his belly with laughter. "So it's Zhao Yongchun? This Elder Zhao is quite an interesting fellow. His ears are extremely soft—he was ruled by his first wife for decades. Whenever his wife gave an order, he obeyed it with awe and never dared take half a step wrong. Seventh Mistress Zhou will be blessed if she marries him; Elder Zhao's whole branch will have to listen to her then! Hahaha!"
Liu Xiaolou said helplessly, "Brother Wei, stop making sarcastic remarks. Lord Xingde has treated me extremely well. See if there is some way you can help him?"
"This matter will be difficult," Wei Hongqing said. "At the very least, it would not be convenient for me to step forward here. The Zhou clan holds considerable standing in the Qingyu Sect; they are no ordinary dependent cultivation family. If I stepped forward, it would inevitably drag in the Lu Clan of Tianmu Mountain."
Liu Xiaolou sighed. "The Zhou clan is indeed highly valued by the Qingyu Sect. Seventh Mistress Zhou's marriage was arranged through the introduction of one of the Qingyu Sect's Elders."
Wei Hongqing shook his head. "See? Exactly so. In truth, this marriage is quite good. As you just said, Seventh Mistress Zhou is already a maiden over thirty. Being able to marry Elder Zhao of the Jinting Sect is a blessing."
"I understand," Liu Xiaolou said. "Brother Wei has only just gained a foothold at Tianmu Mountain. It is better to be cautious and not invite trouble."
Wei Hongqing thought for a moment. "Xiaolou, be patient."
After going out for a short while, he returned and filled Liu Xiaolou's cup with wine again. "I'll first have someone ask around and see whether there is any news. Xiaolou, just sit here and wait with me."
Before you continue