News from Xingde Mountain

The more Liu Xiaolou recalled Lord Xingde's words and actions before they parted, the more certain he became of his guess. The last time Lord Xingde and Seventh Mistress Zhou met in secret, they must have arranged the time for their elopement.

Counting it up, it had been about three months since that secret meeting. That was just enough time for Lord Xingde to recover from his injuries. During the period when Liu Xiaolou had been diligently refining the formation disk, Lord Xingde had likely been making all sorts of preparations, and his injuries had completely healed.

If the three-month period was indeed the agreed-upon timeframe, the specific date could be calculated. It should be within these few days.

Liu Xiaolou gnawed on the cured meat as he pondered the matter, secretly worrying about Lord Xingde.

Perhaps it wasn't difficult for Seventh Mistress Zhou to sneak out, but eloping with her would likely be much harder.

The Zhou family was no ordinary family; they were a cultivation family, a branch of the Qingyu Sect. Could Lord Xingde withstand the wrath of such a prestigious sect? If caught, it meant certain death!

He could only hope the Zhou family would let their guard down and wish Lord Xingde and Seventh Mistress Zhou good luck.

As for himself, could he help in any way?

Thinking about this question, Liu Xiaolou felt it was difficult.

With a sigh, Liu Xiaolou got up and left the residence where he had been cultivating for many days, heading to Tianmen Market to inquire about Wei Hongqing's whereabouts.

Arriving at Hongji Restaurant in the market once more, Liu Xiaolou ordered a pot of ordinary wine and a plate of snacks to go with it. He drank slowly, and when he found an opportunity, he stopped a waiter and asked, "I need to ask you about someone. His surname is Wei. He's a bit older than me, with a dignified and handsome appearance. Hmm, only slightly less handsome than me."

The waiter's eyebrows shot up, and he chuckled, "The person you're asking about, sir, his surname is Wei? His given name is..."

Liu Xiaolou replied, "Hongqing. He used to frequent your restaurant for drinks."

The waiter asked again, "What do you need him for, sir?"

Liu Xiaolou said, "He's my sworn brother. He once told me that if I ever needed anything, I could find him at this restaurant."

The waiter nodded. "Please wait a moment, sir. I'll go ask the manager."

Soon, the manager personally came and led Liu Xiaolou to a private room in a corner on the third floor. As soon as he entered, he saw Wei Hongqing inside the room, grinning at him. "Come, come, come! As soon as I heard, I knew it was you. Only you would tell others that my appearance is slightly inferior to yours. Haha!"

Liu Xiaolou said, "I did exaggerate a bit. Brother Wei is less than three points inferior to me, just a little bit."

Wei Hongqing immediately urged the food and drinks to be served. Liu Xiaolou asked, "Brother Wei, you've really made it big! How is it? Did you achieve your wish and get into the outer disciples of Tianmu Mountain? I see the manager and the waiters are very respectful to you."

Wei Hongqing laughed, "Why wouldn't they be respectful? This Hongji Restaurant is actually an establishment of the Lu clan of Tianmu Mountain, and it will be under my management from now on."

Liu Xiaolou immediately showed great respect. "Oh! Brother Wei, aren't you making a fortune every day? Congratulations, congratulations!"

Wei Hongqing laughed, "Making a fortune is also for the Lu family. I'm just collecting money for them, and incidentally, gathering some news and rumors. That's all."

After they drank three rounds, Liu Xiaolou handed the box of letters to Wei Hongqing. "I returned from Xingde Mountain, and when I passed by Yangliu Bay, I stayed there for a few days and found this box of things... Brother Wei, please take a look."

Wei Hongqing laughed, "I already searched that residence long ago. I didn't expect there to be anything missed. Xiaolou, you truly have great skill."

After opening and reading them one by one, he smiled after a long while. "Ancient immortal's cave dwelling... Heh heh... He really believed it."

Liu Xiaolou said, "I couldn't understand the contents of the letters, nor could I remember them. I just felt that I should give them to you; perhaps they would be useful to you."

Wei Hongqing nodded. "They are indeed useful."

Liu Xiaolou said, "It's good that they are useful. Brother Wei came from our Wulong Mountain. We all hope you do well."

Wei Hongqing said, "If Xiaolou has nothing else to do, stay with me for a while longer. There's plenty of good wine and food. I'll see if I can find an opportunity to take you to the blessed land of Tianmu Mountain for a visit. I've been there once, and it's truly a wonderful place."

Liu Xiaolou sighed, "I don't have that kind of fortune. What's the point of going? It would only increase my envy, and if it affected my state of mind, it wouldn't be good. Forget it, Brother Wei. I appreciate your kindness. I've already spent a lot of time on Xingde Mountain. I plan to return to Wulong Mountain to cultivate diligently, strengthen my foundation, and break through my meridians to improve my cultivation as soon as possible."

Wei Hongqing nodded. "That's good. How did it go on Xingde Mountain? Did you finish refining the formation disk?"

Liu Xiaolou then recounted the entire process of refining the formation disk on the mountain, and Wei Hongqing was very happy for him.

As they were chatting, the manager knocked and entered the room, handing Wei Hongqing a small piece of paper. After reading it, Wei Hongqing's expression became very interesting. He handed the note to Liu Xiaolou.

Liu Xiaolou read it, and his heart sank. He didn't know what to say.

The note stated that the Zhou clan of Dongting Lake had dispatched a large force to pursue the rogue cultivator Lord Xingde from Xingde Mountain in Taoyuan.

"Does this matter have anything to do with you?" Wei Hongqing asked.

Liu Xiaolou sighed and said, "Lord Xingde and a young lady from the Zhou family are deeply in love, but the Zhou family looks down on Lord Xingde, thinking him to be a rogue cultivator with no backing. So..."

"So Lord Xingde angered the Zhou family?"

"I'm afraid it's more than just angering them. I suspect he eloped with Seventh Mistress Zhou."

Wei Hongqing was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "I heard Lord Xingde is already in his fifties, but I didn't expect him to do something so youthful. Interesting, interesting!"

Liu Xiaolou also gave a wry smile. "Actually, he and Seventh Mistress Zhou have been together for many years. As far as I know, at least ten years. But the Zhou family insisted on breaking them up. What's worse, they even arranged a marriage for Seventh Mistress Zhou to marry an elder of the Jinting Sect as his second wife. I guess Lord Xingde couldn't stand it anymore. Anyone would feel the same way."

Wei Hongqing was very curious. "The Jinting Sect, which elder is it? Tell me about it."

Liu Xiaolou replied, "His surname is Zhao."

Wei Hongqing burst out laughing. "So it's Zhao Yongchun? That Elder Zhao is quite amusing. He's extremely easily swayed. He was controlled by his first wife for decades. Whatever his wife ordered, he obeyed without fail, never daring to step out of line. Seventh Mistress Zhou will have good fortune marrying him! All of Elder Zhao's lineage will have to listen to her, haha."

Liu Xiaolou said helplessly, "Brother Wei, stop making sarcastic remarks. Lord Xingde treated me very well. Can you see if there's any way to help him?"

Wei Hongqing said, "This is difficult to handle. It's inconvenient for me to get involved, at least. The Zhou clan has a high status in the Qingyu Sect, far beyond that of ordinary affiliated families. If I get involved, it will inevitably implicate the Lu clan of Tianmu Mountain."

Liu Xiaolou sighed, "The Zhou clan is indeed highly regarded by the Qingyu Sect. Seventh Mistress Zhou's marriage was arranged by an elder of the Qingyu Sect."

Wei Hongqing shook his head. "See? That's how it is. Actually, this marriage is quite good. As you said earlier, Seventh Mistress Zhou is already over thirty. Marrying Elder Zhao of the Jinting Sect is a stroke of good fortune."

Liu Xiaolou said, "I understand. Brother Wei has just established himself in Tianmu Mountain, so it's best to be cautious and avoid trouble."

Wei Hongqing thought for a moment and said, "Xiaolou, please be patient."

He went out for a moment and then returned to refill Liu Xiaolou's wine. "I'll have someone inquire about it first and see if there's any news. Xiaolou, just wait here with me."