Second Young Master Lu

Hongji Restaurant, as expected of the Zhou clan's established business for gathering information on Tianmu Mountain, was abuzz with news by nighttime, with reports coming in one after another.

The incident had occurred the previous night. The Zhou clan had mobilized a large force, comprising thirteen cultivators, including two Foundation Establishment stage cultivators and five high-level Qi Refining cultivators from within the clan...

It was rumored to be related to the Zhou clan's direct descendant, Seventh Mistress Zhou. The whispers suggested that Lord Xingde had forcibly abducted Seventh Mistress Zhou, though the Zhou clan vehemently denied this...

At noon today, the Zhou clan entered the Taoyuan Mountain Range and conducted a thorough search of all the peaks. It was said that this led to several disputes, and they even engaged in a battle with Mo Honghua, the cultivator with the highest cultivation in the Taoyuan Mountain Range. Mo Honghua conceded defeat, after which the Taoyuan Mountain Range was opened up for the Zhou clan's search...

It was heard that while the combat was taking place, an elder from the Qingyu Sect happened to pass by and observed the entire event...

By evening, the Zhou clan was still searching the Taoyuan Mountain Range...

It was already midnight, and the Zhou clan was still surrounding the mountain...

Wei Hongqing mused, "It seems the Zhou clan is quite certain that Lord Xingde is still in Taoyuan. They must have found a lead. I'll have them investigate further..."

By dawn, new information arrived. The Zhou clan had indeed followed the lead into Taoyuan, and the clue was very likely with Seventh Mistress Zhou.

A steward from Tianmu Mountain, who came to report, whispered, "Although the Zhou clan has consistently denied it, we've managed to find out that it is indeed related to Seventh Mistress Zhou. Lord Xingde must have abducted Seventh Mistress Zhou. The Zhou clan placed something on Seventh Mistress Zhou that allows them to track her whereabouts."

Wei Hongqing asked, "What is it?"

The steward replied, "The Qingyu Sect excels at the Divine Strike Technique. They have a method involving spirits where they hide a minor spirit within an object. Whoever carries the object can be tracked and sensed at any time. Although the sensing isn't precise, they can detect the general vicinity. Our Tianmu Mountain once tried to exchange a pill recipe with them for this method, but they refused. Therefore, everyone suspects that this might be a ploy by the Zhou clan to lure and capture Lord Xingde... Proprietor, what are the higher-ups' intentions? Taoyuan is not solely the Qingyu Sect's territory, nor is it a place where the Zhou clan can act with impunity. This is disregarding us Tianmu Mountain entirely!"

Wei Hongqing said, "Don't overthink it. Just gather any information you can."

Having gathered information up to this point, Liu Xiaolou had a general understanding of the situation. He said to Wei Hongqing, "Brother Wei, thank you."

Wei Hongqing sighed, "Xiaolou, I still hope you'll be cautious and think things through."

Liu Xiaolou nodded, "I understand."

Just as he was about to take his leave, someone barged in, sat down unceremoniously, glanced at Liu Xiaolou, and said to Wei Hongqing, "Old Wei, what's the plan?"

The person was dressed in luxurious clothes, with a fair and tender complexion, appearing to be around twenty years old, quite young.

Wei Hongqing smiled, "Second Young Master Lu, allow me to introduce you. This is my good brother, Liu Xiaolou. Xiaolou, this is Second Young Master Lu. His elder brother is Lu Yuanlang, who ranks third among the inner disciples of our Tianmu Mountain."

Liu Xiaolou was taken aback, then slowly cupped his hands, "So it's Second Young Master Lu, a pleasure!"

Second Young Master Lu chuckled, "We've met before, aren't you the nephew of the Zhou family's Seventh Mistress?"

Wei Hongqing was stunned, "Nephew?"

Second Young Master Lu's lips curved into a half-smile, "I saw him at the Zhou family's estate that day. He was visiting relatives and trying to freeload, even mistook someone else. Haha... Could it be that Old Wei doesn't know? Never mind, let's just pretend you don't know... I heard you've been having people inquire about the Zhou clan's pursuit of that rogue cultivator. What's the story behind it?"

Wei Hongqing replied, "It was just a piece of news that suddenly came up. I don't know the details, so I had people ask around. There's no particular plan. This is also part of my duties."

Second Young Master Lu stared into Wei Hongqing's eyes, then glanced at Liu Xiaolou, shaking his head and laughing, "Old Wei, that's not right. You're hiding something from me?"

Wei Hongqing said, "Second Young Master, you flatter me. The Zhou clan is, after all, a prominent family of the Qingyu Sect. As a mere steward of a small restaurant, how dare I make any rash plans? We are indeed just gathering information in case the sect inquires."

Second Young Master Lu's smile vanished, and his expression turned cold, "Old Wei, I came here with good intentions, thinking you might have some difficulties and I could help you, or perhaps offer some assistance if there were any benefits. I didn't expect you to fob me off with these words! What? Do you really think the Yan clan is a good backing?"

Wei Hongqing said solemnly, "Second Young Master, if there's anything else, please just say the word, and I will do my best to assist. However, the Zhou clan's actions, as it stands, have no relation to our Tianmu Mountain, nor are there any benefits to be gained..."

Before he could finish, Second Young Master Lu flicked his sleeve and turned to leave, casting a parting remark over his shoulder, "A guy who came from the ranks of wild cultivators, unappreciative of kindness. You'd best look out for yourself!"

A silence fell upon the private room. After a while, Wei Hongqing asked the waiter to call in the steward who had been gathering information, "How did Lu know?"

The steward bowed his head, "Reporting to the Proprietor, Second Young Master happened to be drinking at the restaurant and saw us coming and going frequently, so he came to inquire. Given his esteemed status, we dared not conceal anything."

Wei Hongqing stared intently at the steward, speechless for a long time.

The steward waited for a moment and asked, "Does the Proprietor have any other matters? If not, I shall take my leave and continue gathering information."

Wei Hongqing took a deep breath, waved his hand, letting the steward leave. He downed the wine in his cup and turned to Liu Xiaolou with a smile, "Xiaolou, you've seen a bit of the world, haven't you? These major sects, they're all like this."

Liu Xiaolou asked, "Is this fellow at odds with you, Brother Wei?"

Wei Hongqing shook his head, "Just a spoiled young master, at the Qi Refining third layer. Relying on his elder brother's influence, he's always causing trouble for us... By the way, have you met him?"

Liu Xiaolou replied, "Yes, I have. At the time, I thought he was the Zhou family's Second Young Master, but I didn't realize he was from the Lu family."

"Did you suffer any losses back then?"

"Fortunately, he wanted to whip me with his riding crop, but he missed. His cultivation is mediocre, but his temper is quite something."

Wei Hongqing patted Liu Xiaolou's shoulder, signaling that he understood, "When I establish myself in the future, I will definitely help you get your revenge."

Liu Xiaolou smiled, "Brother Wei, there's no need to get angry with him. Let's endure the humiliation for now. When you soar to great heights in the future, such petty individuals will be beneath notice."

After bidding farewell to Wei Hongqing, Liu Xiaolou left and checked each private room but couldn't find any trace of Second Young Master Lu. He decided to put it aside for the moment and left Tianmen Market, heading towards the Taoyuan Mountain Range.

The journey of over a hundred li was completed by midnight. As he approached the outskirts of Taoyuan, Liu Xiaolou slowed his pace. He first stopped by the main road leading into the mountains to observe. Indeed, he saw several people guarding the road, whom he presumed to be from the Zhou clan.

Since this path was blocked, he chose a secluded side path. After walking for less than two li, he suddenly felt a prickling sensation on his back, as if a pair of eyes were staring at him.

Liu Xiaolou dared not proceed further. He found some wild rabbits nearby, caught them, tied them with grass rope, and hung them from his waist. Humming a tune, he retreated from the mountain path, and the feeling of being watched slowly dissipated.

What kind of trickery was this? Could it be the Qingyu Sect's Divine Strike Technique? It was truly uncanny!

Liu Xiaolou was very familiar with the terrain and immediately chose a hiding spot that was difficult for others to detect. Once inside, he pondered deeply. He couldn't understand the prickling sensation he had felt earlier, and naturally, he couldn't find a good strategy to enter the mountains.

Not being able to enter the mountains was certainly bad news, but the fact that the Zhou clan was still surrounding the mountain was good news. It indicated that Lord Xingde and Seventh Mistress Zhou had not yet been found and were temporarily safe.

As he was contemplating, he saw two figures stealthily pass by his hiding spot, also moving cautiously and suspiciously.

Could these be friends from the Dao who had also come to join the excitement?

Liu Xiaolou peered closely in the moonlight and found the two figures quite familiar. One was the manager of Hongji Restaurant, who had been gathering information earlier, and the other was Second Young Master Lu.

The two men loitered nearby for a moment before returning to Liu Xiaolou's hiding spot. They were only a few dozen feet away, conversing in hushed tones.

"Second Young Master, it's definitely here. I don't know why he's gone."

"Are you sure you saw him?"

"Absolutely. This is the last place I saw him."

"And the person?"

"I don't know..."

"You're useless if you can lose track of even a rogue cultivator with low cultivation!"