Pleading for Mercy

At the Taifu Golden Summit, outside Fuqiu Hall, Liu Xiaolou waited beneath the wall.

Steward Liu stood beside him. Listening to the chimes and stone bells from within the hall, he said, "That was the sixth round. Three more, and they can come out. Sect Master Liu, have some patience."

Liu Xiaolou nodded. "Don't worry, Oldest Sixth. I'm very patient."

Fuqiu Hall was one of the Five Grand Halls of Taifu Golden Summit, the place where Immortal Fuqiu Zi was worshipped. It was said that this great immortal had been the founding patriarch of the Zhanglong Sect. Today was Rainwater, one of the twenty-four solar terms. Every year on this day, a high-ranking elder-level cultivator of the Zhanglong Sect would preside over a sacrifice in Fuqiu Hall, praying for the patriarch's protection and for favorable winds and timely rains, with granaries filled to the brim this year—at the very least, granaries of spirit grain throughout the Goose-Goat Mountain region. This year was no exception. Steward Bai presided over the ritual.

When the ninth round of chimes and bells sounded within the hall, Steward Liu quietly slipped away. As he turned back, he even gave Liu Xiaolou a meaningful look: Don't mention me.

Liu Xiaolou waved a hand—go without worry.

Before long, footsteps rang out. More than ten Officers and disciples of the Zhanglong Sect emerged from the hall, all dressed in black ceremonial robes, their faces solemn. Among them was Zang Qianli, a disciple of the Zang clan from Goose-Goat Mountain.

Zang Qianli caught sight of Liu Xiaolou by the wall beneath the steps and revealed a surprised expression. Just as he was about to speak, Liu Xiaolou stopped him with Sound Transmission. "We'll have a drink later."

Zang Qianli replied by Sound Transmission, "Waiting for Elder Bai?"

Liu Xiaolou