Beat the Drum

After obtaining Qin Liang's confession, Liu Xiaolou was quite curious and asked him, "What grudge do you have against Zhao Shiji?"

Qin Liang fell silent for a moment, then asked, "You still don't trust me? Then let me tell you the truth. If it weren't for Zhao Shi, I might already be at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage."

Seeing Liu Xiaolou stand there speechless, he suddenly laughed. "Don't believe me? I've been stuck at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage for many years and couldn't forge a Qi Sea Shield. Last year, the sect obtained a Liu Jia Tai Shen Sha. It should have been mine, but it was inexplicably given to an outsider... Hahaha..."

As he laughed, his voice grew hoarse and ragged. "Hahaha... What Six Sects United Behind Sect Master Liu? Six sects united behind him—doesn't that just mean none of the six sects truly stand behind him? If he isn't an outsider, what is he? Elder Zhao was the one who proposed it! Fine! Doesn't Elder Zhao value this nephew of his above all else? You ruined my cultivation, so I'll ruin your nephew. That makes us even!"

He laughed himself hoarse for a long while before panting, "Do you believe me now, Your Excellency? You and I are truly tied to the same rope. If Your Excellency seeks revenge on Zhao Shiji, I can even lend a hand!"

Liu Xiaolou shook his head. "I'll think it over."

He waited until nightfall, knocked the two men unconscious, carried one in each hand, and left Mingyue Town under cover of darkness. By midnight, he had reached the shores of Dongting Lake.

He found a sheltered spot by the lake, dug a pit, and stuffed the two men inside. Then Liu Xiaolou searched along the shore for a small boat.