Chapter 353: Lingqiu Sect |
Just as Liu Xiaolou had predicted. They had their eyes on Lingqiu Sect’s quota, and Lingqiu Sect was just as interested in theirs.
That night, Liu Xiaolou had made plans with Han Gao to stroll around Thirty-Six Pavilion Mountain. They had barely started when people from Lingqiu Sect blocked their path.
Several of them were dressed in robes of the same cut and color. One look told you they were formal and well organized, a sect with history and solid foundations. The man at the front stood out. His robe was embroidered with a few extra golden dragon patterns.
“Are you Sect Master Liu of Sanxuan?”
“I am. And you are?”
“We’re from Lingqiu Sect. This is our Sect Master, Master Ba. He would like a private word with you, Sect Master Liu. And this gentleman must be Guest Elder Han, right? Why don’t we step aside over here so the two sect masters can discuss an important matter.”
Han Gao moved off to the side with the others, watching as the two sect leaders began their talks. In an instant, the atmosphere grew taut with tension.
Sect Master Ba studied Liu Xiaolou for a moment before speaking. “My name is Ba Tianyou. I hope you’ll forgive this sudden intrusion.”
“No need to say that,” Liu Xiaolou replied with a smile. “We’re all part of the same Zhanglong Mountain lineage. We’re basically family. There’s nothing intrusive about it. So, Sect Master Ba, what brings you to me?”
Without waiting for Liu Xiaolou to answer, he continued, getting straight to the point. “I have a favor to ask. Our sect has many people, and Elder Bai only gave us four slots, which simply isn’t enough. We were hoping to send one person through your sect instead, using one of your slots to enter the cave. I hope you’ll agree.”
Liu Xiaolou said, “Sect Master Ba, you know this is no small favor. If I give up one of my slots, what am I supposed to tell my guest elders? Who goes and who doesn’t? I’ll need Sect Master Ba to enlighten me on that.”
Ba Tianyou gave a small smile. “You’re the sect master. Which of your guest elders goes or doesn’t go is naturally your decision. How could I interfere? Otherwise, wouldn’t I be the one acting as sect master?”
Liu Xiaolou was moved to tears when he heard that. “If Sect Master Ba is truly interested, I’m more than willing to step aside and let a more capable man take over. You can have the sect master’s seat. Let’s settle it right now. No, forget tomorrow. Let’s do it tonight.”
Ba Tianyou frowned. “We all cultivate under Zhanglong Mountain. Sect Master Liu, why mock me like this?”
“I’m not mocking you,” Liu Xiaolou said seriously. “Sect Master Ba, I’m afraid you haven’t looked closely into the situation in my sect. If I really had full authority as sect master, why would I be standing here talking to you? Wouldn’t it be better for me to live quietly and peacefully up in the mountains?”
Ba Tianyou glanced back at the few people he’d brought along. They all gave him subtle head shakes. He turned back and asked, “So the guest elders in your sect don’t listen to you?”
Liu Xiaolou shook his head. “They’re guest elders. Guests are guests. I can only treat them with courtesy and respect.”
Ba Tianyou's face darkened. “Isn’t that outright defiance of the sect?” he said angerly. “What use are guest elders like that? Just drive them out. Don’t worry about being short on people. Pick any one of my disciples to take their place. Make them a guest elder, an elder, whatever you like. Even among my Qi Refinement disciples, if there’s anyone you fancy, they can transfer over and become your disciple. The Sanxuan Sect could grow strong in a matter of days!”
Liu Xiaolou blinked, then sighed. “After my master passed away, I made a vow. Until I reach the Golden Core stage, I won’t take on disciples. I appreciate Sect Master Ba’s kindness, but I’ll have to decline.”
“Then they could serve as elders instead…”
“I already have two elders in my sect, left and right elders. There are no open seats...”
After a brief and fruitless discussion, they watched Liu Xiaolou and Han Gao walk away. Ba Tianyou said to the man beside him, “Junior Brother, this fellow is slick. Nothing gets through to him. The Sanxuan Sect doesn’t look like a case of guests bullying the host.”
The man next to him thought for a moment. “Maybe he’s simply too wary of those guest elders, afraid to show his real feelings or make any moves against them?”
Ba Tianyou said, “Then do this. Go to his sect in person and feel those guest elders out. Find out what kind of rogue cultivators they really are, and where they came from. And see why Elder Bai has been so deliberately evasive about them.”
Meanwhile, Liu Xiaolou and Han Gao continued their leisurely walk. They passed Qinyue Pavilion Mountain and saw, ahead of them, a hillside thick with lush green bamboo. A scene unlike the rest. Curious, they headed that way. At the foot of the mountain stood a stone stele engraved with the name “Spotted Bamboo Pavilion.”
Liu Xiaolou grinned at Han Gao. “Come on. Time to meet your namesake.”
Spotted Bamboo Pavilion Mountain was the stronghold of the Dongyang Sect. Compared with the Zhanglong Sect, which had suffered devastating losses at the Battle of Zhuoshui, Dongyang’s strength was on a completely different level. They too had brought three sects with them, one major and two minor, but their numbers far surpassed Zhanglong’s. They occupied three entire pavilion mountains, with their main sect taking Spotted Bamboo Pavilion Mountain for itself.
After stepping forward to knock on the pavilion stele and having his name announced, Liu Xiaolou soon saw Han Wuwang come down to greet him in person. Han Wuwang laughed. “I heard that Sect Master Liu of the Sanxuan Sect had come to pay a visit, so I hurried to inform Ninth Senior Brother. He said you’re an old friend, and old friends should be welcomed properly. He sent me down to receive you and personally invite Sect Master Liu up to the pavilion for tea. Haha!”
Liu Xiaolou had only hoped to meet Han Wuwang briefly, exchange a few words outside the pavilion at the foot of the mountain, and that would be that. He never expected to be invited up the mountain and served tea. Overwhelmed and flattered, he rubbed his hands together nervously. “I really don’t deserve such treatment. I only wanted to see Brother Wuwang and thank you for the guidance you gave me earlier this year. How could I impose by going up the mountain like this...”
Han Wuwang smiled. “It’s no trouble at all. Come, come… oh, and this gentleman is?”
Han Gao had already heard Liu Xiaolou explain Han Wuwang’s background. Seeing this guy actually come down the mountain himself to personally welcome them, he felt pretty honored. He hurried to introduce himself. After Han Wuwang warmly addressed him as “a brother from the same clan” and said they were “one family,” Han Gao followed them up Spotted Bamboo Pavilion Mountain.
This was no ordinary inner disciple. This was the son of the Dongyang Sect’s leader. Compared to Sect Master Han of the Dongyang Sect, their own Han clan from Dafeng Mountain was nothing at all.
The scenery of Spotted Bamboo Pavilion Mountain was something else entirely. Once inside the mountain, cool breezes drifted in from nowhere in particular, stirring the bamboo leaves into rolling waves. It felt as if they were standing in the middle of a vast green sea.
They wound through the bamboo forest along twisting paths for quite some time before arriving at a stone cottage, where they sat facing one another. Han Wuwang played the perfect host, warmly entertaining them and personally brewing the tea. Liu Xiaolou gritted his teeth and decided to add a little extra at the last minute. On top of the already generous gourd of Golden Ring Bee Honey he had planned to give, he added a pouch of July Fragrant Orchid Seeds and set them on the table. "Just a few local specialties, as a small token of my gratitude," he said. "Thank you, Brother Wang, for your guidance that day; it truly helped me see the way forward."
After presenting the gifts, he explained the effects of the two specialties. Both were delicacies, valued more for their rarity than extravagance. They were easy to give and just as easy for Han Wang to accept without feeling burdened. Han Wang thanked him warmly, and also expressed his appreciation to Han Gao.
Smiling, he asked, “So, Sect Master Xiaolou, your trip to Lingnan went exactly as you hoped?”
“Yes,” Liu Xiaolou replied. “I was able to complete the full cultivation method, so I can continue cultivating from here on out.”
They were still talking when Su Zhenjiu arrived.
Liu Xiaolou had a very good impression of this ninth-ranked inner disciple of the Dongyang Sect. Years ago, when Lou, Su, and Han from the Dongyang Sect had gone together to Shenwu Mountain, Liu Xiaolou had been summoned to accompany them. Back then, Su Zhenjiu had treated him with exceptional courtesy. He spoke kindly and pleasantly, and from the way he talked, Liu Xiaolou could sense something else as well. It seemed that when Liu Xiaolou had once tried to join the Dongyang Sect, Su Zhenjiu had been the one handling the matter. No matter why it ultimately fell through, the fact that he had genuinely tried was more than enough.
Su Zhenjiu was just as warm and enthusiastic as he had been in the past. As soon as he saw Liu Xiaolou, he asked after him with genuine concern. After hearing about everything Liu Xiaolou had gone through over the years, Su Zhenjiu gave him a subtle but clear assurance. From now on, Liu Xiaolou would not have to live a life of constant wandering anymore. If Mount Tianmu ever sought to trouble him again, he could always seek refuge with the Dongyang Sect. Su Zhenjiu promised to personally vouch for him and make a case on his behalf.
Han Wuwang also added from the side, “When the time comes, I’ll go to Tianmu Mountain as well. No matter how powerful Lu Yuanlang is, he still has to act reasonably. After all these years, it’s time to let things go.”
Liu Xiaolou was moved. “The two of you… I won’t forget this kindness.”
After chatting for a while, Su Zhenjiu asked, “Have you heard any news from Shenwu Mountain lately?”
Liu Xiaolou looked at him, confused. You should know I was cast out, he thought. Why would you ask that?