Chapter 40: The Two Sect Leaders

Deep in the forest, Lord Xingde and Zhou Qiniang poured their hearts out to each other, speaking of how much they missed one another and quietly discussing what to do next. Without realizing it, the moon had already risen high into the sky. Zhou Qiniang had snuck out secretly and couldn’t stay long, so the two reluctantly prepared to part ways. Just as they were about to say goodbye, they saw Jiuniang standing not far off, watching them. Liu Xiaolou was right behind her. “Jiumei…” A flicker of panic crossed Zhou Qiniang’s face, but she quickly regained her composure. Jiuniang let out a soft sigh and glanced at Lord Xingde. “So, you must be Lord Xingde? Seventh Sister, it’s time to go.” Zhou Qiniang nodded and gave Lord Xingde a gentle smile. “I’m heading back.” Lord Xingde was clearly worried. He turned to Jiuniang. “Jiuniang," he said. "Qiniang’s mentioned you before. You may not be related by blood, but she said you’re as close as real sisters…” “Lord Xingde," Jiuniang replied. "I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything tonight. But this can’t happen again. What you’re doing is incredibly dangerous, not just for you, but for Seventh Sister too. I don’t know if she told you, but she’s set to be married in six months. Old Master Zhou arranged it himself just last month. If word got out that you two were secretly meeting like this, the consequences would be disastrous.” Xing Dejun gave a solemn nod and bowed with clasped hands. “Thank you, Jiuniang. Qiniang told me. She’s to be married off as the second wife to Elder Zhao of the Jinting Sect.” Jiuniang’s voice grew firm. “That match was arranged through Elder Hou of the Qingyu Sect.” The Qingyu Sect was the Zhou family’s patron clan, and the Jinting Sect, where the arranged marriage would take place, was a prestigious sect that controlled the blessed land of Jinting Mountain. A union between two major sects like these wasn’t something Lord Xingde or Zhou Qiniang could possibly defy. Zhou Qiniang tightened her grip on Lord Xingde’s hand. Their eyes met, saying everything they couldn’t put into words. Liu Xiaolou leaned toward Lord Xingde, watching the two women disappear into the distance. “So… this Jiuniang.... what’s her background?” Lord Xingde shook his head. “How would I know?” “Didn’t you say Qiniang talks about her often?” “She never mentioned her.” “Huh. Well… at least she seems reasonable.” “When did she find out?” Lord Xingde asked in return. “About two hours ago," Liu Xiaolou said. "She showed up not long after Qiniang entered the woods. Scared me half to death. I had no choice but to talk and plead with her for ages on your behalf. She was eventually moved by how deeply you care for Qiniang, and agreed to wait with me outside the forest. Don’t worry; she promised to keep this a secret and won’t report it.” Lord Xingde nodded. Liu Xiaolou suggested, “Now that it’s happened once, there can be a next time . Don’t be fooled by that whole ‘just this once’ speech; if she kept quiet this time, she’s already in it with us. There’s no backing out now. Next time, you could go to her directly to arrange a meeting with Qiniang. That’d be way easier than using me, her so-called ‘fake nephew.’ This time we barely made it through. I was taken straight into the Zhou residence. Thankfully, none of the family grilled me about it, but who knows if we’ll get that lucky again…” “Xiaolou, thank you,” Lord Xingde said sincerely. “Your business is my business, senior. It’s no trouble at all! Next time you want to come back, I’ll be ready; it's only a hundred or so li anyway. So... are we heading back to Taoyuan now?” But Lord Xingde didn’t return to Taoyuan. Instead, he and Liu Xiaolou wandered for several days through various places north and east of Dongting, searching for the remaining materials needed to craft the formation disk. “The Abyssal Blackstone Formation is a type of illusion formation. Its power lies in illusion, so hallucinogenic materials are essential. The most potent of them all is the feather crown of the Rainbow-Plumed Sparrow, but as far as I know, that bird only exists in the Spirit Sparrow Garden of the Weiyu Soaring Crane Sect. No point hoping for it.” “Weiyu Soaring Crane Sect, huh? I heard they’re one of the Ten Great Sects. Their Grotto-heaven is said to be filled with all kinds of rare birds and beasts. Like a paradise. I wonder if I’ll ever be lucky enough to visit Weiyu Mountain myself.” “Grotto-heavens aren’t like blessed lands. We don’t even know where the entrance to their realm is; how are we supposed to get in?” “True... if the Rainbow-Plumed Sparrow’s out of reach, what about the Tiger-Eyed Frog? Or the Nine-Foot Butterfly? Could we find either of those? Eh, forget it; they’re probably expensive…” “Oh? Xiaolou, you’ve heard of these illusion-beasts too? Tiger-Eyed Frog venom powder is sold in the Tianmen Mountain market—goes for ten to fifteen spirit stones per qian. The Nine-Foot Butterfly can be found in the market at Yanzhou. Doesn’t matter the size, each one sells for twenty spirit stones.” “Then just tell me straight, senior. What else can we use instead?” “The Great Toad, combined with Shangshou Qing. Together they create a solid hallucinogenic effect. That’s a secret passed down in my sect, Xiaolou, so don’t ever breathe a word of it to anyone. That’s why we’ve come to the shores of Lake Dongting, to catch those toads.” “What about Shangshou Qing? It’s winter now. Mushrooms don’t grow in the mountains this time of year.” “I’ve got powdered Shangshou Qing stored in the artifact workshop.” “Oh, I see… Earlier, you mentioned your sect. Which sect are you from?” “I’m the thirteenth-generation sect master of the Purple Pole Sect.” “Is there anyone else left in your sect?” “My sect has always passed down knowledge from one master to one disciple; single succession only.” “Got it. Actually… I’m a sect master too. I’m the fifth-generation head of the Sanxuan Sect.” “Wait, why’s it called the Sanxuan (Three Mysteries) Sect? What three mysteries?” “That’s a sect secret!” “Crafting formation disks is my sect’s biggest secret!” “Alright, alright… Fine, I’ll tell you. It refers to three things: bewildering fragrance, the Yin-Yang Harmonization Technique, and our internal cultivation method. Together, they’re the Three Mysteries.” “...That sounds like a shady back-alley sect if I’ve ever heard one.” “Senior! That’s not something you should say! There’s no high or low when it comes to people, and no good or bad when it comes to methods. My master always said: ‘There are a thousand paths to the Dao; I walk the one that suits me.’ What’s this talk of ‘high-level’ or ‘vulgar’? What matters is the heart of the cultivator. Even the best technique, if practiced by someone evil and treacherous—” “Alright, alright, I take it back.” “It’s not about taking it back. This is about having the right mindset in cultivation. If you hold onto views like that, senior, sooner or later you’ll end up on a crooked path!” “Heh… alright, alright, I humbly accept the correction… No need to look so worked up… Purple Pole Sect, Sanxuan Sect, both sound great!” “Of course they do. Just hearing the names, you can tell they carry hidden meaning… Oh! Senior, how about we form an alliance between our two sects? Support each other, watch each other’s backs. That’s how we usually do it over on Wulong Mountain.” “You think that’s okay?” “Why not? We’re both sect masters, aren’t we? Can’t we just make the call ourselves?” “No, I mean… is there a point to it?” “You don’t think it’s worth doing?” “What do you think?” “…Fine… if you think it’s pointless, then I guess it’s pointless…” “Shh…” “Huh?” “Listen… That’s the cry of a Dongting toad… Looks like we’re in luck tonight. Found one as soon as we got here. Last time I came, I had to search for days.” “Senior, how many should we catch?” “As many as we can. We only need a tiny bit of the skin, but it’s not nearly enough if we only get a few. Be careful; these things are skittish and hard to catch…” “Hold on, senior… Step back a little… A bit farther…” “What are you.... is it ready yet? How much longer, Xiaolou?” “All set. Come on over and pick them up! One… two… three…” “Wait.... are these… dead toads?” “They’re alive. Just knocked out… Four… five… six… seven… Is that enough? Looks like they stick together in clusters; saves us some effort.” “This is one of your Three Mysteries techniques? Bewildering Fragrance?” “Yep. What do you think, senior?” “I didn’t see you light any incense though…” “That’s why it’s a secret technique! Did you really think our Three Mysteries Sect was some shady back-alley outfit?” “…Impressive.”