Chapter 49: The Coffin

Mount Tianmu and the Lu clan really do live up to their reputation. The three of them strode straight into Taoyuan without hesitation, and the Zhou clan could do nothing but look at each other helplessly, too afraid to stop them. Still, Second Young Master Lu knew he didn’t have much time inside Taoyuan. The Zhou clan would definitely try to block them again, maybe even call in the Qingyu Sect. So he urged Liu Xiaolou, “Hurry. Where’s the chest buried?” Liu Xiaolou frowned. “The Shape Absorbing Technique…” Before he could finish, Steward Zhang pulled out a roundish jade token and infused it with true qi. A faint wave of magical energy spread out, covering the area within about ten feet. The sharp, prickling sensation that had been dogging them vanished instantly. “That’s a fine item. What kind of treasure is that?” Liu Xiaolou stared at the jade. “Don’t ask stupid questions,” Steward Zhang snapped. “Just lead the way.” Liu Xiaolou didn’t say another word and took them toward the gorge between Mount Wulei and Mount Wangyue. As they passed the base of Wulei, they spotted a huge shadow standing at the mountaintop, turning slowly to scan the surroundings. That thing had to be at least thirty feet tall. Startled, Liu Xiaolou ducked under a nearby tree and pointed up at the shadow. Steward Zhang whispered, “A manifestation of the mountain god. Qingyu Sect’s spirit-binding technique. Stay sharp… this way…” The three of them moved carefully, sticking to the blind spot of the mountain god’s gaze and making their way deeper into the gorge. After walking for a long time, they finally reached a pile of broken stones hidden in the thick forest. If Lord Xingde and Lady Zhou Qiniang were really hiding somewhere in the Taoyuan mountains, this was the one place Liu Xiaolou could think of. If they weren’t here… Liu Xiaolou glanced back at Second Young Master Lu and Steward Zhang, who were both nervously looking around. He pointed at a stone beneath his feet. “Buried here?” Second Young Master Lu rushed over and was just about to move the stone when Steward Zhang stopped him. “Let him do it,” Steward Zhang said to Liu Xiaolou, pulling Second Young Master Lu behind him and stepping back a few paces at an angle. Liu Xiaolou gave a wry smile and shook his head, then moved the stone aside to reveal an opening in the ground. “Second Young Master Lu," he said. "I’ve brought you all the way here, and you still don’t trust me? That really stings. The chest is down there. Or do you want me to go down first?” “Keep your voice down,” Steward Zhang snapped. “Right, right,” Liu Xiaolou said quickly. “Wouldn’t want the Zhou clan or Qingyu Sect hearing us. My fault entirely. So, should I go first?” Steward Zhang and Second Young Master Lu exchanged a look. Lu nodded. In a flash, Steward Zhang drew his sword and held the tip to Liu Xiaolou’s throat. “Don’t move.” Liu Xiaolou froze. Steward Zhang had drawn so fast, he didn’t even have time to react. But he still said, “It’s an ancient tomb down there. Without me, you won’t find the chest.” Steward Zhang pulled a thin rope from his belt and handed it to Second Young Master Lu. The young master stepped forward, and together they tied Liu Xiaolou up tight. Once Liu Xiaolou was tied up, Second Young Master Lu chuckled. “It’s not that we don’t trust you, Brother Liu. But people’s hearts are hidden; this is our first time working together, so a little extra caution is only wise. What if there’s another exit down there?” “Why not just seal my meridians?" Liu Xiaolou replied. “Then I won’t be able to move at all, and you can go down with peace of mind.” “No need to worry, Brother Liu,” said Second Young Master Lu. "We mean you no harm. We’d just like you to go first. You said it’s an ancient tomb down there, and it’s dark. We’re only concerned we might get separated inside. Best if we all stay connected with a rope.” Liu Xiaolou sighed. With his hands tied behind his back, he glanced at Steward Zhang holding the other end of the rope and shook his head. “Steward Zhang, Second Young Master… what you’re doing really chills the heart.” With that, he jumped down into the hole. After landing, he looked up and called out, “Come on down.” A torch was tossed down, lighting the chamber below. Steward Zhang dropped in after it, picked up the torch, gave the rope a quick shake, and said, “Let’s go.” “What about the young master?” Liu Xiaolou asked. “He’s keeping watch up top,” Steward Zhang replied. So Liu Xiaolou led the way, with Steward Zhang behind him, one hand holding the torch, the other gripping the rope. Their shadows twisted along the tomb walls, eerie and flickering. The passage wasn’t long, and they soon reached the end. Ahead was the burial chamber. Steward Zhang looked around carefully, but aside from a single coffin in the center of the room, there was nothing else. His eyes fixed on the coffin. “Is it in there?” Liu Xiaolou didn’t answer. He just stood silently beside him, staring at the coffin as if lost in thought. “Answer me!” Steward Zhang barked. “Is it in there?” Liu Xiaolou still didn’t speak. A flicker of unease passed through Steward Zhang’s chest, followed by a strange, growing heat. He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the flush creeping over him, and fixed his eyes on Liu Xiaolou. “Don’t play games. Is the chest inside the coffin or not?” Then Liu Xiaolou suddenly spoke. “Steward Zhang, once we split what’s in the chest, where do you plan to go?” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “I’m just wondering. Does the market town at Mount Tianmen have any brothels?” “Of course it does.” “And do any of those brothels have female cultivators?” Steward Zhang felt another jolt in his gut. His voice dropped. “Why are you bringing this up now?” Liu Xiaolou replied lazily, “Naturally, for dual cultivation… to entangle myself with a female cultivator, body and soul… yin and yang merging…” As Liu Xiaolou let out a slow, wistful sigh, vivid images started flashing through Steward Zhang’s mind. His body flushed with heat, the feeling settling low in his belly. Without thinking, he muttered, “There aren’t any in Tianmen Market, but north of town there’s Queling Manor. The mistress there…” He froze for a second. Why the hell was he saying this? Trying to shake off the growing heat and agitation, he forced himself to refocus and barked, “Enough. Is the chest in the coffin or not?” He didn’t realize his breath had grown ragged. Liu Xiaolou nodded. “It’s in there… Steward Zhang, I suddenly had a thought. What if this coffin was actually a soft bed, and when you opened it, there was a beautiful young cultivator lying inside…” “Enough!” Zhang shook his head, striding straight over to the coffin and reaching out to lift the lid. Some strange part of him was actually hoping… what if there really was… Huh? A rush of heat surged to his head. He thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, but no; there really was a stunningly beautiful woman lying inside! He froze up, half his body going stiff in an instant. Dazed, he watched as the woman slowly raised a slender, pale arm and gently reached toward his face. Zhang leaned in, unable to stop himself… Her hand floated past the tip of his nose and tapped his chest right at the Shanzhong acupoint. A surge of true qi shot into his meridians, and Steward Zhang collapsed on the spot. Liu Xiaolou quickly stopped channeling his true qi and withdrew the technique. This man really could take a hit. He’d burned through way more bewildering fragrance than he expected! Lady Zhou Qiniang leapt out of the coffin and shot Liu Xiaolou a glare, her face tinged with a rosy blush. Beneath her, Lord Xingde also rose and followed her out without a word, dashing straight toward the tunnel entrance. The two of them had been hiding inside the coffin. With their higher cultivation levels, the effects of the sedative incense were weaker. But since they’d been pressed so tightly together, their physical responses had been… intense. Fortunately, not all of that reaction came from the fragrance itself, so they had stayed far more alert than Steward Zhang. A moment later, Lord Xingde returned to the tomb entrance with Second Young Master Lu slung over his shoulder. He tossed him down beside the coffin and turned to Liu Xiaolou with a sharp look. “What are you doing here?”