Chapter 53: Not Treating Oneself as an Outsider

At the entrance of First Alley in Wuchao Town, Mama Zhang and Sister Qing stood at their usual spots, each holding down one side of the street like always. Business had been booming lately. The Qingyu Sect had launched a full-scale campaign against Wulong Mountain. They left only two elders behind to guard the sect, while the sect leader, the rest of the elders, most of the inner disciples, the majority of the stewards, and even the noble families aligned with the sect had all been mobilized. Over a hundred cultivators in total. And that didn’t even count the entourage: stewards, servants, maids, and others. Easily more than a thousand people. Add in the families and rogue cultivators from nearby clans who came either to pay respects, ask for guidance, or just to watch the show, and naturally, Wuchao Town at the foot of the mountain had become a lively place. The Qingyu Sect had occupied the mountain for two months now and showed no sign of leaving. They’d searched the entire area and only managed to catch a handful of mountain bandits who hadn’t evacuated in time. Unsatisfied with the results, they kept bringing in more people to scour the surrounding area, hoping to catch the main culprits like Boss Wang and Wanderer Dai. With such a setup, who knew how long they’d stay? Thanks to that, Mama Zhang and Sister Qing didn’t have to worry about making a living. The past two months had been quite profitable. After all, these Qingyu Sect folks were far wealthier than the usual rogue cultivators who used to come around, and they didn’t mind spending money. Still, Sister Qing hadn’t been in the best of spirits. In fact, she hadn’t really smiled much since last year. Just then, another guest who looked like a steward came asking about the alley. Mama Zhang warmly welcomed him in, got him settled, then came back out and leaned against her usual spot by the wall, cracking sunflower seeds. After a while, she couldn’t hold it in anymore and started chatting with Sister Qing. “That guest’s really something,” she said. “Gave a whole two taels of silver as a tip right off the bat. I heard he works for the Wang family up by Lake Dongting, on the north side. How on earth are those people so rich, huh?” “Mhm, the Qingyu Sect, right...” “Aiya, Qing’er, when the next guest comes, try to be a little more proactive. Bring him over to your place. You always look so tired and disinterested. How are you supposed to run a business like that? The girls working under you are still counting on you! Remember last time when that rogue cultivator, Dai, showed up and you flat-out turned him down? That was awkward for everyone. He was a rare guest, you know.” “I got it, Mama Zhang…” “Qing’er, I know what’s on your mind. Ever since word came last year that Master Sanxuan passed away, you haven’t taken any clients yourself. I know that old guy was quite something, but the dead don’t come back. Life has to go on. These past two months, do you know how many rich men have taken a liking to you? One even offered twenty taels! And you still refused? Listen, I didn’t retire until I was fifty. How old are you now? Not even thirty yet, right? With that figure of yours, what a waste!” “You’re joking, Mama Zhang…” Was Sanxuan really just good in bed? That wasn’t it. It was more than the intensity; it was something ethereal, something transcendent. Qing kept the thought to herself. Mama Zhang was too old now; she wouldn’t understand. To her, it all just felt meaningless. Utterly meaningless. Even the moneybags walking up and down the street, they all seemed so... she couldn’t even put it into words. Just empty. Her gaze drifted, hollow and unfocused, as she watched people pass by. Then she thought back to a guest who’d come by last month. After he and one of her girls, Little Red, had finished their business and were about to leave, he suddenly asked about someone named Master Sanxuan. Said he’d come across a simple grave up on Qianzhu Ridge. Maybe she really should take a trip to Qianzhu Ridge. Go see Master Sanxuan. Maybe tidy up his grave while she was at it. After all, they’d been lovers, more than once, even if it was fleeting. That kind of bond still lingered in her heart. Oh right, once the Qingyu Sect finally left, she should also check in on that Liu Xiaolou boy, now that he’d grown up. He was Master Sanxuan’s successor, after all. Who knew how much of the old man’s skills he’d inherited? Come to think of it, that Xiaolou had really grown into a handsome young man. Why hadn’t she noticed that before? Just as the thought crossed her mind, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she straightened her back. A young man was hurrying down the street with a bamboo basket on his back. Wasn’t that Liu Xiaolou? “Mama Zhang, keep an eye on things for me. I’ll be back in a bit.” Tossing the words over her shoulder, Sister Qing stepped out into the street and quickly melted into the crowd. She came from a martial family, and in her younger years, she’d been quite the fighter. Her steps were light and quick as she gradually closed the distance, tailing Xiaolou from behind. She watched him head toward a small courtyard on the south side of town. So this was where he’d been hiding? She saw him unlock the door and step inside. But he didn’t close it. Holding her breath, she tiptoed closer and quietly crept up to the doorway. She leaned in, peeking cautiously through the gap. Liu Xiaolou set down the bamboo basket and began unpacking rice, grains, sauces, and pickled vegetables. Watching from the doorway, Sister Qing felt a pang of heartache. Without his master to look after him anymore, he had to handle everything on his own. Life must’ve been hard for him lately. Just then, Liu Xiaolou spoke while tidying up, without even turning around. “Sister Qing, come on in.” She stepped inside. “Xiaolou, have you been living here this whole time?” Liu Xiaolou finished putting things away, then turned and smiled. “With the Qingyu Sect surrounding the mountain, I had no choice but to stay here for now.” Sister Qing frowned. “Why didn’t you say something to me?” He chuckled. “Didn’t want to trouble you.” She shook her head. “What trouble? We’re all from the same town; we’re supposed to look out for each other. You think I’d stand by while outsiders bully one of our own? And besides, I’ve always considered myself and your Sanxuan sect to be like one family. From now on, let me take care of you.” “There’s nothing to take care of,” Liu Xiaolou replied. “I can manage. I still have to cultivate, anyway…” Sister Qing rolled up her sleeves. “Just sit tight. I’m cooking.” She marched him out of the kitchen, pushed him down into a chair in the north room, and gave his cheek a gentle pinch with her fingers. “What do you feel like eating?” Suddenly, she noticed a fat white goose floating lazily in the courtyard pool. She walked over in two quick steps, reached down, and grabbed it by the neck. Lifting it up, she said, “Looks plump, just bought it? I’ll make you a goose stew.” Big White had been floating along without a care in the world when Sister Qing suddenly snatched it up. Stunned, it let out two indignant quacks before darting its beak toward her wrist with lightning speed. She hadn’t expected that. The goose actually broke her skin. Startled, she cried out, “You little beast!” Flipping her wrist, she launched into a quick grappling technique, going a few rounds with the goose right then and there. Liu Xiaolou quickly stepped in to stop her and explained where the goose came from. Only then did Sister Qing realize what she’d done. Her expression softened as she stepped forward and gently hugged the goose’s snowy white neck. “So it belonged to your master? That’s my fault; I didn’t know. I misunderstood. I’ll go buy a new goose and make you a proper goose stew. It’s delicious, I promise!” Big White flapped its wings and wriggled out of her arms, waddling back to the pool with a huff; it wanted nothing to do with her. Liu Xiaolou could only shake his head. “Sister Qing, you really don’t treat yourself like an outsider, do you?” She grinned. “That’s because I’m not. If you think about it, I’m practically your half-step master’s wife.” Liu Xiaolou looked helpless. “Pretty sure my teacher was never short on money…” “Everything your teacher ever gave me for living expenses, I saved it. All of it. When you get married, I’ll hand it over as your wedding gift.” Liu Xiaolou was completely thrown off. “Sister Qing, why are you really here today? Just tell me.” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Xiaolou, your Sanxuan Sect’s yin-yang arts; your teacher passed them down to you, didn’t he? Have you been practicing? You probably have a lot of questions, right? How about letting your master’s wife give you a little guidance, hmm?”