Su Wuniang’s seat was on the main table, third on the right, just after Clan Head Su Zhi and Second Master Su Xun, and even before Su Dalang. This was the first time such a formal gathering had arranged the seats this way, and it made clear that Su Wuniang had stepped ahead of Su Dalang as the next head of the Su family.

She accepted the honor without hesitation and sat accordingly. Her husband, Liu Xiaolou, took the place at her side.

Sharing the seat with her carried its own meaning. It showed that Su Wuniang was already married and would not be given in marriage again. This declaration would continue to be made at future gatherings until her position was secure and no other family dared to entertain improper thoughts.

Liu Xiaolou, however, felt uneasy. It was nothing but a guilty conscience. His palms sweated most when facing the three inner disciples of the Dongyang Sect.

With Lou Zhenwu and Su Zhenjiu it was still manageable, but when it came to Han Wuwang, the discomfort was unbearable. He could only keep repeating to himself for comfort: “He didn’t see my face that day. He didn’t hear me speak. He didn’t see my face. He didn’t hear me speak.”

Fortunately, when Han Wuwang looked his way, he showed no sign of suspicion. That eased Liu Xiaolou’s nerves, and he let his eyes wander over the people seated around the hall.

He had already heard of Lou Zhenwu and Su Zhenjiu. After the fall of Jinping Manor two years ago, Lou Zhenwu was said to have led the charge that broke through the Seventh Branch’s mountain gate of the Pai Sect. Among the younger disciples of the Dongyang Sect, he stood out as a leader, with his Golden Core cultivation long since stabilized.

As for Su Zhenjiu, he had some ties with Manager Su of the Loyal Righteous Workshop in Tanzhou. Back when Liu Xiaolou had tried to enter the Dongyang Sect, he had asked Manager Su for help, and the path he tried seemed to be the same one Su Zhenjiu had taken, though it had never worked out for him. It was said that Su Zhenjiu was already in the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Han Wuwang needed no introduction. Two years ago he had pursued Liu Xiaolou all the way. At the time, Liu Wuwang had thought their cultivation levels were about the same, though now he had no idea where Han Wuwang stood. But for a disciple from a great sect, practicing in the blessed grounds of a spiritual haven, progress could never be compared to someone like himself who relied entirely on spirit stones. Surely Han must have surpassed him by now.

Liu Xiaolou dared not look at Han Wuwang for long, but Han Wuwang seemed very interested in him. When their eyes met, Han Wuwang even gave him a smile and a nod. He had no choice but to force a smile in return, then quickly looked away.

He glanced at Su Dalang, who sat just below him, and saw no expression on his face. Who knew what he was thinking, but most likely he was uncomfortable. After all, he had held the third seat in the Su family for many years, and now it had been taken from him. Anyone would find that hard to swallow.

But what could he do? Of the nine male members of this Su generation, not one had reached Foundation Establishment. Su Dalang was already past forty, and he was still the most advanced among them. Yet he had been stuck at the tenth layer of Qi Refinement for fifteen years with no sign of breaking through.

Judging by cultivation progress alone, he lagged behind Su Wuniang by a full fifteen years. Even if he managed to build his foundation one day, his achievements would never amount to much. How could he possibly take charge of the Su family?

Lou Zhenwu nodded politely to Su Wuniang. “I have long heard of Fifth Lady of Shenwu Mountain. Your flying hibiscus blades are said to move in ways even spirits and ghosts cannot predict. To meet you at last is an honor.”

Su Wuniang smiled and inclined her head. “The fame of the Dongyang Sect’s true disciples is known throughout the land. Among them, Fifth True Brother stands out for his profound cultivation and rapid progress, with keen insight and sound judgment. My own little tricks are but trifles, how could I possibly deserve such praise from Senior Brother Lou?”

Su Zhenjiu also offered his congratulations, then turned to Liu Xiaolou with a smile. “To tell you the truth, Junior Brother Liu, when we first heard that you were marrying into Shenwu Mountain, my Fifth Senior Brother and I were both surprised and regretful. Back when the Dongyang Sect was selecting disciples, you were already on the candidate list. But through some twist of fate, another was chosen instead. It seems true talent cannot be buried. Shenwu Mountain gained a fine son-in-law, while our Dongyang Sect lost a worthy man.”

Lou Zhenwu sighed. “The fault is mine. I failed to recognize a true gem when it was right before me.”

Startled, Liu Xiaolou hurried to his feet and bowed deeply. “I dare not accept such praise. It was only fate that passed me by.”

Even Su Zhi and Su Xun were taken aback, casting frequent glances at Liu Xiaolou. Su Zhi said, “So there was such a connection in the past? My son-in-law is not accomplished, but to be held in such esteem by you two is far more than he deserves.”

With pleasantries exchanged, they returned to the matter at hand.

Su Zhi said, “As for what we discussed earlier, I understand. Tomorrow I will have Fifth Lady return to her sect to report your sect’s intentions. The elders there will make the decision.”

Lou Zhenwu nodded. “We are most grateful. No matter what decision the Danxia Sect reaches, please inform us as soon as possible, so that we may return and deliver our report.”

Su Zhi said, “The Su family will also do its best to urge our sect to step in as mediator. Whether it is the Qingyu Sect, your sect, Tianmu Mountain, or the Zhanglong Sect, all are great and respected lineages. If a real fight were to break out, it would be no blessing to the cultivation world. I believe our elders can see that clearly.”

Su Zhenjiu sighed from the side. “The fault is not ours. It is the Qingyu Sect that has been pressing harder and harder these past years. With no proof at all, they insist that one of their mountain patrol inspectors, a man named Hou, was harmed by our hand. Our Dongyang Sect is willing to help search for Hou’s whereabouts, but we will not carry the blame for something we never did.”

“I am late to this matter, so please forgive me, Senior Brothers,” Su Wuniang asked. “I have heard of Hou Sheng’s case, but why is Qingyu Sect so certain it was your sect’s doing?”

Su Zhenjiu explained again. “Two springs ago, our outer stronghold at Jinping Manor was struck by thieves, and we suffered heavy losses. Several hall masters of the Seventh Branch of the Pai Sect were involved. Once it was confirmed, Fifth Brother led the assault that broke their mountain gate and personally executed several hall masters. One of them happened to be involved in a case Hou Sheng was investigating, and Hou was pursuing him at the time.

“Later Hou came to us demanding the stolen goods that hall master had left behind. But we had never seen the thing he wanted. I was the one who received him. Though he was an inner inspector, he hadn’t even reached the  Foundation Establishment yet, not even crossed the first true threshold of cultivation, yet his words were rude and showed no respect to his seniors. The conversation grew heated, and I threw him out of the gate with some harsh words. Not long after that, Hou Sheng disappeared. That was all there was to it.”

Su Wuniang thought for a moment, then asked, “What was he asking for?”

“A sect leader token of a fallen sect. We had never even seen such a thing,” replied Su Zhenjiu. “When we asked which sect it was, he refused to say.”

Su Wuniang asked again, “What harsh words did you say at the time, Brother Su?”

Su Zhenjiu sighed. “I let my temper get the better of me and spoke without care. I told him that Dongyang Mountain did not welcome him, that southern Xiang did not welcome him, and if he ever came to southern Xiang again, we would not treat him kindly.”

Su Wuniang frowned slightly in thought. “Even so, the Qingyu Sect should not have jumped to conclusions so easily.”

“Their arrogance has grown too much in recent years,” said Su Zhenjiu. “Our sect, Tianmu Mountain, and Zhanglong Mountain have all had enough of it.”

Su Zhi then said, “Wuniang, the Dongyang Sect has close ties with our family. When you return to your sect tomorrow, do all you can to help them. Do not be neglectful.”

Lou Zhenwu added, “In fact, before we came we uncovered some clues. Two months before Hou Sheng disappeared, he was closely involved with a courtesan. After his disappearance, she vanished as well. If your sect is willing to step forward and mediate, our sect will share every clue we have without reservation.”

Su Zhi nodded. “Good. That will make things easier for Wuniang to present when she returns.”

Once the discussion was finished, the Su family hosted a banquet in Gualu Hall to entertain the three from the Dongyang Sect. Liu Xiaolou was ordered to accompany them and drink alongside. When he offered wine to Han Wuwang, Han smiled casually and said, “Brother Liu, you feel strangely familiar to me, as if we’ve met somewhere before. Hah, it must be fate.”

At once, cold sweat broke out all over Liu Xiaolou’s back. Forcing an awkward laugh, he excused himself from the table and hurried outside, claiming he needed to relieve himself.