Compared with the Su family’s attitude, the Moon Mountain Plum-Breaking Sect showed Liu Xiaolou a bit more respect, even if that respect was only on the surface. After all, whatever else could be said, he was still the Su family’s son-in-law, the one who shared the bed of the future master of Shenwu Mountain.

Whether they truly slept together, the Plum-Breaking Sect didn’t know. But the sway of a pillow-side whisperer was notorious throughout the world.

The head disciple came out to greet him and led Liu Xiaolou through the mountain gate. The sect master, Guan Xingzhou, met him personally in the main hall. He was straightforward and wasted no words. “So the son-in-law is here about Tan Bajhang?”

Liu Xiaolou sighed. “I bear no ill will. I’ve been in seclusion for nearly a month, and only just heard that my brother was being held by your sect. So I came to ask about it. If he has offended in any way, allow me to apologize on his behalf. Whatever loss he caused, I will make it right.”

Guan Xingzhou said, “There was no real loss. The trouble is he came to Moon Mountain and lingered for ten whole days. As soon as my daughter left the mountain, he pestered her relentlessly. To keep her name from being tarnished, I had no choice but to detain him. Originally I had sent someone up to Shenwu Mountain to meet you, hoping you might take him back and talk some sense into him. But you were in closed-door cultivation at the time. Then the Second Master spoke, saying he should be held for three to five years…”

At this, he gave a wry smile. “Of course, three to five years won’t really happen. But the Second Master’s words still hang over us. To release him right now would put me in a difficult spot. What guidance can you offer, young master?”

Liu Xiaolou said, “You really are in a difficult spot, Sect Master Guan. How should I put it? All I can say is you’ve raised a fine daughter. Young men are easily drawn to beauty, and when they see a fair lady, it’s hard for them to hold back. I’m afraid my brother has troubled you because of that. I only hope, if it’s within your power, you might let him go a little sooner. He’s like a brother to me, and I can’t just sit by and do nothing. Whatever you ask of me, as long as it’s within my reach, I’ll do my utmost.”

Guan Xingzhou could only give a bitter smile. He still didn’t dare set a date for release. Liu Xiaolou understood: without clear word from the Su family, he wouldn’t risk letting him go. That so-called “short detention” could stretch on without end.

So Liu Xiaolou stopped pressing and instead asked to see Tan Bajhang.

Tan was being held in a side courtyard of the Plum-Breaking Sect. Perhaps for Liu Xiaolou’s sake, he hadn’t suffered any real hardship, except for the Eight-Restraint Cord wound around him, which sealed off all his cultivation.

That cord was a common tool among sects these days, nothing fancy, but very practical. Anyone below Foundation Establishment, once bound with it, couldn’t break free. Its weakness was obvious, though: putting it on wasn’t easy. The twelve cord tips had to be driven precisely into the twelve vital meridians, which took time and effort. In a real fight, it was useless.

Tan Bajhang looked utterly dejected. Not because of the confinement itself, but because he’d finally realized he’d been deluding himself. Imitating Liu Xiaolou’s path was nearly impossible. At least here on Moon Mountain, it was out of the question.

After studying the terrain, the courtyards, and the layout of the buildings with his own eyes, Liu Xiaolou had already formed a plan. At the first chance he got, he made a discreet gesture toward Tan Eight Palms—seven days.

Tan Bajhang blinked, the meaning clear to him. Read full story at novᴇlfire.net

When it came time to take his leave, Guan Xingzhou remained polite, personally escorting Liu Xiaolou to the mountain gate. There, he clasped hands in farewell. Just then, a young girl came hurrying up behind Guan Xingzhou and tugged at the hem of his robe.

She looked to be seventeen or eighteen, with a slender face and delicate features. Not as striking as Fifth Lady or Ninth Lady, yet still a rare beauty in her own right. Liu Xiaolou thought to himself, This must be the Plum-Breaking Sect’s little junior sister; the one Tan Eight Palms can’t stop thinking about, the treasured daughter of Sect Master Guan.

The girl cast a quick glance at Liu Xiaolou, then leaned in close to whisper a few words in Guan Xingzhou’s ear. He froze for a moment, then fell into thoughtful silence.

Liu Xiaolou clasped his hands again and turned to descend the mountain. Since the sect clearly had private matters, it would be improper for him to linger, especially when time was pressing.

He had not gone far, however, when Guan Xingzhou hurried after him. “Young master, wait a moment!”

Liu Xiaolou stopped and waited for him to catch up. “What guidance does Sect Master Guan have for me?”

Guan Xingzhou said, “Our Moon Mountain, Meiling, and Tiger Mountain sects all spring from the same lineage. That things have come to their current state is not what I ever wished for. To tell the truth, not just I, but also Brother Liang of Meiling and Sister Jin of Tiger Mountain… all of us have long since grown weary of it.”

Liu Xiaolou said, “If you’re tired of it, then let it go. You’re all from the same family line. What’s the point of fighting each other? Take this situation, for example. I’ve heard your daughter and Su Fan of the second branch are deeply attached, yet because Meiling opposed it, the two of them still can’t be together and are forced apart. Otherwise, my brother wouldn’t even have had the chance to make such a mistake, right? Since all three sects want to ease tensions, why not put aside old grudges and sit down for a real talk? For instance, speak with Sect Master Liang. Meiling wasn’t always called that. Why not restore its old name of Liangling? Start there, show some goodwill, and build on it together. Wouldn’t that be better for everyone?”

Guan Xingzhou gave a bitter smile. “Just as you say, beginning with a name change could indeed be a way forward. But the trouble is, the name ‘Meiling ’ comes from the late Old Master Su of the previous generation. I once suggested to Brother Su that they revert to the old name of Liangling, but he dared not agree. I understand his hesitation. Old Master Su has been gone less than thirty years. If they suddenly reversed course, it would invite criticism. And Brother Liang of Meiling is unwilling to change it back, either. In fact, he insists that our Plum-Breaking Sect should change our name first.”

Liu Xiaolou nodded. “And you’re not willing to rename your sect.”

“Our sect’s signature art, the Star-and-Moon Plum Hand, was created by my father. If we change the sect’s name, won’t they demand we change the technique’s name next? But that technique’s name is its very foundation. Once altered, our disciples would no longer grasp its true meaning during cultivation. The truth is, if Meiling simply returned to being Liangling, everything else would fall neatly into place.”

Liu Xiaolou said, “That may settle things between your two sects, but what about the grudge with Tiger Mountain’s Moon-Plucking Sect?”

Guan Xingzhou replied, “When the time comes, Brother Liang and I can join forces to speak with Sister Jin. It will be far easier to reach an understanding then.”

Liu Xiaolou had already seen through it completely. “So the three of you are all waiting for the Su family to speak first. But no one in the Su family dares, since it was Old Master Su himself who laid down the rules. Which means, Sect Master Guan, you think that perhaps I, as an outsider, might give it a try? If I can resolve the grudges among your three sects, then your daughter’s marriage into the Su family will face no further objections from Meiling?”

Guan Xingzhou nodded. “If it can be done, then even with Second Master’s order hanging over me, I would never make things difficult for Tan Bajhang again.”

Liu Xiaolou sighed. “All I can say is I’ll try. But don’t put too much hope in me, Sect Master. I married into the Su family. I’m hardly in a position to decide something this weighty. Do you really think the Su family would listen to me?”

Guan Xingzhou said, “Whether it succeeds or not, my Plum-Breaking Sect will always remember the favor. As for Tan Bajhang, I will do my best to see him released within three months.”

Well, that was already the best result Liu Xiaolou could hope for this trip. Yet letting Tan Bajhang sit in confinement for three months was still something he could not accept.

All the way back, he weighed and plotted, slowly forming the outline of a plan. Once he returned to Shenwu Mountain, he decided he would first drive off Big White. If things blew up later, he didn’t want anyone using it to hold him hostage.

Just then, a household servant came to Yiling Hall, saying that Second Master Su Xun had summoned him to Gualu Hall.

“Wasn’t he supposed to be in seclusion?” Liu Xiaolou asked.

The servant didn’t dare answer, only pressed him to hurry.

Liu Xiaolou shook his head and followed along.