To Liu Xiaolou, Tigerhead Dragon was an unexpected “brother through life and death.” It wasn’t the kind of brotherhood built on years of friendship, but one forged by facing mortal danger together.

From the very first time they had met, this fellow was warm and enthusiastic. Later, he had even volunteered to join Liu Xiaolou and Tan Bajhang on their mission into Wulong Mountain to scout the enemy. No one had known what became of him afterward, and their brief bond had seemed to fade away without a trace.

It wasn’t until last month, at Liu Xiaolou’s wedding, that he finally saw him again among the guests. Only then did he learn the man’s true identity: the young master of the Jiao family of Lion Ridge. They hadn’t had a chance to speak that day, so today was the first time they could properly meet again.

As Susu served hot tea and everyone took their seats, Liu Xiaolou said with emotion, “Back then, Brother Bajhang and I saw you in the hands of the Qingyu Sect and were planning a rescue. But when the three sects encircled Qingyu Sect, the effort fizzled out and ended in nothing. We lost track of you after that. Both of us felt guilty and blamed ourselves. If I hadn’t caught sight of you at my wedding, I would still be carrying that weight in my heart.”

Tigerhead Dragon laughed. “The Qingyu Sect took me from Wulong Mountain, but once we got back to Dongting Lake, they let me go. My family elders kept me under house arrest for six months. Not coming to visit you and Brother Bajhang afterward was my failing.”

Liu Xiaolou said, “As long as you’re alive, that’s what matters. Alive, that’s all that counts.”

Suddenly Tigerhead Dragon stood up, bowed deeply, and said, “Brother, I came today to apologize in person. I ask for your forgiveness!”

Liu Xiaolou was startled. “Why would you say that? Please, get up at once.”

After much effort, they finally managed to help Tigerhead Dragon back to his feet. His face was full of guilt as he said, “Brother, you already know the truth. I was never some rogue cultivator adrift in the south. My family lives in Lion Ridge, less than two hundred li from here. I hid this from you before. That was my fault.”

Liu Xiaolou smiled. “That’s nothing at all. Everyone has things they’d rather not speak of. When you first meet someone, it’s only natural not to reveal everything about yourself. Once you’ve become close, that’s when you open up. Perfectly normal.”

Tigerhead Dragon shook his head. “No. To be honest, the truth shames me. I sought you out deliberately. I traveled a thousand li for your sake. Of course, joining the Zang family’s troops happened by chance, but if not for you, I’d never have stayed with them so obediently.”

Liu Xiaolou was puzzled. “What do you mean? My name shouldn’t be known a thousand li away.”

Tigerhead Dragon admitted, “Brother, you don’t know. I went to Wulong Mountain because of the Ninth Lady.”

It turned out that Lion Ridge and Shenwu Mountain had always been on good terms. Young Master Jiao had often visited the Su family there since childhood, and he was especially close to Su Dalang. Over time, he had developed unspoken feelings for Su Jiuniang. The more he saw her, the deeper he fell. But she never returned his affection, which left him heartbroken.

Last spring, while lingering around Dongting, he happened to meet Su Jiuniang again while she was traveling. By chance, he had overheard her mention the name of Liu Xiaolou of Wulong Mountain.

Tigerhead Dragon looked embarrassed. “She was speaking in private with Xiaoqin, and I overheard her say that you resemble Jingzhao. So I went straight to Wulong Mountain, just to see for myself what you looked like.”

Liu Xiaolou couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. “All for that? Brother Hutou, you came a thousand li just for this?”

Tigerhead Dragon suddenly grew serious. “Brother, you don’t know. That man Jingzhao is my sworn enemy, yet the ninth lady has never been able to forget him. Since you look like him, this is no small matter. You must not take it lightly.”

Liu Xiaolou was speechless. “And then? I suppose you didn’t come all the way just to look at me, did you?”

Tigerhead Dragon scratched the back of his head and admitted honestly, “I wanted to give you… a bit of trouble. Luckily I didn’t take things too far, or else I’d have no face to see you today.”

Liu Xiaolou blinked, thought back for a moment, then shook his head. “Really? I don’t remember ever feeling in danger at the time.”

“If you’re still upset, Brother, you can strike me in return,” Tigerhead Dragon pleaded. “I won’t lift a hand to defend myself.”

Liu Xiaolou laughed. “That’s enough. Surely you can rest easy now? I came to the Su family not for Fifth Lady, but to marry into Fifth Lady’s branch of the family. Stop worrying about me. Fifth Lady has gone back to the mountain anyway, you can go see her yourself.”

All of a sudden, Tigerhead Dragon dropped to his knees again and bowed deeply. “Then I beg you, Brother, to help me!”

Liu Xiaolou had no choice but to pull him up once more. “What is it this time? If you’re asking me to help you win her hand, you’d best not bring it up. I’m just a son-in-law who married into the family. I have no such influence. To be frank, when it comes to that young lady, I’d rather steer as far clear as possible.”

Tigerhead Dragon said, “I ask for nothing else, just to see her once would be enough! To tell you the truth, Brother, ever since I heard that Ninth Lady returned to the mountain, I’ve been waiting there these past two days. I even asked Su Dalang to pass along my wish to visit her, but she refused. I heard that she invited you to Yunhai Pavilion these past two days. You must be able to speak a word on my behalf, so…”

Liu Xiaolou quickly protested, “Me? I can’t say anything that would matter. You must be mistaken, Brother…”

Tigerhead Dragon insisted, “You resemble Jingzhao. Of course what you say will matter.”

“Just because I resemble him? And only a little, from the side at that. Forgive me for being blunt, but this isn’t something I can easily manage…”

“If you can make this happen, I’ll be sure to reward you!”

“It really isn’t easy. Even if you offered ten or a hundred taels of silver, it wouldn’t help. This isn’t about money!”

“Then what about one spirit stone?”

“No… Brother, you’re putting me in a difficult spot…”

“Two stones, then?”

“Well… Seeing how deep your feelings run, I’ll give it a try.”

After sending Tigerhead Dragon back to his guest quarters to wait for news, Liu Xiaolou sat down to think hard. Even in wealthy families, spirit stones were precious. For the sake of seeing Su Jiuniang just once, Tigerhead Dragon was willing to pay two of them. Liu Xiaolou couldn’t help but feel it was far too steep a price.

The chance to earn two spirit stones was right in front of him. The only question was whether he could pull it off. But the more Liu Xiaolou thought about it, the harder it seemed. Even Su Dalang hadn’t managed to do it; so what made him think he could bring someone up to Yunhai Pavilion? Sure, he had helped her with something, but would she really give him that kind of face in return?

Probably not.

So Liu Xiaolou changed his thinking. If he couldn’t get Tigerhead Dragon up to Yunhai Pavilion, maybe he could bring Ninth Lady down instead. If Tigerhead Dragon happened to “run into her” then, that would count as a meeting, and the two spirit stones would be his.

The only problem was how to issue the invitation without making it too abrupt. If it came off wrong, who knew how she might deal with him. Still, if worst came to worst, he could just throw caution to the wind. For two spirit stones, even taking a beating from her was something he could live with.

Just as he was mulling over how to invite her down, Susu came into the main hall. “Young Master, you won’t be going out tonight, will you?”

Liu Xiaolou looked up. “Susu, is something the matter?”

She said, “Xiaohuan and I prepared food and wine. We’d like to invite you to a little feast. There’s golden carp with dragon whiskers, ao shrimp, spirit rice; everything you like. And we brought out a pot of osmanthus wine.”

Liu Xiaolou was delighted. “Susu, why the sudden banquet? What’s the occasion?”

Susu smiled. “It was supposed to be yesterday. Young Master, have you forgotten your own birthday? You didn’t come back last night, so Xiaohuan and I had to wait until today. Please don’t mind that we’re celebrating a day late.”

Liu Xiaolou smacked his forehead. He really had forgotten. Yesterday had been his birthday. Just like that, he was already twenty.