Chapter 36

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Chapter 36: Another Gathering

     

Fourth Elder Shangguan, who was primarily responsible for training the Piaomiao Sect’s disciples, naturally nodded in agreement.

     

Ou Peng continued: “Although the secret realm contains many medicinal herbs, they are ultimately limited. Last time, I had Yan’er take one of each type back to her Huanxi Villa to cultivate, but we still don’t know if it will be effective. Sixth Brother, you need to pay attention to this. Whatever Yan’er needs, make sure to coordinate and support her efforts.”

     

Sixth Elder Xu laughed and said: “No problem, Third Brother. That girl Yan’er loves experimenting with strange things. She might actually succeed in cultivating some good medicinal herbs.”

     

At the mention of Ou Peng’s younger sister, everyone smiled. First Elder Hu added: “Time really flies. In the blink of an eye, little Yan’er has grown up. How can we not feel old?”

     

Fifth Elder Liu, who had been quietly drinking and not participating much in the discussion, spoke up: “Yes, the little doll who used to pee on my head has now become a female hero.”

     

Ou Peng glared at him and said: “You can only say that in front of us brothers. If there’s an outsider or if Yan’er is present, you must never mention it.

     

Then he added: “Unless you don’t want your big axe anymore.”

     

Fifth Elder Liu shrank back and said: “Got it, I definitely don’t want that great aunt to sink my axe in the Luo River again.”

     

Everyone burst into laughter, and the tense atmosphere was instantly lifted.

     

After everyone enjoyed their tea for a while, First Elder Hu continued: “Third Brother, the Dragon Raising Its Head Festival on the second day of the second lunar month is not far off. You need to make preparations. Take Second Brother, Fifth Brother, and Sixth Brother with you, and select a group of capable disciples from the second generation to accompany you. It’s best to have some support.”

     

Ou Peng shook his head and said: “I plan to keep this year’s visit similar to last year’s. I’ll only bring Madam Ou and a few servant girls, maintaining the appearance of going to the Dragon God Temple to offer incense. We can’t let anyone suspect our true intentions.”

     

Fourth Elder Shangguan shook his head in disagreement. He said: “Third Senior Brother, with such significant movements from the Piaomiao Sect, it’s unlikely that no one has noticed. They might not know our true intentions, but we must still take precautions. It’s better to bring more people to be prepared for any eventuality.”

     

Ou Peng pondered for a moment and then said: “Fourth Junior Brother, you are still viewing the situation from an old perspective. Nowadays, the martial skills of our brothers are top-notch in the martial world. I believe that if I insist on escaping, there are very few who can stop me. Moreover, would those few capable individuals would lower themselves to ambush me?”

     

Fourth Elder Shangguan gave First Elder Hu a meaningful look. After considering for a moment, First Elder Hu said: “Third Junior Brother, Fourth Brother has a point. It’s always better to be prepared and to prevent any unforeseen circumstances. The Jianghu is full of schemes and conspiracies. Protecting yourself is paramount. You are the face of our Piaomiao Sect and cannot afford any mishaps. How about this, since you don’t want to attract attention, don’t bring too many people, but take Shi Niu along as your driver. This way, you can ensure the safety of Madam Ou and the servant girls.”

     

Before Ou Peng could respond, Fifth Elder Liu clapped his hands and cheered: “Great idea, Senior Brother! Shi Niu came from a cart driver’s background, his hands are probably itchy after not driving a cart after all these years. Plus, his body now is like an iron shield, perfect for protecting Sister-in-law from hidden weapons.”

     

Ou Peng had no choice but to agree, saying: “Alright, let’s arrange it this way. I won’t bring the second-generation disciples, they need to focus on improving their martial prowess without any delays. Bringing those who aren’t advancing their martial skills this time wouldn’t be of much help anyway.”

     

Seeing Ou Peng compromise, everyone stopped insisting and continued to arrange the sect’s affairs before finally dispersing.

     

The candles in the council hall were extinguished, and the dark hall, like an elderly person at the end of their years, closed its misty eyes and fell into slumber.

     

Yu City, the main city of the Yu Kingdom, was a few days’ journey from Pingyang City.

     

The next day, Ou Peng set off early. Since he was going to the Dragon God Temple to offer incense, he needed to maintain the appearance of a pilgrim and couldn’t use his lightness skill to travel alone. As Fifth Elder Liu had mentioned, Shi Niu was indeed an experienced cart driver. Upon hearing that he would be driving the carriage for the sect leader to Yu City, he eagerly hitched the horses early and thoroughly checked the condition of the carriage. Now, he was skillfully and happily driving the carriage along the road, clearly enjoying himself.

     

Ou Peng and Madam Ou sat inside the carriage. Although the carriage was specially made by the sect with top-quality materials and excellent craftsmanship, it was rare to have such a smooth ride as today. Looking at the cups filled with wine on the low table, Ou Peng couldn’t help but smile and say to Madam Ou: “This Shi Niu’s driving skills are truly remarkable. We’ll definitely need him whenever we travel in the future.”

     

Madam Ou smiled sweetly and said: “That would be a bit of a waste of his talents.”

     

Ou Peng replied: “What is most lacking in the martial world today? Talented individuals. He is indeed talented, with the martial ability to take on thousands and the skill to drive a carriage so smoothly. A versatile talent. Our Piaomiao Sect is truly full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.”

     

Madam Ou playfully scolded: “You act all serious in the sect, why do you have such a mischievous grin now? If we’re talking about versatile talents, you’re the number one in the sect, not just with your world-renowned Piaomiao Steps, but also with your skill in making your wife happy.”

     

Ou Peng laughed heartily and called out to Shi Niu outside: “Shi Niu, well done! You’re the best at driving the carriage in the sect, I can’t match you there. But when it comes to making your wife happy, I’m number one in the sect.”

     

Hearing this, Shi Niu also laughed heartily and drove the carriage with even more vigor.

     

Inside the carriage, Madam Ou blushed and playfully hit Ou Peng, causing the maidservants inside to giggle.

     

At that moment, Shi Niu’s rough singing voice came from outside. It seemed they had reached a remote area, and Shi Niu was in high spirits. Everyone inside the carriage listened attentively.

     

Shi Niu sang: “Little Sister, you sit at the bow of the boat, while Older Brother walks along the shore. With love, we sway gently with the towline….” It was a boatman’s song that Shi Niu had somehow learned.

     

Everyone couldn’t help but burst into laughter inside the carriage.

     

After several days of traveling, they were nearing Yu City. The journey had been smooth, without encountering any trouble.

     

The road outside Yu City was wide, and lined with many trees. The weather was warming up, and greenery could be seen budding on the branches.

     

There were many pedestrians along the way, so the carriage couldn’t travel as freely as before. However, under Shi Niu’s skilled driving, the speed didn’t slow down.

     

Madam Ou looked at the scenery outside the window and exclaimed: “Yu City truly lives up to being the main city of our Yu Kingdom. It’s much more prosperous than Pingyang City, not just a little bit. Even the outskirts are bustling with people. I wonder if the Dragon God Temple is already crowded with visitors.”

     

When the carriage arrived at the Dragon God Temple, they realized that both inside and outside the temple were filled with crowds of people, and there was no place even for the carriage to park.

     

Fortunately, Ou Peng and the others were all skilled martial artists, so they weren’t afraid of the crowds. They moved along with the flow of people and soon arrived at the front of the temple. Everything was just like in previous years. Ou Peng and his wife offered incense, made wishes, kowtowed, and gave alms. Then they followed the crowd and flowed out of the Dragon God Temple.

     

Shi Niu was standing on the carriage, casually looking around. When he saw Ou Peng and the others approaching, he immediately jumped down from the carriage and said: “Sect Master, why did you come out so quickly?”

     

Ou Peng replied: “There are always so many people coming here every year, and the incense offerings are very prosperous. The monks in the temple are all busy, so there’s no way to talk to their abbot. We’ll talk to them when they have some free time.”

     

Shi Niu gestured for everyone to get back on the carriage, then asked Ou Peng: “Sect Master, are we heading to the branch in Yu City now?”

     

Ou Peng waved his hand and replied: “No rush to go to the branch. You go to the nearby tavern and buy some food and wine. We’re heading to Wutong Mountain.”

     

Shi Niu agreed and went to buy food and wine.

     

Madam Ou couldn’t help but ask: “Why are we going to Wutong Mountain again? Last time, you, Hermit Yanming, Wan Chengjiu, and Tan Yefeng talked about the heroes of the world over wine at Wutong Mountain. Is it happening again this time?”

     

Ou Peng smiled and replied: “Yes, last year wasn’t enough fun, so of course we have to continue this year.”

     

Shortly after, Shi Niu bought food and wine and then drove towards Wutong Mountain.

     

The Dragon God Temple was located at the foot of Wutong Mountain. In no time, the carriage arrived at a place for mountain climbing. There were also some wine shops and inns in this area. Ou Peng and the others rented a few rooms, and settled Madam Ou and a few maidservants to rest, while Ou Peng himself, accompanied by Shi Niu, followed the mountain path upwards.

     

Wutong Mountain wasn’t too high, and it wasn’t the peak season for mountain climbing, so there weren’t many tourists. Ou Peng used his lightness technique to lead the way, and although Shi Niu practiced external martial arts and was carrying the food and wine, surprisingly, he wasn’t much slower than Ou Peng.

     

In no time, Ou Peng reached the mountaintop, followed shortly by Shi Niu. Seeing Shi Niu, who remained composed with steady breathing, Ou Peng couldn’t help but mutter to himself. Despite only utilizing thirty percent of his lightness technique, he was renowned for his lightness skill, to be as fast as thirty percent was already commendable in the Jianghu. Shi Niu hadn’t lagged behind by much, indicating the remarkable effectiveness of the Bone-Strengthening Pill.

     

As it was nearing noon, sunlight bathed the mountaintop of Wutong Mountain, making it warm and comfortable. Ou Pen looked under the tree on the summit and noticed that no one had arrived yet. He gestured for Shi Niu to join him under the tree and seated himself on a rock, while Shi Niu arranged the food and wine they had bought in the cleared space beneath the tree.

     

As Shi Niu was still arranging the food and wine, Ou Peng heard footsteps approaching from the mountain path. He stood up and saw a short, sturdy man coming up from below, who turned out to be Wan Chengjiu, the Sword Master of the Ten Thousand Swords Peak.

     

Ou Peng greeted him respectfully, saying: “Brother Wan, I hope you’re well.”

     

Wan Chengjiu leaped up to the mountaintop in a single bound and returned the greeting, saying: “Sect Master Ou came really early. We agreed to meet at noon, and I thought I was early, but it seems someone else was even earlier.”

     

Ou Peng replied: “Arriving a little early gives us time to prepare the wine and food, so we can enjoy our time together properly.”

     

Wan Chengjiu remarked; “Sect Master Ou’s meticulous planning is admirable. This Wan truly admires it.”

     

Then, the two of them walked together to the area beneath the tree and began chatting leisurely.

     

After some time passed, the sun was nearing its zenith, and noon was approaching, yet the other two people still hadn’t appeared. Ou Peng and Wan Chengjiu couldn’t help but wonder in their hearts: ”Has something happened to them?”.

     

Just as they were thinking about it, they heard a voice coming from below the mountain: “Brother Tan, looks like you’re half a step too slow. I’ve won this round.”

     

It was the hearty laughter of Hermit Yanming.

     

Ou Peng and Wan Chengjiu smiled at each other and turned to look towards the path.

     

They saw the slender figure of Hermit Yanming appearing on the mountain path, followed by a middle-aged man of average build, dressed in wealthy attire. It was none other than Tan Yefeng, the patriarch of the Tan family.