Chapter 332
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/
Zhang Chengyue stood with his hands respectfully lowered, listening attentively, nodding repeatedly.
In his heart, how could he not understand? At a time like this, when someone had to stand tall before the disciples, aside from Ou Peng, it should be him—the chief senior disciple. There was not the slightest room for retreat. He knew full well what his Uncle Master was going to do, but this critical task was not his to undertake. All he could do was stand by his Master’s side with a calm smile.
This was the pride of a direct disciple—and also the sorrow of a direct disciple.
Once Ou Peng finished speaking, Zhang Chengyue’s emotions settled once more. He lowered his voice and said: “Sect Master, word has come from the disciples of the Divine Mechanism Hall. In front of Piaomiao Manor, countless masked men in fitted black garments have formed an encirclement and are pushing in our direction. Our people attempted to break through but failed, with several brothers dead or wounded. They’ve already withdrawn.”
“What about the back of Piaomiao Peak? Any sign of the enemy there?”
“Not for the time being. I’ve already sent someone to investigate.”
“Good. Go and notify your Uncle Master immediately, tell him to act without delay. Also, pass this information on to all the brothers in the Sect and have them prepare to meet the enemy.”
“Yes, Master.” Zhang Chengyue accepted the order and strode out quickly, his steps firm and steady, carrying more confidence than when he had first entered.
Watching Zhang Chengyue’s departing figure, the corners of Ou Peng’s mouth lifted into the first smile he had shown all day. Crises were not necessarily all bad. Perhaps, after this tribulation, the Piaomiao Sect would rise anew with a fresh spirit. Still, a hint of doubt lingered in his heart. With armies at the gate and blades already drawn, the so-called Heaven’s Way Alliance was still masking their faces—what kind of game were they playing?
Having thought this through, Ou Peng straightened his robes, gathered his spirit, and swiftly left the Divine Mechanism Hall.
Within Piaomiao Manor, from the archway to the main square, the disciples had already formed into battle formations, weapons of every kind in hand, standing ready in full alert. Behind the square, between pavilions and towers, many other disciples were moving supplies and setting traps. Though their numbers were many and their tasks varied, everything remained in perfect order. One could see the tension before battle, but no signs of panic.
Seeing all this, Ou Peng felt deeply gratified. Although these disciples did not know as much as Zhang Chengyue, and thus were not burdened with as much psychological pressure, their passion and courage to defend the Piaomiao Sect was real. If they could truly endure this ordeal, they would, without a doubt, become a symbol of iron and blood in the days to come.
In an instant, Ou Peng felt his confidence in surviving this ordeal grow by several degrees.
Before Ou Peng could even return to the meeting hall, Zhang Chengyue hurried over to report: “Sect Master, according to the scouts from the Divine Mechanism Hall, not only has the front of our Piaomiao Manor been surrounded, but even the rear mountain of Piaomiao Peak has seen signs of enemy activity.”
“There are disciples from the Heaven’s Way Alliance at the rear mountain as well? How many are there?”
“The rear mountain is dense with vegetation, so it’s hard to see clearly, but it looks like they’re about to complete the encirclement.”
“What about your Uncle Master and the others?”
“I’ve already informed Uncle Master and the others of the situation. They’re preparing to enter the secret passage.”
“Good. Send word again, tell them to break out immediately. If they wait until the encirclement is complete, it’ll be even harder to escape. Have the disciples from each hall mix with the elite disciples, and let each hall master lead their group to defend in their respective directions. Also, have the female disciples of Mingcui Hall, the third-generation disciples, and the others set up defenses on Piaomiao Peak. Their martial skills are limited-if they’re put on the front lines, it would only be sending them to their deaths.”
Zhang Chengyue accepted the orders and left, soon returning.
Ou Peng frowned and asked: “Chengyue, don’t you think the Heaven’s Way Alliance is being a bit too ostentatious this time? Our Piaomiao Sect’s Piaomiao Manor and Piaomiao Peak cover such a vast area, yet they want to encircle us completely. Doesn’t Zhang San of the Heaven’s Way Alliance fear Dalin Temple and the Incense Spreading Cult? If those two sects pull a ‘the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind’ move, wouldn’t the Heaven’s Way Alliance end up losing more than they gain?”
Zhang Chengyue was puzzled as well. “Yes, Sect Master, I’ve been wondering about this too. Could it be the Heaven’s Way Alliance has had some kind of fortuitous encounter in recent years? Even if they have more disciples than we do, a battle like this would cost them dearly as well. If they aren’t absolutely certain of victory, would they really risk everything on a single throw of the dice?”
“Indeed, something’s off here. Oh, Chengyue, did you notice? The Heaven’s Way Alliance disciples are covering their faces in broad daylight. Isn’t that a bit of a case of ‘trying to cover up what can’t be covered up’?”
“Hahaha, Sect Master, you’re absolutely right. These petty villains probably don’t dare show their faces.”
The master and disciple both laughed, but behind their smiles was deep concern.
When something is out of the ordinary, there must be something amiss, but the true nature of this strangeness was still unknown to them.
Time ticked by, and as noon approached, more and more masked, black-clad figures gathered in front of the archway, all armed. Judging by their builds, they were all formidable fighters.
It seemed they too, were waiting for something!
Sure enough, at noon, a signal arrow shot up from the rear mountain of Piaomiao Peak. With a loud bang, the masked men let out a shout, drew their weapons, and charged toward Piaomiao Manor, surging forward like a tidal wave, assaulting the defensive lines the Piaomiao Sect disciples had already established.
Hearing the signal arrow from the rear mountain, Ou Peng’s expression changed, but he quickly regained his composure and said: “Chengyue, how is the defense at the rear mountain?”
“Don’t worry, Sect Master. I’ve already sent the elite disciples over. The rear mountain is easy to defend and hard to attack. There shouldn’t be any problems.”
Ou Peng nodded slightly. He knew that the rear mountain of Piaomiao Peak was mostly sheer cliffs, with few direct paths up. Just a handful of elite disciples could hold the terrain and keep the enemy at bay.
The battle was fierce. Before long, casualties began to appear, and cries of agony rang out without pause. Ou Peng stood there, hands at his sides, eyes narrowed, his teeth pressing against his lips. For once, he felt a rare surge of impulse in his heart. He truly wanted to draw his sword and charge forward, to fight side by side with his fellow disciples of the sect. Yet he knew, as the leader of the sect, his role was not to wield the sword on the front lines…
Noticing the change in Ou Peng’s expression, Zhang Chengyue said: “Sect Master, let me take command here. You should go up to Piaomiao Peak. Fifth Uncle and Miss are both there; your presence is needed to oversee the whole situation.”
Ou Peng nodded slightly. “I’ll leave things here to you, Chengyue. If the situation becomes untenable, withdraw to Piaomiao Peak. As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn.”
“Yes, Sect Master. I understand.”
With that, Ou Peng took one last look at the deadlocked battle before turning and heading up Piaomiao Peak.
As he made his way up, he saw many disciples armed and lying in ambush by the roadside or behind rocks, quietly awaiting the enemy’s assault. Seeing the nervous faces of several female disciples, Ou Peng shook his head slightly.
As he was walking, Ou Peng suddenly caught sight of a figure he had almost forgotten. He waved: “Zhang Xiaohu, come here.”
“Sect Master.” Zhang Xiaohu quickly approached.
Ou Peng asked: “Zhang Xiaohu, why are you here?”
Zhang Xiaohu replied in surprise: “I received word from the Uncle Master to help the third-generation disciples set up defenses in the mountains, so I came. My master and the others are up ahead with the Uncle Master.”
“Oh…” Ou Peng realized that although Zhang Xiaohu was older, he had only just joined the sect and was still considered a third-generation disciple. Moreover, his martial skills were indeed lacking. If he faced the enemy on the front lines, he’d likely be killed within a few moves. Smiling, he said: “Didn’t the Grand Elder just select some first- and second-tier disciples in plain clothes? Why didn’t you go?”
“Sect Master,” Zhang Xiaohu was a little emotional. Even at a time like this, Ou Peng still remembered him; how could he not be grateful? He said: “My aptitude is limited, so I’d rather not compete with those younger disciples. Besides, I can still put up a fight. At this critical moment for the Piaomiao Sect, I want to do my part. I am willing to live and die with the Piaomiao Sect. Better to perish together than to survive in disgrace!”
Ou Peng nodded, patted his shoulder, and said: “Good. But your martial skills are indeed lacking, and sometimes, surviving is not unheroic in itself.”
Leaving Zhang Xiaohu still pondering the meaning of these words, Ou Peng drifted up the mountain.
On Piaomiao Peak, the autumn noon sun was still scorching, and even with the whistling mountain wind, it was far from comfortable.
Many of the Piaomiao Sect’s families and disciples had already gathered here. When Ou Peng arrived, even the sect leader’s wife, who never concerned herself with sect affairs, came forward and quietly asked: “How is it? What’s the situation below?”
Ou Peng smiled and said: “Don’t worry, Madam. They’re just petty clowns-how could they possibly be a match for our Piaomiao Sect?”
The sect leader’s wife smiled and asked no more.
At that moment, Ou Yan came over and said: “Big Brother.”
Ou Peng looked at her kindly and said: “Yan’er, you don’t blame your brother, do you?”
Ou Yan, clever as ever, understood immediately and smiled: “Big Brother, I’ve lived under your protection since I was little. Now that the sect faces a crisis, I should share life and death with the Piaomiao Sect.”
Ou Peng smiled: “It’s enough that you feel this way, Yan’er. But such dangers should not fall to the women of our sect. Still, as the Sect Master’s own sister, the Heaven’s Way Alliance would never let you go easily. If you tried to leave, they’d only send more men to hunt you down, making it even harder for the others to escape the encirclement. So rather than sending you away, it’s safer to keep you by my side. You don’t have the strength to resist, and even Zhang San of the Heaven’s Way Alliance wouldn’t dare make things difficult for you.”
“I understand, Big Brother. You don’t need to explain.” Ou Yan’s face was gentle and obedient, but her slight frame, standing beneath the blazing sun and mountain wind, inspired a sense of pity.
Before Ou Yan could leave, Liu Qingyang-Old Fifth Liu-swaggered over, hefting his massive axes and said: “Third Brother, why did you have me come up the mountain? Instead of waiting here, wouldn’t it be better to go down and kill a few of those Heaven’s Way Alliance scoundrels with Shi Niu and the others?”
Ou Peng laughed: “Old Five, your time will come. Look, our families and the disciples of Mingcui Hall need your protection here. If your skills weren’t so much greater than Shi Niu’s, how could I trust you with such an important task?”
Old Fifth Liu grinned: “I knew you wouldn’t play favorites, Third Brother. Don’t worry, as long as I have these axes, I’ll make sure that Zhang San doesn’t set foot on Piaomiao Peak.”
With that, he strode to the mountain path, taking up a stance like a lone warrior holding back a thousand men.
