Chapter 89
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 89: Deputy
After Ou Peng used his deep inner energy to open all the acupuncture points throughout Shui Yupeng’s body, Shui Yupeng realized he had been like a frog at the bottom of a well. The Luo River Gang he managed was truly insignificant compared to these sects that had been passing down their traditions for hundreds of years. He felt relieved by his decision.
At that moment, Ou Peng said: “Brother Shui, there’s no need to regret. In my Piaomiao Sect, there are countless scriptures you can read. When you have time, you can visit the library and take a look. Although you can’t practice the internal cultivation heart methods, there are many martial techniques you can refer to. Some of these techniques don’t require specific internal methods. When the time comes, you can choose one or two to practice. Even if you can’t practice them, you can refer to them to verify your shortcomings, which is still beneficial.”
Shui Yupeng bowed gratefully, saying: “Thank you for your help, Sect Master.”
Ou Peng patted Shui Yupeng on the shoulder and smiled: “We’re already brothers. Brother Shui has no need to be polite. Go and freshen up and change clothes. There are other brothers in the meeting hall eagerly awaiting Brother Shui to join us.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Qingyang, who was sitting at the bottom, couldn’t contain himself. If it weren’t for Ou Peng’s repeated instructions earlier, he would have gotten up already. When he heard this, he immediately jumped up and shouted: “Damn it, Leader Shui, hurry up and take a bath! My mouth is getting dry. Hurry up, let’s drink together!”
Shui Yupeng apologized with a smile: “I’ll go right away. Please go ahead without me, brothers.”
Then, Shui Yupeng followed Fourth Elder Shangguan to freshen up, while the others chatted and laughed as they returned to the meeting hall.
Inside the Meeting Hall, the atmosphere was as lively as before. However, everyone was curious, Sect Master Ou had been gone for so long. When would the celebration feast begin?
Ou Yan and Big Sister Qin whispered to each other, occasionally glancing towards the door of the meeting hall. When Ou Peng and the others finally returned, Ou Yan breathed a sigh of relief. She noticed that her brother seemed more spirited than when he left. Ou Yan knew her brother must have accomplished something significant again, but what exactly?
Ou Peng walked into the meeting hall and stood in front of his seat. Instead of sitting down immediately, he turned to the assembly and said: “Brothers and Sisters, I imagine you’ve been waiting eagerly. I announce that the celebration feast begins now! Let’s all drink to our heart’s content.”
Everyone was pleasantly surprised to find the celebration feast set up right there in the meeting hall. It seemed Sect Master Ou was genuinely pleased. They all cheered: “Great! Thank you, Sect Master. We’ll definitely drink until we drop!”
Soon after, helpers and servants brought in abundant drinks and dishes like flowing water, and the celebratory feast began lively.
Before long, the food and drinks were all set out. At this moment, everyone quieted down, anticipating their sect master to raise the first toast. However, they were surprised to see Ou Peng sitting calmly without immediately getting up. Some began to whisper among themselves.
Suddenly, two people entered from outside the meeting hall. The first person was familiar to everyone, it was Shangguan Feng, one of the Piaomiao Six Tigers. Following closely behind him was a stranger in white clothes. He appeared somewhat weary but his eyes showed joy, and his head was held high with a distinctly different aura. Although his appearance differed somewhat from Ou Peng’s, the resemblance between the two was astonishing. Everyone couldn’t help but compare him with Ou Peng in their hearts, feeling that they were equally outstanding, and it was hard to tell who was better. But who was this person?
As the man in white followed Shangguan Feng to Ou Peng’s side, Ou Peng personally stood up and directed the man in white to a seat beside him. This only deepened everyone’s curiosity. Who exactly was this person? To have such a status.
While people whispered quietly among themselves, Ou Peng stood up straight, lifted his cup high, and said: “Brothers and Sisters of our sect, the first toast of today’s celebration is to all of you. It is because of everyone’s hard work and dedication that Piaomiao Sect has prospered. I hope that we will continue to work together to build our home even better, making progress day by day. Piaomiao is our home, and its development depends on all of us. I pay my respects to everyone.”
With that, he downed the contents of his cup in one gulp.
The people, filled with joy, echoed in unison: “Thank you, Sect Master! Piaomiao is our home, and its development depends on all of us. Cheers!”
After everyone finished the wine in their cups, they sat down.
Ou Peng then raised a second cup and said: “Before I make the second toast, I want to introduce someone to everyone. This person may be unfamiliar to you all, but I assure you, once I say who he is, you will all know.”
Speaking warmly, Ou Peng pulled up the man in white who was sitting beside him and said: “This is Shui Yupeng, the leader of the Luo River Gang.”
The bustling meeting hall instantly fell silent. Indeed, although they hadn’t seen this person before, the reputation of the Luo River Gang was substantial. Piaomiao Sect had been busy for a long time, and today’s celebration banquet was held to commemorate their settlement of the Luo River Gang. Now, the rival gang’s big boss was sitting right here, how could anyone not know?
Seeing everyone’s puzzled expressions, Ou Peng was pleased with the effect and continued: “The second toast is to honor Leader Shui Yupeng and the brothers of the Luo River Gang who have joined our Piaomiao Sect!”
This statement was like a spark igniting a fire, immediately kindling the enthusiasm of everyone in the Piaomiao Sect. They all raised their glasses eagerly, gazing at Ou Peng and Shui Yupeng. Indeed, while they had taken down the core of the Luo River Gang, its influence hadn’t completely shifted into the Piaomiao Sect’s hands yet. If Shui Yupeng didn’t represent the Luo River Gang in joining the Piaomiao Sect, there would inevitably be further intense battles, especially in the waters where the Piaomiao Sect was less adept. Difficulties and casualties would be inevitable. Now that the Luo River Gang had joined the Piaomiao Sect, it meant the two factions were merging. It was everyone’s wish that such bloody battles would no longer be necessary in the future. Therefore, everyone was genuinely happy and excited as they downed their second glass of wine.
Once the room settled down a bit, Ou *eng lifted his third glass of wine and smiled as he said to everyone: “The third toast is for all of us to honor the Deputy Sect Master of our Piaomiao Sect.”
Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent once again. Deputy Sect Master? Strange, why have we never heard of such a position before? All eyes turned to the Piaomiao Six Tigers, but these four remained composed, with their eyes on their noses and their noses on their hearts. Only Liu Qingyang and Fifth Elder Liu, sitting together with Shi Niu, were casually drinking their wine, seemingly oblivious to the attention.
Ou Peng felt he had complete control over the atmosphere in the hall and thoroughly enjoyed the sensation. He looked at everyone’s expectant gazes and explained with a smile: “Although the Luo River Gang has joined our Piaomiao Sect, our sect lacks expertise in water affairs. Therefore, for our sect to develop and grow stronger in the future, we must change our past bad practice of focusing on developing on land. We need to establish a healthy model of development that includes both land and water operations. Both aspects must be strengthened equally for true strength and harmonious development to be achieved. In light of this, we plan to use the Luo River Gang as a pilot project, offering them special policies. The Luo Rocer Gang will be turned into a ‘Special Gang’, directly led by the elders of the Piaomiao Sect. The development of the Luo River Gang will be decided by the people of the Luo River Gang themselves, granting them a high degree of autonomy. We advocate for the people of Luo River to govern Luo River. This policy will be upheld without wavering for twenty years. In the future, the leaders of the Luo River Gang will be called ‘Special Leaders’, indicating their special status. Furthermore, this ‘Special Leader’ will directly serve as the Deputy Sect Master of Piaomiao Sect! Therefore, the inaugural ‘Special Leader’ of the Luo River Gang, Shui Yupeng, is now the Deputy Sect Master of the Piaomiao Sect. Come, let’s toast to Deputy Sect Master Shui!”
Beside him, Shui Yupeng was stunned on the spot. The day’s experiences had been incredibly thrilling, akin to leaping off a cliff. Just moments ago, he had been among the top echelons of the Luo River Gang, only to plummet to the lowest point, becoming a captive of the Piaomiao Sect. He had felt his life was at its end when a sword flashed before his eyes. Even Shui Yupeng’s nerves of steel could not help but break. However, Ou Peng’s “combination punch” had completely overwhelmed him. For the sake of himself, his family, his pursuit of the peak of martial arts, and even for his child, he willingly threw himself into the Piaomiao Sect. Initially, he had thought he would merely be a puppet leader, but now, attending this so-called celebration banquet with humility, Ou Peng’s words had once again elevated him to great heights. Standing atop this high cliff and looking back at the abyss he had just crossed, he could hardly believe it was real. He couldn’t help but quickly decline, “Sect Master, this… this is too shocking. This brother has a heart condition, we shouldn’t play around like this.”
Ou Peng laughed heartily and replied: “Deputy Sect Master Shui, do I look like I’m joking with you? Our Piaomiao Sect values winning people over with virtue. Everyone knows of Brother Shui’s chivalrous spirit during your years with the Luo River Gang. In the Piaomiao Sect, you are also respected by all. It is most appropriate for you to lead the Luo River Gang. If you don’t have the position of Deputy Sect Master, wouldn’t it leave the brothers of the Luo River Gang disheartened? They haven’t even enjoyed the benefits of the Piaomiao Sect yet, and we’d inadvertently lower their status for no reason. The people in the Jianghu would say that the high-level style of our Piaomiao Sect is not good. This position of Deputy Sect Master must be given to the Luo River Gang. I’ve already spoken publicly about it here. Brother Shui, are you still going to make me take it back?”
Shui Yupeng was deeply moved. He grasped Ou Peng’s hand and said: “A sect ah, a sect, I finally found a sect. I’ve been the leader of the Luo River Gang for so many years, but I never felt the warmth of the Piaomiao Sect. I feel a sense of home in Piaomiao. In the past, running the Luo River Gang was like feeling our way across a river by touching stones. Now that I’m with Piaomiao, I’m walking the grand path! Brother Ou, my mother and father gave me life, and I’ll give it all to Piaomiao. There’s nothing more to say. My 120 pounds are sold to Piaomiao. Please take good care of me.”
Ou Peng was also elated. He shook Shui Yupeng’s hand firmly and said: “Good Brother. Your words are enough. I believe that with the cooperation and effort between us brothers, we will definitely surpass all great challenges and achieve extraordinary feats.”
[TL_Note: He made a play on words here, I’ll try my best to translate:
“We will definitely catch up with Dalin and Chuanxiang(Spreading-Incense) and achieve extraordinary feats.” Sorry I can’t translate it better here’s how he wrote:一定能赶（大）林超（传）香]
