Chapter 36: Reunion

The main person in charge of training the disciples of the Ethereal Sect was Shangguan Laosi, who naturally nodded in agreement.

Ou Peng continued, "Although there are many medicinal herbs in this secret place, they are ultimately limited. I had Yan'er take a sample of each type back to her Huaxi Manor for cultivation, but I don't know if it will be effective. Sixth Brother, you need to pay attention to this. If Yan'er has any requirements, you must do your best to coordinate."

Xu Laoliu smiled and said, "No problem, Third Brother. Yan'er is a girl who loves to tinker with strange things. Who knows, she might really cultivate some good herbs."

Mentioning Ou Peng's sister, everyone's faces were filled with smiles. Hu Laoda even said, "Time really flies. In the blink of an eye, Yan'er has grown up. Can we not grow old?"

Liu Laowu, who had been drinking quietly and not participating much in the discussion, also spoke up, "Yes, the little girl who used to pee on my head is now a female knight."

Ou Peng glared and said, "This can only be said among us brothers. If there's an outsider or if Yan'er is present, you absolutely cannot mention it."

Then he added, "Unless you don't want your broad axe anymore."

Liu Laowu shrank his head and said, "Got it, I don't want this lady to sink my axe into the Luo River again."

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

After sipping some tea, Hu Laoda continued, "Third Brother, the second day of the second month is not far away. You need to prepare. Second Brother, Fifth Brother, and Sixth Brother will go with you. Choose a batch of capable disciples from the second generation to accompany you, so you can have some support."

Ou Peng shook his head and said, "I think this year's second day of the second month will be the same as last year. I will only take Lady Ou and a few serving maids, as if we are going to Longshen Temple to offer incense. We can't let others notice anything."

Shangguan Laosi shook his head and disagreed, "Third Brother, our Ethereal Sect has such a big move. Those with ulterior motives will not be unaware. They may not know our true cards, but we can't be unprepared. It's better to bring more people, just to be safe."

Ou Peng pondered for a moment and said, "Fourth Brother is still looking at the situation with old eyes. Nowadays, our brothers' martial arts are among the best in the江湖. I believe that if I insist on escaping, there are very few in this world who can stop me. And those few who could, would they stoop to sneak attacks?"

Shangguan Laosi gave a look to Hu Laoda, who thought for a moment and said, "Third Brother, Fourth Brother has a point. It's better to be prepared. The world of martial arts is full of plots and schemes. Protecting yourself is the most important. You are the face of our Ethereal Sect, and there can be no mistakes. Since you don't want to draw attention, don't bring too many people. Just bring Shiniu as your driver. That will ensure the safety of your wife and the maids."

Before he finished speaking, the main person, Ou Peng, didn't say anything, but Liu Laowu clapped and said, "Great idea, Brother. Shiniu used to be a professional driver. He must be itching to drive again after these years. And his body is like an iron shield, perfect for protecting your wife from hidden attacks."

Ou Peng had to agree and said, "Alright, let's do it this way. We won't bring the second-generation disciples. They need to improve their skills and shouldn't be delayed. And those who won't improve this time, bringing them would be useless."

Seeing Ou Peng give in, the others didn't insist further. They arranged the affairs of the sect, and then dispersed.

The candles in the meeting hall were extinguished, and the dark hall, like an old man, closed its eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Yucheng is the main city of the Yu Kingdom, a few days' journey from Pingyang City.

Ou Peng set off early the next day. Since they were going to Longshen Temple to offer incense, they had to dress appropriately and couldn't use their lightness skills to travel alone. Shiniu, as Liu Laowu said, was indeed a skilled driver. Upon hearing that he would drive the master to Yucheng, he quickly harnessed the horses and carefully checked the carriage. Now, he was driving the carriage on the road, enjoying it very much.

Ou Peng and Lady Ou sat in the carriage. Although the carriage was specially made for the sect with top-notch materials and craftsmanship, the smooth ride was rare. Ou Peng looked at the cup of wine on the small table and smiled at Lady Ou, saying, "Shiniu's driving skills are really impressive. We can't do without him in the future."

Lady Ou also smiled and said, "That would be a waste of his talent."

Ou Peng said, "What is the most lacking in the world of martial arts today? Talent. Shiniu is a talent. He can fight ten thousand men and drive so smoothly. He's a versatile talent. Our Ethereal Sect is full of hidden dragons and tigers."

Lady Ou teased, "You, the master, are so serious in the sect, but now you have a mischievous smile. If we talk about versatile talents, you are the first in the sect. Not only are you the best in the world with the Ethereal Step, but you are also the best at pleasing your wife."

Ou Peng laughed and said to the outside, "Shiniu, well done. You are the best driver in the sect. I can't compare to you, but in pleasing my wife, you can't match me. I am the best in the sect."

Shiniu also laughed and drove even more enthusiastically.

Inside the carriage, Lady Ou blushed and playfully hit Ou Peng, making the maids giggle.

At this moment, Shiniu's rough voice sang from outside the carriage, "Sister, you sit in the boat, brother walks on the shore, our love is like the swaying rope..." It was a纤夫小曲 he had learned from somewhere.

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

After a few days of travel, they were about to reach Yucheng. The journey was peaceful, and they encountered no trouble.

The road outside Yucheng was wide, and trees lined the sides. The weather was already warm, and the branches were showing some green.

There were many passersby, and the carriage couldn't gallop as freely as before. However, under Shiniu's skilled driving, the speed didn't slow down.

Lady Ou looked out the window and said, "Yucheng, the main city of our Yu Kingdom, is indeed more prosperous than Pingyang City. Even the outskirts are bustling. I wonder if Longshen Temple is already crowded with people."

When the carriage reached Longshen Temple, they found it crowded both inside and outside, with no place to park the carriage.

Fortunately, Ou Peng and the others were skilled in martial arts and were not afraid of the crowd. They moved with the flow of people and soon reached the front of the temple. Everything was the same as in previous years. Ou Peng and Lady Ou offered incense, made wishes, bowed, and made offerings. Then they followed the crowd out of Longshen Temple.

Shiniu was standing on the carriage, looking around. When he saw Ou Peng and the others approaching, he immediately jumped down and said, "Master, why did you come out so quickly?"

Ou Peng said, "There are so many people here every year, and the temple is very busy. The monks are too busy to talk to their abbot. We'll wait until they have some free time."

Shiniu called everyone to get in the carriage and asked, "Master, are we going to the branch in Yucheng now?"

Ou Peng waved his hand and said, "Let's not rush to the branch. Go to the nearby tavern and buy some wine and food. We're going to Wutong Mountain."

Shiniu agreed and went to buy the wine and food.

Lady Ou was curious and asked, "Why are we going to Wutong Mountain again? Last time, you, Yanming Jushi, Wanchengjiu, and Tanyefeng discussed heroes over wine on Wutong Mountain. Is it going to be the same this time?"

Ou Peng smiled and said, "Yes, we didn't get enough last year, so we will continue this year."

Soon, Shiniu bought the wine and food and drove the carriage to Wutong Mountain.

Longshen Temple was at the foot of Wutong Mountain. It didn't take long for the carriage to reach a place to start climbing. There were some taverns and inns here. Ou Peng and the others booked a few rooms for Lady Ou and the maids to rest. Ou Peng then took Shiniu and climbed the mountain path.

Wutong Mountain was not very high, and it wasn't the season for climbing, so there were few tourists. Ou Peng used his lightness skills to lead the way, and although Shiniu practiced external martial arts and carried the wine and food, he didn't fall behind Ou Peng by much.

Soon, Ou Peng reached the top of the mountain, and Shiniu followed. Seeing Shiniu's calm face and steady breathing, Ou Peng couldn't help but think that although he only used three-tenths of his lightness skills, which were already impressive in the world of martial arts, Shiniu didn't fall behind by much, showing the remarkable effects of the bone-strengthening pill.

It was almost noon, and the sun was warm on the top of Wutong Mountain. Ou Peng saw that no one had arrived under the tree yet. He called Shiniu to the tree, sat on a stone, and had Shiniu lay out the wine and food on the ground.

Before Shiniu finished, Ou Peng heard footsteps coming from the mountain path. He stood up and saw a short, sturdy man climbing up, who was none other than Wanchengjiu, the sword master of Wanjian Peak.

Ou Peng greeted him, "Brother Wan, it's been a while."

Wanchengjiu leaped to the top of the mountain and returned the greeting, "Master Ou, you are early. We agreed to meet at noon, and I thought I was early, but it seems someone is even earlier."

Ou Peng said, "I came early to arrange the wine and food so we can drink to our heart's content."

Wanchengjiu said, "Master Ou is meticulous. I admire that."

The two walked to the tree and chatted.

After a while, the sun was almost directly overhead, and noon was approaching, but the other two still hadn't arrived. Ou Peng and Wanchengjiu couldn't help but wonder if something had happened.

Just then, they heard a voice from the mountain, "Brother Tan, you are a step slower. This round is mine."

It was Yanming Jushi's cheerful laugh.

Ou Peng and Wanchengjiu smiled and turned to look at the path.

Yanming Jushi's slim figure appeared on the path, followed by a middle-aged man dressed like a wealthy man, who was none other than Tan Yefeng, the head of the Tan family.

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