Chapter 37: Alliance

The four met and exchanged courtesies.

Wanchengjiu asked, "I wonder why Brother Yanming said that?"

Scholar Yanming smiled and said, "Brother Tan and I met at the foot of the mountain and, seeing the time was almost up, we made a bet to see who would reach the summit first. It seems I got there first."

Oupeng laughed, "Brother Tan's strength is not in lightness of foot. You can certainly compete with him in other skills later."

Scholar Yanming waved his hand and said, "I know that I can't match him. However, today we only talk about wine, not swords. Chief Oupeng will be disappointed."

Tanyefeng also spoke, "In this bet, Brother Yanming has the upper hand. I will drink three large bowls first."

Oupeng and Wanchengjiu laughed and said, "Brother Tan is a straightforward man. Come, Brother Yanming, Brother Tan, this way."

Everyone came to the tree and saw Shiniu standing there like an iron tower. They asked curiously, "Who is this gentleman?"

Oupeng introduced, "This is my disciple Shiniu from the Ethereal Sect. Shiniu, come and greet Scholar Yanming and the head of the Tan family."

Shiniu came forward and paid his respects.

Everyone praised, saying the Ethereal Sect truly harbored many talents. Oupeng modestly denied it.

Then, Oupeng asked Shiniu to guard the mountain path to prevent idle people from reaching the summit.

Everyone sat down. Tanyefeng picked up a jar of wine from the ground, poured it into a porcelain bowl, and said to Scholar Yanming, "Watch carefully, I'm going to drink first."

Then, he brought the bowl to his mouth and drank it all in one go. He drank another bowl, and when he was about to drink the third, Oupeng said, "Brother Tan, we will also accompany you." He then poured a bowl for himself, and Scholar Yanming and Wanchengjiu also agreed, each pouring a bowl. They clinked their bowls together and drank them all in one go, then placed the porcelain bowls on the ground.

Tanyefeng spoke first, "Brother Oupeng thought of everything. I came in a hurry and, seeing the time was late, I forgot about food and drink. I imagine Brother Yanming feels the same?"

Scholar Yanming said awkwardly, "Yes, I didn't expect so many people at Longshen Temple, and arranging for my family took some time, which delayed my own affairs."

Wanchengjiu laughed, "I didn't waste time, but I also forgot these details. However, with Chief Oupeng taking care of it, we have wine to drink. Why say so much?"

Oupeng also said, "Brother Wancheng is right. As long as someone prepares, who cares who does it? Let's all drink a large bowl."

Everyone laughed and drank another bowl.

Tanyefeng spoke first, "Gentlemen, although there are few visitors to Wutong Mountain now, it's not empty. Having Shiniu guard the path is a temporary measure. I think we should get to the point and discuss our affairs early. Once the main matters are settled, we can enjoy our wine and conversation. What do you think?"

Scholar Yanming also said, "I agree."

Oupeng said, "Then let's determine the next time to enter the secret place."

Wanchengjiu nodded in agreement.

Tanyefeng said, "But according to the booklet, we can only enter on the 15th day of the first lunar month each year."

Scholar Yanming said, "Brother Tan, please rest assured. According to my speculation, the booklet's statement that only the 15th day of the first lunar month allows entry has two reasons. First, the jujube tree formation outside the secret place only opens a passage on the 15th day of the first lunar month, allowing entry. Second, only the sunlight on the 15th day of the first lunar month can correctly indicate the entry point. Before entering last time, I marked the two jujube trees at the entrance. The entry point should not be hard to find. Moreover, I have not heard of any formation in the martial world that changes with time, especially one that only allows passage on a specific day out of the entire year. Brothers Wancheng and Oupeng, your sects have a long history and have encountered many things. Have you ever encountered such a situation?"

Wanchengjiu and Oupeng looked at each other and shook their heads. But Oupeng said, "Although we have not encountered it, and there is no record in our sect's documents, formations in the martial world are indeed lost arts. We cannot rule out the possibility that this formation has a time limit."

All four were silent, as none of them had any expertise in formations, and their sects lacked such talent. Even the entire martial world might not have such experts. How could they make a decision?

Tanyefeng said, "Now we have two options. One is to wait patiently until next year's 15th day of the first lunar month and organize a team to enter. The other is to find a time soon to send a few people to explore and see if they can enter. What do you think?"

Wanchengjiu said, "The matter of retrieving treasures from the secret place is significant and cannot have any mistakes. Last time, we secretly sent second-generation disciples, and although we kept it confidential, we cannot guarantee that other sects have not heard about it. For secrecy, I suggest not attempting it unless we are absolutely sure. Otherwise, if the news leaks, the secret place will no longer belong to our four sects but to the entire martial world."

Oupeng also agreed, "In the martial world, there are no secrets. Perhaps our meeting on Wutong Mountain has already been noticed by someone. I imagine there are already people secretly watching us on this mountain."

Scholar Yanming said, "Are we just going to wait for a whole year?"

Oupeng laughed, "Brother Yanming, you don't understand the value of salt and rice. Our sect's actions in the martial world are more complex than your family's. Our members are diverse, and it's hard to keep anything truly secret. We must be cautious."

Wanchengjiu nodded in agreement.

Scholar Yanming, still not giving up, said, "Since you all feel this way, I will prepare to go to the secret place myself at a suitable time. What do you think?"

Wanchengjiu and Oupeng frowned. Only Tanyefeng remained expressionless, as if he had expected this from Scholar Yanming.

Oupeng, seeing Tanyefeng's expression, asked, "What do you think, Brother Tan?"

Tanyefeng coughed and said, "Actually, I had the same idea. I wanted to explore the secret place before next year's 15th day of the first lunar month. If Brother Yanming hadn't mentioned it, I would have suggested it to you all."

Wanchengjiu lowered his head, seemingly in thought.

Oupeng said, "Before deciding whether to go to the secret place, I have a proposal. Let's discuss it and see if it's feasible."

Everyone looked at Oupeng curiously, waiting for him to speak.

Oupeng said, "I suggest we form an alliance and work together in the search for treasures in the secret place."

Scholar Yanming shook his head, "Our manor cannot form an alliance with your Ethereal Sect and Wanjian Peak. Your involvement in the martial world is too complex, often leading to bloody battles. An alliance would be detrimental to our manor's development."

Tanyefeng also agreed.

Oupeng confidently said, "You have a misunderstanding. The alliance I propose is different from the usual alliances. First, it is not an alliance between sects, so we don't need to involve ourselves in each other's affairs. Second, this alliance is solely among the four of us. Although we cannot become brothers and share hardships, we can form an alliance in the secret place, sharing the benefits. Third, this alliance is limited to the secret place and does not involve other matters. What do you think?"

Wanchengjiu smiled and said, "Chief Oupeng, you are truly wise. This is a good idea. Let's do it."

Scholar Yanming and Tanyefeng also smiled and agreed.

Thus, Oupeng poured a bowl of wine, cut his finger with a sword, and dripped blood into the wine. The other three did the same. Oupeng held the bowl, shook it slightly, and drank a large mouthful, then passed it to Wanchengjiu, who also drank. Then Tanyefeng and Scholar Yanming drank the blood wine.

Scholar Yanming smashed the porcelain bowl, and everyone laughed, saying, "The alliance is formed!"

They all drank another bowl of wine. Oupeng then said, "Since Brothers Yanming and Tan are determined to go, Wancheng and I will naturally go with you. Let's send disciples to the same location at the end of this month, and let Brother Yanming lead the way. What do you think?"

Scholar Yanming said, "No problem. It's my duty, but do we need to send family members to each other's places this time?"

Oupeng, Wanchengjiu, and Tanyefeng looked at each other. Oupeng said, "Last time was our first cooperation, and we were not fully trusting. Now that we have formed an alliance, we can trust each other. I think it's unnecessary."

Wanchengjiu and Tanyefeng also agreed.

At this moment, Shiniu quickly walked over and said, "Chief, a few tourists are coming up the mountain path. Should we stop them?"

Oupeng waved his hand and said, "Wutong Mountain is not our private property. We can't stop others from coming. You don't need to guard the path. Just wait here."

After speaking, the four poured wine and, while drinking and eating, discussed the strange and interesting events in the martial world, enjoying a leisurely atmosphere.

Not long after, a few people indeed arrived at the summit. They seemed to be casual visitors. After a brief tour, they saw people drinking and chatting in this picturesque place and felt disdain, so they left without staying long.

Wanchengjiu asked Oupeng, "Could we have been too suspicious?"

Oupeng laughed, "These few are not, but we can't say there are none at the foot of the mountain. They know we are from the martial world and have sharp eyes. They won't come up so easily."

Oupeng suddenly remembered something and asked Wanchengjiu, "The news of the secret place must be kept secret, with no slack. Where is Situ Ping of the Evil Tiger Gang now?"

Wanchengjiu smiled, took a sip of wine, and said, "Brother Oupeng, rest assured. Although I am not as meticulous as you, I know this much. Since Situ Ping returned to Wanjian Peak with my disciple last time, he has not left. I have already ordered an elder to take him as a disciple and sent a few capable hands to Lutown. Situ Ping will soon no longer be the leader of the Evil Tiger Gang but a disciple of Wanjian Peak."

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