The man held a five-colored silk banner high in his hand. Studded with pearls and gemstones, it sparkled brilliantly whenever it unfurled.
"Martial Uncle Liu, by the banner command of Alliance Leader Zuo of the Five Mountain Sword Sects, please postpone your retirement ceremony."
Liu Zhengfeng bowed. "May I ask what the alliance leader intends by this command?"
"Your junior, Shi Denda, pays his respects to Martial Uncle Liu.
"I am merely following orders and truly do not know the alliance leader's intentions. Please forgive me, Martial Uncle Liu."
He then bowed to Daoist Tianmen, Yue Buqun, Abbess Dingyi, and the others. "This disciple of the Songshan Sect pays his respects to his martial uncles and aunts."
The other four men in yellow bowed at the same time.
"When our Five Mountain Sword Sects formed their alliance, we agreed to support one another in offense and defense and uphold righteousness in the martial world. On matters concerning the five sects, we must all obey the alliance leader's commands.
"This five-colored command banner was jointly made by our five sects. It is indeed true that seeing the banner is equivalent to seeing the alliance leader himself.
"But my washing my hands in the golden basin today is a private affair. It violates neither the principles nor the rules of the martial world, and has nothing to do with the Five Mountain Sword Sects. Therefore, it is not subject to the alliance leader's banner command. Nephew Shi, please inform your master that I will not obey this command, and ask Senior Brother Zuo to forgive me."
With that, he walked toward the golden basin.
Shi Denda darted forward to block his path, holding the silk banner high in his right hand.
"Martial Uncle Liu, my master repeatedly instructed me to ask you