Qiao Fangzheng said, "We must go. This concerns the Beggar Gang's very survival. Hu Xiaotian, you were the one who proposed cooperation. You have to help me."
Hu Xiaotian said, "Senior Qiao, cooperation must be built on openness and honesty on both sides. If you won't tell me what we're going there to do, how can I help you?"
Qiao Fangzheng snorted. "I knew that head of yours was full of crafty schemes. I'm not afraid to let you know. There's a secret chamber inside the Dragon-Locking Platform where several of us Elders of Transmission used to practice. It also holds some of our secrets. I want to see whether they've discovered it."
Hu Xiaotian believed he was probably telling the truth. He nodded and said, "All right. Let's rest for the night and go there first thing tomorrow."
But Qiao Fangzheng said, "No. We have to go at night, or we won't be able to find the entrance!"
Hearing him speak so mysteriously, Hu Xiaotian's curiosity was thoroughly aroused. He smiled. "Since you're so impatient, I can only risk my life to keep a gentleman company."
Hu Xiaotian called everyone together and had them pack up the camp as quickly as possible, so they could reach the Dragon-Locking Platform Qiao Fangzheng had described before night fell.
Although they knew the direction, it was easy to stray off course in the dense forest. To avoid needless detours, Hu Xiaotian climbed above the trees from time to time to check the mountain's position. Fortunately, they encountered no particularly difficult terrain along the way. Half an hour later, they reached the foot of the Dragon-Locking Platform. The peak was extremely unusual, seeming to rise straight out of level ground. It stood roughly a hundred zhang high and was covered in low vegetation,