After hearing the messenger outside the tent acknowledge the order, Du Yuan turned again to the white-robed man surnamed Lü and asked:
"Brother Lü Zhu, what should we say when we meet that Upper Immortal?"
After a moment's thought, Lü Zhu said solemnly:
"Tell the truth."
Du Yuan nodded and said:
"Surely this Upper Immortal will understand our current predicament."
As they spoke, the messenger's voice came from outside the tent again:
"Alliance Leader Du, I have brought the Upper Immortal to the tent."
After exchanging a glance with Lü Zhu, Du Yuan strode to the entrance, lifted the flap, and stepped outside.
Looking up, he saw four unfamiliar faces already waiting outside.
Of the four,
one was a plainly dressed young man.
One was a monk with delicate features.
One was a slender woman of outstanding beauty.
The last was a gray-haired old man with a long saber hanging at his waist.
These four were none other than Xu Taiping and his companions.
After a brief moment of surprise, Du Yuan immediately cupped his hands toward the four and said:
"Du Yuan, sect master of the Green Mountain Sect, pays his respects to the four Upper Immortals."
Although Du Yuan did not think these four could change their current situation, they were, after all, immortals from the Upper Realm. The proper courtesies still had to be observed.
At that moment, Green Bamboo and Ma Tieshan, who had followed Du Yuan out of the tent, also cupped their hands and bowed to Xu Taiping and his companions:
"Ma Tieshan of the Iron Gallbladder Gang greets the four Upper Immortals."
"Lü Zhu of the Flying Snow Pavilion pays his respects to the four Upper Immortals."
Xu Taiping and his three companions cupped their hands in return.
Then Xu Taiping spoke:
"Please