The Misty Sect disciples' primary overseer was Shangguan the Fourth, and naturally, he nodded in agreement.
Great Gang Leader Ou continued, "Though the Secret Realm has abundant medicinal herbs, they are limited after all. Of the herbs we brought back last time, I had Yan'er take one of each to cultivate at her Huanxi Mountain Villa. I just don't know whether it will bear results. Sixth Brother, keep an eye on this matter. Whatever Yan'er needs, do your utmost to arrange it."
Xu the Sixth said with a smile, "No problem, Third Senior Brother. Yan'er loves tinkering with strange things. Who knows, she might actually cultivate some excellent herbs."
At the mention of Great Gang Leader Ou's younger sister, everyone's faces filled with smiles. Hu the Eldest even said, "Time truly flies. In the blink of an eye, little Yan'er has grown up. How could we not grow old?"
Liu the Fifth, who had been drinking with his head down and rarely joined the discussion, spoke up as well. "Indeed. That little girl who used to pee on my head has now become a heroine."
Great Gang Leader Ou glared at him. "You can only say that before us brothers. If there's an outsider around, or if Yan'er is present, you must never mention it."
Then he added, "Unless you no longer want your Great Broadaxe."
Liu the Fifth shrank his neck. "I understand. I don't want that little madam sinking my broadaxe into the Luo River again."
Everyone burst into laughter, and the tense atmosphere vanished without a trace.
After sipping tea for a while, Hu the Eldest continued, "Third Brother, the Second day of the second lunar month isn't far off. You should make preparations as well. Have Second Brother, Fifth Brother, and Sixth Brother go with you, and select a group of capable men from the Second-generation disciples too, so there'll be someone to watch your back."
Great Gang Leader Ou shook his head. "I plan to do the same as last year on the Second day of the second lunar month. I'll only bring Madam Ou and a few maidservants, making it look like we're simply going to offer incense at Dragon God Temple. We cannot let anyone catch on."
Shangguan the Fourth shook his head in disagreement. "Third Senior Brother, the Misty Sect is making such a large move. Those with intent will not fail to notice something. They may not know our true trump card, but we cannot afford not to guard against them. It is better to bring more hands. Preparedness averts calamity."
Great Gang Leader Ou pondered for a moment. "Fourth Brother, you still view the situation through the eyes of the past. Now, the martial arts of us brothers would ring like thunder in the martial world, enough to rank among the foremost. If I were determined to flee, looking across the martial world, there truly aren't many who could stop me. And among those few who can be counted on one hand, how could they lower themselves to launch a sneak attack against me?"
Shangguan the Fourth gave Hu the Eldest a look. Hu the Eldest thought for a moment, then said, "Third Brother, Fourth Brother has a point. Be prepared for danger before it arrives; the martial world is never short of schemes and plots. Protecting yourself is the kingly path. You are the face of our Misty Sect, and nothing can be allowed to go wrong. How about this? Since you do not wish to draw attention, don't bring too many people. Take Shi Niu with you and have him serve as your driver. He can also ensure the safety of your sister-in-law and the maidservants."
Before Great Gang Leader Ou, the person concerned, could speak, Liu the Fifth clapped first and shouted, "Excellent idea, Eldest Brother! That Stone Ox used to drive carts for a living. He probably hasn't driven one in years and his hands must be itching. Besides, his body is now like an iron shield—perfect for blocking hidden weapons for Sister-in-law."
Great Gang Leader Ou had no choice but to agree. "Fine, we'll arrange it that way. We won't bring the Second-generation disciples for now. They still need to improve their strength, and we mustn't delay their progress. As for those who aren't improving their strength this time, there's no use bringing them."
Seeing Great Gang Leader Ou yield, the others no longer insisted. After making a few more arrangements for the gang's affairs, they finally dispersed.
Only then were the candles in the Council Hall extinguished. Like an elderly man in his twilight years, the dark hall closed its eyes that had watched the misty world and sank into slumber.
Yucheng was the chief city of the State of Yu, several days' journey from Pingyang City.
Great Gang Leader Ou set out early the next morning. Since they were going to Dragon God Temple to offer incense, they had to look the part and could not use lightness skills to come and go alone. Just as Liu the Fifth had said, Shi Niu was an old hand at driving carriages. The moment he heard that he would be driving the gang leader to Yucheng, he harnessed the horses early and carefully inspected the carriage. Now, he was briskly driving it down the main road, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.
Great Gang Leader Ou and Madam Ou sat inside the carriage. Though it had been specially made by the gang, with superior materials and first-rate craftsmanship, such smoothness was rare indeed. Looking at the wine-filled cup on the small table inside the carriage, Great Gang Leader Ou smiled at Madam Ou. "Shi Niu's driving skills really are no mere boast. We truly won't be able to do without him whenever we travel in the future."
Madam Ou smiled sweetly. "Wouldn't that be wasting a great talent on a small task?"
Great Gang Leader Ou said, "What does the martial world lack most these days? Talent. This is talent. He can fight ten thousand men in battle, yet he can drive a carriage this smoothly too—a versatile talent. Our Misty Sect has crouching tigers and hidden dragons."
Madam Ou chided him, "You act so serious in the gang, yet now you're wearing such a wicked grin. If we're talking about versatile talents, you are the foremost in the gang. Not only are your Misty Steps unrivaled under heaven, but you're also the best in the gang at pleasing your wife, aren't you?"
Great Gang Leader Ou burst into laughter and called outside, "Shi Niu, well done! You're number one in the gang when it comes to driving carriages—I can't compare to you. But when it comes to pleasing one's wife, you can't do it. I'm number one in the gang."
Upon hearing this, Shi Niu also laughed heartily and drove the carriage with even greater vigor.
Madam Ou blushed inside the carriage and punched Great Gang Leader Ou, making the maidservants giggle softly as well.
Just then, Shi Niu's rough singing suddenly drifted in from outside. They must have reached a secluded stretch of road, and his urge to sing had surged up. Everyone pricked up their ears to listen.
Shi Niu sang, "Little sister, you sit at the bow, while your brother walks along the shore; lovingly, tenderly, the towrope sways and sways..."
It was actually a boat tracker's little tune that Shi Niu had learned from somewhere.
Everyone could not help laughing so hard they toppled over inside the carriage.
After several days of travel, Yucheng was almost in sight. The journey had been peaceful, without any trouble.
The main road outside Yucheng was extremely broad, and many trees had been planted along its sides. The weather had already turned warm, and hints of green could be seen at the tips of the branches.
There were many travelers on the road as well, so the carriage could no longer race about as freely as before. Still, under Shi Niu's skilled control, its speed did not slow.
Gazing at the scenery outside the window, Madam Ou exclaimed, "Yucheng truly deserves to be the chief city of our State of Yu. Compared with Pingyang City, its prosperity is not just a little greater. Even the countryside outside the city is bustling with life. I wonder whether Dragon God Temple is already packed with people like flowing threads."
When the carriage reached Dragon God Temple, they found crowds both inside and outside, with not even a place to park the carriage.
Fortunately, Great Gang Leader Ou and the others all possessed martial arts and did not fear the crush. They moved slowly with the crowd and soon reached the front of the temple. Everything was the same as in previous years. Great Gang Leader Ou and Madam Ou offered incense to the Dragon God, made wishes, kowtowed, and gave alms. Then they flowed out of Dragon God Temple with the crowd once more.
Shi Niu was standing atop the carriage, idly looking around. When he saw Great Gang Leader Ou and the others approaching, he immediately leaped down. "Gang Leader, why did you come out so quickly?"
Great Gang Leader Ou said, "There are this many people here every year, and the incense offerings are flourishing. The temple monks are all busy, so there was no way to speak with their abbot. We'll wait until there's some free time."
Shi Niu called for everyone to get into the carriage, then asked Great Gang Leader Ou, "Gang Leader, shall we go to the Yucheng branch now?"
Great Gang Leader Ou waved a hand. "No hurry. Go to the restaurant nearby and buy some wine and food. We're heading to Wutong Mountain now."
Shi Niu agreed and went to buy the wine and food.
Madam Ou asked curiously, "Why are we going to Wutong Mountain again? Last time, you drank wine and discussed heroes at Wutong Mountain with Hermit Yanming, Wan Chengjiu, and Tan Yefeng. Could it be the same again this time?"
Great Gang Leader Ou smiled. "Yes. I didn't enjoy myself enough last year, so naturally we must continue this year."
Before long, Shi Niu returned with wine and food, then drove the carriage toward Wutong Mountain.
Dragon God Temple lay at the foot of Wutong Mountain, and before long the carriage arrived at a place where one could begin the ascent. There were several taverns and inns there as well. Great Gang Leader Ou and his party rented a few upper rooms, settled Madam Ou and the maidservants in to rest, while Great Gang Leader Ou took Shi Niu and headed up along the mountain trail.
Wutong Mountain was not particularly high, and it was not the season for mountain climbing, so there were few visitors. Great Gang Leader Ou used his lightness skills to travel ahead. Though Shi Niu practiced external martial arts and carried the wine and food, he climbed the mountain trail without falling much behind Great Gang Leader Ou.
Before long, Great Gang Leader Ou reached the summit, and Shi Niu soon followed. Seeing Shi Niu's unchanged expression and steady breathing, Great Gang Leader Ou could not help muttering inwardly, I only used thirty percent of my lightness skills, but I am renowned for them in the first place. This portion of my strength is already quite impressive in the martial world, yet Shi Niu was only a little slower than me. The effects of the Bone-Strengthening Pill truly are extraordinary.
It was nearing noon. With sunlight shining upon the summit of Wutong Mountain, it was pleasantly warm. Great Gang Leader Ou saw that no one had yet arrived beneath the tree at the summit. He called Shi Niu over, sat on a rock himself, and had Shi Niu lay out the wine and food one by one on the open ground beneath the tree.
Before Shi Niu had finished arranging the wine and food, Great Gang Leader Ou heard footsteps coming from the mountain trail. He rose to his feet and saw a short, dark, burly man climbing up from below. It was Wan Chengjiu, the master of Wan Jian Peak.
Great Gang Leader Ou stepped forward and saluted him. "Brother Wan, have you been well since we last met?"
Wan Chengjiu leaped onto the summit in a single bound and returned the salute. "Great Gang Leader Ou arrived very early. We agreed on noon, and I thought I had come early myself. Who would have thought someone had come even earlier?"
Great Gang Leader Ou said, "I came a little early to arrange the wine, so we can drink until we are thoroughly drunk."
Wan Chengjiu said, "Great Gang Leader Ou is meticulous in his thoughts. Wan admires you."
Thus, the two walked together beneath the tree and began chatting idly.
After another while, the sun was nearly directly overhead and noon was approaching, yet the other two had not appeared. Great Gang Leader Ou and Wan Chengjiu could not help wondering inwardly, Could something have happened?
Just as they were thinking this, a voice rang out from below the mountain. "Brother Tan was half a step too slow. This round, your little brother has won."
It was Hermit Yanming's hearty laughter.
Great Gang Leader Ou and Wan Chengjiu exchanged knowing smiles and turned to look toward the path entrance.
They saw Hermit Yanming's lean figure appear on the path to the summit, followed by a middle-aged man of average build dressed like a wealthy country gentleman. He was Tan Yefeng, head of the Tan Family.