Another Gathering

Shangguan the Fourth, as the primary person responsible for cultivating Misty Sect disciples, naturally agreed.

Ou Peng continued, "Although there are many medicinal herbs in this Secret Realm, they are ultimately limited. I had Yan'er take one of each type from the herbs brought back last time and cultivate them at her Huanxi Mountain Villa. I don't know if it will be effective. Sixth Junior Brother, you need to pay attention to this matter. If Yan'er has any requests, you must do your best to coordinate."

Xu the Sixth smiled and said, "No problem, Third Senior Brother. Yan'er, this girl, loves to tinker with strange things. Perhaps she'll actually manage to cultivate some good medicinal herbs."

Upon mentioning Ou Peng's sister, everyone's faces were filled with smiles. Hu the Eldest added, "Time really flies. In the blink of an eye, Yan'er, this little girl, has grown up. How can we not get old?"

Liu the Fifth, who had been quietly drinking and rarely participated in discussions, also spoke up, "Indeed. The little girl who used to pee on my head back then is now a chivalrous woman."

Ou Peng glared and said, "You can only say that among us brothers. If there's an outsider, or if Yan'er is present, you absolutely cannot mention it."

Then he added, "Unless you don't want your great battle axe anymore."

Liu the Fifth shrunk his head and said, "Got it. I don't want this little ancestor to sink my battle axe into the Luo River again."

The crowd burst into laughter, and the tense atmosphere vanished.

After enjoying their tea for a while, Hu the Eldest continued, "Third Brother, it's not far to the Second day of the second lunar month. You need to prepare as well. Have Second Brother, Fifth Brother, and Sixth Brother go with you. Also, pick a group of capable second-generation disciples to provide support."

Ou Peng shook his head and said, "I plan for this year's Second day of the second lunar month to be like last year. I'll only bring Madam Ou and a few servant girls. It will be like going to the Dragon God Temple to offer incense, so no one should notice anything."

Shangguan the Fourth, however, shook his head and disagreed. He said, "Third Senior Brother, our Misty Sect is making such a significant move. Those with intentions will surely notice something. Perhaps they won't know our true trump cards, but we cannot afford to be unprepared. It's better to bring more people and be ready for anything."

Ou Peng pondered for a moment and said, "Fourth Junior Brother, you're still looking at the situation with your old perspective. Nowadays, the martial arts of our senior and junior brothers are renowned throughout the jianghu and can rank among the top. I believe that if I were determined to escape, there wouldn't be many in this jianghu who could stop me. And those few individuals, how could they stoop to sneak attack me?"

Shangguan the Fourth exchanged a look with Hu the Eldest. Hu the Eldest pondered for a moment and said, "Third Brother, Fourth Brother has a point. It's always better to be prepared and prevent problems before they arise. The jianghu is never short of schemes and tricks. Protecting yourself is paramount. You are the face of our Misty Sect, and not the slightest mistake can be made. How about this: since you don't want to attract attention, don't bring too many people. Bring Shi Niu along to be your coachman? It will also ensure the safety of your wife and the girls."

Before he finished speaking, Ou Peng, the person in question, hadn't said anything, but Liu the Fifth was already clapping and exclaiming, "Big Brother has a great idea! That Shi Niu was a coachman from the start. He probably misses driving a carriage after all these years. Plus, his physique is like an iron shield now, perfect for blocking hidden weapons for Sister-in-law."

Ou Peng had no choice but to agree, saying, "Alright, let's arrange it this way. We won't bring the second-generation disciples for now. They still need to improve their cultivation, and we shouldn't hinder their development. As for those who aren't improving their cultivation this time, bringing them would be useless."

Seeing Ou Peng concede, the others didn't insist further. After arranging some sect affairs, everyone dispersed.

The candles in the Council Hall were then extinguished. The dark hall, like an aging elder in twilight, closed its eyes that had been watching the Misty Sect and fell into slumber.

Yucheng is the main city of the State of Yu, several days' journey from Pingyang City.

Ou Peng set off early the next day. Since he was going to the Dragon God Temple to offer incense, he needed the proper attire and couldn't use his Lightness Skill to travel alone. Shi Niu, as Liu the Fifth had said, was an experienced coachman. As soon as he heard that he was to drive the sect leader to Yucheng, he had already harnessed the horses and meticulously inspected the carriage. And now, he was skillfully driving the carriage down the road with pride, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Ou Peng and Madam Ou sat inside the carriage. Although this carriage was custom-made by the sect, with superior materials and first-class craftsmanship, it was rare to experience such a smooth ride. Ou Peng looked at the cups filled with wine on the low table and couldn't help but smile as he said to Madam Ou, "Shi Niu's driving skills are truly impressive. We'll definitely need him for future outings."

Madam Ou also smiled charmingly and said, "That would be a waste of his talent."

Ou Peng said, "What is most lacking in the current jianghu? Talent! This is talent. He can fight thousands of people with his martial arts and drive so smoothly. A versatile talent. Our Misty Sect is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers."

Madam Ou chided, "You, the sect leader, are so serious in the sect, but now you have such a mischievous smile? Speaking of versatile talents, you are the number one in the sect. Not only is your Misty Steps the best in the world, but pleasing your wife is also number one in the sect, isn't it?"

Ou Peng laughed heartily and called out to the outside, "Shi Niu, well done! You're the best at driving carriages in the sect, I can't compare to you. But when it comes to pleasing your wife, you can't compare to me, I'm the best in the sect!"

When Shi Niu heard this, he also burst into laughter and drove the carriage even more diligently.

Inside the carriage, Madam Ou blushed and playfully hit Ou Peng, causing the servant girls in the carriage to giggle softly.

At this moment, Shi Niu's rough singing voice could be heard from outside the carriage. It seemed that as they had reached a remote area, Shi Niu had become inspired to sing. Everyone listened attentively.

Shi Niu sang, "My dear, you sit in the boat, and I walk on the shore. Our love like a tow rope sways gently..." It turned out Shi Niu had learned a boatman's folk song from somewhere.

Everyone couldn't help but burst into laughter in the carriage.

After several days of travel, they were nearing Yucheng. The journey had been peaceful, and they hadn't encountered any trouble.

The main road outside Yucheng was very wide, with trees planted along the sides. The weather had already warmed up, and a hint of green could be seen on the treetops.

There were also many passersby, and the carriage could no longer gallop as freely as before. However, under Shi Niu's skilled driving, the speed did not decrease.

Madam Ou looked at the scenery outside the window and exclaimed, "Yucheng is truly the main city of our State of Yu. It's not just a little more prosperous than Pingyang City. Even the outskirts are so bustling. I wonder if the Dragon God Temple is already crowded with people."

When the carriage arrived at the Dragon God Temple, they discovered that both inside and outside the temple were filled with people, and there was no place to park the carriage.

Fortunately, Ou Peng and the others possessed martial arts skills and were not afraid of crowds. They moved slowly with the flow of people. Before long, they reached the front of the temple. Everything was the same as in previous years. Ou Peng and his wife offered incense, made wishes, kowtowed, and made donations to the Dragon God. Then, they followed the crowd out of the Dragon God Temple.

Shi Niu was standing on the carriage, looking around. Seeing Ou Peng and the others approaching, he immediately jumped down from the carriage and said, "Sect Leader, why are you out so soon?"

Ou Peng said, "There are so many people who come here every year, and the incense is very popular. The monks in the temple are all busy, so there's no way to speak with their abbot. We'll talk when there's free time."

Shi Niu beckoned everyone to get into the carriage and then asked Ou Peng, "Sect Leader, shall we go to the Yucheng branch now?"

Ou Peng waved his hand and said, "No rush to go to the branch. Go buy some food and wine from the nearby restaurant. We're heading to Wutong Mountain."

Shi Niu agreed and went to buy the food and wine.

Madam Ou asked curiously, "Why Wutong Mountain again? Last time you were there with Hermit Yanming, Wan Chengjiu, and Tan Yefeng, drinking and discussing heroes. Is it the same this time?"

Ou Peng smiled and said, "Yes, I didn't have enough last year, so of course, we'll continue this year."

Before long, Shi Niu returned with the food and wine, and then drove the carriage towards Wutong Mountain.

The Dragon God Temple was located at the foot of Wutong Mountain. In a short time, the carriage arrived at a place for climbing the mountain. There were also some wine shops and inns in this area. Ou Peng and the others booked a few rooms upstairs to settle Madam Ou and the servant girls to rest. Ou Peng then took Shi Niu and headed upwards along the mountain path.

Wutong Mountain was not too high, and it was not the season for climbing, so there were not many tourists. Ou Peng used his Lightness Skill to walk ahead. Although Shi Niu practiced external martial arts and was carrying the food and wine, he did not fall much behind Ou Peng on the mountain path.

Before long, Ou Peng reached the summit, and then Shi Niu also arrived. Looking at Shi Niu, who showed no signs of exertion and had steady breathing, Ou Peng couldn't help but mutter to himself. Although he had only used thirty percent of his Lightness Skill, he was already known for his lightness skills. This thirty percent of his power was quite formidable in the jianghu. The fact that Shi Niu wasn't much slower than him showed how extraordinary the effects of the Bone-Strengthening Pill were.

It was already close to noon. The summit of Wutong Mountain was bathed in sunlight, making it very warm. Ou Peng saw that there was no one under the tree at the summit yet. Ou Peng called Shi Niu over to the tree, sat on a rock, and had Shi Niu place the purchased food and wine one by one on the open ground under the tree.

Before Shi Niu could finish placing the food and wine, Ou Peng heard footsteps approaching from the mountain path. He stood up and saw a short, stout man coming up from the mountain. It was Wan Chengjiu, the Sword Master of Wan Jian Peak.

Ou Peng stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Brother Wan, I hope you are well."

Wan Chengjiu leaped onto the mountaintop and returned the greeting, saying, "Great Gang Leader Ou, you're here very early. We agreed on noon, and I thought I was early, but it seems there's someone even earlier."

Ou Peng replied, "Arriving a bit early allows for arranging the wine, so we can drink to our heart's content."

Wan Chengjiu said, "Great Gang Leader Ou's meticulous planning is truly admirable."

The two then walked to the shade of a tree and began to chat.

Another half hour passed. The sun was almost directly overhead, and noon was fast approaching, yet the other two had still not appeared. Ou Peng and Wan Chengjiu couldn't help but wonder, "Could something have happened?"

Just as they were thinking this, a voice echoed from below the mountain, "Brother Tan, you're half a step late. Your little brother wins this round."

It was the hearty laughter of Hermit Yanming.

Ou Peng and Wan Chengjiu exchanged a knowing smile and turned to look towards the path.

They saw Hermit Yanming's slender figure appear on the mountain path, followed by a middle-aged man of average build, dressed like a wealthy merchant. This was none other than the Tan Family Head, Tan Yefeng.