Alliance

The four met and exchanged formal greetings.

Wan Chengjiu asked, "Brother Yanming, why do you say that?"

Hermit Yanming said with a smile, "Brother Tan and I met at the foot of the mountain. Seeing that the time was nearly upon us, we made a wager to see who could reach the summit first. It seems I got there first."

Ou Peng laughed. "Brother Tan's strength was never in lightness skill. Later, you can compete with him in footwork."

Hermit Yanming waved a hand. "I know my own limits. I cannot beat him. But today we discuss wine, not swords. Gang Leader Ou, I fear you will be disappointed."

Tan Yefeng also spoke. "Brother Yanming had the upper hand in this wager. Later, I will drink three large bowls first."

Ou Peng and Wan Chengjiu laughed. "Brother Tan is a forthright man. Come, Brother Yanming, Brother Tan, this way please."

The group came beneath the tree and saw Shi Niu standing there like an iron tower. They asked curiously, "Who is this fine fellow?"

Ou Peng introduced him. "He is Shi Niu, a disciple of my Misty Sect. Shi Niu, come greet Hermit Yanming and the Tan Family's patriarch."

Shi Niu came forward and offered his greetings.

Everyone praised him, saying that the Misty Sect truly concealed dragons and crouching tigers. Ou Peng modestly denied it.

Then Ou Peng had Shi Niu guard the path up the mountain, to prevent idlers and miscellaneous people from reaching the summit.

Once everyone was seated, Tan Yefeng picked up a jar of wine from the ground, poured it into a porcelain bowl, and said to Hermit Yanming, "Watch carefully. I'm drinking first."

He raised the bowl to his lips and drained it in great gulps. Then he drank another bowl. When he began on the third, Ou Peng said, "Brother Tan, we will accompany you with a bowl as well." With that, he poured himself a bowl. Hermit Yanming and Wan Chengjiu both agreed, each pouring a bowl. They clinked their bowls together and drained them all in one go before setting the porcelain bowls on the ground.

Tan Yefeng spoke first. "Brother Ou is still the most thorough. I came in such a hurry, and seeing that it was getting late, I had long since tossed the matter of wine and food out of my mind. I imagine Brother Yanming was thinking the same as I was?"

Hermit Yanming said awkwardly, "Yes. I did not expect Dragon God Temple to have so many people. Arranging for the family members also wasted some time, and in the end, I delayed my own affairs instead."

Wan Chengjiu threw back his head and laughed. "I did not delay, but I too forgot such trivial details. Still, with Great Gang Leader Ou thinking of such matters for us, having wine to drink is enough. Why say so much?"

Ou Peng also said, "Brother Wan is quite right. So long as someone prepared it, why fuss over who it was? Come, everyone, let us drain another great cup."

Everyone laughed merrily and emptied another bowl.

Tan Yefeng was the first to speak again. "Everyone, although there are few visitors on Wutong Mountain at this time, there are not none. Having Shi Niu guard that path is only a temporary measure. I think we should return to the main subject and discuss matters as soon as possible. Once the important business is settled, we can drink and chat to our hearts' content. What do you say?"

Hermit Yanming said, "That is exactly what I had in mind."

Ou Peng said, "Then shall we first determine the time for our next entry into the Secret Realm?"

Wan Chengjiu nodded in agreement.

Tan Yefeng said, "But according to the booklet, it can only be entered on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month each year."

Hermit Yanming said, "Brother Tan, rest assured. From my deductions, there are no more than two reasons why the booklet says it can only be entered on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. First, the formation made of Sour Jujube Trees outside the Secret Realm produces a passage only on that day each year, allowing people to enter. Second, only the sunlight on that day can correctly indicate the place of entry. Before entering last time, I marked the two Sour Jujube Trees at the entrance. Finding its location should not be difficult. As for formations in the martial world, I have never heard of one that changed with time. Besides, for there to be so many days in a year, yet for the formation to be passable on only one specific day—that is simply too inconceivable. Brother Wan, Brother Ou, your sects have been passed down for a long time, and you have encountered no few matters in the martial world. Have you ever come across such a thing?"

Wan Chengjiu and Ou Peng exchanged a glance and both shook their heads. However, Ou Peng said, "Although we have never encountered it, and our sect's records contain no mention of it, formations have indeed been lost in the martial world. We cannot be certain that this formation lacks the ability to impose a time limit."

The four fell silent. After all, none of them had any attainments in formations, nor did their sects possess anyone skilled in such matters. Perhaps no such people even existed in the entire martial world. How could they make a decision?

Tan Yefeng said, "Then there are only two paths before us. One is to wait patiently until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month next year, then organize people to enter. The other is to find a time soon and send a few people to scout the way, to see whether we can enter. What do you all think?"

Wan Chengjiu said, "The matter of retrieving treasures from the Secret Realm is of great importance. There can be no room for the slightest error. Last time, we secretly sent second-generation disciples there. Although we kept it confidential beforehand and no word leaked out, we cannot guarantee that other sects have not caught wind of it now. For secrecy's sake, I suggest that unless we are absolutely certain, we must not attempt it lightly. Otherwise, if word leaks, this Secret Realm will no longer belong to our four sects alone, but to the entire martial world."

Ou Peng agreed. "There are no secrets in the martial world. For all we know, our meeting on Wutong Mountain this time has already fallen into the eyes of interested parties. There may well have been people secretly watching us on this mountain all along."

Hermit Yanming, however, said, "Must we simply waste an entire year waiting?"

Ou Peng smiled. "Brother Yanming, one does not know the price of salt and rice without running a household. When our sects act in the martial world, we cannot compare to the strength of your Lineages. Our members come from complicated backgrounds, and dragons and fish inevitably mingle together. It is difficult to keep anything truly secret. We have no choice but to be cautious, and then more cautious still."

Wan Chengjiu nodded in agreement.

Hermit Yanming still would not give up. "Since that is everyone's view, then I will prepare to make another trip into the Secret Realm at a time of my own choosing. What do you think?"

Wan Chengjiu and Ou Peng frowned at the same time. Only Tan Yefeng remained expressionless, as though he had long known Hermit Yanming would have such an idea.

Seeing Tan Yefeng's expression, Ou Peng asked, "Brother Tan, what do you mean?"

Tan Yefeng coughed and said, "In truth, I had long held the same intention. Before the fifteenth day of the first lunar month next year, I wanted to scout the Secret Realm myself. Even if Brother Yanming had not brought it up, I would have proposed it to everyone."

Wan Chengjiu lowered his head without speaking, as though deep in thought.

Ou Peng said, "Before deciding whether to go to the dense forest, I have a proposal to discuss with everyone. Let us see whether it is feasible."

Everyone looked at Ou Peng curiously, waiting for him to continue.

Ou Peng said, "I suggest that we form an alliance and advance or retreat together in our search for treasures within the Secret Realm."

Hermit Yanming shook his head. "Our manor cannot form an alliance with your Misty Sect and Wan Jian Peak. The affairs of the martial world you involve yourselves in are far too complicated, and sects often fight bloody battles. Forming an alliance would be detrimental to our manor's development."

Tan Yefeng repeatedly voiced his agreement.

Ou Peng said with confidence, "You two misunderstand somewhat. The alliance I speak of differs from the alliances commonly spoken of. First, it is not an alliance between sects, so neither side need participate in the other's martial-world affairs. Second, this alliance is purely one between the four of us. Though the four of us cannot become brothers who share hardship and danger, we can form an alliance concerning the Secret Realm, advancing and retreating together, sharing blessings alike. Third, this alliance is limited solely to the Secret Realm and involves nothing else. What do you think?"

Wan Chengjiu's face brightened. "Great Gang Leader Ou truly has brocade in his heart. This is an excellent idea. Let us do it this way."

Hermit Yanming and Tan Yefeng both smiled and agreed.

Ou Peng then poured a porcelain bowl of wine, cut his finger with his sword, and let blood drip into it. The other three did the same. Ou Peng took the bowl, shook it slightly, and drank several large mouthfuls before passing it to Wan Chengjiu. Wan Chengjiu drank as well, followed by Tan Yefeng and Hermit Yanming. All of them drank the Blood Wine.

Hermit Yanming smashed the porcelain bowl, and everyone laughed. "The alliance is formed!"

The group shared another bowl of wine. Only then did Ou Peng speak. "Since Brother Yanming and Brother Tan insist on going, Brother Wan and I will naturally advance and retreat with you. How about this: at the end of this month, we will each send disciples to the previous location. Brother Yanming will lead the way again. What do you say?"

Hermit Yanming said, "No problem. It is a duty I cannot refuse. But this time, should we still send family members to one another's places?"

Ou Peng, Wan Chengjiu, and Tan Yefeng looked at one another. Ou Peng said, "Last time was our first cooperation, and we did not fully trust each other. Now that we have formed an alliance, we naturally trust one another. I think there is no need."

Wan Chengjiu and Tan Yefeng both agreed.

At that moment, Shi Niu hurried over and said, "Gang Leader, several tourists are coming up the mountain path from below. Should I stop them?"

Ou Peng waved his hand. "Wutong Mountain is not our own private property. Of course we cannot forbid others from coming. You need not guard the path anymore. Just wait here."

After saying that, the four poured wine and, over food and drink, began discussing strange tales and extraordinary events from the martial world, presenting a scene of leisurely elegance.

Before long, several people indeed arrived at the summit. They truly appeared to be wandering tourists. After looking around the summit for a while, they saw people drinking and chatting in this picturesque place and seemed quite disdainful. They did not linger long before heading down the mountain.

Wan Chengjiu asked Ou Peng, "Could it be that we were overly suspicious?"

Ou Peng smiled. "Those few were not, but that does not mean there is no one below the mountain. Those people know that we all make our living in the martial world, and their eyes are sharp as snow. How could they come up so easily?"

As though suddenly remembering something, Ou Peng asked Wan Chengjiu, "The news of the Secret Realm must be kept secret. We cannot relax in the slightest. Where is Situ Ping of the Fierce Tiger Gang now?"

Wan Chengjiu smiled, took a sip of wine, and said, "Brother Ou, rest assured. Although I am not as meticulous as you, I still understand such matters. Since Gang Leader Situ returned to Wan Jian Peak with my disciple last time, she has never left. I have already ordered an elder of my sect to take her as a disciple, and I have also sent several capable subordinates to Lu Town. Gang Leader Situ will soon no longer be Gang Leader Situ, but Situ Ping of my Wan Jian Peak."