Chapter 32: Swear an Alliance with Blood, Live and Die Together (4000 words)

Sanyang Mountain.

It is an ancient famous mountain.

A sage once preached here.

He enlightened three disciples and named them Qingyang, Hongyang, and Ziyang.

This nameless mountain had a name from then on. Since then, literati and poets have constantly visited Sanyang Mountain, and its reputation has grown day by day.

Until three hundred years ago, a martial artist who called himself the Sanyang Ancestor appeared, cut down mountains and destroyed temples, drove away other temples and sects, and dominated Sanyang Mountain. After a hundred years of turmoil, the Sanyang Sect stood firm and has been passed down to this day.

Sanyang Mountain has beautiful scenery, with three mountain peaks protruding, as if they were not created by heaven and earth, but by people moving three big mountains and standing them on the plain.

Dou Changsheng stepped on the stone steps, step by step upward, and finally walked to the top of Qingyang Peak.

From afar, one could see a spring in the center of the white jade railing.

Now the spring water was slowly surging out, and one could feel a fresh air from afar. The Primordial internal Qi in his body was already flowing much faster.

Cultivating around this Qingyang Spring, over a long period, the speed would be one or two percent faster than other places.

With the same aptitude, cultivating for ten years would be equivalent to others cultivating for twelve years.

This was without swallowing the spring water; otherwise, the speed could be even faster.

This Qingyang Spring was enough to become the foundation of the Sanyang Sect, relying on this to be rich forever.

And now he didn't see any martial artists cultivating, which proved that the Sanyang Sect had specially processed it, intercepted the power of the Qingyang Spring with some secret method, and cultivated in a secret room, so the speed would be even faster.

This was really a good thing.

This is how the gap between sect and noble family disciples and rogue cultivators comes about.

A Daoist wearing a purple robe came out to greet him with a smile on his face and said enthusiastically: "I am Ziyang. After Young Master Dou comes to Sanyang Mountain, I will be responsible for your food, clothing, housing, and transportation."

"If Young Master Dou has any requirements, just tell me directly."

Daoist Ziyang was very enthusiastic, but Dou Changsheng's heart was already raised.

This Daoist Ziyang had long since defected to the Great Jin Prime Minister Chen Qingyao, and three years later, he personally attacked the future Dou.

At that time, the future Dou also had to open a trump card to kill him with one sword. Now for Dou Changsheng, he was a strong enemy.

Three Flowers Gathering at the Peak, Five Qi Toward Origin; this was the Primordial Mysterious Realm, the last of the three Primordial realms.

And this Daoist Ziyang had already walked to the Primordial extreme, only one step away from breaking through and becoming a Divine Marvel Grandmaster.

But this step was like a natural chasm.

Those who succeed soar above the nine heavens, while those who fail still have to mix in the mud.

Dou Changsheng said calmly: "Just a guest room and three light meals a day will do."

Daoist Ziyang smiled and said: "Although the Sanyang Sect is not a great sect, it has a Divine Marvel Grandmaster, so it can be called a great sect. How can we wrong a distinguished guest?"

"The best room has already been prepared, and all treatment is the best."

"Now the wine and food are ready, and heroes from all walks of life have arrived, just waiting for Young Master Dou to take his seat."

Daoist Ziyang led the way personally until they reached a great hall.

At this moment, in the center of the great hall, there was a table, and slightly behind it, there were two tables.

On both sides of the central table, there was a row of tables. On the exquisite porcelain plates on the tables were fruits, dishes, and exquisite wine pots. Now many people had already taken their seats.

There were not many vacant seats left; only the Sanyang Sect Master, Daoist Qingyang, in the center, had not arrived.

The rest was that Daoist Ziyang had not taken his seat, and apart from that, it was the table on the left that was empty.

Daoist Ziyang sat in the vacant seat behind the central table, which was the seat on the right. On the left, a Daoist wearing red clothes was drooping his eyelids, pretending to sleep.

Daoist Ziyang signaled Dou Changsheng to take his seat. Dou Changsheng looked at it; this position was the most prominent place among the guests, outside the three positions above.

This world respects the left; Daoist Ziyang ranked below Daoist Hongyang, so naturally, he sat on the right of Daoist Qingyang.

And his position was the most prominent among the guests, which showed his status, only below the three hosts.

Dou Changsheng could clearly see one gaze after another continuously looking toward him.

Their gazes revealed different emotions; some were just sizing him up, some were full of malice, and some were dissatisfied.

Among those with malice, Dou Changsheng could see clearly that it came from the table opposite, which was second only to his own, with a long saber placed on the table.

Being able to have this status and being good at using a saber.

It should be Lin Daoqi, the Mad Saber.

Lin Daoqi was twenty-seven years old, born big and thick, with a bushy beard, looking not like a young man, but like a middle-aged man of thirty or forty.

A pair of eyes were extremely large, like bull's eyes. At this moment, even if half-open, they were larger than ordinary people's.

The other party was from the Capital Lin Clan, which was also a noble family with many strong people in the clan.

Famous throughout the world for the "Wind and Cloud Thirteen Sabers," the current head of the Lin Clan, known as the Tyrant Saber, was also a Dibang Grandmaster.

Heaven, Earth, and Human Rankings—this was knowledge that Dou Changsheng had crammed. The recent issues of the Martial Arts Newspaper were must-reads for Dou Changsheng.

The Lin Clan was famous for its sabers in the four nations, so naturally, generations learned sabers. Family disciples were proud of wearing sabers; learning swords was not doing their proper work and would be excluded and unable to become the core of the Lin Clan.

Accompanied by Dou Changsheng taking his seat, Daoist Qingyang arrived late, just in time.

Daoist Qingyang reached out and stroked his goat beard, and said gently: "You are all young talents of our Great Jin. In the future, you will compete with heroes from other countries, raise our national prestige, and there will definitely be a place for you on the Human Ranking."

"Meeting here today is a rare opportunity. Who knows what year or month we will meet again."

"So before the sword fighting, a special heroes' banquet was held."

Before Daoist Qingyang finished speaking, Lin Daoqi's large palm directly slapped the long saber on the table.

Slap.

The saber scabbard hit the table, and the sound was very crisp.

This sound was so obvious that it directly attracted everyone's attention.

Seeing this scene, Lin Daoqi grinned and said: "My hand slipped by accident. I hope the senior will forgive me."

Daoist Qingyang's eyes became deep, staring straight at Lin Daoqi for a full dozen breaths, while Lin Daoqi's gaze did not retreat at all, his eyes fully open, staring at Daoist Qingyang with burning eyes.

Finally, Daoist Ziyang slowly reached out, pulled Daoist Qingyang's sleeve, and said to Lin Daoqi: "Be careful."

Lin Daoqi said: "Don't worry, there won't be a next time."

This matter was written off lightly.

This made Dou Changsheng's eyes narrow. The Sanyang Sect was actually so humble; Daoist Qingyang, a dignified Divine Marvel Grandmaster, actually tolerated a Primordial True Realm martial artist of the Five Qi Toward Origin.

Yes, this Mad Saber Lin Daoqi.

When Dou Changsheng saw the other party, he had already judged his strength.

Five Qi Toward Origin Great Accomplishment, about one of the three flowers condensed, plus mastering divine techniques, the strength was enough to impact the Human Ranking.

In Dou Changsheng's view, he was definitely not at the bottom of the top hundred; he had the ability to impact the Human Ranking a year or two ago, but the ranking would not be very high, and it would be very difficult to get on, so Lin Daoqi had never officially impacted the ranking.

This was similar to Zi Wu of the Five Shows Valley, both of whom made moves when they were sure.

Daoist Qingyang lost interest in talking and directly picked up the wine cup: "Everyone, drink up!"

Holding the wine cup to his mouth, Daoist Qingyang took a light sip, put down the wine cup, and then, in the name of not being able to hold his liquor, stood up and left directly.

Lin Daoqi was so arrogant that he clearly angered him.

Daoist Qingyang left in anger, and after a brief silence, the scene immediately became noisy.

One by one, they didn't take Daoist Qingyang seriously, as if this was not a Divine Marvel Grandmaster, but an ordinary Primordial martial artist.

This scene made Dou Changsheng feel very strange, but he didn't go to inquire. He could ask Tang Qingyan after the fact.

Someone on the side already said: "Don't worry about it."

"The kind are bullied by others. This Sect Master of the Sanyang Sect cares too much about the Sanyang Sect, so he is always bullied by others."

"But at most, it's just a loss of face; no one dares to challenge his bottom line. After all, this is a Divine Marvel Grandmaster. Even a rabbit will bite when it's anxious. Who isn't afraid when a Divine Marvel Grandmaster goes crazy?"

Dou Changsheng looked at the man who was as white as snow, with scattered long hair and handsome as a demon. He also recognized this person as one of the Ten Heroes of the Capital, Chen Weiquan.

However, these words were full of contradictions.

Dou Changsheng couldn't agree, and always felt.

Just as Dou Changsheng was thinking, Chen Weiquan directly said: "Do you feel there is something fishy?"

Chen Weiquan picked up the wine cup, drank by himself, and continued: "I feel the same way. They all feel the same."

"This is not an intentional humiliation of Sect Master Qingyang, but a test."

"The military pay was lost near Sanyang Mountain, and the world was shocked."

"Those official silvers are not a small amount."

"It's not easy to transport a large amount of official silver away, and there is a large amount of military equipment."

"This involves the equipment of three thousand Black Armor cavalry, including full-body armor, horse armor, battle flags, etc."

"Three thousand Black Armor cavalry, charging and breaking through, is enough to defeat tens of thousands of elite infantry waiting in formation."

"This time, to appease the North, the imperial court also spent a lot of money, collecting divine iron from all over the world, and the Heavenly Craftsmen worked day and night, which allowed the Black Armor cavalry to expand by three thousand, reaching ten thousand under the Shogunate."

"You must know that the imperial court has always strictly controlled the Black Armor cavalry."

"With the power of the Great Jin, they only raised fifteen thousand, and now most of them are in the North."

"Among the elite troops of the four nations, the Black Armor cavalry ranks seventh."

"From the new emperor to the civil and military officials, who isn't afraid now?"

"If three thousand Black Armor cavalry suddenly appeared outside the capital and rushed into the capital in one go, a bloody coup would not be impossible."

"Now that this Daoist Qingyang is submissive, isn't it a disguise, showing that he is harmless and wants to have nothing to do with the disappearance of the military pay?"

Chen Weiquan bluntly revealed the matter that everyone in Sanyang Mountain knew but dared not say.

What does it matter if the official silver is lost? This money will be found sooner or later, it's just a matter of time. The real key is this batch of military equipment. Not to mention that the princes and nobles in the capital are all in danger, just the fact that this military equipment fell into the hands of Western Qin, Eastern Qi, and Southern Chen would be a monstrous disaster.

The Black Armor cavalry are the elite troops of Northern Jin. The south has dense waterways and cannot exert their power, but in the battles with Western Qin and Eastern Qi, the Black Armor cavalry have repeatedly made military achievements.

More than ten years ago, Great General Yu went out of the pass, precisely using the Black Armor cavalry to strike directly at the Hu people's royal court, making immortal achievements, shaking the world, and being known as the head of the ten famous generals of the four nations.

Armor and horse armor have been lost more than once, which cannot be prevented from being seized by martial arts powerhouses, but battle flags and battle formation arrays have always been strictly guarded and have never been lost before.

Chen Weiquan's gaze gradually became sharp, staring at Dou Changsheng: "Dou Changsheng, you dared to come to Sanyang Mountain at this critical time. You are really bold."

"No."

"I should say you are chivalrous and unparalleled."

"You, a person from Xiangzhou, actually took risks to come to Sanyang Mountain for the people of the North."

"I admire you for being able to stand up for strangers you don't know."

Chen Weiquan picked up the wine cup, shook it at Dou Changsheng, then drank it in one gulp, refilled the wine cup, and praised: "Lin Daoqi is dissatisfied with you because your two families have a poor relationship."

"So he has malice toward you, but he also recognizes your character."

"Otherwise, with his temperament, he would have already slapped the table and drawn his saber to compete with you."

"I made a name for myself as one of the Ten Heroes in the capital, but it was also because my father held a high position and was flattered by others."

"I have never done anything meaningful. Compared to you, it's like a firefly and the sun."

After drinking another sip of wine, Chen Weiquan continued: "I came here for the Qingyang Spring. My Seven Injuries Fist is only one step away from Great Accomplishment."

"If it weren't for my own Dao path, I would be willing to wait another year."

"Unfortunately, I am not young anymore. If I want to achieve something on the Human Ranking, I can't waste time anymore."

"Of course, I am also unwilling in my heart. I want to participate in major events and investigate the truth about the theft of military pay, but I am also afraid of danger and don't want to be involved in this whirlpool."

"Seeing you come here today, I have made up my mind."

"Life is only a hundred years; how can one be hesitant and submissive?"

"A great man should do great things. Dying vigorously is better than dying of illness on a sickbed."

"I am willing to help you and investigate the military pay case together."

"I have connections in the capital and many eyes and ears. At worst, I can invite strong people from the imperial court, which will definitely get twice the result with half the effort."

Slap.

Lin Daoqi slapped the table again. Dou Changsheng looked at the trembling table.

Looking at Lin Daoqi, who was clapping and cheering, Lin Daoqi with a dense beard was standing in front of Dou Changsheng, shouting loudly: "How can such a major event lack me, Lin Daoqi?"

"I am willing to investigate the military pay case together with you, Dou Changsheng."

"This case has triggered chaos in the North, the Great General has been imprisoned, and our Great Jin is in turmoil."

"If it doesn't end early, I'm afraid the Hu people and the Chen people won't sit idly by and will definitely send troops to attack our Great Jin."

"For the country, for righteousness."

"Let's join forces."

"Let's imitate the sages, gather righteousness at Qingyang Peak, and swear an alliance with blood."

"Live and die together, never stop until this case is broken."

PS: Making up for yesterday's! ===== CHAPTER 33 =====