He was referring to the mountains surrounding the capital.
The State of Qi was a country of grasslands. It was rare to see mountains as tall as the one surrounding the capital city. There were three sects on the mountain that surrounded the capital city. They were the Great Hill Sect, the Mystic Weapon Sect, and the Heavenly Fire Order. Each of the three sects occupied a piece of land that was filled with spiritual energy. They guarded the capital city and were the strongest sects among the sects in the State of Qi. They were considered as the top sects in the world and had a place in the Misty Pavilion.
The Imperial Protector of the Imperial Palace was from these three sects. Pei Niangzi and the others were the disciples of the Great Hill Sect.
Linghu Qiu pondered. "I do know a few of them. What do you want?"
Niu Youdao said, "I'm sure you're aware of the current situation. Just like what I told Feng Entai, it's difficult to get rid of this thing. Only the three sects would dare to accept it."
Linghu Qiu asked, "You want to give it to the three sects?"
Niu Youdao said, "This thing can be sold for a lot of money. They won't mind if I give it to them for free, right?"
Linghu Qiu sighed. "I'm afraid not. With the influence of the three sects in the Kingdom of Qi, if they really want these war horses to leave the country, they can just say the word. There's no need for them to take what you have."
Niu Youdao said, "How would you know if you don't try? If they really don't want it, ask them to cooperate and auction these documents. I won't take a single cent from the auction. I'll give it all to them!"
Linghu Qiu looked troubled.
"Brother, please help me!" Niu Youdao stood up and bowed with his hands cupped.
Linghu Qiu quickly reached out to help him up. He forced a smile and said, "Alright, I'll go now. I can only say that I'll try my best."
"Thank you, Brother."
"When do you leave?"
"As soon as possible."
"Do you want to go with me?"
"There are too many people watching this place. It's not appropriate for me to show my face in public. If things don't work out and there are too many people who know me, my chances of escaping will become slimmer. I have to leave a way out for myself. I'll ask Duan Hu to go with you. What do you think? "
"Alright!" Linghu Qiu nodded and smiled bitterly. "I'm afraid we'll be stopped and searched once we go out. I wonder how many times we'll be searched."
Niu Youdao cupped his fists and apologized, "I'm sorry for making Elder Brother suffer."
"By the way, what should I do with Old Feng?" Linghu Qiu pointed outside.
Niu Youdao: "Of course I won't make things difficult for Big Brother. Peony, let him in."
"Yes!" Black Peony accepted the order and left. Before long, she brought Feng Entai back.
Feng Entai looked at Linghu Qiu, but he didn't receive any indication. He then scowled and moved closer to Niu Youdao. He cautiously asked, "Brother, are you feeling better?"
Niu Youdao glanced at him coldly. "For the sake of my sworn brother, I'll take responsibility for this. I'm willing to risk my life!"
Feng Entai was overjoyed. He cupped his fists at Linghu Qiu to express his gratitude. He then turned around and comforted Niu Youdao, "It won't be that bad, it won't be that bad. With Little Brother's skills, you'll definitely be able to turn misfortune into fortune!"
Niu Youdao: "Don't say such useless things. You're the one who caused this trouble. Taking responsibility for this is equivalent to risking my life for you. I'll accept my fate, but you should at least give me an explanation, right?"
An explanation? Feng Entai asked suspiciously, "What explanation do you want, Little Brother?"
Niu Youdao drummed his fingers on the table. "I'll take responsibility for this. You won't kick me when I'm down, will you?"
Feng Entai sternly said, "How could this kind of thing drag you down?!"
Niu Youdao: "This time, I've seen the character of your Heavenly Jade Clan. Even if you won't drag me down, who can guarantee that you won't burn the bridge after crossing the river?"
Feng Entai spread his arms. "If this matter can be passed, then it will be. What's the talk about burning the bridge after crossing the river?"
Niu Youdao reminded him, "You should know why the three sects are risking their lives here. You should also know why they're risking their lives here. Previously, you signed a contract with me. Heavenly Jade Clan reneged on it just because you said so. You even used the safety of the three sects as a threat. How do I know if you'll still acknowledge your debt after this incident?"
It was easy for Heavenly Jade Clan to make a decision, but Feng Entai was the one who broke the contract in front of everyone. Feeling embarrassed by Miao Yi's words, he forced a smile and said, "We had no choice. That was then, and this is now. Since the Sect Leader has personally made a promise, he naturally won't go back on his word."
Niu Youdao: "You can even renege on something that's written in black and white. Do you think I'll still dare to believe something that's just said without any proof?"
Feng Entai sighed and said, "Little Brother, is there any point in beating around the bush? Just say what you want to say. However, there's one thing you should be clear about. I have no right to change Heavenly Jade Clan's stance. "
Niu Youdao stared at him and said slowly, "If you don't mind, how about we become sworn brothers with different surnames?"
"…" Feng Entai was at a loss. He thought he had misheard and asked, "Little Brother, what did you say?"
Linghu Qiu was stunned.
Niu Youdao: "I said, let's become sworn brothers with different surnames."
'I'm already so old. How can I become sworn brothers with a young man like you?' Feng Entai didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "This … this … Little Brother, what are you trying to do?!"
Niu Youdao: "After this incident, I'm not sure if your Heavenly Jade Clan will go back on their word. If you really want to go back on your word, there's nothing I can do about it. The only thing I can rely on now is morality. If Old Brother Feng really wants to go back on his word, then I have no choice but to admit defeat! "
Feng Entai's expression was very interesting. He sighed and said, "You're worrying too much. The Sect Master has personally spoken. How can we go back on our word?"
Niu Youdao: "Are you unwilling to do so because you find it troublesome? Or do you know that the Heavenly Jade Clan will definitely burn the bridge after crossing the river? Are you unwilling to be a person who goes back on his word?"
"That's not what I mean. It's just …" Feng Entai turned to look at Linghu Qiu. "Brother Linghu, please be the judge."
Linghu Qiu was expressionless. He raised his head to look at the ceiling and said in bewilderment, "Do as you see fit."
"Aiya!" Feng Entai shook his head helplessly. He waved his hand and said, "Forget it, forget it. Little Brother, as long as you agree to take responsibility for this matter, I will become sworn brothers with different surnames with you. Are you satisfied?" In his heart, he added, 'Just treat it as a sacrifice for the Heavenly Jade Clan. Otherwise, if this guy doesn't agree, I won't be able to explain myself.'
Niu Youdao: "I want to invite the Heavenly Jade Clan's disciples here to bear witness!"
"You …" Feng Entai wanted to say something but hesitated. In the end, he closed his eyes and nodded helplessly. "Fine, fine, fine. We'll do as you say!"
Once the matter was settled, Black Peony immediately got busy. She called for people to set up the incense burner table outside.
When the incense burner table was set up, the dozen or so Heavenly Jade Clan's disciples also gathered in the courtyard to observe the ceremony. Many of the disciples felt gloomy. If their Martial Uncle became Niu Youdao's sworn brother, what would happen to their seniority?
Once everything was ready, Niu Youdao grabbed a few incense sticks and handed them to Feng Entai. Then, he gave the remaining three to Linghu Qiu, who was observing the ceremony. "Elder Brother, you and I are sworn brothers. After Brother Feng and I become sworn brothers, the two of you will also be considered brothers. Why don't you bow to him again?"
"Hehe!" Linghu Qiu laughed dryly. In his heart, he couldn't help but grumble. 'Isn't it too easy for you to become a sworn brother?'
Seeing how Niu Youdao had sworn brothers at the drop of a hat, Linghu Qiu suspected that Niu Youdao had other sworn brothers.
Seeing that everyone was looking at him and that Niu Youdao's words were reasonable, Linghu Qiu couldn't refuse. He could only walk forward uncomfortably and take the incense in his hand.
Black Peony guided the ceremony. The three of them knelt in front of the incense burner and swore an oath to the heavens and earth.
After they finished praying, the three of them went to the incense burner and inserted some incense sticks into it. Soon after, they put on a fake smile and raised their wine cups. They cupped their fists and addressed each other.
Feng Entai was the eldest brother, Linghu Qiu was the second brother, and Niu Youdao was the third brother.
"Eldest Brother, after this matter, I'm sure Eldest Brother won't abandon me, right?" Niu Youdao asked Feng Entai as he toasted.
Feng Entai sighed. "Third Brother worries too much! However, this is a different matter. Since the Heavenly Jade School has made a decision, I hope Third Brother will follow it. Don't make things difficult for me. "
"No problem!" Niu Youdao readily agreed.
After the three of them drank the wine, Niu Youdao immediately asked Black Peony to retrieve the hidden contract and personally returned it to Feng Entai.
Feng Entai received it and carefully examined it. After confirming that it was written by him, he immediately took it to the incense stick and burned it to ashes in front of everyone's eyes. He also let out a long sigh of relief. It was finally over.
However, the incense and candles in front of him made him feel a little tired. He hoped that the school would honor their promise and not go back on their word. Otherwise, he would be embarrassed. So many of his fellow disciples had witnessed it with their own eyes. Furthermore, if Niu Youdao was really in danger this time, should he stay out of it? The Heavenly Jade School might be able to stay out of it, but if he stayed out of it, how would his fellow disciples view him?
There was no time to lose. Linghu Qiu still had some matters to attend to. After making some preparations, he left in a hurry with Duan Hu.
After the others dispersed, Feng Entai asked Niu Youdao how he planned to handle this matter. Niu Youdao briefly explained the matter that he had arranged for Linghu Qiu to handle.
"I hope it works!" Feng Entai sighed. He felt that the chances of this happening were rather slim.
At present, there was no other way. Everyone could only wait here for Linghu Qiu's news.
They waited until evening before Linghu Qiu and Duan Hu returned.
Feng Entai was the first to stand up. He asked Linghu Qiu, "Second Brother, how was it?"
Niu Youdao's eyes were also filled with anticipation.
"Sigh!" Linghu Qiu walked into the pavilion and sat down. He waved his hand at Duan Hu. "You can ask him. He witnessed the whole thing. I've tried my best."
As soon as he said this, Feng Entai and Niu Youdao looked at each other. They immediately felt that something was amiss.
Duan Hu explained the situation in detail. Linghu Qiu had indeed tried his best. He had found a way to find acquaintances from the Great Qiu Sect, the Profound Weapon Sect, and the Heavenly Fire Order. He had also met with the higher-ups of the three sects. However, no matter how much he begged, it was useless. They did not want the exit documents for the one hundred thousand warhorses, nor did they want the money he earned from selling them.
In the end, it was one of Linghu Qiu's acquaintances who leaked some information to Linghu Qiu in private. In fact, it was not much of a leak. At this point, the Qi Emperor's intentions were already clear.
Linghu Qiu's acquaintance told him that there were indeed too many cultivators gathered in the capital city of Qi Kingdom. Not only was the Emperor afraid, but the three sects themselves were also uncomfortable. This was also the territory of the three sects. It was not good for external forces to gather here. They felt that it was necessary to clean up the place.
More importantly, the Emperor had already informed the three sects. The three sects had also sent people to intervene in this matter. How could they ruin their own territory? Naturally, they would not agree to it.
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