"If we don’t go ashore now, we might as well be mistaken for Japanese pirates!"
But after a pause, he couldn’t help but add worriedly, "Quick, send someone to fish out those corpses of Japanese pirates from the sea and drag them all to shore."
"With the bodies of Japanese pirates as proof, Old Wang here hasn’t been slacking off."
This trusted aide’s eyes lit up, and he immediately clenched his fist in salute, "Yes, this underling will dispatch men to retrieve the bodies immediately..."
...
Up in the sky, the moon rose high above the sea.
On the beach, bonfires sprung up one after another, illuminating the whole shore brilliantly.
Members of the Ming Sect, the conscripts, soldiers from the Xiang family, partners from Lianhuan Fort, and warriors from the five divisions of the Embroidered Uniform Guards were slinging arms around each others’ shoulders, moving in groups along the coast, cleaning up the battlefield.
The pirates from the newly-landed Five Peaks Fleet, each with a face full of smiles, were unloading barrels of fine wine from the ships, handing them to the heroes cleaning the battlefield, making an effort to prove, "We’re all in this together."
Soldiers, nobility, gangs, rebels, royal hunting dogs, and pirates from six different walks of life came together for drinks and boasts, creating a sight that was indescribably dreamlike yet unexpectedly harmonious...
By comparison, the atmosphere around the bonfire where the leaders of the six groups were seated felt somewhat eerie.
The eight of them were holding the fine wine personally delivered by Wang Zeng; no one spoke, and no one drank...
"As most of us met for the first time today, let me act as the intermediary, and introduce everyone in the order of arrival!"
Yang Ge took a big gulp of the fine wine, stood up with alcohol on his breath, and pointed at Yang Tiansheng, "This, Hall Master of the Qingmu Hall of the Ming Sect, Yang Tiansheng!"
Yang Tiansheng raised his wine jug, gestured around, and then heroically downed a big swig.
"This, Zhou Fu from the Jiangzhe Regional Commandant Office, the third rank Assistant Regional Commandant!"
Zhou Fu, holding his wine jug, gave a fist-and-palm salute all around, then carefully took a small sip from the jug.
"This, ’Mother Buddha’ Liu Dongjun, the South Heavenly King of the White Lotus Sect!"
Liu Dongjun placed down her wine jug and respectfully performed salutes all around, "Your sister is flattered to be seated amongst all the heroes here."
Yang Ge suppressed the urge to tease and then turned to Xiang Wudi, who had been sitting in front of him the whole time with the Red Tassel Spear standing by his side, "This, ’Overlord Spear’ Xiang Wudi from Jiangdong the Xiang Family!"
Xiang Wudi glanced at Yang Ge, held up his wine jug, gave it a shake, and similarly gulped down a big swig.
"This, the young master of Lianhuan Fort, Li Jincheng!"
Li Jincheng, clutching his wine jug, stood up, made a welcoming gesture to everyone around, then tilted his head back and drank a great mouthful.
"This, Fang Ke, the householder of the Embroidered Uniform Guards’ Right Command, a fifth-rank Vice Squadron Commander."
Fang Ke hurriedly stood up and saluted Yang Ge, "You are the real householder of our Right Command."
Yang Ge frowned, "If I say you are, you are. A true man born into this world shouldn’t languish beneath others for too long!"
Fang Ke had no choice but to puff out his chest, lifted his jug to gesture around, and took a swig looking up to the sky.
"This, the ’Five Peaks Ship Captain,’ the pirate king of the East Sea, Wang Zeng!"
All present turned to look at Wang Zeng.
Wang Zeng hastily stood up, holding the wine jug with both hands and bowing left and right as he saluted, "A mere reputation, not worth mentioning. From now on, in this territory of Jiangzhe, I’ll be relying on the care of all the heroes here!"
Having said that, he raised his wine jug and drank it down in one gulp; at the end, he turned the jug upside down to let the last drop fall.
Yang Ge gestured for him to sit, and Wang quickly sat back down on the sand.
Yang Ge raised his jug of wine and said earnestly, "I’m Yang Erlang, and it is my great honor to fight side by side with everyone here today. My gratitude is beyond words... to our victory!"
After speaking, he tilted his head back and took a big gulp.
The other seven people also grabbed their wines jugs and tilted their heads back to drink a big mouthful.
After finishing his drink, Yang Ge set down his wine jug and once more spoke solemnly, "I know each of you has your own allegiance, but today we fought enemies side by side, and that makes us comrades in arms. Let’s not talk about the past, but at least for tonight, please afford me, Yang Erlang, a little face and enjoy this drink heartily. After tonight, if there are grievances, settle them; if there are feuds, avenge them; if you need to flee, flee, if you need to suppress, do so. It won’t impact any of your futures and will not belittle the fellowship we shared in battle today!"
After he finished speaking, the atmosphere by the bonfire noticeably relaxed.
Fang Ke was the first to raise the wine jug in his hand, his smile tinged with a hint of reproach as he said to Yang Ge, "Sir, you took off without a word and headed south to do such a big thing. That’s a bit underhanded, isn’t it?"
Yang Ge snorted with laughter, "When I went down south and slaughtered Geng Jingzhong, would any of you have dared to get involved?"
Fang Ke immediately changed his tune, "This... let’s drink!"
"Ha ha ha..."
Everyone laughed together, and the atmosphere grew even more heated.
Yang Tiansheng lazily lifted his wine jug and gestured towards Li Jincheng from afar, "Li, you’re late this time, almost missed the boat!"
Li Jincheng lifted his wine jug and complained, "That’s because your lot kept things so tight-lipped! If it weren’t for Fang sailing downstream, I wouldn’t even have known you brothers were plotting such a big thing in secret!"
After taking a big gulp, Li Jincheng turned the jug towards Xiang Wudi and said, "The Xiang Family’s spear technique is indeed impressive. I’m far inferior to you!"
Xiang Wudi lifted his jug to meet his, and asked impassively, "Oh? And how does that compare to your father?"
The atmosphere at the gathering grew tense, as everyone turned their gazes towards the two men. Unperturbed, Li Jincheng casually replied, "Oh, I’ve asked my old man. He says your spearmanship still lacks maturity. If he were in better shape, he could take on two of you without a problem!"
Xiang Wudi’s face suddenly turned red, resembling a monkey’s rear end under the glow of the campfire.
Seeing his reaction, all the old foxes present burst into laughter.
"This..."
Xiang Wudi mustered his strength and said, "Another day, I shall definitely visit Lianhuan Fort to seek guidance from Elder Li."
Li Jincheng curled his lip, "My old man has been waiting for you for ages. It’s you who’s always been too chicken to show up."
Their laughter grew even louder.
Xiang Wudi took a big gulp of wine, turned his head, and challenged Yang Ge, "Now that this is settled, let’s have a fight."
Yang Ge swayed the wine jug, nonchalantly agreeing, "Sure, you set the time and place, I’ll be sure to show up."
As Xiang Wudi was about to nod, he heard Liu Dongjun say incredulously, "Have you lost your mind? He even killed Wang Lin, and now you’re challenging him? So young, and yet so ready to throw your life away?"
"This..."
Xiang Wudi’s face reddened again, his lips quivering, unsure of what to say.
The crowd laughed again, finding amusement in toying with this simple-minded ’spear master.’
Yang Ge raised his jug, "When I killed Xiang Feilong, it wasn’t a dig at you. He just wouldn’t give himself a chance to live. I won’t say ’I’m sorry,’ because he doesn’t deserve it, and the Xiang Family wouldn’t accept it anyway. Whatever moves you have in store, just bring them. I’ll take them all."
Xiang Wudi calmed down, raising his jug in a sparing affirmation, "Certainly!"
Everyone remained composed, not feeling any dampening of spirits. Isn’t the reason for mingling in the rivers and lakes all about the grudges and grievances?
"Hey, Yang Ge..."
Liu Dongjun picked up the thread, "What are you planning to do about us at the White Lotus Sect? Although Wang Lin was arrogant and not well-liked in the sect, he was still the East King of our White Lotus Sect. You just slaughtered him so, and those old immortals in the sect won’t let you off easily!"
"Let me off?"
Yang Ge scoffed, "Why don’t you consider whether I would let the White Lotus Sect off or not?"
Liu Dongjun was at a loss for words, unsure how to respond, and didn’t dare to say anything.
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They say the barefoot are not afraid of those with shoes.
Compared to the imperial court, it was certainly the White Lotus Sect that was barefoot.
But when compared to Yang Ge, he was the barefoot one.
A peak master approaching the power of the Seven Strong, if he resolved to take on the White Lotus Sect, it might be more problematic than the court’s pursuit!
Besides, Yang Ge had support from both the court and the martial world.
Over there, Wang Zeng couldn’t join in their high-level games, so he went to Zhou Fu and Fang Ke instead, "Gentlemen, I’ve got respect for you brothers..."