Under one person: I, Zhang Zhiwei, the arrogant Zhang.

Chapter 960 Chen Yulou of the Unloading Ridge Sect pays respects to the Little Celestial Master

On the path to Changsheng Mountain, Lü Ci walked seemingly casually, and whispered to the person beside him:

"Senior Brother Zhang, I had a vague feeling that someone was watching me, so I secretly used my Ruyi Jing to track them down and try to find the spy, but unfortunately the distance was too far and I returned empty-handed."

“I noticed it too,” Zhang Dafoye interjected.

“It’s normal for someone to spy on someone else’s territory, there’s no need to worry about it,” Zhang Zhiwei said calmly.

The group followed the guide, a strongman from the Unloading Ridge Sect, as they wound their way along the mountain path. The path itself wasn't difficult, but there were many traps and obstacles along the way, and it took them some time to avoid them.

Meanwhile, high up on Changsheng Mountain, more than ten people were watching Zhang Zhiwei and his group from afar.

The leader, dressed in a white robe, his clothes as white as snow, his lapels stained with dust, surveyed the scene in the distance.

This man was Chen Yulou, the leader of the Unloading Ridge faction. Upon learning of Zhang Dafoye's visit, he rushed over, but did not show himself, instead observing from the shadows.

In fact, if it were a normal visit by Master Zhang, he would definitely have been warmly welcomed in person.

But the other party came with a caravan and men, looking very aggressive. If he greeted them politely, wouldn't people say that he, the leader of the Unloading Ridge faction, was afraid of the Nine Gates Admiral?

Where does he put his pride?!
Having Zhang Dafoye leave his troops at the foot of the mountain and go to his reception room for a meeting is undoubtedly a good choice.

He gazed into the distance. This place was far away from Zhang Dafoye and the others, and ordinary people could not see it at all, but he could see every detail clearly.

Moreover, his hearing was also extremely keen. Every subtle sound in the mountains and forests, the sound of distant streams and footsteps, unfolded before his "eyes" like a clear painting.

Strangely, he couldn't hear the conversation below, even though he could clearly see their mouths opening and closing.

"There must be a master here..." Chen Yulou thought to himself.

"Boss, is this really Zhang Dafoye?" a burly man over two meters tall asked.

Chen Yulou nodded and said, "He looks just like the one in the portrait, so it's undoubtedly Zhang Dafoye. I just don't know who the person next to him is."

Beside Chen Yulou, a woman dressed in red held a telescope, peering into the distance, and said:
"Is the 'headmaster' referring to the tall Taoist priest next to Master Zhang?"

Chen Yulou shook his head and said, "No, that Taoist priest was just a bit big. He had an ordinary appearance and no imposing presence. He was insignificant."

"I'm talking about the white-haired spiky guy next to Zhang Dafoye. He has a dignified appearance and is clearly no ordinary person. Although his aura isn't strong, I get a feeling of trepidation whenever I see him. He's hiding his true strength and must be very extraordinary."

Chen Yulou's observation skills were very impressive. Even though Lü Ci tried to conceal his true nature, he still saw through him. However, he couldn't see through Zhang Zhiwei, so he subconsciously regarded him as an ordinary person.

The woman in red said, "Master Zhang dares to bring a team of personal guards into the mountains, so he must have some confidence. They must all be skilled, which is not surprising. It would be strange if he brought mediocre people."

Chen Yulou nodded: "That makes sense."

At this moment, someone nearby said, "So what if they're skilled? This is Changsheng Mountain! This is our territory! Don't worry about these few people, even if Changjun sends out all their troops, we won't be afraid! Right, boss?"

“Of course!” Chen Yulou said.

The man continued, "Boss, Zhang Dafoye is the head of the Nine Gates. The Nine Gates are in the same trade as us! Traders are enemies, especially since he's an official and we're bandits, so we're mortal enemies! Tell me, what would happen if we left him here?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yulou glared at his subordinate in annoyance. What nonsense! As the leader, he only wanted to show some respect in the greetings, and this brat actually wanted to kill him?

Even if they succeed, what good will it do? It's just a fight of pride. When the government troops and the people from the Nine Gates come together to take revenge, will Everlasting Victory Mountain ever have a peaceful day again?
Moreover, I've heard that Master Zhang has a close relationship with the Little Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain and has done favors for him before. If he offends the Little Celestial Master because of this, things could get very bad.

He was known as the leader of a band of over 100,000 bandits across thirteen provinces, and naturally knew Liao Huzi of Dawang Mountain, as well as the tragic fate that Liao Huzi had suffered after offending the Little Celestial Master.

Chen Yulou said, "The martial world is not about fighting and killing. It's about human relationships and friendships. People from all over the world are friends. They enter the mountain in an orderly manner without showing their claws. If we start making trouble, wouldn't it make Changsheng Mountain seem petty?"

A woman dressed in red chimed in, "The boss is right. We have many colleagues, but are we all going to stay? Don't forget the motto of Changsheng Mountain."

"Hehehe, boss, Miss Hong, you don't have to take it seriously. I was just joking, just joking. Actually, I just can't stand that Zhang Dafoye. He's an official, but he doesn't follow the proper path and tries to steal our business." The man chuckled.

Chen Yulou said, "What's so strange about that? Don't forget, a few years ago a warlord dug up the Empress Dowager's tomb and made a fortune."

One of his men said, "This is indeed a momentous event. Speaking of which, when will we be able to dig up a similar grave? We'll be rich! In recent years, we've been providing relief to far too many disaster victims, and we're starting to run into a deficit!"

“Those kinds of tombs are not to be trifled with!” Chen Yulou laughed. “However, I have heard some rumors that a lot of Yuan Dynasty treasures have been unearthed in a certain place, which may indicate the presence of a large tomb. After some time, once we have investigated and found out more, I will take the brothers there.”

Upon hearing that there was another "big deal," the group immediately became excited. In recent years, the world had been in bad shape, and although they were thieves, they prided themselves on "honor among thieves," frequently opening their granaries to distribute grain and provide relief to disaster victims.

With increased spending and decreased income, life naturally became a bit tight, and they urgently needed a "big deal".

At this moment, someone asked doubtfully, "Speaking of which, could it be that Buddha came here because he knows that the chief has obtained news of the great tomb and wants to get a share of the spoils?"

"Now that you mention it, it's very possible. The boss just got the news and he arrived. What a coincidence!" someone chimed in.

"We can't let him have his way. Why should we give our business to others?" the surrounding people jeered.

“That’s unlikely,” said the girl in red. “There are so many of us, and there aren’t enough tombs for each of us. If we add the people from the Nine Gates, there will be even less.”

"Miss Hong, please look closely. This time, only Zhang Dafoye's men have come. There are no other families from the Nine Gates. It seems that Zhang Dafoye wants to go it alone," someone reminded her.

"No way. The Nine Gates are all closely connected. If he, as the head of the Nine Gates, were to abandon his subordinates and act alone, how would the other members view him? How could he command respect?!" Chen Yulou said, "There's no point in speculating about these things. We'll understand once we see this Buddha. By the way, Guai Zi, have all the arrangements been made?!"

A burly man replied, "Reporting to the chief, we are just waiting for the arrival of that great Buddha Zhang."

Chen Yulou nodded slightly, a smile playing on his lips: "Yes, it's Zhang Dafoye who's coming. If we make too big a fuss, it'll make us seem petty; if we make too small a fuss, people might look down on Changsheng Mountain. We need to find the right balance."

After saying this, the group disappeared into the mountains and forests. Guided by the Unloading Warriors, Zhang Zhiwei and his party arrived at the Changsheng Mountain base camp.

Changsheng Mountain Stronghold was not a simple and crude bandit den like ordinary ones. It was built by taking advantage of the mountain's terrain, relying on the steep peaks, and blending into the natural environment as if it had grown out of the mountain itself.

The houses in the mountain stronghold are mostly stilted buildings, which can prevent dampness and protect against snakes, insects and wild animals. The buildings are often connected by suspended covered bridges, forming a three-dimensional system that is easy to defend and difficult to attack.

The stockade walls are equipped with walkways and watchtowers, and there are patrols day and night. In some inconspicuous corners, you can see ingeniously designed crossbow holes and mechanisms for triggering rolling logs and stones.

The gate to the village was heavy, covered with iron sheets and riveted with huge copper nails. The three large characters "Chang Sheng Shan" (Ever-Victorious Mountain) were written on it in a vigorous and imposing manner.

At this moment, the gates of the stronghold were wide open, and the men and soldiers inside were already lined up and waiting. At a glance, there were no less than three or four thousand people, all of whom had the fierceness and vigilance unique to bandits and powerful figures, staring intently at Zhang Zhiwei and his party who were approaching.

"What a grand display!" Lu Ci took a deep breath and said.

Zhang Dafoye said, "Changsheng Mountain's forces are indeed quite large. This is not their entire force. Along the way, we can see many outposts, and at least a thousand more have been dispersed out."

He looked at Zhang Zhiwei: "Little Celestial Master, he's trying to intimidate us!"

"What a coincidence," Zhang Zhiwei said casually as he walked forward, "I also wanted to give them a taste of their own medicine."

Zhang Zhiwei continued walking forward nonchalantly, and everyone else slowed down by half a step, following closely behind him.

Meanwhile, in the Hall of Gathering Righteousness in the center of Changsheng Mountain.

The hall was brightly lit, and instead of decorative paintings and calligraphy, several huge leather maps were hung on the walls, outlining the complex mountain ranges and watercourses.

In the center of the hall, Chen Yulou sat calmly on a large tiger-skin armchair.

Red Girl stood to his left, her red dress as fiery as fire, her fingers unconsciously stroking the hilt of the sword at her waist, while Hua Maguai stood to his right, also ready for battle.

Inside the hall were several key figures of the Unloading Ridge Warriors, scattered on chairs on both sides, some wiping their weapons, others remaining silent, creating a somewhat somber and tense atmosphere.

Chen Yulou waved his hand and said, "Everyone, relax. Changsheng Mountain has been established for so many years and has seen all kinds of storms. Today, we are just a special guest."

The crowd felt slightly relieved.

After a moment, the girl in red suddenly spoke:

"Hey! I have a feeling... something's coming... something terrifying!"

Hua Maguai, who was standing to the side, also trembled and turned to look at Chen Yulou: "Boss, I also feel... something is coming, but I can't explain the feeling."

Chen Yulou didn't speak, but the vague unease in his heart was no different from that of Hong Guniang and Hua Maguai, and it grew stronger and stronger.

"Boss, what's going on? Is it really Zhang Dafoye who's here?" Red Girl asked again.

“It’s not him!” Chen Yulou said, “He doesn’t have that kind of Qi. He’s like a natural disaster… There are very few people in the entire martial arts world with that kind of Qi.”

A natural disaster-like existence... Everyone was taken aback, and each began to speculate in their own mind.

If those people in the hall were experiencing this, one can only imagine the pressure faced by those lined up in front of the village.

An invisible pressure surged forth like a tidal wave. The bandits, who had been so vicious just moments before, seemed to freeze in place. They swayed a few times, their knees buckled, and they all knelt on the ground.

There's a saying, "panic leads to reckless actions," meaning that people are capable of anything when they're in a state of panic.

Some people raised their rifles, wanting to fire to bolster their courage, but their hands trembled so much that they couldn't pull back the bolt or pull the trigger. After struggling a few times, they collapsed to their knees, powerless.

Zhang Zhiwei walked slowly forward. Wherever he passed, the bandits lined up in formation collapsed to the ground like waves of wheat in the wind, with bandits kneeling and worshipping on both sides.

The front hall of the stronghold faced the main gate. Everyone inside saw this scene and stared blankly, their faces filled with disbelief.

They also felt that oppressive aura, as if they were facing a natural disaster, which made them unable to muster any thoughts of resistance, and even made them want to kneel down and worship.

Fortunately, they were all extraordinary individuals who had obtained Qi and were experienced Unloading Ridge Warriors, much stronger than the bandits outside. In addition, they were far away, so they did not have to kneel down and worship like the people at the gate of the stronghold.

At this moment, Chen Yulou's personal bodyguard, Kunlun, who was two meters tall, struck himself in the lower back with the hilt of his knife, and, taking advantage of the pain, gritted his teeth and roared:
"Get the hell up, all of you! What the hell are you kneeling for?"

As he spoke, he stepped forward to meet him. Chen Yulou was his savior, and his kindness to him was immeasurable. Even if there were a landslide or a tsunami ahead, he would protect Chen Yulou.

Chen Yulou grabbed his arm: "Kunlun is commendable for his bravery, but it's best to avoid that person's sharp edge."

As he spoke, he stood up from his chair, and despite his short stature, he managed to stand right in front of Kunlun.

Then he saw a tall Taoist priest leisurely walk into the village gate.

It was the same Taoist priest he had previously thought to be unremarkable in appearance and with mediocre aura, but now, this Taoist priest was exuding a terrifying aura that was suffocating!
Against this imposing backdrop, he resembled a colossal god who had stepped out of an ancient mural!

The giant god looked up and glanced in their direction.

Chen Yulou felt a chill run down his spine as if he had been doused with ice water just by being swept by that gaze; it was a condescending, godlike look down upon him.

Chen Yulou swallowed hard, forcing himself to remain calm. If he, as the leader, showed any disgrace at this moment, he would lose all his authority in front of his brothers.

He already knew who it was from that imposing aura. He took a deep breath, forced himself to remain calm, and clasped his hands, saying:
"On Changsheng Mountain stands a tall building, where heroes from all directions gather. Dragons and phoenixes symbolize friendship, and the waters of the five lakes and four seas surge forth. I am Chen Yulou, the Unloading Ridge Master, paying my respects to the Little Celestial Master!"

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(End of this chapter)