277: Chapter 142 Keep a Low Profile and Make a Fortune_4 277: Chapter 142 Keep a Low Profile and Make a Fortune_4 “You also know I tend to be lavish with my spending, and I go through spirit stones quickly.
Now, you’re holding on to fifty thousand taels of spirit stones for me, so when I run out of spirit stones, I can still come to you for more.”
He knew if he suggested giving Elder Copper Plate more spirit stones, the elder would definitely refuse.
A total of one hundred thousand taels of spirit stones for Elder Copper Plate was just right, and the elder would be able to accept that.
“Alright, then I’ll accept it,” Elder Copper Plate took the Spiritual Stone Ticket, and looking at Cao Zhen’s face, couldn’t help but sigh, “Little Cao, you’ve really grown up and become sensible.”
Having lived to such an old age, how could he not know that the spirit stones Cao Zhen claimed were for safekeeping were actually meant for him to use?
The old Cao Zhen would never say something like this.
Now that he became the Peak Master, he had truly matured.
He glanced around and reminded, “Little Cao, what you’ve done this time is indeed covert, but it’s impossible to keep it completely hidden.
After all, if the Five Evils of Hundred Peaks bet a small amount, others wouldn’t think much of it, but since they bet so much, everyone knows they made a fortune.
People aren’t fools—they’ll still suspect you.”
“Let them suspect if they must.
After all, the Four Treasures Peak didn’t lose openly and directly.
You absolutely must not admit that you lost on purpose.
If you don’t admit it, even if others suspect, there is no direct evidence.
The Sect Leader won’t do anything to you.”
“Don’t worry, Shishu, I won’t speak carelessly,” Cao Zhen nodded firmly, not being foolish enough to go out and admit to it.
From the side, Deng Qixing also nodded.
He finally understood why Cao Zhen had specifically told him to come today without bringing other disciples—it was to reveal this secret.
Such a secret was naturally best known by as few people as possible.
Elder Copper Plate also glanced around; there were indeed no outsiders nearby.
The disciples of Four Treasures Peak would certainly not betray their own Master.
Though the Five Evils of Hundred Peaks had a bad reputation, they were also participants and had made money from it, so they shouldn’t reveal anything either.
As for Li Ke, since she was Cao Zhen’s partner, there was even less to worry about.
As for Deng Qixing, as long as Little Cao and Deng Qixing’s disciple formed the Bond of Brotherhood, Deng Qixing would certainly not betray Little Cao.
Thinking of this, Elder Copper Plate smiled at Deng Qixing and said, “Peak Master Deng, it seems the time is about right.
Shall we begin the ceremony?”
Deng Qixing looked up at the sky and nodded lightly, “Certainly, let’s begin.
Elder Copper Plate, please…”
He was Chao Zi’s master, and since Cao Zhen’s master was no longer there, Elder Copper Plate was now regarded as the elder.
In fact, if he and Li Ke were already partners, it would be possible for Tu Zhuque to serve as the elder.
Actually, forming a Bond of Brotherhood is different from becoming partners—it’s not necessary to have an elder present, but if there is one, they would still be invited.
“Could we wait for a moment?” Cao Zhen surveyed the surroundings with some urgency, “I have a friend who has yet to arrive.”
Elder Copper Plate’s brow immediately furrowed, “The ritual to form the Bond of Brotherhood is not to be taken lightly.
When the time comes, we must begin.
Are we to delay the time for the sake of one absent individual?”
When Cao Zhen said a friend hadn’t arrived, without thinking, it had to be that Chen Shizhi.
He had also heard that Cao Zhen had such a friend, but he didn’t believe that Chen Shizhi regarded Cao Zhen as a friend.
He was somewhat puzzled; Cao Zhen had clearly matured a lot, so how could he still not see through Chen Shizhi?
After the Bond of Brotherhood ceremony was over, he would have to remind Cao Zhen a few more times.
Seeing no way to delay further, Cao Zhen had no choice but to relent.
Although Four Treasures Peak was simple and lacked impressive places, it too had its own ancestral hall where the ancestors of Four Treasures Peak were enshrined.
The ancestral hall was also the best-constructed building of Four Treasures Peak.
Outside the ancestral hall, the offerings of pork, fish, and eggs had already been laid out, along with a live rooster.
For the Bond of Brotherhood, chickens were used.
A rooster for the male initiates and a hen for the females.
Cao Zhen and BeiChen Ying kneeled before the altar, each holding a stick of incense and a bowl of wine.
The wine was a red blood wine, the blood being that of the rooster.
Both of them pricked their fingers, dropped their blood into the bowls, drank at the same time, and made their vows.
“I swear before heaven and earth to witness our hearts.
Today, I, Cao Zhen of Four Treasures Peak (and BeiChen Ying of Seven Star Peak), form Brotherhood of different surnames.
In the long days to come, we shall share the same boat and strive together with one heart and one spirit…”
“Good, good, oh good!” Elder Copper Plate saw that Cao Zhen and BeiChen Ying had completed their bond, and exclaimed thrice with joy, looking at Cao Zhen with a delighted face, “Little Cao, now that you’ve formed the Bond of Brotherhood, Shishu looks forward to your partnership ceremony with Li Ke.”
Everyone around, hearing this, also grew excited.
“Right, Little Sixth Son, when can we really call Li Ke ‘Junior Sister’?”
“Master, when can we start calling you ‘Master’s Wife’?”
Cao Zhen’s head hurt at once—’Master’s Wife’?
‘Junior Sister’?
Well, keep waiting until the year of the monkey; you won’t see that day come.
Li Ke looked at Cao Zhen and said softly, “Can you come over here?
I have something to tell you.”
The crowd around suddenly burst into laughter, with BeiChen Ying calling out, “Little Sixth Son, what are you dawdling for?
Go quickly; your Junior Sister must already be restless to discuss the partnership ceremony with you.”
Cao Zhen chuckled to himself; what partnership ceremony discussions?
We two are faking it.
Probably Li Ke wants to discuss when to end this charade of a partnership with me.