“What do you hope for?”
“The Market of Universal Peace.”
The entire ritual is carried on in verse—a rhythm of terrors—while conversation between members is in poetic form. If a member is asked to rescue a brother it is done by placing a pot of tea with a single cup before him. Should he be unable to do anything with the commands he throws the tea away, but if able, he drinks, saying:
“A horseman comes with might and speed
To save his prince, alone, in need,
And with him comes the Age’s horde
To give the throne to our Ming Lord.”
If a pot of tea and three cups are put before a member he is being asked to take part in a fight. If he consents he drinks the middle cup, repeating:
“Lu, Kwang, and Chang in the garden swore,
To heed Duke Tsai’s commands no more,