Chapter 38

Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Guest

Ou Peng asked curiously, "What do you mean by that?"

Wan Chengjiu smiled and said, "If Situ Ping wants to practice the martial arts of our Ten Thousand Sword Peak, she will naturally have to stay here for a long time. The Ten Thousand Sword Peak is quite a distance from Luzhen, so it would be inconvenient for her to handle the affairs of the gang. As her uncle, I naturally have to take over for her. I have already sent capable disciples from the gang to take over the Evil Tiger Gang in Luzhen. I only manage this small gang for Situ Ping's sake."

Ou Peng just smiled and said, "Brother Wan, you really do a lot for your disciples."

In his heart, however, he thought, "This cunning old fox, he takes advantage of the situation and still acts like a martyr."

Wan Chengjiu also said, "Isn't it all to keep our secret? Otherwise, why would I want to take over such a mess?"

The others said, "Brother Wan, you have really worked hard. Let's have a bowl of wine."

After that, they no longer talked about the secret place, but instead discussed the bloody affairs of the martial world, the romance of the seasons, and other random topics. They continued until the wine was finished and the food was gone, then they parted ways and went their separate paths. They tacitly avoided mentioning the treasures and the improvement in their martial arts that they had gained in the secret place.

In a secluded small village between Luzhen and Pingyang City, there was a large estate. In a hall facing north, two people were sitting. One was a young man with a slim build, and the other was a middle-aged man with some gray hair. They were the Evil Tiger Gang's Hall Master Situ Liang and Hall Master Zhao San. Both were frowning as they drank tea. Hall Master Zhao took a sip of tea but didn't seem to taste its fragrance. He put the teacup heavily on the table and asked Situ Liang, "Hall Master Situ, it's been almost a month since we've had any news from the gang leader. With no sign of life or death, what should we do?"

Situ Liang, displeased, said, "Hall Master Zhao, what do you mean by that? How can you say such inauspicious things during the New Year?"

Hall Master Zhao immediately said apologetically, "I'm just too anxious. Spit, I take back what I said." He spat on the ground to indicate that he was taking back his words.

He then said, "Without seeing the gang leader, everyone has had a bad New Year. We don't even know what the future holds."

Situ Liang comforted him, "Although the gang leader is not in the gang, aren't all the members of the Evil Tiger Gang still here? Everything can be the same as before. We haven't been disbanded, have we?"

Hall Master Zhao chuckled and said, "Hall Master Situ, you're also saying inauspicious things."

Situ Liang was taken aback, then spat on the ground and said, "Take back, take back. This matter is really troubling, making me speak without thinking."

Hall Master Zhao said, "No problem, no problem. Everyone is worried about the gang leader's safety."

Situ Liang said, "Yes, we need to have a plan first to avoid any major upheaval."

Just as they were talking, someone came to report, "Hall Master, seven people are galloping towards us from ten miles away. They look like martial artists."

Situ Liang was taken aback and glanced at Hall Master Zhao, saying, "At this time, who could it be? The friendly gangs have already visited before the New Year. How could unfamiliar people know this place? Could they be passing by?"

Hall Master Zhao said, "Maybe, but could they be here to cause trouble?"

Situ Liang shook his head and said, "The numbers don't match. If they were here to cause trouble, how could seven people be a match for our entire Evil Tiger Gang? Although most of the members are not in the gang, there are still dozens of us."

Hall Master Zhao was also puzzled and said, "Then why are they here?"

Situ Liang said, "Let's wait and see. We'll keep an eye on them to see if they are targeting us, but we should also prepare to defend ourselves. Men, notify the brothers in the gang to be ready to welcome the guests. Also, prepare the signal flares. If needed, notify the brothers who are not in the gang to return for support."

After another half a cup of tea, someone came to report again, "Hall Master Situ, those seven people are almost at the village entrance. There is no large group behind them."

Situ Liang stood up and said to Hall Master Zhao, "Let's go. The road in our village only leads in, not out. It seems they are targeting our Evil Tiger Gang."

Hall Master Zhao also stood up and said, "Let's go and welcome the guests."

The seven people arrived quickly. As Situ Liang and the others reached the estate gate, the sound of hooves could be heard. From a distance, the seven people were all dressed in black, and their faces were not clear. When they got closer, it was evident that they were of similar height but varied in build. The one in front was a young man with clear features, as slim as Situ Liang, but carrying a large sword on his back.

They arrived at the estate gate, dismounted together, and moved with great agility and uniformity, clearly well-trained. After dismounting, six of them stood there holding the reins, not speaking. The young man in front handed the reins to the person next to him, then walked forward and bowed to Situ Liang on the steps, saying, "May I ask if you are Hall Master Situ Liang of the Evil Tiger Gang?"

Situ Liang quickly returned the bow and said, "Yes, that's me. May I ask who you are?"

The young man smiled and said, "I am Qu Xiangfeng of the Ten Thousand Sword Peak, sent by our Sword Master to deliver a message from your gang leader, Situ Ping."

Situ Liang was greatly surprised. The Ten Thousand Sword Peak was not a force the Evil Tiger Gang could provoke. When did the gang leader have any connection with the Ten Thousand Sword Peak?

He smiled and said, "May I ask, Young Hero Qu, do you have any proof?"

Qu Xiangfeng did not get angry, but took out a token from his chest and handed it to Situ Liang.

Situ Liang took it and saw that it was indeed the gang leader Situ Ping's personal token. He smiled and said, "Indeed, it is the gang leader's token. Young Hero Qu, please come in and let's talk inside. Please."

However, he did not return the token to Qu Xiangfeng.

Qu Xiangfeng seemed not to mind, and the seven of them followed into the estate. The horses were taken care of by the Evil Tiger Gang members, and they entered the inner hall.

In the hall, the guests and hosts sat down, and the servants brought tea.

Qu Xiangfeng did not pick up the teacup but took out a letter from his chest and handed it to Situ Liang, saying, "The gang leader has been away for many days, and the gang must be very concerned. This is a letter from the gang leader to your gang. Please read it, Hall Master Situ."

Situ Liang smiled and took the letter, opened it, and read the contents. His calm face showed a hint of surprise. After reading, he passed the letter to Hall Master Zhao, who also read it with surprise. After reading, he looked at Situ Liang and nodded slightly.

Situ Liang turned to Qu Xiangfeng and said, "Young Hero Qu, the token is correct, and the handwriting is indeed that of our gang leader. However, the matters in the letter are not something we can immediately respond to. Please rest at our gang for a while. We will discuss it and give you a reply soon."

Qu Xiangfeng said, "Of course, but please give us a reply as soon as possible."

After saying that, he and the other six stood up. Situ Liang quickly had the servants arrange for Qu Xiangfeng and the others to rest.

After Qu Xiangfeng and the others left, Situ Liang and Hall Master Zhao immediately had their subordinates send out the Evil Tiger Gang's emergency signal to gather the high-ranking members back to the estate to discuss a strategy.

After the signal was sent, the two hall masters breathed a sigh of relief. Hall Master Zhao sat in the hall, and Situ Liang excused himself and went back to his room.

Situ Liang quickly walked back to his small room, which was not far from the hall. He looked back, then pushed the door open and entered. The small room was very tidy, with a bookshelf against the wall, filled with books. A desk was placed by the window, equipped with writing materials. Situ Liang walked to the desk, sat down, and looked out the window. The branches outside were already turning green, swaying in the spring breeze, full of vitality. However, Situ Liang's gaze passed over this sign of spring and focused on the clouds floating in the sky. After a while, he shook his head, rubbed his temples, and took out the token from his chest, carefully examining it in the light from the window.

Suddenly, he stood up from the chair, placed the token on the desk, and walked quickly to the bookshelf, gently pulling out a few books. Behind the bookshelf, a small box was revealed. Situ Liang carefully took the box to the desk, opened the lid with one hand, revealing a small porcelain bottle. He then skillfully picked up a brush, opened the bottle, dipped the brush in the liquid, and carefully brushed it on a part of the token. Indeed, three characters gradually appeared on the token: "Ping An Ren."

After Situ Liang tidied up the things on the desk, the characters on the token disappeared. He put the token back in his chest, sat down, and frowned in thought.

By the time the meal was over, it was already getting dark. Situ Liang was still sitting there, unmoving. At this moment, someone gently knocked on the door. Situ Liang responded, "Come in."

Someone gently pushed the door open and reported, "Hall Master Situ, Elder Chu, Hall Master Xing, and Hall Master Zhang have returned. They are now talking with Hall Master Zhao. Hall Master Zhao asked me to inform you."

Situ Liang said softly, "Alright, I know. I'll be there shortly."

Situ Liang waited a moment, seemingly making a decision, then calmly stood up, tidied his clothes, and walked out of the room.

The room was not far from the hall, but Situ Liang walked slowly. The small path in the twilight was no different from usual, but Situ Liang knew that today's Evil Tiger Gang was no longer the same as before.

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