Chapter 38

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Chapter 38: The Guest

     

Ou Peng asked in surprise: “What do you mean by that?”

     

Wan Chengjiu laughed and said: “For Situ Ping to practice the martial arts of our Ten Thousand Swords Peak, she will naturally need to stay there for a long time. Given that Ten Thousand Swords Peak is quite a distance from Lu Town, it would be inconvenient for her to handle the gang’s affairs. As her martial uncle, I will naturally take care of it on her behalf. I have already sent some of the sect’s elite disciples to Lu Town to take over her Evil Tiger Gang. I am only managing this small gang out of respect for Situ Ping.”

     

Ou Peng listened and simply smiled, saying: “Brother Wan, you really do go to great lengths for your disciples.”

     

In his heart, he thought: “This old cunning fox, acting all righteous while taking advantage.”

     

Wan Chengjiu also said: “It’s all to keep our secret, otherwise, why would I be willing to take on such a messy task?”

     

Everyone said: “It really is hard on you, Brother Wan. Come, let’s have a drink.”

     

After that, the group no longer discussed the secret realm. Instead, they talked about the bloodshed and romance of the Jianghu, speaking haphazardly until the wine was finished and the dishes were gone. Only then did they part ways and descend the mountain, each going their own way. As for the treasures they obtained in the secret realm and the improvements in their martial arts, they tacitly agreed not to mention a word.

     

In a secluded small mountain village between Lu Town and Pingyang City, there was still that large estate. In a hall on the northern side, two people were seated. One was a thin young man, and the other was a middle-aged man with some graying hair. They were none other than the hall masters Situ Liang and Third Brother Zhao of the Evil Tiger Gang.

     

Both were frowning as they drank tea. Hall Master Zhao took a sip of tea, seemingly unable to taste its flavor, and heavily placed the tea bowl on the table. He asked Situ Liang: “Hall Master Situ, it’s been almost a month without any news from the gang leader. We haven’t seen her alive or dead. What should we do?”

     

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

     

Hall Master Zhao immediately looked embarrassed and said: “I was just too anxious. I take back what I said.” With that, he spat on the ground to show he was taking back his words.

     

Then he added: “Without seeing the gang leader, no one had a good New Year. I still wonder, what the future holds?”

     

Situ Liang reassured him: “Even though the gang leader isn’t here, our Evil Tiger Gang members are still around, right? Just keep everything as it was before. We haven’t been disbanded, have we?”

     

Hall Master Zhao chuckled and said: “Hall Master Situ, you’re saying inauspicious things too.”

     

Situ Liang was taken aback, then quickly spat on the ground as well and said: “I take it back, I take it back. This matter is really troubling, making me speak without thinking.”

     

Hall Master Zhao said: “No worries, no worries. Everyone is just concerned about the gang leader’s safety.”

     

Situ Liang continued: “In the past, the gang leader occasionally went out and didn’t return immediately, but there would always be some news, and the trips never lasted more than a few days. This time, however, it’s been so long. Could it be that something really…?” Situ Liang didn’t dare to say more.

     

Hall Master Zhao chimed in: “Hall Master Situ, during the time the gang leader has been absent, it’s been the New Year. Most of our members have been at home celebrating, and there haven’t been any affairs to handle. But now that the New Year is almost over, everyone will be returning, and there will be a lot of matters to deal with. If there’s still no news of the gang leader, it won’t be good. At the very least, it will cause unrest among our members.”

     

Situ Liang nodded and said: “Yes, we need to have a plan in place to prevent any major disruptions.”

     

Just then, someone came to report: “Hall Master, seven people are approaching quickly on horseback from ten miles away. They appear to be people from the Jianghu.”

     

[TL_Note: Jianghu = Martial World]

     

Situ Liang hesitated, glancing at Hall Master Zhao, and said: “At this time of year, who could it be? The factions we’re friendly with have already visited before the New Year, and how could those unfamiliar know this place? Could they be just passing through?”

     

Hall Master Zhao said: “Perhaps, but could they also be here to cause trouble for us?”

     

Situ Liang shook his head and said: “The numbers don’t add up. If they’re here to cause trouble, how could merely seven people be a match for our entire Evil Tiger Gang? Even though most of our members are not in the gang right now, we still have dozens of people here.”

     

Hall Master Zhao was also puzzled and said: “Then why are they here?”

     

Situ Liang said: “Let’s observe their actions first. Keep an eye on them to see if they’re here for us, but we also need to be prepared for any confrontation. Inform our brothers in the gang to prepare to receive guests. Also, prepare the signal fireworks. If necessary, notify our brothers who are not currently in the gang to come back and support us.”

     

After another half cup of tea, another person stepped forward to report: “Reporting to Hall Master Situ, those seven individuals are about to reach the village entrance, and there are no large groups of people behind them.”

     

Situ Liang stood up and said to Hall Master Zhao: “Let’s go. This road to our village only allows entry, not exit. It seems they are indeed here for our Evil Tiger Gang.”

     

Hall Master Zhao also stood up and said: “Come, we’ll go greet our guests.”

     

The seven individuals arrived swiftly. As Situ Liang and the others reached the entrance of the estate, the sound of their horse hooves became audible. From afar, the seven were all dressed in black, their faces not clearly visible. But as they drew closer, everyone could see that they were of similar height but different builds. Leading them was a young man with delicate features and a figure as thin as Situ Liang, but he carried a large sword on his back.

     

They arrived at the gate of the estate and dismounted in unison, displaying swift and coordinated movements, indicating well-trained individuals. As they dismounted, six of them stood there holding the reins, silent. The young man among them handed his reins to someone nearby and walked forward. He bowed respectfully to Situ Liang on the steps and said: “May I ask if you are Hall Master Situ Liang of the Evil Tiger Gang?”

     

Situ Liang quickly returned the courtesy and said: “Indeed, I am. May I ask who your distinguished self is?”

     

The young man smiled and replied: “I am Qu Xiangfeng from Ten Thousand Swords Peak. I am here on behalf of our sect leader to deliver a message from your gang leader, Situ Ping.”

     

Situ Liang was shocked to hear this. Ten Thousand Swords Peak was not to be trifled with. When did our gang leader have any dealings with Ten Thousand Swords Peak?

     

With a forced smile, he said: “May I ask, Young Hero Qu, do you have any credentials?”

     

Qu Xiangfeng showed no signs of annoyance. He took out a token from his pocket and handed it to Situ Liang.

     

Situ Liang took a look and saw that it was indeed the personal token of their gang leader, Situ Ping. He couldn’t help but smile and said: “It’s indeed the gang leader’s token. Young Hero Qu, please come inside for further discussion.”

     

However, he didn’t return the token to Qu Xiangfeng, and Qu Xiangfeng didn’t seem to mind. The group of seven followed Situ Liang into the estate. Their horses were naturally taken care of by members of the Evil Tiger Gang. They entered the main hall.

     

In the hall, everyone took their seats accordingly, and servants brought in tea.

     

Qu Xiangfeng did not pick up the teacup. Instead, he took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Situ Liang, saying: “It has been several days since Gang Leader Situ has returned. I believe the gang must be concerned. This is a letter from Gang Leader Situ to your gang. Please, Hall Master Situ, read it.”

     

Situ Liang smiled as he took the letter and carefully read its contents. Although his face remained calm, there was a hint of surprise in his expression. After reading it, he handed the letter to Hall Master Zhao beside him. Hall Master Zhao also looked astonished as he read the letter. After finishing, they exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.

     

Situ Liang turned to Qu Xiangfeng and said: “Young Hero Qu, the token is genuine, and the handwriting in the letter is indeed that of our gang leader. However, the matters mentioned in the letter are not something we can immediately respond to. Please allow us some time to discuss this within our gang, is that okay?”

     

Qu Xiangfeng replied: “Of course, but I hope Hall Master Situ can send us a reply as soon as possible.”

     

After speaking, Qu Xiangfeng and the other six stood up. Situ Liang quickly instructed the servants to arrange for Qu Xiangfeng and his companions to rest.

     

Once Qu Xiangfeng and his group had left, Situ Liang and Hall Master Zhao immediately ordered their subordinates to send out the urgent summoning signal of the Evil Tiger Gang, gathering the middle-level and senior members of the gang back to the estate to discuss the strategy for dealing with the situation.

     

Once the signal was sent out, the two hall masters breathed a sigh of relief. Hall Master Zhao remained seated in the hall while Situ Liang excused himself with an apology and headed back to his room.

     

Situ Liang hurried back to his small room, not far from the hall. He glanced back before pushing the door open and entering. The room was tidy, with a bookshelf against one wall filled with books. Near the window was a desk with writing materials neatly arranged. Situ Liang sat down at the desk, gazing out the window. Outside, the branches were already turning green, swaying in the spring breeze, vibrant with life.

     

However, Situ Liang’s gaze passed over this signal of spring and instead drifted to the white clouds drifting in the sky. After a moment, he shook his head, rubbed his temples with his fingers, and carefully took out the token belonging to Situ Ping from his pocket, examining it in the dim light filtering through the window.

     

Suddenly, he stood up from his chair and placed the token on the table. He briskly walked to the bookshelf and gently pulled out several books. Behind the books, there was a small box. Carefully, Situ Liang brought the box to the desk. With one hand, he opened the lid, revealing a small porcelain bottle inside. Then, he skillfully picked up a brush, opened the bottle, and dipped the brush into the liquid inside. With the brush, he carefully brushed a spot on the token. Gradually, three characters emerged from the previously blank spot on the token ‘Ping An Ren (Safe and Sound, Endure)’.

     

Once Situ Liang tidied up the items on the table, the characters on the token disappeared. He carefully put the token back into his pocket and sat back in his chair, frowning in thought.

     

By the time a meal’s worth of time had passed, the sky had darkened. Situ Liang remained seated, unchanged. At this moment, there was a soft knock on the door. Situ Liang responded: “Come in.”

     

Someone gently pushed open the door and entered to report: “Hall Master Situ, Elder Chu, Hall Master Xing, and Hall Master Zhang have returned. They are currently talking with Hall Master Zhao. Hall Master Zhao asked me to inform you.”

     

Situ Liang replied softly: “Alright, I got it. I’ll be there shortly.”

     

Situ Liang waited for a moment longer, seeming to come to a decision. He then calmly stood up, straightened his clothes, and confidently walked out of the room.

     

The room wasn’t far from the main hall, but Situ Liang didn’t hurry. The twilight path was no different from usual, but Situ Liang knew that today’s Evil Tiger Gang was not the same as before.