"Sunset Forest is so different from Star Dou Great Forest!" Ning Rongrong stood before Sunset Forest, gazing into the distance with a sigh.
From Suotuo City to Sunset Forest, they had chosen to ride horses rather than take a carriage. Even so, it had taken nearly a month to arrive.
"Are we going in now?" Having finished marveling, Ning Rongrong turned her head with a grin and looked at Tang Ling.
Although she had spent the whole journey worrying about the new task Lingling had assigned, the unfamiliar environment had made her eager to explore.
"We're waiting for two people. They should be here soon." Tang Ling looked up at the sky, then answered with a smile.
Ning Rongrong nodded, then skipped over to Xue Qingxi's side and began chattering softly to her.
Tang San walked over to Tang Ling's side and silently watched her with a smile.
Zhu Zhuqing, left off to one side, looked from left to right with an understanding expression. She then went to stand beside Tang Yiyin and Tang Ersui, leaving plenty of space for the two pairs nearby.
Before long, two men, one dressed in black and one in white, walked toward them.
"Master, we are late!" The man in white at the front wore a gentle smile and apologized warmly.
The man in black behind him also bowed. The silver bells on his clothes jingled as he laughed freely. "Master, have you been well lately?"
"Nothing wrong. I've been quite well." Tang Ling answered them separately, then turned to introduce them to Tang San and the others. ""
"The one in white is Tang SiQue, a physician. The one in black is Tang Baku, a gu master. We'll be acting together this time."
"This must be the young master, right? Hello~ Welcome, young master. Feel free to consult me on how to dispose of enemies quickly!" After hearing her words, Tang Baku waved at Tang San with a bright grin, his voice full of excitement.
Tang San raised an eyebrow, then nodded. "All right. We can talk when there's time."
Tang Baku's smile grew even brighter at the response. Just as he was about to say something, Tang SiQue slapped him.
Tang Baku cried out in pain, turned around, and stared at him resentfully. "Que'er, why did you hit me? That hurt!"
"Don't lead the young master astray!" Tang SiQue did not even look at him, squeezing the words out from his throat. Then, without changing expression, he looked at Tang Ling. "Master, now that everyone is here, shall we depart?"
Tang Ling ignored their interaction and nodded with a smile. She then took Tang San by the hand and led everyone into Sunset Forest.
Sunset Forest had no guards and could be entered or exited freely. Its environment was peaceful, and thousand-year Soul Beasts were almost nonexistent. The vegetation was sparse, so it was not particularly dangerous.
"We're here."
Tang Ling stopped, reaching out to touch the wall of air before them.
She then raised her hand and condensed Soul Power. Her ice-blue Soul Power formed the emblem of the Great Tang Merchant Guild in her palm before transforming into a paper crane.
The blue paper crane flapped its wings clumsily, passed easily through the wall of air, and flew inside.
A moment later, a lean figure appeared before them. The newcomer swept his gaze over the group before settling his eyes on Tang Ling.
"You are Tang Chloe?" The man held the paper crane in his hand and raised an eyebrow slightly. His voice was low, and his eyes were full of amusement.
"That's me." Tang Ling met his gaze and nodded.
The amusement in the man's eyes deepened. He raised his hand to open the barrier and stepped back slightly. "Since you've found your way to my doorstep, come in and talk."
"Then we'll trouble you, Senior Dugu." Tang Ling smiled gently and led everyone inside without declining.
Dugu Bo watched the crowd file in and twitched at the corner of his mouth, but said nothing as he led them toward the wooden house.
After only a few steps, a small two-story wooden house nestled against a towering tree came into view.
"Come in." Dugu Bo opened the door and entered, then looked at Tang Ling. "Let them make themselves at home. Shall we talk upstairs?"
Tang Ling nodded in agreement, then turned to Tang San. "Keep an eye on them. Don't touch anything in the house.
"You can rest outside. We've traveled for so long, and it should be cool beneath the tree."
"Understood, Senior Sister. I'll definitely keep an eye on them." Tang San agreed with a smile, his eyes fixed on her while one hand rested on Xue Qingxi's shoulder.
Xue Qingxi immediately stated, "Don't worry, Teacher. We definitely won't mess around."
Tang Ling looked at the two of them with satisfaction, then followed Dugu Bo up to the second floor.
Once they had left, Tang San decisively led everyone out of the house. They took tables and chairs out of their storage spaces and quietly rested beneath the tree.
In the living room on the second floor of the wooden house.
After leading her to a seat, Dugu Bo poured her a cup of tea and smiled at her. "So the reason you look so composed despite being so young is that you have four children under your care."
Hearing the amusement in his words, Tang Ling curled her lips into a false smile. "Although there are quite a few of them, they should be more sensible than your Yan'er."
The next moment, the smile on Dugu Bo's lips froze. He glanced at her from across the table and spoke in a deep voice. "Is it true that you can cure Yan'er?"
"Of course. I never lie." Tang Ling raised an eyebrow, her smile sincere.
"Why? It seems we have no connection whatsoever." Dugu Bo looked at her, his eyes full of confusion.
Whether her words were true or false, she had suddenly sent word asking to meet him. She certainly had another purpose.
"We will in the future, so it's better to get acquainted early." Tang Ling's smile did not change as she answered. Then she explained in a low voice: ""
"Your future grandson-in-law is Yu Tianheng of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the future head of the Yu Clan.
"Someone in the Yu Clan offended me, and I want them to pay the price. But not everyone in the Yu Clan is bad, so I came to inform the good people in advance."
"Then go seek revenge on the Yu Clan. Why come looking for me?" Dugu Bo did not believe a word of it and rolled his eyes at her.
"Because you're too formidable. I came to poach you." Seeing that he did not believe her, Tang Ling smiled and changed the subject.
There was no rush. Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng had not arrived yet, so she would merely mention it for now. What she needed to discuss was something else.
"Am I crazy? Why would I leave the Heaven Dou Empire for the Balak Kingdom?" Dugu Bo stared at her in disbelief.
"Perhaps." Tang Ling nodded with a smile. She then used Soul Power to form two small figures, a man and a woman, and looked at him. ""
"Have you known Xue Qinghe for a long time? Have you noticed anything?"
Dugu Bo looked at the two small figures in her palm. Wings emerged from the woman's back, and wings emerged from the man's as well, though they differed in size.
As the Soul Power shifted, the two little figures merged. The man's short wings vanished and became long wings, while a phantom appeared behind him.
"How is that possible?" Dugu Bo paused for a moment. Once he understood, he looked up at Tang Ling, his face pale.
"Nothing is impossible. After all, theirs is the only family on the entire continent with such a peculiar martial soul." Tang Ling withdrew her Soul Power. Her smile remained gentle, but cold light flashed in her eyes.
"If that is the case, I accept your recruitment." Dugu Bo took a deep breath, his gaze resolute.
He was not alone, and he could not take that gamble. Spirit Hall had begun laying its plans so early; the Heaven Dou Empire would inevitably suffer a blow. If he stayed, even a minor injury could place Yan'er in danger.
Moreover, the Great Tang Merchant Guild had its own intelligence network. This information was most likely not false.
"Good. I guarantee that you will not regret this choice." Tang Ling handed over a jade pendant engraved with the emblem of the Great Tang Merchant Guild.
Dugu Bo accepted it without hesitation, then smiled again. "Now, let's discuss the other matter."
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