The two men in black exchanged a glance. One of them headed deeper into the hot spring lodge.
The other bowed. "Please wait here, Leader Asano and Lord Yuanshi."
As he spoke, he carefully scrutinized the so-called "Lord Yuanshi." It was hard to believe that the Five Elements Alliance's famed peerless genius was actually a tall, valiant-looking woman.
Though she wore sunglasses, the contours of her face, the curve of her chin, and her pale, alluring lips made it easy to tell that she was a beauty.
While the man in black marveled inwardly, his companion soon hurried back and bowed.
"The group leader and several deputy leaders have been awaiting you inside for quite some time."
As he spoke, he made an inviting gesture.
Asano Ryo immediately led Zhang Yuanqing inside. They crossed a courtyard blooming with flowers, entered the building, and proceeded down a retro Japanese-style corridor. Before long, the two stopped outside a tatami room.
Laughter from men and women drinking and making merry drifted through the door, accompanied by the sounds of a pipa and small drums.
Making such a point of reveling at a time like this... are they trying to imply that the Thousand Crane Group is brimming with confidence and completely at ease? Zhang Yuanqing pondered.
"Group Leader, Lord Yuanshi has arrived." Asano Ryo bowed at the door.
The laughter and music inside abruptly stopped. Then the door slowly slid open, and a young woman with her hair piled high and dressed in a kimono opened the door for them.
Light from the room spilled into the somewhat dim corridor, allowing Zhang Yuanqing to see the scene inside.
Tatami mats covered the entire room. Six low tables were arranged in orderly rows, each laden with all sorts of Japanese delicacies. Men in kimonos