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

Wan Chengjiu smiled and said, "If Situ Ping wants to cultivate the martial arts of our Wan Jian Peak, she naturally has to stay at Wan Jian Peak for a long time. Wan Jian Peak is quite a distance from Lu Town, so it's naturally inconvenient for her to handle gang affairs. As her Martial Uncle, I naturally have to do it for her. I've already sent capable disciples from the gang to Lu Town to take over her Fierce Tiger Gang. I'm only looking after this small gang out of consideration for Situ Ping."

Ou Peng listened and just smiled, saying, "Brother Wan, you really go to great lengths for your disciple."

He thought to himself, This old fox is so cunning, trying to act like he's doing us a favor after getting the benefits.

Wan Chengjiu also said, "It's all to keep our secret. Otherwise, why would I be willing to take on such a troublesome task?"

The others said, "Then it truly must be hard work for Brother Wan. Come, have a drink."

After that, they stopped talking about the secret realm and instead chatted about bloody martial world matters, romance, and other random topics. They only parted ways and headed down the mountain when the wine was finished and the food was gone, each going their separate ways. They tacitly avoided mentioning the treasures obtained in the secret realm or the improvements in their martial arts.

In a hidden small mountain village between Lu Town and Pingyang City, in a large manor, two people were seated in a hall on the north side. One was a thin young man, and the other was a middle-aged man with slightly graying hair. They were Hall Master Situ Liang of the Fierce Tiger Gang and Hall Master Zhao San Ge. Both were frowning as they drank tea. Hall Master Zhao took a sip of tea, seemingly unable to taste its fragrance, and placed the teacup heavily on the table. He asked Situ Liang, "Hall Master Situ, the Gang Leader has been missing for almost a month now. No sight, no body. What should we do?"

Situ Liang said unhappily, "Hall Master Zhao, what are you saying? How can you speak such inauspicious words during the New Year?"

Hall Master Zhao immediately said apologetically, "I'm just too anxious. Ptooey, I take back what I just said." He then spat on the ground to signify retracting his words.

He continued, "Without seeing the Gang Leader, no one has had a good New Year. We don't even know what the future holds."

Situ Liang comforted him, "Although the Gang Leader is not here, aren't all the members of our Fierce Tiger Gang still here? Everything is as it was before. We haven't been wiped out, have we?"

Hall Master Zhao chuckled and said, "Hall Master Situ, you're speaking inauspiciously too."

Situ Liang was taken aback, then also spat on the ground, saying, "Take it back, take it back. This matter is truly vexing, making me speak carelessly."

Hall Master Zhao said, "It's nothing, it's nothing. Aren't we all worried about the Gang Leader's safety?"

Situ Liang added, "The Gang Leader has gone out and not returned before, but they would always send word back. And they would only be gone for a few days at most. Now, they've been gone for so long. Could it be that, truly..." Situ Liang dared not say more.

Hall Master Zhao interjected, "Hall Master Situ, during the Gang Leader's absence, it was the New Year. Most of the gang members were at home celebrating. There weren't many gang affairs. Now that the New Year is almost over and people are returning, there will be a lot of matters to handle. If there's still no news from the Gang Leader, it doesn't seem very good. At least, it will cause some unrest among the members."

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

As they were speaking, someone came to report, "Reporting to the Hall Master, there are seven people about ten miles away galloping towards us. They look like people from the martial arts world."

Situ Liang was startled and glanced at Hall Master Zhao. He said, "At this time, who could it be? The friendly gangs have already visited before the New Year. How would strangers know this place? Could they just be passing by?"

Hall Master Zhao said, "Perhaps. But could they be coming to cause trouble for us?"

Situ Liang shook his head and said, "The number is wrong. If they were coming to cause trouble, how could just seven people be a match for our entire Fierce Tiger Gang? Although most of our members are not here, there are still dozens of people."

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

Situ Liang said, "Let's wait and see. Keep an eye on them and see if they are coming for us. But we should also be prepared to defend ourselves. Guards, notify the brothers in the gang to prepare to receive guests. Also, prepare signal flares. If necessary, notify the brothers who are not here to return to the gang for support."

After another half a cup of tea's time, someone came forward to report again, "Reporting to Hall Master Situ, those seven people are approaching the village entrance. There is no large group following them."

Situ Liang stood up straight and said to Hall Master Zhao, "Let's go. This road into our village only leads in and out. It seems they are coming for our Fierce Tiger Gang."

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

These seven people arrived very quickly. By the time Situ Liang and the others reached the manor gate, their horses' hooves could be heard. From a distance, the seven were all dressed in black, fitted attire, their faces unclear. As they got closer, everyone could see that these seven people were of similar height but varied in build. The one leading them was a handsome young man, as thin as Situ Liang, with a large sword on his back.

They arrived at the entrance of the mountain villa, dismounted their horses together, their movements very agile and synchronized, clearly indicating they were well-trained. After dismounting, six of them stood holding the reins, not speaking. The young man in front tossed his reins to the person next to him, stepped forward, and bowed to Situ Liang on the steps, asking, "May I ask, are you Hall Master Situ Liang of the Fierce Tiger Gang?"

Situ Liang quickly returned the bow and said, "It is I. May I ask who you are?"

The young man smiled and said, "I am Qu Xiangfeng from Wan Jian Peak. I am here by the order of my Sword Master to deliver news of your Gang Leader, Situ Ping."

Upon hearing this, Situ Liang was greatly alarmed. Wan Jian Peak was not something the Fierce Tiger Gang could afford to offend. When did the Gang Leader get involved with Wan Jian Peak?

He said with a fawning smile, "May I ask Young Hero Qu, do you have any proof?"

Qu Xiangfeng did not seem angered. He took a token from his bosom and handed it to Situ Liang.

Situ Liang took it and saw that it was indeed the personal token of the Gang Leader, Situ Ping. He couldn't help but smile and said, "It is indeed the Gang Leader's token. Young Hero Qu, please come inside for a chat. Please."

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

Qu Xiangfeng didn't seem to mind. The seven of them followed him into the manor. The horses were naturally taken care of by the Fierce Tiger Gang members, and they entered the inner hall.

In the hall, everyone took their seats as guests and hosts, and servants brought them tea.

Qu Xiangfeng did not pick up his teacup. Instead, he took out a letter from his bosom and handed it to Situ Liang, saying, "Gang Leader Situ has been away for many days. I presume the gang is very concerned. This is a letter from Gang Leader Situ to your gang. Please, Hall Master Situ, open it."

Situ Liang smiled and took the letter. He opened it and carefully read the contents. His usually calm face showed a hint of surprise. After finishing, he handed the letter to Hall Master Zhao beside him. Hall Master Zhao also looked very surprised. After reading it, he exchanged a glance with Situ Liang and nodded slightly.

Situ Liang turned to Qu Xiangfeng and said, "Young Hero Qu, this token is correct, and the handwriting in the letter is indeed that of our Gang Leader. However, the matters in the letter are not something we can immediately reply to. Please, Young Hero Qu and your companions, rest here for a while. We will discuss it, alright?"

Qu Xiangfeng said, "Of course. However, please give us your reply as soon as possible, Hall Master Situ."

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

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

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

Situ Liang walked quickly back to his small room, not far from the hall. He looked back once, then pushed the door open and entered. This small room was very tidy. Against the wall was a bookshelf filled with books. By the window was a desk, complete with ink, brush, paper, and inkstone. Situ Liang walked to the desk and sat on the chair, gazing out the window. The tree branches outside had already turned green, swaying in the spring breeze, full of life. Situ Liang's gaze, however, passed over these signs of spring and landed on the white clouds drifting in the sky. After a while, he shook his head, rubbed his temples with his fingers, and took out Situ Ping's token from his bosom. He carefully examined it in the light from the window.

Suddenly, he stood up from his chair and placed the token on the table. He quickly walked to the bookshelf and gently pulled 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 inside. He then skillfully picked up a brush, opened the bottle cap, and dipped some liquid from it with the brush. He picked up the token with one hand and carefully brushed a spot on the token with the brush. Sure enough, three characters gradually appeared in that small area of the token. They were "Ping An Ren."

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

In the time it took to eat a meal, the sky had gradually darkened. Situ Liang remained seated in the same posture, unmoving. Just then, someone gently knocked on the door. Situ Liang responded, "Come in."

Someone gently pushed the door open and came in to report, "Hall Master Situ, Elder Chu, Hall Master Xing, and Hall Master Zhang have returned. They are currently speaking with Hall Master Zhao. Hall Master Zhao asked me to inform you."

Situ Liang said in a low voice, "Okay, I know. I'll be there shortly."

Situ Liang waited for a moment longer, seemingly having made up his mind. Only then did he calmly stand up, adjust his clothes, and walk out of the room gracefully.

The room was not far from the hall, but Situ Liang did not walk quickly. The small path in the twilight was no different from usual. However, Situ Liang knew that the Fierce Tiger Gang of today was different from the Fierce Tiger Gang of yesterday.