Guests

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

Wan Chengjiu said with a smile, "If Situ Ping wishes to cultivate the martial arts of Wan Jian Peak, she will naturally have to remain at Wan Jian Peak for a long time. Wan Jian Peak is quite a distance from Lu Town, so it will be inconvenient for her to handle the gang's affairs. As her martial uncle, I naturally must take care of them on her behalf. I have already sent capable disciples from the sect to Lu Town to take over her Fierce Tiger Gang. For such a small gang, I am only willing to watch over it for Situ Ping's sake."

Ouyang Peng merely smiled and said, "Brother Wan truly goes to great pains for his disciple."

Yet inwardly, he thought, That wily old fox gets the advantage and still acts as though he has suffered for it.

Wan Chengjiu said as well, "Isn't it all to keep our secret? Otherwise, why would I be willing to take on such rotten business?"

Everyone said, "Then Brother Wan has truly had it hard. Come, let us drain a bowl."

After that, no one discussed the Secret Realm again. Instead, they rambled on about the bloodshed of the martial world, romance beneath the moon and among flowers, and all manner of other things. Only after the wine had run dry and the dishes were cleared did they part and descend the mountain, each going their separate way. As for the treasures each faction had obtained in the Secret Realm and the improvements to their respective martial arts, they tacitly refrained from mentioning a single word.

Far away, in a secluded little mountain village between Lu Town and Pingyang City, there stood that same vast manor. In a hall on its northern side sat two men: one was a lean young man, while the other was a middle-aged man with graying hair. They were Situ Liang, Hall Master Situ of the Fierce Tiger Gang, and Third Brother Zhao, Hall Master Zhao. Both frowned as they drank tea. After taking a sip, Hall Master Zhao seemed not to have tasted any of its fragrance at all. He heavily set his teacup on the table and asked Situ Liang, "Hall Master Situ, it has been nearly a month since there was any news of the Gang Leader, hasn't it? Neither seen alive nor found dead—what should we do?"

Situ Liang said unhappily, "Hall Master Zhao, what kind of words are those? How can you say something so unlucky during the New Year?"

Hall Master Zhao immediately said in embarrassment, "I am simply too anxious. Pah! I take back what I just said." As he spoke, he spat onto the ground, showing that he was retracting his words.

Then he continued, "Without seeing the Gang Leader, no one has had a good New Year. We do not even know what lies ahead for us."

Situ Liang comforted him, "Although the Gang Leader is not in the gang, aren't the people of the Fierce Tiger Gang all still here? Everything can remain as it was before. It is not as though our gang has been wiped out."

Hall Master Zhao gave a chuckle. "Hall Master Situ, you have said something unlucky too."

Situ Liang froze, then promptly spat onto the ground as well. "Take it back, take it back. This matter is truly vexing. It has made me speak without thinking."

Hall Master Zhao said, "No matter, no matter. Aren't we all worried about the Gang Leader's safety?"

Situ Liang added, "The Gang Leader has gone out before without returning, but there would always be word sent back, and she was gone for no more than a few days. This time, though, it has been so long. Could it be that she really..." Situ Liang did not dare say any more.

Hall Master Zhao picked up the thread. "Hall Master Situ, while the Gang Leader has been absent, it has happened to be the New Year. Most of the gang members have gone home to celebrate, and there has been little business in the gang. But the New Year is nearly over. Everyone will be returning, and a great pile of affairs will need to be handled. If there is still no news of the Gang Leader, I fear it will not be good. At the very least, people's hearts may begin to waver."

Situ Liang nodded. "Yes. We should first establish a plan so that no major upheaval occurs."

As they spoke, someone came to report, "Reporting to the Hall Masters, seven people are riding hard toward us ten li away. They appear to be people of the martial world."

Situ Liang was startled. He glanced at Hall Master Zhao and said, "At this time of year, who could it be? The friendly gangs we associate with already came before the New Year. How could anyone unfamiliar know of this place? Could they merely be passing through?"

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

Situ Liang shook his head. "The numbers are wrong. If they were here to cause trouble, how could a mere seven people stand against our entire Fierce Tiger Gang? Though most of our members are away, we still have several dozen here."

Hall Master Zhao found it strange as well. "Then what have they come for?"

Situ Liang said, "Let us wait and see. Keep watch on them first and see whether they are coming for us, but we must also prepare to meet the enemy. Someone, notify the brothers in the gang to prepare to receive guests. Also, ready the signal fireworks. If necessary, summon the brothers outside the gang back to the manor for support."

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

Situ Liang rose to his full height and said to Hall Master Zhao, "Let us go. The road through our village leads in but not out. It seems they are indeed coming for the Fierce Tiger Gang."

Hall Master Zhao also stood. "Come. Let us go receive our guests."

Those seven truly came swiftly. By the time Situ Liang and the others reached the manor gate, the sound of hooves had already carried over. From afar, all seven wore fitted black clothes, and their faces could not be seen clearly. Only when they drew near did everyone make them out. They were of similar height, though some were fat and others thin. The man in front was a handsome young man, as lean as Situ Liang, with a great sword strapped to his back.

When they reached the manor gate, they all dismounted at once. Their movements were nimble and perfectly coordinated; at a glance, it was clear they had undergone long training. After dismounting, six of them stood there holding their reins without speaking. The young man in front tossed his reins to someone beside him, then stepped forward and bowed to Situ Liang on the stairs. "May I ask if you are Situ Liang, Hall Master Situ of the Fierce Tiger Gang?"

Situ Liang quickly returned the salute. "That would be me. May I ask who you are, sir?"

The young man smiled. "I am Qu Xiangfeng of Wan Jian Peak. By order of my Sword Master, I have come to deliver news of your Gang Leader, Situ Ping."

Upon hearing this, Situ Liang was greatly alarmed. Wan Jian Peak was not an existence the Fierce Tiger Gang could afford to offend. Since when had the Gang Leader become involved with Wan Jian Peak?

With a placating smile, he said, "May I ask, Young Hero Qu, do you have any proof?"

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

Situ Liang accepted it and saw that it was indeed Gang Leader Situ Ping's personal token. A smile immediately spread across his face. "It truly is the Gang Leader's token. Young Hero Qu, please come inside so we may speak. Please."

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

Qu Xiangfeng did not seem to mind. The seven of them followed him into the manor, while their horses were naturally handed over to members of the Fierce Tiger Gang to be cared for. They then entered the inner hall.

In the main hall, the guests and hosts took their seats, and servants brought tea.

Qu Xiangfeng did not lift his teacup. Instead, he took a letter from his robes and handed it to Situ Liang. "Gang Leader Situ has been away for many days. I imagine your gang has been deeply concerned. This is a letter from Gang Leader Situ to your gang. Please, Hall Master Situ, open and read it."

Situ Liang accepted the letter with a smile and opened it to examine its contents. A trace of shock appeared on his composed face. After finishing it, he handed the letter to Hall Master Zhao beside him. Hall Master Zhao was equally astonished as he read it. When he was done, he exchanged a glance with Situ Liang and gave a faint nod.

Situ Liang turned to Qu Xiangfeng. "Young Hero Qu, the token is genuine, and the handwriting in the letter was indeed written by our Gang Leader. However, the matter described in the letter is not something we can answer at once. Could Young Hero Qu and your companions rest briefly in our gang while we discuss it?"

Qu Xiangfeng said, "Of course. However, I ask Hall Master Situ to give us a reply soon."

Having said that, he and the other six rose. Situ Liang hurriedly had servants arrange for Qu Xiangfeng and the others to rest.

After Qu Xiangfeng and his group left, Situ Liang and Hall Master Zhao immediately ordered their subordinates to release the Fierce Tiger Gang's emergency summons signal, gathering the upper ranks of the gang back to the manor to discuss a response.

Only after the signal was sent did the two Hall Masters let out a slight breath of relief. Hall Master Zhao remained seated in the main hall, while Situ Liang excused himself and returned to his room first.

Situ Liang quickly returned to his small room not far from the main hall. He looked back once, then pushed open the door and entered. The small room was very neat. A bookshelf stood against one wall, crammed with books. By the window was a writing desk, complete with brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Situ Liang walked to the desk and sat in the chair, gazing out the window. The branches outside had already taken on a tinge of green, swaying in the spring breeze, brimming with life. Yet Situ Liang's gaze passed over these signs of spring and settled on the white clouds drifting across the horizon. After a long while, he shook his head, rubbed his temples with his fingers, and took Situ Ping's token from his robes, carefully inspecting it in the light from the window.

Suddenly, he sprang from the chair and placed the token on the desk. He swiftly crossed to the bookshelf and gently pulled out several books. Behind them, a small box was revealed. Situ Liang carefully carried the box to the desk, opened its lid with one hand, and exposed a small porcelain bottle inside. He then skillfully picked up a brush, removed the bottle's stopper, dipped the brush into the liquid within, and held up the token with his other hand. He carefully brushed one spot on it. Sure enough, three words gradually appeared in that tiny area of the token: "Ping An Ren."

Once Situ Liang had put away everything on the desk, the words on the token vanished as well. He tucked the token back into his robes, sat in the chair, and furrowed his brows in thought.

By the time it took to eat a meal, the sky had already grown dark. Situ Liang was still seated in the same position, not moving in the slightest. At that moment, someone lightly knocked on the door outside. Situ Liang answered, "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 speaking with Hall Master Zhao now. Hall Master Zhao sent this servant to inform you."

Situ Liang said softly, "All right, I understand. I will be there shortly."

Situ Liang waited a little longer, as though he had reached a decision in his heart. Only then did he rise calmly, straighten his clothes, and stroll out of the room.

The room was not far from the main hall, but Situ Liang did not walk quickly. The path in the dusk looked no different from usual, yet Situ Liang knew that today's Fierce Tiger Gang was no longer the Fierce Tiger Gang of yesterday.