Lin Changsheng spoke in a dark, hoarse voice, slowly uttering his reply:
"My lord, everything has proceeded as usual, without the slightest mishap. All is as steady as a rock."
Qing Chen nodded slightly, his gaze blazing like a torch, then pressed on:
"And Gao Yuliang and Deng Ziyue? Have those two been conducting themselves reliably of late? Are they still exerting themselves wholeheartedly as before, without the slightest slackening?"
At his words, Lin Changsheng paused slightly.
He seemed to carefully sort through their conduct in his mind before slowly speaking. "Both have behaved as they always have, without the slightest irregularity.
"They have spared no effort in carrying out your instructions, my lord, fulfilling their duties wholeheartedly without the slightest negligence. Their loyalty remains unchanged."
After listening, Qing Chen gave a quiet hum, seemingly quite satisfied with this answer.
Changing the subject, he said gravely, "How have the Azure Dragon Stronghold and the Demon Lotus Sect developed? Are these two forces still meeting my expectations?"
Lin Changsheng answered promptly, a barely perceptible trace of pride in his voice:
"With the original Water Bandits as its backbone, the Azure Dragon Stronghold has continually recruited new Water Bandits over these past three years, growing stronger by the day.
"Though still a little inferior to the former Three Pythons Bandits, it has already reached a considerable size and is truly a force not to be underestimated.
"As for the Demon Lotus Sect, it focuses on gathering intelligence and carrying out assassinations. Over these three years, we have gathered quite a few wandering child beggars and orphans from various places.
"After our rigorous training, it has begun to take shape. It only needs experience in actual combat to sharpen its edge further, adding wings to a tiger."
Hearing this, Qing Chen silently weighed