Sunlight filtered through the sparse leaves, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone path leading to the secluded courtyard by the lake.
A bright red dress swayed gently in the light breeze.
Hong Fu Nu held a delicate purple clay teapot in her hands.
She carefully poured tea for the woman sitting at the stone table.
The woman wore a loose robe, her frame so slender that she seemed as if a gust of wind could knock her over.
Yet her posture was exceptionally upright, even while sitting on the stone stool.
Her upper body was taller than the standing Hong Fu Nu!
Her hair was loosely tied, like a fallen steed, with strands trailing down her temples.
However, her eyes, vacant and unfocused, gave her an eerie appearance.
As if her soul had already drifted away into this peaceful courtyard.
Even though the sun was high overhead and its rays bathed her, she still evoked images of a solitary ghost in the middle of the night in a desolate wilderness.
Across from her, Li Xiu Ning, was a vision of stunning beauty.
A faint smile perpetually graced her face.
She wore a simple and elegant tunic, like a newly bloomed lotus, fresh and elegant.
Li Xiu Ning chuckled softly and said, "Senior Dan, you've come to our manor again today, have you found any news of your younger sister?"
Dan Xiu took a sip of her tea and hesitated slightly before replying, "To be honest with Lady Li, we've been searching the docks in Jiangdu for quite some time now."
"Yesterday, we received a piece of news!"
"It's said that the young marshal of the Double Dragon Gang recruited a female soldier."
"She's said to be absolutely stunning, and when it comes to training, she's no less capable than any man..."
Li Xiu Ning's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she said, "Senior Dan, you wouldn't be thinking that this is your younger sister, would you?"
Dan Xiu's expression turned bitter, remembering her own sister's personality, she explained, "On the day the Double Dragon Gang rose to fame, my sister learned about it and felt drawn to them."
"She even got into a small argument with Master Shang Ming because of it, and she was put under house arrest by our matriarch."
"But she managed to escape through a secret passage to Ryukyu..."
"We followed all the way to Jiangdu but lost her trail, and we can't get into the Double Dragon Gang..."
She looked at Li Xiu Ning with expectant eyes.
Li Xiu Ning was incredibly intelligent, she knew exactly what Dan Xiu meant.
The Dongming Sect had rushed out!
They hadn't brought anything to exchange courtesies...
They simply couldn't formally visit the Double Dragon Gang, and they were at the peak of their power!
No one dared to underestimate this new force!
Hong Fu Nu chuckled and chimed in, "Miss, perhaps we should go to the Double Dragon Gang and see if Senior Dan's sister is there!"
"Didn't Second Master ask you to visit the two leaders of the Double Dragon Gang as well?"
Dan Xiu's eyes lit up at the suggestion, she stood up and bowed, "I beg Lady Li to bring my sister back, I thank you in advance!"
She was about to prostrate herself to Li Xiu Ning...
Li Xiu Ning quickly stood up and stopped her, "Senior Dan, please don't do that, your sister and I are as close as sisters, she even said she wanted to be my brother-in-law!"
"Hong Fu, go prepare right now, deliver a calling card to the Double Dragon Gang!"
Hong Fu Nu bowed and left...
...
The gates of the Double Dragon Gang were like the gaping maw of a giant beast, majestic and imposing.
Stone carvings of dragons coiled around the gateposts, showcasing the power and grandeur of the Double Dragon Gang!
Suddenly, the sound of hooves echoed in front of the gate!
A luxuriously decorated carriage slowly stopped in front of the gate.
It was followed by two more carriages laden with goods!
They exuded an aura of opulence and respect.
A young woman in red slowly emerged from the carriage, her twin braids bouncing behind her.
She looked full of vitality!
Hong Fu Nu held the Li Manor calling card in her hand, her gaze sweeping across the majestic gates of the Double Dragon Gang!
It was bustling with activity, yet there was a sense of solemnity and tranquility!
Seeing the lifelike dragon carvings on the gateposts, she couldn't help but be secretly startled!
Although she had heard that the Double Dragon Gang used the dragon totem as their emblem, which was considered disrespectful, she hadn't expected them to be so audacious!
Several strong men stood guard in front of the gate, watching the disembarking Hong Fu Nu with vigilance, their hands on their weapons.
Hong Fu Nu saw this, she put on a charming smile, stepped forward and handed over the calling card, saying sweetly, "Please inform your leader, Miss Li of the Li family is here for a visit."
The guard took the calling card, glanced at it, and then looked Hong Fu Nu up and down.
Seeing her innocent and carefree appearance, he was sure she wasn't malicious.
He said in a deep voice, "Please wait here, Miss!"
He then turned and entered the manor...
Inside the meeting hall of the Double Dragon Gang.
Kou Zhong was currently sitting in the seat of honor, discussing the implementation of the military merit system with Xu Zi Ling!
Below them were several outstanding talents handpicked by Xu Zi Ling!
They had selected eight masters, all at the peak of first-rate mastery!
They had distinct looks, some were dashing and elegant, some were strong and imposing, and some were refined and graceful!
But at this moment, they all looked solemn and their posture was upright!
These eight were chosen based on their individual skills and weapons!
They included those skilled in archery, those who wielded long spears, those who wielded shields,
and those with immense strength who wielded broadswords...
Kou Zhong looked at them, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes, and said, "Lingshao, from now on, you'll be responsible for arranging the forging of specialized weapons for our brothers!"
"Don't let Bu Tian Zhi be stingy with materials, give our own people the best!"
Xu Zi Ling chuckled slightly and replied, "Big Brother Bu has been losing his hair ever since he took over logistics!"
"Every time I apply for resources, it's like I'm asking for his life!"
Kou Zhong hadn't expected Bu Tian Zhi to become like this, but it wasn't a big deal.
If he had been careless with logistics, Kou Zhong wouldn't have entrusted him with this job!
At this moment, a voice came from outside the meeting hall,
"Reporting to the leaders, Miss Li of the Li family is visiting!"
Kou Zhong and Xu Zi Ling exchanged glances, both somewhat puzzled.
Xu Zi Ling couldn't help but ask, "Zhongshao, do we know any Miss Li?"
Kou Zhong shook his head and thought, this Miss Li...
There was only one Li family in Jiangdu!
That's right, Li Xiu Ning of the Li Dynasty!
It seems Fu Jun Yu has already spread the news of Dan Wan Jing's presence in the Double Dragon Gang!
He didn't expect the other party to come knocking so quickly!
Kou Zhong addressed the eight people sitting below him,
"You all go and start preparing your specialized teams, select your personnel and confirm the roster!"
The eight all stood up from their chairs, replying in unison, "As you command, Young Marshal!"
After that, they left the meeting hall in unison!
At this point, the guard at the gate finally dared to walk in and present the calling card.
Kou Zhong took it, glanced at it briefly, and realized it was indeed Li Xiu Ning.
He said to the guard, "Show her in!"
The guard immediately went to the door.
He led the people who had brought the two carriages of gifts from Li Xiu Ning to the logistics warehouse to be counted.
Under the guidance of a maid, Hong Fu Nu and Li Xiu Ning finally entered the Double Dragon Gang's compound.
First, they walked through the wide training ground in the front courtyard.
Li Xiu Ning was currently wearing a sky-blue tunic and a sun hat with a veil, covering her stunningly beautiful face.
Her gaze instinctively swept over the area where the young marshals were training, as if she wanted to see if Dan Wan Jing was there...
After exchanging a glance with Hong Fu Nu, they both shook their heads slightly, finding nothing!
Under the maid's guidance, they passed through the staggered courtyards and flower beds on both sides.
Occasionally, some members of the gang would pass by, and they couldn't help but look curiously at Li Xiu Ning and her maid.
They were eventually led to the spacious meeting hall.
As soon as they entered, they saw Kou Zhong sitting in the seat of honor, dressed in black with gold trim, powerful and imposing.
Xu Zi Ling stood behind him, dressed in white, gentle and refined.
Kou Zhong stood up from his chair and greeted Xu Zi Ling, "Miss Li of the Li family has come to visit, it is truly an honor for our gang, we are late in welcoming you!"
Li Xiu Ning was taken aback, she hadn't expected Kou Zhong to be so polite.
He didn't seem like a ruffian from the streets at all, but rather like a noble young master from a royal family...
Or perhaps, his aura was similar to the current emperor's!
And Xu Zi Ling didn't seem like a killer god, but rather a gentle scholar.
Li Xiu Ning smiled faintly, and with Hong Fu Nu, she replied politely, "I've long admired the reputation of the two heroes, it's an honor for Ning to meet you today!"
Kou Zhong smiled back and said, "Lady Li is too kind, please have a seat!"
The four of them sat down accordingly, and soon maids came forward with tea and refreshments.
Kou Zhong observed Li Xiu Ning, who was dressed in a tunic, and asked, "Lady Li, why have you graced our humble gang with your presence?"
Li Xiu Ning went straight to the point, "I'm here to find someone, to be honest with you."