Suing for Peace

"Tang Linfeng!?" Lu Guiyan frowned slightly, but quickly turned her gaze toward Fang Wen. She knew that the person Qin Hu truly wanted to meet was not her. Given the current situation, the Fierce Tiger Gang had likely been waiting here for quite some time. They might have been able to deceive her, but not necessarily Fang Wen. The fact that Fang Wen had made no sound of warning earlier probably meant he intended to meet Qin Hu face-to-face all along. Sure enough, Fang Wen gave a slight nod. Lu Guiyan let out a slow breath. Things having come to this, there was no retreat. Cupping her fists, she simply said, "Please lead the way, Hall Master Tang." Tang Linfeng smiled at her words. "Everyone, please follow me." With that, he walked ahead to lead the way, unconcerned about Fang Wen and the others launching a sneak attack from behind. A short distance ahead stood a tea stall, clearly assembled on short notice. Surrounding the tea stall was a group of black-robed Fierce Tiger Gang disciples. All bore tiger embroideries on their cuffs, carried sabers and swords, and glared fiercely at Fang Wen and his companions. Outside the tea stall stood two men. One old, one young, their demeanor entirely distinct from the rest. Neither wore the Fierce Tiger Gang's uniform; they were presumably the gang's other two hall masters. Inside the tea stall stood only one table and two chairs. A man sat on one of the chairs. He was not exceptionally burly, yet sitting there, he naturally gave off the formidable presence of a coiled dragon and crouching tiger. He had a fair, beardless complexion and a square face. At the moment, he held a teacup in hand, staring into the tea within, appearing somewhat lost in thought. Beside him stood another figure. The man had indifferent eyes, was clad in black, and carried a longsword with a guard shaped like a qilin. The Tianlin Sword... Chen Qi! Lu Guiyan could hardly believe her eyes. Chen Qi was actually with the Fierce Tiger Gang? When did this rising star of the jianghu join the Fierce Tiger Gang? And if he belonged to the Fierce Tiger Gang... why had he cut down the fake waiter sent by the gang to assassinate the physician master and servant? Reaching the stall, Tang Linfeng spoke: "Gang Leader, they have arrived." Qin Hu seemed jarred awake by the words. Coming back to his senses, he set down his teacup and finally looked up at Fang Wen and the others. His gaze swept across them one by one before settling on Lu Guiyan's face, and he gave a slight nod. "Though Brother Lu had no sons, who says women cannot match men? With you inheriting his mantle, Lu'an Escort Agency has a boundless future ahead." Lu Guiyan fought to control her expression. She had imagined what meeting Qin Hu would be like, but assumed it would inevitably be dagger-drawn and tense. Yet what was happening here? Qin Hu was greeting her directly from the vantage of an elder? In other words... he didn't view her as an opponent at all? Though Lu Guiyan had known this from the start, hearing him be so blunt left her with mixed feelings. More importantly, how should she reply now without disgracing Lu'an Escort Agency? While she hesitated, Fang Wen waved his hand dismissively. "Spare us the nonsense. You came all this way and waited who knows how long just to fawn over our Young Chief Escort and claim kinship?" "Insolent!!" Outside the tea stall, the two men—one old, one young—flew into a rage at once. Yet before they could make a move, Fang Wen had already split his palms to the left and right, striking out simultaneously. This was the second technique of the Mahakala Palm, titled Twin Golden Lotuses. Both palms struck together toward left and right, their inner force subtly projecting in all directions. Before the two could unleash their stances, they felt a blast of fierce wind rush toward their faces. Alarmed, they hastily swung their hands to counter. Yet the instant they met that fierce wind, muffled groans burst from their throats. Both were sent flying backward together, knocked over two zhang away to the left and right. Once their feet settled, they exchanged a glance and prepared to charge forward again. "Stop!!" Qin Hu barked sharply. The two halted in their tracks, though frustration lingered on their faces. Qin Hu said coldly, "To think you two are hall masters—haven't you realized he stayed his hand?" The two froze for a moment, not knowing where any mercy had been shown. Suddenly someone gasped, "Hall Master, your back..." Hearing this, the old man instinctively tried to look behind him... but his neck was not long enough, so naturally he could see nothing. Reaching back to touch it, he was startled to find that a piece of fabric on his back had torn open. He hurriedly asked, "What's wrong with my back?" "The cloth is torn in the shape of a palm print." The young man asked his subordinates as well and received the same answer. Both their faces drained of color. A casual palm strike had not only blasted them back over two zhang, but the force of the blow had passed straight through their bodies without injuring them, leaving such an imprint on their backs. Had this man harbored killing intent, how could their lives still be intact? At this thought, a fine sheen of cold sweat broke out across their foreheads. Fang Wen paid this no mind. He stepped into the tea stall, looked at Qin Hu—who had already risen—and glanced at Chen Qi beside him with a faint smile. "What was the deal with that waiter?" "...A minor ploy," Qin Hu said in a heavy voice. "Ever since Tong Tianba's corpse was sent back, I knew Lu'an Escort Agency had enlisted an extraordinary figure. A head-on clash might not be impossible, but the losses would be too great. The assassination attempt in the tea stall was far too crude and direct; I never expected it to succeed in the first place. By taking the opportunity to intervene, Chen Qi could win your trust. Having knocked about the jianghu for many years, I know full well that only a blade from behind truly cuts deep..." Fang Wen nodded. "True enough. I really didn't suspect him either... However, Gang Leader Qin seems to have given up?" "Yes." Qin Hu nodded. "Because... I no longer dare to continue." Fang Wen smiled. "So, you're suing for peace?" Qin Hu was taken aback, and a bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Young Hero Fang is right. I am suing for peace..." At these words, complex expressions crossed the faces of everyone from Lu'an Escort Agency. A behemoth like the Fierce Tiger Gang was actually suing for peace? Fang Wen sat down on the chair with a plop, asking thoughtfully, "Is it because of what happened at Autumn Moon Nunnery?" At this point, he glanced at Chen Qi again. Cao Jiuyin was by no means an ordinary figure. Fang Wen had slain Cao Jiuyin that night and saved the experts of the Seven Sects, leaving every sect except Wentian Mansion heavily indebted to him. Though the Fierce Tiger Gang was formidable, it fell far short compared to even Zhujige Pavilion alone. Let alone several major sects combined? If Qin Hu insisted on obstinately pursuing this to the bitter end, the Fierce Tiger Gang would surely walk down a path of ruin. Yet upon hearing this, Qin Hu said, "That was merely the final straw that broke the camel's back..." Fang Wen smiled. "Why doesn't Gang Leader Qin speak openly and explain in detail?" Qin Hu glanced at Fang Wen and sat down again, though this time his domineering aura of a coiled dragon and crouching tiger was gone, replaced by careful caution. In a grave voice, he asked, "Does Young Hero Fang know who it was that ordered the killings?"