"My Lord, that's wonderful. It looks like everyone will have something to do from now on."
Chu Feng, rarely showing emotion, was also quite excited because this was indeed a highly challenging matter. Qixing Tower had not only become a prominent force in the martial world but also a hidden operator.
When they could contend with the imperial dynasty, they would possess sufficient capability. How could these people not be happy?
Liu Liu glanced at her subordinates and nodded with a smile. She knew these followers harbored ambition, and it was indeed true.
"Daimei, from now on, we need to recruit a large number of talented individuals. We must find people with all kinds of abilities. To manage such a significant undertaking, we will need a large workforce."
"Understood. Your subordinate will treat this matter as the utmost priority," Daimei replied with a charming smile. This was her specialty. Having spent years in brothels, she had seen all sorts of people and developed a sharp eye. She could tell if someone had potential with just a glance.
"Good," Liu Liu agreed. She felt happy here, free from internal strife, able to express herself fully and expand her ambitions without restraint. This way, her subordinates would also have things to do.
Duanmu, standing beside them, could only grin foolishly. He didn't care what he did, but the thought that his Lord could be with them made him happiest.
As the few people were speaking in the main hall, someone rushed in from outside. It was Daimei's subordinate, who spoke quickly.
"Reporting to my Lord, something has happened."
Liu Liu raised her eyebrows, her sharp gaze sweeping over the subordinate, a cold, wicked smile playing on her lips. "What has happened?"
"Yes, what is causing such alarm?" Daimei chided her subordinate. They were future pillars of the sect. How could they seem like inexperienced youths? She glared at him impatiently.
The subordinate quickly reported, "Our escort was intercepted."
"What escort was intercepted?" Daimei asked urgently. She had recently taken on several escorts and was unsure which one this person was referring to.
The subordinate looked up, seeing that the Lord and the three supervisors were all looking at him. He quickly said, "It was the largest escort we've taken on – a shipment of high-grade tea leaves from Wanye Tea House, valued at fifty thousand taels. It was intercepted by bandits from Qingshan Village on the way, and our men were injured."
Upon hearing this, Daimei's charming face contorted with anger. She said coldly, "How could this happen? Weren't there over a dozen men?"
"Reporting to the supervisor, Qingshan has over a thousand bandits. They regularly rob and kill passing merchants. Because they are numerous and their two leaders are skilled in martial arts, Qingshan's terrain is treacherous and difficult to assault. Ordinary people cannot reach it, so the bandits are emboldened. I've heard even the imperial court can't do anything about them. As we passed at the foot of Qingshan, over five hundred bandits descended from the mountain, intercepted our escort, and injured our men."
After the subordinate finished speaking, Daimei and Chu Feng's expressions turned extremely grim. Duanmu, on the other hand, became furious and shouted, "I'll go and smash their mountain stronghold! We'll fight them to the death for intercepting our escort!"
"Silence," Liu Liu commanded sharply, stopping Duanmu. Her face was stern as she waved her hand. "You may go. Have the injured brethren receive treatment first."
"Yes, my Lord," the subordinate quickly withdrew. Liu Liu turned and sat on the high seat, her three subordinates taking their seats beside her, awaiting their Lord's decision with grave expressions. They knew about the bandits on Qingshan; they had always been arrogant, but in the past, they had shown some respect to Qixing Tower and had never intercepted their escorts.
To think they had intercepted their escort this time. Liu Liu looked at Chu Feng, wondering why. "Are you familiar with Qingshan's terrain? Draw a map for me."
"Understood," Chu Feng nodded. Qingshan was not far from Xiaoyao Island, separated only by the Chu River. One was on the east bank and the other on the west. However, Qixing Tower's headquarters were on Xiaoyao Island, and they often traveled by land. If they traveled by land, they would certainly pass through Qingshan.
If they didn't deal with these bandits, their future escorts would be difficult. A faint glint flashed across Liu Liu's beautiful, ethereal face, and a smile, devoid of warmth, curved her lips.
Let her be the one to face these scoundrels on Qingshan. Since they were so renowned, if Qixing Tower conquered Qingshan, it would surely make them famous.
The martial arts convention last time was just a prelude. Many only saw them as a villainous sect. This time, they would act as heroes who punish evil and promote good. Liu Liu thought this and then smiled, her eyes sparkling as she waved her hand.
"All of you, go and prepare. Chu Feng, submit a map to me as soon as possible. The two of you, gather the martial arts experts on Xiaoyao Island. We will soon face the people of Qingshan."
"Understood," the three responded in unison and walked out. Daimei, walking last, seemed to recall something. She quickly looked up and said, "My Lord, the person who had been guarding the crossing at Jinghu Lake has left. I have dispatched several other skilled martial artists to take turns guarding it."
Liu Liu was surprised by Daimei's words. That guard had never left the area before. She had thought he was waiting for someone here. Why had he left now? Had the person he was waiting for been found? Liu Liu felt a vague sense of unease and looked up to ask Daimei.
"Did he leave any message?"
Daimei shook her head. "No. We discovered it ourselves. The small boat was tied to the shore, but the person was nowhere to be seen. So, I arranged for someone temporarily. I didn't expect that after two days, there was still no sign of him. I suspect he won't be back, so I've arranged for several people to take turns guarding it."
"Alright, proceed with your arrangements."
Liu Liu waved her hand, signaling them to go about their business. She leaned back on the luxurious couch to rest for a moment. She had a nagging feeling of unease, as if something was about to happen. What could it be?
Could something have happened in the capital? The thought made Liu Liu frown. Could Feng Xie be enacting a scheme she had set up? Would he punish the Liu family?
That possibility was unlikely. Since the Empress's misdeeds could not be announced publicly, they had to be hidden. Then what could it be?
Chu Feng soon presented a map of Qingshan. Liu Liu took it and studied it carefully. She couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. No wonder those people could act with impunity; Qingshan's terrain was indeed difficult to assault and easy to defend, with rugged mountains.
The path up the mountain was a single, narrow staircase, with cliffs on either side. One misstep could send someone tumbling down. The path was not only steep but also narrow, only wide enough for two people to pass at a time.
The staircase was lined with loose rocks. If the guards pushed a large rock down from the mountain, it would trigger a cascade of rocks below, crushing anyone below. Even someone with exceptional martial arts would be powerless.
Because the sheer cliffs were smooth, with no handholds, ascending the mountain was even more difficult.
"My Lord, what do you think of this?" Chu Feng asked softly, seeing that Liu Liu had been silent for a while, thinking she was facing a dilemma. Liu Liu raised a hand to stop Chu Feng from speaking further. She already had a preliminary idea and needed to organize it.