"Hahaha, good! My good disciples, you both look great!" Chen Wentian said, examining his handiwork.
"Wow, Sister Zhou looks so cool!" Lin Qingcheng gushed.
"You don't look too bad yourself." Zhou Ziyun said.
She was even audacious enough to reach forward and Lin Qingcheng's fake breasts a good squeeze. "Wow, these feel no different from real ones."
"Hey!" Lin Qingcheng cried out bashfully. "Meanie!"
Zhou Ziyun giggled, "Chengcheng finally can live out her dream as a buxom madam. But I have to be an ordinary nun. So unfair!"
"Alright, alright, you two can argue along the way. We should go."
Lin Qingcheng and Zhou Ziyun looked at each other and nodded, their eyes glittering with excitement. This was the first time they had been involved in one of Chen Wentian's schemes. It showed that he trusted them enough with his most important secrets.
They left the room together, exited the hotel, and got in a non-descript horse carriage that had been prepared beforehand. The meeting place was at a secret location so they had to be cautious. They traveled along a pre-planned route, even changing horse carriages twice to maintain secrecy, and arrived inside a stone warehouse at the edge of Blue Mountain City.
They got out and were met with a squad of warriors bearing the familiar emblem of the Red Sun Gang. It was their old hideout within the city. Despite losing their two Spirit Lords, the gang still had enough strength to maintain their territory for the moment.
"Lord Wang!"
"Lord Wang!"
They all saluted smartly upon seeing Wang Landi, their captain, now their new leader.
Chen Wentian, as Wang Landi, waved to them, "These two behind me are our esteemed guests of the evening. Have the others arrived yet?"
A gang member saluted, "Yes, Lord Wang. The six gangs invited have all arrived and are waiting."
"Very well. Lady Ren, Lady Yimin, please. This way." Chen Wentian bowed to Lin Qingcheng and Zhou Ziyun, playing the part of the host.
Lin Qingcheng smiled and nodded, playing her part, "Lord Wang, please."
They walked down a corridor lined with more Red Sun Gang members and arrived at the meeting place which was nothing more than an empty space in the main warehouse. The center was dimly lit and several groups of people were visible, standing apart from each other as if each group was wary of the others.
All of them became silent as Chen Wentian walked in with two strange ladies in tow. One looked like the madam of a wealthy brothel while the other was an uptight and unremarkable nun. There were expressions of astonishment mixed in with ones of curiosity.
"Greetings, everyone. The guests of honor have arrived. Let us begin." Chen Wentian said, "As the new lord of the Red Sun Gang, I shall be the host of tonight's meeting. Old friends, welcome. Thank you all for coming on such short notice and giving me face."
There was no response as all parties eyed Wang Landi suspiciously.
Chen Wentian continued, "I shall introduce everyone. To my right, we have the Iron Lock Crew."
He gestured to a group of rough-looking men wearing sleeveless shirts that carried heavy chains around their wrists. Some were bald-headed while others sported various scars. They were a group of ruffians known for kidnapping and extortion. Although they were merely a mortal gang, their strength was at the peak of the Spirit Initiate Realm and quite influential in the local area.
"I am the Iron Lock Crew Chief, Old Seventh." The eldest man at the front of the pack said, cupping his hands together in a greeting to the others. "I hope tonight won't be a waste of our time."
Chen Wentian chuckled, "Of course, when has the Red Sun Gang ever led you guys astray?"
Old Seventh snorted noisily, "Little Wang, you were merely a useless captain a month ago. You've certainly grown a pair of balls since your two lords died. Since they were useless enough to get themselves killed, why should I trust you?"
Several Red Sun Gang members behind Chen Wentian stirred in anger but he silenced them with a raised hand.
"Old Seventh, was that really necessary? When my two lords were still alive, the Iron Lock Crew even wanted to join the Red Sun Gang. Besides rejecting you, we have not mistreated you. Now, the Red Sun Gang has fallen on hard times and we are seeking allies. I hope you can earnestly listen to my offer, as old friends."
"Fine, fine." Old Seventh huffed, "Pretend I didn't say anything."
Chen Wentian smiled, "Thank you. Moving along, next to the Iron Lock Crew is the Blood Hook Gang."
They were a mix of men and women with slender frames, each clad from head to toe in black robes that hid everything except for their eyes. They each carried wickedly curved blades that were excellent at decapitation. They were an infamous gang known for assassinations.
"I am Blood Hook Xiao Mei," A feminine voice at the front spoke softly, "The Blood Hook Gang has worked for the Red Sun Gang in the past. We are interested in hearing more about what you have to offer."
"Thank you, Lady Xiao Mei." Chen Wentian nodded in her direction and continued his introductions of the gathered gangs.
The other four consisted of the Diamond Triad, the Red Willow Tower, the Black River Company, and the Yellow Turban Gang. They were all gangs of ill repute across the central mountainous regions of the Martial Brilliance Continent that had some relationships with the Red Sun Gang in the past. While none of them had a leader at the Spirit Lord Realm, they each had the skills to survive against vicious competition and carve out their own niche.
"And finally," Chen Wentian turned to his disciples and bowed deeply, "The guests of honor of tonight's meeting, the ones who suggested this meeting and who first proposed the idea of an alliance to me. May I introduce these two representatives of a fearsome Spirit Lord bandit that has recently arrived in the Martial Brilliance Continent. If things go well, we will all soon be working together with them."
"Thank you, Lord Wang. Everyone, I am Ren Jinjin, first disciple of Immortal Sword Bandit Lin Huzhong. This is my martial sister." Lin Qingcheng said.
"Amitabha, this one is named Yimin, second disciple of Immortal Sword Bandit Lin Huzhong. It is not convenient for our master to show his face around this region as of yet but he has heard great things about everyone here tonight. He hopes that his offer will be adequate for everyone gathered here tonight."
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