Yagyu Yuki vs. Zhuque

Huge Whale Gang headquarters, main hall for receiving guests.

"Greeting, Lord Zhuque. I'm truly remiss in not welcoming you properly," a handsome, slender man with a clear appearance greeted with a smile, bowing politely.

"You are too polite, Master Li," Zhuque, dressed in red, exuded a heroic and carefree demeanor, returning the gesture with clasped fists.

"Come, come, Miss Zhuque, please have a seat!" Li Tianhao, with a hearty smile, invited Zhuque to sit.

Once Zhuque took her seat, without exchanging pleasantries, she went straight to the point, "Master Li, recently, due to official matters, Imperial Guard has caused some disruptions to Huge Whale Gang's operations. I'm here to apologize to you."

"Ah, Miss Zhuque, you're being too polite. It's all for official business, and there's no need for apologies," Li Tianhao smiled.

"Master Li, since it's for official business, there's another matter I wish to inquire about," Zhuque turned serious and asked.

Li Tianhao's smile slightly froze, and he spoke softly, "Miss Zhuque, go ahead."

"Master Li, may I ask about the identity of the gentleman and his retainer who paid a visit to our doorstep a few days past?" queried Zhuque.

Upon hearing this, Li Tianhao's countenance took on a peculiar hue, and he countered, "Has Miss Zhu not received any tidings regarding this matter?"

"I hope Master Li will tell the truth," Zhuque continued.

"Well..." Li Tianhao hesitated for a moment, saying, "Miss Zhuque, as an acquaintance in the Imperial Guard, you should know this person's identity better than I do."

"But, since you are unaware of his identity, I can't say more," Li Tianhao continued, "He is associated with the royal family; this is as much as I can tell."

"Royal family?" Zhuque's eyes flickered, and she speculated about Zhu Youji's identity.

"Well, I can say no more. Sorry, Miss Zhuque," Li Tianhao said softly.

"Master Li, there's nothing to apologize about." Zhuque clasped her hands and said, "In fact, I have another matter in coming today."

"Miss Zhuque, feel free to speak your mind," Li Tianhao extended his hand, speaking openly.

Zhuque stared at Li Tianhao and asked in a low voice, "Master Li, does Huge Whale Gang have acquaintances with Lv Jing, or has anyone secretly met with members of the Imperial Guard these days?"

"Huh?" Li Tianhao's face changed slightly. He looked at Zhuque and asked, "Miss Zhuque, what do you mean by this?"

"For so many days, Western Depot has been searching, my Imperial Guard has been searching, and your Huge Whale Gang has also been searching, but we have found nothing. Who do you think is hiding these people?" Zhuque asked in return.

"Miss Zhuque, are you suggesting that someone from my Huge Whale Gang is harboring the wanted criminals?" Li Tianhao suddenly stood up and said.

"It's highly possible!" Zhuque was straightforward.

"If that's the case, then please present evidence. If not, then you should leave." Li Tianhao waved his sleeves, expressing an unfriendly attitude.

Imperial Guard was indeed powerful, but his Huge Whale Gang was not a small sect. Zhuque might be one of the Four Guardians of the Judge in the Northern Prison, but compared to Qinglong, the Commander of the Imperial Guard, she was still much inferior.

He had given face, but if Zhuque didn't want it, then Li Tianhao wouldn't bother.

"Master Li, no need to get angry. I naturally trust your integrity, but I'm afraid there might be someone within Huge Whale Gang secretly causing trouble, affecting the gang," Zhuque's attitude softened a bit, saying in a low voice, "Master Li, consider this: if no one is helping Lv Jing and the others, how could they escape from under our noses?"

"Perhaps they have already arrived in Japan..." Li Tianhao responded calmly.

"No, I think they are still in Wuxi Town." Zhuque said seriously.

At that moment, a crisp voice came from outside the reception hall.

"You never know..."

A cold, slightly chilling aura surged in, and the temperature in the entire room dropped a few degrees.

"Who?" Zhuque's body also emitted a powerful momentum. She stood up slowly, gradually suppressing the sudden force. The two forces confronted each other.

In the next moment, a woman in white walked in.

Cold!

As cold as ice, emitting a chill all over!

The woman's appearance was extraordinary, with an otherworldly charm that deterred trespassers.

Clad in white, she looked ethereal, as if not belonging to the mortal realm.

The woman at her waist carried a blade, and in her calm eyes, a faint sense of pride emanated.

"I'm Yagyu Yuki from the Yagyu Shinga Gang!"

Upon hearing these words, Zhuque also spoke, "I'm Zhuque from the Imperial Guard Judge in the Northern Prison!"

The two women faced each other, one in red and one in white. The atmosphere in the hall gradually became subtle.

Li Tianhao, observing the peculiar atmosphere, quickly spoke, "Miss Yagyu, you've arrived?"

"Yes!" Yagyu Yuki nodded lightly and said softly, "Smooth journey. I arrived earlier than expected."

"But it seems like some people were boasting, so I spoke up."

"Boasting? Are you referring to me?" Zhuque squinted her eyes, a dangerous aura emanating from her.

"The one speaking should know best in their heart!" Yagyu Yuki hinted slightly.

The killing intent in Zhuque's eyes intensified, and she said coldly, "In that case, I'd like to have a little sparring session with Miss Yagyu."

"You are more than welcome!" Yagyu Yuki responded without showing weakness.

"Good..." Zhuque was about to say something more when Li Tianhao spoke.

"Miss Yagyu is my honored guest. She has traveled a long way, and after today's fatigue from the journey, I think it's not quite suitable for a contest. If you insist on a competition, it can wait until after Miss Yagyu leaves Huge Whale Gang. What do you think?"

As soon as Li Tianhao finished speaking, a few distinctive auras emanated from the inner hall, locking onto Zhuque. Each of these auras was around the eighth grade, and their strength was not weaker than Zhuque's.

Clearly, these were the supplicants of Huge Whale Gang!

"Alright, since Master Li has spoken, I'll come to you for a contest another day." Zhuque waved her sleeve and turned to leave.

"Oh, by the way, on my way to Wuxi Town, I did see a ship with a man and a woman on board heading towards Japan. I wonder if these two people are the ones you're looking for?" Yagyu Yuki looked at Zhuque's departing figure and suddenly spoke.

"What did you say?" Zhuque turned around, looking at Yagyu Yuki, and asked.

"Nothing, there are so many coincidences in the world. Perhaps it's just a chance encounter," Yagyu Yuki said calmly.

Zhuque glanced deeply at Yagyu Yuki and then left Huge Whale Gang.

"Come, Miss Yagyu, please have a seat!" Li Tianhao warmly invited.

"Yes!" Yagyu Yuki nodded lightly and took a seat.