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Jiang Manlou led the way as Feng Qingyang and the others entered Yue Yun Gang, carefully observing them. Suddenly, he said, "Caravan Escort Chief Feng, have we met before?"
Feng Qingyang smiled in response, "Naturally not. This is my first time at Yue Yun Gang; how could I have seen Vice Leader Jiang before?"
Jiang Manlou showed a look of confusion but nodded in agreement.
After walking for a while, they arrived at the innermost part of Yue Yun Gang, Huo Xiaolong's meditation area, Hao Yun Hall. Despite its impressive name, Hao Yun Hall was merely a simple courtyard with a crescent-shaped inner door, above which a red plaque elegantly displayed the words "Hao Yun Hall."
Upon entering the moon gate, there were quiet paths on either side. The left path led to Huo Xiaolong's resting quarters, while the right path led to the main hall. Jiang Manlou guided the group to the right and came to a halt before the main hall. He slightly bowed and announced, "Leader, Caravan Escort Chief Feng has arrived."
An elderly voice echoed from within the gray hall, "Please let him in."
Jiang Manlou pushed open the door and stepped aside to allow passage. Feng Qingyang nodded and entered first, followed closely by Yang Cheng and Luo Yihua.
As Feng Qingyang stepped into the hall, a refreshing and pleasant fragrance wafted through the air. In the midst of curling incense smoke sat Huo Xiaolong deep within the hall.
Upon seeing Feng Qingyang and the others, Huo Xiaolong's previously calm gaze suddenly stirred with great emotion. He struggled to maintain his composure as he stood up slowly and nodded, saying, "You... have come..."
"Yes, Old Leader Huo. I have come for our three-year agreement," Feng Qingyang replied as he glanced back at Yang Cheng and Luo Yihua.
Huo Xiaolong said, "Good, good. Have you brought the items?"
Feng Qingyang nodded. Yang Cheng retrieved the White Stone Box from his bag behind him. Huo Xiaolong glanced at it and then turned to Jiang Manlou, saying, "Manlou, you take it."
Jiang Manlou paused for a moment, reaching out to take the box. At that moment, a heavy weight settled in his heart as his gaze fixed intently on the intricate patterns on the lid.
Huo Xiaolong glanced at the others present and asked, "Why haven't the Elders arrived yet?"
Jiang Manlou replied, "Elder Zhang is feeling a bit unwell and hasn't left his home. Therefore, the other Elders wish to wait until everyone is gathered before paying their respects to the Leader."
Huo Xiaolong nodded and suddenly said, "Manlou, are you curious about what’s inside the box?"
After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Manlou nodded and said, "Since the Leader values this item so highly, I do feel a bit curious."
Huo Xiaolong nodded again, lifting the cup of Hua Ye wine in front of him and taking a small sip. "If you want to know, then open it."
"Open it? Me?"
Jiang Manlou seemed taken aback. He glanced at the stone box in his hands and then at Huo Xiaolong before finally saying, "Alright."
His hand trembled slightly as he slowly opened the stone box, his gaze locked onto its contents while anxiety churned within him. To Jiang Manlou's surprise, however, the box was completely empty.
He was momentarily stunned and then blurted out, "How can it be empty?"
Feng Qingyang suddenly interjected, "Vice Leader Jiang, that is not how you open it."
"What do you mean it's not...?" Jiang Manlou was puzzled by Feng Qingyang's words, his eyes fixed intently on him.
Feng Qingyang approached Jiang Manlou and suddenly struck out with his palm. Jiang Manlou stepped back slightly, but he soon realized that Feng Qingyang's strike was not aimed at him; instead, it landed on the lid of a white stone box.
With just this one powerful strike, there was a sharp "crack!" and the lid of the white stone box shattered. Inside the box, something curled up was revealed: it was dark as an eye and appeared to be made of black copper.
Feng Qingyang took out the black copper object and placed it in Jiang Manlou's hands. Huo Xiaolong then asked, "Manlou, does this item look familiar to you?" His gaze fell upon the scabbard of Jiang Manlou's sword.
"This... this is..." Jiang Manlou's eyes were filled with astonishment as he stared at the black copper object, his words stumbling over themselves.
Suddenly, Huo Xiaolong rose from his seat and walked towards Jiang Manlou. He spoke slowly, "Your 'Ghost Blade' was originally inlaid with eight Copper Teeth, but one of them was lost three years ago. Is that correct, Manlou?"
Jiang Manlou tightened his grip on the Copper Tooth in his hand and nodded. "Indeed, that Copper Tooth should have been lost during the ambush on the main hall at the Gate of Life and Death three years ago when I was caught off guard. But how did it end up here? Why did the leader give it to Feng Qingyang to deliver three years later?" Confusion filled Jiang Manlou's heart as he questioned.
Huo Xiaolong stood a distance away from Jiang Manlou, his gaze sharp as a sword. Suddenly, he shouted fiercely, "You are lying! The Copper Tooth was lost three years ago, but not when you were fighting; it was left in my son Shu Chen's chest when you killed him!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Manlou took a step back, his face changing drastically. His gaze became evasive as he lowered his head, unable to meet Huo Xiaolong's eyes.
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