Chapter 1583 - 1584: The Mysterious Man
The sandy footsteps grew closer, and Yang Fei cautiously peeked his head out from behind the reef.
In the morning light, two women walked ahead, followed by seven or eight men.
The two women were dressed in black short skirts, their thick-soled long boots stepping silently on the beach.
The seven or eight men behind them were all burly and serious-looking, clearly skilled.
Yang Fei tightened his grip on the dagger in his hand. Although these people didn't pose much of a threat to him, it's best to be cautious on his first arrival at Li Island.
At this moment, Xiao Xuanya tugged on Yang Fei's sleeve, her warm and soft body nestled against his side without hesitation.
Her lips whispered behind Yang Fei's ear, fragrant as orchids.
"Don't act rashly! These people might be fellow brothers and sisters of the Blood-cloth Tower, here to receive us."
Yang Fei instantly breathed a sigh of relief as Xiao Xuanya slowly stood up from behind the reef, revealing herself.
"Who!"
Not far away, the two women immediately spotted Xiao Yaxuan, and sharply called out.
The seven or eight men behind them all drew their daggers and surrounded Xiao Xuanya.
Xiao Xuanya said nothing more and took out a token, raising it high.
In the morning light, the golden token gleamed brightly, with an old seal-inscribed character on it.
The two women were taken aback, exchanged a glance, and nodded slightly.
One of the women stepped forward and bowed to Xiao Xuanya.
"Under the Mother of the Red Lotus' command, nine incense sticks to the heavens, how many does your lordship burn?"
Xiao Xuanya extended her left hand, thumb and middle finger pressed together, forming a Dharma Seal, her expression solemn and compassionate.
"Mother of the Red Lotus, nine incense sticks, I burn the ninth, and in the Thirty-Three Heavens, I am supreme."
At this, everyone surrounding Yang Fei and Xiao Xuanya changed their expressions.
The two women knelt on the spot, performing three bows and nine kowtows.
"Li Island's Yinxue Tower Master Liu Yulan and Liu Yuge, sisters, pay respects to the Tower Master."
In the morning light, Yang Fei gazed at this ancient Mortal World sect, feeling somewhat sentimental.
He didn't expect the Blood-cloth Tower's forces to be so vast.
Xiao Xuanya did not return the gesture, but went up to help the two women up.
The other big men all stayed kneeling on the ground, daring not to rise.
Yang Fei watched from the side and nodded quietly.
He knew in the Blood-cloth Tower, women are revered while men hold little status.
Xiao Xuanya helped the two women up and exchanged a few words before turning to Yang Fei's direction and waving.
"Yang Fei, come out, they're all our people."
Yang Fei lazily stood up from behind the reef and stretched with a yawn.
"Since they're our people, you should've said so earlier. Scared my little heart beats like crazy, hey, greetings, ladies."
The fellow swaggered over to Liu Yulan and Liu Yuge, greeting them.
The sisters, seeing Yang Fei's imposing demeanor, dared not neglect and bowed to him.
Seeing the sky becoming brighter, Xiao Xuanya worried the coastal patrol might catch notice and instructed everyone to leave the beach.
Liu Yulan and Liu Yuge, along with the other big men, carried over ten boxes of gold, and disappeared into the morning mist with Yang Fei and Xiao Xuanya.
Shortly after Yang Fei and Xiao Xuanya departed, a round red sun rose from the horizon on the sea.
The sun emitted tens of thousands of golden rays, illuminating the earth with brilliant light.
Just then, a faint silhouette appeared on the beach in the distance.
The golden-yellow sunlight shone on that person's handsome face, his chiseled features like a marble sculpture.
At that moment, the person was bathed in the morning glow, resembling the legendary Golden Armored Heavenly God, cool and dazzling.
He inspected the footmarks on the beach, nodded slightly, and looked towards the direction Yang Fei left, murmuring.
"What a hassle, didn't expect this kid to have the guts to come here, truly a Martial God's disciple."
He finished speaking, eyes gazing at the horizon where the sea meets the sky.
The vast ocean surged towards the beach, bringing thousands of waves, dizzying to behold.
After a long time, the man's figure flickered and vanished.
Xiao Xuanya walked alongside Yang Fei, introducing the Blood-cloth Tower's situation on Li Island to him.
The Blood-cloth Tower masters Liu Yulan and Liu Yuge were typical indigenous people of Li Island, poor girls before joining the Blood-cloth Tower.
Later, the sisters caught the envoy's attention, who sent them to headquarters for training.
After three years, the sisters completed their training at headquarters.
After passing the Elders' Hall assessment, they returned to Li Island and secretly established the current Blood-cloth Tower.
While Xiao Xuanya introduced Liu Yuge and Liu Yulan, Yang Fei's eyes never left the two girls.
They were evidently identical twins, looking alike, yet upon closer examination, subtle differences emerged.
Liu Yulan appeared slightly more lively and generous, while Liu Yuge wore glasses, resembling a high school teacher, refined and elegant.
No one expected these two girls to be the renowned Blood Tower masters of Li Island.
Liu Yulan and Liu Yuge led Yang Fei and Xiao Xuanya away from the beach onto the road.
Only then did Yang Fei notice a row of tricycle motorcycles, possibly prepared to welcome them.
Liu Yuge apologized slightly, bowing to Xiao Xuanya.
"Pardon, Tower Master. These tricycle motorcycles are local popular transport, we've booked a hotel for the Tower Master, please board."
Xiao Xuanya nodded, and together with Yang Fei, boarded the tricycle motorcycle.
The big men loaded the boxes of gold into the motorcycle's carriages.
The motorcade started their engines and sped forward.
Sitting in the motorcycle, Yang Fei and Xiao Xuanya enjoyed the local culture and customs along the roadside.
Li Island was extensively planted with sugarcane and coffee beans, along with dense coconut groves, the scenery extremely beautiful.
One could see the local economy wasn't prosperous, with many thatched huts and some simple tile houses among the houses on either side.
Meanwhile, small foreign-style buildings and villas made from red bricks were striking, in elegant and luxurious garden villa areas, some luxurious vehicles could be seen.
Liu Yulan drove the tricycle skillfully, noticing Yang Fei's focus on the luxurious villa area, sighing.
"Li Island's wealth gap is large, these are the rich people's houses, villas built by wealthy individuals from New York, Paris, and Xijing."
Saying this, Liu Yulan bit her lip.
"They seize local resources, develop local mines, yet indigenous residents are pathetically poor, surviving by working for them."
Yang Fei nodded and suddenly asked Liu Yulan a question.
"Do you know the Red Shirt Army?"
Liu Yulan was momentarily stunned before realizing, smiling slightly.
"On Li Island, even three-year-olds know the Red Shirt Army."
"They are Li Island's own armed force, in the hearts of indigenous people, the Red Shirt Army is truly one of us."