The woman before him was none other than the woman Chuanliu had traveled across mountains and rivers to meet—Tang Qing, the leader of the "Dark Gate"—"Queen of Spades".

"Please sit down."

Tang Qing gestured "please" with his hand, and the two bodyguards beside him immediately brought two chairs for Chuanliu and Zhuiming, and cleared an open space in the center of the main hall.

As soon as Chuanliu sat down, Tang Qing said, "I never expected Miss Chuanliu to be so young."

"You're too kind, Master. I never expected that 'Queen of Spades' would be such an outstanding lady as you," Chuanliu said with a smile.

Tang Qing's bright eyes swept over Zhui Ming beside Chuan Liu. Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she were carefully assessing the person before her. Suddenly, she flicked her finger, and a silver dart shot out from her hand like lightning, tracing a graceful arc, heading straight for Zhui Ming's face.

Zhuiming reacted instantly, his dagger dancing like a serpent, swiftly slicing through a barrier in front of him. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he skillfully deflected the dart, sending it hurtling back towards Tang Qing.

However, Tang Qing seemed to have already seen through everything. She sat as still as a mountain, not even blinking. The dart, as if drawn by a mysterious force, grazed her hair and finally "dinged" as it landed firmly on the screen behind her.

Seeing this, Tang Qing suddenly laughed and let out a sigh of relief. She put one hand to her forehead and leaned on the armrest. "Heh, I never thought that after so many years, I would actually see you on my own turf. Zhui Ming, it's been a long time."

Zhui Ming smiled slightly, "It really has been a long time, Sister Tang Qing, you are still as charming as ever."

"I dare not accept that," Tang Qing stopped talking to Zhui Ming and looked up at Chuan Liu again. "Let's talk about you guys. You've made a mess of things here. You have to give me an explanation, right?"

Chuanliu stood up, bowed slightly, and said, "I'm so sorry, it's been so difficult to see you. Your subordinate has been making things difficult for us by sending such a group of people. If I don't take some measures, I'm afraid you won't be able to see me today."

"So, you poisoned them with datura?"

Tang Qing spoke calmly, her tone devoid of emotion. But it was clear that she already knew of Mandala's death.

Chuanliu didn't hide anything and nodded frankly, "It's my first time using it, and I didn't quite get the dosage right. You won't blame me if your men wake up with dementia, will you?"

"That can be considered a risk they had to take because they were less skilled. For money, it was a risk they had to bear," Tang Qing shook his head, a hint of appreciation in his eyes, and then said, "If I'm not mistaken, you were able to find this place, so Mo Qingchen must have already died at your hands?"

Having killed several of their assassins, Chuanliu touched his nose sheepishly and sincerely praised, "I must say, on this journey, I've truly witnessed the abundance of talent within our 'Dark Gate'."

Tang Qing's eyes held a smile, showing no sign of anger whatsoever.

As she said, for the $300,000 bounty, death was a risk they were willing to take.

"So, you came to see me today just because of this kill order?" Tang Qing continued, "If you're here to ask me to cancel the kill order against you, then I'm sorry, but once 'Dark Gate' signs a contract with a client, they won't renege on it."

Chuanliu smiled and said, "I know the rules. Actually, I just signed a contract with your employee, a customized contract."

Tang Qing raised an eyebrow, a sense of foreboding creeping over him.

Chuanliu took out her contract from her pocket; both parties had already signed it. She pointed to Xiang Ge, "Here, two copies. The other copy is with him."

Tang Qing waved his hand, and one of the bodyguards immediately went over, picked up the unconscious Xiang Ge, found the contract that hadn't been destroyed yet, and let Xiang Ge fall to the ground again.

Tang Qing looked at the pieced-together contract, a flash of anger crossing her beautiful eyes, and her gaze towards Brother Xiang turned icy.

After a long pause, she took a deep breath and said, "This... is indeed the work of my employee. However, I think if he had known your identity beforehand, he would never have signed such a contract with you."

Chuanliu nodded, a sly glint in his eyes. "That may be true, but the contract is already in effect. I'm sure the sect leader won't go back on his word, right?"

"Of course, that's the rule, and I won't break it." Tang Qing smiled and handed the contract to the bodyguard.

She looked at the flowing river, pondered for a moment, and continued, "However... I think we can talk."

Chuanliu asked with interest, "Oh?"

Tang Qing's eyes held a hint of ambiguity. "If Mo Qingchen hadn't died, there wouldn't be another assassin for the time being, and you wouldn't need our top assassins as bodyguards."

Chuanliu asked, "There's been no movement from the 'secret door,' so the client probably won't agree, right?"

Tang Qing seemed to have made a decision, and said with some difficulty, "One week. I can guarantee you a week."

A question flashed through Chuanliu's mind. She didn't understand why Tang Qing was so eager to find a way out for her. Was it really just for those two contracts with conflicting interests?

The girl's eyes held a hint of sincerity. "Sect Leader Tang, I understand your predicament, and my purpose isn't to make things difficult for the 'Dark Gate'... You just said that the 'Dark Gate' wouldn't renege on the contract after it's signed?"

Tang Qing: "That's right."

Chuanliu: "What if your customer changes their mind, or... is unable to pay the remaining balance?"

Tang Qing looked at the girl in front of her with some surprise. She knew what the girl meant, so she smiled and replied, "If it is the situation you described, then the contract will be invalid."

Chuanliu understood and nodded gratefully, "Thank you for your answer."

The two women had reached a certain consensus without any explanation.

Although an unspoken plan had already begun, according to the rules, Chuanliu still paid a deposit of 300,000 yuan for the order. The young woman couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache; in contrast, Tang Qing was in a better mood.

By the time everything was sorted out, it was already dusk. Xiang Ge and the assassins he had hired finally groggily awoke. They rubbed their aching heads and swayed as they stood up.

Xiang Ge spotted Chuan Liu immediately, and anger surged within him. He cursed, "You bitch, you dare to trick me! I'll teach you a lesson..."

He was about to make a move when he turned his head and saw Tang Qing standing to the side.

Xiang, who had been in a daze, suddenly snapped to attention, his muddled mind instantly clearing. He stammered, "Sect, Sect, Sect Master... why are you here?"