Chapter 236: Let You Be the Beggar

Bianhe was bustling with noise.

Gu Qing and Qiao Feng sat across from each other in a tavern, drinking together.

Ever since Xuan Ku's death, Qiao Feng had felt himself unjustly slandered, but after learning the killer was Xiao Yuanshan, his heart ached with bitter resignation—he now believed all the insults hurled at him by the Wu Lin of late were truly deserved.

"Murong Bo, the chief culprit, is already dead; we still need to confront the leader."

Qiao Feng said: "For years, as I roamed the Jianghu, countless fortuitous encounters came to me unasked—now I realize most of them were secretly guided by the Shaolin abbot and Wang Bangzhu. Abbot Xianci was deceived; I wish to reconcile, but my father's hatred runs too deep, and Shaolin still holds a grudge against us over Master Xuan Ku's death."

Qiao Feng swallowed the bitter wine, his heart pained.

"Shaolin won't erupt into chaos."

Gu Qing smiled and said: "You can do whatever you like."

Xiao Yuanshan and Murong Bo had long been watched by the Sweeping Monk; Shaolin's Seventy-Two Superior Arts still had flaws, and if Xiao Yuanshan sought to disrupt Shaolin, the Sweeping Monk would surely restrain and educate him.

Qiao Feng was not so optimistic—he drank another bowl of wine and gazed out the window at the noisy Bianhe, seeking a moment of inner peace.

In Bianjing, drinking was accompanied by a trade called "jūn zāo"—local women from nearby alleys would sit with drinkers, pouring tea and wine; there was also a type called "sī bō," who would come to sing, offer fruits and incense, and earn coins; some low-class courtesans would arrive uninvited to sing, requiring silver to be sent away.

The Zhang Family Tavern where Gu Qing and Qiao Feng drank banned all such practices; the two drank undisturbed.

"Speaking of it, Brother Gu, though our friendship is brief, I've owed you favors many times over—and now I must entrust you with a difficult task."

Qiao Feng set down his wine bowl, fixing Gu Qing with a steady gaze: "The Beggar's Sect has long wanted me to resume the position of leader, but I carry blood feuds and am in a precarious position—if I become their chief, should I one day be trapped in Shaolin, it may spark conflict between the Beggar's Sect and Shaolin. In today's Wu Lin, Brother Gu, your martial skill is unmatched, your righteousness beyond reproach—I've thought long and hard, and you are the best candidate to temporarily hold the position."

Xiao Yuanshan insisted on confronting Shaolin; Qiao Feng had no choice but to follow—but the Beggar's Sect must be restrained to prevent greater conflict with Shaolin.

"Me? Leader of the Beggar's Sect?"

Gu Qing rubbed his chin—he had never once considered this.

"Please, Brother, don't refuse."

Qiao Feng bowed deeply.

Gu Qing leaned back slightly, thought for a moment, then felt a flicker of interest: "Fine. I'll try being the leader."

Qiao Feng was overjoyed. After drinking with Gu Qing, he took him to Li's residence, where, in a quiet courtyard, he taught Gu Qing the Eighteen Dragon-Palms and the Dog-Beating Staff Technique, while Gu Qing listened intently.

Gu Qing's martial insight was already extremely high; once Qiao Feng explained the techniques, Gu Qing understood them instantly.

"The last ten palms of the Eighteen Dragon-Palms seem superfluous."

After teaching the palm technique, Qiao Feng said: "The essence of those last ten palms is already contained in the first eighteen. If we could streamline them, it would be ideal—but lately I've been too occupied to give it proper thought."

Qiao Feng had entertained this idea but had not yet acted on it.

"That's not difficult."

Gu Qing stood with arms folded, pondered deeply, then said: "I think we can revise it like this…"

Using the General Principles of the Nine Yin Scripture, the Nine Yang Scripture, the Five Supreme Arts, his own knowledge of martial techniques, and Guo Jing's application of the Eighteen Dragon-Palms, Gu Qing refined the Eighteen Dragon-Palms—cutting the excess, strengthening the foundation. In discussion with Qiao Feng, within just over an hour, the new outline of the Eighteen Dragon-Palms was complete.

Qiao Feng had come to teach Gu Qing martial arts—but now, through this exchange, he gained profound insight himself, realizing Gu Qing's understanding of martial principles approached the realm of heaven and earth. "Remarkable. Remarkable."

Qiao Feng said with admiration: "If the elders saw Brother Gu applying the Eighteen Dragon-Palms to this level, they'd have no objections."

Gu Qing nodded. The Beggar's Sect's leader selection had always been crude—Yuan Zhenzhi had once held the position, and Yang Kang nearly became leader. Gu Qing taking the role would face little resistance.

With the leadership entrusted to Gu Qing, Qiao Feng lifted a great burden from his heart. He bade Gu Qing farewell and went to inform the Beggar's Sect brothers and elders in Bianjing, urging them to welcome Gu Qing as their new leader.

"You're going to be the Beggar's Sect leader?"

Dao Baifeng, who had been preparing to leave, was startled upon hearing Gu Qing intended to take the position.

"Though a man may not seek a position, if he bears the duty to benefit the Wu Lin, and if all eyes turn to him as the only one who can bring that benefit, then he must shoulder the responsibility and abandon all personal desires."

Gu Qing smiled: "The Beggar's Sect is the largest sect in Central Plains, yet its martial arts are crude and unstructured—I intend to build it a proper system."

The ten removed palms of the Eighteen Dragon-Palms, Gu Qing was now attempting to transform into a new set of Dragon-Palm Legs, designed to complement the Eighteen Dragon-Palms.

In Hong Kong comics like Dragon Tiger Gate, there was a set called Eighteen Dragon Legs, derived from the Eighteen Dragon-Palms; in Fengyun, there was a set called Divine Dragon Legs, once famed alongside Divine Wind Legs—these ideas sparked Gu Qing's own inspiration.

!

"Don't worry."

Gu Qing looked at Dao Baifeng and Gao Mei and said: "From now on, the Beggar's Sect will no longer pursue you in the Song realm—in fact, it will become your ally, protecting you as you travel the Jianghu."

Hearing this, Gao Mei grabbed Dao Baifeng's hand, her eyes brightening.

"Being the Beggar's Sect leader isn't as carefree as it sounds."

Abi whispered softly. Once, Murong Fu had chased his dream of restoring his kingdom, rushing about day and night; Gu Qing, as leader, would likely be no different.

"Those are matters for others."

Gu Qing smiled: "As leader, I only need to set the direction and accomplish a few things I want to do—the rest I'll leave to the Beggar's Sect. If they find me unsuitable, I'll step down immediately."

Wang Yuyan knew Gu Qing had no lust for power—he suspected Gu Qing's interest in the position stemmed mostly from the Eighteen Dragon-Palms manual. She smiled faintly and said nothing.

"What do you want to do?"

Mu Wanqing asked.

"Give beggars a bowl of food, a roof over their heads—so they don't have to sleep in the wind and eat in the rain."

Gu Qing said calmly.

Though simple, everyone understood how extraordinary it would be to achieve this. They looked at Gu Qing with newfound respect.

"Actually, there's one thing I want to do right now."

Gu Qing looked at Dao Baifeng and smiled: "I intend to use my position as Beggar's Sect leader to gather the sect's members and capture Duan Zhengchun and the Horse Lady."

At these words, every woman in the room lit up, cheering in unison.

(End of Chapter)