Chapter 1509: 【Heartbreak】 (Part 1)

Several elders of the Beggar Sect also recognized this problem; Long Xi Yue becoming the Beggar Sect leader would naturally allow them to take Red Wood River as the sect's new development base, and would greatly alleviate the Beggar Sect's predicament in the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom, where everyone cries out against them.

Long Xi Yue smiled and said, "Elders, rest assured; I have already written a letter to the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom side, Elder Mu."

Mu Shusheng hurriedly clasped his fists respectfully and said, "Subordinate is here!"

Long Xi Yue said, "This letter should be delivered by you personally to the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom and handed to my elder brother Wang; you can explain in detail how he was previously kidnapped, which was entirely the doing of the Shangguan Tianhuo father and son, having nothing to do with other Beggar Sect members; we Beggar Sect are also victims of theirs."

Mu Shusheng secretly rejoiced; although Long Xi Yue is a woman, her status is extraordinary, and the benefits of her becoming Beggar Sect leader are obvious—a great boon for the sect, already able to reverse its fortunes in the short term. After all, the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom is where the Beggar Sect's headquarters resides; its members have painstakingly operated there for years, building today's foundation. No one wants to see centuries of foundation destroyed overnight, shifting power westward and developing Red Wood River is a reluctant decision; if there were any alternative, they would not want to give it up.

Mu Shusheng respectfully accepted the order, took the letter and kept it safe.

Long Xi Yue also said, "I will soon leave Red Wood River for Dongliang Jun; from now on, sect affairs will rely on you elders to attend to."

Zhao Shenxiong said, "Leader, actually the Beggar Sect's influence spans the world; major sect matters ultimately still need the leader's decision." He feared Long Xi Yue would neglect the Beggar Sect and let go.

Long Xi Yue said, "Since I have taken on this leader's burden, I will naturally do my utmost for the Beggar Sect and share weal and woe with the brothers." Her words gave everyone a reassurance. She also said, "You elders should also know that Red Wood River is the dowry given to me by the Heavenly Fragrance Kingdom's queen; now Lady Ga nuo of Fire Tree City, leading all the Red Barbarian tribespeople, has already agreed to submit to our administration. However, given the many tribes of Red Wood River with differing intentions, it is hard to say that no mishap will occur in the future."

Zhao Shenxiong laughed, "Leader, don't worry; the leader's affairs are the sect's affairs. Although the Red Wood River tribes are many, even if their combined strength were added, it still could not match ours."

Long Xi Yue slowly shook her head and said, "Elder Zhao, you must not think that way. To achieve lasting peace in Red Wood River, we cannot rely on force; although our Beggar Sect disciples are many, true coordinated combat still cannot match an army. Red Wood River is surrounded by powerful forces and has often been invaded over the years, yet no side has succeeded in subduing it. The fundamental reason is that force cannot win hearts. To make the various tribes of Red Wood River psychologically submit to us, we must first regard them as our brothers and sisters; only by accepting them first can we integrate from the heart and gain their acceptance."

Zhao Shenxiong fell silent, only then realizing that this Princess Yingyue was far from the pampered noble lady he imagined; her insight even surpassed that of many men.

Several elders nodded simultaneously.

Long Xi Yue said, "I have an idea; I don't know if the elders agree—let me voice it for discussion."

Several people listened attentively; their initial doubt toward the new female sect leader gradually turned into considerable respect. If initially choosing Long Xi Yue as leader was for the sect's future benefit, now they see she indeed has some ability, her vision and insight surpassing Shangguan Tianhuo in many aspects.

Long Xi Yue said, "I want Zhu Ba to stay temporarily in Fire Tree City to guard Ga nuo and Lingnu."

Zhao Shenxiong was the first to object, "This is absolutely impossible. Zhu Ba previously betrayed under Shangguan Tianhuo's threat; having done it once, he could do it again."

Long Xi Yue smiled gently, "Zhu Ba is both wise and brave; he has previously earned countless merits for the Beggar Sect. I think we cannot erase all his achievements because of one mistake, nor permanently blacklist him; we ought to give him a chance, don't you agree?"

Zhao Shenxiong said, "But Red Wood River is extremely important, and Fire Tree City is its core; if something goes wrong, regret will come too late."

Mu Shusheng said, "I think the leader's words are not wrong either; although Zhu Ba made a mistake, his contributions to the Beggar Sect are undeniable. We cannot deny his entire record over a single error, especially since this time he has turned over a new leaf, promptly exposing the Shangguan Tianhuo father and son's plot, and did not cause a major disaster; better to give him one chance."

Hearing Mu Shusheng also agree, Zhao Shenxiong no longer insisted, nodded and said, "Since you and Elder Mu think so, then give him one chance; however, we must monitor him strictly and certainly not be careless."

Mu Shusheng smiled faintly; actually, Long Xi Yue's proposal to reuse Zhu Ba, he already understood in his heart that this was likely eighty percent Hu Xiaotian's suggestion, since Zhu Ba had previously helped Hu Xiaotian and they shared deep friendship; why not return the favor? As for Zhu Ba, he should be fine—the Chief Transmission Elder Xu Sansheng can teach him martial arts, and this time Zhu Ba dared to step forward at the critical moment to expose Shangguan Tianhuo, proving he remains loyal to the Beggar Sect, merely forced by pressure at the time. As the saying goes, no sage is without fault; even you, Zhao Shenxiong, were on friendly terms with the Shangguan father and son before the assembly, now hastily distancing yourself—worldly sentiments are fickle, human warmth cold; even among beggars one cannot escape this commonplace.

They further discussed some Beggar Sect matters; by the time the elders departed, it was already dusk. Hu Xiaotian had not met those Beggar Sect elders face to face; returning to the Butterfly Garden, he told Long Xi Yue that both Zhu Ba and Xie Tianqiong had agreed to stay and help in Red Wood River.

Long Xi Yue also felt relieved; this way not only would the safety of Ga nuo and her daughter be guaranteed, but their control over Red Wood River would also be strengthened, and she recounted today's meeting to Hu Xiaotian in full.

While the two were discussing, someone came to the Divine Temple seeking an audience—it was Grand Priestess Tongyun requesting Hu Xiaotian come over.

Hu Xiaotian felt quite surprised, after all he had little acquaintance with Tongyun; if any relation existed, it was merely enmity—he had kidnapped her and thwarted her plans with Shangguan Yun Chong. Although Tongyun, under Granny Ying's coercion, expressed remorse, no one knows what she truly thinks; indeed, Grand Priestess Tongyun is one of the uncertain factors remaining in Red Wood River, and a key object Hu Xiaotian must guard against.

Granny Ying and Yan Nujiao had already left several days earlier; after the fasting day, the Divine Temple suddenly became much quieter, no longer the bustling scene of a few days prior. After Hu Xiaotian announced his identity at the temple's entrance, a maid immediately led him inside.

Grand Priestess Tongyun sat quietly beneath an osmanthus tree; a stone table held a pot of freshly brewed tea. Seeing Hu Xiaotian enter, she did not rise to greet him, calmly saying, "Please have a seat."

Hu Xiaotian sat opposite her; a maid beside him filled his cup with tea, then quietly withdrew.

Hu Xiaotian remained wary of Tongyun, after all she is Granny Ying's beloved disciple; Granny Ying is a top expert of the Wuxian Sect, skilled not only in detoxifying but also in poisoning, and as her disciple Tongyun must have learned many such techniques.

Tongyun said, "I heard Princess Yingyue was elected leader of the Beggar Sect; congratulations!"

Hu Xiaotian chuckled, "The greater the power, the heavier the responsibility; you think it's a joy, but the princess does not see it that way—she has been worrying all along."

Tongyun said, "With you helping her, what is there to worry about?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Your words are mistaken, Grand Priestess; to the Beggar Sect I am an outsider, and to avoid suspicion I will not meddle in its affairs."

Grand Priestess Tongyun wore an expression of disbelief, yet she had not summoned Hu Xiaotian for this matter; she softly said, "I called you here to let him go." The 'him' she referred to was naturally Shangguan Yun Chong.

Hu Xiaotian said nothing, his eyes full of questioning.

Tongyun sighed, "I know the grudge between you two is deep, but you have already won—you have taken Fire Tree City and control Red Wood River, while he now possesses nothing! Why must you drive him to a dead end?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and nodded, "For Shangguan Yun Chong to have a confidante like you is also his fortune."

Tongyun's expression darkened, "It's a pity he does not care…" Thinking of Shangguan Yun Chong, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her chest, which rapidly spread from her heart throughout her body; Tongyun writhed in agony on the ground, trembling all over, her lovely face instantly draining of color.

Hu Xiaotian started, "Heaven and Earth Conscience, I haven't touched a finger of hers—could she be scheming to blame me? Yet she does not look like she's feigning," he said anxiously, "Are you alright? I'll go call for help."

Grand Priestess Tongyun trembled, "Don't call anyone… I… I am merely implanted with a Love‑Worm; if I indulge in emotion it will inevitably trigger the poison."

Only then did Hu Xiaotian understand what was happening; seeing Tongyun in such agony, he felt some sympathy—she too is a victim, the one who planted the Love‑Worm in her body was likely Granny Ying; without such means it would be hard to control her.

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Do you know that Shangguan Yun Chong also has an identical brother?"

Tongyun's face filled with astonishment, "You… you what are you saying?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "He has many secrets you don't know; if I were you, I would not inquire further into his affairs."

Tongyun bit her lip and said nothing.

Hu Xiaotian said, "The world is vast; if he reforms and retreats to a secluded place to repent alone, how could I find him? But men of his ilk never easily relinquish ambition; if one day he heads toward destruction, it will not be me driving him, but he himself driving himself to a dead end. In this life, whether one lives or dies, loves or not, has nothing to do with others; ultimately only oneself decides one's fate." (To be continued~^~)