Chapter 1551

Long Xi Yue also felt this person was too rude, saying such things in front of the gang leader, really somewhat presumptuous. However she has always been patient, she said to several people: "You all go wait outside for me."

Hu Xiaotian clasped his fist, and together with Tang Qingxuan and the others retreated from the courtyard. Tang Qingxuan could not help but say: "You trust that old beggar, but I see him as no good person at all."

Hu Xiaotian laughed and said: "Here he wouldn't dare cause trouble, and Miss Tang's judgment isn't always spot-on." He had a reason for saying this: Sand Corner Town lies within his jurisdiction, and it's not far from Dongliang Jun, so no one would be foolish enough to cause trouble on his own turf.

That sentence made Tang Qingxuan's face flush red. Although Hu Xiaotian's words were unpleasant to hear, she couldn't help but admit they were right. If she had seen things clearly from the start, she wouldn't have treated Hu Xiaotian so willfully back then; perhaps they could have ended up together. Tang Qingxuan suddenly realized she had completely fallen for Hu Xiaotian—his image filled her mind. She regretted her past mistakes deeply, and even every solitary encounter she'd once had with Hu Xiaotian left her with endless fond memories.

She whispered: "You still remember what happened back then, I know, I was wrong..." As she said this, the usually willful and spoiled Tang Qingxuan didn't even dare to look at Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "How could I? It's been so long; if Miss Tang didn't mention it, I'd have forgotten."

Tang Qingxuan felt a pang of sadness; she would rather Hu Xiaotian remembered, even if it was about her flaws, at least it would prove she still held a place in his heart. Life is like that—once missed, it can never be reclaimed. Perhaps she could only silently watch him for the rest of her life, wishing him happiness in her heart.

After everyone else had withdrawn, Qin Yangming said: "Gang leader, have you heard about the recent events?"

Long Xi Yue nodded and said: "I have. I'm also having people look into it."

Qin Yangming said: "Since Elder Xue was assassinated, our gang has seen a series of killings; I have already gathered some clues."

Long Xi Yue blinked her beautiful eyes: "Elder Qin, have you found out who did it?"

Qin Yangming said: "People from the Sword Palace and the Falling Cherry Palace are involved; our Beggar Sect has traditionally had no grudge with these two sects."

Long Xi Yue, somewhat puzzled, said: "If there's no grudge, why would they attack the Beggar Sect?"

Qin Yangming said: "Then Princess should go ask your fiancé, Lord Hu Xiaotian!"

Long Xi Yue immediately realized Qin Yangming hadn't addressed her as gang leader but called her Princess. Even more rudely, he directly addressed Hu Xiaotian by name, showing a lack of respect toward her. She said: "I don't understand what Elder Qin means; Lord Hu isn't a member of the Beggar Sect, so how could the sect's affairs involve him?"

Qin Yangming chuckled: "Princess, while the Sword Palace and Falling Cherry Palace have no feud with our Beggar Sect, they are mortal enemies of Lord Hu. Your relationship with Lord Hu is known throughout the world, and some may seek to strike at the Beggar Sect to achieve revenge."

Long Xi Yue's expression turned cold; Qin Yangming's words were clear enough and also rude: "Elder Qin, you'd better not listen to those jianghu rumors. It's best not to speak without evidence."

Qin Yangming said: "According to the Beggar Sect's rules, whoever holds the green bamboo staff and iron rice bowl naturally becomes the gang leader—this is a rule set long ago by the sect. I naturally dare not object, but the Jiangbei division had no one attend the Red Sea Assembly. The selection of the gang leader, such an important matter, was not notified for us to attend; is this not unreasonable? Who even regards our Jiangbei division? Perhaps in the Princess's heart she naturally deems it beneath her to notify us, but don't forget: the Jiangbei Beggar Sect disciples number over fifty thousand. As fellow Beggar Sect disciples, do we not have the right to participate in sect affairs? The Princess's approach has left many brothers deeply disappointed."

Long Xi Yue said softly: "Elder Qin, it seems you have quite an opinion of me."

Qin Yangming said: "I dare not; I'm merely relaying the brothers' complaints to the Princess. Honest advice is grating to the ear; if the Princess doesn't wish to hear it, just pretend I never said it."

Long Xi Yue said: "Elder Qin, I'm not afraid to hear your grievances, nor do I mind you airing complaints before me, but there is one thing I must tell you: it's best not to speak without evidence. Regardless of whether you feel pleased or not, I am your gang leader; before you there is no Princess, only the gang leader. Do you understand?"

Qin Yangming hadn't expected this beautiful, delicate Princess to have such a firm side; he felt somewhat surprised, a hint of disdain curling his lips as he said: "Does the gang leader understand what responsibilities she must bear?"

Long Xi Yue countered: "Are you lecturing me, Elder Qin?"

Qin Yangming said: "I dare not; it's just that the Beggar Sect has recently seen too many incidents. If they remain unresolved, I fear the brothers' hearts will grow fearful, possibly even giving rise to thoughts of desertion."

Long Xi Yue said: "Desertion and betrayal are completely different. If it's merely desertion, we can still persuade them to change their hearts; but if it's betrayal, they are criminals of the Beggar Sect, intolerable to the sect, and I will be the first not to let them off!" She displayed unprecedented firmness and decisiveness; even Qin Yangming's heart shuddered. Upon truly seeing Long Xi Yue, he realized this Princess was not the delicate figure of legend, nor did she rely solely on the support of her fiancé Hu Xiaotian; her words were laden with threat.

Qin Yangming said: "Gang leader, don't misunderstand; everything I say and do is also for the sake of the Beggar Sect." His address to Long Xi Yue finally changed from "Princess" back to "gang leader."

Long Xi Yue smiled calmly: "Elder Qin is a senior of the Beggar Sect; I naturally wouldn't doubt your loyalty to the sect. The more turbulent the times, the more we need the sect united top and bottom, trusting each other. I believe Elder Qin should understand my meaning."

Qin Yangming nodded: "Gang leader, your far-sighted excellence is admirable!" Yet these words were spoken without sincerity.

Long Xi Yue certainly wouldn't believe his words; someone who shows her no basic respect, what praise could there be? She said softly: "Elder Xue was ambushed in this town, right?"

Qin Yangming said: "Exactly here."

Long Xi Yue looked around and said: "This is a tofu shop!"

Qin Yangming said: "Killing doesn't require picking a occasion."

Hearing that, Long Xi Yue felt a chill from the depths of her heart; she sensed Qin Yangming's words had a hidden meaning, and she sighed softly: "We should still investigate this matter quickly to avoid unnecessary casualties."

Qin Yangming said: "Our Jiangbei division's tens of thousands of brothers are always at the gang leader's disposal." By saying this he essentially shoved the burden onto Long Xi Yue: "You're the gang leader, aren't you? You arrange it."

Long Xi Yue nodded, seeing that Qin Yangming was dissatisfied with her; even if she gave orders, he might not obey. She secretly thought, better wait until she asks Xiao Tian before speaking further; this Qin Yangming is quite odd—perhaps he won't be plotting anything?

Long Xi Yue said no more, turned and left the courtyard; Hu Xiaotian and the others were waiting outside. Seeing Long Xi Yue emerge, Hu Xiaotian went up to her and asked: "How did the talk go?"

Long Xi Yue linked her arm with his, pulling him aside, and whispered: "That Elder Qin is rather strange; I always feel something's off. We should leave Sand Corner Town quickly and talk later."

Hu Xiaotian looked around; this place after all was his territory, he didn't believe Qin Yangming had the gall to act against them. Yet he noticed Qin Yangming hadn't even come out to see them off, and he couldn't help finding it strange—this Qin Yangming was indeed arrogant; even if you are the Jiangbei division chief, a nine-bag elder of the Beggar Sect, you shouldn't lean on your age and sell your seniority. Long Xi Yue is the gang leader elected by public vote at the Red Sea Assembly; now that the gang leader has departed, he doesn't even see her off.

Hu Xiaotian furrowed his brow, walked slowly toward the tofu shop's gate, pushed it open, but saw the inside was completely empty.

Long Xi Yue followed, and seeing the scene before her, she couldn't help but startle: "He was clearly just inside?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Either there's a back door, or a secret passage." By now he had begun to believe Qin Yangming might really be up to mischief. He also didn't continue searching the courtyard; the best plan for now was to leave early, since they hadn't brought many people, and if anything happened he'd have to divide his attention between protecting Long Xi Yue and Tang Qingxuan.

The group left the tofu shop, just stepped outside, and saw their mounts had vanished, while hundreds of beggars came from all directions to surround them.

Seeing this situation, Hu Xiaotian understood: Qin Yangming harbored wolfish ambitions; he had lured them to Sand Corner Town three times, the true purpose being to eliminate them.

Tang Qingxuan saw so many beggars simultaneously surrounding them, her face turned pale, and she cried out in alarm: "What are they intending to do?"

Hu Xiaotian said calmly: "Rebellion!" He already realized today's gathering was nothing but a trap.

Long Xi Yue drew the green bamboo staff, pointed it at the crowd of beggars, and said: "Do you recognize what this is?"

The beggars saw the green bamboo staff and showed no intention of stopping; they continued forward slowly, all drawing their dog-beating staves, intending to use the Dog-Beating Formation to take down Hu Xiaotian and company. The Beggar Sect's treasure, the dog-beating staff, had no deterrent effect on them whatsoever, and a flicker of panic appeared in Long Xi Yue's beautiful eyes.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Don't be afraid; they are unkind, we are not righteous. Remember, when dealing with them we must show no mercy whatsoever—once we act, we must give it our all!"

The band of beggars halted about ten zhang away, not rushing to attack but gathering strength for a strike.

Hu Xiaotian slowly drew his wind-breaking sword, gesturing for the others to hide behind him. He had faced outnumbered situations more than once; the opposition was only a hundred or so beggars, and he didn't think they posed a major threat.

Second update uploaded; tomorrow I'll climb the Great Wall, tonight I'll sleep early, Sunday I'll rest and try to post more chapters! (To be continued~^~)