Chapter 16: The Truth Comes Out

When Wu Chengyu mentioned the Gushan Branch, the three beggars watching the commotion inside the branch knew things were bad and turned to leave.

Hong Qigong's figure flashed, and the three beggars had their acupoints struck, unable to move.

Hong Qigong shouted loudly, "Lu Youjiao," and a dark, burly beggar emerged from behind the crowd with several others, firmly restraining those three beggars.

Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, they tried to slip away; such behavior precisely proved the Gushan Branch truly had something to hide. At this moment, Hong Qigong's expression was extremely ugly.

Wu Chengyu glanced at Lu Youjiao. In The Legend of the Condor Heroes, he was already around fifty when he appeared, a dignified Nine-Bag Elder of the Beggar Sect who later even became Chief.

Now the timeline had advanced many years; Lu Youjiao was only just in his early thirties, not tall but extremely sturdy and spirited. At this time he was still a Six-Bag Disciple. Though a supporting character with not many scenes in The Legend of the Condor Heroes, he was still incomparable to Wu Mianfeng, who only had a name.

With martial arts masters making a move on the scene, plus this suddenly appearing old beggar turning out to be the Northern Beggar Wu Chengyu had just mentioned, the surrounding people immediately fell into chaos.

Wu Chengyu first bowed with hands clasped to all sides, saying, "Esteemed neighbors, this youngster's storytelling is done for today; please remain seated. In this world, only fine food must not be let down."

Then he turned to Hong Qigong and said, "Chief Hong, this is no place to talk; let's change locations."

Next would come the detailed expose of the Gushan Branch's ugly affairs. However upright Hong Qigong was, he didn't want it spread through the streets. He lowered his head and glanced at Wu Chengyu's left leg, then suddenly grabbed Wu Chengyu's belt and, with a light leap, vaulted over the crowd and left. Lu Youjiao led men escorting the three scum, following tightly.

Wu Chengyu's whole body was held aloft, feeling like a garbage bag being carried. He cursed inwardly, but his face showed nothing unusual.

In a flash, Hong Qigong brought Wu Chengyu out of the Fang Market into a dead-end alley. He set Wu Chengyu down, first rolled up his trouser leg to look at Wu Chengyu's left leg, then reached out and pinched it. His brows furrowed, and only then did he let go of Wu Chengyu.

"Huang Laoxie is truly ruthless. Such a good disciple, at such a young age, he could actually bring himself to do this.

Wu lad, your leg was already broken, and before it healed you suffered another severe injury. Hoping for a full recovery is basically hopeless. You must be prepared for that in your heart."

Wu Chengyu didn't speak, only smiled faintly, not caring at all.

Hong Qigong sighed, "With such a temperament, no young disciple in my Beggar Sect can compare to you. Why exactly did Huang Laoxie expel you from the sect?"

Wu Chengyu shook his head, still not saying a word. His attitude was obvious: matters of Peach Blossom Island were not for outsiders to know.

Hong Qigong merely sighed in admiration, with no intention of digging to the bottom. He savored Wu Chengyu's words again: "In this world, only fine food must not be let down." This sentence truly hit Hong Qigong's sweet spot. He looked at Wu Chengyu with even more fervent eyes.

At this moment, Lu Youjiao arrived with his men. Wu Chengyu immediately told of Qingyu Guan bribing the Gushan Branch to forcibly seize children, killing Mo Laodao and snatching A Ku.

Hong Qigong's face turned iron-green. Lu Youjiao kicked the three fellows over, and after a round of punching and kicking began the interrogation.

The interrogation results naturally matched exactly what Wu Chengyu said, and even exceeded what Wu Chengyu knew. For the sake of seizing children, they had killed more than just Mo Laodao alone; even some unrelated dirty deeds were all questioned out.

Hong Qigong was already furious beyond control. He flipped his palm and struck it onto the crowns of the three scum's heads. The three fellows' skulls shattered and they died instantly, then were dragged away by Lu Youjiao's men to find a place to bury.

Wu Chengyu's face didn't change color, but in his heart he shook his head. These three scum deserved death, yet they couldn't just be killed like this. If it were Wu Chengyu, he would surely convene a grand assembly, drag all the villains up, and execute them publicly before the many sect members — both to awe the members, kill the chicken to scare the monkeys, and to salvage the Beggar Sect's reputation.

No matter what, it was better than killing them with a single palm in this alley and burying them casually. This Hong Qigong really...

Wu Chengyu had just thought this when he heard Hong Qigong let out a long sigh, interrupting his train of thought.

"Wu lad, you're right. I really fall far short of Chief Qiao Feng."

Wu Chengyu blinked, thinking Hong Qigong had actually voiced his inner thought. But what Hong Qigong didn't know was that besides him, this Northern Beggar, being able to aspire to Qiao Feng's level, the subsequent Chiefs would be each worse than the last. For instance, that short, stocky, dark fellow beside him would also become a Chief later.

After finishing his sigh, Hong Qigong again grabbed Wu Chengyu's belt and lifted him up, saying, "Let's go, to the Gushan Branch. Today I'll decide for you."

Wu Chengyu watched the houses and trees on both sides receding continuously. After a short while they reached the City God Temple in the south of the city. Hong Qigong casually set him down. Wu Chengyu only felt dizzy, nearly stumbling and falling to the ground.

The beggars inside the City God Temple, seeing Hong Qigong, immediately came forward to greet him. The leader's voice matched what Wu Chengyu had heard that night — it was precisely this Branch Chief.

This Branch Chief wore a fawning smile. Seeing Wu Chengyu looking like a wealthy young master, he was somewhat surprised. He had actually never seen Wu Chengyu before, but didn't dare ask more. He bowed to Hong Qigong and said,

"Chief, it's truly been a while since I've seen you, Elder. I, Hao Laosì, have missed you day and night. Once I got word you were coming, I prepared several fat chickens early on. Just now I wrapped them in mud and put them in the fire pit. You love my Beggar's Chicken the most."

Hong Qigong didn't look at him, only nodded. He walked into the City God Temple while observing the surroundings.

"Old Four, has anything happened in Gushan County these days?"

"Chief, rest assured. With your Elder's prestige suppressing things, no one with eyes dares make trouble in Gushan County. All is well."

"Good. I'm bringing men to Hangzhou on business, passing through Gushan just to rest a bit. We'll leave soon. Perfect — I'm also craving your Beggar's Chicken."

"Haha, Chief, please wait a moment. In another two incense sticks' time, the chicken will be ready. Please sit."

Hong Qigong sat imposingly in the center of the City God Temple's main hall, pulling Wu Chengyu to sit with him. Then he pointed at Wu Chengyu and said to Branch Chief Hao Laosì,

"This is a junior of mine. He entrusted me to inquire about some matters. You, Hao Laosì, are the local snake of Gushan County. Just answer whatever is asked."

Hao Laosì looked at Wu Chengyu, a smile piled on his face. Just as he wanted to curry favor, Wu Chengyu spoke first.

"Branch Chief Hao, greetings. This junior is Wu Chengyu. I wish to ask Branch Chief Hao about Qingyu Guan's affairs, and also those children — many thanks to Branch Chief Hao for looking after them. Only I don't know where they are now?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Hao Laosì's face instantly turned deathly pale, his whole body trembling involuntarily. He twisted his head to look at Hong Qigong. Hong Qigong's face was sunk like water, his gaze sharp as he glared at him.

Hao Laosì immediately knelt on the ground, kowtowing nonstop: "Chief, spare my life! Chief, spare my life! For the sake of my many years following you, please spare me!"

Those beggars in the branch who participated were also scared out of their wits, all kneeling together before Hong Qigong.

Unexpectedly, just as Hong Qigong was about to speak, Hao Laosì's eyes changed. He raised his hand and shot out two flying knives, straight at Wu Chengyu.

Wu Chengyu sat unmoving. If he were killed while sitting with Hong Qigong, then this Northern Beggar might as well bang his head and kill himself.

Hong Qigong reached out and caught the flying knives in his hand. Who knew Hao Laosì was feinting east to strike west? He took the chance to turn, and another flying knife flew out, striking the throats of the two beggars behind him squarely.

This book releases on Monday. Five working days for signing info. Thought it was yesterday, waited a day, nothing. Looks like this time it counts from Tuesday. Now two extra weekend days to linger. Waiting for news next Monday. Biggest problem now: barely anyone can see this book. Collection count is way too low.





(Chapter End)