Chapter 17: Crisis Resolved

At this moment, not to mention others, even Wu Chengyu was baffled — Hao Laosì might have erupted to kill, but he shouldn't have killed his own subordinate.

The other beggars scattered in fright; Hong Qigong was inwardly startled but did not strike immediately. Hao Laosì climbed up from the ground, slowly retreated, and stood on full alert.

"Chief, Hao Laosì has followed you for many years and knows your temper well. Once certain things are done, not only old subordinates — even a biological son would have to pay with his life.

Aren't you looking for those nine children? I've locked them in a secret place; besides me and those two fellows just now, no one knows where it is.

Even with your peerless martial arts, Hong Qigong, you won't find it in three to five days. Last night I didn't even get to bring them food; the children are young and frail, some still injured. If they go two days without food or water, who knows how many will starve to death.

You, Hong Qigong, pride yourself on chivalry — trade their nine lives for my one. How about it?"

Finished speaking, Hao Laosì drew a short knife and pressed it against his own throat. "If the Chief insists on not letting me go, Hao Laosì will commit suicide right now. Those nine kids will be my burial companions. However you count it, I don't lose."

Hong Qigong stayed silent. Wu Chengyu's eyes flickered. Beside them, Lu Youjiao shouted in fury.

"Hao Laosì, you actually dare threaten the Chief! I'll kill you."

"Hahaha, I've had enough of this lousy Beggar Sect — this isn't allowed, that isn't allowed. I became a beggar; why should I follow those sect rules?

I just want meat to eat, silver to spend. As long as I can live well, I'll do anything.

Chief Hong, Hao Laosì respects you, but after following you through life and death all these years, what has Hao Laosì gained?"

Hong Qigong's face flushed red. Betrayed and threatened by a trusted subordinate, with Huang Laoxie's disciple watching — he had lost enormous face today. Yet in his eyes, those children's lives still mattered most.

"Fine. Tell me where the children are, and I'll give you three days — go wherever you want. After three days, Beggar Sect disciples will hunt you with full force. Live or die, that's your fate. Put down the knife; Hong Qigong's word is gold."

"Three days isn't enough. That's nine lives — at least give me…"

"Chief Hong, strike. A man like this has long since forfeited his life ten thousand times over. A hero of your stature — how can you be threatened by such a petty villain?"

Before Hao Laosì could finish, Wu Chengyu — who had been coldly watching — cut in. A ten-year-old's face speaking the most ruthless words.

"Kid, I said it — if I die, nine lives go with me." Hao Laosì roared at Wu Chengyu.

Wu Chengyu didn't even glance at him. He turned to Hong Qigong. "I can find where the children are."

The moment Wu Chengyu's voice fell, Hong Qigong hesitated no longer. His figure flickered — he vanished from his spot and reappeared before Hao Laosì. The short knife in Hao Laosì's hand had no time to move; Hong Qigong's large hand was already pressed atop his Baihui Point.

This time Hao Laosì's head didn't burst instantly. Instead, blood streamed from his seven orifices. His whole body went limp, boneless, and he collapsed softly to the ground.

"You really can find the children." Only after striking without mercy did Hong Qigong think to look back and confirm.

Wu Chengyu couldn't be bothered to retort. The old man had already struck — what was the point of asking now?

"I was born with a keen sense of smell. There's my sister A Ku's scent here, but she stayed only a short time — the trace is extremely faint. However, Hao Laosì and those two unlucky bastards reek so strongly it's choking. Since only the three of them have been there, we just follow the direction of the scent on the three of them."

As he spoke, Wu Chengyu pointed north of the City God Temple. Outwardly he looked fully in control, but inside he was surging with excitement. A Ku — Big Brother Fang has come to save you.

Wu Chengyu blended the scents on the three men, found a direction only they had passed, and led Hong Qigong forward. Several sect members followed, while Lu Youjiao remained at the City God Temple to guard the remaining accomplices.

Judging by the direction, A Ku and the others' hideout was north of Gushan County. As they walked, Wu Chengyu's eyes grew brighter — A Ku's scent was drawing nearer.

North of Gushan County stood a Nameless Hill. Mo Laodao had once gathered herbs here. The hill had plenty of vegetation and strange rocks, but absolutely no place to hide people. Following the scent, Wu Chengyu gradually reached the hill's shaded side — a sheer cliff face covered in vines. To reach the base of the cliff, they still had to wade across a small stream.

Wu Chengyu pointed at the cliff. "The scent vanishes at that cliff wall."

Hong Qigong didn't hesitate either. He grabbed Wu Chengyu's belt, easily vaulted the stream, and arrived at the cliff. One glance at the vines behind them, and he cursed aloud.

"This Hao Laosì truly is cunning. Who would've thought there's a cave behind the vines? If I sent men to search here, from across the stream they'd see only a cliff wall — clear at a glance, no need to come over. If so, those children really might have starved to death."

Finished speaking, Hong Qigong pushed aside the vines and ducked inside with Wu Chengyu. The entrance was tiny at first — Hong Qigong had to hunch forward, but it fit Wu Chengyu perfectly. After a dozen steps, the cave gradually widened, and light appeared ahead.

Wu Chengyu suddenly grabbed Hong Qigong, signaling silence, then whispered, "Fourteen people inside. Hao Laosì left five as guards."

Hong Qigong whispered back, "You smelled that too? Your nose beats a dog's. How come I smell nothing?"

Wu Chengyu rolled his eyes — his only response. Hong Qigong was lazy even as a beggar; the sour stench on him was no small thing. That he could smell anyone else at all would be a miracle. Heaven knows how hard Wu Chengyu had endured the stench all the way here.

"Not just by nose. I can hear the heartbeats of the people inside — fourteen, no mistake.

The space inside isn't small. Nine people are huddled together, unmoving, as if tied up. Those should be the children.

The other five — one has a slow heartbeat, like he's sleeping. The other four should be drinking."

Hong Qigong gave Wu Chengyu a deep look, saying nothing. A keen nose could be talent, but hearing this acute stunned him. Even Hong Qigong, channeling inner force to his Yifeng Points, could hear heartbeats inside — but not distinguish them this clearly. And Wu Chengyu absolutely didn't possess that level of inner force.

A mind beyond his years, a calm disposition, and extraordinary gifts — yet Huang Yaoshi broke his legs and expelled him. What exactly did Wu Mianfeng do to enrage Huang Yaoshi?

Hong Qigong silently calculated. In his eyes, Wu Mianfeng was no longer a child — he was a rare talent, a fine piece of jade.

The two passed through the cave. Beyond it lay a small valley — who knew how Hao Laosì had found this place.

The valley was dim. The people inside were completely off guard, utterly unaware of the two intruders. Five of Hao Laosì's subordinates — one dozing against a rock wall, the other four indeed drinking. Nine children were locked in a cage. Wu Chengyu spotted A Ku at a glance.

Wu Chengyu stepped two paces right, signaling Hong Qigong to act. Hong Qigong didn't hesitate — he lunged at those five scum.

Wu Chengyu walked straight to the cage, eyes fixed on A Ku, heart filled only with joy. This life-and-death crisis was finally over.

Thanks to Miao Sheng, Li Yue Shuang Xue, Nickname Is What Thing 123, Book Friend 5546, I Am A Boatman, Book Friend 5234, Book Friend 0470, Book Friend 0811 for their recommendation tickets.

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(Chapter End)