Following Kang Min and her group, Chen Yu left the dilapidated temple in the northern part of the city.
Luoyang City was the headquarters of the Beggar Sect, with countless disciples. Low-ranking disciples had no fixed residence and could only sleep on the streets.
Disciples like Ma Er, from the Clean-Clothed faction with five bags, had proper places to live. Though not comparable to wealthy merchants or landlords, they at least lived without worry of wind and rain.
“Chief Qiao’s martial arts are peerless, and he values loyalty. All the brothers respect him. Right now, our Great Song Empire is surrounded by enemies on all sides. To the north, the Jurchens and Mongols eye us greedily. To the east, the Qing barbarians invade our borders year after year. In the west, the Western Xia’s First Hall frequently raids us. If not for Chief Qiao leading experts to extinguish crises everywhere, and Hero Guo with Madam Guo holding Xiangfan, how could we still preserve half of this territory…”
Upon arriving at the headquarters, the one guiding Chen Yu was a four-bag disciple in his early thirties named Cao Ding.
He was from Shandong, with a scar across his face and a bold, straightforward personality.
Along the way, he spoke incessantly, filling Chen Yu in on the current state of the world.
To sum it up… it was chaotic. Still, Chen Yu had finally gained a clear understanding.
This world differed greatly from the martial arts worlds in his memories. After all, so many dynasties had been mixed together.
When Cao Ding learned that Chen Yu had defeated Ma Er and even cut off his arm, he repeatedly exclaimed how satisfying it was. It seemed he had long held grievances against Ma Er.
He now regarded Chen Yu with newfound respect, answering every question without reservation.
After leading Chen Yu to his new residence, he pointed toward the waterfall in the back mountain and said, “Brother Chen, you should be from the Ragged-Clothed faction, right? Go take a bath first. The Vice Sect Master and Madam still need to see you.”
“Thank you, Brother Cao,” Chen Yu nodded.
At the foot of the back mountain, he used the waterfall’s spring water to wash himself.
Only then did he finally calm down and reflect on his current situation.
He raised his hands, then lifted his legs, feeling light and unrestrained.
Joy filled his heart.
Since childhood, he had admired the heroes in martial arts novels, capable of soaring through the skies and settling grudges with freedom.
Now that he had come to this world, he would surely carve out a life of his own.
Starting with the Beggar Sect!
Excitement surged within Chen Yu. Channeling his palm force, he forcefully lifted a section of the waterfall.
In an instant, water scattered through the air like rain.
After bathing, he thought for a moment, then took out the Beauty-Nurturing Pill and swallowed it.
As the grime was washed away, he returned to his room and looked into the bronze mirror.
He had changed completely.
The original host’s appearance had only been average, merely tall and thin.
As a Ragged-Clothed disciple, he had spent long periods begging, covered in dirt from head to toe, unkempt and foul-smelling. Naturally, he had not been appealing.
But now it was different. With the effect of the Beauty-Nurturing Pill, his appearance had subtly transformed during the time it took to bathe.
In the mirror, his features were sharp and well-defined. His brows were like swords, his eyes keen like an eagle’s. His physique was lean yet muscular, giving him the look of a young martial hero.
Though still slightly inferior to the esteemed readers, he was far better than ordinary men.
Combined with his time wandering the martial world, he now carried an added air of heroism.
After changing into a clean, patched set of clothes, Chen Yu was led to a side hall of the headquarters. Several figures were already waiting there.
Vice Sect Master Ma Dayuan sat in the center. He was a burly man in his fifties with a large beard.
Kang Min naturally stood beside him.
When she saw Chen Yu enter, now almost a completely different person, her eyes lit up.
She had thought he was merely a capable beggar. Who would have expected such a transformation after a simple bath?
The young man before her had clear eyes, long flowing hair, and a strikingly heroic bearing.
A true young hero of the Beggar Sect.
Chen Yu paid little attention to her now somewhat heated gaze. His focus was on Ma Dayuan and the two men seated to his right.
The one closer to Ma Dayuan wore gray cloth, with nine bags tied around his waist. His hair and beard were completely white.
His expression was stern, exuding authority without anger. He was the Enforcement Elder of the Beggar Sect, Bai Shijing.
The Beggar Sect was the largest sect under heaven. According to the original host’s memories, it was divided into northern and southern branches. The Northern Beggar Sect, where Chen Yu belonged, had one Chief, one Vice Sect Master, followed by one Transmission Elder and one Enforcement Elder, along with four Protector Elders and several eight-bag branch leaders.
The Enforcement Elder held immense authority. Bai Shijing was undoubtedly one of the most powerful figures in the Northern Beggar Sect.
Further away sat a man wearing a scholar’s cap and patched clothing, with eight bags at his waist.
He was in his forties, his appearance upright, but his eyes carried a cold, sinister glint.
Chen Yu searched through the original host’s memories but found no recognition. Still, a vague guess formed in his mind.
Since the Northern Beggar Sect resembled the setting of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils… then this person…
“This is Brother Quan Guanqing, Branch Leader of the Great Wisdom Sub-branch. As for Elder Bai, I don’t need to introduce him,” Ma Dayuan said, noticing Chen Yu’s confusion.
So it really is this bastard…
Chen Yu’s gaze turned strange.
Quan Guanqing, the most ambitious schemer in the Beggar Sect, a top opportunist. In the novel, he was one of the masterminds behind forcing Qiao Feng out.
And… one of Madam Ma’s lovers.
As for the stern and upright-looking Enforcement Elder Bai Shijing, he was also one of them.
Chen Yu wondered if the three of them were already entangled in this world.
“Chen Yu, you have quite the nerve. Why did you sever Ma Er’s arm? The Beggar Sect is the greatest sect under heaven. We are all brothers here. According to the sect rules, what is the punishment for harming a fellow disciple?” Ma Dayuan’s voice was loud, his face stern.
“Dayuan, you know your sworn brother’s nature. The brothers have long been dissatisfied. Many things were overlooked by Elder Bai out of respect for you…” Kang Min immediately spoke gently in Chen Yu’s defense, smiling. “Besides, everyone knows you are kind-hearted. Why scare this young man?”
“Xiaomin, you… how can I discipline him like this?” Ma Dayuan sighed, his stern demeanor collapsing instantly into helplessness. “It is indeed my brother who wronged you. I have been too lenient. I always thought I could overlook his mistakes, but I never expected things to escalate like this. Little brother, I apologize.”
To Chen Yu’s surprise, the Vice Sect Master apologized first.
It seemed his reputation for kindness and humility was genuine.
“But since you possess such ability, there were countless ways to subdue him… why cut off his arm? Sigh… forget it. He was in the wrong first. If I were you, I might have killed him as well… Xiaomin is right, this matter should not be made public. I will have him sent to the countryside in a few days. He can spend the rest of his life as a farmer.”
Ma Dayuan sighed. No matter how despicable Ma Er was, he was still his sworn brother.
“Thank you, Vice Sect Master,” Chen Yu nodded.
He thought Ma Dayuan was a decent man, at least not like those brainless villains who blindly protected their own.
He then noticed Kang Min’s almond-shaped eyes studying him, her lips curved in a smile as she whispered occasionally into Ma Dayuan’s ear.
“Ahem. I called you here because Xiaomin said your martial arts are extraordinary. She claims she has never seen a one-bag disciple with your level of skill. Elder Bai and Branch Leader Quan are also interested in assessing your abilities,” Ma Dayuan said.
“Vice Sect Master, you are quite mistaken. I am not interested in this man,” Bai Shijing spoke little, merely observing Chen Yu with a sharp gaze from beginning to end.
The one who spoke next was Quan Guanqing. He sneered and looked at Chen Yu. “At his age, how strong could he possibly be?”
Quan Guanqing had only come to the headquarters to report. He did not believe Kang Min’s claims.
In his eyes, Chen Yu’s youth alone was enough proof. Defeating Ma Er could only mean Ma Er was useless.
He then turned to mock Kang Min, “Madam Ma is but a woman. What experts could she have seen?”
“Haha, I think so too. Xiaomin exaggerated. She hasn’t seen much of the world and dislikes fighting,” Ma Dayuan laughed, not even attempting to defend his wife.
The moment his words fell, Chen Yu sharply noticed a flash of killing intent flicker across Kang Min’s beautiful face.
Ma Dayuan, Ma Dayuan… you really don’t deserve a better fate…
Chen Yu couldn’t help but think.
With a wife like her, so vicious, and you still side with outsiders to belittle her… if you don’t die, who will?
The killing intent on Kang Min’s face vanished in an instant.
Lowering her voice, she spoke sweetly with a gentle smile, “I truly haven’t seen much of the world. Branch Leader Quan must be laughing at me.”
Truly pitiful and endearing.
Even Chen Yu felt like applauding.
To be fair, Kang Min was indeed exceptional.
Knowing the original novel, Chen Yu was well aware of her vicious and seductive nature, yet her delicate, innocent appearance felt completely real.
Looking at Quan Guanqing and Bai Shijing, both men’s throats moved slightly at the sight of her beauty.
Little did they know, this Madam Ma was a true femme fatale.
As expected, Chen Yu immediately noticed the shift in Kang Min’s malicious thoughts.
[Malicious Thought 1: Ma Dayuan, you deserve death. You dare side with outsiders to criticize me. I will kill you!] Advanced reward
[Malicious Thought 2: I wish someone would fiercely refute that bastard Quan Guanqing for me.] Initial reward
[Malicious Thought 3: Quan Guanqing, how dare you speak of me like that. I want to see you beaten to the ground like a dog, crying as you apologize to me!] Intermediate reward
Intermediate reward!
Chen Yu’s eyes froze for a moment.
Even the lowest rewards had granted techniques like Phantom Ripple Steps, albeit at Minor Achievement.
What about intermediate rewards?
However, the malicious thought about killing Chief Qiao was gone for now.
These thoughts seemed time-sensitive, changing with the target’s current state.
Chen Yu pondered.
Completing two at once… and unlike Liu Hui, whose rewards were all basic, Kang Min’s malicious thoughts casually offered intermediate and advanced rewards.
Madam Ma, you’re not just a femme fatale… you’re practically a treasure trove…
Chen Yu thought, already eager to act.
His mind raced. From his vague memory, Quan Guanqing was not known for exceptional one-on-one combat ability.
In the novel, though his martial arts were strong, he acted more like a schemer than a fighter. His title, “Scholar of Ten Directions,” said it all.
From appearances, the Quan Guanqing of this world likely wasn’t much stronger.
With the Nine Yang Manual at Minor Achievement, dealing with him shouldn’t be difficult.
Chen Yu stepped forward, cupping his fists toward the seated “Scholar of Ten Directions” and said, “Branch Leader Quan, I believe your earlier words toward Madam Ma were inappropriate.”
“What do you mean she is merely a woman who has not seen experts? Was not the former Chief Wang an expert? Is not Chief Qiao an expert? Are Vice Sect Master Ma, Elder Bai, Elder Lü, and the other elders not experts?”
“Chief Qiao is often away, leaving sect affairs to Vice Sect Master Ma. As his virtuous partner, Madam Ma spares no effort in managing the sect’s affairs with great order. How can she be judged as an ordinary woman?”
Indeed, she is far from ordinary.
Chen Yu added silently in his heart.
Kang Min’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t expected this.
This was just a one-bag disciple, yet he dared to contradict a branch leader for her sake.
The words pleased her immensely.
As Chen Yu continued speaking, every sentence struck her heart.
For some reason, her breathing grew heavier with each word.
Well said!
How she wished these words had come from her husband, Ma Dayuan.
But she knew… that man, who only cared about brotherhood and unity, would never defend her like this.
Chen Yu’s voice wasn’t as booming as Ma Dayuan’s, yet it carried weight. Every word resonated deeply.
By the end, it was almost deafening in its impact.
“I request that Branch Leader Quan withdraw his earlier remarks about Madam Ma!” Chen Yu declared loudly.
“Heh. Good, very good!” Quan Guanqing’s face turned ashen. Being contradicted by a mere one-bag disciple made his blood boil.
To him, mocking Kang Min was trivial.
He had always considered himself one of the few clear-headed men in the sect. He had criticized even Chief Wang Jiantong and Chief Qiao Feng before.
Who are you to make me take back my words?
“If I don’t, what can you do?” Quan Guanqing stood up, looking down at Chen Yu with a cold sneer.
Chen Yu cupped his fists, then flexed his wrists. “Then I ask Branch Leader Quan to enlighten me. Let us see just how capable I truly am.”
“If I win, Branch Leader Quan must apologize to Madam!”
Kang Min’s body trembled slightly, her heart already brimming with delight, though confusion lingered.
Why would this young man go so far for her? Challenging an eight-bag branch leader as a mere one-bag disciple.
Was it simply because she had stood up for him?
If so… then this deal was more than worth it.
“Please,” Chen Yu said, taking the opening stance of the Founding Sovereign Long Fist, his expression resolute.
Across from him, Quan Guanqing had already begun to laugh.