The carriage slowly made its way back to the Beggar Sect Headquarters.
After stopping briefly at the entrance, Madam Ma casually lifted the curtain and stepped out.
She smiled and greeted Ma Dayuan, who had come to receive her. From her expression alone, there was not the slightest trace of the suggestive tension that had filled the carriage earlier.
She turned and gave Chen Yu a meaningful glance, then called over several Beggar Sect disciples to help carry the medicine into storage.
“I heard you encountered trouble while fetching the medicine?”
Ma Dayuan had caught wind of the incident, though he didn’t know the details. He stepped forward, patted Chen Yu’s shoulder, and laughed. “Thanks to you, Brother Chen Yu. Though asking someone of your ability to protect Xiaomin is a bit of a waste, with someone as skilled as you guarding her, I feel much more at ease.”
At ease… with an old husband and young wife like this, you’d better keep a closer watch…
Chen Yu couldn’t help but admire Kang Min’s acting. She toyed with this Vice Sect Master as if he were in the palm of her hand.
At that moment, Kang Min, standing on the steps, teased lightly, “Dayuan, the sect is full of matters to attend to. You didn’t come just to pick me up, did you?”
“As expected of my wife.”
Ma Dayuan even found himself humorous. He turned to Chen Yu and laughed heartily. “I came for Brother Chen Yu. The four elders Song, Xi, Chen, and Wu have already arrived. They wish to meet you.”
Kang Min didn’t seem surprised at all. She turned to Chen Yu and said, “Since that’s the case, Chen Yu, go with my husband. However…”
Her pleasant voice paused slightly, her expression carrying a faint smile. “You protected me again today. If anyone in the sect tries to take you away from me, I won’t agree.”
“Not at all. The four elders simply heard that our Beggar Sect has such a young hero and want to meet him. They also want to discuss Brother Chen Yu’s promotion.”
Ma Dayuan completely missed the killing intent hidden in his wife’s words.
At this point, Kang Min was extremely satisfied with Chen Yu. If someone tried to take him away from her, she might very well murder her husband ahead of schedule.
Even after Kang Min had walked away, Ma Dayuan scratched his head foolishly and praised Chen Yu. “Good brother, don’t be fooled by how Xiaomin acts. She’s actually warm on the outside but cold within. For her to value you so much, she must truly be very pleased with you.”
“You flatter me, Brother Ma. I only did what I should. It’s Madam who is gentle and kind, easy to get along with.”
Chen Yu lied without even blinking. Ma Dayuan burst into laughter. “Exactly! Xiaomin is indeed kind, but you truly have ability as well!”
In his mind, his wife was a gentle beauty… graceful and kind.
As they walked and chatted, they soon arrived at the Hall of Righteousness. Unlike yesterday, more high-ranking members of the Northern Beggar Sect had gathered today.
Aside from Sect Master Qiao Feng and Transmission Elder Lü Zhang, who were absent, Enforcement Elder Bai Shijing and the four Protector Elders Song, Xi, Chen, and Wu were all present.
In addition, there were several Eight-Bag Branch Leaders such as Da Ren, Da Zhi, Da Xin, and Da Yong.
Among the crowd, Chen Yu immediately noticed the sinister gaze of Quan Guanqing, Branch Leader of the Great Wisdom Sub-branch.
His eyes were filled with resentment… naturally because of yesterday’s defeat, which had disgraced him.
Fortunately, under Ma Dayuan and Bai Shijing’s control, the news had not spread. Otherwise, his position as Branch Leader might not have been secure.
Chen Yu knew that Quan Guanqing was definitely harboring ill intentions.
The man was a schemer… someone who would even plot against Sect Master Qiao Feng, who worked tirelessly for the sect. It would be strange if he let Chen Yu off.
But Chen Yu wasn’t afraid.
Unlike Qiao Feng, Chen Yu didn’t hold himself to lofty ideals or moral standards.
He wouldn’t storm off just because of a petty villain’s provocation. If Quan Guanqing tried to use the same methods he used against Qiao Feng in the original story, Chen Yu had countless ways to kill him.
“Brother Chen Yu, Vice Sect Master Ma and Elder Bai have already told us about you.”
The first to speak was one of the four Protector Elders, Xi Shanhe. The short, stout old man stroked his beard and smiled. “You are highly skilled, and being a One-Bag Disciple is indeed beneath your abilities. Since Sect Master Qiao is absent, we elders have taken the liberty to promote you to Deputy Branch Leader, raising your rank to Seven-Bag.”
He then changed his tone. “Although we would like to decide this directly, the Beggar Sect has its rules. Promotion requires a full process… one must establish merit so that others are convinced. Can Brother Chen Yu understand this?”
Facing the various gazes in the hall… some doubtful, some expectant… Chen Yu showed no fear.
He cupped his hands and said, “Elder Xi speaks reasonably. I will follow the rules.”
Here it was… the expected test.
Chen Yu didn’t expect these old men to impulsively appoint him as Sect Master or Vice Sect Master. That would be unrealistic.
Compared to his previous life’s job environment, the Beggar Sect was already far better.
As long as you had ability and could prove your worth, these respected elders would indeed push you upward without reservation.
And now, the opportunity had come.
“Good, truly courageous!” Another Protector Elder, Wu Changfeng, gave a thumbs-up. His rugged face showed approval as he added:
“Our current Sect Master Qiao Feng, before inheriting the position from Elder Wang Jiantong, solved three major challenges and achieved seven great merits. Therefore, on the seventh day of the fifth month, Elder Wang bestowed upon him the Dog-Beating Staff, formally passing on the position.”
“Brother Chen Yu, your promotion to Deputy Branch Leader doesn’t require such great feats. As long as you complete any one of the following, the task will be considered complete…”
“Kill a deputy general or higher among the Mongols, Jurchens, Liao, or Qing Forces, or defeat a third-class or higher warrior from Western Xia First Hall.”
“Or kill three ordinary disciples or one elite disciple from sects such as the Yellow River Gang, Vajra Gate, Tibetan Esoteric Sect, Blood Blade Sect, Iron Palm Sect, Ming Cult, Star Constellation Sect, Divine Dragon Cult, or Sun Moon Divine Cult.”
“Or complete a government-issued bandit suppression mission and eliminate a mountain stronghold.”
Wu Changfeng continued, “As for the time limit, you must complete it by the end of this month. That leaves about twenty days. Next month, our Northern Beggar Sect will hold the Beggar Sect Assembly at Apricot Grove in Xi City. If you complete the task before then, you may attend the assembly as Deputy Branch Leader of the Headquarters.”
Apricot Grove.
Chen Yu wasn’t too concerned about the task itself, but his eyes flickered at the mention of the Beggar Sect Assembly.
Finally… events were aligning with those recorded in the original story.
In the novel, it was at this very assembly that Qiao Feng was framed by Quan Guanqing, Kang Min, and others. His Khitan identity was exposed, forcing him to leave the Beggar Sect.
Time was running short.
He didn’t know when Kang Min would collude with Quan Guanqing and Bai Shijing to first eliminate Ma Dayuan, then frame and drive away Qiao Feng.
As Chen Yu pondered this, he remained silent for quite some time after Wu Changfeng finished speaking.
The atmosphere in the hall grew strange.
Ma Dayuan patted his shoulder and asked, “Brother Chen Yu, do you have any difficulties?”
“Hmph, at the critical moment, are you afraid? Thinking of backing out?”
Quan Guanqing mocked in a sarcastic tone from within the crowd.
He was actually worried that Chen Yu might refuse the task… which would ruin his plans.
At this moment, murderous intent flickered in his eyes.
He had long prepared a grand scheme… the greatest plan of his life.
Before executing it, he needed to eliminate unstable elements within the sect.
And in his eyes, Chen Yu was the biggest unstable factor.
Not only was he strong, but he had also formed a grudge with him.
So he had to die.
“The Beggar Sect is full of heroes. If you’re afraid, just leave on your own.”
Quan Guanqing continued provoking him.
But the moment he looked up, he met Chen Yu’s sharp gaze.
“Branch Leader Quan, has your injury healed?”
Chen Yu sneered directly.
Ma Dayuan and Bai Shijing’s expressions immediately turned strange.
They had personally witnessed Quan Guanqing’s humiliating defeat yesterday.
And rumors had already spread among the elders and branch leaders.
Chen Yu’s words instantly confirmed everyone’s suspicions.
The “Scholar of Ten Directions” had truly lost to a One-Bag Disciple?
Quan Guanqing took a deep breath, forcing himself to maintain composure. His face darkened as he said, “We’re discussing whether you accept the test!”
“Did I say I wouldn’t accept it?”
Chen Yu showed no courtesy. Though he couldn’t directly see Quan Guanqing’s Malicious Thoughts like he could with Kang Min or Ah Zi, he had a good idea what the man was plotting.
“Branch Leader Quan should spend more time improving his skills.” This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
Only after angering him to the point his face turned livid did Chen Yu turn and cup his hands toward Ma Dayuan and the elders. “Elders, I accept the task.”
With that, he turned and walked out.
The hall fell silent for a long moment.
These elders and branch leaders were all seasoned figures. When had they ever seen such a bold One-Bag Disciple?
“A true hero rises in youth. Don’t take offense.”
Ma Dayuan tried to smooth things over. Seeing the displeased expressions around him, he added, “I, Ma Dayuan, swear that Chen Yu truly has ability.”
“What ability? Killing a few wicked men would be true ability!”
Quan Guanqing sneered. “The rigid will break. Every year, there are young heroes in the martial world. How many live past twenty? Those demonic sects won’t spare him just because he’s young! For example, the Star Constellation Sect has been active recently. Several of their disciples have committed countless crimes in the Great Song Empire…”
“Zhai Xingzi, Shi Houzi, Tian Langzi, Chu Chenzi… all of them possess deep Inner Strength, powerful martial arts, and strange poison techniques. If he encounters even one of them, your so-called young hero may die young.”
“Heh.”
A soft, mocking laugh like tinkling bells interrupted him.
Everyone turned to look… it was Madam Ma.
She had changed into a peach-colored dress and had arrived unnoticed. Judging by the situation, she had likely been standing at the entrance for quite some time.
“What are you laughing at, Madam?”
Enforcement Elder Bai Shijing, who had recently found himself distracted by Kang Min’s beauty, asked with a stern face.
“I’m laughing at how ridiculous Branch Leader Quan sounds. Lacking skill himself, yet fond of speculating about others.”
Kang Min covered her mouth with a handkerchief, though the mockery in her expression was unmistakable.
She lifted her chin slightly and looked at Quan Guanqing, whose face had turned pale and green. “The situation was urgent earlier, so perhaps the elders and branch leaders don’t know what exactly happened at the western market’s medicine shop…”
“Let me inform you… the Shi Houzi whom Branch Leader Quan fears so much, whom he describes as some kind of demon… was killed by Chen Yu just now.”
She raised a finger, smiling faintly. “With one palm. Chen Yu killed that Star Constellation Sect disciple Shi Houzi with just one palm.”
In an instant, the hall fell completely silent.
“Is this true?” Ma Dayuan was shocked and quickly asked, “I only heard that you encountered trouble at the shop, but I didn’t know it was a direct disciple of the Star Constellation Old Monster!”
“Why didn’t Chen Yu mention this just now?”
Elder Xi’s expression turned strange. “Shi Houzi is the second disciple of the Star Constellation Sect, second only to their leader and senior disciple Zhai Xingzi. He’s far beyond the elite disciples mentioned in the task.”
Chen Yu had already completed the requirements for promotion.
Killing a direct disciple of the Star Constellation Sect… such merit was more than enough to make him a Branch Leader, let alone a Deputy Branch Leader.
“This young man is truly extraordinary!”
Elder Wu couldn’t help but praise him. “Calm, unarrogant, and not one to boast! Perhaps, as Madam Ma said, he didn’t even take the task seriously… it was merely something he did in passing! Hahaha! I like this kid!”
After all, if he could kill a direct disciple, would he worry about dealing with ordinary or elite disciples?
The elders and branch leaders all began praising Chen Yu.
Quan Guanqing, however, burned with humiliation and rage.
He could only suppress himself, staring at Kang Min with venomous hatred, like a snake waiting to strike.
Kang Min ignored him completely.
She walked to the front of the hall and watched Chen Yu’s departing figure from afar.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
Before this man appeared, she had seriously considered working with Quan Guanqing or Bai Shijing to eliminate Ma Dayuan and Qiao Feng.
But now…
What enjoyment was there in cooperating with such people?
Compared to Chen Yu…
Quan Guanqing was nothing.