Chapter 19

Elder Wu, Elder Chen, Elder Bai, and the others all said in unison, "That's right, he's a real man!"

Elder Chen said, "It's a pity that the leader didn't ask his name; otherwise, everyone would know that there is such a person in the Jiangnan martial world."

Jiaofeng slowly said, "This friend had a confrontation with Elder Chen earlier and was injured on his hand by Elder Chen's poisonous scorpion."

Elder Chen was startled and said, "It was a gust of wind, Feng Bo'e!"

Jiaofeng nodded and said, "That's right!"

Jiaofeng then said, "Elder Chen, our Beggar Sect is considered the largest sect in the martial world. You are a key figure in our sect, and your status and reputation cannot be compared to that of a martial artist from Jiangnan like Feng Bo'e. Feng Bo'e did not harm the innocent after being humiliated. How can our Beggar Sect's experts be outdone by him?"

Elder Chen's face turned red, and he said, "The leader's lesson is well taken. You wanted me to give him the antidote, thinking of reputation and status. Chen Guyan was unaware of the leader's good intentions and harbored resentment, truly like a wooden ox or a stupid donkey."

Jiaofeng said, "Considering the reputation of our sect and Elder Chen's status is secondary. As martial artists, the first rule is not to kill the innocent. Even if Elder Chen were not the head of our sect or a renowned elder in the martial world, he still should not take a life without discerning right from wrong!"

Elder Chen lowered his head and said, "Chen Guyan knows he was wrong."

Jiaofeng was pleased that his words had convinced Chen Guyan, the most rebellious of the four elders, and slowly said, "Gongye Gan is generous and bold, Feng Bo'e is fair and just, and Bao Bu Tong is free and easy. These three ladies are also gentle and kind. These people are either subordinates or close friends of Young Master Murong. As the saying goes: birds of a feather flock together. Please think calmly, brothers: if Young Master Murong associates with such people, could he be a wicked and despicable person?"

Most of the Beggar Sect's experts, who valued righteousness and friendship, found this reasonable and many voiced their agreement.

Li Wuqing, however, thought to himself: Not necessarily.

Murong Fu's four major retainers were all good men, with peculiar personalities but worthy of respect. Wang Yuyan, Zhu and Bi were also nice, but Murong Fu himself had gone mad, obsessed with the revival of the Yan Kingdom, which was his inner demon.

Quan Guanqing said, "Leader, according to your view, Murong Fu is definitely not the murderer of Deputy Leader Ma?"

Jiaofeng said, "I dare not say that Murong Fu is definitely the murderer of Deputy Leader Ma, nor can I say that he is definitely not the murderer. We must investigate thoroughly. If it is Murong Fu, we will catch him and avenge Deputy Leader Ma. If it is not him, we must find the real culprit. If we act rashly and kill the wrong person, the real culprit will laugh at us, and we will not only wrong the innocent but also tarnish the reputation of our Beggar Sect. When our brothers go out into the world, will it be pleasant to be ridiculed and mocked?"

The Beggar Sect's experts were all moved by his words. The Transmission Elder, who had been silent, stroked his sparse beard and said, "That's reasonable. I once wrongfully killed an innocent person, and I still feel guilty about it, oh, I still feel guilty about it!"

Wu Changfeng loudly said, "Leader, we betrayed you because we believed false words, thinking that you were at odds with Deputy Leader Ma and secretly colluded with the Murong family of Suzhou to harm him. All these small matters together made us believe it. Now, thinking back, we were truly foolish. Elder Bai, please bring the law knife, and we will end our lives according to the rules of the sect."

Bai Shijin's face was cold, and he said solemnly, "Enforcement disciples, please bring the law knife of our sect."

His nine disciples responded in unison, "Yes!" Each took a yellow cloth bag from their back, opened it, and took out a short knife. The nine gleaming short knives were of the same size and length, and under the firelight, their blades shone with a cold blue light.

One of the enforcement disciples brought a piece of wood, and the nine disciples simultaneously inserted their knives into the wood, showing the sharpness of the knives.

The nine disciples called out in unison, "The law knives are all present, and verified."

Bai Shijin sighed and said, "Elders Song, Xi, Chen, and Wu believed false words, plotted rebellion, and endangered the great cause of our sect. They should be executed with one knife. Chief of the Dazhi branch, Quan Guanqing, spread rumors and incited internal strife, and should be executed with nine knives. The disciples who participated in the rebellion will be punished according to their crimes, to be investigated and punished later."

Wu Changfeng stepped forward and bowed to Jiaofeng, saying, "Leader, I have wronged you, and I will end my life. I hope you understand my foolishness, and after my death, you will forgive Wu Changfeng." He then walked to the law knives and shouted, "Wu Changfeng will end his life, enforcement disciples, untie me."

An enforcement disciple said, "Yes!" and moved to untie him, but Jiaofeng shouted, "Wait!"

Wu Changfeng's face turned ashen, and he said in a low voice, "Leader, my sins are great, and you do not allow me to end my life?"

Jiaofeng did not answer, walked to the law knives, and said, "Fifteen years ago, the Khitan army invaded the Yanmen Pass. Elder Song learned of the news, did not rest for three days, and did not sleep for four nights, rushing back to report the urgent military situation. He killed nine good horses on the way and was so exhausted that he suffered internal injuries and spat blood. In the end, our Song army was prepared, and the Khitan cavalry retreated. This was a great service to the country, and although the heroes of the martial world do not know the details, our Beggar Sect does. Enforcement Elder, Elder Song has great merit, and I hope you will consider it and allow him to atone for his sins with his service."

Bai Shijin said, "The leader's plea for Elder Song is reasonable, but our sect's rules state: 'The crime of betraying the sect cannot be pardoned, even if one has great merit, it cannot be redeemed. This is to prevent those who are proud of their merits from causing trouble and endangering the hundred generations of our sect.' Leader, your plea does not conform to the rules, and we cannot break the traditions passed down by previous leaders."

Elder Song smiled bitterly and took two steps forward, saying, "The words of the Enforcement Elder are correct. Since we are elders, who among us has not performed many heroic deeds? If everyone were to claim their past merits, then any crime could be committed. Leader, please have mercy and allow me to end my life." There were two cracking sounds, and the cowhide ropes on his wrists broke.

Elder Song's hands were free, and he reached out to grab the law knife to end his life. However, a gentle internal force pushed him back, and his fingers could not reach the knife, which was Jiaofeng preventing him from taking the knife.

Elder Song's face turned pale, and he cried out, "Leader, you..."

Jiaofeng reached out and pulled out the law knife on the left.

Elder Song said, "Enough, enough, I had the thought of killing you, and I deserve this. Go ahead!" There was a flash of knife light, and a soft thud as Jiaofeng stabbed the law knife into his own left shoulder.