Chapter 41

In the dilapidated old temple, there was complete silence, and everyone was stunned by Bai Xiaosheng's words.

Good and evil, black and white! These are two absolutely opposing things, but when they enter society and the world of martial arts, everything changes, especially for the forces in the world of martial arts. There is no so-called good and evil, black and white.

In ancient times, for a family or a gang to develop, there would inevitably be illegal and disorderly acts. The national law was not important to them; in their hearts, the interests of the family or the sect were supreme. Looking at the dynastic changes throughout history, it has always been like this. The world of martial arts is the same, the only difference being the division between the righteous and the evil paths. But is the righteous path really righteous?

For the sake of secret manuals of divine skills, how few are the disputes in the world of martial arts? Take the Nine Yin Manual, for example; how many people have died for it? How many of these people were from the righteous path?

The forces in this mountain city are also like this. Everyone is in conflict for their own interests. Bai Xiaosheng knows little about the others, but regarding Yun Family Manor, there are definitely a few enemies. Among these righteous forces, there are two: the Cheng family behind the Datong Pharmacy and the Li family behind the Tianmen Martial Arts Hall. The conflict between the Cheng family and Yun Family Manor was due to the pharmacy, as Yun Family Manor also had a pharmacy in the mountain city. The two families were not only business rivals but also had conflicts over herbal collection. The conflict with Tianmen Martial Arts Hall was due to family matters, which I won't go into detail about.

Today, Bai Xiaosheng gathered everyone together to work together, which is naturally difficult. If it weren't for the Beggar Gang backing him, these people probably wouldn't even pay attention to him.

Looking at the silent crowd, Bai Xiaosheng flipped his palm and said calmly, "Everyone, you all know the voice of the people, so I won't elaborate. I invited everyone here for the sake of the people's wishes. Those evil people occupy many good places, but they use them to harm the people, which is truly unacceptable. If we occupy those places, the situation would be greatly different. What do you all think?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces showed surprise, followed by joy. For these people, although public opinion is a method, to really make them act, they must be offered sufficient benefits, and the benefits of the evil forces are Bai Xiaosheng's means.

His words also made it clear that as long as everyone works together to eliminate those evil forces, the benefits they occupy will be everyone's.

"The Beggar Gang acts according to public opinion and is not interested in many things. The aftermath can be handled by the heads of each family, which is the best solution!" Bai Xiaosheng added, deliberately excluding the Beggar Gang, which made everyone even more tempted.

If the Beggar Gang were involved, they would certainly take the lion's share of the benefits because they are the strongest. But if the Beggar Gang stays out, it means they are voluntarily giving up these benefits, which means these benefits will all be theirs.

Everyone's thoughts were greatly stirred, and Bai Xiaosheng also looked at the head of Yun Family Manor, Yun Gongming. He was also staring at Bai Xiaosheng. Seeing that Bai Xiaosheng was looking at him, he knew that Bai Xiaosheng was seeking his help and immediately said, "Everyone, I think what Brother Bai said makes a lot of sense. If everyone is still unsure, why don't we think about it more and discuss it again tomorrow?"

"Yes, Brother Yun is right. I think this matter indeed needs to be discussed thoroughly," someone quickly followed, agreeing. Although they were the heads of their respective families, such a big decision needed to be discussed with the powerful people in their families; otherwise, it would give them a reason to cause trouble!

Listening to these people, Bai Xiaosheng nodded and said, "Alright, since everyone says so, I am not unreasonable. Let's meet again here tomorrow. Everyone, please!"

"Please!"

Everyone stood up and bid farewell to Bai Xiaosheng. After these people left, Bai Xiaosheng called for Pei Ji and instructed, "Brother Pei, have someone keep an eye on the periphery of these forces. If anyone is found to be informing the evil forces, report it immediately."

Pei Ji frowned and said, "Brother, is it necessary to do this?" As a man of the world of martial arts, he believed in trust, and such double-dealing was the most detestable.

Bai Xiaosheng shook his head and said, "Brother Pei, I don't want to do this either, but in this mountain city, the Beggar Gang's influence is not strong. Even if we join forces with a few families, we may not be able to completely suppress the dark forces. If they get the news and prepare, it will be difficult to handle. To be on the safe side, we have to do this."

Hearing this, Pei Ji nodded and said nothing more. He went to prepare, and he added an extra layer of security by placing Beggar Gang disciples around the evil forces.

This shows that Pei Ji has more experience and thinks more than Bai Xiaosheng.

In the evening, Bai Xiaosheng returned home. Before he even reached his doorstep, he saw an old man standing outside. He knew this old man; he was one of the people present when he was tested for his potential, an elder of Yun Family Manor, his great-uncle, and one of the three people from Yun Family Manor today.

Seeing the old man, Bai Xiaosheng did not dare to be disrespectful and greeted him, "Greetings, Great-Uncle!"

The old man nodded and said, "Good, good! I never thought that our Bai family would produce someone like you. It's truly wonderful."

Bai Xiaosheng smiled slightly and said, "I didn't expect Great-Uncle to visit. Is there something you need from me?"

The old man nodded again and said, "You don't need to pretend. You know why I'm here. But you only guessed one part, not the other. Let's walk and talk."

"Alright!"

Following his great-uncle, Bai Xiaosheng listened attentively to what he said. He came to see him for Yun Gongming and to seek help for the benefits after eliminating the evil forces. This was a big matter for Yun Family Manor, and as a person of the people, his great-uncle was the most suitable to invite Bai Xiaosheng. This was the first part, and the second part was indeed a surprise for Bai Xiaosheng: his great-uncle gave him something.

"The Bai Family Register!" Looking at the thick book, Bai Xiaosheng was somewhat surprised. There were such books in ancient times, and its thickness rivaled an encyclopedia. He took the book and asked, puzzled, "Great-Uncle, this is..."

"Ha ha... take a look!" His great-uncle teased, and Bai Xiaosheng opened the Bai Family Register.

The Bai Family Register is not the same as the Book of Surnames, but it is a collection of surnames. The first few pages introduce the surnames, and the subsequent pages detail the history of the book's creation.

An ancestor of the Bai family was a peculiar person who was very interested in surnames. He traveled through China, collecting various surnames. This peculiar hobby made Bai Xiaosheng quite critical, thinking, "Could you be any more boring, old ancestor?"

This ancestor was also a person of the world of martial arts, but his cultivation was not high, and he was not very interested in martial arts. However, after traveling extensively, he naturally became knowledgeable and eventually became proficient in various martial arts. He observed and learned the martial arts of different families, and the Bai Family Register not only lists the surnames but also the martial arts of the families.

After this unique book was created, the descendants of the Bai family treasured it, diligently studying and recording new martial arts techniques. However, techniques are like branches and leaves; without profound internal skills, one cannot become a master. Moreover, the martial arts in the Bai Family Register are too numerous and varied. If you specialize in one or two, it's fine, but if you learn too many, you will achieve nothing.

Therefore, the Bai family has never been famous in the world of martial arts and has never produced any masters. They even faced a great disaster because of the Bai Family Register, which led to their relocation to Yun Family Manor.

Listening quietly to his great-uncle's account of the Bai family's history, Bai Xiaosheng found it quite unbelievable. He flipped through the pages of the Bai Family Register, browsing through it.

There were indeed many martial arts techniques listed, though not very advanced. A rough count revealed over 130 different techniques, which was quite unbelievable.

"Xiaosheng, our Bai family has never produced any masters and has no profound internal skills of our own. The cultivation we practice now is a gift from the Yun family. However, the Tiancan Divine Skill is not a very advanced martial art. You have made a name for yourself and your martial arts are outstanding. You should inherit the legacy of the Bai family. From today, you are the head of the Bai family. This Bai Family Register is the treasure of our family, and I entrust it to you."

His great-uncle's words made Bai Xiaosheng tremble, and he almost dropped the Bai Family Register. He looked up, wanting to say something, but they had already reached the door of Yun Family Manor, so he put the book away and held back his words.

Entering the courtyard, the two of them walked directly through the brick path into the main hall. Yun Gongming was already waiting, along with three elders, including his great-uncle, making four in total. Bai Xiaosheng had met all four of them before; one was the other person from the three during the day, and the other two he recognized as the elders who tested his body when he was young.

"Bai Xiaosheng greets the head of the manor and the three elders!" Bai Xiaosheng bowed respectfully, showing no arrogance, which made Yun Gongming slightly relieved, and the three elders smiled in satisfaction.

Given Bai Xiaosheng's current status, the four of them absolutely dared not treat him poorly. If Bai Xiaosheng ignored them, they would have no way to deal with it and would even have to try to flatter him.

If that happened, their faces would be lost. Today, Bai Xiaosheng's respectful and polite demeanor put them at ease.

"Xiaosheng, you know why Uncle Yun invited you here. What are your thoughts on this matter?" Yun Gongming got straight to the point. He did this because everyone understood each other, and beating around the bush would make the other person look down on him. Therefore, it was better to be straightforward.

Hearing this, Bai Xiaosheng also spoke directly, "Uncle Yun, it's not that Bai Xiaosheng is disrespectful, but I really can't participate in this matter. I just arrived here and chose this method to establish myself. Now, I have already shared the benefits, and if I show favoritism, it might cause a backlash. Moreover..."

As he spoke, he looked at the five people, who all frowned, clearly dissatisfied with Bai Xiaosheng's seemingly disloyal words.

"Moreover, to gain more benefits, one must pay a greater price. Our family has many people, but in total, there are only about 200, and only 30 to 40 have good martial arts skills. If too many die or are injured in this conflict, it would not be a good thing. I think it's better to pick the softer targets. This way, we won't have to compete, and there will be no lingering problems."

Bai Xiaosheng's words were genuinely for the good of everyone, but in the face of huge benefits, they sounded like disloyal words, making the four people somewhat unhappy. However, considering Bai Xiaosheng's status, they did not say anything.

At Yun Family Manor, Bai Xiaosheng spoke a lot to the five people, emphasizing that they should not just focus on short-term benefits but also consider long-term benefits. Our people have low martial arts skills, and taking too many benefits would only cause trouble. It would be better to take smaller benefits and focus on training the disciples to become masters. This way, what we cannot get now, we will naturally get in the future.

Unfortunately, his well-intentioned advice was not taken to heart by the others; it just went in one ear and out the other.

Bai Xiaosheng felt somewhat helpless about this but could not be more direct, as these were his elders. If he used his status to pressure them, it would be considered disrespectful. In ancient times, the reputation of being disrespectful would make it difficult for him to get by, let alone be the head of the Beggar Gang.

Leaving Yun Family Manor, Bai Xiaosheng sighed, thinking about how to help Yun Family Manor. However, he could not show favoritism; he needed to think of a long-term solution.

'Maybe, I can bring some of the disciples into the Beggar Gang!'

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