Chapter 75

About half a month later, Bai Xiaosheng and Mu Wanqing entered Luoyang. After settling Mu Wanqing, he immediately went to the headquarters to check in, then found Quan Guanqing and inquired about the reason for the summons.

"Leader Ma is dead..."

Hearing this news, which seemed both unexpected and anticipated, Bai Xiaosheng felt a complex mix of emotions. Ma Dayuan, like a celestial dragon, had died from his own signature move, the Throat-Locking Grappling Technique. It was worth noting that Ma Dayuan hadn't used this move for many years, focusing instead on practicing the Beggar Sect's supreme skills, the Dog Beating Staff Technique and the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. However, Ma Dayuan's skills were not particularly impressive, and he had never demonstrated the power of these two supreme techniques over the years.

Now, he had died from his own famous technique, which naturally caused a great shock within the Beggar Sect. Who could have killed their leader in the headquarters of the Beggar Sect in Luoyang? This was a blatant provocation and a slap in the face!

"Elder Quan, Leader Ma was highly skilled. How could this happen?" Bai Xiaosheng asked, his surprise well-concealed. Quan Guanqing, with a pained expression, replied, "The few elders in the sect speculate that it was the work of Murong Fu from Gusu. In today's martial world, only a few people can freely enter and leave our headquarters and kill the leader. These people include Xiao Feng from the East, Xuzhu from the West, and Murong from the South. Based on the cause of the leader's death, everyone has determined that Murong Fu is the murderer."

"Using his own technique against him!" Bai Xiaosheng said, emphasizing each word.

Quan Guanqing nodded, "Exactly! Otherwise, who else could be proficient in Leader Ma's Throat-Locking Grappling Technique?"

The speculation of the four elders seemed flawless, but in reality, it was full of loopholes. However, Bai Xiaosheng would not speak up. He was content with this outcome, as he had no particular fondness for Murong Fu.

This guy, in terms of character, could rival Yue Buqun! Such a despicable person, Bai Xiaosheng would not help.

After spending half a day with Quan Guanqing, Bai Xiaosheng returned to the inn and spent some intimate time with Mu Wanqing. Three days later, the Beggar Sect convened a meeting on Junshan Island. Bai Xiaosheng followed Quan Guanqing and others to Junshan Island, sitting on the ground below, as he was still a six-bag disciple and not qualified to sit in the seats above.

Due to the sudden and tragic death of the leader, the Beggar Sect was in chaos for a while. The four elders invited the highest-ranking elder, Xu, to take charge. This guy was also power-hungry. In the original story, he didn't think about what would happen to the Beggar Sect after expelling Qiao Feng. In essence, he saw an opportunity to control the Beggar Sect, so he stepped forward. This time was no different.

Elder Xu stood on a high platform, looking around, and said in a powerful voice, "Brothers, our leader has been killed. Right here in the headquarters of the Beggar Sect, right under our noses. This is a provocation against our sect. Can we let the murderer go?"

"No, no..."

The disciples of the Beggar Sect below shouted in excitement, many with grim faces. Seeing the emotional response, Elder Xu continued, "That's right. We cannot let the murderer go. But who is the murderer?"

He looked at the law-enforcement elder, Bai Shiming, and said, "Elder Bai Shiming, please tell everyone the speculation of the elders."

"Of course!" Bai Shiming nodded, bowing to the brothers around him, "Based on our speculation, the person who can enter and leave the headquarters of the Beggar Sect as if it were no one's business must have extremely high martial arts skills. In today's martial world, there are only a few such people, and I believe everyone knows who they are. Among these people, only Murong Fu from Gusu could have killed Leader Ma with the Throat-Locking Grappling Technique."

"Right! Murong Fu is known for 'using his own technique against him.' Who else could know Leader Ma's Throat-Locking Grappling Technique?"

"It's Murong Fu..."

"It must be him..."

"Capture Murong Fu and make him pay for the leader's death!"

The crowd below immediately became chaotic, the disciples of the Beggar Sect agitated. The people above remained calm, and Elder Xu continued, "Murong Fu is a great hero in the martial world, and the Murong family is a well-known clan. We cannot act rashly. Elder Song Ci, have the four elders discussed a plan?"

A small old man stepped forward, bowing to the beggars, "Yes! The four elders have discussed it. In recent years, many people in the martial world have died from their own techniques. Not long ago, Shaolin's Master Xuanbei died from his own Vajra Staff technique. The four elders suggest that we unite with the major sects in the martial world and go to the Murong family in Gusu to question Murong Fu. We hope he can provide a reasonable explanation. Otherwise..."

Elder Song Ci did not continue, but everyone understood. If you cannot provide a reasonable explanation, you are the murderer. This is the martial world!

After their plan was discussed, there was intense debate. Some suggested directly attacking the Murong family and demanding an explanation, while others agreed with the four elders. In the end, everyone reached a consensus: to send a letter to Murong Fu, asking him to come to Luoyang personally to explain the recent incidents in the martial world. In essence, it was to save face; they couldn't go to him to demand an explanation after their leader's death, as that would be too embarrassing.

Just as everyone thought the matter was settled, the transmission elder, Xi Sanqi, suddenly said, "Brothers, Leader Ma is gone. As the largest sect in the world, the Beggar Sect cannot be without a leader for a day. Today, brothers from all over have gathered. Why not elect a new leader to lead our Beggar Sect?"

"Elder Xi Sanqi, our leader just passed away. Is it too hasty to elect a new leader now?" Elder Xu immediately countered.

Xi Sanqi looked at him and said, "As the saying goes, a snake without a head cannot move. Our Beggar Sect is so large; how can we be without a leader? That would be a laughingstock. Elder Xu, although you are the highest-ranking elder in the Beggar Sect, you have long retired. You should understand the current situation of our Beggar Sect. If we do not elect a strong leader, once the news of Leader Ma's death spreads, what face will the Beggar Sect have?"

"You..." Elder Xu was furious. Xi Sanqi's words had repeatedly embarrassed him. What did he mean by "long retired"? It was as if he was no longer part of the Beggar Sect. In reality, Elder Xu was just a retired elder with the Beggar Sect's mark. He could manage the Beggar Sect now because the other elders had requested it. If they no longer wanted him, Elder Xu would be nothing.

This was a flaw in Elder Xu's position. Without a leader, he was the respected Elder Xu of the Beggar Sect; with a leader, he would have to retire again.

"Elder Xi, you can't say that. I think Elder Xu's words make sense. Now, our Beggar Sect is in a state of grief and anger. Electing a leader is not a good time," Bai Shiming interjected.

Xi Sanqi frowned and glanced around. Chen Guyan, one of the four elders, immediately said, "Elder Bai, this is not contradictory. If we elect a leader, we can fully support him and maximize the power of the Beggar Sect. Without a leader, everyone acts independently. I agree with Elder Xi's suggestion to elect a leader as soon as possible."

"Right, I also agree!" Elder Song Ci said. With his agreement, three out of the four elders were in favor. Wu Changfeng, the fourth elder, naturally followed suit.

Thus, the four elders all agreed to elect a new leader.

The six elders of the Beggar Sect, besides the four elders, included Bai Shiming and Lu Zhang. Now, with the addition of Elder Xu, there were only three. Three to four, the matter of electing a leader was naturally on the agenda.

Elder Xu and the other two elders understood that the four elders must have already discussed this. They might even have decided on the new leader, which, as the three elders well knew, would be their ally, Quan Guanqing.

Quan Guanqing was already an eight-bag elder. According to Beggar Sect rules, disciples above the seventh bag were eligible to participate in the leader election, but the leader was usually appointed by the previous leader. In exceptional cases, the four elders would jointly select the new leader. A public competition among disciples above the seventh bag had never happened.

Without such a competition, the three elders knew that the leader position would surely go to Quan Guanqing, which was not what the three elders wanted.

They exchanged glances, and Elder Xu immediately said, "Brothers, although the decision to elect a leader has been made, how to select the leader needs careful consideration. According to Beggar Sect rules, the leader is usually appointed by the previous leader. Now, Leader Ma has died tragically without leaving a will. What should we do? The Beggar Sect has a rule that disciples above the seventh bag are eligible to participate in the leader election. Today, the best of the Beggar Sect have gathered here. We should follow the rules and select the new leader from the disciples above the seventh bag. According to martial world rules, this means a martial arts competition."

"A martial arts competition to select the leader?"

Elder Xu's words surprised many and made the confident Quan Guanqing slightly anxious. The Beggar Sect was not short of skilled individuals, and the disciples above the seventh bag were among the best. Although Quan Guanqing was confident, standing out among so many seventh-bag disciples would be extremely difficult.

Realizing this, Quan Guanqing immediately signaled to the four elders, but for some reason, they seemed to ignore him, each staring at a different direction.

Quan Guanqing felt as if he had fallen into an ice pit. He knew that the four elders had other intentions, as the so-called disciples above the seventh bag included them as well.

'How despicable...' Quan Guanqing was furious. Unbeknownst to him, Bai Xiaosheng, standing not far behind, smiled. A martial arts competition to select the leader... This suited his plans... But seventh-bag disciples...

Bai Xiaosheng was still a sixth-bag disciple and had not advanced in recent years. To become a seventh-bag disciple, he would need to carefully consider his options.

'This is a good opportunity, and I cannot let it go. It seems I need to play along with Quan Guanqing for now.'