Chapter 82

The news that the leader of the Beggar Gang was killed, and even by his own ultimate skill, was undoubtedly a major event, bigger than the deaths of those before him. Unfortunately, it did not bring a good reputation to Murong Fu, whose name, however, became even more prominent.

The news of Bai Xiaosheng becoming the new leader of the Beggar Gang spread throughout the martial world. In no time, Bai Xiaosheng's deeds became known to everyone. It didn't take long for the titles of "Eastern Xiao Feng," "Western Xu Zhu," and "Southern Murong" to be joined by "Northern Sword Enthusiast," making Bai Xiaosheng a new idol for young disciples, ranking alongside the other three and shaking the martial world.

In Luoyang City, after playing with Mu Wanqing for three days, Bai Xiaosheng finally set off for Gusu. Half a month later, they arrived in Suzhou City.

In these few days, the Beggar Gang was not the only group to come to Suzhou. Many martial artists also arrived, all seeking justice from the Murong family. Each of them had lost someone to their own ultimate skills, and naturally, they suspected Murong Fu, who practiced "using the enemy's method against them."

In a dilapidated temple outside the city, Bai Xiaosheng and the six elders sat quietly. Soon, a beggar quickly entered and said, "Leader, we have found the way."

Bai Xiaosheng nodded and said to the six elders, "Elders, let's go!"

The seven of them headed west and soon arrived at the river. Looking out, they saw a vast expanse of green water, but no boats to ferry them across. Bai Xiaosheng said, "Elders, the Canhe Manor is deep in the water. Without a boat, it will be difficult to cross."

"Leader, look at the river..." Wu Changfeng pointed, and a small boat was approaching. Bai Xiaosheng looked out, but before he could see clearly, a voice came from behind. The seven turned to see two people coming from the western path, speaking in the accent of Henan. Bai Xiaosheng recognized them and smiled, calling out, "Mr. Huo, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Cui Baiquan was slightly stunned, staring at Bai Xiaosheng. He exclaimed, "I didn't expect to meet you here, Young Master Bai."

"Why is Mr. Huo here? Is it because of Duke Duan..." Bai Xiaosheng asked, seemingly puzzled.

Cui Baiquan shook his head and said, "My real name is Cui Baiquan, and I have been living in the Duke's residence to avoid trouble. Young Master Bai, this is my nephew, Guo Yanzhi, the Soul Chaser. By the way, I heard you became the leader of the Beggar Gang. I never imagined it."

"Mr. Cui, you flatter me!" Bai Xiaosheng smiled, his gaze shifting to the side. He looked at the eastern path, his brows slightly furrowed, and called out, "Since you are here, why hide?"

"Amitabha!" A monk dressed in a large robe appeared from the eastern path, followed by a scholar.

"Master..." Cui Baiquan couldn't hold back his surprise.

The monk was slightly stunned. Bai Xiaosheng stepped forward, standing before Kumārajīva, his aura hidden. He asked, "Who are you, great monk? Why did you capture this young man?"

"Is the young man the leader of the Beggar Gang?" Kumārajīva asked instead of answering.

Bai Xiaosheng nodded and said, "Yes, I recently took over the position of leader."

"I have heard that the Beggar Gang has two ultimate skills, the Beggar's Stick and the Dragon Subduing Palm. Could the leader show me a few moves?" As he spoke, Kumārajīva took a step forward, his aura intense and formidable.

Bai Xiaosheng's eyes narrowed, and he lightly stroked the green jade stick in his hand. He said, "If the great monk wishes to teach, I am more than willing. Duan Yu, step back!" Duan Yu was more than happy to comply, and Kumārajīva did not stop him, knowing that as long as he defeated Bai Xiaosheng, Duan Yu would be his.

"Let me learn from you!" Kumārajīva shouted, his robe fluttering, and an invisible force surged toward Bai Xiaosheng. Bai Xiaosheng smiled and lightly lifted his bamboo stick, piercing the air and neutralizing Kumārajīva's aura. His bamboo stick danced, creating a dense shadow, and he struck down. Kumārajīva's hands met, and he punched the stick. A loud thud echoed, and both were forced back.

Kumārajīva looked at Bai Xiaosheng in surprise, not expecting the force of his bamboo stick to be so strong. "I underestimated this young man," he muttered, leaping into the air and striking with his palms.

Bai Xiaosheng's movements were unpredictable, his bamboo stick moving both fast and slow. When fast, the stick shadow was dense, and the true form was invisible; when slow, it was like flowing water, elusive and hard to grasp.

The six elders watched Bai Xiaosheng's stick technique and couldn't help but praise, "The leader is young, but his talent is truly remarkable."

"Yes! He has only practiced for a few days, yet he has mastered the Beggar's Stick. It's truly unimaginable."

Duan Yu, listening on the side, was also amazed by Bai Xiaosheng's martial arts. He had suffered greatly at the hands of Kumārajīva and knew how formidable he was. When he saw Bai Xiaosheng, he wanted to call for help, but thinking of the monk's strength, he held back. He never expected that Bai Xiaosheng would be a match for Kumārajīva.

Bai Xiaosheng and Kumārajīva moved in and out, their palms and sticks clashing, their skills and techniques exquisite and well-matched. The more they fought, the more they admired each other's martial arts.

"Leader Bai, take this!" Suddenly, Kumārajīva's hand formed a flower-picking gesture, and he waved it lightly, a Buddha-like smile on his face. An invisible force rushed toward Bai Xiaosheng's face. He quickly leaped back, his bamboo stick slicing horizontally, and the force of the flower-picking technique was neutralized.

Bai Xiaosheng stopped and looked at Kumārajīva, saying, "Great monk, was that the Shaolin Flower-Picking Finger?"

"Amitabha! Leader Bai has keen eyes!" Kumārajīva's hand moved, and Bai Xiaosheng coldly snorted, his bamboo stick piercing the air with a muffled sound. The tip of the stick seemed to create a crack, rippling the river. "The Formless Devastating Finger! Great monk, you are truly formidable, knowing the Shaolin ultimate skill." His voice was mixed with a sharp whistle, and his bamboo stick seemed to emit a sword cry, piercing the air.

"Great monk, see if you can withstand my sword technique!"

Flowing Water and Clouds — the first move of the Unparalleled Sword Technique, like flowing water and clouds, continuous and unending. Once the sword momentum started, it was like a raging sea, a sudden storm.

In Bai Xiaosheng's hands, the bamboo stick had transformed into a long sword. The dense sword shadows were like a torrential rain, impossible to avoid, with each wave of force stronger than the last.

Kumārajīva's face remained unchanged. He clasped his hands and quickly struck with two fiery knife auras. The knife auras split into the stick shadow, making a muffled sound, but were quickly shattered. He retreated, continuously striking with knife auras to block the stick shadow. After thirteen knife auras, Bai Xiaosheng's Flowing Water and Clouds were finally neutralized.

However, Bai Xiaosheng looked relaxed, while Kumārajīva's face was serious.

He stared at Bai Xiaosheng and said solemnly, "What sword technique did you use just now?"

Bai Xiaosheng smiled and said, "The Unparalleled Sword Technique!"

Kumārajīva's brows furrowed. He had never heard of such a sword technique. Bai Xiaosheng explained, "The Unparalleled Sword Technique is my creation, named for its uniqueness." He flicked his bamboo stick, which landed with a thud and pierced the ground. He reached back, and with a sword cry, the sword "Absolute" was drawn from its sheath. "My sword is also my creation, named 'Absolute.'"

"Your sword is 'Absolute,' and your technique is 'Unparalleled.' You have great ambition!" Kumārajīva said meaningfully.

Bai Xiaosheng smiled, neither confirming nor denying. "We martial artists should have great ambition and perseverance. Otherwise, how can we achieve anything? Great monk, your martial arts are both diverse and profound, don't you also have great ambition?"

"Ha ha... You not only have great sword skills but also a sharp tongue." Kumārajīva took out a hidden incense from his sleeve, waved his hand, and the incense ignited, releasing a green smoke. "Your sword technique is extraordinary. Let me show you my knife technique." He sliced his hand, and the green smoke seemed to ignite, transforming into a half-foot-long knife aura, slicing toward Bai Xiaosheng.

Bai Xiaosheng's face lit up with a bright smile. He lightly moved "Absolute," and the sword blade trembled. "Sweeping the Heart and Soul!" he shouted, his sword circling, and an invisible aura enveloped him in a three-foot radius, like a large dome. When Kumārajīva's green smoke struck, the sword tip guided the force, moving back and forth, and soon the smoke dissipated.

Kumārajīva's face changed when he saw Bai Xiaosheng neutralize his Flame Knife. He never expected his ultimate skill to be so easily countered.

His mind wavered, and Kumārajīva dared not linger. He leaped and retreated without a word. Watching him leave, Bai Xiaosheng's brows furrowed, but he did not pursue.

"Brother Bai, are you alright?" Duan Yu ran over, concerned.

Bai Xiaosheng shook his head and said, "I'm fine, brother."

"Leader, your skills are amazing. I never expected your sword technique to be so formidable!" The six elders couldn't help but praise. Bai Xiaosheng didn't speak, just shook his head, and sat down to meditate.

His appearance made the six elders exchange glances, their eyes filled with doubt.

Bai Xiaosheng didn't need to meditate to recover, but to avoid arousing suspicion from the six elders, he pretended to do so. A few days ago, he wasn't this skilled, but now he had made rapid progress. Only a fool wouldn't realize he had hidden his true strength. As a new leader, he couldn't let the six elders doubt him, so he pretended to meditate, appearing as if he had expended a lot of energy.

After a while, Bai Xiaosheng stood up, smiled at everyone, and looked at the river. A small boat was approaching.

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