Chapter 34

Nine-Fingered Divine Beggar!

Hong Qigong.

The one who could eat so carefree and casually in the inn, completely ignoring the astonished gazes of the people around, and yet showing a disdain for those gazes, was none other than Hong Qigong. Moreover, the only one among the beggars who could give Yue Yuan a sense of being a supreme expert was Hong Qigong.

It could be said that in this inn, among the people eating, the ones who attracted the most attention were Hong Qigong and Yue Yuan, who was dressed in a luxurious golden Taoist robe.

One ate and drank casually, with a carefree demeanor, while the other was dressed and ate luxuriously, enjoying himself leisurely.

Both were unique!

It could be said that their unique performances in the inn completely drew the attention of everyone around. However, both had one common point: they were self-absorbed and did not care about others' gazes.

When Hong Qigong curiously looked at him, Yue Yuan, who noticed, naturally smiled and looked back at him, raising his cup to toast Hong Qigong, indicating his respect as a junior in the martial world.

"..."

Staring intently at Yue Yuan, for Hong Qigong, a Taoist dressed so extravagantly was something he had never seen in his decades of wandering the martial world. Based on his analysis, this unique golden-robed Taoist definitely did not come from Zhongnan.

From Hong Qigong's previous understanding of Wang Chongyang, the latter would have wanted much wealth to resist the Jin, and naturally would not allow his disciples to wear such luxurious Taoist robes. Therefore, the robes of the Quanzhen Sect had always been simple.

So, what sect did this Taoist belong to?

Frowning in thought, Hong Qigong felt that among the Taoists he had known before, none were as ostentatious as this. Moreover, he had only glanced at the other person, yet the other person could feel his gaze, indicating that the other person's skills were not bad and was a young expert.

After Yue Yuan raised his cup to toast Hong Qigong, Hong Qigong was first stunned, then suddenly laughed heartily.

Then he got up from his table, walked over to Yue Yuan's table, sat down, and took half a roasted chicken from Yue Yuan's plate, and while gnawing on it, laughed and said, "Little Taoist, how can you finish all this delicious food by yourself? Let the old beggar help you!"

"Ha ha!"

"Being able to get help from a senior is naturally what a junior desires!"

Yue Yuan was slightly surprised that Hong Qigong had come to his table, but it was clear that the leader of the Beggar Sect had taken an interest in him. Facing the uninvited Nine-Fingered Divine Beggar, Yue Yuan naturally had no objections.

It could be said that among the Five Greats of the martial world, the only one who truly wandered the martial world and upheld justice was this unkempt old beggar.

The Western Venom was ruthless, the Eastern Heretic only cared about his own affairs, and the Southern Emperor, Dharma Master Yideng, had only become a monk later in life and spent most of his time with the ancient Buddha. Wang Chongyang, who had raised the banner against the Jin, was dead, and only Northern Beggar Hong Qigong had always maintained his true nature, upholding justice and adding positive energy to the martial world.

It could be said that in the two series of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" and "The Return of the Condor Heroes," the only person Yue Yuan truly admired was this Nine-Fingered Divine Beggar.

How many people in the martial world could confidently tell everyone that every person they had killed was deserving of death, without a single exception? Hong Qigong could.

"This roasted chicken is not bad in the town, but it's not the most authentic. But we can only eat this for now!"

Facing Hong Qigong, Yue Yuan's chopsticks picked at the remaining roasted chicken on the plate and commented, sounding somewhat disappointed.

"Indeed!"

Hong Qigong pondered for a moment, took a big bite of the meat, and after washing it down with fine wine, nodded in agreement, "The taste of this roasted chicken is not authentic, but it's already quite good in this small town!" The two reached a consensus on the inn's cuisine.

In terms of eating and drinking, Yue Yuan and Hong Qigong had many similarities.

"By the way!"

"Little Taoist, what sect are you from? I've never seen a Taoist dressed like this in all my years of wandering the martial world!"

After a few big bites, the half-roasted chicken was mostly gone, leaving only a skeleton, which he casually tossed into an empty plate. Hong Qigong's gaze fell on Yue Yuan's golden Taoist robe, and he frowned in confusion.

For Hong Qigong, if he didn't understand something, he would ask directly; he wouldn't beat around the bush.

"Um!"

"Huashan, Chongyang!"

Yue Yuan was first stunned, then without hesitation, he answered with his fictional sect, "But usually, we wear blue and white Taoist robes. This outfit is due to my personal preference and other reasons!"

Huashan, Chongyang?

Hong Qigong knew about Chongyang, but did Huashan have such a sect? After further thought, Hong Qigong recalled that in the distant Tang Dynasty, such a sect existed on Huashan, but it was destroyed during the An Shi Rebellion. Since then, Huashan Chongyang had scattered, with one branch drifting to Zhongnan, and wasn't Wang Chongyang a descendant of Chongyang?

Thinking of this, he realized that this person was indeed related to the Quanzhen Sect.

"Due to the war, our sect has scattered, and now only I remain of Chongyang!"

Looking at Hong Qigong's thoughtful expression, Yue Yuan sighed with a tone of regret and sorrow, "Although Quanzhen has the lineage of Chongyang, they are only Quanzhen, not Chongyang anymore!"

"..."

Hearing Yue Yuan's words, Hong Qigong remained silent, feeling the desolate scene in his heart. The once great sect had become what it was now; no one could accept such a change. If the Beggar Sect were to become like this, Hong Qigong would naturally be heartbroken.

After a while.

"Then, little Taoist, have you not thought about reviving your sect?"

With his right hand, Hong Qigong picked up a pig's trotter, took a bite, and asked.

"Why should I rebuild Chongyang in this era? Would it just be destroyed again in the war?"

Hearing Hong Qigong's words, Yue Yuan raised his eyebrows and countered, "In my view, perhaps in a few decades, even Quanzhen will be caught in the war, and countless sects in the martial world will be destroyed. Building and then destroying, I won't do such a thing."

"Um..."

Hong Qigong's expression became extremely serious, and he looked at the young Taoist before him, asking faintly, "What do you mean by that, little Taoist?"

Lifting his head, Yue Yuan leisurely picked up some food with his chopsticks, took a sip of wine, and then smiled, "Can't you see?" As he said this, Yue Yuan pointed north.

Suddenly, Hong Qigong fell silent.

He knew what Yue Yuan was referring to. In the past few decades, the Song Dynasty faced the Jin, a fierce enemy. Many heroes in the martial world chose to resist the Jin, with Wang Chongyang, the leader of Quanzhen, being the main figure. Many people in the martial world united under Wang Chongyang's banner against the Jin.

After a few decades, the Jin declined, but another even more terrifying force, the Mongols, emerged in the north, stepping on the Jin's corpse.

After a long silence.

Hong Qigong suddenly laughed, wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth, and looked at Yue Yuan, saying, "But I don't like a young man who lacks spirit!" With that, Hong Qigong extended his greasy right hand and reached for Yue Yuan's shoulder.

Faced with the sudden attack, Yue Yuan was momentarily stunned.

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