Chapter 33

Chapter 32: The Division of the Beggar Gang

Xiao Ming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly held the secret letter given to him by his mother.

The Beggar Gang, known as the largest gang in the world, had a large number of members and a loose organizational structure. Huang Rong realized that under the manipulation of certain individuals, the Beggar Gang would soon split. To avoid the chaos and conflict that would ensue, Huang Rong proactively proposed a plan to divide and rule.

She would lead the loyal faction to defend Xiangyang. Many members of the Beggar Gang were originally from the Yan and Zhao regions, where their influence was significant, and they were eager to return home. Huang Rong appointed Wang Jian Tong, one of their leaders, as the new leader, to operate in the Hebei region, openly and secretly restraining the Khitans. Another faction, uninterested in national struggles and only wanting to roam the江湖 (jianghu), was led by Shi Huolong, whom Huang Rong appointed as their leader, allowing them to live freely in the jianghu.

This move pleased everyone. Wang Jian Tong and Shi Huolong received the title of leader, thus gaining autonomy, and naturally, there would be no further trouble.

For Huang Rong, in the situation where a split was inevitable, decisive action was necessary. It was better to personally confer the title of leader rather than let them establish themselves independently and face a confrontation. By doing so, both leaders' positions were her appointments, and although they were all leaders, she gained a transcendent status in the hearts of all Beggar Gang members, enhancing her prestige.

Moreover, after this reorganization, her strength did not diminish much; instead, it eliminated some long-standing internal threats, allowing her to more securely assist her husband in defending Xiangyang.

The two factions that were split off also thrived over the years, especially the Hebei branch, which produced a great hero, Qiao Feng. Under his leadership, the Hebei branch of the Beggar Gang gained a reputation in the martial world that rivaled the main branch. Unfortunately, due to various reasons, Qiao Feng later left the Beggar Gang and became the Southern Duke of the Khitans, and the Hebei branch's influence declined.

The other branch, led by Shi Huolong with the assistance of Elder Chen Youliang, actively recruited members in the martial world. Today, their reputation in the Jiangnan martial world even surpasses that of the Xiangyang headquarters.

Wu Liuzhi belonged to the Jiangnan branch, but due to a dispute, he injured another elder and was expelled from the gang. Although Huang Rong was no longer his direct superior, she had met him in Xiangyang before and had been paying attention to the affairs of the Beggar Gang, so she knew about Wu Liuzhi's expulsion.

Intimidated by Huang Rong's prestige, Wu Liuzhi hesitated, but thinking of his senior brother, he steeled his resolve and said through gritted teeth, "Leader Huang, I know that Ling Tuisi is crucial to Xiangyang's logistics, but this man killed my senior brother for the treasure. I must avenge this!"

He was about to snap Ling Tuisi's neck when Ling Shuanghua let out a cry. A hurried voice came from behind a pillar, "Mei Niangsheng was killed by the dogs, Wan Zhen Shan, Yan Da Ping, and Qi Changfa!"

Wu Liuzhi turned to see Song Qingshu walking out reluctantly.

He had no choice but to come out; if Ling Tuisi were killed by Wu Liuzhi, and Ling Shuanghua were to have a fit, the *Shen Zhao Jing* would be lost. Even if Ling Shuanghua were to leave with Ding Dian, heartbroken, he would have no reason to give him the *Shen Zhao Jing*.

Song Qingshu composed his thoughts and spread his hands, "Heroes, please hold your hands. Look clearly, I have no martial arts skills, and my frail body can't withstand a single blow. Please don't test me on a whim."

Huang Rong smiled, but Wu Liuzhi, impatient, said, "Speak quickly, or get lost."

Song Qingshu, unperturbed, said quickly, "Mei Niangsheng was killed by his three disciples, Wan Zhen Shan, Yan Da Ping, and Qi Changfa. You might wonder how these three, with their low skills, could harm your highly skilled senior brother. Let me tell you, Qi Changfa pretended to be loyal and stabbed Mei Niangsheng from behind. With Mei Niangsheng severely injured, the three were able to overpower him..."

Wu Liuzhi was a bit confused by the long explanation but finally understood. He looked at Ding Dian doubtfully, "Is this true?"

Ding Dian glanced at Song Qingshu and nodded, "Indeed, as he said. I saved my master from drowning and received his true teachings."

"If you still don't believe it, you can look at my face," Ling Shuanghua stepped out, removing her veil. The fresh, ghastly scars on her face made everyone in the hall gasp. She smiled sadly, "Do you think Ding Dian would be bewitched by such 'beauty'?"

Ding Dian's heart ached, and he gently held her hands, "Shuanghua, no matter what you become, you will always be the beautiful girl I met at the chrysanthemum festival in my heart."

Huang Rong looked at the two with surprise. She had heard that Miss Ling had refused to marry the son of the Xiangyang Lu family for a man, even disfiguring herself to prove her resolve. Today, she saw that their love was indeed unbreakable.

At this moment, Wu Liuzhi realized he had been deceived by Wan Zhen Shan. He didn't know how to face the former leader Huang Rong, so he shouted, released Ling Tuisi, and broke through the window, flying away.

Ling Tuisi sat down with a dark face, touching his neck and pointing at Ding Dian, "Seize this criminal." The soldiers who rushed in drew their swords and surrounded Ding Dian.

Huang Rong couldn't figure out the enmity between the two. She guessed that perhaps Ling Tuisi hated Ding Dian for ruining his daughter's happiness. With some hesitation, she stood aside to observe.

Song Qingshu sighed with relief. He had finally played his part according to the script. It was only at this moment that his contribution would be recognized.

"Lord Ling, I have a word to say," Song Qingshu bowed respectfully.

Thinking of how he had been saved, Ling Tuisi's expression softened, "Speak, Master Song."

"Although Ding Dian is despicable, he did save your life from the Snow Mountain Sect." Song Qingshu smiled strangely, "The scene just now clearly shows that he and your daughter truly love each other. I boldly suggest that you make a decision and bless their union."

Ding Dian snorted in disdain, thinking that if Ling Tuisi were so easy to persuade, he and Shuanghua wouldn't have suffered for so many years.

However, to everyone's shock, Ling Tuisi hesitated for a moment and said, "Alright!"

Ding Dian and Ling Shuanghua looked at each other in disbelief. They heard Ling Tuisi continue, "Ding Dian, I will give Shuanghua to you today. You must treat her well. Our past grievances are too complicated to sort out. I never want to see you again. Go, the farther the better!"

Song Qingshu, seeing Ding Dian stunned, said impatiently, "Aren't you going to thank your father-in-law?"

Overjoyed, Ding Dian knelt down and bowed deeply, "I thank my father-in-law." At that moment, he felt that all the suffering he had endured over the years was worth it.

Ling Shuanghua, overwhelmed with joy, also knelt down and bowed respectfully, thanking her father for years of care.

"Go quickly, I might change my mind at any moment and come after you tomorrow," Ling Tuisi supported his forehead, waving his hand impatiently.

"Ding Dian, take Miss Ling and go," Song Qingshu helped Ding Dian up, whispering in his ear and pinching him.

Ding Dian immediately came to his senses. The drastic change in Ling Tuisi's attitude was suspicious, so he quickly led Ling Shuanghua out.

Huang Rong, watching from the side, was filled with doubt. She looked at Ling Tuisi, whose eyes were cloudy and expression numb, and her heart skipped a beat: Could it be...

Chapter 33: Fragrance Fades, Jade Withered

Huang Rong's heart skipped a beat, "Lord Ling, have you been affected by the *Nine Yin Manual*?" She was about to approach and investigate, but seeing Ding Dian and Ling Shuanghua's happy faces, she hesitated.

She thought about the marriage between Ling Shuanghua and the Lu family's son, which had caused a rift between the Ling and Lu families. It was better to have a resolution than to drag it on. Her husband, Jing, was focused on national affairs and never considered family matters, but she had to think about the family. As Fu'er grew older, the Lu family's son, a talented and capable young man, could be a good match. If they could become in-laws, Lu Wenhuan would likely no longer hinder or guard against Jing.

With this decision made, Huang Rong smiled faintly and let them go. As Song Qingshu passed by her, she lowered her voice and said with a smile, "Master Song, your *Nine Yin Manual* skills are impressive."

Hu Furen was already waiting outside to meet them. The four of them left Jingzhou City under the cover of night. Only when they reached a dilapidated temple in the suburbs did Song Qingshu breathe a sigh of relief. His back was drenched in cold sweat. He had forgotten that Huang Rong also practiced the *Nine Yin Manual*, but he was relieved that she hadn't exposed him.

He cleared his throat and approached Ding Dian and Ling Shuanghua, "Ding Daxia, I told you that I could help you two become a couple. I wish you both a happy marriage and many children... but I hope you will keep your promise and tell me the lower part of the *Shen Zhao Jing*."

Ding Dian chuckled, "Sure, listen carefully."

Song Qingshu focused and leaned in, but Ding Dian suddenly punched him.

Hu Furen had sensed something amiss when Ding Dian laughed and had been watching closely. Unfortunately, Ding Dian's move was too fast, and she only managed to block Song Qingshu in time.

Ding Dian's punch hit Hu Furen's back, and she let out a muffled groan, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Song Qingshu, seeing this, was enraged. He held Hu Furen in his arms, feeling her body soft and boneless, not knowing how badly she was injured. He turned to Ding Dian and shouted, "Are you crazy?"

Ding Dian looked at his fist in a daze, regretting his action, but hearing the question, he sneered, "Hmph, your scheme with Ling... can fool others, but not me."

Song Qingshu was almost furious, "Are you brain-dead? I made Ling Tuisi personally betroth Miss Ling to you. What more do you want?"

"Right, Ding Daxia, is there a misunderstanding here?" Ling Shuanghua, standing nearby, was also stunned by the sudden turn of events.

"Shuanghua, you don't know the treachery of the human heart. When he said he had a way to help us, I became suspicious and followed him secretly. I discovered that this was indeed a plot between him and your father. I played along, which is how I managed to get you out of Jingzhou City. This time, they will lose more than they gain!" Ding Dian recounted how he had followed Song Qingshu and overheard their conversation.

Huang Rong's heart skipped a beat, "Lord Ling, have you been affected by the *Nine Yin Manual*?" She was about to approach and investigate, but seeing Ding Dian and Ling Shuanghua's happy faces, she hesitated.

She thought about the marriage between Ling Shuanghua and the Lu family's son, which had caused a rift between the Ling and Lu families. It was better to have a resolution than to drag it on. Her husband, Jing, was focused on national affairs and never considered family matters, but she had to think about the family. As Fu'er grew older, the Lu family's son, a talented and capable young man, could be a good match. If they could become in-laws, Lu Wenhuan would likely no longer hinder or guard against Jing.

With this decision made, Huang Rong smiled faintly and let them go. As Song Qingshu passed by her, she lowered her voice and said with a smile, "Master Song, your *Nine Yin Manual* skills are impressive."

Hu Furen was already waiting outside to meet them. The four of them left Jingzhou City under the cover of night. Only when they reached a dilapidated temple in the suburbs did Song Qingshu breathe a sigh of relief. His back was drenched in cold sweat. He had forgotten that Huang Rong also practiced the *Nine Yin Manual*, but he was relieved that she hadn't exposed him.

He cleared his throat and approached Ding Dian and Ling Shuanghua, "Ding Daxia, I told you that I could help you two become a couple. I wish you both a happy marriage and many children... but I hope you will keep your promise and tell me the lower part of the *Shen Zhao Jing*."

Ding Dian chuckled, "Sure, listen carefully."

Song Qingshu focused and leaned in, but Ding Dian suddenly punched him.

Hu Furen had sensed something amiss when Ding Dian laughed and had been watching closely. Unfortunately, Ding Dian's move was too fast, and she only managed to block Song Qingshu in time.

Ding Dian's punch hit Hu Furen's back, and she let out a muffled groan, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Song Qingshu, seeing this, was enraged. He held Hu Furen in his arms, feeling her body soft and boneless, not knowing how badly she was injured. He turned to Ding Dian and shouted, "Are you crazy?"

Ding Dian looked at his fist in a daze, regretting his action, but hearing the question, he sneered, "Hmph, your scheme with Ling... can fool others, but not me."

Song Qingshu was almost furious, "Are you brain-dead? I made Ling Tuisi personally betroth Miss Ling to you. What more do you want?"

"Right, Ding Daxia, is there a misunderstanding here?" Ling Shuanghua, standing nearby, was also stunned by the sudden turn of events.

"Shuanghua, you don't know the treachery of the human heart. When he said he had a way to help us, I became suspicious and followed him secretly. I discovered that this was indeed a plot between him and your father. I played along, which is how I managed to get you out of Jingzhou City. This time, they will lose more than they gain!" Ding Dian recounted how he had followed Song Qingshu and overheard their conversation.

Huang Rong's heart skipped a beat, "Lord Ling, have you been affected by the *Nine Yin Manual*?" She was about to approach and investigate, but seeing