Chapter 107: The Murderer

"Brothers of the Beggars’ Sect, please hear my words. I, Qiao Feng, can no longer continue as your leader..."

Before Qiao Feng could finish, Elder Song beside him interrupted, "Chief Qiao..."

Unexpectedly, Qiao Feng didn’t even give Elder Song a chance to speak. The moment Elder Song uttered those three words, Qiao Feng cut him off sharply.

"Elder Song, there’s no need for more words. Before I depart, I leave this message to all brothers of the Beggars’ Sect: From now on, anyone who harms their own brothers is a traitor to our sect and shall be severely punished without mercy!"

Qiao Feng intended to speak and then leave, but before he could turn away, someone else spoke up.

A beautiful woman slowly stepped to the center of the gathering. All the Beggars’ disciples recognized her—Kang Min, the widow of Deputy Chief Ma.

Kang Min glared fiercely at Qiao Feng and asked, "What if someone kills a brother of our sect?"

Qiao Feng narrowed his eyes, staring at this woman who seemed so different from before, and said each word deliberately: "A life for a life."

Having spoken, Qiao Feng hesitated no longer and turned to leave. Yet again, he was stopped—not by a stranger, but by Hua Wuque standing beside him.

"Who is she?" Hua Wuque asked, looking toward Kang Min in the center.

"Ma Dayuan’s widow, Kang Min," Qiao Feng replied, though he was puzzled by Hua Wuque’s actions.

"Oh," Hua Wuque feigned surprise, nodding before adding, "There’s something she wanted to say, which I almost forgot. Luckily, she spoke up herself."

Hua Wuque felt a cold sweat on his brow—he had gotten caught up in the drama and truly forgotten.

Qiao Feng was momentarily stunned and asked quietly, "Is it for me?"

Hua Wuque didn’t answer but patted Qiao Feng’s shoulder and then moved to stand opposite Kang Min in the center.

"Your husband died?"

"Yes. What do you mean by that question?" Kang Min replied firmly.

Receiving her confirmation, Hua Wuque sneered and turned to face the gathered Beggars.

"I know you don’t trust me, but I have been entrusted to tell you something free of charge. Believe it or not, it’s up to you."

"Hmph! Speak quickly! Stop beating around the bush. Such evasiveness is unworthy of a true man," Elder Xu sneered, mocking Hua Wuque.

Hua Wuque ignored Elder Xu, casting him a cold glance and filing his image away mentally, thinking that if they met again, he would kill him; otherwise, his child would bear the name Tie Xinlan.

Clearing his mind, Hua Wuque spoke loudly: "The reason you all mustered such a force today was to avenge Ma Dayuan, wasn’t it?"

"Exactly! Brother Hua, do you have a lead?" The Beggars, including Kang Min, remained silent, but Qiao Feng grew anxious and asked eagerly.

"Naturally. And Brother Qiao, you guessed right—Murong Fu is not the killer."

"Not? Then who is it? Brother Hua, please tell us," Qiao Feng said, bowing respectfully.

Seeing Qiao Feng’s salute, Hua Wuque sidestepped and said, "Brother Qiao, you are no longer the chief of the Beggars’ Sect. Why bother with such trivial matters? If they want to doubt me, then so be it!

Listen carefully! The murderer who killed Ma Dayuan is right here among us! And it’s not just one person! Take your time and find them yourselves."

Having said this, Hua Wuque ignored the varied reactions and, gathering his inner energy, vanished swiftly.

Qiao Feng glanced at the Beggars, wanting to say more but swallowed his words. He then activated his lightness skill and pursued Hua Wuque’s fading figure.

Though Qiao Feng bore many knife wounds, he exerted himself fully. Yet just as he left the apricot grove, he was stopped.

"Brother Hua, you can’t just say half of it and leave. The brothers of the Beggars’ Sect are waiting for vengeance."

"Brother Qiao, I once thought you a heroic and bold man, but I didn’t expect you to be so rigid. How they treated you earlier—do I need to say more? And you still think of them now?"

"Brother Hua, you misunderstand. Though many in the martial world praise me for my straightforwardness, I am not one to be bullied. I simply want to know who killed Brother Ma Dayuan and framed me. This grudge will not be left unresolved!"

Seeing Qiao Feng like this, Hua Wuque finally connected this man with the once valiant Northern Qiao Feng he had known.

"I don’t know," Hua Wuque answered calmly, leaving Qiao Feng stunned.

"You don’t know? Then what did you mean earlier? Do you realize your words could cause chaos in the Beggars’ Sect?"

Qiao Feng’s anger flared upon hearing Hua Wuque’s reply.

"I may not know, but the killer must be among us," Hua Wuque said with certainty after seeing Qiao Feng’s expression.

"You mean?"

"Exactly. That’s what the one who told me said. If you want to know who it truly is, it’s best you hurry to the capital and ask them face to face."

Qiao Feng hesitated, puzzled. "How could someone so far away know so much about our internal affairs? Could there be a flaw in this information?"

Hua Wuque couldn’t answer that either. Though he was puzzled by Zhu Yu’s detailed knowledge, the events in the apricot grove had proven the accuracy of the information. Besides, he had his own way to answer Qiao Feng.

"When you reach the capital, be careful what you say. If the wrong ears catch you, some will be displeased."

"Some? Who? That one?" Qiao Feng doubted Hua Wuque’s words. How could someone so lofty be so petty?

"Not that one. The Eastern Depot, Western Depot, the Six Doors, the Dragon Guard Manor—if any of them hear you, they won’t be happy. You’re questioning their competence."

Hearing this, Qiao Feng understood and sighed inwardly, realizing he had underestimated the world.

Just moments ago, he had thought the palace was a place where he could come and go at will. Now, he realized how naïve that was.

"Thank you for your advice. Brother Hua, you didn’t come here by chance, did you?"

"Of course not. The events in the apricot grove were recounted to me by that one ten days ago. Comparing the accounts, there’s little difference."

"Ah..." Qiao Feng’s respect for the unseen informant grew.

After some time, Qiao Feng’s wounds began to heal gradually, though blood still stained him. Seeing this, Hua Wuque frowned and asked,

"Brother Qiao, are your injuries serious? Should we find a nearby town and visit a clinic?"

"These minor wounds are nothing. We should press on quickly."

"Very well..."

At that moment, both sensed a faint, almost imperceptible strange fragrance that momentarily disrupted their inner energy circulation. But it passed quickly, and they paid it no mind, continuing their journey together toward the capital!