Chapter 104 No way!
Chapter 104 No!
“Master,” Nangong Ling looked at Hong Qigong sitting not far away, her face showing just the right amount of doubt, “Thank you for saving me, but could you please help me untie my acupoints first? I’ve had my acupoints pressed for days, and it’s been very uncomfortable.”
As he finished speaking, a hint of grievance appeared on his face. Nangong Ling was fair-skinned and handsome, and the grievance on his face was so genuine that it was hard for anyone to continue watching him suffer.
But Hong Qigong didn't look at him, nor did he seem to hear him. He simply sat in front of the fire, which had long since died down, his eyes fixed on the flames, as if he were the only person in the dilapidated temple.
Since rescuing Nangong Ling yesterday, Hong Qigong hasn't said a single word to her, acting as if she doesn't exist. No matter what Nangong Ling says or how she reacts, he seems oblivious.
Nangong Ling had a bad feeling, but he also felt that since the matter hadn't been explicitly stated, there was still room for maneuver. Besides, Hong Qigong had been away from the gang for a long time and might not know the inside story. Therefore, he still had hope, didn't he?
In truth, Nangong Ling knew that if Hong Qigong truly didn't know what he had done, he would have already helped him untie his acupoints instead of letting him remain bound and having his acupoints pressed, completely abandoning him. However, he also harbored a sliver of hope, feeling that Hong Qigong might not do anything to him.
He knew very well that Hong Qigong was a public-spirited person, but he also valued evidence. Since Hong Qigong had no evidence whatsoever, he wouldn't dare to harm him. Therefore, he decided to gamble on a possibility.
"Knock, knock, knock." The door of the dilapidated temple was knocked on, and the two people inside looked over at the same time.
Hong Qigong sighed helplessly, "This dilapidated temple even has a broken door that can't be closed at all. Why bother knocking? Come in."
Ling chuckled as she went inside. "That's because I'm a polite person. I'm not the kind of person who likes to climb through windows; I'd rather use a window than a door."
Lu Xiaofeng, who was almost in Kyoto: "Achoo—!"
"That's strange, why am I sneezing again? Could it be that I've caught a cold?" Lu Xiaofeng wondered.
Hong Qigong laughed, "I can tell you're talking about me."
“No, that’s not it.” Ling Hao walked to the opposite side of Hong Qigong, where there was a clean futon. She casually lifted the hem of her clothes and sat down. “I’m talking about most people in the martial arts world, not just you.” In other words, she included Hong Qigong among the people she was referring to.
Hong Qigong said, "I knew it would be interesting to have you as a friend; you always manage to give interesting answers."
"I also think I'm very interesting," Ling Hao admitted directly. She has never hesitated to acknowledge her own strengths.
Hong Qigong smiled and then turned his gaze to the man following behind Ling Hao.
"Seventh Master, let me introduce you. This is my son, A-Yu." Ling Hao took Gongzi Yu's hand and made him sit next to her.
Hong Qigong sized up the man. “Isn’t this the one from Fuzhou City…” He paused again, “No, something seems a little different?” He keenly sensed that the man in front of him was different from the man he had met in Fuzhou City, but upon closer inspection, he felt that there was no difference.
Ling chuckled. "That's A-Yu's younger brother, Mingyue." She didn't deny the existence of Young Master Mingyue. To her, Young Master Mingyue and Young Master Yu were two different people—one her friend, the other her beloved. They were both individuals, and she couldn't deny the existence of either of them.
"I see." Hong Qigong understood. Twins, no wonder they looked so alike. "I didn't expect that you would find your soulmate so soon after we parted. Congratulations!" Although he didn't like having a family, he still believed that it was a very lucky thing for a person to find someone they loved.
In a lifetime, one may meet many people, but among them, there may not be someone to love. Therefore, to meet someone with whom one shares mutual affection is indeed something to be congratulated on.
His congratulations made Gongzi Yu find Hong Qigong more agreeable, much more so than Lu Xiaofeng and Chu Liuxiang.
Ling smiled and her eyes crinkled: "Then thank you very much." As she spoke, she extended her hand to Gongzi Yu.
Gongzi Yu took out a wine pouch and handed it to Ling Hao.
Ling Hao tossed the wine bag to Hong Qigong, saying, "Here, for this good thing worth celebrating, please have a drink."
"Thank you very much." Hong Qigong opened the bottle and took a sniff. His eyes immediately lit up. "I can tell just by smelling it. This is a rare and excellent wine. You really gave it to me like this?" Although there wasn't much wine in the flask, this small bottle was already far superior to other wines. It couldn't compare to ten jars.
If this were marinated with fresh shrimp and crab, it would be an absolutely delicious treat. Thinking this, Hong Qigong put the wine pouch away. He certainly wasn't going to return it.
Ling Hao was speechless. "You weren't planning to give it back to me anyway."
Hong Qigong pretended not to hear. "You've come looking for me so quickly because of Nangong Ling, haven't you?" Having exchanged pleasantries, it was time to get down to business. What Chu Liuxiang knew, he naturally knew as well.
With Beggars' Sect disciples all over the world, it wasn't difficult for him, as the sect leader, to obtain information. Furthermore, since Gongzi Yu hadn't concealed his actions, he was able to learn of Nangong Ling's capture and track her all the way to the capital to have her taken away.
They found him again today, which didn't surprise Hong Qigong. Those who work for the emperor always need to have some skill, otherwise they'll never get ahead.
“Yes.” Ling Hao nodded. “Seventh Master, you cannot take him away.”
Hong Qigong said, "This is a matter within the Beggars' Sect, and I must clean house." When he spoke of cleaning house, his emotions became somewhat unstable.
He greatly admired Elder Ren Ci, and Elder Ren Ci was very supportive of him. In Hong Qigong's eyes, Ren Ci was a truly admirable person. He knew Ren Ci was ill while he was away, but he still went deep into the mountains and forests to dig up many precious medicinal herbs and sent them back to the Beggars' Sect, and even went to invite a divine physician.
Unfortunately, Elder Ren Ci's life could not be saved. By the time Hong Qigong returned, Elder Ren Ci had already been buried. Because of Madam Ren, Hong Qigong never suspected that Elder Ren Ci had died in an accident; he simply assumed that his time had come.
Afterwards, he headed north to defend against foreign enemies and received news from the Beggars' Sect that Nangong Ling had been captured. Since the situation in the north wasn't too urgent and Yang Xiao was willing to help him out, Hong Qigong went south to rescue her.
However, during the journey, Hong Qigong discovered some new information. Elder Ren Ci's death was suspicious, and his adopted son, Nangong Ling, was also suspicious. Hong Qigong recalled Madam Ren; it seemed she both feared and resented Nangong Ling. Therefore, Elder Ren Ci was...
He couldn't believe it, but he had no choice but to. Despite knowing the truth, Hong Qigong still decided to rescue Nangong Ling. The Beggars' Sect's affairs naturally had to be resolved according to the sect's rules; he needed to clean house. Because of the large number of Beggars' Sect disciples, and because those who kidnapped Nangong Ling made no attempt to conceal their imperial connections, Hong Qigong tracked them down just outside the capital.
Hong Qigong took action and led Nangong Ling away. However, he didn't want to face his former friend. Although he said he would clean house, he still left Nangong Ling aside and didn't kill him immediately.
Then Ling Hao arrived, and Hong Qigong had some guesses about it. He hadn't expected Ling Hao to be involved with the imperial court, but upon further thought, it wasn't impossible. He himself was a chivalrous person; if he encountered a beast, he would kill it with a single blow. But she was different; she would cripple the perpetrator and hand them over to the authorities, letting them be judged according to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Judging from her behavior, it's not impossible that Ling Hao has connections with the imperial court. But even if she came, it would be impossible for her to take Nangong Ling away.
“If Nangong Ling were just a member of the Beggars’ Sect, and if he only killed members of the Beggars’ Sect, I would absolutely not interfere,” Ling Hao said. “But Nangong Ling is of great importance, and he cannot be in the hands of an individual.” Most importantly, Nangong Ling is still useful, and he cannot just die like this.
"but……"
Gongzi Yu said, "Nangong Ling's biological father is Tianfeng Shisi Lang. He also has an older brother who was arrested by the Divine Marquis's Mansion a few days ago."
Hong Qigong paused, then seemed somewhat dejected. "Alright, take him away." Tianfeng Shisilang was a ronin who had come from Japan to the Central Plains to provoke various masters. Although he wanted to clean house, he knew now was not the time.
Ling Hao hadn't expected it to be so easy; after just a few words, Hong Qigong was willing to release the person. Whatever the reason, the fact that she didn't have to resort to force to take the person away was the best possible outcome. "Thank you, Qigong."
Hong Qigong sighed, "It was my recklessness that caused you trouble, why are you thanking me?"
"I'm thanking you for saving me from having to fight with my friend," Ling said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Hong Qigong was both amused and exasperated. "If I don't let go, you're going to fight your friend?"
"Yes." Ling Hao nodded. She sat on the futon, with Sui Xue on her lap. She was touching Sui Xue, her eyes filled with fighting spirit. "If necessary, no matter who I fight, I will not hesitate to retreat." Her sword moved forward without hesitation.
Hong Qigong remained silent. After a long while, he smiled and said, "The martial world is indeed full of talented people. Perhaps I will soon be eliminated."
Feeling the surging sword intent emanating from Ling Hao, which seemed almost tangible, Hong Qigong felt a surge of inexplicable emotion. If he were to take on disciples in the future, he would definitely choose someone with Ling Hao's talent. He was only a teenager, yet he already possessed such strength.
Such a little monster is the kind of disciple every master would want—what a source of pride!
"No, that won't happen." Ling Hao smiled. "Seventh Master, even thirty years from now, your legend will still live on in the martial world." He is none other than Hong Qigong, the Northern Beggar.
Hong Qigong was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter, "Alright, then I'll have to work harder in the future so I don't get eliminated from this martial arts world. Otherwise, I'll be letting you down as a friend."
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Author's note: Goodnight, my little cuties! [kissing emoji]
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