Chapter 49: The Dangers of Jianghu

  PS: These two days will gradually stabilize the update, work has been found, and once the rental and other things are stabilized, normal updates will resume. At least one chapter per day is guaranteed, occasionally two chapters, and sometimes three to five chapters may be released according to everyone's enthusiasm. Moreover, everyone can rest assured that this book should have been signed a few weeks ago, but due to some family matters and finding work, it has been delayed until now. Once things are stabilized, the signing will happen soon, and it won't be abandoned easily.

  Born in the late 20th century, Wu Ming indeed found it difficult to understand Hong Qigong's character. Some people value loyalty so much that it surpasses their own life. After hearing his words, Hong Qigong considered not himself but feared affecting the Beggar Clan.

  After some thought, it seems that the time has finally come. If he were to leave now, it would tarnish the reputation of the Beggar Clan. On the other hand, if he didn't leave, it would likely attract the attention of the imperial court. However, Hong Qigong was no ordinary person and wasn't one to hesitate. He made his decision in an instant.

  Chivalrous and unmatched, this is the true nature of Hong Qigong, especially the current leader of the Beggars' Sect!

  Wu Ming respectfully raised his cup of wine and stopped talking. Regardless of whether it was sincere or had any other purpose, being able to say such words was worthy of admiration. The ancients valued their promises, and if it was just for the sake of snatching a few heavenly-level secret manuals, there was no need to do so. The beggar gang's town- dispatching secret manuals were all heavenly-level, and that Qiao Feng, the Dragon Subduer, would also lose the absolute art of capturing dragons, so it might not be necessary to care about the few secret manuals left behind in Wudang Castle. However, people are never satisfied, and Wu Ming did not dare to make a definitive judgment.

  "Little brother, why aren't you drinking? We've sworn a blood oath, it can't be just me, this old beggar, bleeding alone!" Hong Qi's face was somewhat stern, clearly seeing Wu Ming lower his head to drink and seemingly not giving him any face.

  Wu Ming was taken aback, having been lost in thought and not paying attention, and also having never sworn brotherhood with anyone before. But upon hearing Hong Qigong's words, he suddenly understood and also pricked his finger, dripping blood into the wine, and shared a bowl with the old beggar.

  But to be honest, Hong Qigong's oath did move Wu Ming a little. Not seeking to be born on the same day, not seeking to die on the same day - the first sentence is already a fact, but the second sentence clearly doesn't want to take advantage of Wu Ming. If they were to die on the same day, he would have had to spend one or two hundred more years than Wu Ming. Having thought of even this point, how could he not be moved?

  The two brothers said their goodbyes, but instead of being more talkative, they became somewhat speechless. The old beggar changed his previous cheerful demeanor and just covered his head to drink, while Wu Ming had something on his mind.

  Taking a deep breath, Wu Ming said in a low voice: "Big brother, I didn't want to mention my grudges with them, anyway they're probably afraid and can't find me. But since we've become sworn brothers today, I'm afraid it will drag you down too, so I'll tell you about it."

  "Hmm, now that we've sworn brotherhood, your affairs are my affairs. You tell me, if it's not too big a deal, I'll help you resolve it." Hong Qi's face turned serious as he looked at Wu Ming with profound meaning.

  "The notorious flower thief who was known for traveling alone for thousands of miles has been caught, I suppose you've already heard about it, big brother? At the time, I was right at the scene, and the one who captured him was Tie Shou, the famous catcher from Liu Shan Men!" Wu Ming said in a low voice, his eyes constantly scanning around, only relaxing when he found no one was staring at him.

  " Iron Hand? Is it really him? I had some doubts when I received the news, although Tian Boguang's lightness skills are impressive, but it wouldn't be to the point where Iron Hand would go after him... Are you saying that Tian Boguang has a connection with someone in the imperial court? Or perhaps..."

  As soon as he said this, Hong Qi also became vigilant and knew that things might not be simple. Tian Boguang was insignificant, for the generation of invincible masters like Hong Qi, that kid was just a dish. But why would it lead to the pursuit of the so-called Iron Hand Invincible?

  At first, Hong Qigong thought it was a rumor and didn't pay much attention to it. Now that Wu Ming mentioned it again, he suddenly realized something was off. Even some of the big shots in the imperial court wouldn't be able to order around Tie Shou, one of the four great name-capturers of the Dong Six Flute Gate? That's Zhengyue's territory!

  The title of Zhuge Shenhao is not just a reference to the emperor's conferred marquis, but also one that was fought out with military force. In the Jianghu and green forest, who isn't intimidated by the mere mention of it? If he hadn't been in hiding for many years, I'm afraid he would still be intimidating the entire Tianchao green forest.

  He could mobilize his disciples to capture people, and this person in the imperial court was likely to have absolute power. Hong Qigong thought for a moment and immediately had several suspects.

  Wu Ming nodded solemnly, and suddenly spoke in a low voice that only entered the ears of Hong Qigong: "Yes, big brother's guess is correct. Tian Boguang accidentally obtained a treasure map. This is the treasure map of Wudang Castle, one of the two major forces of Liao State hundreds of years ago. Inside, there are the ultimate secret books left by Wudang Castle, one called 'Dragon Subduing Divine Leg', one called 'Unparalleled Divine Finger', and an incomplete 'Holy Spirit Swordsmanship'."

  "What? No......" Hong Qigong was shocked, this, the treasure of Wudang Castle? And it's three volumes of the world's most powerful secret manuals? Especially that Sacred Spirit Sword Technique, although incomplete, but that is a divine-level technique! Who wouldn't want to get it? And that Dragon-Subduing Godly Leg, compared to his own Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms, each has its own strengths and weaknesses. As for the Unparalleled Divine Finger, the finger techniques in various martial arts are all mysterious and difficult to learn, and the temptation of this heavenly-level finger technique can be seen at a glance.

  Wu Ming saw Hong Qigong's appearance and was also shocked, but he still maintained his silence, with a hint of a smile playing on the corner of his mouth.

  After a moment, Hong Qigong scanned the surroundings, noticing the attention from onlookers. Even he, who had lived for over a hundred years, couldn't help but blush with embarrassment as he sat down, barely containing his excitement. Taking a sip to calm himself, he transmitted his voice: "Brother, these martial arts manuals must not be known to outsiders, or they will attract countless people who will pursue and fight for them. Especially the Wudang Sect, which will definitely try to retrieve the manuals by force. From what I know, although there are only three to five people in the Wudang Sect now, their abilities are extremely strong, especially the sect leader Du Guo Tianyi... Alas, with so many manuals, even if it were me a hundred years ago when my martial arts had not yet taken shape, I would be tempted. Not to mention others, even if they can't be used for cultivation, there's still room for reference, and they can be passed down to future generations, leaving a legacy that will last for thousands of years."

  Wu Ming's heart sank as the stone dropped, this sworn elder brother didn't have many improper thoughts after all, it seemed that he had gambled correctly, otherwise he would have to use those two poisonous fog golden needle flame bombs.

  "Hmm, little brother knows. But also because of this, on the Heavenly Dynasty side... I reckon at least two people know that I've obtained the secret recipe, one is Iron Gallbladder God Marquis, and the other is that old eunuch Wei Zhongxian. As for the others, it's hard to say, probably a few more people in the know. If big brother were to follow me, I'm afraid you'd be implicated too."

  Wu Ming said with some embarrassment.

  This is true, in the Celestial Dynasty, there are not many who can afford to provoke these two. In those years, Wei Zhongxian also did something, and actually advised that holy master to send troops to surround Shaolin Temple, and even claimed to burn Shaolin Temple with a single fire. If it weren't for Tie Dan Shen Hou stopping him later, I'm afraid Shaolin Temple would have suffered too. You should know that the power of the martial arts world is not enough in front of the entire court, and even Shaolin Temple did not dare to resist, otherwise they would be accused of being a rebel.

  However, as a result, Iron Gallant Marquis obtained the friendship of Shaolin Temple, which brought him great benefits. Later, this matter shocked the martial arts world, and the court intervened in Jianghu. This matter was no longer comparable to any pure Jianghu vendetta. Shaolin Temple did not dare to resist, what power dared to resist?

  Those who dare to resist, and those who want to replace them with their own power are all eyeing each other, secretly taking action is not impossible. The martial arts world is treacherous, death is a common occurrence.