"Southern Beggar's Sect Leader Huang, Young Master Lin, have arrived!"
At the announcement, everyone in the grove turned their eyes in unison toward the entrance.
Huang Rong had changed into a fitted martial outfit today. Holding the Dog-Beating Staff, she walked with calm assurance, every inch the heroine among women.
Lin Xuan, meanwhile, wore flowing white robes and walked with his hands behind his back, his expression leisurely, as though he had come not for a martial arts assembly but for a spring outing.
"Sect Leader Huang, Young Master Lin, Qiao has failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me!"
Seeing the two arrive, Qiao Feng strode forward and clasped his fists. His voice rang like a great bell, carrying an air of bold grandeur.
"You are too courteous, Leader Qiao."
Huang Rong returned the greeting slightly. "May I ask why Leader Qiao has gathered all the brothers here today?"
At her words, the smile on Qiao Feng's face gradually faded, and a trace of undisguised grief and fury flashed through his eyes.
He turned to look at the elders glaring angrily at him and said in a deep voice:
"Today's matter concerns Qiao's birth and innocence, as well as the century-old foundation of our Beggar's Sect. Qiao invited Sect Leader Huang here because I wish for the Southern Beggar's Sect to bear witness."
What followed in Apricot Grove was a breathtaking battle of words.
The rebellious elders led by Quan Guanqing produced the last testament left behind by the previous sect leader, Wang Jiantong, and publicly accused Qiao Feng of not being a citizen of Great Song, but a Mongol!
"Those not of our kind must harbor different intentions!"
"Qiao Feng, you Mongol dog! You have lurked within our Beggar's Sect for years—what exactly are you plotting?!"
Faced