The Eve of the Storm

Using a combination of appeasement and coercion, Du Ge, with the compassion of a Bodhisattva and the might of thunder, quickly stabilized the Iron Palm Sect's situation.

The doctor from last night was summoned again to diagnose the injuries of the old sect leader and his son. As he examined them, he muttered, "If this continues, they'll be ruined. Why bother? Isn't it better to cherish one's own body?"

Du Ge approached the doctor and asked, "Doctor, can Sect Leader Qiu still be saved?"

"Sect Leader Qiu is strong and healthy. He can be saved, but it will take at least two years of recuperation to recover," the doctor said, glancing at Du Ge with a flicker of fear in his eyes, but he answered honestly, "Even if he's saved, the old sect leader's martial arts will not recover to their former state."

"Save them. Go all out to save them. Without the old sect leader, there would be no Peacekeeping Gang today. Feng Qi is not an evil person. He stands for justice and wouldn't do such a thing as murder for wealth. The old sect leader misunderstood me!" Du Ge looked regretfully at Qiu Yuanlang, then cupped his fists to the doctor and said, "Doctor, you must save the old sect leader. I want him to see that the Iron Palm Sect he worked so hard to establish has not disbanded, it has merely changed its name, and under my protection, it will prosper even more."

How can he say such blatant lies with a straight face?

Saving them is to control Qiu Yuanlang's other children, isn't it?

The doctor's eye twitched involuntarily. He sighed helplessly. Although he saw through everything, a doctor who wanted to live a long life knew best not to pry into matters that didn't concern him. Thus, he lowered his head to treat Qiu Yuanlang and his son's injuries, "I will."

Meanwhile, Liu Cheng ordered chests upon chests of gold and silver to be brought in. The lids were lifted, revealing the glittering wealth to everyone. The Iron Palm Sect, controlling the grain transport, was never short of money.

Money makes the world go 'round, and money can even make people cry injustice.

Throughout history.

Being wronged and victimized has always led to ruin. This is the first time someone has gotten rich by such means.

But the common people of this world had long suffered oppression. Apart from those with deep-seated hatred, like the lame old man from before, for others, silver was the best thing. It could heal all wounds.

Moreover, Du Ge, who acted decisively, publicly admitted he was the leader of the Peacekeeping Gang. It was clear he wasn't just seeking fame and leaving. This also gave them a great sense of security.

The frightened commoners who had fled earlier swarmed back, and in even greater numbers than before.

Du Ge happily resumed his role as a benevolent official, distributing gold and silver to the victims and enjoying the benefits of peacekeeping.

"Old Yuan, did you see that clearly?" the seven-bag elder of the Beggar's Sect asked the middle-aged beggar next to him. "What movement technique did Feng Qi use to kick Qiu Feilong away?"

The beggar named Old Yuan had been intently watching Du Ge. He shook his head, "Elder Ding, if even your eyes couldn't see it clearly, how could I? My vision blurred, and he was already gone. Perhaps he truly is a demon! Fortunately, it was the Iron Palm Sect that provoked him. Otherwise, if he had come for us, with his skill, no one in our Luyang City branch, except you, Elder, would have escaped his deadly grasp."

"You overestimate me. Even Qiu Yuanlang fell into his hands. How could I possibly defeat him?" Elder Ding's expression was extremely solemn, yet he felt immense relief. "However, his skill is likely not something he'd bother with for our small branch."

"Even if he did, he wouldn't dare provoke us, right? After all, we are the greatest sect in the world. If he provoked us, they could overwhelm him with numbers." Old Yuan said.

"Did the Iron Palm Sect's numbers overwhelm him?" Elder Ding snorted. "Qiu Yuanlang's fate is unknown, and the sect is without a leader. Yet, the vast Iron Palm Sect was transformed with just a few words from him. Martial arts cultivated to his level are no longer something that can be overcome by sheer numbers. I was skeptical before about whether they were Celestial Demons, but now I'm eighty percent sure."

"Exactly. A normal person wouldn't do such things. The one playing with people's hearts around Feng Qi is like a madman," Old Yuan said. "And Feng Qi himself, don't look at him winning hearts, but what he's doing is also unreasonable. When Martial Saint Qiao He rose to power, he befriended martial arts sects. But he's intervening for the common people; what benefit does he gain? In a crisis, can these ordinary people really help him? Perhaps only the 'protection' he mentioned can explain everything he's doing. Even if he wants to be emperor, he needs the support of the major sects first!"

"Feng Qi's attribute is 'protection'. What is the attribute of that madman who manipulates people's hearts?" Elder Ding asked. "And who is it that he was so eager to capture, even letting Qiu Yuanlang go? He must also be a Celestial Demon, right? Old Yuan, we know too little about Celestial Demons. Find someone to investigate the Feng Family and find out the background of these Celestial Demons..."

"I understand." Old Yuan nodded, shouldered his beggar's staff, and turned to leave.

Elder Ding pondered for a moment, then walked towards the person in charge of the Taishan Sect. The drastic changes in the Iron Palm Sect, regardless of whether Feng Qi was truly a Celestial Demon, made him feel that this fire would eventually reach him. He needed to discuss with the leaders of the sects stationed in Luyang City in advance to prepare a response.

Luyang City.

Qiu Muqian and Han Zuo quickly learned of the events that had transpired at the Iron Palm Sect.

Upon hearing that Qiu Yuanlang had been severely injured again, Qiu Muqian's face turned pale, and she swayed. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Incompetent to achieve anything, but capable of ruining everything."

Han Zuo remained silent.

"Third Miss, can I trust you?" Qiu Muqian stabilized her emotions and looked at Han Zuo.

"Han has his life saved by the old sect leader. How could Feng Qi's few words of instigation sow discord?" Han Zuo said. "If you have any instructions, Third Miss, please speak directly. Han will do everything in his power to save the old sect leader."

"Father and elder brother are in Feng Qi's hands. If we go back now, it will be walking into a trap," Qiu Muqian said, calming herself. "Feipeng and Hall Master Yan were sent by elder brother to investigate the Feng Family. They should be returning by now. Go and intercept them on their way back. Do not let them return to the Iron Palm Sect. Once you rendezvous, find a way to intercept Hall Master Lou and Hall Master Li, especially Feibao. Feibao is impulsive, and I fear he might rush to save Father and fall into Feng Qi's hands again. The main sect has few people. As long as we control the external forces, Feng Qi cannot continue to devour the Iron Palm Sect. This way, we will still have a chance to fight."

"I understand." Han Zuo nodded, then asked, "Third Miss, what about you?"

"I will go to the Divine Fist School to seek out Master Tong. He was an old friend of Father's. With his help, our chances of rescuing Father will be greater," Qiu Muqian said. "Before I return, no matter what Feng Qi does, do not interfere. Let him do as he pleases. Remember, you must wait for me to return."

Han Zuo hesitated for a moment. "But, the old sect leader..."

Qiu Muqian bit her lip lightly and looked in the direction of the Iron Palm Sect. "Feng Qi will not let my father die until he controls the entire Iron Palm Sect. Just do as I say."

The two discussed some more details, then left the sect members in the city and parted ways.

Not to mention Qiu Muqian, who went to recruit reinforcements, Han Zuo, coming from the Feng Family to Luyang City, only had one official road. He had barely traveled ten miles out of Luyang City when he intercepted Qiu Feipeng and others returning from the Feng Family.

They not only returned themselves but also captured Feng Shiren and other key figures of the Feng Family. Feng Shiren and the others had their acupoints sealed and were stuffed into a carriage, all dejected and as if they had lost their parents.

Feng Jiu, on the other hand, sat in the carriage, eating and drinking heartily, wishing he could burst his belly. He paid no attention to speaking.