The Beggar's Clan claimed to be the largest sect under heaven. With so many members, its organization had always been loose. Huang Rong realized that, under the machinations of those with ulterior motives, the Beggar's Clan would soon split apart. To avert the bloody conflicts that a major upheaval would bring, Huang Rong took the initiative to propose dividing its rule.
She herself led her direct followers in guarding Xiangyang. Many members of the Beggar's Clan had ancestral homes in the Yan Zhao region, and their faction had always been powerful. They also yearned deeply for their homeland, so Huang Rong simply appointed their leader, Wang Jiantong, as sect leader, allowing him to lead his subordinates in operating around Hebei and openly and covertly restraining the Khitan. As for another faction that had no interest in national struggles and merely wished to roam the martial world, Huang Rong appointed Shi Huolong as their sect leader and let them wander proudly through the martial world.
Once this decision was made, everyone was greatly satisfied. Wang Jiantong and Shi Huolong had gained the title of sect leader and could henceforth rule their own territories, so naturally they would no longer stir up trouble.
For Huang Rong, with the split already inevitable, decisive action was necessary. Rather than let the two establish themselves independently and openly fall out with each other, it was better for her to personally grant them the title of sect leader. This way, both positions had been bestowed by her. Though all three were sect leaders and appeared to stand on equal footing, in the hearts of everyone in the Beggar's Clan, her status had suddenly become transcendent. Her prestige not only did not decline, but rose instead.
Moreover, after this reorganization, her strength had not diminished by much. On the contrary, she had eliminated several hidden dangers that had troubled her for years, allowing her to help her husband guard Xiangyang with greater peace of mind.
The other two branches that had been split off had also flourished over the years. The Hebei branch in particular had produced the peerless hero Qiao Feng. Under his leadership, the reputation of the Beggar's Clan's Hebei branch in the martial world had even nearly caught up to that of the Beggar's Clan's main headquarters. Unfortunately, for various reasons, Qiao Feng later rebelled against the Beggar's Clan and became the Great King of the Southern Courtyard of the Khitan. From then on, the Hebei branch's influence greatly declined.
With the assistance of Elder Chen Youliang, Shi Huolong, the leader of the other branch, recruited members throughout the martial world on a grand scale. Its reputation in the Jiangnan martial world now even surpassed that of the Xiangyang headquarters.
Wu Liuqi belonged to the Jiangnan branch. However, after an impulsive dispute in which he injured another elder, he was expelled from the clan. Although Huang Rong was no longer his direct superior, she had met him before in Xiangyang. Furthermore, she had deliberately kept watch over the affairs of the Beggar's Clan, so she knew of Wu Liuqi's expulsion.
Intimidated by Huang Rong's prestige, Wu Liuqi immediately hesitated. But thinking of his senior brother, he hardened his heart and said through gritted teeth, "Sect Leader Huang, this subordinate knows that Ling Tuis is connected to Xiangyang's supply lines. But this man killed my senior brother for treasure. I must avenge this grudge!" With that, he was about to snap Ling Tuis's neck.
Ling Shuanghua cried out in alarm. Then an urgent voice came from behind a pillar. "Mei Niansheng was killed by those dogs Wan Zhenshan and the others!"
Wu Liuqi turned around and saw Song Qingshu walk out with a helpless expression.
He had no choice but to come out. If Ling Tuis were killed by Wu Liuqi and Ling Shuanghua became distraught enough to do something rash, the Divine Light Scripture would be lost. Even if Ling Shuanghua gave up all hope and fled far away with Ding Dian, what use would Song Qingshu have been to Ding Dian? Why would Ding Dian give him the Divine Light Scripture?
Having organized his thoughts, Song Qingshu spread his hands. "Heroes, please show mercy. Look carefully—I do not know the slightest bit of martial arts. These little arms and legs of mine cannot withstand even one of your palms. Please do not suddenly take it into your heads to test me."
Huang Rong smiled sweetly, but Wu Liuqi was growing impatient. "Say what you have to say. Stop wasting time."
Song Qingshu was not offended and quickly said, "Mei Niansheng was murdered by his three disciples: Wan Zhenshan, Yan Daping, and Qi Changfa. You must be wondering how those three, with their meager martial arts, could have injured your highly skilled senior brother. Let me tell you: Qi Changfa pretended to loyally protect his master, circled behind Mei Niansheng, and stabbed him in the back. Only after Mei Niansheng was gravely wounded did the three manage to defeat him together..."
Wu Liuqi was somewhat dazed by his long explanation, but he finally understood. He looked doubtfully at Ding Dian. "Was it really like that?"
Ding Dian glanced at Song Qingshu and nodded. "It was indeed as he said. I saved my master after he fell into the water, and only then did I receive his true teachings."
"If Hero Wu still does not believe it, he may look at this concubine's face." At that moment, Ling Shuanghua also stepped out, removed her veil, and revealed several vivid, hideous knife scars across her face. Everyone in the hall drew a sharp breath. Ling Shuanghua gave a sorrowful smile. "Do you think Brother Ding would truly be bewitched by beauty like mine?"
Ding Dian's heart ached. He gently took her hands. "Shuang Hua, no matter what you become, you will always be that beautiful girl from the chrysanthemum gathering in my heart."
Huang Rong looked at the two in surprise. She had previously heard that Miss Ling had refused a marriage proposal from the son of Lord Lu of Xiangyang for the sake of a man, even going so far as to disfigure herself to prove her resolve. Seeing them today, their love was indeed as firm as stone.
How could Wu Liuqi still fail to realize that Wan Zhenshan had deceived him? For a moment, he did not know how to face his former sect leader, Huang Rong. With a loud shout, he released Ling Tuis, smashed through the window, and flew away.
Ling Tuis sat down with a dark expression, one hand rubbing his neck while the other pointed at Ding Dian. "Seize this major criminal." The arriving soldiers all drew their sabers and surrounded Ding Dian.
Huang Rong could not make out the grudge between the two. She guessed that perhaps Ling Tuis deeply resented Ding Dian for ruining his daughter's happiness and therefore wanted to deal with him. With her own concerns, Huang Rong could only stand aside and watch.
Song Qingshu let out a long breath. At last, things were playing out according to his script. Only by appearing at this moment would his contribution seem substantial.
"Lord Ling, I have something to say." Song Qingshu bowed respectfully.
Remembering that Song Qingshu had saved him moments ago, Ling Tuis's expression softened. "Young Master Song, please speak."
"Though this Ding Dian is detestable, he did save your life from the Snow Mountain Sect just now." Song Qingshu smiled somewhat strangely. "What happened just now clearly showed that he and your daughter truly love each other. I humbly suggest that you might as well make the decision and fulfill their union."
Ding Dian could not help sneering. If Ling Tuis had been so reasonable, why would Shuang Hua and he have suffered for so many years?
Yet what made everyone's eyes nearly pop out was that Ling Tuis hesitated for a moment, then actually said, "Fine!"
Ding Dian and Ling Shuanghua exchanged an incredulous look, only to hear Ling Tuis continue, "Ding Dian, today I give Shuang Hua to you in marriage. You must treat her well from now on. The grievances between us are truly too complicated to explain. In any case, I never want to see either of you again. Go. The farther away, the better!"
Seeing Ding Dian still standing there dumbfounded, Song Qingshu said irritably, "Why are you not paying your respects to your father-in-law?"
Overjoyed, Ding Dian dropped to his knees and knocked his head firmly against the floor several times. "This son-in-law thanks Father-in-law." At that moment, he felt that all the suffering he had endured over the years had been worth it.
Ling Shuanghua wept tears of joy. She followed him to her knees and respectfully kowtowed several times in gratitude for the many years he had raised her.
"Leave quickly. I may change my mind at any moment. Perhaps tomorrow I will regret it and come after you to kill you." Ling Tuis propped up his forehead and impatiently waved his other hand.
"Brother Ding, take Miss Ling and leave." Song Qingshu went over to help Ding Dian up, whispering in his ear as he gave him a pinch.
Ding Dian immediately came to his senses. Ling Tuis's attitude before and after had changed far too drastically; there had to be something strange about it. He hurriedly took Ling Shuanghua's hand and led her out.
Huang Rong, standing to the side, was filled with growing suspicion. She looked toward the hall and saw Ling Tuis's cloudy eyes and numb expression. Her heart jolted. Could it be...
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