Long Xiyue knew that he had once been the Beggar Gang's Elder of Transmission. Delighted, she said, "Nothing could be better than having Senior Qiao willing to teach me."
Qiao Fangzheng cocked his head and listened to their surroundings. "But you must agree to one condition. You must not tell anyone that I'm teaching you martial arts, not even Hu Xiaotian."
Long Xiyue looked troubled. "I never hide anything from him. If he asks me, I really can't keep it from him."
Qiao Fangzheng sighed. "Very well. Just promise me that you won't bring it up unless he asks." In truth, once he began teaching Long Xiyue martial arts, Hu Xiaotian would discover it sooner or later.
Long Xiyue nodded. "All right!"
Qiao Fangzheng broke off a length of green bamboo as well. "I'll teach you the Three-Route Staff Technique. Each route has seven variations, making twenty-one in all. Today, you'll learn one variation first. Once you've mastered all three routes, protecting yourself should no longer be a problem."
Long Xiyue had no idea that Qiao Fangzheng was teaching her the Beggar Gang's most exquisite art, the Dog-Beating Staff Technique. It consisted of thirty-six routes, with each of the four Elders of Transmission holding nine. From those nine, each elder was entitled to select three to pass on to a disciple. When Qiao Fangzheng had taught Shangguan Yunchong six routes, he had already broken the gang's rules. By offering to teach Long Xiyue today, he was breaking them again, for she was not even a disciple of the Beggar Gang. But throughout their time together, she had cared for him in every possible way, touching his heart. Though usually a man of few words, he was hardly heartless. Besides, he owed Hu Xiaotian an enormous debt of gratitude, and this