Shangguan Tianhuo nodded. "Very well, I shall put your staff technique to the test!" He intended to snatch the Green Bamboo Staff back with his bare hands.
Long Xiyue cupped her hands toward the Beggar Gang elders around her. "Elders, if I defeat this man with the Dog-Beating Staff Technique, will you believe that I am Chief Qiu's disciple?"
Mu Shusheng said, "Only the Gang Leader of the Beggar Gang can master the entire Dog-Beating Staff Technique. If you can win with it, I will naturally believe you are Chief Qiu's successor."
Shangguan Tianhuo's face darkened. "Qiao Fangzheng knows the Dog-Beating Staff Technique too," he said coldly. Mu Shusheng's words displeased him intensely. Clearly, Mu Shusheng was beginning to believe the other side.
Qiao Fangzheng laughed heartily. "If I knew the Dog-Beating Staff Technique, how could I have fallen into the hands of you and your son? The Thirty-Six Roads of the Dog-Beating Staff Technique alone would be enough to crack open both your dog heads! My sins run deep, but what makes you two such good men? Why don't you tell everyone just how many sons you have? You keep proclaiming that you seek justice for the Gang Leader, so why won't you let him rest in peace even after his death?"
In fact, quite a few members of the Beggar Gang harbored the same thoughts. Earlier, they had heard only Shangguan Tianhuo's account, and his incitement had filled them with righteous indignation. Now, however, they were gradually calming down.
Shangguan Tianhuo was already beginning to panic. If he allowed things to continue developing, the situation might well slip out of his control. He had to reclaim the Green Bamboo Staff. "Return the sacred relic to me at once!" he said sternly.
Long Xiyue said, "My internal power is