Qin Yutong would never have come to him unless she had no other choice. After hearing her out, Hu Xiaotian immediately agreed to help. He shared a profound friendship with Liu Changsheng and his son; even without Qin Yutong asking, he would not have stood idly by. He told her not to worry. He would send people to the Yong Capital as soon as possible and do his utmost to resolve the matter.
When he went to see Long Xiyue, he discovered that Qiao Fangzheng and Xue Zhenhai had both come to discuss business. Rather than interrupt them, Hu Xiaotian quietly beckoned to Visa. She followed him aside, and he asked in a low voice, "What happened?"
Visa glanced toward the council hall and whispered, "I'm not quite sure either, but they look very tense. Something important must have happened."
As they spoke, they saw Long Xiyue escorting the men out. Hu Xiaotian did not show himself to greet them. Only after they had left did he approach her.
When Long Xiyue saw him, she reached out and caught his arm. "Xiaotian, something has happened to the Beggar Gang."
Hu Xiaotian froze for a moment. Could it really be that misfortunes never came singly? He reassured Long Xiyue, "Don't panic. Take your time and tell me what happened."
Long Xiyue sighed softly and explained the whole sequence of events. Trouble had arisen at the Beggar Gang's North of the River Branch. Ever since Qin Yangming's death, the branch had remained unstable. Although talented young men such as An Zhai had emerged, many members had also begun to harbor thoughts of breaking away because of Qin Yangming's death. Somehow, the former Gang Leader, Shangguan Tianhuo, had made his way to Great Yong. He had now secured support from the Great Yong