The next morning, on a path about thirty miles from Apricot Grove, a strong and tall man was galloping on horseback.
Suddenly, the man's ears twitched, and he abruptly reined in his horse, his eyes scanning the surroundings until they settled on the nearby woods.
"Come out, I've spotted you all. What kind of hero lurks around like this?"
"Clap clap clap"
Wu 1 clapped his hands and walked out of the woods with several skilled fighters from the Martial Command Office.
"As expected of the Beggar Clan' Sect leader, who is known as the Northern Qiao Feng,' his insight is quite good."
Wu 1 and his men had already figured out Qiao Feng's route and were waiting here early in the morning.
Qiao Feng looked at the group of people in front of him. They were all dressed in the same uniform, and their movements hinted at military backgrounds, which made him more vigilant.
"May I ask who you are?"
"Very well. I am Wu 1, a soldier under the command of the Military Command Commissioner. I have come on my master's orders to invite Chief Qiao to come back and have a seat."
Wu 1 clasped his hands in a salute and tossed the Martial Command Office's waist token to Qiao Feng.
Qiao Feng took the signboard and stroked it. The black plaque with gold lettering looked like it was made of pure gold; this kind of craftsmanship was not from an ordinary person.
As for whether it's an imposter, it's highly unlikely. Within the Great Song, it's impossible for someone to impersonate an official force, especially a newly emerging Martial Command Office.
That's just asking for trouble, like someone who's tired of living.
Martial Command Office approached him, Qiao Feng was already prepared.
A few days ago, the Martial Command Office had already announced to the world that it would rectify the martial arts sects, so it was normal for him, as the leader of the Beggar Clan' Sect, to be targeted.
He returned this time because he heard that some people in the gang were dissatisfied with this and were preparing to discuss with the elders how to deal with this new force, but he didn't expect the other side to act even faster.
People in the martial arts world generally dislike the government, even righteous forces like the Beggar Clan' Sect, which often use the guise of protecting their homeland to attack the Liao and Western Xia people.
"Chief Qiao, what are you hesitating for? My master has already given orders that as soon as you appear, he will take you to see him. He says there is an important matter he wants to discuss with you, Chief Qiao."
Seeing Qiao Feng stroking his waist token without speaking, Wu 1 couldn't help but urge him on.
Qiao Feng was someone Xu Xiao personally instructed him to meet; there absolutely could not be any mishaps.
If the other party doesn't know what's good for them, they might have no choice but to kidnap them.
Seeing that Wu 1 was getting impatient, Qiao Feng thought for a moment and decided not to fall out with the government.
Regardless of whether the other party came to see him with the aim of restoring order to the martial arts world or for some other purpose, he had to go and see them first.
Anyway, Qiao Feng was confident that with his martial arts skills, he could even venture into the most dangerous places.
"Then I, Qiao, will humbly accept your offer. Please lead the way, sir."
He threw the waist token back to Wu 1, and Qiao Feng dismounted and walked away with him.
Soon, about half an hour later, Qiao Feng, led by Wu 1, arrived at an exquisite manor.
Squads of men in black, carrying knives and bows, were everywhere, all deployed outside the manor.
Qiao Feng sighed inwardly at the tight security of the place. He followed Wu 1 into the manor and soon arrived at the inner courtyard.
"Chief Qiao, please stop here. Allow me to go in and report something."
Qiao Feng had no objection; he understood the manners of these government officials—cautious, prudent, and bound by rules.
As Wu 1 went in to report, Qiao Feng waited outside. Less than a minute later, he heard a greeting.
"Chief Qiao, the Military Command Commissioner Arts requests your presence."
Wu 1 excused himself and took the opportunity to inform Qiao Feng.
"Am I the only one? Aren't you coming?" Qiao Feng, somewhat puzzled. He could sense that Wu 1 was a great master.
Generally speaking, when meeting with high-ranking government officials, they will arrange for some skilled individuals to be by their side to prevent impulsive and violent acts by martial arts practitioners.
"I'm not going. The Military Command Commissioner only said he wanted to see you. We can just wait outside."
Wu 1 waved his hand, then stood respectfully beside the courtyard.
They were all aware of Xu Xiao's power; it could be said that the safest place in the world was Xu Xiao's base, and he didn't need their protection at all.
The Martial Command Office guards patrolling the perimeter were merely there to prevent any fools from getting close and disturbing Xu Xiao.
Qiao Feng was curious about who the Military Command Commissioner was inside, so he didn't say anything more and stepped inside.
Upon entering the villa, one is greeted by traces of luxury everywhere. Pavilions, terraces, rockeries, and ponds are arranged in a harmonious manner, creating a scene reminiscent of a Jiangnan garden in the north.
Qiao Feng frowned. He hated corrupt officials who indulged in extravagance and debauchery the most, and he labeled Xu Xiao as a corrupt official before even meeting him.
Following the path, led by a maid, they soon saw Xu Xiao waiting in the pavilion with a group of beautiful women.
Surrounded by women, only one man sat alone in the center; it was obvious he was the main character.
"You're here, have a seat." Xu Xiao said, sitting in the recliner, then pointed to the empty seat in front of him.
Qiao Feng didn't stand on ceremony. He darted into the courtyard in a few steps and sat down opposite Xu Xiao with an air of authority.
"So you are the Military Command Commissioner! What business do you have with me?"
Qiao Feng scrutinized Xu Xiao. The man looked thin and wiry, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness, but the occasional Flash of light in his eyes revealed the depth of his internal strength.
"That's right, it's me. Chief Qiao is indeed a formidable man. I've invited you here today because I have a great opportunity for you."
"Oh? Such an opportunity, I appreciate it. But what exactly is the Military Command Commissioner to?"
Qiao Feng looked distrustful, but out of respect for the other party's status, he still asked the question.
"Slap slap"
Xu Xiao clapped his hands, and then two female officials brought in a woman and an envelope on a tray.
"Sister-in-law Kang Min?"
"Woo~ Gang Leader"
Qiao Feng recognized the woman being pinned down and immediately stood up.
Kang Min is the wife of Ma Dayuan, the deputy gang leader. Ma Dayuan died mysteriously a few days ago, and Kang Min had been investigating the matter for a long time without any results.
Now that he had seen the other party at the Military Command Commissioner's place, how could Qiao Feng not be excited?
" Military Command Commissioner, what is the meaning of this?"
Qiao Feng's face was filled with anger, because he had seen the wounds on Kang Min's body, which clearly indicated that she had been tortured.
No matter what, Kang Min is still the widow of the former deputy leader of the Beggar Clan. How could he tolerate such humiliation?
"Don't rush, Chief Qiao. This is a gift from me to you, a token of my sincerity before we discuss cooperation."
As Xu Xiao spoke, he casually pointed, and the envelope fell into Qiao Feng's hand.
"Open it and take a look, Steve Jobs. I think you'll find what's inside very interesting."
Qiao Feng opened the letter with some skepticism, then quickly read it, his face soon displaying a remarkable change.
Silence, followed by Qiao Feng Feng's hoarse voice:
" Your Military Command Commissioner very thoughtful. Where did this letter come from?"
Faintly, one could almost hear the roar of a flying dragon; the angrier the expert, the calmer the silence.