"Who dares to trespass on the headquarters of my Beggar Clan' Sect?"
Upon seeing this, the Beggar Clan' Sect disciples drew their weapons in response.
Although their expressions were fearless, the bamboo staff in their hands was no match for the menacing crossbow bolts of the Martial Command Office, and many disciples felt their legs go weak.
It's funny, really. This Beggar Clan ' Sect gathering was just a small group of people getting together for a meeting. So many people gathered together, yet there was absolutely no precautions.
In the original novel, right after Qiao Feng left, they were all wiped out by the people of the Western Xia First-Class Hall, which is really quite outrageous.
Today was no different. These people didn't even notice the Martial Command Office approaching. The few who were on lookout duty were quickly dealt with and surrounded in the blink of an eye.
"Are you Beggar Clan going against the imperial court by handling matters for the Martial Command Office?"
Wu 1 brandished his sword and charged into battle, facing the entire Beggar Clan' Sect alone.
Upon hearing the names of the Martial Command Office and the imperial court, the Beggar Clan ' Sect disciples' already weak confidence waned even further.
Since ancient times, the common people have never fought against the officials, Beggar Clan' Sect is no exception.
Despite being the number one sect in the martial arts world, the Beggar Clan is already at a disadvantage when it comes to competing with the imperial court, even before a fight breaks out.
Upon hearing Xu Xiao's voice, Qiao Feng immediately realized something was wrong. Seeing the Beggar Clan ' Sect disciples opposing the Martial Command Office, he also immediately offered advice:
"Stop! Put down your weapons! This is the government!"
Upon hearing this, the Beggar Clan' Sect disciples had no choice but to comply. No matter how incompetent the Great Song 'Great Song court was, no one could contend with it on its territory.
"Lord Xu, didn't I say I'd have some time to ask the brothers? Why did it happen so quickly?"
Qiao Feng looked at Xu Xiao in the distance, a look of displeasure on his face.
They had a perfectly good conversation with Xu Xiao that morning, and it's only been a short while since noon, so why have they sent troops to press on the border?
On the dragon palanquin carried by eight men, Xu Xiao sat surrounded by beauties, looking more like he was on an outing than on official business.
Upon hearing Qiao Feng's question, he smiled faintly and said:
"I didn't want to get involved originally, but seeing how indecisive Chief Qiao was, I got a little impatient."
"Don't blame me, don't blame me."
Qiao Feng, his face full of indignation, was about to say something when Xu Xiao spoke again:
"By the way, Chief Qiao, I ran into some other people on the way. I'll bring them all over with me to clear your name."
"Let me handle the investigation for you today, how about it?"
Having said that, without giving Qiao Feng a chance to refuse, Xu Xiao clapped his hands, and immediately some servants from the Martial Command Office brought out a group of people who were bound hand and foot and placed them next to Quan Guanqing.
It was none other than Tan Gong Tan Po, Zhao Qiansun, Elder Xu of the Beggar Clan, and Master Zhiguang, among others. Oh, and the two elders who were absent were the Transmission of Skills and the Enforcement Elder.
Anyway, basically everyone involved in the Apricot Grove incident in the original novel, except for Kang Min who was killed, is here.
The two elders who were tasked with passing on their skills and enforcing the law were immediately intercepted by people from the Martial Command Office after being taken into custody by Quan Guanqing. The others were encountered by chance on the road.
Quan Guanqing had originally planned to make trouble for Qiao Feng today; he had already made arrangements with everyone.
"Well, Qiao Feng, you really are going to betray your master and disband the Beggar Clan."
Quan Guanqing, who had been summoned by Xu Xiao's Telekinesis, still seized the opportunity to slander Qiao Feng.
Little did he know, his actions were tantamount to courting death.
"Did I ask you to speak? I already told you I'd handle this case, why can't you listen to me?"
Xu Xiao, sitting atop the dragon carriage, turned cold; he hated being interrupted.
The next second, an invisible Telekinesis began to compress.
Quan Guanqing didn't even get a chance to beg for mercy before he was crushed.
Yes, it was like a car tire running over a ripe tomato, splashing directly onto the group of people Quan Guanqing was escorting.
"Hiss..."
Everyone present, except for the constables from the Martial Command Office, gasped in shock.
We've all seen murder before, but such brutality is truly unprecedented.
"Alright, let's kill one first. He deserves to die anyway, and there will be others to join him later."
Xu Xiao finished speaking in a seemingly casual manner, then pointed to Bai Shijing, who was being held captive under the imperial carriage.
"You, you speak first. Tell me how you were discovered having an affair with Ma Dayuan's wife Kang Min, and how you then conspired with her to murder Ma Dayuan."
Bai Shijing was ashen; the image he had cultivated his entire life had been so easily shattered.
But he couldn't bring himself to confess the dirty things he had done.
"Don't force me to strip you naked in front of everyone before executing you."
"A real man should be brave enough to take responsibility for his actions. You dared to do it, but you're afraid to speak out? At least speaking out would clear Qiao Feng's name."
Xu Xiao used both threats and inducements, and with just a few words, he broke down Bai Shijing's defenses.
Upon hearing Xu Xiao's words, especially the statement that it could Qiao Feng Feng's name, Bai Shijing finally spoke, his voice trembling:
"I have lived an upright and honest life, yet I never imagined I would still make a mistake in my old age. I am so sorry..."
Blah blah blah, and soon, Bai Shijing, with tears streaming down his face, recounted how he was seduced by Kang Min, how he accidentally killed Ma Dayuan, and how he was then manipulated by Kang Min to frame Qiao Feng with Quan Guanqing.
"I've said all I want to do is die quickly!"
"No problem."
Xu Xiao nodded, employing the same ruthless method of crushing tomatoes, filling the air with a strong smell of blood.
The Beggar Clan' Sect disciples standing nearby all looked troubled; none of them had expected that Elder Bai, who had been fair and just for most of his life, would be so despicable.
They couldn't help but curse angrily, but that's omitted here.
However, the one who suffered the most was Qiao Feng, who was at the very head of the table, even though he had already learned what had happened from Xu Xiao beforehand.
But hearing Bai Shijing confess, hearing the man he considered a brother betray him, still filled this mighty man with sorrow.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't rush to mourn, there are still other people here we haven't asked yet."
Xu Xiao, atop the dragon carriage, pointed again, this time at Elder Xu's head.
"It's your turn, old man. Hurry up and tell us in detail what benefits Quan Guanqing used to persuade you, and what your purpose was in standing up to testify against him."
As the saying goes, "An old man who doesn't die is a thief," and this old fellow, even after retiring, is still causing trouble; his intentions are as Sima Zhao.
In his suicide note, Wang Jiantong said that if Qiao Feng showed any signs of betraying the Han dynasty, he should be killed; otherwise, he should be treated as one of his own.
But this old man, completely indiscriminate and reckless, wanted to bring Qiao Feng down, making him just as disgusting as Quan Guanqing.
"I..."
"Stop dawdling. I hate it when people take their time answering my questions. If you don't want to suffer this much at your age and die a horrible death, you'd better get straight to the point."
"By the way, I already know all about your shady dealings. If you dare to utter a single lie, I'll make you regret it."
Xu Xiao spoke from his seat on the dragon carriage, giving no one a chance to hesitate.
Cut through the mess quickly; a man should be decisive in his actions.
Qiao Feng, for example, fell into the trap of righteousness and became trapped in a constant cycle of self-justification, which ultimately led to his tragic end.