"I'll talk, I'll talk! Please spare my life, sir! I'm not a bad person."
The more power-hungry a person is, the more afraid of death they are.
What else could Elder Xu be doing, coming out to testify against Qiao Feng after his retirement, besides wanting to seize control of the Beggar Clan' Sect again?
Soon, under Xu Xiao's threat, the old man confessed all his plans and schemes with Quan Guanqing, and frankly admitted his desire to regain control of the Beggar Clan' Sect.
As the saying goes, "A person may grow old in years but not in spirit; to be old but not die is to be a thief."
Some people seize high positions through a bit of luck, have tasted the power, and once they have the chance to regain it, they would never be willing to give it up.
As a result, the old man's image and reputation, which he had built up as an elder, crumbled completely.
The Beggar Clan' Sect disciples also made no attempt to conceal their anger, and instead displayed outstanding traditional Chinese arts in response.
"Alright, that's enough. Since you're somewhat sensible, I'll spare your life and spare you from a gruesome death."
What crime can be spared the death penalty but not escape punishment?
That doesn't apply to Xu Xiao. He's a ruthless judge; whether you speak or not, you're going to die anyway. The only difference is what kind of torture you suffer before you die.
"Rao"
"Click"
At Xu Xiao's signal, the Martial Command Office's servants, who were controlling Elder Xu, swiftly beheaded the old man with a single stroke.
"Lord Xu, please have mercy! These are all renowned figures in the martial arts world; their crimes do not warrant death!"
Qiao Feng could no longer contain himself and rushed out from the high platform in a few leaps.
He had only gone less than twenty meters when he felt a deep binding force on his limbs and bones.
It was as if there was an extra wall on all four sides, making it impossible to break through.
"Hey, Chief Qiao, what's the rush? I already said I'd help you with the interrogation." Xu Xiao looked at Qiao Feng with a half-smile.
Thus, Qiao Feng knew perfectly well that he had once again been controlled by Xu Xiao's strange martial arts.
Instantly, his internal Internal Energy surged, and a roaring sound like a blue dragon seemed to resound around him, with great power surging from his limbs and bones.
Even so, he did not move an inch.
'this!'
Qiao Feng was stunned. As the male protagonist of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, he had almost never suffered a setback, yet he once again encountered a phenomenon that he could not break even when he exerted all his strength.
"Stop struggling, Chief Qiao. Although I admit you are a once-in-a-century martial arts prodigy, the gap between you and me is greater than that between a child and a child."
Xu Xiao chuckled. Qiao Feng's strength was still somewhat inferior to that of the palace's retainers; how could he possibly be a match for him at this moment?
Xu Xiao's body has been steadily improving thanks to the nourishment of the Northern Darkness True Qi and medicinal cuisine accumulated over two Jiazi (60 years), and his Telekinesis has also increased accordingly.
Strangely enough, it seems that Xu Xiao's Telekinesis has no upper limit.
It was increasing every moment, and as his body grew stronger, this spiritual power became increasingly powerful and easier to manipulate.
Unfortunately, Xu Xiao's development of Telekinesis is still quite superficial, mainly due to a lack of knowledge and not knowing where to start. This will change after he travels through more worlds.
"Chief Qiao, you must remember what I told you. If you don't take it seriously, then I will completely destroy the Beggar Clan."
"For me, it just means my subordinates will have to put in a little more effort."
After Xu Xiao finished speaking, he ignored Qiao Feng and pointed at the remaining people, ordering them to be pulled in front of the crowd.
"Let's start by telling you about Zhao Qiansun and Monk Zhiguang. Recounting what happened back then will fulfill Master Qiao's wish."
"Both of you are prominent figures in the martial arts world; speaking of it will bring you some dignity."
Upon hearing Xu Xiao's words, both of them turned pale. It was clear that whether they spoke or not, they were doomed!
This renowned Imperial Military Command Commissioner is nothing like a court official; he's more like a King of Hell.
"Lord Xu, these people are renowned figures in the martial arts world; we cannot continue to kill them indiscriminately!" Qiao Feng roared.
He had already learned the truth about his origins from Xu Xiao and didn't want any other innocent people to lose their lives because of this.
"Don't worry, don't worry, I'm a very reasonable person. They're just witnesses. If you cooperate, I won't kill them."
Xu Xiao nodded, agreeing to Qiao Feng's request.
These people weren't really that disgusting; the three truly disgusting ones have already been killed. They were only doing this out of respect for Qiao Feng.
"Alas! Forgive me, forgive me, but since things have come to this, I will speak frankly."
The Great Monk Zhiguang began to recount the events, with Zhao Qiansun supplementing his account. The two quickly gave a general account of what had happened back then.
These two were renowned figures in the martial arts world, holding high positions. Their words naturally convinced everyone, including Qiao Feng.
He had already heard it from Xu Xiao once, but still held onto a sliver of hope. Now, with this evidence presented again, his identity was confirmed.
" Monk Zhiguang and Zhao Qiansun, as witnesses to the Battle of Yanmen Pass, do you feel any guilt towards Qiao Feng?"
"This... I am so sorry, Benefactor Qiao. Amitabha Buddha."
"I, Zhao Qiansun, also... have wronged Benefactor Qiao."
When questioned by Xu Xiao, both of them expressed remorse, completely unlike their arrogant and self-righteous demeanor in the original drama.
"Alright, you're spared the death penalty, but you can't escape punishment. Originally, I was going to send you both to your Western Heaven, but since Chief Qiao has spoken, I'll give him face."
" Zhao Qiansun, you should cripple your martial arts. As for you, Master Zhiguang, from now on, you should stay in your temple and meditate to attain enlightenment. Don't ever appear in the martial world again."
Zhao Qiansun was ruthless in his punishment, striking the dantian with a single palm strike and destroying the dantian.
"Lord Xu, Chief Qiao, I, Zhao, apologize."
"Why did it come to this? I don't blame you. I will settle accounts with the real culprit myself."
Qiao Feng, standing to the side, looked ashamed. He had already learned the truth from Xu Xiao.
At this point, he had absolutely no doubt about what Xu Xiao had said.
He had only one enemy: Murong Bo, who spread false information.
The tragic life of Qiao Feng's family stemmed entirely from the ambition of Murong Bo, who sought to instigate conflict between the martial arts world of the Central Plains and the martial arts world of the Liao.
"As for you lot, Tan Gong, Tan Po, and the Shan father and son, I'm too lazy to ask any more questions. Just behave yourselves from now on."
With a wave of his hand, Xu Xiao sent several people flying to his side. He gently placed his hand on them, and their Internal Energy flowed into his body like water. Then, the Northern Darkness Divine Art was activated again.
The absorbed Internal Energy merged with the Northern Darkness True Qi within the body, removing impurities and retaining the essence, thus strengthening the internal Internal Energy within the body.
This is also what Xu Xiao discovered: after absorbing the Internal Energy of two royal retainers and some of the martial arts practitioners imprisoned in Kaifeng Prefecture, his Northern Darkness True Qi stopped increasing much after two Jiazi (60 years) of practice.
Each time the true energy was absorbed, it only made the Internal Energy in the dantian slightly thicker, but the amount did not increase much.
"Chief Qiao, I promised you I'd spare these people's lives. Now it's your turn to promise me."
"So, members of the Beggar Clan' Sect, are you willing to join the Martial Command Office?"
Xu Xiao looked at Qiao Feng with a half-smile.
Now that the excitement is over, let's get down to business.