64: Mrs. Ma: Elders, please make the decision for me!

"Elder Xu?"

Someone suddenly suggested.

Immediately, someone shook their head in disagreement, "No, Elder Xu is over eighty years old. Although his seniority is high, he cannot assume the position of Beggar Clan Leader."

"What about the Four Great Elders, and the two Elders of Enforcement and Skill Transmission?"

Another person then proposed.

"This..."

"Although the Four Great Elders are highly respected in seniority and their martial arts are outstanding, to restore the Beggar Clan to its peak during Chief Qiao's tenure, I'm afraid..."

The person didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was self-evident.

"Although the former Chief Qiao Feng had a special identity, he was still the Chief at that time. The Four Great Elders betrayed the Chief, which shows a lack of virtue and they cannot be the Chief."

Bai Shijing's Disciple said.

"This won't do, that won't do. Then tell us who will!"

Someone couldn't help but shout.

Quan Guanqing stood in the crowd, feeling a stir, and suddenly stepped forward, saying, "I think the candidate for Chief doesn't necessarily need to have high martial arts. It's more important to understand management and be able to develop and strengthen our Beggar Clan."

"Understand management?"

"We're not merchants; what do we understand about management?"

"That's right, we are Jianghu people. Do we rely on money instead of strength? What kind of talk is that!"

"Our Beggar Clan is originally about begging. Are we supposed to make these beggars do business?"

The surrounding people were talking animatedly.

Quan Guanqing's face also showed some embarrassment.

At this moment, Bai Shijing suddenly stepped forward, "I believe Young Master Murong's chivalrous reputation is far-reaching, and his martial arts are superb. He can certainly take on the position of Beggar Clan Leader!"

Bai Shijing suddenly cupped his hands and called out to Ning Yuan.

As soon as these words came out, the entire hall was stunned.

Everyone looked at Ning Yuan in surprise.

Some frowned, some hesitated, and some's eyes lit up.

They showed signs of being moved.

"But Young Master Murong is not a member of our Beggar Clan."

Chen Guyan stepped out, raising an eyebrow.

"That's right, that's right!"

Many people immediately nodded in agreement.

Quan Guanqing immediately tried to stop him, shouting loudly, "Elder Bai, what is your intention in suddenly suggesting that an outsider take on the position of our Beggar Clan Leader?"

Although his chances of becoming the Beggar Clan Leader were extremely low, there was still some hope.

Now that Qiao Feng was finally gone, if Murong Fu were to become the Beggar Clan Leader, when would he ever get his chance?

Facing various doubts, Bai Shijing remained calm. He glanced at Ning Yuan, then stepped forward and continued, "My suggestion is entirely for the development of our Beggar Clan."

"As everyone knows, the power our Beggar Clan holds today is entirely due to the prestige of the former Chief Qiao Feng. Now, due to various reasons, Chief Qiao has abdicated. If the Beggar Clan wants to maintain this prestige, the Chief must be a famous hero in the Jianghu and possess martial power no less than Qiao Feng's."

"And it is known throughout the land of 'Northern Qiao Feng, Southern Murong'. Young Master Murong is naturally the undisputed choice for the next Chief of the Beggar Clan."

Bai Shijing looked around and said loudly.

He had a handle in Ning Yuan's hand, so naturally, he had to help Ning Yuan now.

Although this fear and leverage were not solid and could lead to rebellion at any time, at least for now, Bai Shijing did not dare to take that risk.

"Elder Bai, your words are wrong. If anyone with high martial arts can become the Chief, then is our Beggar Clan still the Beggar Clan?"

Quan Guanqing immediately stepped forward to deny, "What's more, the reason Qiao Feng stepped down as Chief is because he is a Khitan, a kinsman of Empress Dowager Xiao of Da Liao. And Murong Fu is also of a different ethnicity; he comes from the Northern Yan royal family. How can he become the Chief of our Great Song Beggar Clan!"

Quan Guanqing stared at Ning Yuan, speaking without reservation.

Bao Butong and Feng Boe immediately showed angry expressions, "You, surnamed Quan, just say what you mean directly; don't beat around the bush here."

"Our Young Master is benevolent and righteous, and just saved you all. Yet now you repay kindness with enmity, turning the tables and saying our Young Master harbors ill intentions. You truly have a wolf's heart and a dog's lung."

"That's right, they all say there are countless heroes in the Beggar Clan, but now it seems there are more cowards."

Feng Boe also crossed his arms and mocked.

He had already suffered a loss at Chen Guyan's hands before, and he didn't like the Beggar Clan.

Now that the other party dared to insult his Young Master, he naturally wouldn't let it go.

The people of the Beggar Clan also had complex expressions at this moment, looking at each other, unsure what to say.

Finally, Elder Xiang, the Skill Transmission Elder of the Beggar Clan, stepped forward, "We've said so much, but we still don't know Young Master Murong's opinion. Let's hear what Young Master Murong has to say."

The others also reacted at this point. Elder Xu nodded repeatedly, "That's right, Young Master Murong comes from a wealthy family, the head of the number one family in Jiangnan. How could he look upon us beggars, how could he be the Chief of us beggars?"

"Several Elders, you exaggerate. The Beggar Clan is the greatest clan in the world, producing countless heroes. Who would dare to look down on the Beggar Clan?"

Ning Yuan said with a chuckle, then looked at Quan Guanqing and said, "Although I, Murong Fu, bear the Bloodline of the Northern Yan royal family, Northern Yan has long been destroyed for many years. Now I am also a citizen of the Great Song, so the words of this Chief Quan are mistaken."

"Therefore, Chief Quan's concerns are baseless."

Ning Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, then swept his gaze over the others, "As for whether I will assume the position of Beggar Clan Leader, although Murong Fu has a modest reputation, I am ultimately an outsider. How could I become the Chief of you heroes?"

Ning Yuan had a humble expression.

Quan Guanqing snorted coldly upon hearing this and looked at Bai Shijing, "Elder Bai, didn't you go with Madam Ma to ask Young Master Murong who killed Vice Chief Ma?"

"Where is Madam Ma now?"

Quan Guanqing asked coldly, changing the subject.

"Quan Guanqing, when we learned that the Beggar Clan brothers were ambushed by Western Xia people, we naturally came to rescue them first. Madam Ma is just a woman, and weapons have no eyes. If Madam Ma, the widow of Vice Chief Ma, were injured, wouldn't we be at fault? Naturally, it was impossible to bring her. She is still waiting for news in Yanzwu."

Bai Shijing snorted coldly and said.

"Then Elder Bai should know who killed Vice Chief Ma now, right? After all, Vice Chief Ma died by his own unique skill, Throat-Locking Capture Hand, and Young Master Murong has always been the number one suspect."

Quan Guanqing suspiciously scanned Ning Yuan, his meaning already self-evident.

He simply did not want Murong Fu to become the Chief.

Therefore, he constantly sowed discord.

As soon as these words came out, there was another round of whispering.

Although they had just been saved by Ning Yuan not long ago, now that there was no life-threatening danger, they selectively forgot the kindness.

Such is human nature.

Bai Shijing glanced at Ning Yuan, and after receiving tacit approval, he said to everyone, "I already know who killed Vice Chief Ma. However, this person's identity is special, so let's wait for Madam Ma to return and tell it herself."

Bai Shijing swept his gaze over Quan Guanqing, speaking coldly.

"That's great."

"The mastermind who killed Vice Chief Ma will finally be found."

The others also echoed in agreement.

Then they began to collect the bodies and return to Apricot Forest.

For some reason, Quan Guanqing felt a sense of unease.

But he couldn't pinpoint what it was.

Looking at Ning Yuan's retreating figure, Quan Guanqing's eyes flickered for a moment.

Finally, he came to the Four Great Elders, "Four Elders, what do you think of Elder Bai's proposal?"

Chen Guyan snorted and said directly, "The great position of Chief of our Beggar Clan cannot be easily decided."

"That's right, although that Murong Fu has high martial arts and saved us this time, it's not that easy to become the Beggar Clan Leader."

Elder Song also spoke.

"I think Young Master Murong is an upright person. As for the Great Yan royal family, it's already an empty title. How many years has Great Yan been destroyed? It has no meaning. If Young Master Murong truly has such an idea, I think it's not bad. Having lost Northern Qiao Feng, we still have Southern Murong. Our Beggar Clan will still be a powerful clan under heaven."

Wu Changfeng, however, praised him highly.

"Elder Wu is confused. That Murong Fu is ultimately not a Disciple within our clan. If an outsider can casually assume the great position of Chief, how would the brothers within the clan feel? How would the balance among the clan brothers be maintained?"

Quan Guanqing clapped his hands and hastily urged, "What's more, how would the people of the world view our Beggar Clan? They would probably think we Beggar Clan are sycophants!"

"This matter hasn't been decided yet, Chief Quan, why are you so anxious? Besides, do you have a more suitable candidate?"

Wu Changfeng was somewhat displeased and said directly, "Now that all the high-ranking members of our Beggar Clan are here, if you think someone is capable of great responsibility, then speak up! As long as he has enough strength, we are willing to enthrone him as Chief!"

"This..."

Quan Guanqing's face looked somewhat ugly. Wu Changfeng snorted coldly and left directly.

Quan Guanqing looked at the others, and the other Elders all shook their heads... The next day.

Apricot Forest.

The Four Great Elders, along with the Elders of Enforcement, Skill Transmission, and Elder Xu, a total of seven people, and Ning Yuan, were all in the room.

"Madam Ma, can you tell the truth of the matter now?"

"Who exactly killed Vice Chief Ma? Why are Young Master Murong and Elder Bai unwilling to speak clearly and insist that you tell it yourself?"

Wu Changfeng asked directly.

Everyone else's gaze was also fixed on Kang Min.

Facing everyone's gaze, Kang Min's watery eyes immediately welled up with tears. She covered her mouth and sobbed softly, then suddenly knelt on the ground, saying sorrowfully, "I beg all the Elders to uphold justice for me!"

"What do you mean?"

Everyone looked at each other, and the Skill Transmission Elder asked directly, "Madam Ma, please get up quickly. What exactly happened?"

"All Elders, it's all my fault."

Kang Min lightly dabbed the tears from the corners of her eyes, sobbing painfully, "Actually, I've always known who the murderer of Da Yuan is."

"What?"

As soon as these words came out, everyone was instantly filled with surprise and uncertainty.

"What did you say?"

"Who exactly is this person?"

"Madam Ma, why didn't you say so earlier? Why did you pretend not to know?"

Everyone asked sternly.

At this moment, Kang Min no longer concealed anything and slowly recounted the events, "I beg all the Elders to punish me. I have let down Da Yuan and the Beggar Clan, but as a mere woman, I was truly forced."

"Initially, Chief Quan came to the Luoyang main branch and, seeing my beauty, made advances towards me after drinking. This was discovered by my husband, Da Yuan. Unexpectedly, this Quan Guanqing, with a wolf's ambition, took advantage of Da Yuan's soft-heartedness in letting him go and actually used Da Yuan's unique skill to harm him."

"I originally wanted to tell all the brothers about this, but unexpectedly, this Quan Guanqing said that if I spoke out, he would tell everyone that I had seduced him, and that we had jointly harmed Da Yuan, ruining my reputation."

"I dared not offend him, so I could only endure the pain and keep this matter hidden in my heart. I didn't expect him to become more and more excessive. After learning Chief Qiao's identity from me, he even stole Chief Qiao's folding fan, intending to frame him."

"Knowing Chief Qiao's background, I dared not speak of this matter again and could only obey his commands under his coercion. This time, he originally planned to incite the Four Great Elders to assassinate Chief Qiao, and then ascend to the position of Chief himself. It's just that everything was disrupted by Young Master Murong."

"Such a thing happened?"

Chen Guyan rose in anger, "Harming a brother, occupying a brother's wife, this Quan Guanqing is actually such a person, and he even dared to deliberately incite us..."

"I knew that Quan Guanqing was acting strangely last night. Why did he repeatedly prevent Young Master Murong from becoming the Chief of our Beggar Clan?"

Wu Changfeng also couldn't help but curse angrily.

At this moment, Ning Yuan stood up, shook his head, and said, "This matter was actually accidentally overheard by one of my subordinates and told to me. I also didn't expect that person to be Chief Quan. Truly, one can know a person's face but not their heart!"

"So Young Master Murong asked Madam Ma to see you because..."

Skill Transmission Elder looked at Murong Fu.