65: Murong Fu, the leader of the Beggar Clan (please order the full version)

"After all, this matter concerns Madam Ma's reputation and the reputation of Vice Chief Ma. Naturally, I cannot reveal it publicly, lest I damage the Beggar Clan's honor, making Murong Fu a sinner."

Ning Yuan said, shaking his head.

"Bitch, you clearly knew Quan Guanqing harmed Brother Da Yuan, yet you willingly covered for him! I'll kill you!"

Bai Shijing suddenly became enraged and raised his palm, ready to kill her.

Fortunately, Ning Yuan blocked him. "Elder Bai, please calm your anger. Madam Ma was not willing; she was coerced."

"We cannot place all the blame on Madam Ma."

"Young Master Murong, your words are mistaken. All the Elders of the Beggar Clan are here. If she had just revealed the truth, we naturally would have supported her. But now she refuses to disclose a single word. I suspect she has long been colluding with Quan Guanqing."

Bai Shijing shouted, his Face full of indignation.

The other Elders did not stop him.

Kang Min knelt on the ground, saying mournfully, "I know I am guilty. I am sorry to Da Yuan. I am willing to follow Da Yuan in death to preserve his reputation."

After speaking, Kang Min suddenly pulled a dagger from her bosom and was about to stab herself in the abdomen.

"Madam Ma, stop!"

Ning Yuan let out a light shout and waved his hand, knocking the dagger out of Kang Min's hand.

Tears immediately streamed down Kang Min's Face, and she cried sorrowfully, "Young Master Murong, I have wronged you! I even tried to frame you before. I have no Face to meet you now, just let me die!"

"Young Master Murong, this vicious woman betrayed Da Yuan and deceived us. Her death would be no pity."

Bai Shijing also scolded her from the side.

Ning Yuan shook his head. "The Beggar Clan is ultimately the greatest School under Heaven and should possess the magnanimity to embrace the world. Although Madam Ma was wrong, it was not intentional; she was coerced. She is a common woman who was temporarily flustered and threatened by a villain like Quan Guanqing. Afterward, constrained by her reputation and fearing your misunderstanding, she dared not speak the truth, which ultimately led to this result.

Although her crime is hard to forgive, she is still Vice Chief Ma's widow. If we kill her or let her die like this, the brothers in the Clan might think we deliberately forced the death of Vice Chief Ma's widow."

"If we explain the reason for the incident, it will tarnish the good name of the deceased Vice Chief Ma. Therefore, Madam Ma absolutely must not be harmed."

"Young Master Murong, you don't need to persuade me anymore. Elders, just say that I was devoted to Da Yuan and, heartbroken, followed him in death. This way, our family of three can be reunited."

Kang Min clutched her lower abdomen, raised her head, and spoke through teary eyes.

"A family of three?"

Everyone was stunned to hear this and looked at Kang Min in surprise.

"Madam Ma, are you already pregnant with Vice Chief Ma's child?"

Wu Changfeng and the others said, moved.

Ma Dayuan had no sons. If this was Ma Dayuan's posthumous son, then Kang Min absolutely could not be harmed.

At least, not now.

"It is Da Yuan's. I have been pregnant for about a month."

Kang Min lowered her head and said tearfully.

Of course, she wasn't pregnant; she just casually found an excuse.

Bai Shijing and the others exchanged glances and finally made up their minds. "Since you are pregnant, for the sake of the Ma family Bloodline, this matter can be temporarily suppressed. As long as you safely give birth to the child and continue the Ma family's lineage, we can pretend not to know about this."

Kang Min cried softly, remaining silent.

Bai Shijing then said, "However, how should Quan Guanqing be dealt with?"

"This..."

Everyone fell into contemplation.

"Furthermore, we must give the brothers an explanation for Vice Chief Ma's death. Since the true circumstances cannot be revealed, how should we proceed?"

Bai Shijing continued to ask.

Everyone looked at each other. Ning Yuan then pulled a letter from his bosom. "Gentlemen, I learned something from the Four Evils."

"What is it?"

Everyone looked at Ning Yuan.

Ning Yuan smiled faintly and continued, "According to the confessions of the Four Evils, the reason the Western Xia people were able to find the Apricot Forest so accurately this time is that someone tipped them off beforehand."

"What? Someone betrayed the Beggar Clan?"

Wu Changfeng immediately widened his eyes and shouted sternly, "Who exactly is it? I must kill him personally to eliminate this scourge from the Clan."

"Exactly. Our Beggar Clan will absolutely not allow someone who sells out their master for glory to live."

Chen Guyan also immediately stated firmly.

Ning Yuan tossed the letter in his hand to Bai Shijing. After Bai Shijing opened it, he immediately showed a look of shock and anger. "It really is him."

"Who is it? Let me see?"

Chen Guyan, Wu Changfeng, and the others immediately took it.

All of them saw a name.

"May I ask, Young Master Murong, are the statements made by the Four Evils guaranteed to be true?"

At this moment, Elder Xu suddenly asked.

"Is Elder Xu saying he doesn't trust me?"

Ning Yuan raised an eyebrow, and without waiting for Elder Xu to speak, he added, "The Three Evils have already been imprisoned by me in Yanz 塢. If Elder Xu doesn't believe me, you are welcome to go and question them."

"After all, the affairs of the Beggar Clan originally had nothing to do with me. It was someone from the Beggar Clan who deliberately tried to frame me, which is why I got involved."

"Young Master Murong, you exaggerate. How could I not believe your words? It's just, how exactly should this matter be handled?"

Elder Xu looked at everyone.

Ultimately, Bai Shijing took the lead and said with a solemn Face, "To prevent him from revealing Madam Ma's matter, I think it's best to strike first and not give him a chance to refute. After killing him, we can then announce his various crimes."

"Good, I agree. There's no need for nonsense with someone who deceives his master and betrays his ancestors. If the brothers in the Clan have any misunderstandings, I will personally explain it."

Wu Changfeng also stepped forward and said.

"Since the following matters are private affairs of your Clan, I shall take my leave."

Ning Yuan bid farewell.

But Bai Shijing quickly blocked his path, then said to everyone, "Heaven cannot be without the sun, and a country cannot be without a ruler. Now that our Beggar Clan has lost its Leader, I fear people's hearts will be in chaos, and the Disciples below will fight amongst themselves over who should be the next Leader. If they take different sides and fight each other, it might ultimately harm the harmony among our own brothers."

"I believe we should immediately choose a new Leader to stabilize morale."

"Young Master Murong's heroic reputation is widespread, and he has just saved us. Furthermore, he does not belong to any School, making him the perfect candidate. I propose inviting Young Master Murong to be our Leader."

Bai Shijing stood at the doorway and spoke righteously.

After speaking, he looked at the others. "What do the rest of you brothers think?"

Bai Shijing had the best relationship with the Skill Transmission Elder, and they had discussed this last night. Therefore, Elder Xiang immediately stepped forward to express his agreement, cupping his hands toward Ning Yuan and saying, "I agree with Elder Bai. We request Young Master Murong to take over the position of Leader."

"Our Beggar Clan has always taught without discrimination. As long as one harbors righteousness, even if they are not originally from our Clan, they can still be the Leader. I also agree."

Wu Changfeng also immediately spoke.

With three Elders stating their position consecutively, it was difficult for the others to refuse.

Ning Yuan quickly declined, "Although I, Junior, have a slight reputation, I am ultimately not from the Beggar Clan and have achieved no merit. How can I become the Leader? You are truly overestimating me."

"Heroes are not judged by their origin, Young Master Murong, please stop refusing."

Wu Changfeng, however, spoke up to persuade him, "If you don't agree, you are clearly looking down on us beggars and looking down on the Beggar Clan!"

Wu Changfeng's expression turned serious, and he said loudly.

At this point, the others could only agree.

Since three high-ranking and influential Elders had already agreed, their disagreement would not only cause the three Elders to lose Face but also give Murong Fu a bad impression.

In any case, their lives had been saved by the other party. Not giving Face at this moment, if word spread, would make them seem heartless and ungrateful.

Moreover, the Beggar Clan Leader's Staff, the Dog Beating Staff, was currently held by Elder Xu, the highest-ranking veteran, and Elders Bai and Xiang.

Now that the Law Enforcement Elder and the Skill Transmission Elder had agreed, it was difficult for Elder Xu to continue refusing.

"Since all the Elders hold Murong Fu in such high regard, Murong Fu shall brazenly accept the position of Leader. As long as I am here, I will ensure the Beggar Clan flourishes and its might stabilizes the world!"

Ning Yuan took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and said with a solemn expression.

"Good. After Quan Guanqing has been dealt with, we will notify the entire Clan. However, we only recently held a succession ceremony for Qiao Feng as Leader, so this time, it might take a bit more time to prepare."

The Skill Transmission Elder said somewhat sheepishly.

"Elder Xiang, I am not someone who loves false fame or grand displays. The ceremony is not important; a simple notification to the Clan members will suffice."

Ning Yuan said dismissively.

After all, he just wanted to see if taking the position of Beggar Clan Leader would grant him Luck.

"This matter can be discussed later."

Elder Song said.

As the main door inside the hall opened, Quan Guanqing was called in.

"Calling me in?"

Quan Guanqing was full of doubt. Although he felt strange, he didn't think anything would happen, so he walked straight in.

But as soon as he entered, he realized something was wrong and saw the crowd glaring fiercely at him.

"Elders, may I ask why you called your subordinate here?"

Quan Guanqing cupped his fists and asked.

The group had already reached an agreement. They exchanged glances and suddenly attacked.

Quan Guanqing's expression changed drastically, and he immediately shouted, "Elders, why are you attacking me? What have I done wrong?"

Quan Guanqing shouted in disbelief.

But the combined force of the Elders was not something he could resist. He only managed to block the two people in front before being struck in the back.

Bai Shijing didn't give Quan Guanqing any chance to speak further, fearing he might displease Ning Yuan. He struck Quan Guanqing's back with a palm, killing him instantly.

Elder Xu saw this scene, and his white beard trembled a few times.

A wave of dread washed over him.

"Now we will announce Quan Guanqing's act of betraying the Clan."

Bai Shijing immediately opened the door and walked out.

Then he announced the candidate for the position of Leader.

"Brothers, based on the unanimous decision of myself, the Four Great Elders, the Skill Transmission Elder, and Elder Xu, we have decided to invite Young Master Murong to serve as the new Leader of our Beggar Clan and preside over the general affairs of the Beggar Clan, all in order to stabilize the morale within the Clan."

Bai Shijing stood on the wooden platform and spoke loudly.

"They actually chose Murong Fu to be the Leader!"

"Since all the Elders approve, it seems the matter is settled."

"This is good too. Young Master Murong is a top expert no less than Qiao Feng. With him serving as our Beggar Clan Leader, the prestige of our Beggar Clan will not be weaker than before."

"But it turns out Chief Quan betrayed us! I never thought he would collude with Western Xia and even murder Vice Chief Ma, all just to bring Chief Qiao down. How insidious and despicable."

The people below the platform discussed heatedly, but few directly opposed Murong Fu becoming the Leader.

After all, a group was killed by the Western Xia people last night, and many troublemakers had died. Everyone present had their lives saved by Murong Fu, and this favor had to be acknowledged.

"We pay our respects to the Leader!"

As Ning Yuan received the Dog Beating Staff from Elder Xu, the Beggar Clan Disciples below immediately cheered thunderously.

"Brothers, I, Murong Fu, am unworthy, but having been requested by the Elders and brothers, I accept the great position of Beggar Clan Leader. I will do my utmost to help the Beggar Clan flourish and ensure all brothers live good lives!"

Ning Yuan gripped the Dog Beating Staff and said loudly.

"Well said, Leader!"

The people below the platform agreed one after another.

Afterward, Ning Yuan hosted a grand banquet in the Apricot Forest.

He summoned all nearby Beggar Clan Disciples to attend the meal.

It was extremely lively.

Everything concluded late into the night.

"Since Madam Ma is pregnant, a woman like her cannot constantly stay within the Clan. Why not temporarily reside in my Yanz 塢?"

Ning Yuan invited Kang Min to Yanz 塢.

Kang Min naturally would not refuse.

Although Bai Shijing's expression was slightly displeased, he dared not say anything more.

"The Leader is benevolent!"

"Indeed. The Leader treats the widow of the former Vice Chief with such favor. We are certainly no exception! Drink up!"

The surrounding people praised him one after another, and Ning Yuan smiled without speaking.

Afterward, Ning Yuan handed the matters over to Bai Shijing and then left the Apricot Forest himself.

He had no interest in the affairs of the Beggar Clan.

Reporting the results: Initial subscription count is 370; the current average subscription barely reaches 400! I urge all great readers to fully subscribe and support this small, struggling writer to stabilize at 400 average subscriptions.