71: Starry old monster Ding Chunqiu

"What a joke. This little girl poisoned me, and now she has been punished by me to serve as a menial. How did she become your person?"

Ning Yuan sneered. Ignoring A Zi's stiff expression, he continued, "If you want her, then ask your Old Ancestor to come himself. I don't want to see you right now. If you don't disappear from here within three breaths, I will send you away for good."

Ning Yuan's tone was indifferent.

It was as if he didn't take the people of the Xingxiu Sect seriously at all.

The Faces of the Xingxiu Sect members instantly turned livid.

Never before had anyone dared to look down on the people of their Xingxiu Sect like this.

In the Jianghu, who wouldn't tremble with fear and harbor dread upon hearing their name?

When had they ever been humiliated like this?

But unfortunately, they were no match for their opponent.

The poison they prided themselves on couldn't even get close to him before it would rebound onto themselves.

"Murong Fu, I will report this truthfully to the Old Ancestor!"

Zhai Xing Zi said with a cold Face, gritting his teeth as he dropped the threat.

After speaking, he waved his hand and scolded the group of Junior Brothers behind him, "Let's go."

Watching the Xingxiu Sect members leave with their tails between their legs, A Zi's Face instantly lit up with joy.

She thought to herself, "Although this Murong Fu is difficult to deal with and treats me as a servant, he doesn't seem to have any ill intentions toward me for now. At the very least, with him here, the Disciples of the Old Monster of Xingxiu won't dare to lay a hand on me."

After the Xingxiu Sect members left, the others in the restaurant breathed a sigh of relief and then proceeded to cup their hands in greeting.

"We pay our respects to Young Master Murong!"

"Chief Murong truly possesses Divine Might; with just one move, you were able to drive away this famous demonic sect from the Western Regions!"

Facing everyone's congratulations, Ning Yuan merely went through the motions.

"You fellow Martial Forest comrades are too polite. How could I, a warrior of the Central Plains, allow such an evil sect from the Western Regions as the Xingxiu Sect to run rampant in the Central Plains?"

"I, Murong, also welcome you all to come to the Beggar Clan tomorrow."

Ning Yuan cupped his hands to everyone around, appearing righteous and heroic.

"We will definitely go to congratulate Chief Murong on assuming the position of Chief of the Beggar Clan!"

"Yes, we will definitely go to offer our congratulations!"

The people downstairs said one after another.

After leaving the restaurant, Zhai Xing Zi and the others quickly found a place to take their Medicinal Pills. A moment later, they all recovered a bit of their energy.

"That Murong Fu is so arrogant. When we see the Old Ancestor, we will report this truthfully."

Tianlangzi said indignantly.

"We'll talk about this later; sooner or later we will find trouble for him. But our priority right now is to find that wretched girl, A Zi."

Zhai Xing Zi swept his gaze across everyone and said coldly, "You should know what fate awaits us if we don't retrieve the Divine Wood King Cauldron, right?"

"Senior Brother, we naturally know. However, that wretched girl is now under the protection of that Murong Fu. How can we take her away from Murong Fu's side?"

Shihouzi snorted, "If we don't get rid of Murong Fu, we won't have a chance at all."

"We should have known not to offend him earlier."

"What? Do you have a problem with me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhai Xing Zi raised an eyebrow, his gaze toward Shihouzi revealing a dangerous glint.

Shihouzi was startled and quickly said, "Senior Brother, how could I have a problem with you? I was just talking about myself."

"Hmph!"

Zhai Xing Zi originally wanted to punish Shihouzi, but remembering he still needed manpower, he held back for the moment. "Since we can't beat that Murong Fu head-on, we will find other means."

Zhai Xing Zi's words were cold, laced with threats.

"What does Senior Brother mean?"

Everyone looked at Zhai Xing Zi in confusion.

"Murong Fu is hard to deal with, but the many women around him are easy to deal with. At worst, we'll find a chance to kidnap one of them and make him trade A Zi for her. I don't believe he would disregard his own woman for the sake of A Zi."

Zhai Xing Zi said with a sneer.

The few men's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "Senior Brother, great idea! Why don't we act tonight?"

"That's right. Tomorrow they are going to the Beggar Clan. By then, there will be countless experts around, making it even harder to succeed."

"Besides, tonight he definitely won't be guarding against us making a surprise return; it's the perfect opportunity."

"Good. Since it's decided, Shihouzi, you go and scout out their rooms clearly. Everyone else, follow me to make preparations."

Zhai Xing Zi revealed a satisfied expression, then looked at Shihouzi and said.

"Me?"

Upon hearing that he had to go scout, Shihouzi's expression stiffened, revealing bitterness.

In his heart, he cursed Zhai Xing Zi for being petty, while simultaneously regretting being the first to speak up.

But under the gloating gazes of the others, Shihouzi could only nod in agreement.

Such was the relationship between fellow Disciples of the Xingxiu Sect.

If he didn't go, someone else would have to; therefore, no one was willing to step forward, as they were all selfish people.

Late at night.

Shihouzi snuck into the inn and cautiously found the few rooms that Ning Yuan had booked.

Inside the restaurant room.

A Zi stood in front of Ning Yuan, fiddling with her braids with her fingers, showing a hint of nervousness.

In the silent atmosphere, A Zi finally couldn't help but ask, "So you are the famous Southern Murong. No wonder my poison couldn't hurt you and I was injured by you instead."

"But I don't remember knowing you, and this is my first time in the Central Plains. How do you know me?"

As she spoke, A Zi looked at Ning Yuan curiously with her big, watery eyes.

"You will know in the future. There is no need for you to know these things now. You just need to know that because you poisoned me, you must pay the price. For the next period of time, you will serve as my maid. When I am satisfied, I might let you leave."

Ning Yuan took a sip of tea and said indifferently.

"Then what did you mean when you said you knew my background?"

A Zi immediately pressed for an answer.

"Wait until you perform in a way that satisfies me, like a real maid, then we shall talk. If there is anything you don't understand, A Bi will teach you."

Ning Yuan waved his hand.

A Bi, standing behind him, immediately stepped forward a few paces and said with a smile, "Miss A Zi, from now on we are sisters. If you don't understand anything, you can ask me or Sister A Zhu."

"Me, the dignified Senior Sister of the Xingxiu Sect, serving as your maid? Aren't you afraid I'll poison you to death!"

A Zi pouted, muttering a few words to herself, but she dared not say them out loud, so she could only retreat unhappily.

"Miss A Zi."

A Zhu walked over from outside the door, and upon seeing A Zi, she smiled slightly, "In the future, if you have anything you need, you can come to me. If there is anything you don't understand, you can also come to me. In the Murong family, we are all family."

Facing A Zi, A Zhu felt a sense of closeness for some reason, so her attitude was extremely warm.

And A Zi, facing A Zhu, also felt a sense of closeness, so she wasn't as fierce as she was toward others. She nodded and said, "Thank you, Sister A Zhu."

In the shadows, Shihouzi's eyes lit up upon seeing A Zi and the others.

Watching the three of them return to their respective rooms, Shihouzi secretly noted it down.

Having confirmed the locations, Shihouzi returned directly.

"Senior Brother, I have found their specific rooms. We can act at any time."

"How far away is Murong Fu?"

Zhai Xing Zi still had lingering fears regarding Ning Yuan, so he immediately asked, alert.

"This..."

Shihouzi stammered.

"Trash."

Zhai Xing Zi snorted coldly.

"Who has become trash again!"

Just then, a frivolous voice suddenly came from somewhere.

Then, a group of people carrying a sedan chair appeared quickly.

Hearing this voice, everyone present froze on the spot, and the next moment they hurriedly knelt down. "We welcome the Old Immortal's arrival!"

"Hmph! I heard you were cleaned up by mere Southern Murong. You truly have shamed me, the Old Immortal."

Sitting on the sedan chair was an old man with flowing silver hair, a beard reaching past his shoulders, and a ruddy complexion.

"It is our incompetence; we have shamed Master!"

Including Zhai Xing Zi, everyone prostrated themselves, not daring to even breathe loudly.

"Trash."

Ding Chunqiu snorted coldly, then narrowed his eyes. "Today's mistake will be noted. Tomorrow, I want to see just how much ability this so-called Southern Murong really has, that his reputation is actually greater than mine, the Old Immortal!"

"With Master taking action, whatever Southern Murong or Northern Qiao Feng, they are nothing but motley dogs!"

Zhai Xing Zi immediately spoke up to flatter him.

The others also hurriedly said, "Master's divine skills are unrivaled and shake the Martial Forest. It is only because you have lived in seclusion in the Xingxiu Sea all year round that these clowns have made a name for themselves in the Martial Forest. Now that Master has stepped out, all the sects in the Central Plains will bow at your feet."

"Shaolin and the Beggar Clan are just a bunch of bald donkeys and beggars. How can they be mentioned in the same breath as the noble and supreme Old Immortal of Xingxiu!"

"We wish Master immediate victory and to strike fear into the Martial Forest!"

Everyone spoke up one after another to echo and flatter him, fearing that they would be a step slower than others.

"Hahahaha..."

Ding Chunqiu laughed upon hearing this. "Well said. Since these beggars are holding a grand meeting tomorrow, we will go join in the fun and congratulate the Beggar Clan on changing chiefs one after another."

"We humbly obey your decree!"

Zhai Xing Zi and the others immediately replied respectfully.

At the same time, they secretly breathed a sigh of relief, because Ding Chunqiu did not ask about A Zi, so they wouldn't be accused of failing to handle the task properly.

Shihouzi felt even more relieved; he didn't want to Face Murong Fu alone.

With Ding Chunqiu here, they didn't need to take any more risks tonight.

And the news of Ning Yuan's arrival soon spread throughout the Luoyang Martial Forest.

The people of the Beggar Clan also immediately prepared everything.

Preparing for the next day's banquet and grand ceremony.

The next day.

As soon as Ning Yuan walked out with Wang Yuyan, A Zhu, and the others, the people of the Beggar Clan shouted in unison.

"Welcome, Chief!"

"Brothers, you are too polite. We will head to the main headquarters now."

Ning Yuan pressed his hands downward, his Face full of smiles.

Mu Wanqing, Zhong Ling, and Wang Yuyan had all lived in a small world since childhood.

Now, seeing this bustling scene with people coming and going, they all looked around, their Faces full of wonder.

There was also a trace of fear of the unknown.

Mu Wanqing and Wang Yuyan both followed closely behind Ning Yuan.

A Zi, however, didn't feel strange at all. She followed behind, looking left and right, feeling perfectly at ease.

With Murong Fu here, she no longer had to hide.

Although she didn't know what Murong Fu's intentions were toward her right now.

However, she was also somewhat curious about the background he mentioned, which was one of the main reasons she felt at ease staying by Ning Yuan's side.

"One, two, three, four, five..."

In the crowd, someone stretched out their fingers and counted back and forth.

Their eyes couldn't help but widen. "Young Master Murong is surrounded by so many beauties. A woman like that, even just one, would be a beauty that could topple a city, yet he has so many around him..."

"And it looks like their relationships are all very close."

Many people revealed looks of jealousy.

Envy was not enough to express it at this moment.

"This Murong Fu is truly blessed with good fortune."

Someone said sourly.

"I'm afraid even the Emperor's women can't compare to Young Master Murong's!"

Many people sighed, their expressions incredibly complex.

Facing the various gazes cast upon him, Ning Yuan's expression was indifferent.

The group soon arrived at the Beggar Clan's main headquarters.

Today, many people from other sects also came to participate in the grand event.

Wang Yuyan, A Zhu, Mu Wanqing, and the other five, along with Bao Butong and Feng Boe, all stood on one side below the stage.

"I didn't expect that after clashing with the Beggar Clan last time, Young Master has now become the Chief of the Beggar Clan and become part of the family. The changes are truly too fast."

Bao Butong crossed his arms and clicked his tongue, saying.

"It seems we won't be able to fight with the Beggar Clan anymore in the future."

Feng Boe looked regretful. "Last time I was injured by that Chen Guyan with a poisonous scorpion, and I don't know when I'll be able to regain my Face."

"Brother Feng, if you want to regain your Face, fighting would inevitably hurt the harmony. How about we have a drinking contest later?"

At this moment, Chen Guyan walked over and said with a smile.

Hearing this, both Bao Butong and Feng Boe's eyes lit up. "Alright, a drinking contest it is. As long as there's a contest, that's fine!"

"Hahaha..."

Everyone laughed aloud.

At this time, Ning Yuan walked onto the high platform. Facing the dense crowd below, he raised the Dog-Beating Stick high and said seriously, "Thanks to the kindness of the Beggar Clan brothers, you have allowed me, an outsider, to become the Chief of the Beggar Clan."

"Although I am not a Disciple of the Beggar Clan, I have always admired the Beggar Clan's style of great benevolence, righteousness, and acting for the sake of the country and the people. I, Murong Fu, am also willing to share joys and sorrows with all the brothers and punish the wicked and eliminate evil!"

"Good!"

"Well said!"

"Chief Murong is truly worthy of being a great hero, with a heart for the world! We swear to follow you to the death!"

The Beggar Clan Disciples below the stage immediately raised their wooden sticks one after another and shouted loudly.