266: Chapter 46 Cloud surge

Regarding the suspicions many in the Jianghu held about him committing multiple murders, Meng Li chose a cold approach—he simply couldn't be bothered to pay them any mind.

The innocent will clear themselves!

Since it wasn't him who committed the acts, he saw no need to rush out and investigate; doing so would only make things more confusing.

The so-called 'proving one's innocence' implies guilt. He was not guilty, so he had no need to prove anything.

If someone truly didn't believe him and came to demand an explanation, then he would speak with them then.

If reason fails, then use physics.

Wang Yuyan, A Bi, A Zhu, and the others were somewhat worried about this, as public opinion can be overwhelming, but seeing that Meng Li had made up his mind, they said nothing.

However, a few days later, another heavyweight piece of news arrived—Ma Dayuan, the Vice Gang Leader of the Beggars Sect, was dead!

He too had died by his own renowned ultimate skill.

This time, Bao Butong and Feng Boe could not remain calm.

After hearing Meng Li's decision previously, they had obediently stayed at the estates they were responsible for, continuing their usual activities without going out to investigate.

This was because both men felt that what Meng Li said made sense.

The innocent will clear themselves. Rushing to prove one's innocence for something one didn't do is unnecessary. The people demanding explanations hadn't even shown up yet. Investigating based on mere rumors would instead make them seem guilty, increasing suspicion, making it easy to complicate matters and worsen the situation.

Furthermore, Meng Li was the Master, and they were his subordinates.

Over the years, Meng Li had not only strengthened Bao Butong and Feng Boe's Martial Arts but had also adjusted the development of the Murong Family's enterprises, making them increasingly prosperous.

Bao Butong and Feng Boe, already loyal, became even more awestruck by Meng Li because of this.

As long as Meng Li's decisions did not violate their bottom line—unlike Murong Fu's in the original plot—they would naturally raise no objections, at most posing a few questions.

The situation was exactly like that now.

In the reception hall of Canhe Village.

After reporting the news of Ma Dayuan's death, Bao Butong couldn't help but advise, "Young Master, perhaps we should visit the Beggars Sect and explain things clearly to them. While the innocent will clear themselves, Ma Dayuan was the Vice Gang Leader of the Beggars Sect; his status is different from others."

Meng Li glanced at him but did not reply.

The Beggars Sect at that time was at its Peak, capable of rivaling Martial Arts giants like the Shaolin Monastery.

Not only were they numerous and powerful, but the current Gang Leader, Qiao Feng, was the most prominent figure in the contemporary Jianghu.

He had achieved numerous great merits, taking the position of Gang Leader in his early thirties. Relying on the Beggars Sect's inherited ultimate skill, the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, he had shaken the Jianghu, earning the title of 'Heroic Beggar'.

That's right, Qiao Feng's title had changed; he was not 'North Qiao Feng'!

Because Meng Li had not sought trouble to gain fame, there was no title of 'South Murong' in the current Jianghu.

North and South mutually opposed and mutually generated. With the South gone, the North could not establish fame alone, so 'North Qiao Feng' had no basis to exist.

However, the Jianghu never lacked busybodies.

Since there was no counterpart to match him, they gave him a title based on Qiao Feng's heroic character and his background in the Beggars Sect, calling him the 'Heroic Beggar'.

Due to the absence of a counterpart to divert attention, Qiao Feng's fame was even greater than in the original plot.

Consequently, the death of Vice Gang Leader Ma Dayuan caused an even greater impact.

Under such circumstances, even a nitpicker like Bao Butong and a fighting enthusiast like Feng Boe felt pressure.

This is why they rushed to report and urged Meng Li to change his previous decision.

Their intentions were good, but Meng Li remained unmoved.

If it were anyone else, he might have considered it, but Ma Dayuan's death had nothing to do with the Murong Family; it was a clear case of framing and slander.

Moreover, if this matter were brought to light, Qiao Feng would inevitably leave, and the Beggars Sect's current facade of strength would collapse directly.

Not to mention, he held far more trump cards than just this one.

Therefore, Meng Li was completely unfazed.

Regarding Bao Butong's suggestion, he said lightly, "I know about the matter. I will consider your suggestion, but there is no rush. You all should proceed as usual for now."

"Young Master..."

"That is all. If there is nothing else, the meeting is adjourned."

With that, Meng Li stood up and left.

Bao Butong and Feng Boe remained where they were, exchanging bewildered glances.

...

The next day, in the garden of Canhe Village.

"Cousin."

Wang Yuyan saw Meng Li reading under a tree and called out to him.

Meng Li closed the casual book in his hand, glanced sideways at her, and asked with a smile, "Finished instructing Mei Jian and Zhu Jian?"

Wang Yuyan nodded, then hesitated, "I know about the discussion you had with Third Brother Bao and the others."

Meng Li raised an eyebrow and looked toward A Zi, who was planning to slip away nearby: "Stop right there!"

A Zi paused mid-step, turned around with a mournful face, and explained aggrievedly, "Master Meng, I didn't intentionally eavesdrop on your conversation; I was just passing by."

Meng Li didn't believe a word: "Ten repetitions of the Disciple's Rules. Hand them to me tomorrow."

A Zi instantly turned into a bitter gourd face.

She hated copying books the most, but she dared not beg for mercy or bargain, as doing so would only result in a heavier punishment.

Finally, she could only cast a resentful look at Wang Yuyan before turning and heading toward the Listening Fragrance Pavilion.

Wang Yuyan noticed her resentment and felt a little awkward.

After A Zi left, Meng Li looked at Wang Yuyan. Seeing her about to speak but hesitating, he couldn't help but ask, "You also want me to go to the Beggars Sect and explain things clearly?"

Wang Yuyan shook her head: "I know you are innocent, Cousin, and I trust you definitely have a better way to handle this. It's just that my mother doesn't think so. She heard the news while checking the accounts, then rushed back and asked me to persuade you to offer an explanation."

"After all, the Beggars Sect is not some ordinary small Gang."

Meng Li was slightly surprised and smiled, "Just because of this, she stopped checking accounts halfway through and rushed back?"

Wang Yuyan nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then said softly, "She said she doesn't want me to be a grass widow."

Meng Li's eye twitched.

What kind of talk was that? If you don't beat the house for three days, it will start raising tiles! (A saying implying trouble starts when one is idle)

Li Qingluo, just you wait!

Feeling a surge of exasperated laughter internally, Meng Li showed no emotion on the surface. Instead, he comforted Wang Yuyan a few times and spent some affectionate time with her.

After Wang Yuyan left due to shyness, Meng Li returned to his reading.

Not long after, someone unexpected arrived—Mu Wanqing!

Ever since suffering successive blows, Mu Wanqing had been holding onto a deep resentment. After receiving Martial Arts instruction from A Zhu, she focused entirely on practicing, hoping to achieve success quickly and increase her strength.

In the days spent at Canhe Village, this was the first time she had actively sought him out.

"Miss Mu, what brings you to see me?" Meng Li asked curiously.

Mu Wanqing bit her lip and replied, "I heard about the recent events in the Jianghu. The Beggars Sect is not some minor sect, and there are others involved. I think it would be better if you went to explain. Although the innocent will clear themselves, public opinion can also be overwhelming."

"If we truly wait for those people to show up, the situation might become difficult to control."

"If an accident occurs, you might get hurt, or even..."

She didn't finish the latter part, but the meaning was clear.

Meng Li's gaze became strange: "Are you... worried about me?"

Mu Wanqing vehemently denied it: "No! You're thinking too much!"

Meng Li smiled: "But if I die, you can be freed from the shackles of your oath. That would be a good thing for you. Why would you advise me to go explain?"

Mu Wanqing was momentarily speechless. After a moment, she stubbornly retorted, "I just don't want you to die at someone else's hands."

"You swore the oath I made you take. Your life can only be taken by me."

"That's right, exactly."

"Pfft!" Meng Li was amused by her words.

Mu Wanqing said angrily, "What are you laughing at?"

Meng Li said, full of amusement, "Miss Mu, has anyone ever told you that your tsundere look is very cute?"

Mu Wanqing: [ ○ ･ ｀ Д ´ ･ ○ ]!