The Legend of the Condor Heroes: From Being Expelled from Peach Blossom Island

Chapter 142 Arrangements within the Clan

Hong Qigong was quite pleased with himself, knowing he was about to become a disciple.

"Of course, how could I, Hong Qigong, possibly lie to my own beloved disciple?"

I saw this Mysterious Maiden Technique at the Beggars' Sect headquarters after I became the sect leader. I don't know which senior member kept it.

You said that my Beggars' Sect doesn't have many women, so what's the use of this skill? That's why it's always been shelved.

This martial art is quite peculiar. Once mastered, it doesn't possess much power, but it can alter a woman's figure, making her more beautiful the more she practices it.

Wu Chengyu never expected that such martial arts existed in this world; they were remarkably similar to the martial arts provided by the bamboo slips.

The old beggar became more and more proud as he spoke: "That day in the back alley, I asked Ah Ku what she wanted or what troubles she had, and I could help her solve them."

After a long conversation, Ah Ku finally revealed that his biggest worry was that he was too strong and afraid he wasn't good enough for me. I immediately thought of this martial art, which seemed tailor-made for Ah Ku.

The most coincidental thing is that to practice this Mysterious Maiden Great Art, one must first practice the Plain Maiden Skill. This martial art is not widely known, and the original manual is even harder to find. I was worried about where to find it, but it turns out that A-Ku has already mastered it.

"Young Wu, tell me, isn't A-Ku my destined disciple?"

Even Wu Chengyu couldn't find any reason to refute it. Whether it was aptitude, experience, temperament, or martial arts skills, Hong Qigong was indeed the most suitable master for Aku.

"Are you really decided? Ah Ku, when are you planning to leave?"

"Seventh Master said he has business to attend to at the Beggars' Sect and cannot stay in Suzhou for too long. Brother, we are leaving tomorrow."

"That's fine then. I won't hide it from you, brother. I have important business to attend to and will be leaving Suzhou soon. It will probably be a long time before I return."

I couldn't take you with me on this trip. I was worried you wouldn't want to leave you alone in Wujiapo, but it seems that Master Qi's appearance was just in time.

As soon as he finished speaking, Wu Chengyu stood up, straightened his clothes, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply to Hong Qigong.

"Seventh Master, I'm entrusting A-Ku to you from now on. With you taking care of him, I can finally rest easy."

Hong Qigong readily agreed: "Don't worry, I love my own disciple. With me here, no one can hurt A-Ku."

However, Ah Ku's heart is only with you, and he's willing to do anything for you. Old Beggar hopes you won't let Ah Ku down in the future, otherwise, as his master, I will definitely hold you accountable.

Wu Chengyu ignored Hong Qigong's threats and turned to look at Aku. The two were really going to part ways this time, and for a moment, neither of them could say a word.

Finally, Ah Ku spoke first: "Brother, I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning. You have to pretend to be asleep and don't come to see me off, otherwise I'm afraid I won't be able to leave."

~
The next morning, Wu Chengyu sat alone in his courtyard. Sure enough, A Ku left with Hong Qigong before dawn.

Wu Chengyu heard Aku crying, but forced himself not to go see her off.

After the two of them left, Wu Chengyu got up alone and suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of loneliness. Familiar things were changing, some familiar people were dead, and some had left. The family he had wanted to settle down with gave him a strong sense of unease.

All of this happened suddenly, giving him no time to react, yet it seemed destined to happen, completely disregarding Wu Chengyu's wishes.

For a moment, he felt the same way he did when he first transmigrated, as if he had never belonged to this world.

Unfortunately, there were always people who didn't want him to wallow in self-pity. Before Wu Chengyu could finish his lament, a member of the clan came to his door and asked him to go to the clan leader to discuss something.

When he arrived at the clan chief's place, not only was the clan chief present, but also the members of the eldest and second branches of the family. Only Wu Zhengliang from the third branch was there, and he only looked up at Wu Chengyu when Wu Chengyu entered, remaining silent. For some reason, Wu Chengyu was pulled to sit down by Wu Zhenghong, who then began to talk incessantly.

"Little Twenty-One, come here, come here, sit down quickly."

The decision to summon you here today was made after discussions between the clan leader and our various branches of the family.

Since our Wu family has decided to cooperate with the Shi family and follow the lead of Master Shi, all members of our clan must contribute their efforts.

Now, you, Cheng Lian, are serving as a Hanlin scholar in Hangzhou, but you lack assistants. Those disciples who received martial arts instruction from you have only been practicing for half a year and are not yet of great use.

You, Wu Chengyu, are also a leading figure of our Wu family's Cheng generation. Your reputation for being ruthless and unpredictable is renowned throughout Jiangnan. Now it is time for you to contribute to the family.

We have arranged a marriage for you. The bride is the illegitimate daughter of a military officer in Hangzhou. After you get married, you will naturally join the Imperial Guard of our Great Song Dynasty. With Lord Zheng Qingzhi as your guarantor and your family having spent some money, you will be a captain of the eighth rank.

Once Prime Minister Shi becomes Prime Minister, you should serve the Shi family well, and he will naturally promote you greatly. Becoming a general in the future is inevitable.

With Cheng Lian and you by our side, one a scholar and the other a warrior, Hangzhou will surely prosper.

Before Shi Miyuan had officially become the Right Chancellor, his uncle was already referring to him as Chancellor Shi all the time.

Flattery, smugness, hypocrisy, greed, and fantasy—these words were clearly written on Wu Zhenghong's face.

Driven by self-interest and a desire to curry favor with the powerful, Wu Zhenghong's true colors are utterly despicable. He may still be the same person, but his entire soul seems to have changed.

Wu Chengyu looked at him with a half-smile, but Wu Zhenghong's next words made him lose his patience.

"As for that girl, A-Ku, I'll just get rid of her for you. You're going to be a general someday, how can a girl who used to be a beggar be by your side? I won't mistreat her, I'll marry her off to a member of our Wu family who isn't related by blood."

Wu Chengyu ignored him. There were few people in the Wu family whom he respected, with Wu Zhengliang being the most respected.

"Fourth Uncle, what do you think?"

"It's all up to you. Your fourth uncle won't make decisions for you. Do whatever you want."

Wu Zhenghong was displeased after hearing this: "Fourth brother, how can you say such a thing? We elders should naturally stand up for the younger generation..."

Wu Chengyu interrupted him, "Uncle, what do you think would happen if Shi Miyuan suddenly died?"

Wu Zhenghong was taken aback: "Chengyu, what are you saying? Prime Minister Shi is at the height of his power, and this is the time for him to make his mark."

"But no matter how I look at him, I feel that he is destined to die young. At this very moment, countless people want to kill him. You might be here having a good time, and the next moment someone will send a message that Shi Miyuan has been hung on a city gate tower and died a gruesome death."

You said you went to great lengths to please the historians and made many plans, but with Shi Miyuan's death, haven't they all come to nothing?

I am your junior, and let me give you some advice. Right now, you are blinded by greed, and flattering Shi Miyuan is shameless. In the future, you might even bring disaster to the country and its people alongside him. If someone comes to kill you then, tell me, should I save you or not?

Wu Chengyu's words instantly enraged Wu Zhenghong. He stood up abruptly, slammed his hand on the table, and said...

"Wu Chengyu, how dare you disobey your elders and curse Prime Minister Shi!"

(End of this chapter)