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

Chapter 469 Chickens Aren't Eaten for Nothing
After escaping the Ming Cult pursuers, Wu Chengyu wasted no more time and went straight back to Hankou.

He was still a little confused. The Ming Cult and the Beggars' Sect were fighting. Even if the Ming Cult knew that it had a close relationship with the Beggars' Sect, it was obvious that the Ming Cult leader Fang Yu had focused his main target on him.

Logically speaking, he had no connection or grudge against the Ming Cult, and being a top-notch master himself, even if the Ming Cult was powerful and influential, they shouldn't have easily attacked him.

But recalling the look in Fang Yu's eyes, a look that was both greedy and somewhat crazed, like an old gay man who had been holding back for decades seeing a young heartthrob and couldn't help but throw away his soap, Wu Chengyu felt a chill run down his spine.

He was somewhat bewildered, not knowing why Fang Yu was acting this way. He was just wondering if Fang Yu had some grudge against the Xiaoyao Sect, and the blame had automatically fallen on him.

The best course of action now is to return to the Beggars' Sect as soon as possible. This is a matter between them, so the Beggars' Sect should take the lead. Wu Chengyu only wants to watch the show and get involved when he's done, but he doesn't want to become the main character himself.

By the time he returned to Hankou from Wuchang, it was already dusk and dinnertime. Wherever Hong Qigong was, there was bound to be a feast.

Ah Ku casually made a few beggar's chickens. He took a small rooster from who-knows-where, plucked its feathers, cleaned its internal organs, rubbed it with special seasoning, stuffed its belly with scallions and ginger, wrapped it in lotus leaves, and then covered it with a layer of mud.

Then dig a pit in the ground, light a charcoal fire, and once the flames on the charcoal have died down, bury the mud-covered ball in the glowing charcoal to bake it.

This is something A-Ku learned from Wu Chengyu, but it's more elaborate and more like a later method. It's said to be a famous dish from Hangzhou.

Ordinary beggars would steal chickens, not even pluck the feathers, just cover them with mud and roast them. The taste wasn't actually that great; it was still too rough and lacked the flavor of seasonings. But for a real beggar, meat was delicious.

When Wu Chengyu returned to the warehouse, the first chicken had just been roasted, and Aku placed the dried mud ball in front of Hong Qigong.

The old beggar was indeed not afraid of getting burned. With a gentle slap, he shattered the outer layer of mud, revealing the lotus leaf wrapping the chicken. The rich aroma of the meat, combined with the subtle fragrance of the lotus leaf, immediately filled the entire warehouse.

Hong Qigong closed his eyes and took a deep sniff; his nostrils flared up. He shook his head in satisfaction.

"As expected of my good disciple, what a fine chicken, an absolutely superb chicken! Only I, the ancestor of beggars, am worthy to eat this top-notch beggar's chicken." After saying this, he opened his eyes and was about to reach out when he found that the beggar's chicken in front of him had vanished.

The old beggar's eyes snapped open. Even if he had been closed-eyed and completely absorbed in the moment, there were very few who could snatch the beggar's chicken from him in an instant.

He turned his head again and immediately became furious. The beggar's chicken had already been handed to Wu Chengyu, who had returned at some point. The lotus leaf had just been peeled off, the chicken meat was tender and falling off the bone, and half a chicken leg was already in Wu Chengyu's mouth.

"You little brat, you dare to steal chicken from an old beggar! I'm furious! Give it to me right now!" Before he could finish speaking, the old beggar had already pounced on Wu Chengyu and, with a sudden move, snatched the beggar's chicken from Wu Chengyu's hand.

As its name suggests, this move is the fastest among the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, but to use the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms to steal a chicken is something only Hong Qigong would do.

While chewing on a chicken leg, Wu Chengyu used the Lingbo Weibu technique to barely dodge Hong Qigong's palm. At the same time, he flicked the beggar's chicken in his hand. The chicken would definitely not survive, but the layer of oily lotus leaf covered the old beggar's face.

The old beggar turned his head away from the lotus leaf, but couldn't resist sticking out his tongue to lick the chicken oil on it, while his hands didn't slow down at all.

It was another move from the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, the Dense Clouds Without Rain, that covered Wu Chengyu's body, sealing off any way for him to retreat. This move was quite similar to the Heavenly Net in Fang Yu Da Jiu Tian's hands.

With a beggar's chicken in his hand and his hands covered in oil, Wu Chengyu was not in a position to fight. Without thinking, he kicked Hong Qigong squarely in the groin.

Hong Qigong never imagined that anyone in the world would dare to use such a trick against him; they were just as inhuman as that Murong boy who had given him aphrodisiacs.

Unfortunately, the kick was too fast and accurate, and there was no time to block it. Hong Qigong could only take two steps back to avoid the kick. He let out a strange cry and was about to make another move when Wu Chengyu finally swallowed the chicken in his mouth and stopped him.

"The chicken butt is yours, and I'll also give you some very important news for the Beggars' Sect. You won't get it for nothing."

Hong Qigong slowed down his attacks and finally stopped going berserk, but his eyes were still fixed on the beggar's chicken in Wu Chengyu's hand.

At this moment, Ah Ku stepped forward and handed Hong Qigong a large lump of mud, which made Hong Qigong stop with a big smile on his face.

He shattered the mud on the shell with a single palm strike, firmly holding the beggar's chicken in his hand. Then, he glanced at Wu Chengyu cautiously before beginning his swift attack.

"Master, my brother has been out all day. Let him eat first. I have some more here. If it's not enough, I'll make you more."

While eating chicken, Hong Qigong said to Aku in a cryptic tone, "You little rascal, I've spoiled you for nothing. You always call me 'Master,' but now that your brother is here, I have to take a backseat."

Then he spat out the chicken bone in his mouth and said to Wu Chengyu, "You are the first person in the world who dares to compete with an old beggar for food. Even that old poisoner Ouyang Feng knows not to fight me when I am eating, otherwise he can strike back with the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms."

Don't waste that chicken butt. You said yourself, you'd save the good stuff for me.

Wu Chengyu didn't eat chicken butts. He flicked his left index finger, and the chicken butt in his hand shot towards Hong Qigong. Hong Qigong didn't dodge or flinch, but caught it in his mouth. His mouth was full of oil, and he couldn't talk anymore.

After finally finishing the chicken, A-Ku filled a ceramic basin with water and some soapberries. Under Hong Qigong's displeased gaze, he first placed it in front of Wu Chengyu and told him to wash his hands.

"Alas, old sayings are all wise words; a daughter is like a tree that cannot be kept at home once she grows up."

"Old Hong, get this straight, A-Ku is my sister, from my family."

"So what? You're surnamed Wu, and she's surnamed Mo. You're not family." "She'll still take my surname in the future, Wu Mo Shi. You old bachelor can't be envious."

The two engaged in a verbal battle, neither willing to back down. Ah Ku, hearing Hong Qigong's teasing, was not embarrassed at all; instead, she beamed with joy. In her view, it was only natural to take the Wu family name in the future. Her heart was filled with sweetness, and her smile became even sweeter.

After the two finally finished their bickering, the utterly defeated Hong Qigong finally remembered what Wu Chengyu had said earlier: "You just said there was something very important to the Beggars' Clan?"

"You guys have always been confused about who that force that suddenly appeared and started opposing the Beggars' Sect is, right? I was out for a stroll today and just happened to run into them. I even got into a fight with them for no reason because of you guys."

How do you know it was that group that attacked you?

"The one who infiltrated your Beggars' Sect, Zhou Quan, the leader of the Hangzhou branch, was the one who recognized me and immediately ordered his men to capture me."

By the way, this guy's real name is Zhou Xuancheng. He's just a branch leader here, but his status over there is quite high. Moreover, his martial arts are top-tier; he cultivates a metal-elemental internal energy technique, which is definitely not ordinary.

Hong Qigong's expression was very solemn. The defection of the Clean Clothes Sect to the enemy had already caused the Beggar Clan to suffer more than just a severe blow.

Then they suddenly discovered there was a spy, and the power behind this spy was not to be underestimated, but they still didn't know his background. Despite his eating and drinking, he knew that the Beggars' Sect was facing the biggest crisis in nearly a hundred years.

He asked in a deep voice, "It seems you know who this person is."

"Your Beggars' Sect has a long history; you must have heard of Fang La and the Ming Cult."

Upon hearing this, Hong Qigong suddenly stood up, his expression changing drastically: "The Ming Cult, the Ming Cult that raised its flag in rebellion more than a hundred years ago and was wiped out by the imperial court? How come they suddenly reappear and are causing trouble for our Beggars' Sect?"

"I don't know the specifics, but Zhou Quan has been in your Beggars' Sect for many years. I guess he saw that the Beggars' Sect was in trouble and wanted to take advantage of the situation."

The Ming Cult has never associated with江湖人 (jianghu people, martial arts practitioners); they've always been involved in rebellion. It's likely that the current situation of your Beggars' Sect has given them some hope.

As the leader of the Beggars' Clan, Hong Qigong knew many secrets and dared not take the Ming Cult lightly.

"I was wondering where all these experts came from, and even my Beggars' Sect couldn't figure out their origins. It turns out they're from the Ming Cult. But they're really delusional to think they can swallow up my Beggars' Sect."

Judging from your appearance, you seem to know quite a bit about the Ming Cult. I wonder what kind of inheritance you've received, buddy. You seem to know quite a bit about the old stories of the martial arts world. Tell this old beggar everything you know.”

"The leader of the Ming Cult is named Fang Yu. He is a descendant of Fang La and his martial arts skills are superb. However, he is ill and it is not conducive to a long battle."

If my estimation is correct, he must have gone wrong while practicing the Ming Cult's supreme martial art, the Great Shift of the Universe, and he probably won't live for more than a few years.

This martial art is extraordinary, with extremely high requirements for cultivation and significant flaws. None of the Ming Cult leaders throughout history have been able to successfully cultivate it, often suffering qi deviation and meeting a tragic end. This guy must be one of them.

However, his Great Nine Heavens Hand is also a top-tier martial art, definitely not inferior to your Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms. It also has the effect of affecting the mind of others. You have already reached the Subtle Realm, so this will not have much impact on you. But if other members of the Beggar Clan encounter him, they will find it difficult to exert their fighting power.

In addition, the Ming Cult also has the Left and Right Bright Messengers, the two top masters you encountered before.

Further down are the Four Great Dharma Kings. Zhou Xuancheng is one of the Four Great Dharma Kings, I think he is called the Golden-Faced Fox King. The Four Great Dharma Kings should be top-tier.

"Just these few people alone, apart from you, your Beggars' Sect probably can't even match them in terms of high-level combat strength."

Hong Qigong glanced at Wu Chengyu again, pondering to himself, but still didn't ask.

Wu Chengyu immediately revealed the Ming Cult's organizational structure, the number of its masters, the leader's condition, and the martial arts he practiced—something that couldn't be learned simply by fighting someone from the Ming Cult.

However, ever since he met Wu Chengyu in Gushan, he knew that this kid had many secrets in his heart, was somewhat unfathomable, and acted extremely ruthlessly, so if he didn't want to talk about it, asking would be pointless.

Fortunately, thanks to Ah Ku's connection, and the fact that Hong Qigong had helped Wu Chengyu in the past, the Beggars' Clan and Wu Chengyu were definitely not enemies.

However, if anyone were to become Wu Chengyu's enemy, with this kid's methods, he would definitely leave them with an unforgettable memory.

Seeing Hong Qigong's furrowed brows, Wu Chengyu said, "Don't worry, with A-Ku here, I'll help your Beggars' Clan. I won't eat your chicken for nothing."

Besides, these guys have already started causing me trouble. If I don't beat them badly, I, Wu Chengyu, won't even enjoy eating meat in the future.

However, Old Hong, you should first make your Beggars' Sect's attitude towards the Ming Cult clear to me. If you know the other side is powerful and want to shake hands and make peace, don't blame me for disrespecting your elders and giving you a good dressing down.

Hong Qigong waved his oily hand: "Don't worry about that. My Beggars' Clan has never been a coward who would stand up for himself. It's just that the Ming Cult is powerful, so we still have to be careful."

Describe these people's appearances, and I'll send my beggar men to search the entire city; they're sure to find their trail.

(End of this chapter)