The Cycle of Reincarnation in the Four-Courtyard House: A Journey Through the Heavens

She struggled to lunge at Qiao Feng, but was held back by two other Beggars' Sect disciples who suddenly appeared, unable to move.

Seeing this, Elder Song Qingxi said in a deep voice, "Three elders, this matter concerns the discipline of the Beggars' Sect and a decision must be made quickly!"

The other three Beggar Clan elders, whose expressions were already solemn, immediately stepped forward. The four of them huddled together and discussed the matter in hushed tones, and soon reached an agreement.

Elder Song stepped forward, holding the secret letter handed to him by Li Xiao. His gaze swept over the three people who had been restrained. His voice was authoritative and resounded throughout the entire Xingzi Forest: "After deliberation by the four of us elders, Bai Shijing, Quan Guanqing, and Kang Min have been found guilty of adultery, violating moral principles, and even plotting to frame the Beggar Clan leader and murder Vice Leader Ma Dayuan."

"These three have committed heinous crimes, too numerous to recount! According to the Beggars' Sect's rules, they are sentenced to be beaten to death on the spot, to uphold the sect's regulations and to comfort the spirit of Vice Sect Leader Ma in heaven!"

Upon hearing this, the beggars echoed in unison, their eyes blazing with barely suppressed anger.

Two disciples from the Enforcement Hall stepped forward with rods in hand. Bai Shijing closed his eyes and bowed his head, his face full of remorse, showing no intention of resisting.

Quan Guanqing was pinned to the ground, cursing loudly. Then, two Beggars' Sect disciples stuffed his mouth and nose with rags, leaving him only able to let out muffled roars.

Kang Min was utterly desperate, tears and resentment mingling in her eyes. She finally collapsed to the ground, letting the cane fall.

After a dozen or so dull thuds, the three men breathed their last and collapsed on the grass in the center of the apricot grove, their blood staining the grass red.

As silence returned to the forest, Xiao Feng gazed at Zhi Guang's lifeless body, which was now sitting cross-legged, and then at the mangled corpses of Kang Min and the other two. He felt a mix of emotions.

Hatred and injustice have been redressed, but the pain caused by this incident is difficult to erase easily.

He slowly walked towards the four elders and placed the Dog-Beating Stick, which symbolized the authority of the Beggar Clan leader, into Song Qingxi's hand.

"Elders, now that things have come to this, my lineage is clear. I am a descendant of the Khitan people, and I am no longer worthy to lead the Beggars' Sect, much less to lead my brothers in roaming the world and protecting the country. Today, I, Xiao, formally resign from my position as leader of the Beggars' Sect. I ask that you elders choose another capable person to take charge of the Beggars' Sect."

"No, boss!"

The four elders and all the leaders of the Beggars' Sect exclaimed in unison.

Song Qingxi quickly gripped the Dog-Beating Stick, stepped forward, and said, "Although our leader is a descendant of the Khitan, he is utterly loyal to the Beggars' Sect. Today, he has even avenged his crimes with blood and eliminated the treacherous officials. We are already filled with admiration for him! His status is nothing to boast about; the entire Beggars' Sect only recognizes you as our leader!"

The beggars also spoke up to dissuade him, their voices rising and falling, full of reluctance and earnestness.

Xiao Feng waved his hand, a faint yet distant smile on his face, and shook his head, saying, "I appreciate everyone's kindness. The Beggars' Sect has strict rules, and there is absolutely no reason for a Khitan to be its leader. My mind is made up, and there is no need to persuade me further."

After saying that, he turned around, looked at Li Xiao standing to the side, clasped his hands in a solemn gesture, and said in a sincere tone: "Brother Li stepped forward today to expose the truth and clear my name. I will never forget this kindness. If I need your help in the future, I will definitely not let you down."

Li Xiao nodded slightly, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes. He raised his hand in return, saying nothing more.

He understood Xiao Feng's inner turmoil and resolve at that moment, and knew that further words of comfort would be futile.

Ignoring the desperate pleas of the Beggars' Sect members behind him, Xiao Feng walked resolutely out of the Apricot Grove, his shoulders stained with blood.

The corner of his blue robe fluttered in the wind as he gradually moved away from the gang that had witnessed half a lifetime of glory and pain, leaving behind a group of Beggar Clan disciples filled with regret and reluctance, watching his departing figure amidst the falling petals, speechless for a long time.

Just then, Wang Yuyan appeared in front of Li Xiao, her almond-shaped eyes glistening with tears, clearly saddened by what had happened in the apricot grove that day.

Li Xiao, with Wang Yuyan's arm around his, walked slowly towards the edge of the apricot grove.

The farce of infighting within the Beggars' Sect has come to an end. The mystery of Xiao Feng's origins and the power shift within the Beggars' Sect—these key events in "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" that rewrote the fates of many—have all come to a temporary conclusion in this forest.

For him, there was no longer any attachment to this place; the most important thing was to take those around him away from the conflict.

Wang Yuyan's small hand was held by him. She tried to break free, but Li Xiao held it tightly. Her cheeks flushed, and she gave up struggling, following closely behind him.

Just as the two were about to step out of the forest, a series of muffled thuds suddenly came from behind them, like heavy objects hitting the ground, breaking the brief tranquility of the forest.

Li Xiao subconsciously stopped in his tracks, tightening his arms slightly to protect Wang Yuyan at his side.

He turned his head and saw that the Beggars' Sect disciples on guard duty outside the forest were collapsing to the ground in droves, as if their bones had been pulled out by an invisible hand. The steel knives, iron staffs, and eyebrow-level cudgels they had been holding tightly were now scattered all over the ground with a series of crackling sounds. The sounds of collisions and the disciples' muffled groans were particularly jarring.

This sudden turn of events shattered the silence of the apricot grove. The Beggar Clan disciples who were cleaning up the mess and comforting the wounded all turned around, and gasps and gasps of surprise rose and fell.

Many people instinctively gripped their weapons at their waists, scanning the surrounding trees and shadows with wary expressions, their eyes filled with bewilderment—the danger had come silently, and no one had noticed anything amiss, not even a glimpse of the enemy.

Wang Yuyan was not skilled in martial arts and had always been physically weak. Now, disturbed by this sudden turn of events and further disturbed by the strange energy that was quietly permeating the air, her body suddenly went limp and she fell to the ground.

Li Xiao reacted quickly, pulling her firmly into his arms and placing his palm against her back to provide warmth and support.

A blush crept onto Wang Yuyan's cheeks, partly from the man's intimate embrace and partly from her physical weakness. She looked up at Li Xiao, her voice weak and tinged with fear: "Brother Li, what... what's going on?"

Li Xiao raised his hand and gently patted her shoulder to comfort her. His gaze, sharp as a hawk's, swept across the entire apricot grove, from the fallen disciples to the hidden corners of the grove, not letting any abnormality slip by.

His nose twitched slightly, and a faint, peculiar fragrance entered his nasal cavity. The fragrance was light and lingering, with a hint of honey-like sweetness at first, almost imperceptible without careful observation. However, upon closer inspection, a slight astringency was hidden deep within the sweetness, which seeped into his lungs with his breath, subtly evoking an irresistible sense of languor.

Fortunately, Li Xiao had a fortuitous encounter earlier. He had obtained a Manggu Toad in Wuliang Mountain. This strange beast was known as the most poisonous creature in the world, but it could also make people immune to all poisons. Later, under his master's guidance, he successfully refined and consumed the Manggu Toad. Although he was surrounded by sleeping pills at this moment, it had no effect on him whatsoever.

Li Xiao instantly understood the origin of the poison.