Yang Guo travels back in time to become Duan Yu, a different kind of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils.

Quan Guanqing is dead, and the investigation into Ma Dayuan's death cannot proceed for the time being. Since Qiao Feng has resigned from his position as leader of the Beggars' Sect, he will not shamelessly continue to stay in the Beggars' Sect.

Qiao Feng bowed to his old friends and strode out of the Apricot Grove.

Yang Guo glanced at Elder Xu and Madam Ma in the woods, then turned and chased after Qiao Feng out of the woods.

You can deal with these two later. It's better to check on Brother Qiao first. He's gone through a lot and might do something irrational.

Yang Guo caught up with Qiao Feng in a few strides and asked, "What are your plans now, Brother?"

Qiao Feng shook his head and said, "I don't know either."

Yang Guo then said, "Why don't we rest in Wuxi for a day first, and then make further plans?"

Qiao Feng nodded and said, "Alright then."

With that, he turned and left side by side with Yang Guo. The two walked slowly side by side, and before long, they walked out of the apricot grove and onto the main road leading to Wuxi City.

Seeing that Qiao Feng remained silent, Yang Guo invited him, "Brother, with your personality, you might as well give up being the leader of the Beggars' Sect. Less constraint, more freedom. Since we have nothing to do anyway, why don't we go to Songhelou and have a few more drinks?"

Ever since the Beggars' Sect rebellion, Qiao Feng had been feeling very depressed. Yang Guo's invitation at this moment was exactly what Qiao Feng wanted, so he readily agreed: "Okay, let's go!"

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Yang Guo asked Qiao Feng, "What are your plans for the next step, brother?"

Qiao Feng replied, "I plan to first return to Shaoshi Mountain in Henan to ask my father about my origins, and then go to Shaolin Temple to pay my respects to my mentor, Master Xuanku, and ask him to reveal the truth. These two have always been very kind to me and would never hide anything from me."

Yang Guo nodded and said, "Alright, I'll accompany you on this journey, brother."

Qiao Feng was deeply grateful and said, "Brother, I don't know what kind of treacherous schemes and dangers I will encounter on this journey. How can I let you go with me?"

Yang Guo said loudly, "Haha, we've sworn brotherhood, we'll advance and retreat together, we'll face any danger, even mountains of knives and seas of fire. If you insist on not allowing me to go with you, elder brother, aren't you treating me like an outsider?"

Seeing his resolute and composed expression, and his earnest and determined words, Qiao Feng could no longer refuse. He nodded firmly and said, "Thank you very much, brother!"

"Brother, there's something I've been wanting to say for a while. I wonder if you'd be interested in hearing it?"

"Oh?" Qiao Feng's interest was piqued. "Brother, please speak freely."

"Brother, there are many things in life that we can choose for ourselves, but the only thing that is predetermined by fate is our parents and our birth."

At this point, Yang Guo thought of his biological father, Yang Kang, and the evaluation of Yang Kang by Eunuch Ke. He couldn't help but say, "Even though we cannot choose our birth or our parents, we can decide how we conduct ourselves! Brother, as long as you are true to yourself and to your conscience, why care about how others view or evaluate you!"

Qiao Feng looked up at the sky, a surge of emotion welling up in his heart. If a person could only have one true friend in their life, Qiao Feng was certain that his true friend was this sworn brother.

Just as the two were about to get up and leave, they saw two men and three women walk in. Yang Guo looked closely and saw that it was Bao Butong, Feng Bo'e, Wang Yuyan, A Zhu and A Bi.

Yang Guo walked over and greeted Wang Yuyan: "Yuyan, we meet again!"

Wang Yuyan replied, "Brother Duan, what are you doing here?"

Hearing the two men's friendly conversation, Bao Butong became worried about Murong Fu again. However, he still remembered the purpose of his visit and stepped forward to greet Qiao Feng with clasped hands, saying, "Chief Qiao, I have something to discuss with you!"

Bao Butong was unaware that Qiao Feng had left the Beggars' Sect and still addressed him as "Sect Leader." Qiao Feng, unwilling to reveal what had happened in the Apricot Grove, simply asked, "What brings you here, Mr. Bao?"

Bao Butong continued, "No, no, it's not about seeking guidance. My second brother, Gongye, sent word that the Xixia Yipintang has captured several important figures from your gang and imprisoned them in Tianning Temple up ahead."

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Feng was greatly alarmed.

Earlier, when Qiao Feng was drinking at the restaurant, one of his subordinates reported to him that he had arranged to meet with the people from the "Yipintang" of Western Xia at Huishan early the next morning.

Although Qiao Feng felt it was too rushed, he still agreed to the date.

Last night in Xingzilin, the Beggars' Clan suffered a sudden mishap, so Qiao Feng sent Xie, the deputy leader of the Righteousness Branch, to Huishan to ask them to postpone the appointment for three days.

After Qiao Feng left, Shan Zheng, Tan Gong and Tan Po, and others also left one after another. At this time, Helian Tieshu led a large number of experts from Yipintang to launch a surprise attack on Xingzilin, almost wiping out all the Beggar Clan experts.

Qiao Feng was puzzled. The Beggars' Sect and the First-Class Hall had fought before, and he had a general understanding of the First-Class Hall's strength. In Qiao Feng's opinion, even if the Beggars' Sect was no match for the other party, they would certainly not be captured alive as Bao Butong said.

Unless, of course, the other party used some other means, such as... poisoning?

"Brother, what's the background of this Yipintang?"

Yang Guo had only been in the martial arts world for a short time, and this was the first time he had ever heard of the name Yipintang.

"In the Western Xia Kingdom, there was a martial arts academy called the First-Rank Hall. It was established by the king of the country. The academy recruited highly skilled martial artists, treated them with great courtesy, and had them teach the martial arts of the Western Xia Kingdom's military officers." Qiao Feng paused, then continued, "Anyone who entered the First-Rank Hall was known as having the highest level of martial arts in the world. The leader of the First-Rank Hall was a prince, whose official title was General Who Conquers the East, named Helian Tieshu."

Yang Guo then asked, "Brother, why have they come to Jiangnan again? Western Xia and Jiangnan are separated by more than a thousand miles. Would the Song Dynasty allow them to cross the border so openly?"

Qiao Feng said, "According to Brother Yi Dabiao, who is from the Beggars' Sect in Western Xia, Helian Tieshu recently led the warriors of the sect to Bianliang to pay homage to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor of our Great Song Dynasty. In fact, the homage was a pretense; their true intention was to probe the situation. They know that the Beggars' Sect is a major pillar of the martial arts world of the Great Song Dynasty, and they want to destroy the Beggars' Sect in one fell swoop to establish their prestige. Then they will lead their troops to invade the border and advance unimpeded."

Qiao Feng had just left the Beggars' Sect and was still somewhat unaccustomed to his new identity, almost blurting out "this sect."

At this point, Qiao Feng quickly bowed to Bao Butong and said, "Thank you for informing me, Mr. Bao. I will go to rescue them immediately. May I ask how to get to Tianning Temple from here?"

Knowing the matter was urgent, Bao Butong surprisingly refrained from arguing this time, instead pointing northeast and replying, "Tianning Temple is over there..."

Qiao Feng looked in the direction he was pointing, hesitated for a moment, and then thanked him, saying, "I thank you on behalf of my brothers in the gang for your great kindness, Mr. Bao San."

Yang Guo pursed his lips. "Brother, you're no longer a member of the Beggars' Sect, and you might not even be a Han Chinese anymore. Will they still consider you a brother?"

But Bao Butong laughed and said, "No, no, I have done no great favor for your gang. I just hope that Chief Qiao and the brothers in your gang will no longer treat my young master as an enemy. It is true that my young master did not kill your gang's vice chief. I hope Chief Qiao can see the truth."

Seeing his earnest words, Qiao Feng became even more convinced of his judgment and replied, "I had long suspected that Brother Ma Dayuan did not die at the hands of Young Master Murong. Today, thanks to your important information about our gang, and hearing your explanation, I am now 90% certain that your young master is not the real culprit. Once I rescue my brothers, I will definitely convey your words to them and clear Young Master Murong's name."

After saying that, he was about to set off for Tianning Temple to rescue the people.

Just then, A'Zhu called out, "Chief Qiao, wait!"