The events of that night spread instantly throughout the capital city and swiftly throughout the land.
“Did you hear about what happened last night?”
“I heard that a master came to burn the grain but was discovered by the Sword Elder. The two fought near the granary, and even the nearby hills were leveled!”
“It’s so despicable! It’s not easy for the common people to get grain, and yet someone came to burn it?”
“They say the Emperor was furious, so he urgently mobilized a million soldiers! Then, everyone saw a dazzling sun rising from the capital city into the sky!”
“I think I saw that sun too!”
Everyone was talking about it, and the news spread through every street and alley.
However, no matter how much it was discussed, no one could guess the identity of the person who tried to burn the grain.
It was certain, though, that the individual was a Grandmaster.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have provoked Sword Elder into a fierce battle or caused the Emperor to mobilize such a force.
……
At this time, a group of people dressed in patched clothes quietly arrived in Great Xia.
Their faces were weather-beaten, their clothes tattered, but they carried an air of distinction.
They were all elders of the Beggar Sect, coming because of the matter concerning their leader, Hong Qihai.
“I highly suspect that the mysterious Grandmaster who intended to burn the grain that day could very well have been our leader!”
“I think so too, given the grudges between our Beggar Sect and Great Xia… Alas! We just don’t know the current situation of our leader. It’s been several days without any news from him!”
“There shouldn’t be anything wrong! After all, our leader is one of the few Grandmasters in the world. Who could kill him? He’s probably just hiding and healing his wounds, everyone can rest easy!”
“I feel the same! However, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day, nor can a sect be without a leader for a day. We should find our leader as soon as possible! Otherwise, many things will be difficult to manage!”
“Right! Let’s hurry!”
“Wait, our clothes are too conspicuous, so let’s change them first!”
“Elder Liu, you make a good point!”
Half an hour later, they changed into more normal attire and posed as merchants entering the Great Xia capital city.
Since the Beggar Sect had no foundation in Great Xia, they had to inquire personally.
But after making the rounds, they still hadn’t found any news about their leader, which made them anxious.
“We still have no news of our leader!”
“It’s been almost half a month!”
“We’ve inquired everywhere we could, and still not a trace!”
“Elders, I have a bad feeling…”
“Bah! Don’t talk nonsense, our leader will definitely be fine!”
Just then, someone knocked on their door.
One of the elders opened the door and saw a stranger with an elegant demeanor. He asked cautiously, “Who are you, and what do you want with us?”
The stranger smiled slightly, “I’ve heard that you people are here for business. My master is in a private room nearby and would like to entertain you. He has a big deal he wants to discuss with you!”
The elder waved his hand impatiently, “We’re not free right now, we’re not interested in talking!”
As he was about to close the door, the stranger stopped him.
Still smiling, he said, “Everyone, you should at least meet my master! I’ve heard you’ve been looking for someone recently. My master is a big shot around here; he might be able to help!”
“A big shot?”
The elder’s interest was piqued. He said, “Wait here, I’ll go talk to my fellow elders!”
“Take your time, I’ll wait outside the door.”
Moments later, the door opened again, and several elders from the Beggar Sect came out.
“Where is your master? Take us to him now!”
“Everyone, please follow me!”
After a short while, they entered a luxurious private room and saw several eccentric individuals.
One of them looked handsome and exuded nobility.
He was the youngest, around 20 years old, but he sat in the seat of honor.
Another was covered in wrinkles with white hair, looking to be in his eighties or nineties, old enough to be a grandfather, yet he stood to the side like a guard, loyally protecting the young man.
Another appeared to be of considerable age but had a certain effeminate quality. (Eunuch Liu)
He also stood to the side, guarding the young man.
An inscrutable old man!
A powerful, effeminate old man!
And a young man, young in age but filled with a royal aura!
Such a combination was bound to draw attention!
At that moment, one of the elders carefully examined the young man’s face and suddenly exclaimed, “You are Great Xia Emperor Lin Beifan!”
The other Beggar Sect elders were also shocked.
“Ah? This person is the Emperor of Great Xia? No wonder he looked so familiar!”
“Then… that old man must be the Sword Elder?”
“And the other one must be an eunuch from the palace!”
“We’ve been discovered!”
“Be on guard!!!”
They immediately became vigilant, ready for a fight at any moment.
Lin Beifan laughed heartily, “I didn’t expect to be recognized by you so quickly, worthy of being elders of the Beggar Sect!”
“Great Xia Emperor, what have you called us here for?” one of the elders asked warily, his hands now holding a pair of iron rings, his personal weapon.
Lin Beifan smiled, “No need to be so tense. If I wanted to kill you, it would be easy, and your struggle would be futile!”
The elders looked towards the Sword Elder standing next to Lin Beifan, their faces falling.
“Great Xia Emperor, you’re right!”
“With a Grandmaster here, all our struggles are in vain!”
“But we would rather be shattered jade than intact tiles!”
Lin Beifan waved his hand dismissively, “Let’s not talk about that now. Everyone, please take a seat. The food is getting cold! We can discuss matters while we eat, how does that sound?”
The elders of the Beggar Sect exchanged glances before reluctantly sitting down.
However, they found themselves unable to eat or drink.
Under Lin Beifan’s watchful eye, they felt as if they were sitting on pins and needles, with thorns in their backs and a lump in their throats…
In short, they were extremely uncomfortable and ill at ease.
Lin Beifan, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying his meal, savoring the delicacies and fine wine while taking pleasure in the elders’ awkwardness.
Eventually, one of the Beggar Sect elders could no longer hold back and asked, “Great Xia Emperor, why have you summoned us here? What is the matter?”
The rest of the elders all turned their attention to him.
After another sip of wine, Lin Beifan cleared his throat and said, “Since the esteemed elders of the Beggar Sect are growing impatient, I will get straight to the point! I have invited you all here because I wish to recruit you to serve me!”
The Beggar Sect elders were dumbfounded, “Recruit us? To serve you?”
***
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