Wu Tong, seeing the old beggar's eager eyes, did not think twice. With a hearty laugh he said,"Rou'er, give him the drumstick!"
At his words, Zhao Rou smiled softly, tore off a plump, glistening chicken leg, and handed it to the old man."Grandfather, here's the drumstick. Please enjoy."
The beggar's eyes lit up. Delighted, he seized the drumstick and bit in greedily, speaking through mouthfuls,"A fine girl—beautiful in face and even more so in heart! Such a good lass ought to marry this young man here!"
The words sent Zhao Rou's heart fluttering like a startled fawn. A rosy blush spread across her cheeks as she replied shyly,"Grandfather, do you even know who this young master is? He's not someone an ordinary girl could hope to match."
The beggar raised his brows in surprise, suspicion flashing in his eyes."Don't tell me… he's of the royal blood? A prince, perhaps?"
Wu Tong quickly waved his hands, laughing,"Nothing of the sort! She's just speaking casually, Elder—please don't take it to heart."
But Zhao Rou, lips curved in a playful smile, said with mock seriousness,"I'm not making this up. This is none other than Wu Tong, son of the wealthiest man in Guangzhou!"
At this, the beggar—who had just bitten into the chicken—started so violently he nearly choked. His eyes widened, and he shouted,"What? Wu Tong? You're the young hero that 'Fearless' Lü Qiang met in Guangzhou?!"
Wu Tong blinked in surprise."You know Senior 'Fearless' Lü Qiang?"
The beggar waved his hands excitedly."Boy! Quick, quick—tell me, do you have any Shaoxing Zhuangyuan Red? The finest wine under Heaven!"
Wu Tong chuckled."What a coincidence! I happen to have brought two flasks of ten-year-old Zhuangyuan Red today."
He drew out the two wine jars from his leather pack, pulled the stoppers, and instantly the rich, mellow fragrance of aged Shaoxing wine filled the Tengwang Pavilion, intoxicating all who breathed it.
"Good wine! Excellent wine!" The beggar rubbed his hands in delight, eyes shining.
The "Earthly Venerable" Wei An promptly set out cups. Wu Tong poured a full measure, offering it respectfully. Without hesitation, the old beggar drained it in one gulp, then let out a long, satisfied sigh."By my grandmother's bones… that hits the spot!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Liu Yun's eyes sparkled."Elder, are you perhaps the Beggar Sect Chief, Fei Jin?"
The beggar glanced at her, grinning slyly."And you, girl, are quite the beauty yourself. Boy, your luck with women isn't half bad!"
He gnawed the drumstick to the bone, flung it aside, and laughed heartily."That's right—I am Fei Jin, Chief of the Beggar Sect! A few months ago, my sworn brother 'Fearless' Lü Qiang told me he'd met a young hero in Guangzhou, and drank ten-year-old Zhuangyuan Red with him. My heart's been itching ever since! But with empty pockets, where was I to get such wine? Now at last, the chance has come!"
The "Heavenly Venerable" Ding Ren and Wei An set out cups for all. Zhao Rou and Liu Yun poured the wine, and Wu Tong raised his cup."A toast—to all the heroes present!"
They drank in one bold draught. Wei An exclaimed,"Nectar fit for immortals!"
Ding Ren added,"Golden brew and jade wine!"
It was mellow and warming, a true hero's drink for a hero's company, beauty's gift for a beautiful soul. They fell to eating and drinking—meat in one hand, wine in the other.
Fei Jin gulped down cup after cup, as if afraid it might vanish, while Zhao Rou kept refilling his glass. Before long, the table was littered with empty plates and bare bones.
Wu Tong laughed aloud, lifting the wine jar."With such a view before us, let us drink deep, speak of the martial world, and enjoy ourselves to the fullest!"
They raised their cups, laughter echoing through the pavilion. Wine fragrance curled in the air, mingling with the bright chatter—a moment destined to be etched in memory.
Just then, heavy footsteps pounded up from below. A beggar appeared, knelt before Fei Jin, and said,"Chief, the Hongzhou Branch Master Wu Feng brings urgent news."
Fei Jin replied,"Speak."
Wu Feng, panting, said,"The Black Dragon Sect came with men to threaten our sect against joining the Alliance Meeting on the twentieth. Our four Elders were enraged and are now fighting them as we speak!"
Fei Jin tossed back another cup before rising."So the Black Dragon Sect dares provoke the 'Number One Sect Under Heaven'? I'll see to this myself."
His figure blurred—and in the next instant, he was gone.
Wu Tong quickly turned to Wu Feng."Branch Master, lead the way—we will lend our aid!"
Led by Wu Feng, they rushed to the branch headquarters—a dilapidated temple. Inside, Fei Jin stood with hands clasped behind his back."The Black Dragon Sect's nerve astounds me—coming here to run wild and even injuring my disciples!"
The "Northern King" Wei Chang, seeing Fei Jin, felt a chill in his heart."By order of the Great Yan Emperor," he said coldly, "I came to warn your sect to stay away from Tengwang Pavilion. But you refused and even dared to raise your hands—naturally, in a fight, injuries occur."
Fei Jin's tone was calm but sharp."When a dog misbehaves, it's the master's fault. And you—you are An Lushan's dog, bullying others on his behalf. Since you speak of 'injuries without intent,' let us see your skill!"
Wei Chang's face darkened. Fei Jin was no ordinary man—his martial skill was deep, his confidence unshakable. To sit as Beggar Sect Chief meant he was unmatched in ability. Wei Chang's thoughts turned grim: Tonight may be perilous. How can I break free?
Fei Jin sneered."A dog, at least, should bark twice. What—are all of An Lushan's dogs mute?"
Wei Chang's temper snapped."You go too far!"
With a roar, he leapt high, body flashing forward like lightning. In the blink of an eye he was upon Fei Jin, striking with dazzling speed. But Fei Jin stood immovable, like a great mountain. Then—at the very instant their shadows met—Fei Jin's palm shot out.
In barely a few exchanges, Wei Chang found no way to evade or defend. With a thunderous crack, Fei Jin's mighty palm struck home. A scream tore the air as Wei Chang's body flew backward, hit the ground hard, his face pale as death, blood gushing from his mouth. He lay unconscious.
The display was as swift and decisive as the day 'Fearless' Lü Qiang dealt with the Three Ghosts of Lingnan—every move clean, lethal, and impossibly fast.
The Black Dragon Sect's men, awed by such power, wasted no time. Lifting their fallen commander, they slipped away in silence.