Universe Infinite Canteen

Ma Lu had carried Yuan Xiaoyun for a while when the familiar prompt sounded in his ears.

"Ding! Corpse search successful, congratulations on obtaining the Heavenly Union Card Pack."

He really hit the jackpot this time, and it was a big one at that!

Seeing the name of the card pack, Ma Lu couldn't help but feel ecstatic inside.

The most valuable martial arts skill on Yuan Xiaoyun's person was undoubtedly the 'Unity of Heaven and Man' that came from his old man; it truly was a model of both style and capability.

During their previous battle, Ma Lu had coveted it, and even managed to snag a 'Heaven and Human Sensing' card halfway through, enjoying a little thrill.

But unfortunately, Yuan Xiaoyun wasn't cooperating. Apart from that 'Hundred Faces Thousand Forms' he had thrown out earlier, he refused to play any more chance cards, leaving Ma Lu with no opportunity to experience them.

Who would have thought that after Yuan Xiaoyun died, he would be quite generous, causing the whole card pack to burst out of him. Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire

After acquiring the card pack, Ma Lu began to feel that Yuan Xiaoyun on his back was getting a bit heavy. After a few more steps, he spoke up.

"Big brother, my shoulder...ouch."

"What's the matter?" Chu Qianyuan turned around, "Did you injure your shoulder too?"

"I don't know, but it does feel like it's not quite right."

"Sigh, I told you earlier to let me do it, but you just wouldn't listen." Chu Qianyuan didn't say another word and snatched the body away, carrying it in front of him.

Ma Lu instantly felt lighter and casually said, "The elixir you gave me was so effective, I thought I was already fine."

"That elixir is mainly for internal injuries; it has some effect on external ones too, but they won't heal so quickly. Little brother, you should rest when you get back, and don't engage in combat for at least half a month, lest your injuries worsen," Chu Qianyuan cautioned.

"Thank you for the reminder, big brother."

The two returned to the main headquarters, and at this time, Gu Qingyi had also arrived.

It was because Qing Lian had said that on the day the Beggar Gang member who stole the Lotus Bowl went to gamble in the Merry Woods, there was also a man with a red birthmark below his left ear.

As expected, he was likely to be the leader of the dye workshop's gang, but when the two of them went there, he was not at the workshop.

Ma Lu guessed that he would probably go back, so he discussed with Gu Qingyi to split up. He had her find the Iron Clothes Sect's two Divine Detectives in Yuchang County and wait inside the workshop.

Meanwhile, Ma Lu himself rushed over to prevent the major conflict between the Beggar's Sect and the Heavenly Dragon Sect and also bluffed Yuan Xiaoyun for a bit, making him believe that the four people in the dye workshop were still alive and about to be captured.

Yuan Xiaoyun took the bait and sent people to silence them in the workshop, but the Iron Clothes Sect's two Divine Detectives apprehended them on the spot. Using their sect's secret methods, they interrogated them and uncovered many details.

Only then did Gu Qingyi learn that Yuan Xiaoyun, who could likely become the next Leader of the Beggar's Sect, was the mastermind behind everything. Not daring to delay, she hurriedly joined forces with the Divine Detectives Wen and Yuan and rushed to the Beggar's Sect.

But even with the esteemed reputation of the Iron Clothes Sect, many within the Beggar's Sect found it hard to accept that Yuan Xiaoyun was a traitor, especially that he was a remnant of Tongtian Village.

At this moment, the crowd was mired in heated debate when Chu Qianyuan and Ma Lu walked in from outside, with Chu Qianyuan cradling someone in his arms.

It was Yuan Xiaoyun, who was currently caught in a maelstrom. However, he lay motionless with his eyes tightly shut.

While everyone was speculating about what had happened to Yuan Xiaoyun, Gu Qingyi immediately rushed to Ma Lu's side.

"Ah, you're injured!"

"It's nothing, it looks worse than it is. Actually, I'm not as badly hurt as you were back at the Ruined Temple," Ma Lu said truthfully.

Gu Qingyi had already taken out a small bottle and poured out some elixir, stuffing it into Ma Lu's mouth without a word.

"This is the Iron Clothes Sect's healing medicine. Take it quickly."

"Ugh..." Ma Lu had already taken the healing medicine from Chu Qianyuan before, and now he was being fed another dose from the Iron Clothes Sect.

But the problem was, taking two doses of medicine wouldn't heal him any faster, and they might even conflict with each other.

Moreover, Ma Lu hadn't actually planned on being cured; he just needed to hold out without dying before time ran out—anyway, he'd be fine when he came back next time.

However, since he wasn't going to die, Ma Lu changed his mind and didn't care whether he took one dose or two.

After all, it was the thought that counted, and it would be ungracious to refuse.

So he tipped back his head and swallowed the Iron Clothes Sect's healing medicine, too.

Gu Qingyi later found some hemostatic herbs from the Beggars' Sect and personally helped him treat the wound.

As she busied herself around Ma Lu, Masters Wen and Yuan's complexions weren't looking too good, especially Yuan Mei, who pursed her lips, seemed like she wanted to say something, but ultimately held back.

Meanwhile, the Beggars' Sect's attention was captured by Yuan Xiaoyun.

A Beggar's Gang Member asked, "Protector Chu, the three Divine Detectives from the Iron Clothes Sect just said Guardian Yuan is the son of Ren Tongtian, the former village chief of Tongtian Village. Is that true?"

"That's right." Chu Qianyuan confirmed it succinctly.

His gaze swept around, taking in everyone's expressions.

Most of the Beggars' Gang Members were both shocked and saddened, some unwilling to believe it while the few elders and helmsmen who had participated in the encirclement against Tongtian Village years ago had complicated expressions.

On the other hand, there were also those who outwardly expressed concern but secretly felt pleased, such as Bai Baoyu and Deputy Gang Leader Jiang, who were competing with Yuan Xiaoyun for the position of Gang Leader of the Beggars' Sect.

A hint of joy flashed in the eyes of both, as they hadn't expected their biggest rival to be eliminated so easily.

Chu Qianyuan snorted coldly while Deputy Gang Leader Jiang spoke with feigned regret, "Alas, who would have thought that Guardian Yuan, who seemed so honest, was actually the offspring of a bandit, lurking by Old Master Deng's side, perhaps with ulterior motives."

Bai Baoyu also said, "It seems that the death of Old Master Deng is not as straightforward as it seems, perhaps it was this very individual who acted in the shadows. Such a heartless and ungrateful man, he didn't even spare his mentor who raised him for many years."

"The son of a bandit cannot be judged by common standards, inherently cold-blooded and ruthless."

Chu Qianyuan stayed silent, watching the two men playing off each other.

Bai Baoyu continued, "Old Master Deng's death requires a reinvestigation, but before that, we should settle on the next Gang Leader first, so we can adequately handle the current affairs.

"The reason we're in such a disarray this time is because we lack a leader, always quarreling and hardly ever reaching a consensus."

Deputy Gang Leader Jiang initially intended to demur, but the eagerness in his eyes could no longer be suppressed, so he simply agreed.

"Elder Bai speaks the truth. Our Beggars' Sect, being the largest in the world, indeed cannot afford to leave the Gang Leader position vacant for long. If I become the Gang Leader, the first thing I'll do is invite the three Divine Detectives from the Iron Clothes Sect to investigate the tragedy of Old Master Deng's murder..."

He was getting into his spiel but was suddenly interrupted by Chu Qianyuan, "Gang Leader, wasn't it already decided?"

"Ah? When was this, how come I do not know?" Deputy Gang Leader Jiang was confused.

Bai Baoyu also looked surprised.

"Didn't everyone agree before that whoever found the Lotus Bowl would become the Gang Leader of the Beggars' Sect?" said Chu Qianyuan.

"Eh? But in the end, no one found the Lotus Bowl; it was Young Master Ma who returned it," Deputy Gang Leader Jiang furrowed his brow.

Bai Baoyu, however, seemed to have realized something and dismissed the idea with a wave, "Nonsense, Protector Chu wouldn't be thinking of allowing an outsider to become the Gang Leader of our Beggars' Sect, would you?"

"Who says my junior brother is an outsider?" said Chu Qianyuan indifferently.