Universe Infinite Canteen

"Ah?"

Ma Lu hadn't expected that he would be considered for the Gang Leader position in Beggars' Sect.

He had followed Chu Qianyuan back just to clarify things and incidentally to receive another round of rewards.

At Heavenly Dragon Sect, Han Guangzhong had already been generous, and over at Beggars' Sect, he and Gu Qingyi had also exerted considerable effort. Not only had they recovered the ancestral treasure, the Lotus Bowl, but they had also unveiled the true face of Yuan Xiaoyun.

Given that the Beggars' Sect was the largest sect in the martial arts circles, Ma Lu thought their gratitude ought to at least match that of Heavenly Dragon Sect.

However, even in his wildest dreams, he hadn't imagined that they would offer him the position of Gang Leader.

Ma Lu was ready to refuse on the spot.

What a joke, he was merely here on a temporary assignment, scarcely present for a day each week. Moreover, once the local supplies were collected and new trade routes opened, his visits would decrease even further.

How could he possibly have the time to manage and run a sect, let alone the largest one in the martial arts circles?

But before he could speak, someone had already beaten him to it, "This is inappropriate, highly inappropriate."

The speaker was Guardian Shi, who along with his son Shi Ruoyu, sided with Bai Baoyu, thus naturally opposing Ma Lu's appointment as Gang Leader.

However, he didn't use Ma Lu's identity as a point of contention anymore.

As Chu Qianyuan had said, though Ma Lu hasn't yet joined the Beggars' Sect, he was the personal disciple of the former Gang Leader Deng Youtai, so he really wasn't an outsider.

So Guardian Shi changed his angle, "Young Master Ma is quite inexperienced, never having held a position within the sect before. How could he manage so many brethren if he were to become the Gang Leader right away?"

Vice Sect Leader Jiang continued, "Correct, Young Master Ma is still quite young. Even if he wishes to be the Gang Leader, there is no need to rush. He could start as a Helmsman, accumulate experience, and wait to rise when the current Gang Leader steps down."

"The matter of experience need not concern both Elders and Vice Sect Leader Jiang. If Junior Brother becomes the Gang Leader, I will assist him personally," Chu Qianyuan said.

Bai Baoyu and Vice Sect Leader Jiang looked at each other upon hearing this.

A moment later, Vice Sect Leader Jiang said, "If that's the case, we should adhere to our traditional method and have the Elders and Helmsmen vote for the next Gang Leader."

"That's unacceptable. Our Beggars' Sect has declared to the world that whoever recovers the Lotus Bowl first shall become the next Gang Leader. Everyone present agreed then, how can we now go back on our word?"

Vice Sect Leader Jiang seemed helpless. He didn't know why Chu Qianyuan, who usually disliked competing for power, was unusually adamant this time.

Ma Lu chimed in, partly guessing Chu Qianyuan's thoughts, creating a diversion.

"Oh, it's alright. Let's have a vote. But since we're voting, why not let the brothers present participate as well? They are all part of Beggars' Sect, and choosing a Gang Leader is a major decision that should include their opinions too."

"You said it!" Vice Sect Leader Jiang exclaimed joyfully.

"Then it's settled," Bai Baoyu said hastily.

Chu Qianyuan, however, furrowed his brows, pulling Ma Lu aside. "Junior Brother, why did you agree to that? Compared to them, during election, you stand no chance."

Bai Baoyu and Vice Sect Leader Jiang were seasoned members of Beggars' Sect, their connections and prestige built over many years, something a newcomer like Ma Lu couldn't match.

Even if the Law Enforcement Elder owed him a favor, and even with the support of Deng Youtai's disciples, this backing wasn't nearly enough.

Ma Lu said, "No worries, Senior Brother. I know you don't want Second Senior Brother to lose to Elder Bai and the others. I'm assured of the Gang Leader position, but you also have to agree to one thing for me."

"What's that?" Chu Qianyuan was surprised, unsure of where Ma Lu's confidence was coming from.
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About half an incense stick's time later, Deputy Gang Leader Jiang had summoned all the Beggar Gang members, both from inside and outside the gates, to talk about the election of the Gang Leader.

With so many people present, voting was definitely not an option, and since most of the Beggar Gang members were illiterate, asking them to write down the names of three candidates would be more fatal than sending them to fight the Heavenly Dragon Sect to the death.

So in the end, three areas were designated, and when the time came, whoever they supported, they simply had to stand in that area.

During this brief time, both Bai Baoyu and Deputy Gang Leader Jiang still managed to summon some of their men over.

They weren't targeting Ma Lu; in fact, once Ma Lu agreed to the election, he no longer posed any threat to Bai Baoyu and Deputy Gang Leader Jiang.

By comparison, the two of them had become the biggest threats to each other, equally matched in power, and naturally sought every possible way to increase their own chances of winning.

Deputy Gang Leader Jiang's men arrived first, so he wanted to start immediately, but at this moment, Ma Lu proposed that he should introduce himself first.

This request wasn't excessive — after all, most of the Beggar Gang members didn't know who Ma Lu was; they only knew that he was the closed-door disciple of Old Master Deng.

Furthermore, since Bai Baoyu readily agreed, Deputy Gang Leader Jiang had no reason to obstruct it any further.

Afterwards, Ma Lu stepped into the crowd, with Chu Qianyuan and Gu Qingyi following by his side.

Ma Lu cleared his throat and summoned his Inner Strength before speaking.

"Fellow brothers of the Beggar Gang, I am Ma Lu, the disciple whom Old Master Deng took under his wing from outside this…

"It's truly shameful to say, the old master taught me the Innate Pure Yang Palm and showed me great kindness, yet I failed to be with him during his last moments, alas.

"Upon hearing the sad news of master's passing, I traveled thousands of miles to Green Sun County, initially just to pay my respects to my late master.

"Upon learning that the Beggar Gang had lost the Lotus Bowl, I thought of contributing some modest effort, and together with Catcher Gu, we managed to retrieve this treasure of the Beggar Gang.

"During that time, I accidentally uncovered a conspiracy by… hm, Guardian Yuan, preventing a great battle, though most of the credit belongs to Catcher Gu; I merely did some trivial things.

"As for the position of Gang Leader, it's something I never dared to dream of; within the Beggar Gang, there are many more capable than I am, such as Elder Bai and Deputy Gang Leader Jiang standing behind me."

Bai Baoyu and Vice Sect Leader Jiang saw how humble Ma Lu was, publicly claiming he was inferior to them, and thought he was backing out.

Just as they were about to make some gestures to display their magnanimity, they heard Ma Lu suddenly change the tone of his speech.

"But the eldest brother said to me that the Beggar Gang is the largest gang in the world, highly renowned for keeping its word, and cherishing its credibility.

"Since we previously put out the word that whoever finds the Lotus Bowl will be the Gang Leader, if I were unwilling to assume the position, it would appear that the Beggar Gang doesn't honor its promises, and how could people of the world trust us beggars in the future?

"However, I know my own capabilities; I'm definitely not cut out for the Gang Leader role and wouldn't want to entrap all of you in an injustice. After much consideration, there's only one solution."

Ma Lu paused, "I can assume the role of Gang Leader, but only for three months, after which I will step down in favor of the eldest brother.

"I've always felt that only a man as just and open-hearted as the eldest brother can truly become the Gang Leader of the Beggar Gang, commanding hundreds of thousands of Beggar Gang members across the world."

Ma Lu's last words were indeed heartfelt; after all, he grew up watching 'The Eight Dragons of Heaven,' and the image of Qiao Feng as the Beggar Gang Leader had long been ingrained in his heart.

Having finished speaking, Ma Lu didn't forget to glance back at the stunned Bai Baoyu and Vice Sect Leader Jiang and wink at them.

Stunned, aren't you? Ever seen a joint campaign before?