Chapter 10: Prime Minister Aoki Hall

After passing seven or eight streets, Gao Yanchao walked briskly into a pharmacy located on a small street.

The wind rustled, and upon hearing it, he recalled that this matter seemed to have been done by the Mu Wangfu. He stood up and said: "Where is he? Take me there quickly"

Wei Xiaobao questioned, "I have heard from Eighteenth Brother about the Mu Wangfu. Aren't they on the same side as us? How could they have severely injured Brother Xu?"

The members of the Heaven and Earth Society were all unaware of this particular matter, and could not help but exchange glances with one another

Seeing everyone nodding in agreement, Feng Xiaoxiao said sternly: "Everyone pay attention! Do not act in crowded places, as it will be difficult to escape once the situation escalates. In deserted areas, strike hard and leave no survivors, understood?"

Everyone was astonished and turned their gaze towards the wind that rustled softly

Gao Yanchao also brought Wei Xiaobao here, and everyone greeted him in unison

The two of them then got up to find Mao Shiba. Mao Shiba was already aware of their situation. The three of them expressed their sentiments for a while, reminiscing about the days they had spent together not long ago, which brought a sense of sadness. Soon after, Chen Jinnan was about to leave and sent someone to call for Mao Shiba. The three exchanged their best wishes, and the two watched as Mao Shiba departed

Feng Xiaoxiao hurriedly asked, "What happened?"

Wei Xiaobao cupped his hands in greeting to them, then turned to ask: "Brother Feng, what exactly happened that you were in such a hurry to call me over? If it weren't for the fact that I also had business outside the palace to find you, I wouldn't have run into Brother Gao."

Guan Anji hurriedly asked, "Young Hero Feng, what should we do now?" He was responsible for the management of the stronghold, and when something happened at the stronghold, he was the most anxious.

The wind rustled as he waved his hand and said: "There must be a reason behind this, but since they have severely injured Brother Xu, we must demand an explanation from them. Our people cannot be beaten without reason"

The four members of Qingmu Hall were overjoyed, knowing that Feng Xiaoxiao was willing to stand up for them, and their anxious hearts were finally at ease

The wind rustled softly as he nodded slightly. The Daoist Xuanzheng was highly skilled in medicine, and what he said was mostly unlikely to be wrong. He then looked towards the crowd and asked, "How did Brother Xu come here?"

More than two hours later, everyone gradually returned.

Feng Xiaoxia rubbed his earlobe, feeling a bit of a headache, and was just about to speak when Daoist Xuanzheng walked in and clasped his hands, saying: "Indeed, Young Hero Feng possesses remarkable foresight. As soon as I stepped out, I noticed several individuals staring at the pharmacy. Although they all appeared to be ordinary people, one among them was wearing official shoes."

After everyone was seated, Chen Jinnan spoke: "Young Hero Feng, I have taken Wei Xiaobao as my disciple and appointed him as the incense master of the Qingmu Hall. I would like to invite you to serve as a special guest elder of the Heaven and Earth Society, to closely look after my young disciple and to have full authority to handle the affairs of the Qingmu Hall"

The next day at noon, Xiao Xiao, accompanied by Guan Anji, Daoist Xuanzheng, Li Lishi, and several brothers from the Qingmu Hall, went to see Wei Xiaobao off back to the capital. They escorted him for more than three miles, watching as Wei Xiaobao rode away until his figure could no longer be seen. Only then did Xiao Xiao return to the courtyard, leading the members of Qingmu Hall to begin their departure. They prepared the spirit tablet of Ao Bai along with the mourning banners to be buried with his corpse in the vegetable garden.

Brother Xu has been severely injured

As autumn gives way to winter, Feng Xiaoxiao has made significant progress in her internal skills. The Tranquil Heart Technique naturally absorbs spiritual energy, and over the past few months, Feng Xiaoxiao has also diligently practiced the Hunyuan Skill, achieving an efficiency more than twice that of an average person. Even when competing against Hai Dafu, she can defeat him without sustaining any injuries. Satisfied with her progress in internal skills, Feng Xiaoxiao has taken to leisure, often going out for strolls, enjoying tea, and watching plays.

Gao Yanchao quickly replied: "I heard from Brother Xu that they became increasingly entrenched in their argument over Tang Yong and Gui Yong, and eventually resorted to violence. Brother Xu was outnumbered and suffered serious injuries."

After the crowd dispersed, Chen Jinnan brought Feng Xiaoxiao and Wei Xiaobao back to the guest room and informed them of the hand signals for communication. He instructed them that if they needed to contact him, they should look for an old man named Xu selling plaster on the Tianqiao in Beijing. His plaster flag was different from others, being half red and half green, and he was the person responsible for external communications for the Qingmu Hall. He then told the two, "Brother Mao Shiba has also joined the Heaven and Earth Society, and I would like him to stay by my side, which he has agreed to. You brothers will have fewer opportunities to meet in the future; he is waiting in the guest room, so you should go say your goodbyes."

The wind rustles: "Embrace the Tang, embrace the osmanthus?"

The Daoist Xuanzheng lowered his head and looked at Xu Tianchuan, replying: "There is no concern for life, but it will take a few months to recover."

The wind rustled as he nodded and said: "One of the individuals you have seen is the one who assisted you and Brother Mao in dealing with the lackey of Wu Sangui; I was also present at that time"

Gao Yanchao said: "Brothers, the young hero Feng has arrived!" The five people in the room cheered in unison, stood up, and bowed in greeting, the secret chamber was too small, and everyone was squeezed together.

After the members of the Aoki Hall returned to Beijing, they dispersed to various outposts. Meanwhile, Feng Xiaoxiao took a few key members and a dozen subordinates to settle in Tianshui Well Alley in Dongcheng, where he began to handle various affairs of the Aoki Hall

The wind howled as I contemplated in my heart and said: "The Daoist and Brother Fan will go to the front gate to attract their attention. Brother Guan will lead the others to retreat through the back secret door. After exiting, they will form pairs, one in the light and one in the dark, one in front and one behind. Be vigilant for any followers. Once safety is confirmed, we will meet at our iron shop in the southern city. After two hours, if it is indeed confirmed that no one is following, we can return to Tianshui Well Alley. Brother Gao, you will carry Brother Xu and me directly back." After two hours, if it is indeed confirmed that no one is following, we can return to Tianshui Well Alley. Brother Gao, you will carry Brother Xu and me directly back.

This morning, just after returning from the tea house, Gao Yanchao hurriedly came to find him. Gao Yanchao is a man in his thirties, responsible for communication between the various outposts of Qingmu Hall. His face, which usually appeared quite composed, was now filled with anxiety.

The wind rustled as he waved his hand and said: "No need to rush with the formalities, let me first take a look at Brother Xu." As he approached, he saw Xu Tianchuan's face, which was covered in wrinkles, devoid of any color, his eyes tightly shut, his breathing faint, and his white beard speckled with bloodstains

After meeting with the young emperor, Wei Xiaobao would lead the officials and soldiers to dig out all these items. This had been previously discussed, intended to convince the young emperor that Wei Xiaobao had been abducted by the remnants of Ao Bai in recent days. Wei Xiaobao had already executed a similar plan with Suo E Tu last time, and this time he was even more adept at it. Moreover, he had Feng Xiaoxiao and the Qingmu Hall assisting him.

The wind rustled as he lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then asked: "How many of our people are here?"

The Daoist Xuanzheng exclaimed in shock: "Mutual destruction."

Wei Xiaobao exclaimed: "The Bai family's Double Woods?"

The members of the Heaven and Earth Society observed the wind rustling with a sense of calm authority, their commands clear and well-structured. They all nodded in agreement, secretly praising the individual who was favored by the leader of the sect, recognizing their exceptional qualities, and any lingering dissatisfaction within them dissipated.

Feng Xiaoxiao and Gao Yanchao successfully returned to Tianshui Well Alley with Xu Tianchuan, and then instructed: "Brother Gao, you go to the street to find Master Wei Xiang, we still need him to negotiate with the Mu Wangfu."

Wei Xiaobao was also very pleased; he was the least willing to bear responsibility. Seeing that Feng Xiaoxiao was willing to take on this matter, he felt delighted and asked, "Brother Feng, what should we do now?"

The wind rustled, revealing his thoughts, which made her somewhat displeased, yet she patiently said: "Xiao Bao, we should first clarify what has happened before we consider how to resolve it." She then turned to the others and continued: "Brother Xu possesses exceptional martial arts skills and practices agile techniques, excelling in lightness skill as well. I have also witnessed the martial arts of the Bai family's Twin Woods; even when combined, they would not be able to defeat him. However, now Brother Xu is severely injured, the most likely reason is... and I have also seen the martial arts of the Bai family's Twin Woods; even when combined, they would not be able to defeat him. However, now Brother Xu is severely injured, the most likely reason is..."

Everyone responded in unison

Everyone laughed, and then they all inquired about Yuan Chengzhi's recent situation from Feng Xiaoxiao, while also expressing their sentiments about the unpredictability of life.

Everyone was taken aback. The Daoist Xuanzheng asked in confusion, "What does Young Hero Feng mean? ... ... I will go right away"

Feng Xiaoxiao was taken aback, turning to look at the crowd, only to find everyone smiling at him, except for Wei Xiaobao, who wore a distressed expression. He immediately understood that Chen Jinnan must have shared yesterday's plan with them, which was why no one opposed it.

Feng Xiaoxiao said: "Elder Brother Xu Tianchuan has severely injured the Bai family of the Mu Wangfu with the Double Trees, and we are just about to seek them out for an explanation"

Feng Xiaoxiao anxiously asked, "How is Brother Xu doing now?"

Feng Xiaoxiao suddenly remembered that Xu Tianchuan was later captured by Lu Yifeng. He hurriedly turned to Daoist Xuanzheng and asked, "Daoist, could you go outside and see if anyone is monitoring this place?"

Gao Yanchao briefly explained that Feng Xiaoxiao finally understood that the Mu Wangfu was under the command of the former Ming Gui Wang, while the Tiandi Society was under the command of the Tang Wang Tianzi from back in the day. Xu Tianchuan must have been competing for status with them, which led to a disagreement in words, and before they knew it, they started fighting.

The wind howled as Mang Dao said: "Master Chen, regarding my master..." Before he could finish his sentence, Chen Jinnan interrupted, saying: "I have already sent someone in your name to Changbai Mountain to find Miss He and deliver the ginseng and ganoderma to her. I also personally wrote a letter for her to take to Hero Yuan, and I believe he will certainly agree to your joining the association. Until then, I must trouble you to serve as a guest elder."

Gao Yanchao slowly shook his head and said, "Brother Xu managed to return here today, intermittently stating that the ones who injured him were two young men from the Mu Wangfu, both of whom have the surname Bai..."

The wind rustled as he frowned and said: "The Bai family's twin trees?"

Gao Yanchao quickly replied: "It is indeed them"

The main affairs in the hall were surprisingly business-related. Upon seeing the large pile of account books, Feng Xiaoxiao felt like vomiting blood. The businesses were not particularly profitable; most members of the Tiandi Society were from the lower strata of society, engaging in trades such as slaughtering pigs and sheep, or selling dumplings and wontons. The better ones were medicine shops and ironworks. After just one day of observation, he handed over all the matters to Guan Anji, claiming that he needed to enter seclusion to practice his skills. Fortunately, most of these individuals had previously attempted to assassinate Ao Bai and were aware of his formidable martial arts. They held him in great esteem, so aside from meals, no one disturbed him.

Feng Xiaoxiao touched his earlobe and said with a bitter smile, "Chief Chen, you are pulling up the ladder after climbing to the top."

Two individuals entered the pharmacy's secret room, where four people were already seated, and another person was lying on a low couch.

Guan Anji immediately replied: "In total, we have sixteen people."

The wind rustled as his gaze slowly swept over the crowd, asking: "What exactly is going on? Does anyone know?"