Chapter 82: The Second-in-Command of the Beggars’ Sect

When Jiang Pingchuan awoke, he found himself no longer in the thatched hut, but lying in a comfortable guest room. He knew it was a guest room because all the amenities were present, yet not a single item showed signs of use. Rising to his feet, Jiang Pingchuan rubbed his aching head, perplexed by his situation. There was no reason he should have fainted in the hut for no apparent cause.

He glanced around the room, then pushed open the door and stepped outside. A beam of intense sunlight struck his eyes; he raised his hand to shield himself from the glare. Only when he gradually adjusted did he lower his hand.

Following the path before the door, Jiang Pingchuan descended, finding himself on a mountainside. Before long, he spotted a group of people engaged in discussion. Upon seeing him, they fell silent, their eyes flickering with fear towards Jiang Pingchuan. He stood before them, surveying the crowd, uncertain where he was or where Lai Qing had gone.

"Greetings, Second Master," the man at the front of the group said before Jiang Pingchuan could speak, addressing him directly.

The words left Jiang Pingchuan utterly bewildered. What sort of place was this? Why had he become their Second Master upon encountering a group of strangers?

"Gentlemen, I am not your Second Master," Jiang Pingchuan replied with a genial smile, waving his hand at them. He hadn’t even figured out where he was—how could he accept a position so blindly? His smile eased their fear, and several faces relaxed.

"Second Master, you are indeed our Second Master of the Beggars' Guild," the man replied, offering a respectful gesture. Jiang Pingchuan hurriedly took the man's hand and shook his head.

"I can't explain myself to you—take me to see the Master," Jiang Pingchuan said, reasoning that if he was called the Second Master of the Beggars' Guild, this must be the Beggars' Guild, and somehow everything was related to Lai Qing. He patted the man's shoulder.

The man nodded quickly and led Jiang Pingchuan toward the Guild's meeting hall. Jiang Pingchuan could not fathom why this place, resembling a palace, belonged to the Beggars' Guild. Weren’t the Beggars' Guild supposed to be ragged, dirty, and comprised of beggars? Yet the disciples here lived far better than ordinary folk of Eastern Continent.

As they walked, the man kept glancing back at Jiang Pingchuan, hesitant, as if he wanted to say something. Jiang Pingchuan noticed his reluctance and smiled gently.

"If you have something to say, just say it," Jiang Pingchuan said quietly as he looked ahead. The man replied with a soft "yes" and hesitated.

"Second Master, did you really kill the Black Rat? And break through the siege of more than ten cultivators?"

The man watched Jiang Pingchuan's expression for any change and relaxed when none appeared. If Jiang Pingchuan truly lived up to his reputation, the man would have felt his question was a dangerous one.

"Where did you hear such things?" Jiang Pingchuan asked, not answering directly. The man seemed disappointed, clearly someone fond of boasting, which Jiang Pingchuan neither liked nor disliked. Upon hearing the question, the man regained his composure.

"Everyone in Eastern Continent City knows you’re a fierce one—killed Black Rat, wounded over ten cultivators, nearly slew Lord Gong himself. The rumors are swirling outside," the man said animatedly. To him, having such a fierce Second Master was not a bad thing, especially since Lai Qing, the Guild Master, was far too low-key.

If Jiang Pingchuan became Second Master, they would finally have status in Eastern Continent City, rather than relying on Lai Qing’s mysterious reputation to inspire fear among the elite.

"If I tell you I didn’t kill Black Rat, would you believe me?" Jiang Pingchuan's tone turned cold, his quiet words thunderous to the man, who began to nervously mutter to himself.

"I—I believe you," the man stammered, shivering under Jiang Pingchuan’s intense gaze.

"Heh, I didn’t kill Black Rat, that’s true, but I did injure more than ten cultivators," Jiang Pingchuan said with a smile, striding toward the nearby hall. The man stood stunned, then hurried after him, eager to share all the gossip he’d heard.

Soon, Jiang Pingchuan and You Liang arrived at the Beggars' Guild meeting hall, an imposing palace-like structure. Jiang Pingchuan noted its resemblance to his own Maoshan Daoist main hall, likely connected to Chu Yunge.

This grand hall must be centuries old. On the way, Jiang Pingchuan learned the man beside him was named You Liang, who had followed Lai Qing since childhood, making him one of the Guild’s most senior members.

Unfortunately, his youth meant no one took him seriously. Over time, You Liang stopped caring about empty titles, never rising to the rank of Guild Elder, remaining a minor figure.

Jiang Pingchuan entered the meeting hall to find Lai Qing seated, watching him. You Liang nodded to Lai Qing and left, while Jiang Pingchuan noticed an unusual look in Lai Qing’s eyes as he watched You Liang, hinting at secrets unknown to Jiang Pingchuan.

"Pingchuan, you are trustworthy. You must know by now you’ve become our Second Master, but in truth, you are the true Master. I am leaving," Lai Qing said, rising and approaching Jiang Pingchuan with a hesitant expression. Seeing Jiang Pingchuan’s silence, he forced a bitter smile and shook his head.

"Guild Master Lai, speak your mind. As for the Second Master position, I am truly unfit," Jiang Pingchuan said, observing Lai Qing’s conflicted demeanor. Since Lai Qing rescued him last night, the man before him seemed a far cry from the stern, taciturn figure Jiang Pingchuan first met.

At that time, Lai Qing was reticent but dignified; now he appeared troubled and weary, as if facing a difficult dilemma.

"Heh, Pingchuan, let me be honest. They all say I’m mysterious, but I am not. Every resident of Eastern Continent City knows my name, but in their minds, I am already dead," Lai Qing said, patting Jiang Pingchuan’s shoulder and inviting him to sit. Jiang Pingchuan pulled out a chair and sat, while Lai Qing sat beside him, touching his face. Slowly, a faint green glow emanated from Lai Qing’s skin.

When the glow faded, Lai Qing’s features appeared much older. The most notable change was that Lai Qing now looked exceedingly handsome.

Though no longer middle-aged and nearing fifty, his brows revealed that in his youth, he must have been a strikingly handsome and talented man.

"What does this mean, Guild Master Lai?" Jiang Pingchuan asked, watching Lai Qing’s aged face. Lai Qing wished to confide in him, and Jiang Pingchuan knew that learning his secret would drag him deeper into the murky waters of Eastern Continent City.

"My real name is Han Qing—I am the City Lord of Eastern Continent City," Lai Qing said with a smile. Jiang Pingchuan stared in disbelief, for the current City Lord was Han Zhen.

He had never heard of Han Qing, yet Lai Qing claimed the true City Lord was Han Qing, and that he was sitting before him.

"I am Han Qing. Twenty years ago, my wife bore me a son. My brother coveted the position of City Lord, constantly targeting my wife and child. Eventually, he gathered all the city’s powers to force me to abdicate. I sent a letter to the capital, but received no reply. In the end, I burned my palace, and escaped with my son amidst the chaos," Han Qing recalled that night twenty years ago, eyes closed. His wife was slain, and he was forced to burn his palace to flee.

"Why do you tell me this, City Lord Han?" Jiang Pingchuan listened, realizing Han Zhen was despicable, willing to destroy his own brother.

"Han Zhen has discovered me. I must leave, but there is someone I cannot abandon. I ask you, Pingchuan, to look after the Beggars' Guild—the thousand disciples are innocent, and…"

"And You Liang, isn’t it? He is your son," Jiang Pingchuan said, waving his hand before Han Qing finished. Han Qing’s clouded eyes met Jiang Pingchuan’s, and he nodded.