Universe Infinite Canteen

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As he reminisced about the fierce battle that occurred more than twenty years ago, the Law Enforcement Elder felt a lingering fear.

"Gang Leader Deng had gathered over forty skilled fighters, yet those vile bandits numbered barely more than a hundred people in the entire stronghold.

"Alas, we thought with our abilities, taking on three foes each should have been easy, but in the end, nearly all of us were injured, and seven people died."@@novelbin@@

However, Ma Lu was concerned about something else, "Elder Lu, after you defeated that Tongtian Taoist, did you really kill all the other bandits in the stronghold as well, or were there any that slipped through the net?"

The Law Enforcement Elder shook his head, "These bandits were thoroughly evil and deserved death, so we resolved not to spare a single one before ascending the mountain, exterminating them all.

"After Gang Leader Deng killed Ren Tongtian, he ordered us to search the mountain two more times, rooting out anyone who was hiding."

"What if there were bandits not present in the stronghold at that time?"

"Gang Leader Deng had also considered this possibility, so he left some people on the mountain before we departed, waiting to see if anyone returned.

"These brothers laid in ambush on Crouching Tiger Hill for a whole month, catching a few more from Tongtian Village, and killed them all as well, ensuring Tongtian Village was left with no survivors."

"Did Ren Tongtian have any descendants down the mountain?" Ma Lu continued to inquire.

The Law Enforcement Elder shook his head, "As far as I know, Ren Tongtian had no wife, concubines, or children, nor did he leave any descendants."

"Are you certain, Elder Lu?"

"This…" The Law Enforcement Elder hesitated, "Before we took action, we also investigated his background. Although he was not a true Taoist, obsessed with alchemy, he secluded himself in the mountains to gather herbs for his elixirs, indeed without any descendants."

After finishing, the Law Enforcement Elder appeared somewhat puzzled, "Young Master Ma, why are you so concerned about a group of bandits from over twenty years ago?"

Ma Lu said, "Because I suspect that the theft of the Lotus Bowl from your Gang might be related to those bandits."

"Ah?" Deputy Gang Leader Jiang was very surprised, "Didn't Elder Lu say that everyone from Tongtian Village is already dead? Moreover, even if there were any that got away, they were just a bunch of thieves. How capable could they be to steal the treasure of our Gang?"

"By themselves, of course they couldn't, but what if there has always been someone from inside your Gang secretly aiding them, and moreover, that person holds a high-ranking position."

As soon as Ma Lu said this, it once again caused an uproar.

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The faces of the various Elders and Helmsmen of the Beggar's Sect looked none too pleased, as what Ma Lu implied was that there was a traitor among them.

If it were not for Ma Lu having just retrieved the Lotus Bowl, and with the Iron Clothes Sect standing behind him, someone might have already started cursing.

"Young Master Ma, the person you mentioned who secretly helped the remnants of Tongtian Village, do you have any evidence?" Deputy Gang Leader Jiang asked.

Ma Lu spread his hands, "I don't know, this is just my speculation. I might be right, or I might be wrong.

"Regardless, Divine Detective Gu is already on her way to apprehend the suspect. Everyone, please stay calm. As soon as she brings the person here, everything will naturally come to light."

"So, what Young Master Ma means is that because of your guess, we all have to just sit here and wait?"

Deputy Gang Leader Jiang's tone was still polite, but it was clear he was also somewhat displeased.

And at this moment, Bai Baoyu, who had been silent until now, suddenly said, "Perhaps Young Master Ma's purpose in saying this is to make us all wait here, and even better, to start suspecting each other."

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"Hmm? Elder Bai, what do you mean by that?"

With a slight smile, Bai Baoyu turned his head, looked around, and his gaze deliberately lingered a moment longer on the Beggar's Gang member who had earlier been addressed by Ma Lu. Only after that did he continue.

"I know some of you dislike how I throw money around, but my spending is for the good of the Beggar's Gang. Without my financial support, those of you with strong martial arts skills might not have to worry about food and clothing, but the lower-ranking members would end up starving and freezing."

"Moreover, without my spending money to plant and bribe insiders, you would likely all be fooled at this very moment."

"Elder Bai, what do you mean by that?"

Bai Baoyu pointed at Ma Lu with the hand wearing a jade ring, "Do you all know the relationship between Young Master Ma and the Heavenly Dragon Sect?"

"Ah, does Young Master Ma have a connection with the Heavenly Dragon Sect as well?"

"His ties with the Heavenly Dragon Sect are more than just simple connections. Not long ago, just after the passing of Xu Deputy Gate Master, a young disciple appeared out of the blue, and this disciple also happened to have the surname Ma and also had a Divine Detective by his side. Isn't that a coincidence?"

Bai Baoyu spoke with a hint of mystery, "Young Master Ma returned the Lotus Bowl to our Beggar's Gang, and naturally, we are all deeply grateful. But could you tell me how you managed to find this Lotus Bowl?"

With these words from Bai Baoyu, the people around looked at Ma Lu differently. Although they didn't immediately shout for his execution, their eyes were clearly filled with wariness.

Ma Lu was aware that whatever he said next, they wouldn't believe him.

The most effective way to refute someone is never by arguing against their logic, but by directly attacking their motives.

For once the motives are skewed, whatever comes out of the mouth doesn't matter anymore.

Luckily, Ma Lu was prepared for this. He did not expect the fact that he had embraced the coffin of the deceased Xu Deputy Gate Master and cried out "My mentor!" in front of so many people to remain a secret.

However, before Ma Lu could speak, someone else took the lead, "Young Master Ma is not a spy for the Heavenly Dragon Sect."

The speaker was still Chu Qianyuan, who this time stepped forward two paces, decisively placing himself in front of Ma Lu.

Bai Baoyu shook his head, "Protector Chu, I know you have been helping this young man these days, but you act openly and righteously, known to all in Jianghu. Yet such a character is very easy for those with malicious intent to exploit."

Chu Qianyuan snorted coldly, "Is Elder Bai implying that Chu is easily deceived? I'm no child, and whether what others say is true or false, can't I distinguish it for myself?"

"It's easy to know a person's face, but not their heart." Bai Baoyu said, "Besides, Protector Chu has only known Young Master Ma for less than a month, having met only a handful of times."

"Are you saying you had people watching me, Elder Bai?" Chu Qianyuan frowned.

Bai Baoyu realized he had spoken out of turn. He, along with Yuan Xiaoyun and Deputy Gang Leader Jiang, competed for the next Gang Leader position, and of course, they had to keep an eye on their competitors' movements and those important to them on a daily basis.

But it was one thing to buy off members of the Heavenly Dragon Sect for inside information, and quite another to plant spies within their own. That was not something to be discussed openly.

Fortunately, Chu Qianyuan didn't dwell on that point. He simply repeated, "I can assure you, Young Master Ma is definitely not a spy for the Heavenly Dragon Sect!"

"Protector Chu..." Shi Ruoyu, who was on the side and one of Bai Baoyu's affiliates, saw that Bai Baoyu was in an awkward position and tried to step up to take over the challenge against Ma Lu.

Yet, the next words of Chu Qianyuan left him dumbfounded, "Because Young Master Ma is my junior martial brother."