Chapter 1769 - 1755

The Old Gang Leader, seeing himself successfully become the center of attention again, cleared his throat and said, "Actually, it’s nothing much, it’s just that I heard this morning that the Emperor issued a new edict at the court."

"What kind of edict?" Luo Qi was puzzled, "What kind of edict could make you so happy?"

"Could it be something beneficial to our Beggar Gang?" Luo Jiu speculated.

Huang Gang Leader looked surprisingly at Luo Jiu, and said with a smile, "You guessed right, this edict does indeed relate to our Beggar Gang, specifically to me."

"What sort of relation?" Everyone looked at Huang Gang Leader, unable to contain their eagerness as he hesitated to speak.

Huang Gang Leader glanced around at everyone present, seeing he had stirred their emotions enough, he slowly said, "The edict allows those who are over forty years old during military service to apply to return home after one year."

"..." Everyone’s expressions were indifferent, showing no hint of joy.

Luo Jiu pursed his lips in bewilderment and asked, "And then what?"

"There is no ’and then’. That’s it."

Huang Gang Leader picked up his chopsticks, ready to grab a piece of meat, noticed everyone still dumbfoundedly staring at him, and exclaimed, "What’s wrong with you all? Are you so shocked by this joyful news that you’re speechless?"

Luo Jiu smirked, "Old Gang Leader, how is this a happy occasion?"

"Indeed, I thought something worth celebrating had happened." Luo Qi echoed.

Old Gang Leader chuckled, looking at Luo Qi and Luo Jiu, "What do you two know? The Emperor issuing this edict felt tailor-made for me; oh, even in old age, I can visit the military camp, witness life there; it’s just one year, and this old beggar couldn’t want more."

"Phooey phooey phooey." Luo Qi hurriedly cursed the Old Gang Leader, "Stop saying such unlucky things; the Emperor has his reasons for issuing the edict. You should just enjoy your beggar’s chicken and stop overthinking."

"Absolutely, Old Gang Leader; it’s just like a peacock showing its feathers, overthinking!"

Feng Luo bit his chopsticks and laughed cheekily at the Old Gang Leader, chiming in.

The Old Gang Leader glared at him and sat there, sulking silently; clearly, it was good news, yet how in their eyes did it become him overthinking?

This was probably the first time so many had gathered at the Beggar Gang for a meal, and gradually, everyone got quite festive.

"Mr. Chu, you’re about to join the army; I’ve learned quite a few good things from you lately."

Luo Jiu raised his glass to Chu Ge and said, "I didn’t expect, for someone so young as you, to have such great martial arts cultivation. It’s truly embarrassing; I’ve been training for years without realizing anything, yet now, with your guidance, I’ve reached a new level, like breaking through a bottleneck."

Chu Ge raised his glass and clinked it with Luo Jiu’s, smiling, "Elder Jiu is joking; I just casually mentioned a thing or two, hardly any guidance; if anyone truly guided you, Huang Gang Leader should be your real mentor."

This was undoubtedly true; Chu Ge often saw Huang Gang Leader teaching Luo Jiu martial arts at night, initially thinking Huang Gang Leader was showing favoritism toward Luo Jiu, as he never saw him guiding Luo Qi. But later, he realized Luo Jiu’s martial arts weren’t as good as Luo Qi’s.

Huang Gang Leader’s actions aimed to narrow the gap between Luo Jiu and Luo Qi, ensuring Elder Jiu’s position remained secure.

Luo Jiu sighed, nodding, "Mr. Chu, you’re right; I know I’m naturally dull and can’t match my brother’s achievements in martial arts. I’ve always remembered Huang Gang Leader’s help; he is as my reborn parent, incomparable even to the term ’mentor’.

"What are you two murmuring about?" Huang Gang Leader was eating, watching Chu Ge and Luo Jiu murmur to each other, and thought he heard them vaguely mention him.

"Nothing, just praising you," Chu Ge joked, "Huang Gang Leader, we haven’t sparred together yet."

Huang Gang Leader put down his chopsticks, smiling, "Oh, so you want to spar with me?"

Chu Ge was always curious about Huang Gang Leader’s cultivation depth, more curious how he knew all these strange tales.

That night, Huang Gang Leader was interrupted by Ye Liang while telling him stories; he suspected Huang Gang Leader likely experienced the chaos of time and space.

He remembered Jian Chunqiu once told him decades ago there was a time-space chaos, though not as severe at the time.

If he had experienced it, his knowledge of the Time-Space Gate wouldn’t be surprising.

Huang Gang Leader looked at Chu Ge with ambiguous eyes, smiling slightly, "When there’s a chance, I’ll spar with you properly, but now isn’t the time."

"Not the time?" Luo Jiu was puzzled, "Old Gang Leader, do you pick times to spar?"

Huang Gang Leader glared at him, "Of course; look, if I spar with Chu Ge now, won’t Luo Qi and Feng Luo clear this table of food? I’ve hardly had some good dishes, I can’t waste them!"

"..." Chu Ge twitched his brow, suddenly realizing the Old Gang Leader was also a foodie!

After a few rounds of drinks, most were quite tipsy; Luo Qi, in particular, seemed preoccupied, drinking excessively, his face flushed, eyes unfocused, clearly drunk.

"Brother, don’t drink so much, you’re already drunk."

Luo Jiu tried removing the glass from him, but as soon as he touched it, Luo Qi stopped him.

"Eh, it’s fine, we’re happy today; let’s all drink freely, it’s nothing, nothing!"

Luo Qi claimed he was happy, but sounded despondent.

Luo Jiu, who grew up alongside Luo Qi, understood his gestures and expressions; seeing Luo Qi’s face clearly showed something was wrong.

"Brother, is something on your mind?" Luo Jiu asked softly.

Luo Qi paused his drinking motion, then shook his head, "It’s nothing, let’s eat."

"Nonsense!" Luo Jiu whispered, "Your behavior is clearly off tonight! Drinking so much, even the Old Gang Leader noticed! He’s been glancing your way!"

Luo Qi glanced up, meeting the Old Gang Leader’s probing eyes, quickly averting his gaze.

"Enough, let’s eat." Luo Qi preferred not to discuss further.