Time flies like an arrow, twenty years have passed in a flash.
Inside the Funeral Room of the Hejian Prefecture Government Office.
An elder with a high crown and long robes, a thin face, lifted the shroud from the corpse on the table.
His white hair and beard showed he had weathered many storms, but he didn't look particularly old; instead, he exuded an aura of calm majesty and sophistication. Facing the bloody, mutilated corpse with shattered bones on the table, his eyes remained calm and unwavering.
Behind him, four others also lifted the shrouds to examine the remaining bodies.
"This technique..."
"Is it him?"
"It should be unmistakable!"
"After twenty years, is he still unwilling to remain silent?"
Seeing the gruesome, tormented corpses, Leng Wuqing said nothing, while Sheng Xiayou shook his head and sighed.
"Silent for more than twenty years, and now he returns to the Jianghu!"
"Martial Madman, Martial Madman!"
"One wave has not settled, another has arisen!"
"A tumultuous season, a tumultuous season..."
The four furrowed their brows, their eyes heavy with gravity, involuntarily glancing forward.
Ahead, the elder stood with hands behind his back, remaining calm: "Since you're here, why hide?"
The light remark floated in the air, causing ripples to emerge.
"Hahaha!"
With these ripples, a burst of laughter echoed, and then a shadow flew in.
The shadow landed in the room, revealing another elder, in ragged beggar garb, his white hair wild as a lion's mane, exuding a robust energy from head to toe.
It was...
"Lei Sanjue!"
"Three Extremes Divine Beggar?"
The four behind tightened their eyes, showing shock and coldness, but the elder ahead remained unchanged: "Brother Lei, what brings you here?"
"I'm here to pay respects to Mr. Zhuge!"
Lei Sanjue stepped forward, bowing deeply to Zhuge Zhengwo.
Zhuge Zhengwo's expression remained indifferent, not refusing him, allowing him to do as he wished.
Seeing this, Lei Sanjue indeed knelt, giving a grand salute before standing, then turned his gaze to the corpses: "Twenty years, the demon cannot rest, again bringing chaos to the martial world, wreaking havoc on the land."
Zhuge Zhengwo stood aside with his hands behind his back, showing no intention to speak, creating an awkward atmosphere.
Lei Sanjue remained unbothered, turning back with a light smile: "Brother Zhuge, do you know the difference between this person's return to the Jianghu and twenty years ago?"
Zhuge Zhengwo's expression remained indifferent: "What's the difference?"
"Heh!"
Lei Sanjue chuckled coldly: "Twenty years ago, he suddenly ceased activities, vanished from sight, seemingly retreating heroically, yet it was a strategy to retreat in order to advance, to build strength and plot for the future."
He cast a cold glance outside: "In these twenty years, though no one acted under the name of Martial Madman, attacking martial artists and court officials, my Beggar Gang still suffered attacks, disciples disappearing, other factions fared the same."
"Though those committing these acts did not use the name Martial Madman, I can assert with certainty it was him."
"For twenty years, he hid underground, secretly growing, consuming all sides to strengthen himself, and now he returns to the Jianghu, repeating past deeds."
Lei Sanjue cast his gaze back on the corpses: "Twenty years ago, he acted under the guise of purging the world on behalf of the way, but at most, he killed and robbed, even attacking brothels, there was only slaughter, never rescuing the brothel women."
His words turned back to Zhuge Zhengwo: "Brother Zhuge, do you know why?"
Zhuge Zhengwo coldly eyed him, speaking not a word.
Lei Sanjue, unconcerned, continued: "Because then, he was alone. If he attempted rescue, not only would few be saved, but it would become a liability, leading to more deaths."
"So, twenty years ago, he only killed, never saved!"
"But now..."
Lei Sanjue's eyes hardened: "He kills and saves, in just a few months, nearly a hundred brothels have been wiped out by him, with most of the women within disappearing, and in my Beggar Gang, two specific sections were eradicated, over ten sub-sects dismantled, countless members dead or injured."
"What does this indicate?"
Another question, striking the heart of the matter.
Zhuge Zhengwo coldly eyed him, still not responding.
Lei Sanjue, unconcerned, continued to point out the crucial point: "It indicates he's no longer alone, not only can he kill, but he also has enough people to transport the brothel women, unafraid of our pursuit."
"Nurture a tiger to invite calamity, nurture a tiger to invite calamity!"
Lei Sanjue declared firmly, then turned back to Zhuge Zhengwo: "His force is formed, this return, he swears not to rest until his goals are achieved. If we do not ally, we'll each be picked off, slaughtered without mercy."
"Is that so?"
Hearing this, Zhuge Zhengwo finally spoke: "Then perhaps I should thank him."
"Hahaha!"
As soon as the words were spoken, Lei Sanjue burst into laughter, "Brother Zhuge, do you really think he's acting on behalf of justice, only killing those evil Jianghu criminals and corrupt officials?"
Zhuge Zhengwo's expression was indifferent, "Isn't he?"
"Ha!"
Lei Sanjue gave a cold laugh, "Everything in this world is nothing more than a pursuit of fame and profit. The fame he's after is the greatest profit. With Brother Zhuge's wisdom, do you truly believe that after he gets rid of us, the martial world will be at peace, and the world will be at peace?"
"..."
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Zhengwo once again fell into silence.
"Hmph!"
Lei Sanjue snorted coldly, "The principle of eradicating evil to the roots, Brother Zhuge understands, and he himself is well aware. How could we small fish and shrimp be enough to satisfy him? Perhaps it would take offering up a True Dragon to make him lay down his arms temporarily."
"..."
Zhuge Zhengwo was silent, his gaze shifting with difficulty for a long time.
Seeing his expression, Lei Sanjue gave another cold smile, "I received news before I came. Governor of Henan, Lord Hai, also fell victim to him. All thirteen members of his family were killed by him overnight, with not a single survivor."
"Hmm!?"
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Zhengwo's expression changed immediately, the cold star burst from his sleeve, landing fiercely at Lei Sanjue's throat—it was a Pear Blossom Short Spear.
Zhuge Zhengwo's short spear came out from his sleeve, pointing directly at Lei Sanjue, with a murderous intent revealed in his eyes, "Do you think I dare not kill you?"
"Ha!"
Facing the spearhead at his throat, Lei Sanjue showed no fear, instead letting out a hearty laugh, "Including Lord Hai, nearly a hundred officials have died at his hands in just a few months, countless others more, and you, Brother Zhuge, as the Court's top Martial Artist, the Divine Capture Sect's top detective, can you really allow such a madman to act recklessly?"
Zhuge Zhengwo's expression was icy, murderous intent evident in his eyes, yet his spear remained motionless.
After a moment of stalemate, Zhuge Zhengwo coldly withdrew his spear, "What do you plan to do?"
"Ha!"
Lei Sanjue laughed loudly, seemingly having expected this, and said directly, "Sect Leader Tie has sent out news to the Jianghu, saying they have gathered a group of brothel women, demanding that demon come to Sect Leader Tie himself, otherwise, he will kill one person the first day, two the second day, until all are slain!"
Zhuge Zhengwo's gaze turned cold, staring at him like ice, "With such actions, who indeed is the true demon?"
"Hahaha!"
Lei Sanjue laughed even more, "Sect Leader Tie is originally of a criminal gang, isn't it only natural to act like this?"
"Hmph!"
Zhuge Zhengwo flicked his sleeve, saying nothing.
Lei Sanjue's smile did not change, seemingly unconcerned, "Although Sect Leader Tie's move is like a cornered dog snapping, these actions cannot be allowed by us righteous warriors. Therefore, I earnestly request Brother Zhuge to join me at Sect Leader Tie's, to save those innocent women at the critical moment."
"Critical moment?"
Zhuge Zhengwo gave him a cold look, "Just you and me?"
"Also Master Fang Zheng from Shaolin, Elder Yunlong from the Giant Whale Gang, and top experts from various sects and factions, renowned figures of the martial world!"
Lei Sanjue said solemnly, "Heroes from all over will gather in the Heluo Land, surely a glorious chapter in the annals of history. Brother Zhuge, you cannot miss it."
With that, regardless of Zhuge Zhengwo's response, he cupped his hands in farewell and flew away, disappearing without a trace in an instant.
"Master!"
"Divine Marquis!"
Seeing Lei Sanjue fly away, four constables hurriedly stepped forward, exclaiming with indignation, "Was Lord Hai killed by him!?"
"Lord Hai was the newly appointed Governor of Henan, known for his integrity and impartiality. How would that Martial Madman strike him down and leave no survivors?"
"Divine Marquis, this must be the work of the Beggar Gang, using this to coerce our Divine Capture Sect into a life-and-death struggle with that Martial Madman!"
"These people have truly gone mad!"
The four constables spoke one after another, but Zhuge Zhengwo remained silent, only casting a cold gaze at the night outside the door.
Leng Wuqing observed this and also fell silent for a moment before speaking, "Master, are we really going to Sect Leader Tie's?"
Zhuge Zhengwo nodded, his gaze deep and indescribable, "The Beggar Gang's disciples number in the millions, and each sect and faction is a local powerhouse. If truly driven to desperation, the Heluo Land, and even the entire Central Plains, would be turned upside down!"
Zhuge Zhengwo sighed, "Now the nation's affairs are difficult, beset with internal and external difficulties. As Heluo is the heartland of the Central Plains, if chaos erupts, disaster will surely ensue, tipping the balance of the world and endangering the state in an instant."
"Then are we to aid the wicked?"
The four constables looked at Zhuge Zhengwo, "Master, your decades of reputation with the Divine Capture Sect..."
"Compared to the peace and safety of the world, what does my name alone matter?"
Zhuge Zhengwo shook his head, his expression solemn, his words resolute, "For the sake of the common people and the greater good of the world, even if it means assisting the wicked, I am willing!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Upon hearing these resolute words, the four constables fell silent. In the Funeral Room, there was a momentary deathly quiet.