Fu Tian walked toward the gathered beggars and cupped his fists respectfully. "My son is ignorant and has offended the Beggar Clan. I will have him kowtow and confess his guilt to all of you at once."
Elder Song Ren and Elder Chen Yan exchanged glances. Elder Chen Yan strode forward and said, "Gang Leader Fu upholds righteousness by disciplining his own kin and showing no favoritism. The Beggar Clan is deeply appreciative!"
Elder Song Ren added, "We only hope that in the future, when our Beggar Clan disciples seek a mouthful of food in the city, your gang will no longer make things difficult for us. Let today's matter end here."
Fu Tian could not help but feel ashamed. "You two elders are highly respected. This brat had the audacity to offend you. I will certainly give you a proper explanation!"
With a face full of anger, he turned and scolded, "Since you dared to offend the Beggar Clan, hurry up and kneel to apologize! A real man must take responsibility for his actions. If something is right, it is right; if it is wrong, it is wrong. When you make a mistake, you must have the courage to admit it!"
Fu Xiong's face flushed red and then turned pale. Fu Tian paused briefly, then shouted sternly, "Fu Xiong, get over here and kneel to apologize! Stop stammering and hesitating!"
Scolded mercilessly by his father, Fu Xiong dared not offer a single word of defense. In his panic and confusion, how could he delay, or even argue? He had already forgotten the pain of the earlier slaps. He quickly stood up and ran toward Elder Song Ren and Elder Chen Yan. Dropping to his knees, he kowtowed and said, "This junior was blind and disrespectful. I acted rashly and offended you. I beg the Beggar Clan brothers to forgive me."
Seeing Fu Xiong being harshly rebuked by his father and forced to kneel in apology—his forehead striking the ground with loud thuds—the beggars felt greatly satisfied. Elder Song Ren and Elder Chen Yan looked at one another. Elder Song Ren said, "Fu Xiong, this time, for the sake of Hall Master Wu Tong of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, we will not pursue this matter with your Money Gang."
Elder Chen Yan added, "Fu Xiong, we Beggar Clan brothers neither steal nor rob. We merely seek a mouthful of food. We hope your gang will show mercy in the future and stop making life difficult for us beggars."
Fu Xiong did not even dare raise his head. He kowtowed again and again, his forehead striking the ground loudly. "I wouldn't dare… I truly wouldn't dare again."
At this moment, Wu Tong stepped forward with a smile. "No one is a sage; who can be without fault? To know one's mistake and correct it is the greatest virtue."
Liu Yun then said, "Fu Xiong, you may rise."
But Fu Xiong did not dare stand. Wu Tong therefore reached out and pulled him up by the arm. Fu Xiong instinctively tried to resist by exerting his strength, but he immediately felt an overwhelmingly powerful force in Wu Tong's grip and had no choice but to rise. He cupped his fists and said, "Many thanks to Hall Master Wu Tong for your guidance and kindness."
Wu Tong revealed a faint smile and said loudly, "We who walk the martial world live with our lives on the edge of the blade. As the saying goes, leave a margin in human relations so that we may meet again with goodwill in the future. I hope your gang will treat the Beggar Clan brothers kindly from now on. The Beggar Clan helps uphold the realm and supports the martial world—they are truly people of chivalry."
Hearing these words, Fu Tian felt greatly relieved and said emotionally, "If not for Hall Master Wu Tong's great benevolence and righteousness today, my son's actions might truly have brought disaster upon our gang…"
Before he could finish speaking, Fu Tian suddenly dropped to his knees and began kowtowing, his head striking the ground loudly. It all happened in an instant. Wu Tong was greatly startled and quickly stepped forward to help him up with both hands. Fu Tian instinctively tried to resist by channeling his strength, but he too felt the overwhelming power in Wu Tong's grip and could only stand.
Wu Tong then looked around and said in a clear voice, "Brothers of the Beggar Clan, since the Money Gang has sincerely apologized, we who belong to the martial world should be open-hearted and upright. We must not hold grudges over this matter. What do you say?"
The Beggar Clan members, having already felt that Wu Tong had stood up for them and restored their dignity, had long since forgotten the humiliation caused by the Money Gang. Elder Song Ren said, "Hall Master Wu speaks rightly. The Beggar Clan brothers are broad-minded and will not take this to heart."
Elder Chen Yan added, "We Beggar Clan brothers are all straightforward and open. We only beg for food—it is nothing!"
Seeing that the matter had been properly resolved, Wu Tong felt greatly pleased and said cheerfully, "Since the Money Gang and the Beggar Clan have now let go of their grievances, Elder Song Ren, Elder Chen Yan, and all Beggar Clan brothers—let us go."
With that, Wu Tong and Liu Yun turned toward Gang Leader Fu Tian and cupped their fists. "Gang Leader Fu, we have caused much disturbance. Until we meet again!"
Thus both sides departed.
As the saying goes, the martial world is a place of wine, meat, and brotherhood.
Not long after leaving, Wu Tong encountered the Beggar Clan leader, Elder Fei. Liu Yun asked, "Leader Fei, have you found a tavern that suits your liking?"
Old Leader Fei laughed. "People fear the Beggar Clan wherever we go. What tavern would dare do business with us?"
Wu Tong smiled faintly. "Senior, look—there is a large restaurant not far ahead. Let us not be picky. We'll go there."
Old Leader Fei laughed. "Then what are we waiting for? You lead the way!"
Thus Wu Tong led the Beggar Clan brothers forward. Evening lights were just beginning to glow. As the beggars entered the restaurant, they were immediately stopped by a burly guard at the entrance.
The guard rudely said, "Hey, old beggars, did you come to the wrong place? Only wealthy young masters come here!"
Wu Tong immediately stepped forward and cupped his fists. "Brother, here are five taels of silver. Please do us a favor. Today I am hosting these heroic men for wine and merriment. Would it be convenient for me to reserve this entire restaurant?"
Seeing Wu Tong dressed with great refinement and assuming he was a rich young noble, the guard quickly said, "Young master, I was blind and failed to recognize greatness. Please come inside."
The group then gracefully entered the restaurant. The madam of the establishment hurried over and arranged seating for them on the second floor. As the Beggar Clan had many members, five tables were filled.
Once everyone was seated, the madam smiled and said, "Well then, young master—what food and wine would you like?"
Wu Tong replied, "Bring out the finest dishes, and the wine must be Shaoxing Champion Red!"
With that, he took out ten taels of silver and handed them to the madam. Seeing such generosity, she was both shocked and delighted. "Young master, please sit comfortably. The wine and dishes will arrive at once."
Soon, fine wine and delicacies were served across the five tables. Zhao Rou immediately poured wine for everyone at Wu Tong's table.
Before long, the group began drinking and celebrating their success. Waiters brought dish after dish. Cups clinked, land and sea delicacies were displayed in abundance, and everyone rejoiced. The beggars ate large chunks of meat, drank great bowls of wine, sang drinking songs, and recited wine poems. It was a scene of complete merriment, where host and guests alike were thoroughly delighted.