Chapter 56: Sharing Good Fortune

  Qiao Feng was made to smile bitterly by Zhou Botong, and he hastily begged for mercy: "It's not that I'm unwilling, it's just that we can't be so rash. Let's wait until we enter Wuxi City, then find a quiet place with wine and meat, and that's when we'll make our oath, in a proper manner."

  Duan Yu also hurriedly followed up and said, "Take me with you, take me with you. Although my martial arts skills are not great, I really admire Brother Qiao's generosity."

  At this time, the four of them decided to become sworn brothers. Qiao Feng was both surprised and delighted, and he laughed loudly. The four of them walked towards Wuxi City with their arms around each other. As they walked, Qiao Feng said: "You three brothers are all very straightforward, I've never met anyone like you before in my life. Today is a great day, let's get drunk to celebrate! Haha!"

  Returning to Wuxi City, Chen Xiao's mood was naturally quite different from before.

  Being able to be sworn brothers with Qiao Feng is a wonderful thing that would make one smile even in their dreams. Chen Xiao had always admired Qiao Feng's character when reading about him, and now that they've met, he naturally likes him even more.

  A group of people returned to the Songhe Building, and after a long time, they ordered a full table of dishes. Qiao Feng called the wine waiter to bring up large bowls directly, and also brought two jars of high-gluten liquor, weighing about 20 kilograms. He laughed loudly: "Today, I only wish for intoxication, I don't know if you gentlemen can fulfill this wish of mine?" Qiao Feng was always generous and unrestrained, so naturally he would drink from large bowls.

  Drinking was absolutely unavoidable, Chen Xiao burst out laughing and went to fetch the wine jug first, but he didn't have a bit of internal strength, so it was quite laborious to carry the wine jug. In the end, Qiao Feng helped him out, pouring wine for everyone, then picked up his bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

  Chen Xiao was a good learner, while others sometimes used water as wine, Chen Xiao would use wine as water. Without saying a word, he would lift his neck and finish it in one gulp. Then, he would open his mouth and exhale a mouthful of wine breath.

  Duan Yu saw the liquor's pungent aroma and thought to himself, "I've never seen anyone drink like this in Dali, Yunnan. But with Wang Yuyan sitting right next to me, even if I die from drinking too much, I absolutely cannot lose face." He thought, "At most, I'll just get drunk to death; what's the big deal? If I let Wang Gongzhu look down on me, that would be a fatal mistake." He immediately picked up his own bowl and said, "I'll risk my life to accompany you gentlemen. If later I lose my composure after drinking, please don't laugh at me, everyone."

  He muttered to himself and then gulped it down.

  The Jianghu rumor has it that the Northern Qiao Feng and Southern Murong are unmatched, so when Duan Yu drinks with Qiao Feng, it's like competing with Murong Fu - he can't afford to lose in front of his heart's desire.

  Then there was the old rascal, this old man had always been playful. After becoming sworn brothers, he could also learn the Flame Knife from Chen Xiao. He raised his wine bowl and said: "Chen Xiaozong, later on you're not allowed to take advantage of me when I'm drunk, your Flame Knife must be taught to me." As he spoke, he also drank it down.

  The four of them finished the four bowls of wine, and Qiao Feng burst out laughing, saying "Refreshing!" Then he poured another four large bowls, raised his head, and drank it all in one gulp.

  In the blink of an eye, each of the four people had drunk three large bowls. Hong Qigong was internally injured and shouldn't drink like this. Moreover, his relationship with Xiao Feng made it inappropriate for him to participate in this sworn brotherhood, so he could only watch from the side.

  This big bowl was just half a catty, and at this time Chen Xiao had drunk more than one catty of strong liquor, his belly felt like there was a fierce fire burning fiercely inside, his head was dizzy and he was already somewhat drunk.

  Qiao Feng downed the three bowls of wine, but it was only enough to quench his thirst. However, seeing that if they continued drinking like this, these people would probably all fall asleep immediately, and the matter of becoming sworn brothers wouldn't be able to happen. He said: "Let's go to the backyard first, it's quieter there."

  Four people immediately got up, Qiao Feng led the way in front, behind him was Old Cunning Boy, Chen Xiao and Duan Yu were a bit drunk, swaying back and forth as they followed at the end.

  Arriving at the backyard, Qiao Feng gave a silver ingot to the shopkeeper and instructed him not to disturb them unless it was something important. After the shopkeeper left, he closed the big gate. The Old Villainous Child first laughed and said: "Haha, now that we've become sworn brothers, it's all good, it's all good."

  Four people arranged the incense table, placed the wine bowls, and immediately knelt down in the courtyard. Just as they were about to kowtow, Zhou Botong suddenly said: "Today's swearing-in is not because you are forced by me, but it is all your own will, not reluctantly agreed. Also, don't think I'm too old!"

  Chen Xiao couldn't help but secretly laugh at this, and the old scamp was indeed getting older but not wiser. He immediately laughed and said: "Brother Zhou, we are all willing participants, and among the four of us, you're actually the oldest, so it's only right that you should be the big brother."

  Zhou Botong's face lit up with joy, but he suddenly looked at Qiao Feng and said: "No, no, my kung fu is not as good as Master Qiao's, Master Qiao should be the big brother."

  Qiao Feng knew that he was a bit muddled in his words and actions, so he said: "If we were to rank according to martial arts skills, I'm afraid Chen Xiao brothers would be ranked last? Besides, if I were to call Zhou Dage 'younger brother', it would be too awkward."

  Chen Xiao persuaded him on the side: "That's right, by age, not by martial arts."

  Among the four, Zhou Botong was the oldest, Qiao Feng second, Chen Xiao third, and Duan Yu fourth. Just as they were about to formally acknowledge their positions, Chen Xiao suddenly said: "Wait a minute, something's not quite right, very much not right!"

  His words were quite strange, Qiao Feng asked curiously: "What's wrong?"

  Zhou Botong hastily said from the side: "Why isn't it suitable? You must be looking down on me for being too old, I know you're not willing to call me sworn brother."

  Duan Yu was also very curious on the side and didn't understand why Chen Xiao said "very unwise".

  But Chen Xiao shook his head and said: "This sworn brotherhood, is it sharing good fortune or not?"

  Qiao Feng nodded and said, "That's right."

  Chen Xiao said: "I already have a sworn brother and a sworn sister, my brother is called Tian Boguang, my sister is called Yilin, do you all know?"

  This matter has long been spread in the Jianghu, Qiao Feng as the leader of the Beggar Gang, this beggar gang news is the most informed, how can I not know? He nodded again: "I know about this."

  Chen Xiao continued: "I'm making sworn brothers with three of them today, that's a great thing, it's a great blessing. Since there's good fortune to be shared, I was thinking, why not just bring my previous sworn brother and sister along too? That would be best. Is that possible or not?"

  As soon as he finished speaking, Qiao Feng suddenly raised his thumb high and praised: "Brother Chen's heart is really unparalleled. Good! If this doesn't work out, what can be considered sharing good fortune together?"

  At this time, Duan Yu also said on the side: "Yes, yes, I had previously sworn brotherhood with Linghu Big Brother, so let's just bring him along."

  Now, in the blink of an eye, four people have become seven, and this joyful feeling has grown even stronger.

  Several people discussed their ages, Zhou Botong was the oldest, Qiao Feng was second, followed by Tian Boguang, Lin Hu Chung, Chen Xiao fifth, and then Duan Yu, with Yilin being the youngest.

  The four of them rushed to the incense table and kowtowed eight times. Zhou Botong spoke first, saying: "Old stubborn child Zhou Botong, today I, Qiao Feng, Tian Boguang, Lin Hu Chung, Chen Xiao, Duan Yu, and Yi Lin have sworn an oath of brotherhood. From now on, we will share good fortune and bad together. If anyone breaks this vow, may their martial arts skills be completely lost, and may they not even be able to defeat a small dog or cat."

  Qiao Feng couldn't help but laugh at Zhou Botong's strange oath. Zhou Botong glared and said, "What are you laughing at? Hurry up and recite it with me."

  Qiao Feng, Chen Xiao and Duan Yu also followed suit, reciting it once. Afterwards, they poured wine on the ground as a sacrifice and paid their respects to their elder brother.

  The four of them are now sworn brothers, and Chen Xiao's brotherhood has grown stronger than ever. At the very least, they can go anywhere and eat and drink without any problems at all.

  They happily called out to each other a few times, and the four of them returned to Songhe Tower. As soon as they reached the second floor, they saw two beggars standing in front of the table. One of them had a lame leg and was leaning on a crutch, while the other was an old man with a worried look on his face.

  Two beggars saw Qiao Feng approaching and quickly walked over, bowing their heads in respect.

  That lame man looked at Chen Xiao and Duan Yu standing aside, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

  Qiao Feng naturally knew what was going on and said, "We are all brothers of our own family, no need to hide from each other."

  Having obtained Qiao Feng's consent, the lame man then said in a low voice: "I report to Big Brother that the other party has agreed to meet at Huishan Liangting tomorrow morning."

  Qiao Feng nodded and said, "It's a bit too hasty."

  At this time, the old man behind said: "Brother originally told them that the appointment was set for three days later. But the other side seemed to know that we were not full of people and spoke sarcastically, saying that if they didn't dare to make an appointment, it would be fine not to go tomorrow."

  Qiao Feng said: "Alright, spread the word. Tonight at the third watch, everyone gather at Huishan. We'll arrive first and wait for them to come."

  The two of them bowed and replied, then turned around and went downstairs.

  Chen Xiao stood by and listened, suddenly startled in his heart, secretly thinking: "Looking at this situation, I'm afraid it's not just Brother Qiao going to meet that Yi Pin Tang? Is something about to happen that will reveal his identity?"

  Thinking of this, Chen Xiao's heart became more and more anxious, secretly thinking: "How can I help Qiao Erge?"

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  Good fortune is meant to be shared, vote for me!

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