Chapter 354: Awaiting the Final Battle

"Third...Third Elder... How did you get out of bed?" Gu Caozhuo asked in shock.

His vicious plan to bury Chen Xiaobei has crumbled in its entirety; his joy had plummeted heavily from the sky above into a pit of disappointment. He sounded clearly disappointed.

"Judging from your tone, are you hoping that I never leave that bed alive?" Third Elder asked him calmly.

"Definitely... Definitely not... I always hoped for the day you'll heal completely and walk away from that hospital bed!" Gu Caozhuo forced a smile as fury burned within his heart.

It was impossible for him to become the boss of the faction as long as Third Elder was alive; now he has to wait for a very long time before he ruled.

"Third Elder, where did you get the strength to stand? I thought you've lost all vitality earlier?" Wong Shihao asked in shock while staring at the elderly man with bulging eyes.

Everyone around them wanted to ask the same thing as well.

"Needless to say, it's all thanks to Xiaobei that I've completely recovered!" The Third Elder declared happily, "The young man showed such mastery in his treatment - just one silver needle and I'm completely cured! Now, I could walk around freely like a healthy old man. I'm going to do the paperwork and check out of this hospital! Hahaha..."

Wong Shihao could not believe what he just heard. Meanwhile, all the key members of the faction were rejoicing over Third Elder's full recovery.

"Congratulations Third Elder! Congratulations Third Elder! It's astounding news that you could finally walk out from this hospital!"

"Seems like the gods still smile upon us! We don't have to worry anymore with Third Elder coming back to lead us!"

"With the help of Third Elder, we can definitely recover our glory!"

........

Everyone was buoyant and joyful.

Despite the festivities, Third Elder shook his head. He turned to Chen Xiaobei, survey him with great interest before saying: "This world belongs to the younger generation. I'm an old man; I shall retire and enjoy the all the remaining time I have on earth!"

The key members of caught Third Elder's intention instantly and turned their eyes to Chen Xiaobei too.

"Third Elder, you are right, the future belongs to the younger generation! Bro Bei is going to be big in the future; he's already marvelously talented at his meager age!"

"Both Third Elder and Boss Tian have such high hopes of Bro Bei! He is extraordinary!"

"Bro Bei may be a cub, but his majesty is enough to defeat a bull! Not even veteran Jianghu elites like us can beat him!"

"It seems that we need Bro Bei alongside us in Jianghu! We may have to rely on him in the future!"

"You're right, Bro Bei will become a dragon in Jianghu! It'll be impossible for us to approach him in the future if we don't build good relations with him right now!"

....

Suddenly, everyone had huge hopes for Chen Xiaobei - thanks to both Third Elder's intention and the fact that they were extremely impressed by his feat tonight!

*Grrr*

Gu Caozhuo stood behind the key brothers with gritted teeth, completely ignored. The sight of them complimenting Chen Xiaobei was telling; he will be knocked off his perch in no time. And there's no doubt that Chen Xiaobei will take his place!

To think that he had fought so long and so hard in his quest to become undisputed leader of the faction! He was crushed as he realized that he was going to be replaced by a cub that just crawled out its den. It was impossible that he would accept such a cruel fate.

"Is there anyone who wants to leave this faction with me?! Step out!" Gu Caozhuo yelled chillingly out of the blue.

That got the stunned attention of everyone. Nonetheless, three key members stepped out and stood behind Gu. He gave everyone one cold, final stare before leaving with the trio.

"Uncle Gu! Where are you going?" Murong Xiaoyao asked nervously.

"Pumpkin, he's going to join Qiu Hairui's faction." Chen Xiaobei smiled, as if he had everything under control.

"What?!" Everyone including Murong Xiaoyao were stunned by his words.

"Gu Caozhuo is a traitor? That's impossible! He's going to be our leader one day!"

"He studied overseas for quite a number of years and did some good work. Why would he leave us all of a sudden? I thought that he had always been loyal?!"

"This must be a misunderstanding! He isn't that kind of person!"

...

Everyone was chattering after Gu Caozhuo left. He had always maintained a good reputation amongst the heart of the faction, which in turn was why they struggled to understand his treachery now.

Then, Third Elder finally spoke.

"He's just a hypocrite with his private shady agendas! Gu Caozhuo may be talented, but his ambition is out of control! Boss Tian knew that he was going to betray us eventually, which was why he didn't ask him to take care of Lady Murong!"

"What? I never knew that Boss Tian thought that way all this while... Why didn't Boss Tian eliminate him?"

"Yeah! And to think that we placed our trust in him as long as we could remember, never realizing that he's just a snake!"

"We mustn't let him go! I'm going to call the others and take him down!"

........

All these core members hated traitors the most. Their intentions now were filled with murder; they were very keen indeed to kill Gu Caozhuo on sight.

"Calm down!" Third Elder called out, shaking his head. "Gu Caozhuo would not be the only one who had betrayed our faction since Boss Tian left. Killing him right now would be meaningless; we shall wait for the perfect opportunity and eliminate every traitor to our cause in one fell swoop!"

Everyone nodded in agreement with Third Elder. Then, they asked: "Does that mean Third Elder already has a plan?"

"I don't have any plans," Third Elder shook his head, and turned to Chen Xiaobei. "But Xiaobei already has one! And now, I shall appoint him as chief of this operation!"

Murong Xiaoyao nodded at Chen Xiaobei too; she agreed with Third Elder's decision.

"Bro Bei, you're really something! I didn't know you were already planning such a big operation!"

"Bro Bei, feel free to tell us what to do; Third Elder is saying that you're our leader now!"

"That's right! We shall fight beside you come what may! Those who frown has no right to say that they are part of this faction!"

The rest of the core members revealed their unwavering loyalty to the faction. They had decided unanimously that they will serve the faction until the end of time!

"I will not disappoint, not with the high hopes all of you placed on me. But the time is not right just yet; there's need for you guys to do anything right now. Rest well and simply prepare yourselves for now!" Chen Xiaobei said calmly.

"Alright! We'll do that!"

...

Soon, every member of the brotherhood left the hospital while Chen Xiaobei sent Murong Xiaoyao back to the North Mountain Mansion.

"Asshole Xiaobei, I never expected you to be so accomplished at medicine..." Murong Xiaoyao said from the front passenger seat.

She then lowered down her head, stretched her shirt over her body and said shyly: "How about... You spare some time to help me do that thing..."