Chapter 15 What a Melodramatic Show!
As evening fell, the rain stopped, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of earth, invigorating the senses.
"Brother Wu, you've already exceeded expectations by single-handedly killing a high-level Soul Master. You should receive an extra reward when you return. So, have you decided what you want?"
Wu Qi shook his head. "Cultivation is for self-improvement, not for rewards."
"We haven't contributed anything to the Spirit Hall; we've already received enough thanks to the glory of our elders."
"Besides, this matter is insignificant to me; there's no need to boast about it."
Hearing his Versailles-like pronouncements, Qian Gu Chang Kong couldn't help but roll his eyes.
He certainly wouldn't be so humble. Having strength and not showing it off—wouldn't that be a waste?
If Wu Qi knew his thoughts, he would definitely retort, "You haven't experienced the harsh realities of life."
What has become of the Spirit Hall?
They're so boastful; do they really think Bibi Dong wouldn't dare to make a move?
Right now, for them, low-key development is the best option.
Without sufficient strength, lingering in front of Bibi Dong was tantamount to suicide.
Upon entering the inner city, the two were not subjected to any checks.
After the previous intense battle, they desperately needed to replenish their strength.
Upon entering a restaurant, Qian Gu Chang Kong couldn't help but ask, "By the way, where does the food here come from?"
Logically speaking, the environment in Death Canyon wasn't suitable for growing crops, and there weren't many spirit beasts.
Yet, the restaurant offered a large amount of rice and meat, which was quite thought-provoking.
Wu Qi was somewhat helpless; Qian Gu Chang Kong seemed to have a particular fondness for "conspiracy theories."
Wasn't the situation here simple? It must be the Spirit Hall providing the food.
And the Killing City, with an even harsher environment than this, still had food and drink, didn't it?
The Spirit Hall provides food to these places precisely to maintain stability and prevent these criminals from harming the continent.
Soon, the waiter brought the dishes. Before long, a begging voice came from outside.
Turning around, he saw a mother with a mute child, tearfully praying for alms.
Qian Gu Chang Kong couldn't help but feel moved. "It must be difficult for a mother to survive here alone with her child. What are those people in the hall doing? Could they have made a mistake?"
While he pondered this, the other patrons in the restaurant were discussing it.
The most common theory was that the Spirit Hall had wrongly judged the mother and child, leading to their exile.
To survive and wait for exoneration, the mother had no choice but to beg with her child.
Wu Qi tilted his head, carefully observing the mother.
She seemed flawless, no different from an ordinary beggar. However, the mute son behind her showed panic and fear in his eyes.
His intuition told him that something was wrong with the mother and child, but he couldn't immediately pinpoint the problem.
The mother, carrying a bowl, approached their table. Qian Gu Chang Kong poured a plate of meat into her bowl.
"Thank you, benefactor," the mother said, bowing to the two men.
Qian Gu Chang Kong helped her up, but Wu Qi remained unmoved.
A few minutes later, the mother and son left. Qian Gu Chang Kong couldn't help but ask, "Brother Wu, what's wrong? You seem distracted. Are you thinking about something?"
Wu Qi frowned and said, "Do you think a female beggar can live peacefully for so long? Besides, judging from the other guests, this mother and son have been begging here for some time."
Qian Gu Chang Kong was puzzled. "Isn't that normal? Aren't there female beggars in Wu Hun City who come to beg because of famine?"
Wu Qi shook his head. "How can that be the same?"
Spirit City is, after all, a city with sound laws and regulations, and it's also the location of the Papal Palace. Ordinary people wouldn't dare to act recklessly within its walls.
But what kind of place is this?
The Death Valley, a paradise of evil.
If he wanted, he could rape a woman in the street and no one would care; some might even applaud. But that's only if he wasn't afraid of being killed by the woman.
Furthermore, the Spirit Hall's power hasn't completely fallen into the hands of the madwoman Bibi Dong yet. How could a wrongful conviction so easily befall a mother and son?
If there was no wrongful conviction, it must be an act.
Eliminating all other incorrect options, the remaining one, no matter how absurd, is the truth.
Listening to his analysis, Qian Gu Chang Kong still didn't believe it and whispered, "Forget it, let's go back and ask about the situation."
After the meal, as soon as the two left the restaurant, the mother approached them.
Qian Gu Chang Kong was taken aback. "Aren't you full? Shall I get you another meal to take back?"
The mother quickly replied, "No, no, no. My benefactor, you must have just arrived here, right?"
"If you don't have a place to stay, I can recommend a hotel to you."
"Don't misunderstand, the hotel owner is a good man. He asked me to help him find customers, and he'll give my child and me a meal."
"My two benefactors, is that alright?"
Qian Gu Chang Kong seemed convinced that the mother and child had been wronged, and if he could help, he would naturally lend a hand.
The woman led the way, passing through several alleys, until they arrived at a secluded spot.
Not far from them, there was a sign for an inn.
Along the way, they heard the sounds of fighting in the city, but the path the woman had led them along seemed to have been almost entirely safe.
Just as they reached the hotel, Wu Qi suddenly stopped. "What a pitiful act, but you've given yourself away."
The woman turned around, bewildered, and asked, "Benefactor, what are you talking about?"
"What happened?" Even Qian Gu Chang Kong didn't understand the meaning behind his words.
Wu Qi sneered, "In this sinful paradise, a mother with her child can't survive even half a day."
"I bet many people have lusted after you, but unfortunately, they underestimated you. You've probably scattered their ashes."
The words had been spoken, and the woman's panic vanished instantly, replaced by a cold smile. "Considering your intelligence, leave your golden badge, and I'll spare your lives."
Qian Gu Chang Kong's mouth gaped open; everything Wu Qi had predicted seemed to be true.
"Tell me, how did you figure it out?" Wu Qi countered.
The woman sneered, "Those exiled here are already struggling to survive; they have no time to spare for others."
"Heh, you're so fearless, what other identity do you have besides being trainees?"
Wu Qi thought to himself, "Just as I suspected."
He was putting on a show of suffering to select targets from the crowd.
He had to admit, this guy had some brains.
If he hadn't been cautious, he probably would have already fallen for it.
Wu Qi shrugged, "Unfortunately, you guessed wrong."
"We smuggled ourselves in here to find some kind of medicinal herb; we don't have the badge you mentioned."
"Obviously, you don't believe me. A battle is inevitable."
Not admitting to being trainees was the bottom line; who knew how many ears were listening?
Once he admitted it, wouldn't he be facing constant pursuit for the next twenty-nine days?!
(End of Chapter)