Begging Is an Art

"I never expected anyone to remember me after so long. Since you know who I am, you can die!"

The Soul Ancestor Deacon looked at Ji Wuming's utterly vicious smile, and fear showed in his eyes. After all, Ji Wuming was someone unforgettable in a place like the Black Market Soul Fighting Arena, where people devoured others whole without even spitting out the bones.

Facing him, he had to go all out. Otherwise, he would certainly die.

"Fourth Soul Skill, Demon-Breaking Blade!"

A gigantic black battle-axe slashed toward Ji Wuming.

"Bloody Sea Stench: Raging Wave Triangle Defense!"

Even a Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast would be blasted away by his strongest defensive Self-Created Soul Skill. How could a mere thousand-year fourth-ring skill possibly break through his defense?

"Bang—"

The massive black Soul Power axe completely dissipated. Seeing this, the Soul Ancestor Deacon hurriedly fled toward Tianxing City in blind panic, constantly wiping the sweat from his forehead with his left hand.

Just as the Soul Fighting Arena predicted, White Demon—no, Ji Wuming—already has the strength to defeat opponents above his level. And that Soul Skill of his just now was extremely strange! I need to report this to the Bishop immediately.

However, Ji Wuming had already appeared before him. He swiftly unleashed his Second Soul Skill, driving his spear straight through the man's right hand just as he was about to raise his weapon to block. Before the man could use another Soul Skill—

Ji Wuming's second and third attacks arrived in rapid succession, each one faster than the last.

"Pfft—"

The spear tip pierced his throat. With a flick of his right hand, Ji Wuming sent the lifeless corpse flying. Looking at the seven corpses around him, he sighed.

"What a hassle. I have to waste my blood again!"

With that, Ji Wuming gripped the spear tip and lightly sliced it across himself. Crimson blood stained the tip and flowed down it. The seven corpses and the spilled blood turned into a bloody aura that surged into the Blood Thunder Battle Spear.

In an instant, the seven men and the wounded warhorses that had collapsed were reduced to nothing but dust. Only a few broken trees and traces of battle remained.

Under the cover of night, Ji Wuming quickly fled the area. Less than two days after he left, people from Tianxing City's Spirit Hall came to investigate. After a thorough search, they found no valuable clues and could only determine that the seven people who had been sent out were most likely dead.

When Ji Wuming passed through a large city, he found that running for long periods was too slow and hard on his feet. So, he bought a fine horse and headed north toward the Heaven Dou Empire.

Less than a month and a half later, a man leading a horse stood before the gates of Heaven Dou City.

"Riding a horse really is much faster than taking a carriage! I've finally reached Heaven Dou City."

He raised his head to look at the granite city walls before him, which stood dozens of meters high and seemed to pierce the clouds. Looking through the city gates, every house and building inside was extravagantly luxurious. Even the passersby wore silk and brocade, radiating an air of wealth and nobility.

Even the beggars begging along the streets were dressed as well as ordinary citizens from second- or third-tier cities. Erhus, violins, flutes, and other instruments were practically standard equipment for them. At a glance, they clearly did not look like professional beggars.

"Heaven Dou truly is imposing. I should find an inn first, rest up, and make plans afterward."

Ji Wuming entered a five-star hotel in the bustling district of East Street of Heaven Dou City.

"What? Ten Gold Soul Coins for one night!"

Ji Wuming had nearly two hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins on him, but he had grown up poor. After learning the price, he still decided not to stay. Sleeping in the wilderness or on the streets was no great inconvenience to him.

After asking around, he came to wait outside the Dugu Family residence in the northern part of the city, where the children of nobles lived in a noble residential district. This place was also a gathering spot for countless beggars.

Rows of beggars were practically lined up in a single column. Ji Wuming squatted among them without seeming out of place, instead blending right in with the beggars.

"They're here, brothers! The rich folks are coming! Start the music and crying routine!"

"Brother, you're new here, aren't you?"

An old beggar beside him, who was preparing to start crying, saw Ji Wuming sitting there unmoved and hurriedly reminded him.

"Huh?"

"Huh what? Didn't you hear that brother announce it just now? Some noble children are coming. Especially those innocent young ladies who haven't seen much of the world and have been raised in academies—they're the easiest to win sympathy from, and they're also the most generous."

"For our team, opportunities like this only come once or twice a month. Why aren't you getting a move on? The more you work, the more you earn."

Ji Wuming looked at the old beggar kindly explaining things to him and nodded slightly. Since when did beggars have gangs? And ones this professional, at that.

Sad music began to play, and countless beggars started weeping. Some claimed everyone in their family had starved to death, while others said their entire families had been killed by Fallen Soul Masters. In short, they made their stories as tragic as possible. Their cries could be heard from two or three streets away.

As the wealthy people began walking home and passed through the area, the crying became even more heart-wrenching. Even Ji Wuming lowered his head and barely squeezed out a few tears.

"They're all frauds. Let's hurry and leave."

"Many of them are familiar faces, and they often go in and out of major hotels, stuffing themselves with food and drink!"

However, just as the noble children quickened their pace and walked past, a silver-haired girl in the group looked pitifully toward Ji Wuming.

"Sister Yan, their lives aren't easy either. Even if many of them are scammers, if even one or two are telling the truth, we should still help them."

The silver-haired girl was none other than Ye Lingling. She took out the Gold Soul Coins she had saved from a month of academy life and was about to go over and give alms when the green-haired girl stopped her.

"Ling Ling, you're too innocent. Don't let these beggars in coarse, tattered clothes deceive you. Human nature is dangerous, and girls like us must be especially careful when we're out. I've seen scenes like this plenty of times. Watch carefully."

Dugu Yan walked toward the beggars, put her hands on her hips, and said angrily.

"Haven't you had enough lessons from my Grandfather? You still dare cry poverty near my home? Leave now, or I'll call my Grandfather over."

The beggars ignored her and continued crying. They knew Dugu Bo's schedule very well. He only returned two or three times a month, and the times he returned were more or less fixed. That was why they dared to cry poverty around the Dugu Family residence, on the outskirts of the noble district.

Even if Dugu Bo came, he would only drive them away and teach a few of them a lesson. He would not kill commoners like them. A few injuries in exchange for one or two Gold Soul Coins was well worth it.

"Fine! If you won't leave, then I'll have to use some special methods."

At that moment, Ji Wuming, who had his head lowered, heard the two girls speaking. So it was Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan. That made things much easier. Dugu Bo was difficult to find, and he could not seek him out directly, but he could find his granddaughter!

Since they had come and created such a perfect opportunity for him, he had to seize it. His mind raced, and a somewhat risky plan began to take shape.

I'll do it. Success or failure depends on this one move!

Ji Wuming gritted his teeth and forcibly shattered two of his secondary meridians, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

He clutched his chest, his face utterly pale and worn as he revealed an expression of pain. This immediately startled Dugu Yan, who had been about to drive the beggars away herself.

The beggars beside him stared at him in astonishment, unable to stop a trace of regret from rising in their hearts.

This newcomer is a true model for us all. Why didn't we think of coughing up blood? Now that's a real expert.