A Tearjerker

By evening, the rain had stopped. The air carried the fresh scent of damp earth, soothing and invigorating.

"Wu Ge, you solo-killed a high-ranking Soul Elder. That already counts as exceeding the training mission requirements, so you should receive an extra reward when we return. So, have you decided what you want?"

Wu Qi shook his head. "Cultivation is for improving oneself, not for rewards."

"We've made no contributions to Spirit Hall. We've already received more than enough solely because of our elders' glory."

"Besides, this matter is hardly worth mentioning to me. There's no need to claim credit for it."

Listening to his humblebragging, Qian Gu Changkong couldn't help rolling his eyes.

If it were him, he definitely would not be so modest. What was the point of having strength if he didn't show it off?

If Wu Qi knew what he was thinking, he would surely have replied, "You kid haven't been beaten down by society yet."

What had Spirit Hall become on the inside?

Did he really think Bibi Dong wouldn't make a move if he flaunted himself everywhere?

For them right now, keeping a low profile and steadily building their strength was the best choice.

Before they possessed sufficient strength, showing up before Bibi Dong was practically asking for death.

After entering the inner city, the two of them were not subjected to any inspections.

Following the earlier high-intensity battle, they urgently needed to replenish their strength.

As they entered a restaurant, Qian Gu Changkong couldn't help asking, "By the way, where does the food here come from?"

Logically speaking, the environment within Death Grand Canyon was unsuitable for growing crops, and there were not many soul beasts either.

Yet the restaurant could provide plentiful meals and meat, which was worth pondering.

Wu Qi felt somewhat helpless. Qian Gu Changkong seemed particularly fond of conspiracy theories.

Wasn't the situation here obvious enough? Spirit Hall was definitely the one providing the food.

And wasn't Slaughter City, whose environment was even harsher than this place, still supplied with food and drink?

Spirit Hall provided food for such places precisely to maintain stability and prevent these criminals from harming the continent.

Before long, the waiter brought the dishes over.

They had barely taken a few bites when a bout of begging came from outside.

Turning around, they saw a mother leading a mute child, her eyes brimming with tears as she prayed for alms from passersby.

Qian Gu Changkong could not help feeling moved. "A mother raising a child alone in a place like this must have it hard. What are those people in the Hall doing? Could they have made a mistaken judgment?"

As he pondered, the other diners in the restaurant began discussing the matter.

What they mentioned most was that Spirit Hall had wrongly judged the mother and son, resulting in their exile here.

In order to survive while waiting for their case to be overturned, the mother could only bring her child out to beg.

Wu Qi tilted his head and carefully examined the mother.

She appeared completely flawless, no different from an ordinary beggar.

Yet the mute son behind her had panic and fear written in his eyes.

His instincts told him there was something wrong with the mother and son, but for the moment, he could not identify what it was.

Holding a bowl, the mother approached their table. Qian Gu Changkong directly poured a plate of meat into her bowl.

"Thank you, kind sirs."

As she spoke, the mother kowtowed to them.

Qian Gu Changkong helped her up, while Wu Qi remained unmoved.

A few minutes later, the mother and son departed. Qian Gu Changkong could not help asking, "What's wrong, Wu Ge? You seem distracted. Did you think of something?"

Wu Qi frowned. "Do you think a female beggar could live safely for so long? Besides, judging by what the other diners said, this mother and son have been begging here for quite some time."

Qian Gu Changkong did not understand. "Isn't that normal? There are female beggars in Spirit City too, aren't there? They enter the city to beg because of famine."

Wu Qi shook his head. "How can that be the same?"

Spirit City was, after all, a city with sound laws, and it was also home to Papal Hall. Ordinary people would not dare cause trouble in the city.

But what kind of place was this?

Within Death Grand Canyon, it was a paradise for evil.

If someone wanted to, he could rape a woman in the street and no one would interfere. Some might even applaud. But that was assuming he wasn't killed by the woman instead.

Furthermore, Spirit Hall's power had not yet completely fallen into the hands of the madwoman Bibi Dong. How could a wrongful conviction so easily happen to a mother and son?

If there had been no mistaken judgment, then they had to be pretending.

After eliminating every wrong possibility, whatever remained—no matter how absurd—was the truth.

Even after hearing his analysis, Qian Gu Changkong still did not believe him. He lowered his voice and said, "Forget it. Let's ask about the situation after we return."

After the meal, the two had just stepped out of the restaurant when the mother approached them on her own.

Qian Gu Changkong froze. "Still not full? Want me to order another portion for you to take back?"

The mother hurriedly said, "No, no, no. Benefactors, you must have just arrived here, right?"

"If you don't have a place to stay, I can recommend an inn for you."

"Please don't misunderstand. The innkeeper is a good man. He asked me to help bring in customers, and he'll reward my child and me with a meal."

"Benefactors, would that be alright?"

Qian Gu Changkong seemed convinced that the mother and son had been wronged. Since he could help them, he naturally did not hesitate to lend a hand.

The woman led the way ahead, taking them through several alleys until they arrived at a secluded area.

Not far from them stood the signboard of an inn.

Along the way, they had heard the sounds of fighting throughout the city. Yet on the route this woman had led them down, they had encountered almost no danger.

Just as they were about to reach the inn, Wu Qi suddenly stopped. "What a touching sob story. Too bad you gave yourself away."

The woman turned around, looking bewildered and flustered. "Benefactor, what are you talking about?"

"What's going on?" Even Qian Gu Changkong did not understand what he meant.

Wu Qi sneered. "In this paradise of sin, a mother traveling with a child wouldn't survive half a day."

"I'd wager plenty of people took a liking to you. Too bad those fools underestimated you. You've probably scattered even their ashes by now."

With the truth laid bare, the panic on the woman's face instantly vanished, replaced by a cold smile. "Since you're so clever, leave behind the Gold Badge, and I'll spare your lives."

Qian Gu Changkong's mouth fell open. Everything Wu Qi had said seemed to be true.

"Tell me, how did you figure it out?" Wu Qi asked instead.

The woman sneered. "Those exiled here can barely look after themselves. Who would have the spare thought to give charity to others?"

"Hehe, you two are so fearless. Other than being trial-takers, what other identity could you possibly have?"

Just as I thought, Wu Qi thought.

She had acted out a sob story to pick out targets from the crowd.

He had to admit, this woman had some brains.

If he had not remained vigilant, he would probably have fallen for it long ago.

Wu Qi spread his hands. "Too bad you guessed wrong."

"We were smuggled in. We came here to search for a certain medicinal herb, and we don't have the badge you mentioned."

"Obviously, you don't believe me. Looks like a fight is unavoidable."

Not admitting they were trial-takers was the bottom line. Who knew how many ears were listening in the dark?

Once they admitted it, wouldn't they have to face pursuit every day for the next twenty-nine days!?