(ψ｀▽′) The Night of the Divine Capital
"..."
"..."
"..."
The three of them walked on, one in front and two behind, covering another short stretch—perhaps a hundred meters or so?
They could just make out the garden's exit ahead, and the boundary marker for another ward. At last, one of the Heavenly Court soldiers couldn't hold back any longer. In a lower voice than before, and with a hint of admonition, he said:
"Actually..."
"You shouldn't have given them alms so casually."
"Especially not such..."
"Such a generous amount?"
Seeing Annie suddenly stop and look back at him in surprise, the soldier paused, then continued, forcing himself to explain kindly:
"Some beggars in the Divine Capital aren't truly destitute. They make a living this way, sometimes even deliberately putting on a pitiful act to win sympathy and get something for nothing."
"Some even deliberately bring sick children along with them..."
"Giving away such a large sum so easily, as you did, may encourage this kind of misconduct. It was unwise!"
"Worse, you might end up enabling certain crimes... You're a cultivator, so surely you understand that human nature is complicated. Things aren't always as simple as they seem."
"You might even..."
"Indirectly bring harm to innocent people?"
As he spoke, he estimated the weight of the pouch he'd seen earlier. It must have held at least dozens, perhaps even a hundred, spirit-stone beans—in other words, several taels of spirit stones at the very least. Yet they were enforcement soldiers with Foundation Establishment cultivation, and their monthly salary was a mere two taels.
That was no small sum!
It was almost equivalent to more than half a year of their wages. To them and to ordinary people alike, it was an unimaginable fortune.
"Eh?"
-
(゜-゜)
At that, Annie actually