Sure Enough, He Was Swindling Under False Pretenses

After Bibi Dong had drawn a clear line between them to his face, Yu Xiaogang had indeed sunk into despair for several days, drowning his sorrows in taverns day after day. Spirit City had always been more expensive than ordinary places, and with alcohol clouding his mind, Yu Xiaogang had not considered the consequences at all.

Before long, there were very few Gold Soul Coins left in Yu Xiaogang's pockets.

Even after Yu Xiaogang went to Spirit Hall to collect this month's Gold Soul Coins, they still would not last him more than a few days. He was immediately left in the embarrassing position of being short on money.

In the world of Soul Masters, some high-level Soul Masters could join the royal family or sects, or serve nobles, and receive payment in return. Low-level Soul Masters could likewise cover their expenses with Spirit Hall's stipends.

Someone like Yu Xiaogang was in an awkward position. He was not strong enough to become a retainer for a major power, yet Spirit Hall's stipend was not enough for him to spend freely.

Yu Xiaogang had originally wanted to sell the Storage Soul Tool he had painstakingly acquired for some money, but when he considered how precious it was, he could not bear to part with it.

Left with no choice, he began entertaining crooked ideas.

At first, he merely made vague mentions before low-level Soul Masters in Spirit City who did not know the situation, implying that he had deep ties to Spirit Hall in order to swindle meals and drinks. Seeing that no one exposed him, Yu Xiaogang gradually grew bolder and began moving about under the identity of an old acquaintance of Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden.

When those uninformed low-level Soul Masters and ordinary people heard the name of Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden, all of them showed deep respect. For a time, Yu Xiaogang actually flourished in Spirit City, and some people even began respectfully calling him "Master."

Inside a teahouse in Spirit City, Yu Xiaogang sat upright and proper, surrounded by seven or eight young Soul Masters who had come seeking his reputation.

He took a light sip of tea and spoke with a calm expression. "When the Holy Maiden and I first met, I once raised a point of view—martial soul quality is not the sole factor determining a Soul Master's achievements. The Holy Maiden greatly appreciated my insight and even specially kept me there as a guest for several months."

"Mr. Yu's views were praised even by the Holy Maiden? That truly is remarkable!"

"Mr. Yu's martial soul theories are unique. No wonder even Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden sought your advice."

The young Soul Masters around him continuously heaped praise upon Yu Xiaogang. Several young women among them even had stars in their eyes, their faces filled with admiration.

Amid the crowd, someone suddenly spoke up.

"Master, then you and Her Holiness the Holy Maiden must be quite close, right? I heard that Her Holiness is breathtakingly beautiful, a peerless beauty. Did Mr. Yu truly feel nothing for her?"

As soon as those words fell, Yu Xiaogang's expression changed slightly.

Praise me if you want, but why pour salt into my wounds?

Yu Xiaogang barely maintained the smile on his face and said in a low voice, "The Holy Maiden is indeed a peerless beauty, but she is not the type of woman I admire."

The eyes of several young women beside him brightened slightly. Just as they were about to ask more, the teahouse doors were suddenly pushed open from outside.

Three figures entered one after another. Leading them was a middle-aged man dressed in the black robes of a Spirit Hall deacon, with Spirit Hall's emblem embroidered on his chest and a standard-issue token hanging at his waist. The two behind him held positions one rank lower than the middle-aged man, but they were also dressed in Spirit Hall attire.

The deacon's gaze eventually settled on Yu Xiaogang in the center, and a meaningful curve slowly formed at the corners of his mouth.

"Yu Xiaogang, you have some nerve! You dare impersonate an old acquaintance of the Holy Maiden and spread rumors!"

Yu Xiaogang's face abruptly turned pale.

Noticing the changes in the looks around him, Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath and forced himself to remain composed. "When did I ever impersonate an old acquaintance of the Holy Maiden? If you do not believe me, go ask your Holy Maiden and see whether she knows me!"

At those words, the deacon immediately sneered. "Even now, you still dare to deny it!"

As he spoke, the deacon directly pulled out an official Spirit Hall document from his robes and slapped it onto the table before Yu Xiaogang.

"Half a month ago, the Holy Maiden personally issued an order requiring every branch of Spirit Hall to keep a close watch for a Soul Master who was swindling people under the Holy Maiden's name, especially within Spirit City. The order states it clearly—this man has no connection with Her Holiness the Holy Maiden. Anyone acting under the Holy Maiden's name is a fraud swindling people under false pretenses!"

The teahouse instantly fell silent.

The young Soul Masters who had just been full of admiration were now all looking at Yu Xiaogang with disbelief.

Especially the young women whose innocent feelings had already been deceived; they were even more bewildered.

Feeling the gazes cast upon him, Yu Xiaogang's face instantly flushed red.

But what Yu Xiaogang cared about even more was this document.

It bore Spirit Hall's exclusive mark and could not be forged.

In other words, this document really was an order issued by Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong... how could you be so heartless!?

I never ruined your reputation outside. I merely used the fact that we had met and come to know each other to obtain a little money. Yet you want to drive me to the wall!?

Yu Xiaogang's eyes were bloodshot as he panted heavily. In a hoarse voice, he said, "I did not deceive anyone. Everything I said truly happened. Even Spirit Hall cannot be so overbearing!"

"Everything truly happened?"

The Spirit Hall deacon looked disdainful. "You are merely a Two-Ring Soul Grandmaster. With strength like yours, you claim to know Her Holiness the Holy Maiden? Who would believe that? You can only fool these inexperienced youngsters."

One of the young female Soul Masters trembled all over. Not long ago, she had spent five Gold Soul Coins to ask this "Mr. Yu" to appraise her martial soul and formulate a cultivation path and suitable soul beasts for her.

Thinking about it now... this man was clearly a fraud!

"You liar! Give me back my money!"

"Liar, get out of Spirit City!"

"You dare misuse the Holy Maiden's name to do such things! Yu Xiaogang, get out of Spirit City!"

The people who had just been lavishly praising Yu Xiaogang instantly turned against him and began shouting in unison.

Seeing this, the Spirit Hall deacon curled his lips and chuckled. "According to Spirit Hall's rules, you will be expelled from Spirit City and forbidden from ever setting foot here again. Will you leave on your own, or should I drive you out?"

As he spoke, the Spirit Hall deacon moved as if to seize Yu Xiaogang by the collar.

"Do not touch me! I will leave myself!"

Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath and rose to his feet with an ugly expression.

At that moment, the young woman who had been swindled out of five Gold Soul Coins directly hurled the teacup in her hand at Yu Xiaogang.

Tea instantly splashed all over Yu Xiaogang, and tea leaves clung to his clothes.

Yu Xiaogang, who had just been putting on the airs of a "Master," now looked utterly pathetic.