The beggars scattered in retreat, though one, unwilling to give up, lunged forward to snatch the Coiling Dragon Gold Plaque. Just as he was about to seize it, Hu Xiaotian doubled back and flicked the plaque into the air with his toe. He reached out to catch it, only for a black, withered claw of a hand to dart through the air and seize it first.
Hu Xiaotian looked up and saw that the old beggar had appeared out of nowhere. His grease-covered left hand held the gold plaque, while his right still clutched the chicken drumstick he had not finished gnawing.
Seeing the plaque in his hands, Hu Xiaotian hurriedly reached out to snatch it back. This had been bestowed upon him by the emperor himself; the consequences of losing it would be unthinkable.
Just as he was about to grab the plaque, Hu Xiaotian secretly rejoiced. The old beggar's movements were too slow after all.
The old beggar yawned, his breath reeking of wine. "Here you go!"
Hu Xiaotian caught it squarely. What lay in his hand was hard and slippery-the chicken bone the old beggar had picked clean. Hu Xiaotian could hardly believe his eyes. He had clearly reached for the gold plaque, yet somehow ended up clutching a chicken bone. Astonished and disgusted in equal measure, he realized that this old beggar was a master who concealed his abilities well.
Just then, Zhu Dali let out a furious roar and charged straight at Hu Xiaotian. Nothing infuriated him more than people playing tricks on him. "You little bastard! Let's see which of us is the grandson!" His fist hurtled toward Hu Xiaotian's face. Hu Xiaotian flung the chicken bone at him and, unable to worry about the Coiling Dragon Gold Plaque any longer, took to his