The Beggar’s Staff of Lao Ba Chapter 27.2

 

Chapter 27

Part 2

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Lian Wushang was now utterly flustered. He’d only meant it as a joke, never expecting this foolish drought demon to take it seriously. If he failed to become the wealthiest man under heaven, if he couldn’t found a sect, if he broke his vow—even if he were a pillar of heaven or a towering tree, the Heavenly Dao would not spare him.

 

He’d taken the joke too far! Lian Wushang could have kicked himself!

 

But it was too late for regrets now. Seeing the drought demon’s earnest expression, Lian Wushang smiled. Very well. Let him see just how far this creature would go for his vow.

 

Clutching a tael of silver, Lian Wushang first led Wen Heng to a tailor shop. His own clothes were conjured from spiritual energy. He could easily conjure several fine outfits for Wen Heng, but he chose not to do so now.

 

“Since we’re fortune-telling, we need outfits that can intimidate people.” Lian Wushang immediately spotted a black robe. One tael of silver bought outfits and shoes for Wen Heng and Gouzi, leaving a few copper coins to spare.

 

Wen Heng blushed the entire time. This was the first time anyone had ever bought him clothes! Wait—why did he feel like he had no memories of his past life?

 

Carrying his new clothes, Wen Heng followed Lian Wushang until they reached a bathhouse bearing a large sign reading ‘Bath’. Wen Heng blinked, and Lian Wushang blinked back: Don’t look at me like that. You’re filthy. No one would believe you if you tried fortune-telling, let alone anything else.”

 

That morning, the bathhouse welcomed its first customer. Wen Heng scrubbed himself three times before climbing out of the tub. By the time he left, the water had turned black. The bathhouse owner cursed his luck, wishing he’d never taken this customer.

 

Lian Wushang stood guard at the bathhouse entrance. Hearing movement behind him, he turned to look.

 

Wet-haired Wen Heng leaned on a black beggar’s staff, clad in black robes and black shoes. Tall and lanky, he carried an air of ethereal grace despite his frail frame. Wen Heng tugged uncomfortably at his clothes. “Does… something look… off?”

 

Lian Wushang smiled, narrowing his eyes. “It’s fine. It looks good. Very good.” He truly resembled a charlatan now. And clothes make the man—dressed like this, Wen Heng wasn’t so bad after all. His features were actually quite handsome; if not for his extreme thinness, his face would have carried an air of noble distinction.

 

Lian Wushang was particularly curious about what Wen Heng had done before becoming a drought demon. But now, more pressing matters demanded attention. They needed to earn money to secure identity documents.

 

Lian Wushang had never considered using those two silver coins to help Wen Heng and Er Gou obtain official papers. He believed his money served a greater purpose. If they had documents, Wen Heng and his companions would settle contentedly in Qingcheng Town as beggars.

 

But now, he was steering Wen Heng down a different path.

 

“Come on, Wandering Sage of a Thousand Schemes. Let’s go tell fortunes for our guests.” Lian Wushang chuckled, having even given Wen Heng a moniker. It actually sounded quite fitting.

 

“Let’s go.” Wen Heng leaned on his begging staff. “We need to redeem that hairpin soon. That name you just gave me, Qianji Wandering Sage, sounds pretty cool. It makes me sound like a big shot. I’ll use that from now on.”

 

Lian Wushang raised an eyebrow. He’d just made up the name on the spot, and Wen Heng was actually going to use it. “Fine. Let’s head over to the gambling house. Maybe you’ll get some good business soon.”

 

‘Qianji Wandering Sage’ Wen Heng: “Alrighty, I’ll take your word for it!”

 

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