Chapter 473, Beggar

Translator: Silavin

 

Ten Corner Ancient City.

 

Inside and outside the city, an endless stream of people flowed, shoulder to shoulder, voices echoing in a deafening roar across the eight streets and nine alleys.

 

In the streets, there were peddlers calling everywhere, with colourful merchandise that dazzled the eyes.

 

Gongshu Zhiyi had never seen such a scene before, and immediately jumped off the carriage, squeezing into the crowd.

 

People who were pushed aside were initially annoyed, but upon seeing such a pure and elegant young lady, their anger dissipated, and they were even attracted to her light, graceful figure.

 

“This girl…” Qin Yichen shook his head, but did not stop her. However, his gaze remained fixed on her. If anything unexpected happened, he would be by her side in an instant.

 

Although Lu Xiaoguan did not get off the carriage, his eyes constantly scanned the surroundings, clearly curious about everything around him.

 

Though he might have been out before, he had definitely never visited such a prosperous city.

 

The various goods in the shops left him overwhelmed.

 

They entered the city in the morning, and it was not until nearly dusk that Gongshu Zhiyi, having had her fill of exploration, returned to the carriage.

 

By then, more than half the space in the carriage was filled with various trinkets she had purchased.

 

“That was so much fun…”

 

In fact, if Qin Yichen had not stopped her, she probably would not have returned.

 

Although she was in the carriage, her eyes remained fixed on the goods in each shop they passed, especially when they passed clothing stores, where her eyes lit up at once.

 

But the sky was already darkening, and they still had not found any accommodation. Qin Yichen certainly would not allow her to continue running about.

 

That evening, the four found a random tavern to stay in.

 

At night, Qin Yichen sat cross-legged on the bed, pondering over some matters. [How should I enter the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor?]

 

This was the problem he now faced. The Ten Corner Alchemy Manor was not a place just anyone could enter. Besides talent, one also needed to be recommended.

 

For instance, in his previous life, Qin Yichen was recommended by the Great Prosperity Grand Empire’s Alchemy Central.

 

As for Zhao Yaorou, she was able to enter the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor because the Zhao Family had a recommendation quota.

 

So now, Qin Yichen had to find someone to recommend him.

 

Of course, with his talent, finding someone to recommend him would not be too difficult, but this would mean he had to align himself with the recommender’s faction.

 

In the current situation, it would be quite difficult for Qin Yichen to find a recommender.

 

Although the Northern Depths Sect had chosen to avoid confrontation with him, he had also offended them. He could disregard the Northern Depths Sect, but others had to consider this point.

 

In other words, Qin Yichen did not have many options. Unless it was one of the other two Major Sects, no one would dare to recommend him.

 

And Qin Yichen clearly did not want to get involved with the other two Major Sects.

 

[Who should I find…] Qin Yichen was somewhat troubled and had no solution all night. The next day, as he walked out of his room, he heard some cursing from downstairs…

 

“Move away, you filthy beggar…”

 

“I just want to beg for some wine…”

 

Qin Yichen casually glanced down, and as his gaze fell upon the beggar-like person, he was momentarily stunned, then called out, “Wait! I’ll pay for his wine!”

 

“Uh…” The waiter looked up in confusion, staring at him in surprise.

 

“Get out of the way, you discriminating dog!” Taking advantage of this opportunity, the beggar pushed him aside, straightened his dishevelled clothes, and swaggered into the tavern.

 

The waiter wanted to say something, but when Qin Yichen placed a bag of silver coins in his hand, he immediately lowered his gaze and went to prepare wine and dishes.

 

As soon as the wine and food were served, the beggar began to eat heartily, drinking large gulps of wine. The wine dripped from the corners of his mouth, wetting his clothes, his behaviour quite crude.

 

Qin Yichen sat across from him, with a faint smile, neither speaking nor disturbing him.

 

“Thank you, Little Brother…”

 

The beggar bowed to Qin Yichen while eating, his words muffled.

 

From this, one could see that this beggar was somewhat different.

 

If it were an ordinary beggar, they would have been deeply grateful for such good fortune, but he did not show much gratitude.

 

Only after demolishing the fourth table of wine and dishes did the beggar belch, half-squinting his eyes in contentment, sitting there with his legs crossed, picking his teeth.

 

Qin Yichen maintained his previous posture, showing no displeasure at his actions. On the contrary, his smile deepened.

 

The reason, of course, was that he recognised this so-called ‘beggar’.

 

“*Tsk*, kid, you’re not bad.” Suddenly, the beggar smacked his lips and uttered a seemingly puzzling statement.

 

“Hehe, compared to you, Senior, I’m still far behind.” Qin Yichen replied with a chuckle.

 

The ‘beggar’ before him was no beggar; on the contrary, he had quite the background, He was famous, and held a position in the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor.

 

He was Tian Liang.

 

Everyone knew his story.

 

He was a wanderer, without any backing, who had made a name for himself in the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor through his own talent.

 

But about a dozen years ago, during an Alchemy Duel with a Master from the Eastern Overcast Sect, he shattered his opponent’s Knowledge Sea, and thus faced persecution from the Eastern Overcast Sect.

 

If the Master of the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor had not intervened at that time, he probably would not have survived.

 

Even so, his Knowledge Sea was damaged, and the Eastern Overcast Sect had announced… Anyone who approached him would be considered an enemy of the Eastern Overcast Sect!

 

Therefore, all his resources were stripped from him.

 

Moreover, his movements were restricted to only the Ten Corner Ancient City.

 

He knew very well that the Eastern Overcast Sect would not let him go; if he left the city, it would certainly be a dead end for him.

 

Without any resources or assistance, he could not recover from his Knowledge Sea’s injuries, which was why he now looked like a beggar.

 

So, that was why he had just said Qin Yichen was not bad.

 

Because no one dared to help him, yet Qin Yichen did.

 

Perhaps on the surface, everything seemed calm, but in reality, someone had already secretly reported to the Eastern Overcast Sect.

 

“Hmm?” Looking at the composed young man before him, Tian Liang paused slightly, narrowing his eyes.

 

Since Qin Yichen had spoken like that, it meant he had recognised him!

 

So, he was puzzled: [Why, after knowing my identity, is the young man still so calm? Doesn’t this young man fear the Eastern Overcast Sect?]

 

It was known that in the past, some of his friends had tried to help him secretly, but the result… was tragic, so tragic that Tian Liang later did not dare to accept help from any other friends.

 

He could not harm his friends because of himself.

 

“You…”

 

“I wonder if Senior Tian would recommend me to enter the Ten Corner Alchemy Manor?” As Tian Liang was about to speak, Qin Yichen spoke first, “As payment, I will heal Senior Tian’s injuries.”