pertwk Chapter 56 I am Chen Yuan
Chapter 56 I am Chen Yuan
He was dressed in coarse linen clothes, not in a wealthy manner.
But he was born with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and had a handsome appearance.
What's most striking are his eyes, which are incredibly bright.
The young man smiled and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the two beggars.
"You two must be masters of the Beggars' Sect."
The elderly beggar picked his teeth while holding a chicken leg bone.
"Hey kid, what's up?"
The younger one crushed the beef scraps he spat out onto the ground, glanced at Chen Yuan, snorted, and said nothing.
Inside and outside the counter, the shopkeeper and the waiter exchanged a quick glance.
They both saw the same fear on each other's faces—they really mustn't disturb these two "plague gods" and cause a scene in the shop...
Chen Yuan walked to the table, sat down, and wore a perfectly polite and humble smile.
"After listening to your stories of strange and wonderful tales from the martial arts world, I am filled with longing."
"My name is Chen Yuan. I wonder if I could have the honor of accompanying you two to broaden your horizons?"
His respectful attitude pleased both beggars.
The older beggar was still picking his teeth, and glanced at him with his eyelids raised.
"Kid, you want to join the Beggars' Sect?"
The young beggar was chewing his meat nonchalantly when he heard the name "Chen Yuan," and his movements suddenly froze.
His face drained of color at a visible speed, turning deathly pale, and even his lips trembled.
"Chen...Chen Yuan?"
Chen Yuan nodded slightly and smiled.
"It is I."
He even kindly offered a reminder.
"It's the demon Chen Yuan you just mentioned."
"With your appearance, it's a real shame you joined my Beggars' Sect..."
The older beggar continued talking, only realizing the implication halfway through his sentence.
His movements froze in mid-air, his neck stiffening as he turned to his young companion, meeting his eyes filled with extreme fear.
"You...you...you're Chen Yuan?!"
The elderly beggar jumped up as if his backside was on fire, causing the bench to tip over with a thud.
The fat on his face twitched uncontrollably, and all his previous arrogance vanished, replaced by horror.
"otherwise?"
Chen Yuan countered with a question, his tone remaining calm.
"Having overheard your eloquent discussion, I'd like to join this 'meeting' as well."
"I wonder if I, Mr. Chen, would have the honor of joining in the fun?"
"Also, the three of us haven't paid for our food here yet. Could you please settle our bill as well?"
The older beggar and the younger beggar looked at each other again, and both saw the same despair in each other's eyes.
The elderly beggar's Adam's apple bobbed violently a few times, forcing out a smile that looked more like a grimace.
"Of course...it's certainly possible...It's such a great honor for us that Master Chen would do us the honor..."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and smiled.
"I suppose you two have had your fill of food and drink?"
"Why don't we settle the bill first and then set off as soon as possible?"
"Of course, of course..."
The older beggar readily agreed, but secretly kicked the younger beggar under the table, giving him a frantic look.
The young beggar shuddered from the kick, his face contorted with grief, and his voice trembled with tears.
"Mr. Chen...Mr. Chen, please understand...we...we left in a hurry today, and...we really didn't bring any money with us..."
"Um?!"
Chen Yuan imitated the old beggar, also exhaling through his nostrils.
It was a strange feeling, a sense of being in control of everything.
"Eating out without money? What kind of world is that?"
These words seemed to weigh a ton, causing the two beggars' knees to buckle and they almost collapsed to their knees.
At the counter, the shopkeeper and the waiter were already stunned, their mouths agape, not daring to breathe.
Who exactly is this handsome young man?
Cold sweat beaded on the forehead of the elderly beggar as he hurriedly offered his explanation.
"Master Chen, please calm down! I'm used to being generous with my money and buying on credit, but today I really... forgot about that..."
"This is absolutely outrageous!"
Chen Yuan slammed his hand on the table.
With a muffled "bang," not very loud, the bowls and plates on the table all jumped.
The two beggars were like startled birds; they trembled all over, their hearts pounding in their throats.
Chen Yuan ignored them and turned to look at the Fire-Worker Monk.
"Old Huo! Come here for a second!"
The Fire-Worker Monk walked over with a puzzled look on his face. He didn't understand what Chen Yuan was up to.
Chen Yuan pointed to the two beggars whose faces were ashen.
"These two guys don't bring any money when they eat out, is that right?"
"Of course not."
Without thinking, the Fire-Worker Monk blurted out in a gruff voice.
"Paying for a meal is a matter of course!"
Upon hearing this, the last trace of color vanished from the faces of the two beggars, and their bodies trembled like leaves.
"How about this..."
Chen Yuan turned his head and his gaze fell on the face of the elderly beggar.
"Where is your base of operations?"
The older beggar said, trembling.
"The dilapidated Dragon King Temple, five miles west of the town..."
"very good."
"Do you have money?"
This is what Chen Yuan cares about most.
"...I...I have a little bit of hard-earned money..."
The older beggar dared not hide it.
"very good!"
Chen Yuan gave a thumbs up.
"Does anyone know where the money is hidden?"
The young beggar immediately lowered his head, focusing his attention on his nose and even holding his breath.
The elderly beggar cursed inwardly, but could only raise his hand tremblingly, like a child being called on by the teacher in class.
"I...I know..."
"Come!"
Chen Yuan pulled over the Fireworker Monk.
"Old Huo, you go with this guy to that run-down temple, get all the money back to settle the bill, and then we'll set off again, understand?"
After he finished speaking, he turned his gaze back to the old beggar.
"Could you please cooperate?"
The Fire-Worker Monk responded in a muffled voice, and with his large, fan-like hand, he grabbed the older beggar by the back of his collar.
"lead the way."
The older beggar had no intention of resisting at this moment, and like a chick being lifted by the neck, he kept saying.
"Yes, yes... Don't worry, Master Chen, I will definitely cooperate, I will definitely cooperate!"
Watching the two figures disappear into the night outside the door, Chen Yuan turned to the remaining young beggar, whose face was ashen, and spoke in a tone that could even be described as gentle.
"Don't be afraid, I won't kill anyone. Just sit and wait."
"Waiter—"
The waiter jumped in fright and almost rolled over.
His attitude towards this young master just now wasn't exactly friendly.
"Bring another pot of hot tea and some clean snacks."
Chen Yuan said with a kind expression.
"We'll settle the bill together when the money arrives."
He then turned to look at Zhang Wuji.
"Aren't you coming over? Someone's already paid the bill."
Zhang Wuji: "..."
Now he understood somewhat; so that's what they were waiting for...
The young beggar lowered his head and dared not speak, while the waiter responded repeatedly and went to do so.
The atmosphere inside the store became eerily quiet.
Before long, all the customers in the shop had left, leaving only Chen Yuan, Zhang Wuji, and the young beggar.
After an unknown amount of time, the Fire-Worker Monk pushed open the door and entered, carrying a bundle in his hand.
Chen Yuan glanced behind him, his expression puzzled.
"Where is that old beggar?"
The Fire-Worker Monk uttered two words in a deep, muffled voice.
"He's dead."