Chapter 9, Encountering a Beggar Upon Leaving

"Sir..." At this moment, these two filthy beggars had approached him, extending their pitch-black hands. They wore clothes that resembled tattered sacks, covered in thick black grease. Their lips had turned pale and cracked due to the early autumn morning breeze, and their eyes appeared murky and sluggish, with skin that was rough and chapped all over. Qinghong involuntarily glanced at their feet; they were actually barefoot. In this era, barefoot beggars were as rare as smallpox, having virtually disappeared.

Uncle He, what madness are you up to again

Looking at their expressions, Qinghong felt a heavy sadness in his heart. He understood the pain of a destroyed homeland and had seen the tragic state of Beimo City in the news. During such times, he would deeply miss the years when his father was alive. Back then, there were hardly any beggars in Qianxiu City; Qing Yonghao's mech battalion instilled fear in the Golden Alliance and the Super Beasts, preventing them from daring to look north towards Qianxiu Mountain. Now, his father was missing, and Qianxiu City had lost its former happiness. At that time, there were hardly any beggars in Qianxiu City; Qing Yonghao's mech battalion instilled fear in the Golden Alliance and the Super Beasts, preventing them from daring to look north towards Qianxiu Mountain. Now, his father was missing, and Qianxiu City had lost its former happiness. Yet now, he could not even spare a few coins for two beggars, feeling truly ashamed as a son. He took out his wallet, took a deep breath, and pulled out the only remaining fifty yuan note inside. This was the money for meals for him and his sister for the week; he had also planned to buy some good food to celebrate his obtaining the license with his sister.

Talent, I see the talent I urgently need! Right in Qianxiu City! He Bian grabbed his coat and dashed out the door like the wind

"I’m sorry, I... I only have this one fifty yuan note, you... I..." Qinghong's face flushed red. He wanted to give the money to these two beggars, but he did not want his sister and himself to go hungry.

His drowsiness vanished in an instant, and his spirit entered a state of excitement. He picked up the phone on the table and dialed the extension at headquarters, "Captain, do we have a branch in Qianxiu City?"

At that moment, a crimson silhouette of a car rushed out from the corner of the street, hurtling towards the tall beggar like a shooting star. The tall beggar, taken by surprise by such an unexpected event, stood there with his mouth agape in shock

"You little bastard!" Qing Hong cursed vehemently, his anger reaching a boiling point. He had heard of such callous disregard for human life before, but he never expected to witness it firsthand today. To deliberately run over a beggar, how could such scum still exist in this world

"Why hasn't the transformed dragon died yet?" A surge of beast-like anger welled up in Qinghong's heart. Ever since the disappearance of the spiritual consciousness aberration, he had been particularly indulgent in this feeling of rising anger, as he had truly suppressed it for far too long.

However, in this dire situation, which mech team can be fully staffed? He Bian Gu felt a surge of emotions at that moment. His Bear Roar Mech Team suffered heavy losses while completing an SS-level elite mission; several gunners on the front line were either dead or injured. What pained him the most was the loss of a senior tactical advisor. He possessed the title of God of Close-Quarters Control, yet he lost his strategist, as if a war god had lost his head, awaiting only bitter defeat on the battlefield. Several gunners on the front line were either dead or injured. What pained him the most was the loss of a senior tactical advisor. He possessed the title of God of Close-Quarters Control, yet he lost his strategist, as if a war god had lost his head, awaiting only bitter defeat on the battlefield.

"Not good!" Qinghong dashed onto the street, swiftly embracing the tall beggar and colliding with the bookshop, both of them rolling onto the roadside. A crimson vehicle brushed past Qinghong's back, followed by the sharp screech of brakes echoing through the street. This was a bright red sports car powered by an arcane battery, the most renowned car brand in the North—Benghu IV. The car door lifted like a swan's wings, and out emerged a wealthy young man with hair dyed in a tri-color of gold, green, and red.

"My lord, we... we are not safe, you... you must not put yourself in danger!" said the tall beggar in a panic.

"Team leader, don't worry about these matters, quickly tell me if Qianxiu City has a branch." He Bian Gu asked anxiously.

Begging is not a unique phenomenon to Qianxiu City. Settlements around the fifty cities of the northern region frequently experience counterattacks from super beasts. Occasionally, entire cities may be destroyed. Just three years ago, the city of Beimo, adjacent to Qianxiu City, experienced a super rat uprising. Hundreds of thousands of super rats swept through half the city, leaving tens of thousands of families devastated. Even now, there are still homeless individuals being evacuated to other cities through public magical portals. Qianxiu City has also taken in a portion of the refugees, resulting in an increase in the number of beggars on the streets compared to usual. Even now, there are still homeless individuals being evacuated to other cities through public magical portals. Qianxiu City has also taken in a portion of the refugees, resulting in an increase in the number of beggars on the streets compared to usual

"Oh, you know my name?" Xiang Hualong said with a sideways glance, "That makes it even more convenient. Remember it, and next time, don't meddle in my business like a dog chasing a rat. I can crash into as many beggars as I want; who the hell cares? Are you an idiot or what?" After saying this, he shot a fierce glare at the tall and short beggar, let out a cold laugh, and turned to get into the car, instantly accelerating away.

Without further thought, come in with me quickly. Qinghong supported the tall beggar's body, grasped the small beggar's arm, and escorted them both into the Qing residence.

"Give me all the money." Qinghong said softly as she approached them.

There is a youth team training there, the voice on the phone said

"Damn it, what bad luck. I wanted to bump into a beggar to change my fortune, but I ended up hitting a foolish idiot." The wealthy young man placed his hands on the roof of the car and arrogantly shouted, "Listen here, kid, the next time you see my car hit someone, you better get as far away as you can, do you understand? Damn it, next time I’ll crush you along with it, do you believe that?"

The beggars, both large and small, simultaneously raised their heads, their eyes revealing expressions of astonishment and despair. Could it be that he intends to take away the last two coins?

Gazing at the crimson racing car stirring up a cloud of dust, Qing Hong's originally sunny disposition was suddenly suppressed to the extreme. Xiang Hualong might be waiting in some unknown corner at the end of the road, ready to run over another beggar crossing the street, in a so-called attempt to change his fortune. Alternatively, he could be waiting not far away for this pair of beggars to walk to their demise. In the Age of Emblems, refugees who lost their citizenship due to misfortune faced severe discrimination in various cities, as people believed that beggars would impose an additional burden on the city. Many repugnant wealthy youths even regarded trampling on beggars as a good omen for changing their fortunes, more thrilling than racing cars in bustling streets.

Qing Hong struggled to get up from the ground, her back burning with pain

In the headquarters of the Qinglan Peak Mercenary Corps, He Bian Gu was idly flipping through pages on the computer, looking at the news about the regional battles for newcomers in the Federal Mecha Competition. As one of the three elite members known as the Phoenix, Tiger, and Bear of the Qinglan Peak Mercenary Corps, the Northern Bear, if his team were fully staffed, could definitely secure a place among the top ten in the Big Dipper Star Region. If they performed exceptionally well, contending for the top three to five would not be a dream.

"Please... we haven't eaten in a long time," said the taller beggar in a hoarse voice. The shorter beggar glared at him with wide eyes, looking fierce, as if he had already guessed that he would not show them any pity, thus appearing quite angry.

Sister!" the little beggar cried out in terror

On the morning of the second day, Qinghong, upon waking, still faintly felt the remnants of excitement within him. He had obtained his mecha license, acquired his first magic circle diagram, and also had his first emblem design. Now, all that remained was to find a classmate from the printing department to help him create an emblem.

The tall beggar instructed the short beggar to stand close to Qinghong, while he himself crossed the street to change some coins. As soon as he entered the store, Qinghong began to worry; if the convenience store clerk was someone with a sense of superiority, he might very well be driven out. Just as he was contemplating going in to take a look, the tall beggar emerged with the change, smiling as he waved at him, ready to cross the street.

The tall beggar seemed to have discerned Qinghong's thoughts. He pointed to the convenience store by the roadside and said, "I will go to the convenience store to exchange for some change. We only need 2 yuan to buy some hot food, please."

Um. Qing Hong, feeling a sense of relief, handed the money to him

A soft yawn was heard over the phone, followed by a slightly hoarse yet magnetic voice that carried a hint of firmness: "Uncle He, I have told you many times already, you must not stay up late!"

Finding a tactical expert is quite difficult... Nowadays, young people only love to show off in mecha charges, indulging in fleeting thrills, and the star mecha pilots on the arena are all operational fools. He Bian Gu rubbed his sleepy eyes and opened the highlights and live broadcast of the Qianxiu City regional competition.

"Sister, woo—" The little beggar clung to the waist of the tall beggar, crying softly. The tall beggar held the little beggar's head, pressing her lips against his hair, gently shushing him, softly urging him to stop crying. Her gaze was murky and sorrowful, imbued with a sense of numbness and despair that suggested a fatalistic acceptance of life, as if the future was so bleak that there was no need to harbor any hopes.

Qing Hong swiftly took all the money from their hands and tucked it into her bosom, supporting the little beggar's shoulder: "This road is not safe; you should not wander outside. Stay at my home tonight, and I will provide you with a good meal and a chance to wash up properly. After a while, when the road is safe again, we can discuss what to do next."

"So there is a portal now, I am heading to Qianxiu City right away!" He Bian Gu exclaimed excitedly

My life has finally seen the light! Qinghong looked at the newly risen sun in the morning, feeling an unprecedented vitality and energy, filled with aspirations for life. At that moment, he suddenly saw two beggars, dirty all over, walking together near the driveway in front of the Qing residence.

Sister, just listen to him, I beg you, I... I can't take it anymore, sob—" The little beggar's cries grew increasingly desolate.