Chapter 001: The Appearance of the Otherworldly

The clear water in the bowl is transparent and carries a hint of sweetness

When encountering such individuals, common people have no qualification to approach them; it is best to keep as far away as possible to avoid getting entangled in any unfortunate disputes.

Especially other unrelated beggars, from time to time, take advantage of the crowd to bully themselves. Being chased around to change places for begging is just a minor issue; there have been several occasions where they were almost beaten to death by someone associated with a certain beggar

Lu Sen's fist has begun to ooze blood

Approaching actively, the beggar offered a bowl of water to the young gentleman before him, shamelessly declaring a desire to become his servant. This was the greatest courage the beggar could muster in his lifetime

Lu Sen looked up and down at this person, and indeed he was both tall and dark, making it seem quite reasonable to call him the Black Pillar

He paused for a moment, and bright light burst forth from his eyes. He turned his head and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, then trotted over happily, responding, "My lord, what would you like to ask?"

He hid nearby and watched for nearly two hours, discovering that this young man was merely sitting still in one place, lost in thought.

He pondered for a moment and then bent down respectfully to say, "Indeed, there is such a place, my lord. I shall take you there right away."

The only opportunity to get close to influential figures and engage in meaningful conversation

He suddenly had an idea: if he approached at this moment and sought a task as a runner, would he not be able to secure a place to stand?

At a glance, she is clearly a young lady from a pleasure boat, taking advantage of the leisurely moment at noon to come out and purchase cosmetics

But just at that moment, the entire tree suddenly split apart, transforming into fragments of light.

At the same time, he murmured to himself with a bewildered expression

Tenth

The other party was dressed in a tattered, old, yellow and black short outfit, frayed and covered with a dense array of patches, the legacy of countless generations.

There is a sweet well in this courtyard

Falling to the ground, it emitted a sound reminiscent of a rhythmic thumping.

Lu Sen came back to his senses from his contemplation and looked at the beggar, who appeared to be quite anxious, and gently asked, "What is your name?"

But he did not speak; when a gentleman acts, there must be a reason behind it

Such a person cannot be raised by a family of poverty

Those who dare to tattoo a human skull on their clothing are either ruthless individuals or extraordinary beings

Thank you for your water

Finally, it transformed into about fifty light yellow squares, all of which fell down.

The short sleeves and shorts that appear similar to those worn by local residents are fundamentally different in essence

Thus, the Black Pillar continued to lead the way ahead.

Heihou still remembers that about an hour ago, he ate a spoiled black steamed bun, and now his stomach is three parts full, sitting here enjoying the shade

It is not difficult to give someone a name, but once a surname is chosen and a given name is provided, it implies that this person will henceforth be associated with oneself.

"But this is just a nickname." Lu Sen sat on a stone stump by the dirt path, with the slanting shade of trees covering him. His porcelain-white face stood out particularly in the dim light, drawing attention with its striking appearance. There were no blemishes on his skin, so perfect that it seemed to carry an otherworldly quality: "You should have a proper name."

It seems that one is afraid of hunger, afraid of poverty, and afraid of being bullied

It is even evident that this young gentleman is clearly very thirsty, yet he shows no intention of getting up to find something to drink

He walked up to the nearest tree, looked up and examined it for a moment, then raised his right hand into a fist and gently tapped the trunk.

The two individuals staying here are quite conspicuous, as every passerby in the vicinity cannot help but notice them, often glancing over a couple of extra times, only to immediately avert their gaze with a startled expression and hurriedly depart.

This wall is very long, seemingly endless, and appears somewhat dilapidated. Within the wall, there is the sound of birds and the fragrance of flowers, as well as many tall trees.

Lu Sen walked into the courtyard through the gap

The black pillar led the way ahead, turning at four corners, the number of pedestrians on the road dwindled, and the streets became narrower, eventually narrowing to the point where only one person could pass through

left with a bruised and swollen face

Although the white porcelain bowl is broken, it is still very clean

Moreover, his attire is truly too eccentric

Absolutely extraordinary origins

Indeed, what kind of servants do great figures not desire? With just a handful of silver, one can easily purchase ten or eight young girls to serve in their household. How could they possibly take notice of a beggar like me

There are only scattered wooden blocks on the ground

The true transformation of a living being

Who dares to look around indiscriminately

Although Hei Zhu has never received an education and has been wandering and begging since childhood, he is well aware that once he becomes a servant, he should refer to his young, unmarried master as "Lang Jun".

A pure white silk short shirt, as white as if made of snow. On the front, there is a large embroidered skull, in a black and white Q version, which is very cute

Exit the alley and walk onto the street

Later, Hei Zhu discovered that this suddenly appeared young gentleman looked quite bewildered, occasionally revealing a helpless wry smile, as if he were very troubled.

My dear sir, you are too polite; it is something I cannot bear.

The black pillar is extremely despondent

The black pillar trembled with excitement beside.

This is probably a spell used by a mage or an outsider

I see!

Thank you for your trouble, "Lu Sen said with a smile

The beggar quietly waited by the side, not daring to breathe. He understood that whether he could escape the identity of a beggar, whether he could no longer be homeless, depended entirely on whether this young master before him was willing to take him in

To survive in this bustling city of Bianjing, or rather to survive in this world, is quite difficult for an individual

Lu Sen continued to strike the trunk, each blow heavier than the last

Lu Sen smiled and continued to strike the trees with the same force

You have not followed the wrong person

Soon it will cover the entire tree

He then discovered that this suddenly appearing person, although dressed strangely and even having short hair, was indeed very handsome, refined and scholarly like a well-read individual. Most importantly, there was a shadow beneath this person's feet, which indicated that the other party was not a ghost

As a native beggar of Bianjing, Heizhu has been begging around the city for over ten years and has encountered many prominent figures

As he walked along, the pedestrians on the street curiously scrutinized Lu Sen, only to then avert their gaze with a hint of fear

These white stripes gradually recede and disappear after a few seconds

But just at that moment, he suddenly heard the young master in front say: "Heizhu, where are you going? Come here, I have some questions to ask you"

However, this time is different; almost everyone instinctively takes two steps back whenever I pass by.

It is not a ghost ... yet it can transform living beings, this is either a master who has achieved mastery in cultivation or an extraordinary person

The reason is simple; Lu Sen's attire is too peculiar

From time to time, there are women holding white paper umbrellas, dressed in a manner that is extremely eye-catching, with alluring gazes and charming movements, parading through the streets

However, from the perspective of the people around, the feeling was not the same; it was only one of shock

Each time he would lie in the corner of the alley for two or three days before being able to get up, and fortunately, he has a strong constitution

Then it was politely declined

A broken white porcelain bowl, with half of it shattered, was tilted and placed in front of Lu Sen

Then, there were young men with a strong temper, or men who appeared to be from the martial world, carrying weapons and showing signs of hardship, swallowing their saliva as they walked into the shop

"I am not worthy of such praise, young master, I am not worthy." The beggar chuckled foolishly, took the porcelain bowl with both hands, then slowly stepped back two paces while slightly hunched over, and cautiously asked, "Young master, do you still need a runner?"

A white crack appeared at the struck location, resembling a spider web, measuring approximately the size of a washbasin.

Lu Sen was somewhat hesitant

When the force became strong enough for Lu Sen to start frowning, an anomaly appeared at the trunk.

If this tremendous opportunity is not seized soon, it is likely that there will never be another one in the future

The black pillar was far away, and I could only vaguely hear some nonsensical phrases like 'mud truck', 'struck by lightning', 'how did it penetrate', and 'golden finger'.

Moreover, even if this young gentleman is without wealth or possessions, the fact that he can appear out of thin air clearly indicates that he is a person of great ability. Aligning oneself with him is undoubtedly far superior to begging alone on the street.

At this moment, the beggar noticed that Lu Sen was lost in thought and remained silent, which made him feel anxious

And those wealthy families themselves have hired thugs and guards. With his unkempt appearance, he hasn't even approached someone else's door before being beaten away by the gatekeeper and guards.

The beggar slightly lowered his head and spoke with a tone of reverence: "It is appropriate, but as a person of my lowly status, I am not really qualified to run errands for you, young master."

With thin arms and legs, a dark and emaciated appearance, and seemingly unhealthy earthy yellow in the eyes, the overall impression is that of someone suffering from long-term malnutrition syndrome

Indeed, my own lord is a person of great capability

Without any warning, the person just stood there

Green tiles and white walls, with red pavilions and flying eaves.

With both hands holding a broken porcelain bowl, the black pillar turned around and was about to leave.

However, these are still within the realm of ordinary people.

Those just awakened young ladies, with sleepy eyes and yawning, rested their white jade arms on the red railing, gently shaking their white fans, leaning against the railing, and coquettishly calling out to the passersby below, "Hey, young man over there, come here, this slave misses you so much!"

The young beggar lowered his head in self-doubt, seeming unable to look at the young man's face any longer: "I have nothing... I've been a beggar since I can remember, and people have always called me 'Black Pillar'."

Am I capable of shouldering this responsibility, being all alone, without a place to call home, without food or drink, seemingly unable to support myself?

"What are some secluded places in this city, where few people pass by, with trees growing, and where cutting down the trees would not cause any trouble?" Lu Sen crossed his arms and thought for a moment, then continued, "It would be best if those trees were tall."

So, even though he was afraid, he did not run away, even though he was terrified, he did not retreat.

He first washed his hands thoroughly with well water, cleaned his face a bit, and only after washing the bowl he used for begging until it was spotless did he scoop half a bowl of well water with the broken bowl

Suddenly, a strange wind surged beside me, accompanied by a piercing unusual sound. Then, in broad daylight, this young gentleman suddenly appeared before me

It seems to be someone else's backyard here.

"It is of no concern," said the black pillar, shaking his head. "The master here does not mind outsiders coming in to chop wood or gather wild fruits, as long as you are truly in need."

Lu Sen frowned slightly upon hearing this

After all, Lu Sen has short hair, which makes him either a monk or a Taoist. Both of these roles hold a relatively high social status.

This is well water

As for blocking the road... that is even less likely. Before getting close, one would probably be taken away by the guards of the influential figures.

The beggar before me truly possesses a strong sense of ambition; in order to no longer be a beggar, he is willing to acknowledge even those of unknown origin as his master

Then he raised his head and looked at Lu Sen expectantly, saying, "Young master, could you give me a name?"

Lu Sen can tell that when he was a child in his hometown, he often drank sweet well water, the taste of which is far superior to that of any mineral water or distilled water

The black pillar observed the young gentleman, who appeared bewildered as he looked left and right, even stepping outside the alley and taking a small walk before ultimately returning to sit on the stone steps by the roadside

Since the beggars' gang does not want themselves, then let us find someone else

Lu Sen looked at the other person, seemingly deep in thought

The black pillar bent slightly at the waist, walking ahead.

Due to the obstruction of trees, it is difficult to see the entire layout of this courtyard clearly

He had also considered joining other beggar gangs, but no one wanted him, and instead, he was beaten up a few times.

It was merely an innate intuition that told the beggar that this might be his only opportunity in this lifetime

The black pillar looked on, somewhat puzzled

Lu Sen stopped hammering

In the past, if he had dared to walk down the street dressed like this beggar, without sticking to the corner and blocking people's way, it would have been surprising if he had not been beaten and thrown into a corner

Unfortunately, this is merely a fanciful thought. Ordinary families are not wealthy, and in the event of a disaster year, they might struggle to have enough to eat. How could they possibly take in a beggar of unknown origin, someone who is neither a relative nor a friend

Taking a comfortable breath, Lu Sen looked at the person standing in front of him who had previously handed him the water

Heikong was well aware that these individuals were not making way for themselves, but rather for the nobleman behind them

Lu Sen handed the broken bowl back

He bent slightly at the waist, and upon noticing Lu Sen's gaze shift towards him, a pleasing and foolish smile appeared on his face, causing him to bend even further.

Lu Sen was slightly surprised, and then he patted his chest and laughed, "Do you think my peculiar attire is appropriate?"

There were no disordered branches and leaves falling, nor the terrifying momentum of a large tree toppling over

I can understand each word, but I do not comprehend the meaning when they are put together

After waiting for quite a while, just when the beggar was feeling quite anxious, Lu Sen stood up, patted his body, and said: "A name is very important for a person. I am not yet qualified to give you one, but I will find a way to ask someone of high esteem to name you. So for now, you shall be called Black Pillar."

Since there is no objection to logging here, Lu Sen intends to test his abilities

Successfully struck up a conversation with the young master, feeling a mix of emotions and expressing the desire to become a servant

There are dashing talents and esteemed ministers of the court, and during the grand ceremonies and sacrifices, one can catch a distant glimpse of the imperial figure

The place where the two individuals are located at this moment is at the end of an alley

Surrounding are low, dilapidated wooden houses and books, the road is a dirt path, and most of the people walking around have a sallow complexion, dressed in patched short clothing

"Others all call me..." The beggar saw that Lu Sen finally spoke, and he did not appear displeased, letting out a long sigh: "Black Pillar."

The lower half consists of pure black shorts, clean and brand new. There are no patches, and they appear quite sturdy, featuring numerous pockets similar to those of a workman. However, the stitching is dense and even, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship. In the words of an expert, they can be described as luxuriously understated

The solitary beggar lives a life of bitterness, constantly subjected to bullying

and a large tree stump with a smooth and even cut

Having grown up being served by others and not having anyone to command by my side, is it difficult to adjust to this situation?

But now, a young gentleman without a guardian and without a servant is sitting ahead, with no attendants by his side

The black and white skull pattern is prominently displayed on the front of the garment; even the most rebellious of fashionistas would not dare to do this

On both sides of the street, shops are lined up, and the attendants are loudly calling out to attract business at the entrance

The beggar's face appears relatively young, likely not exceeding twenty years of age

At first, Heizhu thought he had encountered a ghost, and in fright, he kept his distance.

However, this young gentleman before me is truly completely different

This yard is very large, and Lu Sen estimates that its area is at least over 200 acres

Not to mention, Lu Sen has delicate and tender skin, which is even better than that of the vast majority of girls.

In his view, the young master before him had rejected his offer of allegiance, and the notion of finding someone else to name him in the future was merely a euphemistic expression.

After taking this half bowl of water, Lu Sen took a sip and felt that his throat, which was almost parched to the point of being scorched, finally felt much more comfortable

Yet the innate curiosity of the person compelled him to turn back again, hiding to observe this suddenly appeared strange individual

Young master, please have a sip of water

Thus, the black pillar flipped into the nearby courtyard, where the family had gone to visit relatives outside the city a few days ago and would not be returning for the time being

One time, two times... five times, six times. White, spider silk-like cracks spread along the trunk.

After making a significant detour, I arrived at a place surrounded by walls

A beggar

After nearly being killed several times, Heizhu came to understand a principle

At this time, most of the people walking on the streets are civilians or laborers dressed in shorts.

Who dares to provoke recklessly

After walking for a while, the black pillar saw a large gap in the wall ahead. He stood before the gap and said: "My lord, this is the place; there are tall trees inside."

With another wave of his hand, all the wooden blocks transformed into streams of golden light and merged into the palm of his hand.

The city of Bianjing is bustling, even during the scorching midday hours of the hottest days of summer, the streets are densely packed with people