Chapter 3: The Beggar Cultivator
Golden Leaf City was loud.
Li Wei had forgotten what civilization sounded like. Merchants hawking wares. Children running through streets. The clang of a blacksmith's hammer. Normal life, completely oblivious to the fact that a wanted criminal was shuffling past them.
He kept his head down, avoiding eye contact.
The wanted posters were everywhere.
On walls. On notice boards. Posted outside the guard stations.
All showing the same face: Zhao Tian. Black hair, sharp features, cold eyes. The caption read: WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE - 100,000 SPIRIT STONES.
Li Wei's stomach dropped. That was... a lot of money.
Enough to make anyone turn him in.
He ducked into an alley, pressing against the wall, trying to think.
PROBLEM IDENTIFIED:
You're broke.
Current Funds: 0 copper coins
System Points: 75 (not real money)
Recommendation: GET A JOB
"I know I need a job," Li Wei muttered. "But how? Everyone knows this face!"
Suggestion: Buy a disguise?
Oh wait. You're BROKE.
And also, disguises don't work on your wives anyway.
Maybe try... not being recognized?
Helpful as always.
Li Wei looked down at himself. Mud-stained robes. Disheveled hair. Pale, exhausted face.
He didn't really look like the poster anymore. The wanted image showed Zhao Tian in his prime—arrogant, powerful, well-dressed.
Right now, Li Wei looked like a beggar.
Maybe that was enough?
He found a public well, splashed water on his face, and tried to clean up. The cold water stung his healing wounds, but it helped clear his head.
Food first. Then shelter. Then figure out how to not die.
Simple plan.
He wandered through the market district, stomach growling at the smell of roasted meat and fresh bread. Vendors shouted prices he couldn't afford.
"Five coppers for steamed buns!"
"Fresh spirit fish! Only three silvers!"
Li Wei's mouth watered. When had he last eaten? Before the fall. Before dying and transmigrating into this mess.
Two days. He'd gone two days without food.
His vision swam.
Not good.
He stumbled, caught himself on a fruit cart.
"Hey!" The vendor glared. "No touching if you're not buying!"
"Sorry," Li Wei mumbled, backing away.
The vendor's eyes narrowed, studying his face.
No. No no no—
"You look familiar," the vendor said slowly.
Li Wei forced a weak smile. "I just have one of those faces."
"Hmm." The vendor didn't look convinced.
Li Wei turned and walked away. Not running—running would draw attention. Just... walking very purposefully toward the nearest exit.
Behind him, he heard the vendor call out: "GUARDS!"
Damn it.
Li Wei picked up his pace, weaving through the crowd. The market was packed—good for losing pursuers, bad for actually escaping.
"Stop that man!" a guard shouted.
People turned to look.
Li Wei squeezed between two stalls, knocked over a basket of apples (he'd apologize later, if he lived), and burst out into a side street.
The guards were getting closer.
He needed to hide. Needed to—
A hand grabbed his collar and yanked him sideways.
Li Wei yelped, found himself pulled into a narrow gap between two buildings.
A young woman stood there, finger pressed to her lips. "Shh."
She was maybe twenty, with kind eyes and simple brown robes. A mortal, by the look of her—no cultivation aura whatsoever.
The guards ran past, shouting commands.
Li Wei held his breath.
Thirty seconds. A minute.
The sounds faded.
"Thank you," Li Wei breathed. "I—"
"You're the wanted one, aren't you?" the woman said calmly.
Li Wei froze. "I..."
"Don't worry. I'm not turning you in." She smiled. "You don't look like a murderer. And anyone running from guards that badly usually has a good reason."
"I didn't do what they say I did," Li Wei said quickly. "I mean, the original person did, but I'm not—it's complicated."
The woman laughed. "Isn't it always?" She held out a hand. "Mei Ling. I run a noodle stall near the east market."
Li Wei shook her hand, grateful. "Li Wei. And I... thank you. Really."
"You look half-dead," Mei Ling observed. "When's the last time you ate?"
"Two days."
She winced. "Come on. I'll feed you. Can't have you collapsing in the street."
"I don't have money to pay—"
"Did I ask for money?" She waved dismissively. "Come. My shift's ending anyway."
RANDOM EVENT: Kind NPC
Mei Ling - Mortal
Affection: 15/100 (Sympathetic)
Threat Level: None
Sometimes people are just nice!
Li Wei followed her through the winding streets to a small food stall tucked in a quieter corner of the market. The smell of broth and noodles made his stomach cramp with hunger.
Mei Ling ladled out a generous bowl, added sliced vegetables and a boiled egg, and handed it to him. "Eat slowly. Your stomach's probably empty."
Li Wei didn't need to be told twice.
The noodles were simple but delicious. The broth was hot and savory. The egg was perfectly cooked.
It was the best meal he'd ever had.
Halfway through the bowl, tears started streaming down his face.
"Hey, it's not that good," Mei Ling said, amused.
"It's perfect," Li Wei managed between bites. "Thank you. Really."
She watched him eat, expression thoughtful. "So what's your plan? Can't keep running forever."
"I..." Li Wei swallowed another mouthful. "I need money. And a place to stay. And to figure out how to clear my name."
"Tall order."
"Tell me about it."
Mei Ling tapped her fingers on the counter. "The Adventurer's Guild is always hiring. They don't ask too many questions if you can do the work."
"Adventurer's Guild?"
"Cultivation odd jobs. Herb gathering, beast hunting, escort missions. Pays decent if you survive."
Li Wei's eyes lit up. "That could work."
"Can you fight?"
"...Define fight."
Mei Ling laughed. "That's a no, then. Well, they have easy jobs too. F-rank stuff. Gathering herbs, mostly. Even mortals can do it."
Li Wei finished his noodles, feeling almost human again. "Where is this guild?"
"North district. Big building, can't miss it." She paused. "But you should get cleaned up first. And maybe a disguise? You really do look like that wanted poster."
"Disguises won't work for me," Li Wei said ruefully. "Long story."
"Fair enough." Mei Ling reached under her counter and pulled out a worn cloak. "Here. It's not much, but it'll help you blend in."
Li Wei took it, throat tight. "Why are you helping me?"
She shrugged. "My brother was accused of something he didn't do once. Ended up in prison for two years before they realized they had the wrong person. I know what it's like."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. Just... try not to get yourself killed, Li Wei."
He nodded, pulling the cloak over his shoulders. It smelled like cooking spices and old fabric. It was perfect.
QUEST COMPLETE!
Found shelter (temporary)
Found food
Reward: +25 System Points
Bonus: Morale +1
Current Points: 100
SYSTEM SHOP UNLOCKED!
"System shop?" Li Wei muttered.
The blue screen expanded, showing a list of items:
SYSTEM SHOP
CONSUMABLES:
- Minor Healing Pill: 10 pts
- Qi Recovery Pill: 15 pts
- Affection Boost Candy: 50 pts
SKILLS:
- Basic Sword Arts: 100 pts
- Cooking Mastery: 80 pts
- Stealth Technique: 120 pts
SPECIAL:
- Wife Tracker: 150 pts
- Emergency Teleport: 200 pts
Li Wei studied the list. He had exactly 100 points.
Basic Sword Arts would help in fights. But he needed to survive first.
He bought Cooking Mastery (80 points) and a Minor Healing Pill (10 points).
Knowledge flooded his mind—recipes, techniques, flavor combinations. Suddenly he knew how to cook a hundred different dishes he'd never made before.
"Weird," he muttered. "But useful."
Purchases Complete!
Current Points: 10
Skill Acquired: Cooking Mastery
Item Acquired: Minor Healing Pill
Mei Ling was watching him with a strange expression. "You okay? You zoned out for a moment."
"Just thinking," Li Wei said quickly. "Thanks again for the food. I should go find that guild."
"Good luck!" She waved as he left. "Come back if you need more noodles!"
Li Wei pulled the cloak tighter and headed north.
The Adventurer's Guild loomed ahead—a three-story building with a wooden sign showing crossed swords.
Time to make some money.
And hopefully not die doing it.