The Beggar’s Staff of Lao Ba Chapter 20.1

Chapter 20

Part 1

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Wen Heng asked Baozi, “Do you know Lian Wushang?” Baozi snorted. “Who doesn’t know him? That hypocrite with his sanctimonious facade.”

 

Wen Heng paused in his steps. “You seem to have a grudge against him. I think he’s quite decent.” Baozi turned away with disdain. “Cut it out. You’re just judging by looks. If Lian Wushang were hideously ugly, I doubt you’d speak so highly of him now. Fools are always like that—only seeing what they want to see.”

 

Wen Heng shrugged indifferently. “Everyone appreciates beauty. Even if I see a pretty flower by the roadside, there’s nothing wrong with admiring it a little longer, right?” Wen Heng felt Baozi was purely biased against Lian Wushang. He desperately wanted to ask, “What exactly did Lian Wushang do to you that you dislike him so much?”

 

The leopard flicked its bushy tail. “You’re the one who can divine the future. Why don’t you figure it out yourself?” The leopard leapt down and staggered into the forest, disappearing from sight. Wen Heng called after it, “Bring back some game!”

 

The leopard didn’t even bother to acknowledge him. His legs hurt less now. He had to run—run far away. Lian Wushang was weak now. If he didn’t leave now, when would he?

 

But before long, Wen Heng heard a piercing howl. The leopard hadn’t run far before his limbs froze stiff. Agonizing pain tore through him as he rolled around on the ground, utterly defeated. How could this be? What was wrong with his legs?

 

The leopard thrashed in agony for a long while. He discovered that whenever he tried to move away from Wen Heng, his limbs would erupt in excruciating pain. But if he shifted toward Wen Heng, the torment eased considerably. His eyes reddened with fury. Ignoring the searing pain in his limbs, he transformed into his true form and lunged at Wen Heng, who was picking fruit with his back turned: “You old scoundrel! Come and get it!”

 

Behind him, demonic energy surged skyward, its intensity startling even Lian Wushang.

 

Lian Wushang had barely reached the temple entrance when Gouzi grabbed him. “Hey, hey! Where are you going? You’re so weak! Don’t move, don’t move!” After carefully assessing the situation, Lian Wushang nodded slightly. “Alright.”

 

By evening, Wen Heng staggered back, dragging a leopard covered in blood by its mouth.

 

Gouzi rushed over in shock, hugging the limp leopard. “Ah Heng, what happened to Little Cat? Why is his mouth full of blood?”

 

Wen Heng scratched his head awkwardly. “I was picking something up. He was playing behind me. I wasn’t paying attention. My begging stick hit his teeth. They broke.”

 

Gouzi sighed, rubbing the leopard’s neck. “What were you thinking? How careless! Ah Heng’s stick is rock solid. Look at you—already missing four limbs, and now your teeth are broken too. From now on, you’ll only be able to eat steamed buns soaked in water. Ah… You’re turning into Old Wen’s head.”

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