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"You do look a bit like him," Ning Tian said, his voice laced with fake doubt, "but how can you prove it?"
"I'll show you my Martial Soul. Come out, Luo San Pao!" Yu Xiaogang called, summoning his once-proud companion.
But without Soul Power, Luo San Pao was a shadow of its former self. The creature flopped onto the ground like a lifeless pig, too weak to even open its eyes.
Ning Tian shook his head. "I'll admit, there are Martial Souls out there like the Master's. But you? You're not him. The real Yu Xiaogang is a level 29 Great Spirit Master, and you don't have a shred of Soul Power. Here, take this, buy yourself some buns, and stop pretending."
He pulled three copper coins from his storage soul tool and tossed them at Yu Xiaogang's feet before turning toward the city gate.
Yu Xiaogang's voice cracked with panic. "I am the Master! I am Yu Xiaogang! I lost my Soul Power because someone ambushed me!"
"Ning Tian, don't you remember? The first time we met at Nuoding Academy, your teacher thought I was a creep and beat me senseless. Even if that slipped your mind, surely you recall the surgery we did on Dai Mubai together? Tang San handled the knife, I bandaged him up. And Tang San's endless stomach issues after absorbing those three poison Soul Rings, you can't have forgotten that!"
But Ning Tian kept walking, acting as if the words never reached him.
Only when Ning Tian disappeared from sight did Yu Xiaogang slump back to his begging spot by the roadside. His only hope now was running into Flender or the others. Otherwise, starvation loomed closer every day.
...
Meanwhile, Ning Tian didn't head straight home after entering the city. Instead, he sought out the gate captain and flashed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect token Ning Fengzhi had given him.
"I'm a disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect," he said coolly. "That man out there has a grudge with me. I'd like a small favor. Consider this a thank-you."
He handed over a pouch bulging with hundreds of gold coins.
The captain, a middle-aged man named Liu with a merchant's sly grin, weighed the bag and eyed the token. His face split into a fawning smile. "A Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciple! No wonder you're with Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. What can I do for you, Young Master Ning?"
"Nothing big. That old beggar out there crossed me earlier. I'd like you to have the beggars outside 'look after' him. Here's what I want done, lean in."
Captain Liu bent closer as Ning Tian whispered. A chill ran through him at the words. 'That's brutal,' he thought.
"Any issues?" Ning Chuan asked, his smile unwavering.
"No, no issues at all," Liu replied, patting his chest. "Leave it to me."
"Good. I'm counting on you."
After Ning Tian departed, Captain Liu turned to a soldier. "Fetch Scar."
Moments later, a shirtless, bald man with a jagged scar across his face shuffled over, bowing low. "Captain Liu, you called?"
Unlike the other beggars, Scar, called Dao Ba by his group, was their leader. His bulk and brute strength made him king of the beggar heap. Newcomers had to swear loyalty to him and hand over their earnings. Even the three copper Soul Coins Yu Xiaogang had just gotten were snatched by Scar before they could warm his hands.
Liu glanced at him. "Do you want some wine and meat?"
"Who in our line doesn't?" Scar's eyes gleamed with excitement. He'd done jobs like this before, some noble offended by a beggar, Liu stepping in, and Scar reaping the reward. It was a tidy little deal.
"Fine. For the next three days, your food and drink are on me."
Three days? Scar's mind raced. 'That old fool must've crossed someone big.' He grinned. "Generous as always, Captain. It's that loudmouth claiming he's a Heaven Dou Imperial Academy teacher, right? Just say the word, and I'll take care of him."
Liu beckoned him closer and whispered the plan. Scar's face twisted in hesitation.
"Captain, does it have to be that way?"
Scar wasn't picky, he'd take anyone, young and pretty preferred but an old wreck like Yu Xiaogang? That was a stretch.
"What, you think wine and meat come cheap? Can you do it or not? If not, I'll find someone else."
"No, no, I'll do it!" Scar blurted, terrified of losing his spot as top dog.
"Then make it happen tonight," Liu said with a nod. It couldn't be done in daylight, not with people watching at the city gate. The beggar camp under the big willow tree outside town was the place.
.....
Back at his residence, Ning Tian arrived just as the New Heaven Dou Battle Team returned. He called Ning Rongrong to his room. She assumed it was for something intimate and dropped to her knees the moment the door shut.
.....
Half an hour later, Ning Tian shivered and let out a breath. "What are you doing?"
"Helping you unwind," Ning Rongrong said, swallowing and wiping her mouth with a handkerchief. "Isn't that why you called me?"
"No." He shook his head. "I've got something for you."
"You didn't stop me, and now my mouth's sore, you jerk…..wait, something for me? What is it? Show me!"
Her annoyance flipped to excitement. Everyone knew Ning Tian's gifts were always worth it.
"What, you are not angry anymore?" Ning Tian teased, a playful glint in his eyes.
"You're my man," Ning Rongrong replied with a sweet smile. "If you're stressed, it's my job to help. How could I be mad?"
He nodded. "Good. I want to try a new move tonight."
"I'm at that age you mentioned," she said, unfazed. "I'm ready."
Ning Tian eyed her suspiciously. "Why do I get the feeling you're more into this than I am?"
"Aren't you?" She flashed a flirty look, undoing the top two buttons of her New Imperial Battle Team uniform, turning the high collar into a shoulder-baring style. Seeing this Ning Tian closed any source of light.
A soft hum followed. The room flared to life again as Ning Rongrong summoned her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, its nine-colored glow flooding the space.
"Nine Treasures shine with glazed light, one: strength, two: speed, three: soul, four: defense…"
That night, the two Nings clashed in a battle unlike any since the Soul Master Tournament began, a showdown later dubbed the "Battle of the Two Nings."
......
Meanwhile, outside the city under the big willow tree, a different scene played out in the beggar camp. Yu Xiaogang, worn out from a day of begging, trudged back and was quickly summoned by a horse-faced man.
"Brother Mudan, you called?" he asked, keeping his tone respectful.
"Yeah, Old Yu. Good news, you don't have to hand over your earnings anymore. Here's the three copper Soul Coins you begged today."
"Mudan" wasn't the man's real name, it was a title from Scar, the beggar boss. Those he favored got names and perks, free from giving their haul. New to the camp, Yu Xiaogang didn't know the rules. He just thought his luck was finally turning. "Thank you, Brother Mudan," he said, taking the coins.
"Don't thank me, thank Scar. We've got a bath ready for you and some new clothes. Go see him after."
...
The bath was a steaming outdoor tub, the fire beneath it still smoldering. Yu Xiaogang scrubbed himself clean, feeling a rare moment of relief. But when he saw the "new clothes," his heart sank, a patched woman's dress, stinking of something sour despite being washed and aired out.
"Old Yu, you done? Hurry up, Scar's waiting!" Mudan's voice called from a distance.
"Coming!" Yu Xiaogang replied, pulling on his old rags instead. No way was he wearing that.
But when he stepped out, Mudan's friendly demeanor vanished. A sharp slap landed on his face. "Who said you could wear those? We gave you new clothes! If you mess up Scar's night, you're done."
"But it's a woman's dress," Yu Xiaogang mumbled, clutching his stinging cheek.
Mudan slapped him again. "So what? I'm wearing one too. You want to die, that's fine, just don't drag me down with you."
Yu Xiaogang noticed Mudan was also in a patched dress, bare underneath. With no choice, he swapped into the reeking skirt and followed Mudan to the cleanest spot in the camp; a lit-up tree hollow. Painful groans drifted from inside.
Soon, a young man limped out, clutching his backside, casting Yu Xiaogang a strange look as he passed.
Inside, Scar sat naked on a sour-smelling bed. "You're here," he said, his voice low.
"Yes, Scar," Yu Xiaogang replied, sweat beading on his forehead as dread crept in.
Scar studied him and nodded. "Not bad. After cleaning up, you're decent enough. Forget 'Old Yu', your old name's gone. From now on, you're Rose."
"Huh?" Yu Xiaogang blinked, confused.
"Huh what? Scar gave you a name, that's an honor!" Mudan snapped, smacking the back of his head. "Thank him!"
Yu Xiaogang winced, the sting burning. "Thank you, Scar."
"Good. Now take off the new clothes."
Relieved to ditch the dress, Yu Xiaogang complied. But Scar frowned, glaring at Mudan. "What's this? Did he not get the rules, or did you not teach him?"
Yu Xiaogang had kept his old pants underneath.
"Sorry, boss, I'll fix it," Mudan said, slapping Yu Xiaogang again. "No pants, you hear me?"
"Ow!" Yu Xiaogang yelped as Mudan yanked the pants off.
Then both men froze, staring. Yu Xiaogang's lower half was completely bare.
"You're… a woman?" Mudan stammered.
"No, a eunuch," Scar corrected, his eyes lighting up. He'd seen castrated men before, but never one so neatly done. It was almost like a woman. A twisted grin spread across his face as new ideas took root.
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