Beggar Cultivation System

In the end, the beggar decided not to leave a clue. He would let the butterfly effect play out and come back to him. Of course, he would find opportunities to speed it up. All he had done was make a small move, but to the affected parties, it was anything but small.

Back at Klown's mansion, the news spread quickly.

The death of a Guard Captain was a serious matter, casting a heavy atmosphere over the place.

Holst, with his usual squinting eyes, spoke to a silver-armored guard in front of a giant door. After the guard bowed and left, the butler pushed the door open, the creaking sound reverberating as he entered the room.

Inside, there was a rectangular table with twelve seats, but only one was occupied—the head chair, where a figure sat, eating. In front of him were plates filled with reddish-black meat, steam rising into the air.

Holst glanced at the plates before bowing to the mayor.

"I have bad news and good news. Which would you like to hear first?" the butler asked.

"I don't care which," Klown replied, slicing the meat on his plate and placing it in his mouth with a fork.

He chewed, his triple chin moving as his jaw worked.

"Then I'll start with the bad news," Holst nodded. "One of the Guard Captains was found dead in a house in Slumstreet. His head was decapitated. The other guards were also found dead, while the dwellers managed to escape."

Klown swallowed, wiping his red-stained mouth with a white towel. "Appoint a new captain, preferably someone from his family. What about the body? They have good meat; we shouldn't waste it."

"We've already retrieved it. He's in the storage room, waiting for your palate," Holst said. The bad news only required one command from the mayor to resolve. However, the main issue remained unsolved. "Do you want me to personally investigate the matter?"

"Let his family handle it," Klown said. "There's no way those slum dwellers have someone capable of killing a 4th-step Foundation Building stage guard. If they do, it must have been a passing cultivator."

"What if the Callum family can't find the culprit?" Holst asked.

"Then we'll have no choice but to step in. That person clearly disrespected the city—my city—by killing one of my Guard Captains. It's a crime punishable by death." Klown's eyes grew cold. "In the meantime, let's focus on our plan."

"Then I'll give you the good news," Holst smiled. "With the slum dwellers gone, we can start expanding the walls and completing the Line. That should be enough to finish 'it.' Once we're done, it will be time for us."

"Hmm," Klown nodded, eating another bite before asking, "The Line… they're not going to notice it, right?"

"Yes," Holst confirmed. "They're a secluded people who wouldn't dare provoke conflict with the Empire. They may have students outside, but those kids are focused on their missions in other places. They're not smart enough to notice anything unusual in the city."

"That's good to hear," Klown smiled. "But they're definitely suspicious. They'll eventually find time to investigate, and I wouldn't be surprised if they're doing it right now."

"Sir, I think you're forgetting something," Holst's eyes, which were always squinting, turned upward at both sides, confidence radiating from him. "The Line is invisible to them. We're the only ones who can see it."

"Oh right," Klown laughed aloud, his body wobbling with the movement. Bits of 'food' spilled from his mouth, landing on his plates and the table.

Holst glanced at the scene. Although disgusted inside, he didn't show it. Instead, he laughed along with the mayor.

"Why don't you join me?" Klown asked, pointing at the chair beside him with his knife. "There's plenty of food, and I must say, it's top quality."

"My apologies, but I've already eaten," Holst bowed his head.

"It's your loss," Klown said, putting another piece of meat in his mouth, then pointing toward it and smiling at his butler. "It's really delicious, especially this one—Arke."

"I'm glad you enjoy it," Holst replied, glancing at the plate before the mayor. Arke, the Poison Body… he met his end just as we planned.

"Tomorrow morning, I want Armen," Klown ordered, finishing his meal.

"I'll make sure the chefs prepare him with extra care," the butler nodded.

"And we will start the Line."

…

Meanwhile, back at the Helflick Mansion…

Gail and Filly entered the room, guided by a maid.

"This is her room," the maid said, bowing her head before leaving.

Filly glanced at the basket she was holding and took a deep breath. "Let's go."

Gail pushed the door open, and the scent of medicine hit them. Their eyes naturally fell on the bed. They had been here a couple of times before, but back then, their friend was full of laughter.

The two walked towards the bed, with Filly sitting beside the peacefully sleeping Bel.

"I brought something for you," Filly muttered, raising the basket in front of Bel before placing it on the table beside the bed. "I'm sure you'll like it."

They fell silent, though their heavy breathing broke the quiet.

"Shall we go now? I think Bel will wake up tomorrow," Gail asked. They had heard the news that, thanks to medicine from the Alchemy House, Bel had managed to wake up.

But she was extremely weak, and even staying awake for a few minutes was a great challenge.

"Hmm," Filly nodded, letting out a heavy sigh. Seeing their friend in this state, they couldn't bear to stay much longer. Their hearts ached for her.

She stood up and was about to turn around when she suddenly felt a hand grab her.

Surprised, she looked back, and sure enough, Bel's hand was holding hers. A small smile played on her friend's lips.

"W-what… did… you… bring me?" Bel weakly asked.

"You're awake!" Filly exclaimed, then quickly covered her mouth.

Gail rushed back to their side, staring at Bel happily. "Good evening, Bel."

"Haha… good evening…" Bel chuckled.

"I brought you something delicious!" Filly said, taking the basket and opening it to reveal the contents.

The smell overpowered the scent of medicine, and Bel sniffed with her nose.

"Smells… delicious," Bel commented, her eyes marveling at the food on the plate.

"It smells delicious, looks delicious, and it also tastes delicious!" Filly said, bringing out a fork.

Bel tried to sit up, but her body wouldn't respond. "I… want… to taste… it." Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire

"Sure," Filly took a small bite and fed it to her. Fortunately, Bel could open her mouth to eat, and there were no orders against feeding her. It was good that she could eat—she needed the nutrients to prolong her life.

Bel's eyes widened as the otherworldly food entered her mouth.

Delicious!