We arrived at a large hall filled with beggars in colorful, tattered clothes. They seemed dedicated, even holding dog-beating staves and broken bowls during the meeting.
Yang Ziru explained that today was the day to choose the next sect leader, so their appearance was equivalent to wearing a suit to a formal event.
Ugh, we’ve been waiting for about half a day. How hasn’t the sect leader arrived yet? Even if he flew from New York, he should have been here by now! How frustrating!
Just as I was feeling frustrated, the beggars let out a deafening cheer. I followed everyone’s gaze to the tattered throne above.
Wow… the gentleman sitting up there could be my grandfather! Those martial arts masters are all weird. It wouldn’t be strange if this Beggar Sect leader was old enough to be my great-grandfather.
But why smile so brilliantly when he doesn’t even have teeth?
The old man on the throne grinned widely, his mouth just a hole, without a single tooth. Looking down at us, he said: “Beggar’s Sect members, soon, our sect will have a new leader to inherit the Beggar’s Sect!”
Ridiculous opening remarks. The beggars were exceptionally excited, some even throwing their broken bowls, knocking out several people. This made me suspect that ancient beggars might not have been very bright.
The old grandfather suddenly changed his expression from cheerful to sorrowful, saying, “I am old and weak, unable to support the entire Beggar’s Sect any longer. But I know my life is coming to an end.”
The entire hall fell silent, everyone looking at the current sect leader with mournful eyes. He continued: “But the next leader, who has been missing for years, still hasn’t been found. Until then, all sect matters will be handled by… Pu!” The sect leader suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, his head drooping like a puppet.
Everyone present was stunned into silence. After a minute, some began to sob. At this sad moment, the sect leader dramatically “came back to life,” bouncing up and cheerfully comforting everyone: “Don’t cry! I’m not dead! How could I die before finishing my last words?”
