Chapter 83: The Information Gathering Beggars.
It had been three days since Wei Jian met Jun Wu and the situation inside the slum had changed.
To the untrained eyes, the slum was still the same but those living in the slum could see the minute changes.
Kids not older than 15 years moved in twos and threes, their faces filled with shock and confusion.
"Is it true?" a thin girl whispered, her voice trembling as she looked at her partner.
Her clothes, once bright, had long faded to dull rags, hanging loosely over her frail frame.
Her skin was pale, stretched thin over sharp bones, and her tangled hair clung to her face.
A sour, nauseating smell clung to her body—yet in the slums, such odors no longer turned heads.
The alleys reeked of rot, smoke, and unwashed bodies. Trash piled high like walls, and stagnant water glistened with filth under the sun.
No one cared; survival left no room for pride. Parents barely had food for their starving children, so who could afford the luxury of dignity?
"I don’t know but I heard many of my friends talking about it seriously. I guess it must be true." Her partner, a boy who looked no different from her, responded.
Passing through a dirty alley and along the narrow path between the shacks, the two kids arrived before a small mud building at the end of the alley.
Standing in front of the small mud building were two burly kids with fierce expressions.
"Are you here to see the boss?" One of them asked, trying very hard to look intimidating.
"Yes." The boy responded.
"You know the rules. Go in."
The two kids looked at each other and parted the faded curtain, arriving inside the mud house.
The mud house was empty but a narrow passage led to the backyard.
Arriving at the backyard, they saw many kids like them staring at a boy standing on the podium.
Wei Jian looked at the new arrivals with a welcoming smile.
"Please join us."
The two kids nodded and joined the curious group.
Clearing his throat, Wei Jian continued his speech.
"As I was saying, I’ve found a heaven-sent opportunity for us. We don’t have to live in poverty anymore. As long as we work hard and are faithful to the master, we won’t have to worry about food again."
"Also, I know many of you dream of becoming Martial Artists. This is a chance to fulfill your dream."
"So are you going to join and work for a better future or remain in this dirty, filthy slum for the rest of your life?"
"Boss, we will follow as long as we have something to eat." A boy said in excitement.
He had eaten nothing since yesterday, and the rich young master did not even give him some leftovers.
Right now, his only thought was to eat.
Wei Jian smiled and looked at the others.
"Boss Jian, before I agree, can we know this work?" A boy not older than fourteen asked. Though lean like a skeleton, his eyes were sharp and filled with wisdom.
"The work is simple. When you’re out begging, you must listen to rumors and news. If you find any important news, you must tell me immediately." Wei Jian responded with a wide smile.
When they were told of their mission, they couldn’t believe their ears.
They were beggars; listening to rumors and news was second to breathing.
Ah!
All the kids were stunned.
"Boss Jian, are you telling the truth?" A girl asked with wide eyes.
"Yes. Do you think I’ll lie to you?"
"No! No..."
The kids shook their heads, their eyes blazing with excitement.
Quickly, the kids joined Wei Jian’s beggar gang. With such an easy job, how could they refuse?
With everyone joining his gang, Wei Jian grinned from ear to ear. He had completed the first job given to him by Jun Wu.
Now, his gang had over one hundred kids spread throughout the city.
"Now, everyone line up." He announced.
Confused, the kids did as he said.
From an old black box, Wei Jian began giving the kids two copper coins.
"What! Free money!"
The kids were stunned. In their world, there was nothing like a free gift.
"Don’t be surprised, every week you will receive two to five copper coins. And if you bring important news, you can receive ten to twenty copper coins."
"Ah! Boss Jian, we will work hard and bring important news."
The kids were pumped as they couldn’t wait to rush out into the street to find any important news.
As Wei Jian distributed the money, he did not forget to warn the kids.
...
At Jun Wu’s mansion, Elder Zhang Wei gave a full report of Wei Jian’s progress.
"What a sharp kid. I guess we did not find the wrong one." He smiled.
"What about the hideout I asked you to find?" He asked.
This was important for the plan. Since he opened the pavilion, he could feel his enemies already growing impatient.
Thus, he needed to speed his actions.
"Young Master, I’ve already found one and I believe you will like it." Zhang Wei responded.
"Where?"
"Outside the city. There is a natural cave outside the city with many tunnels that lead to different places. One of the tunnels is under the city."
"It is under a tavern, and as long as we buy the tavern, we can easily make a path that connects to the tunnel."
Jun Wu nodded, pleased with the location of the hideout. Still, he couldn’t help but ask.
"What about the tunnel outside? Can people use it to find the hideout?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"That’s even better." Jun Wu smiled. "With the various tunnels, people can hide out without depending on one path."
"If things go south, there will be many paths for escape. Don’t you think that is great?"
Zhang Wei creased his brow and nodded but still asked.
"Young Master, what about security?"
Jun Wu looked at him and asked. "Have you forgotten who I am? A simple protective formation will solve the problem."
When Zhang Wei heard, he smiled. How could he forget what a freak his Young Master was in array formation?
Now, he couldn’t wait to see how everything would turn out.