Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

After two months of traveling by road, the Tsuitsui Clan's caravan had finally arrived at the headquarters of the Qingyun Bang, the Jiuli Haven.

"Hoho, Master Ao, what do you think about our headquarters?" Ragged Sage Bei asked with a slightly smug smile. "Quite unique, no?"

Adam turned to him with a deadpan expression. "Auhh?"

The elderly beggar's lips twitched, and he awkwardly coughed. "Right… I forgot."

The Qingyun Bang's headquarters sat upon a hill. It was a weathered rise of stone and soil that looked utterly ordinary from outside, almost disappointingly so.

But at its heart lay an organization powerful and influential enough to become a part of the Nine Great Sects and Clans.

At the very center of the hill lay a massive, circular opening, wide enough to swallow a big building whole. From above, it looked like a gaping hole carved into the earth.

Inside the opening stretched a colossal cavern, so vast that an entire town could have fit within. Stone pillars as thick as ancient trees supported the natural dome overhead, while makeshift wooden walkways, rope bridges, and patched-together platforms crisscrossed the open space like a chaotic web.

Loose tents, tattered banners, and ramshackle huts crowded the cavern floor. Cooking smoke drifted lazily upward, mingling with the glow of hundreds of lanterns suspended from ropes.

Humble on the outside. Boundless within.

This was the Jiuli Haven.

The caravan stopped in front of the entrance to the hill. Seeing the white and dark green banners of the famous clan, many beggars came out of their tents to see them out of curiosity.

Of course, the vast majority of them wanted to see Reika Tsuitsui, someone who was known throughout the lands for her divine beauty.

But unfortunately for them…

"I'm not stepping out," Reika muttered with a light frown. "So whatever business you have with them, finish it quickly."

Standing outside her carriage, Goro scratched his head awkwardly. "So… we're not going to be spending the night here? That's a bit rude, no?"

Reika snapped. She glared at him. "Are you crazy!"

Goro shrank back. "Okay, calm down! I was just—"

Slam!

Reika slammed the window shut.

Goro could only sigh helplessly. To the entire world, he may be the mighty Venom Dragon, but to his siblings, he was a gentle and doting elder brother. He never argued with them and always listened to their requests.

"Auhh." Adam patted the man's shoulder.

Their interaction reminded him of his own sister.

Anna, wherever you are, I hope you're doing well, he thought with a sad smile.

I hope you're happy…

"Come on, let's head inside." Goro turned around and walked through the entrance of the hill. "They have this very famous meat dish. It's full of protein, and naturally it's good for your muscles."

Guided by Ragged Sage Bai, the two entered the headquarters of the Qingyun Bang.

***

"It is said that many years ago, a starving beggar in our realm stole a chicken. With no tools and no kitchen, he went to the woods to cook it," Ragged Sage Bai began.

The three of them sat on the ground, sipping on sake and waiting for the famous dish to be served.

"So the beggar came up with a crude method," the elderly beggar continued.

"He stuffed the chicken with herbs and spices he had gathered in the woods. He then wrapped the whole chicken in mud to seal it. After that, he threw it into a fire pit. Once baked, he cracked the hardened mud shell open. The feathers peeled off cleanly with the mud, revealing tender and fragrant meat."

Just as he finished the introduction, a young beggar approached them, carrying the dish that became famous throughout the lands of Yen-Lu.

"I present to you… the Beggar's Chicken." Ragged Sage Bai chuckled heartily. "This is a dish born from poverty, perfected by ingenuity, and elevated into legend!"

Goro had already begun digging into the meat, not bothering at all about etiquette. Meanwhile, as Adam smelled the aromatic fragrance wafting from the chicken, his mouth started to water.

"Go ahead, Master Ao." The elderly beggar provided him with a pair of chopsticks.

It wasn't long before a second plate had arrived, then the third, then the fourth, until finally they were satiated after sharing seven whole Beggar's Chicken.

"Old Man Bei, just tell me the recipe already." Goro had a blissful look on his face. "What do you want in return? Just tell me, and it's yours."

The elderly beggar shook his finger. "The recipe for Beggar's Chicken is as precious as our martial arts scriptures and mana extraction manuals. If you want the recipe, how about joining our humble sect, Master Goro?"

"…I'll pass."

As the two laughed and continued their back-and-forth banter, Adam slipped into deep thought.

It is obvious that the Tsuitsui Clan is going out of its way to heal me because they want something from me.

Most likely, they want me to marry into their clan. Given that my physique has shown a strong immunity to poison, I'm certain this is what they want.

They wish to have me marry one of their daughters, then produce heirs that would hopefully also be immune to poison.

But that is not what I want…

He stroked his chin in deep thought. There were a lot of precious things he could offer to the Patriarch of the Tsuitsui Clan in return for healing him. He just had to choose from the vast treasure trove of knowledge he had absorbed from the lotus.

Hmm, now what should I offer him?

A mana extraction technique? Or a magic combat manual?

Or perhaps… something that is beneficial to the entire clan?

He had finally decided.

Adam knew how much importance the sect and clans placed on the betterment of the group, rather than the individual. As such, he had just the perfect thing to give to the Tsuitsui Clan. Moreover, it was far more valuable than what they were going to do for him.

After finishing the meal, Goro and Adam prepared to leave. Reika was still waiting for them inside the caravan, after all.

"Old Man Bei, I shall contact your disciple in Yongdu. I hope the Qingyun Bang will keep us updated about the status of the ongoing war."

Goro cupped his fist and bid farewell.

"Hoho, don't worry about it." Ragged Sage Bei stroked his beard. "This is our job, after all. Rest assured, you will receive all intel from us."

He then turned to Adam and smiled.

"Many great figures have risen through wars. I am eager to see how you carve out your own name, Master Ao. May fortune favor you."

"Auhh." Adam cupped his fist and bid farewell as well.

The traveling caravan soon set off for their final destination…

The Tsuitsui Clan!