Winter.
The north wind howled, snow like a grand curtain, the vast world, birds and beasts were all gone.
The majestic city loomed in the snow, resembling a giant beast crouching on the ground.
"Chase, chase him for me, catch that kid!"
"That damn brat, dared to hit us from behind, kill him for me."
In the distance, a group of people dressed in black ragged cotton clothes, looking like beggars, chased after a young man like mad dogs.
Xu Guang ran desperately at the front, his face looking grim.
How could I be discovered at this moment?
At this moment, with the heavy snow, the footprints of people were extremely clear, making it difficult to shake off the pursuers behind.
Fortunately, all the way of escaping from Taizhou, Xu Guang had become a seasoned and well-trained athlete.
He quickly rushed out, continually circling along the streets and alleys.
Unknowingly, the pursuers behind had already disappeared.
Xu Guang leaned against a wall, letting out a long sigh of relief.
"Ah, this damn world, even begging gets you chased and beaten!"
"Luckily, I managed to fight back."
Speaking, Xu Guang raised his hand, looking at the half roast chicken and bun wrapped in oiled paper, a smile appeared on his face.
"And, I can eat again."
Since being bullied by the local beggars, he hadn't eaten for two days. Today, having knocked out the head beggar, he was already planning to leave Qingshuo County.
Unexpectedly, he could still have a full meal before leaving.
He eagerly opened the panel.
[Current Profession: Beggar Lv4 (504/500)]
[Professional Talent: Refugee (Gain one point of beggar profession experience for every thousand meters traveled)]
[Professional Skills: Begging Lv3 (22/40)+, Dog Beating Lv2 (10/30)+, Escape from Beating Lv4 (40/50)+, Dry Rice Lv3 (10/40)+, Hungry Resistance Lv4 (50/50)+]
[Next career change requires beggar Lv5 or higher]
Finally able to level up, finally able to take on a second profession.
Tears filled Xu Guang's eyes. After awakening his Innate Wisdom, he suddenly found himself in this damn world, caught in a war between two warlords, drafted as a soldier, then became a deserter. Even with the awakening of Innate Wisdom, he could only be a beggar.
Then the Golden Finger gave him the glorious profession of a beggar.
This Golden Finger was brought with him since the awakening of Innate Wisdom, able to switch professions infinitely, constantly acquiring new professions, besides that, there's skill enhancement, consuming professional experience.
After escaping all the way from Taizhou to Qingshuo County over three months, even though the beggar profession isn't great, Xu Guang had to admit, without the few beggar skills on the panel, he would've been dusted by now.
This world contains the extraordinary, it's the relatively pedestrian Martial Dao.
Yet, Xu Guang still longs for it.
But he's considered a lot about practicing martial arts.
First, practicing martial arts is a costly affair, although perhaps with the Golden Finger, he might save a lot, saving money doesn't mean he currently has any.
Just like a Lamborghini discount voucher was useless to the former him.
The second profession must first help him survive.
Then accumulate enough money through the second profession, to proceed with career change.
Of course, during the practice of the second profession, he needs to find a path to practice martial arts.
In three months, the prideful backbone of a modern man has long collapsed, now he's satisfied with just having food.
Thinking about his current world, Xu Guang couldn't help but curse.
It's a unified empire with a huge territory, but...
Decades ago, the Emperor fled, leaving the world leaderless, with Gate Valves and Martial Arts Sects dividing territories, forming a peculiar governance structure.
The Taizhou conflict was initiated by the Liu Clan from the Liu Family fighting a Major Sect called the Celestial Yin Sect, leaving countless civilians displaced.
Of course, even Qingshuo County isn't a good place, being monopolized by three powers, even begging at the lower levels requires a permit.
He was being beaten for unlicensed begging, and it was only after filling his experience he knocked them with a club, barely making it back.
Thinking of this, Xu Guang couldn't help but sigh.
Calming down, Xu Guang carried his roast chicken to his temporary residence in Qingshuo County.
Walking slowly all the way, it wasn't long before he arrived at a dilapidated, wall-less residence.
Decrepit.
Undoubtedly, this was a hazardous building.
He hadn't eaten any meat for months; today, not sure if his professional skills struck luck, but a young lady gave him half a chicken.
Pushing open the door, Xu Guang tensed his whole body.
"Who!?"
In the corner, an old man slowly stood up.
"Kid, you don't even recognize me?"
"Old Li?"
An unusual color appeared on Xu Guang's face.
This was his refugee companion for three months, but the old man had acquaintances in Qingshuo County, early on he sought refuge with the local wealthy family.
Unexpectedly, he came looking at this time.
"Tsk tsk, kid, you got food again, and even chicken, it's incredible. I didn't shortchange you on the way, yet how come you're always the one who gets food?"
Xu Guang was at a loss for words; he couldn't exactly tell him that begging was his profession, and he had the skills for it?
"Stay for dinner since you're here, it's hard to survive in wealthy families. If you have nowhere to go, you can rely on each other with me, I'll treat you as a grandson."
"Get lost, I could be your grandpa."
Old Li was furious.
After a few teasing exchanges, Old Li revealed his intention.
"I'm now working in a manor outside the Zhu Family's city. Last month, someone brought a Kunlun Great Beast to Master Zhu, but the people there don't know how to take care of it. I remember you boasting about feeding such beasts, interested?"
Kunlun Great Beast?
Xu Guang's expression turned odd, as he knew what animal this was.
It's an elephant.
Too bored on the refugee road, he bragged all day to Old Li.
About how in his past life he'd fed tigers, elephants, and whatnot at the zoo.
Unexpectedly, Old Li remembered it.
"Master puts great emphasis on these Kunlun beasts, said that if anyone can care for them, a month's wage is five taels of silver. I know you have a desire to practice martial arts, but it costs lots of money, you need a way to make money first."
Xu Guang's heart was moved.
Being a caretaker is a good job.
Especially for something like an elephant, it eats hundreds of pounds per meal, secretly eat some yourself, and meals are settled, the monthly salary can be saved entirely as resources for practicing martial arts.
Moreover...
With his Golden Finger, if he could really switch to a profession like elephant caretaker...
Unimaginable power.
Controlling elephants, even the martial artists in this world may not be able to touch him easily, right?
"I'll take the job!"
If this works out, he would have a foothold.
Old Li was overjoyed.
During the refugee period, he owed Xu Guang his life, now finding him a job, he could repay part of the favor.
Talking together, Xu Guang took out a piece of ragged cloth, covered in scribbled small characters.
"You still remember them? Can you repay them?"
Old Li remarked sarcastically, but his eyes were full of appreciation.
This kid is a talent, remembering everyone who helped him during the journey, saying he would repay them someday.
Whether or not he truly repaid in the future, this intention was enough to move people.
...
Qingshuo County was very large, a renowned major county nearby, with many powers in the county, Zhu Family was a famous wealthy family.
They monopolized fabric, wood, brick, and tile businesses in the city, and outside the city, there were several manors of varying sizes.
These manors either cultivated crops, raised livestock, or engaged in logging and harvesting.
While introducing the situation of the Zhu Family to Xu Guang, Old Li quietly said to Xu Guang.
"We're heading to the manor for raising large livestock, there are more than three hundred pigs, sixty-eight cows, and twenty-three mules and horses, all heavy assets, I'm old acquaintances with Lao Liu, the protector of the manor, his temper isn't as good as mine, when you meet him, you need to call him Uncle Liu."