Chapter 288 The Master's Delusional Thinking
With only a week left until the finals of the Soul Master Competition, the atmosphere in the entire Spirit Hall has become extremely tense and busy.
Inside Wuhun City, in front of the Papal Palace, a bustling scene unfolded. Guards patrolled back and forth to ensure safety, while Soul Masters from all over arrived to prepare for the upcoming grand event.
In such a tense atmosphere, a middle-aged man in tattered clothes and with a stubble beard seemed out of place in the busy scene.
He staggered toward the entrance to the Papal Palace, looking like a homeless beggar. His gaze was resolute, as if he had some unwavering purpose.
However, just as he approached the entrance to the Papal Palace, two guards rushed forward and mercilessly placed their longswords against his neck.
The guards' eyes were filled with wariness and disdain as they shouted, "Hey, beggar, don't you know where you are? Begging is not allowed in front of the Papal Palace!"
The guards looked at the man with utter contempt. Their Spirit Hall was a place that always valued dignity, so how could such a slovenly fellow appear here?
Yu Xiaogang felt the cold blade pressed against his neck, and his body began to tremble involuntarily.
He was filled with helplessness and anger, especially when he heard the guards treat him like a beggar; his face was filled with rage.
He was once a renowned figure in the world of Soul Masters, but now he has fallen to the point of being so despised, which fills him with resentment and humiliation.
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and then said to the guards in a firm voice, "I am not here to beg. I have important matters to discuss with His Holiness the Pope."
Yes, in the master's heart, he still believed that Bibi Dong still couldn't forget him.
He was convinced that as long as he appeared in front of Bibi Dong, she would be so excited that she would burst into tears and lose control of herself.
After all, the master was well aware of his own charm, and he was full of confidence, believing that his influence and appeal were unmatched.
He had gone to the Spirit Hall countless times before, and each time he was stopped by those cold and ruthless guards.
Grandmaster firmly believed that as long as Bibi Dong could hear his voice, he would still be a guest of honor at the Spirit Hall.
Upon hearing Yu Xiaogang's words, the guards were taken aback. They were surprised by the master's confidence and even found it hard to believe.
Then, they looked at Yu Xiaogang as if he were a fool, their eyes filled with mockery and disdain.
They thought to themselves, "This person is really ignorant and arrogant, daring to spout nonsense here."
Having learned from his previous experience of being driven out by the Spirit Hall guards, Yu Xiaogang did not hesitate at all this time.
He knew that if he didn't take action soon, he might never have the chance to see Bibi Dong again.
So, at the entrance of the Papal Palace, Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath and shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice loud and firm: "Bibi Dong! Bibi Dong! I want to see you! I am Yu Xiaogang!"
His voice echoed between the high walls of the Papal Palace, as if announcing his arrival to the entire Spirit Hall.
However, his response was not the appearance of Bibi Dong, but two merciless slaps to his face.
The guards moved swiftly, their eyes cold and their faces as black as the bottom of a pot, like enraged beasts.
"You fucking dare to call His Holiness the Pope by his name?"
The guards roared, their eyes filled with anger and warning.
Clearly, they were extremely dissatisfied with Yu Xiaogang's rude behavior. They wanted to make this arrogant guy understand that there are some rules in the Spirit Hall that absolutely cannot be violated.
However, Yu Xiaogang didn't care at all. His experiences over the past few years had made his skin as thick as a city wall.
"Bibi Dong, come save me! They're trying to kill me!" Even as he was surrounded by several guards, Yu Xiaogang still cried out for help to his lifeline—Bibi Dong.
His voice carried a hint of mockery, as if he were enjoying the farce.
Yu Xiaogang looked at the guards as if they were dead. He believed that if Bibi Dong saw the two guards abusing him, they would be finished.
After all, he was Bibi Dong's most beloved man!
"Slap! Holy crap! You dare to yell like that?!"
The guards responded angrily, giving Yu Xiaogang several resounding slaps without any mercy.
They grabbed Yu Xiaogang and beat him mercilessly, even throwing him out like trash by his collar.
If it weren't for the taboo against bloodshed at the entrance to the Papal Palace, Yu Xiaogang's head would have been ripped off and used as a chamber pot by now.
Although the guards were furious, they still had reservations, after all, this was the Papal Palace, a sacred and inviolable place. They could only punish Yu Xiaogang in this way as a warning.
This is outrageous! This beggar is incredibly arrogant. They've been on duty at the Papal Palace entrance for so many years, and they've never seen such an arrogant beggar.
Yu Xiaogang's behavior was completely beyond their imagination. A beggar dared to be so presumptuous at the entrance of the Papal Palace. It was simply outrageous.
"What's going on here?" Just then, a gentle voice rang out, interrupting the guards' brutality.
Then, a woman who looked like a celestial being descended to earth slowly walked over, her appearance seemingly softening the surrounding air. The woman wore a long purple-gold robe, a purple-gold crown, crystal shoes, and held a papal scepter; she was none other than Bibi Dong.
She slowly approached, her gaze sweeping over Yu Xiaogang, whose face was bruised and swollen, and the guards who were still furious.
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang had been beaten so badly that even Yu Yuanzhen wouldn't recognize his face!
However, Bibi Dong still sensed the unique aura of deceit and fraud emanating from Yu Xiaogang.
This repulsive smell is very easy to identify.
"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope!"
Behind her, the guards who had been violently assaulting Yu Xiaogang immediately stopped when they saw Bibi Dong appear.
They quickly knelt down, clasped their hands together, and bowed their heads devoutly, as if paying homage to a deity.
Their faces were filled with awe and worship, as if Bibi Dong were their faith.
However, Yu Xiaogang seemed out of place in this solemn scene.
He stood there, ragged and scarred, yet his eyes were filled with excitement and anticipation. He seemed to have forgotten his own pain, staring intently at Bibi Dong as if trying to see right through her.
"Bibi Dong, it's been a long time, I…"
Yu Xiaogang's voice trembled as he tried to express the longing that had been buried deep in his heart for so long.
However, before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Bibi Dong's action.
Bibi Dong remained expressionless, gently tapping her scepter downwards. With this simple movement, a terrifying surge of soul power swept in like a tsunami.
Yu Xiaogang felt an invisible force pressing down on him, causing him to kneel down involuntarily. His knees slammed heavily against the hard stone slab, making a dull thud.
His waist was bent under the weight, and he felt as if his spine was about to be broken by the force!
Bibi Dong forced Yu Xiaogang to kneel down!
(End of chapter)