Chapter 238

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The fat man said: “Why wouldn’t you compensate me? Since I, this Young Master, came here to buy medicine, it’s naturally because I had my reasons. If you’re selling fake medicine, aren’t you deceiving my innocent heart? Leaving an indelible shadow on my growth? This is a lifelong issue—do you think I shouldn’t take it seriously? Shouldn’t I demand compensation for my mental distress?”

From afar, Zhang Xiaohua watched but couldn’t hear clearly. Otherwise, wouldn’t he have fallen straight from the tree in shock?

However, Zhang Xiaohua did climb down from the tree, slowly squeezing into the crowd. He wanted to see just what kind of trouble that fat man was stirring up.

The medicine seller’s face turned bitter upon hearing this and said: “Daren, please spare me! I have no more than a few taels of silver on me. Even my entire fortune isn’t worth the thirty taels you’re demanding. How could I possibly compensate you?”

The fat man grinned. “So, you really are selling fake medicine. If your medicine weren’t fake, why wouldn’t you dare to accept my conditions?”

The man glanced at the crowd watching from a distance, realizing he had encountered trouble. He earnestly explained: “Daren, this medicinal plaster is genuine. My ancestors were renowned physicians from a great sect, and this formula was passed down through generations. I’ve traveled far and wide for so many years, relying on this very plaster. No one has ever tried to ruin my business before. Please rest assured.”

The fat man’s smile grew even wider. “Since your plaster is real, why don’t you dare to accept my conditions? If you won’t accept, then your medicine must be fake!”

The man argued: “Daren, what kind of logic is that?”

The fat man smirked. “Naturally, it’s my logic. If you don’t agree to my conditions, then this plaster is fake, and I’ll smash your stall to pieces right now.”

The man had no choice but to relent. “Fine, fine. I’ll listen to you. But I must say in advance, my entire fortune isn’t worth thirty taels of silver.”

The fat man’s eyes flickered with cunning. “That’s easy. Just put up your formula as collateral.”

“You—you!!” The man was so furious that he laughed. “So this was your real intention all along!”

The fat man chuckled. “You are smart. I was just playing with you at first, but you reminded me of a much better idea.” He added, “But if your plaster is useless, what would I want with your worthless formula? On the other hand, if your medicine is effective, how could you possibly lose this formula to me?”

The man thought about it and found the logic reasonable. His courage swelled, and his voice grew louder. “Alright, I agree, Daren. But how do you intend to test it?”

Hearing this, the fat man was overjoyed. He looked around and raised his voice. “Everyone, you’ve all seen and heard it! This hero here wants to make a bet with me. If his medicinal plaster is effective, I’ll buy all of it with these thirty taels of silver. But if it doesn’t work, he has to hand over his entire stock, along with the secret formula. I, Young Master, have a sterling reputation here in Lu Town. I ask you all to be witnesses. If there’s any dispute later, please speak up so no one can say I’m bullying an outsider.”

The onlookers remained silent, but the fat man’s attendants clapped and cheered in support. A bodyguard in dark robes smiled and stood nearby with arms crossed, watching the scene unfold.

The medicine seller hesitated. This wasn’t exactly what the fat man had initially said, but he couldn’t find a way to refute it. Since his plaster was indeed effective, he decided not to argue further.

By now, Zhang Xiaohua had pushed his way to the front. He frowned at the spectacle, his mind racing. He wasn’t sure what this fat man was scheming. Though the man seemed foolish, he had been throwing his weight around in Lu Town for years. If he was picking trouble today, it wasn’t just out of boredom—he certainly wouldn’t give away thirty taels of silver for nothing. So where was the catch?

Sure enough, the fat man turned back to the medicine seller and said: “Since everyone is willing to be our witnesses, let’s begin now.”

The man said: “Please, Daren, instruct me.”

The fat man smiled. “It’s simple, really. All we need to do is break your leg, then apply your plaster and see if it can heal it. Wouldn’t that prove whether your medicine works?”

“You—you!” The man pointed at the fat man, his hand trembling with rage. “This is your method?”

The fat man spread his hands innocently. “Didn’t you ask me to decide the test? What now? Are you backing out? Or do you doubt your own medicine and don’t dare to try?”

The man’s face turned ashen. He clenched his lips tightly, at a loss for words.

The fat man clapped his hands. “Since you won’t go through with it, that must mean your medicine is fake. Hurry and hand over the formula. I still want to play with your monkey.”

The moment the fat man finished speaking, one of his attendants, who had been observing the situation, immediately stepped forward, grabbed the rope tied around the monkey’s neck, and prepared to lead it away. Only then did the medicine seller realize that the fat man’s true target was his monkey all along. As the saying goes, bonds form over time—even with animals. The monkey had been with him for years, and the man was unwilling to let it be taken away just like that. But in the face of an overbearing bully with many attendants, he felt a growing sense of helplessness.

Unfortunately, the fat man had no intention of stopping there. He stretched out his hand, squinting his eyes as he said: “And what about the secret formula for your plaster? If you don’t hand it over now, when will you?”

The medicine seller’s plaster was genuine, and the formula had been passed down through his family—it was the very foundation of his livelihood. There was no way he could simply give it away. So, he cupped his fists and said: “Daren, I’m new here and may have been impolite. If you like the monkey, please take it. It has been with me for years and is very intelligent—I only ask that you treat it well. As for me, I roam the world and rely on my skills to earn a living. Please, Daren, show some mercy and grant me a bit of leeway. If we meet again in the future, at least we’ll have some goodwill between us.”

The fat man was someone who spent his days seeking amusement. His original intention had indeed been to snatch the monkey, but upon hearing the seller’s words, he began to suspect the formula might be valuable. A malicious thought surfaced—he wanted to seize it as a means to gain favor with his father. Naturally, he paid no heed to the man’s plea.

The fat man sneered: “You ignorant fool, do you even know who I am? In Lu Town, every word I say is as solid as stone. Once spoken, there’s no taking it back! Now, hand over the formula at once!”

The medicine seller had no choice but to continue pleading in a low voice, offering words of flattery and persuasion. However, the fat man was adamant and refused to relent. Watching this unfold, Zhang Xiaohua grew furious. He thought to himself, I was just looking for an excuse to teach you a lesson, and now you’ve handed me the perfect opportunity! He was about to step forward when he felt someone pull him back. Turning his head, he saw that it was his second brother, Zhang Xiaohu.

Zhang Xiaohu said nothing, merely pulling Zhang Xiaohua out of the crowd. Zhang Xiaohua resisted, struggling a few times, but when he saw his brother’s stern gaze, he reluctantly lowered his head and followed him out.

Once they were away from the crowd, Zhang Xiaohua angrily asked: “Second Brother, what are you doing? That scoundrel is the same one who bullied our family before! This is the perfect chance to teach him a lesson and get some payback for our father and brother. And we’d be helping someone in need at the same time!”

Zhang Xiaohu looked around warily, then led Zhang Xiaohua to a large tree. As they walked, he whispered: “Do you think I don’t want to teach him a lesson? But look at the people around him—not just those lackeys, they’re nothing more than paper tigers. But that dark-robed bodyguard beside him? He’s a real threat. Don’t you remember? Even my master let them go last time without using force.”

Zhang Xiaohu continued: “And do you know why our family never dared to spend those silver banknotes we had before?”

Zhang Xiaohua replied: “Isn’t it because we were afraid of attracting trouble? But now, we’ve both learned martial arts—why should we be afraid of him? Besides, you’re a disciple of Piaomiao Sect. How can you just shrink back like this?”

Zhang Xiaohu chuckled: “Don’t try to goad me. Let me ask you this—while you and I might not be afraid, what about our mother, father, eldest brother, and sister-in-law? They’re still living in Guo Village. If trouble comes knocking on their door, how will you deal with it?”

“This…” Zhang Xiaohua hesitated, at a loss for words.

“If we act recklessly and bring disaster upon our family, wouldn’t that be a great loss?” Zhang Xiaohu said earnestly.

Zhang Xiaohua paused for a moment, his pupils suddenly contracting. He coldly said: “Second Brother, that would be fine as well. If they find our family in Guo Village, don’t even talk about a calamity of unimaginable proportions—if they harm a single hair on Father, Mother, or Big Brother and Sister-in-law, I will go to their door and wipe out their entire family!”

His words carried a heavy murderous intent. Such declarations were common among hardened wanderers of the Jianghu, but for Zhang Xiaohua, who had only just stepped into this world, it was surprising. Zhang Xiaohu couldn’t quite understand how his younger brother had developed such a killing intent. However, when it came to their family’s safety, he could empathize. If he were in the same position, he might react similarly. He simply nodded in acknowledgment.

What Zhang Xiaohu didn’t realize was that the ambush on that rainy night had already exposed Zhang Xiaohua to the bloody side of the Jianghu. The moment he had decisively drawn his small sword and slain the black-robed elder had been a testament to his resolute nature. Although he was still young and had yet to truly roam the Jianghu, his mind was already mature. Human life was precious, and the sight of blood was chilling, but if it meant ensuring justice and protecting his family, he would not hesitate to act.

Zhang Xiaohu then said: “We’re not afraid of trouble, but if we can avoid it altogether, wouldn’t that be even better?”

Zhang Xiaohua was puzzled. “Second Brother, you have more experience than me. Just tell me your plan—I’ll listen to you.”

Zhang Xiaohu took out a large handkerchief from his chest and covered his face with it. He grinned: “Look at me now—do you recognize who I am?”

Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes lit up with excitement. “That’s exactly what we should do! These two red chestnut-colored horses are too eye-catching. Second Brother, stay here and cover for me. I’ll go teach that scoundrel a lesson—what do you think?”

Zhang Xiaohu pondered for a moment before nodding. “Alright, go ahead and try. But if things go south, use your Qinggong to escape.”

Zhang Xiaohua frowned. “Second Brother, don’t underestimate me. Qinggong isn’t meant for running away!”