Chapter 242

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Zhang Xiaohua listened and felt moved in his heart. He thought it made a lot of sense, so he carefully unwrapped the oilcloth bundle. The bundle was wrapped extremely tightly, and he spent quite some time peeling it open before revealing a thin booklet.

The booklet was very thin, not even half as thick as the books Zhang Xiaohua usually read. Moreover, the paper was unusual—not ordinary paper but seemingly a type of silk fabric. When Zhang Xiaohua opened it, he was even more surprised. The contents were written in ancient script, and at the top of the first page were three large characters: “Bone-Consolidating Pill.”

A pill? Another pill? Could this be related to [Pill Refining Techniques]? Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

However, since he hadn’t even understood [Pill Refining Techniques] yet, it was natural that he wouldn’t comprehend the contents of this booklet either. After thinking for a moment, he decided to wait until he finished reading [Elementary Pill Refining Techniques] first. After all, that book had “elementary” in its title, so it was probably the simplest, right?

Zhang Xiaohua put away the booklet, carefully rewrapped the oilcloth bundle, then thought for a moment. Seeing that his second brother was keeping watch nearby, he took out his money pouch. Using his divine sense, he stored the oilcloth bundle and the jade bangles inside before placing the silver banknotes and other valuables back into the regular space of the pouch.

Zhang Xiaohu saw Zhang Xiaohua putting the banknotes into the pouch and chuckled: “This money pouch is quite something. It was empty not long ago, and now you’ve got silver banknotes going in again.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled but didn’t say anything, carefully putting the pouch away.

Once everything was settled, Zhang Xiaohua looked up at the sky and said: “Second Brother, it’s already noon. Are we still going to Young Master Li’s residence?”

“Why wouldn’t we go? Young Master Li’s house is in the southwest of Lu Town. You just caused a commotion in the east, far away from there. This time, we’ll enter through the west gate. You’ve already changed your clothes—who would recognize that it was you who made all that trouble? Besides, isn’t there a saying that the most dangerous place is the safest place? They would never expect that we’re still in Lu Town, visiting friends and relatives.”

Zhang Xiaohua grinned from ear to ear and said: “That sounds great! But my stomach has been empty for a while now. How about we find a restaurant, have a meal first, and then go?”

The two of them rode their horses through Lu Town’s west gate and found a nearby restaurant. They casually ordered a bowl of noodles and a few side dishes to fill their stomachs. As the saying goes, “Good deeds go unnoticed, but bad news spreads a thousand miles.” This couldn’t be more true.

Although Lu Town was not small, in just a short while, the news had already spread like wildfire—the fat man from the Zhao family had been beaten up in the east gate square, his leg broken. This was a truly satisfying piece of news, and it had already reached every corner of Lu Town.

Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua were eating their noodles in the restaurant when they overheard the talk and were both startled, afraid of being recognized. However, after listening carefully, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but find it ridiculous.

Aside from the detail that the assailant was masked, everything else in the rumors had completely changed beyond recognition. For instance, people were saying that the attacker had a face as fair as jade—but how could anyone tell when he had been wearing a mask? Others claimed he was over eight feet tall—Zhang Xiaohua secretly glanced at himself; had he really grown that much in just half a day? Then there was the claim that his voice was as loud and commanding as a deity descending to the mortal realm—this was even more absurd! He hadn’t even uttered a single word!

As he listened, Zhang Xiaohua straightened his back. How was this even about him anymore? This was practically a legendary hero! There were even rumors that he had helped elderly people cross the street and assisted in finding lost children. What was there to be afraid of now?

Zhang Xiaohu, listening beside him, nearly choked on his noodles and had to cover his mouth to keep from spewing them out. Holding his stomach, he burst into hearty laughter!

After finishing their meal, the two brothers left the restaurant, mounted their horses, and set off.

Zhang Xiaohua puzzled over it and asked: “Second Brother, how can people just make things up with their eyes wide open? Do I really look like that?”

Zhang Xiaohu replied: “Of course not. At this point, you’re no longer just yourself. You’ve become the embodiment of justice, a legend passed down for centuries. Sigh… There are too many injustices in this world. People can’t help but long for a hero to right their wrongs.”

Zhang Xiaohua sighed in agreement: “That’s true. Without injustice, how could there be heroes walking the righteous path? If every government official were an honest one, there would be no need for the title ‘Blue Sky Great Lord’.”

[TL_Note: A term used to refer to incorruptible and just officials, implying that such figures are rare.]

Zhang Xiaohu sighed: “Our strength is still limited. Being able to protect our family is already an achievement. Look at those people earlier—each of them carries grievances, hoping that you, their so-called embodiment of justice, will step in and help them.”

Zhang Xiaohua gritted his teeth and said: “I only hate that I don’t have a thousand incarnations, so I could uphold justice everywhere and eradicate all demons and monsters!”

[TL_Note: Epic foreshadowing]

Zhang Xiaohu clapped his hands and said: “Enough talk about national affairs, enough talk about national affairs.”

Zhang Xiaohua burst into laughter and urged his horse forward, catching up with his brother. Fortunately, there weren’t many pedestrians on the streets—either they were still in the restaurants, excitedly discussing the heroic deeds of the mysterious warrior, or they were hiding at home, secretly praying that this so-called hero wouldn’t visit their household. Otherwise, someone would surely be crouching in a corner, drawing circles in the dirt, cursing this “arrogant young master” for galloping recklessly through the streets and disturbing the peace.

Li Jinfeng’s home wasn’t far from the west gate of Lu Town.

The Li family ran a tailoring business and owned a shop that was neither too big nor too small. It was easy to locate. However, when Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu arrived, they found the storefront—bearing the sign “Li Family Tailor”—firmly shut.

Zhang Xiaohua was puzzled. This was prime business hours, so why would the shop be closed? A sense of unease crept into his heart.

Zhang Xiaohu dismounted and looked around, intending to find someone to ask. But Zhang Xiaohua chuckled and said: “Second Brother, Li Gongzi’s home is just behind the shop. We might as well go straight there and check. Asking around would lead us to his house anyway, wouldn’t it?”

Zhang Xiaohu shook his head and replied: “Xiaohua, this just shows your lack of experience in the Jianghu. Going directly to his house would indeed give us the real situation, but without any preparation, we might be caught off guard if something unexpected happens. It’s best to ask around first and get a general idea of what’s going on before we act.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded. His brother’s reasoning made a lot of sense. Such experience, gained through blood and hardship, wasn’t something a novice like him could easily understand.

The street where the Li Family Tailor shop was located was a bustling commercial district, lined with stores both large and small. Zhang Xiaohu first entered a small shop while Zhang Xiaohua stayed outside to tend to the horses. It wasn’t long before Zhang Xiaohu emerged, his face dark with a grim expression. Zhang Xiaohua, noticing this, quickly asked tentatively, “Second Brother, why did you come out so soon? Did they refuse to talk?”

Zhang Xiaohu bit his lip without answering. He simply gestured for Zhang Xiaohua to follow, walked toward a larger jade shop, and said: “Tie the horses over there and come inside with me.”

Zhang Xiaohua hesitated, sensing that something was definitely wrong. But since his brother didn’t explain, he didn’t dare ask further. He tied up the horses and followed his second brother into the jade shop.

Inside the shop, several clerks were whispering among themselves. When they saw customers enter, they didn’t welcome them with enthusiasm as expected. Instead, they seemed hesitant. Only when Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu walked further inside did one of the older, more experienced clerks—after some nudging from the others—step forward with a forced smile and say: “Honored guests, are you here to buy jade? Please, this way.”

Zhang Xiaohua found it odd that they weren’t standing at the door to greet customers. Now, seeing their reluctance, he became even more suspicious.

Zhang Xiaohu, however, paid no mind to their lack of hospitality. He simply said: “Brother, we’re not here to buy jade. We just want to ask about the ‘Li Family Tailor’ shop across the street.”

Hearing this, the shop assistant’s face turned deathly pale. He shrank back, waving his hands frantically. “Heroes, please spare me! I have nothing to do with this matter! I have an eighty-year-old mother above and a three-year-old child below—my one life is actually three lives! Please, have mercy on me!”

Zhang Xiaohu forced a slight smile and said: “We are not people from West Cui Mountain. We are merely friends of Young Master Li and came today to visit him. By coincidence, we found the shop closed and wanted to ask what happened.”

“West Cui Mountain!?” A loud “boom” resounded in Zhang Xiaohua’s mind as everything suddenly became clear.

If it had been in the past, Zhang Xiaohua would have already dashed off to Li’s residence to see for himself. But now, he merely clenched his teeth slightly, his eyes narrowing for a moment, before silently staying behind his second brother, watching attentively.

The shop assistant, upon hearing this, seemed slightly relieved, but he still shook his head repeatedly and insisted he knew nothing.

Just then, from behind the curtain behind the counter, an elderly man in a merchant’s robe stepped out. Zhang Xiaohua found him somewhat familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before. Thinking carefully, wasn’t this the relative of one of the two girls he and his brother had rescued the other day? He had indeed seen this man by the roadside before.

The elderly man walked past the counter and gestured for the shop assistants to withdraw. He then scrutinized Zhang Xiaohu before shifting his gaze to Zhang Xiaohua.

When his eyes landed on Zhang Xiaohua, they lit up with a hint of joy. However, he quickly turned back to Zhang Xiaohu and asked: “Brave sirs, I am the owner of this jade shop, surnamed Yu. May I ask why you are inquiring about the ‘Li Family Tailor’?”

Zhang Xiaohu also recognized the man but was uncertain about his relationship with the Li family. He cupped his fists and replied: “I am a friend of Young Master Li Jinfeng. I came today to visit his elders but found the ‘Li Family Tailor’ shop closed, so I wanted to ask the neighboring businesses about it.”

Shopkeeper Yu said: “Just now, I heard you say you are not from West Cui Mountain, so you must already know something.”

Zhang Xiaohu nodded in acknowledgment.

Shopkeeper Yu remained silent for a moment before saying: “Please come inside, and I will explain everything in detail.”

The two followed the elderly man into the rear hall. After being served fragrant tea, Shopkeeper Yu finally asked: “You say you are friends of Jinfeng. Do you have any proof?”

Zhang Xiaohu was not surprised by the question. He proceeded to recount in detail how he had come to know and befriend Li Jinfeng. As he spoke, Shopkeeper Yu nodded repeatedly, clearly convinced by his words.

After Zhang Xiaohu finished speaking, Shopkeeper Yu finally said: “You two are indeed telling the truth. It seems you are truly friends of Jinfeng. I watched Jinfeng grow up and regard him as if he were my own nephew. So, if you don’t mind, I will take the liberty of addressing you both as nephews.”

Zhang Xiaohu hurriedly stood up and repeatedly said he dared not accept such an honor.

Shopkeeper Yu waved his hand, motioning for Zhang Xiaohu to sit down, then continued: “Speaking of the Li family’s misfortune, it all started about ten days ago. I have no sons, only a daughter named Bihe. She grew up together with Jinfeng and Yinfeng from the Li family. After Jinfeng left for Pingyang City to study, only Yinfeng remained at home with her parents. My daughter Bihe and Yinfeng have always been close. Ten days ago, they went out together for an autumn outing. I thought they wouldn’t go far, so I didn’t send too many people to protect them. But unexpectedly, they encountered the bandits from West Cui Mountain.”