Chapter 68

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

 

Chapter 68: The Money Pouch

     

The scene that unfolded before the Zhang brothers was a bustling, wide avenue, two to three times wider than the streets of Lu Town, teeming with shops and throngs of people. It is much busier and more vibrant than the streets of Lu Town during the New Year. The lively atmosphere and constant buzz of activity were overwhelming for the brothers, who had never witnessed such a spectacle.

     

Zhang Xiaohu scratched his head and said: “It’s already summer. How could it be New Year?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua chuckled: “Yes, Pingyang City is really lively. If we hadn’t come, we’d never have known.”

     

Despite the novelty of everything before them, the two of them knew that they had seen very little before after traveling for a few days. They quickly learned to internalize and accept the sights and sounds around them. Zhang Xiaohua, in particular, seemed to adapt more swiftly than expected for a thirteen-year-old, a sign of his growing maturity.

     

Zhang Xiaohu, being older, had heard tales of the world’s grandeur beyond their hometown, but his mental images were based on Lu Town. The reality was much grander than he had anticipated, but he adjusted quickly.

     

Curiosity fueled their exploration as they wandered through the crowd, taking in the sights. Initially, they felt a bit reserved, but they soon noticed that, despite many people dressed in fine clothes, there were plenty of others dressed just as plainly as they were. No one paid them undue attention, and shopkeepers even eagerly invited them into their stores. This helped them relax and enjoy the city.

     

However, after walking for a while, the two were dumbfounded again. Why?

     

They were lost, where were they? It seemed that they had long deviated from the route the carriage inn’s staff had recommended.

     

If you get lost, you naturally have to ask someone for directions, so the two of them thought about who to ask.

     

Just then, a young man squeezed between them from behind, saying: “Excuse me, coming through.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua casually stepped aside to let him pass, but as the man moved by, he deftly slipped his hand into Zhang Xiaohu’s waist and snatched his small money pouch. Zhang Xiaohu was still looking around for someone to ask for directions, unaware of the theft. However, Zhang Xiaohua, with his heightened senses, immediately noticed what had happened. He quickly stepped forward, blocking the man’s path, and grabbed his wrist, which was still holding the money pouch. In a stern voice, he demanded, “What do you think you’re doing?”

     

The young man, who was about the same age and height as Zhang Xiaohu, looked down at Zhang Xiaohua, who was a head shorter, and casually said: “Nothing much.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua asked: “Then why are you holding my second brother’s money pouch?”

     

The young man sneered: “How did it become your family’s money pouch? It’s clearly in my hand, so it’s mine.”

     

After saying that, he tried to shake Zhang Xiaohua’s hand away and pull it out, but how could Zhang Xiaohua let him do so? He tightened his grip slightly, causing the young man to cry out in pain: “Ouch, ouch, have mercy little master. Easy, easy, my wrist is going to break.”

     

Zhang Xiaohu, now aware of the situation, quickly snatched his money pouch from the young man’s hand and checked to see if any silver was missing. Once Zhang Xiaohua saw his second brother had the money pouch back, he released his grip. At that moment, several other people rushed past them, bumping into the brothers. Zhang Xiaohua was puzzled by their rudeness and urgency but realized too late that the young thief had slipped away in the commotion. The brothers exchanged looks, understanding that the rushers were likely in cahoots with the thief. After ensuring they hadn’t lost anything else, they decided to be more cautious.

     

But their trust in the city’s people was shaken, so they chose to ask an elderly woman who looked kind for directions. After taking directions they continued on their way. Pingyang City was indeed vast, after walking for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they still hadn’t reached the east gate. They weren’t tired but were very thirsty in the heat. They found a roadside stall selling cold tea for one wen per large bowl. Delighted, they each drank a bowl, paid, and asked for directions again.

     

As they were about to leave, Zhang Xiaohua suddenly pulled Zhang Xiaohu aside, pointed at a person in front, and whispered: “Second Brother, look at that person ahead. Isn’t he the one who stole our money pouch earlier?”

     

Zhang Xiaohu squinted and shook his head, “I can’t tell. I didn’t get a good look at him when he stole the money pouch earlier, I didn’t pay attention either. He was gone before I noticed.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua insisted: “It should be right, it’s him.”

     

Zhang Xiaohu was skeptical: “Are you certain? We can’t accuse someone without proof. Besides, we have no way to catch him.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua grinned: “Second Brother, look at what he’s doing. He’s eyeing that girl’s money pouch.”

     

Zhang Xiaohu took another look and indeed, walking in front of the young man was a girl holding an unknown potted plant. At her waist dangled a small emerald-green money pouch, swaying as she walked. Weren’t the young man’s eyes fixed on the pouch?

     

Watching closely, the young man quickened his pace. Zhang Xiaohua hurriedly tossed the small bundle in his hand to Zhang Xiaohu, saying: “Hold this for me, Second Brother. Watch how I catch the thief.”

     

At that moment, the young thief had already reached the girl. With a quick grab, he snatched the money pouch and darted away. The girl realized what happened and cried out: “My money pouch, you despicable thief!”

     

However, how could she chase him while holding the flower pot in her hands? She stomped her foot in frustration, muttering to herself: “I’ll let you take it for now. Third Uncle will clean you up later.”

     

In her moment of annoyance, the brave and righteous Zhang Xiaohua arrived and said: “Wait a moment. I’ll go help you get it back.”

     

With that, he chased after the thief’s retreating figure shouting: “Catch the thief!”

     

Hearing someone shout, the thief glanced back and saw Zhang Xiaohua, the one who had grabbed his wrist earlier. Thinking about the black bruise on his wrist, he immediately sped up, trying to shake off Zhang Xiaohua’s pursuit.

     

In the thief’s mind, Zhang Xiaohua was just a kid. Even though he was strong, couldn’t be faster than an adult, so he would be able to run away in no time.

     

But Zhang Xiaohua was the exception. He persisted and chased the thief through several streets. The young thief was already getting tired, and when he looked back, Zhang Xiaohua was still closing in on him. Feeling cornered as his accomplices hadn’t caught up due to the distance, the thief couldn’t help but feel anxious.

     

With a quick glance around, he raised his hand and threw the money pouch into a nearby alley. Then, he sprinted in the opposite direction. Zhang Xiaohua arrived at the spot where the money pouch was thrown and quickly picked it up. By the time he returned, the young thief had already disappeared into the alley.

     

However, Zhang Xiaohua’s only intention was to recover the money pouch, not to catch the person, so he retraced his steps.

     

Fortunately, the chase hadn’t taken them too far, and Zhang Xiaohua was able to find his way back based on his memory. He saw that the girl was still waiting in the same place.

     

Taking the money pouch handed over by Zhang Xiaohua, the young girl smiled and said: “Thank you.”

     

Looking at the girl with her braided hair and clothes in red and green, Zhang Xiaohua blushed slightly and hurriedly replied: “It’s nothing. He just tried to steal our things earlier. However, he was very cunning and we didn’t catch him, so he got away.”

     

The young girl said: “It’s alright. As long as the money pouch is back, that’s what matters. Thank you so much. I’ll leave first, someone is waiting for me over there.”

     

With that, the young girl smiled again at Zhang Xiaohua and turned to walk towards the east.

     

Zhang Xiaohu approached at this moment and praised Zhang Xiaohua with a smile: “Xiaohua, you’re really amazing. You managed to get the money pouch back. But you’re still young. What if a fight broke out? You wouldn’t be a match. Next time, let me chase after them.”

     

Taking back his small bundle, Zhang Xiaohua said confidently: “It’s alright, Second Brother. I think I’m very powerful now. I chased him for so long just now, and I’m not even tired.”

     

Thinking his younger brother was bragging, Zhang Xiaohu just smiled and said: “Of course. Xiaohua has grown up, so he’s definitely very powerful.”

     

The two of them continued walking east, coincidentally following behind the young girl.

     

After walking for a while, the young girl turned around and saw the two of them following behind. She stopped and waited for them to catch up, then asked: “It looks like we’re going the same way. Where are you headed?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua replied: “We want to go to Piaomiao Manor.”

     

“Piaomiao Manor?” The young girl looked puzzled. “What are you going there for?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua explained: “We want to learn martial arts.”

     

“Learn martial arts? Going to the Piaomiao Manor?” The young girl was even more surprised. “I haven’t heard that Piaomiao Manor is recruiting disciples again.”

     

However, she added: “It’s quite far from here to Piaomiao Manor. How do you plan to get there? Are you going to walk?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua blushed a bit and said: “Yes, we’re coming here for the first time, so we don’t know the way.”

     

The young girl smiled and said: “Alright then, since I’m going the same way, why don’t you come with me? I’ll take you there as a thank you for helping me retrieve my money pouch earlier. How does that sound?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua happily agreed: “Great! Thank you so much.”

     

True to her word, not far ahead on the roadside was a carriage parked with several flower pots already placed inside. There was still some space available, and once the young girl and the Zhang brothers boarded, the carriage started moving slowly.

     

During the ride, the three of them engaged in light conversation and exchanged names, so Zhang Xiaohua learned that the girl’s name was Qiu Tong, a maid at the manor who had come out to buy some potted plants for the estate. They didn’t delve into much else, except for Qiu Tong sharing some information about Pingyang City and its surrounding scenic spots.