Chapter 167: One Bitch, One Cripple
Chen Shun’an suddenly remembered that he seemed to have not come to the Chivalrous Book Teahouse to listen to stories for many days.
“Busy, so busy, but listening to Yu Xiaoquan tell stories can’t be missed.”
Chen Shun’an silently recited in his heart, instructing the sedan bearers to find the tea room and reserve seats for all of Yu Xiaoquan’s sessions.
But it was too late; when the sedan bearers returned, they said the private room main table was already gone, and they only bought a short stool in the corner.
“Shopkeeper Chen, Shopkeeper Chen!”
Suddenly, Chen Shun’an was feeling regretful.
Then he saw a somewhat familiar servant quietly following up and flashing to the sedan window.
“Oh, it’s Xiao Liu, what’s up?”
Xiao Liu was a shop assistant at a teahouse not far from the Crouching Tiger Well.
Chen Shun’an had drunk tea there a few times.
Xiao Liu lowered his voice and said,
“Master Chen, be careful of the Fish Huo and Owl Third Master! They’ve recently changed districts and come to the Crouching Tiger Well side… These huo are all utterly heartless scoundrels who even sell Heart Clearing Paste. They’re probably already plotting against your Five-colored Sweet Dew, so be careful!”
Xiao Liu glanced around left and right, saw no one noticing him, and hurried away after speaking.
The sedan curtain fell, blocking out the street market clamor.
Owl Third Master…
Chen Shun’an leaned on his seat, the corners of his mouth turning up as he gave a cold smile.
……
“Shopkeeper Chen, take care. The silver you wanted is all Jingping Silver, prepared and placed on the horse-drawn carriage. If it’s short even one tael, you can take it up with me.”
Huo Ning nodded and bowed, personally seeing Chen Shun’an onto the carriage.
If not for Chen Shun’an’s refusal, he would even kneel on the ground as a footstool for Chen Shun’an to step on to get into the carriage.
Unlike last time when Chen Shun’an borrowed money and Huo Ning had to question him thoroughly before reporting back to Zhao Guanghui.
This time, after Chen Shun’an came to explain his purpose and borrow another three thousand taels of silver.
Huo Ning was all bold and direct, pulling over a chair to sit with legs crossed, pouring tea, offering smokes and snacks, serving him politely, afraid of neglecting Chen Shun’an.
This was the value of a Crouching Tiger Well shopkeeper!
After Chen Shun’an left.
Huo Ning suddenly narrowed his eyes in a sly laugh and immediately rode off to the Zhao Mansion.
In the Zhao Mansion.
The qin music was eerie; Zhao Guanghui sat alone in the study room, holding the strings, plucking the qin and zither.
The entire mansion was silent as the grave; passing maidservants and servants had pale faces and trembling legs.
Ever since that day Zhao Guanghui returned from the Banye Ferry Crossing, he had shut himself in the study room, neither eating nor drinking, just obsessively playing the qin.
Several young maidservants who entered midway to deliver tea and food never came out after stepping into the study room.
“Oh? Chen Shun’an came to borrow money again?”
Zhao Guanghui steadied the qin strings, reached out and grabbed a provocatively dressed young girl, one hand quite roughly, without controlling his strength, tearing her silk skirt, half-undressing her, leaving bruises on her juicy tender flesh.
Only at this moment did a bit of smile appear on Zhao Guanghui’s face.
“Good news.”
Xiao Man, who was usually pampered and coaxed by Cheng Bin, afraid of her suffering the slightest grievance, was now like a slave before Zhao Guanghui. Even under inhuman torment, she showed a pitiable look, kneeling at Zhao Guanghui’s feet, her red lips alluring, delicate brows furrowed.
Huo Ning stood to the side, eyes on his nose tip, as if he hadn’t seen the scene.
Huo Ning said: “Adding the previous four thousand taels, Chen Shun’an would have borrowed a full seven thousand taels. With just one month until the three-month deadline, there will be a massive debt of tens of thousands of taels.”
Huo Ning squeezed a fawning smile on his face and said,
“Congratulations to the Landlord, felicitations to the Landlord, another loyal dog with Three Refinements Martial Body! Especially, a Crouching Tiger Well shopkeeper!”
“Hahahaha… wonderful plan, wonderful plan!”
In Zhao Guanghui’s mind, on one side he recalled the scene that day of being palm-struck by Zhao Guangxi, with Chen Shun’an and others gloating sarcastically at him.
On the other side, he fantasized about one day sending Chen Shun’an to mine and extract treasures, or even throw him into the Blood Pool to nurture【Undying Molting Insect Solution】, while Zhao Guangxi was hysterical and helpless.
Moreover,【Undying Molting Insect Solution】nurtured to minor completion would breed a Tongue Corpse Ding Jia.
Once the Tongue Corpse Ding Jia emerged, who but a Martial Dao Grandmaster could contend with it?
At that time, what wellhead, what Chengping Guan Well Sword, what bullshit Leader Lu, Commander Liu—they would be no more than clay chickens and pottery dogs, collapsing at a touch?!
Who could kill me?!
Zhao Guanghui’s expression gradually twisted into madness, filled with a sickly excitement, his hand unconsciously exerting more force.
Intense pain came; Xiao Man felt like she was about to explode, but could only endure it desperately, even cooperating with assenting sounds.
Zhao Guanghui looked at Xiao Man, suddenly thought of something, licked the corner of his mouth and said,
“I forgot to ask you, how’s your hooked mark going?”
Xiao Man lowered her brows obediently and said,
“Although some days ago, Cheng Bin’s colleagues acted, throwing him into the water prison and ruining my plans. But Cheng Bin had long fallen truly for me, sneaked out of prison, and even gave me his ancestral poetry scroll as a betrothal gift…”
Xiao Man showed a fawning expression and said: “Now Cheng Bin is penniless, just a bug who can’t repay his debts. Landlord, you can go collect the debt.”
“Good, good, good, more good news!”
Although Cheng Bin was worthless to Zhao Guanghui, like an ant.
But he could still slightly disgust Zhao Guangxi.
Seeing Zhao Guanghui in a great mood, Xiao Man struck while the iron was hot, her smooth white arm immediately hooking around Zhao Guanghui’s neck, pressing her plump figure into his embrace.
Xiao Man breathed like orchid and said,
“Then Landlord, as you said before, once I finish this deal, you’ll give me the antidote for the bone-etching powder. I’m getting old and fading, and want to head south to find a suitable husband to marry, properly manage the household and raise children—”
Crack!
Xiao Man’s voice abruptly stopped.
Zhao Guanghui twisted her neck, then disdainfully tossed her to the ground.
“Blind thing!”
Zhao Guanghui snorted coldly.
Xiao Man’s expressive eyes quickly dimmed and turned ashen.
Her small body, covered in wounds, curled up.
“Drag her out and feed her to the dogs.”
Zhao Guanghui instructed Huo Ning.
Huo Ning quickly agreed and took Xiao Man’s corpse away.
Killing Xiao Man was without reason.
Zhao Guanghui was already in a bad mood.
And at this moment, Xiao Man raised the demand for the antidote.
Making Zhao Guanghui even more irritable.
This couldn’t be blamed on Zhao Guanghui; he just made a mistake anyone would make.
“Master, the Fish Huo’s fortress lord Owl Third Master requests an audience.”
As Zhao Guanghui was about to continue playing the qin, a butler with a nervous expression carefully stepped into the study room.
Owl Third Master?
Zhao Guanghui was stunned for a moment.
He had no dealings or grudges with the Four Great Huo on ordinary days.
He hadn’t expected this person to come visiting.
He hesitated, then said,
“Have him wait in the main hall.”
“Yes!”
The butler immediately left.
After half a incense stick.
Zhao Guanghui and Owl Third Master sat facing each other in the main hall.
“Owl Third Master, I’ve long heard of your great name, like thunder piercing the ear. Seeing you today, the reputation is well-deserved.”
“Where where, Boss Zhao’s money house spans Wuqing County; even I, Owl Third Master, have borrowed a few sums of silver…”
Owl Third Master wore a dark-patterned brocade robe; at this moment he laughed heartily, his pair of deep hollow ears even trembling exaggeratedly, appearing somewhat eerie.
“Right.”
Owl Third Master signaled to the person beside him.
The light gauze was lifted from the jade basin holding clear water, revealing a Precious Fish inside, with horns on its forehead and fangs in its mouth, swaying leisurely in the water—clearly no ordinary item.
“Boss Zhao, a small gift, not much respect.”
Owl Third Master’s fleshy face squeezed out a warm smile.
“This Precious Fish is Dragon Seed; raising it at home gathers wealth and blessings.”
Zhao Guanghui stroked his beard and sat upright, his gaze lingering on the Precious Fish for a moment, a faint smile at the corner of his mouth: “Owl Third Master with such a heavy gift, Zhao feels unworthy. I wonder what brings you here today?”
Owl Third Master sighed, the smile fading from his face, replaced by a gloominess.
“Since that’s the case, I’ll be direct, brother! I originally did business with Fragrant Heart Clearing Paste, as you know, just hard-earned money with risks!”
“But recently, that Chen Shun’an at Crouching Tiger Well used some sorcery to make ‘Five-colored Sweet Dew’ that specifically cures pipe addiction!”
Owl Third Master grew more agitated, his knuckles turning white.
This Chen Shun’an first rejected his good intentions, now cut off his wealth— no different from killing his parents!
“And I heard that Boss Zhao seems to have some rift with this Chen Shun’an… Why not we team up and ally? When he goes to the Rongyuan Orphanage, strike first, fuck him up!”
Seeing no reaction from Zhao Guanghui, Owl Third Master leaned forward and said,
“As long as Boss Zhao agrees, from now on our Four Great Huo are all Boss Zhao’s friends! No matter how fierce Zhao Guangxi is, he’s just one tree that can’t prop up the forest!”
The main hall fell silent for a moment.
Only the occasional chirp of a caged thrush outside the room.
Zhao Guanghui’s gaze fell again on that Precious Fish.
He pondered for a long time, finally saying gravely,
“Zhao understands. Zhao quite likes this Precious Fish.”
Done!
Seeing Zhao Guanghui accept the fish, Owl Third Master’s face instantly bloomed with a smile mixing joy and ferocity.
He strode away, laughing ferociously.
Zhao Guanghui sat in the main seat, the corner of his mouth also gradually hooking into a ferocious smile.
“Zhu the Butcher.”
He called out a name.
“Boss.”
A burly man with brows like ink brushes, eyes like black ink, flesh rippling like waves, appeared lightly before Zhao Guanghui like a gust of wind.
Zhao Guanghui enunciated: “Tonight, kill Owl Third Master and send him into the Blood Pool.”
What thing dares touch Chen Shun’an?
I am Chen Shun’an’s creditor; no one but me is allowed to touch him!
In this world, the one who least wants Chen Shun’an dead is probably Zhao Guanghui.
Even if he dies, he must be fattened up first, become a True Intent Master, then die at Zhao Guanghui’s hand!
As for that Precious Fish.
The fish is good; I’ve accepted it.
……
The sun had just dipped behind the western city battlements; the biting northwest wind swept through the streets, kicking up the remaining dust and snow on the ground.
Cheng Bin, full-faced with stubble, clothes crusted with layers of mud and filth, squatted at the alley entrance not far from the Zhao Mansion, like a beggar, reeking of stench, passersby hurrying away with hands over noses.
Cheng Bin had personally seen Xiao Man board Zhao Guanghui’s horse-drawn carriage, then with the bumpy carriage, twisting her water-snake-like slender waist, throwing herself into Zhao Guanghui’s arms.
And following Zhao Guanghui into the mansion.
Cheng Bin’s face showed pain, unable to bear watching more.
But he had waited bitterly outside the mansion for two days, seeing all sorts of people come visiting and enter the Zhao Mansion.
Yet he never saw that soul-stirring figure leave the Zhao Mansion again.
Did Xiao Man deceive him or not—he wasn’t unclear?
But Cheng Bin was a cripple, who had endured cold eyes his whole life, whose wife had run off with another—a cripple.
A cripple whom even brothers like Sun Xiao, Instructor Lin, Old Chen occasionally pitied and gave alms.
But Xiao Man pretended the most convincingly, the one who least treated him like a cripple.
She pretended so well that Cheng Bin even thought he had become a man with sound limbs.
