"Ning Xian, who's outside?" Mr. Dongli came out and opened the door. Du Zhengnian stumbled in and hid behind Mr. Dongli. The men were wary and didn't barge in directly. They said, "He owes us a lot of money and took our boss's things! As long as he comes back with us, we'll leave immediately!"
"Do you think you can take people away from me?" Ning Xian swung the hemp rope. Although she had no good feelings towards Du Zhengnian and wanted to teach him a lesson, her years of experience in the Netherworld had made her prone to protecting her own.
Although those men were just low-level thugs, they still had some sense. They said, "Even if he doesn't come with us, he won't live much longer! He has poison in his body from our boss. If there's no antidote, he won't live much longer! You'd better hand over the goods and return the money as soon as possible, and maybe our boss will spare his life!"
Du Zhengnian's expression changed again, but he was not surprised. Clearly, he already knew that he had been poisoned.
He pretended to be sick before, which was probably because he had gotten into trouble and offended the wrong people, so he pretended to be sick and hid at home. But perhaps he was also frightened. But if he was poisoned, why didn't he say so?
Mr. Dongli was slightly surprised. He turned to look at him, reached out and took his hand to check his pulse, but found nothing unusual. Du Zhengnian asked nervously, "Am I alright?!"
"Are you really poisoned?"
"Okay, it seems so—it has happened a few times, but nothing's happened for so many days, I thought—" —What a lazy bum!
Ning Xian was so angry she wanted to slap him. "You deserve to die and no one will care!"
She jumped down the wall and went back into the house. Mr. Dongli looked at Du Zhengnian and shook his head. Just as he was about to go back, Du Zhengnian suddenly screamed and fell to the ground, curled up in a ball, and convulsed. Mr. Dongli hurriedly turned around to check on her and was secretly shocked—what a strange poison! When it wasn't taking effect, it seemed to be lurking deep in her body without leaving a trace. But once it took effect, it was like a ferocious beast.
Chapter Seventy: The Incurable Poison (from "The Wife Climbs the Wall") by Lian Zhi Qingting.
"Uncle? How's that guy?"
"He won't die, but it's really a bit of a dilemma." Dong Li walked out of Du Zhengnian's bedroom and sat down in a chair. "What? Even Gui Juezi can't cure his poison?"
Dongli smiled and said, "Reputation is just a matter of hearsay. While I am skilled in medicine and have considerable experience in treating injuries, illnesses, and health preservation, I am not very proficient in poisons. Although medicine and poison are related, I am only familiar with poisons related to medicine. As for other unorthodox poisons, I am really helpless."
"But I have never heard of anyone in the martial arts world who Gui Juezi cannot cure."
"That's because I know I can't cure him, so I simply don't bother trying to treat him."
Ning Xian shrugged. "The rumors are truly terrifying..."
"Hehe..." Dongli poured himself a cup of tea, twirling it in his hand, "But I wonder how much you value this 'Young Master Fang'?"
"Cherish him? It would be better if he were dead!"
Uncle Dongli nodded with a half-smile. "That's good. I've done all I can. Let fate decide." He had just gotten up to leave when Ning Xian hesitated and called out to him, "Um, Uncle... if you put it that way, is there another way...?" Dongli seemed to have expected this and turned back, smiling as he asked, "Wouldn't it be better if he died?"
Ning Xian hesitated and said, "He is the older brother of one of my... good friends. His younger brother died because of me, so no matter what..." Uncle Dongli nodded knowingly, "Then we have no choice but to go and see that boss."
“I’d better ask Du Zhengnian what he took from them first, so I can return it to them.” Ning Xian was about to go inside when Dong Li stopped him. “No need. I’ve already asked. He’s already sold the things.”
"Huh?!" What's wrong with him?! He should just be dead!
After questioning Du Zhengnian in detail, it turned out that he had impersonated Master Fang's son to arrive in this place. Within two days of arriving, he began to abuse Master Fang's influence, incurring the wrath of the local bullies. He owed them a large sum of money, but they respected him as the young master of the Fang family's escort agency and gave him a chance to gamble with their leader. Du Zhengnian's version of events was that he won the bet but then refused to pay, demanding his winnings back—of course, given his guilty behavior when they came to his door earlier, she didn't believe it. Under intimidation, he confessed that he had been caught cheating in the bet and fled home in haste. Later, he was caught, poisoned, and forced to hand over his belongings. However, he had already sold the items for money and couldn't repay the debt. Then, the poison took effect, so he pretended to be sick at home ever since.
Ning Xian held back from killing him, which shows how much mess Ci Sheng and the Du family had cleaned up for him in the past, and in the end, he lost everything.
Ning Xian didn't underestimate that so-called local tyrant. Even his henchmen were so perceptive and coordinated, demonstrating the boss's power. However, she didn't want to involve Feng in matters concerning Ci Sheng and Du Zhengnian. She didn't inform Feng and went out alone with weapons.
She had barely stepped out the door when a bright red blur in her eyes made her stop in her tracks, chilled to the bone… Should she pretend she didn’t see it? She continued walking—an ultra-icy, cold-light eye attack!
Ning Xian shivered violently, turning around with lingering trembling...
"Ah... Feng, what a coincidence, you're going out too?"
Feng Baojian had been waiting by the wall outside the door for a long time, and gave a half-hearted smile—"I was still wondering when you planned to 'see' me?"
"I just had something urgent to take care of, it wasn't intentional (ignoring you—do you even have the guts to say those three words?), really..."
“I knew you would come when Mr. Dongli said he couldn’t cure the poison, but I didn’t expect you to come looking for me.” Ning Xian smiled bitterly, “Actually, you did expect it, which is why you’re waiting for me here.”
"If I hadn't come, you would have gone by yourself. But I would prefer that you came out alone because you couldn't find me."
Is it too late for me to say this now?
Feng gave her an indifferent smile, walked closer to her, and said, "I'll let you fool me this once."
A smile unconsciously crept onto Ning Xian's face. When exactly did Feng become so warm and comforting to be around? So soft, so warm, and a little bit overwhelming…
Walking beside him, I can recall many times we walked together, but each time, things gradually became different.
…………
"Halt! Who goes there?!"
Ning Xian smiled slightly, "We are from the Fang family, please inform them."
The sight of such a delicate and charming girl in this place truly startled the gatekeeper. It was the first time he'd ever received such a polite request for information, and he could only stammer a few words, unsure how to respond. He simply said, "Wait, wait a minute, I'll go ask." Watching the gatekeeper jog inside, Feng turned around, her face sour, and asked, "When did you learn to 'greet people with a smile' like that?" Ning Xian must be even less perceptive of romance, right?
"Really..." Ning Xian touched his face, puzzled. "Actually, I've been thinking about changing my image for a while now... It seems like this type of person is easier to please, like Uncle Dongli, or Yue Ji..."
"...So you still mind Yue Ji after all?"
Where?
The two men stood at the doorway whispering to each other when the gatekeeper came running out again. "You two, come in, the boss wants to see you."
Ning Xian stopped his idle chatter with Feng and walked into the courtyard. He saw two people already waiting in the front hall. One was burly and imposing, immediately reminding Ning Xian of a brown bear. The other was more ordinary-looking, strong and muscular, with a plain but pleasing appearance—except the brown bear was sitting while the human was standing, clearly the bear was the boss—the first person Ning Xian practiced "smiling at people" with was a brown bear, which was quite frustrating. "Is this the former boss?"
“That’s right, I am Yuan Tianba. You’re from the Fang family, so it’s about that brat from the Fang family?” “Indeed, it’s about Fang Zhengnian…”
"There's not much to say about him. Just return the things and the money, and cripple one of his hands. It's that simple."
Ning Xian thought to herself that it was quite agreeable to consider the possibility that Du Zhengnian would behave himself after one of his hands was crippled... Sigh, she still couldn't do it, could she?
"I wonder what it will take for Boss Yuan to let Fang Zhengnian go?"
"That's simple. As long as you can pick my little place, I'll let that kid surnamed Fang go!" Boss Yuan looked Ning Xian and Feng over and over. "This little girl is the one who beat up my men, right?" He had already heard about it from his men. Judging from their description, there shouldn't be another woman with such looks and such courage.
"—You chose it?" Ning Xian's lips twitched. In the end, she still had to resort to this most direct and primitive violent method? This was a common occurrence for her, but this time, Du Zhengnian was in the wrong after all.
"Boss Yuan, do we really need to be so acrimonious?" She had almost forgotten that she and Feng had come out to relax and have some fun, and now it had turned into such a bloody affair? Did she and Feng's relationship just seem like it was destined to attract bloodshed?
"Seeing you're just a young girl and a pretty boy, I'll give you a chance. We'll have a tournament, five people each, a round-robin competition, set for tomorrow. If you win three times, I'll only ask for the prizes and money; if you win five times, I'll let it go and this matter will be considered closed!" "Okay! It's settled then!" Ning Xian immediately agreed to avoid the other party going back on their word—she should have come alone; maybe if this Boss Yuan had underestimated her, it would have been easier.
The man next to the original leader frowned slightly when he saw Ning Xian agree so readily. "Brother, isn't this a bit too much..." "Hey~~ They're just young girls and pretty boys, what are you afraid of?"
"I'm afraid you'll lose everything, brother."
"Tch, worrying unnecessarily. When has my brother ever suffered a setback in the past few years?"
Yes... we haven't suffered any setbacks in the past few years, but a few years ago... "Don't forget that a few years ago, our elder brother and younger brother were defeated by a little girl."
The eldest brother's face darkened for a moment, then he laughed sheepishly, "Hahaha, second brother, don't be so timid just because you've been bitten by a snake once. How many girls like that can you find in this world?"
(Here's a thank you to the original two brothers for their cameo appearances. Does nobody remember their names? No problem—if you don't remember Baymax, just go back and review! Haha!)
On the other side—
As Feng walked, she asked, "Why did you agree so quickly?"
"We're afraid he'll change his mind, otherwise we'll have to start another massacre..."
"But he said—five people."
"Huh? That..." He scratched his head, looked up at the sky, and counted on his fingers—"You, me, Hua Hua, Uncle, and that spendthrift—that's exactly five people."
"...You want a blind man, a good-for-nothing, and an old man to fight in the arena?"
“…Well…anyway, it’s not their turn, right…uh, the two of us should be enough, right?” “…”
Feng turned her head away—whatever.
Chapter Seventy-One: The Arena
The next day, in the same courtyard.
The courtyard had been cleared out, but on one side were the eldest brother, Yuan Hu, his second brother, and three muscular thugs. On the other side, besides the little girl and pretty boy we had already seen, there was also Blind Mei, a seemingly frail barefoot doctor, and finally, the useless spendthrift son of the Fang family, whom everyone recognized.
Facing their opponents, what else did they have? They really had nothing to offer. Even the rough-around-the-edges Boss Yuan knew that mocking one's opponent in the ring was a bad thing, but it was just... just too much to resist. Not laughing heartily would be incredibly disrespectful. Du Zhengnian, his legs weak, was being carried by Feng, wanting to escape but having no chance, only trying to shrink behind Feng as much as possible. Were these people crazy? If they wanted to challenge Boss Yuan, why bring him along? Couldn't they have just come themselves? What could he possibly do? Did they really have the confidence to defeat them all? Would it be his turn? But what if they failed? How would he escape?
His thoughts were written all over his face, easily read by the naked eye. Ning Xian glared at him resentfully, then at the burly thug who had already stepped forward; the man's size alone was enough to intimidate anyone. Boss Yuan waited expectantly to see who they would send out—
The little girl seemed quite skilled with a whip; the key to whip fighting lies in a finesse, but unfortunately, it was too weak against someone of such weight. And after all, she was just a small girl; how much strength could she possibly have? That frail-looking man seemed to run a local clinic, so his background was probably not simple, but judging by his physique, he was no match for him. As for the rest… he didn't even glance at the blind man and the spendthrift; could it be that pretty boy?
He wanted to see how many people dared to come today, and what kind of hidden talents or powerful figures might be lurking among them.
"So, who wants to go first? Remember, it's a rotation game. If you fall, you lose—you can't switch to the next person until one of you falls—the team that has all five of its members down loses!"
"I know the rules—get it!"
To everyone's utter astonishment—Ning Xian actually dragged Du Zhengnian out, grabbed him, and threw him into the arena—
"W-what!?!"
After a long moment of astonishment, the eldest brother asked, "Little girl, are you sure he can come back alive after he comes up here?"
"What does it matter whether he comes back alive or not?"
The original leader was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, "This little girl is interesting, let's begin!" Du Zhengnian tried to escape, but Ning Xian kicked her in the buttocks, sending her flying right in front of the burly man. What followed was a one-sided beating—when Du Zhengnian was still breathing, a whip suddenly lashed out, pulling her out of the way.
“Boss Yuan, now that he’s down, we can admit defeat, right?” “Hmph, of course.” Although he didn’t know why, Boss Yuan could tell that Ning Xian had only thrown Du Zhengnian up there to teach him a lesson and vent his own frustration. Now that the lesson was over, it was time to get back to the main point—“Little girl, we only have four people left.” “I can count. —The rest, please, Feng.” Feng walked past him. Ning Xian had no interest in watching the rest. After a short while, Feng stood alone in the center of the courtyard, looking at the two remaining people, Boss Yuan and Yuan Hu, waiting for them to decide who would go up.
Meanwhile, Ning Xian asked someone for a stool and started playing blind man's rock-paper-scissors with Hua Hua, while Mr. Dong Li examined Du Zheng Nian's injuries and sighed that indeed, a scourge can live for a thousand years, as no matter how many fighting methods were used, none of them had hit any vital organs.
"Big brother, go." "No need, save your energy, go first." Boss Yuan patted Yuan Hu and walked up to Feng. "Kid, I really misjudged you." Feng wasn't interested in pleasantries. "Please make your move." After that move, Boss Yuan's bear-like body swept through the air and flew away.
Feng turned to look at the last person. Yuan Hu slowly walked over, and without a word, attacked him.
Finally, they had a worthy opponent—in truth, Feng hadn't had an easy time in the previous battles. He was skilled in killing techniques, and even without a weapon, he would strike vital points; with enough force, he could take a life. But since they didn't want to cause trouble here, they couldn't afford to kill anyone. It wasn't easy to deliberately suppress someone who never knew restraint.
After exchanging more than ten blows with Yuan Hu, he gradually realized that this man's skills were not simple—his foundation might not be deep, but his moves showed the influence of a major sect of demonic cultivation.
Two figures clashed in the courtyard. Even Ning Xian, forgetting his rock-paper-scissors game, kept a close eye on the sidelines, losing several times—what was Feng doing? His opponent was only this level; she shouldn't be a problem for him, right? Feng deliberately feigned weakness to lure him into a few moves, further confirming his suspicions. He no longer held back, throwing a bare-handed punch at Yuan Hu's chest—Yuan Hu took a few steps back, not advancing further, and after a moment of restraint, said, "I concede."
Mr. Dongli could tell that among everyone present, his martial arts skills were the highest, but his injuries were the most severe. Moreover, his skills were indeed from the Water Pavilion. Thus, he already knew the source of the poison that Du Zhengnian had been afflicted with… and it was probably indeed beyond his ability to cure. He stood up and said, “Would you mind giving the antidote to Young Master Fang?”
Yuan Hu, enduring his internal injuries, remained silent, only nodding. Someone then handed him the antidote. Ning Xian tossed the antidote in his hand but didn't feed it to Du Zhengnian, smiling sinisterly, "Hmph, I'll give it to you when you get rid of your body odor."