Brother Ma’s hands were suddenly seized by Zhang Xiaohua, leaving him unable to move. Zhang Xiaohua casually grabbed a dish and slapped it with a pa against his face. He only had time to close his eyes; he merely felt a sudden heat on his face, followed immediately by pain in his nose, and tears began to stream down. He instantly cowered and repeatedly begged, “Spare me, sir, spare me, sir.”

Not far away, several people who had been drinking saw this and immediately left their seats, about to rush toward Zhang Xiaohua. Yet Zhang Xiaohua did not even glance in their direction, only saying calmly: “If it were me, I’d obediently sit there and watch the show. I certainly wouldn’t take even half a step forward and end up like this so-called Brother Ma.”

The few of them were stunned and immediately stopped in their tracks. They looked at each other, completely at a loss.

This was only natural. They were merely the unruly lot of the Herb Division, and none of them had any real skill. Bullying newcomers was something they could manage, but beyond that, they were worthless. Moreover, their fists and kicks were about the same as Brother Ma’s. Seeing that Brother Ma couldn’t even move in the other party’s hands, what advantage could they gain if they went up themselves? In any case, someone had already gone to inform the boss, so it was better for them to simply watch the excitement.

At this moment, the courtyard was silent. The people from the Pill Division were merely watching the spectacle from the side. As for Brother Ma, he had heard Zhang Xiaohua’s words clearly. When the footsteps stopped, he naturally knew that his few brothers didn’t dare to come forward, and he immediately cursed loudly: “Old Fan, Little Chen, you bunch of cowards! If we go together, are you still afraid of this kid? Aiyo, aiyo… spare me, sir, lighter, lighter!”

It was Zhang Xiaohua tightening his grip as he said: “Worry about yourself. Tell me—are you going to eat it or not?”

“I’ll eat, I’ll eat! Sir, please loosen your hand first. I’ll eat it right away, alright?”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded and released him. With his hands free, Brother Ma immediately used his clothes to wipe the soup and blood from his face, then forced a smile and said: “Sir, this little one failed to recognize Mount Tai. You’ve vented your anger now. This dish…”

Zhang Xiaohua said calmly: “This young master is always fair. If you make me eat it, then I’ll make you eat it. Not a bit more than that. Eat it, and stop your nonsense.”

Looking at the few dishes placed on the table beside Zhang Xiaohua, the only thought in Brother Ma’s mind at this moment was: Why did I spit so much phlegm? Clearly, he knew spitting everywhere was wrong, yet he still knowingly did it!

Sigh, but fortunately, it was his own phlegm. If it had been someone else’s, it truly would have been impossible to swallow!

Under the gaze of everyone present, Brother Ma ate while frowning, and from time to time glanced toward the door, constantly hoping that it would suddenly be pushed open and the savior he had been longing for would suddenly appear.

Unfortunately, by the time he forced himself to finish the dishes and was belching from fullness, the door was still closed, with no movement at all.

“Good, good, good! Wonderful, truly wonderful!” The Pill Division beside them burst into excitement. They had never seen a newcomer from the Herb Division so fierce, actually forcing someone to eat every bit of the dishes mixed with thick phlegm. Meanwhile, the people of the Herb Division all hung their heads. The few who had been drinking with Brother Ma earlier even showed some regret in their eyes. If only they hadn’t been frightened by this youth just now and had rushed forward together, it would have been better than being laughed at like this.

Brother Ma pitifully put down the plate and said: “Sir, this little one has finished eating.”

Zhang Xiaohua said coldly: “Then go back where you came from.”

Brother Ma turned around, belching as he walked back, a vicious light flashing in his eyes. Zhang Xiaohua glanced at Bai Huan—whose face now truly matched his name—and was just about to speak when the door, which had long remained shut, was finally pushed open. [TL_Note: Bai = White]

Brother Ma was delighted and was just about to speak, but when he saw who had come in, he immediately shut his mouth. Even the people of the Herb Division all lowered their heads at once.

The one who entered was a tall and stout, sturdy man, even more robust than Brother Ma.

When the people of the Pill Division saw him, they all laughed and greeted him: “Brother Cheng!”

“Brother Cheng, you came late—you missed a wonderful show.”

“Eh? What is Brother Cheng holding in his hand?”

The fierce Brother Cheng was carrying a huge bundle in his hand. He strode into the hall and loudly said: “Have we got another new brother here? How come I didn’t know? Which one is it? Hurry up and get out here for this grandpa!”

The people of the Pill Division were stunned, their faces full of strange expressions, and they all looked toward Zhang Xiaohua.

Zhang Xiaohua himself also shook his head, touched his nose, and looked at the sky outside. “When I left, why didn’t I ask Steward Yang—oh, Uncle Yang—to calculate my fortune? How come the moment I arrived at Tianmu Peak, trouble kept coming one after another?”

Zhang Xiaohua stood up, still with a very calm expression. He walked to Brother Cheng and pointed to the bundle, saying: “So you are Brother Cheng. This bundle is mine.”

“Yours?” Brother Cheng looked toward the place Zhang Xiaohua had come from and could not help frowning. “You’re a newcomer to the Herb Division?”

Zhang Xiaohua slowly nodded and said, “It seems so.”

“Damn it, how come he’s from the Herb Division? What a bargain for that bunch of useless fellows.” Brother Cheng cursed inwardly. Then he weighed the heavy bundle in his hand. He wanted to throw it onto the table beside him, but felt reluctant to do so. His eyes turned, and he smiled. “Little brother, you’re new here, so you probably don’t understand the rules around here.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled slightly and said: “At first I didn’t, but just now, under Brother Ma’s instruction, I’ve understood a little.”

Brother Cheng glanced at Brother Ma, who was standing with his back to him, and laughed. “That’s good, that’s good. Since you’ve already been instructed by one of our brothers, then you’re a good brother as well. That makes things even easier for me to say.”

Some people of the Grass Division seemed a little excited, all looking at Brother Cheng with strange expressions. The people of the Pill Division, however, were filled with excitement and delight.

Then Brother Cheng arrogantly said: “Little brother must have come from another peak, so naturally, you know the situation of our Tuodan Hall on Tianmu Peak. I’m not afraid of the brothers from the Herb Division cursing me—your Herb Division keeps its head lowered on Tianmu Peak. If it weren’t for your Boss Chen holding things up alone, your Herb Division would have long been completely suppressed by our Pill Division. Little brother, now there’s an excellent opportunity right in front of you, so don’t miss it. If you offer up to this grandpa the things in this bundle that catch my eye, then from now on, on Tianmu Peak, you’ll be under the protection of your Grandpa Cheng. You can even walk sideways across Tianmu Peak if you want. Tell me, aren’t these rules especially pleasing?”

Zhang Xiaohua frowned slightly and said: “Brother Ma seemed to have said something similar to me just now.”

“Him?” Brother Cheng snorted through his nose and said, “If I, Grandpa Cheng, spit a mouthful of phlegm, it could smash a pit in Tianmu Peak. That brat Ma Xu can only make others eat it! How can he compare with me?”

“Hahaha!” The people of the Pill Division all burst into laughter. Indeed, just now it was precisely him who had been forced to eat it.

Zhang Xiaohua touched his nose, as if pondering something.

Brother Cheng urged: “Little brother, this is a benefit for newcomers. Don’t say that I’m extorting you. Once this village is passed, there won’t be this shop anymore. When others bully you tomorrow, don’t say that Grandpa Cheng didn’t give you this opportunity!”

Zhang Xiaohua made up his mind and said with a smile: At this moment, several people who had been whispering nearby ran over and told him what had just happened. Brother Cheng’s eyes flickered a few times, yet he was still drawn by the gold leaves. He glanced over at Ma Xu and snorted coldly. Then he walked to the bundle, reached his hand in, grabbed a handful, and was about to stuff them into his clothes.

Brother Cheng was overjoyed when he heard this and said: “Sure enough, a clever and sensible child. Ah, how did you end up going to the Herb Division? If you were in the Pill Division, Grandpa Cheng would dote on you every day.”

Zhang Xiaohua only smiled and said nothing.

When the people of the Pill Division saw this, they felt somewhat puzzled. This seemed very different from the fierce and vicious fellow just now. Could it be that he had been frightened by Brother Cheng’s imposing might? Or perhaps by the fierce reputation of the Pill Division on Tianmu Peak? Several people had already begun whispering among themselves.

Seeing that Zhang Xiaohua had agreed, Brother Cheng did not dare delay. He immediately threw the bundle onto an empty table beside him. With a clang, it landed heavily, showing that there were many “beloved” things inside.

Sure enough, when Brother Cheng opened the bundle, his eyes were already dazzled.

The bundle had been packed by Nie Qianyu for Zhang Xiaohua. Afraid that she could not fully express her feelings, she had wanted to give Zhang Xiaohua all the good things in Spring Rebirth Valley. Bottles and jars of medicinal pills aside, the clothes were also sewn personally by Nie Qianyu. Most especially, knowing what Zhang Xiaohua liked, Nie Qianyu had given him many gold leaves and banknotes!

Within the Incense Spreading Sect, in Tuodan Hall, medicinal pills and clothing were naturally quite ordinary. Although the banknotes could not be exchanged, they were still extremely rare items. The most precious of all were the gold leaves. Just think—these ruffians of Tianmu Peak hardly ever had the chance to go outside. They didn’t even have a few copper coins on them. Now that they saw gold leaves they could not even dream of seeing, it was as if a hand was about to stretch out from their throats.

Looking at the shining gold leaves before him, Brother Cheng could hardly believe his own eyes. He rubbed them and asked: “Th-this… little brother, th-these things are yours? They aren’t our Hall Master’s?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “That’s right. They are indeed mine. Whatever Brother Cheng takes a liking to, please take it.”

“Really? You truly mean that?” Now that it had come to the moment, Brother Cheng actually did not dare to reach out. Thinking about it, that was only natural. His usual extortions were only small trinkets—when had he ever seen such a grand display? He hesitated and hesitated, unable to believe it.

“Then… I’ll take some,” Brother Cheng tested cautiously. “If Boss Chen comes later, you must say that you gave it willingly.”

Zhang Xiaohua only smiled and said nothing.

At this moment, several people who had been whispering nearby ran over and told him what had just happened. Brother Cheng’s eyes flickered a few times, yet he was still drawn by the gold leaves. He glanced over at Ma Xu and snorted coldly. Then he walked to the bundle, reached his hand in, grabbed a handful, and was about to stuff them into his clothes.

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “Brother Cheng, wait a moment.”

Brother Cheng was startled and said: “What, are you going back on your word?”

“Not at all. How could I go back on my word? I only wanted to ask how much you took.”

“How much?” Brother Cheng was also somewhat puzzled and casually replied, “Only about fifty taels.”

“Hehe, Brother Cheng’s hand is really large—one grab and it’s already fifty taels!”

“Heh heh, the more I take, the more secure your days here will be in the future, little brother.”

Zhang Xiaohua burst into laughter. “Hahaha, exactly, exactly!” Then he looked up at the sky and said, “Heaven has eyes! This young master hasn’t been robbed for a long time. Earning a bit of gold like this really isn’t easy!”

Everyone was greatly shocked. “Could it be that this fellow has been bullied into madness? Why would he say such things?”

While they were still wondering, they saw Zhang Xiaohua straighten his body. The joints throughout his body cracked loudly. Then Zhang Xiaohua waved his hand, and with a loud pa, it struck Brother Cheng across the face!