Chapter 115

Hu Xiaotian - original Hu Xiaotian

Wan Boping shook his head. He certainly wouldn't forget that Hu Xiaotian said there was a resentful spirit wandering around Le Yao's residence, and he had been pondering that this resentful spirit was most likely his own deceased little son. Wan Boping had been in business for half his life; he was a wily old hand, but when he met Hu Xiaotian he could only suffer defeat. Wan Boping whispered, "Mr. Hu, tell me what I should do."

Hu Xiaotian deliberately sighed and said, "Wan Yuanwai, to be frank, I'm not unwilling to help you, but I really have no solution at present. I see that the resentful spirit's grudge is extremely deep; I don't know where the Wan Family has offended it. This time, when I leave, I need to find some magical implements to trace the spirit's origin, only then can I devise a thorough solution. Before that, remember: not a blade of grass or tree in that residence may be moved; lightly disturbing the spirit will likely bring unforeseen disaster." This bastard is nothing but alarmist talk—the more serious he sounds, the better, so that this old lecher won't dare to harass Le Yao again.

Wan Boping sucked in a breath of cold air, then suddenly thought of something: "But my daughter-in-law still lives there; should I have her move out…"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Absolutely not; you must remember, if you let her move out, the resentful spirit will likely wander throughout the manor and may even turn into a vicious ghost that goes on a killing spree."

Wan Boping was truly frightened by Hu Xiaotian, and he said in a trembling voice, "What should I do?" Neither left nor right works; he now truly feels the trouble. If he had known earlier, Wan Boping would never have thought of helping his foolish son marry to ward off misfortune; the ward-off failed, his son died, and now the family faces all these problems—he truly regrets it!

Hu Xiaotian said, "Have someone attend to her well, and absolutely do not provoke your daughter-in-law, or else…" Although the following words were left unsaid, Wan Boping fully understood his meaning.

Wan Boping now somewhat regretted his earlier actions; if everything Hu Xiaotian said were true, he would never dare to provoke his daughter-in-law. Thinking of Le Yao's peerless beauty and charm, Wan Boping felt utterly torn, yet he let go. He really couldn't bear to part with her—"wealth water does not flow to another's field." If that foolish son has already left, why doesn't he know to honor his father? The resentful spirit won't disperse! I am your father, eh—looking after your wife is only natural!

If Hu Xiaotian knew Wan Boping's dirty thoughts, he would have slapped him long ago—damn it, still have any shame? People like this lack even basic sympathy.

Wan Boping had been seeing Hu Xiaotian off to the gate the whole time; this not only showed his respect for Hu Xiaotian but also proved that deep down he already acknowledged Hu Xiaotian's ability. As they approached the gate, they heard the sound of a brawl outside. A few people went to the gate and saw that nearly twenty household retainers were surrounding a young man, fighting him. The young man was tall and broad-shouldered with a thick waist; although outnumbered, he did not lose ground, and in an instant he had knocked down three of the retainers—his fighting ability was quite formidable.

Hall of Returning Spring - original Hall of Returning Spring

At that moment, more than ten people poured out from the Wan mansion to help; bullying the few with the many has always been the Wan family's glorious tradition. Hu Xiaotian had already recognized that the young man was none other than Liu Kuohai, son of Liu Danggui of the Spring Return Hall.

Seeing Wan Boping come out, Liu Kuohai glared at him with tiger-like eyes and shouted, "Old Wan, you scoundrel! You dared to hit my father—today I will make you pay with blood!"

Monthly Ticket - original Monthly Ticket

Hu Xiaotian had originally intended to step in, but seeing the government constables arrive, he suddenly changed his mind and decided instead to watch how the situation would unfold.

Almost at the same time as the constables arrived, Liu Kuohai's father, Liu Danggui, came to the scene limping, supported by an assistant from the Spring Return Hall. He exclaimed in panic, "Kuohai, you wretched obstacle, stop this at once!" The Wan family wielded great power; in Qingyun Xian they were second to none, and even the County Magistrate Xu Qinglian dared not offend them lightly, always acting with caution. Moreover, he was merely the proprietor of a small medicine shop.

Liu Kuohai's tiger eyes widened, he lifted his leg and kicked another household retainer flying, then swung a fist as big as a vinegar jar at the jaw of a retainer who had just rushed forward; that retainer took the punch, flew backward as if on a jet plane, screaming, and landed straight at Hu Xiaotian's feet.

Hu Xiaotian recognized this guy as one of the two Wan Family servants in charge of the gate; recalling how arrogant and overbearing he had been that day, hatred welled up in his heart. Seeing no one noticing, he stepped on the servant's finger with one foot, and the servant's scream was even louder than before. It's not that retribution isn't due, it's just that the time hasn't come; when revenge comes, this feeling in his heart is indeed secretly satisfying. With an apologetic expression he said, 'Sorry, sorry, I stepped on your foot.'

Although the servant's scream was loud, everyone's attention was focused on the fight at the scene, and no one noticed what had happened here.

Liu Kuohai charged like a tiger out of the gate, and with his extraordinary valor knocked down four servants. The constables, although they had arrived, stood far away, not daring to approach; nobody dared to rush forward then, for going up would surely get them beaten. Seeing Liu Kuohai's skill, even if the Wan Family's servants and constables joined forces they might not be able to subdue him.

Liu Dangui shouted, 'You wretched obstacle, are you trying to anger me to death? Stop, stop…' From shock and fear he actually fainted from anger, and the assistant who had come with him hurriedly helped him up.

Although Liu Kuohai was extraordinarily brave, this boy was extremely filial; seeing his father like that, he frightenedly stopped: 'Father...' He strode running to his father's side. A crowd pinched his philtrum and rubbed his chest; Liu Dangui gradually woke up, seeing his son's face full of concern, he was both angry and worried, and he kept punching his son's broad, sturdy chest: 'You wretched obstacle... causing trouble all day long... what am I to do with you...'

At this moment a group of constables surged forward; Liu Kuohai wanted to resist but his father stopped him. Liu Dangui said, 'Son, you must not oppose the Government Office; go with them, go with them.' Liu Dangui's timidity was only part of it; having seen the vicissitudes of life, he knew the world is treacherous. If his son dared openly to defy the Government Office, he might be charged with resisting arrest and rebellion, and could even lose his head. Once the matter blows up, it will be too late to settle it.

Liu Kuohai, bound by his father's order, could only surrender; the constables locked him in iron chains. Just as they had locked Liu Kuohai, a person rushed out from the Wan Family crowd and kicked him hard in the stomach—it was Wan Family's eldest son, Wan Tingchang. To say this rascal had been hiding in the crowd until now, seeing Liu Kuohai restrained, he finally showed his face; he is truly despicable to the extreme.

Although Liu Kuohai was in pain from the kick, his nature has always been strong; he uttered no sound, gritting his teeth as he stared at Wan Tingchang: 'If you have the guts, fight me one-on-one.'

Wan Tingchang laughed hehe and said, 'You worthy?' He rushed forward and punched Liu Kuohai in the face again; this punch was extremely heavy, causing Liu Kuohai's nose to bleed profusely. The constables acted as if they saw nothing, obviously favoring the Wan Family.

Murong Feiyan could no longer bear to watch, but before stepping forward she needed to see Hu Xiaotian's attitude. Hu Xiaotian lazily sighed and said, 'Causing a death will add another wronged soul.'

Wan Bocheng felt a stir in his heart; this matter indeed should not be blown out of proportion. Although Liu Kuohai started the trouble, since the Government Office people have already come, the matter ought to be handed over to the Government Office. He said in a deep voice, 'Tingchang, step back!'

In fact, the constables also wanted the Wan Family to let the matter drop; in broad daylight, with more and more onlookers, some people were already accusing them of bias, so the constables led Liu Kuohai away.

Liu Dangui did not go with them to the Government Office; instead he rose and went to find Wan Bocheng. Seeing him approach, Wan Bocheng already guessed his purpose and turned to go inside. Liu Dangui fell to his knees with a thud, tears in his eyes as he pleaded, 'Wan Elder, I beg you, my son is young and hot-headed, which is why he provoked your anger; Sir, do not hold it against a petty person…'

He had not finished speaking when the Wan Family's main gate was shut tight.

Hu Xiaotian walked over and helped Liu Dangui up; at that moment Liu Dangui finally recognized Hu Xiaotian, tears streaming down his face as he said, 'Master Hu, my unworthy son… he… he has caused a great disaster…'

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, 'Manager Liu, when the cart reaches the mountain there will be a way; when the boat reaches the bridge it will go straight. Since the matter has already happened, your worrying is useless; let's go back first, wait until we learn the situation at the Government Office, then think of a countermeasure.'

Hu Xiaotian and his companions sent Liu Dangui to Huichun Hall; Liu Dangui dispatched his assistant to the Government Office to gather information.

After returning to the Fulai Inn, Murong Feiyan followed Hu Xiaotian into his room and, somewhat puzzled, said, 'You clearly saw the Wan Family bullying others with their influence; why did you not intervene?'

Hu Xiaotian spread his hands and said, 'I am merely a commoner now!'

Murong Feiyan spoke righteously: 'You are the magistrate of Qingyun Xian, the parental official here; as an official not serving the people, you might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes.' This girl has always been full of sense of justice.

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Feiyan, I only take office tomorrow; you saw that situation just now—I cannot announce in front of so many people that I am the magistrate of Qingyun Xian. Do you think I'm like you, with water in my brain?'

Murong Feiyan raised her brows and said, 'It's you who has water in your brain; you have the energy to go knock on widows' doors at midnight, yet you lack the energy to attend to these unjust matters.'

Hu Xiaotian sucked in a breath of cold air, pointed at Murong Feiyan's nose and said, 'Damn, you're actually following me!' He had thought his deed was done without anyone knowing, but he didn't realize he was still being tailed by Murong Feiyan; suddenly exposed, he really couldn't save face.

Upon hearing Hu Xiaotian curse at her, Murong Feiyan shot out her hand, grabbed his finger like lightning, twisted it clockwise; Hu Xiaotian screamed in pain, immediately lowered his head, bent his waist, stuck out his buttocks in a standard jet pose, saying, 'Let go… it hurts… it hurts…' A hero doesn't suffer immediate loss.

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