Chapter 40: Repaying Kindness (Part 1)

Hu Xiaotian didn't leave; only after great difficulty did he come out to catch his breath, and he certainly didn't want to go back so soon.

Murong Feiyan also couldn't well refuse Yuan Shiqing's kindness; after all, she had been injured this time, and the Medical Union had given her considerable help. Thinking of the Medical Union's help to her, Murong Feiyan only then recalled Hu Xiaotian's favor. If it weren't for this brat lending a hand, that barbed hook arrow probably wouldn't have been so easy to remove; even if removed, it might have required carving out a large chunk of her flesh, likely leaving a horrendous scar. She couldn't help but admit that it was precisely Hu Xiaotian performing some procedure on her that reduced the arrow's damage to her to the lowest possible point. Murong Feiyan examined the wound on her shoulder in the bronze mirror; recovery had already been quite ideal. Although she acknowledged that Hu Xiaotian had done her a good deed, she still didn't consider him a good person. His conduct was frivolous, his behavior improper; even if he had a bit of twisted talent, it was talent without virtue.

It wasn't that Murong Feiyan didn't know how to be grateful; rather, she thought she owed Hu Xiaotian nothing. In the street battle that day, if she hadn't rushed back in time and exerted herself to protect him, Hu Xiaotian would likely have died under the assassins' arrows. She saved his life first, and only then did he help her remove the barbed hook arrow—at most they'd be even. But it's not even; this brat basically got a huge advantage, and moreover he got to see her body for free. Because of this thought, Murong Feiyan felt her cheeks flush; she furtively glanced at Hu Xiaotian, seeing this rascal chatting animatedly with Yuan Shiqing, not noticing her, and she secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Originally it was agreed that Li Yifeng would also go with them to Swallow Cloud Tower to eat, but Li Yifeng had vomited several times in a row; now he's so weak he can't even walk, let alone go eat. Most people thought Li Yifeng had suddenly taken ill, but only Hu Xiaotian knew the hidden truth.

Just after stepping out of the Medical Union's gate, Hu Xiaotian's eight servants surrounded him; Hu Xiaotian waved his hand, signaling them to disperse quickly, after all, with so many people, wherever they went it looked like a crowd causing trouble. He cleared his throat and said: "I, Mr. Yuan, and Constable Zhu Ge are going to Swallow Cloud Tower to eat; you guys just grab something to eat."

Yuan Shiqing smiled: "I've already greeted Boss Song over there and reserved a table for everyone on the first floor." Yuan Shiqing, after all, is the second-in-command of the Medical Union; he is quite generous in his actions and very thorough in his work.

Hu Xiaotian handed the brocade box that Li Yifeng had given her to Liang Da Zhuang, instructing them: "Don't crowd front and back; with Constable Murong personally protecting me, there won't be any problems."

These servants basically had seen Murong Feiyan's methods; they knew that even if they all teamed up, they couldn't be a match for her, and with her and Hu Xiaotian together there shouldn't be any problems.

Murong Feiyan was extremely dissatisfied with Hu Xiaotian's remark; this brat treated her as his bodyguard, glared at him fiercely, and when no one was paying attention, she whispered to Hu Xiaotian: "If anyone tries to assassinate you again, I won't lift a finger; I'll make sure you, this shameless person, destroy yourself."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Protecting the lives and property of citizens is your duty, Constable Murong; with your dedication, how could you possibly ignore my affairs?"

Seeing this rascal acting as if he had her figured out, Murong Feiyan couldn't help but feel her teeth itch with hatred.

They had just taken two steps when a sturdy youth walked toward them. The youth was in his twenties or thirties, dressed plainly, not tall, with dark skin; although he looked somewhat thin, he gave no impression of frailty. His eyes were sharp as a hawk, making him appear astute and tough. He held two large geese in his hand, each with an arrow stuck in its neck. At first glance nothing special, but a closer look revealed that a single arrow had pierced the necks of both geese—if the arrow hadn't been added later, it would be a "one arrow, two geese" feat. Hu Xiaotian had only heard of such a tale in legend; seeing it with his own eyes was his first time.

Upon seeing a stranger approach, the eight servants immediately moved to shield Hu Xiaotian. Since the Long Street assassination incident, they had become overly vigilant, ready to defend at the slightest disturbance.

Actually, Hu Xiaotian also realized the true capability of these servants—they were nothing but paper tigers, each looking tall and strong but actually just showy spears with wax tips; when real danger came, they were utterly useless. The peril they'd faced on the street that day proved it: if Murong Feiyan hadn't intervened, Hu Xiaotian would likely have lost his life.

Yuan Shiqing had already laughed: "It's fine, her people!" Actually that youth was known to him; as an observer, Yuan Shiqing also felt Hu Xiaotian's servants were overreacting. It's not a big deal for the son of the Minister of Revenue to have a few personal guards when going out, but an entourage of eight was rather ostentatious; walking down this street, it really stood out. Those who knew recognized him as the minister's son; those who didn't thought some prince was out and about.

The youth respectfully said: "Mr. Yuan, I just shot two geese and specially brought them over for you to have a little snack."

Yuan Shiqing smiled: "Zhan Peng, let me introduce you—this is Master Hu, the one who bravely stepped in to save your father that day." It turned out this young man was indeed the son of the elderly man Hu Xiaotian had rescued that day.

Upon hearing that his true benefactor was present, Zhan Peng hurried forward and bowed deeply, his expression full of respect: "Master Hu, I am Zhan Peng; thank you, Master Hu, for righteously rescuing my father. Zhan Peng offers his salutations!" His gratitude to Hu Xiaotian came from the heart; this bow almost made him kowtow to the ground.

Hu Xiaotian quickly stepped forward to support his arm and said: "Brother Zhan, you're being too polite; why bother over such a trifle?"

Liang Da Zhuang sized up Zhan Peng, feeling he was somewhat familiar; after a moment's thought he recalled that Zhan Peng had once come to the Minister's residence, previously bringing a wild deer to present as a gift to the young master, only to be turned away by the gatekeepers. Liang Da Zhuang said: "I think I've seen you before!"

Zhan Peng laughed: "I've been to the Minister's residence before; I wanted to personally thank Master Hu, but the gatekeepers doubted my identity and wouldn't let me in."

Hu Xiaotian turned and glared at Liang Da Zhuang; Liang Da Zhuang silently cursed him for meddling, though this matter actually had nothing to do with him—he wasn't a gatekeeper—but his extra comment obviously led Hu Xiaotian to misunderstand.

Zhan Peng handed the two geese to Yuan Shiqing, saying: "Mr. Yuan, you can stew these two geese; when I later catch better game, I'll send it to Master Hu's manor."

Hu Xiaotian didn't know why he felt an unusually strong liking for Zhan Peng; he smiled and asked: "How is your father's leg injury?"

Zhan Peng replied: "Thanks to your timely rescue, Master, he's much better these days; he's currently recuperating at my elder brother's place, and Mr. Yuan said his recovery condition is good."

Yuan Shiqing smiled: "Master Hu's timely bone-setting, we brought Elder Zhan back to the Medical Union and applied the Medical Union's secret bone-healing ointment; if everything is normal, he should be able to walk again in three months."

Hu Xiaotian nodded: "Great!"

Murong Feiyan listened on the side, her confusion growing; this utterly wicked playboy actually did good deeds—if his earlier help to her could be understood as repaying a favor, why would he rescue a complete stranger? It couldn't simply be chalked up to a momentary rush of blood to the head.

Zhan Peng had come especially to deliver game; it happened that he ran into his father's benefactor, allowing him to thank him in person, which also made up for his long-held wish. He had intended to leave, but Hu Xiaotian warmly invited him to join them for a meal at Swallow Cloud Tower; Hu Xiaotian's gesture was a case of going with the flow—this meal would cost him nothing anyway, and as the son of the Minister of Revenue he certainly wouldn't care about such a small sum. The main reason, however, was that seeing Zhan Peng's remarkable "one arrow, two geese" archery skill amazed him, and he secretly admired it, unconsciously feeling inclined to make acquaintances.

Capable people always have a place in any society and are also looked upon differently by others. Zhan Peng was originally an ordinary hunter; he had rarely dealt with the upper class, and deep down he actually held a certain attitude toward the sons of noble and official families—but since Hu Xiaotian had saved his father, being a benefactor to the Zhan family, Hu Xiaotian's invitation was something he naturally couldn't refuse; deep down he secretly resolved to settle the bill for this drink first chance he got.

People may be poor but their aspirations are not short; the ancients' understanding of face and righteousness far surpasses that of modern times. **************************************************************Just saw the work reach 100k characters and entered the Dream Cup competition; everyone should have free tickets on hand. Zhangyu opening a new pit hasn't really asked for votes yet; if you happen to have a ticket and haven't voted, please vote for Medical Unification; the voting spot is below the synopsis—thanks in advance!