Chapter 67: Will You Bite People?

The night grew deep.

Luo Zijun gave a casual explanation to his sister and Wang, then returned to his room.

Then he began to let his thoughts run wild.

The Jingyang Ridge tiger and the "Three Bowls Do Not Cross the Ridge" had both appeared.

Was it a coincidence, or was there some other reason?

If it were a coincidence, wouldn't that be too much of a coincidence?

If it were some other reason, then what exactly was the reason? Could it be that there were other tasks here?

It became quiet outside.

After Wang left, Luo Jiaorong stood alone outside the main gate, her eyes red, anxiously peering toward the mouth of the alley.

Luo Zijun had no choice but to go out to comfort her.

"Brother-in-law's martial arts are so high, and with others helping, nothing will happen."

Luo Jiaorong choked with sobs: "Datou and the others are all injured... I heard a Constable had his head nearly smashed in... Your brother-in-law is so big, that tiger must think he is very delicious..."

Luo Zijun: "..."

He didn't speak again, his gaze also fixed on the mouth of the alley, thinking to himself: Could it be that Aw u Song really needs to appear before that fierce tiger can be killed?

Another quarter of an hour passed.

Luo Jiaorong grew increasingly panicked, and just as she was about to go out to ask someone, Li Zhengshan's tall figure finally appeared at the mouth of the alley.

"Sister, brother-in-law is back."

Luo Zijun had excellent eyesight and spotted him at a glance.

Luo Jiaorong immediately wept with joy: "It's good that he's back, it's good that he's back..."

No sooner had she finished speaking than she suddenly put her hands on her hips and let out a roar toward the alley entrance: "Li Zhengshan! You scoundrel, you still know how to come back! Come over here and face your death!"

Luo Zijun: "..."

Li Zhengshan returned looking exhausted, his clothes covered in mud and a piece of his sleeve torn off. Seeing them both waiting at the door, he asked in confusion: "Wife, where did I provoke you again?"

Luo Jiaorong looked at his disheveled appearance, her eyes turned red, and she choked out: "You... you've done a fine job, you liar..."

Luo Zijun said from the side: "Brother-in-law, Uncle Datou's wife was just here; my sister and I both know about you going to Jingyang Ridge to fight the tiger."

Li Zhengshan was taken aback, a look of embarrassment appearing on his face.

"Let's go, let's go back and eat first; brother-in-law must be hungry too. Sister, go heat up the food."

Luo Zijun hurriedly pulled his sister inside.

Luo Jiaorong didn't flare up again; she wiped away her tears and went into the kitchen.

Luo Zijun took the opportunity to ask his brother-in-law: "Is that place called Jingyang Ridge? Is there a tavern called 'Three Bowls Do Not Cross the Ridge' at the foot of Jingyang Ridge?"

Li Zhengshan was startled and nodded: "Yes, what about it?"

Luo Zijun asked again: "Brother-in-law, is there a man named Wu Dalang in our city who specializes in selling sesame cakes?"

Li Zhengshan thought carefully for a moment and shook his head: "Never heard of him."

"Then is there a wealthy gentleman named Ximen Qing?"

Li Zhengshan shook his head.

"What about Pan Jinlian?"

No, that's not right; Pan Jinlian had tiny feet and had always stayed indoors, so brother-in-law probably wouldn't know her.

Hmm? Tiny feet...

"Brother-in-law, what about Jiang Menshen? Or Yun Ge who sells crispy pears?"

Li Zhengshan still shook his head, looking at him with a puzzled gaze: "Zijun, where did you hear of these people? There are so many people in the city coming and going every day; your brother-in-law doesn't know them all."

Luo Zijun could only say: "I heard it from a friend; it's nothing, I was just asking."

Could it be that the fierce tiger and the "Three Bowls Do Not Cross the Ridge" were really just a coincidence?

"Hey, Zijun, is your tongue hurt?"

Li Zhengshan was a martial artist with sharp eyes; as he spoke, he spotted the wound on his tongue at a glance.

Luo Zijun was reminded of a sore subject and immediately felt down, saying: "Internal heat."

Li Zhengshan asked suspiciously: "That's not right, it looks like it was bitten, not like internal heat."

Luo Zijun had to say again: "Because of the blisters from the heat, it was inconvenient to eat, and I accidentally bit it."

"By the way, brother-in-law, I want to continue practicing martial arts!"

He hurriedly changed the subject.

Li Zhengshan was stunned upon hearing this: "Continue practicing martial arts? Didn't you just enter the Academy to focus on your studies? If you practice martial arts, your studies will be neglected."

Luo Zijun said: "I will practice after I finish my studies every day; it won't delay my schoolwork."

Li Zhengshan looked at him seriously for a while and said: "The martial arts you're talking about shouldn't be like before, just practicing casually, right?"

"Of course not."

Luo Zijun confessed to him: "I want to practice properly and strive to catch up to brother-in-law's martial strength as soon as possible."

Li Zhengshan frowned, then shook his head and said: "Don't even think about it, it's impossible. I've been practicing since I was a child, and only through constant perseverance do I have the strength I have now. Didn't your sister tell you last time? Practicing martial arts is not simple, and our family... doesn't have the means."

Luo Zijun said: "Brother-in-law forgot, I can write books to earn money now; silver is not a problem."

Li Zhengshan gave a bitter smile, patted him on the shoulder, and said: "That little bit of silver of yours... Zijun, do you know how much it costs just to take on a master and enter a sect?"

He held up two fingers: "I estimate at least one hundred taels. And that's the small part; the most expensive part lies in the medicinal herbs. Practicing martial arts requires Body Tempering, which means soaking the body in medicinal herbs every day, then using techniques to temper the body so it becomes tougher and stronger, allowing for greater explosive power and defense."

"To advance, one must cultivate Internal Energy and perform Flesh Tempering; neither can be lacking."

Luo Zijun listened carefully.

Li Zhengshan spoke without reservation.

In any case, it comes down to one word: money.

Of course, having money also requires perseverance and talent.

It even requires opportunity.

If no one is willing to take you as a disciple, and no one is willing to give you a cultivation technique, it is all for nothing.

Luo Zijun asked, "Brother-in-law, can you teach me your saber technique?"

Li Zhengshan shook his head: "That won't do. Although my master is not here, there are other fellow disciples still in the vicinity; if they found out, it would be a disaster."

Luo Zijun said, "To practice martial arts, must one be initiated into a sect?"

!

"That is natural. Otherwise, even if I could guide you, you would not have any truly good cultivation techniques to practice. Moreover, with my half-baked level, I dare not guide you. Every martial artist is different; only those experienced old masters can correctly guide you on which path to develop..."

While the two were talking, Luo Jiaorong stood at the kitchen door with a stern face and shouted: "Time to eat!"

Li Zhengshan stood up and patted his shoulder: "Study hard, and in the future, pass the imperial examination to bring honor to our ancestors. As for practicing martial arts, don't even think about it; there is no need to suffer that hardship."

Luo Zijun looked at his sturdy back and thought to himself: It seems I can only go out and inquire about it myself tomorrow.

Since he had already made up his mind to practice martial arts, he would naturally not give up easily.

Suddenly, an argument broke out in the kitchen.

Luo Zijun hurriedly walked over.

"Since I serve in the yamen, how could I possibly stay out of such a matter? I am both a Head Constable and a martial artist; that big beast is hurting people in the mountains, if I don't go, who will?"

"Can't you send government soldiers? You are just a poor Head Constable who never reaps any benefits and only does dangerous things. If something happens to you, what will happen to me and Zijun?"

"You woman, always saying such unlucky things! With so many people following, what could happen to me? If that beast isn't beaten to death, the local commoners and passing merchants will never have peace of mind."

"I don't care! I just won't let you go! If you dare to go tomorrow, I will break your legs!"

"Even if you break my legs, I have to go! That beast has hurt so many people, how could I let it off!"

"Li Zhengshan, have you lost your mind?"

"Enough, enough. Spend more time worrying about Zijun. That kid had his tongue bitten, yet he lied to me saying he bit it himself. The point is, that kid was bitten on his neck and ears too; could he have bitten those places himself? I fear he went out of the city to play last night and met a sweetheart. You should hurry and find out, and find a way to bring back a sister-in-law!"

"Really?"

"Why would I lie to you? Go and take a good look yourself!"

Footsteps immediately came out from the kitchen.

Luo Zijun had already reached the kitchen door, but upon hearing this, he hurriedly turned and fled, running back to his room and quickly bolting the door.

This brother-in-law of mine, he looks honest and loyal, but it turns out he can be cunning and deceitful too!

"Luo Zijun, why are you running? Come out here!"

Luo Jiaorong arrived at the door and knocked hard.

Luo Zijun braced the door from the inside and said: "Sister, don't listen to Brother-in-law's nonsense; I was bitten by a mosquito. You should go and beat Brother-in-law and break his legs, otherwise he is going to Jingyang Ridge tomorrow to find that big beast."

Li Zhengshan came over holding half a goose leg, eating as he said: "Zijun, stop lying to your sister. Come out and tell us which young lady you are with. If she is a respectable woman, I'll have your sister go and propose marriage for you tomorrow."

Luo Zijun's mouth twitched: "I really didn't!"

Propose marriage?

Pfft!

If he ever saw that female flower-thief again, he would beat her to death! Propose marriage?

"Luo Zijun, are you going to open the door or not?"

Luo Jiaorong looked like she was about to lose her temper.

Luo Zijun said: "Sister, I'm sleepy and going to bed. By the way, Xiaohuan has already taken off her clothes, and I'm going to sleep with her. Whatever it is, we'll talk about it tomorrow."

Inside the room, Xiaohuan's little face instantly turned red.

Luo Jiaorong hesitated for a moment outside the door, then could only snort coldly: "If you don't tell me tomorrow, I'll beat your bottom to a pulp! Sister has taught you since you were young that one must be responsible. If you have bullied a girl, you must take responsibility for her. If you dare to be fickle and abandon her, Sister will not forgive you!"

After saying this, she went back to continue lecturing her own man.

Luo Zijun heard the two of them arguing as they left and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He had managed to bluff his way through tonight.

But how was he going to explain it tomorrow?

"Young Master..."

Xiaohuan sat on the bed, head lowered, her little face blushing, her two small feet pressed tightly together, and she said shyly: "Servant... does the servant need to take her clothes off?"

Luo Zijun looked at her and suddenly had an inspiration: "Xiaohuan, can you bite people?"

"Ah?"

"Come here, bite me all over, from head to toe!"

"Ah..."

(End of this chapter)