RPAGF Chapter 18 Oh no!
Chapter 18 Oh no!
Although Zheng Tu was smiling, there was no genuine joy in his smile; instead, it carried the coldness of a butcher slaughtering animals.
"There's a reason why I do things," Zheng Tu said in a deep, clear voice.
The waiter was so startled by his smile that he took a half step back, nearly dropping the satchel in his hand.
It was then that he realized for the first time that although the wealthy man before him was dressed in rich clothes, his physique and eyes were definitely not those of an ordinary merchant. He seemed more like a powerful outlaw who robbed bandits.
Li Biao went out with him earlier and hasn't returned. There's something I'm afraid...
"You're too talkative! You're too talkative!" The waiter bowed repeatedly, picked up his satchel, turned around and left, not daring to ask another question like he had in his previous life.
Zheng Tu watched the waiter hurry upstairs before turning his gaze away and pouring himself a cup of wine.
Zheng Tu subtly swirled the wine in his glass, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
How could he not know the power of that Zhao Yuanwai?
Just now, when Li Biao was begging for mercy in the alley, he spilled all the secrets of Master Zhao.
The estate had twenty-eight servants, all armed with knives and clubs; they were on good terms with Zhang, the head constable, and Li, the clerk, of the county government; they owned three properties in the city, and two more estates outside the city…
"So what?!" Zheng Tu smiled.
His previous violent deaths were all due to his retreat and forbearance. Now that he knows this world is a dog-eat-dog world, constantly retreating will only make others take advantage of him.
Since Master Zhao wants to cut off my path in life, I will deliberately go against his wishes!
The purpose of sending this gold and silver is to make him unhappy!
not to mention……
Zheng Tu secretly channeled his energy, feeling a surge of power coursing through his limbs and bones.
Although his "skill in boxing and kicking" was not yet at the highest level, it was far beyond that of an ordinary hooligans. He did not believe that anyone in Yanmen County could fight better than him!
He raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp; the liquor felt like fire as it entered his throat.
"I'd like to see whether your local snake's net is more intricate, or my claws are sharper!"
By this time, the waiter had already gone up to the third floor and found the room where the Jin father and daughter were. When he handed over the satchel, his hand was still trembling slightly.
Old Jin took it and felt it was unusually heavy. Just as he was about to ask a question, the waiter had already hurriedly left, as if a ghost was chasing him.
Downstairs, Zheng Tu had already paid the bill for the wine and got up from his seat.
As he approached the counter, the shopkeeper bowed and smiled apologetically, saying, "Please take care, sir."
Zheng Tu nodded, then suddenly asked, "Shopkeeper, are there any quiet inns in Yanmen County? I don't like noise."
The innkeeper hurriedly said, "There is a 'Yuelai Inn' nearby to the west. Although it is not very luxurious, it is clean and tidy, which is most suitable for someone like you, sir."
"Oh?" Zheng Tu asked with a half-smile. "Is it... safe there?"
The innkeeper was taken aback for a moment, then understood and lowered his voice to say, "The innkeeper is related to the county constable by marriage, so no one dares to cause trouble."
"Okay." Zheng Tu nodded. "Thank you for your guidance."
As soon as he stepped down from Tongqing Tower, someone approached him directly. Zheng Tu slightly turned aside and brushed past the person.
The man let out a soft exclamation, seemingly surprised that Zheng Tu had managed to evade the attack.
Zheng Tu strode out of the shop and quickly blended into the crowd on the street.
In the shadows of the street corner, a figure seemed to flash by.
He pretended not to notice and headed west, secretly making plans in his mind.
"Since the Yuelai Inn is owned by a relative of the head constable, Master Zhao's men should be somewhat wary of it. We'll stay there tonight and see what tricks Master Zhao has up his sleeve."
Halfway there, they suddenly saw a group of people gathered at the street corner ahead.
When Zheng Tu approached, he saw that several ruffians were harassing an old man selling steamed buns. The old man knelt down and begged for mercy, but the ruffians laughed, kicked, and punched him, and snatched the steamed bun basket.
Although there were many onlookers, no one dared to step forward.
Zheng Tu intended to take a detour, but then he noticed that one of the ruffians was dressed quite similarly to Li Biao.
"A man from Master Zhao's household?" A thought suddenly struck him.
Then look at the old man, his beard and hair are white, his clothes are tattered, he is kneeling on the ground kowtowing repeatedly, and there are bloodstains on his forehead.
The old man was already frail; if he continued to kowtow like this, he might lose his life.
Zheng Tu took a deep breath and strode forward.
"Gentlemen," he said in a low voice, yet the group of thugs all turned their heads, "bullying an old man in broad daylight, isn't that a bit disgraceful?"
The leader, a sallow-faced ruffian, sized up Zheng Tu. Seeing his rich clothes and extraordinary bearing, and not knowing his background, he felt a little intimidated and spoke without any politeness:
"What's it to you? This old man owes us gambling debts and won't pay them back. It's only right that we use his steamed buns to settle the debt!"
Zheng Tu looked at the old man: "Old man, do you owe them gambling debts?"
The old man shook his head repeatedly, tears streaming down his face: "I never gamble, where would I get gambling debts from! They...they're trying to rob me!"
The sallow-faced scoundrel roared in anger: "You old fool, still dare to talk back!" He raised his foot to kick him.
Zheng Tu reached out and blocked him, and the rogue felt a great force coming from him, causing him to stagger back three steps.
"You..." The rogue's expression changed.
Zheng Tu pulled out a silver coin weighing about two taels from his pocket and threw it at the ruffian's feet: "Is this enough to buy this basket of steamed buns?"
The ruffians exchanged bewildered glances. What was that basket of steamed buns worth? They were only humiliating the old man under orders, and this wealthy man had already given them two taels…
The sallow-faced ruffian rolled his eyes, bent down to pick up the silver, and chuckled, "Since you're so generous, sir, we'll do you a favor." With that, he waved his hand and led his accomplices away.
Zheng Tu helped the old man up and handed the steamed bun basket back to him.
The old man thanked him profusely and insisted on giving him some steamed buns. Zheng Tu couldn't refuse, so he had to accept two.
As the crowd gradually dispersed, a man in blue stood for a moment at a corner in the distance before turning and leaving.
Zheng Tu sneered inwardly, knowing that his actions would surely reach Zhao Yuanwai's ears again.
As the saying goes, "Many lice don't itch, and many debts don't worry."
Having made up his mind to deal with Master Zhao, Zheng Tu felt calmer.
As he walked toward Yuelai Inn, he casually took out the sesame seed cake that the old man had given him, broke off a piece, and put it in his mouth.
The sesame seed cakes were baked to a golden brown and crispy perfection, bursting with the aroma of wheat. Zheng Tu ate as he walked, and soon had devoured most of them.
Before long, they arrived at the Yuelai Inn. Just as the innkeeper had said, the inn was not luxurious, but it was clean and tidy.
The shop assistant at the door saw that a customer had arrived and hurriedly went to greet him.
With a sesame seed cake still in his mouth, Zheng Tu mumbled, "I need a quiet, superior room."
The shopkeeper was a thin man in his fifties, who was fiddling with an abacus. Hearing the sound, he looked up and glanced at Zheng Tu.
"How many days will you be staying, sir?" The innkeeper's expression remained unchanged, as if he were used to seeing all sorts of people.
"Stay for one day." Zheng Tu took out a piece of silver from his pocket and placed it on the counter.
The innkeeper took the money and took out a copper key: "Room number three, the second room on the left upstairs. Hot water and meals are at your convenience."
Zheng Tu took the key and went upstairs by himself.
Room No. 3 of the "Heavenly" section was at the end of the corridor. Pushing open the door, one would see a bed, a table, and a cabinet. The furnishings were simple, but the room was bright and clean.
The window faces the backyard, where several old locust trees stand with lush branches and leaves.
He placed his satchel on the table and lay down on the bed, fully clothed. After days of travel and several unexpected events, he was truly exhausted. Just as he was about to close his eyes to rest, a wave of dizziness washed over him.
"Hmm?" Zheng Tu propped himself up and shook his head.
The dizziness didn't subside; instead, it intensified. The scenery before my eyes began to spin, and my ears rang. Even worse, my limbs gradually weakened, and I couldn't muster any strength!
"Oh no!" Zheng Tu's heart skipped a beat. "There's something wrong with these sesame seed cakes!!!"