Chapter 122: The Power of the Tanuki (Part 1) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
As the man backed down, the atmosphere eased.
Zhai Le clasped his hands in greeting: "May I ask your name, sir?"
The man pursed his lips, disliking Zhai Le's pretentious manner. He turned back to the tattered straw mat by the roadside and plopped down. However, he was so tall that even sitting down, he was a huge lump, his shoulders taller than the head of the "merchandise" sitting next to him.
"You have excellent skills and a fine physique, brave warrior. I would like to befriend you." Zhai Le was a good-tempered man. Despite being ignored and slighted like this, he showed no anger whatsoever, and instead revealed a smile without any gloom.
Just as he approached, the man lay down with his back to him.
He chuckled and closed his eyes.
After being turned away so thoroughly, even someone as easygoing as Zhai Le couldn't help but blush with embarrassment and unconsciously pout.
Is it because of his self-doubt that he's so unlikeable?
Zhai Le looked deflated, his brows drooping, his lips slightly pouting, a picture of utter defeat. The man's back remained motionless, like a stone statue, and soon his snoring grew louder—how could he possibly sleep in such a noisy environment?!
Zhai Le had a bad run of friendships and could only get up dejectedly.
He nearly bumped into Shen Tang, who had somehow gotten close to him. Shen Tang asked with concern, "Brother Shen, did you fall just now?"
Shen Tang: "You fell and hurt yourself. I'll stew that pig when we get back!"
Zhai Le, however, felt it was a bit of a pity.
"That pig is very intelligent; it would be a pity to slaughter it."
Wild boars can be caught again, but wild boars this clever (shameless) and adept at judging the situation are hard to find. Seeing that it couldn't beat the strong man, it didn't linger and immediately chickened out, running to Brother Chen to complain.
It's so clever and agile, it's almost like it's become a spirit.
Shen Tang gritted her teeth: "Who told it to nudge me like that!"
Her calves hurt, her buttocks hurt, she couldn't stand this kind of injustice!
Zhai Le knew that Shen Tang was shouting fiercely at the moment, and might not do anything to that pig when he got back, but in order to give Brother Shen a way out, he still dutifully said a few good words for the Black-faced Man.
For example, if we kill the Black-Faced Man, who will we ride next time we herd pigs?
For example, keeping this pig around can still provide some amusement for Brother Shen.
As the pain in her buttocks gradually subsided, Shen Tang's anger also subsided considerably. However, the thought of this pig ambushing her still left her somewhat unsatisfied, and she childishly kicked him a couple more times before stopping. The black-faced man seemed to know he was in the wrong, and whimpered pitifully.
Shen Tang: "...Damn, you're actually feeling wronged?"
Upon hearing this, Zhai Le suddenly opened his eyes wide and coughed twice to remind Shen Tang to watch his words when they were out—the fair-skinned, handsome young man was using vulgar language as soon as he opened his mouth, which was too unrefined.
Shen Tang choked, suppressing her greeting, and glared at the pig with annoyance, raising her fist and waving it twice in threat: "Just you wait! I'll settle the score with you later!"
The grudge of the Black-Faced Man can be left unresolved; he can be dealt with however he wants when he gets back. But the "grudge" that this man has pushed aside cannot go unpunished.
Shen Tang is very stingy.
She didn't try to communicate with the man like Zhai Le did; instead, she walked straight to the vendors watching the play nearby and pointed at the man.
How much is he?
The man had his hair tied up with straw, and his clothes and appearance were similar to several other "goods" in the vicinity; it was obvious at a glance that he had been brought here to be sold.
If that's the case, why can't Shen Tang buy him?
With such physical fitness, he is far superior to everyone else in the village.
If I buy it and give it to Gong Shuwu, I think he'll be very happy.
It's just puzzling why a strong, able-bodied adult would stoop to selling his head at auction.
Since Zhai Le had been rebuffed, Shen Tang didn't want to talk to him about whether he was willing to be bought by her, and directly asked his boss.
The vendor who was asked the question was taken aback.
His eyes widened: "You want to...buy him?"
Upon hearing this, the man sat up abruptly.
His gaze was like nails, piercing Shen Tang, and a fierceness that ordinary people did not have surged in his dark eyes!
Shen Tang put her hands on her hips and said, "Yes, buy him!"
Zhai Le stopped him, saying, "Brother Shen, this is not a good idea."
He could tell this man lacked martial courage, but to possess such physique and strength as an ordinary person was quite remarkable. With proper guidance, his progress in cultivating internal energy, tempering his body, and developing martial courage would be phenomenal; he was a true talent!
Such people need to be recruited, not bought and sold.
Shen Tang: "What's wrong with it? Did I get it for free?"
Despite her constant claims of being poor, she actually had some spare change. Some of it was from her own savings, and some was given to her by Yuanliang and Wuhui, allowing her to buy whatever she wanted when she went out.
Zhai Le: "..."
Is this the key point?
The man's expression changed, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "...Not for sale!"
Shen Tang replied, "Whether it's sold or not depends on your master."
The man turned his gaze to the vendor, who hesitated for a moment, then asked Shen Tang for confirmation, "Young lady, do you really want to buy him?"
After he finished speaking, several other people nearby showed subtle expressions.
She glanced at Shen Tang, then at the man.
Shen Tang said, "I'll buy it."
Interrupting Zhai Le, who was about to remind the vendor that it was a "young man, not a woman," since Brother Shen didn't mind being mistaken for a woman, he didn't want to spoil the fun and tacitly accepted it. The man, however, noticed the barely noticeable transparent floral monogram on Shen Tang's waist.
He paused for a moment, then clenched his fists tightly.
The vendor then asked, "Are you really going to buy it?"
Shen Tang said impatiently, "Sell or not, it's just a matter of a word! Are you so indecisive that you think I can't afford it?"
The vendor had shifty eyes and a sleazy air about him, but his gaze was relatively clear.
Shen Tang was impatient, but instead of getting angry, he showed the same subtle expression as everyone else. He leaned closer and said mysteriously, "When you're setting up a stall to do business, how can you not sell? But young lady, this man is not easy to tame. You'd better be careful when you buy him and use him."
Shen Tang raised an eyebrow and asked, "What is his past?"
The vendor replied, "I've killed people."
Shen Tang didn't care: "I've killed before."
The vendor choked, realizing that Shen Tang hadn't grasped his warning, and said bluntly, "The person who died, she died on the bed."
Shen Tang was immediately confused.
He shouted, "Dead on the bed? He beat his wife to death?"
Shen Tang despised a domestic abuser, especially one who beat his wife to death. Buying one and displaying it in front of her would only cause her more trouble. She immediately had second thoughts—although the village was short-handed, it wasn't so short-sighted as to accept anyone who would do it. She would rather have none than something bad.
The vendor choked again.
The man's face darkened further.
"No, where would a poor wretch like him find a wife? If a woman were willing to be with him, why would he hit someone?" The merchant's answer surprised Shen Tang. Judging from his words, the merchant had a pretty good impression of the man, and his words implied a protective attitude.
Shen Tang then asked, "Why is that?"
The vendor choked on his words three times at this question.
Other onlookers couldn't help but chime in with their comments.
It's practically a massive gossip party for men!
Shen Tang endured her headache and listened to what had happened before she understood.
Second update
(End of this chapter)
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