Chapter 39: If This Can Be Endured, What Cannot?

The shopkeeper couldn't help but chuckle and said, "There's no need to worry, sir. To tell you the truth, our pharmacy has been running short on caterpillar fungus, and I never imagined you would bring two today. It's truly a timely help. So, even if these aren't freshly dug and have lost some of their potency, they're still very valuable right now." As he spoke, he weighed the two stalks in his hands, his smile broadening. "Sir, I'll take these two stalks off your hands. If they were fresh, each would fetch two and a half strings of copper coins. Now, with a bit of a discount, I'll give you four strings for both. What do you say?"

"Agreed!" Bai Xiaoyue replied cheerfully. "Shopkeeper, these two stalks of caterpillar fungus are yours now. Please put them away."

Originally, the shopkeeper expected Bai Xiaoyue to haggle for a better price—it was standard practice in business. He was prepared to raise his offer. But hearing Bai Xiaoyue accept without protest, he was overjoyed.

"Very good! Please wait a moment, I'll fetch the money right away."

Afraid she might change her mind, he hurried off with the fungus into a back room. Soon after, he returned carrying four heavy strings of copper coins and placed them on the counter, smiling at Bai Xiaoyue.

"Sir, these four strings of copper coins were strung together last night, ready to deposit at the 'Hengfeng Money House' today. Please count them and see if they total four thousand coins."

"No need," Bai Xiaoyue replied straightforwardly, reaching out to take the money, when Yan Chixia called out, "Sister, let me carry the money for you."

"Alright, little brother, thank you," Bai Xiaoyue replied with a gentle smile.

Yan Chixia took the four strings of coins, intending to slip them into his pocket, but there were simply too many. The pocket couldn't hold them all. Holding the long strings of copper coins, he was helpless and forced a wry smile.

"If only I had a 'storage ring,' how wonderful it would be! I could store all these coins inside. Unfortunately, my cultivation level is still too low, and I haven't yet mastered the spatial laws needed to forge one..."

"Don't worry," Bai Xiaoyue encouraged him, "With your diligence, it won't be long before you can craft a storage ring. Shopkeeper, thank you, we'll be going now."

"Certainly!" The shopkeeper smiled, "Take care, and come again."

The shop assistant also bid them farewell with a grin, "Thank you for your patronage, please visit us again!"

Yan Chixia and Bai Xiaoyue left "Li's Apothecary" together, walking down the main street. Many eyes followed the four gleaming strings of copper coins in Yan Chixia's hands.

Feeling a little self-conscious under all the stares, Yan Chixia said to Bai Xiaoyue, "Sister, isn't it a bit too conspicuous for me to be carrying these coins around in public?"

"It is," Bai Xiaoyue nodded, "You look quite the sight with them. Let's spend the money quickly and lighten our load."

Yan Chixia laughed. "You're right. Sister, what are you planning to buy today?"

"Millet, cured meat, salted fish, marinated eggs, blank scrolls, Shan-teng paper, talisman paper, coarse paper, brushes and ink, painting pigments, and the 'Four Books and Five Classics'..." Bai Xiaoyue replied confidently. "Brother, the copy of the Analects you activated with your 'Paper Talisman Technique' probably won't last much longer."

"Good thinking, sister," Yan Chixia agreed. "Look, there's a 'Chen's Grocery' over there. Shall we take a look?"

"Let's go," Bai Xiaoyue agreed happily.

Together, they quickened their pace toward Chen's Grocery.

Inside, they purchased cured meat, salted fish, and marinated eggs. Afterward, they bought millet from Gao's Grain Shop, the "Four Books and Five Classics" from Meng's Bookstore, Shan-teng paper, talisman paper, coarse paper, blank scrolls, and painting supplies from Zhao's Scholar's Emporium. Lastly, they picked up vegetable and carrot seeds from Granny Wang's Seed Stall.

Originally, Yan Chixia thought that once the four strings of coins were spent, he'd be relieved of his burden. Instead, the more money they spent, the more things he found himself carrying. By the time Bai Xiaoyue had finished her shopping, not only was he laden with two large bundles, but Bai Xiaoyue was also carrying two heavy packages herself.

Having bought everything they needed, they had spent three and a half strings of coins, with half a string remaining. Yan Chixia tucked the rest away into the bundles.

Walking down the street side by side, Yan Chixia looked at the packages they both carried and laughed, "Sister, we're certainly leaving with our hands full today."

"Indeed," Bai Xiaoyue replied joyfully. "With all this, we can focus on cultivating for a while once we're back. Though, brother, look at us now—how bedraggled we must seem! Hopefully, next time we shop, we won't need to lug everything by hand but can just store it all in our storage rings..."

She hadn't finished speaking when suddenly a panicked shout rang out, "Oh no! The 'Living King of Hell' is coming—run for your lives!"

At the cry, the street—previously calm—was thrown into chaos as people scattered in fear.

Yan Chixia was taken aback. "'Living King of Hell'? Who is that?"

Before he could finish, four swaggering servants appeared, escorting a pampered young man who blocked the path of a pretty young woman.

This young man was none other than Qin Shou, the so-called "Living King of Hell."

Qin Shou was the eldest son of the wealthiest household in Qixia Town, the Qin family. Spoiled from birth, he grew up relying on his family's immense wealth and the influence of his uncle, the county magistrate. All day long, he acted with impunity, bullying the townsfolk with no one daring to oppose him. Over time, the people, though seething with resentment, only dared whisper behind his back, giving him the nickname "Living King of Hell."

Now, Qin Shou blocked the beautiful woman’s way, leering and making obscene remarks while his hands roamed without restraint.

The woman screamed in terror, struggling desperately to escape, but surrounded by the four servants, there was no way out. Helpless and furious, she could only endure Qin Shou’s humiliation.

“Outrageous!” Yan Chixia, filled with indignation, strode forward swiftly, bundles in hand.

Bai Xiaoyue followed close behind.

In a flash, the two were upon the scene.

Yan Chixia glared at Qin Shou and shouted sternly, "Enough! You shameless cur! How dare you molest an innocent woman in broad daylight? Have you no respect for the law?"

Qin Shou was startled; he hadn’t expected anyone in Qixia Town to challenge him. He jerked his hands back and, seeing Yan Chixia’s fierce gaze, his face twisted in fury.

"You must have a death wish, meddling in my business! The law? What law? In this town, I am the law! Not only will I harass her here on the street, but I’ll also take her back to my residence for my pleasure!" His eyes then fell on Bai Xiaoyue, radiant and graceful, and his expression turned lecherous. "Well, well, what luck! A beauty like a celestial maiden appears before me today! My fortune truly knows no bounds! Come here, gorgeous, let me show you some affection..."

With that, he released the other woman and lunged at Bai Xiaoyue with outstretched hands.

Bai Xiaoyue, having lived all her life on Mount Zhongnan, had never encountered such brazen depravity. Her face grew dark with anger and she was about to react when Yan Chixia, unable to contain his fury, stepped forward.

"Enough is enough!" Yan Chixia roared, raising his foot and kicking Qin Shou squarely in his bulging stomach.

With a scream, Qin Shou was sent flying a good ten paces before crashing heavily to the ground.

Though Yan Chixia had held back, Qin Shou was left writhing in pain, clutching his stomach and rolling on the ground as he snarled at his four servants through gritted teeth, "What are you standing there for? Kill him for me!"