After failing to get a magical treasure from his master, Li Xiaoyao had no other choice. He couldn't just sit by and watch the fairies on the island to the east get defiled by those three men who were obviously no good. So he went to buy a fairly handy short iron sword from Uncle Zeng, the village blacksmith, then borrowed a small boat from Zhang Si, the fisherman. Once he was ready, he set sail for the island said to be home to many fairies, Immortal Spirit Island, to stop those Miao men from committing evil!
Of course, he wasn't about to recklessly fight those Miao men himself. But he could try to reach Immortal Spirit Island before them and warn the fairies in advance, so they wouldn't let their guard down and fall into those villains' clutches.
So, with the short iron sword he'd just bought and some food and drink for the journey, Li Xiaoyao headed straight for the little market and dock at the north end of the village.
"Little Li!"
"Buying meat? We just butchered a purebred, big, fat black-haired pig today. Look, it's fresh!"
"Buy some! Those three guests at your inn are sure to like it!"
Seeing Li Xiaoyao arrive at the market, Uncle Zhang, the burly butcher, assumed he was there to buy groceries for Aunt Zhang. He immediately called out to him, holding up a fresh pork leg for him to see.
"Not buying, not buying!"
"There are no guests anymore. They've gone. What do I care whether they like it?!"
Li Xiaoyao was about to head out to sea and chase those three Miao men. He might even be able to uphold justice and run his sword right through those villains! Why would he still buy groceries for them?
"Oh!"