Apology for Compensation? (Seeking Follow-ups)

The overloaded flying boat wobbled through the clouds for half a day before finally reaching West First Ward of Ask-Dao City safely.

The stall layout in West First Ward wasn't so particular—any empty space in the streets or alleys, as long as it didn't block the way, could be set up for a stall.

That's why this place was also the most lively and bustling part of Ask-Dao City.

Chen Xian stepped onto the wide street paved with carved bluestone slabs. The shop banners on both sides blotted out the sky and sun, and the cries of vendors, the clatter of hooves, and the haggling between stallholders and customers merged into a wave of heat that blew away the chill of winter's start.

"Grandmaster Uncle, right here. Yesterday, Junior Brother Duan and I had just set up our stall when it got smashed."

Jian Shan rubbed his still-bruised cheek, pointing at a bustling corner ahead.

Chen Xian followed his gaze and his eyelids twitched.

These two had picked their spot with deadly accuracy.

Right next to them stood an imposing three-story redwood tea house. Under its flying eaves and bracketed arches hung a row of gilded red lanterns, and the plaque above bore the flamboyant characters "Qian Family Tea House." A banner pole over ten feet long flapped noisily in the wind, emblazoned with the words "Shou'er Tea Exclusive Supplier."

Chen Xian walked to the tea house entrance. A faint, elusive fragrance of tea drifted over on the breeze. Listening to the clinking of cups and the sound of opera singers from inside, business was clearly booming.

"No wonder they beat you up."

Chen Xian hoisted the straw bundle onto his shoulder, a helpless smile spreading across his aged face. "You were hawking right at their doorstep, of course you'd disturb their business and ruin the guests' enjoyment."

Jian Shan let out a dry chuckle and quickly set up a stall further away. Besides the sugar hawthorns, he also laid out some pills he'd refined himself.

Lin Xiaoyan was still in that beggar getup, cradling a heavy sword in his arms, squatting there like a withered log. His decadent yet barely restrained aura made passersby instinctively give him a wide berth.

"Shoo, shoo, go squat somewhere else. You're bad for business!"

Chen Xian gave him a light kick on the rear, took out a reclining chair and tea table from the Spirit-Concealing Jade Ring, then pulled out a pot of brewed tea. He leaned back and played the hands-off boss.

Lin Xiaoyan looked innocent as he shuffled over and squatted against a wall.

"Blood Sugar Hawthorns! Strengthen kidneys, firm essence, nourish blood and qi—works in one stick! Sweet and sour, delicious for men, women, old, and young!"

As soon as the hawthorn stall was set up, Duan Cui immediately started bellowing at the top of his lungs. The originally quiet street corner fell silent for a moment.

"Oh? Aren't these the two brats who got chased off yesterday? Pretty bold, huh? Brought an old man along today?"

"Never mind that—give me one first! My lazy kid ate one yesterday, got up in the middle of the night, and punched for half the night to suppress the blood energy. It's amazing!"

Chen Xian hadn't expected their first customers to be the nearby stallholders.

But by now, Jian Shan had already sold the sugar hawthorns for fifteen taels of silver each. Most of these vendors ran small businesses and didn't earn much, so they could only buy one to take home for their children or grandchildren.

Chen Xian also learned from Jian Shan that the sugar hawthorns he made seemed to have a special auxiliary effect on martial artists' cultivation.

What a stroke of luck—getting rich by accident!

Some passing nobles and officials, who had originally planned to enter the Qian Family Tea House for a drink, saw the crowd gathered here and, thinking it was some novel snack, bought a stick for their families and children.

The Blood Sugar Hawthorns' bright red, glossy color and unique taste and texture instantly exploded on the street, with business even hotter than yesterday's by three points.

The surrounding stallholders watched with red-eyed envy—how much money must they be making!

Just then, a customer who had witnessed the whole thing yesterday whispered, "Hey, little brother, you've got some nerve. Those martial artists smashed your stall yesterday, and you're setting up in the same spot today? Aren't you afraid they'll come back?"

Unexpectedly, instead of seeing fear in Jian Shan's eyes, the man saw him puff out his chest. "Doing honest business—what's there to be afraid of? Could those thugs really kill us Sword Sect disciples?"

The customer couldn't help but give him a thumbs up.

No sooner had he spoken than a heavy sound of footsteps came from the distant street corner.

The originally crowded crowd scattered to both sides like mice seeing a cat, clearing a large empty space in an instant.

A dark mass of figures surged in from the east street entrance, all in short, tight-fitting outfits. Every one of them had bulging muscles and prominent temples.

One look and you could tell they were all martial artists.

The nearby stallholders, recalling yesterday's incident, quickly moved their stalls further away from the sugar hawthorn stand to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

Jian Shan and Duan Cui's expressions also turned grim. Duan Cui's hand had already rested on his sword hilt, his knuckles cracking as if ready to fight to the death.

But when Chen Xian saw the leader, he couldn't help but smile.

This man had a slender build and wore a green silk long gown, but a mole on his cheekbone spoiled any elegance with a hint of cunning. He was none other than the Qian Family's steward, Li Youde.

Li Youde strode over. When he spotted Chen Xian lounging in the reclining chair, leisurely sipping tea, he froze.

He lowered his head for a moment, then raised it again, his face now replaced by a fawning, ingratiating smile.

"Aiya! Your Eminence, why are you resting here? Why not come sit in our Qian Family Tea House?"

With that, Li Youde hurried a few steps closer, stopping five paces away from Chen Xian, bending so low his waist nearly touched his knees.

"Yesterday, someone overturned my sugar hawthorn stall, so I came to see who it was."

Chen Xian rocked in his chair, not even bothering to look directly at Li Youde.

Li Youde broke out in a cold sweat at that and quickly put on a placating smile. "These sugar hawthorns were made by Your Eminence? Look at this mess—what a case of the flood dragon washing out the Dragon King's temple!"

The surrounding onlookers were dumbfounded.

This Steward Li of the Qian Family usually threw his weight around West First Ward. How was he bowing and scraping to some old man today?

This old man is likely also from the Xuanyun Sword Sect, and his status is far from low!

Those with quick minds secretly edged a little closer to Chen Xian's reclining chair, thinking they might find a chance to make his acquaintance.

"Steward Li, bringing so many people—are you planning to help me pack up my stall?"

Chen Xian rubbed the jade thumb ring on his index finger, set down his teacup, and looked at Li Youde with a faint, knowing smile.

"This Senior jokes! Even if you lent me a hundred guts, I wouldn't dare!"

Li Youde spun around sharply, his face darkening as he barked, "Bring those blind dogs up here!"

The crowd behind him parted at once, and several martial artists dragged two men, beaten bloody and barely breathing, before throwing them with a "thud" at Chen Xian's feet.

"That's him!"

Jian Shan immediately recognized one of them—the Transformation Force martial artist who had led the group yesterday.

Now his limbs were broken, and he lay sprawled on the ground like a pile of mud, only able to let out faint whimpers.

"The clan head heard that some insolent servants had offended the sect's disciples. In his fury, he personally crippled their martial arts on the spot."

Li Youde bowed again, pulled two heavy brocade pouches from his sleeve, and presented them with both hands. "Here are two thousand Dao Silver. The clan head instructed that you two must accept this as compensation for medical expenses."

"And he begs this Senior not to pursue the matter in anger."

At these words, the crowd erupted in murmurs.