What a narrow road for enemies

044 What a Small World

"Six-Petal Soul-Melting Flower? What a strange name. Association President, have you ever seen such an herb?" Lu Tiao asked in surprise.

The old man's face immediately twisted into a peculiar smile. "Seen it? Hmph, 'seen it' doesn't even begin to cover it! As it happens, I have a specimen of this Six-Petal Soul-Melting Flower in my possession!"

Lu Tiao's face lit up with delight. "In that case, we can provide him with the two most critical ingredients. As for the remaining herbs, while they are obscure, there shouldn't be any difficulty in gathering them."

"This Six-Petal Soul-Melting Flower is also highly toxic. Moreover, its toxicity is the exact opposite of the Qushen Red Fruit Wood. It's truly strange—what on earth is that Zhang He trying to do by seeking out two such uniquely poisonous herbs?" The old man looked puzzled.

"Though I don't know what he intends, he seems extremely anxious. These two herbs must be very important to him," Lu Tiao said.

A sharp glint flashed in the old man's eyes as he nodded. "Anxiety is good! While this Six-Petal Soul-Melting Flower is hard to come by and quite rare, it is of no use to me. Go and tell him that I am willing to part with it. I believe that once you do, he will have no choice but to cooperate with us!"

The old man wore an expression of calculated cunning.

"I'll go talk to him about this right away!" Lu Tiao was also brimming with excitement. He could already foresee the immense benefits this would bring to both the Luowang Prefecture Pharmacist Association and himself if the deal were struck!

On the main street of Luowang Prefecture City, Zhang He was walking at a leisurely pace. Since he was out for a stroll, he couldn't take a carriage; that would be like looking at flowers from horseback—he wouldn't be able to appreciate anything properly.

"Luowang Prefecture City is several times more prosperous than Mengyin City. You can buy many things here that you'd never find back home." Zhang He walked along, observing the shops on either side of the street.

The shops sold all manner of goods, many of which had never even appeared in Mengyin City.

"Since I'm here, I can't return empty-handed. I need to buy a decent gift for Lian Yunbi, and I should also pick up something nice for my mother and little sister."

Zhang He had come out specifically to shop, but he was finding it difficult to decide what to get. Buying for his little sister was easy enough; children were always fond of snacks and toys. He just needed to pick up some treats and a few trinkets, and he'd have Zhang Yu sorted out in no time.

But what should he get for his mother? And what would make a suitable birthday gift for Lian Yunbi?

Zhang He was pondering this when his gaze suddenly caught a large sign with gold lettering on a red background not far ahead.

"Fengxiang Jewelry? That's it! I can buy jewelry for my mother and Lian Yunbi. My mother has worked herself to the bone for so many years and never had the means to dress herself up; now that life is better, she should certainly adorn herself properly. And as for Lian Yunbi... everyone loves beauty, especially women. Jewelry is an excellent choice for a birthday gift."

Zhang He made up his mind. Jewelry was always the perfect gift for a woman!

He strolled into the shop called "Fengxiang Jewelry." Just as he stepped inside, he heard the pleading voice of an old man: "I've come so many times already, please, just let me see Boss Zheng."

Zhang He couldn't help but pause. He glanced over and saw an elderly man with a gaunt face and white hair and beard, hunched over at the entrance, bowing repeatedly and begging a middle-aged man who looked like a shop manager.

Zhang He didn't pay much mind to it and walked further into the shop. He was immediately dazzled by the jewelry on display.

There was indeed a vast array of jewelry here!

Zhang He excitedly stepped closer, but as he looked at the styles on display, a look of disappointment crossed his face. These pieces were made with plenty of material, but the designs were rigid and monotonous.

Although Zhang He wasn't an expert, he knew that the most important thing about jewelry was an attractive design, with the quality of materials being secondary. Here, it was the exact opposite; the pieces looked heavy and clunky, and combined with the stiff, repetitive styles, they left Zhang He feeling speechless.

Yet, even so, there was a crowd of people eagerly buying these pieces at the counters! It made Zhang He sigh—was everyone's aesthetic sense really this poor?

He couldn't bring himself to value these items at all. If he were to give these as gifts, he would feel embarrassed himself!

Zhang He scanned the room, hoping to find something decent. Finally, at the most luxurious counter in the shop, he spotted a few pieces displayed in front of some mirrors. There were headpieces resembling phoenix crowns, bracelets, and necklaces that looked somewhat more exquisite.

It was a case of picking the best of a bad bunch. While these pieces didn't fully satisfy him, they were much better than what he had seen earlier.

Zhang He's gaze fell upon the phoenix crown-like ornament. Beneath it sat a wooden plaque with its name: Heavenly Fragrance Phoenix Crown.

It was clear that this Heavenly Fragrance Phoenix Crown was the shop's treasure. Many elegantly dressed noblewomen passing by would cast envious glances at it. Zhang He checked the price tag below and gasped inwardly—it cost over eight hundred gold coins! The value of this single crown was nearly comparable to the manor he had purchased!

"Sigh, the craftsmanship on this Heavenly Fragrance Phoenix Crown is exquisite, showing the maker's high level of skill. But wouldn't wearing this on one's head make it look far too large? Besides, it's too gaudy; wearing it would be like a peacock fanning its tail—it makes one look a bit ridiculous."

Zhang He couldn't help but sigh.

"Young man, the items here are worth a fortune; they aren't for the likes of you to look at. There are discounted clearance items over there—go take a look at those. They're cheap; this side is too expensive." A voice dripping with disdain came from nearby.

Zhang He frowned slightly and looked up to see a gaudily dressed woman looking at him with utter disgust.

"Is this how your shop treats its customers?" Zhang He knew immediately that she was talking to him. A surge of anger rose in his heart. He had come here to spend money, and he hadn't expected to be looked down upon like this!

"Oh, I spoke to you nicely, and you don't even appreciate it?" The gaudily dressed woman sneered when she saw Zhang He retort. "Am I wrong? Can you afford even one thing here? If you don't have the money, why are you putting on airs?"

As the woman spoke, several other shop assistants began pointing and whispering. Their expressions were clearly mocking Zhang He.

Zhang He felt even more annoyed. A bunch of snobs! He couldn't be bothered to argue with such shallow people, so he snorted coldly and turned to leave.

"Oh, look at that, he's still acting indignant. Why don't you go find a puddle and look at your own reflection? Is this a place for a commoner like you to enter?" the woman jeered.

Even with Zhang He's good temper, he couldn't help but get angry. This woman was taking his tolerance for weakness!

"Oh my, isn't this Zhang He? What brings you here to shop?" Just then, a mocking voice came from behind him.

Zhang He turned around and frowned slightly. What a small world—he hadn't expected to run into that wretch Zhao Feng here! And beside him were two other young people, a man and a woman, dressed in black and white respectively. They were about the same age as Zhao Feng and were looking at Zhang He with hostile expressions!

"Zhang He? Cousin, isn't that the idiot who hurt you back then?" the young man in white asked, feigning surprise.

Zhang He's brow furrowed deeper. He could tell that these three were here for trouble. His gaze swept quickly over the two people beside Zhao Feng.

"He's actually reached the first level of the True Martial Realm?" Zhang He felt a jolt of alarm when he saw the faint red glow flowing beneath the white-clad youth's skin.

Of the three, only this youth had such a high cultivation level. However, Zhang He didn't take him seriously. Even if ten more people at the first level of the True Martial Realm came, he wouldn't be afraid. He was just surprised; to reach that level at such a young age meant the kid either had immense talent or access to a vast supply of spiritual pills. Either way, it meant this guy wasn't simple!

"What bad luck, running into a piece of dog shit like you everywhere I go. What a mood killer!" Zhang He glanced at Zhao Feng, shook his head, and turned to leave.

He didn't care for these clowns and had no interest in wasting another word on them.

Before Zhao Feng could say anything, the youth in white's face darkened. This brat was too arrogant—to act so high and mighty in front of him!

"You wretch, if you've got the guts, then stand still! Today, I'm going to settle our old scores!" The young man in white roared from behind as he gave chase. He knew that Zhao Feng had been injured by Zhang He, and seeing Zhang He today, he wanted to vent that frustration on his cousin's behalf.

"Who are you calling a wretch?" Zhang He turned his head.

"I'm calling you a wretch!" the young man in white said coldly, having already closed the distance to Zhang He's side.

"It is a virtue to have self-awareness; it's fine to know you're a wretch, but you shouldn't go around acting like one so often," Zhang He said languidly.

The young man in white suddenly realized what had happened, and his expression turned icy: "You have some nerve! How dare you toy with your grandfather here! It seems I must teach you a lesson today. You broke my cousin's arm before, so today I shall cripple both of yours. As for that foul mouth of yours, I'll knock out every one of your teeth and cut out your tongue for good measure!"

As he spoke, the young man in white suddenly transformed his hands into claws, resembling those of an eagle, and lunged fiercely toward Zhang He's arms!

With a single strike, he intended to cripple both of Zhang He's arms!