Chapter 60 - 29: Ruthless
Chapter 60: Chapter 29: Ruthless
Fang Rui found a spot and began to set up his stall.
Every now and then, he could see small groups of people in the distance. One person would lead their companion, subtly motioning toward him with a lift of their chin. They would whisper for a moment, seemingly recounting his deeds and causing their companion to cast a sideways glance.
"See him? That’s the guy! A notorious and formidable man. Two Entry Grade Martial Artists, Zhou Changlin and Gao Tong, were both taken down by him!"
"Two against one, and they supposedly had weapons, yet they still lost. The man must be at least Eighth Grade, maybe even stronger!"
"With that kind of power, monopolizing a business that brings in over ten silver a month... well, you can’t say he’s unworthy of it. It keeps others from getting any ideas..."
"I hear his prepared medicine packs are top-quality. Should we go buy some?"
...
Fang Rui had sharp ears and keen eyes, so he could faintly hear their discussions and see the expressions of shock and awe on their faces.
Of course, they only whispered from a distance. Would they dare to crowd around and gawk, or point fingers up close as if watching a performing monkey?
They wouldn’t dare.
In this world, might was right and power was supreme. The harsh lessons of life had long since etched the need to ’respect the strong’ into the very bones of ordinary people.
’Making an example of them worked well! It was dangerous, but it solved the problem once and for all.’
’I can see it now: as long as the profits from my medicine business don’t suddenly explode, I should be able to operate in peace. No one with ulterior motives will target me again!’
Fang Rui thought to himself.
He had also considered whether the intimidation from taking down Zhou Changlin and Gao Tong’s crew would be overkill, scaring away customers who would be too frightened to buy his medicine packs.
But reality gave him the answer: it wouldn’t.
Perhaps it was his great strength and stable business. Perhaps it was the honest impression he had always cultivated. Or perhaps it was simply the people of this world’s innate admiration for the strong...
In any case, today’s medicine pack business was more bustling than ever.
Even though Fang Rui had increased his supply, all the medicine packs sold out in less time than it takes to drink a cup of tea.
"We’re out! All the medicine packs are sold out. If you want any, come back in three days!"
Fang Rui turned away another inquiring customer. In a good mood, he packed up his things, preparing to leave.
Just then.
An unwelcome guest—Gao Yao—showed up in a frantic hurry.
’This pest again!’
Fang Rui frowned.
He assumed Gao Yao was looking for him, still hoping to partner up on the medicine pack business.
But he never expected...
The man dropped right to his knees and begged, "Lord Fang, save me!"
"What’s going on?" Fang Rui asked after a moment’s thought.
Normally, with his cautious nature, he would have cut him off, turned around, and walked away without hearing a word.
But Gao Yao showing up and immediately begging for his life made Fang Rui suspect that this might have something to do with him.
’I might as well hear him out. At least I’ll know what’s going on, and I’ll be prepared. As for whether I’ll get involved, that will depend on the details!’
Fang Rui thought.
After taking down Zhou Changlin and Gao Tong’s crew, his publicly displayed strength had made him a somebody in the Black Market. His ability to handle trouble, no matter what it was, had increased significantly.
At the very least, he wasn’t like an ordinary person who could meet a calamitous end just by overhearing something they shouldn’t, getting tangentially involved, or being the unfortunate target of a powerful expert’s random fit of anger.
"It’s like this..."
Joy flashed across Gao Yao’s face.
—Fang Rui’s willingness to listen meant there was hope.
As Gao Yao explained, Fang Rui gradually began to understand the whole story.
It turned out that after they had parted ways, Gao Yao’s income had plummeted. He’d gone back to his old trade: selling fake secret manuals.
But it’s hard to go back to puddles after you’ve seen the ocean. After his time with Fang Rui, Gao Yao’s tastes had become more expensive. He could no longer be bothered with swindling paupers out of a few large coins for a cheap, fake manual.
He was really asking for it.
He spent a bit of capital to acquire, through some special channels, a few half-genuine, very convincing-looking manuals, specifically to fleece wealthy suckers.
He’d even managed to make a few sales that way.
But walk by the riverside long enough, and your shoes are bound to get wet. Soon enough, he scammed someone he shouldn’t have—the younger cousin of Cao She, a man nicknamed the ’Snake Handler’.
The man was duped by Gao Yao into buying a fake manual. He followed its instructions and, unsurprisingly... crippled himself in the process.
Gao Yao laid low for a few days, but he couldn’t hide forever.
Today, Cao She came to the Black Market to corner him. Panicked and at his wit’s end, Gao Yao got wind of this and just so happened to hear the stories of Fang Rui’s fearsome deeds...
And that led to the scene just now.
"Lord Fang, save me! I’m begging you, please step in and help me settle this!"
Gao Yao was an expert at reading people. Seeing Fang Rui’s impassive expression, his heart sank. He quickly backpedaled to a more modest request, adding, "I’m only asking you to act as a mediator, to let me sit down and talk with that Cao She. At the end of the day, what I did was wrong. Whether it’s a refund or compensation, everything is on the table..."
’Heh, so I was right to be worried. I knew this guy would stir up trouble and drag me into it...’
’I just didn’t think I’d be proven right so literally!’
A glint appeared in Fang Rui’s eyes, and he was just about to speak.
Just then, a cold, sinister voice suddenly rang out. "Gao Yao, you son of a bitch. You’ve been hard to find."
Along with the voice, a man in his thirties appeared, flanked by two underlings. He had a sallow complexion, a black mole at the corner of his mouth, and a black snake coiled around his arm.
It was none other than Cao She, the man nicknamed the ’Snake Handler’!
Upon seeing Fang Rui, one of the underlings’ expressions changed. He hurried to Cao She’s side and whispered something in his ear.
Instantly, Cao She’s pupils constricted. He shot a wary glance at Fang Rui, hesitated, but still stepped forward. Cupping his fist, he forced a smile. "This... brother. I have a grudge with Gao Yao. Would you mind staying out of this? Afterward, I, Cao She, will be sure to reward you generously."