Chapter Eighteen: Hua Ruoxue’s Grandmother (Begging for votes again~~~)

On the road to the Hundred Flowers Sword Sect, Tang Yi and his party of nine walked along, chatting as they went.

“Tang, please, I’m begging you, just lend a hand, just this once. For someone like you, it’s no trouble at all,” Liu Mingde whined incessantly into Tang Yi’s ear.

“What business is her mother’s illness of yours? Get lost!” Tang Yi kicked Liu Mingde, sending him flying. After a moment, the ground trembled slightly.

“Tang, let’s be honest. Helping Liu Yuefeng’s mother with her... hic... her illness—it’s nothing for you. Just take it as an act of kindness for once,” Zhang Qiang said between hiccups, still chewing on his food.

“Just eat your food, since you can’t seem to keep your mouth shut,” Tang Yi said, shoving a large apple into Zhang Qiang’s mouth, finally bringing some peace to the world.

“Tang...” Someone else began to speak.

“Oh, come on! Is this endless? Are you all—Xiao Zhen, don’t tell me you’re pleading too?” Tang Yi was about to lose his temper but stopped short when he realized it was Gu Zhenzhen who had spoken. Faced with a beautiful woman, he found it hard to get angry.

“Tang, I’m not here to plead...” Gu Zhenzhen replied.

“That’s good, that’s good,” Tang Yi said, relieved.

“I’d like to hire you with a high-grade spirit stone to help heal Liu Yuefeng’s mother,” Gu Zhenzhen said, blinking her large eyes.

Tang Yi was speechless; wasn’t this the same thing?

“Tang, when you were treating people on the battlefield, didn’t you only charge them a high-grade spirit stone each?” Gu Zhenzhen continued.

“That was because everyone’s injuries were from the battlefield. That’s why I charged so little. But now that we’re back, I charge as much as I can.”

“Then why won’t you help even when Liu Yuefeng offered so many good things?”

“That’s because she was so anxious back then. Didn’t you see her expression? It was... how should I put it?”

“Proud? Right! But isn’t she humble enough now? Can’t you forgive her this once?”

“I’m a man of principle. I do as I say.” Tang Yi was resolute.

“Still, I want to offer a high-grade spirit stone to ask you to help Liu Yuefeng’s mother,” Gu Zhenzhen insisted.

“And why is that?” Tang Yi was puzzled.

“Because Liu Yuefeng’s mother’s wounds were also from the great war ten years ago!”

“You say so, but even if it’s true, I still won’t agree. Those wounds are decades, even centuries old. If everyone hurt in the war came to me for treatment, I’d be run ragged. Absolutely not, unless you can give me a better reason. Otherwise, I’m leaving.” Tang Yi quickened his pace.

At that moment, Liu Mingde, who’d been thrown aside, ran up and grabbed Tang Yi.

“I have one! I have a very good reason!” Liu Mingde shouted loudly.

“My ears are fine, you don’t need to shout,” Tang Yi said, picking at his ear and flicking out a large clump of earwax.

“What’s your reason? I’m all ears. If it’s not a good one, I’ll kick you out of the atmosphere and into outer space,” Tang Yi said, flicking away the earwax.

“Tang, don’t you always say we’re all siblings to you?”

“That’s right, I do! And?”

“So, isn’t Guo Ziping your brother too?”

“Of course!” Tang Yi started to laugh, seeing where this was going.

“Then, isn’t it right to help a brother out?”

“Fine! I give in. That reason’s good enough. Tell Guo Zi to come here,” Tang Yi said, indifferent.

Guo Ziping hurried over, calling out sweetly, “Tang!”

Tang Yi shuddered, goosebumps covering his arms. “Enough, enough, go tell Liu Yuefeng that her mother should wait for us at the Hundred Flowers Inn. When we arrive, I’ll help her.”

“Really? Thank you, Tang, thank you so much!” Guo Ziping expressed his gratitude repeatedly.

“That’s enough. Go on now—can’t you see Liu Yuefeng’s glum face behind us? Go and comfort her,” Tang Yi said with a laugh. Guo Ziping dashed off, quick as lightning.

When Liu Yuefeng and Guo Ziping hurried to the front to kneel in gratitude, Tang Yi snorted and froze them in a bowing posture.

“If either of you dares to kneel, I’ll take back what I just said.” With that, he released his power.

Liu Yuefeng nearly stumbled and fell, but Guo Ziping caught her around the waist. She didn’t fall, but her face turned as red as a ripe apple, and she made no move to escape his embrace. Seeing this, Guo Ziping held her even tighter.

“Still hugging? If spirit stones were falling from the sky, you’d better hurry and pick them up!” Tang Yi teased.

Laughter erupted from the others, and the two quickly separated in embarrassment, not knowing what to do with themselves.

Soon after, the group arrived at the Hundred Flowers Inn. Before even entering, Tang Yi shouted loudly,

“Ruoxue, your big brother Tang is here to see you!” The shout immediately caused a commotion inside the inn.

“Who is so audacious as to address the Flower Fairy so familiarly?” A group of people rushed out, led by a burly man whose face was all muscle.

“And who are you, acting so cocky?” Tang Yi stopped and appraised him.

“I am known throughout the martial world as the one who punches the Enlightenment Elementary School and kicks the Government Rest Home. Undefeated by anyone under eight or over eighty—I am Zeng Wudi!” Zeng Wudi shouted arrogantly. “Afraid yet?”

“Go on, I have no time for you. Ruoxue, your brother Tang is here—aren’t you coming out to greet me? Or do I have to spank you?” Tang Yi ignored the braggart and continued to call out.

“Outrageous! Brothers, let’s teach this disrespectful fool a lesson he’ll never forget!” Zeng Wudi roared. His followers drew their weapons and charged.

“If it’s a fight they want—Qiang, Shaojie, Guo Zi, you three toss this lot far away. They’re too noisy. But don’t hurt anyone,” Tang Yi instructed.

“Tang, easy. Watch us,” Shaojie replied with a grin.

As Zeng Wudi’s group charged down the steps, their feet suddenly stuck fast, as if the ground had swallowed them. This was, in fact, exactly what Hua Shaojie had done—anyone who touched the ground was instantly trapped, unable to move.

Zhang Qiang, Hua Shaojie, and Guo Ziping closed in, grinning wickedly as they approached. Sweat poured from Zeng Wudi and his men as panic set in.

“All of you, get moving. We still need to heal Liu Yuefeng’s mother,” Tang Yi said impatiently.

“Got it! Hehehe...” the others responded in unison. Screams followed, but within moments, peace returned.

“I imagine this must be Master Tang. I must thank you for coming,” an elderly woman came out to greet him.

“And who are you? Where’s Ruoxue?” Tang Yi asked in surprise.

“I’m Ruoxue’s grandmother. She’s still at the sect’s headquarters. Please, Master Tang, come inside and rest. I’ve already sent someone to fetch her,” the old woman explained.

“Ah, so you’re her grandmother. Please, after you...” Tang Yi immediately showed his respect.

“...” Zhang Qiang and the others were speechless at Tang Yi’s sudden change in attitude, all casting him looks of disdain.