Chapter 24: The Violent Scholar

"May I ask what business you have here, sir?"

Looking at the man’s fierce and menacing face, the woman felt a wave of fear, her voice trembling as she spoke.

"Your produce—the Immortal Stream Pavilion wants it all."

The large man stepped closer, cast a sidelong glance at Shen Xuan, and spoke arrogantly to the woman.

"But this young master was here first," the woman said, her voice weak, not daring to meet the man's eyes.

"Hah! And what of it? Whatever this brat offers, our Immortal Stream Pavilion will pay double." The man sneered, stating his price with disdain.

"This... this..." The woman was at a loss, her gaze darting toward Shen Xuan in a silent plea for help.

Seeing her look of distress, Shen Xuan’s expression turned cold. "My friend, are you intentionally trying to make things difficult for me?"

"That’s right. I’m here to stir up trouble. What are you going to do about it?" Seeing that Shen Xuan had seen through his intentions, the man didn't bother hiding it; he folded his muscular arms and scoffed.

"Hmph! Since he’s looking for trouble, there’s nothing more to say. I’ll throw him out," Lin Gui said, stepping in front of Shen Xuan without hesitation.

Though Lin Gui was lean, he was tall and broad-shouldered. Aside from his slightly youthful face, his physical stature was a match for the brute.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Just as a confrontation seemed inevitable, a puzzled voice rang out from behind them.

"Mother! Who are these people?"

They turned to see a refined-looking youth standing there. He was dressed in a scholar’s robe and had a somewhat delicate build—the archetypal image of a student.

Yet, Shen Xuan’s expression turned strange, for the youth was not carrying a book basket. Instead, he carried a crate of produce as large as a water vat. Even filled with fruits and vegetables, it must have weighed three or four hundred pounds.

"With that slight frame, how is he carrying all that?" the three of them thought in unison.

"Fang’er, you’re here!" The woman’s expression relaxed visibly as she called out to the youth.

The youth walked to his mother’s side and set down the wooden crate. A dull thud echoed through the air, and the ground seemed to tremble.

Shen Xuan’s eyebrows arched, his interest in the youth piqued.

"Mother, what is going on here?" The youth scanned the three men with a guarded look, though he paused for a moment when his eyes fell upon Shen Xuan.

The woman explained the situation to him.

"I see. Mother, you don't need to worry about this. I will handle it," the youth said, offering a reassuring nod.

"I am Fang Tangjin, at your service," he said, introducing himself with impeccable manners.

"I am Shen Xuan," Shen Xuan replied, smiling as he returned the gesture.

"It is a pleasure to see you again, Brother Shen. You are looking even more distinguished than before," Fang Tangjin said with a smile.

"We have met?" Shen Xuan asked, perplexed. In his memory, there was no trace of this youth.

"I happened to be at the Flower Pavilion that day," Fang Tangjin said, scratching his head in some embarrassment. It was awkward for a scholar to be seen at such a place, even if he had been dragged there by his senior disciples.

"I see! Then it is truly fate that brought us together," Shen Xuan said with a sudden realization.

"Indeed! I still cannot forget the brilliance of the three couplets you composed that day," Fang Tangjin said excitedly, his eyes full of admiration.

"Hey! Are you done yet? Do you think I’m invisible?" the large man barked impatiently.

"My apologies, sir. I was so delighted to see an old acquaintance that I neglected you," Fang Tangjin said, offering another polite bow with an apologetic tone.

"Enough nonsense! Are you going to sell the produce or not?" the man demanded.

Although he had been startled by the youth’s strength earlier, seeing his mild demeanor now, the man assumed he was a pushover and grew brazen.

"Since Brother Shen arrived first, we cannot sell these goods to you. If you are in urgent need, I can ask around at other stalls; I assure you their produce is just as fresh as ours," Fang Tangjin said. His tone was polite, but his stance was unwavering.

"What! You won't sell? Do you believe I’ll smash your pathetic stall to pieces?" Infuriated by the youth’s refusal after all that talk, the man threatened him directly.

"Sir, our master once taught us that violence cannot solve problems. We can discuss this reasonably. Since Brother Shen was here first, why must you insist on taking it?" Fang Tangjin asked, his expression earnest as he tried to reason with the man.

"Shut your mouth!" The man, feeling as though a swarm of flies were buzzing in his ears, grew increasingly grim. Unable to bear it any longer, he threw a punch toward Fang Tangjin’s face.

"Watch out!" Lin Gui shouted.

Shen Xuan frowned but made no move to intervene, watching the youth with a hint of anticipation.

As expected, as the fist—the size of a sandbag—hurtled toward him, Fang Tangjin showed no signs of panic. He simply raised his lean arm.

With a dull thud, the man’s fierce punch was easily blocked.

"This... how is this possible!" The man felt as though he had struck a boulder; no matter how hard he pushed, he could not budge the youth’s seemingly slender arm.

"Sir, since you refuse to listen to reason, I happen to know a thing or two about martial arts as well," Fang Tangjin said, his voice no longer polite but sharp and calm.

"What do you want?" The man felt as though the youth had transformed into an entirely different person, his throat bobbing with unease.

"Up!"

Fang Tangjin didn't answer. He gripped the man’s fist and yanked his wrist.

"Oh no!" The man tried to pull away, but it was too late.

With a low grunt, Fang Tangjin pivoted, used his arm strength, and—to the astonishment of Shen Xuan and Lin Gui—hurled the man over his shoulder.

With a heavy crash, the man landed ten meters away and immediately passed out from the impact.