Chapter 17: Running Away Again
Zhao Datou roughly guessed what Xu Ning had gone out to do. Although he knew that Xu Ning, who had already entered the basics of martial arts, shouldn't suffer any losses, he still couldn't help but feel a little worried.
Just then, a man and an ox emerged from the darkness. Seeing them, Zhao Datou breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but ask, "Did you go to see Lin Laosan?"
Xu Ning didn't hide anything and nodded directly. "Yes, Master."
Zhao Datou's eyes flickered. "You didn't do anything to him, did you?"
After all, he knew that Xu Ning had already entered the basics of martial arts, and Lin Laosan couldn't possibly be his match.
In addition, Xu Ning was so cautious that without a sneak attack, the other party couldn't possibly hurt him.
Xu Ning said, "After we met, Lin Laosan's emotions were very stable, and there was no conflict afterwards."
Zhao Datou nodded. "That's good!"
Xu Ning said, "Then let's set off!"
Zhao Datou nodded somewhat melancholically, looking towards the village, his eyes filled with reluctance.
Xu Ning ignored him, went over and carried Zhao Datou's packed luggage to Tie Dan's back and tied it up, then helped Zhao Datou onto Tie Dan's back.
"Why do I feel like Tie Dan has suddenly grown a lot!" Sitting on the ox's back, Zhao Datou couldn't help but say.
Xu Ning said, "Tie Dan is already a year old, isn't it normal for him to grow up!"
Zhao Datou hadn't paid much attention to Tie Dan usually, so he hadn't noticed much change, and after hearing Xu Ning's words, he didn't take it to heart.
"Tie Dan, let's go!" After Xu Ning finished speaking, he patted Tie Dan's big bottom.
Tie Dan understood and started walking towards the darkness outside the village.
Xu Ning then looked back at the thatched hut. "Shrink, let's go!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the thatched hut shrank at a visible speed, finally becoming the size of a palm.
Xu Ning walked over and picked it up before turning to chase after Tie Dan.
The next morning, the villagers discovered that the old man and the young man were gone, and the thatched hut had vanished.
They also found Lin Laosan's body.
Originally, they intended to report the matter to the authorities, but Lin Laosan's family's first thought was to claim the land left by Zhao Datou.
Since someone else was already vying for it, they only gave Lin Laosan a hasty, simple funeral before joining the fray.
However, not long after, several people claiming to be Zhao Datou's illegitimate sons appeared in the village and joined the dispute.
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This conflict lasted for several months without resolution, ultimately ending inconclusively.
Spring arrived in the blink of an eye, and once again, an immortal came to take on disciples.
Strangely, although no one with spiritual root aptitude was detected in the village, the immortal remained and continued to inquire about a piece of woodland.
This inevitably implicated Zhao Datou and Xu Ning, since Xu Ning had previously leased that woodland.
However, the immortal had vanished without a trace, and he was destined to leave empty-handed.
Later, many more immortals arrived, all tacitly inquiring about the woods, but ultimately left empty-handed.
This aroused the curiosity of the villagers, who flocked to the woods to investigate, hoping to find its secrets.
However, they were disappointed to find nothing unusual despite the dense vegetation.
Until the appearance of a little boy…
Meanwhile, Xu Ning, leading Zhao Datou, traveled at various stops, and after three months of journey, arrived outside a city called Mengxi City.
This was the place where Zhao Datou's enemy was located.
The enemy's name was Su Wei, and his family was one of the most powerful and influential families in Mengxi City.
"Old man, will he still recognize you?" Standing outside the city, Xu Ning couldn't help but ask Zhao Datou.
Zhao Datou said, "I'll definitely recognize him."
Xu Ning frowned. "Impossible, so many years have passed."
Zhao Datou shook his head and sighed. "Now is not the time to tell you the reason!"
After hearing this, Xu Ning roughly guessed that there must be another hidden reason, so he didn't ask any more questions. He simply didn't go into the city and rented a thatched hut outside the city with Zhao Datou to live in.
Xu Ning's money was now all gone.
In order to make a living, Xu Ning tied the iron pot and the charcoal he had previously burned to Tie Dan early the next morning, and then took the other party into the city.
On the way, he arrived at the vegetable market, bought some vegetable oil, tofu, and some seasonings, and started selling fried tofu at a stall in the street.
Originally, Xu Ning thought that with the fried tofu made in the mortal-grade superior iron pot, he would definitely become an instant hit.
As soon as he set up his stall, someone stopped him. "Who gave you permission to set up a stall here?"
Xu Ning was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized what was going on. He stepped forward, pulled out a string of copper coins, and stuffed it into the man's hand. "Brother, I'm new here and don't know the rules. Could you please explain them to me?"
Seeing how cooperative Xu Ning was, the man didn't make things difficult and said, "Setting up a stall here requires registering with the street office and paying a fee!"
Xu Ning quickly nodded and bowed. "Then please take me there, brother. I'll be extremely grateful."
As he spoke, Xu Ning stuffed another string of copper coins into the man's hand.
The man was immediately surprised, not expecting Xu Ning to be so tactful. He then said, "My name is Gu Haonan, and I'm the manager of this street. Here's what we'll do: I'll take care of the paperwork for you. You can focus on selling your goods. If you have any problems later, you can come to me!"
Xu Ning quickly nodded and bowed. "Brother Haonan, I'm Xu Ning, thank you so much for your help!"
After Gu Haonan left, Xu Ning finally breathed a sigh of relief.
However, after a whole day at his stall, Xu Ning hadn't sold a single skewer of fried tofu. Only then did he realize how difficult business was.
Seeing that it was getting dark, Xu Ning prepared to pack up.
After all, he didn't have a lantern, and he couldn't do business at night.
Alas, he thought, his first day at the stall not only didn't earn him any money, but he also lost two strings of cash in bribes—one string costing one hundred coins! What an inauspicious start!
But just as Xu Ning was packing up, a woman dressed as a scholar approached. "What are you selling?"
Xu Ning quickly looked up, his gaze immediately widening. In just one glance, he could tell that the woman was a woman disguised as a man. Judging from her fair skin, she was undoubtedly a beautiful woman.
However, Xu Ning had no interest in such things. He was more interested in money.
So he quickly stood up and said, "Young master, I'm selling fried tofu. It's very delicious. You can try some."
With that, Xu Ning handed her a skewer.
The woman, somewhat curious, took it and put it in her mouth.
Instantly, an incredibly delicious aroma assaulted her taste buds, making her eyes light up.
"This, this fried tofu tastes so special!" the woman exclaimed, then asked, "How much is a skewer?"
Xu Ning replied, "Two coins!"
To be honest, two coins was quite expensive, enough to buy a pound of grain.
However, the woman didn't hesitate and simply said, "Give me twenty skewers!"
"Okay!" Xu Ning immediately agreed and started frying.
At the same time, as the aroma of the fried tofu wafted out, people around them unconsciously turned to look at Xu Ning.