Chapter 7: Injustice

"What are you doing?" "Get in the back if you just got here." Those whom Xu Xian pushed aside immediately voiced their dissatisfaction.

Relying on his youth and strength, Xu Xian ignored their complaints and pressed forward. He didn't stop until the space in front of him opened up as he reached the center of the crowd. There, he saw an old man who sold fish pleading piteously with a man in his thirties. This man was none other than Li Si, a notorious local thug in Qiantang County.

Xu Xian had already gathered what was happening from the chatter of the crowd. A fish had jumped out of the old man’s bucket, hitting Li Si and splattering his clothes with mud.

In such a situation, an ordinary person would simply consider it bad luck, or at most, a harsh person might shout a few curses. But meeting a senseless, trouble-seeking hoodlum like Li Si made it feel as if the sky was falling. He claimed his clothes were incredibly precious and insisted the old man compensate him with two taels of silver.

The old man wouldn't make two taels of silver even if he sold fish for an entire day; he had no money to pay. He could only kneel on the ground and plead incessantly. Li Si was used to bullying the locals, and since he rarely had such a "justifiable" opportunity to extort someone, he naturally wasn't going to let it go easily.

He even bowed grandly to the surrounding crowd and said, "Everyone saw it! It’s not that I, Li Mingde, am looking for trouble. This old man’s fish covered me in a fishy stench. Don't let these clothes of mine fool you; they are made of the finest material, custom-ordered from a master in the capital. Asking for two taels is actually me losing money on the deal."

Everyone knew what kind of man he was, so no one believed him. However, they usually feared him like a tiger or a wolf and dared not argue. A few tourists who didn't know better tried to speak up, but Li Si's slanted eyes glared them back into silence. The crowd only dared to discuss it in low whispers.

"Li Si, those clothes were made from fabric you scammed from Old Wang’s tailor shop last year. You still haven't paid for it, yet you have the nerve to say they were made by a master in the capital?" A voice suddenly rose above the crowd’s murmurs. The scene froze for a moment, and the onlookers grew even more interested; this was turning out to be more entertaining than the Great Tide.

Li Si squinted his eyes and looked over. They had been neighbors for over a decade; everyone knew everyone. "I wondered who it was. So, it's the Xu family’s simpleton. Scram back home to your mother’s breast! Don't get in your grandpa’s way. Get lost, get lost, get lost!"

A fierce glint bore down on him, but when it met Xu Xian’s clear and steady gaze, it failed to produce the usual intimidation it had on ordinary people.

Xu Xian only wanted to resolve the matter quickly and ignored the foul language. "The clothes are dirty; he can just wash them for you. Even if those clothes were brand new, they wouldn't cost half a tael, let alone now that they're old. A person should be reasonable."

"You motherf—! You dare lecture me on how to be a person? Don't think I won't touch you just because your brother-in-law is a Constable. Call me Fourth Master and get lost quietly, or I'll cripple one of your legs and see how you take your Imperial examinations then!" As he spoke, Li Si pulled a horn-handled knife from his waist, its blade glinting coldly.

"Ah!" The crowd gasped and immediately pulled back, forming a wide circle. Those who recognized Xu Xian began to urge him to back down.

Both were well-known figures in Qiantang County, though one had a good reputation and the other a foul one. The reason they had never clashed before was that Xu Xian's family had been dirt-poor, leaving nothing worth extorting. Later, his brother-in-law became a constable and Xu Xian became a scholar, so Li Si didn't want to provoke him needlessly. On the other hand, Xu Xian wasn't some heroic knight-errant; he only wanted to live a peaceful life and had no desire to go around enforcing justice everywhere.

But when he encountered it, he couldn't just ignore it. To ignore it would leave a knot in his heart. For a moment, he forgot about the pros and cons, driven only by the righteous indignation in his chest.

Instead of retreating, Xu Xian stepped forward and shouted, "If I don't deal with you, what is the use of my studies? You’re the one who needs to get lost!"

At that moment, dark clouds hung low overhead, and a heavy rain seemed imminent. Xu Xian spoke these words with burning eyes, his body carrying an aura as radiant as the sun—upright and full of integrity. That gaze made Li Si dare not look him in the eye; he actually took an involuntary step back.

After all, Xu Xian didn't know any spells. It was just that for a fleeting moment, his temperament had aligned with the Dao, producing a great majesty. However, it couldn't be sustained. Coming back to his senses, Li Si was instantly consumed by shame and rage. A man like him, who usually had no shame, was paradoxically the most concerned with "face." Retreating a step felt like a profound humiliation.

He immediately raised the horn-handled knife and took two steps forward, intent on crippling Xu Xian, consequences be damned.

In that moment, a scene no one expected occurred. Xu Xian suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs, "Fourth Master, spare me!"

Li Si felt triumphant. He thought of many things: that a fool was a fool after all, that he would never forgive Xu Xian, that he would teach him a harsh lesson, and how he would use this incident to establish his authority...

But his imagination had to stop there, because a fist had already slammed violently into his nose. This was followed by a second punch, and then a third, all aimed directly at Li Si’s face. At some point, the horn-handled knife in Li Si’s hand had already been snatched away.

The crowd was stunned, and even the old man on the ground watched in a daze as the refined youth who had stood up for him suddenly attacked, his face contorted in a ferocious assault as he pummeled Li Si. Li Si had lost the initiative. Although he tried to struggle, he was soon howling under the strength of Xu Xian's youthful punches.

Xu Xian understood that no bastard could be reformed through kindness. In this world, justice didn't necessarily win; only those who were smarter and stronger would emerge victorious. Although he had never learned martial arts, Xu Xian had been through countless scuffles in his past life. He knew his opponent was an adult armed with a weapon; a normal fight would be dangerous. So, he had tricked him, and it had worked perfectly.

Truly good people never lacked strength and courage. Jumping into a freezing lake in winter or facing an armed thug with bare hands—each required immense bravery. Most so-called "good people" in the world were simply powerless or too afraid to do evil.

Li Si's howls turned into pleas for mercy, but Xu Xian ignored him. He knew that a petty man was like an evil ghost; you had to beat him into submission and fear in one go, otherwise, there would be endless trouble later.

Li Si was left with only the strength to groan, slumped on the ground like a pile of mud. Xu Xian added two more kicks and asked, "Do you yield?"

Li Si only groaned and didn't speak. Xu Xian stepped away, picked up the horn-handled knife dropped on the ground, and Li Si immediately wailed, "I yield! I yield!" He was truly afraid the boy would lose his temper and take his life.

With a clack, Li Si was surprised to find the knife tossed right in front of him. Xu Xian said, "I know you don't yield. If you don't, pick up the knife and let's try again."

A sharp glint flashed in Li Si’s eyes. He thought, He’s inexperienced after all. Once I grab the knife, I’ll slaughter you. But his fingers twitched, and he didn't dare move.

Xu Xian’s eyes were fixed firmly on Li Si’s hand. If he dared to reach for the knife, Xu Xian would immediately stomp on his hand and give him another beating.

Finally, Li Si didn't move again. Xu Xian kicked the knife away, helped the old man up, and said, "Old man, if he ever looks for you again, tell me. My brother-in-law is a constable. But it’s better if you don't come to Qiantang to sell fish anymore. Pack your things and leave quickly!"

After the old man thanked him, he hurried to pack his things and departed. The crowd erupted in cheers. Xu Xian also felt his breathing become smooth and clear; he felt incredibly invigorated. However, looking at his torn new clothes, which were also stained with mud, he could only shake his head with a bitter smile. Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Xu Xian straightened his clothes and strode toward Wangjiang Tower.

Someone was already waiting downstairs to receive him. Seeing Xu Xian’s disheveled state, the attendant’s expression turned strange. Now that the moment had arrived, Xu Xian was no longer in a hurry. Doing good didn't always bring a good reward; in fact, it often came with a price. But there were always things in this world that one simply had to do. If he didn't do them, he wouldn't be himself. Since he had done it, he had no regrets, regardless of the outcome.

Upon entering the upper floor, everyone turned their gaze toward Xu Xian. Xu Xian felt calm and fearless. He bowed slightly and said, "Student Xu Xian greets the honorable lords."

Educational Commissioner Wang’s face was as calm as still water, revealing no emotion. He said tonelessly, "Stand and speak."

But before anyone else could open their mouth, Teacher Song rushed over, grabbed Xu Xian by the ear, and cursed, "You scoundrel! Get on your knees this instant!"

Ever since Li Si started the commotion, the group had heard the noise and moved to the window on the other side. From a distance, they saw a circle of people and two figures fighting in the middle. A quick-witted valet had gone down to inquire and returned with the news that the Xu Xian they were waiting for was actually brawling with someone. At this, not only Xu Xian’s teacher but even the county officials were displeased.

Teacher Song cursed Xu Xian roundly before suddenly kneeling down. "It is I who am senile and incompetent, failing to teach him properly. To have taught such a brat—I hope the Educational Commissioner will not take offense. I will certainly give him a proper lesson when we return." At this moment, he no longer thought about using Xu Xian to gain prestige; his only concern was that Xu Xian's future should not be ruined.

Xu Xian was moved. He knew that this normally pedantic old scholar was casting aside all pride and decorum for his sake today. Yet, at the same time, his mouth felt bitter. Was this the price of being a good person? Even if one was prepared for everything, there were still some costs that felt difficult to bear.

Xu Xian gritted his teeth and firmly pulled the old man up from the floor. He raised his head and said, "This matter has nothing to do with my teacher. It was I who insisted on coming to see the world, and I did not expect to encounter such a thing. Please punish me, My Lord."