Chapter 51: Old Poison, We Meet Again

Mid-dusk.

The twilight gathered.

The wisps of cooking smoke had ceased over the Su family's small courtyard, but right outside, a lively scene was unfolding.

The residents of Tubei Mountain were in a state of emotional turmoil, having once again confirmed that an expert practitioner was continuously protecting the Su family.

Furthermore, because of the two unfamiliar guests who had arrived at the Su family today—both of whom clearly possessed extraordinary abilities—the villagers paid even more attention to the household.

Unable to contain their curiosity, quite a few people paced back and forth outside the Su family's courtyard, peering in.

Naturally, they did not miss the rich aroma drifting out from the yard. Though very faint, it was more than enough to make everyone's mouths water.

That was the scent of meat, absolutely!

"I bet you anything they have meat to eat! No wonder the courtyard gates are always bolted shut during mealtime!"

"If they're eating meat, it belongs to the Su family. We wouldn't dare dream of such a thing. Besides, since that expert has been guarding the Su family all along, it's only natural they have the ability to provide meat for them."

"True enough. Not only is there a powerful expert backing them, but that broadsword-wielding brute from today also seemed to be on the Su family's side. It's truly bizarre—they've just arrived here as newcomers, so how do they manage to know so many capable people?"

"That just shows their capability. Otherwise, how could they be the very first to clear land and grow vegetables on Tubei Mountain? Just look at the Twelfth Wharf—such a massive force, yet even they backed down and didn't dare come here to make trouble anymore."

"We are truly blessed to live right next door and catch a bit of their auspicious light. In another two or three months, we'll also be able to harvest our own home-grown vegetables. That's already countless times better than scattered households and tenant farmers in other places!"

"Right, right, right! That's why we must know when to be content. We must never harbor improper thoughts or lose our conscience."

"Right! We should thank the heavens just for being able to live like this now! Anyway, I've set my mind on the Su family. Whatever they do, I'm following along!"

Inside the Huo family's courtyard.

Mistress Huo leaned against the doorway, listening to the conversation outside. Spitting a melon seed shell onto the ground, she arched her eyebrows and turned back to ask the man inside the main room, "I've only been away from home for a few months, and the world has turned upside down upon my return? What kind of trouble has the Su family gotten into this time?"

She had been busy with small business errands these past few days, leaving early and returning late, so she had missed out on the excitement.

Huo Ziheng suppressed his lips and gave a couple of soft coughs. "I have no idea. While you were away, the front doors remained tightly shut, and I haven't stepped outside to see either."

Hearing this, Mistress Huo wore a look of satisfaction. "Why would you go outside when I'm not home? In case something happened and I wasn't around to protect you, with your sickly frame, even a rooster could peck you down. ...Wait, why are you coughing again? Weren't you feeling a lot better recently?"

Frowning, she prepared to re-enter the main room. The man was simply too careless and often hid the true condition of his health; she had to check on him herself.

At that moment, a sentence happened to drift in from outside, "The Su family matriarch seemed to call that man something like Lord Broken-Blade... Do any of you know what kind of background Broken-Blade has?"

Mistress Huo's footsteps paused. She whipped her head around, her eyes widening to the utmost.

She swiftly pulled open the courtyard gate and spoke anxiously to the people standing outside her door, craning their necks toward the Su place, "What did you just say? Broken-Blade? He was here?!"

Seeing her appear, the people outside startled and retreated a few steps, answering timidly, "He, he came. He's inside the Su family's courtyard..."

"Did he come alone?"

"He was carrying an old man on his shoulder—"

Before the person could finish speaking, Mistress Huo rushed into the main room, dragged the man out, and bolted straight toward the Su residence. "Since Broken-Blade has shown up, the old man with him must definitely be Poison-Defied! Let's go, we're heading over right now!"

Being dragged along, Huo Ziheng wore a helpless expression. "Even if it really is them, it's useless for us to go over. Over the past few years, haven't you sought them out dozens of times, and weren't you turned away every single time?"

"As long as I, your wife, have a single breath left, even if I'm seventy or eighty years old, I'll keep begging! Only he can cure your illness!"

What did being turned away dozens of times matter?

As long as there was hope to heal Brother Huo, she would beg again every single time she was rejected! She was thick-skinned enough!

Behind her, the man looked at his wife's stubborn back. The hand being pulled by her curled slightly, and he silently turned his palm over to clasp her calloused hand tightly within his own.

This woman... A faint smile touched the corners of his lips.

The Su family's courtyard gate was pounded heavily.

Su Da was the one who opened it. Because they were still in the middle of evening dinner, he only cracked the door open by a sliver to avoid being pried upon.

"Mistress Huo? Master Huo? Is something the matter?" Seeing that the visitors were the Huo couple, Su Da was slightly surprised.

Although the Huo household was right next to the Su family, the Huo couple had never proactively visited before. This was the first time.

Mistress Huo had no patience for polite pleasantries and demanded urgently, "The two people who came to your house today are still here, right? Broken-Blade, and Poison-Defied!"

"......They are." Su Da hesitated. "Are you here looking for them?"

Just as he was speaking, Mistress Huo's sharp eyes had already pierced through the dim twilight to clearly make out the figure lying flat in the middle of the courtyard behind Su Da. "Is that Poison-Defied?!"

She shoved Su Da aside, barged through the doors, and ran in a few strides to the front of the crazed old man. Seeing him bound hand and foot beyond all recognition, the corners of her mouth twitched wildly as she shrieked in a shrill voice, "What—what did you people do to him?!"

Su Da, "..." If I told you we didn't do this, would you believe me?

Huo Ziheng was still left outside. He raised a hand to rub his brow and apologized to Su Da, "My apologies. My wife has an impatient temperament and didn't mean to blame you, but... what on earth happened here?"

The rest of the Su family members, who had been listening to the commotion from the kitchen, also walked out at this moment. Having always felt a deep sense of gratitude toward the Huo couple, they answered every question asked.

Old Madam Su spoke up, explaining in just a few words what had happened in the household and why the crazy old man had been tied up.

"Master Huo, Mistress Huo, are you also old acquaintances of his?" Old Madam Su looked somewhat troubled.

If they truly were old acquaintances, it would be very difficult for them to refuse should the Huo couple ask them to untie him.

Yet once Poison-Defied was untied, the safety of their family members would become unpredictable.

To their surprise, Mistress Huo burst into loud laughter, clapping her hands. "Bound well! Hahaha! He won't be able to run away this time! I happen to have a favor to ask of him. Su family, I'm taking advantage of your good fortune today, and this favor will definitely be repaid in the future!"

The Su family, "..."

What on earth are you planning to do?

Soon enough, they found out what Mistress Huo wanted to do.

No one knew what method she used, but the man who had been continuously unconscious slowly blinked awake. Upon waking, he still looked around in a daze. "Ouch, why does my head hurt so much... Where is this?"

Mistress Huo squatted in front of him with a beaming smile. "Old Poison, we meet again."

Poison-Defied narrowed his triangular eyes and attempted to sit up, only to discover that he was trussed up like a rice dumpling and completely unable to move.

"Hey woman, who tied me up? Untie me right now!" Unable to struggle free, he shot a fierce and murderous glare at Mistress Huo. "You tied me up? You're done for, I'm telling you, you're done for! Crossing me, Poison-Defied—"

"Old Poison, don't misunderstand. I didn't tie you up, but I can untie you."

"Then why aren't you moving your hands yet!"

For once, Mistress Huo's temper was exceptionally pleasant. She pointed with a smile toward the handsome man walking slowly into the courtyard from outside, "As long as you are willing to examine and treat my husband, I will untie you immediately. Serving you as an ox or a horse will be no hardship at all."

"Otherwise..." Her tone abruptly shifted, "I'll carry you on my shoulder for a tour around Fengyun City. By then, I'm afraid Old Poison's face will truly be lost completely."

In disbelief, rage, and profound humiliation, Poison-Defied roared, "Broken-Blade! Get out here! Hack these bastards to pieces for me!"