"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding," Huang Sheng suppressed the killing intent in his heart and smiled again: "I didn’t expect this was Zhong the painter’s business. It truly is like the floodwaters rushing into the Dragon King Temple, family members not recognizing each other. Xu old man, you’re not being fair! You should have said earlier. Anyway, there’s still some business to handle in the guild, we’ll meet again."
After saying that, he stood up to leave.
Zhong Lin placed his hand on Huang Sheng’s shoulder, full of smiles.
Huang Sheng’s expression changed drastically at this moment. He only felt a powerful force from Zhong Lin’s palm pressing him down. No matter how he struggled, he couldn’t lift his buttocks even a fraction.
One must know that Huang Sheng is also an enrolled Martial Artist! Yet in the face of Zhong Lin’s hand strength, he had no power to resist.
Huang Sheng internally screamed; only an Eighth Rank Muscle Strengthening Realm would have such strength, perhaps even stronger.
"Master Huang is my first customer, won’t you have a cup of tea before leaving?" Zhong Lin smiled with a hint of mischief.
"No... no need, thank... thank you for your kindness, Zhong the painter, but the boss ordered me to collect the regular money, I can’t be late, don’t you think?"
Huang Sheng forcibly held back his inner terror, also indicating that he had backing.
Only then did Zhong Lin slowly withdraw his right hand.
Huang Sheng also hurriedly got up, leaving with his two attendants, and once out of the clinic, he ran off in a panic.
"Master Huang, what’s wrong?"
One of the attendants asked, panting.
Huang Sheng ran across two streets before stopping, his expression fluctuating between anger and uncertainty before settling into a ball of anxiety.
"Xu old man, damn your ancestors, daring to dig a pit for me to fall into."
"Thank you very much this time," Xu Le Wu expressed with lingering fear.
If Zhong Lin had been a little later, he would have really been in trouble; maybe he wouldn’t have lost his life, but a beating would have been inescapable.
"No need to thank me. This business is indeed ours, but you should be careful. I have observed that this person will not give up easily. Do you want me to deal with him for you?"
A cold gleam flashed through Zhong Lin’s eyes.
"That’s not necessary. Huang Sheng is someone who bullies the weak and fears the strong. You purposely pressed him down just now, didn’t you? He’s an enrolled Martial Artist, and the fact that you could press him down means your cultivation is Eighth Rank?"
Xu Le Wu looked at Zhong Lin with fervor.
Zhong Lin had no intention of hiding, nodding lightly.
"Then there’s nothing to worry about. As long as you’re fine, I won’t get into trouble."
Zhong Lin didn’t continue to persuade. Since Xu old man said it was okay, then it should really be fine. This old fellow had remarkable medical skills and was adept at reading people, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to establish himself in this county town.
"How’s the preparation of the Eight Treasures Blood Building Soup going?"
"Already prepared, still thirty packets. I also prepared some Hemostatic Powder and antiseptic medicine. You can take them and try the waters first. If the effects are good, I will make more."
As they talked, Xu Le Wu took out a black parcel from under the counter, full of medicine packets he had prepared in advance.
Zhong Lin reached out to receive it, nodded, and was about to leave.
"Zhong boy, this time I only want the cost price, what do you think?"
Wow! Is the sun rising from the west?
Zhong Lin looked at Xu old man with a knowing yet mocking smile, stopped in place without leaving, wanting to see what this old fox was up to.
Xu Le Wu coughed slightly, a bit embarrassed: "Well... you see the town is getting messier, can I move with my wife and grandson to live next to your house, so we can look out for each other?"
Zhong Lin laughed heartily, revealing Xu old man’s true nature. So he was eyeing his power, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so generous.
"Huaihua Alley, No. 4 Jia."
Zhong Lin raised an eyebrow, what a coincidence? He remembered that Qin Yong, who he had exterminated, lived at No. 6 Jia in Huaihua Alley.
"Is No. 6 Jia still vacant?"
"Vacant, three people suddenly died, no one dares to live there."
Zhong Lin thought for a moment and said: "If the rent isn’t expensive, help me rent it! Don’t bother moving, I’ll move over."
"That’s great, I’ll go rent it for you, I’ll cover the rent."
Xu Le Wu was full of excitement, his face wrinkles nearly forming a chrysanthemum shape from laughter.
Zhong Lin also laughed heartily, turned, and left the clinic.
In fact, Zhong Lin had long wanted to change places, mainly because the yard in Sweet Water Alley was too small. At first, he rented it for cheap rent, but now the yard is too small for practicing martial arts, sometimes hitting the wall before even finishing a set of moves.
The courtyard of Qin Yong that he checked in the dark before was larger and more spacious.
Additionally, for more than half a month, Little Stone had been staying home every day, unable to go out and play with companions, and Zhong Lin feared he might develop issues from being cooped up.
And Xu Old Man’s grandson was Little Stone’s classmate in the academy, perfectly providing him a playmate.
The only hassle was that he needed to dig tunnels again and move the stored grain from home.
Hmm... or maybe not even move it, since he’s not terminating the Sweet Water Alley’s lease, it could be used as a warehouse.
The bearded man was still guarding the entrance. Zhong Lin knew the process, silently paid the money, received a wooden token, and went inside.
Compared to last month, the black market was more prosperous now, and the items for trade had also greatly changed.
For example, there were more daily necessities for sale, like roosters, eggs, soybeans, rice, and flour.
The reason, of course, was that after the county governor issued restrictions and price caps on purchasing grain, many grain merchants and citizens turned their attention to the black market, only at slightly higher prices.
Ironically, the black market’s order was better than that of a legitimate market, rarely encountering forced buying or disguised robbery.
As for robbery after leaving the black market, those thieves wouldn’t target civilians buying a few pounds of flour or rice. There’s hardly any profit to be gained from the poor, which is relatively safer.
Therefore, many citizens would rather pay a large coin’s entrance fee to buy and sell here.
Because of this, compared to its previous mysteriousness, the black market now had a bit more of a lively atmosphere.
It almost made Zhong Lin think he had walked into the wrong place.
"Hey, brother, want a secret manual?"
A shadow suddenly appeared before Zhong Lin, stealthily pulling out a booklet from his chest.
Such a sight made Zhong Lin chuckle. He hadn’t expected someone to replace Skinny Monkey after his death.
Ignoring this seller of "Secret Book", Zhong Lin continued forward, found the spot indicated by his wooden token, sat down directly, then skillfully wrote on the wooden board beside him, spreading out the package behind him.
Soon enough, people surrounded him. Though masked, their body shapes indicated they were previous customers.
"What medicine is this?"
"Hemostatic Powder and antiseptic medicine, no need for me to elaborate on their effects, right?"