Misty Rain of the Old Times

"You liar! I've exposed you! In broad daylight... in front of everyone, you actually dared to get angry and attack me? Do you know what kind of behavior this is? This is violent resistance to arrest, which is a more serious crime!" The young master rolled on the ground, but he was unharmed, just quite disheveled. He propped himself up with one hand and looked at Chen Xuan incredulously, "Is there no law anymore?"
He was a pampered young master, so he wasn't particularly afraid. He just felt that this person was too lawless, openly going against the imperial court. Who gave him the courage? Are all swindlers this arrogant nowadays?
On the contrary, the constables were shocked. Although they were not very capable, they were knowledgeable. After all, they had served in the capital. Even if they hadn't eaten pork, they had seen pigs run. Chen Xuan had easily knocked them down with a wave of his sleeve. A person with such methods was someone they were not qualified to provoke.

As a low-ranking constable, catching petty thieves is fine, but when you encounter a powerful person, you should back down. How much do you earn in a month? Why risk your life? The more powerful ones are naturally handled by more capable departments.

Although Chen Xuan often uses the term "ruthless bandit," he is not truly wicked. He has only changed his appearance, not his personality. Therefore, he would not readily resort to violence.

He could have easily dealt with them with a few tricks and didn't want to bother with them, but they actually tried to accuse him of something serious. He immediately laughed and said, "Don't try to scare me with your big talk. Do you really think I don't know the law? You've slandered me as a swindler and I haven't even asked you for an explanation yet. The government needs evidence to arrest people. I haven't committed any crimes. I'm just doing normal business. Why are you arresting me as a swindler? Who did I swindle? Where is the evidence of a crime? Since I haven't committed a crime, what reason is there to arrest me? I was just acting in self-defense. Besides, did I even lay a hand on you? Who saw me? Did I bump into you? I just waved my hand and you all got lost. And now you're blaming me? Are you trying to extort money?"

The young master was caught off guard by Chen Xuan's rapid-fire retorts and was speechless for a moment. He was a little confused and thought to himself that this swindler was a bit difficult to deal with. He was smart and what he said made a lot of sense. Normally, there would be no way to deal with him.

That doesn't make sense. Shouldn't a swindler be running away as fast as he can when he encounters government officials? Why is he calmly presenting the facts and reasoning? Is he acting lawlessly because he has some skills, or is his "Xiaoyao Pill" really that effective, which is why he's so fearless?

He automatically ignored the second guess, because he was so weak in bed that he dreamed of having a "carefree pill" (a traditional Chinese medicine for sexual intercourse). He had been cheated and ripped off more than once, spending large sums of money only to be scammed. He wasn't going to fall for it again so easily.

Having been cheated and swindled before, he deeply despised those who used the "Xiaoyao Pill" to deceive people, which is why he immediately led the constables to arrest them. However, the other party turned out to be a tough nut to crack.

How could a swindler get away with it? Since force didn't work, he'd try a softer approach. He turned over and sneered, "Fine, fine, since you say you're not a swindler, then you'd better prove your 'Carefree Pill' is real. Otherwise, you are a swindler, and surrendering is the right choice. Otherwise, do you really think the government can't do anything to you? Think it over!"

This guy is like a leech, relentlessly pursuing me no matter what I did to deserve this. And I guess he's used to having everything go his way and has never experienced the harsh realities of life, so he has absolutely no sense of propriety.

Chen Xuan responded with a look that seemed to ask if he had a brain problem, and laughed, "You've read a few books, but have you wasted them all? You question me and expect me to prove it myself? What kind of logic is that? Didn't your teacher teach you the basic principle that whoever asserts must prove it?"

Before the other party could rack their brains for a rebuttal, Chen Xuan waved his hand and said, "I've already been very restrained. It's a waste of breath to keep picking fights with you for no reason. Who do you think you are? Get out of here. If you keep interfering with my business, I really won't be polite."

"You..." The young master looked at Chen Xuan with a conflicted expression, now finding himself in a dilemma.

He wasn't stupid either, and quickly came up with a way to deal with Chen Xuan's rebuttal. He immediately calmed down and laughed, "Alright, alright, you want to tell me that the law requires facts of a crime, right? Fine, I'll grant your wish. Tell me, how much is one of your 'Carefree Pills'? Is it one thousand taels, ten thousand taels, or twenty thousand taels? Give me one!"

As he spoke, he sneered with a righteous but malicious tone, "I have plenty of money. Whether your 'Carefree Pill' is real or fake will be known after one try. Since you say you're not a swindler, then have the guts to sell me one, and I'll expose you on the spot. But you'd better think it over. It's not too late to confess now. At most, I'll confiscate the swindled goods, give you a few lashes, and fine you a bit. But if you sell it to me, it will constitute a criminal offense, and if the amount is huge, the consequences will be severe. The lightest punishment will be at least ten years in prison. You should consider this carefully!"

"I didn't realize you were so wealthy, young man. You're carrying so much money with you. Why didn't you bring any attendants or guards?" Chen Xuan immediately became interested.

The other party's face darkened impatiently. "Stop trying to change the subject. Hurry up. Once I expose you, you'll be in for it. If you dare to resist, hmph, it'll be the turn of the Armed Forces Control Division to come out."

A surge of joy filled Chen Xuan's heart. He thought to himself, "Look, a sale is just around the corner!" He pulled his leg back from the table, adopting a friendly, business-like smile, and said, "Let me make it clear beforehand, the Xiaoyao Pills are genuine and of the highest quality, but I'm sorry, I'm not selling them, not for any amount of money."

"Haha, you're feeling guilty now, aren't you? You still say you're not a liar, but you're afraid to sell me proof. You're trying to play tricks? Do you really think we can't do anything to you? I advise you to obediently confess, or don't blame me for not warning you. I also know people in the Armed Forces Division!" The other party immediately put on a stubborn expression.

Now there were even more onlookers, several hundred people in layers, and people from the surrounding restaurants and teahouses were also looking in this direction.

However, many onlookers sneered at the fight between Chen Xuan and Chen Xuan. Are scammers starting to use tricks now? Where did they find shills to make a scene and attract attention so they can carry out their scam? They even hired constables to act. They're really willing to spend money.

Because Xiaoyao Pills are so rare and extremely profitable, countless people have resorted to fraud and deception. People have long been familiar with all sorts of tricks and understand them perfectly well, so they just watch for fun.

Waving his hand, Chen Xuan looked at the young master with a smile and said, "Don't try to provoke me with your words. I'm not selling this Xiaoyao Pill if I say I won't. You can't force me to buy it."

Just as the other party was about to launch an attack, Chen Xuan continued, "However, since I've already set up my stall, I'm not here to amuse or play tricks on anyone. I only said I wouldn't sell, but I didn't say I couldn't exchange. Do you think I don't know that Xiaoyao Pills are priceless? Selling them would be a huge loss, so just give me what I want. The efficacy of Xiaoyao Pills is legendary, so consider it a blessing for those with unspeakable difficulties." The young master, with an expression that said, "I'll stand my ground no matter what tricks you use today," listened to Chen Xuan's words with a cold smile before finally speaking, "Fine, you play like this, huh? Afraid of being exposed, you dare not sell, but say you can exchange for something. Are you going to change your tune later and say you only exchange for something that no one can actually produce? I've seen your tricks many times. Tell me, what do you want in exchange? I'm going to expose you today. I still have some face in the capital. Whatever you want, as long as it exists, there aren't many things I can't get!"

This came to us of its own accord, could it be considered a case of "becoming friends through a misunderstanding"? Is this the start of its business?

With a smile, Chen Xuan said, "No matter what you think, I won't play games with you. If you want the Freedom Pills, I'll only trade, not sell. That way, you won't accuse me of using tricks or vague promises to evade your questions. Listen carefully: there are three things you can exchange for Freedom Pills from me. First, Fire Copper: one tael of Fire Copper can be exchanged for one pill, the more the better. Second, Ice Silkworm Silk: one tael of Ice Silkworm Silk can be exchanged for ten pills. Finally, White Cloud Wood: if you can get your hands on some, one cubic meter of White Cloud Wood can be exchanged for a thousand Freedom Pills. Of course, if you don't have White Cloud Wood, but provide me with clues, I can also give you ten Freedom Pills as a reward. We're all men, a promise is a promise, and I keep my word."

After a pause, Chen Xuan continued, "Fire Copper and Ice Silkworm Silk aren't some ethereal things, are they? As for White Cloud Wood, it is indeed extremely rare and valuable, but my Carefree Pill is no less valuable. It's been hyped up to a high price and is now unavailable. So, the exchange terms I proposed are fair, aren't they?"

After Chen Xuan finished speaking, the onlookers immediately stirred. Few people knew about the three things he mentioned, but those who did were quite surprised. Was he playing such a big game? Could the Xiaoyao Pill in his possession be real?

The young master listened patiently until he finished speaking, then immediately laughed and said, "Finished? I'll give you another chance. It's not too late to confess now, otherwise you won't have a chance to regret it!"

"Wasn't I clear enough?" Chen Xuan said, shrugging.

With a cold laugh, the other party clapped his hands and said, "Fine, you said it yourself. I really don't know what White Cloud Wood is, but I have heard of Fire Copper and Ice Silkworm Silk. You know what, it's quite a coincidence that I happen to have Fire Copper at home. If I hadn't come to you on my own initiative, I would have suspected that you were after me."

Chen Xuan's eyes lit up. He thought to himself, "What a coincidence! I didn't realize you were such a big shot."
As he waited expectantly, the young master clapped his hands and said, "Where are they? Did they really run away just because I told you not to follow them? Where the hell have they gone?"

"What are your orders, young master?" Soon, five or six people emerged from the crowd and surrounded the young master. Two of them had already begun to cultivate the Ren and Du meridians. This guy was definitely not someone to be underestimated.

Come to think of it, if he didn't have some connections, he would have been tricked by Xiaoyao Pills time and time again, to the point that he was traumatized and wanted to send someone like Chen Xuan to jail to vent his anger.

His men stepped forward, looked at Chen Xuan, and ordered, "Keep a close eye on him. If he escapes, don't blame me for being angry. Then go home and fetch an ounce of copper. Be quick. Tell them I said so. I'll explain to my family afterward."

"Yes!"

One of his subordinates nodded and quickly left, while the others stared intently at Chen Xuan, as if afraid he would fly away.

"They really came to my door on their own initiative!" Chen Xuan immediately perked up. He probably had more than an ounce of fire copper at home. Once he found out that the Xiaoyao Pill was real, wouldn't he be eager to have it?

Indeed, Xiaoyao Pills are just health supplements, and the supply can't keep up with the demand. What if you were to give them as gifts?
The onlookers got excited; it seemed like this was for real.

Everyone was waiting to see if they could really get that Fire Copper, or to see if Chen Xuan's Carefree Pill was real. But just then, someone outside the crowd shouted, "Excuse me, excuse me! Don't push! Don't force me to reveal my identity! Haha, just kidding, sorry for offending you!"

The crowd quickly parted, and a man in a blue robe stepped out. Upon seeing Chen Xuan, he approached him with an excited expression, as if he had seen his second parents. "Brother, do you still remember me? Ah, we met in Mo City back then. I even bought Xiaoyao Pills from you. No, I bought them for my friend. I was rude back then and didn't ask your name. Let's get to know each other again. I am Ning Guiliang. Do you remember me?"

How could Ning Guiliang and Chen Xuan not remember? Ning Guiliang was one of the eight great talents of Jing Kingdom back then, and he had a deep impression of him.

Seven years later, Ning Guiliang, who is now an official in the court, does not seem to have matured much. He is dressed in casual clothes and has lipstick marks on his neck. Looking in the direction he came from, there is a brothel not far away.

With a twitch at the corner of his mouth, Chen Xuan thought to himself, "Good heavens, you really can't change your nature. You're always there during every crackdown on prostitution."

...(End of chapter)