SWDnovel Chapter 22 Even if you don't want to gamble, you have to...
Chapter 22 Even if you don't want to gamble, you have to...
The smile on Li Yuanwai's face froze, followed by a surge of shame and anger at being publicly exposed, especially in front of Zhang Yuan, the "descendant of a loyal martyr".
He slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups rattle, and roared at the butler, "Insolence! Nonsense! Do I, Li Decai, need a woman to tell me what to do?"
"She has no right to make decisions for the Li family! Hand over the money!"
The butler was so startled that he almost dropped the tray in his hands.
Master Li snatched the tray away, forcing an awkward smile, and personally handed it to Zhang Yuan: "Nephew, the servants are unruly, and the woman is ignorant; don't listen to their nonsense! This is a small token of my appreciation; you must accept it!"
"Nephew Qingyang, we can't accept this money!" Wang Quanfu suddenly stood up, his face flushed red, and his voice rose. "This...this isn't about the money!"
"My nephew's reputation for benevolence and bravery was earned through the actual slaughter of cattle for disaster relief! Even the county magistrate praised it! How can we allow such slander?"
"If the Li family doesn't believe it, they can go to Zhangjiazhuang outside the city and ask around! See if those disaster victims drank the meat soup provided by Young Master Qingyang!"
Zhang Yuan sat there, never once glancing at the plate of silver. The "shyness" on his face had vanished without a trace, replaced by a cold calm that was completely out of character for his age.
He knew perfectly well that this was clearly a charade between Master Li and his wife, one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop!
The butler was nothing more than a puppet relaying messages.
There were only two purposes: first, to test Zhang Yuan's abilities and see if the legendary "one-knife kills an ox" was true.
Secondly, it was an opportunity to warn Wang Quanfu not to think he could easily gain benefits by using the Zhang family's name.
If he were truly just a child with a hollow reputation, not only would Wang Quanfu's request have fallen through, but even the seemingly prestigious connections of the Zhang family would likely be looked down upon or even abandoned by Master Li.
Under the complex gazes of the crowd, Zhang Yuan slowly stood up.
He didn't take the plate of silver; instead, he calmly stared at Master Li.
"Uncle Li," Zhang Yuan's voice was not loud, but exceptionally clear, with a penetrating power like metal and stone, "killing a cow is not difficult."
Li Yuan was overjoyed.
Zhang Yuan paused, then abruptly changed his tone, becoming cold and arrogant: "But I, Zhang Qingyang, am the son of Zhang Zhenshan, the 'Military Commandant of the Northern Expedition,' a disciple of Counselor Chen, and a direct disciple of Master Zheng of the Panshi Martial Arts Academy!"
Every identity carries weight and significance.
Master Li, his steward, and several servants of the Li family who were huddled not far away all froze, their eyes revealing surprise.
For an eight-year-old child to utter such words in such a setting is truly remarkable.
Master Li's expression changed, and he hurriedly said, "Nephew, your uncle is not—"
Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Yuan's voice rang out.
"If I were to slaughter an ox here today like an ordinary warrior or butcher to prove myself because of a few doubts from others, I would not only dishonor my late father's reputation but also damage the honor of my sect. If word got out, wouldn't it be a laughing stock?"
Master Li was choked by the barrage of questions, his face turning from red to white. His lips trembled as he tried to explain, "Nephew, you've misunderstood. Your uncle would never have done such a thing..."
Zhang Yuan raised his hand, decisively stopping him from speaking, his action carrying an unquestionable air of authority.
Amidst everyone's astonished gazes, he took out the cold, black iron token with fine wear marks on its edges from his pocket—the Zhenwu Token!
With a soft "snap," the token was firmly placed on the smooth surface of the rosewood round table.
"Since Uncle wants to see my abilities," Zhang Yuan's voice was as cold as tempered ice, "Very well! I'll wager this on you, Uncle!"
He pointed to the token that exuded a heavy aura: "This is the 'Zhenwu Token,' Uncle must know its significance."
"It belongs to the Zhang family, but in Zhenwuwei, they always 'recognize the token, not the person.' Today, I'll use this token as the wager!"
"The bet is simple: Uncle, please bring a cow to the open space in the yard, and I, Zhang Qingyang, will slaughter it in public."
"If I cannot kill with a single blow, this token shall immediately belong to the Li family!"
"The Li family members who possess this token will participate in the Zhenwu Guard Trial. If they can pass it, it will be an opportunity for them to soar to great heights and bring glory to their family!"
Zhang Yuan's words were like a thunderclap, silencing the entire warm hall.
Wang Quanfu was so shocked that his mouth gaped open, his eyes almost popped out, his face drained of color, and cold sweat instantly poured down his face.
He never expected Zhang Yuan to go this far!
That's the Zhenwu Token!
The Zhang family's greatest asset in turning their lives around!
What if they messed up... He didn't even dare to think about the consequences. He was filled with regret. If he had known this would happen, he would never have brought Zhang Yuan along!
Master Li was completely stunned!
He stared at the genuine Zhenwu Token on the table, feeling its heavy, cold aura that symbolized military merit and privilege. His heart pounded, and his breathing became heavy.
Zhenwu Guard!
That's a place that countless scions of powerful and wealthy families would fight tooth and nail to get into!
If the Li family can truly obtain this order...
That immense wealth and power...
The immense temptation overwhelmed his reason like a raging storm.
Zhang Yuan slightly raised his chin, his clear and sharp gaze piercing Li Yuanwai's flickering eyes. That fierce aura, belonging to the battlefield and not to a child, was revealed in its entirety at that moment:
"If I do that..."
He spoke each word clearly and distinctly, his voice echoing distinctly in the silent hall:
"Uncle Li, please send a healthy ox and ten bushels of coarse rice to Zhangjiazhuang outside the city on the tenth of each month for the next three years!"
"how?"
Zhang Yuan's gaze was intense, carrying an undeniable confidence and resolve:
"Uncle Li, this bet—will you bet, or not?"
The muscles on Master Li's face twitched violently, and his breathing became rapid.
The young man before him had piercing eyes, and the cold Zhenwu Token was pressed against the gleaming rosewood tabletop, radiating an invisible pressure.
"Even if I don't want to gamble, I'll have to..."
This thought exploded in Master Li's mind.
The allure of the immense wealth represented by the Zhenwu Token was so great that it made his heart pound and his mouth dry.
More importantly, this eight-year-old Zhang Qingyang is surprisingly cunning!
If he doesn't comply today, Li Decai's infamous reputation for "coveting the Zhangjia Town Martial Order, questioning the loyal martyr's orphan but daring not to accept the bet" will spread throughout the streets and alleys of Fengming County tomorrow!
The Li family values its reputation above all else; if that reputation is ruined, the very foundation of their business will be shaken.
"Good! My dear nephew, you speak so frankly, just like your father!"
Master Li forced down his turbulent emotions, forcing a hearty smile onto his face, though his voice trembled slightly.
"Someone! Quickly fetch a strong, healthy ox and take it to the open space in the backyard! Also, prepare a sharp blade!"
The backyard was quickly cleared.
A plump, strong yellow ox with thick horns was laboriously led in by two sturdy servants. It was breathing out white steam and pawing restlessly.
Zhang Yuan stepped forward slowly and steadily.
He took off his slightly oversized outer robe, revealing a tight-fitting outfit underneath. His small body looked particularly thin in front of the huge yellow ox.
Wang Quanfu's palms were sweating with nervousness. He quietly approached Master Li, his voice trembling almost imperceptibly, "Master... if... if you win this Zhenwu Token, what will you do?"
His eyes flickered, showing concern for Zhang Yuan's risky actions, as well as a hint of testing Li Yuanwai.
The Zhenwu Token is a valuable item, but would the Li family really dare to take it?
Master Li stared at Zhang Yuan in the arena, his hands clenched tightly behind his back, his knuckles turning white.
"Let's wait and see. This kid... he's really something else."
At this moment, his heart was pounding like a drum.
He certainly wanted to win the bet.
But with his experience, he had a vague feeling that things wouldn't be that simple.
All I can say is that Zhang Qingyang is truly extraordinary.
In the courtyard, a capable servant carrying a gleaming dagger strode up to Zhang Yuan's side.
He smiled broadly and spoke in a very low voice: "Young Master Zhang, the magistrate has explained that you can rest assured and take action. We know what to do and will definitely help you capture it easily."