Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Making Friends
Li Tianxin silently watched Jiang Ran sprinkle something into the wine.
He suddenly felt exceptionally pleased.
He utterly detested the collection of bottles and jars Jiang Ran always carried around.
But when it was someone else’s turn to suffer, he found it surprisingly delightful.
He forced himself to keep a straight face, trying not to let his feelings show... but a smile still tugged at the corners of his lips.
While Li Tianxin was enjoying himself, Master Ma was on the verge of tears.
"...Sir, you see... what exactly are you doing?"
Jiang Ran smiled.
"How about we have a drink and become friends?"
He had just finished adding his little ingredient. He picked up a bowl of wine and handed it to Master Ma.
"I’m a man who enjoys his wine. Share a drink with me, and we’ll be friends. Otherwise..."
"Master Ma, don’t drink it!"
"Boss, think this through!"
A few of his unconventionally dressed subordinates, with blood still at the corners of their mouths, hastily tried to stop him.
Jiang Ran glanced at them.
"Oh, right. There’s some for you, too. All together now?"
The man with the short dagger stared at Jiang Ran, his face a mask of grief and indignation.
"A warrior can be killed... but not—MMMPH!"
Before he could finish, Master Ma clamped a hand over his mouth and forced a laugh at Jiang Ran.
"My men don’t know their manners. Please don’t mind them, Sir.
"Alright, I, Old Ma, love making new friends. Especially a friend like yourself, Sir. To be able to share a bowl of wine with you today is an honor that spans three lifetimes!
"I just hope... you’ll be merciful, Sir, and let my men go."
With that, he snatched the bowl from Jiang Ran’s hand, dodged his men as they tried to grab it from him, and threw his head back. GLUG, GLUG, GLUG. He downed the entire bowl of wine in one go.
He turned the bowl upside down, showing not a single drop was left.
"Old Ma drinks first, as a sign of respect!"
Jiang Ran watched him, nodded, and then turned to the others.
"And you?"
Master Ma’s expression changed instantly.
"But Sir, you promised."
"Let me remind you of something."
Jiang Ran said nonchalantly,
"You were the one making promises just now. I never agreed to anything."
"You!"
Master Ma’s face instantly turned as dark as iron.
The remaining three men looked at one another, until one stepped forward with a loud laugh.
"Since the boss has already drunk, there’s no reason we shouldn’t do the same!"
With that, he stepped forward without waiting for Jiang Ran to offer it, picked up a wine bowl, and drained it.
The three men each drank a bowl, showing considerable bravado.
Tears welled in Master Ma’s eyes as he gritted his teeth.
"I’ve doomed you all."
Jiang Ran watched them in silence for a moment, then spoke softly,
"There’s no need for such a dramatic life-and-death farewell just yet. I may have added a little something to the wine.
"But dying isn’t that easy...
"You still have half a month before the poison acts up.
"As long as you take the antidote within that time, you’ll be fine."
The moment Master Ma heard this, it was as if a bolt of lightning struck his mind.
"Sir, is there something you need us to do for you?"
Jiang Ran smiled.
"Lean in."
Master Ma hurried over to Jiang Ran, who then whispered a series of instructions in his ear.
Master Ma nodded repeatedly, his face finally showing dawning comprehension.
"I understand. Finding someone else for this might not work. Even if you went to the County Magistrate himself, the outcome would be uncertain.
"But for us, it’s not a difficult task.
"But I want your word on one more thing..."
"Speak."
"If we accomplish this for you, I don’t care what happens to me... but can you spare my brothers?"
Master Ma looked at Jiang Ran.
Jiang Ran gave a short, amused laugh.
"Alright."
"Thank you for your mercy, Sir!"
With a THUD, Master Ma dropped to his knees before Jiang Ran once more and kowtowed heavily. Then he stood up, turned, and left.
As soon as he moved, his subordinates all followed.
They left only the woman behind.
She stood rooted to the spot, trembling. When she cautiously peeked at Jiang Ran, she found that he was also looking at her.
Her knees buckled, and she, too, collapsed into a kneeling position.
Jiang Ran’s brow furrowed slightly as he asked,
"Do you have any money?"
"Yes, yes, I do!"
The woman nodded frantically and started fumbling in her clothes for silver.
Jiang Ran pointed toward the Shopkeeper hiding behind the counter.
"This incident started because of you. You’ll be the one to pay for the table they broke. Are you willing?"
"Ah..."
The woman had thought Jiang Ran was planning to rob her. Only after hearing his words did she realize the truth.
"Yes, yes, of course!"
After saying this, she quickly pulled out a silver ingot, placed it on the counter, and then looked at Jiang Ran.
"C-can I go now?"
"Go on."
Jiang Ran waved his hand.
The woman, looking as if she had received a grand pardon, scrambled away in a panic.
Li Tianxin glanced at her retreating figure, then looked back at Jiang Ran.
"Aren’t you worried she’ll just go and cause more trouble?"
"Then why don’t you follow her for me? See what she does, see if this ordeal has scared her straight, or if she’s still bold enough to stir up trouble.
"If she is, then take care of her for me."
Jiang Ran shot Li Tianxin a sidelong glance.
Li Tianxin thought for a moment.
"Let’s talk about it later. Making a move right now would be too conspicuous."
Jiang Ran glanced at him but didn’t say anything.
Li Tianxin then said thoughtfully,
"That Master Ma... his character might be questionable, but he certainly has a heroic air about him."
"...You didn’t actually believe him, did you?"
Jiang Ran raised an eyebrow.
"Are you saying he was just putting on an act?"
Li Tianxin’s expression soured slightly.
"Not necessarily."
Jiang Ran chuckled.
"It’s just that I don’t believe a word people like them say.
"He stuck his neck out for a woman today, and for such a dirty business at that... Do you think he’s particularly fond of her? Or is there another reason?"
"Well..."
Li Tianxin thought for a moment. ’Considering that woman’s looks, Master Ma probably wouldn’t be interested in her.’
Jiang Ran smiled.
"If it wasn’t for her, then what was it for?
"Or perhaps you don’t really believe that a woman like her could support an entire brothel on her own, do you?
"Master Ma is the local tyrant of Benma County, not some lone wanderer of the martial world. He has his own ways of surviving.
"And I know his type all too well."
After saying this, Jiang Ran waved his hand, clearly not wanting to discuss it further.
He glanced at Mingyue.
"Are you done eating?"
"Mhm..."
Mingyue nodded.
"Then come back to my room with me."
Jiang Ran stood up and began to lead Mingyue upstairs.
Li Tianxin didn’t think much of it at first, but as the two of them started walking up to the second floor, he seemed to finally react and hurriedly called out,
"Jiang Ran, what are you taking her back to your room for?
"You... You really are a beast in human skin!"
Jiang Ran looked back in surprise.
"I’m having her draw a portrait of her father for me. You... you really are cut from the same cloth as Dao Wuming. Just what kind of filth is rattling around in that head of yours all day long?"
Comments