Chapter 60 Repaying the Favor with My Body

Peach Blossom Tower.

Luo Zijun changed into a fresh robe, wiped his hair dry, and then walked out.

He originally wanted to offer some silver coins as payment, but Manager Liang refused.

Liang Ruhai said with utmost solemnity, "Young Master Luo is so generous to gift me those three poems, and just now you risked your life to save two lives—that is an act of boundless merit and virtue. It is merely a piece of clothing; if I were to accept money from you for it, wouldn't I become a laughingstock to the entire world?"

Luo Zijun had no choice but to express his thanks.

Liang Ruhai escorted him to the door and said sincerely, "Young Master Luo, please visit often in the future. Whenever you grace my Peach Blossom Tower, I shall always await your esteemed presence."

Luo Zijun cupped his fists and thanked him once more.

Then, he took his leave and departed.

Watching his retreating figure gradually fade into the distance, Liang Ruhai stroked his beard and sighed in admiration, "To think the world could produce such an extraordinary youth—truly rare, truly rare!"

Standing nearby, Liang Si asked with a puzzled look, "Master, what is so extraordinary about him? How is he rare?"

Liang Ruhai turned his head to glance at him, smiled faintly, and said, "His literary talent is peerless, yet he refuses to bow to the powerful. He dared to make that aristocratic personage from the Jia family vacate her seat, and after earning her admiration, he simply paid her no further heed."

He paused for a moment.

Then he continued, "He is utterly merciless toward women, entirely devoid of weak-hearted sentimentality. Just after quarreling and arguing with those young women, the moment he saw them in mortal danger, he immediately jumped into the water, risking his life to save them, bearing no grudges for the past. Everyone thought those two girls were already dead, and both men and women were weeping loudly on the bank. Only he remained silent, set about saving them, and in the end, actually brought them back to life."

"The young maiden who was revived suddenly slapped him across the face. If it were you, how would you respond? With so many people watching, you would surely laugh it off and let it go. But what about that youth? He struck her right back without the slightest hesitation, landing more than a dozen slaps in total. He beat the young woman until her mouth was stained with blood and left everyone present utterly dumbfounded."

"Is such a youth not extraordinary? Is such a youth not rare?"

Hearing this, Liang Si wore an expression of profound admiration, nodded, and said, "Indeed extraordinary, indeed rare. If it were this humble servant, let alone all of that, I doubt I could manage even a single one of those deeds."

Liang Ruhai gazed once more at the distant, fading figure of the youth and sighed softly, "It is a pity this young man was not born into a family of power and wealth. In this world, having ability alone is simply not enough... Ah..."

By the banks of the Clearwater River, the peach blossoms were in brilliant full bloom.

When Luo Zijun rejoined the group, the young women had already gathered around Sun Yaner and Huang Zhaodi, escorting them to a small cabin ahead to change into dry clothes.

Since this excursion involved staying overnight at Cold Mountain Temple, everyone had packed spare garments.

The moment Luo Zijun appeared, the male scholars all cast their gazes toward him, their faces betraying various complex expressions.

Wang Dafu let out a loud howl and lunged straight at him, looking utterly thrilled. "Brother Luo! Brother Luo! You are insanely awesome! You can even bring dead people back to life! Even the King of Hell must be afraid of you! You are practically a celestial physician reincarnated, a living Buddha descended to earth!"

Su Bie chimed in, "Call him Godfather."

"Get lost!"

Wang Dafu gave him a shove, grinning cheekily. "With Brother Luo's miraculous medical skills, all of us brothers are blessed from now on."

Su Bie immediately retorted, "That impotence of yours is definitely incurable, though."

"Get lost! You're the one who's impotent!"

Wang Dafu cursed back, then immediately put on a flattering smile and began buttering up Luo Zijun once more.

Huang Beicheng also stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said, "Brother Luo, this entire incident is thanks to you. If you hadn't intervened, I fear Miss Sun and Miss Huang would have... Ah..."

The other young men quickly crowded around as well, offering lavish praise and trying to pull closer connections.

A man with such formidable medical skills that he could actually cheat death possessed truly miraculous methods! Everyone was merely mortal, subsisting on ordinary grains and bound to fall ill eventually, so naturally, they needed to curry favor with this divine doctor.

"If any of you have need in the future, you can visit Security Hall in the southern part of the city."

"My master is even more formidable."

"If you wish to purchase medicinal herbs, you can go there as well."

"That place has the cheapest prices."

Taking advantage of the moment, Luo Zijun put in a good word to promote Security Hall.

Su Bie cooperated enthusiastically, chiming in, "Indeed, I have been to that apothecary. Acquiring medicine there is truly much cheaper than anywhere else, and the efficacy is superb. Most importantly, there is a—cough, cough—there is a wonderful antithetical couplet there; everyone should go take a look when you have the chance."

Luo Zijun glanced at him, cutting off his loose tongue.

Actually, he was starting to regret the promotion.

His senior sister loved peace and quiet, and a modest, mediocre amount of business was plenty for her. The moment too many people showed up, that girl would grow irritated and deliberately swindle them out of their money.

He was afraid it would eventually ruin his own reputation.

Of course, his reputation was already rather poor to begin with—he struck women with heavy fists and enjoyed hitting people. Although he had saved lives, it could not erase that unflattering image.

No matter how well a person did overall, the moment they made a single misstep that others could seize upon, it would be infinitely magnified.

Most people would only ever remember the faults of others.

Because deep down inside, almost no one is truly willing to admit that someone else is better than themselves.

Green-eyed jealousy was ubiquitous.

Looking up at the sky, the time was nearly right.

Once the group of young women returned, everyone set off together toward the foothills of Cold Mountain Temple, preparing to make the climb.

The young women trailed behind, pointing at Luo Zijun's back and whispering among themselves.

Naturally, this time, most of what they said was praise.

"I never expected that fellow to be so amazing, especially since he looks so detestable. He swims so well, and his medical skills are incredible."

"Didn't you see how the other men acted right after Yaner and Zhaodi fell into the water? They were completely flustered and couldn't help with anything at all. Even though that Luo Zijun has a hateful mouth and likes to hit people, I feel like he genuinely has a good heart, and he's very brave. That is what a real man should look like."

"Yeah, we were just quarreling with him earlier and even wanted to beat him. Zhaodi cursed him the most fiercely, and he had even humiliated Yaner just before. Who would have thought that the moment Yaner and Zhaodi fell in, he jumped in without a moment's hesitation? He was literally the only one who dared to jump..."

"Zhaodi, you don't know—right after he pulled Yaner ashore and went back in to save you, he was already completely exhausted. He almost sank down into the water together with you, and we were so scared we burst into tears..."

"It's true, it was so dangerous back then. We thought neither of you would ever come back up..."

"Alas, who would have guessed that the very fellow we detested the most would be the one to save you both..."

Hearing everyone chatter incessantly, Huang Zhaodi felt her cheeks grow somewhat warm. After a moment of thought, she quickened her pace, walked up to the front, came to Luo Zijun's side, and reached out to tap him on the shoulder. "Hey!"

Luo Zijun turned his head to look at her. "My name is not 'Hey'."

This time, Huang Zhaodi did not bicker with him. With slightly flushed cheeks, she said, "Luo Zijun, thank you for just now. Thank you for saving my life."

Luo Zijun remained silent.

He would have gone down to save anyone in that situation, unless it was someone with whom he shared an irreconcilable blood feud.

Suddenly, Huang Zhaodi added, "However, you still shouldn't have hit me."

"Weren't you the one who struck first?"

Luo Zijun retorted.

Huang Zhaodi let out a huff. "I only hit you once, and that was just because I had just regained consciousness and hadn't processed what was happening yet. What about you? You hit me a dozen times, and you beat my mouth until it bled."

Luo Zijun clenched his fists, looked at her, and asked, "Then what do you want?"

Huang Zhaodi was momentarily speechless. Pouting her little lips, she muttered, "I didn't say I wanted anything; I was just telling you. You're a big, strong man, you should be more magnanimous and tolerant toward women."

"I just happen to like hitting women."

Luo Zijun wore an icy expression. "If you were a man, I could afford to be magnanimous and tolerant. But since you are a woman, heavy fists are my greeting! So what?"

Naturally, this remark was intentionally meant to provoke her.

Man or woman, he treated them all equally. If you hit him, he would naturally beat you right back.

"You—"

Huang Zhaodi was instantly choked into silence. She wanted to hurl a few curses, but felt it inappropriate, so she could only stomp her foot and say angrily, "Fine, whatever! I hope you stay a bachelor for the rest of your life! Hmph!"

Luo Zijun paid her no further mind.

Huang Zhaodi started to walk away, but after a second thought, she turned back and asked, "Um... you saved my life. How do you want me to repay you? Silver? Gifts? A meal? Or something else?"

Luo Zijun thought for a moment and replied, "Why don't you pledge your body in marriage?"

"Ah?"

Huang Zhaodi was instantly dumbfounded.

Wang Dafu, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation nearby, hurriedly interjected, "Brother Luo, please show mercy! Miss Huang... she... she..."

He had wanted to say that Miss Huang secretly harbored a crush on old Wang here, and as a brother, he couldn't let him have his prospective love stolen away!

To his surprise, Huang Zhaodi let out a huff, puffed out her chest defiantly, and said brashly, "Fine! Besides, you've already touched me and kissed me anyway. If you're willing, I'll pledge my body in marriage and marry you. How about that?"

She naturally knew this fellow was deliberately teasing her.

And she wasn't scared in the least!

Luo Zijun cast a sidelong glance at her and said, "Who told you that pledging your body in marriage means marrying me? Huang Zhaodi, you're truly a toad trying to eat swan meat!"

Huang Zhaodi: "???"

Luo Zijun pointed at a plot of farmland not far away and said, "Do you see those fields and the plow over there? If you really want to pledge your body in marriage, then you belong to me starting right now. Go on, I order you right now: go carry that plow into the fields and start plowing the land. Every single coin you earn, bring it all back and hand it over to me."

"Pfft—"

Wang Dafu, Su Bie, and the others nearby could no longer hold back their laughter.

Huang Zhaodi was stunned for a moment before she asked, "Luo Zijun, are you joking or being serious?"

Luo Zijun replied, "Of course I'm serious. Didn't you want to pledge your body in marriage?"

Huang Zhaodi immediately snapped with anger, "I won't do it!"

"Then go cool off somewhere else."

Luo Zijun waved his hand to dismiss her. "Stop coming over to bother me, and there's no need to offer thanks or speak of any repayment. I don't need it."

"You—hmph!"

Huang Zhaodi stamped her foot and stormed away in a rage.

When she returned to the group of young women in the back, she fumed indignantly, "That jerk! His words are still just as hateful! I suspect he must have been deeply hurt by some woman in the past, otherwise why would he despise women so much? Despicable!"

As she muttered resentfully, she glanced ahead toward the tall, lean figure and his handsome, delicate profile illuminated by the sunlight. Remembering how he had unhesitatingly risked his life to save them when everyone else was completely helpless, her heart suddenly softened. She sighed and muttered, "Still, come to think of it, that guy is also rather pitiful. With that personality, I suppose no woman would ever be willing to pay him any mind... He finally had a marriage engagement, and Yaner rejected him..."

Sun Yaner, standing nearby, froze slightly, her gaze silently drifting toward the figure in front.

After hesitating for a long while, she too mustered up her courage and walked over.