The truth came to light, and the father's reputation was preserved. Zhang Xiaomeng couldn't be bothered to argue with him any longer.
After uttering a few cold words of reprimand, he let Chen Hong go.
"Thank you, big brother, for showing mercy. Thank you so much."
With a long sigh of relief, Chen Hong quickly fled with the woman.
Witnessing this scene, the villagers couldn't help but sigh, then all turned their surprised gazes towards Zhang Xiaomeng.
They had not expected Zhang Xiaomeng to be so formidable, nor his insight so sharp.
Even the old traditional doctor, Zhang Guang, who had not detected the issue, was astounded that Zhang Xiaomeng saw right through it with a glance.
Looking at the composed and dignified Zhang Xiaomeng, everyone's faces were marked with confusion.
"Why does it feel like Zhang Xiaomeng is different from before?"
"Yes, unfazed by danger, and calm amidst change, Zhang Xiaomeng seems like a completely different person."
"I have a feeling that Zhang Xiaomeng's medical skills might be even better than his dad's."
The crowd watched Zhang Xiaomeng with complex expressions, whispering among themselves for a while before gradually dispersing.
"Son, you've really made your dad proud today."
Zhang Guang, with a face full of surprise, walked up to pat his son on the shoulder.
"Tell me, how did you see that his condition was congenital?"
"I happened to read some medical books and just guessed it."
Zhang Xiaomeng said with a smile, casually shrugging it off.
"Brother Xiaomeng!"
Just then, a young man about the same age as Zhang Xiaomeng hurried over.
His name was Wang Xing, Zhang Xiaomeng's neighbor and childhood friend.
Throughout the commotion caused by Chen Hong, Wang Xing had been watching from within the crowd, even thinking about lending a hand to Zhang Xiaomeng if things escalated.
But what he hadn't anticipated was Zhang Xiaomeng handling the situation so ferociously, easily diffusing such a crisis.
"Brother Xiaomeng, you were just amazing."
Wang Xing exclaimed with admiration, then couldn't help but ask curiously,
"Brother Xiaomeng, I remember you weren't such a good fighter before. Have you secretly learned some kind of martial arts technique?"
"There's no secret technique. I've just been working out a bit lately."
Zhang Xiaomeng replied with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Wang Xing responded with an "Oh," then mysteriously pulled Zhang Xiaomeng into his house.
They went straight to the bedroom, where Wang Xing locked the door.
Seeing his secretive behavior, Zhang Xiaomeng couldn't help but tease,
"What's with you acting like a spy? Are you going to show me some movies again?"
"No, it's not that."
Wang Xing shook his head, then pulled out a parcel from the cabinet and solemnly handed it to Zhang Xiaomeng.
"What's this?"
Curiosity piqued by his demeanor, Zhang Xiaomeng asked.
"Hehe. Brother Xiaomeng, didn't you get injured? I have a relative in the forests of the northeast, and I asked him to get you a deer tendon, from a pure wild deer. It should be good for your health."
Wang Xing explained with a smile.
Feeling touched, Zhang Xiaomeng couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart.
Ever since he had been disabled, many of the neighboring villagers had looked at him with different eyes.
Only his brother Wang Xing cared for him like this.
Zhang Xiaomeng patted his shoulder and said with a smile,
"Brother, thanks for your kindness, but it's no longer necessary."
"No, Xiaomeng bro, you're still young. Even if you're badly injured, as long as you nourish yourself well and exercise, you will definitely recover."
Thinking that Zhang Xiaomeng had given up on treatment, Wang Xing anxiously offered consolation.
Zhang Xiaomeng laughed and affectionately punched Wang Xing, saying:
"Brother, you've misunderstood. My condition has actually improved. This morning, I was still 'standing tall'."
"Damn, why didn't you say so earlier? You've got to treat me, treat me! Haha."
Hearing this, Wang Xing laughed excitedly.
The two friends chatted idly for a while before Zhang Xiaomeng steered the conversation toward the matter at hand:
"Wang Xing, is that back mountain still occupied by Wang Laohu?"
"Yeah. Wang Laohu has lots of goons, and he's bribed the village chief, Zhao Youzhi. Dammit, so many medicinal herbs, all claimed by him. That bastard has really struck it rich lately."
Wang Xing spoke with a face full of righteous indignation.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaomeng's expression involuntarily turned cold.
The only enemy left in the village for him, apart from the Zhao Duo family, was this Wang Laohu.
The back mountain in the village was originally public land.
However, because the terrain was so steep and complicated, none of the villagers paid any attention to it.
His father, Zhang Guang, was a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and often went to the back mountain to gather herbs. He even planted many medicinal plants there.
But just as those herbs were about to mature, that bastard, village chief Zhao Youzhi, contracted the mountain out to the thug Wang Laohu.
His father planted the trees, and Wang Laohu enjoyed the shade. What kind of logic was that?
Zhang Xiaomeng couldn't stand it and went to reason with Wang Laohu numerous times, only to be beaten black and blue by Wang Laohu's lackeys.
Now that Zhang Xiaomeng had undergone a transformation, he naturally wanted to take back that place.
"Xiaomeng bro, what are you thinking about? You're not going to confront Wang Laohu again, are you?"
Seeing Zhang Xiaomeng's grim expression, Wang Xing's heart immediately leaped with concern.
"Exactly. I must make that bastard pay the price he deserves."
Zhang Xiaomeng spoke with a chilly tone and a fierce look on his face.
"Damn, brother! A wise man does not fight when the odds are against him. Let's not trouble ourselves with this. Wang Laohu has more money now, and even more lackeys. You can't beat him."
As soon as Wang Xing heard this, he jumped up and hurriedly tried to persuade.
"You don't need to worry about this. Rest assured, the current Wang Laohu is no more than a mangy dog in front of me."
Zhang Xiaomeng sneered, ignoring Wang Xing's attempt to stop him, and strode towards the back mountain.
About twenty minutes later, Zhang Xiaomeng arrived at the foot of the back mountain.
Now with his keen senses, he quickly realized that the mountain's atmosphere was rich and vibrant, making it an excellent place for cultivation.
"No wonder the medicinal herbs my father planted grew so quickly here."
Zhang Xiaomeng marveled inwardly as he made his way up the mountain.
Halfway up the mountain, there were two rows of portable houses. This was where Wang Laohu's herb garden was located.
Zhang Xiaomeng hadn't reached the spot yet when he heard the sound of a group of men playing mahjong coming from a room.
He knew these were Wang Laohu's enforcers, assigned specifically to guard the herb garden.
The garden was planted with valuable medicinal plants like ginseng and fleece-flower root, all worth a pretty penny.
Woof woof woof!
At that moment, the dogs guarding the garden started barking.
Immediately after, the door guards spotted Zhang Xiaomeng.
"Dammit, that Zhang family brat is here again. Bros, grab your weapons. Let's give him a good stretch!"
After a loud shout, seven or eight men with tattoos of dragons and tigers rushed out, brandishing steel pipes.