The two underground fighters initially didn't think much of it, assuming the young man was just here to cause trouble. However, after the drop of medicinal liquid was ingested, he felt not bad—no, it was too good!
The moment the liquid entered his mouth, it was as if he was bathed in the spring breeze, a warm surge rapidly filling his body, like sweating profusely on a hot summer day and then taking a cold shower, making him feel extremely comfortable. Moreover, what surprised them the most was that the internal injuries that had been slightly painful were now slowly getting better.
"I think this young man's medicine is much more effective," the fighter said excitedly. "My years of internal injuries are actually starting to heal!"
The crowd that had initially scoffed quieted down a bit after the underground fighter spoke.
Yang Lin's expression changed slightly, but thinking of the remaining people all being his shills, he felt a bit more settled and quickly made eye contact with familiar faces.
However, those who knew him avoided his gaze, making him feel uneasy.
"I also feel... this young man's medicine seems better."
"Indeed, I feel much more comfortable now than before."
"My legs have been aching from rheumatism for years, and now I feel like they might actually get better..."
Seeing the shills he had brought along suddenly "turning against" him changed Yang Lin's expression dramatically.
The onlookers, seeing the ten people who tested the medicine unanimously praising Chen Yuan's effectiveness, were somewhat surprised, considering it was just a drop of liquid.
"His medicine is tampered with! There must be some banned substances in it!" Yang Lin, feeling he was losing control of the situation, blurted out first.
Chen Yuan chuckled lightly, "Oh? Then what about your medicine that contains a large amount of stimulants and some harmful banned chemical components?"
"There's a material identification station right at the door. You say my medicine has problems, why don't we go and test it together?" Chen Yuan said calmly.
After hearing this, Yang Lin's face turned green and white. He knew best what was in the medicine, and once it was made public, he feared he might not be able to continue his business here.
Seeing Chen Yuan's calm demeanor infuriated him, and he said menacingly, "Kid, you dare sabotage my good deeds. If I don't teach you a lesson today, you won't realize your place!"
Everyone knew Yang Lin was about to get physical. With his background and his usual reckless and unreasonable behavior, they began to feel a bit sympathetic.
Yang Lin leaped up, his large fist flying straight towards Chen Yuan.
Chen Yuan, with a faint smile on his face, appeared not to care at all. His seemingly slowly raised hand was actually quick, striking Yang Lin squarely in the face!
"Slap!"
Accompanied by a loud slap, Yang Lin was sent flying several meters, causing the crowd to step back.
"Bang."
He crashed heavily to the ground, letting out a scream of pain.
The crowd, seeing Yang Lin's cheek instantly swell and the blood from his mouth carrying several teeth, was incredulous!
"Yang Lin is known in the black market as a strong fighter."
"He had trained under a martial artist in He Province for several years and once took down five strong men alone!"
"It's surprising that this seemingly frail young man could send Yang Lin flying with just one slap..."
"Your face must be really thick; my hand is all red," Chen Yuan said, shaking his hand and looking disgusted.
The onlookers, already dissatisfied with Yang Lin's domineering behavior in the black market but restrained by his background, felt a rush of relief seeing Yang Lin being beaten, bursting into laughter.
"Damn you! I'll make sure you can't leave this place today! Ah Biao, go call my big brother here!" Yang Lin, his eyes red, shouted hoarsely.
The crowd, hearing that Yang Lin was calling for people, and calling for Zhang Bojun, looked apprehensively toward Chen Yuan.
Yet, they saw Chen Yuan pull up a chair, sitting down leisurely.
Indeed, a calf not fearing the tiger, but that "big brother" was not as easy to deal with as Yang Lin but a genuinely ruthless character.
Soon, a stocky middle-aged man dressed in black, followed by over ten toughs holding wooden sticks and steel pipes, entered the crowd with a fierce look.
As soon as the middle-aged man appeared, the surroundings became quiet, and the atmosphere turned somewhat oppressive.
Seeing the middle-aged man, Yang Lin's expression turned excited, and he immediately jumped up, "Uncle, it's this little brat, beat him to death!"
Everyone seemed to have already seen the scene of Chen Yuan being thrown out of Treasure Grass Garden with broken legs.
Just at that moment...
"Smack!" A crisp slap sounded, causing everyone to incredulously widen their eyes. Yang Lin's uncle did not take any action against the youth, but instead slapped Yang Lin across the face.
What was happening? Everyone was confused.
Zhang Bojun shouted at Yang Lin, "Damn you! I told you to stop causing trouble for me, I will settle the score with you later."
After saying that, he forced a smile and turned his head to look at Chen Yuan:
"Yang Lin is naturally unruly, and it is my failure in discipline. I apologize for any offense. If Mr. Chen is free, perhaps you could accompany me to the inner hall, someone wishes to meet you."
Chen Yuan looked at the man in front of him, Zhang Bojun, certain that he did not know him. Who inside wanted to meet him?
He thought for a moment; perhaps someone knowledgeable wanted to buy medicine?
Moreover, his body had already broken through to Foundation Establishment. Even against a dozen strong men, there would be no problem.
But before that, there was still one matter to resolve.
Chen Yuan said with a light laugh, "Since you have already lost, hand over the fifty thousand, and then scram."
Yang Lin had just recovered from the slap, and hearing this, he trembled with anger, "You..."
"Shut up! Since you've lost the bet, accept your loss gracefully, and don't embarrass me any further here!" Zhang Bojun interrupted Yang Lin, shouting angrily.
He frowned, already clear in his mind; the two had just made a bet, and his own nephew had lost.
Seeing Zhang Bojun getting angry in front of everyone, Yang Lin didn't dare to inquire about this youth's background. Noticing his uncle's polite demeanor towards Chen Yuan, he knew he had probably met his match today.
Filled with anger yet unable to express it, he had no choice but to take out the cash.
Then, amidst everyone's laughter, Yang Lin covered his head with his hands, rolling on the ground in humiliation.
Seeing the matter settled, Chen Yuan said to Zhang Bojun indifferently:
"Lead the way."
A moment later, he followed Zhang Bojun into the only high-rise building inside the market.
In the ancient-style hall, filled with a strong scent of sandalwood, an elderly man with white hair leaned back on a Taishi chair.
"This is the person who wishes to meet Mr. Chen, the director of the Qingzhou Jishi Hall, Director Fu Jiren, Elder Fu," Zhang Bojun introduced respectfully.
"Are you Chen Yuan of the Chen Family?" Elder Fu smiled gently, speaking amicably.
Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, and his expression became wary.
After the catastrophe in his family, most people had forgotten him now.
This person seeking him out, and mentioning the Chen Family, might he be related to those who sought to bury him?
At the time, based on the host's memory, those people were masked; he had no idea who they were or their affiliation. With no leads, revenge was elusive.
Seeing Chen Yuan's changed expression, Elder Fu explained, "Do not worry, I am not an enemy of the Chen Family. You might have been too young to remember me, which is understandable."
"I am an old acquaintance of your parents. I received help from them during my distress. Seeing you in conflict here today, I thought to lend a hand, with no ill intentions."
Elder Fu looked at Chen Yuan with a sigh, lamenting how such a prominent family could not accommodate a young man, forcing him to resort to selling medicine in the black market to make a living.
After listening, Chen Yuan bowed to Elder Fu, "For today's matter, thank you, Elder Fu. I must take my leave now for other matters."
"Can I have a look at your medicine?" Elder Fu called out to Chen Yuan just then.
Seeing Chen Yuan's predicament, Elder Fu couldn't help but feel compassion. He thought of helping him by buying his medicine at a higher price.
Chen Yuan nodded and casually handed over the medicine to Elder Fu.
Elder Fu opened the bottle, sniffed it gently, and uttered a light exclamation, "May I try it?"
…