https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-151-The-Carefree-Hermit-s-Notes-A-Case-of-Bump-and-Run/13688319/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-153-Finally-Acquires-the-Spirit-Artifact-Qiankun-Yiqi-Dai/13688321/
Chapter 152: Purple Light Reappears — A Single Slap
“Purple Light… how is this possible!” Lu Qing stared intently at the Ancient Money Pouch in the old man’s hand, his eyes wide with disbelief.
In his vision, the pouch was emitting a faint, shimmering purple aura—subtle yet undeniably present. To Lu Qing, it was blindingly vivid.
Since arriving in this world and awakening his Abilities, he had only witnessed this purple glow on three occasions.
The first was when he acquired the Divine Seal Sect’s inheritance.
The second was yesterday, in the underground chamber beneath the Wei Family Residence, where he’d seen the Lihuo Ding.
And now… this.
Could this money pouch truly be a Spirit Artifact?
The thought flashed through Lu Qing’s mind—yet before he could process the implications, the Eight-character Beard Man suddenly lunged forward, snatching the pouch from the old man’s grasp. He glanced at it, weighed it in his palm, then stuffed it into his own coat with a sneer.
“Three taels? Fine, my bad. Old man, next time watch where you’re walking. Lucky for you, you ran into me—kind-hearted guy like me. I’ll let you off this time. But if it were someone else? You’d be locked in jail for sure!”
The man spat out the words with venomous arrogance.
Among the onlookers, those who knew the Eight-character Beard Man’s true nature sneered inwardly at his smugness. But he had a younger brother working in the County Magistrate’s Residence—specifically in charge of managing Market Street.
Since most of these merchants depended on the street for their livelihoods, none dared provoke him. Even those who pitied the old man remained silent.
The old man stood frozen, face etched with sorrow.
Those silver taels were the last of his family’s savings—earned this morning after selling grain.
He’d planned to buy his granddaughter a proper thimble. She’d been learning needlework, but her fingers kept getting pricked from using a cheap, broken one. Seeing her cry in pain broke his heart.
Now, all that was gone—lost in an instant.
The thought of returning home, of facing his son and daughter-in-law, made his head spin. Blood surged to his face. With a sudden, desperate cry, he charged straight toward the wall corner near the man’s stall.
The sudden move shocked everyone. Ordinary folk couldn’t react in time—only wide-eyed horror as the old man’s body hurtled toward the stone wall.
Just as blood threatened to spill, a figure appeared before him—light as a shadow.
A Richly-dressed Youth, cradling a delicate Little Girl in one arm, with a strange Black Little Beast clinging to his shoulder, stepped forward with a calm smile.
“Old man,” he said gently, “even if your heart is heavy, you mustn’t take your own life. To do so would only bring pain to your loved ones and joy to your enemies.”
The crowd exhaled in relief.
The Eight-character Beard Man, however, was terrified. He bellowed, “What the hell are you doing, you old fool?”
He trembled at the thought—had the man actually died on his stall, the County Magistrate’s Residence would surely intervene. Even his cousin in the officials’ ranks might not be able to shield him.
His face twisted with fury as he glared at the old man. “If you want to die, go die somewhere else! Don’t defile my stall! Can you even pay for the damage?”
His menacing glare made several onlookers flinch.
“Silence,” Lu Qing said coldly.
Without warning, he moved—faster than the eye could follow. In a blink, he stood before the Eight-character Beard Man. With a single, effortless slap, he struck the man’s face.
The impact sent the man flying like a sack of rags, spinning through the air before crashing to the ground, unconscious.
When they looked again, half his face was grotesquely swollen. Several teeth, mixed with blood, lay scattered nearby.
Lu Qing had already held back nine-tenths of his strength. Even so, that single slap was more than the man’s frail body could endure.
To be alive at all was only due to Lu Qing’s deliberate restraint.
But the damage was irreversible—permanent disability was certain. The strike had carried a subtle, lingering force, a hidden thread of power that would twist and scar his face for life.
Silence fell across the street.
Everyone stared, stunned.
No one had expected the young man—just moments ago so calm and kind—would unleash such brutality.
The sight of the man’s ruined face stirred something deep in the crowd.
Despite the horror, a strange, satisfying thrill rippled through them.
Many merchants had long despised the Eight-character Beard Man.
They’d tolerated him only because of his cousin’s position.
If not for that protection, he’d have been thrown out of Market Street long ago.
Now, finally, someone had taken him down.
A few nearly clapped in approval.
The two assistants, terrified by Lu Qing’s ferocity, had already vanished into the shadows.
After felling the man with one slap, Lu Qing casually reached into his coat, pulled out the Ancient Money Pouch, and returned it to the old man.
“Old man,” he said softly, “this is yours. Take it back.”
The old man stood there, dazed. Only when the pouch was in his hands did he finally come to his senses.
He stammered, “Young master… you’ve struck a man! You must leave—before the officials come!”
“Yeah, yeah! His cousin works at the County Magistrate’s Residence—don’t get involved!” others echoed.
Though Lu Qing’s attire was clearly fine—evidence of noble blood—most still feared the authority of the Magistrate’s office. No one in the city dared openly defy it.
“Don’t worry,” Lu Qing replied, his voice calm. “This man tried to cheat an old man with a fake relic. He nearly caused a death. Even the County Magistrate’s Residence wouldn’t dare protect such a man.”
The crowd fell silent.
They exchanged glances.
This boy is naïve, they thought.
If the Magistrate’s Residence were truly just, how could a man like Chen Cai—this vermin—have ruled Market Street for so long?
Lu Qing turned to the old man. “This place is too crowded. Let me escort you out.”
The old man had no desire to stay. He remembered the cold indifference of the onlookers earlier—how they’d done nothing. Now, with money in his hand, he dared not linger.
“Thank you, young master,” the old man said, voice thick with gratitude.
Lu Qing led him toward the exit.
Just before they stepped out of the street, he paused.
“By the way,” he said, voice low and clear, “if officials come looking for someone to blame, tell them to find me at the Wei Family Residence. My name is Lu Qing.”
With that, he walked away, the old man following silently behind.
Only silence remained—stunned faces watching their retreating figures.
(End of Chapter)
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