Chapter 82: Chapter 82

"What did you say? I’m poisoned? You think I would believe what you say? Or do you think that by coming up with any old excuse, I will believe you? Do you really take me for a three-year-old child?" the owner of the herb shop said with a sneer of disdain.

"You don’t believe it?" Zhang Xiaohao’s mouth quirked up as he said with interest.

"What do you think?" the herb shop owner retorted.

"Your eye sockets are turning green, the corners of your mouth are tinged with an eerie purple, your brow is darkened, and a faint black aura envelops your entire body. You must have noticed it yourself. Every time you practice, you feel pain in your chest! The longer you practice, the more intense the pain becomes," Zhang Xiaohao said mockingly.

As the only Divine Doctor in the world who had reached the third step, this wasn’t just idle talk. Right upon entering, Zhang Xiaohao had noticed that he was poisoned, albeit slightly, clearly within the last three days. Furthermore, being an Ancient Martial cultivator, the True Qi in his body had a slight suppressive effect on the toxins.

If he didn’t seek treatment from a medical master in time, within a week, the toxins in his body would worsen and once they fully erupted, he would likely only have death to face.

"Hmph! Alarmist nonsense!" the herb shop owner said darkly, his facial expression shifting unpredictably, though he had actually started to believe what Zhang Xiaohao had said.

Ever since he had returned from the mountains, he’d noticed something off within his body.

Whenever he practiced, his chest would hurt; the longer the practice, the worse the pain.

Initially, he thought it was because he had injured his vital energy during the battle with the poisonous snake that night. But now, hearing what Zhang Xiaohao said and recalling the fearsome nature of that snake, he was mostly convinced.

"Heh, if you want to die, then die for all I care. Did you really think that some mere herbs could trouble me? There are some things that I simply disdain to note—it doesn’t mean I can’t!" Zhang Xiaohao said indifferently.

After speaking, he turned along with Wu Qiaoqiao and Lin Xiaowen and headed straight for the exit.

"Hmph! You think you can just come and go as you please? Did you really think this place is a Charity Hall for you to strut around?" the herb shop owner scoffed coldly, pressing his right palm on the table and swiftly darting forward.

His right claw shot out, carrying a vast gust of wind, directly aiming for Zhang Xiaohao’s neck at a speed that left no doubt about the prowess of a Foundation Establishment Realm master.

"Angry out of embarrassment, are you? I knew you wouldn’t take the soft approach!" Zhang Xiaohao scoffed disdainfully.

His body swiftly turned around to face the fierce claw wind from the herb shop owner, but in his eyes, it was still too slow.

Zhang Xiaohao’s right fist blasted out simply and brutally, with no hint of finesse, the tremendous force seemingly about to shatter the air, forcefully striking the sharp claw coming at him.

The speed at which the herb shop owner had rushed over was matched by the speed at which he flew back, his body smashing messily onto the ground, vomiting a mouthful of blood.

With just one strike, he was severely injured by Zhang Xiaohao, his complexion as pale as paper, lying limp on the ground like a dead dog.

"Playing sneak attacks in front of me? You’re barely mediocre!" Zhang Xiaohao walked over and said disdainfully.

With a gesture of his hand, he pulled out a silver needle, approached him, and under the terrified gaze of the herb shop owner, directly inserted it into three major acupoints above his Dantian.

"Ah! What did you do to me?" the herb shop owner exclaimed in terror.

"Nothing much, just sealed your internal True Qi so that you can fully experience the power of the poison, in case you didn’t believe it," Zhang Xiaohao said indifferently.

After speaking, Zhang Xiaohao picked up a burlap sack and went directly into the back. Sniffing around, he found the herbs he wanted and threw them into the sack.

"Stop right there!" Seeing Zhang Xiaohao’s actions, the herb shop owner yelled in rage and embarrassment.

"Stop? I even stop my feet! Qiaoqiao, Xiaowen, you two take good care of this old geezer for me! Refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit, such a cheap act!" Zhang Xiaohao cursed coldly.

"Mr. Zhang, rest assured, I’ll definitely teach this shameless old guy a lesson."

Lin Xiaowen and Wu Qiaoqiao both sneered and replied in unison.

As they spoke, the two women exchanged glances, tacitly took off their high heels, and walked forward with straight faces.

Soon, a series of miserable screams emitted from the mouth of the herbal shop owner.

Five minutes later, Zhang Xiaohao had filled two whole sacks; the needed herbs were all collected.

"Let’s go!" Dropping a word, Zhang Xiaohao did not even glance at him and directly walked towards the outside.

Wu Qiaoqiao and Lin Xiaowen put their high heels back on, following behind Zhang Xiaohao, heading outside.

"Master, please wait a moment!" Seeing Zhang Xiaohao was about to leave, the herbal shop owner spoke in panic.

"What is it?" Zhang Xiaohao stopped walking and spoke without turning back.

"Master, please extend your gracious hand and save this old man’s life!"

"What do I care about your life or death?" Zhang Xiaohao sneered.

"Master, I was wrong. As long as you are willing to extend your gracious hand and save this old man’s life, I am willing to offer one million as a consultation fee! The herbs earlier can be considered a gift to you!" the herbal shop owner said in panic.

"For me? You think you qualify? I’ve taken these by force, alright! If you’ve got the ability, take them back yourself," Zhang Xiaohao spoke arrogantly.

"Master, I beg you, saving a life is more virtuous than building a seven-story pagoda. Please, show mercy and save me!"

"Mercy? That’s a monk’s game, none of my business!" Zhang Xiaohao replied playfully, his lips curling up.

"Master, I beg you, as long as you are willing to save this old man’s life, whatever you want, I will offer with both hands!"

"Save you? Not interested! To use your words from earlier, I’m in a very bad mood, very unwilling to save you!" Zhang Xiaohao said. Updates are released by 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹⟡𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⟡𝙣𝙚𝙩

Having said that, not bothering with him further, Zhang Xiaohao directly carried the two sacks, walking outside with Wu Qiaoqiao and Lin Xiaowen.

"No!" Watching the three of Zhang Xiaohao walk away, the herbal shop owner cried out in despair.

Throwing the two sacks into the trunk of the car, Lin Xiaowen’s stomach, however, chose that moment to grumble.

"Mr. Zhang, I..." Seeing Zhang Xiaohao’s gaze turn towards her, Lin Xiaowen hurriedly started to explain,

Before she could finish, Zhang Xiaohao waved his hand to cut her off, lightly scraping her nose with a smile and said, "Hungry stomach, what’s there to be embarrassed about. We just saved a million, come on. Mr. Zhang will treat you to a big meal!"

Wu Qiaoqiao smiled knowingly and drove the car towards a nearby restaurant.