Chapter 39

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"Stop the cart!"

Zhao Beichuan pulled on the reins and stopped the mule cart by the roadside. "What is it?"

Lu Yao looked over, "I just saw Song Guangfu and Song Changshun heading towards the bookstore. They might be looking for trouble with Xu Dengke."

Zhao Beichuan asked, "Do you want to get involved?"

Lu Yao couldn't be bothered with their petty affairs; he just feared getting dragged into another mess.

"How about you wait here while I sneak over and check? If they're planning something against me, at least I'll be prepared."

Zhao Beichuan, worried, said, "You stay here, I'll go and see."

"That works too. Be careful... don't hurt them."

Zhao Beichuan hurried towards the bookstore. From a distance, he saw Song Guangfu and Song Changshun standing at the bookstore entrance, seemingly waiting for someone.

They had come yesterday but didn't find Scholar Xu, so they were back today to stake out.

Soon, a man in a stone-blue robe emerged from inside. Song Changshun grabbed him.

Xu Dengke was startled, "Let go! What are you doing?"

"You took my money last time and didn't do anything for me. How dare you ask what we're doing? Give the money back now!"

"What are you talking about? I don't understand. Move aside, or I'll report you to the authorities!"

Song Guangfu held onto his arm, "You still dare to deny it? You took five hundred coins from me and didn't do anything. Do you think you can keep the money?"

"Who took your five hundred coins?" Xu Dengke was furious; these shameless people were trying to extort him.

Seeing things might escalate, Song Changshun quickly tried to calm Song Guangfu, "Don't make a scene; people will laugh at us."

Laugh? His life was already a joke; did he care about others laughing? Song Guangfu tugged at Xu Dengke's clothes, "Give me back my money. If you don't give it back today, I won't let this go!"

People started gathering to watch the commotion. Xu Dengke, face red, hastily pulled out a string of coins from his pocket and threw them away.

"You only gave me three hundred coins when you asked me to help you. We're even now. Don't come bothering me again!" He stormed off angrily.

Song Guangfu picked up the coins and looked at Song Changshun, "Why are there only three hundred coins?"

"I don't know. Getting any money back is good enough. Stop being greedy and let's go home!"

"Why are there only three hundred coins?" He repeated.

Song Changshun felt a chill down his spine under his brother's fixed gaze, thinking he might have gone mad. He grumbled, "I spent the rest. So what?"

Song Guangfu put away the coins and returned to his usual docile self, "It's fine. Let's go home."

Song Changshun got goosebumps and shook off his hand, walking away alone. Song Guangfu stood there for a moment before turning towards the apothecary shop.

Behind a nearby tree, Zhao Beichuan watched the two leave, then ran back to the mule cart to find Lu Yao.

"What happened? Did they fight?"

"No, they just demanded money from Xu Dengke and left."

Lu Yao: "Those two are like ghosts. Seeing them makes my heart race; something bad always seems to follow."

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