Chapter 299: The Old Mulberry Tree by the Great Goose Lake

Muzi Xi shivered, her face filled with disbelief.

Was this Xu Xiaoshou?

If she hadn't witnessed her senior brother's terrifying destructive power, she would have truly believed he was a weak, effeminate young man with no strength.

But he wasn't!

This guy was a big bad wolf!

All of this was an act!

The young girl wanted to shout something, but from the gaps in his tearful, face-covered voice, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly shot her a sharp look, and Muzi Xi fell silent.

"Received admiration, passive points, 1."

Sure enough, people always sympathized with the weak.

Not everyone knew about Xu Xiaoshou's past formidable achievements. Under his pitiful words, everyone's expressions completely changed.

One by one, their initial amusement gradually turned into sympathy, finally even evolving into a few hints of empathetic pity.

"This is outrageous! I can't stand it. I will testify for this brother; he truly didn't move at all, from start to finish!"

"Yes, yes, President should see clearly! This time, it really wasn't this young brother's fault. We can all testify that... Young Master Fu was the one who made the first move."

"Don't cry, sweetie, big sister will take care of it for you!"

"Indeed, Young Master Fu, your words and actions are truly excessive. He's so pitiful!"

Fu Xing: ???

Did I say anything?

Wasn't this guy the one blabbering on and on the whole time?

"Received doubt, passive points, 1."

President Shiti had a splitting headache.

He also understood that Xu Xiaoshou might have narrated a bit too vividly, but perhaps he really hadn't done anything.

Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many bystanders testifying for him.

The Alchemist Tower was damaged, and the alchemist's furnace exploded. Perhaps it really should all be blamed on... Fu Xing?

But how could he blame him?

This was City Lord Fu's son. Was he truly going to make him drop his pants and spank him like a child?

What a joke!

But if he were to truly swallow this humiliation...

Even if he, Shiti, was known as a good-natured person, anyone whose house was blown up would surely be furious!

He suddenly looked at the guard. In the end, it was all this guy's fault.

"Do you have anything to say?"

The guard nearly wet himself in fear. Losing his job was a minor issue, but if he was personally expelled by the President, who would ever hire him again?

Would he really have to become a thug for those prominent families?

He felt his future was bleak.

Xu Xiaoshou couldn't stand it anymore and interjected, "You can't completely blame him!"

"Actually, if you really want to talk about it, it's all because Young Master Fu's cultivation isn't high enough..."

Fu Xing: ???

His eyes bulged, and he was about to retort, but Xu Xiaoshou completely ignored him and continued:

"The guard brother is a very good person, and he protected everyone's safety."

"Most importantly, he told me Young Master Fu's surname was Fu. Otherwise..."

Xu Xiaoshou's voice suddenly trailed off. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been as simple as just being sent flying.

But he didn't dare say it aloud. Everyone present was an adult; they certainly cared about their reputation.

Fu Xing, however, felt his face was completely gone.

What reputation was left to have?

Xu Xiaoshou didn't say it outright, but did he think everyone present was a fool? Even without saying it, couldn't they understand his implied meaning?

He retorted, "Don't get cocky. Fist techniques aren't my strong suit at all. If you dare, compete with me in swordsmanship!"

"Uh..."

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned and repeatedly backed away.

"No need, absolutely no need!"

Fist and feet have no eyes, but there's still a life; if 'Hidden Suffering' is unsheathed, a corpse will surely remain!

This thing couldn't be randomly drawn!

"Everyone, shut up!"

President Shiti's beard bristled and his eyes widened; he was so angry his body was trembling.

He looked at the young man in front of him, whose tongue was as slick as if oiled, and asked sternly, "What is your name?"

"Xu Xiaoshou."

Xu Xiaoshou quickly replied, "I came specifically to see you!"

"No need to see me," Shiti waved his hand, not allowing him to continue speaking. "According to you, no one was at fault in this incident. So who will take responsibility?"

"Him!"

Xu Xiaoshou pointed at Fu Xing.

"This guy is the main culprit. Although you might feel uncomfortable punishing him, just make him compensate for all the losses!"

Fu Xing nearly choked, feeling his breathing become uneven.

How could he demand *me* to pay compensation and say it so smoothly, as if my money belonged to him!

However, thinking about the bet, and the phrase "weakness is the original sin"...

"Alright."

Fu Xing agreed.

Xu Xiaoshou immediately added, "Of course, you'll cover the losses, but don't forget about our bet!"

Fu Xing: "..."

"Received curse, passive points, 1."

President Shiti watched the two of them going back and forth and felt exhausted.

"All of you, get out of here. The Alchemist Tower doesn't welcome you. Leave at once!"

"What about me?" The guard's eyes were filled with pitiful despair, looking incredibly bleak.

"Sigh!"

President Shiti ultimately couldn't bring himself to do it. He knew this guard, who had been diligently protecting the Alchemist Tower for many years, always fulfilling his duties.

If he were to fire him just because of this incident, he wouldn't feel right about it himself.

"Let's put him on observation. Everyone, disperse."

He waved his hand, signaling the crowd to disperse.

After all, it concerned the reputation of the City Lord's eldest son, so he couldn't let the matter escalate freely. Otherwise, everyone would be embarrassed.

Keeping the peace and having the Alchemist Tower repaired afterwards, that would be the best outcome.

"President, President."

Fu Xing followed closely behind him, rubbing his hands, saying, "I'm here to watch my sister's assessment, that..."

Shiti's steps halted, his eyelids twitching wildly. In the end, he helplessly said, "Go on, go on. Pick her up, then get out of here quickly!"

As he lifted his foot to move, another voice came from behind.

"President, President!"

Shiti: "..."

He turned his head and saw Xu Xiaoshou!

"What else do you want?" Shiti gnashed his teeth.

He could tolerate Fu Xing out of respect for City Lord Fu, but how dared this young man speak up again?

The Alchemist Tower became like this, and you played no small part, understand?!

"Um..."

Xu Xiaoshou also gave an awkward smile and said, "I can't leave yet. I'm here to take the Alchemist badge assessment..."

"Huh?" Fu Xing immediately gaped.

The crowd, who had been about to leave, suddenly paused in unison.

Assessment for a badge...

Are you sure you came here for an assessment, young man?

You came here to blow things up!

"Received doubt, passive points, 66."

"You're an alchemist?" Shiti was equally astonished.

"Not yet, but I will be soon."

Shiti chuckled. This kid was truly innocent and lively!

No matter how good-natured and kind he was, if someone blew up his home, and then after the explosion, they said they wanted to join his family...

Was that even possible?

It was utterly ridiculous, a complete absurdity!

"Are you sure you want to take the assessment now? Can you pass?" Shiti felt a pang of toothache; he was so disgusted!

Xu Xiaoshou said seriously, "I have great confidence in my abilities. At the same time, I believe President is not the kind of petty person who would try to make things difficult for me over such a small matter."

Small matter, petty person...

The bystanders immediately looked on with solemn respect. This Xu Xiaoshou was truly full of guts!

"Received admiration, passive points, 66."

Shiti was amused by his anger. Just as he was about to speak, Xu Xiaoshou changed the subject.

"If President truly wishes to see something beyond just skill..."

He turned around, held out a hand to the girl with twin pigtails behind him, and said, "The letter."

A letter landed in his hand.

Xu Xiaoshou took a deep breath, gazed into the distance, and said with deep emotion, "President, do you still remember Elder Sang from the Great Goose Lake?"