The Swordsman returns the favor

The master and apprentice of the calligraphy and painting shop had a very simple breakfast every day, mainly because Zhang San was extremely stingy, so it was basically just plain porridge and youtiao (fried dough stick).

Therefore, when someone knocked on the door, Zhang San very naturally opened the door, after all, in the past six months he had already gotten used to Wang Xiaoer coming back from buying youtiao on the street on time every day.

However, in the instant the door opened, what welcomed him was a handful of purple powder flying towards him.

The fact once again proved that when it comes to lightness skill, it's not about how fast you can run, but how timely you can run!

For example, in the current situation, Zhang San's Tianjie lightness skill was of no use at all. Before he could react, he was already enveloped by the purple powder.

What followed was a strange fragrance...

Poison?!

Having wandered in the underworld as a killer for twenty years, Zhang San immediately pressed the three major acupoints on his left shoulder, chest, and right abdomen, then displayed his lightness skill to quickly retreat into the back room!

He started his inner power, sealed his meridians, and Zhang San wiped off some of the purple powder from his face with his finger. While the "enemy" had not yet rushed into the room, he carefully examined this poison powder...

When he looked at this poison powder, Zhang San was dumbfounded.

Damn it?

Colored flour? No, it seemed to be mixed with something else? Is this expired rouge?

As the powder settled, the figure of a young man in white clothes gradually emerged. He gently clapped his palms in applause, praising: "Your acupoint pressing skill is definitely not that of an ordinary doctor, and...what a handsome lightness skill!"

Never forget hatred!

Zhang San was stunned for a moment, then a feeling of bitterness welled up.

Nowadays, does everyone dislike playing their cards according to common sense?

...

Xiu Wangchou chose a very subtle timing for his morning call. At dawn, there was not even a single pedestrian on the street, so no one saw the previous scene.

Except for Wang Xiaoer, who had just returned with youtiao.

A while later, in the calligraphy and painting shop, Zhang San, who had washed up, sat there not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

On the one hand, after all, it was not real poison powder poured on him, but on the other hand, his identity could no longer be kept secret. Now that someone had seen his true face, how could he still shamelessly keep up the act?

As for Wang Xiaoer, he kept staring back and forth between his master and Xiu Wangchou while nibbling on a youtiao.

This kid obviously wanted to watch the show!

As Zhang San looked at Xiu Wangchou, the only thought in his mind was that this calligraphy and painting shop, which he had painstakingly maintained for many years, would probably have to close down, and he would have to find a new place to move to immediately.

But before Zhang San could think much about it, he saw Xiu Wangchou suddenly flop down on his knees!

This time Zhang San was shocked.

Wang Xiaoer almost choked on the youtiao.

How could a chivalrous hero kneel to someone else? This was what the nine-year-old Wang Xiaoer thought.

Xiu Wangchou, however, did not respond to their surprise. Instead, he knocked his head heavily on the floor towards Zhang San on his own accord!

"You..."

Zhang San had only uttered one word when Xiu Wangchou had already interrupted: "This kowtow is not for myself, but on behalf of the father and daughter. I am kowtowing to their real savior."

Zhang San was no stranger to killing people in his life, but to say that he was appreciated by others...

This was truly the first time.

For a moment, Zhang San didn't know how to respond either, so he just sat stunned in his chair.

Then, Xiu Wangchou kowtowed again!

After straightening up and saluting again, Xiu Wangchou solemnly said: "This kowtow is for my family members who died many years ago, and those wrongfully killed villagers!"

This time Zhang San was really dumbfounded.

What was this line of reasoning?

Xiu Wangchou's gaze was steady and focused. Facing his benefactor, he had no intention of deliberately hiding anything: "When I was a child, I was originally from Sifang Village in Xiaoyang County. At the age of twelve, I suffered a great disaster and the entire village unfortunately perished. Xiu Wangchou barely survived for twenty years and trained martial arts for twenty years before coming to Xiaoyun County to avenge what happened that year!"

"If it wasn't for you saving me that night, Xiu Wangchou might never have had a chance for revenge in this life."

Raising his head with determined eyes that showed no sign of pretense, Xiu Wangchou said: "Therefore, I deserve this kowtow for saving my life and giving me a chance to avenge my family and villagers!"

Wang Xiaoer subconsciously looked at his master, but found his master's expression very strange.

He seemed shocked! As if he couldn't believe it!

This was the first time Wang Xiaoer had seen such an expression on Zhang San's face.

At that moment, there was only one voice echoing in Zhang San's heart: Sifang Village! It turned out to be Sifang Village!

After performing the two kowtows, Xiu Wangchou got up with his sword tied at his waist. With a flick of his hand, the grass knot on the sword came off into his palm. He walked over and handed the grass knot to Zhang San.

Zhang San, who had not yet recovered from the shock in his heart, somewhat blankly accepted the grass knot from Xiu Wangchou.

Xiu Wangchou said solemnly: "Just now were the kowtows for the father and daughter, and my family members who died unjustly. And for saving my life, brother, you deserve utmost gratitude!"

Raising his clasped fists in salute, the swordsman resolutely said:

"From now on, wherever Xiu Wangchou sees this token, no matter who is in possession of the grass knot, whatever request is made, as long as it does not violate the rules and righteousness of my sect, even if it means going through knives and flames, Xiu Wangchou will never utter half a word of refusal!"

The promise of a righteous swordsman, every word vigorous and sonorous!

Naturally there was not the slightest bit of lip service!

Zhang San silently looked at the man in front of him, and a sense of admiration spontaneously emerged from within.

Wang Xiaoer put down his youtiao with an infatuated look on his face as he gazed at Xiu Wangchou, thinking to himself:

Why does being a chivalrous hero look so cool even when kneeling down to others?!

...

Xiu Wangchou walked out of the calligraphy and painting store.

Sitting in the hall, Zhang San looked at the grass knot in his hand. He couldn't help but think: So there really were survivors at that time, there really were people who made it through the tragedy.

Hometown...

"Master? What's wrong?" Wang Xiaoer carefully asked tentatively.

However, Zhang San ignored him. With one step, he strode out the door. On the street where only one shadow could be seen, Zhang San asked: "Where are you staying now? Do you need any help? Medicines, for example?"

Behind him, Wang Xiaoer could hardly believe his own ears.

Is this really my master?!

On the street, Xiu Wangchou slowly turned around, the swordsman in white smiled, cupped his fist over his palm in salute, and finally shook his head, indicating that he needed nothing.

"Recently I've been staying at the noodle shop where the father and daughter used to be. But every morning and evening, I've been keeping watch over the county government, so even if brother comes, you probably won't be able to see me."

After leaving these words, Xiu Wangchou left.

Zhang San understood very well the implications behind Xiu Wangchou's words. Revealing his whereabouts without any reservation represented a kind of absolute "trust".

So this is what a chivalrous hero is like?

Zhang San whispered to himself.