Chapter 1022: Throwing Money Out the Window

Editor: Henyee Translations

The head of the Xuan family immediately felt a surge of anger upon hearing the news and shouted, “Quickly, get that money back!”

The accountant, recalling how Xuan Louze had easily broken the lock, hesitated and stammered, “Family head, Fifth Young Master’s martial arts are too powerful. We can’t match him.”

Frustrated and helpless, the family head said, “Send the fifth master. He must retrieve the money.”

Finally passing the responsibility, the accountant was secretly pleased and quickly responded, “Yes, family head. I’ll go right away.”

Fifth Master Xuan was infuriated upon learning that Xuan Louze had brazenly stolen money from the family. His anger even caused his wounds to reopen. “Come, let’s go. I refuse to believe I can’t handle him.”

Leading a team of guards, Fifth Master Xuan set out in pursuit.

Meanwhile, Xuan Louze pocketed the substantial sum and strolled through the city, observing the scene. This city was the only one in Chen’an that was somewhat presentable. He wondered how it was managed.

Walking beside him, Zeng Huo whispered, “Where are we going now?”

Xuan Louze thought for a moment. “To the Imperial Hospital to inquire about my two little apprentices. With their medical skills, if they had arrived in Chen’an before the new year, the country wouldn’t be in such a state.”

They headed towards the Imperial Hospital.

With money to smooth the way, Xuan Louze handed over a hundred-tael note and learned everything about Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang.

Both had indeed arrived in Chen’an before the new year but mysteriously disappeared the next day. They hadn’t been seen since, and no one knew where they had gone.

Xuan Louze pondered. They came specifically to treat smallpox and wouldn’t have willingly gone into hiding. Something must have happened.

If he could find the last person they had seen, he would likely find them.

Zeng Huo asked, “Do you have any clues?”

“None,” Xuan Louze replied. He planned to investigate his apprentices’ last known location that night. “Let’s get something to eat. I’m starving.” He hadn’t eaten all day, and his stomach was growling.

With money in hand, they asked a passerby for directions and tipped him ten taels. Then, they headed to the largest restaurant, Riverbank Cuisine.

Xuan Louze slapped a hundred-tael note on the counter. “I want the best private room and twenty of your most expensive dishes.”

The shopkeeper, who hadn’t seen such a generous customer in a long time, eagerly complied. “Yes, sir.” He promptly ordered the dishes and personally led them to an upstairs private room, serving them tea himself.

Xuan Louze opened the window, and a figure flew in, landing inside.

It was a young man in the uniform of the Imperial Guards’ commander, with a stern face and eyes sharp as knives. “Xuan Louze!”

Ignoring the man’s identity, Xuan Louze kicked him out the window.

The young man was Xuan Nanzhou, the eldest son of the second branch. He had heard about Xuan Louze causing a ruckus at home and came to confront him. He hadn’t expected to be kicked out right after calling his name.

In his impression, Xuan Louze was reserved and wouldn’t do anything so outrageous. This behavior was completely out of character.

He hit the ground, the pain snapping him back to his senses. “Xuan Louze!”

Fifth Master Xuan, arriving with his men, saw his nephew, the commander, lying on the ground and quickly helped him up. “Are you alright?” The concern in his eyes made it seem like he was his own son.

Xuan Nanzhou glanced at Fifth Master Xuan. “Uncle, what’s wrong with Xuan Louze?”

“I don’t know,” Fifth Master Xuan replied, both exasperated and angry. “He just took thirty thousand taels from home. I came to retrieve it. Since you’re here, why don’t you help me?”

Xuan Nanzhou’s face darkened. Everyone had just seen him get knocked down. Approaching again would only further embarrass him.

“Uncle, you go ahead. I have other matters to attend to.” With that, he turned and left.

Fifth Master Xuan was speechless.

What happened to standing together against a common enemy?

Bringing his men, Fifth Master Xuan headed to Riverbank Cuisine. In truth, he didn’t want to face Xuan Louze alone. Xuan Louze was like a firecracker, easily ignited and dangerous.

The shopkeeper led Fifth Master Xuan to Xuan Louze’s room. “Young master, someone is here to see you!”

“Whoever it is can wait. I’m eating now!” Xuan Louze’s cold voice came through.

“Get out here, you rebellious son!” Fifth Master Xuan shouted in anger.

There was no response from inside.

Fifth Master Xuan signaled his guards to open the door.

But no one expected the door wouldn’t budge.

Seeing his guards struggle and fail to open the door made Fifth Master Xuan’s face burn with embarrassment, as if he had been slapped.

“Xuan Louze, open the door!” He shouted, trying to save face.

Still, no response.

The shopkeeper wanted to disappear from the awkwardness.

“Money, money falling from the sky!” Cheers erupted from below. Fifth Master Xuan had a bad feeling and rushed downstairs.

He saw silver notes flying out of Xuan Louze’s window, and the townsfolk were scrambling for them.

Fifth Master Xuan felt faint. If he had known, he would never have called this rebellious son back. In less than a day, Xuan Louze had caused more trouble than others did in a lifetime.

“Why are you standing there? Get those notes back!” He shouted.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The townsfolk, hearing this, ran away with the money. Losing it now would be a waste.

The crowd scattered, the money gone.

Fifth Master Xuan stood there, unwilling to return. How could he explain this?

Xuan Louze, full and content, left the restaurant with Zeng Huo.

On a quiet street, Zeng Huo asked, “Did you throw away all the money?”

Xuan Louze pulled out the remaining notes. “No, just half.” He handed some to Zeng Huo. “You’ve helped me a lot. Take this.”

Zeng Huo gladly accepted. This was the first time Xuan Louze had given him money. He could use it to start a business and live comfortably.

They walked away.

Meanwhile, when Fifth Master Xuan returned upstairs, Xuan Louze was gone.

In a high pavilion.

Xuan Dongsheng and Xuan Dongsi watched Xuan Louze and Zeng Huo with amused expressions.

“Brother, this Xuan Louze might be an impostor!” Xuan Dongsi said, holding a string of prayer beads, fingering a few as he spoke.

Xuan Dongsheng disagreed slightly. “If he’s an impostor, would he act so boldly?”