Chapter 132: Are You Trying to Push Me to the Edge?

Passing through bustling streets one after another, Li Jian San arrived at the lively market square within the imperial city. Every nightfall, this area transformed into a bustling hub for trading all manner of goods. Here, many mysterious treasures could be found, often at astonishingly low prices. With just a few spirit stones, one might acquire a peerless divine weapon; yet, spending thousands of spirit stones could also result in nothing but worthless scrap metal. In short, trading here was all a matter of luck.

Li Jian San strolled along the street, glancing left and right.

“Ladies and gentlemen, don’t miss out! Come see this Xufeng Sword—top quality, an opportunity you can’t afford to miss!”

“Premium pills here, you won’t find a better shop in the entire village…”

Before a crowded stall, Li Jian San was forced to pause.

“Everyone, clear the way! Clear out, Uncle Xu is coming!”

By the roadside, two or three guards parted the crowd, opening a path.

A youth with a large mole on his face slowly approached the stall, smiling cheerfully.

“A new seller, huh? Wonderful.”

He appeared about fifteen or sixteen years old, of average height—around 1.6 meters—but astonishingly obese, even more so than Zhang Dabao. His golden belt around the waist struggled to contain his barrel-like girth.

“All of your goods, Uncle Xu will take them home!” he declared.

The stall owner grinned, “Thank you, sir, I’ll pack them up for you.”

“Thank what? That’s Xu Dahai. He never pays for anything he buys—you didn’t know that?” someone nearby whispered.

Hearing this, the stall owner nearly dropped the goods in his hands.

Xu Dahai pointed angrily at the man who spoke, “You…”

“What did you say?” Xu Dahai glared as he stepped closer, suddenly shouting.

“I—I…” the man trembled and stammered.

Waving his hand, Xu Dahai ordered the nearby guards, “Throw him out.”

“I, Uncle Xu, never pay for what I buy. That’s my first principle,” he proclaimed, swaying his corpulent frame as he paced around with self-righteousness.

Glancing at the crowd, he continued, “Small fortunes come from thrift, great fortunes come from fate, but massive wealth comes from never paying, ha ha ha...”

“You poor fools don’t even understand this. No wonder you’re forever destitute.”

At that moment, the stall owner timidly asked, “Uncle Xu, can I… not sell?”

“Dream on,” Xu Dahai sneered. “If Uncle Xu says to buy, you must sell. That’s my second principle.”

The stall owner dared not meet his gaze. “Selling’s fine, but could you at least…”

Xu Dahai fixed him with a resolute stare. “What, do you want me to pay you? That would break my first principle. I’m a man of strong principles.”

“Don’t push me to anger. Take everything off this stall.”

With that, Xu Dahai swaggered away, looking arrogantly triumphant.

Li Jian San turned and walked into another street, unconcerned with the scene he’d just witnessed.

The Aroma Pavilion was one of the top restaurants in the imperial city, with a prestigious background hinting at royal connections.

Night had fallen, and the Aroma Pavilion was already packed with diners coming and going.

Drawn by the enticing aroma wafting from the restaurant, Li Jian San rubbed his stomach, feeling a pang of hunger, and stepped inside.

“A noble sir, what would you like to eat?”

A young servant in a blue robe approached, radiating a pleasant demeanor.

“Hmm,” Li Jian San nodded.

The servant continued, “Sir, you’ve come to the right place. While I can’t boast of other things, our cuisine here is undoubtedly among the very best.”

“Is there a seat available on the second floor?” Li Jian San inquired.

The servant led him while speaking, “You have good taste, sir. The second floor is quiet and offers a splendid view of the imperial city’s nightscape. By chance, there’s still one seat left. Please follow me.”

Li Jian San ascended to the second floor with the servant. As promised, it was very quiet, though service fees were considerably higher than downstairs.

“Hey, waiter! Waiter! Uncle Xu’s here!” Xu Dahai bellowed as he stomped onto the second floor, trailed by several guards.

“The waitstaff here have learned to flatter. They knew Uncle Xu was coming and saved me a seat. Not bad, not bad,” he said, sitting down abruptly in the very seat Li Jian San had chosen.

Li Jian San frowned slightly, standing aside.

The servant clearly recognized Xu Dahai. Bowing respectfully, he awkwardly said, “Master Xu, I’m sorry, this seat was already reserved by this gentleman here. Could you perhaps choose another seat?”

“You think Uncle Xu has even stood up before his seat is warm? Do you want me to lose my temper?” Xu Dahai snapped.

The servant panicked, “No, no, it’s just that…”

“Just what? Do you doubt I can pay?” Xu Dahai sneered.

The servant inwardly cursed. This wasn’t about paying—Xu Dahai never paid for meals.

“This seat’s mine today. That blind fool who tried to take it, make him scram!” the servant said, glancing nervously at Li Jian San before attempting to smooth things over.

“Sir, perhaps you could choose another seat?”

The servant had heard of Xu Dahai’s reputation—he was the son of Xu Wansan, the richest man in the imperial capital, whose fortune rivaled half the kingdom of Chu. No one dared offend such a powerful patron, which explained Xu Dahai’s brazen arrogance in the imperial city.

Li Jian San, on the other hand, looked like a newcomer with no influence. If this standoff continued, Li Jian San would surely be the one to lose face.

But Li Jian San saw through the servant’s thoughts at a glance. He smiled faintly, unmoved.

In this world, dignity must be earned, not begged for. Accepting charity for one’s dignity is the real disgrace.

“Can you tell me why I should change seats?” he asked calmly. “Who do you think you’re bullying? I’m the destined great villain—I have my pride.”

Xu Dahai glared at Li Jian San and growled, “Uncle Xu orders you to scram. Is that reason enough?”

“No.”

“Kid, don’t make Uncle Xu lose his temper. Get lost!”

Xu Dahai sneered, “Who do you think you are, making me give up my seat? You’re not worthy.”

Li Jian San replied coldly, “A villain should act like one. I won’t be bullied. Anyone who dares jump around in front of me will be made to never jump again…”

Xu Dahai’s face darkened. “My mood’s already sour. Uncle Xu is about to lose his temper!”