Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: I'll Prove It
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"No, it's not!"
At that, the people who had turned away all spun back to look at her in an instant. She continued.
"This isn't medicine at all."
A middle-aged man asked,
"If it's not medicine, then what is it?"
"This is... alcohol."
"Alcohol?"
"Yes. It's alcohol."
"What kind? Some famous liquor?"
"Not exactly, but if you drink this regularly over a long period, it replenishes your vital energy, boosts your stamina, and protects your body all at once. So please buy lots!"
The crowd made faces like Of course and scattered again.
"It's medicine after all."
"That's peddlers for you."
"If they'd just called it medicine, some folks might've bought it without a fuss. Alcohol? Out of nowhere?"
"Probably some cheap swill with a snake tossed in."
"Why bother stating the obvious?"
The girl bit her lower lip hard and shouted,
"It's true!"
The crowd's eyes turned back to her once more.
"This really is alcohol that's even better than medicine."
"Then prove it."
The voice came from a man in gray robes wearing a black cape among the crowd.
All eyes focused on him.
And they were shocked.
A mid-length sword hung at his waist.
The indigo-dyed silk martial robes paired with the stylish cape... He clearly wasn't some third-rate ronin or thug.
He was a real martial artist, the kind rarely seen around the village.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Their eyes sparkled with curiosity.
The man pressed her.
"Prove it. Then I'll buy one bottle."
The girl stammered,
"Prove... it?"
"Yeah. You said drinking it long-term replenishes vital energy, boosts stamina, and protects the body, right?"
"Of course."
"Then prove it. You've been brewing it yourselves, so you've drunk plenty over the years, yeah?"
"That's right."
"So show us the effects."
At that moment, the hulking man who had done the fire-breathing show earlier stepped forward.
"I'll prove it."
The caped man grinned amusedly.
"How, exactly?"
The big man thumped his belly.
"I'll take your attacks with my body. I'll show you the true power of our Ki Flame Brew. But if I withstand it, you buy three bottles."
"Hahaha. You're a fun one. Fine. One hit, one bottle. But if you go down midway, our deal's off."
The caped man eyed him sharply and added,
"Deal?"
Just then,
Suddenly, the madwoman's voice echoed in Han Ibi's ear.
What the hell! Why pop this up now?
Sell alcohol? Now it's gone this far? Ten bottles? Why should I sell their booze?
The system recited the same line from their first encounter.
Fine, I get it... What am I even talking to you for?
But... this one's labeled 'Sudden.' What's that about?
The girl, looking like a timid servant, spoke up.
"No, big brother. You... you only just recovered from your injuries."
The big man replied,
"Ki Flame Brew is like my late master. I can't stand by while its honor is sullied."
The crowd, who had been starting to leave, settled back in with keen interest.
As the girl tried to dissuade him, the caped man suddenly blocked the big man's path.
Cracking his knuckles, he said,
"No more stalling. Let's start."
The big man nodded.
"Fine."
After a deep breath, he dropped into a horse stance.
The caped man smirked, then roared and unleashed a fist strike.
The form was precise and lightning-fast.
Han Ibi thought in surprise,
He's a master!
The man's fist slammed into the big man's gut.
Thud!
The big man staggered back a step amid the loud impact.
Blood trickled from his lips as he poured all his internal energy into enduring it.
The girl rushed over with a worried look.
"Big brother!"
He thrust out an arm firmly to hold her back.
"I'm fine."
The caped man said, sounding impressed.
"Oh ho! I held back in case you dropped dead... Not bad. But this time won't be so easy."
"Hmph! A real man fights with fists, not words."
The caped man's face flushed with anger.
He assumed a horse stance, gathering power for a full strike.
Silence fell.
The market square had transformed into a brutal arena.
The caped man unleashed a flurry of kicks left and right.
Whack! Whack! His legs cleaved the air heavily.
He barked,
"Brace yourself!"
Suddenly, he leaped forward with a punch.
The big man rooted himself like a mountain, bracing.
Boom!
The big man slid back three paces.
A gush of blood poured from his mouth.
Han Ibi thought,
His fist technique seems solid... but something feels off.
A nagging doubt lingered in his mind, but he couldn't pinpoint it.
Then, a woman watching the brutal scene raised her hand and yelled,
"Stop this! This isn't right. I'll buy a bottle, so please just quit and go."
An old man added,
"Indeed. Young man, this old timer will buy one too. Don't throw your life away."
The shirtless big man slowly turned, cupping his fists toward them.
"I thank you for your kindness, but this is a man-to-man duel—and one tied to Ki Flame Brew's honor. Even at the cost of my life, I'll defend my school's reputation."
Huh. So even these peddlers have a school? Oh right, he mentioned his master died.
Unlike Han Ibi's nonchalance, the villagers were swept up in emotion.
They watched the desperate yet noble challenge of the peddler.
The caped man sneered,
"Done with the感動? Now take my real attack. No responsibility for your life."
The shirtless man nodded.
"Fine."
The caped man addressed the crowd,
"Everyone here witnesses this duel."
Murmurs rose from the onlookers.
"Don't do it. This is a scam. How's this fair?"
"Stop, please."
"I can't watch!"
The caped man removed his cape and folded it aside.
He assumed a stance, building internal energy, dragging out the moment.
The air in the square grew tense.
His eyes seemed to flash red briefly.
Han Ibi thought,
Hm? My imagination?
The gray-robed man began flashy fist and leg techniques.
Dazzling moves that could fool the eye.
Even the angry crowd couldn't help but gape in admiration.
He's the real deal! We finally get to see true Jianghu martial arts!
"Here I come!"
With a flurry of steps—pa-pa-pa-pak!—he charged like a gale.
His stomps kicked up sand in swirling clouds.
Thwack!
Amid the dust, his palm strike hammered the big man's abdomen.
"Urk!"
The big man flew back, spewing a basin's worth of blood.
He collapsed to one knee, unable to endure.
The girl cried out, rushing to his side.
"Big brother!"
He extended his arm again to stop her.
The gray-robed man picked up his cape and said,
"Don't force it. Pushing too hard will damage your qi even more."
A young man's voice rang from the crowd.
"Ah! This is true Jianghu combat. I thought I'd die without seeing it, but here it is!"
"Yeah. I'm moved. Tears welling up."
"Who cares if it's booze or medicine? Let's all buy some."
"Good idea."
At that instant, the big man pushed up from his knelt leg.
"I will... I will protect Ki Flame Brew... and Master's... honor!"
He finally stood on both feet.
The caped man gaped in shock.
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
"Awesome! The best!"
"Sell me all of it. Not a drop left!"
"What? My old man needs one too. One per person, agreed?"
Then,
"You lot playing around?"
All eyes snapped toward the voice.
How long had they been watching?
Five rough-looking men led by a bald-headed brute stood there.
Han Ibi thought,
What's this now?
The bald leader barked,
"Damn it. This village is full of idiots, huh? See? They're in cahoots. Staged it. Can't you tell by looking?"
The villagers glanced between the big man and the caped man in surprise.
But most looked skeptical.
The bald man glared at the shirtless big man.
"Hey, you. Who said you could do business here?"
The big man scowled.
"What?"
"Deaf? Who gave permission?"
"No one."
"Then why are you?"
"Can't we?"
"No."
"Why?"
"This is our turf."
"It's the market square."
"Not just the market—the whole village is ours, pig-brain."
"You bastards mark it with piss or what? The whole village yours?"
Snickers bubbled up here and there.
Han Ibi thought,
Looks dumb and bulky, but sharp tongue. And that guy who was gasping like death earlier looks fine now. Staged for sure. Atmosphere's turning sour. How do I sell booze like this?
The bald man growled furiously,
"You, outsider from another town?"
(To be continued)