Chapter 242 — Ten Percent

CHAPTER 242

Ten Percent

“Close it,” Elder Pang said.

Elder Pang gave the order without expecting an argument. His pressure drove the crowd back again. Zhu Liu had just stood up; now he dropped beside the fallen stool, frightened and ashamed that his legs wouldn’t hold.

“Close what?” Shi Feng asked.

“This stall,” Elder Pang said. “Pack the cauldron, take down the sign and go back to your mountain. Duanyang City is under the protection of Martial Palace. We don't permit unlicensed poison to be sold in our streets.”

“It isn't poison,” a customer called from the back, in a voice that shook. “I've taken three of those pills!”

“Silence!” Hu Kai barked. His hand dropped to his sword. The customer vanished behind a pillar.

“The Sky Pavilion issued the trading permit,” Sima Lan said without looking up. “Number seven-one-four. It's on the post behind you, Elder.”

“A permit for a stall,” Elder Pang said coldly. “Not a permit for a thief.”

“Thief of what?” Sima Lan asked.

“Of the pharmacy's customers,” Elder Pang said.

“They aren’t yours to keep,” Sima Lan said. “They crossed a public street and chose another shop. I’ll record that as your accusation, Elder.” Hu Kai stared angrily at her moving brush.

Elder Pang’s face darkened. The attendant hadn’t been frightened into silence, and the crowd had heard her answer. Arguing longer would only draw more attention to the customers who’d left his pharmacy.

“Girl,” Elder Pang said. “I know who you are, Princess. I have eaten more salt than you have eaten rice. Great Liang's court should hear how its daughter acts as a stall clerk.”

“Attendant,” Sima Lan said. “And Great Liang's court has heard. It sends me a purse every quarter. I send it back.”

Whispers ran through the crowd. Hu Kai's mouth opened and closed.

“This isn't about you,” Elder Pang said sharply, and turned back. “Shi Feng. Last chance. He who knows the times is a wise man. Close it, and Martial Palace forgets the insult. Refuse, and I'll shut it myself.”

Shi Feng set down his cup. He had been watching the left side of Elder Pang's belt for the last ten breaths, and he had made up his mind.

“Before you do that,” Shi Feng said, “you should see someone about your core.”

The street went silent. Elder Pang's brow twitched.

“My core?” Elder Pang said.

“It's cracked,” Shi Feng said. “On the left side. About six years ago.”

“You…” Elder Pang said.

“It's a clean fracture, a hand-width long. It healed over badly, so the qi runs round it. That's why you keep your hand on your belt. You're checking it hasn't opened again.” Shi Feng paused. “It opens when you push, and you've been pushing since you walked in. I'd stop.”

Elder Pang's hand was on his belt.

He looked down at it. Then he snatched it away as though the belt were hot. A tide of red crept up from his collar to the top of his scalp, and a vein on his forehead began to throb.

“Nonsense,” Elder Pang said hoarsely. “Absolute nonsense. Slander!”

“Six years,” Shi Feng said. “The left side. If I'm wrong, call me a liar and close the stall.”

“…” Elder Pang said.

Behind Elder Pang, the six retainers stood without breathing. Hu Kai's face had turned the colour of paste. All six of them had served Elder Pang for years. None had ever heard the word “cracked” in the same breath as his name.

“Cracked?” a retainer breathed.

“Elder Pang's core?”

“That's why he never fights anymore,” another whispered.

“Quiet!” Hu Kai hissed. “Quiet, you fools!”

In the crowd, the whispers had already started.

“Did the champion say Martial Palace's Elder has a broken core?”

“He can't see that! He's only Foundation Establishment!”

“He's the champion. Maybe he looked.”

“I heard a Golden Core is the size of a fist. How can he see a fist inside a belly?”

“…”

Shi Feng thought, The crack leaks qi. He could see the flaw whenever Elder Pang exerted pressure. Alchemy taught him what to watch for, and his physique made the leak clear. A skilled Golden Core healer could have spotted it too.

“How,” Elder Pang said. It was almost a whisper. “How do you...”

“I can fix it,” Shi Feng said.

The word hung in the air. Even the clerk across the street leaned forward in his doorway.

“For ten percent,” Shi Feng said.

Elder Pang's mouth worked. Hu Kai stared. In the crowd, a woman covered her mouth.

“Ten percent,” Elder Pang repeated. “Of what?”

“Of the inspection fee,” Shi Feng said. “The ore is held at the border post for eighty a wagon. Eight a wagon, then. Per day. Until the cracks are sealed.”

“That is...” Elder Pang spluttered. “That is extortion!”

“Then refuse the treatment,” Shi Feng said. “Healing a Golden Core costs resources. Most healers would ask for the whole fee.”

“I will not be bought by a pill-seller!” Elder Pang roared. The pressure surged, and the street shook. Two awnings fell, and a pot rolled across the cobbles. “You are insulting Martial Palace in public!”

“You asked for the stall to be closed in public,” Shi Feng said. “I answered in public.”

“You little,” Elder Pang said.

“Four coppers for a cabbage?” a creaky voice complained from somewhere behind the crowd. “I could eat the leaves off the roadside for free!”

Everybody turned.