nycdaug Chapter 572 Han Xin 2
Chapter 572 Han Xin 2
"Han...Xin!" Lin Xi's heart jolted. He stared wide-eyed at the man who was being mocked and ridiculed by the crowd. The person he had been searching for for three long years was now standing right in front of him! In an instant, countless complex emotions surged into his heart, making him extremely excited.
However, faced with the provocations and insults from Lai Tou San and the surrounding crowd, Han Xin remained remarkably calm. He frowned slightly, falling into a brief moment of contemplation. After a short while, Han Xin slowly raised his head, his gaze piercing as he stared directly at Lai Tou San, coldly uttering two words: "Get out of the way!"
Before he could finish speaking, Lai Tou San became even more arrogant and domineering. He put his hands on his hips and started cursing at Han Xin, "Oh ho, what's wrong with you? Who do you think you are? You want me to make way? No way! If you've got the guts, try slashing me with that lousy sword of yours! If you can stab me to death with one blow, I might even look at you with a second eye, and maybe even praise you as 'good job'! Hahaha!"
At this moment, everyone watching was staring intently at Han Xin, their eyes gleaming with excitement and anticipation, as if they couldn't wait to witness a thrilling duel unfold.
Han Xin clenched his fists tightly, but he made no move. This only emboldened the bald-headed man. He grinned wickedly and said, "Hey kid, you can leave now! But...hehe, unless you can crawl through my legs. If you crawl well enough, I'll take pity on you and maybe even give you a few copper coins! That way, you can buy some flatbread to fill your stomach! Hahaha, how about that?" With that, the bald-headed man actually spread his legs, pointed to his crotch, and revealed an extremely lewd and smug smile.
These words elicited varied reactions from the onlookers. Some thugs laughed uproariously and cheered loudly; some ordinary people looked reluctant, either shaking their heads and sighing or quietly turning their faces away; and some busybodies craned their necks, waiting to see the spectacle.
"You bastard!" Fan Kuai was furious, his thick eyebrows furrowed, and his large, fan-like hands clenched so tightly they cracked. "This is outrageous! I'll go chop that scoundrel to pieces!" he said, and charged forward.
Lu Wan reacted quickly, grabbing him tightly: "Third brother! Don't be impulsive! Although these people are hooligans, the laws of Qin are strict now. Fighting in the street, regardless of the reason, will result in severe punishment for the person who strikes first! Do you want to go to jail?" He knew Fan Kuai's temper well, and he also knew that although the laws of the new dynasty were more lenient than the rumored laws of Shang Yang, abolishing collective punishment and reducing corporal punishment, the management of public order was particularly strict.
Lin Xi also placed his hand on Fan Kuai's other shoulder, his voice steady: "Brother Lu is right. Brother Fan, calm down. Let's see how Han Xin responds."
Amidst the jeers and laughter of the crowd, Han Xin slowly raised his head. His eyes were cold and sharp as he swept over the group of scoundrels, a barely perceptible sneer even playing at the corners of his lips. Han Xin, a man of great strategy and wisdom, would never contend with such vulgar scoundrels for a moment's gain. He possessed his own grand plans, confident that he would eventually soar to the heavens; the humiliation before him was nothing more than the clamor of ants.
Then, under the gazes of everyone—some with disdain, some with surprise, and some with pity—he lifted his tattered front and bent down to crawl between the legs of the bald man—this was not submission, but rather his extreme confidence in his future, so confident that he disdained to waste the slightest effort on such a trivial matter.
Seeing Han Xin about to bow, Lin Xi's mind raced. He had heard Princess Jiayang mention that Han Xin was arrogant and aloof. If he were to suffer this humiliation today, even if he rose to prominence in the future, it would be a thorn in his side. Moreover, the princess had repeatedly instructed him to treat Han Xin with respect and never let him feel humiliated.
"Stop!" Lin Xi shouted, striding forward.
Hearing the voice, everyone turned to look and saw it was Mr. Lin, a highly respected figure in the city. The previously noisy scene instantly fell silent. Even the usually arrogant and domineering Bald Three was noticeably less aggressive, but still forced a fawning smile and said, "Oh ho, it's Mr. Lin! With you personally coming, how could we dare disobey? But... what is Mr. Lin's intention in doing this?"
Lin Xi didn't take Lai Tou San seriously at all, not even bothering to glance at him. He walked steadily towards Han Xin, his gaze unwavering, then softened his tone and asked gently, "May I ask if this valiant warrior is Han Xin of Huaiyin?"
Han Xin slowly raised his head, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly recovered. He calmly straightened up, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting to Lin Xi, and said in a deep voice: "It is indeed I. May I ask your honorable surname?"
Lin Xi smiled slightly and introduced himself: "I am Lin Xi, just a small merchant from Pei County. I was just passing by when I overheard these scoundrels being so disrespectful to you, sir, which infuriated me. So, I came here specifically to help you out of your predicament."
After saying that, Lin Xi suddenly turned around, looked at Lai Tou San, and said: This brave man Han is my friend. Please do me a favor and let this young master Han go!
Just as Lai Tou San was about to retort, Lin Xi took out several silver ingots and stuffed them into Lai Tou San's hand. Lai Tou San's face changed, and he hurriedly smiled obsequiously, "Boss Lin, you're too kind. I was blind and didn't recognize you. I didn't know this hero was your friend. I'll be leaving now!" With that, he hurriedly led his gang of ruffians and scurried away.
Fan Kuai, who was watching from the side, was dumbfounded. He said in a deep voice, "Brother, do you know this poor scholar?"
Lu Wan frowned and said, "Brother Lin, this man is indeed... a bit of a coward. It's true that a great man can bend and stretch, but this... sigh, he's read so many military books, yet he has no backbone at all. He doesn't even fight back against this humiliation. Why do you stand up for him?"
Fan Kuai shouted, "He... he just let it go like that? Is he even a man? If it were me, I'd risk a beating to twist that scoundrel's head off! What a coward! Brother Lin, are you sure you want to associate with this kind of person?"
Lin Xi didn't take it to heart and turned to Han Xin, saying, "Hero Han, you've been frightened. If you don't mind, would you do me the honor of having a chat at the tavern up ahead?"
Han Xin sized up Lin Xi, his eyes filled with wariness: "I appreciate Mr. Lin's kindness. However, I am but a poor scholar with nothing of value, and I fear I might tarnish your reputation." His tone was flat, carrying a natural aloofness, neither warm nor overly humble, maintaining his own pride.
Lin Xi noticed his wariness and didn't press the matter. She took out a silver ingot from her pocket and said, "In that case, please accept this small token of my appreciation to calm your nerves."
Han Xin took a step back, his expression indifferent: "I cannot accept a reward without merit. I appreciate your kindness, sir." After saying that, he turned to leave, showing no respect whatsoever to Lin Xi, his "benefactor."
Fan Kuai was furious upon seeing this: "What an ungrateful wretch! Brother Lin was kindly helping you, and this is how you treat him?"
Han Xin paused, but did not turn around. He walked straight away, his back view lonely and resolute.
Lu Wan shook his head and sighed, "Brother Lin, look at this man, he's truly incomprehensible."
Lin Xi watched Han Xin's departing figure, a look of admiration flashing in her eyes. "Her Highness is right," she thought, "this young man is indeed proud and ambitious, unlike ordinary people. Such backbone truly makes him extraordinary."