Immortality: Starts with seeking good fortune and avoiding disaster!

**Chapter 13: Forced Buying and Selling**

"What's going on?"

At this moment, Xiao Fan and Mu Qingyao exchanged concerned glances. They both sensed that something grave had occurred; otherwise, the cries would not be so harrowing.

Thinking of this, Xiao Fan suppressed the turmoil in his heart and walked out of the house.

What he saw shocked him. A black coffin had unexpectedly appeared at the door of the Meng family's house not far away.

Sister Meng, Uncle Meng's wife, was dressed in white silk, her eyes red and puffy, kneeling on the ground as she wept.

Her son, Meng Tie, was also kneeling, fists clenched, tears streaming down his face, more from anger and hate than sorrow.

The surrounding neighbors had all come out, their expressions blank and numb, giving off the impression that they were in mourning for a fallen companion. They seemed extremely despondent.

"Uncle Meng is dead?"

Xiao Fan was immediately shocked by the scene. The Meng family was clearly in mourning. Considering what had transpired two days prior, the outcome was all too evident.

"Yes, Lao Meng had a tragic fate. He was beaten by the Dragon King Gang and seriously injured. I thought he could survive, but ultimately he succumbed because he couldn't afford the medical expenses."

Song Fugui sighed, helplessness evident in his tone.

Originally, Uncle Meng hadn't needed to die; if he had received proper treatment, he might have survived.

However, the Meng family's funds had long since been depleted by the Dragon King Gang, leaving them with no money for medical expenses.

Consequently, because Uncle Meng could not afford treatment, he had to return home to recuperate.

He died of his injuries in just one night.

Human life is so worthless in this era, almost like that of an ant.

"Lao Meng worked tirelessly all his life, fishing early in the morning and laboring all day in sun and rain. He earned only a few taels of silver. But those bastards from the Dragon King Gang wanted to take even this little money. Meng Tie was beaten to death."

"Those bastards from the Dragon King Gang deserve to die."

"Shut up! If the Dragon King Gang hears you, how will we protect ourselves?"

"It's just talk. Would that really lead to disaster?"

"Haha, do you think the Dragon King Gang can be reasoned with?"

"Oh, I won't say it anymore. I won't say it anymore."

Many villagers from Osmanthus Village were discussing amongst themselves, all appearing miserable and helpless.

They all wished to help Lao Meng's family, but unfortunately, they were powerless to do anything.

Hearing this, Xiao Fan clenched his fists, feeling a profound sadness in his heart. This was a poor family in a time of turmoil. Just because of an accident, their household was destroyed.

Uncle Meng had done nothing wrong—he was simply an honest fisherman who had worked hard all his life.

But because of the Dragon King Gang's greed, he ended up beaten to death.

Zheng Wenbing really deserved to die and should be chopped into pieces.

Fortunately, that scum was killed by Xiao Fan himself, and even his corpse was fed to wild wolves.

It was likely that Uncle Meng's spirit in heaven would find some comfort in that.

"There are only two orphans and a widow left in Lao Meng's family. I'm afraid their days ahead will be very difficult."

"Yes, they might not even be able to pay next month's debts."

"How are we supposed to catch as many fish without Lao Meng, an old fisherman? Can Meng Tie do it with just his youth?"

"If they can't pay up, I'm afraid they'll get beaten again."

"Well, we're all from the village; we'll help them if we can."

"You're a heartless person, suggesting we give money to the Meng family. Want to pretend to be a good Samaritan when they're on the brink of starvation? Shouldn't we worry about our own families?"

"I don't mean that. I can't afford it, but I can spare a few loaves of bread. Just consider it a token of appreciation."

"Yes, we've been neighbors for decades."

Many villagers were softly debating how much silk money to offer.

Xiao Fan listened quietly. Although he still possessed a decent amount of money, he wasn't keen on being taken advantage of.

Uncle Meng's family was indeed pitiable and struggling.

But who in this world wasn't facing hardships? Who wasn't suffering?

If it truly became known that he had substantial money, it might not turn out to be a blessing.

On the contrary, it could lead to misfortune.

Living in harmony with modesty was the best choice for someone residing in Osmanthus Village.

He couldn't do much at this moment; taking care of his own family was the limit of his abilities.

At this time, villagers approached one by one to pay their respects to Uncle Meng, also offering some silk and money.

Xiao Fan stepped forward and joined the crowd.

"Thank you, thank you."

Meng Tie knelt on the ground, his eyes vacant, looking utterly despondent.

He could only mechanically express his gratitude.

It was clear he hadn't recovered from the shock of losing his father.

"Well," Xiao Fan thought, feeling a pang of sadness once more.

Once, Meng Tie had been a spirited young man. He had dreams of learning martial arts and becoming a great hero.

But now look at him.

This sight only steeled Xiao Fan's resolve; he had to master great power.

In such a chaotic world, all skills are pointless.

No matter how much money one makes, it is all futile and ephemeral.

Without the strength to protect these things, they would all be gone in an instant.

It was just making wedding clothes for someone else.

Therefore, he realized, the lucky points he had couldn't be used frivolously; they should be reserved for enhancing his martial strength.

After paying his respects to Uncle Meng, Xiao Fan walked out of the Meng household.

"Xiao Xiao, have you thought about my offer from last time?"

"Are you planning to sell your awning boat to me?"

At that moment, a young man approached with a pockmarked face, around twenty-five or twenty-six years old. He wore linen clothing and had an easygoing demeanor.

He was Guo Mazi, the notorious scoundrel of Osmanthus Village.

This man spent his days idling in the village, making a living by petty theft.

But he was also quite adept at charming his way into the good graces of some Dragon King Gang members.

So, despite being disliked by the villagers, few dared to cross him.

He approached Xiao Fan directly.

"No, my awning boat is not for sale."

Xiao Fan shook his head firmly, rejecting the offer outright.

It was important to note that his family's awning boat was the result of three generations of hard work and sacrifice, making it invaluable.

For fishermen, boats were their livelihoods; they held immense significance.

Due to scarcity, some fishermen had no choice but to rent boats from the Dragon King Gang and fell deeper into exploitation.

They could barely scrape by.

But being a fisherman with a boat was entirely different. It allowed him to escape exploitation by the Dragon King Gang and earn more than his peers.

Under normal circumstances, no fisherman would sell his boat unless utterly desperate.

"Oh, I heard your family's money ran out a long time ago."

"If you don't catch fish this month, you won't be able to pay next month's dues."

"The price I'm offering is already quite generous."

"After all, your awning boat has been in use for many years; it's in ruins and won't fetch much."

"If it weren't for being from the same village, I wouldn't offer such a high price at all."

"And if someone from the Dragon King Gang comes to collect tax next month, you really won't be able to pay."

"The next offer might not be so generous."

There was an unmistakable threat in Guo Mazi's words.

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