Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo' Chapter 1108 568: Iron Bamboo

Xu Han shook his head: "Such precious herbs, why should I have to give them to you?"

Sun Tiecheng raised an eyebrow: "Just because of our past acquaintance."

Xu Han still shook his head: "I have no acquaintance with you."

"Putting aside acquaintance, let's talk about grievances."

"I have no grievances with you either; I didn't meddle when Fool's City was destroyed."

Sun Tiecheng nodded: "You didn't meddle, which proves you are a friend of Old Sun. Friends meeting face to face should have a drink and reminisce. Why resort to weapons?"

Xu Han thought for a moment and found the words reasonable. He scooped a ladle from the pond and offered it in front of Sun Tiecheng: "How about we have a drink?"

Sun Tiecheng nodded: "Sure, let's drink together!"

Xu Han took a wine gourd from his waist and drank it dry: "I'll start first as a gesture of respect!"

He drank all the wine, leaving only the Golden Soup in the iron ladle.

Sun Tiecheng sighed with a wry smile: "You old fox, why are you playing dumb?"

Xu Han also sighed: "I'm just a farmer. Whenever I get involved in your affairs, it's always the farmers who lose out."

Sun Tiecheng waved his hand: "Let's talk serious business. I want Iron Bamboo Shoots. Are you giving or not?"

Xu Han said: "You want them, I don't want to give them. Talking more is useless; we might as well fight."

"I've told you; we're friends. No need for knives or guns. Let's let him make the judgment. Whatever he says goes!" Sun Tiecheng looked at Fan Zhongfu in the pond.

Xu Han scooped Fan Zhongfu up with the ladle.

Fan Zhongfu wiped the Golden Juice from his face and looked at Sun Tiecheng and Xu Han.

Sun Tiecheng spoke first: "We have a little issue and need you to judge. I traveled all the way to Kuwu Mountain to harvest some herbs, and this old man won't give me any. What do you say?"

Xu Han, holding the ladle, stirred the Golden Juice in the pond: "For ordinary herbs, they can have them. Some herbs are priceless and not given away with a word."

Sun Tiecheng said: "If one word won't do, then let's say two, name your price, and I'll buy them."

Xu Han said: "I won't name a price, I won't sell them, and I won't let you take them. What can you do about it?"

Sun Tiecheng looked at Fan Zhongfu: "You hear that, does what he says sound reasonable?"

Xu Han also looked at Fan Zhongfu: "Tell me, what's reasonable?"

Fan Zhongfu licked his lips and looked at Xu Han first.

He knew this was Gold Cultivation's ancestor. Before coming, people from Snowflake Beach told him to avoid Xu Han at all costs. But not only did he not avoid Xu Han, he also encountered another formidable figure.

Sun Tiecheng impatiently pinched the ball of thread in his hand: "I'm asking you a question, why aren't you answering?"

Xu Han was a bit angry too, waving the ladle in front of Fan Zhongfu: "Why hesitate, speak your mind!"

What to say?

Speaking for Sun Tiecheng means offending Xu Han and getting thrown into the Golden Pond.

Speaking for Xu Han means offending Sun Tiecheng and getting cut into pieces.

Fan Zhongfu kneeled on the ground and kowtowed to both: "Venerable elders, please be magnanimous and spare my life."

Upon hearing this, neither was pleased.

Sun Tiecheng pinched the ball of thread: "It seems you're sick. Since you can't speak clearly, let me help loosen your muscles and bones."

"No need for muscle loosening, sickness requires medicine," Xu Han said, placing the ladle before Fan Zhongfu, "Come, young man, open your mouth."

He had to speak today, no way around it.

Fan Zhongfu never imagined that he would be judging between these two lofty figures.

After careful consideration, Fan Zhongfu spoke, looking at Sun Tiecheng: "I think this elder speaks right. We are all friends here. He traveled far without talking of theft or robbery, just wanting to gather some herbs; it's reasonable to show some consideration."

Sun Tiecheng smiled: "Old Xu, listen to what he's saying!"

Fan Zhongfu wasn't speaking lightly; this was after much contemplation.

If he offends Sun Tiecheng, a few more squeezes on the ball, and his life is gone.

But if he offends Xu Han, soaking a bit longer in the Golden Pond, his life might still be spared.

Surviving would mean a future chance to escape.

Xu Han sighed, understanding the prior agreement that neither he, nor Sun Tiecheng, could break over such matters.

"Old Sun, I really can't tell you where the Iron Bamboo grows."

Sun Tiecheng clapped his hands: "If you go back on your word, you'd be bullying an honest man."

Xu Han pointed at Fan Zhongfu: "Give this man to me, and I will fetch you two bamboo shoots. How about that?"

"Alright!" Sun Tiecheng nodded, "I don't want the bamboo leaves or the stalks, just the shoots!"

He wants bamboo shoots!

Xu Han's expression grew more serious.

Sun Tiecheng crossed his arms: "What, changed your mind again? Words from under your nose are promises; Old Xu, I respect you, you must keep your word!"

"Alright, a promise is a promise. Wait here, I'll get the bamboo shoots."

Not long after, Xu Han returned with two bamboo shoots in hand, "Ten Iron Bamboo, check them yourself. If dissatisfied later, there's no return or exchange from me."

Sun Tiecheng checked out the bamboo and nodded: "Whatever you bring, it's certainly genuine."

Having said that, Sun Tiecheng clasped his fists together, and left with the bamboo shoots.

Xu Han looked at Fan Zhongfu and smiled: "Now it's just the two of us left."

Fan Zhongfu knelt and kowtowed, repeatedly pleading: "Spare me, elder! I never meant to offend you. I'm here to find Qiu Zhiheng. I've been in Medicine King Valley for a long time but dared not approach him just to avoid offending you.