CHAPTER 1052: CHAPTER 1049: THE SO-CALLED XIAO FAMILY?

When Lin Tian heard about the jumping nail bed, he immediately knew it was not something invented by modern people. The purpose of inventing the jumping nail bed was probably to punish those who broke family or gang rules.

The invention of the jumping nail bed likely had another purpose: to let heaven judge the punishment. If you jumped to a blank space, it meant heaven was giving you a chance to reform. If you stepped on the nails and bled, it meant even heaven wouldn’t forgive you.

In ancient times, there were many similar punishment rules, but Lin Tian felt it was too bizarre for modern society to still have such things.

"Zhao Xuehai might propose this test, maybe it’s related to a legendary story of the chamber of commerce," Miss Xiao said helplessly.

"What story?" Lin Tian asked curiously.

Miss Xiao organized her thoughts and said, "The chamber of commerce was established early on and went through chaotic times. Even in those unstable times, the trade between merchants could not be stopped, and wherever there was trade, there was territory."

"Just like today, merchants wanting to expand into new territories would inevitably encounter resistance from local indigenous forces. In those days, the clashes between merchants were not as civilized as they are now; they were very barbaric."

"Reportedly, a merchant with the last name Zhu got into conflict with the local indigenous merchant forces while expanding into a new market. Both sides suffered losses in open price wars and secret martial fights, and continuously doing so was clearly detrimental to both."

"Finally, the Zhu merchant negotiated with the indigenous merchants, leaving the decision to heaven, challenging them to jump the nail bed. If he could safely get through it, he could continue to develop locally. As luck would have it, the Zhu merchant won, and the local indigenous merchants had no choice but to acknowledge him."

"It seems Zhao Xuehai wants to test us on the nail bed in order to emulate the predecessors," Miss Xiao said, looking at Lin Tian.

Lin Tian snorted softly and said, "After all, it’s modern society, still playing with such things is really bizarre."

Miss Xiao shook her head and said, "Don’t some big families still retain ancient family rules? You’ve stayed in the Yun Family long enough; you should have witnessed it."

Lin Tian thought of the Yun Family’s family rules and was at a loss for words. The bigger the family, the more traditional their thoughts, regardless if it matched the new trends.

"Lin Tian, Xiao Manxue, do you accept?" Zhao Xuehai asked loudly.

"Lin Tian, you should think this through, about the harm if you fail this test," Mr. Yun said with a frown, implying he didn’t support Lin Tian and Xiao Manxue accepting this challenge.

Lin Tian was fully aware that failing the challenge meant having nails pierce his feet or, more severely, falling bodily onto the nails, a grisly scene.

"Sister, let’s not do it. At worst, we won’t become president; I want to see who dares to bully the Xiao Family," Xiao Manxuan wanted to stop Miss Xiao from accepting the test.

"Accept, why not? We accept the challenge," Lin Tian winked at Xiao Manxuan, then declared loudly. Let alone a nail bed, he’d traverse even mountains of knives and seas of fire. If he didn’t show prowess, these old men would think the Xiao Family was easy to bully.

Xiao Manxuan felt a surge of anxiety, but remembering Lin Tian’s earlier wink, she said nothing. She trusted Lin Tian greatly, but her heart was still uneasy, as it was flesh and blood against sharp nails, the thought sending chills down her spine.

Zhao Xuehai’s eyes flashed with a cunning light, he said with a seemingly smiling expression, "Lin Tian, I know you’re impressive, intelligent, and resourceful, passing two challenges in a row, but you must understand that you’re merely assisting. The one who must be president is Xiao Manxue. If she doesn’t personally pass a challenge, can she convince the three of us and earn the respect of everyone present?"

Lin Tian narrowed his eyes, staring at Zhao Xuehai and his group, sneering, "Zhao Xuehai, do you find it highly satisfying to bully women?"

Lin Tian addressed Zhao Xuehai by name, now angry that these old folks would let Miss Xiao, a woman, jump the nail bed. They had no old face to spare!

Miss Xiao, though an Ancient Martial Artist, wasn’t impervious to weapons; stepping on a nail would surely injure her. Lin Tian planned to easily pass this trial, but who knew Zhao Xuehai would make a woman take on the challenge!

The Zhao Family was being obstinate, with their pharmaceutical market hit, instead of improving themselves to regain the market, they focused on oppressing others—bully business tactics and stifling new things.

"Lin Tian, how dare you call my father by name?" Boss Zhao stood up immediately, his face full of anger, harshly accusing him.

Lin Tian looked at Boss Zhao and said coldly, "What’s wrong with calling you by name? Your Zhao Family doesn’t even care about face, always targeting a woman!"

"Lin Tian, calm down..." Miss Xiao held Lin Tian’s arm, speaking softly.

On one hand, she was moved by Lin Tian standing up for her, yet she feared he would indiscriminately go on a killing spree in anger. Miss Xiao knew Lin Tian well; when he’s angry, he could act without any scruples.

Lin Tian patted Miss Xiao’s hand and said, "Miss, some things can be endured, but even endurance has a limit. The Zhao Family has broken my limit; such aggressive behavior, we do not need to endure anymore!"

Miss Xiao looked at Lin Tian’s cold demeanor, her eyes softening. This Lin Tian seemed like a mountain, blocking the wind and rain. She knew continuous conceding would only lead to contempt from others, so she decided to remain silent.

Lin Tian turned to face Zhao Xuehai and Boss Zhao again, saying coolly, "You want to play, is it? I, Lin Tian, will truly accompany you to the end. Today I say it, whether Miss becomes president or not, our issue with the Zhao Family is not over!"

Zhao Xuehai looked dismissive and said coldly, "A little Xiao Family, what do you have to hold a grudge with my Zhao Family? It’s utterly ridiculous."

"Is that so? Perhaps you forgot how I cured Mr. Yun. The Xiao Family’s healing prescription is nothing but the most basic to me. I can bring out better ones; let’s see if Zhao Family can remain so arrogant then!" Lin Tian retorted coldly.

These words awoke all the businessmen, realizing Lin Tian was indeed a master of unsurpassed medical skill, having cured even Mr. Yun. It wasn’t surprising he had better prescriptions. They started looking at the Zhao Family with sympathy. Of all people to cross, crossing a master of medicine was asking for trouble!

Zhao Xuehai certainly remembered Lin Tian’s medical skills, his face turning ugly. One prescription already posed a threat to the Zhao Family, a few more and their medicines wouldn’t sell.

But matters had escalated, and there was no turning back. Zhao Xuehai couldn’t swallow his pride to apologize to these two young people.

He said expressionlessly, "Miss Xiao, do you accept or not? If not, the first two challenges are nullified, and you don’t qualify to become the new president."

Miss Xiao frowned. This kind of challenge couldn’t use Ancient Martial skills; however skilled, it was useless. It all depended on luck.