Chapter 24: This Isn’t What the Script Said

Chen Zheng gently opened the small cloth bag. The moment the aroma hit his nose, he already had a strong suspicion of what was inside. As he opened the bag, his guess was confirmed, and he couldn't help but be shocked.

**Ginseng!**

Though he couldn't determine the exact age of the ginseng by just looking at it, Chen Zheng could tell from its size and weight that it was certainly of considerable age. He had once read an article that claimed a ginseng root that weighed 75.8 grams had been harvested after about a thousand years of growth. This one appeared to weigh at least 60 to 70 grams, meaning it must have been at least five hundred years old. While there could be some variation depending on the species, the age of the ginseng was definitely considerable.

Chen Zheng's excitement grew as he held the root in his hand. Ginseng was a prized medicinal herb known for replenishing vital energy and strengthening the body's weak points—precisely what a martial artist like him would need. Chen Zheng was acutely aware of the internal injuries he had sustained in the earlier fight, especially after being struck multiple times by wooden sticks. His body was stiff and aching, and he could feel the deep bruises and internal damage. If these injuries weren't properly treated, they could hinder his future martial arts development. But with this ginseng, his chances of healing those hidden injuries increased significantly.

At that moment, it dawned on him why those three Westerners had been so eager to attack him. While part of it might have been due to his own attitude, the main reason was likely the ginseng. This root wasn't just a random item—it had great value. A ginseng this old could easily be worth a fortune, and even martial artists who had reached a high level of cultivation couldn't ignore it. The three Westerners likely recognized its worth and knew it had to be obtained at any cost.

Just as Chen Zheng was lost in thought, a sudden rustling sound from behind snapped him back to reality. Before he could react, he instinctively ducked his head and turned around.

It was one of the Westerners, a man who had been knocked out earlier by the Boxer Rebellion forces. He was now holding a wooden stick, clearly preparing to strike. If Chen Zheng hadn't moved quickly, the blow would have landed directly on the back of his head.

The man was taken aback by Chen Zheng's quick response, and his expression shifted from surprise to fear. He clearly recognized the power of Chen Zheng's martial arts.

Another Western man, holding a knife in one hand and a wooden stick in the other, stood a little further away, warily watching Chen Zheng.

"*Tch!*" Chen Zheng growled in anger. Without hesitation, he kicked the man who was still standing in front of him, sending him flying. 

Chen Zheng couldn't believe this was happening. He had just saved them, and now they were turning on him? In movies or novels, the people you helped were supposed to be grateful, not attack you without reason.

The situation wasn't playing out as he expected. Chen Zheng had hoped that after saving them from the Boxer Rebellion, the Westerners might be grateful, and he could even use his knowledge of modern times to strike up a business partnership with them. A partnership like that could potentially bring in profits, and the fact that they were foreign could open many doors.

But reality was far crueler than fiction. Instead of gratitude, they chose to attack. They weren't even considering the possibility of cooperation. All they saw was the ginseng, and that was what they wanted.

Still, Chen Zheng didn't hold back. His body was filled with a murderous aura from the previous fight, and seeing their treachery fueled his anger even more. His eyes narrowed, filled with killing intent, and he didn't hesitate to strike with everything he had. The kick he delivered was full force, and the man was knocked unconscious immediately.

"You speak English!" Chen Zheng spoke, his voice cold. 

The other two men were startled when they heard him speak English fluently. They exchanged nervous glances.

"*Tch*, now you'll tell me why you're trying to kill me," Chen Zheng said, his tone ominous. As he glanced at their eyes fixating on the ginseng, he had a rough idea of what was going on. They weren't after him personally—they were after the precious root in his hand.

"That thing you're holding is the property of the British Empire. Hand it over now, or our warships will hunt you down!" one of the men said, his voice full of arrogance and confidence as the fear in his eyes slowly disappeared. He now looked down on Chen Zheng, no longer feeling threatened.

Chen Zheng sneered, his disgust evident. He hated that condescending attitude, the same one that all Westerners seemed to have when dealing with Chinese people. He walked toward the man without hesitation, and the man stepped back, clearly afraid.

"*Stop! Hand it over!*" the man shouted, his voice filled with urgency.

To Chen Zheng's surprise, the woman among the group picked up a handgun that had been dropped earlier. Despite her torn and ragged clothes, she held the gun steady, pointing it directly at Chen Zheng. 

The sight of a gun aimed at him caused Chen Zheng to pause. He had never been in such a situation before, and his body tensed up. This night had been full of firsts for him, and he wasn't sure how to deal with it. His eyes locked onto the gun, every muscle in his body prepared for action.

"This thing is the property of the British Empire," the man continued, his voice dripping with superiority. "You yellow-skinned pigs have no right to steal from us!"

The woman licked her lips, her eyes running over Chen Zheng's muscular form. "No, I want him alive. This one is strong, unlike the others. I'll take him as my slave," she purred, a sickening smile on her face.

The man seemed to consider her request before sighing in agreement. "Fine, take him if you want. But you know what to do—get the ginseng and make sure he doesn't escape."

"Put the ginseng down! Step back!" the man shouted at Chen Zheng, his voice growing more desperate.

Chen Zheng's mind raced. Though the gun might be unloaded, he wasn't willing to gamble. However, in his heart, he knew these two would have to die—especially the woman. She couldn't be allowed to live after threatening him like that.

Without hesitation, Chen Zheng tossed the ginseng toward the woman, hoping to create an opening. The man rushed forward to catch it, placing himself directly between Chen Zheng and the gun.

This was the moment Chen Zheng had been waiting for. With a powerful stomp on the ground, he surged forward like an arrow, aiming for the man's heart. His punch landed with tremendous force, targeting the man's heart. While it might not have been as lethal as a strike to the stomach, it would be enough to stop his heart, causing immediate cardiac arrest.

At the same time, Chen Zheng drove his body into the man, using him as a shield to charge directly at the woman. The woman, startled by the sudden attack, dropped the gun as Chen Zheng slammed into her. 

The gun clattered to the ground as Chen Zheng knocked the woman off her feet. The fight wasn't over yet, but Chen Zheng knew this would be a decisive moment.