Nine Chapters of Strange Cases

Chapter 36 The Arrow of Sneak Attack (Seeking First Subscription)

Standing below the platform, Liu Huang was terrified. He leaped upwards and caught two arrows with his bare hands, one on each side. The arrow shafts instantly chafed his palms, drawing blood. The remaining arrow was already close to Zhou Zhao.

"Zhou Zhao!"

Liu Huang shouted, only to see that the two on the stage had stopped fighting.

The tall and burly Zhu Wu was held in Zhou Zhao's hand, with a feathered arrow stuck in the center of his hair bun, its fletching trembling violently.

Silence fell all around, followed by a heavy thud as Zhu Wu's iron hammer slammed to the ground.

His face was contorted, and although there was no blood on his body, he looked as if he were enduring the pain of being pierced by a thousand arrows, and his eyes were somewhat unfocused.

Zhou Zhao loosened his grip, and Zhu Wu collapsed to the ground like a pile of rotten flesh.

"The girl is so young, it's too cruel of her to do such a thing."

Because someone was carrying a flower flag, a large crowd had already gathered in front of the village gate, almost completely blocking the entrance. Hearing this, the crowd spontaneously parted to make way for them.

Zhou Zhao then saw clearly that the person carrying the large bow was a man of about forty years old. He had a yellow beard and droopy eyelids, and looked like he had been studying hard last night.

At his waist hung a piece of green jade with the character "成" (chéng) engraved in seal script.

"Isn't it said that life and death are the responsibility of the fighters on the stage? Zhu Wu doesn't have a single bloody hole on his body. The only thing that almost killed him was this arrow. How much strength can a little woman like me have? It'll only make him suffer for a few days."

Zhou Zhao spoke calmly, nodding to Sun Youshan beside the yellow-bearded man.

The skinny monkey who had been seen eating meat pies in the shadows last night was also there. He was still following Sun Youshan closely. Zhou Zhao noticed that he also had a jade pendant with the character "Cheng" engraved on it hanging from his waist.

Upon hearing this, Sun Youshan couldn't help but glance at Zhu Wu on the stage, who, though not dead, longed to die, and then looked at Zhou Zhao with an exceptionally complicated expression.

This doesn't look like someone who's been in pain for several days!

Although none of the moves are fatal, each one is excruciatingly painful.

“Miss Zhou, we meet again. I never imagined that your words last night would come true, and that we would indeed become brothers in Tiandou Village in the future. Zhu Wu was the one who offended us last night, and you have gotten your revenge today. From now on, let’s eat and drink soup together and not hold grudges.”

"Brother Cheng, since this Miss Zhou defeated Zhu Wu and took the flag, then it is up to us to fight against the heavens. She is the one who injured Zhu Wu, so why don't we have her come with me to work for Zhu Wu for the next few days?"

Brother Cheng stroked his yellow beard and waved his hand dismissively, "It's a small matter, you decide. Let's go in, don't keep the chieftain waiting."

Sun Youshan nodded, winked at Han Dashan in the crowd, and then followed Brother Cheng into the village.

As soon as they left, the crowd suddenly became lively.

Zhu Wu's gang glared at Zhou Zhao, then carried him off the stage. Han Dashan watched, nodded disdainfully in that direction, and led a group of people to Zhou Zhao.

"Zhou Zhao, you're really amazing! Calling you 'Miss' feels like underestimating you. From now on, we're brothers, so just call me Han Dashan! Zhu Wu has ruined countless girls and killed countless people; he definitely deserves to be taught a lesson!"

"But he has an older brother who is a favorite of Brother Cheng. He is not in the city now. When he comes back, he will probably cause you trouble."

"But you don't need to worry. The fact that Brother Sun took the initiative to ask for you means that you've caught his eye."

As Han Dashan spoke, he mimicked Zhou Zhao's previous moves a few times, "I saw that Zhu Wu was in so much pain, and you mentioned bones earlier, so you didn't break all his bones, did you?"

He glanced tentatively at Zhou Zhao, then gave a thumbs-up to Liu Huang standing below the arena. "This young man is also impressive. Our Second Brother Cheng is famous for his unparalleled archery skills, and this is the first time someone has caught his arrow with their bare hands!" "This is my elder brother, Huang. Today, my brother and I have joined Tiandou Village, and from now on, we will be brothers who will go through thick and thin together!"

Zhou Zhao changed the subject, took out a piece of silver from his sleeve pocket, and said, "My brother and I are new here and don't know where to get some wine. We would appreciate it if Brother Han could give us directions so that my sister can get to know you brothers over some drinks."

Han Dashan's eyes instantly lit up with a genuine smile!

Good riddance, Sudhana! Even better, he'd treat people to drinks!

Not only him, but the other underlings of Han Dashan who remained also cheered. One of the boys, whose eyes darted around, raised his hand and shouted, "Give it to me! Why does Sister Zhao need to go get the wine? I'll go! I know the way!"

Han Dashan glared at the man and burst out laughing, "Pi Jiang, you're just being opportunistic and trying to curry favor with Sister Zhao!"

Han Dashan and Zhu Wu had fought many times before, and the two were evenly matched. Zhu Wu was beaten to a pulp, while Han Dashan would have been utterly humiliated! He was a man who knew how to be pragmatic. He recognized that Zhou Zhao was a tough nut to crack and clearly not someone to be trifled with.

If you don't call her Sister Zhao willingly today, you'll be forced to drink water and still have to call her Sister Zhao tomorrow!
"What are you all standing there for? Sister Zhao is treating everyone to drinks, and I, Old Han, can't be stingy since I won money today. I'll treat everyone to meat. Let's head to the roast lamb shop!"

The crowd cheered again.

The roasted mutton shop was located diagonally opposite Tiandou Village. The owner was a beautiful woman. Han Dashan and the others were obviously regulars, and without even greeting them, they led Zhou Zhao and Liu Huang directly upstairs.

After a few drinks, the atmosphere quickly became more relaxed and familiar.

Sitting next to Zhou Zhao, Liu Huang watched her mingle with those people and wished he could disappear into Zhou Zhao's hair.

Zhou Zhao is simply terrifying.

Unlike him, who only dares to talk to the dead.

"Brother Han, we siblings are new here and don't know anything! Tell us who the leaders are in Tiandou Village, who their enemies are, and what they do on a daily basis, so that we won't end up like family members who don't recognize each other!"

Han Dashan, slightly tipsy, said enthusiastically, "Our Tian Dou Village chief is named Cheng Yuyuan, the only female chief of the Xuanwu Hall. She has two leaders under her: one is Cheng Ming, formerly known as Second Brother Cheng, and the other is Sun Youshan, Third Brother Sun."

"See that skinny monkey next to Brother Sun? The brothers all call him 'Divine Monkey.' His name is Cheng Dong, and he's the brother of Brother Cheng. They came to Tianying City with the chieftain. They used to be servants in Chief Cheng's household. What do you nobles call them again? Retainers!"

"Besides these few, there are two others you absolutely cannot offend. One is named Li Zhan, the chieftain's husband, and the other is Xie Si, hehehe..."

When Han Dashan mentioned this name, a hint of disdain appeared on his face. "That Xie Si is very close to the chieftain. The two of them also entered the city with the chieftain."

Xie Si?

Zhou Zhao thought of the woodcutter whose body was covered in burn scars... She was lucky to have found a good place to stay!

Han Dashan lowered his voice and said, "Brother Zhou Zhao, you've come at just the right time! The old leader of the Xuanwu Hall is about to step down, and the new leader will be chosen from among the leaders of the three northern strongholds. We are the most favored to become the leader! The swindlers of Tiannv Village and the cowards of Tianxu Village are no match for us!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a mocking laugh came from the next room.

"Han Dashan, aren't you afraid of biting your tongue in the wind? Your village chief is busy feeding her child who's been dead for years and has now given birth to green hair!"

"Why haven't you heard her crying these past few days? My child... my child... who stole my child..."

(End of this chapter)