The Legend of the Condor Heroes: From Being Expelled from Peach Blossom Island

Chapter 198 Oath
As soon as Niu Wanrou spoke, Yan Chunyu instantly realized what was happening and turned to look at Wu Chengyu.

"Didn't you say you were very close to my older sister and the others? How come my older sister doesn't recognize you?"

Wu Chengyu had long expected this to happen. Anyone whose body shape changes drastically will also have a change in temperament. Fortunately, his facial features did not change much, so Sister Niu only did not recognize him at first glance.

But he wasn't flustered at all; he knew that Sister Niu couldn't possibly not recognize him.

Just as Yan Chunyu was questioning, Old Man Liang was on guard, and Wu Chengyu was maintaining a smile, Niu Wanrou suddenly burst into laughter. She pushed Yan Chunyu away, ran to Wu Chengyu, and hugged her tightly.

"Good brother, how come you've suddenly become so thin? You used to have such a good figure, I almost didn't recognize you."

Almost half a year has passed since we parted in Suzhou. I've thought of you every day, not knowing whether you were alive or dead. Now that I see you, I'm relieved.

As she spoke, she took two steps back, raised her remaining left hand, and slapped it heavily on Wu Chengyu's shoulder.

Wu Chengyu knew that this was Sister Niu's usual way of greeting him, only now she was using her left hand.

The slap came down hard, but there wasn't even a proper slapping sound, as if Sister Niu's hand had been subjected to force the moment it touched Wu Chengyu.

Wu Chengyu no longer transmitted Sister Niu's strength to his feet as before, and not a speck of dust was stirred up on the ground.

Sister Niu was somewhat surprised. In the past, Wu Chengyu would have easily taken her slap, but never so casually as now.

"Good brother, I was worried because you're so thin. But I didn't expect you to be stronger than before. That's good. I was afraid you had gotten hurt."

"Sister, this isn't the place to talk. Let's go inside first."

"Yes, yes, yes, come in with me quickly. Your Brother Lu is still inside. He will be very happy to see you."

Sister Niu held onto Wu Chengyu with her only remaining left hand, completely forgetting about her younger sister whom she used to care about the most. This made Yan Chunyu a little jealous, but at the same time, she was greatly relieved. As long as she wasn't an enemy, that was fine. However, she became even more curious about Wu Chengyu's identity.

The courtyard had two sections. Just as they reached the backyard, Niu Wanrou shouted, "Old Lu, come out quickly, look who's here!"

His loud voice made the window frame tremble slightly. Lu Zhiyi pushed the door open and went out. When he saw Wu Chengyu for the first time, he was stunned, and then he immediately became excited. He was always more observant than Sister Niu. He was just wondering about Wu Chengyu's current figure, but he recognized her at first glance.

Lu Zhiyi took a few quick steps and hugged Wu Chengyu tightly, his heart filled with indescribable excitement.

“Brother Chengyu, it’s great to finally see you. After the incident in Hangzhou, I searched everywhere for your whereabouts, but I couldn’t find any clues. I was afraid that something might happen to you, and then my Yue Family Army would never be able to repay the kindness you owed me.”

With Lu Zhiyi were several other people, all descendants of Yue Fei's army whom Wu Chengyu had met. These people rushed forward and surrounded Wu Chengyu. Everyone was very excited, and their eyes were full of gratitude, respect and enthusiasm when they looked at Wu Chengyu.

The Yue Family Army felt as if they had met real family members; it was not only a long-awaited reunion, but also a feeling of blood connection.

Only Yan Chunyu and Old Man Liang on the side were unaware of what was going on. Yan Chunyu had some vague guesses, but dared not believe them. Her brows were furrowed and her eyes were slightly dazed.

As Lu Zhiyi pulled Wu Chengyu into the house, he said, "Come in, come in quickly. I have a lot to ask you. I can't sleep at night until I get to the bottom of these things." After everyone entered the house, Yan Chunyu quietly came to Niu Wanrou's side, reached out and tugged at Niu Wanrou's arm, and asked softly.

"Big sister, who exactly is this Brother Wu? Why do you all seem to treat him with such great respect?"

Niu Wanrou turned to look at her and suddenly laughed: "Xiaoyu, when I came to Shaanxi, you had already gone to Hebei. But I heard that you regarded the righteous man who killed Shi Miyuan as your brother of righteousness and vowed to repay him with your body. Is that true?"

Yan Chunyu felt somewhat embarrassed after hearing this, but Niu Wanrou's next words were like a bolt from the blue.

Sister Niu pointed at Wu Chengyu and said, "Look, your destined husband has arrived."

Yan Chunyu's mind went blank. After standing there for a long time, she finally understood what Sister Niu meant: "Sister, he, he is Brother Renyi?"

“That’s right. Back then, it was my brother who was afraid that we would die in vain, so he made a promise that he would kill Shi Miyuan within a month. You know what happened after that. In just over twenty days, news came that an old friend from the dilapidated temple had killed Shi Miyuan at Langdang Ridge.”

Thinking of the past, Sister Niu's eyes became somewhat misty: "Back then, we met Brother Chengyu in a dilapidated temple. He was only ten years old at the time, but he saved our lives at the critical moment. Who could have imagined that a few years later, he would become the great benefactor of all the descendants of Yue Fei's army?"

Just as Yan Chunyu was still struggling with her thoughts, unsure how to get along with Wu Chengyu, she saw Lu Zhiyi pull Wu Chengyu to the seat of honor, then step back a few paces and line up with Yue Family Army and others, all kneeling on one knee to pay their respects.

Yan Chunyu was startled and, without thinking, quickly joined in.

Wu Chengyu hurriedly stood up and tried to help Lu Zhiyi up, but Lu Zhiyi and the others refused to let him and insisted on completing the formal ceremony.

"Brother Chengyu, you assassinated the treacherous minister Shi Miyuan, avenging Marshal Yue and us. Your loyalty and righteousness are as clear as the sun and moon."

This kindness and virtue are deeply appreciated by the entire Yue Family Army. You are our greatest benefactor. From this day forward, all descendants of the Yue Family Army will follow your lead and obey your commands without question, even unto death. If we break this oath, may we be condemned by gods and men, and punished by heaven and earth.

"Brothers and sisters, you absolutely mustn't do that."

Sister Niu cried out, “Brother, do not refuse. This is a vow made by all of us descendants of Yue Fei’s army. As long as you kill Shi Miyuan, you will be our leader. No matter what you do in the future, whether you rebel or become emperor, we will follow you through fire and water.”

Yan Chunyu, who was standing next to her, finally realized what was happening. She clasped her hands together and bowed deeply.

"The Shaanxi Righteous Army is willing to acknowledge Master Wu as our righteous elder brother and leader, and will obey Master Wu's orders from now on."

Wu Chengyu had a headache. He really hadn't expected so many repercussions after killing Shi Miyuan, and he had no intention of winning people's hearts.

On the surface, Yue Fei's army and the rebel army have suddenly submitted to him as their masters. However, this represents both power and responsibility. Sometimes, it's better not to take on responsibility at all, because once you do, it means countless troubles.

Just when they were in a dilemma and didn't know how to react, Sister Niu, who is always straightforward, came to their rescue.

"Little Yu, why don't you just finish what you're saying? Didn't you say you'd repay me with your body?"

(End of this chapter)