The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 114 Wu Song Fights Ximen, Second Sister's Eyes Are Sour

But then we saw Sun Erniang, covered in dust and exuding a fierce aura, leading the charge and running wildly, her legs swinging as if flying.

Zhang Qing and Wu Song pursued closely, one after the other, their feet barely touching the ground. The three of them kept walking, and before long, they bumped into the mansion of the wealthy Ximen.

Two towering vermilion doors loomed overhead, their brass studs, each the size of a bowl, gleaming with dazzling golden light under the setting sun, making one's eyes dazzle!

A pair of white marble lions crouched in front of the gate, polished to a glossy sheen, looking almost alive, baring their teeth and claws, ferocious enough to devour people! The cracks in the jade were clearly soaked with sesame oil, suggesting that they were carefully tended daily with a fine boar bristle brush dipped in sesame oil to achieve such a smooth and lustrous appearance, exuding an air of wealth and extravagance. Even the stone lions seemed to radiate the arrogance and debauchery of the privileged.

The walls were towering, built of blue bricks to the top, dense and impenetrable. Inside, flying eaves and bracket sets layered upon each other, carved beams and painted rafters hidden among the flowers and trees, and pavilions and towers, looming indistinctly, stretched as far as the eye could see! Seven in and seven out? Even that would be considered too stingy! What a deep and oppressive den of iniquity!

"Holy crap! This bird feather is so precious! I wouldn't even use sesame oil when making human flesh buns, and this guy uses it to clean stone lions?" It felt like she'd been punched in the chest. Her slanted eyes suddenly ignited with two eerie green flames, and her heart pounded like a drum, making her ears ring!

How much gold and silver must this be? How many silks and satins piled up like mountains? Where is the storehouse hidden in the warm pavilion? How many guards are there? These thoughts, like weeds, grew wildly in her heart! She subconsciously stuck out her scarlet tongue and licked her dry, chapped lips, a gurgling sound coming from her throat—how many human skins must have been peeled off, how many pounds of human flesh chopped, how many steamers of "good snacks" must have been steamed to exchange for this enormous amount of silver? A filthy greed mixed with the stench of blood rushed straight to the top of her head.

Zhang Qing was also shocked by the extravagance, but he was a calculating man after all. His thieving eyes, like a snake's forked tongue, repeatedly swept over the high walls, the tightly closed vermilion doors, and the vaguely moving figures of the servants inside the gatehouse, weighing the pros and cons.

Sun Erniang jabbed Zhang Qing hard in the ribs, her chin jutting out towards Ximen Fu so hard it almost dislocated, a silent smile spreading across her lips, her eyes burning with a intensity that could melt gold! The meaning couldn't be clearer: Fat sheep! The number one deal in the world!

Zhang Qing and she had known each other for many years. When their eyes met, it was like dry tinder meeting a spark. They understood each other perfectly, nodded slightly, and exchanged glances, thus completing their exchange.

One person said: "Now that the Wu brothers are seeking revenge, it's the perfect time to fish in troubled waters and take advantage of their misfortune..."

The other man's eyes were like poisoned needles as he quickly replied: Stay calm! Observe the situation and act accordingly!

But at that moment, the vermilion gate creaked open from the inside.

A group of servants in blue robes and small caps filed out, standing on both sides with their hands at their sides. Leading the way was none other than Ximen Qing, the great official. He was dressed in a fashionable brocade robe, with a jade belt around his waist, and a golden crown on his head that shone brightly in the sun. He was a truly handsome and dashing man.

Sun Erniang immediately spotted the most glamorous person in the crowd, surrounded by admirers like a star. Who was beside him was long forgotten! What she hated most in her life were these slick, handsome young men who used their good looks to seduce women! Plus, with so much wealth, capturing him and tying him up would mean a fortune in his hands. Her overwhelming greed and bandit-like ferocity instantly erupted!
"Hey! You dog Ximen Qing!" Sun Erniang's shrill, ear-piercing shout, like the hooting of an owl, made the air in front of the door freeze! Before her words had even finished, she had already leaped out like a mother leopard, her five fingers forming claws, bringing a stench of blood, aiming straight for Ximen Qing's handsome yet repulsive face! Her goal was clear—to tear off this face to vent her anger!

As Master Ximen was fiddling with the silver in his hand, in a flash, his fingers rubbed the silver together, and his wrist spun around!

"laugh!"

A streak of silver light, accompanied by a sharp whooshing sound, flew as fast as lightning straight toward Sun Erniang's face!
Sun Erniang's pupils suddenly contracted! She hadn't expected Ximen Qing to have this trick up his sleeve, and couldn't even see what kind of hidden weapon it was. In haste, she could only abruptly stop her attack and jerk her head to the side. The piece of silver whistled past her ear, still vibrating with a buzzing sound!
"You son of a bitch! You damned scoundrel! How dare you plot against me!" Sun Erniang broke out in a cold sweat, filled with shame and rage. Her eyes, like those of a shrew, were bloodshot with hatred as she flew into a rage! She landed unsteadily, stumbled, and as soon as she regained her footing, she lunged forward again, her claws clenched as if she wanted to devour Ximen Qing alive and tear him apart to vent her anger!
Seeing his wife suffer a hidden loss, Zhang Qing felt a pang of anxiety. Without thinking twice, he rushed forward, moving like a weasel stealing a chicken, and silently pounced on Ximen Qing's flank, intending to launch a pincer attack.

"Don't you dare hurt my junior brother!" A clear and sharp shout rang out! The young Yue Fei reacted with incredible speed. The instant Zhang Qing moved, he stepped forward like a nimble ape, blocking Zhang Qing, Sun Erniang, and Ximen Qing perfectly.

His right hand shot out with lightning speed, grabbing a long staff that reached his eyebrows from a nearby servant. With a mere flick of his wrist, a crisp "snap!" rang out! The supple staff seemed to come alive instantly, transforming into a cunning serpent. Though lacking sharpness, it moved with unparalleled precision, striking left and right, aimed at Zhang Qing's outstretched wrist and the numb tendons of Sun Erniang's elbow as she prepared to grab it! The staff technique was swift and cunning, possessing a skillful blend of strength and flexibility, not aiming for immediate injury, but simply to block her path!

Zhang Qing and Sun Erniang never expected that this young man would be so slippery and cunning! Startled, they both withdrew their hands and took a step back. Their fierce attack was actually stopped by this seemingly light but actually powerful strike!

A true expert's skill is immediately apparent. The wind generated by that stick carried a menacing aura!
Zhang Qing and Sun Erniang exchanged glances, a hint of shock flashing in each other's eyes! This young man... what superb skills! I'm afraid... I'm afraid even if my husband and I were tied together, we might not be able to gain the upper hand against him!

At this moment, Wu Song arrived and saw that Zhang Qing and Sun Erniang, who were avenging him, were being stopped by a young man. A little drunk, his anger flared even more. He glanced at Ximen Qing, and no one else mattered. He suddenly ducked down, and his other iron fist, as big as a vinegar jar, was already filled with the brute force to split rocks. With a gust of blood, he aimed at Ximen Qing's fair face and smashed it hard!
However, this time, his fist failed to reach Ximen Qing.

A large, well-defined, and powerful hand appeared out of thin air and gently placed itself on Wu Song's wrist. With a seemingly casual flick, a gentle yet overwhelming force surged forth, like a clay ox sinking into the sea, silently and effortlessly dissipating Wu Song's powerful, earth-shattering fist!

Wu Song felt as if he possessed the strength to shake a tiger, crashing into an unfathomable abyss without even causing a ripple! A chill shot up from his tailbone to the top of his head! He was terrified and looked up sharply, trying to see who was blocking his way.

Before him stood an old man, his face withered and serene, his eyes as deep and unfathomable as an ancient well. The effortless way he had neutralized the powerful punch was as easy as brushing a speck of dust off his clothes.

"It's...it's you, sir?!" The fury on Wu Song's face, which had been so intense it could burn through the rafters, vanished in an instant, leaving only shock and disbelief! The raging fire that seemed to want to consume everything was extinguished as if a bucket of ice-cold well water had been poured over his head, with a "sizzle" and not even a wisp of smoke!
This old man was none other than Zhou Tong, the old martial arts instructor who had once given him a few pointers on martial arts on the street but refused to take him on as a disciple because he thought Zhou was too wild!
"thump!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Wu Song's knees buckled, and he knelt heavily on the ground, bowing his head deeply. His voice was filled with unprecedented fear and respect: "Master...Master! Your disciple Wu Song was reckless! I had no idea that you were here! I have offended your esteemed presence and deserve to die!" He was filled with remorse and was so focused on seeking revenge that he had completely failed to notice that his master was also present.

The couple standing next to him, Zhang Qing and Sun Erniang, stared intently at the old man with white hair and beard, their faces turning pale with shock, as if they had seen a living ghost in broad daylight.

This couple ran a shady inn in Shili Slope, where they'd skinned people and removed bones—what bloody deeds hadn't they seen? Their eyes were sharp and ruthless. But when they saw Wu Er kneeling upright before the old man like a dutiful son and grandson, not daring to even lift his eyelids, the couple knew something was wrong—this old man was no ordinary person!

The two quickly feinted an attack, and seeing the wolf-like servants of the Ximen mansion closing in, they swiftly jumped out of the circle of fighting with young Yue Fei. Sun Erniang shouted in a shrill voice, "Brother Wu, get out of here!" Before her words even finished, the couple had already darted back more than ten feet like cats. They pressed their backs against the wall, their four eyes darting around, their muscles tense, intently watching the action unfold.

"Don't call me master. I already said that day that our master-disciple relationship is shallow." Zhou Tong looked at Wu Song kneeling in front of him, his brows furrowed, and said in a deep voice, "Also, what is the purpose of your rage?"

Wu Song dared not get up and remained kneeling. Suddenly, he raised his hand and pointed at Ximen Qing, accusing him with grief and indignation: "Senior Master Zhou, please forgive me! This Ximen Qing is worse than a beast! He... he abused his power and forcibly took my elder brother's betrothed, Pan Jinlian! He has violated the moral order between my brother and sister-in-law!"

Upon hearing this, Ximen Da Guanren remained calm and unhurried. Instead, he flicked open the gold-flecked fan in his hand and leisurely chuckled as he used the breeze to say, "That lady from the Pan family was clearly a gift from Zhang Da Hou, who was grateful for my usual help. It's all in black and white, with a middleman's signature. How dare you slander me with your bare words?"

"Bullshit!" Wu Song roared in fury, almost jumping up again, the veins on his neck bulging. "That rich man Zhang has long since died, his bones have turned to ash! With no one to testify, you scoundrel can spout nonsense and turn black into white!"

The official chuckled lightly, "Although Master Zhang is gone, his widow, Madam Yu, is still alive! She can testify that this matter is absolutely true. Moreover," he paused, raising his voice slightly, "this matter can also be testified to by Commander He of this county! He was also present at the time, seeing and hearing it with his own eyes and ears! If you still don't believe it, bring every single steward, servant, and old woman in Master Zhang's mansion here and ask them! Let's see who dares to utter a single falsehood!"

These words were perfectly worded. After speaking, the official's tone suddenly became more serious, and he changed the subject: "Wu Song, you committed violence and injury without any evidence or evidence, based solely on conjecture. Do you have any regard for the law? If my master and senior brothers had not been here, wouldn't I have lost my life at your hands!"

what?
Master/Master?
On what grounds?
Wu Song felt as if he had been choked; his voice changed, and his jaw nearly dislocated and fell to the ground in shock! His whole body stiffened, and he even forgot to struggle, leaving only disbelief and horror in his eyes!

Zhou Tong spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but like a dull knife soaked in ice, each word chilling and piercing, striking Wu Song's heart clearly:
"Bastard thing!"

These four simple words carried immense weight, causing Wu Song's robust body to tremble violently, and his head to droop even lower.

"Do you still have even a shred of propriety or decorum in your eyes? Do you still have a trace of reverence for laws and ethics in your heart?" Zhou Tong's voice grew increasingly deep and cold. "That killing move just now, if I hadn't stopped you, you wretched creature, would you have wanted to show off your recklessness in broad daylight, in front of everyone, and kill him on the spot with a single punch without even asking what happened? Hmm?"

The last "hmm" was pronounced with a slight upward inflection, carrying a sense of questioning and disappointment.

The tone of disappointment was like being torn apart by a thousand knives, more painful than being whipped or beaten. Wu Song's iron fists gripped the cold ground so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Zhou Tong's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a knife, piercing through Wu Song's lowered head and striking deep into his soul: "Don't you know how much weight your fist carries? Shattering stones and breaking monuments, disemboweling people, are all trivial matters to you! If that punch had landed, would Qing Guan be alive right now? You, Wu Er, were only thinking of momentary pleasure, but did you ever consider the consequences? Indulging in your anger, did you ever consider the laws, moral principles, or human feelings even a fraction of what they meant?"

Wu Song knelt on the cold ground, feeling a chill, like a venomous snake, rush from his tailbone to the top of his head. The liquor in his stomach instantly turned into cold sweat, gushing out from every pore, soaking his skin-hugging shirt until it was sticky and glistening against his back.

Zhou Tong's voice suddenly rose, filled with a pained disappointment and an undeniable, thunderous power that made everyone's ears ring: "Wu Song! Your brute strength and ferocity are no different from those stupid scoundrels in the streets who throw tantrums and fight over trivial matters! You're nothing but a beast in human skin!"

"You think I only taught you martial arts when I saw your incredible strength, but refused to take you as a true disciple?" Zhou Tong's gaze was as sharp as a steel knife scraping bone, as if he wanted to peel away every last bit of skin covering Wu Song's body. "What I feared was that violent nature in your bones—you act without thinking, driven only by a surge of anger, and quick to take lives! Like a wild horse without a bridle, you don't know which way to go, only how to trample!"

Zhou Tong's voice was resolute, each word like a nail, piercing into Wu Song's heart: "What I feared most was this situation! I feared that with your skills, you would not only fail to become a chivalrous hero, but instead become a source of trouble and a murder weapon! What is the courage of a mere brute? You are nothing but a brute who invites ridicule!"

“Strength, if it is not restrained by a heart of benevolence and righteousness, and if it is not guided by a mind that can distinguish right from wrong, is like a flood that has burst its banks or a wild donkey that has broken free of its reins, harming both itself and others! If I had not been here today, you, Wu Er, would have been that flood! You would have been that wild donkey!”

"You kept saying you wanted to get justice for your older brother, and what was the result? Is justice this unreasonable? You didn't get justice, and you became a murderer yourself? Is this the 'justice' you've been longing for?!"

Every word Zhou Tong spoke was like a heavy drumstick, striking Wu Song's heart. He knelt there, his towering body trembling violently. His face first swelled up like a pig's liver, then drained of all color, turning ashen white as paper, and finally leaving only a deathly ashes of despair, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

His two iron fists were clenched tightly, his nails digging deep into his flesh, blood seeping from his palms and staining his knuckles red, but he was completely unaware of it. His master's words refuted his proud superhuman strength as utterly worthless, and stripped his seemingly fierce desire for revenge into nothing more than the foolishness of a brainless brute.

A surge of overwhelming regret, mixed with an unprecedented sense of bewilderment, engulfed him. He felt dizzy and the world was spinning, and even the bluestone slabs on the ground hurt his knees.

Ximen Qing stood in the shadow of the setting sun, a gold-flecked fan in his hand, which he casually waved. The breeze from the fan ruffled a few strands of hair at his temples, further emphasizing the ambiguous smile on his face, a picture of amiable gentleness. He began to speak slowly and deliberately:
“Master, please calm your anger. As the saying goes, ‘Forgive and forget.’ This Brother Wu is a man of courage and integrity, but he acted rashly. Now that he has bowed his head, he must be remorseful. Please, sir, show mercy and don’t kill him with one blow. I beg you to spare him this time.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Song felt a surge of warmth in his heart, as if boiling oil had been poured into a snowdrift. He had just suspected that this Master Ximen was a cunning and treacherous man, secretly plotting against him and causing trouble. Unexpectedly, he turned out to be a righteous and outspoken person who not only did not kick him when he was down but also offered help in his time of need!

I was truly blinded by greed, unable to recognize the true Buddha, like a blind man under a lamp mistaking Guanyin for a demon! At this thought, all the blood rushed to my head, and I hastily clasped my hands together, my throat choked with emotion: "Master Ximen! Thank you... thank you so much! This was my recklessness; I will surely repay you in the future!"

Zhou Tong was taken aback, thinking to himself, "I never said I was going to do anything to him, let alone kill him with a slap."

As soon as Ximen Qing finished speaking, with a flick of his wrist, he tightly closed the gold-flecked fan with a "whoosh," a smile appearing on his face. His flirtatious eyes, always adept at stealing glances, swept over everyone present, finally settling on Wu Song's face, and his tone abruptly changed:
"Since you've expressed your gratitude, then the word 'in the future' is unnecessary. The thanks will be given now. Also, there's this anger... well, let's just let it go for now. But you've frightened me, intimidated my delicate wives and maids, and tarnished my reputation. All the neighbors have seen it. These things, one by one, need to be resolved properly!"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

The scorching sun beat down on the bluestone pavement, steaming up a sweltering heat, thick with the smells of sweat and dust, which assaulted the nostrils. The onlookers, idlers, and even their own servants, all stood like clay figures, only daring to steal glances at the commotion out of the corner of their eyes, their minds racing with their own thoughts, but not one daring to utter a single sound.

The air was as thick as burnt paste on a sweltering summer day, sticky and suffocating, making it hard to breathe.

Master Zhou's throat tightened; this scene seemed familiar.

Suddenly, he felt as if someone had forced him to acknowledge a master by the neck, and even though he was experienced and highly respected, he felt his tongue go dry and could only swallow hard.

"Clap!"

The short stick in the hand of the young Yue Fei beside him was so startled that it slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground.

This scene looks so familiar! It seems like I've seen it somewhere before!
Unfortunately, Wu Song was a straightforward and honest man, completely oblivious to this convoluted and complicated situation. He believed that Ximen Qing's words were all reasonable, and that he himself had indeed made a grave mistake and deserved punishment. At that moment, his blood boiled, and he roared like a tiger, his voice ringing in everyone's ears.

"Enough! Enough! Enough! Since I, Wu Er, was wrong, I'll accept the beating and punishment! I'll return this punch to you!"

His voice was still swirling in the hot air when his fist, as hard as a vinegar pot, was clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked, creating a gust of evil wind! He wasn't hitting anyone else, but rather his own thick chest, pounding it with all his might! If this blow landed, even if he didn't die, he would be bedridden for months, unable to eat or drink anything.

Fortunately, Master Ximen was quick-witted and sharp-handed. He saw clearly and with just a slight flick of his wrist, a silver light shot out with a soft "whoosh" sound, hitting Wu Song's thick arm tendons squarely!
"Clang!"

An object fell to the ground, rolled a few times, and came to rest at the feet of Sun Erniang and Zhang Qing, who had quietly moved away.

Sun Erniang glanced down—whoosh! The hidden weapon was actually a small, snow-white, shiny piece of fine silver with sharp edges! It dazzled the eyes under the sun.

"My goodness!" Sun Erniang's big eyes widened, almost popping out of their sockets. She secretly stepped on the silver with her big feet, looked around, picked it up, and chewed it in her mouth. "My goodness, it really is silver!"

His mind was racing with calculations. "This Master Ximen actually uses this pile of silver as a weapon?! How much wealth and how much lucrative must that damned bastard have?! He's really obsessed with money! What else could he be but a scoundrel?"

The blow to Wu Song's arm left him feeling numb and sore, and the force instantly dissipated. He looked up in astonishment, his large, tiger-like eyes filled with confusion as he stared blankly at Ximen Qing: "You... what do you mean by this?"

Ximen Qing quickly unfolded his fan again, slowly waving it a few times, a slight smile playing on his lips:
"Captain Wu, hero Wu! Wait a minute! Your fist is precious. Wouldn't it be a pity if you hurt yourself? Besides..." He deliberately dragged out his words, his eyes flashing, "We haven't even settled the compensation accounts yet. If you just throw a punch like that, won't it make things even more complicated?"

Wu Song's thick eyebrows furrowed, and his deep voice boomed like thunder: "What? I punched you but it didn't land properly, and you were unharmed. Now I'm returning the favor with a full punch, and it doesn't count? What's wrong with you?"

“No, that’s not it,” Ximen Qing said, waving his fan more leisurely. “It’s just that the accounts aren’t settled yet. Wouldn’t you have taken that punch for nothing? You’ve paid back that punch, but I have more to offer! How will you pay me back?”

Wu Song was taken aback: "What do you mean by 'adding more'?"

The official laughed and said, "What if... I, Ximen Qing, were to take pity on you and give you another 'sister-in-law'?"

Then I'll give you a sister-in-law in return. He spoke the word "sister-in-law" so lightly and lightly, like a goose feather dipped in honey, scratching the most itchy spot in Wu Song's heart.

Wu Song was just gathering his strength when he was blocked and blocked by this man. He also heard this nonsensical nonsense. His heart full of grief, indignation and heroic courage was instantly frozen in mid-air, unable to go up or down.

His eyes widened, his thick eyebrows almost stood on end, and his once handsome face was now filled with utter bewilderment and confusion as he stared intently at Ximen Qing's face, which was so close yet so unfathomable, and his smile was almost palpable.
"Huh...what do you mean? Explain yourself!"

Ximen Qing smiled without saying a word, and deep within that smile seemed to lie countless winding, secluded paths, their depths unfathomable. The room was eerily quiet, everyone waiting for the great official Ximen to reveal his secret.

"So..." Ximen Qing finally spoke slowly, pointing the tip of his fan at Wu Song, "If I were to do a good deed, I would find ten or eight top-notch matchmakers for Wu Dalang, prepare an eight-bearer sedan chair, a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, and let your dear brother properly marry a wife. A woman of good character, from a scholarly family, with a large hip and a good figure, who will be well taken care of!"

"I guarantee that within a year or two, your Wu family will have more sons. From Wu San and Wu Si, you'll have Wu Ba, Wu Jiu, and Wu Shiyi! A bunch of little brats will surround you calling you 'Dear Uncle'... Wu Er, tell me, how are you going to thank me for this great gift? Just returning this punch to me... I'm afraid that's not enough, is it?"

Upon hearing Ximen Qing's words, Wu Song felt as if a bucket of boiling oil had been poured over his head, or as if a tangled mess had been stuffed into his heart. This large man stood there, motionless, like a clay or wooden sculpture, for a full half-cup of tea's time. His mind was filled with a myriad of thoughts.

His image of his older brother, Wu Dalang, flickered before his eyes—that short, stocky, wiry figure who carried a heavy load of steamed buns all day long, wandering the streets and alleys, enduring the scorn of scoundrels and the ridicule of idle men in the marketplace.

His brother's honest, timid demeanor, always shrinking back and yielding in the face of trouble, made him look like a frightened quail. Wu Song's heart clenched painfully. He had lost his parents at a young age, and it was his brother, Wu Da, who, with his frail shoulders, carried steamed buns, saving up one copper coin at a time, like a swallow carrying mud to raise his impetuous brother.

In the past few years, Wu Er only knew how to be fierce and violent, living a muddle-headed and troublesome life. Every time, wasn't it his older brother who shamelessly and cautiously apologized, even enduring beatings and kicks, kneeling on the ground and begging to clean up his mess? Hidden in his brother's cowardice was an immense debt of gratitude to him!
He had also made a difficult decision to save his salary to find a loving wife for his brother, so that the Wu family line could continue and his brother could have someone to rely on in his later years.

It's a pity that Wu Er, despite his great strength, was a reckless brute who lacked any sense of strategy. He had squandered his life in previous years, leaving him penniless. He had finally managed to get a job as a constable in Yanggu County, and had just saved a few taels of silver. Before he could even enjoy it, he lost his temper and, without thinking, punched the clerk, injuring him! Now, his fate was uncertain, and he was about to become a fugitive, fleeing from disaster!
Thinking of this, Wu Song felt as if a thousand-pound boulder was pressing down on his heart. His escape meant a long and uncertain journey, his fate unknown; he didn't know when he would see his poor brother again. Leaving him alone in Qinghe County, growing old and suffering bullying, his small figure appeared increasingly desolate and helpless in Wu Song's mind.

If... if it were really as this Mr. Ximen said? A grand sedan chair carried by eight men, a scholarly family, a fertile woman... wouldn't all the suffering my brother endured in his life be relieved in an instant?
The Wu family line continues, and incense smoke curls from the ancestral graves. Even if Wu Er were to die immediately, he could stand tall and have no regrets when he met his parents in the afterlife! This thought, once it arose, grew wildly like weeds. Then he thought of his nephews surrounding him, not just Wu San and Wu Si, but eagerly awaiting Wu Thirteen and Wu Fourteen.
"Enough! Enough! Enough!" Wu Song suddenly raised his head, clasped his hands in front of his chest, and spoke in a loud voice, carrying a hint of the straightforwardness and resignation of a commoner:

“Master Ximen! You are a man of skill and responsibility! I, Wu Er, understand what you have to say! Whatever you say, I will do! As long as my brother can have a safe place to live and the Wu family can continue its lineage, I, Wu Er, will go through fire and water without hesitation! This body and these fists are at your disposal, Master Ximen!”

Hearing Wu Song's resolute words, the official's smile deepened. His gaze swept over Wu Song's imposing physique, and his mind was already calculating his next move. He slammed his gold-flecked fan shut, tapping his palm lightly with the fan ribs, and said slowly:
"Captain Wu is indeed a straightforward man! His quick wit and outspokenness suit me perfectly! However…" He deliberately dragged out his words, with a hint of condescending magnanimity, “you don’t need to go through all that danger. My Ximen household is large and prosperous, and we desperately need a capable head guard to keep things under control and protect my family and this vast mansion. This job is easy, respectable, and the monthly stipend is guaranteed to be at least as much as yours as a captain! Besides—”

He leaned forward, lowering his voice, but each word was clear, like scattering a handful of enticing bait:

"—I don't want you to sign that deadly contract of servitude! Ten years per term, one contract, one settlement! Seventy percent of your monthly salary will be deducted. After ten years, if you, Wu Er, want to leave, the sky's the limit, and I, Ximen Qing, will not force you to stay! The deducted salary will be given to you in full. How about it? Do these terms meet your standards, Brother Wu Er?"

After Ximen Qing finished speaking, he leisurely waved his fan, waiting for Wu Song to bow down.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Wu Song's heroic face showed no joy, but instead a deep, bitter smile appeared. He waved his large, fan-like hand and shook his head.

Ximen Qing raised an eyebrow: "Hmm? Chief Wu, this... could it be that you think my temple, Ximen Qing, is too small to accommodate a true god like you? Or do you not trust my promises?"

Wu Song sighed heavily, his voice carrying a hint of desolation at the end of his heroism: "Master Ximen, you flatter me! How could I, Wu Er, be such an ungrateful person? It's just..."

He paused, his fierce eyes gazing into the distance: "It's all because I couldn't stand seeing a petty official bullying a widow in Yanggu County, and in a moment of carelessness I injured him! That scoundrel... that scoundrel was a clerk in charge of confidential documents! Whether he's dead or alive, I have no idea!"

"I'm afraid that by now, my name, Wu Song, is already on the government's wanted list, and I've become a wanted criminal with no way to escape! With my identity, I'm like a walking hot coal, burning wherever I go. If I were to implicate the reputation of Master Ximen's mansion, I, Wu Er... could not bear the consequences!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Song heard the official opposite him burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! I thought it was some earth-shattering event!" The official slammed his fan shut and pointed in the direction of Yanggu County: "Just settle down here at my Ximen residence and sign the documents! I'll take care of things in Yanggu County!"

"Really? Is this really true?" Upon hearing this, Wu Song was shocked as if struck by lightning! The lawsuit that had troubled him for many days, like a sharp blade hanging over his head, was so lightly dismissed by Ximen Qing.
A tremendous surge of joy swept away all his doubts and sorrow in an instant! He looked up abruptly, his tiger-like eyes wide open, the light of ecstasy bursting forth from them almost piercing the stagnant air around him! This was more than just a path to survival; it was a golden road paved for him, Wu Er, and even more so for his brother, Wu Da!
"Just stay here in Qinghe County," Ximen Qing nodded with a smile, looking confident and assured.

With a "plop," Wu Song suddenly knelt down on both knees, kowtowed several times, clasped his hands above his head, and said in a trembling voice, "I am deeply grateful for the great kindness of Master Ximen! I, Wu Er, could never repay even a fraction of your kindness, even if I were to be shattered to pieces! I, Wu Er, will take on the position of head guard! If anyone tries to enter the Ximen mansion without prior notice, they will have to step over my dead body."

This windfall of wealth and security was more than enough to make Wu Song, a convict, ecstatic. Even Zhang Qing and Sun Erniang, who had been eavesdropping nearby, had their eyes redden and their hearts aching with bitterness. The feeling was more unbearable than swallowing ten pounds of bitter herbs mixed with vinegar!

Of all the outlaws roaming the world, how many were born wanting to risk their lives? Nine out of ten are driven to desperation by this damned world! They've either been wrongly accused and lost their families, or had their land taken away and are now destitute.

Like myself and my husband, besides our strength and a bit of ruthlessness, we can't carry anything, we can't read many words, and we can't do any delicate work! We have no skills to rely on! Besides this dangerous and nerve-wracking business, what else can we do besides murder and robbery?
If one wanted to find a wealthy and powerful family like the Ximen family to rely on.
Hey! These are wealthy and powerful families, they're very discerning! Who would take in these 'heroes' of dubious origin, with blood on their hands and enemies everywhere? They might be overjoyed the moment they step through the door, only to find themselves murdered on a dark and stormy night! They'd be robbed of the rich and given to the poor by these heroes' entire families!

Sun Erniang felt a tightness in her large breasts. What kind of business was she doing, working from dawn till dusk on this Shizipo? By day, she greeted customers with a smile, pretending to be more benevolent than a Bodhisattva; by night, she sharpened her knife, skinning people faster than peeling onions! What was she after? Wasn't it just for a few coins to secure her life? Wasn't it just hoping that one day she would save enough money to wash away this filth and find a peaceful place to go?

Her eyes were wide open, fixed on Wu Song's broad back and then on Ximen Qing's smug face, as if she wanted to suck away all their good fortune. Her grip on Zhang Qing's arm tightened, her nails digging deep into his flesh, and her voice, strained between her teeth, carried a thick, unyielding sourness:
"This...this Wu Er, he's truly blessed with extraordinary talent, no, he's like his ancestors' graves have been emitting auspicious smoke! Listen to this! Head of the guards, how respectable does that sound! No contract of indenture, free to come and go! Ten-year contracts, clearly defined terms! And there's even a monthly stipend! Not to mention..."

"That Master Ximen, with his golden words, promised to 'handle' that deadly lawsuit for him! This... this isn't just finding a boss, it's like finding a living ancestor! He's fallen into a honey pot, a pot inlaid with gold and jade! From now on, he'll eat and drink the best, wear silk and satin, and be protected from the wind and rain! My God... how did this overwhelming wealth... how did it fall on his head! He threw a punch and ended up with a golden rice bowl!"

Zhang Qing was being pinched so hard he was wincing, but he didn't care about the pain. His eyes were glued to Wu Song, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed hard, his voice dry and hoarse like sandpaper.

"Wife, keep your voice down! Don't let anyone hear! Sigh... who can argue with that! This world is so damn unfair!" He rubbed his rough hands, which were covered in mud and faintly smelled of blood, and lowered his voice, his tone full of self-mockery and bitterness.

His wife said a lot, but it all boiled down to the word 'peace and stability'!
But for someone like me, it's harder than climbing to heaven!

The two looked at each other and saw in each other's eyes an almost overflowing envy, jealousy, and a hint of bitterness.

If they could, who would want to live a life of constant danger and bloodshed on this greenwood trail? Who would want to sleep with a knife in their hand, their heart pounding at the sound of horses' hooves? Who wouldn't want to live the rest of their life like a human being, free from the smell of blood and the fear of the chains of officials?
[This is a really long chapter! I'm begging for monthly votes, so it'll be even harder to get them now!]

(End of this chapter)