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

Chapter 168 An eye for an eye, a trap set
Wu Song used the tattered straw mat to wrap Sun Erniang's body, carrying her bloodied head, and with a burst of speed, he chose to ride along deserted, secluded paths. He galloped out of Qinghe County and rode straight into a deep forest far from the main road.

This place is called "Sanli'ao". Although it is three miles away, it is actually secluded and lush with trees and babbling mountain streams. It can be considered a beautiful place with clear waters and lush mountains.

Wu Song didn't go too far, but went to a sheltered, sunny earthen slope and dismounted.

He carefully took out an oilcloth package from his bosom, unwrapped several layers, revealing a crude, half-rotten thin leather box—Zhang Qing's remains, which had been dug out from the mass grave!

First, carefully place Sun Erniang's headless body inside, then place her head, with its eyes wide open in anger, still filled with resentment and hatred, neatly at the severed neck.

Then they placed the box next to Sun Erniang's body and head.

He brandished his dagger and dug with all his might. Before long, a shallow pit was formed.

Looking at the couple who once dominated Shizipo and struck fear into the hearts of passing merchants, now lying decapitated and covered in blood in this desolate wilderness, Wu Song felt a mix of emotions.

He scooped up a handful of yellow earth, but didn't scatter it immediately. After a long silence, this towering man bowed deeply to the pit, his voice low and complex:
“Second Aunt, Brother Zhang… Wu Er is burying you two together here today, which is to fulfill some of the bond we shared over a bowl of wine at Shizipo back then. I really can’t bear to see your bodies exposed in the wilderness, feeding wild dogs and vultures.”

"If you two know this in the afterlife, and you resent that I, Wu Song, did not come to your rescue and cut off your path to survival, or blame me, Wu Er, for being a heartless and ungrateful killer... feel free to come and complain to me in the dead of night, and I will personally prepare a feast to welcome you!"

"I, Wu Song, have been a restless soul since childhood. My fists are harder than my head, and I'm even faster than my head. I've caused so many terrible disasters that I can't even remember them all. But it seems that Heaven can't stand to see me at peace. Every time I find a place to settle down and think I can have a couple of peaceful days, trouble will suddenly arise, and waves will rise from nowhere! Unfounded lawsuits and bloodshed will come out of nowhere! I can't have a moment's peace!"

"In this life, I, Wu Er, have no great ambitions, nor any greedy desires. Only two things weigh heavily on my mind day and night, and I dare not forget them:"

"Firstly, there is my poor older brother, Wu Dalang. He raised me, his good-for-nothing brother, to adulthood with just a bowl of rice porridge and a steamed bun. His kindness is higher than the sky and deeper than the sea! I did not live to see him marry and have children. I have not repaid this kindness, and I will never be at peace with it. This is Wu Er's first regret!"

"Secondly, it is my mentor Zhou Tong who taught me martial arts and how to conduct myself. If it weren't for him pulling me out of the mud on the street back then, passing on his skills and guiding me through my confusion, I, Wu Song, would be nothing more than a stinking pus and blood in a rotten gambling den, or an unnamed corpse lying in a mass grave! How could I have the ability to retaliate so swiftly? I can never repay this kindness and virtue, and I would never dare to disobey him in the slightest!"

"Therefore, on that day... with swords flashing and blood gushing before us, and you two hating me to the bone afterward... Wu Er could only remain blind and deaf! This move... couldn't be made! This matter... couldn't be done!"

"Second Aunt, Brother Zhang, the road to the underworld is dark, and the Bridge of Helplessness is narrow... You... hold hands and go well!"

"If there is an afterlife... I don't want to be born as a human again!" Wu Song's voice carried a sorrow and resentment born from a profound understanding of the world. "Being human... is too bitter! Too agonizing!"

"It would be better to be sparrows in the same nest, or flowers growing side by side, or even to be withered vines and decaying trees intertwined and entwined until death in the mountains and fields... That would be fine too! I only hope that you... can still be together in every lifetime!"

Having said that, Wu Song said no more, silently covering the grave with yellow earth, building a new mound. He then found a half-rotten pine plank, smoothed one side with his monk's knife, and carved several large, crooked characters:
The tomb of Zhang Qing and Sun Erniang, a married couple.

The wooden plank was driven deep into the grave mound as a marker.

Wu Song took one last look at the desolate forest and lonely tomb, exhaled a long breath, sighed, and had no more lingering attachment.

He turned and mounted the horse. With a crack of the whip, the horse's hooves flew, carrying his imposing figure like an iron tower. In an instant, they were out of the woods and disappeared without a trace.

It's lamentable how the world turns, and how retribution is swift and inevitable!

No more than half an hour after Wu Song left, a group of merchants carrying goods happened to pass by Sanli'ao. Seeing that the place was shady and cool, and the stream was sweet and clear, they stopped a short distance away to rest and have a bite to eat.

The horses and donkeys carrying the goods were unsaddled and let graze by the stream. Some of the more unruly animals, while grazing, wandered over to the vicinity of Wu Song's newly mound of grave.

Perhaps it was the smell of freshly turned soil, or perhaps the wooden plank stuck in their eyes, but a sturdy green horse impatiently swung its large iron hoof and kicked the wooden plank with the name written on it away with a "thud"!

Seeing this, another chestnut horse also approached the grave mound, and surprisingly raised its hind leg, "splashing" a stream of hot and smelly horse urine onto the new grave!

The merchants, seeing this from afar, simply thought it was the animals' stupidity, scoffed and cursed, and paid no heed. Having rested enough, they urged their livestock onward. The kicked-away plank lay askew in the grass, and the grave mound was soaked with horse urine, emitting a pungent, foul stench.

The stench hasn't dissipated yet!

About an hour later, another group of merchants trading mountain goods and hides also stopped at the same spot. Their donkeys and mules were even more unruly and uncouth. Seeing that the soil on the grave mound was soft and damp, they started digging wildly with their hooves raised!
In an instant, all that could be seen was the flying hooves and billowing dust, which dug the new grave into a pitted mess, making it look like a bald head! And a few stupid donkeys, imitating the horses, stuck out their butts and added insult to injury to the messy grave!
Think of that couple, how many merchants did they skin at that ten-mile slope? How many heroes did they carve into bones? How many innocent souls did they chop up to make stuffing? How much oil did they boil for lamps? Truly, a sea of ​​blood and a mountain of sins!
Now, in this Sanli'ao, the new graves, not yet dry, are repeatedly trampled and drenched in filth by passing animals, day after day, year after year. This situation will likely continue for many years to come. It is truly:

Heaven has no ears or eyes; beasts are condemned to reincarnation!

Having accomplished his urgent task, Wu Song's anger subsided, and his swift horse carried him straight to the capital.

A powerful weapon banned in Beijing.

Upon reaching the outskirts of the capital, Wu Song found a secluded grove. He dismounted, wrapped the knife in its sheath, found a crooked old tree, and buried it deep in the ground, following the markings.

After finishing his business, he straightened his ordinary clothes and swaggered toward the gate of the capital.

Wu Song was away from home most of the year and rarely came to the capital. After entering the city, he asked for directions and found his way to the smoky and chaotic "Bianzi Alley" in the west of the city.

He glanced around the alleyway and saw that it was so narrow that only two people could pass sideways. Sewage flowed across the ground, and the stench of urine and feces mingled with the smell of cheap liquor and cheap cosmetics, making one's head ache. In the dilapidated houses and shacks on both sides, there were shadowy figures of men with indistinct faces and shifty eyes.

Wu Song, skilled and daring, did not cautiously send someone to relay a message like the high-ranking official! He simply stood there with his neck stiff and chest out, like half a black iron tower, and forcefully "stuffed" himself into Bianzi Alley!

This ferocious figure, with its ape-like back and burly waist, barged into the narrow alleyway, barely wide enough for two people to pass each other. The invisible malevolent aura emanating from it had already suppressed much of the alley's stench.

Who are these scoundrels and thugs in the alley? Even if they haven't shed blood or punched anyone, the number of blows they've taken is enough to open a traditional liniment shop!
They've all rolled over knife edges and crawled out of cesspools. As long as they're not given too much horse urine, their noses, eyes, and ears are a hundred times more intelligent than the clay figurines in temples!
Several ruffians who were leaning against the wall basking in the sun or squatting on the threshold picking their teeth, took one look at Wu Song's imposing figure and were immediately intimidated.

Let alone stopping him to question him, some of the sharp-eyed ones noticed that Wu Song was carrying a heavy bundle under his arm, with stiff edges showing under the fabric. They even had a wicked thought: to go up to him, strike up a conversation, get on his good side, or extort a few words from him.

But when he looked up again, he met Wu Song's cold, star-like eyes, which swept over him with a chilling gaze. Looking at his two fists, which were as big as bowls and had thick knuckles, the greed in his belly was immediately frightened by those fists and shrank back into the womb.

Without any disturbance, Wu Song walked steadily into the depths of the alley.

As the saying goes: When a fierce tiger comes down the mountain, all beasts hide; when a yellow dog sees a stick, it shrinks back.

Halfway through, he continued walking, his gaze sweeping across the shadows on either side like a hawk's. Suddenly, his left arm shot out like a venomous python emerging from its lair, its five fingers spread wide, and with unparalleled precision, it gripped the neck of a ruffian cowering in a corner, pretending to tie his straw sandals!

The ruffian was as thin as a stick. When Wu Song grabbed him with his fan-like hand, his feet left the ground, and he made a "hoarse" sound in his throat. His eyes almost popped out of their sockets! He tried in vain to pry open the iron-like fingers, but they wouldn't budge. He felt as if his neck bones were about to crack, and he was so scared that his soul almost left his body!
"Where is Lazio San?" Wu Song's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chill that seeped into the bones, like icicles in the dead of winter, making the rogue tremble all over: "Lead the way!"

How could that scoundrel dare to hesitate even for a moment? He pointed with trembling fingers to a darker, deeper part of the alley—where a crooked wooden door could be vaguely seen, and two men with their arms crossed and sinister eyes were standing at the door.

"Thanks!" Wu Song didn't even lift his eyelids, just picked up the heavy bundle in his hand and rammed straight into the crooked, broken door: "Looking for Lazi San!"

Two rascals at the door exchanged a glance and stepped aside to let him in.

Inside the gate was a place even filthier than the alley. The small courtyard reeked of cheap tobacco, the sour smell of sweat, and a pungent, indescribable fishy odor that wafted into one's nostrils.

As the daylight dimmed, a burly man was seen crookedly sitting beside a broken, rickety table in the courtyard. Several scabbed freckles the size of copper coins on his head gleamed oilily, reflecting light faintly even in the gloom—this was none other than the local tyrant, nicknamed "Scabby Three."

The bald man shoved away a woman he was holding, who was covered in makeup and looked crude and stupid. The woman staggered, spat, lifted her skirt, and swayed to the side.

The bald man then stood up, forcing a smile that was mostly fake. He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and raised his voice to a high pitch, with a deliberately affected,江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) tone:
"This valiant fellow looks unfamiliar! May I ask which side you're from? What brings you to our 'place'? Are you here to 'smuggle goods' or 'pass through'? Show us your stakes, let's draw up a line, and we brothers will serve you well!"

Wu Song had no patience for his rambling on with such empty江湖 slang. He raised his hand and casually patted the heavy, hard package twice, producing a dull "thump, thump" sound, faintly resembling the clinking of silver ingots.

“A client has hired me to come to your place to complete the transaction. Qinghe County, West Gate. Once it’s done, the silver in this bag will be your ‘straw sandal money’!”

The bald-headed man's eyes, like flies drawn to blood, were already glued to the bulging bundle. A flash of greed crossed his eyes and disappeared in an instant. He swallowed hard and said, "Good! A straightforward man! Wait for me at the south gate of the city tomorrow at 3:45 AM! Remember, on horseback!"

Wu Song's face remained calm and composed. He merely nodded slightly, then turned and left, his steps light and swift.

After Wu Song's figure disappeared outside the door, Zhang San, who had been huddled in the corner with shifty eyes, finally leaned close to the bald man's ear, lowered his voice, and spoke with unease:

"Brother! This guy...this guy has such a strong murderous aura! Look at his build, those bulging fists...he must be a tough martial arts expert, right?"

Upon hearing this, the fake smile on the third bald man's face vanished instantly, replaced by a fierce and unruly expression. He snorted heavily through his nostrils:
"A martial arts expert? Humph! Look at your cowardly rat-like courage!"

"Even if Zhou Tong, the Iron-Armed Outlaw, came in person, he wouldn't be a match for my godfather in a horse battle! Add to that the fifty elite cavalrymen! Even if his body is made of iron, he couldn't withstand a single charge! Just crush him! What's there to be afraid of?"

"Not to mention, even if Ximen Qing hired bodyguards, so what? Under the protection of my godfather's cavalry, no matter how many scattered soldiers there are, they are nothing but chickens and dogs."

After leaving Bianzi Alley, Wu Song found an inn to stay at.

Meanwhile, in the Ximen mansion, Yue Niang sat alone in her room, fiddling with a string of old Bodhi prayer beads made of agarwood. The beads were glossy and smooth, but her slender fingers were gripping them so tightly that her fingernails turned white.

She couldn't possibly understand a single word of scripture! In the morning, the official ordered several trusted elders, including Lai Bao, Lai Xin, Lai Wang, and Dai An, to exchange the silver notes for gleaming, heavy pieces of silver, which were then carried back in more than a dozen large camphor wood chests with brass corners.

The official was so busy that he didn't even touch the ground, and didn't eat lunch. He only hurriedly left a few words at the gate of the mansion before leading the old men out like the wind.

He waited until the sun was high in the sky and the crows had returned to their nests before returning to the mansion in the twilight. At dinner time, he surprisingly rushed into the study and shut the two nanmu wood doors as if they were iron barrels, even shoving out his little companion, Xiangling.

The Moon Goddess's heart sank like a weight falling into a well, throbbing downwards. Such a scene must mean something big is about to happen!

"I mustn't ask!" Yue Niang gritted her teeth, fiercely rebuking herself in her heart, her fingers rapidly turning the Buddhist prayer beads, making a clicking sound. She pressed this question back into her chest, like a heavy Taihu stone being plunged into a bottomless abyss with a dull thud.

As the matriarch of the household, she must maintain proper conduct and adhere to her duties.

Since the official refused to speak, he must have his reasons, which he couldn't reveal. All she could do was keep the entire Ximen mansion, with its hundreds of inhabitants, as stable as a piece of divine iron that could stabilize the sea. Forcing down the pounding in her heart, she summoned her personal maid, Xiaoyu, deliberately keeping her voice steady and calm:
"Go and tell Sun Xue'e from the kitchen to pick out a few refreshing and delicious dishes to send to the study. Braised goose, silver sprout bean sprouts, and crisp celery soaked in vinegar, along with freshly steamed lotus flower cakes. Heat the fine wine from Jinhua until it's piping hot, keep it warm in that 'Bamboo Brings Peace' tin pot, and send it all to the master. He must be exhausted after a long day of running around outside."

He paused briefly, then continued:

"Pass on my message: the Double Ninth Festival and the Winter Solstice are just around the corner. Be extra vigilant in all purchasing, tailoring, and gift preparation! Every single item, from needles and thread to firewood and oil, must be meticulously checked and accounted for. Don't let anything go wrong! If anyone is so foolish as to make the master uncomfortable at this crucial time, they'll be in big trouble!"

Xiao Yu nodded repeatedly, accepted the order, and hurried away. Yue Niang got up and walked gracefully to the carved window lattice.

The courtyard was shrouded in darkness, and several leather lanterns were lit one after another, casting eerie shadows on the cold, hard bluestone slabs with their dim yellow light.

Even Jinlian, Xiangling, and Li Guijie, who had only been in the mansion for a few days, felt an inexplicable tension in the mansion. They all held their breath and dared not speak loudly.

The next day, before dawn, when the surrounding area was still pitch black, the side gate of the Ximen residence creaked open.

Lai Bao, Lai Wang, Lai Xin, and Dai An, along with several long-time associates from the manor, led about thirty strong guards and escorted more than a dozen mule carts covered with thick felt, heading south quietly.

Lai Bao and the others knew the truth in their hearts, but they smiled along, suppressing their anxiety and acting as if they were just doing their usual job of buying goods.

The guards were mostly rough and tough men, who thought it was a regular lucrative job and chatted and laughed all the way.

The carriages and horses rumbled along, hurrying and slowly making their way, until they had circled the capital and traveled twenty miles south. Suddenly, a place appeared before them:
Two forests stand side by side, with a narrow path barely wide enough for a carriage to pass through. Along the path are dense, dark, ancient pines, their branches gnarled and twisted, blocking out the sun. The sunlight seems to be absorbed here, leaving only a few gloomy green shadows.

Lai Bao surveyed the terrain, fully aware of the situation, and muttered to himself, "This is it!" But feigning exhaustion, he loudly addressed Wang San, the former head of the guards:
"Brother Wang! The sun is scorching, and we're all exhausted. Even the animals need a breather and a drink! The woods ahead are a perfect place to rest and have a bite to eat!"

Wang San wiped his sweat and replied gruffly, "Alright! Brothers, move aside and rest! Keep an eye on the livestock!"

The guards were eager to help, and they hurriedly drove the mule cart into the shade of the pine forest. Some tied up the horses, others fetched water bags, and after finding a smooth rock, they lay down, loosened their clothes and belts, and began to mutter some village dialect and nonsense.

Only Lai Bao, Lai Wang, Lai Xin, and Dai An, though also sitting against the carriage shaft, had their ears perked up more than rabbits, catching the slightest unusual sound in the wind. Their hands were already secretly resting on the hardwood hilts of the short knives concealed at their waists, their palms covered in a layer of slippery, cold sweat.

All around, the pine trees continued to murmur, and the occasional cawing of crows only added to the deathly silence of the forest, creating a chilling and desolate atmosphere.

Just after the fifth watch drum and the rooster crowed three times, the two massive iron-clad doors of the Nanxun Gate in the capital city slowly opened a crack as the guards struggled to push them open.

The doorway was still dark, and the morning mist, carrying the chill of late autumn, rolled and clung to the ground, damp and clinging to it.

Wu Song had already reined in his horse and stood in the shadows beside the city gate. He wore a slightly worn black cloth robe with a sleeveless sheepskin coat over it, a broadsword with a sheath wrapped in coarse hemp cloth hanging at his waist, and a wide-brimmed felt hat that covered half of his face. He stood motionless like a stone sculpture, except for a pair of hawk-like eyes under the brim, which shone with a cold light and stared intently at the official road.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the sound of horses' hooves could be heard approaching from afar, shattering the silence of the early morning.

The hoofbeats were initially chaotic, but gradually they coalesced into a deep and uniform thud, like muffled thunder rolling across frozen earth.

A group of armored cavalry, about thirty or forty riders, marched in two columns, not perfectly aligned but still quite orderly. The horse hooves held their horses' tails, and the distance between them was as neat as if measured with a ruler. They escorted a fully armored officer as they approached.

The one leading them was none other than Lord Shi!

A closer look at this group reveals their shabby, makeshift attire, yet their muscular build honed through military training:
The armor worn by people was mostly coarse cloth "paper armor" that had been starched until it turned white and was covered with patches of various colors, or rough tanned leather armor.

The iron plates attached to the armor were sparse and insignificant, barely enough to be considered useful, clearly indicating that they were old and cobbled together from various sources.

Although the nail plates were old, they were all cleaned and the straps were tightened securely without any slack.

The mount he rode was a medium-sized warhorse, a common sight in the north, with a robust frame and strong bones, clearly indicating a good foundation.

However, the coat was poorly maintained, appearing messy and dull, and the horse's gait lacked a certain plumpness.

The saddle and saddlecloth are both standard leather and wood saddles, still retaining their original shape, but the leather surface is worn black and shiny, with loose threads showing at the edges.

The brass and iron stirrups were badly worn, covered with verdigris and dark rust spots. But the bridle, girth, and even the saddle sash were neatly and properly maintained.

Each person carried a standard-issue cavalry rifle over ten feet long. The shaft was made of hardwood, and after prolonged use, the grip area would be stained with oil and sweat, turning a dark color.

The spearhead is long and narrow with sharp edges, and its shape remains sharp, but the edge is covered with a layer of indelible dark red rust, and its cold gleam is restrained.

At their waist or beside their saddle, they would always carry a standard-issue broadsword with a thick back and a thin blade. The scabbard was old, the leather covering was cracked, and the wooden core inside was exposed.

Although the soldiers looked tired from waking up early, yawning and hunching their necks to ward off the cold, their posture on horseback was upright, their hands holding the reins were as steady as a rock, and their legs were tightly gripping the horse's belly. No matter how much the poor horse jolted, their bodies only swayed slightly and did not sway to the side.

At first glance, this militia cavalry, though lacking the bright armor and superior weapons of the Imperial Guards, exuded a quiet discipline that set them apart from ordinary rabble, clearly indicating that they had undergone rigorous training!
Right next to this group of militiamen on the right flank was another group of about twenty scattered soldiers, their formation crooked and loose, their men and horses shouting and laughing—it was the gang of rascals that La Tou San had gathered.

Their riding skills were terrible; some of them clung tightly to the horse's neck, their bodies pressed against the horse's back as if glued to it.

Some people were jolted so hard they grimaced, cursing the beast beneath them with foul language.

The contrast between the two situations caused the old soldier guarding the city gate to sneer, his lips curling into a wide grin.

The city gate official was a slick old clerk with a smug smile on his wrinkled face. He greeted Lord Shi's horse with a cupped hand and said, "Oh! Lord Shi, you're up so early again today! Did you receive orders from your superiors to go out of the city to train these... uh... diligent young men?"

A flash of anger crossed Lord Shi's face, but he quickly suppressed it, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace. He reached into his robes and pulled out a brass waist token. The token's edges were worn smooth and shiny, clearly indicating that it was a frequently used item.

He handed it over, his voice deep and hoarse: "You flatter me, sir. I have been ordered by Lord Yang to inspect the site of the newly established beacon tower in the southern suburbs. The verification token is here; please examine it, sir." The token was engraved with the words "Supervisor of the Security Bureau," and the bright red seal was still damp.

The gatekeeper glanced at it briefly, his fingertips touching the cold bronze plaque before handing it back, and said with a smile, "Yes, yes! Please go and return as soon as possible, sir!" With that, he turned and waved for him to pass.

The cavalry, upon receiving the order, moved immediately. The sound of hooves rang out again, still deep and orderly, as they filed out of the city gate in a single file, neither too fast nor too slow.

The large contingent filed out of the city gate, but after traveling no more than an arrow's length, Lord Shi reined in the horses, and the militia also came to a halt in a scattered manner. Wu Song nudged the horse's belly, and the horse trotted into the group of ruffians led by La Tou San, disappearing into the oil like a drop of water in a frying pan, completely inconspicuous.

The bald-headed man, with a smug grin, rode a fairly sturdy yellow horse close to Lord Shi's stirrups. Seeing Wu Song arrive, he stealthily leaned close to Lord Shi's ear and whispered:

"Godfather! Today we owe our lives to your might! I have received confirmation from Qinghe County! Before dawn, the Ximen family sent out more than a dozen large carts, completely covered up, heading south!"

"Heh heh, what a fat, greasy mutton! It's true that there are twice as many escorts as usual, but I've found out that they're just ordinary guards kept by the Ximen family to make a living. They're all show and no substance, good to look at but useless! They're far inferior to your 'Tiger Warriors'!"

"What Tiger Warriors!" Upon hearing this, Lord Shi sighed, his voice like sediment being squeezed out of his chest.
"The capital is indeed prosperous and magnificent, but the armor and saddles of these cavalrymen, though merely the respectable attire of local militias and not that of strong soldiers and fierce generals, upon closer inspection, are not even half as impressive or robust as the infantry and cavalry of the powerful clans in the north. It's truly a case of 'a donkey dung ball looks shiny on the outside,' revealing the whole leopard from a single spot, showing how decadent the martial arts of the world have become!"

He looked up at the gray sky and let out a long, heavy sigh. The breath condensed into a white mist in the cold morning air, which took a long time to dissipate.
"Alas! Back in the day, I, Shi, was a formidable man on the front lines of the Northern Army! I risked my life, striving for a promising future and immense military achievements! Who would have thought... that fate would play such a cruel trick on me, leaving me here in Dongjing City as a mediocre, nominal head of a local militia! It's utterly frustrating!"

"If I hadn't settled here, and hadn't been burdened by your adoptive mother and child... I would have ridden west long ago to serve under Old Zhong and Young Zhong! Why... why would I have to do this despicable thing today!"

His words were filled with the resentment and unwillingness of a hero at the end of his road, like a tiger trapped in a cage, its claws sharp but with nowhere to be used.

The bald man forced a fawning smile and bowed deeply, saying, "Father, please calm down! You're like a dragon trapped in shallow water! Isn't it all for the sake of your family's livelihood and to ensure their safety? Please don't worry! I've already found a way out for you!"

"The Zeng family of the north, Master Zeng! Last time I came to the capital, I admired my godfather's reputation for fighting his way up in the north. I have a thousand admirations and ten thousand desires! I am willing to offer him a respectable but leisurely position as the 'Chief Instructor of Sticks'!"

"Tuition fee, hehe," the bald man rubbed his hands together.
"It's several times more lucrative than your current lousy job! It's a huge sum of money, with full pay every month! They've also prepared a nice little courtyard in the manor, with three bright rooms and two dark ones, and blue bricks all the way to the top, just for my godfather, godmother, and my little brother to live in! When my little brother starts his studies, there will be excellent tutors in Zeng Family Manor, and the writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, Four Books and Five Classics will all be top-notch!"

"The power of the Zeng Family Manor, tsk tsk!" The bald man smacked his lips, as if savoring a delicacy. "I've witnessed it with my own eyes! It's incredibly wealthy and powerful! The walls of the manor are higher and thicker than those of a prefecture, and the iron cavalry inside are like clouds, while the infantry are like ants!"

"Those farmhands and cavalrymen were all clad in the finest iron armor, which gleamed in the sunlight; their mounts were all robust and sturdy steeds from the Hequ region, glistening with oil! When they trained, they wielded swords and spears, their clubs whistling through the air, their shouts shaking the very ground! They were a hundred times stronger than the empty shells of the local militias in the capital. It was as if one was a living tiger and a dragon, while the other was a clay sculpture!"

"Father, with your battle-hardened skills, going there will be like a dragon entering the sea or a tiger returning to the mountain! You'll be able to show your skills and let the famous 'Five Tigers of the Zeng Family Village' see what it means to be a divine general and to have the power of a true Buddha! I guarantee they'll be completely convinced and worship you like a god!"

"Once this 'job' is settled today," the man with the bald head lowered his voice, "you, Godfather, can take your family and head to Zengjia Village in style and honor to take up your post! This damn militia leader has no rank whatsoever, and the few taels of silver he earns aren't even enough to fill a tooth gap! Why bother with him? You might as well not do it! Zengjia Village is the real place of wealth and pleasure!"

The autumn wind whipped up dust, lashing against the mottled city bricks and stinging people's faces.

Lord Shi reined in his horse. His gaze swept over the bald-headed man, who stood respectfully to the side, his eyes settling on the greasy, scabbed top of his head:

"Your address of 'godfather' reveals a true heart and a hidden calculation. I've been through the trials of life on the frontier and in Tokyo, so my eyes are not blind and my heart is not clouded."

He paused, his eyes fixed on the bald man like a hawk's, "But in the past two years, you've been running around doing everything for my family of three, taking care of all the little things. You've done a really good job as my 'adopted son'."

The bald-headed shrimp, hunched over as if by magic, said with a forced smile, "Godfather, this is simply my duty!"

Lord Shi said, "If Zengtou City is really as you say... then you don't need to go back to that rat hole-like Bianzi Alley! Pack up your shady stuff, gather your few brothers who are willing to fight to the death, and come with me to Zengtou City!"
"I'll guarantee you a decent job as an instructor's assistant in the manor! Your life will be quite stable, much better than you doing those filthy, bloodthirsty, and childless jobs for those fat, ruthless nobles in Bianliang, the capital!"

"Once you have a stable foundation, you can find a healthy daughter from a respectable farming family, get married, and continue the family line. Wouldn't that be better than what you're doing now, like a scruffy dog ​​in a ditch, licking scraps from a knife's edge?"

Upon hearing this, the "greedy look" that was always on Lai Tou San's face, which was only meant to beg for a reward, instantly solidified and peeled off like lard that had been splashed with cold water.

He clasped his hands together in front of his chest, his knuckles turning white, and with a hoarse voice, he squeezed out a few words from deep in his throat: "What Godfather says is right! Little Sanzi will listen to Godfather!"

(End of this chapter)