Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Chapter 248 The Thieves' Guild

Cheng Yeke sat in the deepest corner.

A 35-year-old former city hall employee, a dropout from Prague University, and now the leader of a thieves' union.

He sat at the innermost wooden table.

His face had a scholarly air about it, but his eyes were sharp as an eagle's, as if they could see through appearances and into people's hearts. He sized up the three strangers who had just entered—Peter, Robert, and Brienne.

Their steps were steady, their eyes were alert, and although their clothes were not fancy, the materials and cuts were far beyond what ordinary citizens or rural farmers could afford, and they were completely out of place with those arrogant Hungarian conquerors.

Cheng Yeke almost immediately concluded that these three people were highly skilled and might be able to be used by him.

He raised his earthenware goblet to the three men, inviting them to sit down. After a few cups of cheap but potent ale, a tentative conversation began.

"Since you were introduced by Henry, you must have heard of us. We call ourselves the Guild."

Cheng Yeke's voice had a peculiar infectious quality, clearly reaching the ears of the three people in the noisy tavern.

"We believe in the principles of equality and brotherhood. Our only legal code is the Bible!"

A sneer appeared on his lips. "As for worldly justice? Hmph, it's as frivolous as a prostitute, only good for bowing and scraping to the powerful."

Peter leaned forward slightly, tapping his fingers lightly on the table: "Sometimes justice is the gallows. Aren't you afraid of losing your life?"

His question was like a small knife, trying to pry open the true weight behind Cheng Yeke's words.

Upon hearing this, a flash of anger crossed Cheng Yeke's eyes, but more than that, there was an almost fanatical determination.

"Friend, friend," he repeated, emphasizing, "one must be willing to suffer for the truth."

"Siggsmond is a usurper, his hands stained with the blood of Bohemians! And the church and those officials are nothing but lowly people who opened their legs to Siggsmond!"

His voice drew the attention of people at several nearby tables. Those with rough faces and eyes that were either wary or numb nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with their leader's words.

"As long as we oppose Sigismund and uphold the Bible, our souls can remain pure!"

Peter thought to himself, "Well, he's a religious fanatic."

But a playful smile appeared on his face, and he decided to test the waters one more time.

"Hahaha, what a brilliant analogy," he laughed, his voice tinged with mockery. "What if I went and told the executive officer that you called him a chicken woman? Of course, just if."

Instead of getting angry, Cheng Yeke laughed loudly, spread his hands, and looked like he was ready to do as he pleased: "Then let's do it."

Sigismund was wreaking havoc in Bohemia, and the bodies of the garrison of Kutenberg were barely cold!

Perhaps you're lucky and haven't suffered much from it yet.

Perhaps you wouldn't mind betraying your conscience and reporting us.

But I say this: as long as these Hungarians remain here, and as long as Sigismund holds the Bohemian throne, this misfortune will sooner or later befall you, my friend.

No one can truly remain uninvolved.

These frank and sorrowful words caused Peter to lose his smile. He saw the resolve in Cheng Yeke's eyes, and the silent support of the union members around him.

This doesn't seem like a trap; it's more like the struggle of a group of people driven to the brink of despair.

"It seems you really weren't a Hungarian spy after all."

Peter finally nodded, a genuine smile on his face. "I can trust you now."

"Can I trust you more now?"

Cheng Yeke smiled and raised his glass. The two ceramic glasses gently clinked in the air, and a preliminary trust was established at that moment.

Words alone are not enough.

Cheng Yeke knew that in this chaotic world, strength was the best passport.

He invited Peter and his two companions to a simple courtyard behind the tavern, enclosed by a wooden fence.

The ground here is fairly solid, with some empty wine barrels and miscellaneous items piled up in the corner.

Soon, most of the people in the tavern poured out and gathered around the courtyard. The lit torches illuminated the center of the area, and the air was filled with excitement and anticipation.

"How about some entertainment?" Cheng Yeke announced. "Let's see how our new friend is!"

"No problem." Peter, Robert, and Brienne exchanged glances, indicating their agreement.

The first match featured the bald, giant Goliath. True to his name, Goliath was a burly man over two meters tall, with arms thicker than Peter's legs and a chest as solid as a wall. He grinned, revealing a missing front tooth, and strode heavily into the arena, each step seemingly causing the ground to tremble slightly. The crowd cheered, clearly rooted for their strongman.

He took the initiative to challenge Peter.

Peter, on the other hand, appeared unhurried. He took off his coat, revealing a sturdy short-sleeved shirt underneath, and stretched his limbs. Compared to Goliath's massive size, he appeared much "slender."

The match began. Goliath roared and charged like a bull, attempting to overpower Peter with his strength and weight. Peter, however, didn't fight him head-on. Just as Goliath was about to grab him, Peter nimbly slid to the side and tripped him with his foot. Goliath lost his momentum, his massive body staggering forward several steps, nearly falling, drawing gasps from the onlookers.

Enraged, Goliath turned and lunged again, arms outstretched, intending to give Peter a bear hug. Peter met him head-on, and at the moment of contact, he suddenly lowered his body, his shoulder bracing against Goliath's waist and abdomen, his hands grabbing Goliath's belt. Using Goliath's momentum, he executed a clean and decisive over-the-shoulder throw!

A muffled thud followed, sending dust flying.

Goliath's massive body was slammed to the ground, and he couldn't get up for a long time. The courtyard was silent for a moment, then erupted into even louder cheers. Peter's skill and timing had won over these men who revered strength.

In the second match, Robert faced "The Drunkard" Zavesh. Zavesh lacked the Black Knight's strength; he was a burly man with a red nose, reeking of alcohol, and his steps were unsteady, but his eyes revealed a cunning and ferocity honed from years of fighting. He kept circling around Robert, cursing and trying to provoke him.

Robert, like a silent reef, stood still, his gaze calmly tracking the other's movements.

Zawish suddenly attacked, throwing a straight punch at Robert's face while simultaneously grabbing Robert's collar with his other hand, attempting a wrestling move. Robert reacted with lightning speed, dodging the punch with a tilt of his head and simultaneously twisting his wrist, seizing the attacker's grasp. The drunkard cried out in pain, his body twisting involuntarily. Robert quickly followed up with his other hand, pressing down on the back of his neck, while simultaneously tripping him. The drunkard, Zawish, was thrown to the ground like a sack of potatoes, with Robert kneeling on his back, rendering him immobile. The entire process was lightning fast, giving him almost no chance to resist.

In the third match, Brienne faced off against "The Beggar" Damian. Damian was tall and thin, agile as a bamboo pole. He probably thought women were easy to deal with, and with a contemptuous smile on his face, he immediately tried to throw Brienne off her balance with quick shoving and pulling.

Brienne scoffed; her strength far surpassed that of an ordinary man. The moment Damian's hand touched her shoulder, she grabbed his wrist with a backhand. Damian tried to attack with his other hand, but Brienne had already stepped forward, closing the distance, and using her core strength, executed a beautiful back throw!

Damian arced through the air before crashing to the ground, groaning and unable to get up for a long time. Brienne clapped her hands, as if she had done something insignificant. The strength and skill she displayed silenced all those who might have looked down on her because she was a woman.

Three clean and decisive victories instantly earned Peter and his two companions the respect they deserved within their small circle.

The crowd erupted in enthusiastic applause and whistles.

The torches crackled and popped.

Cheng Yeke clapped, slowly but firmly. He walked to the center of the courtyard, his gaze sweeping over Robert and Brienne, finally settling on Peter's face.

"You're quite skilled," he said. "I wonder if you dare to do something big!"

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