Water Margin: I am Zhu Biao

As the arrow landed, Zhu Biao had already ridden his horse to the outside of the inn's fence.

However, he did not dismount or put away his bow. Instead, he nocked another arrow and circled around the gate.

This was because several more people jumped out of the shop, some carrying broadswords, others gripping short axes, their faces fierce and clearly not good people.

"Where did this thieving scoundrel come from? Daring to provoke your grandfather?"

Seeing that he had a partner backing him up, the big man became bolder, or perhaps for the sake of face, he kicked away the arrow in front of him and pointed at Zhu Biao, cursing.

"Pretty boy, come down here and have a go!"

Zhu Biao didn't argue. He simply turned his horse's head, raised his bow, and with the bowstring half-drawn, the guy leaped to his side almost without thinking.

"Zhu Wu! Are you able to get up?"

"Hmm~"

Zhu Wu responded sullenly, then struggled to sit up. Without being told, he gripped the hilt of his knife and slowly backed away from the courtyard.

The burly man and his companions were all eager to make a move, but Zhu Biao, alone on horseback and with a single bow, held them back and ultimately dared not move.

Within twenty-odd steps, the absolute territory of the bow and arrow, as clearly hinted by Zhu Biao's archery skills just now.

If they charge in, they'll be injured or killed!

A moment later, Zhu Wu retreated to the gate, and Zhu Biao loosened his bowstring slightly before sternly questioning him:

"Who are you? Why are you hurting people?"

He deliberately avoided revealing his official status, in case these wicked and vicious fellows were fugitives or wanted criminals, they might be provoked into fighting on the spot.

Zhu Biao is no longer afraid to risk his life, but he is unwilling to get involved in a murder case for no reason.

The Song Dynasty was in chaos, but it hadn't yet become a lawless land.

This burly man, perhaps used to being arrogant and stubborn, became even more aggressive upon seeing Zhu Biao lower his bow, and said with his neck stiff:

"I am Shi Yong, and this shop is mine. This bastard has a foul mouth, so I beat him up. Pretty boy, what are you going to do about it?"

"Shi Yong?"

Zhu Biao was slightly taken aback.

This fellow seems to be a future member of Liangshan, and also Song Heizi's henchman, but he's not very famous. Zhu Biao didn't even remember his nickname.

"Young Master, I... I've caused trouble again."

At this moment, Zhu Wu was clutching his chest, stammering as he approached the horse, his face full of shame.

"Did you break any bones?"

No, no.

"Alright, mount your horses, draw your bows, and provide cover for me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Biao sheathed his bow, took off his spear, dismounted, and quickly assembled the weapon while striding towards Shi Yong.

"Shi Yong, is it? My brother had a foul mouth, so you hit him. You also insulted me just now. When you get hit later, don't cry out in pain!"

"ha!"

Shi Yong was first taken aback, then grinned disdainfully.

"What arrogance!"

He snatched a broadsword from his companion, shook it, and slammed it into the ground.

"Pretty boy, I hit you too hard. I apologize in advance. If I hurt you or injured you later, don't come home crying and complaining."

"Too talkative!"

Zhu Biao gave a light shout, stepped forward, and thrust out with his staff.

He only assembled two sections of the gun barrel, deliberately without attaching a spearhead; it was just a mixed iron rod.

Clang!

The blow was as swift as lightning, beyond Shi Yong's expectations. He hurriedly retreated several steps before barely managing to block it, his back already damp with sweat.

However, before he could catch his breath, the long stick that had been deflected spun around like a snake, carrying a cold wind, and stabbed towards his face.

Clang!

Shi Yong's face turned pale. He hurriedly took a few steps back, slashing his broadsword upwards to just barely block the stick.

Zhu Biao remained expressionless, clasped his hands together, and with a forceful flick, sent the long staff flying diagonally toward Shi Yong's ribs.

Clang clang!

For a time, the clang of metal on metal was deafening.

Zhu Biao launched a fierce attack, and Shi Yong retreated to block him. In the blink of an eye, he was forced to the door, with nowhere left to retreat. His cronies had already scattered far away.

Just then, Shi Yong tripped on the threshold, his body swayed, and he instantly revealed a weakness.

Bang!

Zhu Biao twisted his wrist, and the long stick sneaked into the center like a ghost, striking him directly in the chest.

Clang!

The broadsword slipped from his hand, and Shi Yong fell hard onto the steps. The long staff followed his movement, stopping steadily a few inches in front of his throat.

When a general's martial arts skills are compared to those of a martial arts master, there is no doubt that the former will crush the latter. Although Zhu Biao is only a second-rate expert, Shi Yong is not even a worthy opponent.

In a few years, Zhu Biao will have gained some strength, and within three moves, he will be able to take his life.

"We're even!"

A few breaths later, Zhu Biao withdrew his long staff and coldly uttered a sentence.

After saying that, he turned and left, showing no intention whatsoever of becoming friends with the heroes of the martial world through a fight. What a load of bull!

"Dare, dare you leave your name?"

Just now, Shi Yong was stabbed in the back and only just recovered. But he's really stubborn.

Zhu Biao stopped in his tracks, turned around, and gave him a half-smile.

"I am Zhu Biao! I live in Dulonggang, Qingzhou. I humbly await your guidance."

After a chaotic fight that left him without even feeding his horse, Zhu Biao had to slow down his horse as he set off again, his thoughts beginning to wander.

Just now, my spear skill proficiency increased by 10 points, and my archery skill increased by 5 points.

Human energy is limited. It's better to be a master than a jack-of-all-trades. From now on, focus only on spear and archery skills, and train your strength. As for the others, just practice enough to get by.

"Young Master, I... I was wrong."

Zhu Wu suddenly spoke in a deep voice.

Zhu Biao noticed something was wrong with the voice, turned around, and saw that the man's face was covered in snot and tears. He was both amused and exasperated.

"Alright, hurry up and wipe yourself clean. What kind of mess is this? Learn from your mistakes and remember to never speak recklessly again."

"Here you go!"

Zhu Wu wiped his face with his sleeve, and his snot instantly turned into long, frozen strands, which made Zhu Biao feel a chill. He quickly urged his horse to hurry up a few steps.

After traveling another twenty or thirty li, the sun was already setting in the west. Just when the men and horses were exhausted, Zhu Biao and his companions passed by a low hill.

At the foot of the mountain, a path winds its way into the forest, where a wine flag can be seen hidden, indicating a roadside inn.

The shop had smoke rising from its chimney behind the building, and donkeys, horses, and carts were tethered in front of the courtyard; everything seemed normal.

"Young Master, shall we go over there?"

Zhu Wu's voice trembled; he was a little scared. Besides, he hadn't had any hot food along the way and was both hungry and cold.

"Um."

Zhu Biao was also weak and almost frozen at this time.

He's only seventeen years old, and he recently fell ill. He's been traveling for most of the day, and he was sweating from the fight earlier, so he's not feeling well.

"Sir, would you like a meal or a room at the inn?"

As soon as I arrived at the entrance of the roadside inn, a waiter came running up to greet me. He was wearing a clean and neat blue cloth jacket and had a friendly smile.

As he greeted him, he came over to help Zhu Biao dismount and brushed the snow off him.

"The guest must be an official, riding two horses, quite imposing indeed."

"Thank you, sir. Please wipe the horse down and feed it some good feed."

Zhu Biao responded, forcing a smile, but a chill ran through him, colder than the biting north wind.

As he entered, he caught a glimpse of a few inconspicuous dark red spots on the corner of the curtain. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"Is this some kind of Water Margin or Journey to the West? It's just a trip to Tokyo, why do we have to go through eighty-one tribulations?"

"Zhu Wu, you must not drink alcohol later. Just watch my signals."

He lowered his voice.

"what?"

The main hall of the inn was also brightly lit.

The ground was newly covered with yellow soil, and there were braziers around the perimeter, along with several plain wooden tables, which had turned slightly white, perhaps from frequent cleaning.

Behind the cabinet stood a woman.

She was around twenty years old, quite attractive, with a voluptuous figure and a dazzling expanse of white skin peeking out from her chest. A bright red silk plum blossom was adorning her hair.

These silk flowers also have a name called "Yearly Scenery," which refers to peach, lotus, chrysanthemum, and plum blossom flowers, worn in different seasons.

Zhu Biao once gave Hu Sanniang two sets of New Year's scenery, one set gilded and the other pure silver. In return, he gave her a three-pronged hidden arrow in his sleeve.

Hu Sanniang's original words were: "Your martial arts skills are poor, but you like to cause trouble, so take this with you for self-defense."

Upon seeing someone enter the shop, the woman quickly lifted her ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and went around to the outside.

"Sir, oh~ it's a handsome young master, please have a seat."

Just then, Zhu Biao pulled down his mask, and the woman saw his face clearly. She immediately changed her tune.

"Thank you, madam. Just bring over the chicken and mutton, and also steam a pot of flatbread."

Zhu Biao plopped down, shivering as he took off his leather robe, then untied his waist knife, leaned against the bench, and casually twisted his wrist guard.

"Alright~ Young master, wait a moment."

A strange light flashed in the woman's eyes, but she didn't say anything. She responded and swayed her hips to the back room.

"Young Master, may we have some water?"

After the woman left, Zhu Wu licked her dry lips, looked at him expectantly, and asked timidly.

Zhu Biao grabbed the water bag whose inside was covered in ice.

"Warm up and drink some more."

As he handed over the water pouch, he lightly kicked the table leg and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"A black market establishment, be ready to seize weapons and strike deadly at any time."

Zhu Wu looked over, bewildered, and his gaze instantly sharpened, his pupils shrinking to pinpoints. There were a few drops of dried blood on the inside corner of the table leg.

He was a seasoned killer; by observing the height and shape of the splashes, he could even vaguely recreate the scene from that time.

A man collapsed beside the table, his body slashed diagonally.

"Young Master, why don't we just take action and strike first?"

Zhu Wu gripped the knife hilt tightly, his knuckles turning white, and he almost couldn't resist drawing the knife.

Zhu Biao grabbed his hand and tapped it lightly with his finger.

"Stay calm, eat something hot first, and save up some energy."