Water Margin: I am Zhu Biao

The blond monster slunk away, not even daring to pick up his hat.

"good!"

"What a hero!"

"What excellent archery skills, young man!"

"Young master, you're impressive! You've brought honor to the Song people!"

After they walked away, the travelers who had gathered by the roadside cheered loudly. Pang Qiutang had never seen such a scene before, and her face suddenly turned bright red.

Zhu Biao remained remarkably calm, even showing a hint of impatience. He simply clasped his hands in a perfunctory gesture towards the surroundings without uttering a word.

As the passersby gradually dispersed, Zhu Biao took out his money bag to pay the bill, but the honest stall owner bowed to him.

"Young master, Li Er is not good with words and doesn't know how to say nice things, but I feel proud of him, so I don't need the money for the meal."

The little boy who had helped her ran up to Pang Qiutang, took a warm egg from his pocket, and handed it to her, saying timidly:

"Hey bro, you're amazing! When I've saved enough money, I'll buy a bow and practice archery to protect my parents and my brother!"

His words immediately touched a nerve with Pang Qiutang.

Her eyes reddened as she thought of the increasingly dilapidated Pangjiazhuang and her brother, whose fate was unknown. No matter how good her archery skills were, they were useless; she couldn't pierce through this rotten world.

"A fine ambition!"

Zhu Biao suddenly walked over and reached out to rub the little boy's head.

She then took his dirty little hand, took out a piece of silver weighing about two ounces, and placed it in his palm.

"I can't just eat your wontons and tea eggs for free, so I'll give you the cheapest mulberry wood bow. Remember your words, protect your family."

Charcoal Head was happy to be back on the road.

The Li family was honest and gave them the whole pot of tea eggs. Zhu Biao and Pang Qiutang didn't eat them, so they all went to them.

Even Pang Qiutang's mount managed to get two of them.

"Third Brother, what are you thinking about?"

Seeing Zhu Biao frowning, seemingly deep in thought, Pang Qiutang asked curiously.

"It's nothing."

Zhu Biao shook his head. He was indeed thinking about something. That yellow-haired monster from earlier knew how to judge horses, but his martial arts skills were mediocre. There seemed to be someone like that on Liangshan.

However, he couldn't recall the person's nickname or name.

Also, judging from the direction this guy is heading north, he will definitely pass through Changheng County. They are all petty thieves and scoundrels. Could he have some connection with Shi Qian?

Even if Shi Qian manages to escape alive, it doesn't matter. He doesn't have time to deal with this minor ailment right now.

Call ~

Zhu Biao let out a long breath, suppressing his chaotic thoughts.

After traveling another twenty miles or so, Chenliu City was almost in sight. Suddenly, a rumble of thunder sounded in the distance, raising a cloud of snow dust, and seven or eight riders came galloping towards them.

Pang Qiutang, with her sharp eyes, pointed at the leader with her riding whip and exclaimed in surprise.

"Third Brother, look! The leader is a young woman, and she's even wearing armor! She looks so imposing!"

"lay down!"

Zhu Biao rebuked sharply:

"How many times have I told you? Don't point at people, and don't make a fuss. Also, remember, you're mute!"

"Third Brother, I... I was wrong."

Pang Qiutang was actually afraid of him. When she saw his face darken, she immediately shrank back and pursed her lips.

Zhu Biao rolled his eyes at her, then glanced at the few riders and instantly came to a conclusion: a spoiled young lady from a wealthy family with a head full of wild grass.

The young woman at the head of the group was about sixteen or seventeen years old, with beautiful features and a heroic appearance.

She wore a brocade robe adorned with a hundred flowers, covered by a soft leather armor that hugged her body, with a bright red cloak trailing behind her. She rode a dappled horse, with several elite guards following closely on either side.

It is indeed dashing and imposing.

However, in this freezing weather, she was riding so fast on horseback without even wearing a hat or scarf, she would soon get frostbite.

And her exquisitely carved soft nails were nothing but pretty.

Cut, stab, poke, shoot, pound, chop—none of them could stop it.

As they got closer, they could see that the guards had small flags stuck in their backs, with a bright red character "Liang" written on them.

Zhu Biao frowned slightly.

He had previously found an old scholar who had failed the imperial examinations for many years and had him cram on the list of high-ranking officials in the Song Dynasty. Among them, there was only one person surnamed Liang who dared to be so arrogant outside the capital city of Bianjing.

Liang Shicheng, the recluse.

But he's a eunuch, he can't have any children. Could this young woman be his niece? It seems he doesn't have any brothers either.

Emperor Huizong of Song had his own unique way of employing people. He often used treacherous officials, either eunuchs who had no descendants or people whose families had dwindled in number.

Tong Guan, Gao Qiu, Liang Shicheng, and Zhu Mian were all like this, but Cai Jing was an anomaly; this birdman had eight sons.

Da Da Da~

While he was still in a daze, the young woman suddenly turned her horse around and charged straight at him, instantly flying into the air within an arrow's reach.

"Third Brother!"

Pang Qiutang let out a soft cry, his hand already gripping the horsebow.

"Stay calm! Don't panic!"

Zhu Biao replied quickly, while secretly turning on the mechanism of the sleeve arrow on his wrist.

No matter who she is, let alone a descendant of Liang Shicheng, even if she is a princess or a noblewoman, he would kill her if she dared to hand him a knife!

He was young, but he became an outlaw, occupied the Liangshan Marsh near his home, and embarked on the path of rebellion!

"Whoa~"

When she was three zhang away from him, the young woman pulled on the reins, and the dappled horse beneath her suddenly reared up and let out a loud neigh.

Charcoal Head was a little restless, its front hooves pawing lightly, but Zhu Biao calmed it down.

The young woman stopped her horse, glanced at Zhu Biao from head to toe, nodded almost imperceptibly, and then spoke:

"What's your name? Where are you from? Did you come to Tokyo to attend my marriage proposal event?"

"what?"

What the hell is this marriage contest? Zhu Biao was stunned, his mind was buzzing, and he couldn't process it all at once.

Before Zhu Biao could react, the young woman continued:

"Forget it! Liang Er, you go and try him. This lady doesn't want those pretty faces, all show and no substance."

"Here you go!"

Beside her, a broad-shouldered, thick-browed, and bearded guard responded in a deep voice, then nimbly dismounted.

He pulled two white waxwood poles with their tips wrapped from his saddlebag, casually tossed one to Zhu Biao, and shook the other for himself.

"Young master, Liang Er has offended you!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than he rushed toward Zhu Biao, thrusting his long pole with a fierce, blazing motion.

"Well done!"

Zhu Biao had already regained his senses. As he caught the long pole, his eyes narrowed, and he leaped off the horse like a hawk, using the momentum to pull it away.

Snapped!

A crisp sound.

The two long poles came together and then separated. Zhu Biao landed steadily on the ground, while Liang Er stumbled back three steps, blood already seeping from his tiger's mouth.

Zhu Biao's tiger's mouth was also cut, but not because of the struggle just now, but because his old wound that was almost healed was torn open again.

Damn you, you immortal board!

He was furious. "With your skills, you dare to test my mettle?"

Before this, who were the people Zhu Biao tested his skills against? Luan Tingyu, Wu Song, Lin Chong, and Lu Junyi. Although he couldn't beat any of them, these were all top-notch masters.

Zhu Biao is now considered to be at the peak of the second tier, with one foot already in the ranks of first-tier masters. He is not someone that just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can mess with!

The worst part is, this isn't a trial run, it's a quality inspection! They're treating him like livestock, it's absolutely unbearable!

"Again!"

Before Liang Er could even regain his footing, Zhu Biao gave a soft shout, strode forward, and with a whoosh, flicked the long pole in his hand upwards, aiming straight for Liang Er's face.

Snapped!

Just as Liang Er was about to speak, he had to take a few more steps back and struggle to deflect the blow coming at him.

However, Zhu Biao's moves were even recognized by Lu Junyi, the top master of spear and staff techniques, so how could this insignificant nobody like him easily block them?

Zhu Biao gripped the long pole with both hands, spun it once, and then twisted it again.

With a whoosh, the long pole seemed to come alive instantly, its tip spinning in mid-air before snapping back and sweeping towards Liang Er's open side.

"Hey!"

Liang Erfa shouted urgently, then hurriedly stepped back, turned around, and lifted the bar in one smooth motion, already exceeding his usual level.

Unfortunately, Zhu Biao's strike was a feint; he suddenly pressed his wrist down, and the long pole, which was halfway through its sweep, instantly changed direction.

Snapped!

This strike was unavoidable and landed squarely on Liang's shoulders.

Swish!

He had just fallen to the ground and hadn't even felt the pain when the end of the pole, wrapped in soft cloth, was already pressed against his chest like a venomous snake, held firmly but not released.

"Guard Liang, I have offended you greatly!"

Zhu Biao glanced at him sideways and mimicked his tone from before.

At this moment, Pang Qiutang's starry eyes shone brightly, and some of the emotions hidden deep in her heart could no longer be concealed.

Interestingly, the young woman's eyes were also bright and alert, and she had an irrepressible smile on her lips.

She didn't even glance at Liang Er on the ground, spurred her horse forward a few steps, and stared straight at Zhu Biao:

"Young master, my name is Liang Siqi, and my uncle is Liang Shicheng, the Grand Tutor of the current court. What is your name?"

At this moment, her tone was humble, and her face showed a hint of shyness, making her seem like a completely different person from her arrogant demeanor just now.

Damn it! Is this little vixen going to have a split personality?

Zhu Biao inwardly grumbled, threw down the white waxwood stick, gave a perfunctory fist salute, and replied stiffly.

"Tang Shaowu, the commander of the Daming Prefecture, has come to Tokyo on official business."