Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

Upon hearing Gao Zhao's explanation, Fu Jin and the others suddenly understood. It turned out that the two had a grudge, and the monk wanted to use someone else to kill him. That made sense!

"I told you there must be some misunderstanding. How could someone as extravagant as the young master possibly stoop to the level of a bunch of beggars!" one of the men who ran a gambling den laughed.

The other two also joined in the laughter!

Gao Zhao waved his hand dismissively and looked at Fu Jin, saying, "Chief Fu, what do you plan to do about this?"

Fu Jin's face once again beamed with a warm smile, and he said calmly, "Since that fellow is the young master's enemy, then my Beggars' Sect naturally cannot sit idly by. We'll find him and kill him!"

"Hey, let's get this straight!" Gao Zhao showed no sympathy, waving his hand and saying, "Although I have a grudge against that monk, it's not a capital offense, much less a crime punishable by death! If your Beggars' Sect wants to establish its authority through killing, don't drag me into it!"

These words serve as a warning. Gao Zhao had dealt with swords and guns in his previous life and knew all too well how these people could take advantage of him. If you don't make things clear, they will dare to do whatever they want under your name!

Seeing that Gao Zhao was not easily fooled, Fu Jin could only smile awkwardly: "Young Master is right. This is a feud between my Beggars' Sect and others. If we don't teach that fellow a lesson, people will look down on my Beggars' Sect. In the future, wouldn't any Tom, Dick, or Harry be able to take advantage of us?"

"It's getting late, and Chief Fu still has things to do, so I won't disturb you any longer!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Zhao stood up, exchanged a perfunctory remark, and strode out, with Lin Chong following closely behind, protecting him on either side.

The others hurriedly got up to see him off and tried to persuade him to stay, but Gao Zhao politely declined.

"Young master, why not stay the night? Those young ladies would like to discuss art with you!"

Gao Zhao paused slightly, but then he remembered that his body had not yet returned to normal. Staying overnight would not be a good experience and he would be ridiculed. So he decisively refused!

"Young men should guard against lust!" Gao Zhao said to the group with a righteous expression. "How can a fine young man indulge in the lust of women!"

Everyone: "..."

He must have been provoked by those women!

Damn, this is a moment of clarity, when you speak with conviction!

Just as the group was about to continue their polite exchanges, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly approached.

Everyone looked on in astonishment, only to see a troop of soldiers galloping towards them. The leader was tall and burly, wielding a giant axe, looking like a celestial being descended to earth.

"Here he is! Here he is! Young Master Gao is here!" Gao Yi popped out from behind the giant spirit, pointed at Gao Zhao, and shouted with delight.

The burly man strode up to Gao Zhao, glanced at Lin Chong, and bowed, saying, "This humble general, Zhou Ang, greets you, young master!"

Gao Zhao looked up at the big man and was stunned for a moment before he remembered that Zhou Ang was the deputy instructor of the Imperial Guard. He was highly skilled in martial arts and had made many merits. When Gao Qiu attacked Liangshan, he fought Lu Junyi for twenty rounds without a clear winner!

He quickly stepped forward, grasped Zhou Ang's hand, and said excitedly, "So it's General Zhou! What brings you here in person?"

Zhou Ang was slightly taken aback by his enthusiasm, then smiled and said, "Young Master, you flatter me. I've heard of some petty scoundrels who dare to disrespect you, so I came to see who is so bold!"

As he spoke, he glanced at Fu Jin and the others, his tone growing colder and colder until he finally let out a sharp shout.

The men were startled and hurriedly apologized, "General, you misunderstand. How could we dare to disrespect the young master? We were inviting him to a banquet..."

"You dog-like creature, how dare you sit at the same table as the young master!" Zhou Ang sneered, making the faces of the men turn ashen with anger. They were all chivalrous heroes, how could they tolerate such humiliation!

However, seeing his tall stature, the group immediately decided not to lower themselves to his level!

A wise man doesn't fight a losing battle!

Seeing that the others dared not object, Zhou Ang turned to Gao Zhao and asked, "Is the young master alright?"

"I'm perfectly fine!" Gao Zhao laughed. "I came with Lin Chong. With him protecting me, how could anything happen to me!"

"That's excellent!" Zhou Ang nodded.

Lin Chong hurriedly bowed and said, "This humble servant, Lin Chong, greets the General!"

A few years ago, the emperor issued an edict to select skilled martial artists from the Imperial Guards to serve as instructors and teach them martial arts. Lin Chong was one of the instructors for spear and staff fighting.

Therefore, their actual status was that of officers in the Imperial Guard.

Unlike Lin Chong, Zhou Ang rose through the ranks based on his military achievements. He was higher than Lin Chong in both his official rank and his assigned duties, and was his superior.

"Hmm!" Zhou Ang nodded slightly. He knew Lin Chong, but he didn't think much of him. Despite having good martial arts skills, he didn't strive for improvement and spent his days loitering around the capital!

He always speaks of his lowly position and calls people petty; he has no soldier's spirit whatsoever!

And yet he complains all day long, full of grievances. It's ridiculous!

"Now that the young master is unharmed, we can rest assured. We will escort him back to his residence!"

"No!" Gao Zhao exclaimed upon hearing this. "My brothers have gone through so much trouble to come and save me. How can I let you all come for nothing? Let's have another banquet in the building and drink until we're drunk!"

"I have long admired General Zhou's reputation, and I would be delighted to have a drink with him on this occasion!"

Zhou Ang glanced back at the soldiers who had come with him, all of whom were looking at the Shen family garden with shining eyes!

Shenjia Garden is one of the seventy-two official restaurants in the capital. Such a place is naturally beyond the reach of ordinary soldiers!

Zhou Ang shook his head without hesitation and said, "This humble general still needs to return to camp to report and cannot stay any longer. I appreciate your kindness, young master!"

Seeing his resolute expression, Gao Zhao had no choice but to give up. Noticing the soldiers' disappointed looks, he immediately searched his person, pulled out all his money, and stuffed it into Zhou Ang's hand, laughing, "I wouldn't dare violate General Zhou's military discipline, but I can't let the brothers make a wasted trip. Take this money and I'll distribute it to them!"

"This..." Zhou Ang looked troubled, glancing at Gao Zhao and then at the soldiers, before finally nodding emphatically and bowing, saying, "Thank you very much for your generosity, young master!"

The soldiers were all smiles and bowed to Gao Zhao in gratitude!

Zhou Ang led his troops away, and Gao Zhao also bid farewell to Fu Jin and the others, returning to his residence under the escort of Lin Chong.

"You did a good job! You even knew to bring people to rescue me!" Gao Zhao patted Gao Yi's shoulder heavily.

"Hehe, we're the most loyal to Young Master!" Gao Yi proudly declared, then added with a regretful expression, "But those soldiers weren't of any help; they just made Young Master spend more money..."

"Think bigger!" Gao Zhao laughed nonchalantly. "I've given so much money to people who haven't helped me, so what about those who have? Give me a round of applause if you understand..."

Gao Yi clapped twice, puzzled, then said regretfully, "But young master, this means you'll have no money left!"

"Um?"

"The Grand Commandant, upon learning that you had gone out of the city to give away money and had offended the Beggars' Guild, flew into a rage and ordered that your monthly allowance be suspended!"

"What!" Gao Zhao exclaimed in shock. "Without money, how can I move the world? When will I be able to live a life of extravagance and debauchery? This will ruin my future!"

He glared at Gao Yi and shouted, "Did you snitch on me?!"

Gao Yi turned and ran, shouting, "Young master, you have to understand me! It's the Grand Commandant who pays my wages!"

"You son of a bitch! You thought you were loyal?!" Gao Zhao shouted and chased after him, making a move to hit him.

Lin Chong watched the two chasing each other, recalling everything that had happened today. His gaze was complicated. Gao Zhao was so polite to Zhou Ang, always addressing him as "General," but he treated him like a complete idiot!

I was also a skilled soldier, and I protected him with utmost care, even sacrificing my close friends...

broken!

Lin Chong was startled, suddenly remembering Lu Zhishen; the Beggars' Clan was still looking for him to seek revenge!