Water Margin: Gao Yanei is actually a Gal Genius

Gao Jin didn't rush to respond to the woman's voice.

The dark figure was knocked off course by his stick and was now pinned to the ground in the yard. Gao Jin looked over and saw that it was a broadsword handle, firmly planted in the ground, at least three inches deep, with the end still trembling.

Gao Jin's eyes twitched as he watched. The ground in this courtyard was compacted, and people were coming and going. It wasn't the soft soil of a vegetable garden. This pole could penetrate three inches into the ground like a javelin. Even Lu Zhishen probably couldn't throw it much further.

If Gao Jin hadn't practiced martial arts, his reaction time would definitely not have been as fast as the black shadow's attack just now, and he would have at least been passed right through.

Where did this tyrant come from, daring to act so recklessly in Tokyo? Is there no law anymore? Gao Jin pondered these thoughts as he looked out of the courtyard.

Two women stood outside the door, followed by a horse and a donkey.

One woman was dressed beautifully and had a graceful figure, but her face was covered by a blue veil. The other woman was dressed as a maid.

"This pole..." Gao Jin looked around but saw no bandits, only these two women. "...Did you lose it?"

"So what if I lost it?" the woman in the green veil said, her voice still that of a spoiled brat. "I'm only asking you, are you Gao Jin?"

For the past month or so, Gao Jin has been practicing martial arts and strengthening his body without fail, enduring wind, sun, and rain. His skin has already developed a wheat-like luster, and even his original slightly frail appearance and physique are now angular and resolute.

"In broad daylight in this city of Tokyo, young lady, are you trying to kill someone?" Gao Jin frowned. Where did this crazy woman come from?

"I watched you practice your skills. If this pole kills you, I'll pay with my life." This crazy woman's words sounded like she was praising her own sharp eyesight or Gao Jin's martial arts prowess. In any case, they weren't exactly endearing.

Gao Jin didn't know how to answer, so he just stared coldly at the woman.

The woman spoke again, her tone rather anxious, "Tell me quickly, are you Gao Jin?"

This young lady repeatedly tried to find Gao Jin, but he didn't recognize her, and his predecessor, Gao Yanei, had no recollection of her.

I don't know where this girl came from, what a waste of her graceful figure. She speaks in a very unpleasant way and is ruthless in her actions, completely disregarding human life.

Whoever marries this woman is going to be incredibly unlucky.

Thinking of this, Gao Jin cupped his hands and said, "My name is Lu Qian. Gao Jin didn't come today. What business do you have with him, young lady?"

"Lu Qian? I've heard so much about you..." The woman bowed politely, then turned to the maid and began to talk to her, glancing at Gao Jin every now and then.

Gao Jin was so angry he almost laughed. He wondered whose daughter was so bizarre.

The woman seemed to have finished speaking with the maid, and finally looked at Gao Jin and said, "My name is Chen Liqing. I was rude just now. I hope Brother Lu will forgive me."

Chen Liqing? Never heard of her, have no recollection of her, and have never slept with her.

"Miss Chen, please be mindful of your actions and avoid injuring innocent people or getting into legal trouble." Although Gao Jin was displeased, the young girl had already apologized, so he offered a few lukewarm words of advice.

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Lu." Chen Liqing had come to find Gao Jin anyway, and since he wasn't there, she didn't want to linger. "Please tell him this if you see Gao Jin. If I do, I'll shoot him dead. Tell him to be careful!"

Gao Jin thought to himself that Chen Liqing had probably heard the rumors circulating in Tokyo and, relying on her strength, decided to come and rid the people of this scourge.

Why did this predecessor do nothing good? All he did was cause him trouble.

"If I happen to meet Gao Jin, I will certainly pass on your message to the young lady." Gao Jin bowed and saw him off, saying, "Take care, I won't see you off any further."

The two women bowed and then turned to leave.

Just as he disappeared around the corner, a heavy force landed on Gao Jin's shoulder, followed by Lu Zhishen's gruff voice, his tone full of mockery.

"Brother, that woman isn't bad either. Why don't you go up and make yourself known? Otherwise, you'll ruin your reputation as a womanizer."

It turned out that Lu Zhishen had returned at some point, and it was unknown how much of what the Flower Monk had overheard.

Seeing that the two women didn't turn back in a dramatic way, Gao Jin breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and glared at Lu Zhishen, "Hey monk, why don't you make a sound when you walk? 'Playboy' isn't exactly a good title, why would I protect that kind of thing?"

"It's clearly you who were lost in thought, brother. Why are you blaming me?" Lu Zhishen said as he sat down by the locust tree and waved for Gao Jin to sit down. "Great! I was summoned by the abbot to chant sutras early this morning, and my mouth is practically dry. Brother, come and sit down, have some wine with me."

"What's wrong with that woman? You playboy monk, you should give me a good talking-to." Gao Jin sat down opposite Lu Zhishen, raised his wine bowl, and said, "If you can't say anything good about her, you playboy monk, you should be punished with three bowls."

"I've seen a lot in my life. That woman had a graceful figure and a clear voice. Although her face was covered by a veil, so I couldn't see her true appearance, she must be quite beautiful."

"Brother, you must have been bewitched by that woman. Am I right? Good brother, quickly punish yourself with three bowls of wine, or I'll look down on you," Lu Zhishen said confidently.

After listening to the first half, Gao Jin was ready to drink, but after listening to the second half, he became a little unhappy.

Lu Zhishen's words sounded rather harsh to him. Why did he feel like he was being treated like a spoiled brat who had never seen the world? What kind of beautiful women hadn't he seen in his past life?

That girl just now, she throws a stick and pokes people all the time. Whoever falls for her will probably face a huge domestic violence incident.

Setting down his wine bowl, Gao Jin said, "Of course not."

"Great monk, you've wasted your time in Buddhism. You can only judge people by their appearance."

"You should know that a beautiful appearance is a dime a dozen, but a chivalrous soul is one in a million."

"Although the girl was somewhat pretty, her behavior was unruly and willful."

"Judging from her clothes, she must be a respectable woman. If I were to provoke her and accidentally cause a death, wouldn't I have to marry her?"

"After marrying her, there will surely be unrest in the household, and she will be a shrew every day."

"If I can't resist divorcing her, I'm afraid she'll take half of my assets."

"If I have that spare money, why not go to a brothel or entertainment venue? The masters there are all gentle and considerate, and they wouldn't want me to suffer the slightest grievance..."

"That makes sense!" Lu Zhishen patted his bald head, raised his wine bowl, and said, "Brother, don't say anymore. I'll punish myself with three bowls. I used to hear rumors that you liked to harass respectable women, but now that I've heard these heartfelt words, I know those rumors are all nonsense."

Gao Jin was still a bit unsatisfied and wanted to continue showing off, "You know Li Shishi, right? She's the famous Fanlou Master who's all over the capital, and I often meet and chat with her."

"I heard before that you stayed at Fanlou for a month. Could it be that you were with this Master Li..." Lu Zhishen's eyes were full of gossip.

Gao Jin gave an awkward smile and said sheepishly, "No, Li Shishi charges too much for an overnight stay... I stayed at a side inn in Fanlou..."

Lu Zhishen burst into laughter, and Gao Jin was also pleased to see Lu Zhishen's increased favorability.

[Lu Zhishen's favorability rating: 70.] I don't know when it reached 70, all that's missing is that "brother" from him.

A joyful atmosphere immediately filled the space between the two.

Before long, Lin Chong, who was on leave today, also arrived and took a seat. The three of them toasted each other and chatted happily.

When the wine was flowing freely, Gao Jin suddenly suggested that the three of them, who were kindred spirits and gathered here every day, should become sworn brothers.

Although Grand Commandant Gao had a bad reputation, Lin Chong also came from a military family, and his reputation in the court was arguably not as good as the Grand Commandant's.

Having received protection from his superior for no reason, Lin Chong had nothing to complain about.

Lu Zhishen was delighted to hear this, not because he coveted Gao Jin's family. Gao Jin was a dedicated martial artist who never cheated or shirked his duties, and he was also known for his forthright and generous nature, reminiscent of a valiant soldier.

The only slight reservation was Gao Jin's poor reputation when it came to women, but Gao Jin's words today made Lu Zhishen suddenly understand. His brother Gao Jin wasn't short of money, so why bother with respectable women? There must be some gossip spreading in this capital!

The head monk picked up his wine bowl and began, "I hope Brother Gao Jin doesn't mind that I'm a rough man!"

"How could I possibly look down on you two?" Gao Jin also raised his wine bowl.

"This locust tree has witnessed the bond between the three of us, so let's become sworn brothers under this locust tree," Lu Zhishen said, pointing to the locust tree.

"Don't we need to find some incense or something to worship the gods?" Lin Chong hesitated.

"Brotherhood is in the heart! No matter how grand the ceremony is, if you don't have brothers in your heart, isn't it just empty talk?" Gao Jin said.

"Junior brother, Brother Gao is right, Buddha resides in the heart." Lu Zhishen nodded earnestly, becoming increasingly pleasing to the eye to Gao Jin.

"I am thirty-six years old."

"Mr. Lin is thirty-four years old this year."

After they finished speaking, they both looked at Gao Jin, clearly intending to arrange the seating according to age as was customary.

Gao Jin was not about to agree, so he quickly came up with his prepared explanation: "The senior monk was formerly a military officer under General Zhong, and the instructor is the current head instructor of the Imperial Guards. I am also considered to be half a son of a military family."

"We are sworn brothers among our disciples; how can we follow those rough and uncultured rules?"

Lin Chong and Lu Zhishen exchanged glances, and finally the head monk spoke up, "So, brother, what do you mean?"

"We will naturally treat the people in our sect according to military regulations."

"The capable rise, the weak fall."