Chapter 8: Laughing and Capturing the Powerful Bandit Like a Mouse

  Fairy Road Dust 8

  The sunset of autumn slowly fell under the western mountain, and the red glow at the horizon gradually lost its beauty, fading away. Nightfall has finally arrived.

  "It's gone!"

  He said with a smile.

  "Hmm!"

  Jū yíng yǒu diǎn jǐn zhāng.

  Translation:

  Joo Ying is a bit nervous.

  Just as they were about to exit the house, the young man suddenly stopped and turned around to face the girl behind him after a moment of contemplation.

  "This trip is no child's play, you must follow what we discussed earlier and can't be reckless!"

  "I will!"

  The girl also knew that this trip was extremely dangerous and nodded heavily.

  "Also,"

  With a serious expression and solemn words, he said:

  "If things go wrong, you just take care of yourself and escape, don't bother about me!"

  "I won't leave you behind!"

  "Thank you! But still do as I say. Because only if you escape can you help me bring reinforcements."

  "If I am caught, you quickly go find someone, he will definitely be able to rescue me from trouble!"

  "Who?"

  "Wang Er's cudgel."

  The night shrouded Nantiao Island, calm and peaceful. The autumn night's lake and mountain scenery was exceptionally quiet. It was precisely because of this that the man who walked crookedly along the embankment stood out as particularly discordant.

  This man who was humming a lewd ditty, clearly drunk, was none other than our famous Chen Kui, the big boss of the Chen family.

  "Today's luck is quite good, and I can find a ferry without much effort!"

  Drunken eyes, vaguely saw in the distance in front of the lake embankment willow shade, a black awning boat was moored. The night-colored Poyang Lake had become calm, with only slight ripples gently washing against the shore, and the black awning boat rocked up and down with the waves.

  "Heh heh, these boatmen usually hide from me like the plague, but today there's actually one available, just waiting for me to get on!"

  Chen Kui-zhi was delighted and pondered:

  "Haha! Eating free food, riding a luxurious vehicle, this is what a real man should be like!"

  At the sound of his call, the boatman who was wearing a bamboo hat and crouching at the bow to greet guests quickly stood up, stretched out his hand to carefully help Chen Bantou, who reeked of wine, onto the boat. Then he untied the rope tied to the willow tree trunk, shouted "Hold on tight, sir!", and with a gentle push of the bamboo pole against the stone shore, the boat glided smoothly away from under the willow shade into the night, heading towards Poyang Lake.

  "Unexpectedly, this boat is quite interesting..."

  This low-ranking sesame-green-bean-headed Chen Ban Tou actually liked being called "Old Master" by others.

  "What's the point of going back now? Going back to sleep...... No, I remembered... Old Master, I still have to work hard for a while, go to that big prison and interrogate that little girl all night!"

  "Later on, I'll make sure to entertain her well and let her know about Old Master Chen's romantic skills..."

  Just as the boat reached the center of the lake, Mr. Chen's wine suddenly surged up, his mind was dizzy and confused, and he had a lustful smile on his face. At this time, he suddenly heard a "whooshing" sound in his ear, and then he felt a blackness in front of him - it turned out that a large sack had fallen from the sky, covering Mr. Chen's drunken and weak body entirely, and was quickly tied up at the mouth of the sack, forming a lump!

  "We're done for! We've boarded the pirate ship!"

  In an instant, Chen Kui's intoxication was completely gone, and the elegant demeanor he had just displayed was instantly thrown out of sight.

  "Save me!"

  Who would have thought that this Chen Daban was so incompetent? He struggled for just a moment before letting out a pig-like shriek!

  It's just that the smoke and waves of Poyang Lake are endless, and it's also a hazy night. There are few boats on the lake, and even if there are fishermen who hear the cry for help, who dares to come near? They just pretend to be deaf. Therefore, Chen Ban Tou's broken gong-like voice shouting out for help, although it is ear-piercing and heart-wrenching, has no practical effect at all.

  "Shut your beak!"

  A loud, hoarse voice shouted, and then Chen Ban Tou felt a flurry of iron fists raining down on him. Although there was a thin layer of burlap sackcloth to protect him, this beating only made Chen Ban Tou's face contort in pain, his eyes scrunched up and his mouth twisted into an ugly grimace - of course, while still inside the sack, he didn't worry about losing face.

  A round of beating finally came to an end, and then he heard the man shout:

  "Shout again! Shout once more and I'll throw you into the lake to feed the turtles!"

  They say "a good man doesn't take advantage of someone in front of him", but who would have thought that this Chen Daban, who normally acts like a tyrant, is actually the best of the good men. Mr. Chen, who was in the sack, immediately realized the severity of the situation and quickly stopped his meaningless yet potentially serious barking, instead softly pleading from inside the sack:

  "I don't know if this good fellow is a bit short of money? If so, just give me an order, and I'll immediately present it to the good fellow with both hands, absolutely no hesitation!"

  The thief didn't say a word. For a long time there was silence, and the cabin gradually quieted down, with only the sound of waves outside the boat being heard.

  However, the more quiet it was, the more Chen Ban Tou's heart felt eerie. He suddenly thought that he hadn't done anything good in his past life, and wondered if this time it was someone he had wronged coming to seek revenge. But no, usually those who came to bully him were just ordinary people, and he didn't seem to have offended anyone with real power.

  Chen Kui Zheng's mind was in a state of utter confusion when he suddenly heard a clear and bright voice say:

  "Big brother, on a night as dark and windy as this, with such a beautiful scene before us, why don't we recite a poem to add to the elegance of the moment?"

  "Fine, it turns out there's more than one of these scoundrels!"

  Chen Kui heard the sound, and couldn't help but feel anxious in his heart. He blamed Huang Tang, who lived on the water, for not making it clear how many roads there were before he got on the boat, and unexpectedly took the pirate's route!

  "But... judging from that scoundrel's tone, it seems they are still refined and cultured. Perhaps they are the kind of bandits who are knowledgeable and well-versed in literature!"

  Chen Kuai suddenly seemed to see a lifeline, and he prayed fervently, hoping that the Bodhisattva in the old master's temple would manifest and lend a helping hand.

  Right in the midst of a ghostly pregnancy, that "big brother" cleared his throat and said "good", then began to recite a poem:

  "In the midst of a horse's mane, a life is established"

  The knife and gun team is home.

  Drinking beside a grave mound

  Killing is life!

  As soon as he heard this, Chen's soul flew away and his spirit was scattered!

  Just as Chen Kui's face changed color and he was about to push out his eighty-year-old father, the young thief chimed in with praise:

  "Brother, this poem is indeed wonderful, just like what we usually write! Although I'm dull and my literary talent is not as good as yours, I also can't help but scribble a poem to harmonize with you."

  "Oh? I don't know how you two get along? Hurry up and tell me!"

  Although unbearable, Chen Daban, who was afraid of disturbing the poetic inspiration of the two bandits and bringing about a fight, could only hold back his urge to speak and listen attentively on the deck. At the same time, in his heart, he kept praying that these two bandits with unique styles would have a great poetic inspiration and compose more masterpieces, and maybe they would be in a good mood and let him go.

  And so, in the midst of their shared anticipation, both inside and outside the bag, the young thief finally whispered:

  "Ten steps, one person dead."

  A thousand miles without leaving a trace.

  How to leave no trace?

  "Throw it away and feed the lake god!"

  The two listeners were savoring the meaning of the poem when they heard the young thief recite it with great enthusiasm, and suddenly he spoke fiercely:

  "Big brother, since this fellow loves to live in the water, why not just throw him into the lake to feed the Dragon King. We two brothers can go for a boat ride on the lake, and I have a few new poems that I'd like to ask you to critique!"

  "Absolutely not!"

  "No!!"

  That year, the long thief and Chen Daban's two sentences almost came out at the same time. Although the meaning was different and the tone was different, what made Chen Daban feel relieved was that the thief's words were the same as his own meaning.

  "Why can't older brother?"

  "Little brother doesn't know this, but although this guy is detestable, big brother has something to settle with him and can't harm his life."

  "Hero! I don't know what task the great king wants me to do? Kill people, set fires or rob on the road? As long as the great king gives an order, I, Chen Kui, will go up a knife mountain and down a fire sea without frowning!"

  As soon as he heard that his life was no longer in danger, Chen Daban suddenly felt the dark and cramped sack become a bright and spacious place. It seemed that the vow he had just made to the Bodhisattva, promising to offer three animals' heads, had taken effect. Hearing that he still had use for this bandit, Chen Kui immediately wished he could give him the whole sky - but at the same time, he didn't dare move recklessly, fearing being misunderstood as trying to escape.

  "Shut up!"

  Listening to his chatter, the young thief scolded him and then asked in a gentle tone:

  "What brings you here, big brother?"

  "Alas! It's laughable to say, but your elder brother, despite being talented and having exceptional poetic skills, has become so proud that he can't find someone who shares his interests. He looks down on those ordinary women. As a result, your elder brother remains single to this day. You're still young, you don't know the bitterness of sleeping alone."

  At this point, the old thief couldn't help but sigh and lament, his tone sorrowful, which almost made Chen Kui forget his own situation, nearly speaking out to comfort him.

  "Ah! I didn't know big brother had such hardships! Just now it was actually little brother who was reckless. But what does this have to do with that scoundrel?"

  "Ah! ~ Great King! The matter of the aunt's wife has been settled on me, a small person! I'm the most capable of this! Tomorrow morning, I'll bring you ten or eight! Guaranteed each and every one!"

  This is exactly what Chen Kui heard the two words "this guy" and reacted, immediately showing great loyalty; if it weren't for this narrow bag, he would even jump up and dance to show his loyalty!

  "Shut your beak! One more peep and you'll get a punch from me!"

  The burlap sack immediately returned to its normal state, and it was impossible to tell that there were still living things inside.

  "Brother, you don't know this, but today before noon, big brother went to Wanghu Street to buy some herbal medicine for emergencies. He happened to see your sister-in-law - uh, that's the girl who sells medicine. We fell in love at first sight, both of us admiring each other's talents. So under the scorching sun and in front of the medicine stall, we secretly agreed to be together for life!"

  "Big brother was just about to come back and discuss the wedding with you, but he couldn't bear to part with your lovely sister-in-law. He turned back halfway, wanting to have a few more heart-to-hearts with her - only to find that she had already left, leaving no trace behind. It's indeed 'the sorrow of being too sentimental'..."

  "Ah! I didn't expect that beneath your rough exterior, big brother, you have such a delicate and romantic heart~"

  "Good brother, you're wrong! And to think that at the time, my elder brother was feeling anxious and uneasy, but then he heard passersby telling him that it was precisely this scoundrel in his bag who had led people to seize his sister-in-law and his father-in-law and take them into custody!"

  That scoundrel's elder brother said up to this point, suddenly furious again, so Chen Kui only felt himself being kicked once more. Although it was painful, he could only force himself to endure it and didn't dare to cry out.

  This Chen Daban head is indeed the first of a county yamen, and he is clever. While enduring the pain, he took over the conversation and begged in a low voice:

  "Oh, I'm doomed! I'm doomed! That little scoundrel has gone blind and offended the elder sister-in-law! Just spare my life, good sir, and let me go back. Tomorrow morning, I'll send the lady back to you."

  "Oh? Is this really true?!"

  "Not a single false word! If I have even half a sentence of deceit, let Chen Kui Tian strike me with five thunderbolts! Let me not die a good death! Let me be..."

  Chen Daban's head didn't hesitate to curse, fearing that if he hesitated, this villain would change his mind, and this life would be lost in Lake Poyang.

  Chen Kui's poisonous oath was indeed heartfelt and sincere. This soft and fearful guy, who is often on the road at night and encounters ghosts, only today did he realize that there are people more ruthless than himself, and immediately he didn't dare to have any second thoughts.

  "Alright! No need to swear anymore. I reckon you don't dare to play tricks on me either. If I don't see my wife by tomorrow noon, even if the heavens don't strike you down, I won't let you off! Unless you plan to spend the rest of your life hiding in the county yamen and never take a night stroll!"

  Chen Kui said he did not dare, Luo Luo said loudly and expressed his loyalty.

  "Big brother, since this guy has surrendered, let's just send him over."

  "Cross over? Won't it be super crossing?"

  Chen Ban Tuo, already a startled bird, was suspicious of everything, when he heard the big brother hesitate for a moment and say:

  "It won't do; there may be idlers on the north shore, and if they see us it will spoil everything. Let's row back and find a secluded spot on that south island to drop anchor."

  "After all, it's still Big Brother who thinks things through! Let's follow Big Brother's words."

  Chen Kui heard it clearly in that bag, but didn't dare to interrupt; the cabin was quiet again, only hearing the sound of the boat creaking and the oars splashing...

  Today, the waterway of Poyang Lake seems unusually long in Chen Kui's heart. After a long time, the boat finally stopped at the shore.

  He secretly rejoiced, but suddenly felt as if he was being lifted up like a cloud and thrown to the ground, his body aching in pain. He let out an "ah" before he could stop himself. As soon as the sound escaped his lips, Chen Banping's heart was filled with great fear, and he secretly warned himself not to make another sound.

  "Chen, Da, Ban, Tou..."

  Only heard that young thief say with a strange tone:

  "Go ahead and shout! Maybe someone will come to rescue you if you do!"

  The sack is as still as dead water.

  "Oh no, didn't he die from the fall?"

  "The big one is dead, but the small one is still alive."

  Afraid of being kicked and punched by the thief, Chen Ban Tou had to respond; however, this guy had made an effort to lower his voice, if it weren't for the quietness of the night and the proximity, otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to hear it at all.

  "It's best if you don't die. Remember, before noon tomorrow, I want to see my wife and her father come out of the government office."

  He paused for a moment and added another sentence.

  "If they were missing a single cold hair, today next year would be your memorial day!"

  "Definitely! Definitely!"

  Suddenly feeling somewhat ambiguous, Chen Kui hastily added:

  "Don't worry, Your Majesty! I'll take care of tomorrow's matter!"

  Firm in tone, soft as a mosquito's hum.

  Waited for half a day, but didn't see anyone talking to him. Chen Kui was puzzled, but found that his body could move slowly, and the air he breathed also became cold and cool.

  It turned out that at some unknown time, the opening of this bag had already come loose.

  Before realizing this, Chen Kui still didn't dare to move slightly. After a while, confirming that there was indeed no one around, he dared to crawl out of the bag. It turned out that Chen's experience was indeed rich, and he deeply knew that he absolutely couldn't meet the bandit face-to-face. If his appearance was accidentally seen by the thief, then this little life would be finished here——thinking of that powerful fist, Chen Kui couldn't help but shudder again.

  Chen Ban Tou stood there for a while, collecting his thoughts; he looked around and found that where he was standing was not the Nanji Island that the thief had mentioned, but rather the northern shore of Poyang Lake. There were several small boats by the water's edge, bobbing up and down on the waves; further away, he could vaguely see the shadow of the Wanghu Lou pavilion's eaves.

  "These two scoundrels are indeed cunning!"

  Chen Kui cursed in his heart. However, his feet moved even faster, rushing straight to the county government office.

  I'm afraid it's too late. Is there anyone who doesn't know good from bad and has mistreated that pair of father and daughter who save people from suffering and difficulties?