Chapter 7: Ma San Who Did Not Want to Die (Revised)

  Wang Erpao, as a veteran bandit who had been with the bandits for many years, was very clear about one thing regarding the dormitory where these mountain bandits lived. That is, each mountain stronghold would at least light up the room of the bandit on night duty to facilitate the handover of sentry duties at night.

  Wang Er Niu, who understood the convention, immediately realized that tonight's Hei Feng Zhai was not as defenseless as Ma San had said. On the contrary, he clearly felt that their every move might be under scrutiny.

  The reason why the other party allowed them to enter the courtyard so safely was that they wanted to catch them all at once. Therefore, Wang Erzhuo, who clearly realized that something was wrong, also immediately and without hesitation ordered his men to retreat from the courtyard.

  Just as the bandits who followed were still unclear about the situation and why they retreated after entering here, a sudden sentence came out of the quiet night, making all the Xianglufeng bandits fall into an icy pit.

  'Wang Er, since you've all arrived, why the rush to leave? Brothers of Xianglu Peak, tonight you came uninvited, how can we, Black Wind Stockade's brothers, not treat you well? Otherwise, if word gets out, everyone in the mountains will think that Black Wind Stockade doesn't follow Jianghu rules. Brothers, come out and entertain our esteemed guests!'

  The scene that left Wang Erpiao and other Xiangfeng Peak bandits even more shocked was the sudden appearance of a circle of torches on the previously quiet courtyard walls, which had been lit up by branches of trees. This was like being surrounded by a ring of fire, directly reminding them that tonight they were in trouble, and someone had gotten the better of them.

  The torches lit all around, undoubtedly clearly told Wang Er Zhu and others that their actions tonight had been discovered by someone, and a trap was set for them to step on. If they had listened to Wang Er Zhu's advice and retreated when entering the village, there might have been a chance of escape tonight. But now, under these circumstances, the chances of them killing their way out were really slim.

  Compared to Wang Er's stunned expression, his mind was frantically thinking of ways to escape. Ma San, who had been undercover in Heifeng Gang for nearly three years, completely collapsed to the ground when he saw that their group had been surrounded. Especially after hearing that voice, which came from Xu Bin, the newly appointed leader of Chushan Gang, Ma San realized that his fate would be a tragic one.

  In the bandit's line of work, if you ask who is the most hated person, it would undoubtedly be the internal traitor and the undercover agent. Once discovered, being skinned alive or having their tendons pulled out is nothing out of the ordinary!

  Although he knew that being an undercover agent in the mountain stronghold would often lead to death, he had been hiding in Hei Feng Gang for over two years and had done a good job of concealing himself. If it weren't for his uncle Ma Liu's eagerness to succeed and his desire to take down Hei Feng Gang on the night when the dragons were leaderless, perhaps his life could have been prolonged for some time.

  After all, he was the trusted general of the former head of Heifengzhai, and without any evidence, how could people in the mountain village easily suspect that he was a traitor?

  Under the gaze of so many eyes, it is futile for him to explain himself with a few more mouths. There are only two paths in front of him: one is to lay down his weapons and surrender, praying that this young master can spare his life and let him off lightly.

  The hatred for killing one's father cannot be easily resolved with just a few words. Moreover, Xu Bin had just taken office and was worried that he didn't have the opportunity to kill someone to establish his authority. It was a good thing that they were able to catch this internal traitor who everyone in the mountain stronghold would hate, and using him as a sacrifice to establish their authority was undoubtedly the most appropriate thing to do.

  There is another way, also full of unknown risks, that is to rely on the dozens of bandits who broke into the village tonight, and take advantage of the night to see if they can kill their way out. If they are lucky enough to rush out, they may still be able to escape with their lives by hiding in the dense forest outside the mountain stronghold. Of course, the probability of success is not high either, and the bandits surrounding them are not easy to deal with.

  But having hope is always better than waiting for death!

  Ma San, realizing that surrender would also be impossible to escape death, suddenly stood up and hid in the crowd, shouting loudly: "Brothers, we have been surrounded! Now everyone hurry up and rush out with all our might. As long as we can rush out of the yard, we will survive! Charge! Ah!"

  The extra "ah" was because one of the bandits blocking Ma San's way had his head blown off by a single shot. Just as these bandits were about to raise their guns and make a desperate charge, Xu Bin, who had shouted earlier, shouted again: "Three monkeys, it seems you really took today's people as brothers. Knowing that we are surrounded, you still let them rush forward to die."

  "If you're so eager to fight, why are you hiding behind your brother's back? Come out and show me what you've got, I guarantee your head will end up like the person in front of you. Are you brave enough to come out and try?"

  Xu Bin, who had just fired the shot, intended to intimidate these dozens of fierce bandits. Although the current situation is completely under their control, Xu Bin thinks it's more cost-effective to take down these surrounded Xianglufeng bandits without harming any of his own men.

  For this, hearing Ma San drumming up these bandits to risk their lives and break through the encirclement, he was worried that it would lead to a chaotic battle. He decisively opened fire and implemented a shock-and-awe tactic. At the same time, he divided and disintegrated these bandits who were also unwilling to lose their lives here, and did not listen to Ma San's drumming and become scapegoats.

  The effect was very good, as soon as he finished speaking, the several bandits who were blocking Ma San's way seemed to realize this point. Like avoiding a plague god, they exposed Ma San who was hiding behind them.

  This situation made Wang Er Zhuo, who was also under the protection of the bandits, stand out and block Ma San's terrified face. After all, this guy was still the younger brother of the master, and if he didn't save him, it would be hard to explain when he went back.

  Wang Er Niu, realizing that things were getting messy at night, raised his hand in the direction of Xu Bin's shout and said: "Fellow brothers of Hei Feng Gang, today I, Wang Er Niu, admit defeat. If Big Brother Xu doesn't want everyone to fight to the death, then let's put down our weapons and have a good talk. We're all mountain folks who often meet each other, no need to make a big deal out of a small matter and end up killing each other!"

  Tonight's sneak attack is indeed unscrupulous, but the matter has already happened. Whatever requirements Lord Xu has, just mention them. As long as I can keep my brothers under me alive, I am willing to take responsibility for tonight's sneak attack, even if Lord Xu wants me, Wang Er Chou, to pay with my life.

  "Does the great master of Xu really think that we will be settled by dinner tonight? I, Wang Er Chou, guarantee that even if it's death, I'll drag you all down with me. By then, we'll fight to a bitter end, and when the news spreads at dawn, your Black Wind Fortress won't be able to withstand the covetous gazes of other fortresses in the mountains! Where will you go? What will you do? I hope Master Xu thinks thrice, don't let a moment's anger ruin your great future!"

  Xu Bin, standing in the dark, listened to Wang Er Gou's calm and composed explanation and coercion, feeling that this rough-looking bandit leader didn't seem as reckless as he looked!

  But in his heart, he secretly laughed at the other person for treating him like a child, using such deceptive means to coerce and entice him. If he didn't give him a show of strength, this newly appointed head of the household would probably lose face and not be able to continue on.

  Wang Erpao, I didn't expect your eloquence to be quite good! However, it seems you've got one thing wrong - the grudge between Xianglu Peak and my Heifeng Stronghold isn't just about tonight's sneak attack. The ins and outs of our two families' feud, others may not understand, but surely you, Wang Erpao, are clear about it?

  Don't think you can scare me off like a child, that won't work. You should know that I'm now the big boss of Hei Feng Gang, every word and action must consider the brothers under my command. In these years, the brothers who died at your hands, there are at least 80, just because of your phrase "fish die net broken" you think you can scare me off? You're overestimating yourselves.

  Let me tell you the truth, today I will definitely kill the three monkeys without a doubt. As for you, I think you are still a talented person, if you can surrender voluntarily and hand over your gun, maybe I can make an exception and let you and these people around you have a way to survive. If you really think that I am not capable of dealing with you, then bring your men and try to rush us, I would like to see who is faster, your legs or the bullets of my brothers.

  It's as if he had merged with the memories of his youth, Xu Bin was astonished to discover that his tone of speech was completely different from his previous life. This kind of language, which was usually difficult to express and had a bandit-like tone, was spoken so smoothly in this situation. Could it be that the good police habits he had cultivated for over 30 years in his previous life had been assimilated into the temperament of this teenager?

  Surrender!

  If it were another bandit group, Wang Er might have agreed immediately. For these old bandits who often hover between life and death, being able to keep their lives is the most important thing. As for surrendering, they think it's a bit shameful, but many of them feel it's normal, and after surrendering several times, they get used to it.

  Besides, among the bandits who came with Wang Erzhuang tonight, there are also many people who were recruited from other bandit dens. As an old bandit, in that mountain stronghold, they really don't mind being a bandit as long as they can have enough food to eat. It's not very possible to expect these bandits to risk their lives for you just because you gave them a meal.