Chapter 21: The Matter of Chang Le is Settled

  Shi Zhong Yu saw that things were taking a turn for the worse and hastily said, "Mr. Bei, now that things have reached this point, there's no need to hide anything."

  He then told how he had offended Bei Haishi in Huai'an Prefecture on the day of his escape, joined the Chang Le Gang, fought with Situ Heng, was forced to become the gang leader, and later escaped to Yangzhou, as well as the inexplicable events that led him to be caught by the two envoys of Rewarding Goodness and Punishing Evil. His eloquence was exceptional, and his words were logical and well-reasoned, causing everyone to suddenly understand.

  He then said, "Mr. Bei, the leader of this Chang Le gang, you should be the one to take over. Please spare me from being a puppet leader." He then hid behind Min Ruo.

  Bei Hai's face turned iron-green as he said, "What did the leader say back then? Now that things have come to a head, you're going back on your word."

  Shi Zhongyu said behind Min Ruo's back, "Alas, how could I have dared not to listen to your orders at that time? The words spoken were all taught by you, not my true intention, and do not count."

  Mi Hengdao loudly said: "Shi Bangzhu, you've been the leader of our gang for quite some time now. Every day, you're bullying and oppressing good women from respectable families - there must be over a hundred people who have suffered at your hands! You don't even spare the wives and daughters of your own brothers in the gang! This has caused our Chang Le Gang to lose face outside. Are these things what Mr. Bei taught you? If it weren't for your repeated promises and vows, guaranteeing that we would definitely get the copper plaque from Xia Ke Island, how could the brothers tolerate you?"

  Then Mi Heng, Chen Chong, and Zhan Fei shouted in unison: "You want to wash your hands and leave? Fine, but first settle the account for the reputation of Long Le's gang being tainted by debauching good women!" As they spoke, each of them pressed down on the hilts of their swords.

  When Chang Ping and Shi Qing heard that Shi Zhongyu was guilty, they didn't know what to say for a while. After all, Shi Zhongyu had committed the greatest taboo in the martial arts world. As for Mei Fang, she didn't have any good feelings towards Shi Zhongyu, but she didn't kick him when he was down either. However, Chang Ping and Shi Qing still held their swords at the ready, standing between Shi Zhongyu and the Chang Le gang to prevent any unexpected events.

  Zhang San laughed and said, "Shi Bangzhu, Mr. Bei, let's open the window and speak frankly. The Chang Le Gang has done too many evil things in recent years. My brother and I came to your gang today with the intention of 'punishing evil'. We didn't expect Shi Bangzhu to accept the copper plaque either. It's just that we have to ask first. Shi Bangzhu, you won't accept the copper plaque, will you? Excellent, excellent..."

  Just as the two envoys were about to take action and kill someone, Zhang Ping hastily asked: "I dare to ask, are my sworn brother Shi Zhongyu still considered a member of the Chang Le Gang?"

  Li Si coldly hummed: "Alright."

  Upon hearing Li Si's words, Shi Zhongyu's heart immediately turned cold. Whether he accepted or not, it was all the same - death. He whispered to Min Ruo and said: "Mother, let's hurry up and run."

  Although the voice was very low, Zhang Ping's internal force was already deep at this time, and he heard it clearly. When he superimposed him with the image of his sworn brother who took care of him when he was a child, Zhang Ping couldn't help but sigh that life was indeed unpredictable.

  But looking at his foster parents, he also remembered the fragments of him taking care of himself when he was a child. Zhang Ping secretly mobilized his internal force, if the two envoys of reward and punishment took action, he would also take the lead in making trouble.

  Shi Zhongyu said to Shi Tian, "Brother, you might as well accept the bronze medal. Accepting it is death, not accepting it is also death. But if you don't accept it, then all the brothers of our sect will die with you, how can you bear that?"

  Shi Zhongyu sneered coldly and said, "You speak of others' generosity so easily. If you're really that kind and righteous, why don't you help the Chang Le gang avoid disaster and take these two copper plaques yourself? Hmph, it's truly laughable!"

  Shi Po let out a sigh, glanced at Mei Fang, then at Shi Qing and his wife, and said: "Mr. Bei, everyone has always treated me well, originally hoping I could help the Chang Le Gang get rid of this disaster, my brother won't take it, so I'll take it!" He walked up to Zhang San's front, stretched out his hand to take the copper plate from his palm.

  Just as he was about to go forward, he was pulled back by Mei Fang. All she heard was Mei Fang shouting: "Don't go, Shi Tianyi, if you dare to take that copper plate, I'll die right here."

  Although they are all biological sons, Shi Qing and his wife have raised Shi Zhongyu for many years after all, so they didn't stop Shi Tianyi on the spot. Mei Fanggu was different, she had raised Shi Tianyi for many years. In the early years, he was just a tool for her to take revenge on Shi Qing, but after being reunited after a long separation, she now treated Shi Tianyi as if he were her own biological son. So when she heard that Shi Tianyi wanted to go and die, she immediately threatened him with death.

  Bei Hai Shi and others never expected that after Shi Tian Yi saw through everyone's conspiracy, he would still be willing to sacrifice himself for the gang. These people, although each one was cunning and ferocious, at this time couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude. However, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. As Mei Fang Gu pressed him with death, Shi Tian Yi's perfect ending was also shattered.

  Zhang San looked around and saw no one was taking the card, so he laughed and said: "It seems like no one is going to take the card today, great, great..."

  "Two envoys, please wait. If the son is not taught, it's the father's fault. Today, my child has made a thousand mistakes and ten thousand errors, all due to my own failure in discipline. Since my son had already agreed to this matter earlier, I, Shi Qing, am willing to take his place and head to Xiake Island."

  "Uncle, slow down, it's better for me to replace Yuer's brother on this trip." Zhang Ping stopped him. After speaking, Zhang Ping came to Shi Qing's side and whispered: "Uncle, the copper plaque of Shangqing Temple is actually with me, I'm now in debt and not worried. So, Uncle, you don't have to compete with me."

  Having said that, Zhang Ping walked towards Zhang San, wanting to take the copper plate.

  Zhang San suddenly pulled his hand back and said, "Wait a minute!" He turned to Bei Haishi and asked, "The Knight Island's invitation plaque is only for the true master. Which one of you is the leader of your group?"

  Bei Hai Shi and others did not expect that things would turn around, but it was a stranger who helped the gang out of trouble. They all bowed to Zhang Ping at the same time and said: "I am willing to follow the great hero as the leader of our gang, obeying his orders, and dare not disobey." These words were spoken with utmost sincerity.

  Zhang San said, "The superior man observes the rites and ceremonies, indeed heroes emerge in their youth. With your martial arts skills, you can certainly drink this bowl of millet porridge. It's just a pity that the Chang Le gang will be carefree from now on."

  Li Si shook his head and said, "What a pity! What a pity!" It was unclear whether he regretted not being able to eradicate the Chang Le Gang or felt sorry that Zhang Ping had wrongly given his life for the gang. Bei Haishi and the others lowered their heads, not daring to meet Zhang San and Li Si's gaze.

  Zhang San and Li Si exchanged a glance, both nodding their heads. With a flick of Zhang San's right hand, the two copper plates slowly flew towards Zhang Ping. The weight of the copper plates was not light, and after being thrown out, they should have flown out with great force, but instead they floated forward slowly, as if suspended in mid-air by two invisible threads. The internal power was truly rare and unheard of.

  Zhang Ping accepted the bronze medal and said to the people of Chang Le Gang: "I, a humble person, have accepted the bronze medal on behalf of Chang Le Gang. From now on, Shi Zhong Yu and Chang Le Gang will sever ties and not pursue past matters. What do you think, gentlemen?"

  Chang Le Bang replied: "I will strictly follow the leader's order."

  Li Si said: "There are also a few copper plaques here, which invite Guandong Fan, Feng, Lü and Gao to go to Xiake Island for Laba porridge. Will the four of them accept or not?"

  The four major schools of Kanto saw that the Chang Le Gang had all submitted, and immediately said: "Thanks to the great heroes on Xia Ke Island for looking up to him, does Mr. Fan have the reason for not drinking the wine of respect and drinking the penalty?" He walked forward, took two copper plaques from Li Si's hand. Feng Liang laughed and said: "There are still two months until December 8th, even if it is inevitable that he will die by then, it is also a life of two more months." At this time, Lv Zhengping and Gao San Niangzi all took the copper plaques.

  Zhang San and Li Si clasped their fists in greeting, saying: "Everyone, thank you for your kindness." Turning to Shi Tianyi, they said: "Brother, we still have a long journey ahead of us, so today we can't drink with you. We'll take our leave now."

  Bai Wanjian asked: "The two of you still have a long journey ahead, are you...are you going to Ling Xiao City?"

  Zhang San said: "Bai Yingxiong is indeed a great hero who can predict things like a god. The two of us were just about to go visit your respected father, Mr. Wei De, the old hero Bai."

  Bai Wanjian's face suddenly changed color, he took a step forward, wanting to speak but stopping himself. After a long pause, he finally said: "Good."

  Zhang San smiled and said, "If Bai Yingxiong returns quickly, we can meet again in Ling Xiu City. Goodbye, goodbye!" He and Li Si raised their hands together, turned around, and walked out the door, disappearing from sight in an instant.

  Bai Wanjian saw that the two envoys had already left and turned to Shi Qing, saying: "Shi Zhuangzhu, you have one last thing to say, don't you?"

  Shi Qing sighed, "A son like this... what more can be said? Bai Shixiong, my wife and I will take our dog of a son and go with you to Ling Xiao City to plead guilty to Old Man Bai."

  Zhang Ping saw that Shi Zhongyu was extremely frightened, his eyes rolling incessantly as if he was concocting some sinister plan. He leaned in close and whispered: "Brother Yu, you don't have to be afraid. I'll accompany you to Ling Xiang City, and when the time comes, I'll use taking over the Reward Goodness Punish Evil Decree as a condition to force them to give up pursuing your responsibility."

  Upon hearing Zhang Ping's words, Shi Zhongyu thought for a moment and seemed to think it was highly feasible. He then whispered to Zhang Ping: "This matter will be entirely dependent on Li Er's brother's efforts, I'm extremely grateful."

  Bei Hai Shi coughed a few times and said, "It's rare to have Yang Lao Yingxiong, Shi Zhuangzhu couple, Guandong four major sects' heroes visiting us. All sorts of misunderstandings have been clarified. Let our humble organization refill the cups, and together we'll get drunk."

  But Shi Qing and his wife, Bai Wanjian, Fan Yifei and others all had their own concerns, thinking: "You have someone to take care of the great difficulties of your Yang Le Bang, but we don't have the mood to drink your wine."

  Bai Wanjian said first: "The two envoys of Xiake Island said they wanted to go up to Lingxiao City, and if they didn't return in time, it would be too late. Mr. Bei's kindness can only be acknowledged in my heart."

  Shi Qing said: "We three must go with Bai Shixiong."

  Fan Yifei and others also bid farewell, saying that the appointment of La Baizhou is not far away, and they must hurry back to Guandong; their words are ambiguous, but everyone understands in their hearts that they want to rush back to handle their respective affairs.

  Everyone said goodbye and left, each going to deal with their own affairs.