The First Book: Chivalrous Heroes Chapter 4: Wu Song

  Lin Chong furrowed his brow, sizing up the young man in front of him. Seeing that he still had that frivolous and cunning look on his face, Lin Chong thought to himself: "A scoundrel like this, how could he possibly understand anything about martial arts or the code of brotherhood? He must be thinking of my wife, using our acquaintance as a pretext to indulge in his lustful desires! Hmph, he's underestimating me!"

  Lin Chong immediately cupped his hands and said: "The official's intention is beautiful, Lin Chong is honored to be surprised, but only because of his humble talent, he can only do his job, and dare not delay the official's cultivation. I hope the official will seek another wise teacher. With that, I bid farewell!" He flicked his sleeves and strode out of the arena in big steps.

  Although Lin Chong's words were polite, the contempt and ridicule in his tone were obvious. Listening to the whispers of the crowd around him, although he couldn't hear them clearly, but judging from their gestures, it was clear that he wasn't popular. He felt a surge of frustration: after being framed and returning to the Northern Song Dynasty, he had become someone who was hated by both gods and ghosts. Even when he humbly invited his idol to drink with him, he was treated with disdain. It was truly infuriating...

  However, the benefits of being a villain are not few. One of them is that there are many henchmen and accomplices who will come out to help at any time. When Fu An saw Lin Chong leaving without a care, the official's expression turned gloomy. As someone who protected his master with great loyalty, he naturally would not allow the official to suffer such humiliation. Suddenly, anger rose from his heart, and evil intentions emerged in his mind. He rushed forward several steps and blocked Lin Chong's path, saying: "Lin Chong, you are so ungrateful! The official values you so much that he doesn't even hold your previous disrespect against you, but instead promotes you. What a broad-minded person! How can you be so arrogant, not putting the official in your eyes? You're really detestable!" The onlookers saw that Lin Chong didn't dare to fight back against the official and knew that he had reservations. This was the perfect opportunity for them to show off in front of the official, so they immediately stood beside Fu An, cheering him on and shouting a few slogans, creating quite an impressive scene.

  The momentum is not right, this group of evil slaves is making a big fuss, and all the accounts will naturally be recorded on their own heads. Isn't that getting more and more smelly? Just as he was about to open his mouth to scold the idle crowd, he suddenly heard a loud shout in his ear, like a sudden clap of thunder: "I'll take you, you bunch of thieving birds! How can you let evil spirits run amok in the peaceful land of Dashang Temple?! You'll all get a beating from me!"

  A loud shout, a tall figure emerged from the crowd, arms waving, and seven or eight idlers parted like waves, immediately followed by a fierce black shadow swooping down from the sky, its momentum enveloping an area of several feet around.

  It came suddenly, as the saying goes "lightning doesn't give you time to cover your ears", in his past life he was a powerful and capable person, but in this life he is a pampered son who indulges in food, drink, whoring and gambling, how could he react in time?

  Just as disaster was about to strike, two voices cried out in unison: "You can't do that!"

  Two men rushed up like the wind, one of them hugged Gao Qiang tightly and rolled to the ground with a loud "rattling" sound, rolling out more than two zhang away. The other person covered from behind, hugged the waist of the person holding the stick, and only heard a loud "ding" sound. A water-milled and hundred-refined Zen stick hit the bluestone floor tile, smashing it until sparks splashed everywhere and stones flew wildly. However, the newcomer was unable to move for a moment.

  Gao Jian was held by someone and rolled on the ground several times, his headscarf askew, his hair disheveled, and his fan nowhere to be seen, looking utterly disheveled. The person who had helped him up shielded him with their body and shouted at the staff-wielding man: "In a peaceful world, under clear skies, you're a monk, how can you brazenly commit murder?"

  Gao Qiang's fright had just subsided when he looked at the people who had rushed into the circle and saw that the one holding him was a man of medium build, twenty-eight or nine years old, with a handsome face and dignified appearance, wearing a military uniform. The one holding the Zen staff, however, was an extremely tall monk, probably over 1.9 meters in height, with a big belly and broad waist, wearing a blue cotton cassock, with a straight nose and wide mouth, thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a long beard that extended to his ears, scowling with anger, staring at Gao Qiang, but was being held from behind by Lin Chong around the waist, struggling desperately but unable to break free.

  At first glance, another idol: this is none other than Hua Rong and Lu Zhishen! Only the one who saved his own life in front of him has become a mysterious deity.

  "Brother Lin, it's better to get rid of this lecherous fellow! Let me strike him down with one blow and eliminate this scourge!" He struggled for a while, but was held back by Lin Chong, who grasped his waist.

  Lin Chong hastily said: "Brother, don't be rash, this is the beloved son of our superior, High Constable Gao's household." He then shouted to Gao Qiu: "Lu Xian, please persuade him, my brother has had too much wine and is seeing things, he's gone mad from drinking and offended the constable, I beg for his pardon."

  Lu Xian? Gao Gang thought carefully for a moment, and suddenly remembered someone: Lu Qian, the epitome of selling out one's friends for personal gain! This... this was actually his despised object, how did he become his lifesaver? Looking at this guy with a face full of righteousness and integrity, who would have thought that the one stirring up trouble was as black-hearted as a pot bottom?

  Lu Qian loudly said: "Under the emperor's feet, a monk uses wine to commit murder, in the bustling streets he wants to take people's lives, can Lin Dage just let it go with a sentence of 'thousand apologies'? Or should we follow me to Kaifeng Prefecture for a trial?" As he spoke, he waved his hand and several fierce-looking soldiers rushed in, each holding military weapons, shaking the iron chains in their hands ready to seize people.

  Lu Zhishen was unwilling to be captured, and with a tiger's roar, he wanted to start a fierce battle. Lin Chong was in a difficult situation, if he continued to hold his brother, wouldn't that be betraying his friend? He could only let out a long sigh and release his grip.

  Gao Jian saw that things were not going well, and if Lao Lu committed a crime in the capital, he would either lose his life or push this good man into the den of thieves. He immediately stepped forward from behind Lu Qian's back and said: "Wait! Listen to me!"

  Lu Qian was startled, and hastily waved his hand to signal the soldiers beside him not to act rashly. He rushed forward two steps, standing guard beside the official's residence. This was a rare opportunity for display, how could he let it slip away easily? His face was stern and righteous, with an air of loyalty and devotion that went without saying.

  Although Lu Zhishen was fiercely evil, he wasn't a fool. If he were to cause bloodshed in the emperor's presence, even gods couldn't save him, let alone with Zheng Tu's murder case on his hands. Seeing Gao Qiang, that little scoundrel, jump out to stop him, he didn't rush to take action. He held his staff horizontally and shouted: "You wicked bird, speak quickly!"

  "Hey, I didn't even flirt with your wife, how can you scold me like that? Although my identity isn't exactly great either. I took a deep breath and said: 'Master, I came here today to watch the excitement of your precious jade, but I shouldn't have blocked Lin's daughter's path while watching the performance, which led to this misunderstanding. Master is eager to help his friend, and his kind heart is admirable, but my mortal body can't withstand a blow from your Vajra pestle!'"

  These words came out, and at the silent place, a piece of glass fell: Is this the notorious Huashan High Officer? It's clearly a humble gentleman! He was scolded by someone, but his face didn't change color! Just now, he didn't argue with Lin Chong, first because he wasn't in the right, and second, perhaps it was because of his wife's status. But what could this big monk have planned?

  Even the onlookers thought so, and the people in the arena naturally racked their brains, wondering what the governor's intention was. However, Lin Chong couldn't care about that now, having just met this heroic brother, he couldn't drag him into his own petty struggles. Seeing the governor offering a way out, he quickly mediated: "That's right, we're all on the same side, today's misunderstanding doesn't have to be taken to the Kaifeng Prefecture. Lin Chong will take this brother to sober up and that's it." With that, he dragged Lu Zhishen away hastily.

  Lu Qian stood beside Gao Qiu, watching as the official saw Lin Chong and his companions off into the distance. The official's eyes were filled with a deep reluctance to part with them, clearly still infatuated with Lin Chong's beautiful wife. Lu Qian thought to himself: "The official is indeed a deep thinker, today he has taken the opportunity to curry favor with Lin Chong, and tomorrow he will have the chance to get close to him, perhaps even entering his home?"

  Just as he was about to go forward and chat with the official for a few words, to show off his own achievements, he saw that the official didn't even bother to respond to him, turned around and left, not even giving him a glance. The group of idle men saw the official leave in a hurry, and hastily followed suit, returning to the High Manor.

  Lu Qian and Fu An were acquaintances, so he quickly pulled him over and said in a low voice: "Brother, you're often around the government office, what do you think is going on today? What's really on the official's mind?"

  Fu An suddenly hummed a tune, and in his hand appeared an icy cold object. It felt heavy, probably weighing over 10 taels. Although the object was cold to the touch, his head was hot with excitement. He immediately laughed and said: "Lu Yu Hou, since everyone is so familiar with each other, you're such a clever person, can't you see what's on my mind?"

  Lu Qian cursed in his heart, "If I knew you were still useful, I wouldn't have..." However, he had just managed to make a good impression in front of the official today and didn't want to let go of this opportunity for advancement. He hurriedly smiled and said: "Who doesn't know that your rich brother is a favorite of the official, a big shot on the streets of the capital? This matter should still be handled by you, brother, with me assisting on the side. If we can help the official resolve this matter, it will also give us some face, won't it? If you're willing to accept my suggestion, let's go together to the teahouse and discuss the details."

  Fu An laughed with joy and hastily nodded in agreement. The two of them were extremely intimate as they left together.

  As for Gao Qiang, on the first day of returning to ancient times, countless surprises came one after another: Father Gao's inner voice was one, encountering a beauty was another, and two idols in front were the third. However, it's also depressing, Father Gao is a treacherous minister, the encountered beauty is someone else's wife, and the two idols only regard themselves as a street vendor selling yellow and white goods, while the villain who used to be scolded is surrounded by a group of people, alas, how come my luck is so bad?

  He returned to the mansion in low spirits, and upon asking the servants, he learned that his father, Gao Lao Da, had gone out to attend to some matters. He ended up eating dinner alone, and not feeling like going out for a stroll, he went to Gao's study and began rummaging through ancient books.

  Reading is his greatest hobby, especially with a strong interest in ancient books. The room full of ancient books in front of him is like a huge treasure trove, where he can wander back and forth at will, immersing himself in the atmosphere, unaware that the bright moon has already risen over the eastern hills, wandering between the constellations of Dou and Niu.

  Holding a copy of Ouyang Xiu's "New History of the Tang", I read the section on "The Story of the Pernicious Officials" and suddenly heard someone behind me laugh and say: "The official is in high spirits today!"