Chapter 16: Something's Happened

  Wocuishan belongs to the Taihang Mountains, with its back against the Taihang Mountains and facing the northern grasslands. It is a great place for troops to station, as it allows for both advance and retreat. There are over 100 bandits on Wocuishan, led by Zhou Cang, the head of the gang, followed by Zhou Lun, the second-in-command, and Pei Yuanshao, the third-in-command. This person looks like a Xianbei tribesman, with a completely bald head, a square face, big eyes, and a short stature, definitely an introverted type.

  When Long Fei was in the special forces, the hand-to-hand combat instructor divided men into three categories. The first type had a robust physique with broad shoulders and a round waist, possessing boundless strength but having a violent temper, such as Zhou Cang and Zhou Lun brothers. The second type had a slender build, being thin and wiry, with an unpredictable demeanor and unscrupulous methods, like Wang Qi and Wang Wei siblings. There was also a third type, with a well-proportioned body that seemed to lack strength at first glance, but in reality, there wasn't an ounce of excess fat under their skin, every inch covered in muscle, as still as a virgin when calm and as swift as a rabbit when in action, just like Long Fei and Pei Yuanshao. They were meticulous in their work and the best candidates for special forces.

  Zhou Cang, Zhou Run and Pei Yuan Shao were also originally members of the Yellow Turbans. After Zhang Jiao's death, the Yellow Turbans scattered like birds and beasts. They gathered at Woyue Mountain, where over a hundred brothers assembled, making a living by robbery and plunder. Now that the north is unstable, their days are not easy either.

  "Everyone, I'd like to introduce you all, this is Brother Long Fei!" Zhou Cang got straight to the point: "This Brother Long is someone I've invited up the mountain, from now on, he'll be one of the four masters of Wudao Mountain!"

  Everyone cheered, in this chaotic world having soldiers and horses is the foundation of survival. Long Fei and a few people in the inn instantly took down five or six bandits, this matter had already spread among the more than one hundred bandits. Although Long Fei and his six men were not many, they also counted as a force to be reckoned with. Long Fei and the others were all stunned, how did Zhou Cang's one sentence make them become thieves?

  "We didn't say we'd join them!" Wang Qiang shouted, standing up and glaring fiercely at Long Fei. She made a fist at Zhou Cang: "Master, my brother and I are not in cahoots with them, we have our own business to attend to. They can stay if they want, but my brother and I must leave!"

  "Haha... younger sister is indeed a heroine among women!" Zhou Cang burst out laughing: "In this chaotic world, everyone knows the truth that strength lies in numbers. Although my Mount Wudang is humble, I have at least a hundred brothers. If Brother Long finds this fourth master unsuitable, I am willing to give up the position of grand master!"

  "Big Brother!" Zhou Lun was about to speak when he was stopped by Zhou Cang.

  Long Fei looked around at the many henchmen, each of whom was staring at him with hostile eyes. Putting down the wine cup in his hand, Long Fei bowed and made a circular gesture to the crowd: "I'm not here to steal Brother Zhou's rice bowl! Wocao Mountain is full of good men, I, Long Fei, also wanted to drink big bowls of wine and eat large chunks of meat with all you brothers on Wocao Mountain, only..." Long Fei glanced at Wang Qian, continuing: "My wife's family is in the Central Plains, these years have been spent rushing about everywhere, it's time to go back and take a look! Please, Brother Zhou, help me out!"

  "Inside wife?" Wang Qian was stunned. After thinking for a long time, she remembered that this was a phrase used by scholars to refer to their wives, and Long Fei was obviously teasing her, using the "wife-killing pinch", with his right thumb and index finger fiercely pinching the soft flesh on Long Fei's waist, making him twist outward. Wang Qian's teeth were chattering with rage. The expression on Long Fei's face changed rapidly from joy to anger to sadness.

  A loud yell, Dragon flew up high: "You this dead hag, want to strangle Laozi to death!"

  "Hahaha……" The crowd burst into a fit of laughter, and even Wang Wei and Zhao Yun on the side couldn't help but stifle their giggles.

  This little farce dissipated a lot of the awkward atmosphere that had originally existed. Zhou Cang also followed with two laughs, nodding his head: "It seems that Dragon Brother is a henpecked husband! Never mind, I won't make things difficult for my brother either. If one day my brother has any troubles, come to Wuniu Mountain to find me, and I, Zhou Cang, will definitely lend a helping hand! Come on, let's drink this cup together!"

  The atmosphere in the hall was once again pushed to a high. Everyone was infected by Zhou Cang's generosity, and as they downed bowl after bowl of strong wine, Long Fei felt his head spinning. The self-brewed liquor was initially mild and clear, without the intense flavor of Wuliangye or Xifengjiu, but only after drinking a lot did one realize its potency. In the past, whether it was beer, white wine, red wine, or foreign wine, Long Fei could be said to be immune to intoxication, earning him the nickname "Wine God" in the entire Special Forces unit. Today, he had indeed drunk too much.

  Waking up, it was already noon. The dazzling sunlight shone in from outside the house, and Long Fei hurriedly covered his eyes with his arm. As he turned over, he felt something was off. A handsome face was right in front of him, those eyes, that nose, that mouth were all so cute. Especially those slightly parted red lips, made one's heart burn with desire at first sight, and couldn't help but want to pounce over and take a bite.

  Long Fei closed his eyes, shook his head vigorously, and when he opened them again, the woman was still in front of him. Long Fei carefully thought back to last night's events. He and several others had gotten drunk under Zhou Cang's persuasion, even Wang Qian had drunk a lot. It seemed like he had been carried in by someone, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember how Wang Qian ended up on his bed.

  Looking at Wang Qian's tempting face, Long Fei couldn't help but stretch out his mouth and lightly kiss her forehead. Wang Qian moved, burrowing into Long Fei's arms, stretching out an arm to drape over his body. Frightened, Long Fei hastily withdrew his body, not moving a muscle. Until Wang Qian made no further movements, did Long Fei turn his face back again.

  Wang Qian is a stunning beauty, with flawless skin that looks incredibly smooth up close. Her complexion is neither too dark nor too light, but rather a healthy, rosy hue. Her raven-black hair cascades down her back, shining brightly in the sunlight. Long Fei gazes at her, mesmerized, unable to comprehend how such a lovely girl can speak and act like a tomboy - even more so than some boys!

  "Knock, knock, knock..." Just as Long Fei was playing with Wang Qian's hair and admiring the beauty in his arms, a sudden knocking at the door startled him. Zhao Yun shouted from outside: "Brother Long, Brother Long, come out quickly, something has happened!"

  Long Fei suddenly sat up with a start. This was a habit he had formed in the army, but he forgot that there was still someone in his arms. Long Fei's movement startled Wang Qian awake, and with sleepy eyes, she asked: "What's wrong? What happened?"

  Long Fei took a deep breath, grabbed his outer garment and ran out the door. The door opened and Long Fei grabbed Zhao Yun, pulling him outside. Zhao Yun was still in shock and hadn't reacted yet, but he was dragged out by Long Fei. Not far away, a loud roar like that of a tiger came from the courtyard: "Long Fei! I'm going to kill you!"

  In the assembly hall of Niubishan, Zhou Cang, Zhou Lun and Pei Yuanshao sat on a high platform, with about twenty strong men standing loosely on both sides, each holding their own weapons. In the center of the main hall, there were two strangers wearing armor, without helmets, wrapping their heads in yellow cloth. One of them was around forty years old, with a few scattered whiskers under his chin, and a pair of triangular eyes scanning everyone in the room: "I'm not trying to scare you, this time I came on the orders of the Grand Marshal to persuade you to surrender, if you still don't surrender then don't blame us for being rude! This time I brought five thousand soldiers, and have already surrounded Niubishan, none of you can escape!"

  "Five thousand soldiers! Who are you trying to scare?!" Zhou Lun immediately became angry and said: "Don't mention five thousand soldiers, even if it's fifty thousand, I'm not afraid! Go back and tell Zhang Yan, don't think that just because he's in the Taihang Mountains, he's the emperor. If he provokes me, I'll still lead my troops into your Black Mountain!"

  "You!" The two were at odds with each other.

  Another person in the central hall, slightly younger, about thirty years old. This person looks dignified, with a high nose, big eyes, and a square face, a suitable mouth, paired with a tall and majestic figure, showing extraordinary spirit. He smiled and bowed his hands: "Zhou Dangjia, you and I were originally under the command of General Tian Gong, but heaven did not bless us, and we fell to this point. It's no use talking about re-raising the banner of righteousness, as no one would believe it. To be honest, the commander sent us two here this time, hoping that Zhou Dangjia would see that we come from the same origin, and can join forces together. Zhou Dangjia, rest assured, if you are willing to join forces, I, Yang Feng, will guarantee with my head that the commander will not pursue past matters, and your brothers will also not be separated. How is this condition?"

  Zhou Cang's face broke into a smile, just about to agree. Pei Yuanshao immediately interrupted: "Very well, since that's the case, then please ask General Yang to withdraw his troops from the mountain first, and let General Zhang write us a letter of guarantee. Once we have that, we'll join forces with General Zhang and attack as one!"

  "Right! Retreat first! Withdraw the troops first and then talk!" The Lülings followed with a shout.

  Long Fei and Zhao Yun climbed on the window outside the hall, looking at the movement inside. Upon hearing this, Long Fei asked Zhao Yun: "Is Wocuishan really surrounded? How many soldiers and horses are there?"

  "Almost five thousand!" Zhao Yun nodded: "I heard that in the previous few times, Zhang Yan had sent people to find Zhou Cang and let him surrender. I don't know what reason, Zhou Cang was unwilling, both sides fought once, and some people died. This time it seems that Zhang Yan has made up his mind. If Zhou Cang doesn't surrender, he will conquer Woyao Mountain!"

  The two men stopped talking and continued to watch the commotion inside. Obviously, Yang Feng said that just to comfort Zhou Cang's heart, not really intending to hold a grudge about past matters. After being stirred up by Pei Yuanshao, Yang Feng could no longer continue the conversation. The person beside Yang Feng sneered: "Hmph! You're over a hundred men and still so ignorant of what's good for you. Last time we were outnumbered and taken advantage of, but this time it won't be that easy!" Turning to face Yang Feng, he said: "Brother Yang, don't waste your breath on them. Let's wait until we attack Woye Mountain and see if they still have anything to say! Once we throw these ignorant fools in front of the general, our mission will be accomplished!"

  Zhou Lun gritted his teeth: "You dare to threaten us, do you think this Woyao Mountain is your home, come and go as you please? Brothers, get ready to fight!"

  The men immediately drew their own weapons and surrounded Yang Feng and his companion with a whoosh.