Magical Water Margin: They all call me brother

Page 45

"Lord Yu! Why are you doing this? Even if you don't agree, the young master will find other ways. He's determined to have Lin Chong's wife today. Even the Jade Emperor himself couldn't do anything about it, he said so!"

Fu An's words, like the whispers of a demon, gradually lowered Lu Qian's moral bottom line, easing his psychological pressure.

"Why would you give up your promising future and send your whole family to their deaths for someone who is destined to die?! Besides, the young master only wants Madam Lin, not your good sister Lin Chong's life. You have not let your benefactor down."

"If you agree, wealth and glory will be right before your eyes! After you become successful, you can even find a better wife for your sister, so why be fixated on just one Lady Lin?!"

In an instant, the terrifying image of Grand Commandant Gao grew wildly in Lu Qian's mind, like a rugged mountain piercing the sky, with rolling snow wrapped in icicles crashing down, instantly crushing Lu Qian's spine. The sound of his knees smashing into the blue bricks mingled with the stench of blood rising in his throat.

The title "Grand Commandant" was like an invisible giant hand that crushed Lu Qian's conscience, kneading him into a ball of flesh smaller than an ant and stuffing him into a crack in the rock.

Lu Qian, his conscience crushed and kneaded into a ball of flesh, looked up at the towering mountain called Gao Qiu. The humiliation in his eyes was more striking than the peak in his pupils.

"I...I'll do it."

Before he knew it, Lu Qian's clothes were soaked with sweat. After his lips trembled as he made the promise, he slumped into the chair, as if those two words had exhausted all his strength.

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Meanwhile, Liu Hong was telling Wu Song and Lu Zhisheng that Gao Yanei's matter today was of great importance and might threaten the lives of Lin Chong's entire family.

Although Lu Zhisheng was annoyed by Lin Chong's hesitant personality, he couldn't ignore such a situation, so he also took action.

Knowing that the event would take place within the next two days, Liu Hong donned a large black cloak to conceal his wings and, risking discovery, ventured into the streets to closely monitor the changes at Lin Chong's residence.

The people around him hadn't expected a wanted criminal with a bounty of 100,000 kan to be so brave, drinking tea in a teahouse on the streets of Tokyo, so they didn't pay any attention to him and let him sit there.

One day, Liu Hong saw a man enter the Lin residence. A short while later, he walked out with Lin Chong. Lin Chong's cold and dignified face showed some signs of fatigue, but he was still very happy to see his friend inviting him to drink.

"This man is dressed like an official, who is he?!"

Liu Hong hurriedly asked the ruffians under Lu Zhisheng's command who were standing next to him.

"He seems to be a friend of Instructor Lin, a military officer, his name is Lu something?"

The rascal accompanying him pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Quickly! Get moving! You two follow them, find out which Fanlou they're drinking at, then immediately report to your two sisters and block the Fanlou! We can't let this Lu Qianhou escape!"

"No problem, Third Master, where are you going?"

Several hooligans asked strange questions.

"Someone will lure Lady Lin to Lu Qian's house soon. I'll go with them and protect her. I can do this by myself. You must contact your two senior sisters and make sure Lu Qian is trapped!"

Liu Hong, who was familiar with the plot, reviewed the whole incident. In the original text, Gao Yanei tricked Lin Niangzi into going to Lu Qian's house and attempted to take advantage of her. Lin Chong rushed back to save her, which frightened Gao Yanei into fleeing in panic.

However, this matter still did not touch Lin Chong's core interests. She still harbored wishful thinking, was still reluctant to give up her official position, and was still reluctant to give up her dignity and her family. She might not be able to take direct action.

No, I need to prepare for both possibilities.

Chapter 97: Gao Yanei Cuts Off Lu Qianfu's Household (Bonus Chapter in 1950)

After a while, sure enough, a servant rushed into the Lin residence. Soon after, Madam Lin, accompanied by Jin'er, hurriedly rushed out of the house and followed the servant toward Lu Qian's house.

They had only met briefly last time, and Liu Hong hadn't had a chance to get a good look at her. But today, Liu Hong discovered that this Lady Lin looked seven parts like Lin Chong: the sharp, sword-like eyebrows that should have belonged to Lin Chong softened three parts of their sharpness when they landed on Lady Lin's forehead, and instead became more like misty rain. Her cold, aloof eyes, like cold stars, melted into two pools of spring water in her eye sockets, while still retaining three parts of the amber color that had been tempered by the fires of war.

What's most striking is the shape of her nose. Lin Chong's nose, with its steep, precipice-like curve, resembles an icicle hanging from the eaves of Hanshan Temple on her face, conveying both a sense of solemnity and Zen-like tranquility. She is simply a more gentle and beautiful woman.

Liu Hong immediately got up, paid for the tea, and followed quietly behind as if in a nightmare. He found Lu Qian's residence and watched as Madam Lin entered the room. He immediately let out a scream!

Madam Lin was terrified. The servant said that her husband had drunk too much at Lu Qian's house and had come to pick her up. That's why she rushed over. Since it was the home of her husband's friend Lu Qian, she wasn't on guard.

But to his surprise, the moment he stepped inside, the servant slammed the door shut and locked it, trapping him inside! And at the table, the man who was supposed to be the drunken Instructor Lin was none other than Gao Yanei, who had harassed him the day before!

"My lady, you must be very lonely marrying a woman, right? It's alright, come here, your good brother will let you taste the wonderful pleasures of the relationship between men and women!"

Gao Yanei lunged forward, trying to knock Lin Niangzi to the ground, but missed. He had already been weakened by wine and women. Although Lin Niangzi had never learned martial arts from Lin Chong, she had benefited greatly just by watching. She dodged easily and hurriedly rushed up to the pavilion with Jin'er, closed the door, and blocked Gao Yanei outside.

"To forcibly abduct innocent women in broad daylight—what kind of justice is this in a peaceful world?!"

Madam Lin and Jin'er frantically blocked the door with their bodies, letting out desperate screams.

"My wife! I heard that your father was the former head instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards. You've probably been protected too well. Let me tell you, in Kaifeng, I am the law!"

Gao Yanei laughed loudly, gathered a few of his men, and rushed up the stairs to ram the door. Although the two women bolted the door and moved the tables and chairs, they could not stop them for long!

"Wife! Let's go, jump out the window and escape!"

Seeing that the wooden door could not hold up, Jin'er immediately opened the window and leaped down as nimbly as a swallow. Lin Niangzi also wanted to jump out of the window to escape, but she saw the door bolt break behind her and the wooden door explode open. A big hand grabbed her shoulder. When she turned around, she saw Gao Yanei's crazy face, which was obsessed with him!

Seeing that Madam Lin had failed to jump out of the window, Jin'er was anxious and was about to go find her husband when she saw a flash of golden light in the corner of her eye. A golden meteor, accompanied by a loud crash of wood breaking, crashed into the window!

"My little lady, you've missed me so much~ Today, I'll let you taste the flavor of a man—"

The lewd words and songs on Gao Yanei's tongue were still swirling when the afterimage of the shattered gilded wings was reflected in his pupils. Liu Hong flapped his wings and flew up to the second floor. Using the momentum of his flight, he kicked Gao Yanei hard in the chest with his right leg! The twenty-four ribs inside his body resounded in a mournful chorus.

This mortal body was no match for Liu Hong's superhuman strength.

"boom!!!"

With a loud crash, Gao Yanei was kicked out of the attic by Liu Hong and stumbled down the stairs. In an instant, the eighteen steps from the second floor to the first floor became a drum of flesh and blood, crashing and pounding under the massive, pig-like body.

As he fell onto the first step, his right arm was crushed by his own immense weight, producing a series of ear-piercing cracking sounds.

As I fell to the second bend, my lumbar spine struck the tip of the step, and the bursting spinal fluid mixed with incontinent urine left a thick, yellow-white trail on the step.

After rolling over eighteen sharp steps, the distinct edge of the bluestone kissed his fat face like a guillotine, and what gushed out from the gaping wound on his cheeks was indistinguishable as flesh and brain matter.

When he finally collapsed in a pool of blood on the first floor, Gao Yanei's limbs were all broken. His entire right arm was limp and sprawled in the blood like a noodle, while his broken left tibia stood out starkly white, piercing through the flesh, much like the joint of a puppet that had been broken by a naughty child.

At this moment, that body, adorned in brocade robes and jade belt, lay on the ground, groaning softly, like a sack stuffed with broken porcelain.

"You, you, you! Who are you?! How dare you hit this young master?! How many heads do you have?!"

At this moment, Fu An and his thugs panicked. They were greatly surprised to see Liu Hong. One of them rushed downstairs to save the young master, while the other two rushed over to attack him!

"Don't be alarmed, sister-in-law! I'm here to save you."

Ignoring them, Liu Hong first calmed his sister-in-law down. With a sudden flap of his wings, the golden storm he created caused the two thugs to lose their balance and become unsteady. Before they could react, Liu Hong charged in like a hawk, his 52-pound Shadow Scale Cudgel instantly emerging from his palm. With two resounding thuds, he smashed their skulls apart! Blood and brain matter exploded like fireworks, splattering across the entire pavilion.

"ah!!!"

Seeing the bloody scene, Lin Niangzi screamed in terror, only to find that not a single drop of blood had splattered on her. Liu Hong's pair of wings, which covered the sky and the sun, were like two gilded umbrellas, firmly protecting her behind him. His broad back made her feel extremely safe.

The blood-stained handsome profile was deeply imprinted in Lin Niangzi's eyes and heart.

"You, you, you've gotten yourself into big trouble! This is Grand Commandant Gao's only son! You dare to go against him? What kind of gang are you on?!"

At that moment, Fu'an had just run downstairs to check on the young master's injuries and hadn't even helped him up when he saw Liu Hong leading two corpses out of the attic. He was immediately terrified and started to shout loudly in a show of bravado.

"The Great Sage Who Conquers Heaven, Liu Hong."

Liu Hong calmly announced his name, which immediately frightened Fu An so much that his legs went weak and he collapsed to the ground.

We're doomed! This is a wanted criminal with a bounty of 100,000 strings of cash! This is the kind of deadly job he does! Grand Commandant Gao's name can keep law-abiding citizens in check, but it can't keep this kind of vicious criminal in check!

No, why would such a wanted criminal end up in Tokyo?!

Liu Hong didn't waste any words with the servant. He smashed Fu An's two kneecaps with one blow, then broke his arms with two more blows. After crippling the last lackey, he grabbed Gao Yanei with one hand and Fu An with the other and walked out of Lu Qianhou's house.

Only then did Lin Chong arrive late, riding the Chaotic Silver Beast. His cold and arrogant face was filled with shock and anger.

"Younger brother? What are you doing here? This is—Gao Yanei?!"

Lin Chong was greatly shocked. At that moment, Lin's wife rushed out from the second floor, crying with tears streaming down her face. She threw herself into Lin Chong's arms and cried out.

"Lu Qian lied to me, saying you were drunk and passed out at his house. I rushed over to check, only to find it was a trap! The young master tried to do something indecent, but luckily my brother came to my rescue, and I escaped his clutches!"

"Sister, this is your enemy. You should deal with him."

Liu Hong also threw the crippled Gao Yanei and the terrified Fu An in front of Lin Chong.

"Last time, you said you didn't know she was the coach's wife, but what about this time?!"

Lin Chong's cold and arrogant face was now filled with extreme anger. His eighteen-foot spear moved like a dragon, and he was truly ready to kill Gao Yanei!

To hell with refinement, prestige, titles, and status! If I can't even protect my wife, what kind of instructor am I, the commander of the 800,000 Imperial Guards?!

"Instructor, you mustn't!"

At that moment, Fu An, who was very perceptive of people's hearts, suddenly shouted out again.

"This matter was wrong, young master, but the Kaifeng Prefecture should be the judge! What right does the instructor have to convict someone? You should be thrown into death row for killing someone in the street! Instructor, don't break the law!"

Upon hearing Fu An's words, Lin Chong hesitated once again, leaving Liu Hong speechless.

"Sister, you don't really intend to let them go, do you? Or do you think the Kaifeng Prefecture can convict the Grand Commandant's son?! Is the political arena of the Song Dynasty really that clean?"

Lin Chong remained silent for a long time. She had just been forced into a corner by Gao Yanei and was indeed prepared to give up her identity as the instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards in order to kill Gao Yanei in order to protect her family.

However, when Fu An offered her a seemingly perfect solution that could protect her family and official position while also bringing Gao Yanei to justice, she hesitated again after being pulled back from the brink of despair.

"I believe that Kaifeng Prefecture will uphold justice, just like Bao Zheng."

Lin Chong struggled for a while, but finally chose to give up and report to the authorities, asking the Kaifeng Prefecture to arrest Gao Yanei. Meanwhile, Lu Zhisheng and Wu Song also arrived with Lu Qian in tow.

Upon seeing Lin Chong, Lu Qian immediately knelt down and kowtowed, weeping bitterly.

"Sister! I had no choice but to do this! Gao Yanei threatened me that if I didn't help him, he would ruin my family! I had no other option!"

Lin Chong's pupils burned with two clusters of poisonous demonic fire, yet they were frozen into two icy pools by the chilling atmosphere of officialdom. Her knuckles cracked in the reflection of Lu Qian's sobbing, her palms bleeding from the scales of the eighteen-foot spear, while the belt bearing the seal of the Imperial Guard Instructor weighed down on her like a thousand pounds of cold iron, rendering her immobile.

That military officer's robe with vermilion trim has now transformed into countless barbed black iron chains. His left wrist is bound by chains formed from the words "Loyalty to the Emperor," and his right ankle is wrapped in poisonous vines formed from "Laws and Regulations," each vine blooming with scarlet remnants of the Ministry of Justice's vermilion annotations.

At this moment, even Lin Chong's mount was speechless. The giant snow leopard opened its blood-red maw and let out a series of angry growls, dissatisfied with its master's choice.

Chapter 98: Instructor Lin Obtains a Treasure on Suzaku Street

Liu Hong shook his head. Fortunately, he had a backup plan. After the officials brought the three men back to Kaifeng Prefecture, he immediately went to make preparations.

As Liu Hong had predicted, things unfolded as expected. Kaifeng Prefecture was indeed powerful, and it was not afraid to offend Grand Commandant Gao Qiu on matters that crossed the line. When Lin Chong was inexplicably framed for a death sentence, the Kaifeng Prefect managed to find a way to spare the death sentence of the instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards and instead exile him to Cangzhou.

But the prefect of Kaifeng was unwilling to cause trouble for no reason and have a falling out with the Grand Commandant over a trivial matter that hadn't even crossed any lines—it was just that Gao Yanei had harassed a woman, after all. How could a scholar-official be punished the same as a commoner?

If Liu Hong hadn't beaten Gao Yanei so badly he was beyond recognition and unable to speak, the constables who came that day might not have dared to take Gao Yanei away.

So, half an hour after Gao Yanei, Fu An, and Lu Qian were sent to prison, they were secretly brought out by Grand Commandant Gao. All of this happened right before Lin Chong's eyes, leaving her completely stunned.

"Senior sister, do you still believe in the Kaifeng government and the Song Dynasty?"

Liu Hong deliberately pulled Lin Chong aside and waited near the Kaifeng Prefecture. At first, Lin Chong did not believe it and was still immersed in the storytelling of "Justice Bao" and "The Case of Chen Shimei". He believed that even if the emperor's son-in-law committed a crime, he would be beheaded.

But the release of Gao Yanei alone was already a huge shock. Fu An and Lu Qian were both brought out by Grand Commandant Gao?!

Lin Chong's cold and arrogant face was filled with shock, and his icy eyes trembled wildly, like an avalanche or an earthquake.

No, no! This is not the education I received! I learned Confucianism and martial arts from a young age. My parents taught me to be gentle, kind, respectful, frugal, and modest. Books taught me that even princes are subject to the same laws as commoners. My teachers taught me not to use my powerful martial arts to bully the weak, but to maintain a fair heart.

After I became the instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards, everyone treated me with the same respect I showed them. Even if there were some dirty and sordid things happening in Kaifeng, as long as I mentioned my name, everything would be resolved fairly and justly!

But why did the law, as I understood it, collapse at this moment?

“Your sister was too well protected since childhood. You were born into a wealthy and powerful family, and you are also exceptionally talented with unparalleled marksmanship. Naturally, everyone treats you with utmost respect.”

Liu Hong gradually eroded Lin Chong's thinking, reversing his course of thought.

"My younger brother was born at the bottom of society and has a clearer understanding of the world. My older sister knows why I became an outlaw, why Sister Lu was forced to become a nun, and why my master was frustrated all his life. Just recently, my caravan was bullied by the underworld, and it was because of my sister's name."

But does my sister really think what happened to us was just a coincidence? Just an isolated case?! In this world, is everyone like my sister, who doesn't abuse their power or use their status to bully the weak?

My sister understands in her heart how much the head of the 800,000 Imperial Guards could do in Tokyo, while there are countless officials with higher ranks and greater power than you. Can they really maintain their integrity?

There's a saying in southern China: if you see one cockroach in a room, it means there are so many cockroaches in the dark corners of the room that they can't be contained anymore.

After persuading Lin Chong, Liu Hong took a small object from his palm, stuffed it into his sister's clothes, and then turned and left, leaving her to digest these ideas on her own.

"Sister, be careful. Hold this item safe and keep it with you at all times! Never put it down! Soon, at a certain moment when the stars align, it will save your life. If you are weak a third time like you are today, the entire Lin family will be in grave danger!"

Lin Chong stared at the little trinket in his palm, watching Liu Hong's departing figure with utter bewilderment. The very building blocks of his worldview were crumbling before his very eyes.

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After dealing with Lin Chong's situation, Liu Hong quickly returned to Liangshan to arrange boats and troops to prepare for entering the underground city of Kaifeng to provide support, making all the necessary preparations.

At the same time, Gao Qiu, the Grand Commandant, also had a gloomy expression. This Lin Chong is a complete scoundrel. I value her abilities and use her as a useful tool, which is why I treated her kindly at the Grand Commandant's residence.

But now it seems I gave her too much face, didn't I?! How dare she beat my only son like this?!

The physical injuries were nothing to worry about; Gao Qiu had a high-ranking Taoist priest perform a healing spell and brought him back to health.

However, spiritual wounds cannot be healed by Taoist magic.

Gao Yanei failed to seduce Lin Niangzi twice. The first time, he was so frightened by Lin Chong's Chaotic Silver Beast that his penis became weak. The second time, his penis had just gotten up when Liu Hong beat it severely, leaving a huge shadow in his heart, to the point that his penis is now unable to get up.