Despite having nowhere to run, his shoulder fractured, resulting in one drooping, he smirked. “Pretty smart, huh?”
“You’re kidding. I expected Mountain Bandit King’s subordinate to have some semblance of professionalism. You’re going to sell your client out just like that?!”
“Ptoo! Client, my foot. I took the request directly from the commander of Nanjiang’s eighteen bandit gangs, Zuowan Wanqu. What makes you think some shaman faggot is worthy of having an audience with me?”
“What grudge does that Somethingwan Somethingqu have with me? Why does he want you to kill me?”
“How am I supposed to know what freaking beef you two have with each other? I don’t care if he robbed you or if you cucked him. I just do what I’m paid to do. Zuowan Wanqu told me he received a big order yesterday and offered a big price to anyone who could take it. Why should I let someone else get the bounty? I came here first to get the head start.”
“You don’t beat around the bush or anything, huh? You dare to assassinate me despite knowing who I am?”
“Why should I be afraid of some mumbling old freak out the back of Nanjiang? Don’t lump me in with those wussies. So what if I lose my head? I’ll be remembered as a ballsy man when future generations talk of me. What will you ever accomplish if you’re scared of everything?”
The rest was self-explanatory. Gegewu, if nothing else, had a gauge of modus operandi and skill level. Sending weak lackeys after me would only impel me to be wary of him and seek an opportunity for revenge. I assumed Somethingwan Somethingqu was a leader of a gang and was one of Gegewu’s fellow gang bangers. Else, how do you explain how Gegewu was able to contact someone below the mountain while he was at the top?
Gegewu should’ve told his buddy to bring lots of men. Tengji must’ve overheard them or something and sped off before hearing the full story, eager to score the bounty. As a consequence of Tengji’s rashness… he exposed their plan and team, yet he had no regrets. Aside from him being so gangster, I actually liked the guy’s personality.
“How long have you been in Nanjiang?”
“Only two years.”
“How’s life been?”
Tengji started to suspect what I was after. “Out with it already. I ain’t no scholar. I’m the least capable one among my boss’ twelve generals; losing is something I’m used to. I’ve never cared about a loss. You beat me. I can answer any question, but I will never tell you where my boss is!”
Although there were rumours that Gu Wuzhu passed away after their gang’s dissolution, there was no evidence to corroborate the claim. In fact, he still fetched one of the highest bounties. I reasoned Tengji fled to Nanjiang to avoid being hunted or interrogated in the Central Plain for Gu Wuzhu’s whereabouts.
“I couldn’t care less about him. I’m interested in you.” I tugged up the corners of my lips.
“What?! You’re bent?! Back off!”
“… I’m truly curious how you criminals define ‘interested in you’. Sounds like things haven’t been too hot for you in Nanjiang. Seeing as you were so hasty to come for me, you must be short on money, huh?”
“I’d rather starve to death than sell my body!”
Why do you keep going back to that subject?! Have you ever used a mirror?!
“I was trying to ask: why are you deigning to some bandits in Nanjiang? Is he as respectable as Gu Wuzhu or something? I hear Gu Wuzhu was ruthless with his subordinates. Word on the street is he skinned his brothers before. You must’ve dealt with some of it and ran away, not expecting to run from the tiger’s den, only to end up in a wolf’s den, right?”
Detecting hostility, I looked down to see Tengji smirking, yet glaring, at me.
“… The world has changed. Even some brat can trash talk my boss now. Kill me if you will. Otherwise, I’ll kill you for insulting him.”
“My bad. Sounds like you haven’t sold your loyalty to the bandits.”
“That’s obvious. I’m a big name in the Central Plain. I don’t need to serve someone else. I’m just doing as they do in Nanjiang. I’m drawing a clear line with them to defend my honour as a thug. I’m not Zuowan Wanqu’s lapdog.”
“In that case, why did you attack villagers?”
“What? My men would never do that… Ah, it’s Zuowan! They’ve been assembling to commit robberies recently due to a lack of funds. There was a small gang that came to my territory. Son of monkeys! He has no sense of morals. Our principle is to never hurt innocent commoners. We would never do that.”
Tengji was a man who upheld the principles of being a mountain bandit. If he really wanted to pillage, Yangyang’s village would be empty in less than a month.
“They’re highwaymen. You’re a mountain bandit. You never were on the same page. Thankfully, this will save me some trouble. Tengji, quit hanging with them.”
“You must have flies around your brain. You going to feed my brothers?!”
“Yes. I’ll feed them. You’re familiar with the village you jumped me at, yeah?”
So baffled, Tengji just nodded: “The village and the ten-odd nearby villages are part of my territory.”
“Glad to hear. Because you camped nearby, they didn’t dare fetch water from afar, culminating in the drought crisis. As such, they have to migrate to big towns or cities if they want to survive. Henceforward, help the locals build a militia to fight off the local bandits. You can conscript villagers as you see fit so that they can protect their family and homes. Also, with you backing them up, they can feel a sense of security. All the villages can pay you a salary.
“The land isn’t shabby. As long as the villagers can have peace, they’ll be able to flourish. I guarantee you’ll earn a lot more than before if they can earn more. Besides, imagine how much plaudit you’d receive for helping them. You get a moral trophy, a positive reputation, fame and money. What’s there to complain about?”
The man was ecstatic imagining the final product, but then he snapped himself back to reality. “Bull. Crap! Doesn’t that equate to me yielding to you? I’ll only respect you if you can beat me and my broadsword?”
“Haven’t I already?”
“You jumped me from behind. Let me up. We’ll run it back!”
“You sure?”
“Cut the rubbish out! Let me up, and bring me my weapon.”
Five minutes later…
“Big Bro, I will be in your care from now.” Tengji rubbed his hands together.
“Should’ve been like this without the match. Your face still hurting?”
Touching his swollen cheeks wet with tears, Tengji replied, “Not anymore. It’s just that I can’t staunch the bleeding.”
“Oh, better head home early, then. I need you ready for tomorrow.”
“Roger that.” Tengji wobbled away.
Why didn’t you submit earlier? Why eat a hundred and eight punches before you learn to yield? I’m not violent.
