Chapter 368
Chapter 368
After a long moment, Zhu Lin resumed his count.
“Three, two!”
At that instant, the more than two thousand soldiers beside him drew their swords with a flourish, their voices ringing with bloodlust.
“Kill them all!”
“Kill them all!”
“One!”
The moment Zhu Lin’s count finished, the ten thousand commoners, whose blood had been boiling with fervor just moments ago, lowered their heads and scattered. The very people of Zhenyuan City who had just sworn to protect Shen Lang to the end, to fight to the last, all fled. Each one carefully clutched the gold and silver they had looted, their hands heavy, unwilling to let go of their spoils. In an instant, the training ground in front of the Governor’s Estate was empty. Muyeol and Hamno’s eyes grew red with frustration.
*How could this be? Why are they so weak and useless?*
Until now, they had been brutally oppressed, trampled under the feet of merchants and warriors from the Western Regions. When someone finally stood up for them, they had rejoiced, eagerly joining in to plunder gold and silver. But as soon as Zhu Lin appeared and uttered a few threats, they abandoned Shen Lang and his group, fleeing for their lives. They had less backbone than a common prostitute. If those ten thousand people had stood with Shen Lang, with two or three hundred warriors leading the charge, they would have had a very real chance of victory, even against Zhu Lin’s two thousand soldiers.
***
An awkward silence descended upon the training ground in front of the Governor’s Estate. Zhu Lin suddenly burst out laughing.
“Brother-in-law, you must have been startled when those treacherous commoners surrounded the Governor’s Estate.”
Shen Lang acted as if he had only just noticed Zhu Lin.
“Cousin, what brings you here? Come, come. I invite you into my estate as a guest. I’ve just acquired some fine chicken, duck, fish, and pork. It will be perfect for hosting you.”
The Sword King, Li Qianqiu, immediately stepped in front of Shen Lang. Zhu Lin was calculating inwardly.
*If I advance now, can I kill Shen Lang? No, I can’t. He has a supreme master like Li Qianqiu and a martial arts monster like Big Dummy by his side. I can’t kill him.*
Killing Shen Lang was his utmost priority, but he judged that the soldiers currently under his command were insufficient for the task. In the end, Zhu Lin shook his head at Shen Lang’s invitation.
“No, no. My wife has already prepared a meal at home. If I don’t return, she’ll be furious. But brother-in-law, you will be attending the welcome banquet my estate is hosting tomorrow afternoon, won’t you?”
“You mean the Feast at Hong Gate tomorrow? Am I truly allowed to bring three people?”
“Yes. Three people.”
“I’ll go. I will definitely be there!”
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow, cousin.”
After bidding Shen Lang farewell, Zhu Lin turned and bellowed at the Zhenyuan City soldiers.
“Soldiers of Zhenyuan City, have you all gone deaf and dumb? The great bandit Goduhwan has invaded the Governor’s Estate! If Governor Shen Lang had been harmed in any way, you would have committed a grave crime. You three Chiliarchs and the masters from the Great Calamity Temple, I’ll trouble you to remain here and protect Governor Shen Lang.”
“Yes, sir!”
The three Chiliarchs responded loudly. Two thousand Su Clan warriors, two hundred warrior monks from the Great Calamity Temple, and a hundred masters from the Western Regions formed a tight cordon around the Zhenyuan Governor’s Estate. Now, if Shen Lang tried to escape, he might be able to get away by himself, but his dozens of warriors and two hundred female merchants would find it incredibly difficult to break through their encirclement. Nearly three thousand enemies drew their bowstrings, fully prepared for battle at a moment’s notice.
Shen Lang cupped his hands in a salute and said, “With my brothers standing guard, I’ll be able to sleep soundly tonight. Hahahaha! Let’s go inside the estate and prepare a meal!”
Shen Lang led his group into the Governor’s Estate, lit fires, and began preparing food.
***
During dinner, several of the female warriors were still seething with indignation. They were deeply disappointed in the people of Zhenyuan City. Shen Lang had created a world-shaking wave in a short time, and over ten thousand people had rallied behind him. Witnessing this, the female warriors’ blood had boiled, and they thought they could lead these people to pacify the entire region. But who would have thought the people here were such spineless fools? Just a few threatening words from Zhu Lin, and they had immediately betrayed and abandoned Shen Lang, fleeing in droves.
“Useless lot. Fools, idiots. They deserve to be tormented by the Su Clan and the people from the Western Regions. They’re worse than dogs and pigs.”
The female commander, Hamno, cursed vehemently. She was so angry she had little appetite and barely touched her dinner. But unlike Hamno, Shen Lang wore a faint smile the entire time, his eyes narrowed. He wasn’t angry or disappointed at all. People were like that everywhere. There was a reason the common folk were called a disorganized mob.
*Plundering gold and silver is fun, so we’ll all follow you. But when it comes to risking our lives, no thanks, you can do that on your own.*
The ten thousand people, whose fervor had reached the heavens, had ultimately abandoned Shen Lang and scattered.
Shen Lang said with a smile, “It doesn’t matter. Our plan was a great success!”
Muyeol said, “Governor, tonight we will stand guard with all our strength and give the enemy no opportunities.”
“There’s no need. Everyone, sleep well tonight. Zhu Lin’s goal is to kill me. He won’t attack you before he kills me. You can all rest peacefully tonight. Tomorrow, we face a bitter struggle. We killed hundreds today, but tomorrow, we will have to kill even more.”
Shen Lang looked at Sword King Li Qianqiu and said, “Senior, shall we practice some more? We should use our time tonight to practice until our coordination is absolutely flawless.”
***
The next day.
Nearly three thousand soldiers—over two thousand from the Su Clan’s army, plus warrior monks from the Great Calamity Temple and masters from the Western Regions—still surrounded the Governor’s Estate in tight layers. No one could enter or leave. It was fortunate they had stockpiled enough food and water yesterday. Otherwise, they would have been dying of thirst and hunger.
Around noon.
The nearly three thousand enemies outside began inspecting their armor, bows, arrows, and other weapons. Quivers full of arrows were continuously brought in, and several large ballistae were transported and set up outside the Governor’s Estate. Catapults were also constantly being moved into position. Just as Shen Lang had said, there was no sign of political maneuvering; the atmosphere was that of an impending, brutal battle aimed at complete annihilation. The enemy was preparing to launch a full-scale assault on the estate.
Just as the battle seemed imminent, a peerless beauty slowly walked up to the front of the Governor’s Estate and asked for Shen Lang.
“Governor Shen Lang.”
Shen Lang, dressed in silk robes, came out and asked the stunning woman, “What business brings such a beauty to see me?”
The woman said, “Lord Zhu Lin sent me to invite you to the banquet. Will you be coming?”
“I will. How could I miss a gathering graced by a peerless beauty like you? Come, let’s go!”
Shen Lang quickly exited the estate. The commander Muyeol rushed after him.
“My lord! I will accompany you.”
Shen Lang shook his head.
“No. The real battle will be fought here, so you must remain at the estate. What danger could there be at the banquet I’m attending? A woman as beautiful as this has come to invite me; surely she means me no harm?”
The beauty covered her mouth and giggled in agreement.
“Indeed. Young Master Shen, let us go together!”
She walked ahead, leading the way. Shen Lang followed closely behind, delighting in the view of her graceful figure. With only Big Dummy and the Sword King Li Qianqiu in tow, he asked the woman, “Miss, what is your name? And where is your hometown?”
The beauty replied, “My name is He Ningning.”
***
Inside Zhu Lin’s residence.
Zhu Lin was astonished to see that Shen Lang had actually come. This banquet was a true Feast at Hong Gate, with no attempt to hide the intent to kill the guest. Dozens of masters from the Western Regions and dozens more from the Great Calamity Temple stood guard inside the main hall, while a hundred fully armed Su Clan warriors stood watch outside.
“Governor, you really came?”
“My cousin invited me to a banquet he prepared in my honor. How could I not come?”
Shen Lang walked straight into the main hall.
“Is this my seat? May I sit next to this young lady?”
Shen Lang asked, looking at the beauty who had brought him, then found a seat and sat down. A glance around made it glaringly obvious that this was a Feast at Hong Gate. There was only one seat on Shen Lang’s side, while the opposing side had seats for a hundred men. Outside in the courtyard, another hundred warriors stood with bows slung over their shoulders. And the moment Shen Lang entered the hall…
*Thud, thud, thud, thud.*
With a series of loud bangs, all the doors to the hall were shut, and all the candles were lit.
“Be seated!”
The hundred masters on Zhu Lin’s side sat down in unison. In the center of their group sat the supreme master, Ascetic Konan of the Great Calamity Temple, silently drinking his wine. He looked at Shen Lang as if he were already a dead man. The hundred masters facing Shen Lang and the hundred warriors outside also acted as if Shen Lang were invisible.
Shen Lang spoke first.
“Cousin, you said you were throwing a feast for me, so why is there no wine or food being served? I skipped lunch to enjoy this banquet, and I’m starving.”
Zhu Lin replied coolly, “There’s no need for food at a banquet for murder. Isn’t it better to get straight to the point? Today’s feast is for the purpose of killing you. Soon, everyone here will dine on your flesh and blood.”
Shen Lang gasped in mock surprise.
“Are you going to keep talking so cruelly? I have a weak heart; such talk frightens me terribly.”
Zhu Lin ignored Shen Lang’s theatrics and continued in a flat tone, “Shen Lang, you knew this was a banquet for murder, yet you still came here to die. I must admire your courage.”
“I have Senior Sword King by my side. What is there to fear?”
“Shen Lang, you should never have come to Zhenyuan City. This is the Su Clan’s stronghold. You brought this death upon yourself.”
“I have Senior Sword King with me.”
Zhu Lin spoke again. “Shen Lang, you dared to kill dozens of our merchants from the Western Regions and incite the lowly commoners to plunder their gold and silver. For that, too, you have brought death upon yourself.”
“I have Senior Sword King with me.”
Annoyed by Shen Lang’s repetitive responses, Zhu Lin gritted his teeth and said, “Shen Lang, you wretched cur. You have repeatedly opposed our Su Clan, provoked my uncle, and even dared to marry Jin Mulan. You have truly, truly brought death upon yourself.”
“I have Senior Sword King with me!”
Zhu Lin let out a vicious, cruel laugh.
“No, you do not have the Sword King. He will not be able to protect you. Bring her in!”
At Zhu Lin’s command, several warriors brought in something that looked like a cage. Inside, a person was confined—a person who looked like a demon. Her hair had all fallen out, and her entire body was covered in pustules like a toad. She looked neither human nor ghost. The moment Li Qianqiu saw her, his face changed, and he cried out in a shocked voice.
“My wife!”
Li Qianqiu’s wife had been poisoned with the extreme toxin from Fudao Mountain. Her body was contorted, all her hair was gone, and her skin had become like a toad’s. Furthermore, her mind was clouded; she muttered incessantly and was terrified of light.
“Aaaargh!”
The woman trapped in the cage screamed desperately, her shrieks sharp and piercing.
“Li Qianqiu, you beast! Save me, save me! Put out the candles!”
Tears streamed down Li Qianqiu’s face as he drew his sword with all his might and roared.
“Let my wife go!”
Zhu Lin raised his hand, and dozens of bows were aimed at the woman inside the iron-barred cage.