Chapter 58 (New Mission Forward)
"P-Please...h-help me" the man with his eyes seemingly looking like he has lost hope in his life as he plead to no result but still he didn't gives up and stagger towards the back where Zhan Xian and Wangyi is sitting. The man is now leaning on the table but maybe because his legs has becomes weak from all the running, he fells beside Zhan Xain with a distorted face and cries, he holds onto Zhan Xian hanfu and with a weak voice
"H-Help...please...." the man weakly mumbles.
Wangyi wanted to say something but Zhan Xian already cower down and he pulls the man up.
"I will help you" Zhan Xian said in a very low voice but firm and the man who is already weak in running and also injured just slightly nods his head with a pair of grateful eyes.
The poor injured man is now sitting on a stool next to Zhan Xian and he has no more strength at all but to totally and complete rely on the word of Zhan.
Wangyi quickly took a pill from his sash and pass it to Zhan Xian to shove it into the mouth of the injured man. This pill will temporary helps to strengthen the injured man.
Just then, the three angry, ugly and fierce men who are waving their swords high are now heading towards Zhan Xian and Wangyi. The Inn helper tries to stand in between and talk to the men
"Hey, this is a restaurant and you can see I have many customers here, you don't cause trouble here alright or I call the government police" the poor inn helper straightens his chest and tries his best to warn the three unreasonable men. The inn keeper knew that if there is a fight starting in the inn then all the customers will run away and all the tables and chairs will be broken and their boss will not have business for a while and that also mean that their livelihood is affected. This helper had to be brave because he has aged parents and his wife is pregnant now. So, he doesn't care much anymore and thus he speaks up.
Suddenly, the three men look at the inn helper and laughs
"Hahaha..., even the "cai jun" (police) wouldn't dare to touch us, we have stronger backing..." the three proud men shows their disgusting laughter to the poor inn worker who is clearly trying to keep his job.
The inn worker couldn't believe it and he shouted
"Is there no King's rule in the Wei Country, we have laws and orders here..." before he finishes, one the three man form his fist and he was able to punch the poor inn helper but somehow, he didn't even reaches the inn helper and he is already bleeding slightly were something small had poked him, making him flinch and looking around like a mad man when he shouted
"Ahhhh....shit, who did that and don't be a coward and show your face, you don't know who you are dealing with" shouted the man with his injured hand.
The poor inn helper was so frightened by what is happening and he couldn't make sense whether he is in the east or the west and thus he staggers and back himself up in case that angry crazy man wanting to hit him again.
All the three men can hear is a sweet giggles from somewhere inside and very near to the injured man and so they walk in closer with a very angry face and this cause the injured sitting man to be a little trembling, but Zhan Xian puts his hand on the injured man shoulder and signal him that he is safe.
One of the three angry man whose hand is injured now looks at Wangyi who is giggling, he squints his eyes and looks at Wangyi up and down, seeing a small size woman giggling at him makes him very angry and he shouted
"You!, are you the one that injure me, the big boss" the angry man who has his fist injured asks.
Of course Zhan Xian wouldn't allows anyone to scold his beloved and so he angrily shoved a meat bun into the man's mouth which almost choked him to death because of the qi that comes with the force of the bun. The man starts to cough very loudly and making Wangyi giggles more but she is also a bit furious and pouts at Zhan Xian
"What a waste of the delicious steam bun?" Wangyi told Zhan Xian.
The rest of the two got the hint, it means that the man is not even worth more than a bun, thus, they started to shout at Zhan Xian
"You are a dead meat, you don't know who you are dealing with and who s out backing" one of the man lift up his sword and tries to swing his sword at Zhan Xian.
"Stay here" Zhan Xian told Wangyi as he doesn't want Wangyi to get involve
Wangyi just sulks and stomps her feet.
"You take all the fun away" shouting at Zhan Xian with both hands on her pouting lips, making Zhan Xian just smiles at her.
"Be good, stay with him" pointing to the injured man sitting on the table who is already trembling like a leaf.
The three of them got ready and decided to join forces which they think that in this way their chances of winning is higher. They are above average swordsmen, and because they worked as a team and having being together for a while, they attack and conquer together as a team.
One of them move forward at the chest and Zhan Xian dodge it easily and another man attacks his leg but Zhan Xian lift it up and even gives him a kick after he dodge it, the other tries to jump from the table to attack Zhan Xian from the back, which is against Jianghu rules to attack from the back, especially they are fighting three against one, but of course these rogues just doesn't care a bit at all, all they want is to probably kill this nosy person and show their power to others. When the three of them tries so hard to attack and didn't even touch a bit of Zhan Xian clothes and even got kick and fell and Zhan Xian even swings the sword of their own men against them, injuring some of them on the hands and feet, making them looking like a dog fallen into the water, a total defeat. All they can do is to groan in pain, their faces are all red and probably swollen as the third prince using the bottom of his shoes slapping them constantly and they don't even know which direction the slaps comes from. This is the speed of Zhan Xian martial art skills, the opponent doesn't even know where the hand and feet comes from. Thus, they are all now fallen on the floor with probably one on top of the other.
Wangyi is so happy that she jumps up and claps her hands and laughs
"They looks like dogs fallen into water" (the Chinese saying of very badly defeated person).
All the others people who are eating has already took their food on their hands and watch the fighting like they are watching a show and after that all of them cheers for Zhan Xian as the three men definitely looks like bad people.
"Wow!!!!! This young man is amazing"
"Good fight!"
"Kick them back to where they come from"
Zhan Xian then holds onto to one of the bigger man as he seems like a leader
"Who are you under, why are you bullying people in the broad day light?" Zhan Xian twists the man arm more making him screams
"Ahhhhhhh......." the man screams but his mouth is trembling and he just shakes his head
"We are paid mercenary men, we work under Ah Too...at the Fu Ang province...that is all we know, Big master...you are a great man, let us off......" the pain is tearing off the man;s face. Zhan Xian knew the amount of strength he is using, and he is also pointing at the man's nerve and this kind of pain is excruciating and in most instances the truth will have to flow out from the man.
Zhan Xian twist further more and he told the man
"Leave the place, or you will have more trouble" Zhan Xian told them man and the man just nods his head
"Thank you for not killing us, we will leave......." the man told Zhan Xian
Zhan Xian took the sword and drew a cut of a cross on the man neck nearer to the ear.
"I have marked you and if I see you doing bad stuff, you will see your head rolling on the ground" Zhan Xian threaten them wit his cold eyes and the atmosphere at the place seems to drop a few degree, making even these passerby feeling the chill in their bones.
"Yes! Yes!, we three brothers will leave now and go home" the three of them keeps kowtowing their their fore head is red and swollen. In Jianghu law, you are a mercenary and if you defeated in fighting, your life will be lost and this is the normal case and they usually accept their fate. But now, Zhan Xian didn't kill them and just mark them with a cross, this is truly merciful and thus they are truly thankful to be able to keep their lives. Zhan Xian also knew that these three men although they looked rough but they are mercenaries and know the rules as well. They will not work for Zhan Xian as they will be hunted down by other mercenaries as they broke the code of the mercenaries act and so all they can do it to leave this place as their lives has been spared.
The Inn helper is so happy that he quickly move forward to Zhan Xian and Wangyi together with the injured man.
"This big hero, can you accept my lowly bow... you are the great big hero" the inn helper is brimming with joy that someone has bitten those whom he called the "big bad guys".
Zhan Xian frowns and ask the Inn helper
"Does this happen often? Why no one report to the governmental provincial governor" Zhan Xian asks
The inn helper just sighs
"Didn't you hear what that there big men says, they have backing, also the rumours is anyone that go for complaint, always comes back fruitless and even sometimes have to pay fine for wasting the governor's time, s-so who has so much money or time to complain anymore...., hey, big hero, you are a very capable man, you just don't know the lives of the poor here..." the inn helper looks very sad with eyes that is like withholding tears or doesn't want to show any sigh of weakness, probably he had learn that in his life, weakness will only make his life worst.
Wangyi is very new to all these and he pouts and then got a little angry, she lives in the Cheng Tribes with peace and comfort environment, so this is very different from where he grew up, but he knew that the emperor is the head of the country and this kind of thing would mean the emperor is not doing well in the country and she knew Zhan Xian would be sad, they are talking about his father.
Wangyi quickly cut in and told them
"Mmmmm......I don't think the kind emperor is aware of this....right?" Wangyi asks the Inn keeper. The inn helper looks at them with big round eyes and his hands ball into a fist and there were a lit of hesitation before he daringly speaks up.
"Look, I may be risking my life and I have a pair old oldies and a wife pregnant but..but,,, I cannot swallow this anymore.....I don't know much about our emperor but he is a warrior that won many battles for our country, the prosperity that we once had and everyone attribute it to the emperor. Our emperor has been the hero of all people at our times, I have seen how he parade and brings glory to the country, I don't know what happened... I really feel sad this is happening...I hope someone brings all these suffering to the emperor... in my simple mind, a hero who share his victory with the people, yes, every time, we win a war, the people gets a share of the gold and silver brought back home, has been shared with the people. I just couldn't believe that our emperor who can be selflessly shared can be a bad person at heart.... maybe he doesn't know..." that kind of thrust and that kind of admiration of the common people of the emperor really makes one shiver in the bones, full of total trust and also the eyes that are looking for hope all written in the inn keeper's eyes and Wangyi for sure knows that Zhan Xian will not just care about this matter at all, so while Zhan Xian is listening intensely with angry, Wangyi reply for him
"Don't worry, we will let the emperor knows and I am sure he will not sit by and do nothing" Wangyi is quick and innocently kind of review their identities. After only a minute, the cute Wangyi puts her hands onto her mouth with a O shape mouth a little "Ooch" sound, cute and loving.
Zhan Xian wasn't angry but he truly appreciate how Wangyi couldn't wait to defend his father and Zhan Xian then took out a palace badge and shows it to the Inn Keeper quietly
"I work for the palace and I am here on mission" Zhan Xian told the inn keeper, after seeing how he stands and tries his best to fight off the three men, there is some admiration for his bravery.
The Inn Keeper quickly nods like he is now being enrolled into secret service and he puts his fingers onto his mouth
"Shhhhh....I won't tell anyone, I am just happy that you can help. I will bring you to a room behind here where you can threat this injured man wound" the Inn Keeper has a wide smile on his face, in his mind, this must be his lucky day that he met someone big shot in the palace and better still there is a hope that he will help the oppressed people in this place.
The room is a small room behind the Inn helper counter, it is used for them to do some accounting and resting while they take their turns to work.
Wangyi took a small bottle and pour some powder onto the wounds of the injured man, it is not too deep and so Wangyi just bandage it. While Wangyi was doing it, she lift up her sleeves and all the bands from the villager's boys were reviewed and the man grabs Wangyi's hand which actually annoyed Zhan Xian.
"These bands from the Blue Mountain Villager's children, why do you have it" the man is shaking and trembling, fear and complicated feeling are in the eyes.
Wangyi saw those eyes and she immediately connect them with those bands
"Are you from the Blue Mountain" the injured man keeps quiet and stare at them curiously and carefully.
Wangyi then adds on
"We came from the Blue Mountain Village and wants to help those kids to find their parents and so they gave us those bands and hope that their fathers will recognise them" Wangyi told the injured man.
The injured man then burst into a loud cries
"I-I am one of the fathers....ahhhhh..." the cries is so pathetic that Wangyi had to control not to join in the cry.
"Tell us what happened?" Zhan Xian asks athe injured man
"My name is Ah Chu, I have two sons in the village, they are about fifteen and thirteen years old. I don't have a wife, she passed away during child birth. My two sons are my life...... I came back to see them" Ah Chu told them.
"Your sons are safe, they have been given money and the leader Chen Li will take care of them" Zhan Xian told him.
There seems to be a glint of joy in the man's eyes and he looks at the wrist band and told them
"Yes, I think so, I can see both my son's wrist band here, meaning they are well" AH Chu told them.
"Tell me how and what happened to you, why are they chasing after you?" Zhan Xian asks
"It is a long story, about three months ago, a few men came to the village and they told the villagers that they needed strong and healthy men to work for them, the job is simple, they wants to construct some kind of building and they are short of labours. The yare willing to pay for 10 silver for a month. That is a lot of money to us, we can feed the family very well and even have some savings. A lot of us men were all very interested. We don't mind the hard work. We are all farmers, but our income is very low. So, hard work for building is not a deterrent for us all. So, a lot of the young and not so old men all wanting to go and earn money for the families. Chen Li the leader is not very favour of this kind of job but he is one against so many of us. We were probably blind by greed for the money. We didn't listen to him and we packed our bags and go with the few men" Ah Chu told them with sad eyes and he sniffles a little
"We were all shocked and surprises because they didn't bring us to the construction site but brought us to some sort of military camp, then they told us that they are training us to fight. We of course wasn't very happy and wanted to go back but we were not allowed, as the camp are all barricaded with barb wire and also 24 hours guards with sword and ready to kill. So, we endured, after all a job is a job but when it comes to the end of the month, some of us asked for money and wanted to go home and see their wives and children but it were all turned down. Thus, we have no money, the food is bad, the living conditions is not good, meaning we were all treated like slaves. I really missed my two children very much and worry about them, ether they are alive or dead and so I escaped" Ah Chu after saying this, he cried again, there seems to be a stone that has been choking him in his chest that he now finally managed to let go, especially now, he knew that his children are well, taken care by the villagers. The two in front has saved him and not only that, they didn't kill the three men, that kind of kind soul is already a testimony of their goodness, Ah Chu looks at their actions and he knew that he can trust them.
Wangyi felt very sad for these men and her tears seems hanging on the bridge of her eyes. Zhan Xian is now frowning and walking in a slow circle, his mind has been working like a electric circuit, there are many questions in his mind
"Who is building an army, a private one?"
Zhan Xian has a few ideas and it saddens him a lot when he thinks about it.
Zhan Xian turns around and asks Ah Chu
"Have you seen the top leader yet?" Zhan Xian asks with great interest
Ah Chu think for a while and he reply
"There was a group of men came about two weeks ago, but there seems to be a leader, he is very well dressed but he has a mask on" Ah Chu told them
Zhan Xian is very interested to know who is the main villain behind this, as forming a private army is a big matter, thus in his heart, he kind of knew the few people that has the power and also courage to do this.
"Is there anything that you can recognise that you think is very prominent" Zhan Xian asks
Ah Chu is a common folk and he need visual action to help him, suddenly Zhan Xian took out a jade pendent and ask Ah Chu
"Is there something similar to this?" Zhan Xian asks with cautiousness
Ah Chu slaps his thigh lightly
"Yes, one that is similar but maybe not quite the same" Ah Chu told him with a blink in his eyes
"He was wearing it on the sash, it drapes beautifully" Ah Chu told Zhan Xian, for a commoner like Ah Chu, these are the beautiful things that they will remember because it is rare to them , in fact rare to all except royalties.
Zhan Xian purses his lips and his face darken and stiff, Wangyi saw it and she came forward and asks
"The crown pr......" Wangyi is fast as she is innocent but then she is also quick to stop as being born in a family such as leaders and General, she knew some things are confidential till it is proven. So the cute Wangyi quickly change her direction of speech
"Well, who is that clown, who is so daring, we will find out and report to the emperor, right" Wangyi asks Zhan Xian
Zhan Xian nods and then he turns to the man
"Do you want to do something great for the country and be truly rewarded" as he talk, Zhan Xian already took out a gold bar and place it in the man's hand.
"Huh!" Ah Chu was shocked but the eyes show delights.
Zhan Xian knew that he has to show his identity and he wants to take the gamble because he has a gut feeling that he is doing the right thing and so he told Ah Chu
"This is the daughter of the Lan General and she is my betroth, I am the third prince of Wei Country" Zhan Xian then shows his Wei badge and Wangyi shows her birth markings.
Ah Chu fells onto the floor with a loud "thub" sound.
"G-Greetings to your highness and Lady Lan"
Both of them try to get him to get up but Ah Chu refuses
"Chen Li is our leader and he talks so much about General Lan from morning till night, and also this is the first time I am given a chance in my life to do something for the country, I consider my life blessed. My children and my dead wife will be proud of me. Thank you for the opportunity" then Ah Chu kowtow a few times, till the head is slightly red.
Zhan Xian then holds him up
"What I am asking, it takes a lot of courage" Zhan Xian told him and pat on his back while he is not sitting on the chair
"Hm" Ah Chu shows a determined face which is encouraging to Zhan Xian and Wangyi
"You go back to the campsite and keep track of what they are doing" Zhan Xian told Ah Chu and then he took out a small bottle to Ah Chu
"You find some pigeons and then let them sniff and they will bring your message to me, you are acting like a spy, are you willing?" Zhan Xian asks as he wants to give the man a choice.
"Yes, I am willing to serve my country, I have a bad feeling that these people might be connecting with another country to conquer our country. I forgot to tell you that I see some strange dressing men that doesn't dress like the Wei Country comes and talk to that wealthy looking guy, the leader" Ah Chu told Zhan Xian which makes Zhan Xian more alert how dangerous the situation is.
"Also, my friends is in charge of feeding the chicken, pigs as well as the pigeons, so no problem" Ah Chu simple smile like a simple folk, very sincere and eager to help, that kind of smile comes from the heart, no bit of fake at all.
Wangyi then gave all the wrist bands to him
"Also, let all your other friends knows that their children are safe and inspire them to fight for the country but for now, you all have these wrist bands to encourages them" Wangyi and Zhan Xian gives all the wrist bands to Ah Chu who collects them with tears.
Ah Chu is a simple man who he himself feels that he has ben entrust with a big task and so he stand and turns around
"I will do my best, thank you for trusting me" Ah Chu told them and they let him have a good meal and then he will sneak into the camp at night where he dug a tunnel and came out.
After Ah Chu left, Wangyi turns and asks Zhan Xian
"Are you thinking what I am thinking, is he the one behind all these"
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Thank you for the wait
It is a very long chapter
4000 over words
I hope it is easy to understand.
Appreciate your kind comments like a good source of energy.