Chapter Eleven: A Smile Wipes Away Grudges and Enmities

  Zhu Wu looked at the villagers of Shi Jia Zhuang who were all kneeling down in front of him, and was momentarily stunned, unsure what this was about. He quickly helped up the various clan leaders, clasped his fists together and said: "Everyone please get up, we can talk things over." The eldest of the clan leaders appeared to be quite old, with a somewhat frail build, but Zhu Wu saw the glint of tears in his eyes.

  The clan leader trembled with emotion and said, "Thank you, heroes, for saving us. The five hundred households of our Shi family village will never forget the kindness of the Shaohua Mountain! It's just that Patriarch Shi..." As he spoke to this point, he was overcome with grief and could no longer speak.

  Zhu Wu took a look and his heart was also slightly moved, so he comforted him by saying: "Don't worry, old man, we'll take care of things here, after some time has passed, we'll avenge you properly!"

  The clan leader wiped away tears with one hand and comforted his sorrowful heart with the other, then said slowly: "This vendetta must be avenged, but I hope you good fellows will take care of Dalang's safety. If there is anything needed, my Shi family's village will definitely provide it."

  Although today's battle was a defeat for the government troops, the county magistrate managed to escape and hide. It won't be long before another fierce battle ensues. To solidify the defense of the mountain stronghold, a large amount of grain, money, and other resources are needed. Moreover, the arrow towers and stone walls of the stronghold need to be reinforced and rebuilt, which is a pressing task with limited time and manpower.

  But now Shi Jiazhuang made such a promise, if it was not timely help in snow, it would be adding wings to the tiger.

  Zhu Wu's heart suddenly filled with a hundred thousand emotions, and he said: "With the words of the old patriarch, what is there to fear about Huayin County?" Zhu Wu paused for a moment and solemnly said: "Although we brothers have not known each other for long, our hearts have been connected for a long time. We regard each other as our own brothers, so you don't need to worry, elder." Just as Zhu Wu was speaking from the heart, he thought that his respect for Shi Jin had reached another level. At this moment, an intention quietly took root in his heart and gradually sprouted. From then on, it could not be stopped.

  At this moment, Zhu Wu's heart was delighted and his mind became more agile. He instructed Old Man Shi on how to handle the aftermath of the battlefield and how to respond to future official summons. They also agreed on a secret signal for communication between Shaohua Mountain and Shijiashan, as well as strategies for mutual assistance.

  Zhu Wu finished speaking in one breath, and everything had a rough outline, with more than half of the burden lifted from his mind. He suddenly felt relieved and refreshed, so he bid farewell to Yang Chun and the others, as well as the people from Shi Family Village, and led his troops up the mountain.

  The Shih family village had the protection of the few good men from Mount Huashan, and naturally everyone was delighted. Old Master Shih saw off Chu Wu and his men, then according to plan organized personnel to start cleaning up the Shih family village, burying the corpses and handling the aftermath.

  Zhu Wu and Yang Chong had just arrived at the mountain gate of Shao Huashan when they saw Chen Da's troops lined up early, waiting to receive them.

  Chen Dayuan saw Zhu Wu and others returning to the mountain from afar, and he was the first to ride his horse down. As soon as he arrived in front of Zhu Wu, Zhu Wu swung his whip and slashed at Chen's face. Chen didn't expect this sudden change and was shocked, unable to dodge in time. However, it turned out that this whip strike was a feint, and halfway through, it made a loud cracking sound before steadily turning aside.

  Zhu Wu and Yang Chun looked at Chen Da's stunned expression and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  "Good rascal, now that you're an official, you dare to bully your big brother!"

  Chen Da Huan smiled and said: "Big brother only knows that pretending to be an officer and scolding people is pleasant, but chasing and killing those corrupt officials is truly delightful!"

  Yang Chun laughed and said: "Brother's official attire is more like an official than the real one, I'm afraid that one day he'll make a name for himself and become a general."

  Chen Daodao said, "Third brother, don't joke around. Even if we didn't have a feud with the officials now, even if they wanted me to do it, I wouldn't go. Alright, alright, let's hurry back to the mountain stronghold first and talk about it later."

  Chen Da's words awakened Zhu Wu, who hastily asked: "Second Brother, how is Shi Brothers?"

  Chen Da held the reins in his hand and walked with Zhu Wu and others, saying: "Big brother can rest assured, I met them on my way back from Hou Zhuang and immediately sent someone to send them back to the village. Everything has been settled long ago. Shi brothers were injured in many places, including an arrow wound, which is quite serious. Now it's okay, the medicine has been applied, and he's sleeping stably."

  Zhu Wu felt a weight lift off his mind. He instructed Yang Chun, "After dawn, follow the usual protocol and summon Old Lei. Tell him to bring more medicine for knife wounds and bruises to treat Shi brothers' injuries."

  Yang Chun nodded and slowly dismounted his horse, immediately instructing his brothers who were following behind him.

  It was the fourth watch when they returned to Dazhai, and after settling accounts for the losses of men and horses, they held a memorial service for their fallen brothers. After drinking the wine of peace, they arranged for the change of shifts in the defense, and it was already the fifth watch.

  After all the brothers returned to their rooms, the three masters came together to Shi Jing's door. The several brothers who were guarding the door bowed and saluted, then Zhu Wu raised his hand to push open the door, but was stopped by Chen Da. Zhu Wu looked at Chen Da with a puzzled expression, as Chen Da smiled without speaking, and lightly knocked twice on the door.

  A voice responded from inside the room and then came to open the door.

  The moment the door opened, Zhu Wu and Yang Chun were both stunned. Which play is this?

  Standing at the door was a lovely young girl, with a pair of beautiful eyes reflecting the moonlight, and dark waves surging. Her slightly flushed face was as delicate as snow that could be blown away by a breath. Her thin red lips left a lingering fragrance after speaking. Her figure was exquisite, with lotus feet seven inches long. She was truly a rare find in the mortal world, and unmatched even in heaven.

  Chen Da smiled and said with a serious face, "Greetings, sister-in-law!"

  The woman also slightly bowed her head, seemingly out of politeness, and felt somewhat embarrassed as to whether or not she should let him in.

  Zhu Wu was now confused in his heart and had to ask clearly for Shi Jin's safety: "Who is this..."

  Before the woman could speak, Chen Da said: "It's just sister-in-law, but she hasn't married yet."

  Zhu Wu suddenly became vigilant, drew his sword out of its scabbard, and startled Chen Da into hastily shielding the woman in front of him, saying: "Brother, what are you doing?!"

  Zhu Wu's face turned cold as he rebuked, "After a night of chaos and confusion, how did you become my sister-in-law? You'd better explain yourself clearly to me. If there's any mishap and harm comes to Shi brothers, what face would I have left to live?"

  Yang Chun looked at the situation and was also quite perplexed, but since he didn't know the truth, this kind of sword-drawing and bow-stringing wasn't like anything. Yang Chun pressed down on Zhu Wu's hand with one hand and sheathed his knife. He also asked Chen Da: "Second brother, this isn't a game, quickly tell big brother what's going on!"

  This time Chen Da didn't even explain, the woman explained by herself: "Everyone doesn't need to panic. I am originally from Bianliang in Dongjing, my family declined and I drifted here, was taken in by Shi Taigong and raised on his estate. In childhood I grew up with Daling, early on Taigong saw it as satisfactory and arranged our engagement."

  Zhu Wu stared straight at the woman's bright eyes, as if trying to extract a deceitful motive from them. As soon as the woman finished telling her story, Zhu Wu asked the most suspicious question in his heart: How did you manage to get up to the camp in the midst of war?

  Zhu Wu and Yang Chun felt a sense of reverence in their hearts after listening to the woman, hastily clasped their fists together and bowed deeply.