Chapter 99: Becoming an Outlaw (Part 2) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

Before their leader could even figure out what was going on, deserters rained down like dumplings falling from the sky. With a few thuds, they landed at Shen Tang's feet like human punching bags, groaning in pain. Some suffered bruises and swelling, others fractures and concussions.

They were all thrown over here by someone!

A few who escaped the attack were still barely standing. They looked as if they had seen something terrifying, forced to retreat step by step. That powerful and pure domineering aura suppressed them, leaving them with no will to fight, only trembling legs that shook like leaves.

The leader's face turned deathly pale. He tried to get up by bending his elbows to support himself, but his whole body ached, and he failed several times.

"What's wrong?"

Zhai Le leaped down from the treetop and came to Shen Tang's side.

Shen Tang raised an eyebrow and said, "This night is really anything but peaceful."

One wave subsides only for another to rise.

Upon hearing this, Zhai Le turned his gaze to the darkness.

Clang, clang, clang.

Zhai Le's relaxed demeanor vanished, the upturned corners of his lips gradually lost their curve, and his peach blossom eyes revealed a rare look of seriousness.

As the person drew closer, the sound grew clearer. He recognized the sound immediately; it was the distinctive clanging of scales and armor. The newcomer's steps were steady and powerful, the rhythm light and leisurely. Seemingly casual, each step was actually building momentum, rising steadily. He had a premonition that if the newcomer's momentum reached its peak, even he, in his best condition, wouldn't be able to withstand it!

He's definitely a formidable rival!

Zhai Le stepped forward sideways, blocking half of Shen Tang's body, and whispered, "The person coming is dangerous. If a conflict breaks out later, I will trouble Brother Shen to make an exception and have Wenxin assist me."

Upon hearing this, Shen Tang's expression turned strange for a moment.

"I'm afraid... it's not necessary."

Just as Zhai Le was about to ask why, a burly figure approaching two meters tall gradually emerged from the darkness. The man wore a black tiger-head helmet with a red tassel on his head. His armor was made of black "mountain"-shaped plates strung together, both beautiful and imposing. He had shoulder guards, tiger-head arm guards, a chest and back armor covering his entire upper body, and a long armor skirt that reached his calves. He wore a majestic tiger-head waist guard and black boots, looking every bit the general who had just returned from the battlefield.

She leaned close to Zhai Le's ear and whispered, "It's that thief!"

Zhai Le: "..."

Good heavens, it really is Mr. Gong Shuwu.

Isn't that him?

Not only was Gong Shuwu present, but behind him followed two scholars whose faces were barely whiter than ink: Qi Yuanliang and Chu Wuhui. Each was even darker than the other, almost blending into the night. Upon meeting, Gong Shuwu breathed a sigh of relief, his armor transforming into black martial energy and returning to the Martial Courage Tiger Talisman at his waist.

Without the armor weighing forty or fifty pounds, Gong Shuwu's steps were much lighter as he stepped forward and said, "We've finally found you."

Zhai Le smiled wryly: "Uncle Gong, is it really necessary to wear armor to deal with a few bandits? You really scared me just now, I was almost ready to put on armor and fight you too."

He takes the agile route. Compared with other martial artists of the same level, his stamina and strength are not very sufficient. Even his martial armor is relatively light. He should fight quickly and decisively, and avoid prolonged battles.

If you really encounter a formidable opponent, the kind that's slow to warm up and builds up strength, why not strike first and wait for them to chop you to pieces?

Gong Shuwu simply said, "Caution is the best policy."

After all, the two scholars had also come along.

Speaking of those two gentlemen...

Gong Shuwu and Zhai Le both turned to look at Shen Tang.

Young Master Shen stood with one hand on his hip and the other on his sword, chin slightly raised, his brows furrowed with self-righteousness. Facing the two gentlemen's silent questioning, she remained defiant, showing no sign of feeling anything was wrong with staying out all night and engaging in fighting on the mountain.

She can act on behalf of Heaven, punish evil and promote good, and also rob the rich to help the poor—no doubt, this "poor" is herself—a brilliant way to kill two birds with one stone, only a fool would pass it up.

She wasn't starting her business alone.

Didn't they also bring Zhai Le along?

If Qishan gets angry because of this...

Shen Tang sighed and spoke in a tone that comforted a child.

"I'll definitely bring you next time, okay?"

She reflected deeply on herself, sincerely and earnestly.

Qi Shan: "..."

He should have been happy that someone who had been worried about him all night had stayed in front of him, but seeing the young master's appearance, he felt a pain in his stomach and his temper was flaring up everywhere.

At this moment, Zhai Le jumped out to explain.

"Mr. Qi, Brother Shen is drunk."

Upon hearing this, and noticing Shen Tang's unusual expression, Qi Shan's eyes twitched violently, and her voice involuntarily became several degrees strange as she exclaimed, "You mean he's been drinking again?"

Zhai Le: "I don't know where Brother Shen drank the wine at the beginning, but after we went up the mountain, he drank at least three jin..."

Qi Shan: "..."

Chu Yao coughed lightly and patted his shoulder to comfort him.

"Never mind, it's good that Goro is safe and sound."

Qi Shan took several deep breaths to barely suppress her surging anger, silently telling herself not to argue with a drunkard. As for the three of them who had gone to great lengths for this matter, scouring several mountains and searching all night in the dark, they would settle the score slowly once Young Master Shen sobered up.

Gong Shuwu noticed movement in the nearby woods. His thick eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he was about to go forward to investigate when a small, thin girl emerged from the woods, looking haggard. Zhai Le also noticed her and called out, "Miss Lin, you're awake?"

Lin Feng felt relieved and stepped forward after hearing Zhai Le's voice.

All eyes were on her.

Despite his young age, Lin Feng was not intimidated. He bowed, stood up, and walked to Shen Tang's side before answering, "I woke up when I heard the noise."

Actually, she didn't sleep all night and couldn't fall asleep.

Hearing the sounds of fighting outside, I trembled with fear, and the scene of my family being massacred by the guards not long ago kept flashing through my mind.

But the commotion didn't last long before it subsided.

She was worried and sneaked over to check on things.

Qi Shan asked, "Who is this?"

Shen Tang: "She is Lin Feng."

"Lin Feng?"

"Yes, she'll be with me from now on."

Following?

Qi Shan secretly sized up Shen Tang with a strange look in his eyes.

Zhai Le added, "Mr. Qi, Miss Lin recently suffered a great calamity. Her relatives were killed by thieves, and now she is all alone. Brother Shen took pity on her plight and decided to take her in to care for her. Brother Shen has only good intentions and no other motives."

Qi Shan: "..."

It would have been better if he hadn't said anything, because once he did, he couldn't help but think the wrong thing.

Shen Tang directly retorted, "Zhai Xiaofang, your words just now were quite suggestive. Tell me, what 'other intentions' did I have?"

Zhai Le: "..."

Although I don't understand what "the tea flavor is very strong" means, even a fool would know it's not a good thing.

Driven by his survival instincts, Zhai Le chose to change the subject.

What should we do with these bandits?

Shen Tang said, "They're lucky to survive. If they do, we'll take them in. If they die, we'll bury their bodies on the spot; it'll even fertilize the soil."

Chu Yao keenly caught a word.

"To incorporate?"

Shen Tang tilted her head back with a touch of pride.

"I now have dozens of followers."

Chu Yao smiled and praised, "Fifth Brother is brave."

Qi Shan: "..."

Roll your eyes all over your head.

At that moment, he noticed the wounded bandit leader.

With her photographic memory, she easily recognized his identity and raised an eyebrow slightly: "Isn't this the official who escorted the Gong family? He's an official, no less, so why does he look like this?"

Upon hearing the name "Gong Shi," Gong Shuwu's back stiffened.

His sharp gaze almost pierced through the man.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

(End of this chapter)