Chapter Sixty-Four: A Play About Siblings
Shi Jiquan, Chong Sheng, and Ying Qing rode their horses towards Xinyue Lake. They had barely entered the territory of the Zhu Family Village when Zhu Ziqiao, along with more than a dozen men, blocked their path with knives.
Zhu Ziqiao shouted loudly, "The man wielding the long sword is Shi Jiquan. Cut off his head, and I will reward him handsomely!"
Upon hearing this, everyone drew their swords and charged at Shi Jiquan. Although Shi Jiquan wielded a long sword, his martial arts skills were mediocre, and he had to be careful when facing two opponents.
Seeing this, Chongsheng stepped forward to protect her. With her indestructible body, she was impervious to the bandits' swords and blades. Her counterattack was fierce and ruthless, and a single punch or palm strike was enough to severely injure Xiaozu.
Then look at Ying Qing, wielding two halberds, challenging Zhu Ziqiao. The two exchanged several blows with one short and one long halberd, but neither could gain the upper hand.
Seeing that his surroundings were safe, Shi Jiquan shouted sternly, "Brothers, let's capture the kingpin to capture the thief!"
Upon hearing this, Chong Sheng leaped into the air and threw a punch straight at Zhu Ziqiao. Zhu Ziqiao blocked with his sword but was forced back several steps. Chong Sheng quickly advanced and launched a series of attacks, which Zhu Ziqiao could no longer defend against, retreating with each blow.
Just then, Zhu Zixing arrived on horseback with his men. Upon seeing this, Ying Qing hurriedly shielded Shi Jiquan.
"Fifth Brother, stop!" Zhu Zixing stepped forward, dismounted, and said, "Fifth Brother, please stop!"
Upon seeing Zhu Zixing arrive, Zhu Ziqiao breathed a sigh of relief and withdrew his troops, ceasing all resistance. Seeing this, Chongsheng also ceased his attack.
Zhu Zixing walked up to Shi Jiquan, bowed, and said, "I am truly sorry to have startled Chief Shi. I apologize to Chief Shi for my elder brother's actions, and I hope Chief Shi will forgive me!"
Shi Jiquan asked in confusion, "Who is Your Excellency?"
Zhu Zixing smiled and said, "I am Zhu Zixing! I am very impressed that Chief Shi could come."
Shi Jiquan laughed and said, "So it's the Eighth Young Master. I've heard so much about you!"
Zhu Ziqiao said angrily, "Eighth brother, if we don't get rid of him now, there will be endless trouble in the future!"
Zhu Zixing admonished, "Fifth Brother! Don't cause trouble. My father and elder brother have already made it clear that we must not make enemies with the Yongle Gang again. Do you know that what you did today has already caused a great mistake? Hurry up and go forward to apologize to Gang Leader Shi!"
Zhu Ziqiao angrily said, "Let him go. One day you will regret it, hmph!" After saying that, he left with his men.
Zhu Zixing hurriedly said to Shi Jiquan, "My brother's actions have been quite offensive. I hope Chief Shi will forgive him."
Shi Jiquan laughed and said, "It's alright! Your consideration is only natural, and I won't mind."
Zhu Zixing laughed and said, "Chief Shi's demeanor is truly admirable. Heart Moon Lake is not far ahead. Please, Chief Shi, mount your horse."
Shi Jiquan: "Please!"
After walking for a while, the group arrived at Moon Lake Pavilion. Shi Jiquan observed the scenery; the pavilion had two floors, with a terrace on the upper floor. Although its construction was not particularly extravagant, it was nonetheless elegant and extraordinary.
To the left of the building is a long pavilion, surrounded by various exotic flowers and plants, the most eye-catching being large-flowered roses and many wild chrysanthemums, which are in full bloom and bright yellow. Directly in front of the pavilion is a floating platform, with a wooden support extending about ten feet into the lake. On both sides of the platform, along the lake, are two rows of willow trees, their branches already covered with green leaves.
Shi Jiquan said with a smile, "The martial world has been in turmoil for a long time. I never thought that there would be such a quiet and elegant place for cultivation in Xinyue Lake of Zhu Family Village."
Zhu Zixing dismounted and said, "I am not satisfied with Chief Shi. This place was built by someone I asked. Whenever I am in a bad mood, I come here to sit and enjoy the scenery and listen to the zither. It makes me feel much better."
Shi Jiquan laughed and said, "With a lake as a backdrop, it is indeed a place for leisurely living!"
Zhu Zixing smiled and said, "Chief Shi, please come upstairs!"
The four entered the hall and saw a maidservant who looked about eighteen or nineteen years old. When the maidservant saw Zhu Zixing arrive, she stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Young Master!"
Zhu Zixing: "Xiao He, where's A Yue?"
The maid said, "A-Yue is in her room. I'll go and call her right away!" After saying that, she went inside the screen.
Zhu Zixing: "Chief Shi, please have a seat!"
Shi Jiquan: "Eighth Young Master, please!"
The two sat down one after the other, while Chong Sheng and Ying Qing stood to the side. At this moment, the screen door opened, and Zhu Ziyue came out from inside. She bowed to Zhu Zixing and said, "A-Yue greets Young Master." Her voice was soft and gentle, full of tenderness.
Zhu Zixing said politely, "This is Chief Shi of the Yongle Gang!"
Zhu Ziyue stepped forward: "This humble servant, A-Yue, greets Chief Shi!"
Shi Jiquan stood up and replied, "Greetings, Miss Yue!"
Shi Jiquan saw A Yue before him; she was only sixteen or seventeen years old, wearing a light pink, high-waisted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a peach-pink face and delicate, exquisite features. Her jet-black hair was beautifully styled up to her waist, adorned with gold and silver hairpins, making her look incredibly beautiful.
Zhu Zixing smiled and said, "A-Yue, Chief Shi and I have something to discuss. Why don't you play a piece of music for us?"
Zhu Ziyue: "Yes."
Zhu Ziyue gracefully walked to the zither stand, sat down, and began to play the zither. The melodious music resonated deeply in her ears.
At this moment, the maidservant brought out wine and snacks, and then poured wine for the two of them.
Zhu Zixing laughed and said, "Chief Shi, in the current situation of Baiyun City, only our two families can control the overall situation. Chief Shi must be well aware of the fierce competition between us. Today, our gathering marks the beginning of our eternal alliance. On behalf of the Zhu Family Manor, I toast you." After saying that, he drank it all in one gulp.
Shi Jiquan smiled and said, "The cessation of hostilities and the reconciliation between the Yong and Zhu families is crucial to the pacification of Baiyun City, and our Yongle Gang is very pleased. However, I am unwell recently and cannot drink alcohol. This cup of wine will be offered to the Eighth Young Master by Brother Chongsheng. I hope the Eighth Young Master will forgive me." As he spoke, he looked at Chongsheng beside him.
Upon hearing this, Chong Sheng stepped forward, raised his wine cup, and said, "Please, Eighth Young Master!" He then drank it all in one gulp and withdrew.
Zhu Zixing smiled and said, "Since Chief Shi is unwell, I will not stand on ceremony any longer!"
Shi Jiquan said politely, "Shi Mou is ashamed."
Zhu Zixing: "My Zhu family village is located in the north of Baiyun City, while your gang dominates the south. My father and several brothers hope that your gang will take Fenglin Ridge as the boundary and cease crossing the boundary to fight. Both families can do their best to pacify the north and south respectively, and maintain harmony in Baiyun City forever."
Shi Jiquan: "Fenglinling has always been the boundary, with each of us occupying one end. It is only reasonable for us to divide the boundary based on this in the future."
At this moment, Zhu Ziyue finished playing her piece, poured herself a cup of tea, drank it, and stepped forward, saying, "Young master! I have finished playing my piece. Since you have come all this way, let me dance for you!"
Zhu Zixing drank it all in one gulp, raised his glass, and said, "Approved!"
Zhu Ziyue danced in the hall, her beautiful body moved with inspiration, and Shi Jiquan and Ying Qing were instantly captivated.
Zhu Zixing: "Chief Shi, in the south of Baiyun City, besides your gang, there are more than a dozen other gangs and strongholds of varying sizes. If you want to quell the chaos, your gang still has many tough battles ahead. If there is anything Zhu Family Village can do to help, Chief Shi, please don't hesitate to ask!"
Shi Jiquan smiled and said, "I am grateful for your kind words, Eighth Young Master. I feel really bad about yesterday's grain matter. Now that we have made peace, it is only right that the grain be returned to your estate. However, it has already been distributed to the villagers, and I am extremely ashamed!"
Zhu Zixing smiled and said, "Chief Shi, please don't worry. My Zhu Family Village has no shortage of food. If your gang ever needs food again in the future, Chief Shi, please just ask. It won't be difficult to lend it to you."
Just then, a man rushed over and said to Zhu Zixing, "Eighth Young Master, Fourth Young Master requests that you return to the manor immediately!"
Zhu Zixing said angrily, "Can't you see I'm with Chief Shi? Go back and tell Fourth Brother I'll go back tonight!"
The young man with small feet said with difficulty, "Eighth Young Master! The situation is urgent. Fourth Young Master instructed that you must go there immediately no matter what."
Zhu Zixing slammed his hand on the table and said, "How dare you! What's the rush?"
Zhu Ziyue was so frightened that she stopped her erotic dance.
The woman with small feet stammered, "Fourth Young Master's attack on the Qinghe Gang failed, and Second Brother was also seriously injured. Fourth Young Master said..."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zixing stood up and hurriedly said, "Alright, I'll be right there!"
He turned to Shi Jiquan and said, "Chief Shi, I really have no choice. We've reached a critical moment with the Qingshui Gang. If we can't take them down now, all our previous sacrifices will have been for nothing. I have to go and scout the battle immediately!"
Shi Jiquan stood up and said, "Things have come up suddenly, please proceed, Eighth Young Master!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ziyue hurriedly called out, "Young Master!"
Zhu Zixing: "A-Yue, Chief Shi is my honored guest, you must treat him well. This dance isn't over yet, continue dancing for Chief Shi."
Zhu Ziyue: "Yes."
Zhu Zixing bowed again and said, "Chief Shi, farewell! Please forgive me!"
Shi Jiquan: "Eighth Young Master, please!"
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