Magical Water Margin: They all call me brother

Page 80

"I don't know. This fellow said, 'It's a pity Song Jiang died here!'"

The henchman looked completely bewildered.

Yan Shun quickly stood up and asked, "Hey little sister, do you know Song Jiang?"

Song Jiang glanced at Yan Shun and breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, his reputation was big enough that even this bandit from who-knows-where recognized him. So he continued to reply with a calm expression.

"I am Song Jiang."

Yan Shun walked up to Song Jiang in disbelief, looked him up and down, and probed, "Where are you from, Song Jiang?"

Song Jiang calmly replied, "I am Song Jiang, a clerk in Yuncheng County, Jizhou."

Yan Shun's eyes flashed repeatedly: "Are you perhaps the Timely Rain of Shandong, the Filial and Righteous Black Third Sister, Song Jiang? The one who killed Yan Poxi and escaped from the Jianghu?"

Song Jiang knew he was alright, but he still feigned surprise on his face: "How did you know? I am Song San Niang."

Upon hearing this, Yan Shun was startled. He snatched the dagger from the henchman's hand, cut the hemp rope, took off his own maroon silk robe, wrapped it around Song Jiang, and carried him to the tiger-skin chair in the middle. He then called for Wang Ai Hu and Zheng Tian Shou to come down quickly. Upon hearing Song Jiang's name, the two men sobered up considerably, their eyes filled with respect and admiration. After the three men settled Song Jiang on the tiger-skin chair, they bowed deeply, their heads thumping loudly.

Song Jiang quickly jumped off the chair to return the greeting, also bowing to the ground, and asked a question in return.

"Why did the three brave men not kill this villain, but instead treat him with such great courtesy? What is the meaning behind this?"

"I would have gouged out my own eyes with a sharp knife! How could you be so ungrateful! You almost killed my sister! If it weren't for the good fortune that made you reveal your name, how would we have known that you are the famous Timely Rain?! I have been wandering the world of outlaws for more than ten years, and I have only heard of your great reputation for being righteous and generous, helping the poor and needy. I only regret that our fate is too shallow to meet you. Today, meeting you is truly a joyous occasion."

"According to the rules of the martial world, we are willing to relinquish our top position and let our sister become our leader! And by the way, quickly release our sister's people, release them!!!"

Yan Shun was a magnanimous man. Knowing Song Jiang's abilities, he immediately gave up the top seat and offered it to Song Jiang.

"What virtue or ability does Song Jiang possess that would make you so concerned and favor him? I only committed a minor offense and accidentally killed someone. When Emperor Zhao grants a general amnesty one day, I will still return to be my clerk."

Song Jiang politely declined the title of bandit leader and recounted in detail the events of rescuing Chao Gai, killing Yan Poxi, turning to Chai Jin, seeking help from Master Kong for a long time, and his current trip to Qingfeng Village to find Little Li Guang Hua Rong.

When the three leaders heard that Song Jiang was going to see Hua Rong, they had no choice but to give up the idea. They immediately gave Song Jiang a set of clothes to wear. They then ordered the slaughter of cattle and horses and prepared a feast that night. They entertained Song Jiang, Kong Ming, Kong Liang, and the others until dawn before finally resting. The next day, Song Jiang went to see Hua Rong again.

Meanwhile, after Song Jiang arrived in Qingzhou, Liu Hong began searching for his sister. He also made a trip to Erlong Mountain, which would later become the territory of Lu Zhisheng and Wu Song, but was currently led by Deng Long. Upon hearing that the visitor was Liu Hong, the leader of Liangshan, Deng Long gasped in surprise and received this rising star among bandits with the highest honors. Having accepted the visitor's hospitality, Liu Hong kindly reminded him that if a large, fat nun ever caused him trouble, that was his sister, even more powerful than him; he should simply kowtow and acknowledge her as his leader.

After searching for more than ten days, Liu Hong still hadn't found anyone when suddenly a Qingzhou soldier arrived at the post station where he was staying at full speed.

"Great Sage! Great Sage, something terrible has happened! Commander Qin is in deep trouble! We beg your help, Great Sage!"

"Don't panic, don't panic, tell me carefully, what happened?"

Liu Hong frowned, wondering what kind of big trouble Qin Ming, a guy of his caliber, could possibly encounter.

"Great Sage, you may not know this, but Liu Gao, the magistrate of Qingfeng Village, and Hua Rong, the magistrate, have always been at odds. This is a very common conflict between a civil official and a military general in our Great Song Dynasty. After they went to attack Liangshan, their relationship, for some reason, deteriorated even further. They can't stand each other anymore,"

"What's even more troublesome is that Song Jiang, a timely rain, recently came to Qingfeng Mountain and became an outlaw there. She was originally an old friend of Hua Rong and colluded with Hua Rong to make her betray the court. Hua Rong actually agreed."

"Fortunately, Liu Gao, the magistrate, was more skilled and captured Hua Rong and Song Jiang. Unexpectedly, the three leaders of Qingfeng Mountain led a large army down the mountain to attack Qingfeng Village. As you know, Great Sage, Liu Gao and Hua Rong's Qingfeng Camp suffered heavy losses at Liangshan, and the replacements were all mediocre. They were overwhelmed by those three bandit leaders in one fell swoop, and Hua Rong and Song Jiang were rescued. Liu Gao was killed, and now everyone has become outlaws on Qingfeng Mountain! Many people in the Qingfeng Camp have also followed Song Jiang. Hua Rong has rebelled!"

"what?"

Liu Hong's eyes widened in surprise; he hadn't expected the plot to develop so quickly. "Wasn't Song Jiang perfectly fine when I left? How come he's already fast-forwarded to Qingfeng Mountain with Hua Rong?"

"There's nothing we can do. Prefect Murong sent Commander Qin to quell the rebellion, but as you know, Great Sage, Commander Qin's Qingzhou camp was completely wiped out. The new recruits were just there to make up the numbers, and their combat effectiveness was incredibly weak. The first time, the commander barely managed to fight these bandits to a draw, and the second time, he fell into Song Jiang's ambush and was surrounded and beaten by Hua Rong, Yan Shun, Wang Ying, and Zheng Tianshou. He was captured alive! We really have no other choice but to beg Great Sage to go and rescue her quickly!"

"I'll go right now—"

Liu Hong was halfway through his sentence when he suddenly froze. Qin Ming had been captured alive? Wouldn't the next step be for Song Jiang to use any means necessary to get Qin Ming, sending men disguised as Qin Ming to indiscriminately kill people outside Qingzhou City? If this happened, Qin Ming's family in Qingzhou City would be in grave danger!

"No! We should go protect Commander Qin's family immediately, and then head to Qingfeng Mountain! I can't explain the details to you, there's no time, I'm going now! Lü Fang, Guo Sheng, wait for me outside Qingzhou City!"

Liu Hong flapped his wings and soared into the sky like a meteor, heading straight for Qingzhou City!

Chapter 200: Timely Rain Turns Evil and Falls into Outlawhood

Liu Hong quickly flew to Qingzhou to rescue the people. This was not difficult. Qin Ming had taken him home for drinks before, and his family knew him and that he was Qin Ming's good friend. Therefore, the whole family quickly packed their belongings and, under Liu Hong's cover, abandoned their house and prepared to retreat.

On Qingfeng Mountain, Song Jiang and his group held a grand victory celebration. After entertaining Qin Ming, the leaders held a second small meeting without Qin Ming in attendance.

"Sister is truly amazing! You were born to be a mountain king!"

Jinmaohu Yan Shun excitedly held out a wine cup and personally offered a toast to Song Jiang. His long, tiger-striped hair shimmered brilliantly in the dim firelight.

"The three of us have been managing the mountain stronghold for five or six years, but we've only gathered five or six hundred militia-like henchmen. We can barely be considered a band of outlaws in the mountains, and we've never dared to confront the government troops head-on."

In just a few dozen days since my sister arrived, she has quadrupled the power of Qingfeng Mountain! The stronghold now has nearly two thousand people, all of whom are heroes who came to join us after hearing of my sister's reputation as Timely Rain. Not only that, even half of Little Li Guang's Qingfeng Camp, such a powerful local army, has chosen to join us!

Under my sister's command, we decisively defeated the other half of Liu Gao's Qingfeng Camp in our first battle, and completely annihilated Qin Ming's Qingzhou Army in our second! My sister's command ability is unparalleled throughout history; even renowned generals like Han Xin and Peng Yue of ancient times could not match her. Come, let me toast my sister!!!

Jinmaohu Yan Shun excitedly offered a toast, unaware that the reason Song Jiang fought so easily was because Liu Hong had already borne the burden for them. The main forces of Qingfeng Camp and Qingzhou Camp had all died at Liangshan, and now they were all just small fry filling in.

"Hey! What are you talking about? What mountain king? If you ask me, my sister is more than qualified to be a general or a prime minister! A mere mountain king is beneath her!"

The dwarf tiger Wang Ying looked at Song Jiang with admiration in his eyes.

"According to the rules of the martial world, the position of leader belongs to the strong. Today, we are willing to acknowledge Sister as the leader of our stronghold!!!"

"We are willing to acknowledge Sister as the leader of our stronghold!!!"

In an instant, the bandits of Qingfeng Mountain, led by Yan Shun, Wang Ying, and Zheng Tianshou, the wealthy landowners led by Kong Ming and Kong Liang, Hua Rong, and all the captains of his Qingfeng Battalion knelt before Song Jiang, acknowledging her as their master. The roar of hundreds of men shook the firelight and caused the trees to ripple.

Not only that, but thousands of mountain bandits, local soldiers, and farmhands who came upon hearing the commotion knelt down outside the hall, shouting "Long live King Song Jiang!" Their momentum was earth-shattering! Looking out from the main seat, Song Jiang saw that the kneeling mountain bandits stretched as far as the eye could see!

Seeing so many people kneeling respectfully before him, Song Jiang's desire and greed for power reached their peak. His eyes were filled with endless greed and obsession, his heart pounded uncontrollably, his breathing became more rapid and excited, and two sickly flushes appeared on his violet face.

To have everyone obey my every command—that's the power I want! That's everything I've pursued my whole life!

What does it matter if you're a minor official, respected by the entire county? The thrill of being hailed as king by thousands of soldiers far surpasses that of a mere minor official! The feeling of commanding thousands of troops in battle is even more intense than any lust or emotion.

I, Song Jiang, have truly wasted the first half of my life. Only today, as I commanded my troops to defeat Qin Ming and returned to the stronghold in triumph, surrounded by people, do I realize what it truly means to be alive.

In an instant, Song Jiang's thoughts completely changed. A minor official? What a load of rubbish! The Song Dynasty's officialdom is too murky. I've struggled for over a decade, and I'm only a lowly clerk.

With my current wealth and prestige in the martial arts world, I became the leader of two thousand bandits in just fifteen days! If I really work in this line of work for more than ten years, could I really become a general commanding thousands of troops?

Besides, I wanted to properly advance through the Song Dynasty's officialdom, but Yan Poxi ruined my career path. I came here to seek refuge with Hua Rong, but a mere Liu Gao actually dared to use me as a stepping stone, forcing me to become a bandit.

If I cannot be remembered for my good name, then I will surely be remembered for my infamy! I will certainly have a place in the annals of history!

Thinking of this, Song Jiang's eyes were now filled with nothing but endless greed and profound madness.

"Then I shall accept this honor and become the leader of Qingfeng Mountain stronghold, Hua Rong!"

"exist!"

Hua Rong stood up in response.

"Our bandit group is newly established, and we need a lot of talent. Thunderbolt Qin Ming is an invaluable general, but unfortunately, she's unwilling to join us. So, now that Qin Ming is asleep, you will wear her armor, take her spiked club, lead five hundred men, also dressed in Qingzhou camp uniforms, and carrying Qin Ming's banner, and immediately go to Yidu, the capital of Qingzhou. Pretend that Qin Ming has rebelled and begin attacking the city walls of Yidu! Go all out and cut off all of Qin Ming's escape routes!!!"

Song Jiang spoke with great confidence, even opening his arms and uttering words that were unclear whether he was comforting his own conscience or advising the others.

"Although Qin Ming has lost her official position and her career is over, she still has me! I can appoint her as the vanguard general of Qingfeng Mountain stronghold and give her honors and rewards no less than those of the prefect of Qingzhou!"

"As ordered."

Hua Rong sensed that Song Jiang's mental state was strange, but now more than two thousand people were surrounding Song Jiang, shouting "Long live the King!" Everyone was in a state of boundless fervor in the atmosphere of victory. People tend to follow the crowd, and she was also infected by this fervent atmosphere. She couldn't figure it out for a moment, but without hesitation, she accepted the order and went to get it. She put on Qin Ming's obsidian armor, picked up the giant spiked club, and couldn't even lift it the first time. On the second time, she put all her strength into it and finally succeeded.

"Men! Follow me and pretend to attack Yidu! Pretend Qin Ming has rebelled!"

At Hua Rong's command, five hundred mountain bandits, disguised as Song soldiers, charged down Qingfeng Mountain in a mighty procession!

Song Jiang's original intention was merely to pretend that Qin Ming had rebelled, so that Hua Rong could lead his troops to attack the city and then retreat.

Hua Rong was also following this original intention, thinking that he could just fight back once.

However, her five hundred soldiers were all mountain bandits who were used to living a carefree life. When Qingzhou City closed its gates, preventing these bandits, who had no siege weapons, from breaking in, their mentality changed. They did not hesitate to plunder the houses and inns outside the city walls.

Some bandits hacked the shop owner to death with knives and looted all his savings.

Some bandits, having searched the houses diligently but finding little money, became enraged and set them on fire, sending smoke billowing into the sky.

Some bandits, relying on Song Jiang's backing, brazenly broke into people's homes and raped innocent women in public!

"What the hell are you doing?! Stop it all!!!"

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Hua Rong tried to stop it, but was stopped by several of his personal guards.

"Chief, you mustn't! These people are all bandits who came to join us after hearing about Sister Song Gongming's great name. They are all fearless and only Sister can keep them in check. Some of them are even your equals. It's useless for you to go up now. Instead, you'll cause unnecessary friction with them and fail to complete Sister's mission."

"Yes, yes, let them go. They'll just ruin Qin Ming's reputation and force her to become an outlaw. Aren't these people just doing their best to complete their sister's mission? What right do you have to stop them, leader?"

Several guards stopped Hua Rong, then gave him a look, signaling his men to hurry up and rob the money.

At this moment, even the Xiang Army under Hua Rong's command, having lost control and restraint and degenerated into mountain bandits, were eager to join in the burning, killing, and looting, hoping to make a fortune. "Since I can't live a life of ease within the official system, I'll just roam freely in the green forests and mountains!"

Chapter 201: Thunderbolt's Unexpected Disaster

"Open the door! We are soldiers under Qin Ming, the military commander of Qingzhou. Everyone, hand over the money!!!"

A group of bandits kicked open a wooden door and said arrogantly. The leader's eyes darted around, and after quickly scanning everyone present, his eyes widened in disbelief!

In this small room, there were actually three beautiful women crammed together. The one on the left had a passionate and unrestrained face and a hot and sexy figure. She was wearing a crimson tight-fitting short robe that reached her hips. Her two slender, lotus-root-like arms and her pair of sexy, white jade-like legs were completely exposed, complementing the crimson robe perfectly. The bandit was so engrossed in looking at her that he drooled.

The one on the right has an aloof and cold face, and a tall and slender figure. Although she is wearing a white robe that covers her completely, the front of her robe is lace with a heart-shaped pattern, which makes her two snow-white breasts appear and disappear in the lace. It is more intoxicating and blood-pumping than being completely naked.

Behind the two women, there was a mature woman with her hair styled in a married woman's bun, sitting gracefully and demurely between them.

The only drawback was that a 2.4-meter-tall, burly man was sitting next to her, with a pair of golden wings that covered the entire wall like a screen.

"Oh my?! There are actually three such beautiful young ladies here. We are the personal guards of Qin Ming, the commander of Qingzhou! Why don't you three come with us? We guarantee you'll live a life of luxury from now on."

A soldier approached with a thuggish air, immediately trying to grope Liu Hong, who was a bit confused. Who were these people? They called themselves Qin Ming's soldiers, yet they wanted to touch Qin Ming's wife?

Wait, Song Jiang's side has already made their move? That's fast.

"Hey? Where did this rascal come from! How dare you talk to your grandma like that?"

Lu Fang, with his fiery temper, couldn't stand being teased. He picked up his halberd, ready to make a move, but found the room too cramped and the three-meter-long halberd too small to maneuver properly. So he threw the halberd away and drew his waist knife.

"Oh ho, you've got quite the temper, girl. Fine, fine, I love taming wild horses! Watching them submit beneath me!"

The bandit leader's attention was focused on the knife in Lü Fang's hand. He was so distracted that he didn't notice Guo Sheng had also gotten up. In the instant Lü Fang switched from his halberd to his short sword, Guo Sheng had already drawn his dagger from his waist. With a flash of silver light, Guo Sheng had replaced the long handle with the dagger and used the "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" charging technique, plunging the dagger into the bandit leader's neck!

At that moment, Liu Hong also stood up. With a sudden flap of his wings, he unleashed a golden storm that blew the bandit leader and several other mountain bandits off balance. Then, he brought his dragon-patterned staff down, smashing the skulls of several bandits, shattering their bones. Blood splattered everywhere.

"Sister-in-law... no, brother-in-law... no, anyway, sister, don't be afraid. They're probably just bandits from some mountain bandits, disguised as your personal guards, burning, killing, and looting. We'll protect you and get you out of here first!"

Liu Hong was momentarily at a loss as to what to do about Qin Ming's wife, but he knew what he had to do. He immediately led Lü Fang and Guo Sheng to cover Qin Ming's family and began their breakout.

As soon as he stepped outside, a choking black smoke billowed towards him, causing Liu Hong to cough twice. The shouts of battle, screams, and wails of agony gradually drifted over from afar. Hua Rong's bandits had already burned, killed, and looted this place. Several more men, attracted by the beauty of the three women, rushed over without thinking, only to have their heads blown off one by one by Liu Hong wielding his Panlong Staff. As time went on, his control over the Panlong Staff grew stronger and stronger. He had mastered this strangely shaped weapon to perfection, and could use various strange techniques with ease.

Three thieves surrounded him, and Liu Hong fought them with simple skills. His Panlong Staff swept forward with a whooshing sound, deliberately using the iron chain between the long and short staffs to clash with their weapons. This caused the short staff and the iron chain, under the influence of inertia, to suddenly coil around their weapons like a whip or a venomous snake. At this moment, Liu Hong suddenly exerted his strength, pulling sharply and disarming the opponent's broadsword. With another sweep, he used the inertia to restore the Panlong Staff to its original shape. The long staff, along with the iron chain, and the short staff, howled through the sky and once again accurately smashed the opponent's head!

"Clang! Clang!!!"

Liu Hong swung his club again, and a thief raised his cudgel to block. Liu Hong immediately took a step forward, letting his long club smash into the opponent's cudgel. He blocked the long club, but the iron chain and short club were still smashing down due to inertia. Accompanied by four swimming dragons and two guardian comets, they smashed the opponent's skull completely, and his cervical vertebrae were also crushed piece by piece under the crushing force. The smashed head was pushed alive into his chest cavity.

The third thief was so frightened that he wet himself and turned to run away. Liu Hong used the same method on him, using the Panlong Staff as a whip. With a sweeping motion, he wrapped the opponent's ankle, pulled him down, and then broke his spine with another blow.

Seeing Liu Hong's ferocity, several bandits turned and fled to report back. Some bandits tried to launch a surprise attack from the flanks and rear, but they didn't expect that Lü Fang and Guo Sheng were not to be trifled with either. The two women, who were disciples of Liu Hong, were far more valiant and skilled in battle than Kong Ming and Kong Liang, who were disciples of Song Jiang. Their two halberds, combined with the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix spear technique, caused the bandits to bleed profusely. One by one, they died; two charged, and two died. The battle was bloody and fierce, and they were truly heroic and valiant!

Just as the group was about to break through the encirclement, a series of crisp hoofbeats suddenly rang out from the sky, and a loud shout also rang out from everyone's ears.

"Who dares to cause trouble! Thunderbolt Qin Ming is here!!!"

Liu Hong suddenly turned around. Although it was Thunderbolt's armor and weapons, the person on horseback was definitely not Qin Ming. Wait, those white eyebrows and cold, beautiful face... it's Hua Rong!

At this moment, Hua Rong was stunned when she saw the "thief" who had disturbed her mission. That tall figure, those iconic gilded wings—Liu Hong, the Great Sage of Liangshan? What is he doing here?!

Chapter 202: Little Li Guang's Hundred-Pace Archery Skill

"Lü Fang! Guo Sheng! Protect Qin Ming's family. I'll handle this man!"

Liu Hong felt a little nervous when he saw Hua Rong. Although Hua Rong was the leader of the Eight Tiger Generals, her close combat ability alone was a terrifying existence on par with Qin Ming and the Five Tiger Generals! Moreover, she was also a skilled archer, never missing a shot. Last time he fought her, he blocked her shooting space in the chaos of battle, but he still fell into a disadvantage in close combat.

Amidst the tension, Liu Hong was also somewhat excited, his lips involuntarily curling into a wild grin, his blood surging with extreme excitement! He had held back last time to guard against other enemies and hadn't used his full strength, so how could he not be tempted by such a formidable foe in front of him?

"Hua Rong! Aren't you the magistrate of Qingfeng Mountain? How did you become an outlaw? And even impersonate Qin Ming?"

Liu Hong laughed loudly, tearing through Hua Rong's disguise with his words. He spread his gilded wings and charged forward like a falling comet, wielding his dragon-patterned staff! Before he even arrived, the terrifying wind pressure had already caused Hua Rong's helmet plume to flutter wildly and his cloak to fly.

"You damn bandit, asking me why I joined the outlaws?! Then let me ask you, why did you become the leader of Liangshan?!"

Enraged, Hua Rong laughed and swung Qin Ming's spiked club to block. However, the weapon was much heavier than her Snowflake Mithril Spear, and Hua Rong was not used to it for a moment, so her blocking time was a little slow. Meanwhile, Liu Hong's martial arts had improved during this time, and his charging speed was getting faster and faster. Just as he was about to arrive, the Reverse Scale in his palm burst out with a towering black smoke, transforming into a four-meter Shadow Scale Spear, which suddenly replaced the more than two-meter-long Coiled Dragon Staff, completing an instant weapon switch that caught Hua Rong off guard!

"clang!!!"

The metal clanged, sparks flew, and the Shadow Scale Spear shot out like a dragon. The spearhead, piercing through armor, used the force of the charge to stab deeply into Hua Rong's right shoulder. The spearhead shattered two pieces of black stone and embedded itself into the gaps in the obsidian battle armor. The Sevenfold Supreme Slash, wrapped with the power of the Heavenly Gang Demon Lord, descended from the sky like a meteor! Liu Hong's Supreme Slash created a shocking effect like a meteor shower, smashing a crack in Hua Rong's right shoulder and shattering it into seven or eight pieces.

Although the charge failed to penetrate the armor, the force of the charge dislocated Hua Rong's right shoulder, causing him to fall off his horse.