Chapter Forty-One: Laughing Upward and Killing

“Lady Zhen, have you reached a decision?”
A corpulent middle-aged merchant asked with an oily grin, his brows full of cunning and mockery.
This merchant was Wang Shi, the current head of the Wang family.
The Wang clan had always been wealthy, but under his shrewd management, their business had grown ever larger, with no shortage of shady dealings best left unspoken.
His eldest son, Wang Yong, was a captain in the Wujie garrison. Over the years, the Wangs had amassed wealth, influence, soldiers, and followers; with the world now in chaos and no one to keep them in check, they had become the true overlords of Wujie.
“Brother Wang, must you press us so? The Zhen and Wang families have always coexisted in harmony—”
“Harmony?” Wang Shi sneered. “How so? Your Zhen family’s trade routes span Hebei, amassing vast riches—do you take the Wang family for nothing?
Your clan took advantage of disaster and unrest to gather wealth, cutting off our profits!
Worse still, you opened your granaries to feed the rabble—do you not see this as a slap in my family’s face? How am I to endure this?
If I, Wang Shi, swallow this humiliation, shall not all of Wujie laugh at me?”
Such shameless words made Lady Zhen tremble with anger. Beside her, Zhen Yan rose and said, “Your family is noble and powerful, but the Zhens are not so easily bullied. Rather than let both houses suffer in a struggle, why not seek a compromise and spare ourselves bloodshed?”
Zhen Yan’s words rang out firmly, but Wang Shi merely laughed, “Bloodshed? Does your family have swords, do you have soldiers?
My clever nephew, you know the adage of two tigers fighting, but have you not heard that one mountain cannot house them both?
Let me speak plainly. You never guarded against me, and I never thought myself capable of such great affairs!
Wang Yong—you know him, my son the captain—has the defenses of all Wujie under his command. The world is in chaos, and only the bold can seize their fate. Han Wenjie is a fool, Pan Wushuang has been dragged down with him; they are doomed to fail. I intend to surrender the city to General Gongsun!”
“A mere merchant would dare such treachery?”
“Hahaha! What master do merchants have? Rather than be taken by force, I would offer the city in advance to secure my fortune!”
“General Gongsun’s forces are far from here. You claim surrender, but in truth you mean to seize power for yourself! Do you really think a hundred private soldiers is enough to make you king? Are you not afraid of the world’s scorn?” Zhen Yan saw through Wang Shi at once, glaring as he rebuked him.
“What’s the difference? Whether I surrender or seize, it is I who must hold Wujie in my grasp.”
With that, Wang Shi stood, his round belly quivering. “Your only recourse now is to submit to my family. These young ladies are all pleasing to the eye, especially—Luo’er, is it? She’ll be a real beauty when she grows up!
She shall be my son’s, and as for the rest—”
“Shameless scoundrel! Hold your tongue!”
Zhen Yao kicked over the long table, while Zhen Yan drew his sword to shield the women, only to see a throng of house guards rushing in from the inner hall.
At the main gates of the Wang estate, chaos erupted.

“I must see the mistress!”
“Is the young master here? Release our master at once!”
“I warn you, Wang family—do nothing rash!”
The Zhen servants shouted, but the Wang steward sneered, “Foolish rabble! If our young master were here, would you dare make such noise?”
As the wait dragged on, the Zhen household could no longer bear it. Suddenly, a voice cried from the crowd: “The young master and ladies must be held by these villains! Brothers, break down the gate and rescue them!”
Like a stone dropped in water, the crowd surged. Dozens of Zhen retainers bearing clubs began to push against the gate. The steward’s face paled as things spun out of control.

Seven riders, their steeds swift as the wind.

“Uncle Biao!”
“What is it, young master?”
“If I kill, what will it cost me?”
The question caught Zhang Biao off guard.
Zhang Biao’s real surname was Xu. In his youth, he had been a bandit near Zhongshan, strong and skilled with a steel blade, living the bloody life of an outlaw.
Yet he robbed only the rich to aid the poor, so his reputation was not altogether blackened.
Once, he failed in an attack on Zhang Shiping, was wounded, and abandoned by his comrades. In his despair, it was Zhang Shiping who saved him and urged him to abandon his ways. This great kindness moved Zhang Biao so deeply that he changed his name and became a household retainer in gratitude.
Now, hearing his young master’s words, the old bandit felt the old fire of vengeance and loyalty rekindled. His eyes flashed as he replied, “In peaceful times, killing means death. But in days like these, with the Zhang family’s influence, a few deaths would scarcely stir the magistrate.
If things go awry, we can flee to Lunu—what can a mere county magistrate do to us?
But...I cannot let you risk yourself, young master. Please, step aside. We five will rescue the Zhen ladies ourselves!”
“I mean—what if I intend to wipe out the entire Wang family?”
“What? Young master—”
“Hahaha, I’m only joking. Let’s go!”

Sensing trouble, the Wang steward had already retreated inside, barred the doors, and hurried to report to Wang Shi.

“Outrageous! How dare these peasants act up when my son is away?” Wang Shi smashed his teacup and strode over to the bound members of the Zhen family.
“Truly a noble family—your children are all so handsome. You!”
He pointed at Zhen Jiang, forced to kneel before him. “If you accompany me for a night, I’ll spare your family. What do you say?”

Zhen Jiang hung her head in silence. Her two brothers and four sisters were already cursing furiously, while Lady Zhen clenched her teeth in fury.
“Oh, nephews, nieces, do calm yourselves. The more you curse, the happier I am!” Wang Shi leered as he strode to Zhen Jiang, seized her, and tried to drag her from the room.
“Master...”
“Out of my sight, useless wretch! Are there no men left in the Wang family?”

With a crash, the main gate finally fell. Zhen retainers stormed in, followed by a rabble of thieves and townsfolk hoping to profit from the chaos.
But as they poured into the vast courtyard, they saw—dozens of fully armed private soldiers!
Not mere house servants with clubs, but soldiers bearing sharp blades!
“...Is the Wang family rebelling?”
“Run! Run if you want to live!”
“Heavens—is this the Wang manor or the county magistrate’s?”
The intruders were thrown into confusion, scattering in panic. Even the Zhen retainers were shaken, uncertain whether to advance or retreat.
“You—are you rebelling?” one of the Zhens demanded.
“Idiots!” the steward reappeared before the soldiers, puffed with pride. “If we had not resolved to burn our bridges, would we have dared attack your family? When our young master returns from the magistrate, the Wang family will rule Wujie!”
“From the magistrate!” The words sent a chill through the crowd—a warning that even the county chief was in danger.
“Heh! Best you all kneel and beg for mercy. After the master has enjoyed your lovely ladies, perhaps you’ll be spared to make amends—”
“Amends, my foot!”
A pure white steed soared over the gate, leaping several yards high, descending like a heavenly warrior.
The rider wore white robes and a silver-winged mask; a flash of cold light shone from his weapon.
As the horse’s hooves struck the earth, blood spurted three yards high.
The steward—dead!