Chapter 27: Was Li Yuanjing’s House Robbed by Hou Wu?

“Master, are you all right?”

For a moment, it was Zhang Kun who was the first to react, quickly coming over to help Li Yuanjing up.

Hearing Zhang Kun’s anxious call, Li Yuanjing, drenched in sweat and with bloodshot eyes, finally regained some clarity. He hurriedly said, “I’m fine. Brother Zhang, Old Zhao, is Hou Wu and that little one dead?”

Both Zhang Kun and Zhao Zengjin were splattered with blood. Zhang Kun nodded quickly. “They’re dead as can be.”

Without delay, he beckoned to Zhao Zengjin, and together, they dragged the corpses of Hou Wu and the young man into view.

Seeing that Hou Wu’s and the other’s necks had been nearly severed, dead beyond any doubt, Li Yuanjing finally breathed a little easier. He said, “Brother Zhang, Old Zhao, could I trouble you to carry these two scoundrels' bodies to the back mountain? I’ve already picked a spot in advance—we must clean this up quickly!”

“Understood.”

Neither man dared hesitate, hurrying to deal with the corpses.

Li Yuanjing then called to the old village chief. “Uncle, are you all right now? Let’s carry this one together.”

The old chief, having finally caught his breath, couldn’t help but shake his head with a wry smile. “I didn’t want to admit I’m getting old, but it seems these old bones are just that—old. Come, Yuanjing, let me give you a hand.”

But just as Li Yuanjing and the old chief moved to handle the big fellow’s corpse, Zhang Kun, who was dealing with Hou Wu’s body nearby, suddenly caught sight of a tattoo peeking from the dead man’s neck and shuddered.

He quickly forced a smile. “Village Chief, this big fellow must weigh one hundred and sixty or seventy pounds. Let me handle him. You and the master can take care of Hou Wu.”

As he spoke, Zhang Kun hoisted the big man’s body onto his back and strode out.

Li Yuanjing and the old chief thought nothing of it; Hou Wu was much lighter, making their task easier. They hurried to carry Hou Wu toward the back mountain.

…

The mountains behind the village, though not pure karst terrain, showed signs of such formations, with plenty of natural pits and hollows.

Li Yuanjing had already chosen a hollow. They threw all three bodies in, not even bothering to search them, and quickly buried them deep.

When it was done, the four felt as if a great weight had been lifted.

Li Yuanjing exhaled, looking to the old chief and the others. “Uncle, Brother Zhang, Old Zhao, we’re all men here—no need for extra words. Let’s catch our breath and get back to tidy up.”

“Then we tell the villagers that Hou Wu and his men robbed my home tonight! Most of the silver I got from selling wolf pelts was stolen!”

“Understand?”

“This…”

Zhang Kun and Zhao Zengjin stared, momentarily lost.

Who would have thought—Li Yuanjing would go for such a bold move…

The old chief, though already aware of Li Yuanjing’s plan, couldn’t help but sigh inwardly when he heard him say it aloud.

Before this young man, he truly felt his age.

…

The moment the old chief, Zhang Kun, and Zhao Zengjin decided to help Li Yuanjing tonight, they’d already formed a community of shared interests.

Now, with Li Yuanjing giving each of them a silver tael, their bond was even stronger.

They carried out his plan without hesitation.

Soon, the four, with Yu Niang’s help, cleaned up the house and themselves, then sent Zhao Zengjin and the old chief to spread the word: Hou Wu had robbed Li Yuanjing’s home that night.

The news instantly threw the whole village into an uproar, with people pouring in to see what had happened.

Since Li Yuanjing hadn’t told Yu Niang the truth, she was crying her heart out in despair, her beauty marred by tears, stirring everyone’s sympathy.

Seeing Yu Niang’s state, and Li Yuanjing’s grim face, along with the unhappy looks of the old chief, Zhang Kun, and Zhao Zengjin, the villagers believed the story almost completely, and hurried to comfort the pair.

The commotion lasted until dawn before the crowd gradually dispersed.

The old chief and Zhao Zengjin, exhausted, soon went home to rest.

Li Yuanjing was about to console the heartbroken Yu Niang when he saw Zhang Kun standing there, hesitant.

“Brother Zhang, what is it?”

Li Yuanjing walked quickly to his side and asked softly.

Zhang Kun, having struggled all night, finally whispered, “Master, there’s something I’m not sure I should tell you…”

By now, Li Yuanjing knew Zhang Kun to be a steady man, not one for nonsense. He said, “Brother Zhang, we’re brothers—speak freely.”

Zhang Kun relaxed a little and whispered, “Master, do you remember why I insisted on carrying that big fellow? I saw a tattoo on his chest—it looked familiar.”

“It seemed to be the mark of the bandits from the Boshan Gang over at Wolf’s Den Mountain.”

“What?”

“Bandits?!”

Li Yuanjing stiffened, turning to Zhang Kun. “Brother Zhang, are you certain?”

This sudden revelation rattled Li Yuanjing.

He knew all too well the nature of those bandits now.

In these days of a weakening dynasty, calling them devils wasn’t an exaggeration.

Get entangled with them, and one could never sleep easy again.

“I’m sure.”

“Master, I double-checked when I carried the body. Back when I served in the army and returned here to Feng County as a laborer, I dealt with those bandits several times and saw that tattoo more than once—I can’t be wrong.”

“…”

Li Yuanjing, who had been quietly pleased with his own cleverness, now fell into deep silence.

However,

He soon composed himself and called Yu Niang to fetch a jar of preserved fish, which he handed to Zhang Kun. “Brother Zhang, I understand. Go home and rest. We’ll stick to our story: Hou Wu robbed me and fled with the silver. The bandits won’t spot a flaw for at least three to five days. We’ll plan further then.”

Zhang Kun took the fish and said quickly, “Master, I doubt the old chief and the others noticed. I have friends in the county and up north. If you want, I can ride to the county tonight and find out this bandit’s true identity.”

“Are these contacts reliable?”

Li Yuanjing’s eyes lit up.

“Very reliable,” Zhang Kun nodded. “My friend near Boshan is a fellow from Liaodong. We’ve been through life and death together. His father was killed by those Boshan bandits at Wolf’s Den Mountain.”

Li Yuanjing was about to agree when he noticed Zhang Kun’s bloodshot eyes and realized they’d both barely slept in days. He clapped Zhang Kun’s shoulder. “Brother Zhang, we’ll investigate—but not today. Your job now is to eat breakfast and get a good rest. Come see me tonight.”

“But Master…”

“What? Brother Zhang, are you going to disobey me?”

Faced with Li Yuanjing’s stern order, Zhang Kun had no choice but to nod and leave to rest.

Watching him go, Li Yuanjing finally relaxed a little, striding back inside to find Yu Niang still sobbing on the bed, her eyes swollen from crying.

He couldn’t help but smile wryly, but his gaze soon turned as resolute as stone.

Before today, Li Yuanjing had made many changes, but his heart was still light and unanchored.

But now!

Because of that wretched Hou Wu’s connection to the infamous Boshan bandits, Li Yuanjing suddenly became much more alert.

He realized this was not a game, nor a dream—it was real life in this era.

He had more than just himself to worry about; there was also this delicate, lovely young woman who needed his protection.

Never had Li Yuanjing so desperately wished to become strong!

To possess more wealth, more power, more followers!

And if the bandits ever saw through their ruse and came for blood, he needed the means to fight back—or at least to escape with his beloved.

With these thoughts, Li Yuanjing’s gaze toward Yu Niang grew tender. He fetched a small jar from outside, opened it, and smiled at her. “Little one, look—what’s this?”

“Ah!” Yu Niang gasped, her tears forgotten. “Brother, our silver—is it safe?”