Chapter 20: The Real Wu Song!

Zhang Jie watched the two brothers sharing their long-held emotions and couldn’t help but feel deeply moved.

In Wu Dalang’s eyes, his younger brother Wu Song was the best.

How could Wu Song not regard his elder brother Wu Dalang as a father?

Back then, Wu Dalang carried his Dan , one end holding baked buns, the other holding Wu Er.

When he met a buyer with milk, if they let Wu Er have a meal of milk, he wouldn’t charge for the buns.

Whether Pan Jinlian cheated or not meant little to Wu Er.

He could simply have his brother Wu Dalang divorce her.

Unfortunately, Pan Jinlian, incited by Wang, killed Wu Dalang.

That’s why Wu Er said: “It’s easy to spare you—give me back my brother’s life!”

The world calls Wu Dalang a three-inch nail, but no one knows it’s a three-inch demon-sealing nail.

As long as Wu Dalang lived, Wu Song would flee when he caused trouble.

Now that Wu Dalang was gone, Wu Song declared: “The killer is Wu Song!”

When Wu Dalang lived, Wu Song held back, fearing he’d drag his brother into trouble; now that Wu Dalang was dead, Wu Song had no ties left.

Later, when he met Zhang Du Jian, he thought he’d met a good man.

But he soon realized the man had deliberately framed him, so he killed them all clean.

He didn’t even spare the maid who deceived him—he’d become utterly ruthless.

Throughout the entire Water Margin, only this one elder brother could restrain this demon-god.

Only this one elder brother had the strength to move Wu Song, who could slay tigers!

“Forgive me for embarrassing you all.”

After sharing their emotions, Wu Song wiped his eyes with his sleeve and apologized to County Magistrate Wen and Li Xiucheng and others.

“Nonsense. This is only natural human feeling—what’s there to laugh at?”

Wen Bin grew even more fond of Wu Song.

This Wu Song not only possessed formidable martial skill but also showed deep loyalty and affection toward his elder brother Wu Dalang—he was truly the finest hero of the age!

At the same time, he became even more resolute in his inner decision.

“Thank you, Young Master, for looking after my brother these past years.”

Wu Song stepped before Zhang Jie and bowed nearly to the ground.

He had learned from his brother Wu Dalang that since he fled in disgrace,

Zhang Jie had brought his brother to Qinghe County.

Not only had he rented a modest two-story house at low cost for Wu Dalang as both shop and home,

but he had repeatedly helped Wu Dalang resolve his troubles.

Without Zhang Jie’s righteous intervention, he didn’t know what mistreatment his brother might have suffered.

“Brother Wu, rise at once.”

Zhang Jie hurriedly reached out to lift the bowing Wu Song, then joked:

“Your elder brother Wu has helped me greatly—he saved my weak appetite.”

Wu Song and Wu Dalang both laughed.

In their eyes, their bond with Zhang Jie had begun with Wu Dalang’s delicious baked buns.

Yet this wasn’t entirely a lie from Zhang Jie:

He had once been physically weak and often had no appetite.

For some reason, Wu Dalang’s baked buns unexpectedly suited his taste.

Slowly, the procession reached the county yamen, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

Wu Song placed the tiger he had killed at the yamen gate for the arriving townsfolk to admire,

then followed County Magistrate Wen, Zhang Jie, and Li Xiucai inside for a detailed discussion.

Inside the yamen, Wen Bin ordered fine tea to be served.

After sipping lightly, Wen Bin, seated in the main seat, spoke:

“What livelihood are you currently engaged in, Warrior Wu?”

Wu Song felt a touch of shame at the question.

To be honest, he had spent these years “idling about,” with no steady trade:

“Your Honor, I’ve just returned to Yanggu and have not yet found a livelihood.”

Wen Bin, far from being disappointed, brightened immediately:

No livelihood? Perfect! Excellent!

Thinking of the killer who had invaded Ximen’s home under the moonlight and slain Ximen Qing and his personal servant Dai’an, Wen Bin eagerly invited:

“The position of Capital Constable in Yanggu County has remained vacant since the last one stepped down.

If Warrior Wu has no objection, would you consider taking up the post at the yamen?”

Wen Bin fixed his gaze on Wu Song, full of anticipation.

Without a warrior as mighty as Wu Song to guard the county, he couldn’t sleep at night!

If Wu Song became Constable, surely that killer would think twice, wouldn’t he?

Moreover, Wen Bin didn’t expect to capture or kill that killer.

His demands were modest: he only wanted the killer to stop committing crimes in Yanggu.

Beyond that, he didn’t care.

Even if that killer went to the provincial capital or Bianliang to torment nobles and officials, he wouldn’t mind.

After all, better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.

The low-profile Assistant County Magistrate had wanted to speak when Wen Bin invited Wu Song.

But a subtle glance from Wen Bin silenced him instantly.

Having served with Wen Bin for years, he understood at once:

Wen Bin: Assistant Magistrate, you don’t want to live in constant fear, do you?

The Assistant Magistrate reconsidered—it made sense.

There’s never been a thief who can steal for a thousand days, nor a guard who can guard for a thousand days.

And Wu Song was new—he had no roots in Yanggu, even if recruited by Wen Bin.

He wouldn’t disrupt the existing power structure, so his interests wouldn’t be harmed.

With no conflict of interest and clear benefits, why offend a mighty warrior like Wu Song?

Zhang Jie shouted inwardly: Am I not a person? Am I not a person at all?

Well, Zhang Jie truly had no time or energy to waste on Yanggu’s intrigues.

His top priority now remained preparing for the imperial examinations; everything else could wait.

Why, then, did Zhang Jie still take the examinations after arriving in the shared space?

First, passing the examinations was the greatest hope of his father, Zhang Dahu,

and of his teacher, Li Xiucai—and it had been his own long-standing goal.

Continuing now was a way to honor the memory of Zhang Dahu, of Li Xiucai, and of his former self.

Second, the Zhang Jie now in the shared space was still not powerful enough.

Though the Yitian Zhang Jie had provided internal energy—a supernatural force unknown in this Water Margin world—

internal energy remained a product of the martial world, not the immortal world’s magical power, and couldn’t let Zhang Jie stand alone against a nation.

Take Zhang Jie now: even unarmed, he had to avoid the Fengmang of fifty fully armed soldiers.

What to do when you can’t beat the big coward?

Of course, join it!

……

“Thank you, Your Honor, for your great kindness.”

Wu Song rose and bowed with clasped fists.

Just as Wen Bin thought his wish was about to be fulfilled, Wu Song changed his tone:

“Forgive me—I must decline.”

Just as Wen Bin thought he was about to achieve his heart's desire, Wu Song changed the subject:

Wen Bin was stunned.

He had offered his utmost sincerity—why would Wu Song refuse?

Without Wu Song, how could he sleep at night?

Li Xiucai also secretly worried for Wu Song:

Being a tiger-slayer was just a hollow reputation.

One may pursue fame, but one cannot live solely on fame.

At least, not on the level of fame that a tiger-slayer represents.

It wasn’t that the fame of a tiger-slayer was unimpressive—

it was that such a reputation, showcasing personal valor, brought no direct benefits.

It is not that the fame of the tiger-slaying hero is not loud,

but that the fame showcasing personal bravery brings little direct benefit.

Although the position of head constable is not ranked, it holds real power over criminal matters in a county.

It is a post many strive for but cannot obtain.

Even Zhang Jie was somewhat surprised:

Instructor Shi, this isn’t what we agreed on!

He remembered that in the original story, Wu Song did accept Wen Bin’s invitation after killing the tiger,

taking up the post of head constable in Yanggu County—equivalent to the county police chief.

“Your Honor, Young Master Zhang is about to depart for Jinan to take the autumn provincial examination,

and Wu Song wishes to escort him there.” Wu Song stated his reason.

He had learned from his brother Wu Dalang that Zhang Jie’s caravan had been robbed by bandits.

To repay Zhang Jie’s kindness, he decided to escort Zhang Jie to Jinan.

Zhang Jie sprang to his feet, stunned that Wu Song had refused Wen Bin’s offer on his account.

“Brother Wu…”

Zhang Jie was deeply moved.

Wu Song had nearly abandoned his one chance in life to

change his social class just to repay him—how could he not be moved?

At the same time, he marveled: Only this Wu Song is truly Wu Song!

“Good!”

Li Xiucai, who had learned some of the old story from Zhang Jie, could not help cheering for Wu Song.

Such a man who repays kindness is truly the finest kind of man in the world!

Wen Bin, upon learning the full details, grew even more fond of Wu Song.

After some thought, he spoke slowly:

“How about this—you serve temporarily as head constable here for now.

Once you return from escorting Young Master Zhang’s examination, you will be formally appointed.”

Wu Song froze in surprise.

He had not expected Wen Bin, a county magistrate over hundreds of thousands of people, to be so reasonable.

“Why don’t you thank Your Honor?”

Zhang Jie teased with a laugh.

“Thank you, Your Honor!”

Wu Song snapped back to himself and immediately bowed deeply.

“Ha! I have gained Wu the Valiant, as a fish gains water!”

Wen Bin stroked his beard with a smile, his goal achieved.

“As a fish gains water? What, are you trying to emulate Liu the Imperial Uncle?”

Zhang Jie silently mocked Wen Bin in his mind.

Next, Wen Bin hosted a grand banquet at the yamen to welcome Wu Song; the host and guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly, as is not worth recounting.

That night, after a full day’s rest, Zhang Jie was once again full of vigor,

having once again defeated Pan Jinlian, who had foolishly challenged him,

and entered the shared space with a satisfied smile.

“Why did you only show up tonight?

Don’t you know I’ve been stuck here alone for days!”

As soon as the Water Margin Zhang Jie entered the shared space, he heard the Water Margin Zhang Jie’s complaint.

The Water Margin Zhang Jie paid it no mind and reached out his hand to the Heaven’s Sword Zhang Jie:

“Here, what you wanted.”

“What I wanted?”

The Heaven’s Sword Zhang Jie was momentarily stunned.

Forgive him—he remained sluggish even after sharing the Water Margin Zhang Jie’s mind.

After all, he had spent all his attribute points on his body and was accustomed to his former slow mental processing speed.

But the next second, he remembered what he had said last time, and a sly grin spread across his face:

“So… you’ve already… with Pan Jinlian?”