Chapter 42: Man Jiang Hong

In He Zhiyu's understanding, Cao Mao's deceased wife was named Wei Shujuan; according to Cao Mao, she died of dystocia while giving birth to Lian'er. There was no portrait in the house, only Wei Shujuan's spirit tablet and spirit position. After He Zhiyu married into the family, on every anniversary of Wei Shujuan's death—which was also Lian'er's birthday—she would prepare fruit offerings and take Lian'er to pay respects.

Who could have imagined that Lian'er, who had followed her for nearly two years and been doted on in every way, was actually Wei Shujuan herself?

"I was originally Cao Mao's wife. With my condition, I couldn't bear children anyway, so where would there be any Lian'er?"

"Do you think Cao Mao really likes you? This guy only likes petite women like me."

"If I hadn't faked my death, how could you have married into the Cao family? Everything was just a scheme set up by Cao Mao and me. Unfortunately, it fell short at the last moment, and you discovered the flaw."

Aside from He Zhiyu, whose heart was surging at this moment, everyone present was so shocked they could not speak, and they were probably all cursing in their hearts. Specifically regarding Wu Chengyu, he made no sound with his mouth, but his lip movements formed two large characters: "Fuck."

The truth of the matter being so melodramatic was one thing; the key was what was meant by Cao Mao only liking petite women.

This Wei Shujuan was under 1.2 meters tall, slightly shorter than A Ku, but her age might even be older than He Zhiyu's. Where was there any petite woman? She was basically a dwarf. Unexpectedly, ancient people knew how to play like this—calling it pedophilia, yet strangely it didn't quite count. In any case, Wu Chengyu didn't know how to categorize it.

Wei Shujuan was small in stature, holding her head high, with an air of arrogance and confidence of victory.

"I originally thought the map was in the He family's hands, but today I learned it is actually divided into four parts. Cao Mao, that fool, schemed for half his life and couldn't even get the basic information right."

"However, today is also an unexpected joy. Your four families have actually gathered together. Perfect—I can wipe you all out at once and save a lot of trouble."

Niu Dajie shouted angrily: "Just you alone? With you like this, I could strangle you to death with one hand."

Wei Shujuan said with a cold smile: "I, Wei Niangzi, am not Cao Mao, foolishly tricked and killed by you. I've long had other preparations." As soon as she finished speaking, she casually threw something out of the broken temple gate. A streak of firelight sliced through the pitch-black night sky outside the temple.

Big trouble. Niu Dajie's side all changed color. Tonight's events actually had a reversal.

Wu Chengyu's expression was also grim. He suddenly spoke: "Someone is approaching the broken temple. They've just entered within three hundred chi. There are quite a few people, roughly over a hundred."

It turned out that before Cao Mao brought Wei Shujuan into the broken temple, there were already people ambushing outside, but they were all at least a hundred meters away. Plus, with the wind and rain outside, even Wu Chengyu couldn't detect them.

However, these people didn't seem to be Cao Mao's men. Otherwise, when they were initially threatened by Tian Shi and fought desperately with Tian Shi, they would have called for reinforcements long ago.

This Wei Shujuan was nominally Cao Mao's deceased wife, later his adopted daughter, but she wasn't of one mind with Cao Mao. She obviously had another identity.

The people present also realized this point and unconsciously glanced at Cao Mao's corpse, clearly looking at a supreme great wronged fool.

However, the environment at the scene didn't allow everyone to sigh. After Wei Shujuan sent the signal, she retreated to the broken temple gate. After just a few breaths, everyone heard the commotion outside.

Lu Dage said in a low voice: "Break out through the window." Immediately, one brother ran toward the south window of the broken temple. But before he could get close, a series of sounds slicing through the air attacked. That brother was quite quick-witted and hurriedly retreated. Only to see dozens of arrows shoot in through the window in succession, completely blocking their way out.

Yu Xiaowu stepped forward to save that brother, and also swatted away several arrowheads. Then his expression changed greatly. He turned to Lu Dage and said: "Crossbow bolts. Imperial Court crossbow bolts."

In the Song Dynasty, ordinary bows and arrows could be bought, and common people could also make them. But crossbow bolts must come from the Imperial Court workshops or the military. The Imperial Court controlled them extremely strictly. Ordinary commoners privately manufacturing them was equivalent to rebellion. Martial artists would not casually have such weapons on them.

Lu Dage looked at Wei Shujuan standing at the temple gate with a smug expression, and asked in a deep voice: "You are actually a person of the Zhao Song Imperial Court?"

Wei Shujuan had hidden for many years. Now that her identity was exposed, she instead felt refreshed in her heart, laughing until her branches trembled.

"The Imperial Court has long been uneasy about you remnants of the Yue Family Army, and has always sent people to inquire about your news. At that time, the only one they could find was this Cao Mao. Unfortunately, he wasn't on the same path as you. But I discovered he had been searching for He Yuanqing's heir, inquiring about the Yue Family Army's hidden treasure."

"Even more unexpected was that this guy actually liked my figure. So I, old lady, went along with his scheme and married him. After years of forbearance and planning, today I finally achieved perfection."

"Solving so many of your families' remnants at once, and also finding the treasure. It is only fitting that I, Wei Niangzi, achieve such great merit."

By the time she finished speaking, the area around the broken temple had already been completely surrounded. Over a hundred Imperial Court Eagle Dogs, plus crossbow bolts. Tonight's situation took another sharp turn for the worse.

The people in the broken temple had grim expressions. Wu Chengyu also held A Ku and stood up, looking around for a place to escape. Unfortunately, with his hearing, he knew better than anyone that the broken temple was already surrounded watertight.

The people outside did not rush to attack. They just surrounded the broken temple. Wei Shujuan tried to persuade Niu Dajie and them to surrender and ask about the whereabouts of the treasure.

Niu Dajie and them completely ignored Wei Shujuan. Several people glanced at each other. Lu Dage said with a bitter smile.

"It seems we will all die here tonight. The descendants of the Yue Family Army were already few in number. I, this elder brother, am ashamed before you."

He Zhiyu looked guilty: "Lu Dage, it's all because I dragged you down and brought the Imperial Court's pursuers."

Niu Dajie said angrily: "Descendants of the Yue Family Army are of the same branch. What do you mean by dragging down? These years, the Imperial Court's Eagle Dogs have never let us go. Even without today's matter, sooner or later we would have to fight them to the death."

Niu Dajie then turned to look at Wu Chengyu and A Ku: "The ones truly dragged down are still Little Brother Wu and this little sister. Originally it had nothing to do with you. Just now you even helped us."

"Little brother, the Yue Family Army never does things that harm benefactors and friends. Even without these Imperial Court Eagle Dogs, just now if you had said a word about keeping the treasure matter secret, we would trust you and absolutely would not slaughter the innocent. Do you believe me?"

Wu Chengyu said with a serious expression: "Given the prestige of the Yue Family Army and Yue Grandpa, how could I not believe?"

Lu Dage continued: "Well said. Yue Grandpa's prestige and achievements—even without us, the world's people will have their own fair judgment in their hearts. That is true fame for a thousand years."

"Little brother, after all you are an outsider. Their target is not on you. Later, we few will charge out from the front gate. You follow closely behind. We will try to carve a bloody path for you. The Yue Family Army fights to the death and never retreats. Tonight we will surely leave our lives here. Whether you can escape with your life depends on yourself afterward."

Niu Dajie looked at He Zhiyu: "Little sister, you don't know martial arts. This little brother is agile. Later you'd better follow him."

He Zhiyu smiled lightly, took Niu Dajie's hand and smiled: "Both descendants of the Yue Family Army. Today's matter—there is only death. Second Sister, do you think I'm afraid of death?"

As soon as the words "afraid of death" came out, all the descendants of the Yue Family Army present laughed heartily, as if death were the most ridiculous thing in the world, with heroic spirit reaching the clouds.

"Hair standing on end with rage, leaning on the railing, the fine rain stops." Lu Dage began to recite first.

"Raising my gaze to the distance, I let out a long whistle to the sky, my heroic passion intense." Hearing this, everyone followed along.

"Thirty years of fame reduced to dust and earth, eight thousand li of road under clouds and moon..."

Wu Chengyu stood to the side, muttering along under his breath.

Yesterday I just wrote about the Yue Family Army, and someone said I was promoting Yue Fei. Well, I don't know what's wrong with some people's thinking these days. Anyway, in my place Yue Fei is a symbol of loyalty and righteousness. That's enough.

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(Chapter End)