Chapter 102: The Poison Scorpion Who Plays Against the Script

Zhu Ge Yu had not yet spoken when heavy footsteps suddenly echoed.

Tu Tu Kesiluo, with a face full of coarse flesh and eyes hiding cruelty, strode forward, while Li Goudan followed behind, panting and looking as if he could not wait to complain.

Tu Tu Kesiluo crossed his arms, looking Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Zhu Ge Yu up and down with an impatient expression.

He shouted at the top of his voice, "My lord, what are you still hesitating about? In my view, we should strike while the iron is hot and march immediately to wipe out Scorpion King Gully!"

Having said that, he slapped Zhu Ge Yu's shoulder so hard that Zhu Ge Yu stumbled.

Seeing this, Li Goudan also leaned in, his eyes shining despite his scruffy beard, and eagerly chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes, my lord, listen to Tu Tu Kesiluo and wipe out those damn bandits in one sweep! We have overwhelming numbers; what is there to fear?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned and thought for a moment before turning his gaze to the silent Zhu Ge Yu.

Zhu Ge Yu pressed his lips together, as if pondering deeply, then slowly nodded and said, "Master, their suggestion has merit. Our movements were exposed long ago; the Poison Scorpion has no choice but to fight desperately. Our army is far stronger than his; a quick and decisive battle is the best strategy."

After hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu pondered for a moment, then finally said in a deep voice, "Very well, it is settled. At dawn tomorrow, the entire army will strike Scorpion King Gully directly and must annihilate the Poison Scorpion in one blow!"

The next day, just as the sky began to lighten, the clear sound of bells and the loud whistles of the soldiers rang out in the camp. Jiang Jiang Mingyu straightened his back and commanded loudly, "All troops, attention! Prepare to march!"

The group stepped into the morning light and set out once more on the campaign against Scorpion King Gully. Ahead lay rolling mountains, with winding paths snaking through the hills. Everyone's faces were determined, and their steps were steady.

Scorpion King Gully is located in a desolate mountain more than eighty li west-northwest of Black Wind Ridge, with hidden and complex terrain.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu recalled the report from the scouts: Scorpion King Gully was not the Poison Scorpion's original base, but why he moved here remains a mystery.

The Poison Scorpion was originally a bandit in the wild mountains, but he was different from ordinary bandits.

He robbed the rich to help the poor and never killed the innocent.

He also strictly ordered his men not to provoke the authorities, doing only harmless things. Because he had led people to resist the Other Xi Xia many times, this "hero who robs by force" even gained the support of some common people—this is also an important reason why Scorpion King Gully had such overwhelming numbers.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu understood all this, but since their positions differed, he could only sigh.

He knew a bloody storm would eventually come; all he could do was end this helpless slaughter to the best of his ability...

The sound of hooves grew clearer on the muddy mountain path, and the cold wind stung people's faces. Li Goudan tightened his padded jacket, shivering from the cold, yet he could not help but think of the Poison Scorpion as described by the scouts.

"My lord, compared to those cruel bandits before, this Poison Scorpion is relatively kind. He does not harm the common people, and he has many followers; it seems he has some ability. Among bandits, he can be considered a good man."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, riding on horseback, frowned tightly, his breath forming even more white vapor in the air. He slowly shook his head, "I think this is precisely where the Poison Scorpion is terrifying."

"What? What does my lord mean?" Li Goudan looked up at Jiang Jiang Mingyu, confused.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu tightened the reins and carefully explained, "Think about it. Doing the same deeds, why is the Poison Scorpion different from the rest? If he truly does not harm the common people, how do hundreds of people eat and drink? There must be something wrong here. I am not yet clear on the details, but the Poison Scorpion must be buying hearts and minds; otherwise, how could so many people gather at Scorpion King Gully?"

"I have said it: bandits are ultimately bandits. Even if he has repelled the Other Xi Xia, he still must be eradicated. Since I have resolved to clear all bandits from this area, the Poison Scorpion cannot escape death."

Li Goudan still had some doubts, but seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's determined expression, he could only nod. Jiang Jiang Mingyu let out a cold laugh and continued, "I am already underestimating the Poison Scorpion; he might be even more terrifying. We must be careful."

Tu Tu Kesiluo, standing nearby, immediately interjected, "My lord is absolutely right! These damn bandits cannot survive without robbing! I certainly do not believe the scouts' nonsense. What bandits take care of the common people? That is sheer nonsense!"

Zhu Ge Yu, who had been silent, frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on the white snow fluttering ahead, and slowly spoke, "We are almost at Scorpion King Gully. When we see this Poison Scorpion, we will be able to distinguish the truth from the rumors." His tone was calm and firm.

The wind and snow grew heavier, making the journey difficult for the column. Jiang Jiang Mingyu reached out to brush the accumulated snow from his shoulders and asked loudly, "Brothers, are you cold?" His voice was loud but faintly revealed exhaustion.

A neat reply came from below, "Not cold!" The soldiers forced their spirits up, trying to conceal the cold.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face darkened, and he repeated heavily, "I ask again: are you cold?" His tone was serious and allowed no denial.

After a brief silence, the soldiers responded in unison, "Cold!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily, and snowflakes fell from his clothes to the ground, "Cold is correct; I am very cold too. Once we capture Scorpion King Gully, I will treat everyone to wine and let us drink heartily. How about that?"

"Good wine!" Cheers rang through the clouds, and the biting wind and snow seemed a little less unbearable. Thinking that they could drink heartily after finishing this job, the soldiers were all in high spirits, further strengthening their resolve to wipe out Scorpion King Gully.

Among the crowd, the soldiers hurried along, moving faster than before. Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but smile inwardly; this scene was a living example of "quenching thirst by thinking of plums," and it turned out the principle behind it was not fictional.

However, even this brief joy could not last long and faded away with each step. Stepping onto the battlefield, with flashing blades and clashing swords, life and death were uncertain; who could ensure they would reach the end to enjoy the fine wine Jiang Jiang Mingyu spoke of?

In the afternoon sunlight slanting down, Jiang Jiang Mingyu quickly took a bite of dry steamed bun. Just as he was about to urge everyone to continue forward, a scout rushed back in a hurry. In sharp contrast to the soldiers before him, this scout was covered in dust and wind, like a lonely messenger wrapped by the cold wind.

He panted, "My lord, thirty li ahead is our destination for this journey—Scorpion King Gully." His voice revealed a trace of exhaustion and tension, "The shanzhai is heavily guarded, and hundreds of bandits have already lined up to wait, looking as if they intend to compete with our army."

Li Goudan frowned deeply, "Just this morning I was saying the Poison Scorpion might be a good man, but now it seems right and wrong are not distinguished."

He took a deep breath, "With only his scattered and trivial forces, he dares to oppose my lord's great army. He is truly blind."

Tu Tu Kesiluo, however, seemed completely unconcerned, "This is good. We can wipe out their stronghold in one blow and avoid trouble in the future."

Cold, sharp glints and intense killing intent flickered in his narrow eyes, and his tone was equally ruthless.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, anxious to eradicate the bandits and return to Shangmu as soon as possible, also agreed with Tu Tu Kesiluo, "Tu Tu Kesiluo is right. Since this Poison Scorpion is so eager, I will play a game with him."

He ordered, "Pass the command: the entire army will accelerate its advance and must arrive at Scorpion King Gully before dusk."

About half an hour later, the group finally arrived before the shanzhai of Scorpion King Gully. A middle-aged man in a black padded robe, of plain appearance and looking around forty years old—the Poison Scorpion—stood before Jiang Jiang Mingyu with empty hands.

Behind him, hundreds of bandits also held no weapons, appearing completely unarmed. Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but feel surprised, "Poison Scorpion, what is the meaning of this?"

Unexpectedly, the Poison Scorpion suddenly knelt before Jiang Jiang Mingyu with a thud, his voice carrying a hint of choking, "My lord, we surrender." His expression was filled with urgency and sincerity, as if entrusting his fate to Jiang Jiang Mingyu's hands.