Chapter 104: The Corpse Rises

Jiang Jiang Mingyu curled the corner of his lips slightly and spoke with feigned ease: "Much obliged. Inform your leader that this official will arrive shortly."

Yet his gaze was as cold and sharp as a blade, sweeping over the bandit messenger before him. The bandit wore a tattered fur robe, his face smeared with grime and stubble, holding a rusted knife in his hand. He looked like an ordinary mountain thief, but Jiang Jiang Mingyu knew he was no simple man.

This bandit was a pawn sent by Venomous Scorpion to test him, to see if he was truly just an incompetent official or if he harbored other intentions. Jiang Jiang Mingyu naturally would not let him spot any flaw, so he acted with great composure and politeness, like a true honored guest.

Seeing that Jiang Jiang Mingyu showed no sign of suspicion, the bandit who came to deliver the message respectfully agreed, then bent his waist and backed out.

Not long after he left, Tu Tu Kesiluo, who had gone out to spread the word, returned: "My lord, all is in order."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu flicked his wide sleeve: "Let us go and meet Venomous Scorpion."

He sneered inwardly; Venomous Scorpion thought he could play with him in the palm of his hand, unaware that he himself had fallen into Jiang Jiang Mingyu's trap. Tonight would be the time to deal with this king of the shanzhai.

By now, twilight was deepening, and within the shanzhai of Scorpion King Gully, a blazing bonfire had been lit.

Illuminated by the firelight, several large red flowers made of silk cloth hung high on the walls of the main hall of the shanzhai, looking exceptionally festive.

And on countless rough wooden tables, cooked chickens, ducks, fish, and meat were laid out alongside rows of wine jars.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, who had entered the shanzhai, could not help but sneer quietly. These things were surely looted from the common people? Truly, what a Venomous Scorpion who does not disturb the people.

Seeing the main figure had arrived, Venomous Scorpion immediately rose to welcome him: "Your lordship's arrival brings glory to our humble shanzhai."

"The mountains are simple; we have only these unworthy things. Please do not take offense, my lord."

As he spoke, he gestured to the soldiers behind Jiang Jiang Mingyu: "Come, brothers, please take your seats. Please."

Venomous Scorpion deliberately lowered his voice while speaking, appearing extremely humble and respectful. He wanted Jiang Jiang Mingyu to lower his guard, thinking he had already submitted. He also intended to use the soldiers behind Jiang Jiang Mingyu, getting them drunk so he could launch an attack at the opportune moment.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu chuckled: "Such generous hospitality; this official is deeply honored."

As he spoke, he took Venomous Scorpion's arm and sat down with him in the most central position.

His movements appeared very friendly, but in reality, he was controlling Venomous Scorpion's actions. He did not want Venomous Scorpion to have a chance to exchange secret signals with his men, nor did he want him to have a chance to escape.

Seeing everyone sit down, Venomous Scorpion waved his hand: "Why are you not serving wine to the brothers yet?"

While he was speaking, a bandit handed a wine jar beside him to a group of soldiers.

"Damn fool, how dare you serve such inferior wine to honored guests? Change it immediately!" Venomous Scorpion hurriedly shouted in reprimand.

The bandit holding the wine jar, upon hearing this, quickly retracted the jar he had handed out, then lifted another jar and passed it over.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu pretended not to see, continuing to chat casually with a somewhat nervous Venomous Scorpion about things from all corners of the world.

His appearance of having no guard caused Venomous Scorpion to immediately relax, and only then did he begin to smile and agree enthusiastically.

As the conversation progressed, wine cups were quietly filled, and everyone's spirits gradually rose. They either laughed loudly or spoke in low tones, gradually filling the small room with laughter and joy.

Venomous Scorpion raised his wine cup high, his voice hoarse yet full of passion: "Brothers, although we have surrendered today, I feel extremely happy! Because the arrival of Lord Jiang and the official army brothers means we will start anew, no longer isolated bandits!"

His words were filled with firm determination, as if paving a bright path forward for everyone. Upon hearing this, everyone nodded and agreed involuntarily, their eyes revealing longing for the future.

Venomous Scorpion continued: "I have already promised Lord Jiang that tomorrow morning we will burn down the shanzhai and return to the lives of ordinary people. Brothers, for our tomorrow, for Lord Jiang and the official army brothers, cheers!"

Everyone raised their wine cups together and responded loudly: "Cheers!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded with a smile; he knew such words had an irreplaceable effect on boosting morale. A hint of gratification appeared in his eyes, expressing appreciation for Venomous Scorpion's determination and change.

Venomous Scorpion raised his wine cup and said boldly to Jiang Jiang Mingyu: "Lord Jiang, please!"

He drained it in one gulp, drinking the fine wine in the cup in a single swallow.

This act was full of heroism and loyalty, seemingly proving his determination and loyalty to Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled faintly: "Good, Venomous Scorpion is indeed heroic. Everyone, listen to orders; we shall also toast the Great Leader with a bowl."

Seeing everyone lift their bowls together, Venomous Scorpion quickly flattered: "Lord Jiang's army discipline is indeed strict."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu did not show weakness either; he lifted his wine cup and downed the liquid with a loud gulp, cleanly and decisively. His throat rolled, a warm sensation spreading, making his body feel as if ignited by alcohol.

Under the dim light, the corner of Venomous Scorpion's mouth curled up slightly, a glimmer of humor flashing in his eyes.

He did not hide his joy at all, as if sharing this rare relaxation with Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Putting down his wine bowl, Jiang Jiang Mingyu wiped his mouth roughly: "Indeed fine wine. By the way, Venomous Scorpion..."

However, just in this pleasant atmosphere, suddenly, a soldier bent over and clutched his stomach, emitting a groan of pain. His expression twisted, sweat rolling down his forehead, obviously suffering extreme agony.

This sudden situation shocked everyone pale; they looked around in confusion, seemingly searching for an answer.

Soon, the painful groans of this soldier spread; within a short while, thousands of soldiers began to emit piercing screams.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face changed: "What is going on... ah..."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face quickly twisted; pain surged into his body like a tide. His mouth corner twitched, beads of sweat broke out on his forehead, and a sharp pain seemed ready to tear him apart.

He suddenly bent over, grabbing the edge of the table with both hands, as if trying to clutch a straw for salvation.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu extended a trembling finger: "You... it is you..."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu tried hard to speak, but the pain made it nearly impossible for him to produce sound, emitting only low groans.

He pointed a trembling finger at Venomous Scorpion, wanting to utter words of suspicion, but his voice was almost drowned out by the agony.

Venomous Scorpion's smile became even deeper; he was almost mocking as he watched Jiang Jiang Mingyu's suffering. His voice carried cold sarcasm: "Want to know what is happening, are you, my lord?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's breathing became rapid, as if an invisible hand was tightly choking his throat, nearly suffocating him.

His vision blurred, and his consciousness began to fade, as if being swallowed by pain.

Venomous Scorpion continued to sneer: "Did you think I would be willing to surrender, willing to live an ordinary life? Did you think I would give up power and wealth?"

"Mount Sanqing is finished, Black Wind Ridge is gone too. From now on, I, Venomous Scorpion of Scorpion King Gully, shall be the true local emperor of Shangmu."

"As for you, Lord Jiang, and your thousands of official army brothers, you can only die as guests in a foreign land."

He sighed: "However, for the future wealth and glory of us brothers, your deaths are worth it."

"Rest assured, from now on, on this day every year, I will burn paper money for you, if I can remember."

His words carried arrogance and conceit, as if he had already stood at the peak of victory.

He looked coldly at those on the ground who were no longer moving, as if seeing his own future.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's breathing grew weaker and weaker; his body teetered, barely able to support itself. He heard Venomous Scorpion continue to mock: "Lord Jiang, what good thing can I say about you? Do you still harbor the delusion of escaping?"

"You are in your twenties; you should have long passed the age of naivety. Why are you still so foolish?"

"If we don't rob the common people, what do my brothers and I eat and drink? If we don't rob the common people, where do all these chickens and ducks on the table come from?"

Poison Scorpion sneered, "You trash, you almost succeeded. Pity, just a tiny bit off. How could someone with a brain missing a wire like you ever win?"

"What can two thousand men do? Aren't they still played like puppets in my, Poison Scorpion's, hands?"

"I truly don't know how blind Your Majesty in Jingcheng has become, sending a trash like you to Shangmu?"

"But this is good news for me. If your brain weren't so lacking in weight, how could I have won so easily?"

"Trash is trash. Even if you give you ten thousand soldiers, they are still a pile of trash. Mud can never stick to a wall."

His tone was full of mockery and contempt, as if mocking Jiang Jiang Mingyu's incompetence. He scanned the corpses on the ground, a vicious smile curling his lips: "Rest assured, what I prepared for you is the deadly Red Crown of the Crane. You won't suffer for long, just like them."

He pointed at the corpses on the ground that had already slowly grown cold, but Jiang Jiang Mingyu could no longer hear his words.

Seeing that Jiang Jiang Mingyu had gone still, Poison Scorpion, having lost his last audience, lost the desire to continue.

He waved at the bandits before him: "Carry them all out and bury them in a place with good Feng Shui."

"In this way, we can at least say we did justice to Lord Jiang, who ran this errand against wind and snow."

Just then, a cold voice suddenly sounded from behind, saying, "Poison Scorpion, you are truly meticulous." Poison Scorpion's body shuddered; he turned around sharply but saw nothing. He nervously scanned the surroundings, a layer of cold sweat covering his forehead: "Who? Who is speaking?" That voice seemed to mock his panic, saying slowly, "Don't you remember my voice?"

Before the words finished, Jiang Jiang Mingyu actually slowly climbed up from the ground. His eyes shone brightly, staring coldly at Poison Scorpion, a sinister smile lingering on his lips.

Poison Scorpion was almost scared to death: "You... how are you not dead?"

The corner of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's mouth curled into a cold sneer; his eyes seemed able to pierce through a person's soul: "This no longer matters. You only need to know that you are about to die; that is enough."

With his single sentence, the hundred-plus "corpses" on the ground all slowly climbed up as if resurrected.

This eerie scene was like a hallucination from hell, making Poison Scorpion shudder with cold dread; his heart seemed to skip a beat.

Poison Scorpion felt his heart suddenly miss a beat, then beat abnormally fast. A hoarse sound came from his throat: "What is going on? What exactly is going on?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's voice was cold and calm, as if coming from the shadows: "I saw with my own eyes that you drank the poisoned wine mixed with Red Crown of the Crane. Why didn't you die? Why?"

Poison Scorpion's scream was filled with despair and unwillingness, like the helpless howl of a eunuch before being forced to be castrated. His voice echoed in the room, as if a knife had cut through the silence.

Poison Scorpion could hardly believe his eyes; his pupils expanded to the limit, his eyes full of terror. The look he cast at Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the others was filled with the unbelievable, as if he had seen real ghosts. Fear spread in his heart, forming an inescapable shackle.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu lightly shook off the dust attached to his body, as if purifying himself. His voice revealed a hint of mockery: "If you want to know, then this official will explain it to you."