Chapter 87: Making Amends

As the local boss of Xuzhou City, he of course knew Wang Youshan's standing. Once this eminent and respected figure stepped forward, even Cloud Mountain Temple likely wouldn't dare act rashly. He hadn't expected that Zhao Jin and his band of half-grown youths would be so formidable, actually managing to kill men from Cloud Mountain Temple. He hadn't expected Zhao Jin's father to be so ruthless, silencing the rest outright. And he certainly hadn't expected Zhao Jin's group to have such deep backing — that they could even smooth things over with Cloud Mountain Temple.

Thinking back to how Zhao Jin had come asking for his help, and his own household had pretended not to be home to brush him off — if this came back to haunt them later, his family would definitely be in serious trouble.

Nervous and terrified, Headman Cheng immediately released Liu Yong and soothed him with good food and drink, then hastily summoned his several lieutenants to discuss the matter. He was full of regret now. Over these five years, his connection with Zhao Zhentang had brought him plenty of tangible benefits, yet at the critical moment he'd failed to see clearly and thrown that connection away. Now he had to figure out how to keep Zhao Jin from holding a grudge against him.

At least he knew that his man Chen Ergou and Liu Yong both had decent relations with Zhao Jin — there were still people who could put in a word. He quickly summoned both of them over.

The outcome of the discussion was the same whether they talked or not. Those several lieutenants had also heard how events had unfolded, and some had even seen the six monks' corpses with their own eyes — all finished off by spear thrusts and blade slashes. That only further confirmed how formidable Zhao Jin and his companions were.

"Ergou, you can talk to Young Master Zhao. Take these fifty taels of silver and deliver them first. You take the lead and invite Young Master Zhao and his friends to the best restaurant in the city for a meal — all expenses can be reimbursed. Be sure to apologize carefully and explain clearly. Just say that I really was outside the city that day."

Watching Headman Cheng's terrified expression, Chen Ergou kept his face neutral, but inwardly he sneered. Thank goodness he'd known enough to weigh the stakes that day and secretly tipped Zhao Jin off with a few words. Otherwise, he'd probably be suffering the same misfortune.

Thinking this to himself, he kept his manner polite and said, "Big Brother needn't worry so much. That Young Master Zhao is a reasonable man. Once things are explained clearly, there won't be any issue."

Headman Cheng wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said with a bitter smile, "That kid took six lives in a single move, and his father wiped out the rest. And on top of that, they've got the clout to stand up to those monks. Dealing with methods like that — I'm truly afraid!"

At that moment, someone beside them interjected, "Big Brother, we've had dealings with Cloud Mountain Temple before. That temple has colossal backing of its own. They've only suffered a temporary setback for now — they'll definitely reclaim the field in the future. That Wang Youshan is just an idle official with no power or influence; he can't stir up any real waves. We'd be better off going to Cloud Mountain Temple to curry favor, feeding them plenty of information. In the future, that'll be a huge favor owed."

Hearing this, Headman Cheng's expression brightened considerably. He mulled it over for a moment, then spoke again. "Ergou, take ten taels of silver and go. Just explain the matter clearly and that's enough. All we did was fail to pass along a message — it's no big deal."

Chen Ergou shot a glance at the man who had made the suggestion and asked, "Big Brother, shall I bring Liu Yong along?"

"Take him with you. Give that brat a good scolding on the way. He's a man of our Black Tiger Temple, not one of Zhao Jin's people. He needs to know the difference between inside and outside, what's important and what's not. If he pulls this reckless nonsense again, I'll give him the three cuts and six holes myself!" Headman Cheng's courage swelled the more he spoke, and his voice grew louder along with it.

Liu Yong, standing in the corner, hurriedly bowed in apology. Headman Cheng impatiently waved them out. As they were leaving, they could still hear Headman Cheng barking orders inside: "Take a hundred taels of silver to the Cloud Mountain Temple branch outside the city. Go find the head monk there and build some connections."

Liu Yong and Chen Ergou said nothing as they walked out of the Black Tiger God of Wealth Temple together. Only after they had left the temple's vicinity did Chen Ergou spit on the ground and curse under his breath, "Walking right into death and still thinking he's clever. Xiaoyong, you must explain clearly to Young Master Jin — it was me who passed the news to you that day. Whatever that Headman does has not a single coin's worth of connection to me."

Liu Yong, walking behind him, paused for a moment, then said with a smile, "I already explained it clearly to Big Brother Zhao that day. Big Brother Zhao remembers this favor from Brother Chen."

Only upon hearing this did Chen Ergou finally breathe a sigh of relief.

The night before last had been a bloody slaughter; yesterday the matter had been resolved completely. There had been a first real battle with true blades, killing men, and a dramatic clash of powers with all its twists and turns, right up to the final resolution. It was the first time any of them had experienced such things, and just thinking about it made them excited and thrilled.

Today, everyone had gathered to practice martial arts, but none of them could really focus. After training for a while, they started discussing that battle.

"... Looking back on it now, we were really lucky that night. If even the slightest thing had gone wrong, not only would we have failed to rescue Xiaolan, we'd have all been lost in there ourselves..." Listening to everyone's animated discussion, Zhao Jin himself lost the heart to train and simply decided to share his own conclusions.

Everyone listened with rapt attention. Zhao Jin continued, "But none of us need to be discouraged. After all, it was our first time. And we should all recognize our strengths. It's precisely because we've trained relentlessly these past few years, sparring every single day, that we were able to secure a steady victory when facing those villains. Otherwise, no matter how good the plan, it would've been useless if we couldn't win the fight."

Hearing this, everyone's spirits lifted considerably. Wang Zhaojing, who had been holding a book and reciting silently, looked up and said with a smile, "Brother Zhao truly has the bearing of a great general — treating victory and defeat as common matters, analyzing gains and losses."

Zhao Jin waved his hand dismissively. Beside him, Chen Sheng took out a piece of flannel and began meticulously wiping his long saber. Without raising his head, he said, "When I got back that night, my grandfather told me that only now do I truly know how to use a blade. Before, without having killed or drawn blood, it only counted as fancy flourishes — it didn't mean anything. My father said it's not a solution for me to keep running wild here forever. He plans to first have me serve as an unofficial runner at the yamen, and then take over his post as a constable."

"Shitou and I didn't dare tell our families. We found a well outside and secretly washed our clothes there," Ji Xiang added with a grin.

Dong Bingfeng, sitting nearby, chimed in as well. "My father was scared out of his wits. But the family soldiers in my household all said it's a good thing — that learning martial arts means you eventually have to see blood and kill."

Sun Dalei chuckled and said, "I live alone. The servants in my house can't control me. No one said anything."

Wang Zhaojing remained silent. Zhao Jin, however, stopped smiling. What Chen Sheng had just said, though merely casual talk, had reminded him of something. These happy days of training and sparring together would eventually come to an end. Chen Sheng would become a constable. Wang Zhaojing would study for the imperial exams, earn scholarly honors, and become an official. Ji Xiang, Shi Manqiang, and Sun Dalei would all go back to help with their families' businesses. Dong Bingfeng would inherit a hereditary company commander post.

As for himself, what would he do? He had plenty of options. There was the hereditary centurion position in the Xuzhou Guard. There were the constable and executioner posts at the yamen. If he took any of those, he'd have no worries about food and clothing for life. But doing that would mean a life of utter mediocrity...

Zhao Jin could not resign himself to such mediocrity. His ambition was to leave his name upon this era, not to drift through it in obscurity.

"Big Brother Zhao, what did your family say? Big Brother Zhao..."

The others, noticing he had spaced out, called to him a couple of times. Zhao Jin shook his head, about to explain, when the courtyard gate was knocked upon. Someone outside called out, "Big Brother Zhao, it's me, Liu Yong."

Dong Bingfeng, who was closest to the gate, opened it and said with a smile, "Dalei brought lots of good food. Come join us."

Only when he saw Chen Ergou outside as well did he stop short of saying more. Everyone in the courtyard also grinned and greeted them. Having fought side by side and been through life and death together, their bond had deepened immensely.

Chen Ergou didn't dare act as casually as Liu Yong. He made a respectful bow outside before stepping in. He had seen Zhao Jin once the day before yesterday. Meeting again after a day and two nights, he sensed a distinct change in Zhao Jin. Compared to that day, Zhao Jin now carried an awe-inspiring edge, a commanding presence in his every gesture and movement.

Could it be that after killing, a person naturally becomes sharper and more formidable? As the thought crossed Chen Ergou's mind, his reverence for Zhao Jin only deepened. Smiling obsequiously, he said, "Young Master Jin, my Big Brother sent me to apologize on his behalf. That night, he really did have business outside the city. He feels terrible for not being able to help. Please accept this bit of silver, Young Master Jin — you can use it for sharpening weapons and the like."