Chapter 94: I

At these words, Mu Shulan's face instantly flushed bright red. She shook off his hand and ran into her own room. Zhao Zhentang and He Cuihua had long regarded the girl as their future daughter-in-law, and now that they were living under the same roof, it only confirmed that fact for them. They saw no need to mince words, and judging by Mu Shulan's reaction, the girl herself didn't resent this kind of teasing.

Zhao Jin found it both funny and exasperating. Helplessly, he said, "Mother, we're still young. Isn't it a bit too early to be talking about this?"

"Too early? Old Zhou's eldest son at the constable post is the same age as you, and he's about to have a grandchild," He Cuihua said, her face full of longing.

Zhao Jin was truly unprepared for this topic. He brushed it off with a few perfunctory words, grabbed his spear, and headed out the door. As he stepped out of the courtyard, he was about to hoist the spear onto his shoulder, but when he picked it up, something felt off. Looking closely, he saw faint traces of blood still on the spearhead, though much of it had been worn away from stabbing the wooden training post so many times that morning.

Zhao Jin's heart trembled. He hurriedly wiped it clean with the hem of his clothes. This detail made him even more confused about his father's attitude that morning. Still, Zhao Jin wasn't particularly worried. They were father and son, after all — even if his father knew everything, what could come of it?

He had actually set out earlier than usual today, but when he reached that street, he found Wang Zhaojing, Chen Sheng, and a group of friends already waiting in front of the gate. Chen Ergou stood off to the other side.

"Brother Zhao…" "Big Brother…" Everyone greeted him warmly.

Chen Ergou, however, hurried forward a few steps, bowed deeply with clasped hands before him, and said with the utmost deference, "Greetings, Young Master Jin. May I ask what matter you've summoned this lowly one for?"

His attitude was far more humble than it had been the day before. If this were yesterday, Zhao Jin would have exchanged a few polite words, but now he merely nodded casually and said coolly, "Let's not talk outside. Come into the courtyard."

Chen Ergou's body dipped even lower. Strangely enough, when Zhao Jin had been polite to him yesterday, he had been terrified. Today, with Zhao Jin putting on such airs, Chen Ergou actually felt much more at ease.

Everyone entered the courtyard. They all remembered clearly what had been discussed the previous afternoon. Now, seeing Zhao Jin and the other three with eyes completely bloodshot, clearly having not slept well, they couldn't help but tremble inwardly. Ji Xiang, however, looked at Liu Yong with unconcealed envy, his face practically asking, "Why did he get to go and I didn't?"

"Brother Chen, did you stop by the God of Wealth Temple before coming here?" Zhao Jin asked directly once the courtyard gate was shut.

Chen Ergou froze for a moment, then quickly said, "Young Master Jin, the address 'Brother Chen' truly overwhelms this lowly one — I really can't bear it. From now on, Young Master Jin can call me Xiao'er or Ergou, whichever you prefer. That's what all the brothers call me."

After a couple more polite words, seeing that Zhao Jin's expression remained unchanged, he hastily changed the subject and answered, "For Young Master Jin to know, Little Yong called for me urgently this morning, so this lowly one didn't go to the God of Wealth Temple. I came straight here to wait."

Zhao Jin nodded, fixed his gaze on Chen Ergou, and said, "Since you haven't been there yet, you certainly don't know that Copper Head Cheng is already dead."

Chen Ergou nodded instinctively, then caught himself. His body gave a violent shudder, and then the trembling wouldn't stop. His whole frame shook like a leaf in the wind, and his face gradually turned deathly pale. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. He didn't think for a moment that Zhao Jin was speaking idly — the conversation yesterday afternoon had already given him certain suspicions, but he had never imagined it would happen so quickly.

It wasn't just Chen Ergou who was utterly shocked. Among the people in the courtyard, aside from Chen Sheng, Wang Zhaojing, and Liu Yong, who had taken part the night before, the others were also stunned. Seeing their companions' bloodshot eyes, they had indeed had their guesses, but guessing was one thing — hearing it confirmed firsthand was another entirely. Everyone was shaken to the core.

After the shock came awe and excitement. That talk yesterday afternoon — everyone had merely listened, and some had even thought in their hearts that it would never be carried out. They had never imagined that after just one night, Zhao Jin would actually have killed Copper Head Cheng. What decisiveness and ruthlessness — it commanded fear and respect whether one wanted to feel it or not. And then everyone realized: since Copper Head Cheng was dead, the plan laid out yesterday afternoon was about to begin. The thought that they might truly accomplish something, and that it already had a beginning, filled each of them with irrepressible excitement.

Zhao Jin continued, perfectly calm: "Since Copper Head Cheng is dead, someone has to manage his turf. I think you're cautious and reliable in handling matters — very suited to take his place. What do you think?"

The words were spoken as lightly as a passing breeze, but to the listener, it was as if five thunderbolts had struck the crown of his head. Chen Ergou stumbled backward and actually sat down hard on the ground, still trembling like a sieve.

Zhao Jin shook his head. Before he could say anything more, Chen Ergou, still on the ground, came to his senses. His already pallid face rapidly flushed crimson. He braced his hands against the ground to push himself up, but his strength hadn't returned and he fell again. Chen Ergou struggled to rise.

The flustered, scrambling sight made everyone in the courtyard unable to suppress their laughter. Liu Yong stepped forward and helped Chen Ergou to his feet. Chen Ergou shot him a grateful glance, then knelt down before Zhao Jin, kowtowed, and said, "Since Young Master Jin grants this lowly one an opportunity, this lowly one will certainly do the job well. Whatever Young Master Jin says to do, I'll do. This lowly one will never utter a word of objection."

Chen Ergou was beside himself with excitement. Back when he had gone to bully the children at the goods yard, the then-adolescent Zhao Jin had beaten him to within an inch of his life. In the end, when all hope seemed lost, he had unexpectedly landed a job under Copper Head Cheng, and by now he was even something of a headman. Looking back, Chen Ergou had always felt that it was Zhao Jin who had brought him that luck and opportunity. He had been frightened by Zhao Jin's words just now, but once he recovered, he realized — this was an even greater opportunity.

Copper Head Cheng and most adults thought Zhao Jin was just a precocious half-grown kid, but Chen Ergou believed that everything Zhao Jin did and said was never wrong. As long as he followed orders, there would surely be benefits. But if he didn't, that would likely mean disaster. With that understanding, Chen Ergou naturally knew how to declare his stance.

Zhao Jin smiled and nodded. Seeing that he remained silent, Chen Ergou misinterpreted the cue and hastily added, "Little Yong is more suited than this lowly one to manage Copper Head Cheng's holdings. This lowly one is willing to give his full support…"

"Little Yong is young — he can't match your steadiness, Brother Chen. Let him serve as your deputy," Zhao Jin said with a smile.

Zhao Jin nodded toward Liu Yong, who stepped forward and helped Chen Ergou up. From start to finish, Zhao Jin offered no polite demurrals and struck no poses — he placed himself entirely in the position of the master. Everyone in the courtyard found this perfectly natural, and Chen Ergou felt it was only right and proper.

After Chen Ergou stood up, his breathing was still far from steady, and his body continued to tremble uncontrollably. Zhao Jin teased him with a smile: "Here we are, making plans behind closed doors — it's all just empty talk. Brother Chen, go to the God of Wealth Temple right now, call together everyone whose word carries weight, and announce that from now on, you're in charge."

Hearing this, Chen Ergou couldn't help but freeze. His face went from red to white again, and he asked in a trembling voice, "Young Master Jin, if this lowly one goes alone, who's going to listen to anything I say?"

"Who said you're going alone? We're all going together," Zhao Jin said with a smile.

Zhao Jin picked up his spear and called out cheerfully, "Brothers, let's go help Brother Chen out."

The companions in the courtyard, listening to the exchange between Zhao Jin and Chen Ergou, had all been growing stirred up inside. Now, hearing the call, they raised their weapons and let out a shout — their morale soaring like a rainbow. The sound made Chen Ergou's body jolt, but then his expression turned utterly exhilarated. Seeing the imposing presence of these eight brave and handsome youths, he felt far more confident.

Just before they set out, Zhao Jin inspected Chen Sheng's and Liu Yong's weapons. Only after confirming there was no blood on the long blade and the short axe did he let everyone depart.

Chen Ergou and Liu Yong walked in front; Zhao Jin and the others followed behind. Dong Bingfeng had put on his leather armor again — aside from the spear in his hand, he also had a dagger tucked at his waist, cautious to the extreme. Sun Dalei had switched to a double-bladed axe in his hand, its craftsmanship very fine. Shi Manqiang had told Zhao Jin that Sun Dalei had spent five taels of silver to have it specially forged at a blacksmith's shop.

Wang Zhaojing and Chen Sheng went without saying. Shi Manqiang and Ji Xiang both carried clubs, with short blades tucked at their waists. Though everyone enjoyed spending time together, none of them yet had the ability to earn money on their own, so they couldn't really help each other out. This was precisely why Zhao Jin was swallowing up Copper Head Cheng's faction — otherwise, sooner or later, they would all be forced to scatter in every direction just to make a living, and all those years of hard work and friendship would vanish like smoke, utterly meaningless.

In broad daylight, a group of strong, sturdy young men walking around armed was far too conspicuous. Zhao Jin made a point of leading everyone along secluded back roads.

Even so, the people out and about on those small paths, upon seeing their group, all hurriedly dodged out of the way in fright, terrified of attracting any trouble.

Despite heading into the territory of a jianghu boss, Zhao Jin and his crew weren't the least bit nervous. They chatted and laughed the whole way. That raid to rescue someone, the close-quarters, bloody fight with the six monks of Cloud Mountain Temple — it had already given them the stomach for such things and instilled confidence in their own martial prowess. Going this time just to back Chen Ergou up and lend him some muscle, they hardly considered it a big deal.

They had to be a bit careful on the roads in the northern part of the city. Once they reached the southern district, everyone relaxed even more. Though this was still within the city of Xuzhou, it was a lawless world unto itself.

They hadn't walked far when Wang Zhaojing came up beside Zhao Jin and asked in a low, amused voice, "Has Brother Zhao been reading in secret all along?"

Zhao Jin blinked, not understanding why he would ask that. He turned his head in surprise. A look of sudden realization dawned on Wang Zhaojing's face, and then he added with a teasing smile, "Brother Zhao truly harbors great ambitions. But if you really want to hide your talents, you should do less of this spouting polished phrases — otherwise, it's far too easy for people to see something's off."

Spouting polished phrases? Zhao Jin mulled it over for a long while before it hit him — he had just used the idiom "making plans behind closed doors." He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Seeing his expression, Wang Zhaojing smiled and said no more.

By the time they reached the Black Tiger God of Wealth Temple, the open ground in front of the temple gate was already in utter chaos. There seemed to be nearly a hundred people gathered — many of them the type of ruffians and idle hooligans, along with a dozen or so fierce-looking burly men and five women. They clustered in scattered groups, each with different expressions: some murmuring in low discussion, others shouting and making a racket. But all these people had one thing in common — they all had a shifty, roguish air about them, clearly not law-abiding common folk at a single glance.