Chapter Eleven: Strength is Alluring

With Xiao Fei’s unerring marksmanship, more than half of the dozen or so soldiers who had pursued him lay dead, and his hiding spot was now exposed to all sides.

This band of bandits hailed from the well-known local mountain, Azure Dragon Mountain. Their chief was nicknamed “Thunder Across Three Rivers,” though his true name was unknown to anyone. Today, they were besieged by the garrisoned troops in the city, and even Thunder Across Three Rivers himself had suffered a grave wound.

He had thought his fate sealed, doomed to die here, but unexpectedly, fate had sent a miracle—such a prodigious youth to aid them.

Thunder Across Three Rivers struggled to peer through the grass at Xiao Fei, astonished by what he saw: the young man was bare-chested, wearing only a bizarre pair of briefs on his lower body, with a few stalks of grass tied about him—a sight so outlandish it defied history.

What Thunder Across Three Rivers didn’t know was that Xiao Fei was a man from the future, and when he crossed over, the only garment he brought was a pair of briefs found only in the world to come.

Yet, in the old society, a man dressed thus was hardly better than naked.

Xiao Fei had given most of his clothes to Sister-in-law Liu Susu for her protection, keeping only a handful of grass draped about his waist, resembling a wild man.

“Second Brother, this youth doesn’t seem to be one of our Azure Dragon Mountain men, does he?” Thunder Across Three Rivers asked.

The man called “Er Kui” was the second-in-command. He scrutinized Xiao Fei and shook his head, “He’s definitely not one of ours, Chief. Maybe he’s with the soldiers.”

“Second Chief, are you blind? Didn’t you see he’s helping us?” Fourth-in-command barked, though he too was puzzled by the youth’s strange attire, unable to resist another glance before quickly turning away.

Even a man’s face would flush at Xiao Fei’s lower half.

“Chief, we mustn’t be careless. For your safety, I say we eliminate this fellow. Just look at his outfit—he’s no good!” Er Kui said, raising his pistol.

But Fourth-in-command kicked the gun from Er Kui’s hand. “Are you mad? Can’t you see he’s come to save us?”

“Hold on, Second Brother. I believe he means us no harm,” Thunder Across Three Rivers said. “Besides, to fall by such miraculous marksmanship is no disgrace; if he truly helps us, then Azure Dragon Mountain would gain a fierce new tiger.”

“Chief!” Er Kui protested, still unwilling to concede.

“That’s settled.” With that, Thunder Across Three Rivers and Fourth-in-command slowly moved toward Xiao Fei.

As for Xiao Fei, searching for a more advantageous position, he shifted slightly backward, only deepening their confusion.

Bang, bang, bang—more shots rang out, and several more soldiers fell to Xiao Fei’s gun.

Yet Xiao Fei was unaware: among the bandits he had saved, someone was secretly plotting his death.

Meanwhile, among the soldiers, the keen-eyed had noticed: this miraculous marksman was not of the same ilk as the bandits. Their leader, Wang Jiangang, a shrewd man, took out a megaphone and called, “Esteemed marksman, I am Wang Jiangang, adjutant to Hu Baiwan, the supreme commander for the suppression of bandits in Jiangning. We are here under orders to rid the people of this scourge. You have killed over ten of our men. If you lay down your arms now, we will let bygones be bygones and offer you a handsome salary. What say you?”

Xiao Fei caught the gist, and it matched his suspicions, but now he felt bewildered. Was saving these bandits right or wrong? He’d only seen good bandits in TV dramas—what were real bandits like, good or evil? He couldn’t say.

He had personally witnessed four bandits robbing Cheng Hongyu’s family and killing her father—were these bandits the same group?

Xiao Fei hesitated.

“Friend, don’t listen to their nonsense! Surely you’re a common man from Jiangning, and must have heard of Hu Baiwan, that villain. Though we claim this mountain and live as bandits, I, Thunder Across Three Rivers, swear my brothers have never robbed a single inch from the people, never taken a single thread or needle. If your heart is set on helping us, I thank you on behalf of all my brothers, living and dead. If you wish to avoid trouble, I won’t ask more—but for your invincible marksmanship, I, Thunder Across Three Rivers, must count you as a friend.”

It was clear both sides were doing their utmost to win Xiao Fei over, for in this battle, he had become the pivotal figure.

Who would have thought that I, Xiao Fei, would become so sought-after? Seems a man with skill is always charismatic, Xiao Fei mused slyly.

Thunder Across Three Rivers’ words rang with loyalty and heroism—a man of honor, it seemed.

Just then, the effeminate voice of Fourth-in-command cried, “Watch your back!”

That warning saved Xiao Fei’s life. Though he had alien technology to aid him, his experience was lacking. He did not realize Wang Jiangang was stalling, feeding him sweet words while sending two men to circle behind.

With Fourth-in-command’s warning, Xiao Fei spun around, raised his pistol, and fired twice—down went the two soldiers aiming at him.

“Damn it, so you want me dead! If you’re after my life, I won’t let you live either!” Xiao Fei snarled, firing off a few more shots. Now Wang Jiangang’s group was nearly wiped out, and seeing the tide turn, Wang Jiangang began a stealthy retreat.

Though Xiao Fei’s marksmanship was extraordinary, his bullets were scarce; and with Wang Jiangang and two men fleeing, he had to let them go.

“Damn it, if you don’t uproot the weeds, trouble will sprout again!” Xiao Fei cursed.

“No matter. You may not know, friend, but Hu Baiwan’s troops number far more than these. Let them escape—sooner or later, I, Thunder Across Three Rivers, will see they pay their blood debts. Oh, thank you for saving us, may I ask your name?” Thunder Across Three Rivers, supported by Fourth-in-command, came over.

“Oh, I’m Xiao Fei. Not much of a hero, really. When I was young, I hunted wild boar and dogs with my father, so I learned to shoot well, that’s all,” Xiao Fei replied, stepping out from behind the tree.

“Haha, to have such marksmanship is rare indeed, my friend—ah...” Thunder Across Three Rivers’ face was drenched in sweat, blood trickling to his heels.

“Hey? You’re hurt?”

“It’s nothing, nothing. To meet you today, I am delighted. Let me pull this bullet out, then we’ll talk. Xiao Yan, Xiao Yan, come here and extract the bullet for me,” Thunder Across Three Rivers called.

A young man with thick glasses, barely visible eyes, hurried over, carrying a medical kit—clearly the mountain’s doctor.

“Chief, we’re short on medicine here. Let’s return to the mountain,” Fourth-in-command suggested.

“No. With a bullet lodged in my leg, I can’t walk fast, and I’ll hold you back. Those soldiers are cunning—if they catch up, we’re in trouble. We must remove it now and hurry home. My biggest worry is that Hu Baiwan, that sly old fox, will attack our brothers left behind while we’re gone,” Thunder Across Three Rivers said, tearing open his trouser leg.

Xiao Fei was still unfamiliar with them, so he watched silently from the side.

Fourth-in-command seemed not to grasp the gravity of the situation, drawing a sharp breath, “Chief, if that happens, I’ll deserve death!”

“Chief, Fourth-in-command, I don’t think we’ll be so unlucky. How would Hu Baiwan know whether we’re home or not? Besides, Third-in-command is holding the fort,” Second-in-command said.

“Enough talk, extract the bullet,” Thunder Across Three Rivers ordered.

“Chief, we’re low on anesthesia. Please bear with it,” Doctor Zheng Xiaoyan said with difficulty.

“What? No anesthesia?” Fourth-in-command exclaimed.

“It’s fine, do it,” Thunder Across Three Rivers said, gritting his teeth.

Zheng Xiaoyan could only obey.

It was clear Zheng Xiaoyan was a half-baked doctor, his skills poor, lacking even basic knowledge of sterilization.

But in that era, anyone who knew a little medicine was already remarkable.

Despite this, clumsy Zheng Xiaoyan managed to dig a hole in Thunder Across Three Rivers’ leg and extract the bullet.

Fourth-in-command wept openly.

Watching from the side, Xiao Fei’s heart pounded in terror, sweat pouring down his forehead.

He’d heard of Lord Guan scraping poison from bone, but never imagined Thunder Across Three Rivers could endure such pain—a true man!

Yes, this man I must befriend, Xiao Fei thought.

“All right, let’s go! Friend, if you don’t mind, join us on Azure Dragon Mountain. We eat meat and drink wine together, what do you say?” Thunder Across Three Rivers invited.

“Gladly, I was thinking the same. To meet you heroes is an honor,” Xiao Fei replied sincerely.

“Ah, we’re just a band of rough men, nothing more. Let’s head up the mountain, haha!” Thunder Across Three Rivers laughed.

Xiao Fei was about to speak when he saw a group of unfamiliar men carrying a girl on a stretcher.

“Wait, who is this young lady?” Xiao Fei asked.

“Oh, she’s a girl they captured,” Fourth-in-command replied in his effeminate tone.

Damn, they really do abduct women! Xiao Fei felt instantly deceived.

His gaze fell on the unconscious girl on the stretcher, and he nearly spat blood in shock—it was none other than Cheng Hongyu!

["PS: Brothers, the new book urgently needs your support. More chapters tomorrow."]