Chapter Fifteen: Accepting the Warlord's Wager

As soon as Zhen Sanjiang finished speaking, everyone was taken aback.

What? Surely not? Xiao Fei was also stunned, his eyes wide in disbelief.

"Boss, what are you saying?" Third Chief Zhang Zhixiang exclaimed in shock.

"Big Brother, what nonsense is this!" Fourth Chief Qin Tianbao was equally surprised, though she greatly admired Xiao Fei's abilities.

But Zhen Sanjiang was not speaking nonsense. On the contrary, this was a decision he had reached after careful thought. To others, Zhen Sanjiang's decision might seem reckless. Yet, though he had only known Xiao Fei for a few hours, in that brief time, Xiao Fei had demonstrated a courage, wit, and the loyalty and responsibility essential to any heroic outlaw—qualities Zhen Sanjiang had never witnessed before.

Moreover, from a personal perspective, Xiao Fei had recruited Hu Changqing and his five hundred men. His joining would greatly strengthen Qinglong Mountain, achieving much with one move. Why wouldn't Zhen Sanjiang seize such an opportunity?

As for Xiao Fei, he was pondering many things. Though surprised by Zhen Sanjiang's decision, his sharp intellect quickly grasped the reasoning behind it. He believed Zhen Sanjiang was sincere, but he had no intention of accepting.

He was a newcomer, to seize the chief’s position on Qinglong Mountain was simply inappropriate. Besides, Zhen Sanjiang was a man of loyalty and honor; taking his place would be unkind. Most importantly, Xiao Fei did not wish to spend his life among bandits—he had grander plans ahead. So, he would not accept Zhen Sanjiang’s arrangement.

"Boss, how can you say such things? Wouldn't that put me in an unjust position?" Xiao Fei replied in a deliberately grave tone.

"Brother Xiao Fei, you've misunderstood. If you follow my plan, it is not unjust at all—quite the opposite, it is an act of great virtue. After this battle, Qinglong Mountain has become irreconcilably opposed to Hu Million's warlords, and even the sinister Japanese rōnin behind them. I, Zhen Sanjiang, am incapable of offering the brothers a bright future. But you, Brother Xiao Fei, possess wisdom and virtue—taking over Qinglong Mountain would surely lead us to limitless prospects," Zhen Sanjiang said earnestly.

"Boss, please say no more. Such a thing, I, Xiao Fei, will never do," Xiao Fei replied firmly.

"Brother Xiao Fei, must you be so stubborn? You…"

Zhen Sanjiang tried to speak further, but Third Chief interrupted, "Boss, I think we should discuss this after we return to the mountain. We can't stand here at the foot of the mountain forever."

Zhen Sanjiang had no choice but to agree. "Alright, let's head up the mountain first. Then we'll hold a grand ceremony for Brother Xiao Fei’s succession. Let's go!"

Xiao Fei knew that Third Chief, Fourth Chief, and the other Qinglong Mountain brothers admired his strength, but were not entirely pleased with the idea of him becoming chief. It was much like when Lu Junyi ascended Liangshan—Song Jiang wanted to hand over leadership, but the other brothers were indignant, despite Lu Junyi’s superior qualities.

Xiao Fei was well aware: the more he declined, the more Zhen Sanjiang and the others would respect him. Even if he was not the chief, his word would carry more weight than Zhen Sanjiang’s, who would follow his lead.

So the group marched in grand procession toward the main stronghold atop Qinglong Mountain.

"Hey, sissy, you’re lucky to be alive. If it weren’t for me, Xiao Fei, you’d have died several times over. And you even dare to hide food supplies! You oppose me as your chief—are you afraid I’ll punish you?" Xiao Fei deliberately walked up to Qin Tianbao and teased.

"You!" Qin Tianbao was so furious her face turned red, but she could not reply.

Liu Susu watched, amused. "Alright, uncle, stop teasing Fourth Chief."

"Miss Liu, the mountain path is treacherous. Please watch your step," Zhen Sanjiang called out from behind.

Liu Susu quickly thanked him. "Oh, thank you for your concern, Boss. But I am no longer a young lady—I am Mrs. Xiao Liu," she emphasized.

"Oh, yes, yes, forgive my slip of the tongue..." Zhen Sanjiang felt awkward and hurried to the rear.

Xiao Fei had no time to bicker with Qin Tianbao. He knew that although Hu Changqing had agreed, his stubborn nature would struggle to accept things mentally. Since Third Chief Zhang Zhixiang was his comrade, Xiao Fei asked him to further persuade Hu Changqing, which Zhang Zhixiang readily agreed to.

"Brother Hu, you’ve been away from home for years and must be unfamiliar with the situation. Allow me to explain," Zhang Zhixiang said to Hu Changqing.

"Oh? I’d like to hear more."

Along the way, as Zhang Zhixiang spoke, Hu Changqing could hardly believe his ears. Never had he imagined his respected uncle, Hu Million, was such a man—collaborating with the enemy, profiteering under the guise of suppressing bandits, oppressing the people, guilty of every crime, worse than the bandits themselves.

What was unforgivable was that Hu Million had even allied himself with the Japanese.

"Brother Zhang, is what you say really true?" Hu Changqing asked.

"Of course. I wouldn’t dare deceive you, my comrade. Oh, and do you see the young girl behind us? She is the daughter of Chen Yongjie, a renowned patriot from Jiangning. Her family was ruined by Hu Million and his Japanese allies." Zhang Zhixiang pointed to Chen Xiangyi, lying on the stretcher.

Hu Changqing had only heard his uncle say the mission was to rescue the daughter of a wealthy man kidnapped by bandits, never realizing there was a deeper story.

After this enlightenment, Hu Changqing became all the more determined to stand alongside these heroes and serve the people.

Before long, the group arrived at the mountaintop stronghold. They took their seats, host and guest, devouring large chunks of meat, gulping down bowls of wine, speaking boldly, singing loudly—such a life, free and unrestrained, truly astounded Xiao Fei.

But when two large bowls of wine were placed in front of Xiao Fei and Liu Susu, both lowered their heads, their faces flushed, unable to forget their drunken indiscretions in the cave.

After the feast, Zhen Sanjiang suddenly stood and brought up the matter again, insisting that Xiao Fei become chief of Qinglong Mountain.

The other brothers, still in high spirits, were dampened by his words and set down their cups and chopsticks.

Especially those elderly men seated beside Zhen Sanjiang. According to the introductions, these were the founding elders of Qinglong Mountain. One white-haired elder was none other than Qin Zhong, the previous chief—reportedly a hero who once attempted to assassinate the Empress Dowager Cixi, and had earned the title "King of Soldiers" among the Eight Banner Army.

The others, such as Wei Qingfeng, Zhong Jialie, Li Dagang, were all seasoned veterans who had left the battlefield behind out of dissatisfaction with the Qing government and, later, with the warlords. Thus, they had become bandits, content to serve under the renowned Zhen Sanjiang. But now, a young upstart from Hongkou appeared. How could they accept this?

As soldiers, hot-blooded and straightforward, Wei Qingfeng was the first to speak: "Hmph, I refuse! He’s just a mere boy—why should he become our leader the moment he arrives?"

His words sparked an uproar. The crowd began to murmur among themselves.

Li Dagang and others spoke bluntly: "Indeed, this is suspicious. As far as I know, Xiao Fei has never led troops, never fought a battle, and today’s victory was a stroke of luck. To let him sit atop Qinglong Mountain insults us old men!"

Troublemakers fanned the flames, stirring dissent, and the hall soon descended into chaos.

Such a situation was beyond Zhen Sanjiang’s expectations. Though he was chief, the authority and influence of the elders was not to be underestimated. Besides, Zhen Sanjiang had always favored democracy, never ruling alone; the elders’ opinions mattered. Now caught in the middle, he was unsure how to respond.

"Heh, the elders are right. I never intended to take the chief’s seat. Why don’t you decide who should be leader?" Xiao Fei remained unmoved in his seat, smiling as he spoke.

"Hmph! What qualifications does a boy have to receive such honor?" Zhong Jialie said bluntly.

That remark truly irked Xiao Fei. He wanted to retort in anger: Not only have I grown hair, but it’s quite thick!

"Oh? How does one prove their qualifications and strength?" Xiao Fei replied calmly.

"Kid, let’s not make it hard on you. Let’s make a bet—a sand table war game, best two out of three. If you win two rounds, you deserve the chief’s seat. Not only that, we old men will kneel and accept you as our master!" The King of Soldiers, Qin Zhong, finally spoke.

Silence! Absolute silence. The situation had escalated beyond all expectation.

Zhen Sanjiang hurriedly tried to placate them. "Uncles, why do this? Let me explain slowly, alright?"

"No! Sanjiang, it’s not about saving your face. As founders of Qinglong Mountain, we must be responsible for its future," Qin Zhong declared with conviction.

Then Zhong Jialie shouted at Xiao Fei: "Well, kid, are you scared? If you admit defeat now, then leave Qinglong Mountain!"

"What, are you a coward? Can’t even speak?"

Xiao Fei had not wished to stir up more trouble; but faced with such stubborn men, he had no choice but to accept the challenge.

Though annoyed, Xiao Fei kept a smile on his face. He knew the elders were not bad people—just honest, somewhat endearing.

Now, all eyes were fixed on Xiao Fei. He spoke calmly: "I accept the wager."