Chapter 26

"Thirteen Protectors, huh." Someone whispered on the side.

"Yeah, the Thirteen Protectors have gathered again."

"This will be a good show, the Thirteen Protectors against the Heavenly Gang Hundred Dragons. Which do you think is stronger?"

"Even a strong dragon can't suppress a local snake. I think the Thirteen Protectors are stronger." Some supported the Thirteen Protectors, but others favored the Heavenly Gang Hundred Dragons. "How can the Thirteen Protectors suppress the Heavenly Gang Hundred Dragons? They're not even a match in numbers."

Everyone was buzzing with excitement, eagerly waiting for the show to begin.

"Second Brother." The group calling themselves the Thirteen Protectors strode up to Liu Jun and shouted loudly. This shout made Liu Jun recall many things, and he realized that he was also one of the Thirteen Protectors.

Liu Jun felt his face flush. How could they have such a silly name? Before Liu Jun went to the capital city, he was a middle school student in the countryside, and he had a group of like-minded friends. They would eat and drink together and occasionally stand up for justice. In short, they were heavily influenced by the Water Margin, always thinking about upholding justice.

They even formed a blood alliance, thirteen young men sworn as brothers. They gave their group a name they thought was very cool: the Thirteen Protectors. It must be said that the Water Margin had a significant impact on the people, especially the commoners. Look at the rebels at the end of the Ming Dynasty; each had a formidable nickname. Some were called King of the Bandits, some were called Sky-Collapsing Heaven, and others were called Ten Thousand Mixers, Full Sky Stars, Sky-Crossing Stars, Heaven-Mixing Kings, World-Striving Kings, and so on. It seemed that without a loud and impressive name, one would be embarrassed to walk the streets.

Even the thugs in various places had their own nicknames, such as One Dragon, Heavenly Gang Hundred Dragons, Axe King, Spear God, and so on. The same went for the wandering knights and rascals in the countryside; each had a loud and impressive name.

Liu Jun and his group, being exactly thirteen people, called themselves the West Bay Thirteen Protectors. At the time, they thought it was very cool. But in the eyes of the current Liu Jun, it just felt like a strong wave of middle school student arrogance.

However, although they called themselves the West Bay Thirteen Protectors, they were different from the thugs and rascals who operated in the gray areas. The Thirteen Protectors were all from good families, and they were the children of landlords, gentry, and merchants. They had money and a good life. They were sent to the academy to study, but they couldn't focus, so they spent their days wandering outside.

They were more like the wandering knights of the Tang and Song dynasties, not the rascals who did evil in the countryside, and certainly not the thugs.

Liu Jun had wandered with these dozen or so brothers for many years, but two years ago, he left for the capital city. Then, his brothers, who were no longer young, eventually ended their days of hanging around the academy and returned home.

Liu Jun had met them initially because they were all studying at the same academy and were classmates. They were all from Macheng, but only Liu Jun was from Xibay.

A few days ago, they learned that Liu Jun had returned from the capital city and decided to come find him. Then they heard that Zhou Lame was coming to the Lu family to snatch the bride. They thought about it and realized that everyone knew about the past relationship between Miss Lu and Liu Jun. If Zhou Lame wanted to snatch the bride, Liu Jun would definitely come, so they headed straight for the Lu family, just in time.

"Second Brother, you've been back for several days, why haven't you come to see us?" A burly young man walked over, about the same height as Liu Jun, over six feet tall, with a beard, wearing a scholar's cap.

From his memory, Liu Jun knew this was the second of the Thirteen Protectors, Zhang Shan, from the northern part of the county, from a wealthy family, warm and sincere, but also someone who couldn't focus on his studies. Seeing him now in a scholar's cap, it was clear he hadn't passed the exams but had bought a position as a student.

At this moment, the third of the Thirteen Protectors, Wang Qian, also walked up and slapped Liu Jun on the shoulder.

"Would you not have come to see us if we hadn't come, Second Brother?"

Liu Jun smiled, "No such thing." Although now, thinking back, they were indeed a bit arrogant and middle school student-like at the time, but it was a genuine and pure brotherhood. Looking at them, they had all matured over the years.

"Remember us, Second Brother. Let's go have a drink and catch up later. First, let's deal with these Heavenly Gang Hundred Dragons. How dare they try to snatch a bride without knowing who Miss Lu belongs to." The fourth one shouted.

"Exactly, how dare they snatch a bride from our Second Brother? They must be tired of living. Miss Lu is our Second Sister-in-Law, and they dare to have such ideas?"

One Dragon Zhou Qing stood there, his face showing mixed emotions.

As a strong dragon from another place, he knew who the Thirteen Protectors were. Before he came here to make a living, the local rascals and thugs would tremble at the mention of the Thirteen Protectors.

Fortunately, he heard that the First Protector had left for the capital city, and the remaining twelve Protectors had returned home, effectively disbanding. After he came, he had no interaction with them. But today, these people came together and confronted him.

In terms of strength, Zhou Qing was not afraid of the Thirteen Protectors. His Heavenly Gang Hundred Dragons had over a hundred brothers, all refugees, brave and willing to fight. However, Zhou Qing's success was not just due to brute force. He also used his brain, knew how to connect with officials, and relied on the gentry, which allowed him to remain safe.

The Thirteen Protectors were not ordinary rascals or thugs. He knew their backgrounds; they were all from landlord and gentry families. Although not from wealthy families, they were all well-known in their hometowns. Many of their fathers were scholars or officials, and several of the Protectors themselves had the status of scholars, wearing scholar's caps.

He weighed the pros and cons, considering whether it was worth having a conflict over a hundred taels of silver.

In the world of thugs, understanding the balance of power was crucial. He looked at Liu Jun and his group of brothers, then looked back at Zhou Wenjiang.

On one side were the gentry families of the county, and on the other was just a scholar's family. The difference was clear. At this moment, a subordinate leaned in and whispered a few words in his ear.

Zhou Qing's face changed slightly. The subordinate said that Liu Jun had a good relationship with the nephew of the Minister of the Four Departments, Li Chunjiang, who had returned to the Liu family with Liu Jun the day before and stayed overnight. Even last night, the county magistrate and other officials had come to the Liu family for a banquet.

Liu Jun seemed to have a wide network of connections and a good relationship with the Li family.

Zhou Qing, surprised, immediately understood. It wasn't worth it to have a conflict with Liu Jun over Zhou Lame. He couldn't do anything to Liu Jun. Since Liu Jun could be so close to the Li family's Chunjiang, even a hundred Heavenly Gang Hundred Dragons would be no match. His success was largely due to the support of a branch of the Liu family from Suokou River.

"Turns out it was all a misunderstanding. I didn't know about the relationship between Second Master Liu and Miss Lu. Since there is this prior connection, I cannot help the Zhou family snatch the bride today. This is all a misunderstanding, and I am very sorry. I will not interfere further and will leave now. Second Master Liu, when you have time, pick a day, and I will treat you and my brothers to a feast to apologize."

Seeing One Dragon back down so quickly, Liu Jun just laughed and nodded, "No fight, no acquaintance. We'll catch up another day. I won't see you off today."

Zhou Qing bowed and said, "Farewell."

The quick change left the onlookers stunned. They had expected a fierce battle, but it ended so quickly. One Dragon of the Heavenly Gang Hundred Dragons backing down was too unusual.

Zhou Wenjiang's face changed dramatically, and he grabbed Zhou Qing, "Brother Zhou, you can't leave. You took my silver, so you must do the job for me."

Zhou Qing laughed coldly, "The job wasn't done, and that was our fault. I'll return the silver double, but we can't do your job."

"You can't do this. I'll pay double, plus another hundred taels."

Zhou Qing licked his lips, regretfully, "Sorry, I can't take your money, Zhou."

Zhou Qing turned and left with his thugs, leaving Zhou Wenjiang with his dozen or so men.

Liu Jun approached with a cold smile, looking at Zhou Wenjiang, "Not leaving? Do you really think you can snatch the bride with just your dozen or so men?"

"I'm here to welcome the bride, not snatch her. The Lu family has accepted my dowry. Liu, don't block my way." Zhou Wenjiang's face was pale, and his lips were trembling, but he still tried to be tough.

"Do you believe me if I break your third leg? If you don't want that, get lost."

Zhang Shan walked up, rolling up his sleeves, revealing two fists like sand bowls. "Zhou, let's have a go."

Zhou Wenjiang finally realized he had met his match. Seeing Liu Jun and his brothers ready to pounce, he instinctively took a step back. He tripped and fell flat on his back, causing a burst of laughter.

"Go!" With such a loss of face, Zhou Wenjiang couldn't stay and angrily mounted his horse and left.

Seeing Zhou Wenjiang leave, Liu Jun turned and walked to the Lu family's gate.

"Please inform them, Liu Jun is here to pay respects."

Lu Weizhang, the old master of the Lu family, had been watching from behind the gate the whole time. Seeing Zhou Wenjiang leave, he was both angry and anxious. Now, seeing Liu Jun still asking for an audience, he was even more furious.

"No, no." Lu Weizhang shouted.

"Yes, sir." The steward nodded and responded.

"Sir, it's bad, very bad. Miss has run away over the wall." A maid from the inner courtyard rushed over to report.

"What?" Lu Weizhang exclaimed.

At this moment, Miss Lu's voice came from outside the gate, "Father, Mother, I am unfilial. I bid you farewell here."

"Uncle Lu, Aunt Lu, rest assured, I will treat your daughter well. I will come to apologize in the future. Farewell."

Lu Weizhang shouted, "Open the gate quickly, that damn Liu Jun has taken my daughter."

The gate opened, but Liu Jun and his group had already taken Miss Lu far away, out of reach. Outside the gate, only a group of disappointed onlookers remained.

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