Chapter 27

Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao followed Li Lishi and others from the Heaven and Earth Society to the gate outside.

Two or three hundred members of the Heaven and Earth Society stood in two rows, their faces showing excitement.

After a while, two big men carried a stretcher and brought Mao Shiba out.

Li Lishi said, "Brother Mao, you are our guest, no need to be so formal."

Mao Shiba replied, "I have long heard of the great name of Chief Chen, it truly resounds like thunder. To meet you today, even if I were to die right now, it would be worth it."

He still spoke weakly, but his face was flushed with joy.

The sound of hooves rang out, and ten horses galloped over.

The riders on the first three horses dismounted before they even came close.

Li Lishi and others went forward to greet them, shaking hands and chatting warmly.

One of them said, "The Chief is waiting ahead, please come with us, Brother Li, Master Guan, and the others..."

A few people stood and discussed for a moment, then Li Lishi, Master Guan, and five others got on the horses and rode away with the visitors.

Mao Shiba was very disappointed and asked, "Is Chief Chen not coming?"

No one answered his question, and everyone was dejected at not seeing the Chief.

Wei Xiaobao looked at Lin Yi and whispered, "I don't know who this Chief is, but it seems like he owes these people ten thousand taels of silver or lost his wife's pants in a bet. Look at their faces, so gloomy."

Lin Yi couldn't help but laugh, looking around to make sure no one had heard. If the Heaven and Earth Society people heard, they would surely be angry with Wei Xiaobao.

Chen Jinnan was a god-like figure in the hearts of the Heaven and Earth Society members.

Even Mao Shiba, who was not part of the Heaven and Earth Society, almost revered Chen Jinnan as a god.

Seeing Lin Yi not speaking, Wei Xiaobao whispered again, "Cousin, today was really dangerous. Luckily you were quick-witted, I was scared to death!"

Lin Yi nodded and smiled lightly, "Luckily we met your friend Mao Shiba, otherwise it would have been troublesome."

Wei Xiaobao nodded repeatedly, today's ups and downs were truly thrilling!

After a while, a few more messengers rode over and said, "The Chief invites Master Mao Shiba, Master Lin Yi, and Master Wei Xiaobao to meet him."

Mao Shiba let out a cheer and jumped up from the stretcher, but "Ouch!" he fell back onto it, shouting, "Hurry, hurry!"

Wei Xiaobao was also curious about this Chief.

Lin Yi felt the same, Chen Jinnan was a famous person after all.

The two messengers took the stretcher on their horses and rode side by side, moving slowly.

The other two messengers gave their horses to Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao, following behind.

The six of them walked along the main road for less than three miles, then turned onto a small road on the right.

Along the way, there were groups of men, either sitting or walking, patrolling and guarding.

The lead messenger pointed three fingers—middle, ring, and little—towards the ground, and the guards nodded, responding with a secret signal.

After riding for another twelve or thirteen miles, they arrived at a manor.

A man at the gate shouted, "Guests have arrived!"

The gate opened, and Li Lishi and others came out, bowing and saying, "Master Mao, Master Lin, Master Wei, welcome. The Chief invites you."

Mao Shiba struggled to get up, saying, "To meet Chief Chen like this, really, really, ouch..."

He couldn't support himself and lay back on the stretcher.

Li Lishi said, "Master Mao is injured, no need for formalities."

He led everyone into the hall.

A man said to Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao, "Please have a cup of tea here, the Chief wants to talk to Master Mao first."

They carried Mao Shiba inside.

Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao were a bit thirsty, so they drank a bowl of tea. A servant brought four plates of pastries, and the two of them tasted them, exchanging a glance.

The glance meant, "These pastries are far inferior to those in the palace!"

Wei Xiaobao, because of this, couldn't help but look down on this Chief.

Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao, who lived together and shared a bed, knew what the other was thinking from just a slight pout.

The Heaven and Earth Society wasn't as wealthy as the young emperor Kangxi, so it was good they had pastries at all!

After a while, Li Lishi and others came out, and Li Lishi smiled, "The Chief invites Master Lin and Master Wei!"

Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao perked up and followed Li Lishi into the room. Li Lishi said, "This is our Chief, Chen Jinnan."

They turned their gaze to Chen Jinnan, a middle-aged man in his forties, with an ordinary face but a kind expression. His eyes, however, were sharp and piercing.

Under his intimidating gaze, both of them were startled.

Chen Jinnan smiled, "The two of you captured and killed the first warrior of the Manchus, Ao Bai, avenging countless Han people who died at his hands. Your names have become famous in a single day, a rare feat in history."

He pointed to two chairs and smiled, "Please sit!"

Chen Jinnan sat down first, waved his hand, and dismissed Li Lishi.

Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao also sat down.

Chen Jinnan smiled, "The two of you captured Ao Bai, so your martial arts must be quite high. Who is your master?"

Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao exchanged a glance and shook their heads, "No master."

Chen Jinnan wasn't surprised. He had already heard from his subordinates about how Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao captured Ao Bai, and with his keen eye, he could see that they didn't know any martial arts.

Moreover, he could tell that Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao were full of yang energy, not real eunuchs but fake ones.

He also learned from Mao Shiba about Wei Xiaobao, but he was unsure about Lin Yi's identity.

Chen Jinnan slowly said, "Do the two of you know what the Heaven and Earth Society is about?"

Lin Yi said, "To overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming."

Wei Xiaobao said, "To help the Han people and kill the Tartars."

Chen Jinnan nodded, "Exactly! Do you want to join our Heaven and Earth Society as brothers?"

"Sure!"

Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao exchanged a glance and nodded. For them, joining or not joining the Heaven and Earth Society wasn't a big deal, as long as they could get by!

Chen Jinnan thought it was the reputation of the Heaven and Earth Society that had won them over. Many people in the martial world vied to meet him and join the Heaven and Earth Society.

Mao Shiba was one such person.

Chen Jinnan first smiled, then his expression became serious, "When joining our society, there are thirty-six oaths and ten strict rules."

"Understood!"

Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao nodded again, not taking it seriously.

Seeing their compliance, Chen Jinnan smiled and said, "Since you have no master, would you like to be my disciples?"

"Sure!"

Lin Yi and Wei Xiaobao nodded again. Wei Xiaobao was overjoyed, prostrating himself and kowtowing, calling out, "Master!"

Lin Yi was speechless. Wei Xiaobao was really slick, calling "Master" so easily.

He also got up and kowtowed to recognize his master.

For mobile users, please visit http://m.piaotia.net

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends