Chapter 5

Yang Qi's memory wasn't very good; he often forgot things quickly—especially names and English words. However, he had an excellent memory in two areas: first, remembering actions, whether it was martial arts or dance, he could remember them almost perfectly after seeing them once. Second, remembering routes, he could always find his way back to any place he had been to, no matter how many times he had walked there.

In Yang Qi's memory, the so-called "side room" he had just gone to, despite its twists and turns, was generally on the right branch of the three main paths in Heilong Fort. The place where the Hongmen Feast was held was on the central path.

In classic Hongmen Feast scenarios, there would inevitably be 500 armed men hidden on both sides, ready to rush out and kill the guests with a signal from the host. Heilong Fort probably didn't have 500 armed men, or even 100 people in total. In this era, a fort could hardly support many people. But Shi Heilong dared to show his strength, and those armed men were openly standing on both sides.

So when Yang Qi led the little girl into the large cave where the Hongmen Feast was held, he saw two rows of bandits standing like a gang, and a bearded man sitting on a high seat at the back. This man, with a stern and unsmiling face, was probably Shi Heilong.

The bandits on both sides originally had a fierce expression, but when they saw Yang Qi and the little girl, their expressions began to change, eventually emitting a strong aura of decay, as if they were eager to mate. The little girl felt a bit uncomfortable.

But Yang Qi completely ignored them, his face as usual—more than usual, his chin was almost pointing to the sky.

Walking to the seat opposite Shi Heilong, he found the chair was a bit lower, so he coldly snorted and sat on the table with his legs spread wide. With his height, he could look down slightly.

Looking around, Yang Qi said disdainfully, "These two rows of thirty-odd people, are they the best you can pick from a bunch of shorties? If Heilong Fort is at this level, I regret coming here."

Shi Heilong laughed heartily, his voice like a bell: "Young lady, you have quite a bit of courage to be so arrogant in my presence. You claim to be the Peach Blossom Thief from the Shandong Juyi Hall? But I heard from my subordinates that you fainted by the roadside and were captured."

The little girl, feeling the oppressive aura, unconsciously clenched her fist, ready to fight.

But Yang Qi smiled disdainfully: "Shi Heilong, don't you think? In the wilderness, which woman would faint by the roadside and just happen to be caught by your convoy? I was just testing your subordinates, but they are both brainless and blind, not even recognizing the Peach Blossom Thief. How can they survive in the green forest?"

The bandits around were a bit embarrassed, watching someone call them fools, and the hot-tempered ones were about to explode.

But Shi Heilong asked first: "I have been in the江湖 (jianghu) for a long time, but I haven't heard of the Peach Blossom Thief. The Shandong Juyi Hall is just a legend, and the Liangshan forces have long since disappeared. Who are the heroes and good men of the Juyi Hall you speak of? Perhaps I know your leader."

The little girl's hand clenched again. Shi Heilong was a seasoned veteran, and this bluff might be about to fall apart!

But Yang Qi, on the verge of being exposed, remained calm: "Been in the jianghu for a long time? Humph, don't make me laugh! Do you think fighting a few farmers is being in the jianghu? Do you think drinking and boasting with a few friends is being in the jianghu? Do you know what a hero is, what a good man is?"

Slamming the table, Yang Qi said fiercely: "A great hero serves the country and the people, a great hero bears a heavy burden and a long journey! Although the Liangshan forces have scattered, their descendants are still here! Since the Mongol Tartars invaded Central China, we have been preparing for a long time, ready to restore our homeland at any moment! Now, the Juyi Hall has gathered thousands of talented men and women, and the Mongol Tartars are exhausted. Just wait for the spring thunder, and we will launch an uprising, directly attacking the heart of the enemy!"

Speaking is all about momentum, and lying is all about fluency. Yang Qi's lie was vivid and powerful, not just to Shi Heilong, but even the little girl felt a sense of illusion—Yang Qi was really the Peach Blossom Thief, and there really was a Juyi Hall in Shandong! Listening to this passionate speech, the little girl's heart raced, and she was eager to applaud.

Of course, if she really did, it would be like a storyteller in a teahouse.

Shi Heilong was also stunned, unsure of the situation. If the Peach Blossom Thief was fake, the momentum and style were too convincing, and the name "Peach Blossom leaves no grass" made him, a semi-literate, feel intimidated. But if it was real—there was still something strange about it.

Thinking of this, Shi Heilong gave a signal to his top enforcer, Baldy, who immediately stepped forward and shouted: "Chief, don't worry about her. She clearly has no martial arts skills. I don't think there is any Juyi Hall, and she is not the Peach Blossom Thief! A weak little girl, we should take her and enjoy her!"

Baldy's words clearly received strong support from the brainless bandits, who looked greedily at Yang Qi and the little girl.

But at this moment, the little girl burst out, shouting: "Bold scoundrel, how dare you speak so rudely! Take this!" She lightly stepped forward, rushing at Baldy like the wind. Baldy also sneered and stepped forward to meet her. The old strategist signaled the bandits to hold back, wanting to see the result.

The result was clear.

Two slaps were heard, and the little girl gracefully returned to Yang Qi's side, calm and composed. Baldy staggered to the ground, his cheeks swollen, clearly dazed from the two slaps.

The contrast was too obvious, and the second-in-command of Heilong Fort was completely defeated.

"Peach Blossom Palm?!" Shi Heilong blurted out, stunned. He knew the famous palm technique in the jianghu. He also saw that the little girl had martial arts skills, but when she moved, she was much better than he expected. He quickly stood up and bowed to the little girl: "May I ask if the young lady just used the Peach Blossom Palm?"

The little girl just gave him a cold look: "I am not a young lady, I am just a maid. I don't know what palm it is, I just learn what my master teaches me."

Yang Qi's lips curled. This little girl was really clever, neither admitting nor denying, maintaining a mysterious air and playing the role of a maid well. However, the Peach Blossom Palm? It was a perfect match for the name "Peach Blossom Thief."

Taking advantage of the Heilong Fort people's confusion, Yang Qi pressed on, saying calmly: "You didn't see wrong. I am naturally unable to practice martial arts, so I indeed have no martial arts skills. But not having martial arts skills doesn't mean I don't understand martial arts. Teaching and guiding is not a problem. Little Peach is one of my favorite maids. Is her skill satisfactory?"

The old strategist quickly whispered to Shi Heilong: "Chief, it seems this Peach Blossom Thief is likely related to that person! Whether a relative or a disciple, we can't afford to offend them, Chief, think carefully! But Chief, how does this maid's martial arts compare to yours?"

Shi Heilong thought for a moment and whispered: "Don't worry, this maid's palm technique is fast and beautiful, but her power is not deep, just a facade. She is no match for my Vermilion Palm."

The strategist nodded in understanding and quickly came out to smooth things over, smiling: "Young lady, my subordinates spoke rudely, I apologize. What instructions does the Juyi Hall have for your visit?"

"No instructions, just one request." Yang Qi stood up, speaking clearly: "When we rise up, you must also send people and support to fight the Mongols and save the country."

"Good! A true heroine!" The old strategist immediately cheered, his thumb high: "Forgive my ignorance, may I ask the young lady's name?"

"My name is Yang Qi, and I don't change it."

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