Chapter 6

The executioners stepped back, as Shi Heilong and the military advisor felt they had a good grasp of Yang Qi and his companion. Since they were seeking help from him, there was no need for excessive caution.

Now that they had made contact, the rest was like a business negotiation, a bit of haggling to see what benefits the Gathering Hall could offer.

"Regarding the resistance against the Mongol Tartars, our Black Dragon Gang is few in number and weak in strength. Sacrificing for the country is our duty, but if my dozens of brothers die in vain without making any contribution, it would be a great pity," Shi Heilong began to set the terms.

"Hmph, I didn't expect you to be able to face the enemy head-on anyway," Yang Qi replied with his usual arrogance. "But since you gather in the mountains, you must have the ability to recognize people and lead the way, right? When the rebel army succeeds and rewards are distributed, you won't be left out."

The Black Dragon Gang had already gotten used to Yang Qi's temper and didn't find it particularly offensive. The old military advisor immediately stepped forward and chuckled, "Boss, Miss Yang, it's getting late. Why don't we have dinner while we talk?" Seeing both nod, he clapped his hands and called out, "Bring in the food and drinks! We must treat the two guests from the Gathering Hall well today!"

Thus, the banquet phase of the "Hóngmén Feast" began. A dozen women entered in a line, setting up the scene. Some arranged the tables, others brought in the dishes. Soon, all the important members of the Black Dragon Gang gathered to accompany the guests, and a few women with some charm came out to dance.

Of course, the dance was hardly a dance; it was more for the entertainment of the bandits who were more interested in the dancers than the dance itself.

"Miss Yang, I offer you a drink! I'll drink first!" Shi Heilong, sitting at the head of the table, two meters away from Yang Qi, leaned forward and asked, "What position do you hold in the Gathering Hall?"

"Martial arts instructor, specializing in training female soldiers," Yang Qi pointed to the women who were stretching and moving their arms. "Your Black Dragon Gang has women too? Did you kidnap them from the village?"

"Ah? Ahaha..." Mentioning the kidnapping of women in front of a woman made Shi Heilong feel awkward. "Forgive me, forgive me."

But Yang Qi suddenly changed her tone, "What's there to forgive? I think it's great!"

"Great?!" Yang Qi's words surprised not only Shi Heilong but also the other small leaders. The bandits looked at her in surprise.

"Yes, women have many uses. They can clean, weave, release energy, and bear children to continue the lineage. Rewarding a meritorious subordinate with a woman is more effective than giving them gold or silver. So, Shi Heilong, you have a good head on your shoulders."

"Ah..." Shi Heilong looked Yang Qi up and down, his eyes full of surprise. Such a statement, in this era, coming from a woman—unbelievable! Even the young girl, who already knew Yang Qi's unique personality and often surprising words, blushed and spat secretly.

"The Peach Blossom Bandit is truly the Peach Blossom Bandit! Your insight is different!" Shi Heilong became excited, looking at the white-haired woman across from him with a burning gaze. "I wonder if the Peach Blossom Bandit can teach me how to prepare for the arrival of the rebel army?" He took a map from the military advisor, unfolded it, and said, "This is a map of the surrounding area. Please take a look."

Yang Qi stood up and walked over, the young girl following closely. They soon reached the map, standing no more than three feet apart, within arm's reach.

Shi Heilong suddenly said, "Miss Yang, since you don't know martial arts, aren't you afraid I might suddenly attack and take you?"

"Afraid? Afraid of what?" Yang Qi smiled, and Shi Heilong felt his breathing become heavier. "Even if you took me, you'd just make me your bandit wife. Men are all the same; marrying one is the same as marrying another. Since you have some brains, it's not something I can't consider."

"Ah? Ahahaha!" Shi Heilong couldn't help but laugh. Marrying such an extraordinary woman would be a great deal! Looking at her fair skin, as white as milk, even the emperor's concubines might not compare!

Is this girl interested in me, Heilong?

While daydreaming, Shi Heilong unconsciously let down his guard. In his view, since the conversation had reached this point, just as Yang Qi wasn't afraid of his attack, he didn't feel the need to guard against her. Moreover, he had unknowingly ignored the young girl by her side.

At this moment, Yang Qi suddenly gave a signal, and the young girl, understanding immediately, lunged forward. Her soft, white hands firmly struck Shi Heilong's chest, which was wide open and defenseless.

Crack! Shi Heilong's chest bones made a series of sounds, and with a spurt, he flew out, his eyes bulging, spewing out the wine he had just drunk, knocking over numerous tables and chairs along the way.

"What's happening?!" The sudden event caught everyone off guard, including the old military advisor, who hadn't even reacted before Shi Heilong was already flying out. The second-in-command was quicker, shouting and drawing his large knife to attack Yang Qi. But the young girl, moving swiftly, delivered a spinning kick to his face. With a loud thud, the second-in-command flew out, his face twisted in pain.

"Help! Kill the evil bandits! Help!" The military advisor scrambled to run out, and the Black Dragon Gang bandits also reacted, drawing their knives to attack. But the dancing girls were screaming and running out, causing chaos. Those trying to rush in couldn't, and those trying to run out couldn't.

"Ha!" The young girl didn't hesitate, taking advantage of the chaos to attack fiercely, knocking down over a dozen bandits in no time.

Yang Qi picked up a bench, "Strike while the iron is hot, go deal with Shi Heilong first!" He smashed a bandit with the bench, feeling quite heroic. "The rest are mine!"

"Alright!" The young girl didn't say more, stepping forward to charge towards Shi Heilong.

At this moment, a loud thud was heard. The fallen Shi Heilong, shaking off the table that had pinned him down, shouted, "You little wench! Prepare to die!" He lunged at Yang Qi like a great bird spreading its wings. But the young girl leaped up and exchanged two blows with Shi Heilong in mid-air. With two loud thuds, they both landed, looking at each other with surprise.

The young girl rubbed her slightly numb wrist, "I didn't expect you to have practiced Iron Shirt!"

"Hmph, I didn't expect your skills to be so advanced," Shi Heilong's hands slowly turned red, a sign of his Vermilion Palm. "I'll deal with this maid, you take the Peach Blossom Bandit!" He engaged the young girl in battle, and for a moment, the fight was intense.

"Charge!" Finally, some bandits rushed in, shouting as they attacked Yang Qi. Yang Qi, calm and collected, threw the bench to trip them, then reached into a small cloth bag and took out a small ceramic bottle. Without looking, he scattered its contents. The bottle's contents caused smoke wherever they landed, and several unfortunate bandits immediately covered their eyes and screamed in pain.

Yang Qi took the opportunity to grab another bench and charged forward, attacking fiercely. These weaklings, some falling to the ground, others affected by the herbal water, were no match for Yang Qi's powerful bench.

"This body is really good!" Yang Qi, while fighting, experienced his dream avatar.

"Strong!" He kicked one down.

"Fast!" He dodged a sword.

"Even my eyesight is good, no nearsightedness, no farsightedness, mind and body in sync!" He raised the bench to block a sword, and the bandit, a muscular man, was held back by Yang Qi without taking a step back. He kicked the bandit in the stomach and then smashed the bench on the side of his head, causing the bandit to fall with a face full of blood.

Left and right, Yang Qi quickly reached the last standing bandit in the hall. Looking up, he saw it was the same rib man, trembling and unable to move—familiar face!

Yang Qi smiled at him and kicked him in the crotch. As the rib man screamed in pain, Yang Qi snatched the knife from his hand and slashed. With a thud, a large cut appeared on the rib man's neck, blood splattering, and he died instantly. Yang Qi wiped a drop of blood that had splattered on his face with his finger, tasted it, and thought, "Salty and bloody, it's really like that."

This dream is interesting.

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