Chapter 41

As the group was preparing to move their luggage back to the cottage, they suddenly heard Wang Lun shout, and hastily stopped their work to gather around. Zhang San, Li Si, and the others, feeling guilty, rushed to Wang Lun’s side, anxiously asking, "Sir, who has been harmed?"

Wang Lun sighed, about to speak, when he suddenly saw Wen Huanzhang looking at him. Their eyes met, and almost simultaneously, they both called out, "Teacher Xu!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiaotou was puzzled. He had not left the house for half a year, completely cut off from the outside world. He quickly pulled a man beside him and asked for an explanation. The man, sensing the unusual atmosphere, quietly told Zhang Jiaotou about Xu Ning’s situation.

After hearing the explanation, Zhang Jiaotou sighed and said, "It seems that Teacher Xu has indeed suffered because of us!"

Jiao Ting, confused by the conversation, asked Wang Lun, "Brother, castrating Gao Qiang, what does that have to do with Teacher Xu? How could it have cost him his life?"

Wang Lun patted Jiao Ting and explained to the puzzled crowd, "Gao Qiu failed to harm Lin Jiaotou, and his son being castrated was his retribution. As the saying goes, one learns from one’s mistakes. Not long ago, that scoundrel framed Teacher Xu, leading to his exile. Once he realizes this, given his nature, he will surely eliminate any potential threats to ensure his safety! This puts Teacher Xu in grave danger!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang San and Li Si, along with the others, immediately knelt in a row, confessing their faults and asking for punishment.

Wang Lun shook his head and said to the kneeling group, "I also bear responsibility for this. However, it’s too late to dwell on it. Gao Yannai deserved his fate, and you did nothing wrong. At least one less villain in the capital means women can go out without fear. As for Teacher Xu, I have a plan! I will personally go to Mengzhou tomorrow. You all must remain vigilant and follow the instructions of Wen Huanzhang and Zhang Jiaotou, ensuring the safety of my sister-in-law!"

Seeing that Wang Lun did not blame them but took the responsibility himself, everyone was deeply moved and bowed in gratitude. Wang Lun helped Zhang San and Li Si up, telling them to get up and encouraging them with kind words.

At this moment, Zhang Jiaotou stepped forward and said, "Leader, don’t worry about us. Though I am old, I can still wield a spear! Just be careful on your journey and return soon. I will be waiting for you!"

Wang Lun bowed in response, "I appreciate your concern, sir! I won’t go alone; I’ll take Jiao Ting with me, and we’ll be fine!"

Zhang Jiaotou nodded in agreement. Wang Lun then looked at Wen Huanzhang with a look of trust. The middle-aged scholar nodded slightly and stepped forward, saying, "Sir, don’t worry. My cottage is secluded, and I have no contact with the villages below. Besides, it’s the New Year, and the children won’t return to school until after the first month. There’s no risk of information leaking. I have plenty of food, so your family will not go hungry. Go with peace of mind, and return soon!"

Wang Lun bowed deeply, "Thank you, sir!" Wen Huanzhang returned the bow. Wang Lun then said, "I see the mountain is vast. Even if soldiers come to search, it will be hard for them to find anyone. Starting tonight, I will assign several groups to take turns keeping watch at the foot of the mountain. If soldiers come, as long as we are informed early, there will be no problem!"

Zhang San and Li Si, hearing this, volunteered to go on watch. Wang Lun didn’t refuse, instructing Zhang San to take three men to start the night watch, hiding in concealed spots to observe. He then told Li Si to take three men to relieve them at dawn, rotating every four men until everyone was safe. Zhang San and the others agreed and set off down the mountain.

Seeing Wang Lun’s thorough arrangements, Zhang Jiaotou’s family felt reassured. They chatted by the fire and then went to bed with peace of mind.

The next morning, it was New Year’s Day. Wang Lun got up early, smiling and wishing everyone a happy New Year. He distributed red silk-wrapped gifts to everyone, and Zhang Jiaotou and his wife praised his thoughtfulness. Lin’s wife gently reminded Wang Lun to be careful on his journey. Little Jin’er, receiving the gift from Jiao Ting, found the man less intimidating than before, but her heart still raced.

After a while, Wang Lun bid everyone farewell and set off with Jiao Ting and Li Si, who had come down to relieve the watch.

Wang Lun and his group of six had barely walked a mile when they saw a large, fat roe deer lying under a tree by the mountain road, weighing perhaps a hundred pounds. Li Si hurried forward to check and said, "Sir, isn’t this a good omen? To encounter such good fortune on the first day of the New Year is truly auspicious!"

Wang Lun was also pleased and went to examine the deer. Suddenly, a voice came from the tree, "Old Four, are you hungry?"

Everyone looked up to see Zhang San and another man perched in the tree, grinning down at them. Soon, they slid down the trunk. Zhang San approached Wang Lun and bowed, saying, "Sir, last night we were on watch when this foolish deer appeared. We caught it together, and it will be a treat for everyone!"

The two men from the other tree also came down to join them. Wang Lun laughed and had Jiao Ting distribute gold ingots wrapped in red silk to the four men who had spent the night in the cold. Zhang San and the others were delighted, wishing Wang Lun a happy New Year. Wang Lun joked with them for a while and then instructed, "You have a tough job ahead. Take good care of Zhang Jiaotou’s family and Wen Huanzhang. When we return to the mountain, I will reward you all!"

The men quickly agreed, and Wang Lun, feeling reassured, left with Jiao Ting.

After walking for about an hour and turning onto the main road, they suddenly saw a fat monk leaning against a large stone by the roadside, drinking cold wine and eating dry rations.

Wang Lun observed the monk closely. He was an exceptionally strong man, standing eight feet tall, with a broad waist, a round face, large ears, a straight nose, a square mouth, and a beard that bristled like needles. Wang Lun secretly admired the monk’s appearance, thinking him a true brute.

The monk, though drinking from a gourd, kept his sharp eyes scanning the passersby on the road. Suddenly, he noticed Wang Lun and stared at him for a moment, muttering something. Then he shifted his gaze to Jiao Ting, his eyes darting back and forth.

Jiao Ting, with a short temper, saw the monk staring at him and angrily said, "Hey, fat monk, why are you staring at me?"

The monk exclaimed, "Huh? You’re a strange one! Can’t I look at you? Even the Emperor, I look at him the same way!" Before Jiao Ting could respond, the monk added, "Man, you have no eyebrows or beard. Do you have a nickname, like 'Faceless'?"

Jiao Ting, feeling irritated, retorted, "What’s your name? If you have a nickname, tell me!"

The monk laughed heartily and said, "You’re an interesting one! You seem to have a temper, so you must have some skills! If you can beat me, I’ll tell you!"

Jiao Ting, filled with anger, was eager to fight but held back, waiting for Wang Lun’s signal. The monk, seeing this, laughed again and said, "You have empty hands, so I won’t take advantage of you. I’ll use just my fists!" He then stood up, threw his iron staff to the side, and punched a nearby old tree, causing leaves to fall.

Wang Lun felt a growing sense of familiarity as he looked at the monk. Logically, this person should have been far away and should not have been near the capital. Moreover, the monk had mentioned Jiao Ting’s nickname, which was even more unlikely! The two should not have known each other before joining the mountain. However, the monk’s behavior was very similar to that of the Flower Monk. Wang Lun thought for a moment and then tentatively called out, "Lu Da!?"

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