Chapter 9

A meteor streaked across the star-studded sky, as if heralding the extraordinary nature of this night.

Under the vast expanse of stars, a vast lake shrouded in mist was dotted with countless torches, which had quietly gathered along the lakeshore. This night marked the first large-scale night operation since the Liangshan Marsh bandits established their stronghold. Excluding the naval forces, over five hundred able-bodied bandits were mobilized, led by the chief Wang Lun and the two leaders Du Qian and Song Wan, creating a formidable presence. The newly appointed leader Zhu Gui remained in the stronghold with the elderly and weak to guard the base.

As the bandits boarded the boats at Jinsha Beach, they could not help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness, whispering to each other on the boats. It wasn't until the fleet, composed of various sizes of vessels, had traveled for an hour across the vast lake that the noise gradually subsided.

The cold, piercing wind swept across the exposed decks, causing everyone to tighten their cotton coats and huddle together for warmth. Only the sweating boatmen, dressed in thin clothes, rowed vigorously against the current.

Before long, the fleet reached the middle of the western shore of the vast lake. A half-frozen stream appeared before them, its faint trickling sound invigorating everyone. They began to move their stiff bodies, preparing to disembark.

"This stream is the boundary between the eastern and western villages! Chief, we will land here and walk along this stream for less than ten miles to reach Xixi Village!" Li Si, who was on the same boat as Wang Lun, whispered an explanation.

The torches on the boat cast a rosy glow on Wang Lun's cheeks, his first time leading a mission. He took a deep breath to calm his slightly excited heart. After the large boat docked, he ordered Li Si to disembark first and lead the way, then got up and called Du Qian, Zheng Qian, and others to follow the prearranged plan and set out in formation.

Over three hundred able-bodied bandits, under the command of their small leaders, quickly assembled and formed ranks. Within a short time, they set off in the lead of the aggrieved party. Before they left, Du Qian instructed a small leader to take a few men to wait for the second batch of reinforcements led by Song Wan.

These specially selected able-bodied men had just attended a banquet at noon, slept in the afternoon, and had a hearty meal in the evening. After such a period of rest and preparation, they now moved with light and swift steps, dashing toward their destination.

After a short while, the ten-mile journey was quickly covered, and the Liangshan Marsh forces arrived at the pitch-black outskirts of Xixi Village. Apart from the occasional barking of dogs, the sleeping village was completely silent.

"Go!"

At Wang Lun's command, everyone set out for their assigned targets. Li Si pointed out the location of the village head's residence and then led several squads of bandits to guard the village's outer paths. Although the chances of reinforcements from the county were slim, Wang Lun still wanted to ensure all exits were secured.

Two men carrying Wang Lun's letter raised their torches and galloped toward the Dongxi Village residence of Chao Gai.

The main force, led by Wang Lun and Du Qian, moved stealthily and quietly into the village. After walking about half a mile through the dilapidated huts, they saw a large compound. They continued forward until they reached a high earthen wall, about ten feet tall and several dozen feet long.

Seeing they had reached their destination, Wang Lun nodded to Du Qian. Du Qian waved his torch, and immediately, over twenty agile bandits, with knives in their mouths, sprinted toward the wall. Upon reaching the base of the wall, they helped each other climb up. Soon, some jumped down into the compound, disappearing into the darkness.

After a moment, the barking of dogs inside the compound began, followed by the sound of people getting up to investigate. A few muffled groans were heard, and the gate was opened from the inside by the bandits who had climbed over the wall. The bandits outside, who had been waiting with bated breath, rushed in like arrows released from a bow, led by Du Qian. Wang Lun stood at the gate, called over two men, and whispered instructions to them. They then took their orders and left. Wang Lun ordered some men to guard the gate and led the remaining bandits into the compound.

The village head, who was staying in the fourth concubine's room, was half-asleep when he heard the commotion in the courtyard. He was startled and, without bothering to light a lamp or dress, tore a hole in the window paper to peek outside. He saw the compound in chaos, with fierce bandits wielding knives everywhere. He cried out in despair and quickly called his few trusted men, who were sleeping in the outer room, to escape. In his mind, he still hoped to gather the villagers to drive away the bandits, but they were met by a squad of bandits led by Du Qian. The leader, a towering and muscular man, struck the village head with the back of his sword before he could even speak, knocking him to the ground, dazed and unconscious.

Seeing their leader fall, a few of the village head's men, who were also desperate, rushed forward to avenge him. The experienced bandits, however, were not caught off guard and quickly cut them down with their knives. The remaining two or three, seeing the situation, dropped their weapons and begged for mercy. Du Qian, seeing this, laughed heartily. He looked around and saw that the compound was now filled with his men, with no sign of any villagers. He knew the situation was under control.

The village head usually kept several dozen idle men and servants as his henchmen, but tonight, the Liangshan bandits had arrived so quickly and unexpectedly that most of his men were trapped in their rooms, unable to act. These men, who usually bullied the villagers, were no match for the professional bandits led by Du Qian. Within a short time, most of the village head's men were either killed or terrified into submission, kneeling on the ground, crying and begging for their lives.

Seeing the situation stabilize, Wang Lun walked over, a satisfied smile on his face. He saw the village head lying unconscious on the ground and sneered, ignoring him. He asked Du Qian, "Have you caught that scoundrel?"

Du Qian chuckled and replied, "Brother, don't worry. I've already sent men to search for him. That little rat won't escape. We've surrounded the compound so tightly that even a mouse couldn't slip out!"

The operation went smoothly, putting Du Qian in a good mood. Although the enemy was weak, Wang Lun's strategic planning before the mission had impressed him. He had expected a fierce battle, but only one small bandit had been injured while climbing the wall, and no one else was harmed.

Just then, the compound, which had just quieted down, became noisy again. Li Si, who had just returned from leading the bandits to guard the village's exits, was now bringing hundreds of trembling villagers to the scene. Du Qian looked at Wang Lun with even more admiration.

If Du Qian had been in charge, he would have killed and looted and then left. But Wang Lun wanted to hold a "public trial," read out the crimes of the village head, and then execute him. This was more like a court session in Kaifeng, where the judge would read the crimes and then order the execution. Du Qian couldn't help but admire Wang Lun's strategic mind.

Wang Lun, however, was not paying attention to Du Qian's thoughts. He focused on the ragged and frightened villagers approaching. When Li Si brought the villagers to a stop, Wang Lun stepped forward and said loudly, "Don't be afraid, everyone. As the saying goes, every wrong has a cause, and every debt has a debtor! We, the Liangshan heroes, are here for the village head of Xixi Village, not for you! We have gathered you here tonight to witness the fate of this man who has harmed your village!"

The villagers, hearing Wang Lun's words, felt their tension ease. However, most of them were still trembling, whether from the cold or the fear of the bandits.

At this moment, the bandits who had been searching the compound brought over the village head and his family of over thirty people. Li Si quickly spotted the village head's son. Wang Lun ordered him to be bound and placed next to the village head, who had been splashed with cold water and was now terrified.

"Do you recognize him? What do you have to say for yourselves?" Wang Lun asked, pulling Li Si to stand in front of the two men.

"Great King, please spare us! I have ten thousand taels of silver, all of which I will give to you, just spare my family!" The village head, in his terror, tried to bribe Wang Lun with his wealth.

"I'll ask you again, do you recognize him?" Wang Lun said coldly.

"I... I... Li Si... no, Li Si Sir! Li Great King! We have wronged you, Great King! Please, for the sake of our village, spare us this time!" The village head, kneeling and banging his head on the ground, begged for his life, forgetting that he was being watched by the villagers he had once oppressed.

"Wronged? You call killing my parents a wrong? When you and your son harassed my wife, did you think of today? When I begged you to show mercy for my family's generations of servitude, did you have any compassion?" Li Si, with all his might, shouted at his enemies. His forehead veins bulged, his fists clenched, and his face, illuminated by the torches, was flushed with a terrifying intensity.

The village head, now too terrified to argue, only begged for mercy. A foul smell suddenly filled the air, causing everyone to cover their noses. The village head's son had fainted and soiled himself.

Wang Lun shook his head and said, "The death of one's parents is an unforgivable crime. These two scoundrels are yours to deal with."

Li Si, tears in his eyes, bowed deeply to Wang Lun three times. Then, he suddenly stood up, grabbed his knife, and walked to the two terrified men. In the shocked cries of the villagers, he struck each of them, avenging the deaths of his parents and the humiliation of his wife.

After avenging his great wrong, Li Si, his eyes red with blood, let out a wild cry that startled the villagers. When his voice finally gave out, a dull thud was heard, and Li Si collapsed to the ground, unconscious.