Chapter 29

A few ruffians were all dumbfounded, and Zhao Yougong was also somewhat stunned. He had always thought that things like uprooting willows were just exaggerated tales, but after seeing Lu Zhishen's display today, he guessed that the monk could really uproot the big willow tree in the vegetable garden. A living person in his hands was like a light brick, to be thrown around as he pleased.

Why does it itch so much back there? Turning his head, he saw Zhao Fukin's eyes sparkling with stars, and her small hands constantly poking his waist. "Brother Ling, do you think the big monk is still human?"

"What do you mean, Fourth Sister? If the big monk isn't human, is he a god, a giant spirit, or a strongman?"

"....Brother Ling, what are you talking about? Who is this strongman?"

"The strongman, a legendary figure from the southeastern coastal areas. Alright, don't worry about this. Let's go help the big monk!"

Shameless! Zhao Fukin pouted, feeling both angry and amused. When the ruffians were showing off, Brother Ling had pulled her to hide far away. Now that the leaders were all thrown into the manure pit, Brother Ling was going to help. Why hasn't Brother Ling changed at all? He's always there when bullying others, but when it comes to real trouble, he's as timid as a mouse. Sniffing, Zhao Fukin grabbed Zhao Yougong's arm and pinched it hard.

"Brother Ling, you really disappoint me...."

"Disappoint what? This is called being practical, hehe! Haven't you heard the saying, 'A wise man knows the times'? I am a wise man. Hey, Fourth Sister, don't go, look at my face, isn't it handsome?"

Bending down slightly, his rather handsome face faced Zhao Fukin. The innocent Zhao Fukin pouted and unwillingly nodded, then put her hand on Zhao Yougong's forehead. "Handsome, but not a hero!"

A hero? Zhao Yougong never thought that the usually quiet and pure Fourth Sister would have a hero complex. Liking heroes is simple, just go to Liangshan. Although Liangshan isn't powerful yet.

The brother and sister came to the manure pit and saw that a few ruffians were already crying and begging for mercy. The so-called Third Brother was the most pitiful, his head and face covered in manure, probably because he fell headfirst.

"Master... Prince... We surrender, let us out!"

By now, Li San and the others knew Zhao Yougong's identity and were extremely relieved that they hadn't touched the young lady, or the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Lu Zhishen walked around with his water and fire staff, and the ruffians who hadn't fallen into the manure pit didn't dare to come to the rescue. Who would dare to provoke the monk after seeing him throw people like bricks?

"Hey, you ruffians, tell me your names!"

"Master, I am Fang Dashan, Zhang San, Li Si..."

Toothache, Zhao Fukin covered her mouth, laughing so hard her face was contorted. Lu Zhishen looked at Zhao Yougong and then laughed loudly, tapping Zhang San's forehead with his staff. "Zhang San, Li Si, what names are these?"

Being mocked, the ruffians were helpless. Their names were given by their parents, what could they do? Moreover, poor people couldn't even read, how could they come up with good names? Zhang San and Li Si were already decent, worse names like Zhang Dog or Li Ox were common.

Estimating that the ruffians were in pain, and with the young prince present, they couldn't help but be afraid. After a few words with Lu Zhishen, he let the ruffians climb out. Lu Zhishen and the others stayed far away, but the ruffians' stench was still strong. The ruffians were very uncomfortable and ran to the well as soon as they got out, shouting, "What are you waiting for? Fetch water!"

The younger ruffians hurried, "Splash... Splash..." A few buckets of water later, Zhang San and Li Si were drenched like drowned chickens.

After washing, Zhang San and Li Si came over, but this time they weren't as respectful as before. "Prince, Master, we didn't recognize your greatness. If you need us in the future, just command us!"

Zhao Yougong could tell that the ruffians were still不服气 (unconvinced). He guessed that once he left, they would still have evil thoughts. Lu Zhishen, being a thoughtful person, frowned and snorted.

"Big monk, you need to show them something, these ruffians are still unconvinced!"

"Um!" The big monk grunted and nodded, taking a few steps forward and pushing aside two ruffians blocking his way. The ruffians thought the monk would throw them into the manure pit again and backed away, but Lu Zhishen's target was a big willow tree. He pulled off his gray robe, revealing a bronze-colored body, muscular and strong, standing like an iron tower.

Leaning against the willow tree, Lu Zhishen wrapped his hands around it and squatted slightly, his muscles tensing.

What is this monk doing? Everyone watched in confusion, only Zhao Yougong smiled slightly.

The big monk's left leg pressed firmly on the ground, his right foot finding a foothold. His brows furrowed, almost fiercely. His left hand locked with his right, and with a loud shout, the willow tree shook violently.

"Up!"

His voice was like a bell, his spirit like a bull. What a hero, Lu Da! The soil loosened, and the willow tree was slowly uprooted. Lu Zhishen, carrying the willow tree, seemed to be carrying a mountain.

Sigh, when the willow tree was completely uprooted, the ruffians' legs started to tremble. Zhao Yougong's brows furrowed, and Fourth Sister covered her mouth in shock. Not human, not human, how much strength does the big monk have?

"Thud" Zhang San led the ruffians to their knees. They were truly convinced, not just convinced, but also afraid. Lu Zhishen was now a god in their hearts, untouchable.

"Master, we surrender, we surrender. From now on, you are our big brother, and we will respect you!"

Zhang San knelt and kowtowed, but Lu Zhishen didn't react. Zhao Fukin, however, was very disdainful. Just as she was about to say something, she yelped and jumped back.

What happened? Zhao Yougong thought Zhang San had thrown something, but Zhao Fukin pointed at Zhang San's head and said in a trembling voice, "Brother Ling, there's something on Zhang San's head...."

Something? Zhao Yougong walked over to look at Zhang San's head and almost vomited. In Zhang San's messy hair, there were several white, wriggling maggots.

Lu Zhishen, being a man of great spirit, couldn't stand the sight of maggots on someone's head. He kicked Zhang San's shoulder and shouted, "Wash again!"

The ruffians dragged Zhang San to the well, and Li Si and the others, fearing maggots, also washed several times.

The ruffians didn't stay in the vegetable garden for long. After agreeing to come back the next day, they left laughing. Once the ruffians were gone, Zhao Yougong's headache began. Lu Zhishen kept staring at him, as if he had many questions.

"Zhao... Prince, what do you need from me?"

Lu Zhishen's expression wasn't good. He knew that Zhao Yougong was known for bullying and extorting, and all the bad things that rich young men did. Such a person, Lu Zhishen didn't respect and didn't want to associate with. If not for having met Zhao Yougong, he would have scolded him long ago.

Seeing Lu Zhishen's expression, Zhao Yougong had expected it. He smiled bitterly and patted Zhao Fukin's shoulder. "Fourth Sister, let's go, the big monk is chasing us away!"

The Zhao siblings left, which was somewhat unexpected to Lu Zhishen. Watching them walk away, Lu Zhishen suddenly stood up. "Prince, can you tell me if the rumors about you are true?"

Of course, they are true. Zhao Yougong wouldn't deny it. He nodded and shrugged helplessly. "Big monk, do you see the world in only black and white?"

A confusing statement, Zhao Fukin didn't understand, but Lu Zhishen surely would.

Outside the garden, Zhao Fukin frowned, still angry. "Brother Ling, why didn't you argue with the big monk? We came to help him today, and he not only didn't appreciate it but also treated us like this!"

"Argue? Hehe, Fourth Sister, what is there to argue about with what I've done? Let's go, you're not hungry, but I am!"

The siblings waved goodbye and returned to the prince's mansion, where the sisters Mu Chun and Mu Xue had already prepared the meal.

Sitting at the table, Zhao Yougong asked, "Where is Su Guan?"

"Prince, Su Guan is eating by himself...."

Sigh, this Sakura, why is he so stubborn? His face showed anger, but mostly at himself. For Sakura, he felt only guilt, not anger.

As the sun rose and set, the warm spring days passed one by one. The secluded valley became lively again, signaling the start of the most important part of the flower queen competition: the dance and song.

Zhao Yougong arrived early as usual, but this time he sat in the most prominent place in the audience. Sitting there, he couldn't avoid Gao Yannian and the others, but what surprised Zhao Yougong was that Zhao Kai had a woman standing beside him.

The woman wore a curved sword, tall and slender, the same foreign woman he had seen before.

"Brother Ling, let me introduce you, this is the daughter of the Malang tribe's Tuoba Xian, Tuoba Qingyun!"

Zhao Yougong raised his eyebrows and looked away. "I know her!"

Tuoba Qingyun was even less polite, crossing her arms and laughing disdainfully. "Prince, no need to introduce, I've met him before!"

"Oh?"

Zhao Kai was puzzled. Did these two have a grudge? Why did they look at each other with such disdain, like a pair of enemies?

Though disdainful, Zhao Yougong was somewhat surprised. The Malang tribe was a powerful Tangut tribe. Since the Tang Zhen Guan period, the Malang tribe had been friendly with the Han people, and the Tuoba clan leader, Tuoba Chici, was given the surname Li. So Tuoba Qingyun should also be called Li Qingyun. A few decades ago, the defense commander of Yinzhou, Li Guangyan, killed Li Guangcen and occupied the Hetao region, leading to Li Jiqian's occupation of Yinzhou and Xiaozhou, establishing the Western Xia.

Li Guangyan's killing of Li Guangcen split the powerful Tuoba clan into two. The Pingxia tribe, led by Li Guangyan, established the Western Xia, while the Malang tribe moved south and allied with some Qiang tribes, active in the Hongzhou and Yinzhou regions.

Tuoba Qingyun's presence in Bianliang probably indicated that the Song Dynasty was trying to befriend the Malang tribe.