Chapter 34: The Three Heroes Return to Mount Liang

"Brother Sun An, let him go."

Seeing Zhu Wu and Yang Chun approaching, Ren Yuan signaled to Sun An that there was no need to be too hard on Chen Da.

"You got it, Brother."

Sun An chuckled as he released Chen Da, giving his shoulder a friendly pat. "Next time, don't charge in so recklessly. You have to save some energy for yourself, or else you'll be helpless when you run into a real expert."

After hearing this, Chen Da didn't leave; instead, he plopped himself down on the ground.

"What are you doing?" Sun An asked, amused.

"You beat me, captured me, and now you want to just let me go? I feel like I've lost face, so I'm not leaving." Chen Da sat there, acting quite stubborn.

"You blockhead." Sun An sighed, helpless. He had no choice but to let him sit there.

"I do not know if you gentlemen are fellow travelers of the greenwood or officials of the government. My brother Chen Da was rash and offended you. I, Zhu Wu, am here to offer our apologies on his behalf."

Zhu Wu and Yang Chun had dismounted and rushed over. Upon finding that Chen Da was unhurt, merely captured, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

"If we were officials, what would you do? And if we were fellow travelers, what would you do then?" Ren Yuan stepped forward, standing face-to-face with Zhu Wu.

Zhu Wu realized that Ren Yuan was the leader and pondered for a moment before replying: "If you heroes were government officials looking to capture the three of us for a reward, we would fight to the death with you. But it appears you are fellow travelers. This is a case of the water flooding the Dragon King's temple—a misunderstanding between family. Since it is a matter of the greenwood, we shall follow its rules. My brother offended you; please tell us your demands."

"And what if these fellow travelers also wanted to take my brother to claim a reward?" Ren Yuan asked with a touch of interest.

Zhu Wu pulled Yang Chun down to kneel with him. "Then please take us both as well! You may not know this, but the three of us were driven by legal troubles to take to the hills. We swore an oath: 'Not asking to be born on the same day, but willing to die on the same day.' Though we lack the righteousness of Guan, Zhang, and Liu, our hearts are the same. Today, my brother Chen Da ignored good advice and offended your might. He has been captured, and we have no other plea. If you intend to turn him over to the authorities for a reward, please take all three of us. Zhu Wu will not frown, nor will he harbor any resentment."

Watching this, Chen Da’s eyes welled with tears. He choked out, "It was all my impulse that harmed my brothers. In the next life, I will serve as an ox or a horse to repay you!"

"Hey, hey, hey! I know you three are close, but don't get so sentimental. Look closely—do we look like the type to turn you over to the authorities?"

Shi Qian watched the scene and couldn't help but laugh. These three brothers were truly interesting.

"Huh? You’re not here to turn us in?" Chen Da, the blockhead, finally realized.

"You idiot, you were the one who demanded a toll without even asking who we were! Are you not ashamed?" Shi Qian teased.

"May I ask who you brothers are?" the silent Yang Chun finally spoke. He had been observing the four men. The three large-framed men, despite their restrained auras, were undoubtedly top-tier experts. Not to mention Chen Da alone—even if the three of them attacked together, it was unlikely they could win! As for the lean man, while his martial arts might be average, his quick and powerful legs suggested he was a master of light-footed techniques. But no matter how hard Yang Chun tried, he couldn't identify them. When did such formidable figures emerge in the Song Dynasty greenwood?

"Heh, you’ve asked the right person! I am 'Flea on a Drum' Shi Qian. The one who captured your blockheaded brother is Brother Sun An, known as the 'Dragon Slayer.' That master is the dual-blade monk, Master Guanghui of Pingfeng Ridge, and this last one is our brother, the new Great Chieftain of Liangshan, Ren Yuan, known as the 'Pillar of Heaven'!"

"Good heavens! It is Brother Ren Yuan!"

The expressions of Zhu Wu and his companions shifted. They had been discussing the situation at Liangshan and admiring it, never expecting to meet the man himself!

"Brother, please forgive us! We have long admired you, but we never had the chance to meet. I never imagined our first encounter would be like this." Zhu Wu pulled Yang Chun up to apologize to Ren Yuan, while shooting a glare at the still-confused Chen Da. This blockhead—attacking without even asking a name!

"Ah? You are Brother Ren Yuan! You should have said so! If I had known, I wouldn't have started this fight!" Chen Da finally grasped the situation. He had actually tried to rob his idol! This was truly absurd!

"Blockhead, you were the one who attacked without asking names, and you have the nerve to say that!" Shi Qian glared at Chen Da, thinking that bringing this guy back to Liangshan might lower the average intelligence of the stronghold.

"Alright, Shi Qian, that's enough. Brother Chen Da is forthright and a man of his word; he just shouldn't be so reckless in the future." Ren Yuan stopped Shi Qian, knowing the man had a sharp tongue.

"Brother, what brings you to Shaohua Mountain?" Zhu Wu asked. Although he had a vague guess, he couldn't quite believe it. His mountain was so small and obscure; how could...

"I heard that Shaohua Mountain has three heroes, and Liangshan is currently in dire need of a strategist, so I came specifically to invite you three to join us. I wonder if you are willing?" Ren Yuan looked at Zhu Wu and nodded, stating his purpose.

"Ah! You want us to join Liangshan?" Yang Chun was stunned. Was this good news? Of course it was! Shaohua Mountain lacked both resources and men, while Liangshan had recently earned a great reputation for "acting on behalf of Heaven" and boasted over a thousand followers. It was far superior to Shaohua Mountain! Anyone could see that if Liangshan continued to grow, it would eventually contend for the title of the number one stronghold in the Song Dynasty. Why would they hesitate? Of course they would go!

"Yes. While Liangshan is expanding rapidly, we are far short of leaders. Are you three willing to come up the mountain and take a seat?"

"We are willing! We are, aren't we, Big Brother?" Chen Da agreed immediately, fearing that Zhu Wu might reject the offer in a moment of madness.

"Since you value us so much, Brother, and even came personally to invite us, we are naturally willing!" Zhu Wu was also deeply moved. He was a man with grand ambitions who had lacked an opportunity, and now that one was before him, he would not let it slip.

"I am willing, too! From now on, Yang Chun's life belongs to Brother Ren Yuan!" Yang Chun pledged. People strive for better things; even as bandits, they should strive to be the greatest in the world!

"Hahaha, good! On behalf of Liangshan, I welcome you three brothers!"

Ren Yuan had been slightly worried earlier, as Liangshan, though gaining fame, was not yet in its prime. He hadn't expected his previous actions of distributing grain to earn such a good reputation, making many heroes willing to join a stronghold that was both righteous and promising.

"Zhu Wu—oh, excuse me, Strategist—I look forward to your guidance in the future." Ren Yuan patted Zhu Wu on the shoulder. It was truly difficult to recruit a talented strategist.

"I, Zhu Wu, will not fail your expectations, Brother." Zhu Wu felt deeply grateful. He knew Liangshan lacked a strategist, and to be entrusted with such a heavy responsibility right away moved the hearts of these loyal men.

"Let's go! Pack up, we're heading to the mountain!"

"Brother, which mountain?"

"You blockhead! Back to Liangshan, of course!"