Chapter 3: The Adventures of the Longsword and the Commoner

In that case, thank you very much!" Deng Chen continued to clasp his hands in salute to everyone, then thought for a moment and added loudly: "To be honest, both Brother Bosheng and I come from official families and have some standing in the local community. If a small group of rebellious soldiers comes to attack later, everyone can act freely. If any officials come to question us, Bosheng and I will certainly step forward to discuss the matter with them!"

"My courtesy name is Gongsun! I have met Brother Bosheng, Brother Weiqing, and all the other brothers!" Feng Yi immediately clasped his fists in return and simultaneously stated his courtesy name

Open the door, open the door, the county magistrate has issued an order to search the entire city for bandits!

Before long, indeed, more than a dozen ruffians arrived, brandishing torches and attempting to break down the door. While they were smashing, they also shouted menacingly: "Open the door, quickly open the door. Those inside, listen well, we are acting under the orders of the county magistrate to pursue the bandits of Phoenix Mountain. If you dare to refuse the search, you will be treated as accomplices in harboring criminals"

Indeed! Liu Zhi proudly nodded and raised his hands in response, "Brother Deng, just call me Boxian. My father and my uncle have both served as county magistrates. Since childhood, I have been by their side and have seen how they handle cases quite often"

I have not yet reached adulthood and have the honor of meeting all of you, my esteemed seniors

In the following table, the character "Water" ... ...

The door slammed shut once again with a loud "bang," as Deng Chen and his accomplices secured it tightly. Liu Yan quickly caught up with his prey, first stabbing through the man's thigh with a sword, then piercing his shoulder. This rendered the man instantly incapacitated, as he clutched his wound and rolled on the ground, pleading, "Spare my life, good sir, spare my life. I have an eighty-year-old mother above me, and below me..."

All local ruffians and thugs are of a cowardly nature, knowing that they have kicked a big iron plate this time, they can only honestly admit their misfortune

Unlike Liu Yan, who was known for his chivalrous spirit, he harbored an additional layer of caution in his heart. He was aware that the shouts exchanged between Liu Xiu and his nephew Deng Feng on the rooftop, although unlikely to reach the city gate, were certainly heard clearly by many people in the inn. Therefore, he decided to bring everyone onto the same boat to prevent anyone from reporting to the authorities, which could lead to unwarranted calamity for the Liu and Deng families

I am Wei Qing, and I have met all of you, my elder brothers!" Deng Chen cupped his hands in salute and, in doing so, performed a traditional bow.

At our age, we are not even as good as they are

Ah... Liu Xiu was caught off guard by his brother, staggering a few steps before directly falling back into the lobby of the inn

"You all are taking advantage of the chaos; you should have been handed over to the authorities for execution in public. " Liu Zhi of Julu, who had a rough understanding of the law, stepped on a fat ruffian and loudly added, "But we, being benevolent, do not wish to lead you to your own demise. We will give you a lesson first, and once the turmoil outside has subsided, we will naturally allow you to return home to recuperate. However, if you do not know what is good for you and insist on shouting and calling for your accomplices, hmph, I would not mind ridding the world of your kind. Let us see if the authorities will grant you any leniency afterward"

The four young men were all strikingly handsome, and their demeanor was simple and endearing. Although they were unable to assist Xiao Mengchang and Liu Yan as they had hoped, the moment they were sent back to the main hall, they dispelled the tense atmosphere in the courtyard.

As soon as Liu Yan announced his name, he immediately received the full support of Feng Yi, Liu Zhi, Zhang Jun, and others. The reason is simple: the five characters "Chunling Xiao Mengchang" are enough to prove Liu Yan's character and integrity. If he were not usually generous and bold, willing to take risks and responsibilities, he would not have earned such a distinguished title. If today he were to lead everyone into a predicament, the first thing to be destroyed would be his reputation, which for a commoner and a chivalrous man without any official position would be a consequence far more severe than death.

Then let's hold on until dark! Xiao Mengchang and Liu Yan listened to Liu Zhi's eloquent words and immediately nodded with a smile

Feng Yi, Liu Zhi, and others listened, thinking he was merely boosting morale, and they all nodded in agreement with smiles. Immediately, everyone looked around and divided the easily climbable spots near the main gate into sections, with each person taking their sword and leading the inn's staff to be responsible for a specific section. They then stretched their muscles, relaxed their blood flow, and quietly awaited the arrival of the "evil guests"

"Get lost, my brother-in-law and I are still alive, so it's not your turn to show off!" Liu Yan unceremoniously raised his left hand, pressing down on his younger brother Liu Xiu's head, pulling, pushing, and spinning him around like a top, before giving him a kick on the backside.

"Let them in, then close the door and deal with the dog!" Liu Yan peeked outside through the crack of the door, then quietly discussed with everyone.

I, Zixiu Feng, have met ... ...

Seven roguish heroes, bathed in the glow of the evening sunset, tread upon the dripping bloodstains, engaging in laughter and conversation. Their clean faces and eyes cause the thick smoke in the sky to lose its color.

Grandfather counts several numbers, ten, nine, eight, seven ... ...

Is there an elder in Brother Liu's family who can act as a proxy for the criminal case? Yet, from Liu Zhi's words, Deng Chen sensed a different undertone. He cupped his hands and inquired with a smile

Xinye Deng Chen saw the opportunity and immediately waved his arm, smiling as he said: "The one with the broad forehead is Bo Sheng's younger brother. The one with the dark face is my nephew. They are usually spoiled at home, and their words and actions are unruly. In their recklessness, I hope all the brothers will be understanding."

Liu Zhi was too lazy to torment them. After obtaining the consent of several other heroes, he immediately ordered his men to tie these ruffians to the pillars outside the house as a warning to others. He then glanced at the sky, which was beginning to darken, and said softly: "At the time just before darkness falls, people's hearts are most anxious. The petty criminals are also the most unrestrained. Once it is completely dark, people's hearts tend to calm down. I see that the county magistrate of Cen County actually has the audacity to bring Ma Wu into the city; he must not be someone who relies solely on bribery to gain his position, and he should have some capability. Previously caught off guard by the county soldiers and the ruffians, once he regains his composure, he will surely take decisive measures to prevent the villains from taking advantage of the situation to exploit the people for their own gain!"

"Close the door, take action!" Liu Yan shouted loudly, swinging his treasured sword and slashing at the ankle of the nearest thug. The opponent had originally hoped to catch a group of docile lambs waiting to be slaughtered in the inn, but never expected to provoke a pack of fierce tigers. Instantly terrified, they screamed in horror, using their hands and feet to scramble and roll away in a desperate attempt to escape

Once everyone was ready, Deng Chen stepped forward and forcefully pulled the door latch. "Boom!" The wooden door was instantly pushed open, creating a massive three-foot-wide gap. The thugs outside, who were pushing hard, were caught off guard and tumbled in like rolling gourds.

The men of the Han family have always been known for their bravery and chivalry, with well-bred sons carrying swords as they venture out, a tradition that has persisted for generations. The likes of Guo Jie and Ju Meng, who were commoners yet exemplified chivalry, are particularly revered among the people. Even the Grand Historian could not help but dedicate a separate biography to them. Although the court occasionally resorts to severe repression, the righteous individuals can still rally a hundred responses at critical moments.

"No problem, no problem!" Feng Yi smiled and waved his hand gently

The other several heroes also laughed and responded loudly

Zhang Jun, Xu Yu, and Qu Yang each stepped forward, either announcing their courtesy names or greeting everyone again.

I dare not, I dare not, noble grandfather, have mercy, have mercy!

Indeed, several young brothers with a chivalrous heart are truly admirable; how could one possibly blame them

Open the door, open the door, those inside should not deceive themselves

"Shut up, or don't blame me for killing you to silence you!" Liu Yan shouted loudly, immediately silencing the cries. Turning to look at the other companions, it was similar; each had captured the ruffians who had been thrown in through the door.

Good! Feng Yi, Liu Zhi, and others nodded without hesitation, then firmly gripped the hilt of their swords and returned to the front of the gate, forming a half-circle.

Good sir, you are magnanimous, so please spare...

"Elder brother, we are here to lend you a helping hand!" In the next moment, four young men rushed out from the first floor of the inn, brandishing half-foot-long short swords, vowing to advance and retreat together with Liu Yan and Deng Chen.

We are blind to our own faults, please, noble elder, show us mercy

Brothers Liu and Deng, please rest assured, we...

Hahaha... Feng Yi, Liu Zhi, and others were amused to the point of laughter, imitating Liu Yan's manner, and lifted their legs to "kick" back the three young boys, Deng Feng, Yan Guang, and Zhu You, into the main hall.