Chapter Six, the renowned general Sun Chuanting

However, what exactly prompted Liu Zongmin to personally lead the army to besiege Luojiao Mountain, neglecting even the main camp? It is indeed quite puzzling

Sun Chuanting followed the direction pointed by Gao Jie and saw a young man dressed in bizarre clothing standing before him. It was truly strange; his face was painted in a myriad of colors, resembling a watermelon. The helmet on his head was unlike anything he had ever seen, not even heard of. His attire was equally colorful, and if he were thrown into the bushes, one would hardly be able to discern that there was a person there. He carried an extraordinarily peculiar weapon on his back. Could this be someone from Java?

Zhu Jie sighed and said: "My lord, the supervisor, my late master was merely a wandering monk. Ten years ago, he took me in when I was lost in the world, allowing me to accompany him and travel the world. He has always been a carefree spirit, hidden among the grass and weeds, and I fear that no one knows his name anymore. Alas, having lived over a hundred years, he passed away last year..."

Zhu Jie said proudly: "My lord, the supervising officer, they are merely a group of bandits and thieves. I truly do not take them seriously. Originally, I was wandering alone in the rivers and lakes, living freely and comfortably, but for no reason, I have encountered such troubles. These bandits are indeed too rampant; if I do not give them a profound lesson, they will not understand the severity of the situation!"

Sun Chuanting nodded and replied, "Indeed, this is the case. If Liu Zongmin had not left the main camp, causing the bandits to be leaderless, how could you have so easily infiltrated the bandits' main camp?"

However, in the face of such extraordinary individuals, Sun Chuanting did not dare to be negligent. Throughout history, anyone with true ability has been proud and exceptional, astonishing the world.

This is not a place for conversation; brave sir, please follow this governor into the tent to discuss matters, please...

Gao Jie chuckled and said, "My lord, this time I have brought you back a treasure. This peculiar person, both in attire and appearance, as well as in speech, is quite strange. It was he who suddenly appeared while we were trying to stabilize the situation against the thieves, and with one move, he dealt with Liu Zongmin, which allowed us to achieve a great victory!"

Zhu Jie scrutinized Sun Chuanting, the last pillar of the Ming Dynasty as legend has it. He was tall and robust, with a fair complexion. Although he appeared quite fatigued, his gaze revealed a spirit of defiance and determination. He was a capable minister, yet also a thorny character

Zhu Jie replied mysteriously

Sun Chuanting was greatly shocked, gazing solemnly at Gao Jie, and asked: "What on earth is going on? Who is so formidable that they can emerge unscathed from an assault by thousands, even when the opponent deployed more than a dozen artillery pieces and still could not subdue them"

As the foremost commander during the late Ming Dynasty, Lu Xiangsheng is a legendary figure of this era, possessing both literary and martial prowess, as well as extraordinary talent and immense strength. He is a character of mythic proportions. Sun Chuanting worked alongside Lu Xiangsheng for a period and is very familiar with him. Now, Gao Jie believes that this eccentric individual is even more formidable than Lu Xiangsheng, indicating that his abilities are certainly not to be underestimated

Gao Jiexing exclaimed excitedly

Supervisor, esteemed Supervisor!

Sun Chuanting lamented, "Such a transcendent figure from beyond the world, yet I have only had the fortune of a single encounter; it seems that I am unworthy of receiving your teachings. I wonder what plans the valiant Zhu has for the future. This time, you have first slain one or two hundred bandits and dealt a heavy blow to Liu Zongmin, causing a significant defeat for the bandits. I fear they will not let you off easily..."

Zhu Jie followed Sun Chuanting into the command tent

Sun Chuanting exclaimed, "What kind of strange person?"

Hurry, hurry, let him come in to see me immediately

In the Ming army's camp, carts of grain and fodder were being pulled into the camp, amounting to several thousand stones, enough to nearly fill the Ming army's supply trains. This battle, taking advantage of Liu Zongmin's oversight, resulted in a great victory, much to Sun Chuanting's delight

Gao Jie became excited again and mysteriously said: "My Lord Supervisor, did you not tell us before the battle that Liu Zongmin left the main camp to command over a thousand men to besiege Deer Horn Mountain?"

After the two individuals took their seats, Sun Chuanting then inquired, "Your Excellency, please forgive my impertinence, but your attire does not seem to belong to a subject of the Great Ming, does it?"

Sun Chuanting exclaimed urgently, "Forget it, I should personally go out to welcome such an extraordinary person, after all, he has greatly assisted us!"

Sun Chuanting stood up and, under the guidance of Gao Jie, arrived outside the command tent

At the moment when Sun Chuanting was secretly pondering, Gao Jie returned to the central military camp with Zhu Jie to meet Sun Chuanting

My lord, I must not hide from you that I am indeed a subject of the Ming Dynasty. As for this attire, it is only during battle that I would don such a garb. This outfit is a treasure left to me by my esteemed master

Sir Inspector, this is the extraordinary person I mentioned to you!

I am unaware of which esteemed master you are referring to

Sun Chuanting raised his head and smiled, saying: "General Gao, indeed, this battle was truly exhilarating. Liu Zongmin's forces are formidable, and I was worried that you would turn this surprise attack into a half-baked effort. Unexpectedly, it went so smoothly! General Gao, you and General Niu have made significant contributions..."

Sun Chuanting immediately became spirited and asked anxiously, "What do you mean? You brought this strange person back?"

Gao Jie laughed and said: "Liu Zongmin's siege of Deer Horn Mountain this time was not to capture any scouts, but rather he mistakenly believed that this peculiar person was one of our scouts, leading to a manhunt. Initially, there were only a few dozen people involved, but later the number increased to one hundred, and then to three hundred, yet they still could not capture this peculiar individual. In the end, Liu Zongmin, who had lost face, personally took action, mobilizing over a thousand men and deploying more than a dozen cannons to besiege Deer Horn Mountain. However, the result was still that they could not capture this person, and instead suffered heavy losses, allowing this peculiar individual to escape unscathed"

Sun Chuanting nodded slightly; such an eccentric person must have had an extraordinary master.

Zhu Jie had long anticipated that Sun Chuanting would inquire about his background, as his peculiar attire was indeed too eye-catching.

Mysterious person? Instant heavy blow to Liu Zongmin?

Gao Jie blushed and replied, "My Lord Supervisor, this time it is indeed quite precarious. Originally, Liu Zongmin had swiftly returned to the main camp and was just about to stabilize the situation. I was also being suppressed by Liu Zongmin to the point where I could not lift my head. Just at that moment, a strange person suddenly intervened, instantly inflicting severe damage on Liu Zongmin. Liu Zongmin was injured and unable to continue fighting, so he could only retreat. We took the opportunity to charge at him, completely overwhelming the intruders, leaving them utterly defenseless..."

Zhu Jie slightly bowed and clasped his fists, saying: "Commoner Zhu Jie pays his respects to the esteemed Supervisor. This meeting is purely a matter of coincidence, and I, as a commoner, do not dare to seek credit for it"

Gao Jie nodded and replied: "He is currently waiting outside the door for your summons, Sir Supervisor. I believe this fellow is definitely not to be underestimated; he may even be more formidable than Lu Xiangsheng of yesteryear!"

Sun Chuanting hurriedly clasped his hands and said: "This brave man, Chuanting is deeply grateful for your assistance, which has enabled us to achieve a great victory over the bandits. Your contributions are indispensable!"