Chapter 6, The Deranged Neighbor

Pound

Sun Wu knelt down following Xiao Shang's tug, speculating whether Xiao Shang wanted to share a secret with him. However, he felt it was unlikely; if there was something to say, it would have been expressed during the long period just passed.

This answer is very difficult to articulate, but Sun Wu still mustered the courage to briefly explain the current situation to his sister

"You feel nothing, do you? No wonder, a country bumpkin probably cannot comprehend military ranks or understand what an imperial decree is. Logically, you should be taken away now and subjected to severe torture along with your fellow villagers. However, I still have some interest in you. I can offer you a chance; as long as you provide me with the answer I seek, I can grant you and your sister freedom"

On the way to the captain's cabin, Sun Wu was initially in a daze, completely losing his ability to think. However, after a few soldiers around him kicked him in annoyance, his consciousness immediately returned, and he began to assess the situation between the enemy and himself

The one-eyed female captain burst into laughter, gesturing to the adjutant at the door, and immediately someone presented a file book. Nalan Yuandie casually pulled out two or three documents from the file book and tossed them in front of Sun Wu. When the young man saw the images and text on the documents, he was momentarily unable to believe it.

"Little demon, my patience is limited. Reveal the location of the secret treasure of Liangshan Marsh, or not only will these criminals die, but even you siblings will be buried alongside them"

In the village, Aunt Wu, who has a disability in her legs, makes a living by cutting hair for others. She has a good relationship with her son and occasionally goes to their home for meals. Her original name was Wu Suzheng, and she was nicknamed "The Heavenly Severing Blade Demon." Sold into a brothel at a young age, she fortuitously obtained a strange magical artifact. Subsequently, she killed all the clients in the brothel, sealing the acupoints of each prostitute and burning them alive. From then on, she became a feared female demon in the martial world, abducting and torturing women in the dead of night, breaking their limbs, listening to their cries, and finally slitting their throats to kill them. By the time she was forced to flee to Liangshan Marsh, a total of ninety-seven innocent young girls had fallen victim to her brutal killings

Unable to respond, Sun Wu knew that most of the villagers had criminal records. They were likely once notorious bandits and thieves, but he thought they were merely ordinary robbers. He never imagined that among them were so many who were inherently brutal, almost to the point of being morally depraved and perverse.

"Xiao Shang, Sister Feng cannot explain to you... People do not only do the right things; sometimes, even when you know the best method, you just cannot proceed. I think... this is what it means to be human."

The image in the mirror was abruptly severed, devoid of light and shadow, with only the lingering sound of that phrase echoing in his ears. Sun Wu's heart was in turmoil; on one hand, he felt regret and guilt, while on the other, he was perplexed. His grand act of leaving home had undoubtedly turned into a catastrophe. He should have taken full responsibility, yet the outside world was so vast, and he still believed that beautiful things existed. To simply give up was, in fact, an irrational act

So what? Is there anyone among them who does not deserve to die

Sun Wu truly did not know what treasure there was, but the impact of those archival documents reminded him of certain matters. Although there was no treasure in the village, it was not devoid of secrets. In the past, his father often took him and Xiao Shang to play in the back mountain, mostly during the day, but there was one occasion that took place at midnight. His father's tone and demeanor were very strange, vastly different from his usual cheerful image, even causing Sun Wu to feel a bit scared.

Uh, Brother Xiaowu? ... This is the first time in this lifetime that you have called me like this

Sun Wu was extremely anxious, fearing that something had happened to his sister. He called out several times without receiving a response, but faint snoring could be heard from the Four Divine Mirrors, and a thought flashed through his mind.

Without producing any actual sound, the listening bug transmits sound wave vibrations directly to the receiver's ear through skin contact, completely eliminating the fear of secondary eavesdropping

The power of surging energy could not be contained; the youth yielded to the most natural response within him. In the room filled with red light, he unleashed a heavy punch, and in an instant, the dazzling golden radiance engulfed the red light

"Are they all good people? Can there be good people who seek refuge at Liangshan Marsh? These words are indeed quite interesting"

As the door to the library room was heavily shut, the girl, whose figure was shrouded in darkness, returned to her accustomed normal expression, coldly sat down, and raised her finger. A strange bug, resembling an ant, came to rest on her index finger

A pitch-black image emerged in the Four Divine Mirrors, seemingly just a simple prison cell, devoid of any furniture, yet the sound of clanking iron chains and shackles could be heard.

I do not understand

Having practiced martial arts for many years since childhood, Sun Wu found himself with almost no real combat experience. This was the first time he was prepared for battle, carefully assessing each enemy around him and judging the likelihood of victory. Currently in a state of exhaustion, he could not channel his true energy, but with two or three days of rest, he would fully recover his strength. At that time, he could take advantage of the enemy's misjudgment of him to launch a surprise attack. Although it might not change the overall situation, there was still hope to escape with his sister and Xiao Shang.

Goodbye, Brother Xiao Wu

"Is that you, Xiao Wu? Where is this place? Why am I here? Is it another prank by you and Xiao Shang?"

... ... I was kissed. ... ... ... I kissed a twelve-year-old girl ... ! ... I am a beast! I am truly guilty of a heinous crime ... ! I. ... ...

My sister is not a fat woman

Absolutely. The fear that everyone has of that person runs too deep, and the imprint of blood within them is firmly established. Unless you order the seal to be lifted, they will maintain this state until death. As long as you take Xiao Wu and escape later, finding a remote and impoverished place to hide, I guarantee no one will discover you. We could even rebuild a smaller version of Liangshan, and this time, having learned a lesson, Xiao Wu will not want to run away. A crisis can turn into an opportunity, and you could even resolve the issue once and for all, which would be a gain.

"Xiao Shang, what do you want me to leave for you?"

Then let's take it one step at a time! We haven't committed any grave crimes like murder or treason, so we won't be sentenced to death. At most, we might just be sold into prostitution. As long as there's wine to drink, I can be comfortable wherever I go. If the guests are strong men, I can even close my eyes and enjoy it. Life is like this; it changes constantly, and we just need to get used to it.

What should I do? The enemy is very strong. How can I escape with my sister and Xiao Shang?

Has communication been ensured?

Indeed, it is like this... However, in doing so, it would cost the lives of all the villagers in exchange...

"Xiao Shang, do you think ...? ... Did I do something wrong?"

Is this woman crazy? Treasure... How could such things be buried in Liangshanbo?

Ah ... ... Woe!

As soon as these words were spoken, not only did Nalan Yuandie throw back his head and laugh, but even Sun Wu himself felt it was rather strange. Undoubtedly, he should fight to defend his sister, but in this regard... isn't it equivalent to speaking nonsense with eyes wide open?

Is Xiao Wu being taken away

"Sister, how can you be so ...? ... open-minded? Aren't you scared out of your wits? You don't need to be afraid, I will definitely protect you"

After the words were spoken, the young man remained completely indifferent. He was raised in Liangshan Marsh, and the titles of the outside world had no relevance to him; they could not intimidate him.

The momentary hesitation did not escape the gaze of the one-eyed female captain. Although the young man quickly donned a resolute and defiant expression, Nalan Yuandie had already confirmed that seeking out this little brat for questioning was indeed the right choice.

Xiao Shang quietly warned, preparing to cut off the image of the Four Divine Mirrors, but before the image disappeared, a message came through from that side:

The insect resembles an ant, but is somewhat smaller. Its wings produce a subtle "buzz" when flapped. Without magnifying it dozens of times with instruments, one would never discern that this insect is constructed from mechanical components and possesses the ability to transmit sound and images

"Hahaha, how ridiculous. Little brat, ordinary thieves might have the chance to turn over a new leaf, but just look at the documents. Which of these people isn't utterly deranged, cruel, and bloodthirsty? They can even kill their own masters who have raised and taught them for over a decade, and they annihilate entire families. Do you really think such people can repent? Are you an idiot, or do you take me for one?"

However, in my four years of interaction with them, they have not only been kind-hearted but have also treated me very well, just like anyone else. What could be the reason for this? Is it possible that these fourteen years of life have all been a facade?

"You, you have gone too far. The uncles and elders in the village, as well as those older grandfathers, are all good people. What right do you have to treat them this way?"

"Sister Feng, Xiao Wu and I were originally burying something at school when that warship suddenly landed in the village. A lot of soldiers came out, and we were just captured like that"

Using the communication terminology of Western alien races is an essential knowledge for a talisman craftsman, as the current source of talisman technology originates from these Western alien races. Without an understanding of the relevant written language, one would be unable to comprehend the literature. As she repeated it for the second time, a response came from the other end via the listening insect.

The precious first kiss, due to excessive fright, left no beautiful memories at all. In fact, the force of the impact was so intense that Sun Wu's two rows of teeth ached to the point of tears. However, in that brief kiss, Xiao Shang used her tongue to push something into the boy's mouth, causing him to swallow it in an instant

"Little brother, your name is Sun Wu, is it not? The testimonies from the villagers state that the fat woman, who required five soldiers to carry her back, is your sister?"

"It has already come to this point; can the matter still be concealed?"

This moment of hesitation immediately revealed an unusual expression on Sun Wu's face, catching the attention of Nalan Yuandie. Sun Wu realized something was amiss and was about to steady his mind to prevent the enemy from noticing any flaws, but unexpectedly, Nalan Yuandie suddenly reached out to remove her eye mask. Her blind left eye unexpectedly emitted a strange red light, and in an instant, a burst of red radiance enveloped the entire room

Someone has arrived

A portion of the elderly, women, and children were confined in the school, but the majority of the men were taken aboard the warship, subjected to imprisonment and torture. From another perspective, our main fighting force has successfully infiltrated every part of the enemy's stronghold, and the enemy remains completely unaware.

Remaining silent, Sun Wu was originally focused on how to propose favorable conditions to deceive the enemy into believing that he possessed information about the treasure. However, upon hearing this statement, his anger surged to his head.

There is no problem; the listening devices have already been scattered throughout the ship and can transmit your orders at any time. I believe they are also waiting for your command.

This request left Sun Wu stunned. Having lived in Liangshan Marsh for fourteen years, he had never heard of any high-priced treasures in the village. The villagers typically farmed and raised livestock, being entirely self-sufficient. Even when there were trades, they were almost always barter transactions, and at most, they would use copper coins. Gold and silver, being high-value items, were completely useless in the village, let alone the existence of any treasure.

( At this moment, thinking about all this is meaningless. Even if I wish to no longer interact with the outside world, we will soon be sent to prison, making it impossible to avoid contact... )

They have already been taken away, and their current status is unknown. The leader of this ship seems formidable, and using listening devices carries considerable risk

However, viewing the situation from this perspective, Sun Wu realized that the challenges were numerous. Along the way, he encountered several officers adorned with badges, whose strength seemed formidable, making it difficult to assess whether they were stronger or weaker than himself. Even if he could gain a slight advantage over them, he could not overlook the troublesome situation of being besieged by a group of enemies. Moreover, these adversaries were all capable of using magical artifacts in battle, and considering the disparity in weaponry, it was nearly impossible to find a chance of victory

The effects of the alcohol had not yet fully worn off, and Feng Jie’s sweet voice sounded somewhat blurred. However, Sun Wu found it strange, as his sister's tone was exactly the same as Xiao Shang's, revealing little sadness or fear.

"You are young and have not committed any wrongdoings, and your sister also has no criminal record. You are an exception in this den of iniquity. As long as you provide information and serve the country, I can allow you to leave and live in peace."

The longevity of Liangshan Marsh floating in the air relies on a massive floating system and a super artifact. The artifact provides power, and through a meticulously designed system, its effects are realized. The person responsible for managing this system is Xiaoshang, which means she knows more secrets and intelligence than others.

Although I believe that this must be a case of misinformation from the outside world, misunderstanding the true situation of Liangshan Marsh, it is undeniable that this female captain is seeking my assistance. There may be an opportunity to negotiate and maneuver, striving for greater leeway

The matter is not yet concluded; until the impact reaches its final outcome, there is no right or wrong to speak of. The key lies in what you wish to do now

A decision had already been made between the sentences, and Xiao Shang did not offer much persuasion. She had never been one to waste words on matters that were already settled. Since the decision-maker had made a choice, it was most efficient to cooperate with that decision and proceed accordingly

After adjusting the brightness of the Four Divine Mirrors, Xiao Shang finally saw the scene within. Feng Jie’s hands were shackled to the wall with iron chains, and she appeared to be leaning against the wall in a state of confusion. There were no visible injuries on her body, indicating that she was likely unhurt, but her dazed appearance was quite concerning.

"Little Brother Xiao Wu ... ... "

"Treasure, treasure?"

Long isolated from the world, the imagination of Liangshan Marsh has led to countless rumors and embellishments. The consequence of this is the emergence of numerous foolish individuals who overestimate their abilities and attempt to seize treasures from the marsh. The method of ascending Liangshan Marsh via the Cloud Road and Heavenly Ladder has been deliberately disseminated; relying solely on this ineffective method can automatically eliminate 95% of the fools. Moreover, whenever an organization intends to conduct a large-scale search for Liangshan Marsh, it can temporarily evade detection by drifting with the wind. The method of ascending Liangshan Marsh via the Cloud Road and Heavenly Ladder has been deliberately disseminated; relying solely on this ineffective method can automatically eliminate 95% of the fools. Moreover, whenever an organization intends to conduct a large-scale search for Liangshan Marsh, it can temporarily evade detection by drifting with the wind.

Do you know what something called fear is? Hearing you say that, I truly feel very afraid

In fact, you understand as well, it's just that you cannot yet comprehend... Never mind, now tell me how the distribution of everyone who has been detained is.

However, the final result has an error in calculation. How should we address this deviation now

"Even if they have committed wrongdoings in the past, once they entered Liangshan Marsh, they have already turned over a new leaf and started anew, you..."

After a romantic farewell kiss, there comes the cruel separation. However, Sun Wu is oblivious to these feelings, as the guards even hold him by both arms, forcibly dragging him away.

I have a very bad feeling about this

"Little Shang ... ... When sister was captured, wasn't it ... ..."

Oh, has our Liangshan Marsh already perished

The timely fabrication of a story helped Sun Wu avert a crisis, yet the question posed by his sister sent a shock through his heart. Although the golden bell can withstand countless blades, it can only protect oneself and cannot shield others. Even if he stands in front of his sister to block the knife, what about behind her? How can he protect her?

... ... a kiss

The answer was delivered with unwavering certainty, and a chill wind swept through the dark cabin, silencing even the eavesdropper on the other end. This silence was not due to the cold-bloodedness of the respondent, but rather because of the answer's unparalleled correctness

The sound was crisp and delicate, and the crying of the little girl, with her childlike voice, truly tugged at one's heartstrings. Even the several soldiers standing at the door did not dare to urge her further, preparing to wait until the young boy had calmed his sister's emotions before leaving

How is it? Have you remembered anything? This answer not only concerns you and your sister, but also your fellow villagers. The severe torture has lasted for several hours; they are truly tough nuts to crack. Dozens of people have not revealed a single word. If the questioning continues, some may lose their lives, and you wouldn't want to see such a thing happen, would you

"Of course, it is the treasure of Liangshan Marsh! Over the years, numerous fierce bandits and robbers have fled to Liangshan Marsh, and they did not escape empty-handed. The gold, silver, jewels, and bonds they carried with them amount to a substantial sum, not to mention the enormous military funds lost by the Taiping Army back in the day. These treasures must be hidden somewhere within Liangshan Marsh. As long as you can provide relevant information, I will grant your family freedom."

If Xiaoshang, when you discovered the enemy ship, had chosen to return and inform the village, everyone would have had ample time to respond. However, you chose to jump down with him, which is why the village was caught off guard and suffered such a devastating attack

This unexpected event was quite significant, and Sun Wu was nearly knocked to the ground in shock. However, Xiao Shang's movements were as swift as lightning, leaving him no opportunity to struggle or react. In an instant, she had already pressed her lips against his, leaving a fleeting kiss like a dragonfly skimming the water.

"Interesting little ghost, perhaps you can provide me with some unexpected gains." Nalan Yuandie said: "I will formally introduce myself. I am Colonel Nalan Yuandie of the Ninth Fleet of the Great Wu Dynasty's Emperor Tiger Fleet, responsible for commanding this ship, Feiyun. By imperial decree, I am tasked with searching for the legendary magical realm of Liangshanbo, in addition to sweeping away the remnants of the Taiping Army and bringing to justice a number of fugitives who have evaded capture for many years."

Realizing the situation was dire, Sun Wu sought to break free from this state of confinement, but the red light seemed to paralyze his body, rendering him unable to move even a finger

"Xiao Wu, if you were given the opportunity now, would you still want to leave Liangshan Marsh to venture into the outside world?"

If it had been known in advance that such a situation would arise, there would have been more advanced treasures available than listening devices. However, the enemy ship's sudden attack caught even the small loss off guard. Apart from the dozen or so commonly used treasures in the fragrance pouch, no other targeted items were carried on hand.

In a state of regret, the cabin door of the room was opened, and several armed soldiers stood at the entrance, demanding Sun Wu to come out for questioning, as Captain Nalan wished to summon him

... ? ... Before you leave, could you leave something for Xiao Shang Shang?

... For me, this is a natural choice

Little Shangshang ... ... will be afraid. ... ... ... Wuwuwu ...

( Oh no, she is... reading my memories... )

For a moment, both sides fell into silence, with only the faint sound of iron chains dragging on the ground. Sun Wu thought of his sister, who was now entangled in iron chains, bound like a beast. He felt an overwhelming sense of urgency, but his strength had not yet returned; he lacked even the power to break through the door. How could he possibly save her

If we concede here, then everyone is doomed

Oh, hearing you say that, I am very touched, but it seems that your golden bell can only protect yourself and cannot shield others, right? So what will you use to protect me? Also, how were you captured?

Fortunately, Feng Jie did not remain drunk for too long. As she gradually regained consciousness, she finally heard Sun Wu's voice coming through the listening device.

As Xiao Wu's sister, I sincerely thank you for your choice. Over the years, others have only seen Xiao Wu taking care of you, yet they do not realize that you have also been protecting him. You have always been very measured, allowing him to train while not letting him bear too much danger. This time, assisting him in breaking through the Golden Bell Shield... was also due to your calculations

How difficult it is to wake Feng Jie when she is drunk is something Sun Wu is certainly well aware of. On one hand, he feels quite embarrassed, as compared to the villagers' suffering, his sister is absurdly caught in such a situation; on the other hand, he feels fortunate, because if his sister were to go on a drunken rampage and resist, she has never practiced martial arts and only possesses brute strength. Against these fierce soldiers, she would surely be seriously injured, which would be truly unfortunate.

Thinking of the villagers, the youth's anxiety ignited an unusual force within him. His empty dantian suddenly generated a surge of heat, flowing from the dantian to his limbs and bones, swiftly breaking through every blocked acupoint, transforming into a torrential current that surged towards his arms

What do you want to know

As the person involved, Sun Wu should have been the most aware of this matter; however, due to the shock of his first kiss and the bewilderment of having someone else's tongue in his mouth for the first time, he became a completely petrified statue, standing motionless in place, his pupils dilated, lost in a daze

The artifact "Listening Bug" was released in large quantities when Xiaoshang landed on this warship, specifically to collect and transmit information for her. When Sun Wu was present, for the sake of clarity, it was necessary to use the Four Divine Mirrors to project images; however, if used independently, a single Listening Bug would suffice.

"Liangshan Two calling One! Liangshan Two calling One! OVER"

However, Sun Wu no longer had the right to make any choices. From the moment he disembarked from the warship at Liangshan Marsh, he had lost the qualification to choose. Having caused such a great disaster, what right did he have to speak of pursuing dreams?

However, compared to the future of Liangshan Marsh, what Feng Jie and Xiao Shang care about is only one person

Wuwu ... ... Little ... ... ... Brother Xiaowu ...

Drink!

Treasure · Red Dragon Fire Eye

***

While still pondering this issue, the person was already brought to the captain's cabin. Although he was the captain of the ship, the quarters could hardly be described as luxurious; apart from a few pieces of furniture, there was only a bed, which was hardly an improvement over the previous cell. There was no sign of the captain's grandeur, nor even the delicate fragrance typical of a young lady's boudoir.

Indeed, she was completely unconscious, unable to be roused no matter how loudly she was called or how much she was kicked or beaten. In the end, the enemy sent five strong men to carry her here.

The absurdity of the situation made him lose the sense of tension, causing Sun Wu to want to laugh. However, he suddenly realized that this might be his last opportunity, so he hurriedly tightened his expression, pretending to be deep in thought.

However, compared to these two, the headmaster is truly excessively fierce. On the surface, he appears to be a harmless and mild-mannered old man, but he hails from a prominent martial arts sect. On the day he achieved mastery in martial arts, he not only personally killed his master and committed atrocities against his master's wife and several junior sisters, but also devoured their hearts. He then joined the Taiping Army, accumulating merit to become an important general. However, from that point on, he developed a taste for human hearts. Every enemy who fell into his hands was subjected to heart extraction and consumption. It was not until the fall of the Taiping Army that this "Heart-Eating Maniac" vanished from the world.

The knife is in someone else's hands, and resistance is utterly meaningless. Sun Wu stood up silently, like a condemned prisoner about to be executed, taking heavy steps. However, just as he took a step, Xiao Shang suddenly tugged at his sleeve, looking at him with a pitiful expression of helplessness.

Well, since that is the case, let us not waste any more time. It is time to let these outsiders know that the entrance ticket to Liangshan Marsh is very expensive

A soft and sweet female voice came from the other end, very pleasant to hear, which also indicated the identity of the speaker

Uncle Lü, whose real name is Lü Qiang, is a notorious bandit who roamed the Jiangbei region, specializing in the robbery of large amounts of silver. Later, due to his gang's theft of disaster relief funds from the imperial court and the massacre of all personnel from the escort agencies, he caused severe casualties among hundreds of thousands of people in the disaster-stricken areas, leading to the destruction of families and widespread public outrage. This ultimately forced him to flee to Liangshan Marsh.

Sun Wu was caught off guard, struck directly by the red light in Nalan Yuandie’s eyes. The information he had just recalled immediately surged back into his mind, ultimately focusing on the image of the secret cave in the back mountain, rapidly magnifying.

Father led himself and Xiao Shang to the back mountain, traversing some stone formations and grasslands that they had never walked through or even seen before, entering the heart of the mountain, and arriving at a large secret cave. The time was too distant for him to remember clearly; he only vaguely recalled seeing some glittering golden objects. Could that be the so-called treasure

However, the technology of external magical artifacts will also advance, especially when national-level forces begin to operate; Liangshan Marsh ultimately cannot remain isolated from the currents of history. In the past one or two years, enormous flying vessels have frequently appeared in the nearby airspace, and the methods used to search for magical artifacts have improved with each passing instance. It is only a matter of time before Liangshan Marsh is discovered. Although this miscalculation has hastened that day, even without Sun Wu's sudden intervention, Liangshan Marsh's location could only remain concealed for at most another six months.

Although the listening insect is tiny, it is not entirely invisible. If encountered by a martial arts expert, it can be detected from the unusual sound of its flapping wings and the wind it generates, and even the flow of energy from the operation of magical artifacts can be perceived. The strength of Nalan Yuandie is unknown; if the listening insect gets too close to her, there is a risk of alarming the snake by stirring the grass.

This proposal struck a chord with Sun Wu, hitting the nail on the head. No matter what tempting conditions were offered, they could not compare to the allure of this agreement. Had it not been for the fleeting image of the villagers' sorrowful expressions in his mind, he would have almost immediately agreed.

Nalan Yuandie sat in a single chair, still dressed in military uniform, but wearing an eye patch that covered the scar on her left eye. Upon seeing Sun Wu being brought in, she put down the documents in her hand and looked up to speak.

Sun Wu has not yet explained the circumstances of his escape from home. Now, when asked about it, he suddenly finds it difficult to speak, but he cannot remain silent. Fortunately, a voice from the side interjects.