Chapter 03: Windfall from Heaven, Undertaking Great Matters While Being Cautious of One's Own Safety

With a heart full of lamentation, while he was deeply pondering a way to extricate himself, the effeminate young man looked at his sorrowful and desolate expression and couldn't help but smile, saying: "Little brother, do not panic; it is not necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps it can even resolve the troubles weighing on your mind."

However, he soon realized that this person was not a thief; because with his extensive experience on the streets, any thief would wish for the homeowner to remain unaware, how could it be like the current individual, who forcefully grabbed his collar, nearly causing him to stumble.

Although the person standing before him wore a light blue scholar's robe and held a folding fan in one hand, Yun Fan Hai knew that if one were to describe this person as a scholar, it would be more accurate to think of him as a butcher or an assassin, which would be closer to the truth

However, after the anger subsided, Yun Fan Hai suddenly felt a chill in his heart

However, despite the shock, he quickly regained his composure

These officials of the court are the most despicable; even those without guilt are coerced into confession to facilitate their own promotions. Now that they have captured me, the notorious bandit of the rivers and lakes, will they not fabricate charges against me with the utmost severity

In the midst of speaking, he had already turned his hand and seized the person's wrist.

"Good, very good!" Yu Chougui praised a few times. At this moment, Yun Fanhai suddenly felt his hand loosen, and only then did he realize that when Yu Chougui had come up to shake hands with him warmly, it was probably not just a simple congratulations.

"Hit me, hit me, hit me!" At that moment, everyone in the crowd was shouting in this manner, and stirred by the atmosphere, even Yun Fan Hai could not help but join in the shouting.

Thus, he swallowed back the words he was about to say at the exit, and then with a smiling face said: "Lord Yu, as a mere commoner, I certainly cannot refuse the matter you entrusted to me"

Upon seeing the person before him, he was convinced that this individual was certainly not to be trifled with

In fact, with the skill and effort of turning clouds into rain, it is not impossible at this moment to shrug a shoulder, slide a step, or release some strength. However, he instantly reacted, not using any force or spiritual energy at all, but instead continuously cried out in pain and moaned.

However, in the moment of panic, one could hear the melancholic voice continuing, "Brother, there is no need to be alarmed. I have taken the liberty to invite you here today because there is indeed a good matter that will benefit you."

Ah, please forgive me. The troubled one expressed with regret, "My dear brother, do not take offense; I am merely speaking the truth."

As he thought this, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the young lady in the red dress on the upper floor finally raise the embroidered ball high, preparing to throw it down.

"Good thing?" Yun Fan Hai was momentarily taken aback, "Oh dear, could it be that this tossing of the embroidered ball to solicit a marriage proposal has some hidden agenda? Alas, it truly lives up to its reputation as the capital, the waters run too deep."

Once this was perceived, Yun Fan Hai was immediately filled with a chilling dread

Oh. What is the lawsuit about? Yu Chou Gui asked.

"Five hundred taels, five hundred taels... Well, alright, I will give you eight hundred taels, it's a deal! Congratulations, for the time to come, we will be colleagues working together!"

Oh, a matter of life and death. Yu Chou Gui said, "It's alright, there are more lives that need you now. Hurry and come with me."

While lost in thought, I only heard the other party continue speaking: "I am unworthy, and I am indeed the Grand Commander of the Radiant Divine Knight Guard, also commonly known as the Chief of the Divine Knight Guard, that is me."

Just now, he was feeling as if he were on the brink of death, but upon hearing Yu Chou Gui's words, he realized that it was merely a desire to find a substitute for himself, and in an instant, his originally heavy heart became lightened

In congratulating the return of melancholy, the clouds have turned to the sea, yet it seems as if they have not heard, with a face as pale as the earth

He saw that the person who suddenly pulled him out of the crowd was tall and slender, with a pale complexion. Although he had a handsome appearance and was not very old, he always gave people the impression of being overly mature, aloof, and subtly feminine.

However, he did not show the slightest expression on his face; instead, he chuckled and said, "You must have mistaken me for someone else," before turning to leave.

As he secretly reveled in his scheme, he heard Yu Chou Gui淡淡 say: "Is this the frightening price you speak of? Let me think it over carefully..."

At this moment, what still supported him in remaining among the crowd was this thought: "If I am fortunate enough to be chosen for the embroidered ball, can I negotiate with the host family to forgo the marriage and instead convert this stroke of good luck into cash, just give me some cash and that would suffice"

After all, as the leader of a faction in the mountains, although he is just over twenty years old, his ability to read people is quite remarkable

"How frightening is it?" Yu Chou returned a smile, looking at him with an expressionless demeanor.

"It's done, I've gotten myself into trouble!" Yun Fan Hai suddenly cried out in despair, "Alas! Truly, 'people die for wealth, birds die for food.' If it weren't for my desire to resolve the food supply issue for those brothers and their families in the mountains, why would I come to the capital? Who doesn't know that the capital is under the emperor's feet, and that people like us are the most likely to get into trouble?"

Upon hearing such an apology, Yun Fan Hai rolled his eyes in exasperation

What? What? He and the others exclaimed in astonishment, "Eight hundred taels, eight hundred taels! That is enough for our band in the mountains to cover expenses for two to three years!"

Soon, a delicate young lady in a red dress emerged from the third floor of the Red Mansion. She appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old. Although she was seen from a distance and not very clearly, it was evident that this girl possessed a certain charm.

He also felt a bit of self-loathing for shamelessly shouting out such a disgraceful price, which was simply detrimental to his principles as a righteous bandit; however, he quickly reconsidered and thought that in urgent matters, one must prioritize practicality and self-preservation, so the issue of losing face could be set aside for the time being

Sigh, although I have not committed any wrongdoing to this day, having always robbed the rich to help the poor and supported such a large group of elderly, weak, women, and children, how can I explain this when I reach the government office in the capital

At this thought, he said, "Lord Yu, you are so sincere, I will take on this task!"

"Let go! Let go!" Yun Fan Hai was immediately taken aback, shouting, "Let's talk things over properly, don't ruin my fine clothes."

"Hey, how could I mistake the wrong person?" Seeing this, the effeminate young man let out a cold laugh and said leisurely, "The person I am looking for is you"

Noticing this inconspicuous detail, he suddenly felt a shiver run through his body, as if the fear that had previously dissipated had returned in considerable measure

Is that so? Yun Fan Hai casually responded, thinking to himself: "Could it be that this person has some special connections for a pardon, wanting me to pave the way? But I can negotiate on everything else, just not on money"

No matter how one puts it, Yun Fan Hai is not a foolish person

Ah, wait! I just heard the response from Lord Yu Chou Gui, and I was so stunned that I felt like a wooden chicken. Seeing him about to leave, it was as if I had just awakened from a dream, and I hurriedly called out, "Lord Yu, it's not that I don't trust you, but when will you give me the eight hundred taels of silver?"

As they approached the alley, the clouds rolled back over the sea, and they turned to take a look, just in time to see the young lady in the red dress still posturing and preparing to throw the embroidered ball

Oh. Yun Fan Hai thought to himself, "How could someone have such a name? Qiu Gui? Hate Turtle? Did he get bitten by a turtle on his little chicken when he was a child?"

One can imagine the shock that Yun Fan Hai must have felt upon hearing that the person across from him was actually the chief steward of the Divine Heroic Guard

Upon reaching the alley, Yun Fanhai had not yet had the chance to clearly see the person approaching when he called out: "A true man in this world does not sell his skills or his body—" Before he could utter the next line, "If the price is right, I might consider it," the person across from him chuckled and said: "What do you mean by selling skills or selling your body? Nonsense. Let me tell you, it’s neither selling skills nor selling your body; I’m here to have you be my stand-in!"

Startled! Upon thinking of this, he suddenly shouted in his heart, "What is there to fear? A head rolling on the ground is just a big scar, 800 taels! I will agree to it, and we will deal with the future matters later!"

Substitute? Yun Fan Hai was taken aback for a moment, and only then did he come to his senses, carefully scrutinizing the newcomer.

However, he quickly thought of a question and blurted out: "What, do I look very much like the esteemed Divine Hero?"

What is it?" Yu Chou Gui looked at him

"Oh!" Yun Fan Hai exclaimed joyfully, "I have long heard that the Bright God Hero is a remarkably handsome man, one of the finest in the world. I never expected that I—" Before he could finish his delighted statement, Yu Chou Gui interrupted, saying, "However, while you may appear similar at first glance, upon closer inspection, your demeanor and spirit are, in comparison to the esteemed God Hero, like the earth to the heavens!"

As he spoke with a sense of melancholy, he stepped forward, warmly extending his hand to grasp Yun Fan Hai's palm, shaking it continuously

Oh dear! He blamed himself in his heart, "Clouds rolling over the sea, what on earth are you thinking? Is there still time to hold grudges against others for their harm to you? Have you forgotten who is standing before you, and who you are yourself? Do you still dare to stand here and provoke the authorities?"

It is... the cloud turns and the sea eye rolls, with a hesitant expression, saying, "Yes, it is a matter of life and death..."

At this moment, before his eyes, it seemed as if the emaciated old, weak, sick, and disabled individuals from Feiyun Mountain Village were emerging, while simultaneously, the image of himself just moments ago, struggling to find work and encountering obstacles everywhere, came to mind, where he could earn at most ten wen for a day's labor

As soon as she emerged, the crowd downstairs, which was already jostling, suddenly surged like waves encountering a storm, becoming even more congested, accompanied by loud and chaotic shouts.

Just as he was about to refuse directly, he quickly realized who the person opposite him was

He immediately smiled instead of getting angry, secretly thinking: "What a blind little thief, daring to steal from the head of your grandfather on Feiyun Mountain—do you not know that I, having sought work everywhere in vain, am already penniless? And yet you come to steal from me?"

Having said that, he turned around and was about to walk out of the alley

Take out some silver to start a small business, so as not to eat away at our resources, and we can also go to farther places to rob the rich and help the poor. When you think about it, this is enough to sustain our stronghold for five or six years! This, this is simply too good!

He is also a clever person, but upon reflection, he feels somewhat uneasy, so he deliberately says: "Lord Yu, there is actually something that I would like to clarify with you."

Many times, with a melancholic smile, I said, "You do not know, our rules in the Divine Hero Guard for settling accounts are based on installment payments"

Although they have turned the bandit den on Feiyun Mountain into a charitable hall, they are still involved in the underworld, so how could they be unaware of the influence of the Donghua Kingdom's court

Yun was taken aback, and his first reaction was that he had encountered a thief.

He sighed inwardly and lamented: "Alas, must I really rely on a woman? But I have not yet decided whether to dedicate myself to marrying into her family, sacrificing my lifelong happiness, and using the dowry to resolve the economic crisis of Feiyun Mountain"

"Do you really want to listen, Lord Yu?" Yun Fan Hai deliberately put on a lazy demeanor, rolling his eyes and saying, "This matter of yours is not trivial, so I would like to ask for a price of: 500 taels of pure silver!"

He had only shouted once or twice, but suddenly, someone reached out from the shadows and grabbed him

Who knows, as soon as he turned around, that person moved forward like a ghost, and it was impossible to see how he made his move; the folding fan in his hand was already resting on Yun Fan Hai's shoulder

Oh. What good thing is it?" Yun Fan Hai, with a pale complexion, asked casually without any hope.

Speaking of which, I still need to ask you for a favor. " With a hint of melancholy, Yu Chou lowered his voice and said, " I won't hide it from you, you should know about the Lord of the Light God Hero.

"Completed, completed! The clouds have turned the sea, oh the clouds have turned the sea, you truly remain eternally twenty-one, destined to suffer persecution from corrupt officials, and have met an untimely death in your prime!"

Just as he was about to make his move, he heard the person across from him call out: "Hold on! This brother here has a good opportunity for you!"

At this moment, Yun Fan Hai realized that even though he possessed remarkable martial skills and strength in his arms and legs, it was of no use; he was still being jostled around by the crowd.

From this moment on, the gaze that had just been scanning the surroundings now fixed intently and unwaveringly on the young leader of Feiyun Mountain; even as Yun Fanhai was jostled by the surging crowd, first to the east and then to the west, these eyes, radiant with divine light, continued to follow closely without a moment's pause

Upon understanding this section, Yun Fan Hai was suddenly filled with fear in his heart

Ah? The young bandit who had been listening lazily just now was suddenly taken aback upon hearing this

By this time, he no longer dared to think of any good things, nor even to contemplate how to escape; instead, he anxiously pondered how to preserve his life today

Allow me to introduce myself, "The effeminate young man, oblivious to the flickering gaze of the clouds and waves, said leisurely, "My surname is Yu, and my given name is Chougui."

"Hey!" Yun Fan Hai said angrily, "Even if my temperament is rough and bold, there is no need to speak in such an unseemly manner."

As I mentioned earlier, I am inherently lazy, yet I do not wish to be idle; moreover, I have a tendency to be quite bold and fierce. Therefore, I once found myself embroiled in a lawsuit, " Yun Fan Hai said with a shy expression.

However, you may not know that the child is inherently lazy, particularly when it comes to matters of money. Therefore, consistently, even if the King of Heaven himself were to come and ask me to do something for him, my asking price would be quite frightening

Of course, of course. Yu Chou smiled and said, "If you don't look closely, they are simply cut from the same mold"

Recently, the elder has gone on a distant journey and will not be back for a while. However, there are still many important matters in Donghua City that require his presence. Therefore, in a moment of urgency, I would like to ask you to temporarily act as the substitute for the esteemed Sir Shenxia.

Moreover, the matter at hand is so significant that it actually requires me to impersonate that legendary hero. I see that you, the bandit leader, must not wish to live beyond this month

As the folding fan rested on his shoulder, Yun Fan Hai suddenly felt as if a red-hot branding iron was pressing down on him, scalding and heavy, almost as if it weighed a thousand pounds, pinning him in place, unable to move.

Not to mention that for many years, the "God of Light and Hero" has been renowned throughout the world, truly deserving of the title of being famous far and wide, which is entirely incomparable to the self-proclaimed "World Famous" of his fellow mountain bandits

When encountering unpredictable individuals, the most daunting aspect is their vague and ambiguous expressions, which always seem to circle around the periphery; however, once specific matters are mentioned, they appear considerably less intimidating.

Not only was the body unable to stabilize, but the deafening shouts and cheers nearly shattered the eardrums, and a strong, sour smell of sweat came rushing in, making it almost unbearable even for someone who had emerged from a mountain stronghold.

In this moment of hesitation, he was pulled into a secluded alley by an unexpected visitor

After such a price was called out, even Lianyun Fanhai was taken aback.

The young lady in the red dress is holding an empty embroidered ball in her hands, continuously gazing down at the crowd below.

Just now, I was filled with fear, but upon hearing that this job could actually earn eight hundred taels of silver, my spirits were instantly lifted