CHAPTER 465: CHAPTER 465: ZHANG HUZI

The group did not enter Yushu Village right away, but took a detour into the mountains halfway through the journey.

The leader was very familiar with the area, guiding them through backroads into the mountains without being seen by anyone.

As darkness fell, they reached a depression in the mountains. The leader pointed to the depression and said, "Young Master, Seventh Young Master, there’s a cave down there in the depression, very concealed. Let’s settle there first, take care of business, and then head to Prefecture for some fun, spend a few days before returning to the village."

Young Master, named Gao Rui, was Gao Tong’s youngest son, also cruel and merciless. He wanted to take over the Water Bandit Village. Hearing that Gao Tong had ordered his brother and Yan Wu to kill Zou Youlian, he was dissatisfied and, after pleading with Gao Tong, got permission to come to Tianfu County with Lian Qi.

As long as they could kill Zou Youlian before his brother, people in the village would recognize his capability was no less than his brother’s.

But Gao Rui, though raised among river bandits, had been brought up with good food and shelter, living in spacious courtyards, at worst on covered boats. How had he ever lived in a mountain depression?

Gao Rui discontentedly said, "You want us to stay in this mountain depression?"

The river bandits accompanying Gao Rui immediately said, "Zhang Huzi, this depression is full of weeds and mosquitoes, and it’s damp. How can you make Young Master and Seventh Young Master stay here?"

They added, "Isn’t your home just outside the mountain in Yushu Village? We can stay in the village. Besides, you need to go back to gather information."

Suppressing his irritation, Zhang Huzi addressed the Young Master, "Young Master, I thought it best for you to make do here for a few hours. I will head to the village soon, and if it’s safe, I will immediately come back to escort you in."

Gao Rui’s expression softened a bit upon hearing this, and he nodded in agreement.

Lian Qi frowned and advised Gao Rui, "Young Master, we don’t need to stay in the village. Just make do here in the depression for a few days. We are unclear about the situation in the village; what if there is an ambush waiting for us..."

Gao Rui interrupted Lian Qi, "Uncle Qi is joking, what kind of ambush could there be in a poor village? Besides, the villagers are all unarmed farmers. Even if they discover us, they’ll be the unlucky ones."

Killing a few villagers was nothing that Gao Rui would worry about. Moreover, they were twelve strong, all adept in martial arts with weapons at hand; what was there to fear about staying a few days in the village?

Lian Qi’s words being cut off made him quite displeased, but knowing that Gao Tong cherished this youngest son, he dared not retort and reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Seeing Lian Qi’s consent, Gao Rui immediately instructed Zhang Huzi to check the situation in the village.

"Ey, I’ll go to the village right now; Young Master, just wait here." Zhang Huzi immediately left the mountains and took a back path into Yushu Village.

Yushu Village was pitch-dark except for a cluster of old houses in Back Village where Niu Zi and about thirty thugs resided, glowing with firelight.

"Damn, it’s almost Jiuyue, why are there still so many mosquitoes? They’re killing me." Zhang Guangqiang, tormented by mosquitoes, was swinging two torches around inside the house.

Zhang Mangzi got sparks from the torch land on him and hissed in pain, "Damn Zhang Guangqiang, can’t you be careful? The sparks are landing on my face. Wave that around crazily again, and I’ll beat you to death. I’ve got energy to spare right now, beating you up would release some of it."

"Hey, Zhang Mangzi, think you’re the only one with energy? I haven’t touched a woman in over two months, I’ve got plenty of energy to fight you. Want to fight? Come on, who’s afraid?"

Zhang Mangzi, stirred up by Zhang Guangqiang, stood up, only to be held back by Ge Huizi nearby: "Enough, it’s the middle of the night, stop fighting. Can’t you see Niu Zi is already pissed?"

Zhang Niu wore a stern expression as he stepped out from the inner room and glared at them, "What’s the matter? Not comfortable hiding in the village with me? Anyone who wants to leave can scram now. The village doesn’t just take anyone in, once you bastards are gone, my big brother won’t have to plead for you when it’s time to go to the village."

After hearing this, Zhang Mangzi and Zhang Guangqiang immediately tried to appease him with a smile, "Brother Niu Zi, we were just kidding, didn’t really plan on taking action."

They then asked, "Brother Niu Zi, when can we finally go to the village? The boys have been waiting for quite some days now."

According to what Zhang Niu said, the bandit village where Zhang Huzi stayed was incredible, not only living in green brick tile houses but also drinking and eating meat daily, and there were endless beautiful women to enjoy, a life comparable to that of immortals.

However, they had pleaded with Zhang Niu for a long time, yet Zhang Niu said the village does not easily accept people. To live freely and joyfully in the village, they had to wait until his brother sent him a message.

"If you really want to go, now is your chance." Zhang Huzi walked in laughing, looked around the room, and said to Zhang Niu, "Kid, you’re doing quite well, lots of people under you."

There are many cliques within the village, and if you don’t have enough men under your command, people in the village will look down on you.

Zhang Huzi was recommended to the village by County Magistrate Zou, and life there was fairly decent before. But after County Magistrate Zou got into trouble, Zhang Huzi’s days in the village became very difficult, facing a lot of disdain.

However, if he could handle this task well this time, and bring back Niu Zi and these dozens of men upon his return, life in the village could improve again for him.

"Big brother!" Zhang Niu saw Zhang Huzi and rushed over excitedly, "Big brother, hahaha, I finally waited for your return."

"What, is this Brother Huzi?" The people inside the room were all shocked and immediately gathered around to look at Zhang Huzi, seeing his tall figure and full beard with scars on his face and visible arms, they felt somewhat frightened.

Zhang Huzi said to them, "Yes, it’s me. Do you want to follow me to the village and enjoy delicious food, spicy drinks, and beautiful women?"

"Yes, yes!" Zhang Guangqiang shouted the loudest, ran over to Zhang Huzi and said, "Brother Huzi, please bring us along, we’ve been looking forward to joining you in the village for over two years."

Ge Huizi also said, "Brother Huzi, take me with you, although my last name isn’t Zhang, I admire you the most, Brother Huzi, please give me a chance."

Zhang Mangzi and the other hoodlums also hurriedly pleaded with Zhang Huzi.

The hoodlums living in the nearby old house heard about it and ran over, thrilled to know the visitor was Zhang Huzi.

Ge Huizi, knowing how to handle things, said to the other hoodlums, "What are you waiting for? Hurry and see if you can get a few chickens from the village to welcome Brother Huzi."

The hoodlums quickly responded, "Aye, aye, we’re on it."

Zhang Huzi still remembered the task he had in the village, and said to them, "Don’t take from this village, it might cause trouble tomorrow if discovered. Go to the nearby villages and get some chickens and a pig, clean up well so no one chases after you."

"Brother Huzi, don’t worry, we’re used to this kind of work and everyone is very skilled," the hoodlums responded, and five of them went to the nearby villages to get the supplies.

The others gathered in the old house, listening to Zhang Huzi speak.

Zhang Huzi spoke for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, praising the bandit village to the skies, then stood up and said, "I need to step out for a bit, there are a few important guests I need to meet, you guys get ready in the meantime."