Your Majesty, Please Stop!

Chapter 37: Murong Xiu Seeks Refuge with the Leader

The chessboard was set up, and the two sat facing each other again.

Murong Xiu couldn't wait and made the first move: "Horse three advances two!"

"Get on the carriage!"

Xin Zhuo responded with a move.

Then the two exchanged pieces, traded horses for cannons, and in less than half an incense stick's worth of time, the board became a mess of red and white pieces.

The people on the peak and at the foot of the mountain were all a bit numb.

So, were they playing chess or saving someone? Were they on an autumn outing or saving lives?

After another half an incense stick's worth of time.

"Double horse general, it's a stalemate!"

Xin Zhuo placed his last corner horse, and although this wealthy young man's chess skills were relatively good, praised to the heavens, he didn't have the various tricks and agile moves from past lives, various online commentaries, and the popular moves played by the masses.

Murong Xiu's face was covered in sweat, his makeup smudged, his breathing rapid, his eyes bloodshot. He pointed to the chessboard abruptly, "Huh? Something's not right, Xin Leader, just now my chariot moved incorrectly, if I do it like this..."

Su Miaojin, who was watching the game, sighed lightly, turned her head away, unwilling to look any longer.

"No regrets!" Xin Zhuo grabbed his hand, frowned, and said, "You're such a wealthy young man, don't resort to cheating!"

He turned around and asked, "How many punishments have been accumulated?"

Cui Ying'er smiled, "According to Young Master Murong's words, this game of chess has accumulated twenty punishments, and there are already fifty-two punishments!"

Su Miaojin's face instantly turned pale. Were these punishments just for fun?

Murong Xiu's face also turned from green to red. He suddenly stood up, retreated several steps in a row, and all his elegance and composure disappeared. He angrily said, pointing at the chessboard, "Huh? This is not right, Xin Leader, just now my chariot moved incorrectly, if I do it like this..."

Su Ze Feng sighed lightly, gritted her teeth, and looked at Han Qiuniang, "Take me back, I don't need him to save me."

Han Qiuniang burst into laughter, covering her mouth, "No, the Leader hasn't spoken yet."

At the foot of the mountain.

A large group of constables and rescue personnel went from being high-spirited to low-spirited, confused, and now completely speechless.

Su Zefeng was furious, "Murong Xiu, have you gone mad? What are you doing? Please calm down and see where we are."

"Come on!" Murong Xiu turned a deaf ear, disregarding everything, and stared directly at Xin Zhuo. His face was ferocious, his body turned, and he was about to dance.

Xin Zhuo immediately reached out to stop him, "Murong Xiu, you've lost all three rounds, and Su Miaojin's punishments have already accumulated fifty-two. The punishments in the world can't be used up no matter how many times you use them. Your mind is already in chaos. Continuing to compete will only be a laughingstock. Why bother?"

I can't tell you that I don't know how to dance some ghostly dance. I can handle clubbing though!

Murong Xiu stopped, stunned for a moment, "Forget it, forget it! I lost!"

He turned around in a daze and walked back.

Su Zefeng was furious to the extreme at the foot of the mountain. Regardless of the people pulling him, he shouted loudly, "Murong Xiu, I have always respected you, but you seek fame and fortune, shamelessly joking with my sister's life. Do you think the Murong family can bully the prefectural yamen?"

Yuan Yourong was also annoyed by Murong Xiu's actions, "Murong Xiu, you have truly lost your mind today. Fifty-two punishments, how can we redeem them? Where is the momentum you had when you killed nine Heng?"

Although the group of constables didn't speak, their expressions were gloomy, unable to utter a word.

It's not surprising that everyone is angry. When it comes to matters of life and death, if rescue is impossible, it's better to retreat. For the sake of face, increasing the difficulty for no reason is despicable behavior!

Murong Xiu stopped in his tracks, stared blankly at the foot of the mountain, and suddenly turned around. Under everyone's gaze, he bowed to Xin Zhuo:

"I, Murong Xiu, have long admired the great leader Xin. Today, I have come to seek refuge and am willing to serve faithfully. I have no ulterior motives. Otherwise, Heavenly Punishment will destroy me, and fire and water will not tolerate me!"

Silence!

Dead silence!

Su Zefeng, who was cursing angrily, Yuan Yourong, the eager scholar with his sleeves rolled up, and the crowd of constables and beautiful servants, all turned to stone.

Even Su Miaojin turned her head abruptly, looking at Murong Xiu in disbelief.

The Murong family, a six-hundred-year-old gate in Fufeng, had ancestors who fought alongside the founder of the Great Zhou Dynasty, with several generations of ancestors dying on the battlefield and several generations of ancestors devoting themselves to the country. They were truly a family of loyalists.

Now, the eldest grandson of the Murong family, the future head of the family, actually openly sought refuge with bandits in front of everyone!

Is there anything more absurd in this world?

Xin Zhuo was also dumbfounded. This guy was too wild and he couldn't accept it. I was just about to continue negotiating with you to develop the ritual spirit, and you joined the bandits?

Bai Jianxi coldly said, "Are you trying to play a double agent?"

Murong Xiu laughed loudly, "A real man, once he speaks, it's hard to take it back. Today, I am a thief, and I will be a thief for life. Brothers, the leader, please accept me. I am loyal and trustworthy!"

As he spoke, he stood up, picked up his long sword, and pointed it straight down the peak. "Today, no one from Fulong Village will be released. Anyone who dares to take a step forward will be killed by my sword!"

Silence!

Stillness!

Nearly two thousand people at the foot of the peak stared at him blankly, unable to believe that the young master of Fufeng Murong had become the bandit Murong Xiu!

Didn't we agree to save people together?

"Young master! You can't do this, don't lose your mind!" Several beautiful servants and slaves of the Murong family were terrified and tearful.

"Shut up! Who said I'm your young master?" Murong Xiu's expression turned completely wicked and ruthless. "From now on, I am the bandit Murong Xiu. Anyone who dares to approach will be killed!"

"Hahaha..."

Huang Dagui laughed heartily, "Good brother, you've taken a different path. Following the leader, we'll definitely have a good life!"

...

Due to Murong Xiu's outrageous actions, the situation on the peak and at the foot of the mountain fell into a stalemate. It seemed that the officials needed time to accept it.

Night fell, and Fulong Village set up a table of food and wine.

The wine was strong, and the dishes were dried meat, candied fruits, and pickled garlic.

Except for Bai Jianxi and Han Jiulang, who were on guard, everyone sat in a circle, including the lifeless hostage, Su Miaojin, who had been brought over.

"To the leader!"

Murong Xiu's long hair was casually scattered, tearing his robe open to reveal a fierce bandit demeanor.

"Cheers!"

Xin Zhuo, with a puzzled look in his eyes, drank his cup in one gulp, watching Murong Xiu drink as well, then looked at the "Lunar Serenity Well," feeling even more confused.

Ritual Spirit: 13/15.

Murong Xiu: Loyalty 100.

...

Originally, I thought this person wanted to take a shortcut and play a game of deception, but I didn't expect his loyalty to be maxed out.

How did he convince his own family? Isn't it good to be a rich young master? Why come and be a bandit with no future? I even want to switch places with him.

"Seventh, Seventh Leader." Cui Ying'er, still a little unaccustomed, pondered for a moment and asked Xin Zhuo the question in her heart, "Why did you become a bandit? I heard that you have a beautiful wife and concubines, and your reputation is well-known for killing the Nine Heng River bandits. Your family's wealth is enough for ten lifetimes..."

Huang Dagui, Han Qiniang, and even Su Miaojin, though they didn't speak, clearly had the same question.

"Do you want to know?"

Murong Xiu picked up half a jar of strong wine and drank it, as if he was already drunk. He raised two fingers, not knowing what they represented, "I never wanted to come. It was my family who forced me! Tired! So damn tired!

Since I was young, my family had high expectations of me, wanting me to stand shoulder to shoulder with my ancestors and achieve great things in the future!

But family knows family affairs. I'm not that talented. I want to enjoy life like other noble sons, raising chickens and dogs, visiting brothels, drinking and gambling recklessly. But I can't. I have a shackle on me, tightly locking me up. I have to pretend to be a gentle and refined gentleman!

Can you understand this torment? Can you understand the mask I wear?

What the hell is the Nine Heng River bandits? My grandfather paid experts to get rid of them. I just rode over and waved my sword a few times!

What the hell are those beautiful wives and concubines..."

As he spoke, he tore off a wig, revealing a shiny bald head. "Daddy is not only bald, but also impotent. I can't do anything. What's the point of me being alive?"

"Poof!"

Han Qiniang and Huang Dagui sprayed food from their mouths, choking and coughing.

Even Su Miaojin lowered her head, suppressing her laughter.

But Murong Xiu cried, crying like a child.

Xin Zhuo suddenly understood him very well. If it were him, he would be even more pathetic. He sighed lightly and patted his shoulder, "Life is not a Ruyi Scepter. Try to be more open-minded. From now on, we are brothers, roaming the rivers and lakes, living a good life!"

"Yes, a good life!" Murong Xiu nodded gratefully, then pointed at Su Miaojin, "Leader, have you touched her yet? I advise you, take care of her tonight. I've never liked her!"

Su Miaojin: "?"

(End of this chapter)