Your Majesty, Please Stop!

Chapter 48: Sun, the Strong Leader for Life

"Crack..."

Inside the cave, the bamboo charcoal stolen from a wealthy family in Ping'an County was still burning hot, with half of a roasted whole lamb skewered on top, dripping with oil.

But Sun Wu suddenly felt that it wasn't delicious anymore, his gaze fixed.

Although he had only attended a private school for a year, it didn't affect his judgment at all. That Xin Zhuo must have offended someone important, which led to the government launching a massive attack. Now, it was like that burning charcoal ball had ended up here. What was going on?

Could this be... inviting disaster?

"This is framing and shifting blame!"

Wang Calabash, the military advisor with the same level of education as Sun Wu, squinted his eyes, thinking he had come up with an accurate description. "Once he arrives, how could the government officials let him go? They will definitely come to kill us together. We just left the tiger's den, how can we enter the snake's nest again? Is this phrase appropriate? Drive him away, no need to consider!"

"You want to drive him away? Great, I leave it to you, you go!" Sun Wu also squinted his eyes and inexplicably touched his neck.

"Ah! Boss, my stomach suddenly hurts so much..." Wang Calabash's face turned pale as he quickly searched for an excuse.

It hadn't been long since Li Qing, the second-in-command, died. He was a rough and violent man, eight feet tall, able to conquer seven women in a night and run two miles carrying a 380-pound millstone, with the whip wrapped around the wheel, able to swing it eighteen times. But he was beheaded by Xin Zhuo with a single slash.

For the Tiger Bandit Gang, this was too brutal, with an intimidating power that was beyond comparison.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Hurry up and go, tell them that the boss is sick, with leprosy, venereal disease, covered in pus, and won't live long! Go to hell!" Sun Wu kicked a few times and picked up the lamb leg covered in dirt from the ground, throwing it at Wang Calabash.

Wang Calabash crawled on the ground, leaving footprints, not daring to defy, and hurriedly got up, walking out of the cave cautiously as if walking on thin ice.

Outside the cave, it was already surrounded by men, women, and children from their own gang. In the middle stood seven people covered in dust, five men and two women. The one in front was over seven feet tall, with a one-eyed face mask and a bronze muscular body, carrying a wooden knife, scaring everyone.

Wang Calabash quickly ran over, bowing respectfully and wearing a flattering smile. "Xin, Xin Dàwáng, I apologize for not welcoming you from afar. I'm sorry, sorry, um..."

Huang Dagui didn't let him finish, reaching out and grabbing his shoulders, turning him towards Xin Zhuo.

"This child is quite handsome!" Wang Calabash awkwardly smiled, then turned to Huang Dagui again. "Xin Dàwáng, it's like this..."

Huang Dagui turned him towards Xin Zhuo again, and Wang Calabash's head was spinning. Suddenly, he remembered that Xin Dàwáng was a young man, feeling surprised, but inexplicably not afraid anymore. His back straightened up a lot, and he said with a fake smile, "Ah, Xin Dàwáng, our boss, won't live long. He's about to die from illness and can't receive guests!"

"Is that so?" Xin Zhuo was shocked, a strong sense of reluctance and desolation appearing on his face. "How could this happen? The leader, in the prime of his life, why would he fall ill? The great Sun, the leader of the alliance, unparalleled in martial arts, righteous and heroic, the epitome of our generation. I haven't had the chance to witness his heroic appearance, and he falls ill like this? How unfair is Heavenly Dao? The leader of our bandits, is he going to be gone like this? My heart aches uncontrollably, Sun, the leader, I will accompany you on your journey!"

The bandits around suddenly fell silent. Could anyone praise someone like this? Our boss is actually this kind of person?

Wang Calabash was also dumbfounded. "Ah, this..."

"Heaven is envious of talent! The leader Sun, such a hero, is seriously ill and dying. Is there still a future for us bandits? Is there still a way out?" Xin Zhuo sighed deeply and looked at the cave.

Murong Xiu timely sighed as well. "Indeed, heaven is envious of talent. Poor leader Sun, a hero in his lifetime!"

"That's right! Let's go outside the mountain and pay our respects three times, then leave. We will forever remember him in our hearts!" Xin Zhuo reluctantly turned around, ready to leave.

Just at this moment, a figure suddenly rushed out of the cave, with a flushed face and trembling lips, eyes shining with excitement and pride.

Who else could it be if not Sun Wu?

"Leader Sun, you... you're not feeling well, why did you come out? Quickly go back! You can still hold on for a few more days lying down. If you suddenly pass away, what future do we bandits have? What way out do we have?" Xin Zhuo pretended to be angry and accused him.

This accusation... felt so comfortable!

Kindred spirit! A true kindred spirit!

Sun Wu's face flushed even more, and he strained to put on a serious face as he said, "Xin, my brother, as the leader of the righteous alliance, no matter how sick I am, if my brother comes to join me, how can I refuse him at the door? Come! Follow me inside, eat meat and drink wine to your heart's content!"

Looking at the shameless acceptance from the other party, Xin Zhuo's face turned serious as he gestured to his subordinates, "What do you think? Am I right? How can I, Xin Zhuo, compare to the heroic Sun, who is knowledgeable and values loyalty? I was actually convinced by his literary talent some time ago!"

"You're absolutely right! Seeing is believing!" Murong Xiu immediately echoed seriously, "I've heard of Sun's extraordinary talent and unparalleled skills, but seeing him today, he surpasses the legends by tenfold!"

Cui Ying'er, Huang Dagui, and the others couldn't help but show admiration. Han Qiniang even blinked and pouted, "I really admire men like Sun!"

"Haha, hahaha..."

Although it was cheesy, Sun Wu really fell for it. He didn't hide his pride and laughed heartily, "That's the kind of man I am! Come, come, my brothers, don't stay outside in the wind. Follow me inside!"

He forcefully dragged Xin Zhuo and the others inside.

Han Qiniang quietly approached Cui Ying'er and chuckled, "The boss guessed right. This Sun Wu has a good reputation, and it's easy to handle."

Cui Ying'er couldn't help but smile, "Those who write so many boastful and arrogant letters, showing off their literary talent, how many of them are not seeking fame and being pretentious?"

Only Wang Calabash stood outside the cave, scratching his head, looking confused. What was wrong?

The cave was actually very simple, with a stench of sweat, but the charcoal fire was burning brightly, warm and cozy. For Xin Zhuo and the others who had been running in the mountains for a day and night, it was like heaven.

However, half a sheep was not enough to eat.

But for Sun Wu, who was filled with enthusiasm and passion, it was no big deal. He waved his hand and brought out stewed dishes, dried fruits, and even several crispy-skinned ducks from Ping'an County's Yutang Zhai.

The gang from Fulong Village, who hadn't had meat for a long time, ate heartily, stuffing themselves.

After the meal, fatigue swept over them. Xin Zhuo could barely keep his eyes open. He forced himself to stay alert and cupped his fist towards Sun Wu, saying, "Thank you, Lord Sun, for your generous hospitality. I am deeply grateful, but it is late now. Although the Xiongfeng Mountain rebels have risen and the officials have retreated, and they won't come to pursue us, I am unlucky. I'll just find a simple place to lie down. It doesn't matter if I'm exposed to wind and rain!"

"Huh? What do you mean by that? Don't talk nonsense!"

The words "officials have retreated" completely dispelled the remaining resentment in Sun Wu's heart. He looked angry, grabbed Xin Zhuo's arm, and wouldn't let go. "You can't go anywhere! You will sleep in my cave tonight. I have tiger skins and quilts!"

"That's not necessary..."

"It's fine. This is my territory. You can sleep anywhere. Just stay here honestly!"

"Lord Sun is righteous!" Xin Zhuo couldn't help but tearfully meet his gaze. "I am deeply grateful."

"Lord Sun is truly unparalleled, unmatched by anyone!"

Bai Jianxi also "moved" to the point of pointing at his own tattered clothes and Han Jiulang's clothes, saying, "But... the two of us have no clothes to wear. Alas, it's like a leaky roof in the middle of the night."

"Clothes? I have them!"

Sun Wu quickly took off his own brocade robe, which he didn't know where he got it from, and forcefully put it on Bai Jianxi. Then he tore off the clothes of Wang Calabash, who was standing there dumbfounded, and handed them to Han Jiulang. "Rest well. If you need anything, just tell me!"

After saying that, he grabbed Wang Calabash and walked out of the cave, both of them only wearing flower-patterned underpants.

Xin Zhuo watched their figures and sighed again, "What kind of man can be so noble and upright?"

Han Qiniang also sighed, "Lord Sun is truly a hero. I admire him even more!"

Huang Dagui shouted loudly, "Lord, stay and sleep with us. We have an instant connection. I can't bear to see you leave!"

"I won't!" Sun Wu, with a proud expression, stubbornly endured, "That's the kind of man I am, upright and willing to sacrifice for my brothers!"

(End of this chapter)