Chapter Sixty-Four: If You Dare, Come Find Me!

Chief Li was in high spirits. That night, he invited Old Master Chen to dinner, and only when the sun had set did Li Yun escort him home. Once the renowned gun master had departed, Li Yun, together with Li Zheng and Zhang Hu, returned to the courtyard.

Entering his room, Li Yun took out the long spear crafted for him by Old Master Chen. He toyed with it for a while, then began to wield it, the spear dancing in his hands like a tiger unleashed. After he finished practicing the full set of spear techniques, he thrust the weapon like lightning, striking the wooden dummy in the throat with deadly precision.

Li Zheng clapped his hands and exclaimed, “Second Brother, what skill!”

Zhang Hu stepped forward, taking the spear from Li Yun and admiring it in his hands. Li Zheng, smiling, said, “If this spear were sold on the street, it’d fetch at least several dozen coins. He gave it to Second Brother without hesitation—truly generous.”

Li Yun replied with a laugh, “Heroes are never lacking among the common folk. I’ll find a chance to repay him in kind.”

As Li Zheng was about to speak, the courtyard gate was knocked once more. From outside came Chen Da’s voice: “Chief!”

Li Zheng and Li Yun exchanged a glance, then Li Zheng went to open the door. Chen Da, already familiar with Li Zheng, greeted him and made his way to Li Yun. He spoke, “Chief, there’s news on the matter you asked me to look into.”

Li Yun drew him to a bench in the courtyard and smiled, “Let’s hear it.”

Chen Da pulled a slip of paper from his jacket and handed it to Li Yun. “Over the past days, I took three or four men to inquire around Xuanzhou. I returned recently, but the others picked up some information.”

“The Ten Kings’ Stronghold in Lingyang Mountain is backed by several families in Xuanzhou.”

Chen Da spoke in a low voice, “There are so many people in the Ten Kings’ Stronghold that their daily needs are considerable. They require someone to fence their stolen goods and procure supplies for the mountain.”

“That person’s surname is Luo, ranked fourth in the stronghold, nicknamed ‘King of Ingots.’”

“He’s notorious for his lust, often visiting Xuanzhou, and has kept two women there, fathering several children.”

After Chen Da had outlined the situation, Li Yun looked at him and smiled, “You managed to find out so much—quite capable, aren’t you?”

“It’s not my own skill,” Chen Da replied, head lowered. “It’s just that this isn’t much of a secret in Xuanzhou.”

Li Yun paused, understanding the implication: many people in Xuanzhou were aware of this matter.

Chen Da continued, “That Luo fellow has an official identity in Xuanzhou. Everyone knows he’s a bandit, but since the authorities turn a blind eye, no one dares provoke him.”

Chief Li narrowed his eyes. “Are you certain?”

“I’ve been asking around for over a month—there’s no doubt.”

Li Yun patted Chen Da’s shoulder and said slowly, “All right, I understand. You’ve worked hard. Tomorrow, come to the county office—I’ll see you rewarded.”

“Thank you, Chief.”

Chen Da thanked him, then sighed, “Chief, the Ten Kings’ Stronghold has entrenched itself for years. They sit just beyond Qingyang, close to Xuanzhou, with vast resources and numbers. I’d advise you to leave them be…”

Chief Li smiled, “Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing. It’s late now—I won’t keep you. Go home.”

“Another day, let’s have a drink together.”

Chen Da agreed and departed.

Li Yun escorted him to the gate. When he returned, Li Zheng had clenched his fists, voice deep: “Collusion between officials and bandits! No wonder the Ten Kings’ Stronghold is so powerful!”

He looked at Li Yun and said gravely, “Second Brother, what do you want to do? Should we take some men and seize this Luo fellow?”

Chief Li’s expression was blank as he spoke slowly, “Since he’s tangled with Xuanzhou’s officials, if the bandit squad acts, we’ll be hindered at every turn.”

“It’s time for us brothers to return to our roots—let’s become bandits ourselves.”

Zhang Hu, who had been silent, burst out excitedly, “I’ve long tired of being part of this so-called bandit squad!”

Li Yun looked to Li Zheng, his voice grave, “There are over a hundred men on Lingyang Mountain—it’s too hard to assault them directly. We must lure them down, at least some of them.”

Li Zheng clenched his fist. “No need to explain, Second Brother. Just tell me how to proceed!”

Chief Li shed his black uniform, tossing it into the house. After a moment’s thought, he picked up the long spear made by Old Master Chen, his face expressionless.

“Let’s go—out of the city.”

Five days later, in a mountain pass.

Li Yun led a dozen men from Cangshan Stronghold, hiding among the woods. Li Zheng lay beside him and whispered, “Second Brother, they’ll pass through here today.”

“But the Ten Kings’ men are cautious—there’ll be plenty escorting the grain.”

Before Li Zheng could say more, four or five grain carts appeared in the distance. Li Zheng climbed to higher ground for a look, then hurried back to Li Yun with a low report: “Second Brother, it’s the Luo family’s men!”

Li Yun nodded, calm. “Wait for them to approach.”

The group crouched low, waiting until the carts were only twenty paces away. Li Yun took a mask from his jacket and fitted it to his face—a mask crafted by Liu Bo, thin iron, all black.

Once masked, he stood and gave a low command, “Get to work!”

This time, he was accompanied by the core young men of Cangshan Stronghold, all experienced. At his command, two men rolled logs down the slope, blocking the road ahead of the carts.

Li Yun dragged his long spear behind him and charged toward the five grain carts.

The carts were escorted by about twenty men—all bandits from the Ten Kings’ Stronghold. Seeing the situation, they quickly drew their weapons.

The leader, a middle-aged man, still unsure of Li Yun’s numbers, cupped his fists and called out, “Which stronghold are you brothers from?”

“We’re from Lingyang Mountain. If you leave now, we’ll take it as a misunderstanding.”

Li Yun sneered, ignoring him, and barked again, “Charge!”

Seeing negotiations fail, the leader of Lingyang Mountain bandits was not to be outdone. He sneered, “So you dare provoke us? Looks like we’ve been too lenient these past years. Brothers!”

“Kill these insolent dogs!”

Most of the bandits assigned to escort the carts were low-ranking, not used to bloodshed—if they were, they wouldn’t have been given this task. Still, being a bandit meant readiness to risk life. They didn’t flinch, weapons raised as they charged toward Li Yun.

Li Yun, his face masked in black iron, spun his long spear in a perfect circle.

His strength was formidable, and the spearhead was weighted; in a single sweep, he knocked three men to the ground! Two were wounded by the spear tip; the third was struck full in the chest, his ribcage caved in.

At that moment, Li Yun’s suppressed ferocity, pent up for two months, finally burst forth!

He stabbed fiercely, the spear piercing a bandit’s heart, then dragged him down with a twist. As he withdrew the weapon, two more bandits rushed into his spear’s range.

This was the greatest peril for anyone wielding a spear or long weapon—the danger of opponents closing in. Thus, those using long weapons often carried swords as backup.

But Li Yun was unafraid.

He withdrew the spear tip, planted his feet, and swept the butt horizontally. The two men were skilled, raising swords to block.

The oiled beef tendon wood clashed with steel, ringing out. The force was so great that the two men nearly lost their grip, retreating in shock.

Li Yun advanced, the spear stabbing twice, dispatching both.

By now, Li Yun had slain several—these lowly bandits were terrified, scattering in panic.

He leaped onto a grain cart, blood-soaked, like a demon incarnate.

“Go back and tell your leader—I am Li Yun, chief of Cangshan Stronghold!”

“The feud is set!”

“If he dares, let him come find me at Cangshan!”