Magical Water Margin: They all call me brother

Page 43

"The goods were confiscated by the government as stolen goods. We split the 15,000 guan we earned from these Jeju people 30/70 with the government."

"How come it's only 70%? The government has already taken all the goods and ships from these Jeju merchants, and they still want to take 30% of the money from us?"

Wang Er said in surprise.

"Seventy percent belongs to the government, and we only take thirty percent! We'll only take four thousand five hundred strings of cash, and the rest will go to the government!"

Wang Cai rolled his eyes. This Wang Er was really not good at handling things, but unfortunately he was his father's illegitimate son and his half-brother. He wasn't very bright, but he was extremely loyal.

"Huh? The government gets so much? Why should they get all the benefits?!"

Wang Er was somewhat incredulous for a moment.

"Otherwise what? Those fifty-odd men were captured by their captain with about a hundred imperial guards. Without the captain, how could you defeat these guys? We bribed the government, made their case airtight, and handled the whole process of imprisonment and exile. It's already quite generous of us to leave them 30%."

Wang Cai rolled his eyes and solemnly warned his younger brother.

"Let me tell you, don't be stingy with money. Maintaining this relationship with the government is worth any amount of money! Even if it means losing money, it's worth it! After all, he's the head of the Imperial Guards, and we're just ordinary people."

Without the protection of the government, our Wang family is nothing. Do you really think these officials will help us make this an ironclad case, leaving those Jeju people no chance to appeal? Dream on!

Let me tell you, money is worthless in the face of power!

Wang Er paused for a moment, then nodded as if he understood but not quite.

Just then, a member of the gang suddenly burst in, looking extremely flustered.

"My lord, something terrible has happened! Those Jeju merchants have all been released! They're heading this way!!!"

"what?!"

Wang Cai stared wide-eyed in disbelief; this matter was beyond his comprehension.

"Was the case already airtight? Why was he released to overturn the verdict?"

"I don't know either. That Commander Wang, with two hundred Imperial Guards, is smiling obsequiously at those Jeju people and walking towards our street. He'll be here soon!"

"You lot, come with me outside to greet them. Don't say a word without my permission!"

Wang Cai's face turned ashen. He immediately realized something was wrong and hurriedly led his men to greet the officials. He found that the Imperial Guard Commander Wang, who was usually arrogant and domineering after being bribed with a lot of money, was now following behind two people who were two meters and four or five meters tall, like celestial beings, like a lapdog.

A man with a broad chest and thick hips, holding an iron staff of Buddha, wearing a crimson robe with many patches, with a shaved head and exposed arms covered in peony flowers, was bustling about and imposing, as fierce as an angry Bodhisattva.

A figure with graceful posture, carrying an ancient serpent spear slung over his shoulder, wearing a Shu embroidered brocade robe, lotus-silk cloud-walking shoes, and a six-treasure jade belt at his waist, was composed, proud, and aloof, like a celestial being descending from heaven.

The passersby, upon seeing the man wielding the eighteen-foot spear, were filled with respect. They bowed deeply with their hands clasped in gratitude, showing him the utmost respect in every gesture.

“Wang Cai! We’ve investigated the matter thoroughly. These merchants from Jeju were simply conducting normal business here, yet you demanded 30% protection money from them. Unable to bear the exploitation, they resorted to violence!”

Upon seeing Wang Cai appear, the head constable, who had been trembling with fear and almost wet himself, breathed a sigh of relief. As if he wanted to make a good impression on someone, he immediately rushed out fiercely and kicked Wang Cai to the ground!

"Damn it! Even the most powerful official in the world, the Zhao Emperor, only collects one-tenth of these merchants' trade profits as commercial tax, and you're going to collect three-tenths? Who do you think you are! The Jade Emperor?!"

Wang Cai was shocked, not understanding why his protector had suddenly turned against him. He saw that the captain who had been kicking him was now covered in cold sweat, constantly glancing at the white-clad woman at the head of the group, as if that beautiful, aloof, and expressionless fairy was a death god taking his life.

Who is she?!

Wang Cai pondered carefully and suddenly came to a conclusion that even he couldn't believe: 2.4 meters tall, dressed in white, aloof, female, Zhang Fei's eighteen-foot spear, and next to her was a nun who was also 2.4 meters tall...

In the entire city of Kaifeng, there is only one person who fits this description: Lin Chong, the instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards' spears and staffs.

Wang Cai gasped, suddenly panicking. This was someone he absolutely couldn't afford to offend! He wasn't even worthy of seeing her normally! His protector was merely a captain of the Imperial Guards in charge of a hundred men, while this person was the teacher of the 800,000 Imperial Guards in Tokyo!

This position can be very important or very minor. To put it simply, Lin Chong couldn't even command an Imperial Guard; she was just a martial arts instructor.

But on a grander scale, all the Imperial Guards had to respectfully address her as "Teacher" and give her face.

Lin Chong, a master of spear fighting with unparalleled martial arts skills, held an even higher status than other Imperial Guard instructors, because even the current Marshal of the Imperial Guards was Lin Chong's disciple!

Wang Cai immediately realized the seriousness of the situation and hurriedly begged for mercy, even pushing his half-brother out as a shield.

"I'm innocent, Your Honor! It wasn't me, it wasn't me! Everyone present witnessed it. I went out to buy goods that day, and Wang Er was the one who received those Jeju merchants! I never said anything about asking for 30% as a tribute!"

"My lord, you?!"

Wang Er was stunned, unable to believe that he had been betrayed! Wang Dutou also breathed a sigh of relief; these people had only offended those he shouldn't have, and Lin Chong had only come down to check on things this once.

If possible, I wouldn't want to kill my sugar daddy, because then no one will give me any more gifts in the future.

Once he got the reason, he immediately stopped kicking and hitting Wang Cai and transferred all his anger to his subordinates.

"Take this Wang Er back to the government office for questioning! All the stolen goods seized by the government have already been returned to these merchants from Jeju."

Wang Cai! Even if you weren't the mastermind, you were involved in what your subordinates did. Apologize properly to these Jeju merchants! Also, arrest all the thugs who participated in the fight that day!

The head constable roared fiercely a few times, and in front of Lin Chong, he arrested Wang Er and the hundred thugs from that day, taking them all back to the county office to complete his mission. Li Hu's fifty Liangshan men, on the other hand, were all released.

"Instructor Lin, are you satisfied with this solution?"

After capturing everyone, the head constable, drenched in cold sweat, approached Lin Chong and groveled. Lu Zhisheng found it quite satisfying, and Lin Chong nodded in satisfaction. He had been coldly observing the struggles and wretchedness of these people from the lower classes, thoroughly enjoying the fear and reverence they held for him, like a high and mighty god untouched by worldly affairs.

Chapter 93: Sisters Gather in Righteousness and Share Martial Arts

After dealing with the goods, the group dispersed. Lin Chong went to have a drink with Lu Zhisheng, while Liu Hong and Wu Song rescued their brother, retrieved the goods, and treated their injuries.

Wang Cai was terrified by Lin Chong, so he shamelessly helped by giving away a huge amount of goods, gold, and silver. Not only did he waive the transportation fees for such a massive amount of goods, but he also gave away a bunch of transport ships and helped pay the taxes before the matter was considered settled.

After resolving the mess and restoring Liangshan's trade to normal, the two went to the restaurant to find their two senior sisters. When the restaurant saw that the visitor was the instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards' spears and staffs, they immediately offered him the best treatment, even providing two singing girls to entertain him while he drank.

A new servant came to add tea and chopsticks. In front of four 2.4-meter-tall supermen, he was so frightened that he trembled. When he looked up and saw Lin Chong's celestial appearance, he was breathless. His hand trembled, and a pot of fine wine was knocked to the ground with a clatter, and the nectar flowed all over the room.

The waiter turned pale instantly. That pot of wine was worth thirty taels of silver, a year's wages! He simply couldn't afford to pay for it!

If she were to hold me accountable for my rudeness in front of the 800,000 Imperial Guard instructors, my life would be over.

Lin Chong looked at the waiter's pale face and cold, beautiful features, but showed no sign of blame. He simply took out a thirty-tael silver coin from his pocket and gently placed it in the waiter's hand, offering gentle comfort.

"It's alright, don't be afraid. The instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards is just like you, with two shoulders and one head."

This pot of wine is for my sister and me to offer as a sacrifice to heaven and earth. Just bring another pot.

"Thank you, Coach Lin! Thank you, Coach Lin!!!"

Upon hearing this, the waiter felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He quickly kowtowed and thanked him before hastily retreating. Lin Chong then chatted and laughed with Lu Zhisheng. During their conversation, he casually pointed out the wrong notes in the two singers' songs and taught them how to improve their performance.

Liu Hong observed carefully and found that his Sister Lin was gentle and refined, kind and approachable to the waiters and singers in the restaurant, completely unlike the person who had just used the title of instructor of 800,000 Imperial Guards to suppress the Imperial Guards and Wang Cai.

She wasn't the kind of person who would bully others by relying on her power, but she thoroughly enjoyed the title of instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards, which brought her all sorts of conveniences and prestige, allowing her to enjoy the refined life of someone who was above others.

"Are these two Master's newest disciples? Back then, after Lin Chong mastered the Lin family spear technique used by his father on horseback for charging into battle, he met Master. Master pointed out the shortcomings in my Lin family spear technique and taught me the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Spear. I combined the two spear techniques and skills, and finally made the Lin family spear technique unparalleled in the world!"

Seeing Wu Song and Liu Hong take their seats, Lin Chong enthusiastically shared his martial arts skills and the techniques he had developed over the years. Zhou Tong and his disciples probably all followed their master's example, having a strong desire to share.

"Moreover, Lin Chong also created two unique skills that do not require learning the Nine Swords professions such as Heavenly Soldier or Battle Blade to improve martial arts. Even non-Nine Swords professions such as cavalry generals like Lin Chong can possess half of the Nine Swords level."

For example, Lin Chong is currently a level 12 cavalry general, a member of the Imperial Guard, which is equivalent to a level 6 Nine Swordsman.

"Not only that, Lin Chong also created the [Martial Arts Proficiency] specialization, which increases my martial arts level by 4, but cannot exceed the maximum character level."

Thus, even though Lin Chong possessed all the abilities of seven cavalry general levels and five imperial guard cavalry levels, his martial arts skills were still equivalent to a level 10 Nine Swords master!

Lin Chong enthusiastically shared what he had learned during this period.

"Sister is amazing! Even Master couldn't figure out this technique, but you've mastered it to perfection!"

My master taught me the "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Spear" and the "Flying Dragon Staff Technique." I thought I was doing quite well, but after seeing Senior Sister Lu Zhisheng a few days ago, I realized that there are always people more skilled than you, and there's always something beyond your understanding. She gave me some pointers on the "Flying Dragon Staff Technique," which has helped me improve even further!

These past few days, I've troubled you, sister, to give me some pointers on my "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Spear," to see what shortcomings it still has.

Liu Hong praised his two senior sisters' prowess, making the two women overjoyed. Lin Chong also took a liking to his junior brother and pointed out the shortcomings in Liu Hong's spear and staff techniques.

Strangely, when Liu Hong was practicing martial arts in Kaifeng, he actually leveled up, but instead of upgrading his Nine Swords, he upgraded his spiritual energy.

After nearly two years, his psionic powers awakened again, granting him two additional psionic powers.

The four martial arts moves have all been progressively upgraded from beginner to intermediate levels.

[Liu Hong] (Dragon)

等级6（2级心灵术士+2级任侠+2级战刃）（试做6级九剑）

Life 62, Psionic 9+5

Strength 23, Agility 12, Constitution 23

Intelligence 25, Perception 12, Charisma 19

攻击命中：12（2任侠+2战刃+6力量+2金翅大鹏）

Physical Defense: 16 (+10 base +5 dragon hatchling scales +1 agility)

Magic Resistance: 26 (+12 base +6 character level +8 double charm adjustment)

[Yue Fei - Golden-Winged Roc]: Strength +3, Agility +3, Intelligence +3, Charisma +3. Attack Accuracy +3, Weapon Damage +3, Armor Penetration Damage +3 (equivalent to 1/2 character level). Also possesses flight ability at 200 km/h, perfect maneuverability, and triple speed and damage during dives and charges.

[Martial Arts Proficiency]: Nine Swords Level +4, maximum cannot exceed character level.

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[Expansion Technique]: Consumes 1 point of spiritual energy, increases strength by 2, increases body size by 2 times, and increases weight by 8 times, lasting for one minute.

【Psionic Shield】: Consumes 1 point of psionic energy to create an invisible force field shield, +4 defense, lasting for one minute.

Liu Hong's eyes lit up. This expansion technique was one of the racial talents of the gray dwarves! Wu Song had used it once, transforming himself into a five-meter-tall giant who charged into battle and routed all twenty-five imperial guards.

And I have also gained this ability, and I can also take on the form of a giant within a minute!

Moreover, the psionic shield was the move Zhu Tong used to defend against arrows. Once activated, it would envelop him in an eggshell-like psionic shield, forming an invisible three-dimensional defense that would cause his defense to surge from 16 to 20 within a minute. It possessed extremely high defense in both physical and magical resistance.

At this moment, his martial arts skills also improved rapidly through arduous practice, reaching the intermediate stage.

[Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix] (Intermediate): Disrupt the enemy formation and terrify their troops with a powerful charge. All nearby teammates will charge alongside you, and everyone's charge damage will be increased by 12. (Double the damage of 6 character levels)

[Phoenix Falls Through the Clouds] (Intermediate): Unleashes a dazzling display of spear techniques, catching the enemy off guard. All nearby teammates gain +12 attack accuracy when attacking this target. (Double the character level)

【Dragon Tail Whip】(Intermediate): When using this move, your defense is increased by 12 (+6 Strength modifier, +6 Constitution modifier), and each hit has a chance to knock back or trip the opponent.

【Dragon Emerging from the Sea】(Intermediate): Suddenly thrust the staff forward. If it hits, it will deal an additional 12 points of armor penetration damage (+6 Strength modifier, +6 Constitution modifier). It will definitely knock back the opponent and has a chance to knock down or launch the target.

Moreover, the chivalrous Heavenly Gang Slash doesn't have so many strict requirements. Now that I've reached level six, I can use the sixth level of Heavenly Gang Slash! I'm only one level away from the seventh level of Heavenly Gang Slash, which has the strongest damage.

Chapter 94: The Young Master's Tease Outside the Five Peaks Tower

Under Sister Lin's protection, the two lived a peaceful life for a while, built a stronghold in the underground Tang Dynasty city of Kaifeng, and a large amount of goods were continuously transported to Liangshan Marsh to support the construction of the stronghold.

The journey from Kaifeng to Liangshan is only 500 li, and takes just over an hour. Liu Hong can fly back to Liangshan to take control of the situation, so he is willing to stay in Dongjing first and learn from the two masters, Lin Chong and Lu Zhisheng, to improve his martial arts skills.

Another day, the two women, having nothing to do, decided to have a match in the vegetable garden.

The nun wielded her hundred-pound iron staff with both hands, shattering the sky with her power. The iron ring at the top of the staff resonated with a thunderous roar like a Buddhist bell. Ruda leaped through the air, her Vajra staff transforming into a flying dragon in her hands, crashing down with a deafening roar!

With a backhand flick, Leopard Head unleashed her eighteen-foot-long legendary serpent spear, tearing through the morning mist. The spearhead emitted a piercing, dragon-like roar. Lin Chong moved with the agility of a dragon, the eighteen-foot spear in her hands like a dragon emerging from the sea, its sharp cry piercing the sky as it charged forward!

"clang!!!"

Lu Zhisheng's spinning iron staff clashed with Lin Jiaotou's reverse thrust spear in mid-air, sparks flying everywhere like a furnace bursting open or fireworks exploding! The back of Lin Niangzi's dress was torn open by the gale, revealing two delicate and beautiful legs. When her toes touched the ground, the bluestone slab cracked like a spider web, indicating that she was at a disadvantage in the clash of strength.

"Ha! Sister, don't try to take it head-on. There's no one in this world stronger than me!"

Lu Zhisheng laughed wildly, causing the copper rings on his iron staff to crack. He swung the staff in a wide arc, sweeping across the battlefield with his powerful and unparalleled moves!

"Sister, I think this move is brilliant!"

Lin Jiaotou calmly dodged, gracefully deflecting his senior sister's monstrous strength. Then, his eighteen-foot spear whipped up a raging gale, instantly unleashing hundreds and thousands of dazzling and terrifying spear shadows! The soil of the entire vegetable garden was stripped away, and vegetable leaves, along with broken stones and tiles, were spiraled into the air, forming a yellow-green whirlwind ten feet high around her.

The tattered hem of her dress fluttered in the wind, revealing the beautiful curves of her snow-white thighs, and the gold hairpin in her hair jingled wildly in the gale.

Lu Zhisheng used a "Flying Dragon Tail Swing," his iron staff swirling with a hundred-pound flourish. Facing Lin Chong's unpredictable and numerous attacks, he defended flawlessly, but could only watch helplessly as the whirlwind grew increasingly fierce! With each rotation of the spear, more debris was pulled into the storm, and rotten vegetable leaves were pulverized into emerald-colored shards by the swirling wind. As Lin Niangzi twisted her waist to thrust the spear forward, this chaotic storm transformed into a ferocious dragon's head, hurtling towards them!

Although Lin Chong was not as strong as Lu Zhisheng, her agility was terrifyingly high, which gave her extremely strong blocking, reaction, movement speed, and even attack speed. The power of her Phoenix Falling Cloud Vortex technique was several times that of Liu Hong's. Her whole person was extremely elegant and composed, and every thrust of her spear was as beautiful as a painting.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!!!"

The clang of metal clashing together sent the crows flying. Lady Lu had precisely struck the spear tip with the awl of her staff, the hundred-pound weapon nimbly twirling on her wrist. The water-polished staff, brushing against the spear shaft, slashed towards Lady Lin's fingers. Sparks flew along the silver patterns of the spear to Lady Lin's wrist, forcing her to spin the spear backward, barely escaping the deadly vortex of spear thrusts.

Their figures blurred together in the vegetable garden. An iron staff slammed into the ground, sending up a towering wave of dust, while an eighteen-foot spear pierced a cargo box, sending green leaves flying. The strap of the nun's bodice snapped in half, her fair skin glistening with sweat as she breathed; Lin Daiyu's waistband came undone, revealing her snow-white flesh half-hidden by water droplets in the tear in her dress.

One wielded the Flying Dragon Staff Technique, its moves fierce and unparalleled. The other danced the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, his spear skills exquisite and unmatched. The two fought for a hundred rounds in a row, still evenly matched, leaving Liu Hong completely mesmerized.

Meanwhile, the hooligans who had taken Lu Zhisheng as their master watched with their eyes practically popping out of their sockets, cheering and applauding!

"Damn! To witness a battle between two unparalleled masters is worth dying for!"

Just as this person was watching the fight and studying the martial arts, suddenly, a maid rushed into the vegetable garden, trembling, and shouted.