RWNEFE -Chapter 128 Hand Over the Shen Family!

“We’ve given it all—everything’s here. I counted it; it’s correct. Huh? What’s this?” The underling unfolded a slip of paper.

Xiao Fang raised a brow and snapped angrily, “Can you even read? Hurry up and bring it here!”

The underling shrank his neck and quickly handed it over.

After reading the note, Xiao Fang’s expression darkened from clear to stormy.

“Call the brothers—grab our weapons!”

The underling exclaimed, “Boss, we already took their money! If we chase them again, isn’t that dishonorable? If word gets out that Qing Song Mountain doesn’t keep its word, won’t we be laughed to death?”

Xiao Fang kicked him hard.

“Stealing the Wei Army’s grain and pay, causing the entire Wei Army to be wiped out—such traitors to the nation deserve to be killed by everyone!”

The underling’s eyes went wide. He bolted outside at once.

Shen Lanxi looked up at the heights of Qing Song Mountain. With its jagged peaks and steep terrain, it was easy to defend and hard to attack. That toll had been money well spent.

“Young Master, Qing Song Mountain is huge!” They had been galloping for half an hour and still hadn’t even crossed half of it.

She had recently been reading travel journals that recorded the terrain of this region, especially the extent of Qing Song Mountain.

“Qing Song Mountain is the largest mountain in the western frontier. Once we pass it, if you want to see mountains again, you’ll have to go all the way to Dongchuan.

“Dongchuan’s primeval forests and towering ranges are no smaller than Qing Song Mountain.”

Chunxue and Qiushuang had never even left the capital since childhood. The biggest mountain they’d ever climbed was Longevity Hill in the Imperial Garden—nothing compared to Qing Song Mountain.

Chunxue said wistfully, “Young Master, when we get the chance, we must climb a real mountain!”

Shen Lanxi smiled and nodded, but suddenly her smile froze. She quickly stepped out of the carriage and looked east.

“Young Master, what’s wrong?” The sudden movement startled the two maids.

With a grave expression, Shen Lanxi said, “There’s a cavalry coming this way!”

Wei Dongzhu had already noticed when Shen Lanxi came out, and right after that he heard the sound of hooves.

“Stop the carriage!” Running would be pointless—the carriage couldn’t outrun horses.

Wei Dongzhu called out loudly, “Stop!”

Though puzzled, Liu Laohu and the others brought the carriage to a halt.

The men of the Wei Army dismounted and lay low for a moment.

“At least sixty riders. Strong horses. They’ll be here in a blink.”

As soon as the words fell, they could already see the silhouettes of the riders.

Liu Laohu shouted, “All carriages, gather together!”

Hearing there was trouble, the people in the carriages lifted the curtains in panic.

“Is this ever going to end? Didn’t we already pay?”

“Shut up! Since when do bandits talk about honor? If they want to kill, they kill!”

Shen Lanxi watched the approaching bandits coldly. Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit—since they dared to come, she’d bury them all right here.

In the blink of an eye, Xiao Fang led his men to them. He lifted his long spear and roared, “The Shen family stays! Everyone else, leave!”

The exile convoy fell silent for a brief moment. In that moment, some hesitated, some were tempted, some truly wanted to leave.

But in the end, no one moved.

Even if they got past Qing Song Mountain, there was still a long road to Dongchuan ahead. Would it really be peaceful all the way?

Seeing no one move, Xiao Fang’s brows knitted together at once.

The underling beside him shouted loudly, “The Shen family stole military grain and pay, causing the entire Wei Army to be annihilated, several cities to fall, and countless civilians to die! Today, Qing Song Mountain will carry out heaven’s justice—wipe out these traitorous rebels of the Shen family and avenge the Wei Army and the fallen people!”

The exiles’ anger was ignited.

The Shen family again—always them!

Being exiled together with the Shen family was like misfortune opening the door for even more misfortune—utter bad luck!

Those sharing a carriage with the Shen family were punched several times by other prisoners.

The Shen family members dared to be angry but not speak, covering their mouths for fear their cries would attract the bandits’ attention.

The ones being beaten: Sob sob sob… What did our Shen family ever do? Why won’t they stop coming after us…

Wei Dongzhu rode forward to speak with Xiao Fang.

“Heroes of Qing Song Mountain, first of all, thank you for defying power and upholding justice to avenge the Wei Army,” Wei Dongzhu said sincerely.

Xiao Fang and the others thought Wei Dongzhu was a yamen officer, here to negotiate.

So the note was right—there really were Shen family members among them!

Wei Dongzhu continued, “The case of the Wei Army’s stolen provisions has hidden circumstances. I can guarantee with my own head that it was not the Shen family. If it is ever proven that the Shen family did it, you won’t need to lift a finger—I will personally behead every one of them to comfort the spirits of the Wei Army!”

At this, Xiao Fang finally gave Wei Dongzhu a proper look.

In broad daylight—why wear such an ugly mask?

“You’re in league with them. We don’t believe you. The court has already passed judgment—it was the Shen family. If not them, why were they sentenced to exile?” Xiao Fang shouted.

Wei Dongzhu knew the case was riddled with doubts, not something he could explain to outsiders.

Even moved by Xiao Fang’s righteous act, he could only apologize.

“I’m sorry, but we must take the Shen family with us. If you detain them privately, you’re making an enemy of the court. You’d better think carefully!”

Xiao Fang snorted arrogantly. “The court is nothing but a fart to me. If they’ve got the guts, let them come—I’ll make sure none of them return!”

Hearing this, the bandits behind him shouted and jeered wildly.

Unless absolutely necessary, Wei Dongzhu didn’t want to fight those who were avenging the Wei Army.

“We’ll pay for the Shen family’s lives. Name your price.”

Under normal circumstances, Xiao Fang might have considered it—but not this time.

Without a second thought, he said, “No money. We want the Shen family’s lives! If you don’t hand them over, none of you are leaving—stay here and raise horses for me!”

Wei Dongzhu’s face changed, his voice sinking. “So there’s no room for negotiation?”

Xiao Fang said resolutely, “I may be a rough bandit, but I admire the Wei Army’s loyalty to the nation. If not for my brothers here, I’d have joined the Wei Army long ago.”

Wei Dongzhu: “…”

“You paid the toll, so I won’t make things hard for you. Hand over the Shen family, and I’ll refund the extra toll. Bridge to bridge, road to road—next time you pass through here, I’ll do you a favor and won’t charge you!”

They were utterly determined.

Shen Lanxi jumped down from the carriage and walked to the front of the group.

“And if we don’t hand them over?”

Xiao Fang froze when he saw Shen Lanxi’s face. Could such an effeminate-looking person be a yamen officer?

“If you don’t, don’t blame me for being rude!” His long spear swept across instantly!

Wei Dongzhu drew his sword and blocked in front of Shen Lanxi. The two weapons collided with a sharp metallic clang.

A Wei Army soldier brought over a long spear.

“Big brother, take the spear!”

A sharp light flashed in Wei Dongzhu’s eyes. He swiftly sheathed his sword, grasped the spear, spun it in a flourish, and his entire aura transformed!

“If you want the Shen family, step over my dead body!”

Xiao Fang’s heart stirred suddenly—he felt the thrill of meeting a worthy opponent, and his hands itched for battle.