Chapter 35: Cai Fu: My Younger Brother Is Invincible!

In the original story, when Shi Xiu rescued Lu Junyi, he leapt down from the balcony of a tavern beside the crossroads.

Cai Fu imitated his move, leaping down from the same tavern balcony while brandishing a heavy executioner’s blade!

However, unlike Shi Xiu, Cai Fu did not shout, “The heroes of Liangshan are all here!”—bluffing was pointless.

“The Blade King of the North is here!”

With a roar that sounded like a deity descending from the heavens, Cai Fu landed and cleaved the executioner in two with a single stroke!

*Swoosh—*

As the blade passed, a spray of blood erupted, and the head of the man meant to succeed Cai Fu hit the ground instantly!

*Hiss—*

Everyone present couldn't help but gasp: Good heavens, didn't you say you were here to spare the condemned?

Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu did not recognize Cai Fu, but Dai Zong had met him once while accompanying Chai Jin on a bribery mission. *Wait, aren't you called the “Iron Arm” or the “Second Xuan-De”? How did you become the “Blade King of the North” all of a sudden?*

Amidst his shock, Dai Zong’s mind raced with wild thoughts: *Besides, if you’re going to bluff, you should say “The heroes of Liangshan are all here!” What is the point of calling yourself the “Blade King of the North”? No one has ever heard of that title; who would be afraid of you?*

Yet, to Dai Zong’s utter surprise, the surrounding prison guards, officers, and soldiers all scrambled backward in terror! The presiding magistrate and the case-clerk even ducked under their desks in unison! The onlookers scattered in a panic!

“Oh no! The ‘Blade King of the North’ is back!”

“He’s the one who killed Inspector Li, run!”

“What are you afraid of? The ‘Blade King of the North,’ also known as ‘Second Xuan-De,’ only kills corrupt officials, not commoners!”

“Last time he was in Daming Prefecture, he single-handedly routed ten thousand government troops and dragged the acting governor off to be beaten!”

“I heard he manifested a miracle at Liquan Mountain, forcing a golden dragon to kneel and kowtow before it transformed into a golden spear...”

The onlookers didn't flee far; instead, they ducked into shops and alleys, pointing and whispering among themselves.

*Swoosh—*

Cai Fu severed the ropes binding Yang Xiong with one swing! He flicked his toe, and the executioner’s blade that had fallen to the ground flew toward Yang Xiong. Yang Xiong scrambled to catch it, but his hands were still partially bound, and the blade clattered to the ground.

That was awkward.

Yang Xiong glanced quickly at Cai Fu, but fortunately, Cai Fu was busy cutting Shi Xiu’s ropes and didn't notice. Yang Xiong quickly took advantage of the chaos to retrieve the blade. As a former executioner in Jizhou, the weapon felt perfectly balanced in his hand.

After hacking down an officer, Yang Xiong asked Cai Fu with immense gratitude, “May I ask the hero’s name?”

“I am Cai Fu, the ‘Blade King of the North’!”

Cai Fu cut the ropes binding Dai Zong, then freed a hand and whistled sharply: “Whew—!”

*Rumble! Rumble!*

A group of horse bandits came charging through the street, led by a giant of a man! The giant wielded a massive battle-axe, its head as large as a carriage wheel, spinning it like a giant windmill. Anything it grazed would die; anything it brushed would perish. Skin would tear, and bones would shatter. It was the epitome of brute force performing a miracle!

Behind the bandits was an open-top carriage driven by a handsome young lad.

Cai Fu beckoned: “Get on!”

After a few rapid strides, Cai Fu leaped onto the carriage. The vehicle sank as Dai Zong climbed on after him.

*Wait! I haven't gotten on yet!*

Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu hobbled after the carriage, supporting each other. They had both been subjected to brutal torture, but Shi Xiu, with his fiery temper, had received the most lashes and was limping the worst. Yang Xiong was in slightly better shape; had he not been burdened by Shi Xiu, he could have caught the carriage himself. But they were sworn brothers, and Yang Xiong would never abandon Shi Xiu to save his own life.

Consequently, while Cai Fu and Dai Zong were already on board, Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu were still limping behind.

Wait! What about the other two?

Cai Fu looked back, saw that Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu were falling behind, and jumped off the carriage without hesitation! Grabbing Yang Xiong with his left hand and Shi Xiu with his right, Cai Fu dashed forward while hauling both men. Yan Qing quickly slowed the carriage, and Cai Fu caught up, tossing Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu onto the vehicle.

Only then did Dai Zong, realizing what was happening, reach out a hand toward Cai Fu and call out anxiously, “Grab my hand!”

Cai Fu ignored the hand, instead taking a few swift steps and leaping onto the carriage like a tiger ascending a mountain.

Dai Zong felt quite awkward; to hide it, he brushed the bangs covering his eyes to either side with both hands.

“Government troops! So many government troops!” Dai Zong looked ahead, his face turning pale as he shrieked in alarm.

Yang Xiong and Shi Xiu struggled to their feet and looked ahead. True enough, countless soldiers were blocking the path. To their despair, the giant who relied on “brute force miracles” was no peerless general. After only a brief clash, the giant was covered in blood, and the dozens of bandits were reduced to a mere dozen.

There were at least several hundred soldiers blocking the way. It was impossible to charge through relying on the giant and his bandits. Although his injuries were the most severe, Shi Xiu grabbed Yang Xiong’s executioner blade and prepared to jump off the carriage to fight to the death!

Just then, the rear of the government ranks fell into chaos, as if a prehistoric beast had descended upon them!

*Boom—*

The soldiers who had been shouting for blood were sent flying as if struck by a runaway juggernaut!

A man and a horse charged through the ranks! The hero atop the horse was imposing and majestic, slaughtering his way through while shouting at the top of his lungs:

“The Jade Qilin of Hebei is here! Those who block me shall die!”

Lu Junyi?

Yang Xiong, Shi Xiu, and Dai Zong were all stunned. *What a magnificent Jade Qilin of Hebei. He is truly worthy of being one of the Three Wonders of Hebei. With his peerless spear and staff skills, he truly possesses the courage of ten thousand men!*

After cutting through the heavy ranks of soldiers in one breath, Lu Junyi circled his horse and took the lead in front of the giant and the bandits. With Lu Junyi leading the way, the pressure on the others eased significantly, leaving them only to mop up the remaining foes.

“Don’t worry!” Cai Fu said, his spirits soaring as he held back Shi Xiu, who was trying to jump off the carriage. “My second brother is invincible!”

Indeed... invincible!

Shi Xiu stared at Lu Junyi’s back in shock. From this vantage point, no one could stop him! No one!

Lu Junyi fought his way to the city gate, where Cai Qing and Jiao Ting were leading the men in a fierce battle against the soldiers. They commanded the “Qilin Retainers”—the militiamen from Qilin Village trained personally by Zhou Tong. Though there were only a hundred of them, they were fellow villagers, even fathers and sons, and possessed great cohesion. After being trained by Zhou Tong and surviving the massacre by the Daming Prefecture troops, they were also formidable in battle.

Cai Qing led half the retainers to hold the gate, while Jiao Ting led the other half to take the city walls. Through their blood-soaked efforts, they secured this path of retreat for Cai Fu, Lu Junyi, and the others.

*Rumble! Rumble!*

Lu Junyi and the rest finally arrived. Cai Fu jumped off the carriage and joined Lu Junyi in covering the retreat of their brothers...