146. A Thousand Sails Race Forward with the Force of a Rainbow

On the boat.

"Big Brother, Fourth Brother, please take a seat inside."

"Brother, what about Brother Jiang? Why didn't I see him when we boarded?" Lu Wei asked. Jiang Shangxing had taken quite good care of them along the way, so Lu Wei felt concerned.

"Jiang Shangxing left last night. Big Brother will see him when we reach the Yunmeng Marsh." Lu瑾 had sent Jiang Shangxing ahead, naturally to make other arrangements.

"Good, good. Brother Jiang is also a fine man," Lu Wei said, sitting down in the cabin with Xu Chong.

Lu Jin paused for a moment and smiled, "I didn't ask you, Big Brother, where have our brothers been arranged?"

"Speaking of this, we truly owe it to you, Brother," Lu Wei said.

*(⊙ꇴ⊙) Huh? This concerns me too?*

"Do you remember that place we were at, Brother? When you left, we retreated as well, originally intending to return to our old lair and move everyone over. But before we could, we were battered and driven to a wretched state by the government troops," Lu Wei recalled.

"Later, with no other choice, we remembered the place you mentioned. So I led the men back there. It was during that battle that Third Brother and the others stayed behind to cover our retreat and were captured by the government soldiers." Thinking back on those recent events, Lu Wei let out a long sigh.

"As Big Brother, I couldn't just sit by and watch my own brothers tortured by the government troops. That's why I sent Cuilian to find you, to see if there was any way to rescue Third Brother."

Lu Jin twitched the corner of his mouth. Still with this Cuilian business.

"Then I led the remaining men, hiding and dodging until we finally reached that place. But we didn't dare stay at the bottom, so as you suggested, we hid in the mountains, and that's how we've managed to evade them until now."

"So when all is said and done, we still had to rely on you, Brother. If not for the path you pointed out back then, I'm afraid I would have truly perished here in the Yunmeng Marsh."

Hearing Lu Wei's words, Lu Jin finally understood. It turned out they were still at that same place. However, had it not been for the Bai Rong invasion, they wouldn't have been able to stay there either. Without any defensive strength, how could one hold it? They would have simply been surrounded and wiped out.

"Being able to help Big Brother escape this disaster is my good fortune as a brother," Lu Jin said politely.

"I did want to ask you and Fourth Brother something. Among our brothers, how many know my real name and my identity as the Shen family's son-in-law?" Lu Jin asked.

"Aside from myself, Third Brother, and Fourth Brother, the only ones who know your real name and your identity as the Shen family's son-in-law are Cuilian and a few others. Almost everyone else who knew is dead, so the rest only know you as the Second Master..."

"Big Brother, stop calling her Cuilian. Just call her Huang Sang. Such a strapping fellow, why give him a woman's name like Cuilian?" Lu Jin said speechlessly.

"Big Brother, let's keep this matter between the few of us. From now on, when I am in the Lanchang Water Band, I will use an alias: Jiang Nan. You and Fourth Brother should understand the reasons behind this."

"Understood, completely understood." Of course they understood. Who would ever believe that a Shen family son-in-law was their own sworn brother? Besides, the Shen family possessed such vast wealth; if word got out that their son-in-law was a water bandit, it would be difficult to explain.

"Then what I have to say next is of utmost importance and must be known only to us and Huang Sang's group."

"Rest assured, Brother. Whoever dares to leak a word, I'll hack him to pieces." Lu Wei already had a fierce appearance, and when he turned ruthless, a murderous aura naturally radiated from him.

"Good. Big Brother said last night that there were only a hundred or so men, but in truth, that is not the case."

"Hmm? What do you mean by that, Brother?" Lu Wei asked, puzzled.

"Did Big Brother and Fourth Brother see how many people are on this ship? And there are even more men that Big Brother and Fourth Brother will see shortly in the Yunmeng Marsh. These men were all persuaded by me from the Shen family, brought here by my father-in-law. This time, they can help us swiftly crush the other water bandits and expand our territory."

"Is what you're saying true, Brother?" Lu Wei wore a look of utter astonishment. He had noticed these men long ago and had even found it strange that his sworn brother could stroll in so openly with them.

Xu Chong, sitting beside him, was equally shocked. Those men were by no means comparable to ordinary water bandits; each one was more robust and vigorous than the last. Although they weren't wearing armor, dealing with regular water bandits would be as easy as slicing melons and vegetables.

"Of course it's true. I told Big Brother I would help him conquer the realm, so I would never speak idly. I expended a great deal of effort during this time to persuade my father-in-law. When Big Brother sent word to the Shen family back then, my father-in-law also felt that Big Brother was a man who valued loyalty, and that the Shen family ought to lend a hand. That is why he allowed me to bring so many men out." Lu Jin wore a deadly serious expression.

"Brother, you... How could I, your elder brother, deserve to be treated this way by you?" Deeply moved, Lu Wei grabbed Lu Jin's arm, his eyes growing moist. He had never expected that a shred of kindness back then could yield such massive returns.

"Since I have acknowledged you as my big brother, no matter what my status is, whether poor or wealthy, you are still my elder brother. As a sworn brother, how could I not look out for you?" Lu Jin said with genuine emotion.

"Good, good. To have a brother like you makes this journey through the mortal world worthwhile for your elder brother," Lu Wei said, deeply touched.

"Don't get too excited yet, Big Brother. Let's continue with serious business. The men I brought are Shen family retainers, so naturally they cannot operate alongside us openly, lest malicious people exploit any loopholes. Moreover, our own brothers are a mixed bag; leaks are not guaranteed to be prevented."

"What Brother says is true."

"Therefore, I have devised a strategy: use the Shen family retainers as the external force, and our Lanchang Water Band as the internal force. Have Huang Sang and the others specialize in relaying messages. As soon as we locate other bandit nests, we send word here, and we will strike from both inside and out, breaking them one by one. Once we mop up and absorb the bandits and their resources, won't all the water bandits around Jiangzhou belong entirely to our Lanchang Water Band?" Lu Jin said.

"Brother possesses towering talent; I am truly in awe." With such a well-laid chain of plans, how could he and his men ever have conceived of it? A game of chess that was visibly dead had been miraculously brought back to life by his sworn brother. Not only was it revived, but it also revealed a future they hadn't dared to dream of before.

"The Second Master's capability truly opens my eyes, Brother," Xu Chong praised.

"We are all brothers through life and death; there is no need for such distant formalities. When we reach the Yunmeng Marsh today, Big Brother and Fourth Brother will see for yourselves just how vast the forces aiding us are. Once we meet them, our brothers will return to the island to reorganize the troops..."

"You are coming back with us too, Brother?" Lu Wei asked in shock. With such a massive display of force, wouldn't it be better to stay here? Why go back to living a dog's life?

"What kind of talk is that, Big Brother? Would you have me enjoy wealth and ease on a boat while watching Big Brother suffer? That is something I cannot do." Lu Jin said with feigned anger.

"Ah, Brother. Big Brother certainly didn't mean it that way."

"Since that is settled, let it be decided. Big Brother, do not ruin our brotherly bond."

"Alright, alright. I'll listen entirely to you, Brother." How could Lu Wei dare to object further?

...

Inside the cabin, Lu Jin had already departed, leaving only Lu Wei and Xu Chong. The two old companions sipped their tea in silence, neither speaking a word.

"Big Brother, what do we do now?" Xu Chong finally couldn't help asking.

"What do you mean, 'what do we do'?" Lu Wei asked.

"Big Brother, look at the Second Master's scale of power right now, while we only have a handful of men. From now on..." Xu Chong's mind was a tangled mess, and naturally, he thought much further ahead.

"What about from now on?" Lu Wei frowned.

"Big Brother, I admire the Second Master too. But with the Second Master currently possessing such strong troops and mighty horses, even if we crush the other water bandits in the future, I'm afraid this Lanchang Water Band will belong to the Second Master, and we brothers..." Xu Chong hesitated.

Xu Chong naturally recognized Lu Jin's ability, which was why he felt their group's future still depended on the Second Master—after all, their own capabilities were truly limited. But now, Lu Jin had not only come himself, he had brought so many men. Such a massive display made Xu Chong hesitate. Even if they truly succeeded, would there be any place for him in it?

Let alone himself, even Big Brother would likely become an outsider. Wouldn't the Lanchang Water Band simply become Lu Jin's household from then on?

"So you've spent all this time thinking about this?" Lu Wei's brow furrowed even deeper.

"Wasn't Big Brother thinking about the exact same thing?" Xu Chong hadn't been following Lu Wei for a short time, and both of them were getting up in years. With such a massive show of force today, how could they not have thoughts? They weren't actual fools.

"Mmm, but you and I are not thinking about the same thing," Lu Wei said softly.

"If not for my brother, Third Brother would be dead, and our time would be running out too. He is the one who saved us. Now that he has brought so much wealth and power to help us, we instead start harboring suspicions. Human nature is truly fascinating," Lu Wei gave a slight, bitter laugh, a trace of bewilderment in his eyes.

"Yet, let us ask ourselves: if not for brotherly loyalty, why would he come? Why not stay comfortably on this boat instead of going with us to suffer? Does he lack our hundred-odd men, or is there some supreme wealth here for him? Tell me, what could he possibly want from us?"

"..." Xu Chong was speechless. This was also the most incomprehensible part. The two of them were merely desperate water bandits who couldn't survive; in their wildest dreams, they could never imagine that Lu Jin was laying out a strategy for events at least a few years down the line.

"Brother Lu has a way with words, but once we calm down, we cannot take it all too literally. Just how many water bandits are there along the Lanchang River, and what can we possibly achieve? Can we unify the Lanchang purely by relying on ourselves? Who besides my sworn brother would ever dare dream of such a thing? Without Brother Lu, we wouldn't even have the present, let alone a future."

"And now? Not only do we have such a fine sworn brother, but we have also completely tied ourselves to the Shen family. Is this the kind of wealth we dared to dream of originally? Even if I couldn't tell whether my brother had other intentions, so what? It was because he valued this bond that he chose us! We are the ones who need him, whereas he does not necessarily need us," Lu Wei said with heartfelt self-reproach.

"Fourth Brother, after enduring this life worse than a dog's over these past few days, Big Brother has finally realized something: we are worth nothing! People shouldn't sometimes overestimate their own importance."

"Big Brother, I..." Xu Chong was too embarrassed to know how to respond.

"Fourth Brother, since my brother has taken a fancy to this old skeleton of mine, we will accompany him and turn the world upside down. But we must keep our wits about us and not let greed ruin our brotherhood when the time comes."

"Rest assured, Big Brother. I will never mention this again."

-----------------

Stepping out of the cabin, Lu Jin looked at the gradually brightening sky and let out a soft breath. The hardest part had yet to be handled.

"Clank, clank, clank!" Lu Jin knocked on the cabin where Shen Yanxi was staying.

"Son-in-law? Come in quickly, it's cold outside," Shuqing said in pleasant surprise as she opened the door.

"Husband!" Shen Yanxi had been lying in bed, but seeing Lu Jin enter, she hurriedly tried to get up.

"Lie properly, Wife. Getting up too early hasn't allowed you to rest well." Lu Jin stepped forward and gently supported Shen Yanxi, readjusting her against the cushions.

"Is that the reason for getting up early?" Shen Yanxi blushed as she looked at her husband. Clearly, he was the one who had kept her up late tossing and turning, yet now he was making excuses.

"Wife, your husband has something to tell you." Lu Jin had no other distractions on his mind right now.

"Speak your mind, Husband. Since when have you been so polite with me?" Shen Yanxi asked, puzzled.

"I discussed it with Lu Wei just a moment ago. Once we reach the Yunmeng Marsh, I will let them witness the might of the Shen family retainers, and then I will go with them to find the rest of our brothers."

"Husband, are you saying you're going by yourself?" Shen Yanxi bolted upright, her face turning icy.

Lu Jin hastily placed both hands on his wife's arms to soothe her.

"Do not fret, Wife, listen to me. The very reason we made such a massive fuss coming here is to leave behind a fallback option and plant a hidden chess piece for the future. Therefore, we cannot let too many people know about the connection between the Shen family and the water bandits, otherwise it loses all meaning."

"That is why I consider it best for the water bandits and the Shen family retainers to mix as little as possible. You will stay on the boat to command and coordinate the Shen family guards, while I return with Lu Wei and the others. Once we locate the bandit nests, we'll arrange for Huang Sang and the others to pass messages, and we'll launch a pincer attack from inside and out, which will undoubtedly sweep through the Lanchang River."

"It's not that I want to leave you behind, Wife; the situation simply demands it. If I do not go, then we have no real connection to the water band, and how could we possibly plant this hidden piece?" Lu Jin had pondered this for days and concluded he had to go.

Before Lu Jin could finish speaking, Shen Yanxi plunged directly into his embrace, her fists pounding against his chest one blow after another. She couldn't even bring herself to say she would accompany her husband, for if she wasn't here, how could her husband ever set his mind at ease regarding the two family generals?

"You are merely a son-in-law of the Shen family, why do you have to shoulder so much? Why?" Shen Yanxi cried, sobbing uncontrollably.

Lu Jin felt a heavy ache in his chest as well. Now that he and Shen Yanxi were as close as glue and paint, how could he bear to part? Yet some things simply had to be done.

"Xier, I am not doing this just for the Shen family, nor solely for ourselves. Such is the state of the world; if your husband sits by and does nothing, how could I ever have peace of mind? And what if the situation deteriorates to an irretrievable point—how would you have me face you then?"

While Lu Jin certainly wished to accomplish things in this world, at the root of it all, he could not bear the thought of a day when he, Shen Yanxi, and their other loved ones were swallowed by a chaotic age. Compared to potential calamities, the present hardship was truly nothing at all.

"Husband!" Shen Yanxi cried out in anguish.

"Rest assured, Wife, I will take Yuanfang and A Nu with me."

"I understand, Husband. You should return to your cabin first." After a long moment, Shen Yanxi choked back her tears and spoke in a low voice.

"..." Lu Jin was stunned. She accepted it just like that?

"Shuqing, see the son-in-law out..."

The moment Lu Jin closed the cabin door, the muffled sound of Shen Yanxi's sobbing drifted from inside. Lu Jin let out a soft sigh, but ultimately did not stop his stride.

-----------------

At the Hour of Chen (around 8:00 AM), when the morning sunlight blanketed the Yunmeng Marsh, Lu Jin's group arrived by boat at their predetermined location.

"Big Brother, Fourth Brother, let's go take a look together," Lu Jin smiled, having changed into ordinary clothes.

Xu Chong's mouth twitched violently. What a fine life they could have had; instead, it felt like dealing with ghosts.

The men walked to the bow of the ship, followed by the others. Standing upon this large vessel, a natural aura of assembled heroes pervaded the air.

The massive boat cleaved through the wind and waves, like a sword parting the tranquil surface of the lake.

Lu Wei stood at the bow, watching the rows of ships neatly arranged in the distance on both sides, every vessel packed with men holding sabers. An aura of stern killing intent filled the water's surface.

"Brother, this is..." Lu Wei unconsciously stepped back a few paces and swallowed hard.

"Just as Big Brother suspects, these men will help us conquer Yunmeng."

With the wave of a signal flag, the sails of the ships on both flanks shifted, converging toward the central route ahead of the flagship.

A thousand sails racing forward, magnificent as a rainbow!