https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-549-A-True-Gentleman-Unfazed-by-Beauty/12536860/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-551-The-True-Face-of-a-Gentleman/12536862/
Chapter 550: Suppressing Bandits
Chapter 550: Suppressing Bandits
Li Gang slammed his hand on the table and stood up, shouting sternly, "How dare they!"
The reason martial arts masters are revered is that they have eliminated countless mountain bandits, river pirates, thieves, and villains.
Apart from being one of the Six Virtuous Gentlemen of the martial arts world, Li Gang was also a well-known hero in the Jianghu. His eyes were sharp as blades, and he could not tolerate bandits causing harm under his very gaze.
While Lian Chengbi may have held a higher status when it came to matters of tangible benefits, Li Gang's prestige in the Jianghu was arguably even greater.
This was simply because he had been famous for a long time, had acted justly on numerous occasions, possessed exceptional martial arts skills, and had a formidable reputation.
Upon hearing that the bandits on Hongze Lake had reappeared, he immediately prepared to take action.
When Li Gang made his move, the others naturally couldn't just sit idly by.
"I apologize for interrupting your welcoming banquet, Brother Lian. But since we bear the title of gentlemen, we cannot stand by and watch innocent civilians suffer, especially when this matter is partly due to us. How about we postpone the feast until after we've dealt with the bandits?" Li Gang said to Lian Chengbi.
Lian Chengbi narrowed his eyes and straightened his face. "Brother Li, you underestimate me. Do you think I, Lian, am the kind of hypocrite who would prioritize a meal over the lives of the people?"
Li Gang shook his head solemnly. "Of course not. However, this banquet was prepared with Lord Duan's kind intentions. It is only right that I apologize for taking the initiative to interrupt it."
Duan Hongzhang quickly interjected, "Valiant Hero Li and Young Master Lian are both renowned gentlemen in the Jianghu, unwilling to tolerate any wrongdoing. A small banquet like this can be held at any time. The important thing is to eradicate the river pirates."
Wan Chongshan glanced at Li Gang and then at Lian Chengbi before standing up to smooth things over. "Since we're all in agreement, let's set off immediately."
Now that things had come to this, Lian Chengbi naturally had to join them.
"The fact that several towns were simultaneously afflicted by bandits indicates that they must have planned this together. There are likely experts colluding with them in secret. This time, we must make sure to wipe them all out and find their lair," Wan Chongshan said.
"In that case, we should also split up and take multiple routes," Wang Xuanfei suggested. "That way, we can definitely catch their main force and track them back to their base."
Thus, they divided into four groups: Li Gang's group, Wan Chongshan's group, Lian Chengbi and his wife's group, and Duan Hongzhang and Wang Xuanfei's group. Together, they embarked on their mission to suppress the river pirates.
Li Gang waved his hand. "I'll take the furthest one—Siyang!"
"Qingjiangpu isn't too big, but the terrain is complex, with many waterways. I'll go there with Brother Wang," Duan Hongzhang volunteered.
Lian Chengbi smiled. "I've heard of the splendors of Huai'an but never had the chance to visit. Today, I'm fortunate to be able to suppress bandits there, paying respects to Lord Han after a thousand years."
Naturally, the remaining destination, Peijia Town, became Wan Chongshan's responsibility.
Duan Hongzhang hesitated. "The backyard is already prepared with tea and fruits, and there are family members present. I'm not sure about Madam Lian…"
Shen Bijun smiled gently and lifted her right hand, causing a golden needle to appear between her fingers, emitting a golden glow.
"Although I don't particularly enjoy fighting, since the river pirates are causing trouble and I possess martial arts skills, I am willing to contribute in my own small way," Shen Bijun said softly.
"Madam Lian, your prowess is truly admirable, and you are a rare female hero in the Jianghu!" Duan Hongzhang exclaimed, giving her a thumbs-up.
"The Unsullied Hero Couple, flying side by side!" Wang Xuanfei praised the couple.
Lian Chengbi discovered that having flatterers by his side did improve his mood. Unexpectedly, it was Wang Xuanfei who first came up with the nickname "Unsullied Hero Couple."
And so, the group set off.
Guided by servants from Duan Hongzhang's mansion and accompanied by other Jianghu people who had stayed in Huai'an City, they set out in groups of three or five to squash the river pirates like soft persimmons.
Huai'an Prefecture, under the administration of Huaiyin County.
Although this was Han Xin's hometown, it was currently just an ordinary county in the Two Huais region. However, due to its proximity to Hongze Lake and the convenient transportation provided by the Grand Canal, it had developed better than other places.
Lian Chengbi and Shen Bijun had just arrived when a servant from the Duan household secretly informed them of the water bandits' whereabouts.
Ordinary commoners and idle Jianghu heroes could only put up a meager resistance against the water bandits, but with the arrival of Lian Chengbi and Shen Bijun, the bandits became as helpless as caged chickens and dogs.
Under Lian Chengbi's sword, seven or eight water bandits perished, and upon seeing several women and children killed by the bandits, even Shen Bijun's eyes turned red with anger. She personally used her golden needle to dispatch a vile bandit with bloodstained hands.
"Thank you, heroes!"
"Thank you, noble warriors!"
A group of grateful commoners bowed to them, and Lian Chengbi and Shen Bijun helped them up one by one. Seeing their pitiful state, Shen Bijun not only refused the gifts they offered but also gave them the silver she had on hand.
This heartfelt gesture further enhanced the reputation of the Unsullied Hero Couple.
"Have you found out where their lair is?" Lian Chengbi asked the Jianghu people who had followed them, as they had also captured a few bandits for interrogation. "And how are they communicating?"
The Jianghu man shook his head. "They don't have a lair. They had been hiding in a mountain hollow by the lake, and there were only so many of them. This time, they all came out together because they were approached by He Ying, Wang Zhen's deputy."
"What about this He Ying?" Lian Chengbi inquired.
"He left after giving them their instructions, and they know nothing else," the Jianghu man replied with a shake of his head.
Just then, Liu Daqian led an elderly couple who hurried over with quick steps. As soon as they arrived, the elderly couple immediately knelt before Lian Chengbi and started kowtowing.
Lian Chengbi frowned and lightly waved his hand, causing the couple to stand up involuntarily, unable to kneel down no matter how hard they tried.
"Speak your request. If it's something I can help with, I will. But if it's not, even if you kneel until your head splits open, I won't lift a finger," Lian Chengbi said indifferently.
"Young Master Lian," Liu Daqian said helplessly, "Their daughter went to Siyang early this morning to visit her cousin. She had just left when the water bandits attacked. They are worried about their daughter..."
"Leave the water bandits in Siyang to Li Gang. With his martial arts skills, even Wang Zhen is not his match. If their daughter is still alive, then she won't die. If she had encountered the bandits earlier, even if I went there now, it would be too late," Lian Chengbi said.
Liu Daqian nodded repeatedly, "That's what I told them as well!"
Seeing the worried and anxious expressions on the elderly couple's faces, Shen Bijun pondered for a moment before saying to Lian Chengbi, "It seems the water bandits in Huaiyin don't know much. Why don't we go to Siyang and take a look?"
"Siyang is the furthest from Huai'an, and perhaps this He Ying is with the bandits there," Shen Bijun suggested, "Since we're already involved in this matter, let's wrap it up neatly."
Lian Chengbi raised an eyebrow and smiled, "I didn't expect my wife to learn the art of goading as well?"
Shen Bijun smiled softly, her expression a mix of gentleness and shyness.
(End of Chapter)
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