Chapter 23: Zeng Tou Market
Madmen!
All of them are madmen!
Jiao Ting lay restless, unable to sleep, tossing and turning in bed like a skillet frying chive pockets.
He had been to Zengtou City before; he knew how powerful the forces there were, and even more so, the formidable martial skill of Shi Wengong!
For just a handful of men like Cai Fu’s group to go to Zengtou City to kill Shi Wengong—that was like a moth to the flame, a hopelessly futile effort.
Jiao Ting didn’t understand where Cai Fu's overwhelming confidence came from, nor who had given him the courage...
All he knew was that he didn’t want to die.
They were strangers to begin with; he had no reason to accompany Cai Fu on a suicide mission, right?
Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, retreat is the best strategy!
Leave!
With grit and determination, Jiao Ting crept to the window, carefully pushing it open.
The night was dark and windy, and no one was around.
Though it was the second floor, by chance a large tree branch stretched just outside the window.
Placing both hands on the windowsill, Jiao Ting lifted one leg but hesitated:
He had sworn an oath—could he just leave like this?
Besides, Cai Fu had entrusted him to stay behind; if he left, wouldn’t that betray Cai Fu’s trust?
“What a disgrace... what a disgrace...”
Did he really want to live the rest of his life as a “disgraced man”?
Enough. He would lead Cai Fu and the others into Zengtou City, but he himself would not enter.
At last, Jiao Ting made his decision, exhaling a relieved breath and pulling back his leg.
Gently closing the window, he returned to bed. After deciding, he found he could finally fall asleep.
Meanwhile, in the adjoining room, Yan Qing sat silently on the windowsill, leaning against the frame, quietly cleaning his short arrows.
Outside, the night was dark and windy, with no light in the room. Yan Qing blended into the shadows, the occasional flash of arrowheads catching the dim light.
Hearing the window close next door and then the quiet followed by snoring, Yan Qing smiled softly.
He carefully tucked three polished short arrows into the inside hem of his garment, then lightly leapt down from the windowsill.
Returning to bed, Yan Qing lay down.
Though he knew Lu Junyi would not return that night, Yan Qing still left half the bed for him.
Closing his eyes, he dressed lightly and fell asleep.
His sleep was light; his long lashes fluttered ever so slightly. At the slightest sound or movement, he would awaken immediately.
For many years, this had been his nightly routine.
...
“So this is Zengtou City?”
Three days later, Cai Fu and his group arrived at Zengtou City.
It was Cai Fu’s first time here, and his eyes instinctively studied the terrain:
The city was surrounded by wild waters, encircled on three sides by high hills.
The moat curved like a coiling snake, with dense willow groves like rain beneath it.
From a height, the lush greenery was thick and impenetrable, with no sign of habitation;
Nearby, shadows flickered furtively, hidden deep within the fortifications...
Just as described in the original accounts, there were mountains and water, and the terrain was treacherous—easy to defend but difficult to attack.
The area spanned hundreds of miles, large enough for Zeng Nong to maintain a force of five to seven thousand troops within Zengtou City.
“Cai Knife King, Lu Yuanwai,” Jiao Ting paused to inform Cai Fu and Lu Junyi, “Follow this main road straight in until you reach a three-way river port where the road splits into three paths.”
“All three paths originally led into Zengtou City, but the city has set traps on two of these routes.”
“The traps shift periodically, so the only safe path into the city changes often.”
“If you enter without guidance and take the wrong path, it’s a near death sentence.”
“Every afternoon by the three-way river port, village women come to wash clothes. If you ask them, they’ll tell you which path to take.”
“As long as they believe you are honorable men and genuine buyers, they will guide you.”
“But if they suspect ill intent or see you as foes, they might mislead you...”
Cai Fu frowned, “With so many complications, how does Zengtou City conduct business?”
“It wasn’t always this complicated...”
Jiao Ting explained everything he knew:
“In March, Liangshan Marsh and Zengtou City fought a battle.”
“The great leader of Liangshan Marsh, ‘Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King’ Chao Gai, was struck down by Shi Wengong’s poisoned arrow.”
“Although Liangshan Marsh retreated, since then, anyone entering Zengtou City must first pass this test...”
“I see!”
Cai Fu suddenly understood:
Liangshan Marsh feared Zengtou City, and Zengtou City equally feared Liangshan Marsh.
“Well then, if you’re not coming with us...”
Cai Fu gave Jiao Ting a meaningful look:
“You can leave right now.”
Jiao Ting was stunned.
He had spent the past three days thinking deeply.
Though not a genius, he wasn’t a fool either.
He guessed that Cai Fu intended to kill Shi Wengong and probably wanted to use his and Su Ding’s connections.
At least, they needed his cooperation.
After all, Cai Fu’s group was small; one more person to watch their backs was useful.
But he had never expected Cai Fu to just let him go without a word of warning.
Did Cai Fu not fear he would betray them?
Jiao Ting glanced at Lu Junyi, then Yan Qing, then Cai Qing...
Cai Qing waved him off: “Go ahead!”
Jiao Ting hesitated for two seconds, then slowly, step by step, began to retreat from Cai Fu and his group.
They no longer paid him any mind, gathering together to confer, ignoring his gradual departure...
After retreating several dozen paces, Jiao Ting was certain—Cai Fu had truly let him leave.
An inexplicable emptiness filled his heart...
Once Jiao Ting had left, Cai Fu’s group slipped into a small grove by the roadside.
Before long, four went in, but only three emerged.
Yan Qing had transformed his appearance, his hair slicked and adorned with a yellow flower at his temple.
His attire was that of a frivolous wealthy young master, mounted on horseback, exuding the aura of a man given to excess.
Cai Fu was dressed as a household guard, walking with a protruding belly.
Cai Qing was dressed as a stableman, leading Yan Qing’s horse.
Yan Qing covered his mouth with a folding fan and whispered an apology:
“Brothers, I’ve offended you!”
“We’re all family—keep being polite like this and I’ll have to smack you!”
Cai Fu gave him a subtle glare.
Yan Qing chuckled.
After all, he was just Lu Junyi’s personal servant.
No matter how kind Lu Junyi was, he still treated him as a servant.
But Cai Fu truly regarded him as a brother, which warmed Yan Qing’s heart...
So the three began their role play, following the road until they reached the three-way river port.
Sure enough, at that hour, a group of village women was washing clothes by the river.
They had rolled up their sleeves and pants, revealing strong arms and sturdy calves.
Not only that, their collars were open wide, exposing well-developed chest muscles, utterly unconcerned by the gaze of men.
Neither Yan Qing nor Cai Qing was lecherous, so Cai Qing simply remarked to Yan Qing:
“Their arms are even thicker than yours!”
Yan Qing felt awkward; Cai Fu kindly helped him out:
“Brother, is that all you noticed was how thick their arms are?”
Cai Qing blinked, “Brother, what did you see?”
Cai Fu didn’t answer but asked Yan Qing:
“Xiao Yi, what did you see?”
Yan Qing was an expert marksman with a crossbow, naturally possessing sharp eyesight:
“Brother, they’re not wearing Song dynasty clothing!”
“Exactly!”
Cai Fu smiled and nodded, “Anything else?”
Yan Qing looked again carefully, his gaze suddenly sharpening:
“They’re hiding blades on their bodies, shining with reflected light!”
“They’re not village women!”