Chapter 111: Would Rather Die Than Admit
Chapter 111: Would Rather Die Than Admit
Gao Yiye had just caught the words “Decree of the Deity” and was also arriving in front of Thirty-Two and the Clerk, panting heavily from her hurried sprint. She hunched over, hands braced on her knees, breathing hard.
The Clerk scrutinized her. Huh? Isn’t this… the Li Family’s master’s wife, Madam Li? Why is she carrying such a large bow?
Gao Yiye hadn’t put on the finest clothing in the village today, but she was no longer dressed in rough, low-grade sackcloth either. Li Daoxuan had provided cotton several times, and the village women had spun large quantities, making much cotton cloth. They produced numerous sets of cotton armor and also quite a few cotton clothes.
Gao Yiye was now wearing a set of well-fitted, blue cotton clothes, pure 100% cotton, certainly not mixed with synthetics. Although this attire seemed rather plain for the status of “Madam Li,” someone wouldn’t mistake her for a lowly woman at first glance.
The Clerk stared stupidly at Gao Yiye. “Madam Li?”
Hearing “Madam Li,” Gao Yiye remembered the role she needed to play and was startled. She instantly shifted into a dignified mode. Her gasping stopped. Her hands left her knees. She straightened her back, forcing perfect, rigid propriety — a “fixed posture.” Only the line of sweat beads slowly tracing down her temple revealed the scene wasn’t truly frozen.
The Clerk said, “The arrow just now…”
Gao Yiye interrupted sternly, “Not me! I didn’t do it!”
She’s carrying such a huge bow, the Clerk thought silently.
Gao Yiye raised her chin, adopting an aloof expression, pretending she couldn’t interpret the Clerk’s skeptical look.
About the archery? She would rather die than admit it.
Otherwise, people might think the Saint Lady of the Deity, Madam Li, was a mischievous little girl, embarrassing both the Deity and his incarnation, Lord Li.
The Clerk, possessing top-notch skill in reading people’s expressions, noted her unshakable “would rather die than admit” demeanor and instantly shelved the topic, tossing it to the winds. He started again, “Ahem… Madam Li is dignified and elegant, accomplished in both letters and martial pursuits, truly Lord Li’s blessing. Your arrival couldn’t be more timely. I have come to the Li Family on orders from the County Lord, seeking to borrow some weapons to fight the bandits. May the lady…”
Gao Yiye dared not speak much, afraid to expose her lack of refinement.
She leaned close to Thirty-Two’s ear and whispered, “The Deity’s order: lend him five hundred longbows. They’re already piled in the courtyard before the watchtower. You take him to get them.”
Thirty-Two smiled. “Understood!”
Gao Yiye declared, “Then I shall take my leave.”
With that, she completely ignored the Clerk, turned, and walked away with an air of supreme arrogance, not deigning to grant him the slightest regard.
The Clerk didn’t dare feel angry, for the County Lord had told him; this lady came from a prominent family, acquainted with countless wealthy nobles. Why would she care about a mere clerk? She probably didn’t even give much thought to the County Lord himself.
The Clerk cupped his hands respectfully, slightly inclining his upper body, paying homage as Madam Li departed.
Once Gao Yiye was far away, Thirty-Two finally smiled. “Madam just now said our Li Family can lend you five hundred longbows.”
The Clerk was overjoyed. “Truly?”
Thirty-Two replied, “Follow me.”
He led the Clerk through several passages and courtyards. Ahead stood the watchtower. Arriving before it, they saw the courtyard piled high with a massive stack of longbows. Compared to the lightweight bows used by hunters, these were entirely different caliber. Just the arms were already half a zhang long!
The only slightly odd thing was the material of the bows seemed peculiar, and they were multicolored – rather frivolous hues.
Thirty-Two, long accustomed to the Deity’s divine artifacts, wasn’t surprised at all. The Deity often sent down rainbow-colored, garish divine items: multicolored walls, polychrome catapults, painted Giant Crossbow Vehicles, even the dwellings for the labor offenders were vibrant. You got used to it; it ceased to be strange.
But the Clerk opened his mouth in shock. “Huh? These bows… why painted up like this?”
Thirty-Two thought quickly. “Our Madam Li particularly enjoys archery. But she dislikes plain bows; they must be painted in bright colors to please her. Didn’t you see just now? The bow she carried was emerald green.”
The Clerk had an epiphany: Great families truly are great families! Toys for their wives are such a grand affair! Five hundred longbows, all painted like this just for the lady’s amusement? Such a waste!
“Very well,” the Clerk said, clasping his fists. “I shall arrange for porters to haul these away. The Li Family has aided us many times; the County Lord will not forget this kindness.”
Thirty-Two clasped his own fists earnestly. “Please, by all means, defend the county town. Ensure the bandits cannot breach its walls.”
The Clerk returned the gesture. “Naturally. We pledge to hold it with our lives.”
Thirty-Two added, “And ensure the City God Temple is protected.”
A question mark slowly materialized over the Clerk’s head. “?”
Realizing his slip, Thirty-Two quickly added, “The City God Temple of Chengcheng County was built during the Tang Dynasty, damaged repeatedly over time. I simply couldn’t bear to see it ravaged by war again. That’s why I implore you to guard it. It’s a… a prized treasure.”
The Clerk shook his head with a sigh. “Rebels, no matter how lawless, would hardly dare burn down a Taoist temple. Gods watch from just a few feet above; actions are seen by Heaven. Rest assured, Third Housekeeper Thirty-Two, the City God Temple will be fine.”
…
Meanwhile, at Huanglong Mountain.
A squad of bandit troops skidded down the mountainside and paused atop a large boulder, gazing down at the Bai Family Fortress below.
The fortress sat quietly under the scorching sun.
One bandit surveyed it and chuckled. “Bit sturdier than your average country manor wall, but that’s all. Low and thin ramparts. We’ll smash through it in one strike.”
Another bandit chimed in, “Look carefully. There are some huge objects on the fortress wall, covered in black cloth. Unidentifiable. And look, more behind the wall too.”
“Can’t figure out what they are. Bloody enormous.”
The scout bandit laughed dismissively. “What could they be? Mere provincial gentry fortress! Even if those black covers hide a heap of rolling logs and stones, there aren’t enough hands inside to hurl them effectively at us.”
“That’s true! Probably just defensive gear – rolling logs, throw stones, that kind of thing.”
“Count the visible heads.”
“I already did. Less than ten sentinels visible in the open. By their attire, a few are Bai Family guards. Then there are soldiers wearing officials’ uniforms. Patrol Officer Cheng Xu of Chengcheng is likely garrisoned in the fortress.”
“Why worry about that coward Cheng Xu? He’ll run at the first skirmish along with his hundred-plus men. That leaves, at most, one or two hundred men of the Local Militia inside the fortress. Easy pickings.”
“Let’s go brief the boss!”
“Time to hit them hard!”