Translator: Lordbluefire

  Sun Mo didn’t explain things to Ye Biao but looked toward the hostages who were kneeling on the floor.

  “You guys are free now. The one who did this is me, Swallow Li San. The reason for doing this isn’t for anything else but to enforce justice on behalf of heaven.”

  Sun Mo said in a loud voice, “Landlord Zhong is greedy, brutal, and does a lot of evil acts, causing many families to be broken up and destroyed. Take Zhong Xiaoliu’s family for example. Their lands were seized and his younger sister who was below the age of 20 was raped and then sold to a brothel. Who should die if not someone like this?”

  Sun Mo listed out Landlord Zhong’s evil deeds as if he was in great pain.

  The servants who had been sobbing softly earlier on didn’t dare to make another sound. It was true that Landlord Zhong had done a lot of bad deeds, but as servants, how would they dare to shoot their mouths off for no reason?

  In the beginning, they felt that these evildoers were very bad. But now, it seemed that they were really enforcing justice on behalf of heaven.

  “We don’t kill recklessly, so we’ll let you guys leave!”

  After saying that, Sun Mo planned to leave. However, a servant bellowed out.

  “You guys killed my older brother!”

  “Is he a guard? If he is, then shut up!”

  Sun Mo stared at him. “If you feel aggrieved, then I’ll go investigate if your older brother had helped Landlord Zhong in his evil deeds, forcing women into prostitution. If he did do that, then your entire family would die! If not, I’d pay you with my life!”

  “Dalang!”

  Sun Erniang came running over to check out the situation when she didn’t see Sun Mo coming to the front door. When she heard him say this, she was immediately given a fright.

  The bandits’ expressions all changed a little.

  That servant shrank his neck back, seeming hesitant but not daring to say another word.

  How could a guard dare to go against their master’s orders?

  Therefore, they’d definitely have done some bad deeds before.

  At the sight of this scene, all the bandits shouted out. This was the first time they felt that they weren’t in the wrong after having killed and committed arson. A lot of the sinfulness they were feeling disappeared.

  “As for these ill-gotten gains, other than keeping some for ourselves to recruit men and purchase horses, we’ll donate the rest out to help the poor.”

  Sun Mo looked toward those bandits. “Since we’re eating these foods, we mustn’t let the people who had grown them down.”

  “Brother Sun is right!”

  “Fourth Boss, we’ll do as you say!”

  “We’re righteous bandits! We don’t do bad deeds!”

  The bandits shouted out, feeling very good.

  Ye Biao looked a little surprised when he saw that quite a number of people had started to call Sun Mo the fourth boss. These outlaws were arrogant people, but they were all convinced by Sun Mo after just one operation with him.

  He could only say that Sun Mo’s charisma was very strong.

  “Come, let’s head back to the mountain stronghold!”

  Sun Mo didn’t continue to have those servants take any responsibilities for their actions and turned to leave.

  The reason he had said so much was to spread their reputation as righteous bandits. They’d only be able to attract more people by saying that their actions were intended to enforce justice on behalf of heaven.

  Even though the sky had turned dark and it was hard to travel, the bandits who had just accomplished a great operation went on their way energetically without Sun Mo’s orders.

  After all, they’d only be safe after returning to the mountain stronghold.

  “Brother Sun, why didn’t we burn down the manor?”

  Ye Biao couldn’t understand. Killing and arson were often grouped. Without having committed arson, he kept having the feeling that something was missing.

  “There’d be people who’d do it for us!”

  Sun Mo smiled and looked in the direction of the Zhong Clan’s manor.

  As expected, it wasn’t long before a fire started to burn, reflecting an orange-red color onto the sky.

  “Huh? Who did that?”

  Ye Biao was stunned.

  “The villagers. It could be those servants as well!”

  Sun Mo guessed. It didn’t matter anyway.

  “They wouldn’t dare to do that, right?”

  Ye Biao didn’t believe that. Sharecroppers and servants were all lowly people. How would they dare to burn down their master’s manor?

  Sun Mo smiled, not saying anything.

  After a short while, a black figure suddenly darted out from the forest. It gave everyone a big fright and all of them drew their blades.

  “Don’t fight! It’s me! Zhong Xiaoliu!”

  Zhong Xiaoliu panted heavily, running up to Sun Mo and saying, “Big Brother, I’ve told them according to your instructions.”

  “You’ve come back slightly later than planned. You must have come back only after seeing them snatching the food and setting the manor on fire, right?”

  Sun Mo gave Zhong Xiaoliu a tight hug. “You’ve been very thoughtful!”

  “It’s my honor to be able to give my life to serve Brother Sun!”

  Zhong Xiaoliu felt extremely touched.

  He was worried that those sharecroppers wouldn’t dare to snatch the food and wouldn’t set the place on fire either. Therefore, he waited there secretly. He didn’t expect that they would really do it. It was exactly as Brother Sun had said.

  “Dalang, you really have a black heart!”

  Sun Erniang understood now.

  The landlord’s house had too much food, and it’d be impossible for them to bring everything with them. Sun Erniang wanted to burn them up, but Sun Mo’s intention was clearly to share them with those villagers.

  Moreover, because the villagers had it over their head from all the snatching, they were trying to destroy the evidence, so they burned down the manor. With that, they’d be partners in crime.

  It’d then be harder for the government officials to investigate the case.

  “Can you please not call me Dalang?” Sun Mo’s lips twitched. “It sounds unlucky!”

  Sun Mo had thought further than that. As long as those sharecroppers had snatched the food, even if they didn’t burn down the manor, Zhong Xiaoliu would do it.

  Think about it. Xiaoliu and the Zhong Clan had such a great feud. How would it be possible for him not to set the place on fire?

  This was all within Sun Mo’s plan.

  Moreover, when he came down from the mountain in the future, leading a volunteer army across Jiangzhou, these sharecroppers who had a taste of plundering would have a high chance of joining him, adding to their strength.

  Of course, they wouldn’t have any choice to reject!

  It was because he’d expose them of having seized the food reserves and burned down the manor. Also, the reason Sun Mo hadn’t killed Landlord Zhong’s family wasn’t just because he didn’t wish to kill the innocents, but because he wanted to let them seek revenge.

  Even though it was dark and no one saw the sharecroppers seizing the food, the Zhong Clan’s members weren’t fools. Could they not hate the sharecroppers? To get more wealth and live the good lives they used to, they’d definitely increase rent and interests. With all these factors, the people who couldn’t hold on would end up becoming an addition to Sun Mo’s strength!

  This was perfect!

  “I’m really smart!”

  Sun Mo felt a little happy.

  “After this battle, our volunteer army’s reputation should spread far!”

  Sun Erniang was very happy.

  Deep inside, she still wanted to be a good person. Therefore, she couldn’t stand watching how some people from the mountain stronghold were stopping people on their paths, robbing them, and killing them to get their goods. After all, those traveling merchants hadn’t done anything wrong.

  It felt better to be killing landlords who were tyrants, enforcing justice on behalf of heaven.

  …

  In the meeting hall on Mount Zhao, the three bosses were drinking wine.

  “Do you guys think that Sun Mo will be successful on this trip?”

  The First Boss chugged down a mouthful of wine, looking at the lake in the distance, wearing a solemn expression.

  There were over ten groups of bandits around the Eight Hundred Miles Lake. The Mount Zhao’s bandits weren’t the strongest amongst them. If the people who went with Sun Mo were wiped out, causing the mountain stronghold’s strength to plummet, the other bandits would definitely take the chance to take over them.

  It’d also be troublesome if Sun Mo turned out successful. It was because the First Boss was one with great ambition but little talent, and he was also very fearful toward things.

  He wanted to do big jobs but was also worried about being targeted by government officials.

  “Things won’t go too bad with Ye Biao going along!”

  The Second Boss took big bites of meat and then a mouthful of wine before he smiled. “Scholars are all just empty talk. Although Sun Mo managed to trick some brothers to go down the mountain with his glib tongue, robbery is something that relies on how fast and vicious a person’s blade is!”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  The Third Boss had been a distinguished-talent and he was unhappy upon hearing this.

  “Adviser, don’t get angry! I’m not talking about you!”

  The Second Boss said. To speak the truth, if it wasn’t because this guy had brought a lot of money and food up the mountain, and he still had some of his father’s connections in Jiangzhou which would allow them to save their men through bribing with money, he’d have killed this guy and toss him into the lake to feed the fish.

  “That poor scholar will probably die in this operation. What will happen to his wife?”

  The Second Boss had seen Mei Niang before and to be honest, he was very tempted. “Sun Mo hasn’t contributed anything to the mountain stronghold, so we have no reason to let her stay!”

  “Shameless!”

  The Third Boss cursed softly.

  “Drink up, drink up!”

  The First Boss spoke up to have them drink up, not really trying to stop the quarrel between them. If these two bosses didn’t have any conflicts between them, how would he be able to remain on his seat as the First Boss steadily?

  Before they finished their drinking sessions, a bandit came over excitedly to report to them.

  “Our brothers have returned! The fishing boats are filled to the brim!”

  Clank! Clank! Clank!

  The three bosses shot up to their feet in unison, wearing different expressions.

  “How are the casualties?”

  The First Boss asked.

  “To heck with that. As long as they’ve seized enough money and goods this time around, it won’t be a loss!”

  The Second Boss was very excited and walked out of the pavilion quickly to receive the boats. “Oh, right, what about that Sun Mo? Did he die?”

  “I don’t know. I came over to report the news when I saw the boats coming back.”

  The underling had no idea either.

  When the boats reached the shores, the bandits who received the news had all come. When they saw the boats filled with money and food, their eyes gleamed.

  “Why are you guys all standing there? Hurry up and move the stuff!”

  Ye Biao stood at the front of the boat, waving his big hand.

  “Brother Biao, you’re amazing!”

  “Brother Biao, please bring me along when you go plundering next time!”

  “I was saying from the start that with Brother Biao, things will definitely be a success!”

  The bandits all curried up to Ye Biao.

  “Haha!”

  Ye Biao was enjoying all these praises, but when he saw Sun Mo coming out, his expression froze and he immediately explained, “Don’t be talking gibberish. This is all thanks to Big Brother Sun!”

  “Big Brother Sun?”

  The bandits were all stunned. When was there a Big Brother Sun in the mountain stronghold?

  Ye Biao was a person who had status in the stronghold and thus was referred to as Brother Biao. There were less than ten people whom he’d address as his older brother.

  “It’s Sun Mo! The recommended-candidate who came to the mountain a few days back!”

  Ye Biao explained.

  The bandits exchanged glances, wanting to ask if he was having a fever and spouting gibberish.

  (I know that recommended-candidates would definitely be good in studies but robberies? Would he be able to swing a blade?)

  But they soon found out that Ye Biao wasn’t joking. It was because Sun Mo had come out with the mountain stronghold’s top beauty, Sun Erniang, who followed behind him and treated him with great courtesy.

  Usually, Sun Erniang wouldn’t care for men like them.

  The bandits who had gone with Sun Mo in this operation were starting to boast as well. After all, this was a great operation that was worth flaunting.

  “Biao, what happened?”

  The Second Boss called Ye Biao over. This didn’t seem right!

  (Why did you guys become so respectful toward Sun Mo after one trip?)

  “Second Boss, that Sun Mo is this!”

  Ye Biao flashed a thumbs-up. “With him around, we’ll definitely be able to enjoy a good life in the future. We might even get to try out the emperor’s throne!”

  “…”

  The Second Boss wanted to scold. (What the hell are you thinking?)

  The First Boss smiled and received Sun Mo, but in his heart, he felt a great threat. This guy could threaten his position as the leader of the mountain stronghold……

  Chapter 1138: The Red Turban Army That Enforces Justice On Behalf of Heaven

  Translator: Lordbluefire

  That night, a celebratory banquet was held in the mountain stronghold. Sun Mo was naturally the main character and was given many toasts.

  Sun Mo didn’t really have much interest in drinking wine, but if he wished to build up a good relationship with these people, it was impossible to not drink. Therefore, he could only take them on the drinks.

  Sun Erniang’s heart ached a little seeing Sun Mo struggling to handle the drinks. She stood up for him. “He’s just a scholar and can’t drink. I’ll do it!”

  Her words caused an uproar. Some men who had a crush on her felt very complicated and at a loss.

  But no one said any dampening words.

  Even in the modern days, if someone from a village managed to get into a university, it’d be considered a great glory, let alone in the ancient days when scholars enjoyed high statuses.

  Someone like Sun Mo, who was a recommended-candidate and was also good at fighting, in addition to being able to lead them to riches, was idolized by everyone.

  “Brother Sun is very amazing. I say that we let him become the fourth boss and lead us to riches!”

  Expensive Pork had too much to drink and he also had a loud voice. His words caused the meeting hall to become silent.

  Many gazes looked toward the three bosses.

  The second and third bosses drank wine, clearly not planning to get involved in this. After all, the one who was the most afraid to let Sun Mo assume a high position should be the first boss.

  “Cough, cough, Brother Sun has just come and everyone can see his enthusiasm. As for being the fourth boss, we can make the arrangements for it.”

  Sun Mo had returned victorious and the First Boss felt bad to refuse this proposal. Therefore, he tried to drag things out.

  “First Boss, what other discussions are required? Let’s just decide it like that. You didn’t see how Brother Sun had commanded the operation with great something and ease.”

  Expensive Pork boasted.

  “That’s great skill and ease!” Sun Erniang rolled her eyes.

  The First Boss felt awkward.

  “Brother, I’ve just come to the mountain stronghold and haven’t shown any performance. What you’re saying is making things hard for the First Boss. Let’s wait until I’ve led everyone on a few more operations.”

  Sun Mo saw that things seemed to be going well and said, “Moreover, I’m not interested in becoming a leader and only want to enforce justice on behalf of heaven, also letting everyone have good food and wine. Even if we die, we must die as ghosts with a full stomach.”

  “I like what Brother Sun said!”

  Many men immediately toasted to Sun Mo’s words.

  Expensive Pork had wanted to say more but Sun Erniang glared at him.

  (Foolish. You think that it takes only a few words for one to become a boss? It must depend on one’s capabilities!)

  After Sun Mo continued the plundering and kept on bringing money and food back, he’d be able to get on the seat as the first boss, let alone being just a fourth boss.

  Sun Mo first went to drink with the bandits who had gone on this operation with him and spoke to them. He then looked toward Sun Erniang. “Erniang, can I trouble you to introduce all these good men to me?”

  Even though Sun Mo mentioned all of them, Sun Erniang understood what he meant and introduced those who had more influence on Mount Zhao or were better at fighting.

  It was futile to be talking pointless stuff without any substance to a bunch of coarse men. Therefore, Sun Mo only talked about plundering, wanting to find more helpers.

  After the celebratory banquet ended, Sun Mo and a few leaders had decided on the next operation, pulling in six small groups.

  Over 200 people were involved. To a 1,000-men mountain stronghold, it was considered quite a big operation. This caused the First Boss to frown deeply.

  …

  In the following days, Sun Mo had left Mei Niang by herself and would be gathering intelligence daily, ascertaining goals, and coming up with plans. In one month, they went on four operations.

  Four estates were taken down. With Sun Mo leading the team, they had never failed. Putting aside the antique calligraphies and paintings, there were over 10,000 taels of gold and silver.

  It could be said that what Sun Mo had gotten within a month was enough for a 2,000-men mountain stronghold, with the old and weak included, to live for a year without any worries.

  Sun Mo didn’t kill and only sought wealth. Even if he did kill, he’d only kill the tyrants who had done a lot of evil deeds. Moreover, he’d also share the excess food that they couldn’t bring with them to the poor. Therefore, the reputation of Swallow Li San and Mount Zhao’s righteous bandits started to soar near Mount Zhao.

  There’d also be good men who would specifically come to join Sun Mo occasionally.

  In the meeting hall, Sun Mo was discussing things with a few leaders he was on familiar terms with when a strong man with an exposed upper body came.

  “What are you guys talking about? Let me listen too.”

  The strong man laughed and sat down. “Brother Biao, you’re looking very good. You’ve clearly been leading quite a good life recently!”

  Ye Biao quickly got up and greeted him, “Brother Meng!”

  This person was called Lu Meng, and he was the Second Boss’s blood-related brother. He could be considered to be ranked fifth in the stronghold.

  “Brother Sun, I’ve recently been so poor that life’s a struggle. I wish to join you in one operation, can I?”

  Lu Meng made his purpose clear and caused all the leaders present to be very stunned.

  (You lack money? You’re someone who follows the Second Boss! When others are struggling with poverty, you’d still get to eat meat. Hold on!)

  He probably just wanted to have a share of the pie after seeing Sun Mo’s continuous success.

  “You’re the Second Boss’s right-hand man. How would I dare to snatch someone else’s talent?”

  Sun Mo refused.

  Lu Meng had guessed that Sun Mo would do this and thus pleaded. “Everyone is brothers in the mountain stronghold, and we shouldn’t differentiate between each other. It’d still be working no matter who we work for.”

  The hidden meaning in his words was that if Sun Mo didn’t let him join, it’d mean that Sun Mo didn’t see him as his brother!

  To speak the truth, it was the Second Boss’s idea to let him join the group. He wanted to know why Sun Mo could be successful on every operation and would have extremely low casualties.

  As the second boss, he naturally had to assume airs and not ask for help from people of lower statuses. Therefore, he sent Lu Meng.

  “Thank you Brother Lu for thinking so highly of me. Then you can join us next time!”

  Sun Mo wore an elated expression as if he had another great warrior joining his group. However, this wasn’t what he actually thought. It’d be a waste to not use the free manpower that had come knocking on his doors.

  Sun Mo was the one who had come up with all the plans. Therefore, he had many chances to leave the most dangerous jobs to Lu Meng.

  (What?)

  (You don’t want to do it?)

  (This means that you only want to eat meat and not put in the effort?)

  (Then we can’t be brothers anymore.)

  …

  Another month passed but Sun Mo hadn’t gone out on an operation. He picked out 50 men and had been training them daily.

  There was nothing else but physical training and swinging blades.

  Sun Mo had learned a lot of cultivation arts. After a careful selection, he came up with eight blade techniques and had everyone swing them 1,000 times.

  In the beginning, everyone only came to watch the fun since the blade techniques were too simple. However, people gradually realized something and thus would practice privately or join Sun Mo’s team.

  “These blade techniques might not be good for fighting one-on-one. However, they are definitely top-notch techniques when killing enemies as a group.”

  The Third Boss felt emotional.

  Sun Mo seemed to be skilled in the art of war too! He was really amazing!

  One afternoon, during lunch, Lu Meng finally couldn’t hold it in anymore and came to look for Sun Mo.

  “When will we be heading out?”

  “Hold on a little more!”

  Sun Mo was in no hurry.

  In order to defend the authority he had, he needed a spear. Sun Mo had just joined the mountain stronghold as an outlaw and didn’t have any reputation. Even if he were to recruit comrades, no one would come. But things were different now.

  The five victories had not only allowed him to gain a sum of money, but Swallow Li San’s reputation had also spread. This proved that he had the right to become a leader.

  Most of the people who were training with Sun Mo had been picked by him and didn’t belong to any small groups. They’d naturally be convinced by him.

  Moreover, in places other people couldn’t see, such as every night, Sun Mo would have heart-to-heart talks with the group members in small batches, talking about aspirations as well as a wonderful life.

  Sun Mo came from the modern world and was also a great teacher. His vision was a lot broader compared to these natives. He had a glib tongue and made these people feel that he was extremely knowledgeable like someone who deserved to be in a position of great authority. Therefore, they felt great admiration for him.

  “If we continue to wait, those landlords’ security will get even tighter.”

  Lu Meng complained.

  Due to the plundering operations by Sun Mo’s group, the landlords in the vicinity had not only built taller walls around their manors but also spent large sums of money to hire mercenaries who were skilled in the blade.

  “You know that the security has become tighter too?”

  Sun Mo smiled. “That’s why we have to wait. We need to wait until they let down their guards!”

  There was a saying that there would only be people who’d be thieves for 1,000 days, but no one who would be on their guard against thieves for 1,000 days. The landlords would drop their guard after some time had passed.

  Another seven days passed by and on a certain day, a batch of goods was transported up the mountain stronghold.

  The bandits were curious and came crowding over. They soon knew that these were things that Sun Erniang had helped to buy for Sun Mo.

  “These must be writing tools or famous paintings. I heard that all scholars like these things!”

  “It could be a famous blade too!”

  “I heard that Brother Sun’s archery is amazing!”

  Amidst everyone’s guesses, Sun came and opened up the boxes to check the goods.

  “Hmmm? Why are they clothes?”

  The Third Boss came to watch and felt puzzled when he saw this.

  “Go and call the others!”

  Sun Mo instructed Expensive Pork.

  The ones he was referring to were the bandits who had been training with him.

  These people came very quickly.

  “Line up!”

  Sun Mo bellowed.

  The scattered bandits immediately stood in rows of ten.

  Even though it was a simple formation, Sun Mo had trained them hard to achieve this.

  “I’ve said that we’ll be enforcing justice on behalf of heaven. That means that we’ll need an identity to reward the good and punish the evil on behalf of heaven. In the past, there’s the Great Teacher’s[1] Yellow Turban Army, and now, there’s Great Teacher Sun Mo’s Red Turban Army! We’ll fight for justice in this world!”

  Sun Mo bellowed loudly.

  “Justice!”

  “Justice!”

  The bandits started to shout with agitation.

  Many of the people who came here to become outlaws had been put through aggrievance and were left with no choice. Even some of the evildoers didn’t think that they had done wrong.

  As many people had just thought, they felt that the world was the wrong one.

  Therefore, the word ‘justice’ mentioned by Sun Mo could rouse them up.

  “The names that I’ll be calling, please step forward to receive the uniform. Zhong Xiaoliu!”

  Sun Erniang had quietly stood next to Sun Mo. When he called out the name, she picked up a set of clothes and handed them to Sun Mo with both hands.

  Similarly, Sun Mo wore a solemn expression and handed the uniform to Zhong Xiaoliu.

  “Enforce justice on behalf of heaven!”

  Sun Mo didn’t forget to say the slogan.

  “Enforce justice on behalf of heaven!”

  Zhong Xiaoliu had felt a little awkward at the beginning, but after seeing the red uniform and Sun Mo’s solemn expression, then hearing these words, a sense of calling rose in his chest.

  The First Boss came. At the sight of this scene, his brows furrowed so tightly together that they could clamp a crab to death.

  The Third Boss had just been watching the fun, but his mentality also changed when he saw this. He started to suspect if Sun Mo was planning to start up a rebellion.

  This was a great crime that could get one’s nine generations executed. He must persuade Sun Mo otherwise.

  Half an hour later, the uniforms were all distributed.

  “We’ll set off tomorrow! Our target will be Zou Village!”

  Sun Mo looked at his team, feeling very satisfied. It was time to let the emperor feel some fear!

  [1] Zhang Yue, head of the Yellow Turban Army. Declared himself the “Great Teacher” and “General of Heaven”..