Chapter 101: Falling into the Bandits' Den

“Hey, keep running!”

Li Pingyang had just rushed out of the restaurant when he heard Chen Le’s voice. Looking up, he saw Chen Le leaping down from the rooftop and grabbing him by the shoulder.

“I’m not running anymore, I’m not running anymore,” Li Pingyang replied with a smile. He wanted to say more, but Chen Le suddenly squeezed his neck, and everything went black. Then Chen Le hoisted him up and carried him back to the Thunder Hall camp.

Chen Le knew this kid was too cunning; he couldn’t let him run off again. Just now, he almost got ambushed by him.

When Li Pingyang opened his eyes again, he found himself in a kitchen filled with choking smoke that made his eyes water and cough uncontrollably.

Seeing him awake, the one tending the fire stopped what he was doing and hurried over, peering at Li Pingyang and greeting him, “Brother Goudan, you’re awake.”

At first glance, Li Pingyang didn’t recognize him; he looked vaguely familiar but he couldn’t place the face.

The man’s face was blackened from the smoke, with only his eyes and teeth showing white. His hair was messy and unkempt, and his arms bore several whip marks.

He wiped his face with his sleeve, and only then did Li Pingyang remember—this was the young master of the Su family, Su Liuwu!

Pampered and spoiled, used to having everything handed to him, this was his first time trying to make a fire, and he nearly burned the house down. Who was foolish enough to entrust this idiot with cooking?

Could it be eaten?

A culinary disaster!

“Brother Goudan, how did you end up captured too? You—”

Before he could finish, Li Pingyang quickly covered his mouth, startling Su Liuwu. Fortunately, it was just the two of them in the firewood room; otherwise, Li Pingyang’s identity as “Li Goudan” might have been exposed.

He slapped Su Liuwu on the forehead, warning him not to call him Li Goudan, not to admit knowing him, nor to ask questions—otherwise, there’d be more slaps.

Su Liuwu still vividly remembered the sting of Li Pingyang’s palm. His personality had changed drastically since then, becoming more obedient and sensible—mostly thanks to Li Pingyang.

“Got it. Don’t hit me, I won’t say a word,” Su Liuwu said, covering his face in fear of another sneak attack, which made Li Pingyang laugh and gently pat his chubby cheek.

Li Pingyang hadn’t expected to be stuck here with him, but having another helper gave him a bit more confidence.

He hadn’t told Su Liuwu about the plan to rescue the others yet—too early to let this unreliable teammate know, fearing betrayal or loose lips.

“Where is this place?”

“This is the second hall of Thunder Hall—my home!”

Hearing those words, Li Pingyang paused, surprised that the Su family had fallen so quickly and had become the enemy’s stronghold.

Just then, a bandit from the second hall pushed open the door, pointed at Li Pingyang, and called him out, saying the leader wanted to see him.

Glancing at Su Liuwu, Li Pingyang was led outside. As he stepped out, he saw Su Liuyun chopping wood with an axe, sweat dripping down his face.

Su Liuyun noticed him too, wiping his forehead and exchanging a cold, disdainful glance with Li Pingyang.

When Li Pingyang tried to speak, Su Liuyun lowered his head, pretending not to know him. He raised his arm and forcefully split a log, as if trying to assert his dominance.

Su Liuyun was proud and petty by nature, always craving superiority. Used to being the center of attention, the protagonist of his own story, he resented Li Pingyang—who had so many followers and whose name was more famous than his, despite just a few shabby poems.

Li Pingyang’s stinky tofu even undermined the Su family’s business, keeping him down. All of this filled Su Liuyun with bitter frustration and unwillingness to accept defeat.

Watching Li Pingyang’s retreating back, Su Liuyun vowed that one day, he would utterly crush him.

The Su family estate was undeniably vast. Li Pingyang bypassed a garden and arrived at a secluded training ground.

There, all the bandits of Thunder Hall’s second hall stood shirtless under the sun, practicing martial arts. At the front, arms crossed with a sword in his right hand, was Chen Le.

Chen Le chewed on a blade of wild grass, staring blankly toward a room with its door open, lost in thought.

Following his gaze, Li Pingyang saw the cold and aloof red-clad female warrior they had met the day before, sitting alone in the hall, quietly drinking.

From Chen Le’s expression, Li Pingyang sensed admiration.

Chen Le glanced right, and when he saw Li Pingyang smiling at him, he immediately lost interest and rolled his eyes.

Some bandits returning from gathering supplies lined up, carrying baskets. Each greeted the deputy leader as they passed Chen Le.

Chen Le nodded at them while biting on the wild grass. Then, passing by Li Pingyang, he deliberately bumped him with his shoulder.

Some of the soldiers captured yesterday, along with civilians from Cangzhou, were shackled. Led by Chen Le, each carried a basket filled with bricks.

They were to be forced into repairing the city walls, which had been severely damaged during the siege. Now that the city was occupied, the walls had to be rebuilt and reinforced.

The merchants who had been captured fared somewhat better—they had food and water but were not allowed freedom of movement.

Thunder Hall had taken Cangzhou, and Li Pingyang knew that for the city to prosper, it would require these merchants’ cooperation.

Thus, they were neither beaten nor shackled. The hall leader had told them that anyone willing to serve Thunder Hall was considered one of their own.

The leader claimed to value loyalty and would never mistreat these people. However, those who stubbornly refused to join would be killed.

Among the merchants was Su Baichuan, father of the Su brothers, who was the first to oppose the bandits’ rule.

His integrity earned some admiration.

In times like this, a person’s true nature showed. Su Baichuan believed that although the Su family had declined and lost much prestige, they still understood honor.

To ally with bandits and stoop to their level was to betray one’s ancestors; even if he were resurrected, he wouldn’t have the face to face them.

Some of those locked in rooms were willing to surrender, valuing life over pride. They sought safety for themselves and their families by submission.

Li Pingyang was brought to the leader’s room. The attendant left and closed the door behind him.

Inside, Leader Lu, his face flushed from drinking, beckoned Li Pingyang over with a crooked finger, signaling him to come closer.

He poured wine into an empty cup and patted the chair beside him, inviting Li Pingyang to sit and drink together.

Seeing Lu’s friendly expression, Li Pingyang smiled and sat down. Before he could settle, Lu slammed a large sword onto the table with a loud clang.