They quickly caught the Bandit Leader and placed their swords on his neck. Those mountain bandits immediately cowered. "Let our leader go."
Another mountain bandit slapped him hard on the head. "Are you stupid? If you say that, won't they know that they've captured our boss?"
The Bandit Leader felt like dying. How could there be such a bunch of stupid subordinates! Sigh! What a sin! He then ordered, "Alright! All of you get out of the way!"
The mountain bandits opened up a path. Luo Cheng got the young general and the carriage to lead the way. Shan Jin did not stand on ceremony with him either, and left in peace.
Luo Cheng's sword was still on the Bandit Leader's neck. He asked, "Do you know who the man was who just left?"
The Bandit Leader cooperated obediently, given the sword was still sitting next to his neck! "Who was he?"
Luo Cheng was satisfied. "He's our Shan Jin, young General Shan."
The Bandit Leader was taken aback. "Really?"
"Absolutely!"
"Then you are… Deputy General Luo Cheng?"
"Ha! You know me?"
"Yes! I've heard of your name for a long time, but have never seen you. General Luo, you can put your sword away."
As Luo Cheng retracted his sword, the Bandit Leader got down on one knee. He cupped his fists and said, "I'm Qiao Han. I'm 28 years old this year. I've been a beggar since I was a child. My ambition is to join the army and make contributions. Unfortunately, I don't have any connections. There are 50 brothers on the mountain, and they're all beggar brothers who grew up together. It's our good luck to have met young General Shan Jin and Deputy General Luo today. I hope Deputy General Luo can take me and my 50 brothers under your banner. We also want to go to the battlefield to kill enemies and make contributions."
"Alright! I like such straightforward people. Bring your 50 brothers to the military base about ten miles away from the capital and report to them that I'm the one who had recruited all of you. However, I have to warn you first. In the military camp, those who are afraid of death and those who run away during battles will be punished by military law. Those who have fear should not go in the first place!"
"Yes, I'll explain it to my brothers."
"Alright then, I'm leaving. I hope to see you in the military camp. I'm leaving!"
"Sending Deputy General Luo off!"
By the time Luo Cheng caught up to Shan Jin, they were already ten miles away.
From afar, he saw Shan Jin chatting with Juxiang. Luo Cheng thought to himself, this girl had really caught the young general's eye.
As Luo Cheng approached them, Shan Jin said to him, "Miss Juxiang and her sister are also going to the capital. Since we're going the same way, we'll have companions along the way."
Luo Cheng thought to himself, "How shameless. You've clearly been chasing after her."
On the other hand, Wunian thought to herself, "What an act, making it sound like it's real."
Therefore, the group went on their journey happily. Before the sky turned dark, they entered a small town and found an inn to stay in.
For dinner, Shan Jin, Luo Cheng, Juxiang, and Wunian sat at the same table, while the others sat at another table.
After the waiter had served the dishes and left, Shan Jin looked at Juxiang and asked, "Miss, are you sisters going to the capital to seek refuge with your relatives? Or are you from the capital?"
Juxiang said awkwardly, "We're neither seeking relatives nor are we from the capital. We're going to the capital to settle down."
Luo Cheng thought that it must be a joke for two girls to settle down in the capital!
Wunian focused on eating her favorite food and ignored their conversation. She was still a child. What could she say!
Seeing that Wunian was eating silently, Luo Cheng tried to start a conversation in order to build a good relationship. "Little Sister, how old are you?"
Wunian did not answer.
"Little Sister, what sort of gifts do you like?"
Wunian did not answer.
"Little Sister, you…"
Wunian placed her chopsticks down. Shan Jin and Juxiang looked towards her.