Reborn as Murong Fu: This time I am the protagonist

Chapter 562 Dissatisfaction
Upon hearing this, the once lively banquet suddenly became somewhat quiet.

The dozen or so leaders, large and small, displayed a variety of expressions: surprise, hesitation, confusion...

Seeing everyone's reaction, Long Er, though he had expected this situation, was still somewhat anxious. He had just established a connection and was eager to show his abilities to his new master, but his men were showing him no respect, which made him feel embarrassed.

"What, did I not make myself clear?"

Seeing the deserted scene, Long Er's voice carried a hint of anger.

"Chief, although the Murong family of Gusu in Jiangnan is the number one family in the martial arts world, our Black Cloud Stronghold has built this vast empire over the years with your leadership and the brothers' hard work, sword by sword. Even if Second Brother were to order us to raise our banners and fight the government now, the brothers would brave mountains of knives and seas of fire, wind and rain, all at Second Brother's word. But we've been drinking and eating heartily, living a carefree life, and suddenly, with just one word from Second Brother, a de facto emperor appears above the heads of over three thousand brothers? How can the brothers agree to such a thing?"

Long Er glanced sideways and saw that the person who spoke was Xu San, the advisor.

Seeing that his loyal advisor, who had followed him through countless battles and offered him advice, was the first to oppose him, Long Er felt a tightness in his chest and his face darkened. "Xu San, you're drunk. I won't hold it against you. Men, help the Third Master down to rest properly."

"Second Brother! I'm not drunk. If I don't make some things clear, how can the brothers believe me?"

Xu San said stubbornly, showing no intention of backing down and finding a better future.

Seeing the second-in-command take the lead, the other leaders, who already harbored ulterior motives, immediately started shouting.

A lean, middle-aged man with long arms stepped forward: "Second Brother is righteous and kind. Since the death of Eldest Brother, he has single-handedly supported this family. Over the years, through wind and rain, the brothers have never complained. Third Brother is unparalleled in wisdom. Over the years, thanks to Third Brother's overall planning, the mountain stronghold has been able to grow and prosper."

"Now, the stronghold is thriving and has a bright future. If Emperor Zhao were to issue an imperial edict one day and grant each of us brothers an official position, that would be fine. But to suddenly have an emperor emeritus above us for no reason, and such a seemingly useless young master at that, how can we brothers be convinced?"

Long Er inwardly groaned: You think I'm willing a thousand times over? It's just that this pretty face you're talking about can kill everyone here with a wave of his hand. This fiend is not to be trifled with.

Suppressing his anger, Long Er asked, "Then tell me, Fourth Brother, what will it take to truly convince you?"

The lean man said, "Unless this kid can defeat all the brothers here by himself, I, Hou Si, will be convinced. Otherwise, let's not talk about it. Please, young master, go back home and come back down the same way you came up the mountain!" As he spoke, the leaders around him also shouted loudly.

Upon hearing this, Long Er's eye twitched involuntarily: These ungrateful brothers really don't understand the current situation.

Long Er was about to reprimand his brothers and smooth things over when Murong Fu waved his hand: "Fine! So be it! All twelve of you leaders here, come at me together!" A glint of joy flashed in Hou Si's eyes: in his view, with the combined strength of the twelve leaders of the stronghold, there was no expert in the world that his old brothers, who had worked together for many years to rob and plunder, couldn't defeat. The so-called "South, North, and North" were just empty titles embellished by江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world) people.

However, just as he was about to swarm forward and teach this arrogant young man a lesson, the middle-aged scholar who had been silent behind Murong Fu stepped forward and said, "Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? These filthy scoundrels, even if they trained for another twenty years, would not be worthy of your utmost skill. Young master, please sit down and rest. I will deal with these people!"

Hou Si was furious when he saw someone suddenly appear and disrupt his plans: "Who do you think you are? How dare you interfere? Don't you want to live?"

Murong Fu said, "This man is nothing more than a worthless subordinate of mine. He has learned a few skills, and he's passable enough. If any of you can defeat this man of mine today, you may kill or torture me as you please. What do you say?"

Hearing Murong Fu's words, the bandits exchanged glances. After a long while, Hou Si finally said, "There's no need for shouting and killing. Since our guest is a distinguished guest invited up the mountain by Brother Long, we brothers naturally cannot be reckless. If we win, how about our distinguished guest offers each of us a bowl of wine?"

The mountain stronghold had more than 3,000 people, and Murong Fu offered each of them a bowl of wine. Even if they were to give in to this, they would get so drunk that they would die.

"I don't think this is a good idea!"

The leaders' faces darkened, thinking the other side had chickened out. Just as they were about to make a few sarcastic remarks, Murong Fu casually took out a handful of silver notes from his sleeve and waved them in front of everyone, saying, "Since it's a gambling competition, how can there be no prize? These mere ten thousand taels of silver notes were issued by the Huitong Bank in the capital, and can be exchanged in all fourteen circuits of the North. Let's use them as a bonus for this gambling competition!"

Upon hearing Murong Fu's words, the eyes of the dozen or so leaders present immediately turned red: the so-called dividing gold and silver by weight was nothing but an exaggeration. Otherwise, why would every bandit want to be granted amnesty? It's simply because the few coins they earned by risking their lives were less than what the bandits shrugged off through their fingers.

Just considering the dozen or so leaders present, most of them had only accumulated a few thousand taels of silver over the years, risking their lives to amass wealth.

In an instant, everyone's eyes lit up with greed.

Hou Si said, "Very well, since that's the case, let this Mr. Gongye have a match with all of us brothers present. It will be a one-on-one, fair contest, stopping when the score is reached. If Mr. Gongye can defeat all the leaders present, then we will all submit to Patriarch Murong today!"

Gongye Qian laughed heartily: "Do I need to deal with you chickens and dogs one-on-one? All twelve of you, come at me together! If any of you are still standing after half an incense stick's time, then I, Gongye Qian, have lost!"

Upon hearing Gongye Qian's arrogant words, everyone was shocked and then enraged, shouting curses repeatedly.

An incense stick was quickly lit, and a dozen leaders formed a circle around Gongye Qian, like a pack of hyenas surrounding a lion.

Gongye Qian held his hand in a folded robe, completely disregarding the people present, and remained calm and composed.