Chapter Eighteen: The Night Banquet

After dealing with the two guards at the treasury, Monkey cautiously reached behind the third stone on the right wall and retrieved a key. He inserted it into the lock of the iron door, which stood over twenty feet tall and was several feet thick.

“They say Marshal Ma’s wealth is immeasurable—who knows if it’s true?” Monkey muttered, his eyes gleaming with greedy excitement.

The iron door swung open with a thud. Instead of piles of gold and jewels, they were met by thirty or forty armored soldiers, crossbows aimed coldly at the entrance. The four intruders stood frozen in shock.

“What brings the four of you to my residence so late at night?” asked a man dressed as a steward, with triangular eyes and thin lips, standing eight feet tall. He emerged from among the soldiers, wielding a slim-bladed saber in his left hand.

“I'm broke, heard the Marshal’s storerooms are overflowing with riches, so I came to borrow a bit! Turns out, even if I find the money, I won’t live to spend it!” Monkey forced a dry laugh, mocking himself.

“Such courage!” the steward chuckled. “A hero in the making, indeed! I believe I know who you are—Flying Monkey, wanted for twenty-six crimes in Jiangnan over the past three years, never once caught. The Six Gates have posted a five-thousand-tael bounty for you, dead or alive. Never thought you’d fall here, did you?”

“I’m a hero, but what about you? This time I admit defeat, but I refuse to yield! If you best me fairly, then I’ll accept it. Aren’t you curious where I’ve hidden my treasure?” Monkey replied, unwilling to concede.

“I am no hero, nor do I care for your respect or your treasure. Not only do I not want your loot, but my master also wishes to invite you and your three friends to a banquet. Don’t even think about escaping—these crossbows are from the army, and within thirty feet, even your skills won’t save you. Best follow me to the feast,” the steward said coldly.

“Oh, and please remove your masks, or dinner will be awkward.”

Left with no choice, the four took off their masks. To their surprise, Monkey’s face was youthful and fair, almost handsome.

Escorted to the banquet, Li Second Brother grumbled all the way, “You promised riches, but instead we found dozens of men with crossbows behind the door! Are you here for fortune or for death? If it’s death, don’t drag us along!”

“I never forced you to come. You were greedy, blame yourselves! And don’t overestimate yourselves. As soon as you entered the Marshal’s residence, I spotted you—three inexperienced thieves, it’s a miracle you weren’t caught sooner! If I hadn’t worried you’d ruin my plans, I wouldn’t care about your fate!” Monkey snapped back, furious.

“Your big plan is to get us killed? Don’t drag us down!” Li Second Brother retorted.

The two argued all the way, until they were brought before the main hall of the Marshal’s residence.

“You may go in yourselves. I must attend my master,” the steward said icily.

He waved his hand, and the soldiers withdrew. As the steward was about to leave, Zhou Qian suddenly asked, “Are you Zhao Yuan, chief steward of the Marshal’s residence?”

The steward frowned at Zhou Qian, “What do you want?” Clearly, he acknowledged the title.

“Your jade pendant fell,” Zhou Qian tossed Ma Yuan’s pendant back, ignoring the fleeting chill in his eyes. “Let’s hurry inside. I’m sure Marshal Ma is waiting.”

“Third Brother, what are you playing at? Didn’t you see Zhao’s expression, like he wanted to eat us alive!” Li Second Brother wiped cold sweat, glancing about furtively until Ma Yuan’s silhouette was gone.

“Why did you return the jade pendant? It’s key evidence! Important to both the court and us!” Wang Hu said sternly.

“I—” Zhou Qian began.

“I think our friend here did well!” Monkey laughed.

“Mind your own business!” Li Third Brother snapped.

“We’re thieves—when the owner catches us, he should hand us to the authorities, or at least beat us half dead!” Monkey said unconcerned. “Inviting us to a banquet? There’s definitely a plot.”

“So what?” Li Third Brother replied.

“We’re trapped, clueless about what’s happening. In such circumstances, the muddier the waters, the better. The more doubts they have, the safer we are. I don’t know what’s special about the jade pendant, but our friend made a smart move!”

“So that’s it!” Li Third Brother realized. “Third Brother, you’re quite the strategist!”

“I’m not as clever as Monkey. I just thought the more complicated things get, the better our chances of survival,” Zhou Qian admitted shyly.

“Let’s go, then!” Monkey sighed. “From this moment on, we’re all in the same boat.”

Inside the grand hall, lanterns blazed and cups clinked.

Dozens of luminous pearls cast a gentle glow around the room, which was carpeted with precious Western kirin rugs. The tables and chairs were fine rosewood, surrounded by wind instruments, flutes, and zithers, all laid out in splendor. Several beautiful maids played the zither and pipa, adding to the lavish atmosphere.

At the banquet table sat nine people, all elegantly dressed, clearly not ordinary folk. Zhou Qian was surprised to recognize several, including Wang Jing and Wang Wei, the siblings he had seen at the tavern days before. There was also an official, a sword-wielding elder, a rugged youth, a burly man, a scholar, an old woman with a cane, and a strikingly dressed matron. At the center was a portly man in silk.

Could this fat man be Ma San, the throat-cutting killer? Zhou Qian wondered.

“Who are these guests, Third Master?” the old woman rasped.

“Haha! Guests from all corners of the world!” Fat Marshal Ma San replied cheerfully. “Someone, bring seats!”

Four maids brought intricately carved chairs for the four newcomers. Ma San continued, “Won’t you introduce yourselves?”

“Should the host not introduce himself first? Marshal Ma, you’ve made a mistake!” the official said.

“Head Constable Liu speaks wisely! I have erred! Let me drink three cups in apology—Spring, pour the wine!” Ma San laughed, instructing the beautiful matron beside him, caressing her smooth cheek.

“Master, you really should drink less!” Spring, his sixth concubine, replied shyly, her alluring figure clinging to Ma San, making the burly man stare.

“Let me make introductions, so we’re not strangers. This is Liu, Head Constable of the Six Gates, one of only sixteen in the rank, highly respected!” Ma San said with a smile.

“Hardly! I’m just earning a living,” Liu replied coolly.

“Next are descendants of the Golden Sword King—Miss Wang Wei and Young Master Wang Jing. Then there’s Zhao Third Brother, famous for his legwork across the Jianghuai, and Elder Liu of the Qiantang Sword Sect. Am I correct?” Ma San asked, his gaze mysterious.

“And what about the friend beside you?” Liu’s expression darkened.

“No offense, Head Constable!” Ma San’s plump face remained amiable. “This is Sun Zhen. You may not know his name, but he’s made quite a stir lately!” Ma San gestured to the burly man.

“He’s the notorious bandit chief! He ambushed the Divine Machine Battalion at Cockcrow Valley, wiping out an entire regiment!”

The words shocked everyone—officials and bandits alike. The burly man, surprised, drew his nine-ringed saber and roared, “Ma San, what’s your game? Planning to sell me out? Don’t forget what you did years ago!”

“Easy!” Liu, calm and composed, raised a hand to restrain Wang Wei, who had half drawn her sword. “Let Marshal Ma finish his introductions.”

“Indeed, I’m not done yet!” Ma San replied with a faint smile, as if unconcerned by the tense crowd.

“Let him speak!” the old woman croaked. The bandit chief, clearly wary of her, swallowed his anger and withdrew.

“This lady is a legendary figure, respected in the martial world for thirty years. Head Constable Liu, you surely know her.”

“Dragon Head Iron-Crutch She, a remnant of the previous dynasty,” Liu said, his face dark.

“Hehe, been out of the martial world for decades, yet these younger folk know nothing of manners!” She’s face, dry and wrinkled like old bark, twitched as if she were an ancient tree demon.

“And this is the local scholar Tang, soon to take the prefectural exam in Luodu!” Ma San paused. “But he also has another identity—the third son of the Red Lotus Sect leader, Young Master Lü Zheng.”

“A rebel!” Liu’s face was now utterly grim. “Marshal Ma, your loyalty to the nation is admirable. Once I apprehend these three rebels, I’ll seek commendation for you!”

“Not so fast!” Ma San said sternly. “I serve both the court and the martial world, and value loyalty. The Red Lotus leader once saved my life, and I cannot forget it. I beg you, Head Constable, spare him.”

“And if I refuse?” Liu stared hard at Ma San.

“Then I must refuse as well!” Ma San slapped his hands together, and countless shadows surged outside the hall, the sound of crossbows being drawn echoing faintly.

“There’s a traitor in the Qiantang Navy! Is it you?” Liu suddenly asked.

“My courage is small, I wouldn’t dare betray the court!”

“Show me proof!”

“What I do now is the greatest proof,” Ma San replied, each word deliberate.

“Cluck, cluck!” Iron-Crutch She cackled shrilly, like an owl in the night, making Zhou Qian’s ears ache. “Ma San, you invited us here, then brought in the court’s agents. Do you truly think betraying us will save your official rank? Don’t forget who drank blood wine and swore that poisonous oath before the statue of the Mother Goddess!”

“Of course I remember. If need be, I’ll quit and return to the martial world as a swordsman. But I’m not insane! Overthrowing the dynasty, rebellion—are you truly capable of such things?” Ma San cursed. “Nonsense about conquering the world and sharing wealth! All of you are blinded by greed! The leader treated me well, but to ask me to wipe out nine generations with him—he’s not worthy!”

“You’ve witnessed the leader’s miraculous powers. Do you doubt his destiny?” Lü Zheng interjected.

“His magic is indeed formidable,” Ma San replied, after a pause. “But can sorcery withstand an army of a million?”

Suddenly, the doors burst open. Ma Yuan led several officers rushing in.

“Master! Trouble!”