MHNEB 24 (2/2)

Book 2: Generals die after a hundred battles; heroes return after ten years’ time.

Chapter 24: The Drinker’s Heart  [Part 2 of 2]

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“Father, there’s someone outside. I will go take a look. I’ll hand my niece to you.”

He Mulan walked out of the house. Outside the yard and in the yard, a bunch of people were all stupefied. 

He Mulan was stupefied because in her yard, stood the head of the wandering swordsmen Gao JinLong, and behind him were a few wandering swordsmen that were tied up. The rest of the wandering swordsmen were in charge of supervising them.

And as for why Gao JinLong and the wandering swordsmen behind him were stupefied……

It’s because He Mulan had donned female garbs…… probably.

As a result, Gao Jinlong seems to be zoning out, and he spoke gibberish: 

“General Hua, no-, Miss Hua, eh, Madame Hua? Hua…. Hua……” 

Miss Hua?

Madame Hua?

Hua Hua?

He Mulan powerlessly gazed at the sky.

“Swordsman Gao, you can call me Hua Mulan.”

“Hua…… aiz, why is this old one so awkward! General Hua, this lowly one will call you General Hua!” Gao JinLong clenched his fists and indicated for the wandering swordsmen behind to bring the tied up men in front.

“General Hua, these few bastards are the ones who initially wanted to steal your possessions. Old Second and Old Fifth had tried to steal from you a few times and were scared away. They did not return. Old Third and Old Fourth are from here. Previously, they had misunderstood you, so they did not let go of the thought of your possessions. This time, they were caught by the Lushuihu-rens to provoke you. They sought death by themselves. Luckily, you are magnanimous and did not beat them to death, and you only sent them to the magistrate……”

“We, wandering swordsmen, can differentiate our gratitude and grudges appropriately. Since you saved Yu City’s civilians, you are our benefactor. Old Third and Old Fourth had brought the Lushuihus here, but you did not punish them, instead, you returned two lives to them. I sent these few bastards to you; you can beat them up to cool your temper. After this, we will convert from enemies to friends, what do you say?”

It can be seen that he didn't often give in and persuade others. While he came here to "plead guilty to their crime”, his words were all unflattering, and he appeared rather uncomfortable.

The four thieves that were scared away by the "female ghost" looked up at He Mulan pitifully, but He Mulan chuckled.

“Convert from enemies to friends?”

“Yes!”

“It’s a little too much if you say we are enemies.” He Mulan walked towards the wandering swordsmen that are tied up, as she stretched out her hand to pull the rope.

"All of you are considered heroes because you have the courage to save people under the Lushuihu’s eyelids. As they say, heroes should cherish company, I have these sorts of friends like all of you, I am willing to be friends naturally.”

Gao JinLong and the bunch of people laughed out cheerfully when they heard Hua Mulan praising them.

Hearty laughter filled the courtyard, and the somewhat tense atmosphere momentarily subsided. 

He Mulan slightly used some extra force on her hands, only to hear the sound of "snap", and the two-finger thick rope broke suddenly. The ropes were gently shaken off by He Mulan and fell to the ground.

These wandering swordsmen did not see He Mulan and Gai Wu’s exchange of martial arts moves. However, they had heard the accounts of those soldiers who had personally witnessed the incident. Now that they witnessed He Mulan’s martial ability, they were all shocked speechless.

“Since we are friends, it is not logical to keep you men tied up. Are all of you actually called Old Second, Old Third, Old Fourth and Old Fifth? We should exchange names among friends.” 

He Mulan had clearly considered about this. These wandering swordsmen are the local tyrants in this area. Originally, because of her wealth, it stirred up interest because of their “modus operandi”. Now, no matter what the reason is to cause them to willingly come and make friends with her, it is a good thing. This is why she decisively decided not to push them out.

He Mulan has made good friends with fourteen YuLin lads, Hua Mulan and her former companions in the army, as well as a group of wandering swordsmen in Liang county.

She only hoped that Hua Mother would not faint after hearing this.

“I’m called Wang GouSheng.” -Old Second.

“Shuan Zhuzi.” -Old Third.

“Liu FaCai.” -Old Fourth.

“Wu HeQiu.” -Old Fifth.

“Ha, these names are really easy to remember……”

He Mulan found that she was being rendered speechless.

Old Second was older and handled issues steadily. Hence, he thoughtfully helped He Mulan answer her doubts.

“Most of us are orphans. The villagers raised us by giving us food. So, what they called us would be our names. Repeated use of names is very common. It would be good if you call us Old Second, Old Third, Old Fourth and Old Fifth. We are used to it.” 

He Mulan nodded, inviting Gao JinLong to the courtyard to come into her room to take a seat.

She had already seen someone rushing their pigs to here not far away. 

In order to see what the excitement about, these fellow people are really "implicit".

This is Old Second, Old Third, Old Fourth and Old Fifth’s first time coming into Hua Mulan’s huge house just and honourably in broad daylight. They cannot help but glance here and there. Gao JinLong gave them a few smacks seeing this.

"General Hua, rest assured, I have already ordered the wandering swordsmen in Liang County’s ten li and eight villages. If any wandering swordsmen dared to break into your house in the future, we will chop his hand! Later, we, the wandering swordsmen, will come and guard your house! "

Gao JinLong banged his chest, and his brothers all nodded their heads, and the way they nodded looked much akin like pounding garlic.

Gao JinLong appeared fair and clear, but he spoke in a "big brother" tone, which inevitably made He Mulan smile.

Just as she revealed a smile for a little while, Gao JinLong yet again stepped on a landmine. The landmine caused her smile to stiffen. 

“About that……” Gao JinLong opened his mouth shamefully. 

"I heard that General Hua is looking for a groom? This lowly one is 26 years old this year, and I possess a few acres of farmland. I am strong, healthy and do not have any illness. In my family, I do not have any young ones, so I think we would match…...” 

Eh?

He Mulan was stunned.

After the issue of the land deed of the townhouse, is someone still asking her for help? 

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The author has something to say: 

Mini Theatre: 

“I’m called Wang GouSheng.” -Old Second.

“Shuan Zhuzi.” -Old Third.

“Liu FaCai.” -Old Fourth.

“Wu HeQiu.” -Old Fifth.

Tie the dog to a post and make a fortune.

Ah, that’s how I initially thought of the name.

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Fleur's Corner:

I have fallen ill for the past few days. Sorry for the late upload. There will be a chapter upload next week.

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