Chapter 759: Chapter 48 Red Buddha Chapter 759: Chapter 48 Red Buddha Liangyu used his dagger to cut open his sleeve and saw that a copper bullet had lodged into the flesh just above his shoulder blade. The bullet hadn’t penetrated deep, with only a small amount of blood seeping out around it.

The muskets of Europa are known for their formidable power, typically killing upon impact. An ordinary person hit by a shot would usually have a hole the size of a fist due to the bullet passing right through them. However, Liangyu’s skin was as hard as stone. The bullet penetrated less than an inch into his flesh. It was clear that ordinary bullets couldn’t cause him fatal injuries unless they hit a vital spot.

“Impervious to knife and fire, truly a Gaoli ghost of the Red Flag?”

Shark Biao witnessed how shallow Liangyu’s wound was, identical to the tales of the Red Flag Gang’s personal Gaoli ghosts, and finally believed in his identity.

In fact, once Liangyu had answered the secret signals, Shark Biao already believed him to be a sailor from Lantau Island. But the man’s pretensions were great. The Red Sail Great Zhen was an elite warship of Lantau Island, fully equipped with cannons and crossbows, all first-rate imports by Suo, the administrator of Lantau Island, from Europa. Its firepower was on par with the regular Red Hair military forces. To command such a ship, one had to be a key figure within the Red Flag Gang. But Liangyu also claimed he had torn the Red Flag, and now with the Red Flag Gang leaderless, there were many muddying the waters. Without solid evidence, Shark Biao dared not believe too readily. Now, recognizing Liangyu’s identity as a Gaoli ghost, he instinctively glanced towards Monk Shi.

Monk Shi stepped forward of his own accord, addressing Liangyu, “In that case, you must be a member of the Five Dragon Sect Church. May I know which of the esteemed Dragon Envoys has graced us with their presence?”

Liangyu, holding the dagger backwards, made a jagged cross incision over the bullet wound on his shoulder, trying to dislodge the embedded bullet while replying, “I am not a member of the Five Dragon Sect Church, nor any blasted Dragon Envoy. I simply could not stand that Demon Thief disgracing our Dragon Head, and had to step in to teach a lesson or two. I have no intention to meddle in your army’s affairs. This disturbance was truly unintentional,”
Someone from the audience joined in the conversation, “If you weren’t after the Jade Buddha, why bother coming to Living Fish Valley in such darkness? We all belong to the martial community; you have defeated Ruan Zhanhui with your moves. To declare no intention now seems a bit hypocritical, doesn’t it?”

Liangyu ignored him. Instead, it was Ruan Zhanhui, originally covering his cheek indecisively, who became agitated upon hearing these words, “Who says he defeated me? He clearly ambushed me. If he dares, let’s have a fair fight!”

Some warriors, already at odds with the Demon Thief, couldn’t resist kicking a man when he was down, “The three of you brothers weren’t a match for him alone, and you still have the nerve to ask for another fight? Might as well disregard the previous contest and start all over again.”

Laughter spread throughout the crowd.

Liangyu continued trying to remove the bullet from his back with the dagger, but due to the awkward angle of the wound, he wasn’t able to extract it. It was Jin Zhan, a female soldier, who couldn’t stand by any longer and stepped forward, “Let me help you.”

“This…”

The female soldier snatched the dagger with a frown, “Stop being such a sissy, big man,”
The ridiculed Shark Biao, pointing at Monk Shi, demanded, “Monk Shi, what do you say?”

Monk Shi was momentarily silent. Actually, there was some truth to Ruan Zhanhui’s words. Away from the sea, a Gaoli ghost’s ability was diminished by thirty percent, let alone with Ruan Zhanhui having a pistol. If it were a head-to-head fight, Liangyu would definitely have a hard time taking down Ruan Zhanhui, not to mention it being one against three.

Yet, Liangyu was both bold and meticulous. From the start, he pressed hard with every move, always striking first to gain the advantage, using their positions against each other. He took advantage at every turn. With a swift surprise attack, he was able to succeed. A man built large and sturdy, yet capable of such cunning strategy, earned even greater respect from Monk Shi.

Monk Shi stepped forward to salute Liangyu, taking out a red Jade Buddha before disregarding the covetous stares of others, he handed it forward, “Brother, plain speaking is valued among decent folk. Our congregation gathered here to find a worthy hero to entrust with the Jade Buddha and leadership. Brother, your exceptional birthright and skills stand unparalleled. If spirits of the Buddha favor you, and chance allows, not only would I willingly offer the Jade Buddha to you, but I am also prepared to serve under you as the leader of the Xiang Army. What are your thoughts on this?”

Liangyu opened his mouth to speak, but as his back unintentionally brushed against Jin Zhan’s cool fingertips, his heart wavered, and his thoughts spun a thousand turns, “With Tianbao mysteriously vanished, and Cai Qian in decline. The Demon Thief of yesteryear betrayed his faith due to having too many followers, yet today he dares to claim to be the hero of Guangzhou. Zhufen betrayed his brothers for the allure of wealth and power by becoming a government’s lapdog. Where’s justice in this world? What sort of character is that Ruan Zhanhui? He was so close to becoming the leader of the Xiang Army, commanding thousands of warriors. In what ways am I, Liangyu, inferior to him…”

Clang~
The bullet from the wound was picked out by the dagger, falling onto the hard ground and making a clear, ringing sound.

“Alright,”
Jin Zhan raised his hand, signaling his female soldiers to bring over the medicine and white cloth.

Liangyu looked up and saw the Xiang Army’s vertical banner that read “Eradicate traitors, relieve the suffering, and recreate the world.” Suddenly, a tall and slender figure emerged in his mind, and his spirits immediately relaxed.

“Tianbao Dragon Head, such a hero, yet in the end he was still obsessed with the heretics. When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. Let it be, let it be.”

He turned his face away from the Red Buddha, pushed away the white cloth in Jin Zhan’s hand, and sighed, “There is no need for further words, General Shi. I admire your courage and gallantry, but I am weary in body and soul and no longer wish to involve myself in the affairs of the jianghu. If you gentlemen would kindly make way, I will leave without a word.”

Monk Shi’s gaze was intense, but after a long while, he nodded, “Since it’s so, I won’t force you. Brothers of the Xiang Army, make way for this hero.”

Shark Biao hesitated to speak, and couldn’t help but tug at Monk Shi’s sleeve, but received no response.

Liangyu saw the Xiang Army parting to the left and right and true to his word, he turned and walked away. He heard Monk Shi call from behind, “Brother, I, Old Shi, entered the monastery at six. Because I gathered crowds to resist grain taxes, The Master thought I was unruly and drove me out of the temple. I think the old man was right; I have no noble courage, just a restless heart.”

Liangyu walked away as if he hadn’t heard, while Monk Shi’s Red Buddha faded away in his hands without notice.

“General Shi, you really let him go? Are we to let the Demon Thief’s people take over our Xiang Army?”

Shark Biao stepped forward, whispering in a low voice.

However, Monk Shi gave him no reply.

“General Shi? General Shi!”

Shark Biao was shocked and paled, gently shaking Monk Shi’s shoulder. To his surprise, the latter fell backward and appeared to have stopped breathing entirely.

Sudden chaos erupted in Living Fish Valley.

“Monk Shi is dead? How, how can this be?”

Ruan Zhanhui was still shouting when two Xiang Army soldiers guarding the entrance of Living Fish Valley rushed over anxiously.

“What’s happened?”

Carrying Monk Shi’s body, Shark Biao managed to steady his mind and asked.

“A large group of troops has arrived at the entrance of the valley, at least a thousand men, claiming to be from the Five Dragon Sect Church. Tianbao Dragon Head is here!”