Chapter 232: I Won’t Leave

232. I'm Not Leaving

Lei Biao: "..." The entire Loyalty Hall fell into an eerie silence.

All the bandit underlings had priceless looks on their faces, glancing between Cheng Ge and the three concubines behind him.

Lei Biao watched Cheng Ge's protective stance and then the coquettish, flustered demeanor of the three concubines, feeling a vein throb at his temple.

He raised a hand and rubbed his brow vigorously, trying to shove those eye-burning images out of his head. "Cut the bullshit! I don't have time to waste on you!

Write a letter home right now telling your family to send ten thousand taels in ransom. Once the money arrives, I'll let you go.

If they refuse or try any tricks..." He sneered, "I'll mince you into meat paste and mail you back to your family!"

But Cheng Ge didn't look scared at all. Instead, he looked... excited?

"Boss! I don't want to go back!"

Everyone: "???"

What the fuck?! Almost every bandit thought they were hearing things.

A hostage who doesn't want to go home? Who the hell does that?

Lei Biao was taken aback, frowning. "What did you say?"

Cheng Ge stared at Lei Biao with blazing eyes, his tone filled with admiration and worship.

"Boss! To be honest, I've had a chivalrous dream since I was a kid—to be a hero fighting for justice.

But my family forced me to study for the imperial exams, robbing me of my freedom.

Today, seeing you, I feel I've seen what a true leader looks like.

The Axe Ridge's fame is immense, and you, Boss, are brimming with heroic spirit—truly admirable!"

He got more excited as he spoke, stepping forward and grabbing Lei Biao's arm.

"Axe Ridge is the bandit camp of my dreams! Please let me join, Boss!

I'm willing to stay at Axe Ridge, to be your groom, go through fire and water, and give my life for you!"

The Loyalty Hall fell dead silent, except for the crackling of the torches.

The bandits stared dumbfounded at the wealthy young man in the center, who wore a "sincere" expression as he begged to become an outlaw. It felt like their worldview was being shattered.

Lei Biao, in all his years of robbery, had kidnapped at least eighty or a hundred hostages.

Some cried and begged, some knelt and pleaded for mercy, some passed out from pure terror.

But this was the first time he'd ever seen someone... volunteer to join the bandits?! What kind of trick was this?!

Lei Biao was stumped by Cheng Ge's "heartfelt confession," his brain seeming to momentarily short-circuit.

He opened his mouth, staring at the admirer before him who was gripping his arm with eyes blazing, and a faint blush of embarrassment crept onto his face. He had no idea how to respond.

Seeing this, Cheng Ge pressed on, his tone even more earnest.

"Boss, hear me out! Though I may be useless at fighting,

and maybe... a bit extravagant in daily life, fond of comfort and sleep,

BUT!" He suddenly raised his voice, full of passion, "But my sincere heart that yearns for Axe Ridge and worships you, Boss, can be witnessed by heaven and earth!"

He dramatically hid his face with his sleeve, as if ashamed of his faults, then dropped his hand and looked at Lei Biao with blazing eyes.

"I wouldn't dare to have any ambitious thoughts! How could I possibly aim for a leader's position?

I only wish to follow at your heels, Boss, and serve you as a groom!

Even if it's just to brew tea, warm wine, and make your bed, I would consider it my greatest blessing!

To see your majestic presence every day would be the greatest honor and comfort of my life!"

He delivered these words with such emotional conviction that Lei Biao seemed less like a bandit chief and more like a lost idol.

Many of the bandit underlings, though ruthless killers, had never witnessed anything like this.

Hearing this "moving" speech and seeing Cheng Ge's "sincere" eyes, they were subtly touched.

Lei Biao, dazed by Cheng Ge's antics, turned bewilderedly to White Brow beside him.

Lowering his voice, he asked, "Second brother, what the hell was he just rambling about?"

White Brow: "..."

Cheng Ge: "..."

All bandits: "..."

White Brow's eye twitched, and he took a deep breath and summarized in the most straightforward terms.

"Brother, he doesn't want to go home. He wants to freeload, and also wants to be a little lackey serving you."

"Oh!!!" This time Lei Biao finally got it, his voice booming. "Why didn't you say so earlier! Drop all that flowery crap!"

He turned back to Cheng Ge, waving his hand with a mix of contempt and curiosity.

"You want to follow me? What makes me trust you? You're soft-skinned and scrawny—can't carry anything or fight. Stay on the mountain as decoration?"

At Lei Biao's doubt about his usefulness, Cheng Ge immediately puffed out his less-than-impressive chest.

A look of almost naive confidence appeared on his face, but his tone was exceptionally resolute.

"Boss! I may be lousy at fist-fighting, but in here—" He pointed to his head, "It works great!

I've had a photographic memory since childhood, and a monk once called me the reincarnation of the God of Literature.

I'm well-versed in military strategy, tactics, and arcane arts. If I stay on the mountain, I can definitely be a big help."

"Reincarnation of the God of Literature?" Lei Biao snorted, his face saying "Do you think I'm an idiot?" He crossed his arms and said gruffly,

"Anyone can brag! I'm the reincarnation of the King of Heaven! Cut that crap!

Perfect timing—there's a real problem on hand! Those bastards at Blackwind Stockade stole a shipment of mine and hurt a few brothers. Their stronghold is built like a turtle shell; a frontal attack would cost too many losses!

You claim to have a good head, right? Think up a way for me to get revenge and minimize bloodshed!"

If you can't think of one, it proves you're nothing but a smooth-talking good-for-nothing. I'll chop you up and feed you to the dogs right away!"

All the bandits' eyes were once again fixed on Cheng Ge, waiting to see how this fair-skinned pretty boy would handle the situation.

White Brow, the Second in Command, tapped his fingers on the table, grinning maliciously as he prepared to watch the show.

Hearing this, Cheng Ge's face instantly lost its trace of innocence, replaced by a calmness that was completely at odds with his age and appearance.

"It's simple, Chief," he said in a steady voice that carried a chill. "Why should our brothers shed blood? Just a small stratagem, and we can make the Blackwind Stockade... dig their own grave."

"Oh?" Lei Biao raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical that he could come up with any good plan.

Cheng Ge took a step forward. The candlelight flickered in his eyes, giving off an almost eerie glow.

"First, the plan to annihilate their entire bloodline," he said slowly, his tone flat. "The Blackwind Stockade relies on its perilous terrain for defense, and for drinking water, they depend entirely on a natural spring in the back mountain.

Send men to find some rotting corpses of people who died of foul diseases and plagues. Use a catapult at night to lob those putrid chunks of flesh directly into their water source.

Within a few days, their stronghold will be rife with plague—vomiting, diarrhea, festering sores oozing pus, suffering so intensely that they'll beg for death but be unable to die.

By then, without us lifting a finger, they will die out on their own, and for decades to come, no one will dare approach that place."

Everyone: "..."