Chapter 129: I Am the Spider Hero

When the unit from the State of Cai reached a point about two hundred paces from the courtyard, an arrow flew out from within and landed right at the feet of the soldiers.

Inside the Xu residence, the men had all taken their positions along the top of the walls. The front gate was barricaded with two stone lions, while the breach in the back wall had been filled with bundles of straw and millstones. Expert archers from Luhe Valley, such as Lei Laohu and Li Dazhuang, stood ready with bows drawn, while those less skilled in archery guarded the gaps with short daggers in hand.

The leading officer took in the scene with a cold smile. He cupped his hands in a gesture of greeting toward the courtyard and called out, "Friends of the martial world, that is a rather inhospitable way to offer a welcome, is it not?"

Xu Wenshan found this amusing. This officer was actually using the slang of the martial world, clearly mistaking him for a wanderer of that realm. Xu decided not to correct the misconception and instead asked, "Who comes here? What is your rank?"

The officer did not take offense and cupped his hands again. "I am Kou Guo, a Tunchang of the Cai State Garrison. May I ask for your honorable title, friend?"

Xu Wenshan’s head disappeared from the top of the wall. After consulting with those below for some time, he popped back up and declared, "Your rank is too low. You are not fit to speak with me. Bring your superior."

The Tunchang pursed his lips and replied, "This entire area falls under my jurisdiction. I am the one in charge here."

It turned out that Xu Wenshan had been busy asking the fat centurion exactly what a "Tunchang" was.

The war of aggression waged by the State of Cai was a drain on both manpower and wealth. To sustain it, they had established agricultural colonies in the occupied territories of the State of Chen. Each colony comprised one thousand mu of land, and each was overseen by a Tunchang.

Originally, a Tunchang was merely a local official responsible for public security, far lower in rank than a centurion. However, because the Tunchang was part of the garrison forces while the centurion belonged to the Eagle-Wing Army—two factions that were historically at odds—the power dynamic shifted depending on the location. At the front lines, the Eagle-Wing Army held sway, but in the rear, the garrison forces held the advantage. This explained why the fat centurion, despite his rank, was relegated to managing a supply station, while the Tunchang wielded greater authority. Because the fat centurion had struggled to explain this complex situation clearly, Xu Wenshan had momentarily appeared uncertain.

After more whispering behind the wall, Xu Wenshan stood up and announced, "I have three conditions!"

Kou Guo was incensed. These people had captured his soldiers and injured his men, and instead of identifying themselves as members of the martial arts community, they were actually making demands!

Xu Wenshan did not stand on ceremony. "First, you must withdraw thirty miles away and never approach my courtyard again; if you pass by, you must take a detour. Second, you must pay market price for everything damaged in my yard and all the rice your men have eaten. Third... well, I haven't thought of it yet. Give me the money and withdraw your troops first, and we can discuss the third point later!"

Kou Guo was even more furious, but he restrained himself. "May I ask your name, sir?"

For some reason, a name flashed through Xu Wenshan’s mind. "In the martial world, I am known as Spider-Man!"

Kou Guo searched his memory for any famous hero by that name in the vicinity. Finding none, he still cupped his hands. "This... Spider-Hero, I am acting under orders to patrol and guard the lands of my country; it is my duty. Occupying your land was also under orders. If you are dissatisfied, you may report it to the county office. Why resort to beating my soldiers? Furthermore, I have not yet held you accountable for disturbing the peace, and yet you are nitpicking over your own affairs! First, return my soldiers, and then we shall discuss your crimes!"

Xu Wenshan spread his hands. "So, there is nothing to discuss then?"

"If you lay down your arms and surrender with courtesy, you may yet receive a lenient sentence..."

"Enough!" Xu Wenshan barked. "I am a commoner of the State of Chen, working from dawn to dusk to save for a small plot of land. The moment you people from Cai stepped onto our soil, you began looting and plundering, seizing our homes and destroying our fields, relying on the power of your army to do as you please! You, a mere Tunchang, dare to play the fox borrowing the tiger's might here, committing base acts while spouting noble words. You are nothing but a turtle!"

He paused, then added, "By the way, considering that your soldiers have elderly parents at home, I gave each of them a string of cash and sent them home."

As Xu Wenshan held court from the wall, the fat centurion and the scribe below him listened, their faces turning pale as they shook their heads repeatedly.

Kou Guo was shocked. Even during the most brutal fighting at the front, no one had ever insulted him like this. He had held back until now only because he suspected the owner of this house was someone extraordinary. If his true identity were that of a renowned hero of Chen, he could not act rashly.

Unlike the legends, these "heroes" were not always selfless champions of justice. They were usually wealthy, famous, and commanded private militias. Local officials feared them, and the common people offered them silver while singing their praises. They colluded with one another, and if one was threatened, they would rally together, forming a formidable force within days.

There were many such heroes in both Chen and Cai. In peacetime, they were easy to manage, but with the war at a stalemate, the authorities had no time to deal with them. The primary order given to the garrison forces was "stability"—stability above all else. They were forbidden from causing trouble in the rear. Over time, these Tunchangs had learned to keep a respectful distance from the martial world, praying they would never cross paths.

Kou Guo had been cautious, not daring to offend anyone. But after today, he knew he could no longer hold back. This was no longer a matter of him seeking trouble; the trouble had sought him out.

"Don't push your luck! If you don't release my men, I will level your house and take your head!" Kou Guo roared.

Xu Wenshan looked at Lei Laohu, Li Dazhuang, and the others. "Shall we have another contest to see whose aim is truer?"

Without waiting for their reply, Xu shouted, "It seems you do not wish to talk! Brothers, let them taste our fury!"

The phrase was a bit theatrical, but to the soldiers, it sounded fresh and inspiring. Xu Wenshan, Li Dazhuang, and Lei Laohu fired first. Three arrows sliced through the northern wind and struck true, piercing the heads of the Cai soldiers.

Kou Guo was horrified. "What are you standing there for? Charge! Kill them and skin that so-called Spider-Hero alive!"

The garrison unit, fewer than a hundred men, launched their first charge. Because it was hurried, there was no formation to speak of. As they ran, they scattered, only to be met with a devastating volley from the Luhe archers. Several bodies fell to the ground, never to rise again.

Kou Guo had been composed at first, but as his troops covered fifty paces, he grew uneasy. By the time they reached a hundred paces, he was stunned. When they were only fifty paces from the wall, he was ashen-faced.

The enemy’s archery was far too accurate!

Two hundred paces was not far, and a charge should have been quick, but in that short time, the enemy had unleashed four or five volleys. In the first, only two or three of his men had fallen; by the second, more, and by the third, even more. By the fifth, his soldiers were no longer charging—they were turning to flee!

His unit had collapsed in morale, defeated by nothing but arrows!