Chapter 30: A Night of Thunderstorms, Perfect for Slaying the Enemy!

Sanniang shook her head. Although no sound came from her, Shang Lu knew she was telling him there was no need to thank her.

She was his wife, and his parents were her own as well. How could she watch and do nothing as her in-laws were bullied?

Before today, Wu Guizhi still harbored fear and resentment toward Sanniang. But now, not only did she feel no fear, she actually felt safe with Sanniang present. Though her daughter-in-law was not quite human, she was far more reassuring than any son could ever be—utterly reliable.

“We heard your voice earlier and meant to go outside, but Sanniang stopped us. Your father guessed she was worried we’d only cause you more trouble if we went out.”

Wu Guizhi explained why they hadn't left the house, then launched into a torrent of praise for Sanniang. “If it weren’t for Sanniang, guarding our home and protecting us, your father and I would have been beaten to death by those thieves.”

As she praised Sanniang, she recounted the events that had unfolded: “These last few days, the men from the Black Wind Gang had kept themselves in check. But this afternoon, their faces changed. They barged in, wicked and fierce, demanding we pay our debts at once.”

“Your father said the repayment wasn’t due yet, but they wouldn’t listen. They threatened us with knives, forcing us to hand over the deeds to our land and house, and planned to sell us into slavery.”

“They were wild with rage, shouting threats, and both your father and I were terrified. Your father grabbed a pole to defend us, but they snatched it away and snapped it in two.”

“Just as we thought all was lost, a sudden wind swept through the courtyard. The Black Wind Gang’s thugs were blown off their feet and tumbled out. I didn’t know what happened, but your father was quick to realize—he said Sanniang must have come to protect us.”

Here Wu Guizhi’s praise for Sanniang only intensified. “She really is a good child. It's strange, but the moment we knew she was there, your father and I felt completely at ease—no more fear, no more nerves.”

She turned to Shang Lu. “Can you see her? Where is Sanniang now?”

Shang Lu raised his hand and pointed to where Sanniang stood.

“She’s right by your right hand, listening to you talk.”

Wu Guizhi turned and looked in that direction but saw nothing. After a moment’s hesitation, she reached out, feeling for where she guessed Sanniang’s hand might be. She wanted to take Sanniang’s hand and say a few words of thanks and praise.

She remembered how, when Shang Lu’s grandmother was still alive, the old woman would grasp her hand and praise her as a good daughter-in-law, leaving her flustered and deeply moved.

She wanted to do the same, to stir Sanniang’s heart, hoping Sanniang would treat Shang Lu even better.

But her daughter-in-law was unlike any other.

Watching his mother’s awkward attempts, Shang Lu couldn’t hold back a laugh.

“Mother, why are you grabbing Sanniang’s belly?”

Wu Guizhi let out a surprised cry, clearly embarrassed. “Is that her belly? I just wanted to hold her hand and say a few words.”

Shang Lu burst out laughing even louder. Wu Guizhi, red with mortification, was about to scold him when she suddenly felt something in her hand—soft and cold.

She paused, then realized it must be Sanniang’s hand. Had Sanniang reached out to her after hearing she wanted to hold her hand?

What a thoughtful, considerate child.

Wu Guizhi was deeply moved. She’d wanted to move Sanniang, but instead, she herself was the one touched.

Still holding Sanniang’s hand, Wu Guizhi chatted away, saying all sorts of things. Sanniang stood quietly by her side, never impatient, even gently rubbing her back with her other hand.

Noticing this, Wu Guizhi felt even more satisfied.

Shang Lu continued to laugh, his happiness uncontained. This was exactly the scene he had hoped to see.

At this point, Shang Mingqiu picked up where his wife had left off and relayed the rest of the story to Shang Lu:

“Sanniang is a good child, kindhearted. Even when dealing with those Black Wind Gang thugs, she didn’t take their lives, only punished them and threw them out.”

“But those men didn’t appreciate her mercy. They even ran to the neighbor’s outhouse and stole buckets of filth, planning to use the muck to harm Sanniang.”

“I saw them coming with buckets of waste and wanted to rush out and fight. No matter what, I couldn’t let them hurt Sanniang.”

“But before I could get to the door, Sanniang knocked them down again. They never got the chance to fling their filth—instead, they ended up doused in it themselves… What happened next is what you saw.”

After recounting the events, Shang Mingqiu glanced at Wu Guizhi, who was still holding an empty conversation with the air, then beckoned Shang Lu over and lowered his voice.

“What are you planning to do next? The Black Wind Gang is infamous for exacting revenge. Just last year, a constable ran afoul of them, and within days he was found dead in a cesspit. They sent a lowly member to take the blame, saying it was a personal feud, but afterward, the constable’s family disappeared…”

Shang Lu had heard this tale before. He had spent much of his recent days investigating the Black Wind Gang. To deal with such people, you either leave them alone or strike without mercy—there can be no half measures.

“In a moment, I’ll return to the county town with Sanniang and wipe out the Black Wind Gang. You and Mother must stay here; if anyone comes asking for me, find a way to cover for us. No one can know I’ve left.”

Shang Mingqiu was shocked. “You mean to destroy the Black Wind Gang?”

Shang Lu nodded. “They may seem powerful, but they’re nothing but a rabble. Aside from their leader Zhao Hai and a few hired fighters, the rest are just bullies relying on numbers. Once Zhao Hai and his close men are gone, the gang will collapse on its own.”

There was another reason the Black Wind Gang ran rampant in Luoshui County: they had the support of the registrar. It was an open secret in the yamen.

Earlier that day at the drill grounds, the registrar had clearly been caught up in some trouble himself and couldn’t protect anyone. He only used Zhao Hai for his own ends. So long as Zhao Hai lived, he might help, but if Zhao Hai died, he would show no loyalty—he might even use Zhao Hai’s death to clear himself or win merit.

Shang Mingqiu didn’t know these inside details. All he saw was the gang’s formidable reputation, so he swallowed nervously and whispered, “Are you sure you can do it?”

If possible, Shang Lu would have preferred to prepare more thoroughly. That would have ensured greater success. But circumstances had suddenly changed.

Such is life—plans can never keep up with events.

If he didn’t act quickly, once Zhao Hai heard of his men’s deaths and took precautions, killing him would become far more difficult.

Luckily, Zhao Hai and his followers would never expect Shang Lu to dare attack them, much less so soon. Most importantly, they had no idea of Shang Lu’s true strength, or that Sanniang was at his side.

These were his aces in the hole for taking down Zhao Hai and destroying the Black Wind Gang.

Suddenly, a thunderclap exploded outside.

Shang Lu glanced out: the sky was darkening, heavy clouds gathering—rain was imminent.

A stormy night, perfect for killing.

Even the heavens were on his side!

“I can do it,” Shang Lu said solemnly to his father.