Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

The fact that Dai Zong didn't come was indeed a bit of a disappointment for Chao Gai, Wu Yong, and the others.

You promised to be with all nine of us, but you abandoned us!

What, you look down on us?

Chao Gai was even more uncomfortable. In order to have a good omen, they had agreed that the nine stars would align, but now one of them was missing. What should they do?

Should we still try to steal this birthday gift?

But Wu Yong didn't dwell on it too much. He was even thinking about how he would brag to Dai Zong after they successfully seized the birthday gifts.

However, now, we need to find someone to replace Dai Zong.

Wu Yong thought for a moment. The current lineup—Chao Gai, Liu Tang, and Li Kui—should be the main force. Even though Li Kui had lost half an arm, his fighting power was still formidable, especially since he was now considering attaching an axe to his missing arm as a prosthetic. That would be incredibly powerful.

Xiao Rang, Jin Dajian, and Bai Sheng are purely support characters.

Although they were all skilled in swordsmanship, it wasn't their specialty. Xiao Rang was a calligrapher, Jin Dajian was a sculptor, and Bai Sheng... he was a street urchin, barely qualifying as an intelligence operative.

And himself and Han Bolong.

I must be the strategist!

As for Han Bolong, Wu Yong really couldn't figure out what this guy was good at.

It seems like he knows a little bit of everything.

But he wasn't very proficient either?

However, there's one good thing about this guy: he's straightforward, says what he thinks, has no ulterior motives, is obedient, and is willing to work hard. I like that kind of person.

Looking at it this way, considering that this time they are dealing with Yang Zhi, whose reputation as the Blue-Faced Beast is widespread in the martial arts world, Wu Yong felt that it would be better for him to win over another person with good martial arts skills.

But who should he win over? Wu Yong was in a dilemma. Most of the powerful figures with names and surnames in Liangshan were already there.

Are you suggesting we send him to Liangshan to tell Ren Yuan, "Lend me one of your men, I'll rob the birthday gifts and return them to you"?

How could that be! Doesn't he have any pride?

So Wu Yong went out early in the morning, intending to inquire at the taverns near the countryside.

After all, Wu Yong himself discovered Han Bolong in the tavern.

Wu Yong thought that perhaps he could find another one.

However, it seems that God was not looking out for him today. He went to several taverns but did not find him.

Seeing that the sun was already high in the sky, Wu Yong felt hungry and thirsty, so he quickly found a small tavern in the mountains and went in to eat something.

Hey, who would have thought that after going inside, Wu Yong would see a big man who was eating with his head down, chest out, and wearing a turban askew.

Hey, Wu Yong took one look and thought, this guy is pretty good!

So he walked up to the man and sat down.

"Who is it?"

Hong Li has been in a bad mood lately.

He recently ran away from Chai Jin's estate!

He is very unhappy!

Ever since he lost his duel with Lin Chong, Chai Jin's attitude towards him has worsened day by day.

Moreover, they no longer call me "teacher" but call me by my name. The monthly allowance has also decreased significantly, dropping several levels!

The servants at Chai Jin's manor were becoming increasingly rude to him! They used to call him "teacher" so affectionately, but now they wouldn't even look at him!

These people deserve to die!

Hong Li felt that he shouldn't have stayed at Chai Jin's estate for so long.

He would have left long ago if it weren't for wanting to save more money!

"Judging from your attire and physique, you must be a teacher. My surname is Wu, and I am currently looking for a teacher for my family's headman. I wonder if you would be interested?"

"A teacher? Another teacher?"

Hong Li shook his head. "Damn it, I just can't stand this profession, can I?"

Do you know where I used to be a teacher?

He downed a bowl of wine and wiped his mouth.

"Have you heard of Chai Jin of Cangzhou? I used to make a living on his estate. Does your headman have the same abilities as Chai Jin?"

"Oh dear, it turns out to be a great teacher in person. I have been very rude."

Wu Yong quickly poured the wine for everyone.

"Master Chai is naturally not someone to be compared to, but my family's headman is no ordinary person either!"

Anyone who can get by in Chai Jin's household must have some skill, and to reach the position of tutor in Chai Jin's household, one's martial arts ability must be quite high.

At the very least, they should be better than me!

We need to win this person over!

"My headman is a well-known figure in the martial arts world, nicknamed 'Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King.' I wonder if the instructor knows him?"

"The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King? Chao Gai, the Prefect of Chao?"

Hong Li was startled. He had heard of this man's reputation many times at the Chai residence; he was a good man and, it was said, quite wealthy.

Leaving the Chai residence, if one could find a way to make a living under Chao Gai's wing, that would be quite good.

"Exactly."

Wu Yong nodded and smiled slightly. "Just kidding. Chao Gai's reputation in Shandong is only comparable to Ren Yuan of Liangshan. Compared to others, he's still pretty good!"

"It was Mr. Hong who was rude. Please have a seat, sir. Bartender, please cut a plate of meat for Mr. Wu, warm a jar of wine, and bring two dishes of fennel beans."

Hong Li became polite to Wu Yong as well. Since Wu Yong was his future teacher at the manor, he must be a confidant of Chao Gai. As a newcomer, he couldn't afford to offend anyone.

This is the truth that Hong Li learned at Chai Jin's residence.

He was worried that Lin Chong would also stay and become an instructor, taking away his job, which is why he rushed to fight Lin Chong and ended up in such a state.

So now, he is very enthusiastic towards Wu Yong.

"How could we let the teachers spend money?"

Wu Yong smiled slightly and said, "Yes, that's right, you know how to be pragmatic."

As the old saying goes, those who understand the times are the heroes.

This instructor is very much to Wu Yong's liking.

"Instructor Hong, we're all from the martial world, so I won't beat around the bush. My headman is currently recruiting talented people, and I think you're a capable man who certainly isn't content with an ordinary life. So, Instructor, would you be willing to come to my Chao Family Manor in Dongxi Village?"

"I've heard so many stories about the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King in the martial arts world that I'm sick of them. It's my honor to be chosen by you, sir, and Brother Chao Gai!"

Hong Li raised his wine bowl and toasted Wu Yong.

"Mr. Wu, I am new here and hope you will give me a lot of guidance in the future!"

"Of course, of course, Instructor Hong, please come in. In that case, shall we return to the manor as soon as we finish eating?"

Wu Yong was very happy; he couldn't wait to go back and prove it to Chao Gai.

What did I say?

I told you, there are people there!

Coach Hong was also very happy, but he still asked:

"Sir, as a teacher in the Heavenly King's Palace, this is the allowance..."

"Don't worry, your salary in the Chai family is the same as it was before."

Wu Yong wasn't just making empty promises; as long as they successfully robbed the birthday gifts, the customary allowance was no big deal!

"I haven't even mentioned how much I owe Master Chai..."

"It's alright, Instructor Hong. Although this place isn't as prosperous as Master Chai's, it has everything you need. As long as you work hard, your allowance won't be a problem!"

If Ren Yuan saw Wu Yong in his current state, he would definitely say...

Good heavens, Wu Yong, it's a shame you don't go to northern Myanmar in your next life!

"I, Hong, thank you, sir. From now on, I will serve King Chao with all my heart!"

"Sure thing, sure thing, come on, Coach, bottoms up!"

"Dry!"