The protagonist of this crossover film and television series is disrupting the plot again.

Chapter 33 Three Heroes and Five Righteous Men

The fishing boats in Songjiang are divided into two groups, with Luhua Marsh as the boundary. To the south of the marsh is Xiankong Island, and to the north is Mohua Village.

The two places often clashed over fishing boats on the river. But today, because of Bai Yutang's matter, their relationship has eased considerably.

A banquet was set up in the hall. The Ding brothers, Ding Zhaolan and Ding Zhaohui, from Jasmine Flower Village, Lu Fang, Xu Qing, and Jiang Ping from Trapped Sky Island, along with Zhan Zhao, the Southern Hero, the key figure in the "Fighting the Imperial Cat" incident, sat down as guests and hosts. While eating, they discussed how to persuade Bai Yutang to go to Kaifeng Prefecture when he came later, so as to prevent the situation from escalating.

Just then, the servant who had been kicked out by Bai Yutang came in.

Lu Fang asked, "How is your Fifth Master now? Is he awake?"

The servant quickly replied, "She's awake, she's awake."

Upon hearing this, Lu Fang frowned: "Since you're awake, why don't you stay and help me change and wash up? You're so lazy."

The servant, after being scolded, quickly explained, "Sir, it's not that I'm lazy, it's just that Fifth Master has a terrible temper. I was scolded and kicked out as soon as I entered the room, and I dare not go back in."

The attendant recounted the events of that time, and Lu Fang, as if remembering something, sighed deeply and slumped down.

"It's all my fault. If I had stopped Third Brother, Fifth Brother wouldn't have gotten hurt. Third Brother, you're the same; you have no sense of propriety when it comes to your subordinates!"

Xu Qing was displeased upon hearing this: "Brother, you're too biased. You saw what happened yesterday with your own eyes. My knife was aimed from top to bottom, and he could have easily dodged it. Who knew he would be so foolish as to take the knife without dodging or avoiding it?"

Jiang Ping chimed in, "The injury itself is a minor matter, just a superficial wound. The important thing is that Fifth Brother is always concerned about his reputation. Now that he has been embarrassed, he must be extremely ashamed and angry, and he probably won't want to see anyone easily."

Knowing his fourth brother was clever, Lu Fang quickly asked, "Then, fourth brother, what do you think we should do now?"

Jiang Ping chuckled and said, "I have my own way of getting Fifth Brother out. Everyone, sit here for a moment, I'll be right back." With that, he turned to leave. Lu Fang quickly stood up and grabbed him, saying, "Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother is injured right now, you mustn't tease him too much."

Jiang Ping sighed helplessly, "Big brother, you really dote on fifth brother, you almost treat him like your own son." Thinking of how Lu Fang had cried when he saw Bai Yutang injured and fainted, he added, "Don't worry, big brother, it won't happen."

Having received assurances, Lu Fang finally let him go.

Jiang Ping quickly arrived at Bai Yutang's door and stood there. He kicked the door hard, and with a loud 'bang,' the door was kicked open and then hit the wall, making another series of clanging noises.

Startled awake, Bai Yutang sat up abruptly and turned to look at the door, where he saw Jiang Ping swagger in, shouting in a hoarse voice:

"Fifth brother, fifth brother, are you awake?"

Bai Yutang pressed his left hand against his throbbing forehead, trying to calm his frightened heart.

Bai Yutang had a bad temper. Although he appeared gentle and polite, he was actually drawing a line between himself and the people around him. He did not actively distance himself, but his polite attitude made most people keep their distance.

He was just too weak to do anything else, otherwise he would have gotten up and given Jiang Ping a couple of punches to vent his anger.

But Jiang Ping kept talking on and on, "Fifth brother, look at the time! Still sleeping?"

Bai Yutang straightened his slightly loosened undergarments, his mood calming down a bit. He turned to Jiang Ping with a half-smile and said, "It's all thanks to Fourth Brother's 'care,' otherwise how would I have had the chance to sleep here!"

Ok?

"Fifth brother, what are you saying? It was third brother who chopped you down yesterday, what does it have to do with me!" Jiang Ping quickly retorted.

"Oh! Is that so?" Bai Yutang smiled faintly. His tone and voice had even changed to Jiang Ping's, and he spoke clearly, "Jiao Neng is here now, let's send him back first, so as not to arouse Lao Wu's suspicion. Tell him to meet Ding Erdi at Qiuyin Ridge at the second watch of the night and show him the way, how about that?"

Jiang Ping stared in surprise. At first, he wondered why his fifth brother was mentioning Jiao Neng and imitating his voice. Then he realized that these were the words he had said yesterday when they were discussing how to capture Bai Yutang.

How would the fifth brother know? Who told him?

If the fifth brother knew about their plan, why didn't he escape beforehand?

Jiang Ping's forehead was covered in cold sweat. He heard Bai Yutang say again, "Second brother, you are more agile than your elder and third brothers, so you have to bear the heavy burden. First, rescue Brother Zhan, and then steal back the three treasures. You and Brother Zhan should wait in the east bamboo grove of the Five Righteousness Hall, while your elder and third brothers should wait in the west bamboo grove. Once you all meet up, rush in together. Then, your fifth brother will have a hard time escaping."

Jiang Ping was the smartest of the five sworn brothers. He was a stutterer but quick-witted, and this was the first time he had ever been speechless in front of others. He kept thinking about what to do.

Among the Five Rats, Bai Yutang is the youngest and has the most straightforward temper. He always speaks his mind. Now that he knows he was the one who plotted against him, what awaits him?

Will their brotherhood be severed? Should I point my finger at him and give him a piece of my mind? Or should we fight it out? Make a huge scene?

Jiang Ping sighed deeply, his playful smile vanished, and he felt so dry in his mouth that he could barely speak: "Fifth Brother, let me explain."

Bai Yutang didn't even lift his eyelids before giving a curt "hmm," and said in an extremely calm and indifferent tone, "Speak!"

Jiang Ping was quick-witted. Although he was startled by Bai Yutang's unexpected "parrot-like" remark, he quickly recovered, changed tactics, and earnestly advised:

"Fifth brother, don't be so willful. You told Zhan Zhao that you would go to Kaifeng with him if you stole the Three Treasures. Now that the Three Treasures have been retrieved, you should go with him. But what about you? Not only did you refuse to go with him, you ran away. Look at your behavior, how can you be a true man?"

"Zhan Zhao was bestowed the title of 'Imperial Cat,' which puts him above the Five Rats in terms of title. However, this was not his original intention. He explained this in the front hall just now and said he wanted to apologize to you. This matter is over. After all, his title of 'Imperial Cat' was bestowed by the Emperor. How can it be taken back so easily?"

Now that you've caused such a ruckus in Tokyo, and the matter has reached the highest levels of government, the mere fact that you were involved in the murder at the Imperial Palace could cost you your life.

Fortunately, Prime Minister Bao pleaded for you before the Emperor and sent us brothers to find you together. We returned to Kaifeng together, which means you turned yourself in, so your punishment will be lighter.

Otherwise, your wanted poster would probably have been sent all over the country by now, and you, the "white-haired rat," would really be hiding like a mouse and never dare to show your face again.

So, Fifth Brother, you can't keep fooling around. Listen to your Fourth Brother and go back to Kaifeng. No matter how big the problem, we brothers will face it together.