I was a conman in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 660 Life and Death Decision

Chapter 660 A Choice Between Life and Death

"Haha..." Lin Qing laughed loudly, "Wang Shazi, don't dream! Killing you alone won't quell the hatred in my heart!"

The scar on Lin Qing's face twitched, and his smile was terrifying.

Wang Wenzhou looked at Lin Qing and said with deep emotion, "Brother Lin, it's been a long time since I've heard anyone call me 'Wang the Fool.' Hearing you say those three words today has touched me deeply, reminding me of the happy times we spent together in Hanshan. Brother Lin, although we have a grudge, we also shared some wonderful times! Brother Lin, for the sake of our past friendship, please spare my baby."

At this moment, Ma Deyun stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to Lin Qing, and said, "Brother Lin, how have you been lately?"

Lin Qing looked over and saw that his former good brothers, Ma Deyun, Yang Shan, and Sun Feng, were also present.

Lin Qing shook his head with a wry smile. He never expected that the reunion of the four great talents of Hanshan would be like this.

"Brother Ma, Brother Yang, Brother Sun, it's been so long!" Lin Qing was moved by the sight of the place and recalled the happy times he had with his friends in Hanshan.

At that time, Lin Qing was one of the four great talents of Hanshan. Although Hanshan was very backward at that time, Lin Qing always felt that those were the happiest times of his life. Until Wang Wenzhou, that mad dog, came to Hanshan, Lin Qing's good days came to an end.

Lin Qing often thought that if Wang Wenzhou hadn't gone to Hanshan, his life might have been very different. He might have had no hope of passing the imperial examinations, and he might have remained a mere scholar his whole life. He might never have met or come into contact with so many important figures. But Lin Qing felt that even if he had remained an unknown nobody his whole life, he would have been much happier than he was now.

Ma Deyun spoke up, "Brother Lin, listen to my advice. Let's put an end to your feud with Lord Wang. When will this cycle of revenge end? I know you're working for the Tartars now. But Brother Lin, have you thought about this? You've been blinded by hatred. As a citizen of the Ming Dynasty, how can you aid and abet evil?"

Yang Shan nodded and said sternly, “Brother Lin! The four of us grew up together, we are like brothers. To be honest, we were all too young back then. We were also wrong in the conflict with Lord Wang! Over the years, Hanshan has undergone earth-shattering changes under Lord Wang's rule. Even if Lord Wang was wrong, the people of Hanshan are all grateful to him! If you kill Lord Wang today, how will you face the elders of Hanshan after you die?”

“Yes!” Sun Feng chimed in, “Brother Lin, to be honest, we brothers are all generals now. We know that you were just confused for a moment and became the Tartars’ lackeys. As long as you abandon the darkness and turn to the light, we will definitely write to the Emperor to ask for your merits!”

At this point, Sun Feng looked at Wang Wenzhou and said, "Lord Wang, could you please spare Lin Qing for the sake of us brothers? You just said that your personal grudge with Lin Qing is over. In consideration of Lin Qing's reformation and turning over a new leaf, could you please let him go?"

Wang Wenzhou was deeply moved; he never expected that Ma Deyun and the others would help him so much.

Wang Wenzhou quickly said, "Brother Lin, as long as you abandon the darkness and embrace the light, our past grievances will be wiped clean. I will definitely report your merits to the Emperor and petition for commendation on your behalf!"

Lin Qing shook his head with a wry smile. He never expected that everyone would change so much in just two years. He himself had gone from a handsome young man to a ruthless killer. And his three friends had gone from literati who frequented brothels to powerful generals.

But one person hasn't changed, and that person is Wang the Fool. Wang the Fool isn't just not stupid, he's shameless! "What merit do I have? Am I a great hero for not killing you? Wang the Fool, what do you know? If I weren't acting on the Emperor's orders, I might actually have let you go today."

Lin Qing cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to his three companions, and said with a wry smile, "Brothers, I am no longer the Lin Qing I once was. Some things, once they happen, can never be undone! I can die in peace knowing that I have seen you all here one last time!"

"I'm sorry!" Lin Qing said, then ordered the assassins, "Tie up the three of them and gag them. I don't want to see them or hear them speak."

Ma Deyun flew into a rage, pointing at Lin Qing and cursing, "Lin Qing, you shameless scoundrel! Did you waste your time studying the classics? Don't let hatred blind you! Open your eyes and let go of your hatred! No matter what, you can't be an accomplice to evil!"

"Fuck your mother..." Sun Feng and Yang Shan also pointed at Lin Qing and cursed loudly.

"Sigh..." Lin Qing sighed, avoiding eye contact with his friend. Growing up brings more worries, which might explain why older people are often less happy. Young people can be carefree because they have parents who provide for them.

But as they get older, the young people become the pillars of their families, helping their aging parents to support them.

Lin Qing calmed himself down, looked at Wang Wenzhou, and said sternly, "Wang the Fool, we should get down to business. For the sake of our acquaintance, I'll leave you an heir. One of your sons can live, and one of your wives or concubines can live. You decide which one to let live."

Lin Qing certainly wasn't that kind-hearted as to leave an heir for Wang Wenzhou, but it was Zhu Youjian's decree, and he had no choice but to obey. Moreover, Lin Qing had also considered that Wang Wenzhou had so many babies and so many sons; no matter who he chose to let live, putting himself in Wang Wenzhou's shoes, Lin Qing felt that such a choice would be more painful than everyone dying.

"Come on, come on!" Lin Qing said with a smile, "Let's do it one by one. Wang Shazi, let's start with your wives and concubines."

Lin Qing pointed at Liu Li and said, "Bring her up here!"

Two assassins escorted Liu Li to Lin Qing's front.

Lin Qing looked at Wang Wenzhou and asked, "Wang the Fool, do you want her dead or alive?"

Wang Wenzhou felt like dying at this moment; he wished he could end it all, but he didn't dare. After all, Lin Qing had given him a glimmer of hope, allowing him to choose between Bao Bao and Xiao Hua to live. But this choice was incredibly difficult, like choosing between saving your girlfriend and your mother if they fell into the water.

Lin Qing pointed his sword at Liu Li and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, say a few words. Perhaps Wang Shazi loves you the most."

Liu Li was already in tears. She knew in her heart that her enemy's true love was definitely not her, but she loved her enemy. Besides, what person, except for the mentally unstable, would want to die?

Liu Li wiped away her tears, looked at Wang Wenzhou, and cried out, "Sir, did you ever love me?"

"Waaaaah..." Wang Wenzhou's heart was crying. He thought for a moment and said tenderly, "Baby, baby, be good. I've loved you!"

"Haha!" Lin Qing burst out laughing when he saw Wang Wenzhou's expression; this was really funny.

"Wang the Fool, do you want her dead or alive?" Lin Qing asked with a smile.