Xiang Lan quickly turned her back and stood still, pulling her hood lower to cover half her face. From the corner of her eye, she saw people walking past and quietly inched toward the exit, thinking to herself: “I needn’t watch this scene of a husband catching his wife in adultery. It’s best to stay far away from this harbinger of trouble.” However, at the outer courtyard gate, several soldiers were already standing guard, blocking Xiang Lan’s path. “Young Miss, please return. The officials are capturing rebels. Everyone may enter, but no one may leave!”

Xiang Lan was dumbfounded. Though anxious, she had no choice but to think to herself: “Lin Jin Lou is here for Zhao Yue Chan. I’ll just find a place to hide until he finishes catching them in the act and leaves, then I can slip away quietly.” She hid behind the dormitory and secretly peered outside.

Those who came with Lin Jin Lou were none other than Zhao Xue De and his son Zhao Gang. Zhao Gang had never been good at studying and remained unschooled. Zhao Xue De had bribed the provincial examination officials to give him the status of a Scholar and later spent money to buy him an honorary Eighth Rank official position – merely an empty title for the sake of prestige. This Zhao Gang spent his days gambling on cockfights and dogs, engaging in wastrel behavior, but he was quick-witted and full of schemes, serving as his father’s strategist. Now seeing Lin Jin Lou surrounding the dormitory, he hurriedly went over and whispered: “How many rebels are hiding here? What’s your plan, Brother-in-law?”

Zhao Xue De, being a man of letters who had never experienced such situations, also eagerly watched Lin Jin Lou.

Lin Jin Lou looked at the father and son rubbing their hands in anticipation, inwardly sneering while curling his lips into a faint smile: “What plan? Starting with this room, we’ll search every damn one of them.” Before his words finished, he had already rushed forward two steps and kicked open the door, immediately followed by a sharp scream from inside. Xiang Lan instantly covered her eyes, thinking: “Oh my, Lord Lou is about to see with his own eyes the green hat on his head, how pitiful!”

The Zhao father and son never expected Lin Jin Lou to act so suddenly. Seeing him charge in, they were momentarily stunned. Hearing a woman’s scream from inside, they exchanged glances and craned their necks to look inside.

Zhao Yue Chan and Hao Qing were at a crucial moment, both twisting together in passionate abandon, completely deaf to the commotion outside. Suddenly, with a tremendous crash, the door was kicked open. Hao Qing immediately climaxed in fright, while Zhao Yue Chan let out a sharp scream and hurriedly retreated backward.

Lin Jin Lou burst in wearing a crow-black fur cape, wrapped in winter wind, his face full of murderous intent. Zhao Yue Chan’s heart turned cold, terrified out of her wits, desperately shrinking into the corner. Lin Jin Lou saw everything clearly, his eyes nearly bleeding with rage, shouting: “Worthless whore!” He slapped her and violently grabbed her hair. Having investigated the account books, he already knew Zhao Yue Chan had been carrying on with men outside, and today’s event was his scheme to take advantage of the situation and break free from the Zhao family. But seeing the bright green hat placed on his head with his own eyes, Lin Jin Lou felt humiliated and stifled, his anger nearly uncontrollable, wanting to stab them both dead.

The Zhao father and son had already seen a couple amid intimacy but hadn’t seen their faces. Zhao Gang only saw the woman’s fair arms and jade-like legs, her breasts bouncing wildly, making his mouth go dry with arousal. He thought to himself: “So this temple isn’t such a pure place after all, for a monk to bring a woman here to do such things… tsk, this girl has such delicate skin, she’s quite a beauty. I must find an excuse to taste her later…”

Zhao Xue De also hadn’t expected to stumble upon such an illicit affair. Usually, he would stand back and watch the entertainment, later sharing it as an amusing tale over drinks. But today was a crucial moment for capturing rebels, concerning his family’s prosperous future, so he was very impatient and said: “Son-in-law, this monk’s violation of his vows can be left to others to handle. We have important matters today…”

By now, Lin Jin Lou had turned the woman around by her hair, revealing her face to everyone. When Zhao Xue De saw that flower-like face full of terror, the rest of his words caught in his throat. His face turned purple-blue, his jaw nearly dropping to the ground, followed by all the blood draining from his body.

Zhao Gang also got an eyeful and thought: “This is bad!”

By now, Hao Qing had come to his senses. Seeing people burst in to catch them in the act, he knew things were dire. Glancing at the door blocked by two guard-like figures, but noting they weren’t as robust as him, he took advantage of everyone’s distraction to grab his clothes and charge naked toward the door. The Zhao father and son were already stunned, and unconsciously stepped aside, actually letting Hao Qing break through.

The men surrounding the dormitory were all elite soldiers from the Lin family army. Seeing a naked man suddenly burst out from the room, they drew their Yan Ling sabers with a uniform “clang,” pointing their gleaming blades at Hao Qing. Hao Qing froze in shock, never expecting such an impressive array of armed officials guarding the door. He repeatedly cursed his fate – even for catching adulterers, there shouldn’t be such a grand display! What had he gotten himself into?

The bitter cold outside pierced through him, and Hao Qing, whether from cold or fear, trembled violently all over. His legs gave way and he fell to his knees, wailing: “Officials, spare my life! Please spare my life!”

The men outside were also somewhat confused. Today the General had mobilized troops to capture someone at Gan Lu Temple, saying it was secret. But upon breaking down the door, first came a woman’s scream, then out rushed a naked man – could it be the General had them come to catch adulterers? Yet they maintained their stern expressions, continuing to point their cold blades at the man.

Xiang Lan, hiding behind the building, saw Hao Qing jump out and covered her face in embarrassment. Now hearing his wailing, she quietly uncovered her face. From inside came Lin Jin Lou’s thunderous shout: “Are you all dead standing there? Seize him!”

Immediately, men came forward to bind Hao Qing’s hand and foot. Hao Qing’s whole body shook like chaff in the wind as he sobbed: “Official, spare me, I deserve death, I deserve death!”

Another thunderous roar came from inside: “Gag that foul mouth! Bring him in here!” Hao Qing was gagged and thrown inside. Even the quick-witted Zhao Gang had realized what was happening by now, and pulled Zhao Xue De inside, slamming the door shut with a “bang.”

Zhao Yue Chan was trembling in bed. She knew Lin Jin Lou’s violence well, and now being caught in adultery, she feared for her life. Frightened to tears, she suddenly heard the door and saw Zhao Xue De and Zhao Gang enter. She was startled, then overjoyed, crying: “Father, Brother, save me!” After crying out, she remembered her nakedness and pulled the blanket up higher, lowering her face, her heart filled with fear, shame, shock, and anger.

Zhao Xue De now wanted nothing more than to strangle Zhao Yue Chan in anger. They had come to catch rebels but instead caught his daughter in adultery in front of his son-in-law. Though he was no upright gentleman, the current situation was far too humiliating, causing him to lose face for generations to come. Dizzy with anger and nearly fainting, he dared not look at Lin Jin Lou’s expression. He went forward and slapped Zhao Yue Chan hard, gritting his teeth: “You creature of sin! Why don’t you just die!”

Zhao Yue Chan buried her face in the blanket and wailed.

Zhao Gang pulled Zhao Xue De away and looked at Lin Jin Lou, thinking to himself: “Lin Jin Lou rose through military achievements, his hands are stained with blood and he’s full of killing intent, not someone to provoke.” Seeing his iron-gray face full of solemnity and murderous intent, Zhao Gang’s heart trembled. He whispered to Zhao Xue De: “Sister needs discipline, but right now we should appease Brother-in-law…” He gave a subtle eye signal.

Zhao Xue De, seeing Lin Jin Lou’s expression, also knew things were bad. He hurriedly went over and bowed deeply: “I am ashamed for failing to properly raise my daughter.” Seeing Lin Jin Lou’s silence, he continued: “Son-in-law has been wronged, I will certainly give you an explanation for this, but right now we must prioritize the greater matter…”

Lin Jin Lou instead smiled, showing his white teeth: “You mean we should first capture the rebels?”

Zhao Xue De nodded like a pestle: “Exactly, exactly! This matter concerns the court, concerns the safety of the state, and is also about us officials showing loyalty to His Majesty. If we truly capture the rebels, Son-in-law’s merit would be no less than suppressing the Japanese pirates and bandits!”

Lin Jin Lou smiled faintly: “Oh, is that so?” His expression suddenly darkened as he sneered: “Things have come to this point, yet you still call me ‘Son-in-law’? You may have the face to say it, but I have no face to accept it.” He pointed at Hao Qing: “You have plenty of sons-in-law, isn’t one lying right there?”

Zhao Xue De’s old face flushed red with shame, mixed with anger. He secretly cursed: “This youngster is too ungrateful. If I hadn’t leaked the information, how could you have this opportunity for merit?” He stood there awkwardly, not knowing how to respond.

Lin Jin Lou said coldly: “No merit, however great, compares to the weight of a green hat on one’s head. Today’s matter won’t be settled without getting to the bottom of it.” He walked to Hao Qing, who lay crumpled on the ground in a ball. Lin Jin Lou removed the dirty cloth from his mouth, stepped on his face, and said flatly: “Speak up, how did you meet this whore, and how long have you been involved?”

Before Hao Qing could speak, Zhao Gang stepped forward with a fawning smile: “Brother-in-law, don’t be angry. This matter must have some trickery involved. My sister was likely deceived and raped – otherwise, even with tremendous courage, she wouldn’t dare do such a thing.” He turned to Zhao Yue Chan, winking meaningfully: “Isn’t that right?”

Zhao Yue Chan immediately understood, pointing at Hao Qing: “It was him, he forced me!”

Hao Qing immediately cried out in protest: “Injustice! I’m wronged! It was the Young Miss who showed interest in me, meeting me at the temple three times, even giving me money and valuables…”

Zhao Gang cursed fiercely: “Pah! Shameless wretch, making wild accusations in broad daylight! What punishment do you deserve for violating a respectable woman!” Though he was a civil official, he wore a sword for decoration, and now drew it to strike.

Lin Jin Lou, quick-eyed and swift-handed, grabbed Zhao Gang’s shoulder and said grimly: “How can you execute punishment before the interrogation? Or do you want to silence him?”

Zhao Gang had indeed wanted to kill Hao Qing – they could arrange whatever story they wanted with Zhao Yue Chan later. But how could he match Lin Jin Lou’s martial prowess? He felt his wrist being crushed by what seemed like iron claws, and howled in pain, begging: “How dare I, how dare I! I was just acting out of righteous anger. Please show mercy, Brother-in-law.”

Lin Jin Lou snorted coldly and shoved Zhao Gang aside. Zhao Gang broke out in a cold sweat from the pain, thinking to himself: “The nickname ‘King Yama Lin’ isn’t for nothing. If he interrogates that monk and more unsavory matters come to light, and the Lin family becomes enraged and reports to Grandfather, our family won’t be able to bear the consequences!” Not daring to argue with Lin Jin Lou, he could only repeatedly signal to Zhao Xue De with his eyes.

Then they heard Zhao Yue Chan sobbing: “Husband, calm your anger, I’ve truly been wronged!”