novelAbuy Chapter 8 "Let's go!"
Chapter 8 "Let's go!"
Lin Chong then went straight to the Hall of Gathering Righteousness.
Wang Lun was having drinks and chatting with Du Qian, known as "Touching the Sky," and Song Wan, known as "King Kong in the Clouds."
When Lin Chong entered, the smile on Wang Lun's fair face faded slightly.
"Instructor Lin, why are you so leisurely today?"
Lin Chong clasped his hands in a fist salute, his face revealing no emotion.
"Reporting to the Chieftain. Yesterday, an old friend from afar came to visit me. I would like to host a small banquet at the mountain stronghold to welcome him and wash away the dust of his journey. I humbly request the Chieftain's permission."
Wang Lun's eyelid twitched.
Lin Chong's friend?
He put down his wine glass and asked slowly, "Oh? May I ask which hero you are?"
"He is not a member of the martial arts world," Lin Chong replied. "He is an accountant surnamed Li. We were old acquaintances, and he came to visit me while passing through this area."
An accountant?
Wang Lun's initial wariness vanished instantly.
A pedantic accountant is not worth worrying about.
He waved his hand dismissively, feigning nonchalance.
"Since he is an old friend of Instructor Lin, he is an honored guest of Liangshan. There is no need for you to spend money. This afternoon, I will personally host a welcome dinner for Mr. Li in the Hall of Righteousness."
"Thank you, Chieftain."
Lin Chong bowed and then withdrew.
Watching his retreating figure, Du Qian said from the side, "Brother, Lin Chong has always been a loner since he went up the mountain. Why has a friend suddenly appeared today?"
Wang Lun sneered, "It's just an abacus bead, what's there to be afraid of?"
He picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp.
"Perfect, let his friend see who's really in charge of Liangshan Marsh."
Noon.
A banquet was set up inside the Hall of Gathering Righteousness.
Wang Lun sat in the main seat, with Du Qian and Song Wan on either side.
Lin Chong and Wu Yong were seated at the very end.
Wu Yong was still dressed as an accountant. When he saw Wang Lun, he bowed deeply and lowered his posture to the extreme.
"This humble citizen, Li Si, greets Chief Wang and the two leaders."
Wang Lun simply grunted an "Mmm" through his nose, not even bothering to lift his eyelids.
He raised his wine glass to Du Qian and Song Wan.
"Brothers, we've gathered here at this marsh to uphold justice, relying entirely on our loyalty. Come, let's drink this cup!"
"please!"
Du Qian and Song Wan quickly raised their glasses.
The three of them drank it all in one gulp, as if Lin Chong and Wu Yong were not even there.
Lin Chong's expression darkened.
Wu Yong, however, acted as if he hadn't seen anything, still smiling broadly, and poured wine for Lin Chong and himself.
"Instructor Lin, it's been many years. How have you been? Let me offer you a toast."
Lin Chong picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.
After a few rounds of drinks, Wang Lun gradually became more talkative.
Pointing to the table laden with food and wine, he said to Wu Yong, "Mr. Li, what do you think of my Liangshan Marsh? Although it cannot compare to the prosperity of Tokyo, it is still a paradise within these eight hundred li of waterways."
Wu Yong quickly stood up and flattered, "The chieftain is a man of great talent and strategy, and with the assistance of two other leaders, the stronghold is well-equipped and well-supplied, making it naturally impregnable."
Wang Lun was very pleased with these words.
He glanced at Lin Chong, whose face was ashen, and said, "Although I, Wang Lun, am just a scholar, I understand the principle of treating the virtuous with respect. As long as they are brothers who sincerely join us, I will never mistreat them. Unlike some people, who have little ability but are ambitious and always think of usurping the host's position."
These words were clearly meant for Lin Chong's ears.
Du Qian and Song Wan remained silent, creating an awkward atmosphere.
Lin Chong's hand, which was under the table, was already clenched into a fist.
Wu Yong seemed oblivious to the implied meaning. He put down his chopsticks and suddenly sighed.
"The chieftain is right. I had no choice but to come out this time. Business is bad for my employer, and the Tartars in the north are restless. I'm afraid there will be another war. These days, it's really hard to find a peaceful life."
Wang Lun frowned and said, "You're just an accountant, how do you know about matters of state?"
"I don't understand, I don't understand." Wu Yong waved his hands repeatedly: "I just heard from merchants traveling from the north and south that the Jurchens are probably going to attack. When the war breaks out, we commoners may not even be able to find a place to settle down."
Upon hearing this, Wang Lun burst into laughter.
"The Jurchens are marching south? That's alarmist! Our Great Song Dynasty has a million soldiers; when our heavenly army arrives, we'll make sure they never return!"
He turned to look at Lin Chong with a hint of sarcasm.
"Instructor Lin, you were once the instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards. Tell me, aren't the imperial troops of our Great Song Dynasty invincible?"
Lin Chong could no longer hold back.
He suddenly stood up, knocking over the stool behind him.
"Government troops?" He sneered, his laughter filled with disdain. "Government troops only know how to oppress the good and frame the loyal! Otherwise, how could I have been forced into this predicament!"
Wang Lun's expression changed: "Lin Chong! What do you mean by this? Are you drunk and trying to cause trouble here?"
"Running wild?" Lin Chong's eyes widened, his beard and hair bristling. "I've had enough of your pretentious, pedantic attitude!"
He grabbed the broadsword on the table: "You're always on guard, always making things difficult for me, do you really think I'm made of clay? Today, an old friend of mine has come here, and you don't give me the slightest face, deliberately reopening old wounds! I'd rather not stay at Liangshan Marsh!"
After saying that, he pulled up Wu Yong, who was pretending to be panicked.
"Brother Li, this is not a place for us to stay any longer. Let's go!"
Wang Lun, Du Qian, and Song Wan were all stunned by this sudden turn of events.
They didn't expect Lin Chong to turn on them so suddenly.
By the time they realized what was happening, Lin Chong had already pulled Wu Yong along and strode out of the Hall of Gathering Righteousness.
"Rebellion! Rebellion!" Wang Lun trembled with rage and smashed the wine glass on the ground.
Du Qian quickly advised, "Brother, calm down. If he wants to leave, let him go. This man's martial arts are too high; if he stays on the mountain, he will only be a menace."
Song Wan chimed in, "Yes, brother. He may be gone, but Liangshan will always belong to you."
Upon hearing this, Wang Lun's anger gradually subsided.
He took a few deep breaths and sat back down in his chair.
Yes.
With Lin Chong gone, the biggest weight on my heart has finally been lifted.
He not only suffered no loss, but also eliminated a huge hidden danger.
Thinking of this, a slight smile even appeared on his face.
"Pass on my order: from this day forward, no one shall ever mention the name 'Lin Chong' again."
"yes!"
"Come on, come on, let's drink! Let's drink!"
……
On the other side, Lin Chong pulled Wu Yong along, took their weapons and valuables, and made their way down the mountain without any hindrance.
Seeing Lin Chong's appearance and without any orders from the chieftain, none of the guards dared to step forward to stop him.
Take a boat and go ashore.
After arriving at a sentry post and obtaining two mules, Wu Yong rode them far away from Liangshan territory. He then breathed a long sigh of relief and laughed, "Instructor, excellent acting!"
The overwhelming rage on Lin Chong's face vanished instantly. He glanced back at the majestic mountain stronghold, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
"We're finally out."
After saying this, he sighed softly and looked at Wu Yong: "Sir, come, take me to see Brother Chao Gai!"