Hidden foreshadowing in Gaotang Prefecture

After repelling the surprise attack by the government troops from Jizhou, Liangshan Lake entered a period of relative stability. Chao Gai adopted the "stability first" strategy of Gongsun Sheng and Wu Yong, focusing on rectifying internal affairs and training the troops. The defense of the 800-li lake became increasingly strict, and it became a small world independent of the Song Dynasty court.

My situation in the mountain stronghold also quietly improved. Thanks to my suggestions, the logistics system managed by Song Qing became more efficient, and the treatment of the wounded became more organized. Although I remained low-key, word of "Miss Bu's talent" gradually spread among some of the leaders and lower-level minions. The way they looked at me became less contemptuous and more appreciative.

Gongsun Sheng remained a recluse, but I could sense that he paid me even more attention than he had during my time at Zixu Monastery. While he never actively questioned me, whenever I visited him to ask for advice on my spiritual difficulties, he was more detailed and patient than ever. Occasionally, he would ask for my opinion on certain matters of the village. As I described my "clever ideas" tinged with modern management thinking, a thoughtful glint would flicker in his eyes. Though he didn't comment, he clearly took them to heart.

This ordinary yet fulfilling life was not broken until a letter from Mr. Chai Jin, the great official of Henghai County, Cangzhou, was delivered to the mountain.

Inside the Juyi Hall, Chao Gai held the letter, his brow furrowed. Wu Yong stood beside him, waving a feather fan, his expression grave. Even the usually aloof Gongsun Sheng, looking at the letter, took on a more solemn expression.

"Brothers," Chao Gai circulated the letter and said in a deep voice, "Master Chai has written to ask for help. His Cangzhou Henghai Commandery has recently been in turmoil due to a dandy young man named Yin Tianxi. This man is the brother-in-law of Gao Lian, the prefect of Gaotang Prefecture. Relying on his brother-in-law's power, he has seized the people's land in Cangzhou, bullied men and women, and committed all kinds of evil! Now he has even forced the old servant of Master Chai's farm to death and injured several people! Master Chai, considering his status, is not in a position to directly confront the government, so he wrote to us, the heroes of Liangshan, to take action to punish this beast and eliminate this harm to the people!"

Yin Tianxi? Gao Lian?

My heart skipped a beat! This is the prelude to the plot in the original novel where "Li Kui kills Yin Tianxi and Chai Jin loses Gaotang Prefecture"!

As expected, as soon as Chao Gai finished speaking, the fiery Li Kui jumped up with his eyes wide open, roaring, "You bastard! How dare you do such a thing! Mr. Chai has done me a favor, so his business is my business! Heavenly King, let me take a few hundred brothers to Cangzhou to chop off Yin Tianxi's head, and then kill that bastard prefect Gao Lian as well!"

"Brother Tie Niu, don't be reckless!" Wu Yong hurriedly stopped him. "Gaotang Prefecture is no ordinary county town. The walls are high and the moats are deep, with a large garrison. What's more, the prefect, Gao Lian..." He paused, then turned his gaze to Gongsun Sheng, his tone tinged with fear. "I've heard that this man is quite knowledgeable in Taoism and skilled in sorcery. He's quite formidable."

Taoism? Demonic magic?

Everyone in the hall was shocked when they heard this. They were not afraid of ordinary soldiers, but when it came to such mysterious tactics, they were inevitably nervous.

Li Kui, however, ignored him and shouted, "I'm not afraid of magic! I, Tie Niu, am a righteous man, so why should I be afraid of his evil spirits!"

"Brother Li Kui!" Chao Gai stopped him and looked at Gongsun Sheng, "Sir, please take a look at this matter..."

Everyone's attention was once again focused on Gongsun Sheng. To combat the Taoist magic, they naturally had to rely on this genuine "Dragon in the Clouds."

Gongsun Sheng's face remained calm, his fingertips lightly tracing the edge of the teacup as he mused, "I've heard of Gao Lian. His teachings aren't orthodox, but rather unorthodox. He's skilled in exorcising demons and setting up sinister formations. If we attack rashly, I'm afraid there will be heavy casualties."

His words confirmed that Gao Lian indeed possessed extraordinary skills, and the atmosphere in the hall became even more solemn.

"Then...are we just going to let Yin Tianxi go unpunished and let Mr. Chai be humiliated?" Liu Tang asked anxiously.

Gongsun Sheng shook his head slightly. "It's not that we can't intervene, but we need to plan carefully before taking action. Gao Lian's evil magic is based on the 'Five Ghosts Gathering Yin Formation' set up within Gaotang Prefecture. It uses the Yin energy of the earth's veins to nourish the ghosts. If we can break the key to the formation, the evil magic will be broken."

"Sir, do you know where the center of the formation is?" Wu Yong asked immediately.

"The key to the formation is hidden, and we need to go to Gaotang Prefecture in person to figure it out," Gongsun Sheng said. "Also, when breaking the formation, we need someone to restrain Gao Lian so that he can't split himself up to maintain the formation."

"I'll go and hold that bastard prefect back!" Li Kui immediately patted his chest.

"No!" Wu Yong objected again. "Gao Lian's magic is strange and mysterious, and Brother Tie Niu is a man of integrity. We might fall prey to his schemes." He glanced at the others, finally landing on me. He gently waved his feather fan and spoke meaningfully. "Miss Bu once used her magical musical skills to achieve remarkable feats without making any sound. I wonder if you could use your strengths again this time to lend us a hand?"

I was shocked! Wu Yong actually specifically asked me to participate? Was he impressed by my "uncanny" tactics in defeating the enemy at the water stronghold that day, and thought my sorcery might be effective against Gao Lian? Or... was there something else going on?

Everyone in the Juyi Hall instantly turned their gaze on me, filled with surprise, curiosity, and a hint of doubt. They wanted a woman like me to participate in such a dangerous operation?

I subconsciously looked at Gongsun Sheng.

He was also looking at me, his eyes deep and emotionless. But this time, he didn't refuse or warn me on my behalf as he had in the past. He just quietly waited for my answer.

I knew this was both an opportunity and a tremendous test. If I refused, the little reputation I'd built up would be wasted, and everyone would see me as just a weak woman in need of protection. If I agreed, it would mean officially entering the core military operations of Liangshan, facing those supernatural forces head-on, and the dangers aplenty.

But high risk also means high reward. If I can achieve merit in this matter, my position in Liangshan will be completely secure, and more importantly... I can fight alongside Gongsun Sheng!

I took a deep breath, suppressed my anxiety, and faced the gazes of the crowd. I stood up, bowed to Chao Gai and Wu Yong, and said in a clear and firm voice, "Thank you, Mr. Wu, for your appreciation of me. Although I am weak, I am willing to do my best and obey the orders of the Taoist priest and the other leaders to break this evil magic together!"

"Okay!" Chao Gai was overjoyed to see that I agreed. "With Miss Bu's help, this trip will be more confident!"

Wu Yong also nodded with satisfaction.

Only then did Gongsun Sheng slowly speak. His tone remained calm, yet it carried a hint of unquestionable determination: "Since this is the case, there is no time to lose. King Chao may send brothers Li Kui and Liu Tang to infiltrate Cangzhou first to protect Master Chai and seize Yin Tianxi. But remember, do not engage in a lingering battle, and certainly do not trespass into Gaotangzhou. Bu Luanyin and I will depart tomorrow for Gaotangzhou to investigate the formation."

He arranged the task directly and made it clear that he would take me with him.

"We will follow your orders, sir!" Li Kui and Liu Tang clasped their fists and accepted the order.

The plan was set, and everyone dispersed to prepare.

I returned to my room, still stricken with emotion. Gaotang Prefecture... This would be my first time truly participating in the main storyline of Water Margin, and my opponent would be Gao Lian, a man wielding sorcery!

Just as I was packing my luggage, Gongsun Sheng's footsteps were heard outside the door again.

He pushed the door open and walked in. Without exchanging pleasantries, he asked directly, "How many levels have you reached in practicing the Heart Purification Mantra?"

I was stunned for a moment, then replied, "I can now complete thirty-six cycles of the Qi. My mind is clear and free of distracting thoughts."

He nodded, pulled out a yellow talisman folded into a triangle from his sleeve, and handed it to me. "This is the 'Purifying Heart Talisman'. Keep it close to you. Gao Lian's evil magic can easily bewilder people. This talisman will protect your spiritual clarity and keep you safe from external demons."

I took the talisman, which was slightly warm to the touch. Mysterious runes were painted on it with cinnabar, and there was a faint flow of spiritual energy. This was the first time he had taken the initiative to give me something to protect myself!

"Thank you, Taoist priest." I carefully put the talisman away.

He looked at me and was silent for a moment. In those eyes that seemed to see through everything, a hint of worry seemed to flash across his eyes, but it quickly disappeared.

"The trip to Gaotang Prefecture is of great importance. Stay close to me and don't act on your own." He left after saying this.

Looking at his departing back, I clenched the warm talisman in my arms.

I knew the road ahead was treacherous, but the words, "Stay close to my side," were like a ray of light, dispelling the last bit of hesitation and anxiety in my heart.

On the morning of the second day, Gongsun Sheng and I, along with several capable followers, disguised ourselves as wandering Taoists and musicians, quietly descended the mountain, crossed the water by boat, and headed towards Gaotang Prefecture, which was shrouded in evil magic.

The storm is brewing again, and this time, I am no longer a bystander.