Initial dispute due to disagreement

After meeting Master Luo at Erxian Mountain, I felt a huge sense of relief. With this Taoist master's official recognition, I no longer had to worry constantly about my "oddity" status bringing disaster. The "Spiritual Platform Purification Mantra" taught by Master Luo was profound. After practicing it, not only did my spirit become more stable and concentrated, but my sensitivity to the spiritual energy of heaven and earth also increased significantly. Even my breathing and the "Heart Purification Mantra" became more effective.

More importantly, the invisible barrier between Gongsun Sheng and me seemed to have quietly melted away with Master Luo's tacit approval. He remained aloof and reserved, but he was more patient in guiding me through my practice. He no longer ignored the occasional, quirky questions I raised based on modern thinking, and would even engage me in discussion. A tacit understanding gradually developed between us, one of mentorship and friendship, yet tinged with a subtle, inexplicable ambiguity.

However, the big ship of Liangshan did not sail towards calm waters because of the improvement of my personal circumstances.

Back in Jiangzhou, Dai Zong, Zhang Shun, and the others had successfully infiltrated and joined forces with Li Kui, secretly planning a rescue for Song Jiang. News of this, relayed through the divine speed technique, gripped the hearts of everyone in the stronghold.

On this day, the leaders gathered again in the Juyi Hall to discuss the affairs of Jiangzhou. Dai Zong brought back the latest news: Song Jiang has been convicted and will be taken to the execution ground soon!

"We can't wait any longer!" Chao Gai stood up suddenly, his eyes wide open. "We must send troops immediately to attack Jiangzhou and rescue Brother Song Jiang!"

"Wait, my Lord!" Wu Yong tried again, waving his feather fan faster. "Jiangzhou is heavily guarded, and a forced attack would only result in heavy casualties. The Dai Zong brothers mentioned in their letter that they have contacted some of their Jiangzhou friends and plan to attack them at the execution ground, using internal and external forces to coordinate. We need to send a group of elite soldiers, disguised as merchants and civilians, to infiltrate Jiangzhou City and coordinate outside the execution ground to increase our chances of victory."

"What the military advisor said makes sense," Lin Chong said calmly. "A sudden attack is indeed the worst strategy. A coordinated attack from within and without is the best strategy."

The leaders nodded in agreement, believing this plan to be more reliable.

Seeing everyone's opinion, Chao Gai suppressed his anxiety and asked, "Since that's the case, which brothers should be sent to provide support?"

Wu Yong glanced around the hall and quickly pointed out a group of leaders who were good at swimming, agile and good at disguise, including Mu Hong, Mu Chun, Xue Yong, Li Jun, Tong Wei, and Tong Meng.

The important matters were settled, and everyone was ready to go to Jiangzhou.

I sat behind Gongsun Sheng, listening to them discuss the epic "Jiangzhou Execution" scene from the original novel, but I felt no real emotion. I knew, according to the "plot," that this journey, while risky, would ultimately be successful. Song Jiang, the future leader of Liangshan, was about to make his official debut.

However, just when everyone thought the matter was settled, Gongsun Sheng, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up. His voice was as cold as the sound of jade colliding with each other: "After Song Jiang goes up the mountain, what are your plans?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall suddenly became quiet.

Everyone understood what Gongsun Sheng meant. Song Jiang's reputation was too great, his abilities too strong. If he were to ascend the mountain, the power structure of Liangshan would inevitably face a reshuffle. Chao Gai might be the king, but when it comes to reputation and the means to win over people, he's probably no match for Song Jiang...

The muscles on Chao Gai's face twitched, and then he laughed heartily, "Why do you say that, sir? Brother Song Jiang has come up the mountain, and we brothers are reunited. Naturally, we want to share the great cause and enjoy wealth and glory together! The position of the leader of Liangshanpo is originally for the capable. If Brother Song Jiang..."

"Heavenly King!" Wu Yong hurriedly interrupted Chao Gai's words, his tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of haste, "The Heavenly King is so righteous and we admire him! Now the matter of saving people is imminent, and the follow-up matters can be discussed slowly later." He obviously did not want to discuss this sensitive topic too early before Song Jiang went up the mountain.

Gongsun Sheng didn't stop there. He looked at Chao Gai calmly, his tone still indifferent, but with a sharpness that went straight to the heart of the matter: "Lord Chao, when we first gathered together, what did you seek? To live a peaceful and carefree life in a corner? Or... do you have other plans?"

His question was extremely bold, almost questioning Chao Gai's original intention and ambition!

Chao Gai's face paled slightly, and he opened his mouth, not knowing how to respond. When he had cleverly seized the birthday gift, it was more out of righteous indignation and disdain for corrupt officials. After being forced to join Liangshan, he mostly wanted to lead his brothers to a good life. He probably didn't give much thought to his "other aspirations" of becoming an emperor.

Wu Yong quickly tried to smooth things over: "Sir, we have gathered at Liangshan to uphold justice and protect the people. As for the future... I will follow the will of heaven and wait and see how the court treats me."

"Follow destiny?" Gongsun Sheng's lips curled up slightly, almost mockingly. "If destiny is to surrender?"

Recruit!

These two words were like thunder, exploding in the Juyi Hall!

"Recruitment?!"

"Bow down to that tyrant emperor and treacherous minister?!"

"Absolutely not!"

Radical leaders like Liu Tang and Ruan Xiaoqi were immediately furious and roared in anger. Most of them had deep hatred for the government and were full of distrust and hatred for the court. They simply could not accept the option of "recruiting the government".

Even Chao Gai frowned, obviously extremely opposed to "recruiting".

Wu Yong paused fanning himself for a moment, a complex expression flashing across his eyes, but he quickly returned to normal. "Sir, it's too early to talk about surrendering us. The imperial court now views us as thorns in its side, so how could they easily surrender us? Even if such a possibility were to arise in the future, the imperial court would need to show sufficient sincerity..."

"Sincerity?" Gongsun Sheng interrupted, his eyes sweeping across the crowd. "How can sincerity be called a traitor? You know, once you accept the amnesty, you're putting your life and future into the hands of others. The saying goes, 'When the bird is dead, the bow is put away; when the rabbit is dead, the dog is abandoned.' How can the imperial court truly trust the power of Liangshan? The ultimate outcome is nothing more than becoming its own lackeys, conquering the land and being consumed."

His words were calm and cruel, like ice water poured over their heads, which instantly quieted the angry crowd and made them look surprised and doubtful.

I sat back, stunned. Gongsun Sheng had pointed out the potential tragedy of Liangshan's surrender so bluntly at this very moment! Was he trying to reverse "fate"?

Wu Yong's expression finally darkened, and his tone grew colder. "Sir, you're being too pessimistic! Everything depends on human effort! If handled properly, recruiting the amnesty might be a solution. At least it could save the lives of my brothers and secure a future where I could be granted a title and a son..."

"Future?" Gongsun Sheng interrupted again. This time, his gaze fell on me for a moment, then looked away. His tone was filled with deep resignation. "I'm afraid that by then, I won't be able to control myself. The future I seek will be nothing but a mirage, leaving only regrets."

His words seemed to hint at something. Was he referring to the fate of the people of Liangshan? Or... was he hinting at his and my future?

The atmosphere in the hall grew extremely oppressive and tense. Gongsun Sheng and Wu Yong, Liangshan's two most important think tanks, had their first public confrontation over their fundamental disagreement on the future of Liangshan.

Chao Gai watched the two men arguing, his brow furrowed, his face embarrassment. He valued loyalty and didn't want his brothers to take risks in the future, but he also felt that Wu Yong's talk of "prospects" had some truth to it, and he didn't want to fall out with Gongsun Sheng at this moment.

"Alright!" Chao Gai finally slammed the table and said in a deep voice, "Saving Brother Song Jiang is the top priority right now! We can discuss other matters later! Everyone, disperse and prepare yourselves!"

He chose to put the dispute aside for the time being.

Everyone dispersed with different thoughts.

As I followed Gongsun Sheng out of the Juyi Hall, I could clearly sense the colder, lower-pressure atmosphere around him. He rarely showed his emotions so openly, and today's argument with Wu Yong had clearly affected his mood.

After returning to the courtyard, he did not go back to his room immediately, but stood under the tree in the courtyard, looking at the vast water in the distance, silent.

I hesitated for a moment, but still walked forward and said softly, "Master, you seem particularly excited today."

Gongsun Sheng didn't look back, his voice tinged with fatigue. "It's not that I'm excited, but... I've seen some established trajectories and tried to change them, but I've found so much resistance."

Is he feeling powerless for the future of Liangshan and for... our possible future?

"Master," I looked at his tall yet lonely figure, and an impulse surged in my heart. "Since you see a bad ending, why not try your best to change it? Perhaps... we can do something?"

He slowly turned around, gazing at me with his deep eyes, which were filled with complex emotions. "Change? How easy is that? The destiny and the will of the people are not something I can reverse with my own strength. Moreover..."

He paused, his voice lowered, "The word 'love' has disturbed my heart. How can I save others when I'm already in trouble myself?"

He said...the word love has disturbed my heart?

I raised my head suddenly and met his eyes which were no longer calm but seemed to contain thousands of waves.

He admitted it! He admitted with his own mouth that I had disturbed his state of mind!

At that moment, all the arguments and unhappiness in the Juyi Hall seemed to vanish into thin air. Only his words, almost a confession, remained, stirring up a huge wave in my heart.

The shadow of ideological differences still exists, and the difficulties ahead can be imagined.

But at least at this moment, I know that I am not wishful thinking.

We have fallen into this love disaster together.