Promise of life and death

Gongsun Sheng's words, "Remember what you said today," and the way he finished his cold tea, like a brand, etched deeply into my heart. In the days that followed, our relationship settled into a state of tacit understanding. He no longer maintained his distance, and I no longer panicked at his occasional expressions of protection or concern. We still maintained the formal relationship of master and disciple, and our daily interactions were mostly focused on spiritual discussions, but the subtle affection that lingered in the air, like a subtle fragrance, drifted through every glance, every unintentional approach.

However, the situation in Liangshan did not improve despite the easing of our relationship. Instead, it became colder day by day, just like the weather in late autumn.

Song Jiang's power further consolidated, while Chao Gai's voice was invisibly weakened. While the discussion of "recruiting" was no longer publicly raised, the thorn had already been sown, waiting for the right moment to erupt. Within the stronghold, a subtle division emerged between the "Veterans" faction, led by Chao Gai, and the "Jiangzhou faction," led by Song Jiang. Friction between the two sides grew over specific matters such as personnel arrangements and resource allocation.

Gongsun Sheng grew increasingly silent, practically invisible in the Juyi Hall. He focused more on my cultivation, and the techniques he taught me began to lean more towards practical combat and self-preservation. He even began to teach me how to combine music with simple illusions to create a brief, disorienting effect.

"The storm is coming. The more means we have, the more hope we have." He said this, with a deep meaning in his eyes that I couldn't understand.

I felt vaguely uneasy, as if something big was about to happen.

On this day, scouts reported that the imperial court had sent "Double Whip" Hu Yanzhuo to lead the linked armored cavalry and unite with the troops from the surrounding prefectures to encircle Liangshan again. The vanguard had already reached fifty miles outside Liangshan Lake.

The news stirred indignation in the Juyi Hall. Since Song Jiang's arrival, Liangshan had become stronger and more powerful, eager to seek an opportunity to challenge the imperial army and bolster their prestige. Chao Gai immediately assembled his troops, appointing Lin Chong, Qin Ming, and others as vanguards, with Song Jiang and Wu Yong accompanying them as advisors, ready to meet the enemy.

Gongsun Sheng was not assigned any specific military duties this time; Chao Gai simply asked him to stay in the stronghold to guard against any unforeseen circumstances. This seemingly respectful arrangement actually excluded him from core military decision-making.

Gongsun Sheng did not comment on this, but just responded indifferently.

On the day the army set out, flags fluttered, and the soldiers and horses roared with activity. Standing high above, I watched the fleet depart in a mighty procession, and a sense of unease grew stronger. According to the "plot," Hu Yanzhuo's armored cavalry was indeed formidable. Although Liangshan won the battle, they also lost many leaders...

"What are you looking at?" Gongsun Sheng's voice sounded behind him.

I turned around and saw that he had arrived here at some point and was looking at the water in the distance.

"A little... worried." I whispered.

"Things of war have their own destiny." He said calmly, "Go back."

Over the next few days, reports from the front trickled in. As expected, Hu Yanzhuo's linked armor cavalry proved incredibly powerful, frustrating the Liangshan vanguard, who lost several leaders, including Han Tao, the "Hundred Victories General," and Peng Qi, the "Heavenly Eyes General," and their morale was shattered.

The atmosphere in the stronghold suddenly became tense. The remaining leaders discussed the matter, some advocating for reinforcements, others advocating for a firm defense.

Just as everyone was anxiously waiting, an urgent military report suddenly arrived from the front – Heavenly King Chao Gai personally led a team of elite troops, intending to attack Hu Yanzhuo's camp at night and destroy the linked armored cavalry, but unfortunately they were ambushed and trapped! The situation was critical!

The news was like a bolt from the blue, and the entire Liangshan was in an uproar!

Song Jiang, Wu Yong and the others were far away in the main force and had no time to return to support. Although there were many leaders left behind, they were leaderless and did not know what to do for a while!

"We must go and save the King!" Liu Tang's eyes were red, and he was about to rush out with a machete in hand.

"Don't be reckless!" Sun Li and others hurriedly stopped them. "The enemy is powerful and has set an ambush. If we rush forward, we might not be able to save the Heavenly King, and we might even lose the lives of more of our brothers!"

"What should we do? Should we just watch the King of Heaven..." Ruan Xiaoqi was so anxious that he jumped up and down.

In the chaos, everyone's eyes involuntarily turned to Gongsun Sheng, who remained silent.

At this moment, only he, the "Dragon into the Clouds" who possesses extraordinary skills, may have the ability to turn the tide.

Gongsun Sheng stood before the crowd, his face sullen and solemn, his fingers calculating rapidly as his brow furrowed ever tighter.

"The star of the king's fate is dim, but there is still a glimmer of hope." He spoke slowly, his voice full of determination, "I must go there in person."

"Sir! We will go together!" Liu Tang, the Ruan brothers and others shouted immediately.

"No need." Gongsun Sheng shook his head. "Too many people would only hinder our efforts. I will go alone and see what happens. Perhaps we can rescue Heavenly King Chao."

He glanced at everyone and finally landed on me. He paused and said, "Bu Luanyin, you come with me."

Me? I was stunned. In such a dangerous situation, why would he bring me, a "burden"?

But looking at his unquestionable gaze, I instantly understood. He didn't need my fighting ability, but... he was worried about leaving me alone in the mountain stronghold, where undercurrents were surging. Song Jiang's faction was gaining power, and if he left, there was no guarantee someone wouldn't take advantage of the situation to harm me.

"Yes, Taoist priest." I didn't hesitate at all.

Without further ado, we both set off immediately. Gongsun Sheng cast a spell, summoning a gust of wind, carrying me along as if riding the wind, speed far exceeding that of ordinary boats and horses, and we rushed towards Hu Yanzhuo's camp.

The wind whistled in my ears, and the scenery below me rapidly receded. I clutched his sleeve tightly, feeling the reassuring warmth and overwhelming spiritual power emanating from him. Fear vanished from my heart, only a resolve to face everything alongside him.

In less than half an hour, we reached the edge of the battlefield. In the distance, flames shot up into the sky, and the cries of slaughter shook the fields! Chao Gai and his hundred-plus men were trapped on a small hillock by soldiers several times their number, their situation precarious! Hu Yanzhuo, atop his Kicking Snow Black Horse, commanded the battle from the front, whip in hand. His armored steeds, like a steel wall, steadily compressed the Liangshan men's living space.

"Follow me closely." Gongsun Sheng shouted softly, and his body was as fast as lightning, rushing directly to the most densely packed area of ​​the battle formation!

He didn't directly unleash a massively destructive spell, but instead concentrated his spiritual energy on his whisk. Every time he swung it, he unleashed a blast of unparalleled energy, like an invisible blade, precisely slicing through the soldiers' formations and sweeping away any who attempted to attack! Wherever he passed, men and horses fell to the ground, and he forcibly carved a bloody path through the vast army!

I followed closely behind him, clutching my pipa, channeling my spiritual energy into my legs, straining to keep pace. All around me, the sounds of shouting, the clash of weapons, and the shrieks of agony filled my ears, and the stench of blood filled my face! This was my first time facing the battlefield of the cold weapon era so closely. The horrific scene nearly made me vomit, but I gritted my teeth, forced myself to remain calm, and chanted the Heart Purification Mantra to resist the onslaught of the murderous energy.

We approached the hill quickly like an arrow going upstream.

"Mr. Gongsun!" Chao Gai, covered in blood and with an arrow in his left arm, was surprised and happy to see us!

"Don't panic, my king. Follow me to break out!" Gongsun Sheng said concisely and waved his whisk more quickly, protecting Chao Gai and others and rushing out of the encirclement.

However, Hu Yanzhuo also noticed the unusual movements on our side, especially Gongsun Sheng's unusual tactics. He snorted coldly and ordered, "Shoot! Focus on killing that demon!"

In an instant, dense arrows shot towards us like locusts, overwhelming the sky and covering the sky! Among them were some sharp arrows shot by skilled soldiers with strong bows and crossbows, imbued with internal energy, with astonishing power!

Gongsun Sheng swung his whisk, deflecting most of the arrows, but the barrage was so dense that some still slipped through! Furthermore, he had to protect the injured Chao Gai and the rest of his men, and for a moment he was caught between a rock and a hard place.

At this moment, a wolf-tooth arrow, clearly imbued with powerful internal energy, evaded the whisk's blockade like a venomous snake, and with a shrill sound of breaking through the air, shot straight into Gongsun Sheng's back! He was fully focused on dealing with the attack from the front and seemed unaware!

"Be careful!" My pupils shrank sharply, and almost instinctively, I lunged forward with all my strength, while at the same time shoving the pipa in my arms to the side!

“Puff!”

The arrow pierced through the thick cloth-wrapped body of the pipa, making a dull sound! The huge impact caused me to stumble forward, but I finally blocked this fatal blow for him!

However, the arrow still had enough force, and the sharp tip of the arrow actually penetrated the pipa, and the remaining force fiercely scratched my right shoulder blade!

The pain was intense and the warm blood immediately soaked through my clothes!

"Luanyin!" Gongsun Sheng turned around suddenly and saw the blood spurting from my shoulder and the blood-stained arrow that had pierced the pipa. For the first time, a clear expression of shock and anger appeared on his usually calm face! His deep eyes instantly turned red!

He no longer held back, and let out a long roar to the sky, a sound like a dragon's roar! The spiritual power in his body erupted like a volcano!

"Five Thunder Heavenly Gang, obey my command! Command!"

In an instant, the weather changed dramatically! The sky, originally only slightly gloomy, suddenly gathered with thick dark clouds! Purple lightning bolts as thick as a child's arm, like angry dragons, tore through the sky, carrying an aura of destruction, and fiercely struck down on the densest formation of officers and soldiers!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The thunder roared and the lightning flashed across the sky and earth!

Men shouted, horses neighed, and blood and flesh flew everywhere! Under the overwhelming might of heaven, the chain-armored horses were instantly torn apart and destroyed like paper toys! Hu Yanzhuo was also terrified by this sudden power of heaven and earth, his face pale, and he retreated repeatedly!

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Gongsun Sheng picked me up and shouted to Chao Gai and others, "Let's go!"

He no longer clung to the battle, but used thunder to clear the way, protecting everyone, and broke out of the encirclement like a gust of wind, leaving the confused officers and soldiers far behind.

He didn't stop until he was sure it was safe, and carefully put me down. My right shoulder was a bloody mess, and the pain and blood loss made me a little fuzzy. I could only lean on his arms, feeling the violent rise and fall of his chest and his almost uncontrollable heartbeat.

He quickly pressed a few large acupuncture points around my shoulder to stop the bleeding, then tore open the clothes on my shoulder. Looking at the wound that was so deep that the bone was visible, his hands were shaking slightly.

He took out the best medicine from his bosom, sprinkled it carefully on the wound, and then tore off the lining of his Taoist robe and bandaged me with gentle but a little panic.

I've never seen him so out of control.

"Master..." I spoke weakly, trying to tell him that I was fine.

He suddenly raised his head, his red eyes fixed on me, his voice hoarse and suppressed, with a kind of fear that I had never heard before, almost terrifying: "Who told you to block it?! Who allowed you to block it?!"

I was startled by his yell, and looking at the undisguised shock, anger and heartache in his eyes, all the pain seemed to disappear at that moment, leaving only a heart full of bitterness and... indescribable sweetness.

"I... I can't see you get hurt..." I said softly, my consciousness finally couldn't hold on and sank into darkness.

Before I completely lost consciousness, I seemed to hear him whispering in my ear, in an almost broken voice:

"Luan Yin..."

In the face of life and death, protect each other with your own life.

At this moment, all the temptations, all the ambiguities, all the closeness and distance, were confirmed most directly and profoundly in this blood and thunder.

Love is promised, and we will be together through life and death.