The heart begins to sprout and goes to Liangshan

After that night, the relationship between Gongsun Sheng and I entered a tacit and subtle stage.

The injury to his shoulder blade healed quickly, aided by his own cultivation and my "poison-repelling sound." Within two or three days, the wound had closed and the poison had been completely eliminated. But he never mentioned that night again, as if that brief moment of concern and the words "equally important" were just an illusion on my part.

However, details don't lie.

When he was lecturing, if I was not in good spirits due to excessive practice the night before, he would calmly slow down his speech or explain the difficult parts a little more.

During meals, he would push the lighter vegetables to my side without leaving any trace.

There was even one time when I was practicing breathing exercises in the yard early in the morning. The mountain wind was quite cold. When he passed by, although he did not stop, he swept the dust away with his whisk, and a warmth quietly dispelled the coldness around me.

Even these subtle changes, not even the Heart Purification Mantra, could suppress the sweet feeling welling up within me. I knew that my relentless pursuit, my reckless behavior that night, hadn't been without results. That Dao heart, soaring above the clouds, wasn't solid ice, but merely enveloped in a thick cocoon called "Heavenly Way" and "Fate."

And I seem to have found a crack.

That day, Gongsun Shengchen did not return to the quiet room immediately after class, but called Qingsong and me to the courtyard.

He looked calm, his eyes sweeping over us, finally landing on me: "Pack your bags and leave for Liangshan tomorrow."

It’s finally here!

Although I had expected it, my heart still skipped a beat when I heard it in person. Qingsong's face flushed with excitement.

"Yes, Master/Master." We answered in unison.

"Liangshan isn't Zixu Monastery. It's a mixed bag, and the rules are different from back in the mountains." Gongsun Sheng looked at me, his tone a bit admonishing, but more so... a solemnity that bordered on entrusting me. "Bu Luanyin, you have a special identity, and your abilities are extraordinary. Once you've reached the mountain, be careful with your words and actions. Don't reveal your Soul Sound abilities unless absolutely necessary, to avoid unnecessary trouble."

"I understand," I agreed solemnly. I knew he was doing this for my own good. While there were heroes on Liangshan, there were also many who were unruly and treacherous. If my "odd" identity and special abilities were exposed, the consequences would be unpredictable.

"As for you," he looked at Qingsong again, "after you go up the mountain, practice diligently and don't neglect your studies. Don't cause any trouble either."

"Disciple obeys your command!" Qingsong answered loudly.

After finishing his instructions, Gongsun Sheng turned around and returned to the quiet room, presumably to make final preparations.

Qingsong and I busily began packing. I didn't have much: a few changes of clothes, some personal items, and most importantly, the red sandalwood pipa, which I carefully wrapped in layers of thick cloth. Qingsong, on the other hand, was busy packing the monastery's scriptures, ritual instruments, and some commonly used medicinal herbs.

In between busy days, I stood in the courtyard, gazing around this tranquil Taoist temple where I'd resided for months. The pines and cypresses were still lush and green, the temples still tranquil, but I knew that once I stepped out of here, I would truly be entering the vast, yet perilous world of Water Margin.

There is a longing for the future and a faint excitement in my heart, as well as a slight uneasiness about the unknown. But more than that, there is a sense of certainty.

Because I know that I am not alone on this trip.

The next morning, before daybreak, we had already packed up.

Gongsun Sheng was still dressed in his spotless blue Taoist robe, his whisk draped across his arm, his expression as calm as water, as if he were simply embarking on an ordinary journey. Qingsong carried a large bag, containing the temple's most valuable possessions. And I, on the other hand, held my pipa, as if it were the foundation of my existence in this alien world.

We locked the gate of Zixu Monastery, temporarily sealing this place of quiet cultivation. The three of us walked down the mountain path in silence.

This time, it was no longer a hasty attempt to avoid pursuit, nor was it a secret attempt to find information. Instead, they were rushing with a clear goal to the 800-mile water body where the wind and clouds were about to gather.

Go down the mountain, hire a boat, and travel along the waterway.

The closer we got to Liangshan Lake, the wider the waters became, with endless reed marshes and flocks of waterfowl. The air was thick with mist and a faint, chilling atmosphere. Occasionally, patrol boats could be seen, their men, each a sturdy figure, warily observing the passing vessels. Upon seeing Gongsun Sheng, they seemed to recognize him, clasping their fists in a distant salute and clearing the waterway.

It seems that Chao Gai and others have successfully climbed the mountain and have initially taken control of the situation.

When the boat reached the Golden Beach Pier, people were already waiting. Leading the group was a burly, handsome man—it was none other than Leopard Head Lin Chong! Beside him stood the Red-Haired Ghost Liu Tang, grinning and waving at us.

"Mr. Gongsun! Miss Bu! I've been waiting for you!" Liu Tang said in a loud voice and walked quickly to greet them.

Lin Chong also stepped forward and clasped his fists towards Gongsun Sheng, his tone steady and respectful, "Mr. Gongsun, you've had a long journey. Chao Tianwang and Wu Xuejiu have been waiting in the Juyi Hall for a long time."

His eyes immediately fell on me, with a hint of curiosity, but more of a friendly expression. "This must be Miss Bu, right? I recently heard Brother Liu Tang praise your skillful hands and kind heart. You used music to heal Brother Li Kui's parents. Lin Chong admires you."

I quickly bowed in return, "Master Lin, you're too kind. I'm unworthy of such a compliment." But something struck me: even Lin Chong knew about Li Kui's mother's affairs? It seemed I had earned a reputation among the Liangshan high-ranking officials as a doctor because of this incident.

Gongsun Sheng exchanged a few words with Lin Chong and Liu Tang, then walked towards the mountain under their guidance.

The Liangshan stronghold was built against the mountain and beside the water, with numerous checkpoints, waving flags, patrolling minions in distinctive armor, and in good order. It was very different from the scattered bandit den I had imagined. It was obvious that Wu Yong was very good at governance.

As we walked, people kept greeting Gongsun Sheng and Lin Chong, and their gazes were curiously cast towards me, a young woman with a new face. I held my pipa, lowered my head, and tried to make my presence felt as little as possible.

Finally, we arrived at the gathering hall on the top of the mountain.

The Juyi Hall was magnificent, its vermilion doors wide open and brightly lit. The hall was already packed with people, the noise incessant.

As we stepped into the hall, the noise suddenly became much quieter. Countless eyes were cast at once, focusing on Gongsun Sheng, and naturally they also looked at me beside him.

I took a deep breath and looked up.

At the center of the hall, three chairs were placed side by side. The man in the center, a towering figure with a majestic expression and a commanding presence, was none other than Chao Gai, the Heavenly King of the Pagoda! To his left sat Wu Yong, the Master of Wisdom, smiling and sporting a feather fan and a long turban. The chair to the right was remarkably empty.

That is... the position reserved for Gongsun Sheng!

When Chao Gai saw Gongsun Sheng, he burst into laughter and stood up to greet him: "Mr. Gongsun! You're finally here! We brothers have been holding this seat for you!"

Wu Yong also waved his feather fan and said with a smile: "With the arrival of the master, our Liangshan will be more powerful than a tiger with wings. The gathering of the seven heroes is finally complete!"

Gongsun Sheng's face was calm as he bowed to Chao Gai and Wu Yong, saying, "Lord Chao, Scholar Wu, I am late."

His eyes swept over the empty chair, and without refusing, he walked forward calmly, waved his whisk, and sat down calmly.

The moment he sat down, the atmosphere in the entire Juyi Hall seemed to freeze. His aloof demeanor was incompatible with the bustling Juyi Hall, yet it strangely calmed the crowd, as if he was meant to be there.

Chao Gai was in high spirits. His gaze immediately fell on me, and he spoke loudly, "This Miss Bu Luanyin is the descendant of an old friend of Mr. Gongsun, and a benefactor of Liangshan! She once bravely rescued the mother of Li Kui and his brothers, and even used her extraordinary skills to help us escape the siege of the villa! From today on, Miss Bu is an honored guest of Liangshan, and you brothers must treat her with courtesy!"

His words officially confirmed my identity in front of everyone in the stronghold - a "distinguished guest" who has a close relationship with Gongsun Sheng and has done Liangshan a favor.

The reactions of the people in the hall varied. Some were curious, some were surprised, and some were indifferent. After all, I was a frail woman, not a well-known figure in the martial arts world. To suddenly receive such courtesy was bound to attract discussion.

But I didn't care. I knew that my ability to gain a foothold in Liangshan ultimately depended not on Chao Gai's polite words, but on my own value.

My eyes involuntarily turned to the Taoist priest in green robe sitting high on the third chair.

He sat there, as if in another time and space, the hustle and bustle around him seemingly irrelevant to him. But I knew that from this moment on, he and I would embark on a brand new journey on Liangshan, one with unknown prospects for success and failure.

And my "strategy" for him will also enter the next stage on this new stage.

The heart has been formed and the future has been decided.

I want to lead this dragon that soars into the clouds, let him experience all the worldly affairs and see all the joys and sorrows of this mortal world.