Zhishen's sudden enlightenment paves the way

Volume 5: Cloud Heart Luan Yin

Preface: "Heroes will eventually come together and part ways, but you and I are the most gentle destination in this troubled world."

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Every moment since Yiqing's departure seemed extraordinarily long. I sat in the teahouse's attic, gazing out the window at the misty Taihu Lake, but my mind had already flown to Muzhou City, dozens of miles away. My hands unconsciously plucked the strings of the pipa, but I couldn't even produce a complete note. My mind was filled with worry for Yiqing's safety and apprehension about the outcome of this proactive intervention.

The people arranged by Lu Renjia would send back a message through secret channels every hour to ensure that the communication lines were unobstructed, but they could only confirm that Yiqing had safely entered the city and arrived at Wangjiang Tower. More details were difficult to detect in such a mixed environment.

Time slipped away in the anxious anticipation, from the first lights to the dead of night. The fishing fires on Taihu Lake had become increasingly sparse, yet there was still no sign of Yiqing's return. All sorts of ominous speculations began to churn uncontrollably through my mind—had he been discovered by the Liangshan patrol? Did he and Lu Zhishen just not get along? Had he... encountered some other unknown danger?

Just when I was about to lose control and was about to ask Lu Renjia to activate the emergency plan and go to meet them, an extremely slight but rhythmic paddling sound finally came from the water surface under the attic - it was the safety signal we agreed on!

A huge stone suddenly fell from my heart, and I leaned against the window frame, almost fainting. I hurried downstairs and came to the small, hidden dock in the backyard.

In the darkness of night, a small, uncovered boat quietly approached the shore. The person on board lifted his bamboo hat, revealing a face that remained calm, yet with a hint of fatigue.

"Yiqing!" I quickly stepped forward, grabbed his arm, and felt his real body temperature, and then I felt completely relieved. "Are you okay? How are you?"

He gently shook my hand with his backhand, indicating that I should be at ease, and then nodded to Lu Renjia who had also rushed over after hearing the news: "Go in and talk."

After returning to the secret room, Yiqing drank a cup of hot tea and then slowly said, "I met Lu Zhishen."

"Did he...believe it?" I asked anxiously.

Yiqing put down his teacup, a complicated look flashing in his eyes. "At first, he naturally didn't believe it. He just thought I was exaggerating, and even thought I was trying to sow discord. He almost turned hostile on the spot."

It is easy to imagine how Lu Zhishen would react when he heard Yiqing hint that Liangshan's future would be difficult and Lin Chong would not live long, given his loyalty to Song Jiang and his emphasis on brotherhood.

"And what happened next?"

"Later, I didn't argue with him. I simply carefully analyzed Master Lin's physical condition after his return from the Northern Frontier. I pointed out the source and severity of his old illness of vomiting blood. Considering the malaria epidemic in Jiangnan and the brutality of the war, I told him frankly that if he didn't withdraw quickly, Master Lin would have a hard time surviving." Yiqing spoke calmly, as if recounting a matter that had nothing to do with him. "I told him I wasn't asking them to betray anyone, but simply hoped they would leave a way out for themselves. If they ever reach their wits' end, they can take my token and come to Taihu West Mountain to seek a way out."

"He just...believed it?" Lu Renjia was a little bit unbelievable.

"He was struggling internally with the question of whether to believe or not." Yiqing shook his head slightly. "He was silent for a long time, just drinking heavily. In the end, he didn't take the jade pendant I placed on the table, but he didn't refuse either. He just glared at me with red eyes and said, 'Gongsun Sheng, if you cheat the innkeeper and harm Brother Lin Chong, I will chase you to the ends of the earth and never let you go!'"

Hearing this, a glimmer of hope rose in my heart. Lu Zhishen didn't flip the table on the spot, nor did he flatly refuse, which means he listened! He put Lin Chong's safety first! Those seemingly threatening words actually exposed his inner hesitation and extreme concern for Lin Chong's life!

"Although he hasn't taken the token, these words... have already placed Lin Chong's safety in his hands," I analyzed. "Given his personality, he'll definitely carefully observe Lin Chong's condition after returning and will take your words to heart. As long as Lin Chong's health continues to deteriorate, he'll use this connection sooner or later!"

"I hope so." Yiqing sighed, "This is all we can do. The rest depends on Lin Chong's own choice and... God's will."

Although this proactive contact did not produce immediate results, it undoubtedly planted a crucial seed in Lu Zhishen's heart. This seed might have saved Lin Chong's life at the last moment.

After this incident, we have a clearer idea of ​​the next course of action - continue to consolidate and expand Jiangnan's life-saving network, wait for the opportunity, and before the final bloody battle comes, try to receive as many people as possible who are willing to seize the opportunity to live.

Over the next few months, the war in Jiangnan entered its most brutal stalemate. Liangshan's army and Fang La's army battled back and forth in the areas of Muzhou and Shezhou, with each city and pass fought for, resulting in heavy casualties.

Through the intelligence network laid out by Lu Renjia, we are like eyes lurking in the shadows, closely monitoring the direction of the war and the movements of those key figures on the list.

Qin Ming, known as "Thunderfire", died together with Fang Jie, a fierce general under Fang La, when they attacked Qingxi County.

The "Double-Gun General" Dong Ping was chopped into two pieces by Zhang Tao at Dusong Pass.

Zhang Qing, known as "the man without a feathered arrow", died at the hands of Li Tianrun.

…

Each piece of tragic news hammered at our hearts like a heavy drumbeat. The list of casualties grew longer and longer, and the land south of the Yangtze River was practically soaked in the blood of the Liangshan soldiers.

However, amidst this blood-red sea, a glimmer of light occasionally shone through.

Zhang Heng, known as "Shipfire," contracted the plague during the attack on Hangzhou and fell gravely ill. His brother, Zhang Shun, risked his life to rescue him and house him near a stronghold we secretly controlled. Upon learning of this, Lu Renjia immediately sent someone, posing as a traveling doctor, to deliver the appropriate herbs. While they couldn't fully cure him, they managed to save his life. He was later secretly sent away by Zhang Shun, and his whereabouts are unknown, but at least he survived.

Li Jun, known as the "Hybrid River Dragon," had, as we expected, premeditated his plans. While the Liangshan army and Fang La's forces were engaged in fierce fighting, he took advantage of an inspection of the water stronghold and, accompanied by Tong Wei, the "Cave-Emerging Dragon," Tong Meng, the "River-Flipping Mirage," quietly deserted the main force, their whereabouts unknown. Our spies in Taihu Lake had vaguely detected their presence, but Li Jun acted with extreme caution and avoided any contact with our forces, clearly intending to establish his own faction and flee far away. His escape was itself a triumph of our strategy.

What concerns us most is still the news about Lin Chong and Lu Zhishen.

According to reports from his spies, Lin Chong's health was indeed deteriorating, with coughing up blood becoming more frequent and sometimes even having difficulty riding a horse. However, he persisted in the army. Lu Zhishen, on the other hand, remained at his side almost every step of the way, his expression becoming increasingly solemn.

Finally, the decisive moment arrived. After paying an unimaginable price, the Liangshan army finally broke through Fang La's last lair - Bangyuan Cave!

Along with the good news came the final and most tragic list of casualties.

"The Traveler" Wu Song, with a broken arm.

"Leopard Head" Lin Chong was paralyzed.

Lu Zhishen, the "Flowery Monk", passed away in meditation at Liuhe Temple in Hangzhou.

Yang Xiong, known as "Sick Guansuo", died of a back ulcer.

Shi Qian, known as the "flea on the drum", died of intestinal turbidity.

…

Seeing this list left me speechless for a long time. Wu Song survived a broken arm, Lin Chong survived paralysis. This... this is already far better than the ending of the "original novel" that I know! Lu Zhishen's death, while regrettable, was perhaps also a kind of fulfillment for him. The deaths of Yang Xiong, Shi Qian, and others are still heartbreaking, but at least Lin Chong survived!

"Lu Zhishen... he ultimately..." I looked at the words "sitting in meditation," a mixture of emotions welling up in my heart. He chose his own path, accompanying Lin Chong until the very end, then drifted away. Ultimately, he didn't use the path we left behind.

"For him, this may be the best destination." Yiqing's voice was filled with a hint of indifference, a person who has seen through the world. "He has achieved enlightenment, and his worldly ties are over."

"What about Lin Chong?" I asked anxiously, "Where is he now?"

"According to the latest news, after his paralysis, Master Lin was placed in the Liuhe Temple in Hangzhou, under the care of Wu Song," Lu Renjia replied. "I believe Lu Zhishen had made arrangements before his death."

Hangzhou Liuhe Temple! Right under our noses!

"We..." I looked at Yiqing, hope burning in my eyes.

Yiqing understood what I meant and after a moment's silence, he said, "Bangyuan Cave has been breached, the war is over, and the court's attention will soon shift to settling accounts and dealing with the aftermath. Contacting Lin Chong at this time is still very risky, but... this may be our only chance."

He looked at Lu Renjia and said, "Find a way to confirm Lin Chong's specific situation in Liuhe Temple and the surrounding security forces. We... need to see him again."

This time, it is not to change anything, but to make sure he is safe and to put as perfect an end as possible to this "fate-changing" effort that has lasted for several years and cost us countless efforts.

The flames of war in Jiangnan are gradually dying down, but a new storm is about to rise. And after countless struggles, plans, waits, and regrets, we have finally arrived at the moment to witness some of the results and plan our own retreat.

Yun Xin Luanyin, the time for you to retire after completing your mission is quietly approaching.