Undercurrents surging, plans to leave
Volume 4: Defying fate and changing destiny
Preface: "I know the ending of the story, but I don't know our ending. Now that I have held your hand, even gods and Buddhas can reverse it, and fate can be changed!"
---
After Yiqing and I shared our feelings and pledged to spend our lives together, the injury on my shoulder seemed to be tinged with joy, healing even faster. In just over two weeks, the wound had already healed and scabbed over, and as long as I didn't engage in strenuous exercise, I could move about freely without any problems.
However, the atmosphere within Liangshan Lake was a stark contrast to my own, growing increasingly dignified day by day. The number of visitors to Chao Gai's deathbed gradually dwindled, replaced by increasingly frequent secret discussions in the Gathering Hall and the covert activity of Song Jiang's men. A sense of oppression, like a simmering storm, hung over the entire stronghold.
I knew we didn't have much time left. We had to leave quietly before Chao Gai's banner fell completely, before Song Jiang took full control of the situation and possibly initiated the "recruitment" process.
That night, under a dark moon and strong wind, was the perfect time for a private conversation. Yiqing quietly came into my room. In the candlelight, his expression was more serious than ever before.
"Luanyin," he whispered, no longer beating around the bush, "We must leave as soon as possible. King Chao...will be here in the next few days."
My heart sank. Although I'd been prepared, hearing the exact time still made me feel a surge of urgency. "How should we proceed? The checkpoints at the mountain stronghold are heavily patrolled these days, especially the water stronghold, which is guarded by Song Jiang and Wu Yong's trusted aides."
"Breaking through by force is a bad idea." Yiqing unfolded a simple map of Liangshan he had drawn long ago and pointed at a few inconspicuous corners of the water. "These waters are complex with undercurrents and dense reeds, so patrol boats rarely venture here. I can cast a spell to temporarily confuse the scouts' perception. You and I can take advantage of the night and quietly leave the mountain from here in a small boat."
His plan sounded feasible, but risks remained. "What happens after we leave the mountain? Where do we go?" I asked. While the world is vast, Liangshanpo is a significant force, and the imperial court's arrest warrant remains in place. Completely concealing our whereabouts is no easy task.
Yiqing had clearly thought this through thoroughly. He looked at me calmly, "Let's go to Erxian Mountain first. Master has tacitly approved of our plan. Zixu Monastery is a place of seclusion, far away from the hustle and bustle. You can temporarily avoid the limelight, and it will also allow you to rest and recuperate, consolidating your cultivation. Once the limelight has died down, we can find another true paradise and live in seclusion there."
Erxian Mountain is indeed a wonderful place. With Luo Zhenren presiding over it, no one dares to disturb it. But I have other thoughts in mind. I know the fate of Liangshan, the brutal campaign against Fang La after the surrender, and I know that most of the flesh-and-blood heroes I've witnessed and even fought alongside have met tragic ends. Is it really... that we can only watch this unfold and remain indifferent?
"Yiqing," I said hesitantly, testing his thinking, "Are we... just leaving like this? These brothers from Liangshan, they..."
He looked up at me, his eyes deep, as if he had already seen through my thoughts: "Are you reluctant? Do you want to change something?"
I nodded and did not hide it: "I know that with the power of you and me, we may not be able to turn the tide and stop the trend of surrender. But... at least, can we, within our ability, leave a glimmer of hope for some people who should not die?" For example, Lin Chong, Lu Zhishen, Wu Song... These living lives should not become victims of political games and cruel wars.
Yiqing was silent for a moment, the candlelight casting a flickering shadow across his face. After a long pause, he slowly spoke, "It's no easy feat to defy fate. Every life's trajectory is entangled with countless causes and effects. Forced intervention could backfire."
His concerns were not without reason. But I came from another world, and I was inherently a variable in this world. Perhaps everything I did was beyond the calculations of "fate"?
"We don't need to forcefully change the course of events," I grabbed his hand, my eyes earnest. "We just need to provide some 'information' or create some 'surprises' at critical moments. For example, in a future battle, we could provide advance warning of an ambush; or, for some, point out a seemingly accidental 'way out'. We don't directly defy fate, but simply... follow the flow and plant a few seeds of hope in the cracks of destiny."
Yiqing stared at me, his eyes gleaming as he seemed to rapidly deduce various possibilities. He was a master of divination, possessing a far superior understanding of destiny. My idea of "planting seeds in the cracks" clearly touched him.
"What you say... is not entirely without reason." He finally relented, his tone tinged with caution. "Although the laws of nature are fixed, if one of them is removed, variables will naturally exist. If handled properly, focusing on the subtleties, perhaps... a chance of change can be gained for some people."
He agreed! I was so excited.
"But this matter requires long-term planning and careful planning." His tone turned serious. "First, we must escape safely and conceal our whereabouts so that we can plan in secret. Second, we must not reveal the secret directly. We must use others to tell them, or create coincidences, to guide them to 'discover' a way out on their own. Finally, we should not have too many targets. The fewer causal connections, the less backlash, and the greater the possibility of success."
He quickly formulated a course of action with clear thinking and thorough consideration.
"Okay, I'll do as you say." I nodded without hesitation.
"In that case," Yiqing tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, "We need to plant the first 'seed' before we leave."
"The first seed?" I wondered.
"Li Jun." Yiqing spat out two words, "This man is no ordinary person. He has overseas ambitions, is meticulous, and is good at assessing the situation. He can be a hidden chess piece."
Li Jun, the Dragon of the River! I immediately remembered that in the original novel, he was indeed one of the very few who saw through the ending and planned his own escape plan early on, eventually going overseas to become the ruler of Siam. If only I could have awakened him in advance, or given him some hints...
"How should we do it?" I asked.
Yiqing pondered, "I've met him several times before, and he has some respect for me. Before I leave, I can give him a few vague verses under the guise of divination, suggesting things like 'A dragon doesn't live in a pond; it transforms when it encounters water' and 'There's a bright road in the East, and the world is revealed overseas.' He's so smart, he'll definitely think it over. When things start to change in Liangshan, he'll surely connect my words to what I've said today and make plans early."
Wonderful! It doesn’t point things out directly, but leaves plenty of room for imagination, which fully complies with the principle of “guided self-discovery”.
"What about the others?" I asked. For example, Lin Chong, his ending was particularly hard to accept.
"Master Lin..." Yiqing sighed and shook his head. "He's very clear about his grudges and his obsessions run deep. His hatred for Gao Qiu is ingrained in his bones and cannot be resolved with words. Furthermore, as a core Liangshan general, he's a very large target. If he acts rashly, he could easily backfire. His path... can only be forged by him. Perhaps all we can do is act according to circumstances at the last moment and see if we can preserve a spark of hope for him."
I understand his concerns, and although I feel reluctant, I also know this is the most realistic approach. You have to eat one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time.
"I understand." I suppressed the regret in my heart and nodded.
With the plan initially drawn up, we carefully considered the details of our departure, our route, and possible subsequent contact methods (via Qingsong or certain absolutely reliable mountain woodcutters or ferrymen to deliver cryptic messages). Only when the moon reached its zenith and all was silent did we conclude this confidential conversation that would determine our future.
"Three days later, at midnight, meet at the waterside pavilion in the backyard." Yiqing finally confirmed, his eyes firm and gentle, "Wait for me."
"Okay." I held his hand tightly, feeling the trust and reliance we had for each other.
Outside the window, the night of Liangshan remains as dark as ever, an undercurrent surging silently beneath the water. But this time, we are no longer passive pawns drifting with the tide, but the masters of the game. Though our power is limited, we are determined to place our first move on this predetermined destiny, defying fate and changing our destiny.
Let’s work together to break the deadlock, starting from now on.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
