Chapter 109: The Liangshan Route

After leaving the borders of Cangzhou, Lin Zhong and Yang Zhi swiftly made their way toward Liangshan. Pixar followed discreetly behind them. The two moved quickly, avoiding towns unless absolutely necessary. It wasn’t until they entered the Liangshan territory that they allowed themselves to relax somewhat.

At the foot of Liangshan, there were several inns. On the surface, they appeared as legitimate businesses, but in reality, they served as outposts for the bandits who had taken refuge on Liangshan Mountain. When wealthy travelers arrived, they were drugged and subdued, then taken to the back to be dealt with. If officials or those wishing to join the bandits came by, these inns could alert the mountain ahead of time or lure strangers into the bandits’ lair.

Liangshan was surrounded by water and famously called the Water Margin. Any attack by water was inevitable. Such movements were difficult to conceal, and the inns at the mountain’s base would inevitably detect any unusual activity.

They arrived at one such inn where a burly man lay stretched out in a wicker chair, a bamboo fan covering his face. His chest rose and fell steadily, as if he were asleep.

Lin Zhong and Yang Zhi did not disturb him and entered the inn directly. The waiter, bored and idle, was swatting at flies with a rag. Being so close to the water had its drawbacks; even approaching autumn, the mosquitoes and flies remained relentless.

But as soon as Lin Zhong and Yang Zhi stepped inside, the waiter brightened immediately, a smile spreading across his face. “Gentlemen, what would you like to eat?”

It was noon, and Lin Zhong responded, “Bring us wine and meat, plenty of it!” After all, they were here to join the bandits and hardly needed to pay.

The waiter’s smile deepened. “Right away! Please wait just a moment. Good wine and fine meat coming right up!” He tossed the rag over his shoulder and hurried to the kitchen.

The large man at the door slightly lifted his fan and glanced toward Lin Zhong and Yang Zhi, a sudden unease creeping into his heart. Rising to his feet, he held the fan in his hand and smiled. “Ah, welcome, gentlemen. May I ask where you’ve come from and where you’re headed? This little inn has hosted many travelers from north and south, and I keep my ear to the ground. If you have questions, feel free to ask.”

Lin Zhong glanced at him, noting the unchanged smile on his face, but inwardly startled. How had he ended up speaking so freely? As a scout leader among the bandits, his vigilance should have been sharper; otherwise, he would have long been captured by the authorities. Now, instead of probing the newcomers’ backgrounds, he had nearly exposed his own secrets. Yet the aura around these two men gave him a strange sense of kinship, as if they were kindred spirits.

“Ha, since you’re the host, there’s no need for formalities,” Lin Zhong smiled. Even before Zhu Gui awakened, he could sense their star energy; now that they had awakened, they naturally had heightened perception.

Yang Zhi added, “We’ve stirred trouble with a powerful official. Though we escaped prosecution, it’s hard to find a safe place to stay. We’ve heard of the heroes on Liangshan who rob the rich to help the poor—true champions of justice. We come to join them, not seeking leadership, but simply a place to belong.”

Lin Zhong placed a hand on Zhu Gui’s shoulder and sat down. “What is your name, brother? Since you dare to run an inn here, you must have some connection with the Liangshan heroes.”

At this, Zhu Gui found it impossible to keep smiling. The two men’s strength far exceeded his own; their words already revealed the inn’s true nature. He realized he had effectively become their hostage. He could only hope they were not government agents, or else he might be a hero himself eighteen years from now.

“Honorable heroes, this little inn’s survival depends on some understanding of those Liangshan bandits. Ask whatever you wish—I will answer truthfully!” Zhu Gui bowed and abandoned resistance.

Just then, the waiter returned with a tray. “Gentlemen… your wine and meat!” Noticing his boss’s face, he lowered his head, set the dishes on the table, and quickly left.

Yang Zhi glanced at the waiter, smiled without speaking, and looked at Zhu Gui. “This wine and meat look good. Boss, care to join us?”

Zhu Gui grinned; he had no fear. The inn’s fare came in three tiers: the lowest for poor travelers, the middle for those who seemed tough and might be worth listening to, and the highest not meant to be eaten—poisoned to kill and rob.

When the kitchen was notified of guests’ appearances, an experienced manager would judge which tier to serve. The order of dishes also varied, known only to those inside. Zhu Gui had observed the waiter’s sequence and knew this was the middle tier, indicating the owner thought Lin Zhong and Yang Zhi not easily intimidated and was content to earn some money from them.

Zhu Gui smiled. “Then a toast to you both! My name is Zhu Gui—my treat!” He raised his cup, poured a drink, and drained it in one gulp. Then he took a piece of meat and ate it.

“Good wine, good meat!” Zhu Gui laughed, looking at Lin Zhong and Yang Zhi. “Are you satisfied?”

The two exchanged glances. Lin Zhong cupped his hands in thanks. “Brother Zhu, forgive us! We met many unscrupulous innkeepers along the way and feared you might do the same. But your generosity lives up to your reputation as a hero.”

Yang Zhi said, “I am Yang Zhi, and this is my brother Lin Zhong. We offended that villain Gao Qiu; Lin Zhong even killed his impostor. We barely escaped and now intend to join the Liangshan band.”

Lin Zhong continued, “Please recommend us, Brother Zhu. We may say little, but our skills are commendable.” With that, he condensed his inner energy and produced a miniature spear in his hand.

Zhu Gui’s eyes narrowed. Earlier, he had only a vague warrior’s intuition that they were stronger. Now, Lin Zhong’s display confirmed they were masters.

He muttered inwardly, “If it weren’t for offending a big shot like Gao Qiu, they might never have had to become outlaws.” After all, aside from the lowest-level refuge of banditry, many methods existed to evade capture even after committing crimes.

For example, near Liangshan lived a wealthy man named Chao Yuanwai, known far and wide. His large estate often sheltered those fallen on hard times in the martial world.

Some minor offenders, fleeing their hometowns, sought refuge with such local powers. Once the heat died down or the emperor declared a general amnesty, they could return home or resume their wanderings.

So, unless the crime was severe or the fugitive truly committed to outlawry, few chose to remain bandits forever.

However, Lin Zhong and Yang Zhi’s situation was precisely the former. Even if an amnesty were declared, they could never return home.

Zhu Gui’s smile turned rueful. He wasn’t sure if the chief would accept them—after all, their strength already surpassed that of Wang Lun, Liangshan’s current leader.

Wang Lun had risen to leadership mainly because he practiced the literary arts, while other leaders were martial men with no prospects but to become outlaws.

Out of respect for a man of letters, and because Wang Lun possessed some ability—successfully repelling several government attacks and leading raids on merchant caravans, amassing wealth—he secured his position.

At first, the other leaders accepted this. But over time, they discovered Wang Lun had a grave flaw:

Jealousy of talent.

Since Wang Lun became leader, several capable men sought to join Liangshan, but he rejected them all for various reasons.

At first, others thought Wang Lun simply wanted to keep his power. Later, they saw him cultivating loyalists to infiltrate other leaders’ ranks and seize control. It became clear he was utterly intolerant of rivals.

With the strength Lin Zhong and Yang Zhi displayed, how could Wang Lun permit them to join the mountain?

Yet he dared not voice this openly, and even hoped they might bring new vitality to Liangshan.

“Very well, please wait a moment. I will go fetch a boat,” Zhu Gui said, bowing and heading toward the rear of the building.