Chapter 157: Convergence of the Constellations (Part 6)

Looking at the dead Shi Wengong, the lingering anger in Chao Gai's heart finally dissipated. Glancing toward the direction of the Liangshan company, he knew that even if they were to meet again in the future, things could never return to how they used to be. Following Sun Meng's instructions, Chao Gai galloped at top speed toward the direction of Daming Prefecture.

Before long, Lu Junyi and the others, who had been lying in ambush nearby, arrived at the spot. They had heard the commotion earlier but saw no one entering the ambush site, prompting them to come and investigate.

"This is... Shi Wengong!" Yan Qing stepped forward and exclaimed, looking at the corpse on the ground.

Lu Junyi reached out and pulled out his spear, only to find that the spearhead had not only pierced Shi Wengong's heart but had also left a hole in the ground! It required a tremendous amount of force to achieve such a feat! Furthermore, looking at the bones in Shi Wengong's chest, only the area pierced by the long spear was shattered, while the rest remained completely intact.

Such a result indicated not only immense strength on the part of the attacker, but also incredible speed and concentrated force. This was no longer something achievable through ordinary spear techniques; the assailant was undoubtedly a master of the highest caliber.

"Not only did they kill Shi Wengong cleanly and decisively, but they didn't even take his horse, which suggests the possibility that the attacker was driven by a desire for revenge. It's just a pity we don't know who could possess the skill to dispatch Shi Wengong with such lethal efficiency," Lu Junyi sighed, gesturing to the nearby foot soldiers to sever Shi Wengong's head and bury his body on the spot.

Taking Shi Wengong's head and his prized steed, Lu Junyi and his party hurried back to the Liangshan stronghold.

Back at the camp, the Liangshan members had already begun clearing the battlefield and were speculating whether Shi Wengong had been killed by Lu Junyi and his men. Most of them had heard of Lu Junyi and acknowledged his prowess. However, after all, he had not joined the mountain stronghold for long, and in arranging the tactics for this operation, he had gained a certain advantage. According to Wu Yong's strategy, once the city was breached, Shi Wengong's most likely escape route pointed straight to that location.

With everything prepared in advance, even if Shi Wengong truly possessed extraordinary martial arts, escape would have been nearly impossible. In a way, Lu Junyi had simply picked up a ready-made victory. According to their previous agreement, whoever captured or killed Shi Wengong would become the new chieftain of Liangshan. Although everyone had agreed to this in principle, if Lu Junyi were to simply ascend to the position of chieftain in this manner, many would find it difficult to accept.

Meanwhile, Song Jiang had already set up an altar and memorial tablets. He trusted Wu Yong's strategy, and he trusted Lu Junyi's strength even more!

True to expectations, Lu Junyi rode in on Shi Wengong's horse, carrying his head into the main camp.

Song Jiang walked forward with a smile. "Congratulations, brother, for capturing and slaying this villain, and for avenging Brother Chao Gai!"

Lu Junyi hurriedly replied, "We did not kill this man."

Song Jiang was taken aback, and the surrounding chieftains looked over in surprise. While they were reluctant to see Lu Junyi become chieftain so easily, neither did they wish to see him resort to falsehoods.

Wu Yong frowned. "Brother Junyi, could you explain in detail what happened?" Originally, he had supreme confidence in his own strategy, and all subsequent measures were already in place. Such an unexpected deviation made him somewhat uneasy.

Without hesitation, Lu Junyi recounted how they had waited in ambush for Shi Wengong, heard the sounds of combat, and arrived only to find Shi Wengong already dead.

"Brother Gongming, and all my brothers! Although I, Lu Junyi, severed the head of Shi Wengong, I am not a man who covets undeserved credit. Since I failed to kill Shi Wengong with my own hands, I cannot claim to have fulfilled the oath! On the other hand, Brother Gongming led everyone to break through Zengtou Prefecture, rendering monumental service. Logically speaking, Brother Gongming should naturally succeed to the position of chieftain!"

Immediately, voices rang out from the surrounding crowd: "So it should be!"

Song Jiang pressed his hand downward. "Enough! Now that the great revenge has been fulfilled, our foremost duty is to pay tribute to the spirit of Brother Chao Gai in heaven! Since Brother Junyi has stated that he did not kill the man, I shall temporarily act as chieftain for the time being."

Once Song Jiang spoke, no one else found a way to voice any objections.

With the memorial rituals for Chao Gai concluded and the spoils of Zengtou Prefecture brought back to Liangshan, this campaign came to a close. Although the position of chieftain remained technically undecided, Song Jiang's prestige grew even further, and Lu Junyi's faction successfully integrated into the Liangshan community.

Despite the bountiful harvest from this expedition, the seat of the chieftain remained vacant. On one hand, many urged Song Jiang to ascend to the position immediately. On the other hand, Song Jiang consistently declined, claiming that since he had failed to fulfill Chao Gai's dying wish, he could not accept.

Meanwhile, carrying Sun Meng's token, Chao Gai crossed the border, was escorted by people from the Vulture Palace to a secret stronghold, and met with Li Qingmeng.

"To think he would ever take on a disciple, and such a freakish one at that!" With Li Qingmeng's level of cultivation, it was naturally not difficult for her to perceive the profound transformations within Chao Gai's body.

"I was on the verge of death from a poisoned arrow when my master, possessing heaven-reaching capabilities, saved me. In order to grant me a certain level of strength, he transformed me into what I am now. Acting upon my master's orders, I have come here to obey your arrangements, Senior." Although Chao Gai had lost his internal qi, Sun Meng had previously informed him that Li Qingmeng was a being on the exact same realm of cultivation as himself.

Consequently, Chao Gai dared not entertain any other notions.

Li Qingmeng said, "Very well. Recently, the presence of Liao forces has increased considerably. Several grain storage sites we scouted are now heavily guarded. I will provide you with the intelligence; try destroying one of them so I can witness your skills!" With that, she instructed someone to hand a small booklet to Chao Gai.

"Chao Gai accepts the command!"

Back at Liangshan, a new target had just been established.

Dongping Prefecture and Dongchang Prefecture were located close to each other. Furthermore, since the Nine-Footed Dragon Shi Jin had been captured by the authorities of Dongping Prefecture, a rescue mission was imperative. They decided to attack both prefectures simultaneously.

In the Hall of Loyalty and Justice, Song Jiang announced, "In this campaign against the two prefectures, Brother Junyi and I will each lead a separate force of commanders and troops. Whoever conquers their target first shall be the chieftain. I ask all my brothers to exert your utmost effort!"

"Rest assured, brother!" the assembly shouted.

Song Jiang turned to Lu Junyi. "Brother Junyi, please make your selection first!" For the current Liangshan, conquering the two prefectures was not overly difficult, but since it was tied to the position of chieftain, a certain amount of calculation was necessary.

Naturally aware of some of Song Jiang's intentions, Lu Junyi refrained from selecting all the formidable chieftains into his own ranks when picking his commanders. After the assignments were made, the two forces set off toward the respective prefectures.

Much like the earlier campaign against Zengtou Prefecture, Dongping and Dongchang Prefectures had long known that Liangshan was coming. However, as Liangshan had repeatedly defeated their enemies and their momentum was at its peak, the local officials had appealed to their superiors, only to receive the rigid command to defend if possible, or retreat otherwise. There were no reinforcements of troops or supplies.

For a time, the civil and military officials within the two prefectures were gripped by the distinct feeling of being abandoned.

Inside the prefectural office of Dongping, the leading civil official wore a troubled expression. "Do you have any plans to defeat those Liangshan bandits? Speak at once!" Originally a subordinate of Cai Jing, he had relied on political backing behind the scenes to accomplish little good since taking office. While not quite enough to provoke the wrath of both gods and men, if he were to flee now, it was far from certain that the populace would bid him a joyful farewell.

His dread of a Liangshan assault stemmed not only from their capture of Shi Jin, but also from the fact that men like him squarely fit the target profile of Liangshan's crusade to 'enact justice on behalf of heaven.' In other words, if the city fell, he was a dead man!

If he chose to escape, not even ten percent of his household wealth would remain, and he would likely have to spend heavily merely to preserve his life. It was sheer foolishness to believe that the higher-ups' nonchalance about fleeing meant one could do so consequence-free; even if he saved his life, such a stain would forever bar him from holding high office in a regional post again.

A young military general stepped forward from the ranks of officers. "My lord, the outlaws of Liangshan are merely numerous and full of treacherous schemes. However, at present, not only must they deal with us, but they are also attacking Dongchang Prefecture. I have a close friend in Dongchang who possesses the skill of striking opponents with flying stones, and his spear technique is equally consummate. The Liangshan outlaws may not necessarily succeed there. As long as we strictly guard the city walls, refuse to fall for their tricks, and engage in duels of champions, I fear no one!"

This man was Dong Ping, adept at fighting on horseback with double spears. Normally, a mounted warrior wielded a single weapon, biasing attacks and defenses to one side, but Dong Ping alternated attacks with his dual spears, making it easy to exploit the enemy's flaws. Young, robust, and hitherto undefeated, he was exceptionally arrogant.

The civil official glanced sideways at Dong Ping, initially wishing to scold him, but recalling the dire circumstances, he merely hardened his expression. "Was it not you who captured that Shi Jin and brought this calamity of Liangshan upon us? Nevertheless, considering your zeal for the public good, I grant you the chance to redeem yourself through meritorious service! When the Liangshan forces arrive to attack, you shall lead the vanguard to meet them in battle!"

A flash of resentment crossed Dong Ping's eyes, but he quickly lowered his head. "This subordinate obeys the command!"