It was already summer, the end of the fourth month of the lunar calendar. However, the Green Wood Stronghold seemed to have just experienced the first thunder after the awakening of hibernation. The people who were originally hiding in the dark started to poke their heads out.
As dusk fell, a restless aura shrouded the valley, which was already under pressure and was like a stuffy pot. When the lights gradually lit up, the atmosphere of summer seemed to become more obvious. Many people came out of their houses and stood at the side of the valley or the side of the road to look at the higher parts of the mountain. They were either discussing loudly or whispering to each other, paying attention to the events of the past few days. The patrolling members of the Green Wood Stronghold would occasionally be stopped and asked about the current situation. The patrollers would then say a few words of comfort to them.
Luan Sanlang and the others were from the mountains of Lu Liang. Most of them had feelings of contempt and fear towards outsiders. Over the past few days, the atmosphere in the Green Wood Stronghold had gradually become tense. A large number of outsiders had gathered, as well as the gazes of the people from the other mountains. Most of the people who were able to survive here could feel it. There were even cases of temporarily moving their families away in secret. This was especially so recently. The secret gathering of the Chaotic Mountains King, the Black Skeleton King, and the others had become increasingly obvious. Lin Zongwu's arrival this afternoon had made the situation even more chaotic.
The Wu dynasty had defeated Fang La's uprising. However, although there were restrictions on the development of religion, the overall situation was still relaxed. The Great Radiant Sect had developed from the foundation of the Manichean Sect. Although they had lost their elites in the south due to Fang La's uprising, they had still managed to preserve a portion of their elites in the north. In Lu Liang Mountain, people had heard of the Great Radiant Sect's gifting of medicine. In short, they could understand that this was a very powerful sect. It was difficult to distinguish the good and evil of their sect leader. However, it represented that the most powerful part of the outsiders had forcefully intervened in Lu Liang. This was not wrong.
No matter how ferocious and evil the people of Lu Liang were, when placed in the world, they were just a small Lu Liang Mountain. They might be able to support a prefecture and a county, but how could they support a colossus like the Wu dynasty? The fact that the other party had said that he would pay a visit to the Blood Bodhisattva meant that he was probably looking for some trouble …
The ordinary residents on the mountain were all puzzled. They tried to find out what was happening on the mountain through their own connections. However, on this night, there were no punches or sword Qis flying in all directions. At least on the surface, the business that the Green Wood Stronghold was currently operating was no longer on the scale of a problem that could be solved with a simple exchange of blows between the Stronghold Master and the Stronghold Master. On the surface, the arrival of the Great Radiant Sect's Sect Leader was also to preach, do good, give medicine, and send warmth to the countryside.
In essence, Lin Eechan, who had come to Lv Liang, would not be willing to come up to the mountain and compete with others to see who was stronger before going down. On the side of the Green Wood Stockade, they would not be willing to see the other party go up the mountain and be forced to accept the challenge. Who knew if he had come here after resting his strength? In their own territory, they did not mind waiting for a while and buying a little more time. Therefore, the reception for Lin Zongwu that afternoon was actually led by Liang Bingfu after he learned of the situation.
At night, in the courtyard where the guests were settled, groups of people came and went frequently. They contacted each other in private and began to make the final negotiations. If there were any changes in the situation, everyone hoped that their side would still be able to gain some benefits. Lou Shuwan was very active. Together with Yu Yulin and the others, she visited each house one by one. He Shuyuan did the same. It was just that when he saw Ning Yi, he hurriedly cupped his hands and smiled.
"Little Brother Ning." He looked like he was begging for mercy. "Let me explain first so that Little Brother Ning won't misunderstand. I had no idea that Master Lin had come to Lv Liang. Master Lin goes around giving medicine to doctors, running around for the sake of the common people, thinking about the common people. If there are any changes to the Green Wood Stronghold, Brother Ning must take responsibility … "
"Of course, of course, I understand," Ning Yi replied with a smile.
Back in the room in the small courtyard, under the light, the elm cannons, crossbows, and other items were all being maintained and inspected. On the table in the room was the topographic map of the Green Wood Stronghold …
On the other side, He Shuyuan was also excitedly running around. Originally, his family was powerful and he believed that this business was in the bag. Thus, he disdained to do more business with these people. But now, it was different. This young man known as Inner Demon was blocking his way. Thus, he had to unite all the forces that he could use. With the grandmaster Lin Zongwu, who had come this time to shake Lv Liang, as the center, he had to pry open all the forces that wanted to change the Green Wood Stronghold and give them the strongest strike.
Not long after, he also found Lou Shuwan, Yu Yulin and the others. Both sides began to passionately discuss countermeasures.
At the back mountain of the Green Wood Stronghold, torches were burning, illuminating the gathered figures in the room. These people were led by the Third Cyanwood Stronghold Chief Cao Qianyong and the Fifth Cyanwood Stronghold Chief Han Jing. With somber expressions, they were discussing matters. On the empty ground outside the room, groups and rows of black figures stood there silently. They stretched out into the darkness, waiting for orders and mobilization. There was no moon in the night sky. Stars filled the sky.
Luan Sanlang led his troops and galloped through the wilderness. The sound of horse hooves echoed in the night. Forty-five miles away from the Green Wood Stronghold, he stepped onto the mountain ridge in front of him. Amidst the whistling wind, he saw the light of torches spreading in front of him. It was a long marching formation in the valley. The Black Skeleton King pulled on the reins. The horses neighed, and the steel skull beads rose into the air.
In the middle of the night, several groups of Lv Liang Bandits approached the Green Wood Stronghold. They gathered around ten miles away from the stronghold. In all directions, there were still countless individual merchants and leaders of the small mountain peaks who were awakened by the atmosphere and gathered there.
A bit further from the courtyard where Liang Bingfu lived, there was a quiet row of old houses. A basin of hot water was placed in front of the steps. A woman sat there, took off her shoes and socks, and placed her feet in the basin. Her body was slightly leaning back, and her gaze was looking at the bright starry night sky. She was happily humming a tune. Ning Yi came up from the other side of the mountain path.
He also took off his shoes and socks and sat together with her. Not long after, he also started humming a monotonous tune. The two of them sat under the eaves, humming a tune as they gazed at the stars.
Halfway up the mountain, Lin Zongwu was in his room, listening to the details of the various transactions …
The night passed slowly until dawn. The next day, on the outskirts of the Green Wood Stronghold, some of the people who smelled the killing intent began to pack up their things and flee. Some of them fled into the Green Wood Stronghold, but there were still half of them who had nowhere to go and were watching from the stronghold. If Luan Sanlang and the others had already forced their way here, then there was probably no truly safe path in the vicinity of the Green Wood Stronghold.
Only in the courtyard on the mountainside, the people who had stayed in contact with each other for the whole night began to take a leisurely stroll, chat, or imitate Takeshi's people to do some exercises. Last night's matters and discussions seemed to have been cast to the back of their minds. Only each other's gazes shone with a tacit understanding.
Lou Shuwan didn't fall asleep until it was almost dawn. She only slept for two hours before she got up again. She put on a cloak and left the stronghold with her entourage early in the morning. In the morning, when the sun was high up in the sky, she returned once again. After eating a simple breakfast, she strolled leisurely towards Takeshi's courtyard. However, she didn't see Ning Yi.
Not long after, she went to the place where the members of the Great Radiant Sect were gathered. At this moment, many of them were gathered in the courtyard, listening to the teachings of the Great Radiant Sect's Maitreya Buddha. Lou Shuwan also went in to listen. There was nothing deviant about the teachings of the Great Radiant Sect. It was nothing more than guiding people to do good and get rid of evil. Lou Shuwan recalled listening to the monks preaching in Hangzhou. It was the same feeling. However, she couldn't go back to those days … After the Great Radiant Sect's Leader finished his lecture, he even met her in private. However, they didn't talk about business or transactions.
"Miss Lou has a clear view of one's nature and can see through one's heart. You are a person with the root of wisdom. It's just that sometimes, if you put too much thought into it, it might cause some damage to your body. From what I see, Miss Lou's headache, sleepless nights, and frequent nightmares have been plaguing you for a period of time. Therefore, I just want to remind you to take care of yourself. "
Amidst the deep and resounding voice, she saw the fat man walking towards her. He naturally held one of her hands, squeezed it, and then let go. Following that, a warm current seemed to surge up from the Laogong acupoint on her hand, one to her forehead, and the other to her chest. After a moment of dizziness, her entire body seemed to have relaxed a lot.
"In life, it's hard to avoid having obsessions. Sometimes, we live by it, and sometimes, we're troubled by it. I see that deep in Miss Lou's eyes, there's also a deep obsession. In the long run, it's hard to avoid hurting your mind. Here's a prescription that can slightly relieve the pain of the mind. Wait for me to write it down, Miss Lou can take it. "
Lou Shuwan was still in a daze when Lin Zongwu walked to the table, wrote down a prescription, and passed it to her. Lou Shuwan took it and looked at it in a daze. Seeing that this grandmaster expert was no longer willing to pay attention to her, she thanked him and turned to leave. However, after a while, she paused again. "Don't you all know how to persuade people to let it go?"
Lin Zongwu was silent for a moment. When Lou Shuwan was about to leave again, he finally said, "In life, there's always advance and retreat. Of course, it's easy to let it go. Everyone knows this principle. I know it, and Miss Lou also knows it. Once you know it, can you let it go? "
"…" Lou Shuwan didn't say anything.
"Since you can't let it go, why should I persuade you? One day, if Miss Lou can let it go, it'll be a kind of happiness. However, if you can't retreat, why not move forward? Our Sect of Light only teaches people to do good and get rid of evil. If there's no evil in the world, how would you know the value of good? If there's no suffering in life, how would you know the joy of sweetness? "
Lou Shuwan took the prescription and left the room. Lin Zongwu's voice was still ringing in her ears. The first half of what he said seemed to be his concern for his believers or his patients. The second half seemed to be more like his sincerity towards his partners. He didn't put on any airs. Lou Shuwan didn't know martial arts, but she thought to herself, "This is a real grandmaster."
There was no grandmaster who was busy getting married. That was just a female bandit …
She thought about this in the midst of the tense atmosphere on the mountain and at the foot of the mountain. Soon, someone from the Green Wood Stronghold sent an invitation. The chief of the stronghold had set up a banquet in the hall on the mountain to entertain the Leader of the Great Radiant Cult and his friends who had come from afar. Lou Shuwan expressed her gratitude and accepted the invitation.
After noon, a team approached the Green Wood Stronghold. A few representatives chosen by the 'King of Chaotic Mountains', 'Black Skeleton King', and the Fang Yiyang brothers led their followers over. They wanted to pay a visit to the Leader of the Great Radiant Cult who had come from afar and listen to his teachings. At the same time, there was also a 'Lüliang Mountain Mission' who had come to pay a visit to the Blood Bodhisattva.
The sunlight in the sky seemed to turn a ghastly white. Outside the Green Wood Stronghold, a vast formation of more than 5,000 people surrounded them. Within the Green Wood Stronghold, there were He Shuyuan's followers, the elites under Tian Hu, the soldiers of the Wu Sheng Army who had come with Deputy General Xiao Cheng, the people brought by Dong Pang'er's envoy, and the followers brought by the representatives of other small forces. In total, there were close to a thousand elites. They were like a bomb with an undecided position. In the silence, they were ready to make a move.
The Green Wood Stronghold in the valley accommodated all the trivial disturbances amidst the tension. When the sun was setting, Lou Shuwan walked out of her room and enjoyed the evening mountain breeze. Everything that needed to be done had been done.
She, Yu Yulin, and the others walked towards the Green Wood Stronghold's gathering hall halfway up the mountain. There, the lights were already lit.
In the mountain, Tian Shi flew over the steep mountain wall and landed on the path below. The noise attracted the attention of the soldiers of the Green Wood Stronghold nearby. However, Tian Shi was the first to cup his fists and say, "Miss Lu, I have something to say!"
In front of them were houses, open space, and a small platform that was suspended by the side of the mountain and faced the bottom of the valley. At the edge of the slightly protruding platform, Lu Hongti, dressed in black, stood there, looking towards the valley. The mountain breeze blew up her clothes and hair.
"Lin Zongwu, the Leader of the Great Radiant Sect, has profound skills and has reached the pinnacle of perfection. Although Miss Lu's martial arts skills are high, you shouldn't have tied the safety of the entire mountain to a single battle. Today's matter can be said to be complicated, but it can also be said to be simple. As long as Miss Lu is willing to give in a little, Tian Shi is willing to run around and lobby for Miss Lu. The people at the foot of the mountain are loosely allied. As long as Prince Jin and his people back out, it will be difficult for them to achieve anything great. My words are sincere and Prince Jin's earnest intentions. Miss Lu, please reconsider … "
Before he could finish speaking, a sound rang out from the side of the mountain. It was the sound of footsteps. The boiling sound of footsteps passed through the mountain ridges and the forest. First came the cavalry, then the infantry. They were divided into two teams, passing through the mountain path and gathering at the foot of the Green Wood Stronghold. The sound of footsteps shattered the dusk, and a murderous aura filled the air.
Lu Hongti turned her head. Behind her was a seemingly serene and prosperous valley. The setting sun shone over it, and in the valley that was divided by mountain paths and streams, wisps of smoke were rising. In this evening's smoke, the vanguard of the army gathered like a rushing river. The woman turned around. The mountain wind blew from behind her, causing a whistling sound. Tian Shi felt her gaze sweep over him. At that moment, it was as if the entire valley, the smoke, the setting sun, and the ominous vanguard of the army had all gathered on the woman's body. A majestic and orange-red light was pouncing from behind her with the power to swallow the heavens and swallow the earth. Then, it merged with her.
The emotions of this moment were like an illusion. It wasn't a murderous aura, but a true feeling, the distance between an ordinary martial artist and a Great Grandmaster. The entire world seemed to have merged with her. However, at this moment, the person Hongti was looking at was not him. Her gaze swept across the valley diagonally, looking at a place on the other side of the mountainside.
In the room, He Shuyuan had finished explaining all the arrangements to Lin Zongwu. Then, he said, "After asking around, I've heard some things. It's said that this so-called inner demon Ning Yi isn't very skilled in martial arts. If it's possible, we can arrange for others to deal with him. There are some experts among Master Lin's entourage, and among the people I've brought, there are also a few who aren't weak. If … "
Before he could finish, Lin Zongwu closed his eyes. "Inner demon Ning Yi's martial arts are indeed not very skilled."
He Shuyuan was instantly happy. "Since Master Lin says so, then …"
"… but if we're talking about dealing with him, he's even more troublesome than the Green Wood Stronghold's Blood Bodhisattva. He Yuanwai, before you really fight him, you and the rest of you should try your best to stay out of it. Otherwise, even if all of you join forces, I'm afraid that I'll be eaten to pieces by him. This person's methods are beyond your imagination … "
"Uh …" He Shuyuan opened his mouth slightly.
Lin Zongwu had already stood up. He smiled slightly. "Before I came, I never thought that he would be here. However, since this has happened, I suddenly remembered that I can give them a surprise. When the time comes, the whole world will definitely celebrate and everyone will be happy. When that time comes, Yuanwai, you just have to adapt to the situation. "
He Shuyuan was puzzled, but he followed. Just as he stepped out of the room, the sound of soldiers rushing down the mountain rumbled. Lin Zongwu seemed to sense something and stopped in his tracks. His gaze turned to a place diagonally above him. In the distance, the female Grandmaster of Mount Lu Liang, whom he had yet to meet, cast a startling glance at him under the setting sun. The whole world condensed its aura and pressed down on him, causing his heart to skip a beat.
He didn't think that he would meet a true master here …
When he realized this, he remembered what he had just said and gradually laughed.
"Hehehehe … Hahahahaha …"
He couldn't hold back his laughter. His laughter gradually became louder. With his hands behind his back, he walked out of the courtyard and towards the gathering hall halfway up the mountain. The laughter that was propelled by inner force was vigorous and deafening. In the evening atmosphere of the Green Wood Stronghold, it was like a ferocious wave, enveloping the area halfway up the mountain, circling and reverberating. At this time, the sound of soldiers' footsteps and murderous intent mixed with the sudden laughter. The tense atmosphere of the Green Wood Stronghold made everyone nervous and at a loss …
In a courtyard to the side of the gathering hall, Ning Yi, who was sitting on a chair with his eyes closed, heard the laughter and slightly furrowed his brows. People's hearts, desires, interests, demands — countless lines mixed and intertwined together. In the end, they would turn into a few key points that would explode. Some of them were things he could grasp, some he couldn't. After repeated calculations, Hong Ti silently came over.
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