As dusk approached, the bonfire by the river, which had already been extinguished, was rekindled. The afterglow of the sun brought with it smoke, making a crackling sound.
When the sun set, Lin Chong ran in the mountains and caught a deer and a hare. He brought them back, skinned them, and roasted them. His mood had been fluctuating too much in the past few days, and he hadn't slept, so he didn't have much appetite. Shi Jin was different. In the past few months, he had been fighting and fighting all the way to the south, and his injuries were not light. Although the years of fighting had trained his endurance, he still needed a lot of food if he wanted to recover early. At this time, while eating, Lin Chong stopped talking. He sat on the top of the tree trunk, silently thinking about what Shi Jin had said.
The Azure Dragon Crouching quietly stood aside, the simple body of the spear changing with a dim light.
"... More than ten years ago, I met Grandmaster Zhou in Xinzhou City...
"... That was the first time I saw the old man, and also the last time... The Jurchen went south for the first time and attacked. They won every battle. Xinzhou didn't hold for long before the city was broken, and then there was a massacre. Grandmaster Zhou took a group of people... a motley crew, wandering around the city to assassinate Ni Han. Two nights before the assassination, Grandmaster Zhou suddenly found me. Brother Lin, do you know why Grandmaster Zhou found me... He said that you were Lin Chong's brother...
"I... can't forget Grandmaster Zhou's appearance at that time... Brother Lin, originally I wanted to find Grandmaster Zhou to ask about your whereabouts, but the country was in danger, and I didn't know Grandmaster Zhou before, so it was not appropriate to ask. I thought that if we went together to kill Ni Han, we would have a friendship to talk to in the future. If we failed, it was not important whether I asked or not... Grandmaster Zhou asked me about you, and I said that since Yi Yuan saw you fall into the water, he searched everywhere for you, but couldn't find you, so it might not bode well for you...
"... But Grandmaster Zhou said that I didn't die. We can still meet in the future.
"Then Grandmaster Zhou took me to practice a set of demon-subduing sticks...
"Two days later, he died, and I have lived to this day.
"... For more than ten years, the situation in the Central Plains has been deteriorating. When I was at Red Peak Mountain, I always thought of Grandmaster Zhou's decisiveness when he assassinated Ni Han...
"… If he were to see the current situation, I wonder what he would think …"
"... Every time I think about this matter, I always think that it's not worth pitying a person for dying, but we can't just go and see him without doing anything … Scarlet Peak Mountain has endured through all these years like this …"
Shi Jin was a forthright person. Even when he spoke of these things, his calm voice did not contain any trace of sorrow. When he said "That means he is not dead, and we will meet again in the future," he did not hesitate at all. Lin Chong immediately understood that this was the expression on the old man's face when he spoke. In the inn in Yiyuan County, the old man flew into a rage and kicked him out of the door. He did not expect that in such a dangerous place, he would still care about this unfilial disciple.
Ten years had passed. Even the old man's last question to him had been left behind ten years ago. At this time, hearing Shi Jin's words, Lin Chong's emotions were extremely complicated. He sat under the tree and looked at the red sunset in the distance, but it was difficult to show any expression on his face. After watching for a long time, Shi Jin slowly began to speak again. After so many years, the management of Scarlet Peak Mountain, the division, and the anger and confusion in his heart …
"… After the Zezhou incident, I knew that I was not a talented general. I didn't want to be a burden to others, so I went all the way north and continued the unfinished business of Grandmaster Zhou, which was to assassinate Ni Han." Lin Chong turned his eyes slightly. Shi Jin was picking his teeth with a hare bone. When he went north, he was depressed and desperate. Now that the knot in his heart had been untied, his words became bold and casual. "I went all the way north and arrived at Datong. I didn't want to implicate too many people, so I tried to assassinate Ni Han twice in a row on the street … I almost died, but I didn't succeed."
Shi Jin laughed self-deprecatingly. "… Although I failed, I actually ran away. I was really lucky. At that time, I wondered if it was also because of the blessing of Grandmaster Zhou in Heaven, asking me to do something smarter … I was injured in the second assassination, met some people, and saw some things … This time, the Jurchen were going south again, and everyone couldn't sit still …"
He talked about the things that happened inside and outside Datong City, the riot and failure on June 21st. He talked about how he changed his target, rushed into Wanyan Xiyin's mansion, and then saw the Black Dragon Ambush …
"… There is really fate in the world …" The sky had darkened. Shi Jin looked at the quaint spear. "As soon as I got this spear, I had this idea in my heart. Brother Lin, maybe Grandmaster Zhou really had a spirit in Heaven. He asked me to go north to kill the enemy, assassinate Ni Han twice, and finally get this spear. I went thousands of miles south and met you … Maybe it was Grandmaster Zhou who asked me to give this spear to you … "
Lin Chong looked at the spear. After a long time, he shook his head. "In the south … there is a junior martial brother. He is Master's last disciple, General Yue Fei … He is Master's true successor. I … I don't deserve the name of Zhou Dong's disciple."
"The Wu Dynasty has been peaceful for two hundred years. This catastrophe is beyond the power of humans," Shi Jin said. Shi Jin said, "Over the years, I've seen reckless people, brave people, and people who want to seek stability. Brother Lin, these people are not wrong. As the ancient saying goes, heaven and earth are the furnace, nature is the work, Yin and Yang are the charcoal, and all living things are the copper. Nothing can escape this catastrophe. However, even if a man is polished for a long time, if he can suddenly wake up one day, he can still be regarded as an indomitable hero. Brother Lin, your wife is dead, and the person I love is also dead. This world can't tolerate the survival of good people! "
"But you and I are men. Since you are lucky to be alive, there is nothing to care about! You will die one day, so live the rest of your life well! " Shi Jin raised his tone a little and said resolutely, "Brother Lin, it is the fate of heaven and earth that we can meet each other today! Since we can meet again, there is no place in the world that we can't go. In a few days, you and I will kill all the evil Qi Family! You can keep this Blue Dragon Ambush for yourself or hand it over to your junior martial brother in the south. It will be a major task for Grandmaster Zhou. After that … we can also kill some people in Lin 'an. I don't know where that Gao Qiu has been all these years. Brother Lin, even if we die in this catastrophe, we have to bring these evil people along with us. "
After Shi Jin reunited with Lin Chong, he finally said these words and felt agitated. Lin Chong also smiled. "That's right …" Shi Jin waved his hand and continued to talk about the Jurchens heading south this time. The two of them tried to fight against the Jin Dynasty and look forward to a spectacular future. The lofty sentiments in his heart hadn't been extinguished. At this moment, the heroic spirit in his chest burned again. Lin Chong knew that this brother of his was chivalrous and heroic. After ten years of ups and downs, Shi Jin's heart was filled with vicissitudes. Now that he was excited again, Lin Chong couldn't help but feel happy for him. After Shi Jin spoke for a while, Lin Chong said, "I still have someone to kill in the next few days."
Shi Jin asked who it was. Lin Chong fell silent for a moment and then talked about how Mu Anping had been taken away by Tan Lu after Xu Jinhua's death. He had been in pursuit because he wanted to save Mu Anping first and then kill Qi Ao. Shi Jin was stunned for a moment and then suddenly smashed his fist onto the ground. His eyes seemed to be filled with blazing flames. "My nephew has been taken away. Brother Lin, why didn't you say this earlier? This is a major matter, so how can we delay it here? Brother Lin, let's make a move right now."
Lin Chong sat there but didn't move. His gaze was still filled with pain, but he said, "The child has been taken away and is a hostage. As long as I'm not dead, Tan Lu won't dare to hurt him. Brother Shi, you have a heavy responsibility in heading south. If you let your injuries worsen, how can you accomplish your mission? "
After saying this, he looked at Shi Jin and revealed a calm smile, saying, "Moreover, this Tan Lu is just a clown in the pugilistic world. If I want to kill him, there's no need for us to make a move. As long as we find him, he'll definitely die."
Shi Jin slowly sat down. He understood in his heart that Lin Chong hadn't left for the entire afternoon because he had discovered that Shi Jin's injuries weren't light. Lin Chong had been running around to start a fire and search for food. He had also stayed by the side to allow Shi Jin to recuperate in peace. Back then on Mount Liang, Lin Chong had been a gentle but meticulous person. Song Jiang would most likely not miss out on anything that he had entrusted to him. So many years had passed. Even though he was feeling great sorrow, he still noticed these things at the first instant. In fact, he wasn't even willing to say that his child had been taken away.
"Then … Brother Lin, you should make a move now and quickly go and save the child. Although I'm injured, it's not a problem for me to protect myself. I'll rest here. After a few days, we'll meet again at the agreed place … "
Lin Chong shook his head. "My injuries aren't light these few days. Moreover, I've been running back and forth and haven't slept for a few days. I'll rest for a while tonight so that I can deal with the matters tomorrow. "
Shi Jin opened his mouth but didn't continue speaking. Lin Chong sat there and slowly talked about the situation of his child, as well as the information about Qi Ao, Tan Lu, and the others. Shi Jin said, "In the future, after I save the child, Brother Lin, I'll definitely become his adoptive father."
"With a adoptive father like the Eight-Armed Dragon King, he'll definitely be a man of indomitable spirit in the future." Lin Chong smiled. "He won't be like me."
"Haha, he has Brother Leopard Head Lin as his father and me as his adoptive father. In the future, his martial arts will probably be invincible!"
Shi Jin said this. After a while, he said, "Brother Lin, the matters behind my trip to the south this time around are too serious. Otherwise, I'd definitely go with you to save the child."
Lin Chong nodded. Shi Jin continued, "Back then, during the riot in Datong, the Han people who rose up were all massacred in the city according to Wanyan Xiyin's calculations. When I returned with the Blue Dragon Amulet, I saw an injured person waiting for me. I won't hide it from Brother Lin. This person is from the Black Flag Tribe. He did something big during the chaos near Datong and then asked me to bring a list of items down … "
"Brother Lin, you should also know that a few years after the fake Qi was established, Liu Yu proclaimed himself the Emperor and became the Son Emperor. Because there were few Jurchens, they hadn't taken over the central plains yet. However, during the period when the fake Qi occupied the central plains, the Jurchens also did many things, secretly persuading many Han people of the central plains to sincerely seek refuge with the Jurchens … This time, the Black Flag Tribe captured Liu Yu and forced him to express his stance. Many people with lofty ideals who haven't given up may seize the opportunity to rise up. However, among them, there will always be traitors who can't turn back or simply don't want to turn back … The Black Flag Tribe spy took advantage of the chaos to steal this list and asked me to bring it to Prince Jin's subordinates, Lou Shuwan, Yu Yulin, and the others … The Jurchens sent a messenger pigeon to chase and intercept them, all for this item … "
Shi Jin was frank. At this time, he picked up the package beside him and told the whole matter to Lin Chong. He took out a small package. "Actually, on the way south, I also thought that since the Black Flag Tribe could plant spies in Datong, they must have had methods and channels in the past. Even if he was injured, why did he come to find me? It's very likely … I fell for his evil trick …"
When Shi Jin talked about the possibility of falling for a trick, he smiled. "But later, I thought that such an important piece of information might not be as simple as I thought. For example, he asked me to lead the enemy in the open. Perhaps the real messenger would be safer? Or perhaps this list is so important that Wanyan Xiyin learned that it was leaked, he would definitely find someone to confuse the information. Perhaps what I brought can be verified with what the others brought. Otherwise, if Wanyan Xiyin made a full list, or if there is a trace of a problem within the Black Flag Tribe, the central plains … at least Prince Jin and the others will be consigned to eternal damnation against the Jin … "
Chong Lin nodded. "Such an important piece of information has to be confirmed repeatedly …"
"So … even if there is a trace of truth, if I, Shi Jin, die for such an important matter, it will be a worthy death. It will not be a pity. Big Brother Lin. " As he spoke, he threw the small bag to Lin Chong. Lin Chong reached out to catch it, his eyes filled with doubt. Shi Jin said, "It's just a list of names and evidence of crimes. There may be a code word for the Black Flag Tribe, but the person who asked me to deliver the letter did not care that I casually flipped through it. I wanted to find someone to make ten or even a hundred copies of this and distribute it all over the world, but I was afraid that Xiyin would see it first and cause an accident. Now that Big Brother Lin is here, you can naturally see that these thieves should all be killed! "
He put his hands behind his head and leaned against the crooked tree. He said heartily, "After this matter, if Big Brother Lin is not willing to go south, you and I can follow this list and kill our way through the families. We will enforce justice on behalf of the heavens and take revenge. Even if we die, it will be worth it." Enforcing justice on behalf of the heavens was originally the slogan of Liangshan. It had been said many times more than ten years ago. At this time, when Shi Jin said it again, it had a different meaning. Perhaps it was not easy for the two of them to be leaders. Leading the army to resist the Jin might be a bad thing. In that case, they should learn from Grandmaster Zhou in the past and kill all the unjust people in the world. Perhaps it would be more efficient. Shi Jin was now nearly forty years old. Since the Red Peak Mountain, he had reunited with Lin Chong today. He had finally found another path. Needless to say, he was happy in his heart.
Lin Chong only glanced at the name list twice before he handed it back to Shi Jin. Shi Jin laughed, "These past few years, the Han people's territory, on the contrary, has been unhindered by the Nuzhenren's influence. All the way south, they always send me letters by pigeon, always ahead of me. Everything is scrambling to jump out and die. Today, I have to recover well so that I can continue to deal with them tomorrow … "
He was in a good mood and felt that most of his injuries had healed. That night, the stars shone brightly. Shi Jin lay in the valley and talked with Lin Chong for a while. Finally, he fell asleep. Lin Chong sat for a long time and closed his eyes. He still did not feel sleepy. Occasionally, he would get up and walk, looking at the long spear. He reached out several times but did not dare to touch it. Zhou Dong's words from back then were still ringing in his ears. Although the person was illusory, for Lin Chong, it was like it was in front of his eyes, like it had happened a moment ago.
For more than ten years, he was like a rabbit hiding in an illusory corner, dragging Xu Jinhua and Mu Anping with him, telling himself that everything around him was an illusion. Now, he could finally see clearly that Brother Shi was right. It was already a chaotic world.
He had been left more than ten years ago, or even further away.
Toward Xu Jinhua, a great sense of guilt welled up in his heart. Even toward the child, when he occasionally thought of it, the illusory feeling in his heart made it hard for him to breathe. Everything that had happened in the past ten years was just a regret. Now, there was nothing left. He had met Brother Shi. The current Eight-Arm Dragon King was heroic and heroic. He was already like his master, standing tall in the turbulent currents of the chaotic world. Even though he was covered in blood, he was still a great hero, a great hero, a great hero. How could he be compared to him?
He could even imagine that night in the city of Xinzhou, when his master and Shi Jin fought together with the Demon Subduing Staff. If … if his master was still alive and saw Brother Shi, he would definitely give him a thumbs up and give him the highest recognition.
All along the way, he was just a coward who enjoyed the glory but was cowering in fear …
That night, he crouched around the Azure Dragon under the moonlight. He stretched out his hands and wept soundlessly, but there were no tears. The midsummer night was quiet and silent. The turbulent waves of the world spread past his body. He was like an old man who had slept in time for more than ten years. Now that he had woken up, he looked at this world. There were no coordinates left. The knife of time had shredded his soul, seeking to make up for the frost and dust that he had accumulated over the past ten years.
In the middle of the night, Shi Jin woke up once. He saw Lin Chong waving the invisible spear under the moonlight. His spear stance was simple and unadorned. Every move and stance was orderly, just like Zhou Dong in the past. There were no more fancy embellishments, just like a serious child. The Azure Dragon crouched at the side, looking at him quietly.
Back then, Lin Chong had been the disciple who had the best spear stance in the Imperial Fist Dojo and was the most well-behaved. He had been burdened by this for his entire life. Now, after going around in circles, he had finally returned to this place.
Shi Jin fell into a deep sleep. Early in the morning, the chirping of birds in the forest woke him up. He sat up and suddenly realized that the small bag next to him was no longer there. Shi Jin leaped up and searched for Lin Chong's figure. Lin Chong had also disappeared. On the rock where the Azure Dragon was crouching, Lin Chong probably used the blood from biting his fingertip to write two lines of words.
"Brother Shi, I'll go deliver the letter. You save Anping for me.
We'll meet again if fate wills it. "
Although Shi Jin was highly skilled in martial arts and had a steel-like temperament, he had suffered many injuries on the way south. If it wasn't for Lin Chong, Shi Jin would've been half-dead even if he could escape during the ambush at Bronze Ox Ridge yesterday. Mu Anping had fallen into Tan Lu's hands. Although Lin Chong had said it in a relaxed manner and forcefully stayed for one night, how could he really abandon his son and follow his brother to the south? He thought about it and felt that there was no need to care about his useless body. Therefore, he took Shi Jin's place and walked this path. As for the child that had fallen into Tan Lu's hands, with his brother's martial arts skills and character, there was no need to worry.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
