Chapter 84

August 10th.

It is already two days later.

Yixiantian (a narrow pass). People walk through it, looking up at the sky, where only a sliver of blue remains. If it is not noon or midnight, the moon and the sun cannot be seen, hence the name.

A poem says: "Clouds part to reveal a seam in the stone, never allowing the slanted sun to embed itself. Who can look up and see the path to the heavens, a foot of blue sky stretching for ten thousand feet."

Walking on the narrow stone steps of Yixiantian, Wu Fan's nostrils were filled with the damp, musty smell of moss, making him constantly rub his nose; he did not like this smell.

In front of Wu Fan walked the Zhai siblings, Zhai Rang and Zhai Lingling, followed by seven or eight attendants, including Hu Che'er and Tong Wei.

Today was the day of the Seven Prefectures Green Forest Assembly, and Wu Fan had come as agreed. After leaving Fragrant Fragrance Hall the day before, Wu Fan had been single-mindedly trying to find the missing Ji Prefecture grain tax ship. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful. He had no choice but to seek out Zhai Rang and head to the Heavenly King Fort together. He had a vague feeling that Lan Xin'er was up to something.

Of course.

This journey was extremely dangerous; a slight misstep could result in a beheading. Therefore, Wu Fan did not come alone... Not that he had Zhai Rang and others with him, but that he had already ordered the eunuch Man Ning to mobilize three thousand local troops in Yingyang to lie in ambush outside Yixiantian. If anything went wrong, Wu Fan would only need to give a signal, and the eunuch Man Ning would lead the troops to attack the Heavenly King Fort.

Wu Fan kept looking up at Yixiantian, muttering to himself, "This is indeed a good place, where one man can hold off ten thousand!"

"Exactly! Don't you know whose territory this is!" Zhai Lingling, with her sharp ears, said with a proud look: "The Heavenly King is a hero. Last year, when the government troops came to suppress him, he alone blocked the entrance to Yixiantian, fighting for a whole day and night, killing over three hundred and eighty soldiers! After that, the government troops were scared off by his roar! Since then, no one has dared to provoke him! Even the Green Forest in Yingyang has gained prestige because of him!"

From her tone, it was clear that Zhai Lingling, like an ignorant little girl, had completely fallen for the Purple-faced Heavenly King... a brain-dead fan.

Wu Fan narrowed his eyes and did not continue speaking, but instead pondered the Purple-faced Heavenly King in his mind.

"Purple-faced Heavenly King" was a nickname and a title in the Green Forest. The title "Heavenly King" was not something just anyone could claim. Even the chief of the Seven Prefectures Green Forest, Shan Xiongxin, was only known as "Red-haired Spirit Officer." The fact that the leader of Heavenly King Fort dared to call himself "Heavenly King" and was highly respected spoke volumes. Wu Fan had also heard his name before: Xiong Kuo Hai!!!

According to Zhai Rang, Xiong Kuo Hai was originally from the Taihang Mountains. In his early years, he had studied martial arts under a master and became highly skilled. Due to the local county magistrate's oppression of the people, he could not bear it and killed the magistrate with a knife. Realizing he had committed a crime, he fled to the mountains and became a bandit, living a life of freedom. He was known for his righteousness and generosity, and had a good reputation in the Green Forest. Later, during the war between the empire and Northern Yan, he unknowingly plundered the empire's grain and supplies, which infuriated the empire and led to a massive hunt. He had no choice but to flee to the Yingyang area, where he had been for three years.

In silence, they had walked through the hundred-foot-long Yixiantian, and now the view was wide open.

A fort stood amidst the green mountains and clear waters, with a sign reading "Heavenly King Fort" hanging above the gate. Below it, many people had already gathered, chatting and entering, as if they were attending a wedding banquet. In reality, however, their attire and the weapons they carried clearly showed they were not good people.

Zhai Rang turned around and, with some concern, instructed Wu Fan, "Brother, once we go in, we must follow the rules and not be laughed at by our fellow Green Forest members!"

"What rules?!" Zhai Lingling boldly ran ahead, truly a wind-like woman, leaving behind only these words: "I'll go find Brother Heavenly King first, you guys take your time!"

Zhai Rang waved his hand in vain, wanting to say something but ultimately could only shake his sleeve and sigh with an unhappy look.

Wu Fan, however, smiled and said, "I understand the rules of the Green Forest, Brother Zhai, no need to be too nervous!" He then lowered his voice and continued, "We're all operating in the Yingyang area. Even if we don't meet today, we will surely meet in the future. It's better to get to know each other now, so we can discuss things in the future and avoid any awkwardness, right?"

Zhai Rang was taken aback, nodded, and sighed, "You're right, it's just that... I overthought it." He patted Wu Fan's shoulder and said, "Let's go then!"

"The chief of Wagang Fort, Zhai Rang, has arrived!"

Just as they stepped through the gate of Heavenly King Fort, someone announced their arrival, letting everyone know which group had come.

"Hey! Brother Zhai! Haven't seen you in years, you look great! Good job!"

"Exactly! The Yingyang area is so rich, why don't you share some of the wealth with us?"

Zhai Rang had a good reputation, and many people who were chatting nearby immediately chimed in.

Zhai Rang was not angry, but smiled and bowed, saying loudly, "Your humble servant, Zhai Rang, greets all the brothers! Ha ha! After the Heavenly King's business is done, if anyone is not in a hurry to leave, I will host a feast to show my hospitality, how about that?"

"Great!"

"Cheers!"

Many people laughed and agreed.

Suddenly—

"Brother Zhai! Over here! I'm here!"

A thunderous voice that made people's ears ring came from a distance, and someone was waving to Zhai Rang.

The man was tall, with a broad waist, a purple face, and a beard, with tiger-like eyes and a voice like thunder. He wore short-sleeved Hu clothing, his chest bare, a tiger skin around his waist, and boots on his feet. His every movement exuded immense pressure...

Zhai Rang nodded at the man and then whispered to Wu Fan, "That's the 'Purple-faced Heavenly King' Xiong Kuo Hai. I'll go over first, brother, you..."

Wu Fan smiled and said, "Don't worry! Nothing will go wrong!"

As soon as Zhai Rang left, Wu Fan instructed Hu Che'er, Tong Wei, and the others to stay put, while he began to wander around the fort in a very unorthodox manner.

Wu Fan believed that Lan Xin'er had plundered the Ji Prefecture grain tax ship to recruit soldiers and start a rebellion. The empire had ruled Central China for over two hundred years and had recently conquered the Southern Liang, making its authority very strong. Ordinary, good-hearted people, even if they knew that following Lan Xin'er in rebellion would bring them much wealth, would not rebel as long as they had enough to eat. Therefore, the only people Lan Xin'er could recruit were likely bandits from the Green Forest.

From Lan Xin'er's various actions, it was clear that she was not only ruthless but also meticulous. At the Seven Prefectures Green Forest Assembly, Wu Fan was certain she would not show herself but would remain hidden, manipulating from behind the scenes.

And what Wu Fan was looking for at this moment—was the person she was manipulating!

Wandering around the front courtyard of Heavenly King Fort, Wu Fan greeted everyone with a fist salute and a "Hello," appearing nonchalant. However, his path was always near where people were whispering. He thought he was being discreet, but to others, he was as conspicuous as a firefly in the dark!

A voice of rebuke rang in Wu Fan's ears: "If your eyes are not sharp and your ears not keen, don't think there's no one in Heavenly King Fort! (Meaning: What are you looking at?)"

Wu Fan turned and looked at the man, slowly saying, "Is your mother still alive? (Meaning: Did your mother not teach you to be polite?)"

Well!

In the Green Forest, if a few words don't align, it's time to draw knives.

Sure enough—

The man drew a ghost-head knife from behind his back, eyes blazing with anger: "Blind dog! (Meaning: Blind dog eyes!)"

Wu Fan's eyebrows shot up, and he could no longer hold back. Without a word, he drew his long knife from the fourteen-form scabbard and attacked.

...

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