Chapter 25

"Clang..."

A sudden metallic clatter startled Wang Lun, who was lost in thought by the wall. He quickly turned around and saw a man in his mid-thirties, exuding a heroic aura, drop his halberd and luggage on the ground.

Wang Lun carefully observed the man, who stood about eight feet tall, with a leopard-like head, ringed eyes, a swallow-like chin, and tiger-like whiskers. A deep sorrow was etched on his brow. At that moment, he was lost in thought, muttering softly, "… In the cold of winter, where shall I go at year's end … Blood spurts into poetry, sprayed on the wall … Sprayed on the wall …"

He repeated this several times, his eyes bloodshot and tears welling up, as he stared speechlessly at the seven-character poem freshly written on the wall.

Suddenly, the man noticed someone watching him, his expression flickering, and he quickly avoided the gaze, lowering his head to gather his luggage and weapons, ready to leave.

Seeing his evasive behavior, Wang Lun couldn't help but sigh. He watched this renowned martial arts master from the capital, now like a bird startled by an arrow, and his heart swelled with emotion, making it hard for him to calm down.

He walked to the table with the leftover food and cold wine, slowly pouring himself a drink. The man heard his sigh, paused for a moment, then quickly finished packing his belongings, picked up his halberd, and headed for the door.

"Sir, you haven't settled your bill yet!" Wang Lun said in a deep voice.

The man was taken aback, turned around, and hurriedly pulled out some silver coins, not even asking how much was owed, placed them on the table, and said, "I am ashamed," before trying to leave.

"The world is vast, but where can one stand? The world is wide, but where can one rest? The horizon is far, but where can one find solace?"

Wang Lun shook his head, gazing at the remaining wine, and muttered to himself, "Alas, the world is in decline, and heroes are humiliated! A fine and loyal guardian of the state is reduced to a fugitive, unable to return home or serve his country. What a world this is …"

Hearing this, the man's legs felt as heavy as lead, and he turned around with difficulty, his eyelids trembling as he stared at the scholar who seemed to see through his soul.

Wang Lun shifted his gaze from the wine glass to Lin Chong and said, "I am just a tavern keeper, lamenting over this table of cold food and wine. Must you avoid me, sir?"

The man closed his eyes, trying to suppress his emotions, and after a long pause, said, "I failed to recognize you, sir. May I know your name?"

Wang Lun didn't answer but stood up, pulled out a seat opposite the table, and invited him to sit down. The man hesitated for a moment, then finally moved, leaned his halberd against the wall, and bowed before sitting down opposite Wang Lun.

Wang Lun's eyes were fixed on the halberd, his thoughts drifting far away. He said, almost absentmindedly, "Is this halberd still handy?"

The man was puzzled and only vaguely replied, "It's passable," before falling silent.

Wang Lun pointed to the halberd under the table, and the man nodded. Wang Lun then stood up, picked up the halberd, and examined it.

Is this the last reliance of a hero in his final days?

Wang Lun turned the halberd over in his hands, recalling the day Lin Chong used this simple weapon to battle the skilled spearman Yang Zhi for thirty rounds. He also remembered how Lin Chong, a few days ago, had gone to seek a letter of allegiance but returned empty-handed, enduring great humiliation and begging for food from the bandits on the mountain. Wang Lun took a deep breath, threw the halberd to the ground, and, ignoring Lin Chong's surprised gaze, shouted to the back, "Bring a spear!"

Shortly, a waiter brought a wooden spear commonly used by the imperial guards. Wang Lun took it, handed it to the man, and shook his head, saying, "The head instructor of the 800,000 imperial guards, reduced to relying on a halberd? It must make the heroes of the world feel cold and bitter! Today, I swear to you, in the presence of the gods, that I, Wang Lun, will ensure that you, Lin Chong, will no longer have to endure such humiliation!"

Hearing this, the man could no longer hold back his emotions. Tears welled up in his eyes, and his body trembled as he took the spear, wanting to say something but too moved to speak.

Wang Lun bowed deeply and said, "Brother, I have been waiting for you for a long time!"

Lin Chong, seeing this, hurriedly bowed in return. They remained in this position for a long time before Wang Lun finally sighed and stood up, helping Lin Chong to his feet, and softly said, "Brother, you have suffered too much!"

These gentle words brought another wave of tears to Lin Chong's eyes. He felt his nose tingling, and two streams of tears flowed down his cheeks.

Wang Lun invited Lin Chong to sit down and, after a moment, said, "Brother, don't be sad. The villain Gao Qiu has caused you much suffering, but I will make him pay. We will avenge this wrong, but we must be patient."

Lin Chong, hearing this, composed himself, wiped away his tears, and stood up, saying, "What virtue do I have to receive such high regard from the chief? I am now at a dead end, relying on the good name of Mr. Chai to seek refuge with you. I do not dare to ask for any position, only to be accepted and serve with all my heart, without any ulterior motives."

"Brother, who in the world does not know your character? Here, you are like returning home. Don't belittle yourself, it makes my eyes water!" Wang Lun said, bowing.

Lin Chong, hearing this, wanted to bow again, but Wang Lun quickly held him back and led him to the water pavilion in the back garden. Wang Lun ordered the bandits to slaughter a sheep, clean it, and roast it over a charcoal fire. He also prepared oil, garlic, and two jars of fine wine, placing one jar in front of each of them and setting out bowls before they all withdrew.

Wang Lun smiled and said, "When I have free time on the mountain, I often see the brothers roasting sheep, and I get quite eager, but I never get the chance to do it myself. Fortunately, tonight I can welcome you, brother, and I will show my clumsiness. I hope you won't mind."

Lin Chong hurriedly replied, "How can I have the honor of having the leader roast a sheep for me? It would be too much!"

Wang Lun sighed and said, "Brother, you still don't consider me a true brother."

Lin Chong quickly said, "I am like a stray dog, fleeing everywhere. Now that I have a place to stay, I am deeply grateful. How can I dare to call you brother?" He sighed and stared at the snowflakes falling outside the pavilion, lost in thought.

Wang Lun didn't rush him but focused on roasting the sheep. After a while, Lin Chong came out of his reverie, took a large gulp of wine, and said, "I, Lin Chong, have suffered a great calamity, but I have been fortunate to meet three noble men. The first is the monk Lu Zhishen. We met in the vegetable garden of the Great National Temple in Tokyo and became sworn brothers. I never expected that when I was exiled, he would protect me all the way and save my life in the Wild Boar Forest!" Lin Chong raised a bowl of wine, saluted to the west, and drank it in one gulp. He continued, "The second is Mr. Chai from Cangzhou. Although I was just a passing convict, he treated me with great kindness, asking after my well-being and showing me all the courtesies. Later, when I killed Lu Qian, it was thanks to him that I escaped with my life!" He poured another bowl of wine, saluted to the north, and drank it in one gulp. He then looked at Wang Lun and said, "The third is Leader Wang …" but was interrupted by Wang Lun.

"Lu Zhishen is a man of great righteousness, and Mr. Chai is a man of utmost sincerity. It is right to honor them. I will also honor them with a bowl of wine!" Wang Lun raised his wine and drank it. Without waiting for Lin Chong to speak, he said, "Although you have faced setbacks, you have not lost your heroic spirit. Now that you have come to our band, I am honored to welcome you. How can I consider myself a noble? You have spoken out of turn, and you must drink a bowl as a penalty!"

Lin Chong, seeing Wang Lun's sincerity, reluctantly drank a bowl with him.

Wang Lun refilled Lin Chong's wine and, as if in casual conversation, said, "I received a letter from Mr. Chai a few days ago, informing me of your arrival. I was overjoyed. I heard that your wife is still in Tokyo. I have nothing to offer you, but in three days, I will personally go to Tokyo to bring your family together."

"Clang!" Lin Chong's wine bowl fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.

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