Chapter 32

As the boat was about to dock, Yang Zhi was lost in deep thought. He had originally thought that the scholar in white beside him had grand ambitions, but it turned out that he had merely invited him to a day of wedding festivities. Early this morning, just as Lin Chong had promised, he personally escorted him down the mountain. Yang Zhi shook his head inwardly, realizing he had been overly suspicious. Perhaps the man simply admired his martial arts and reputation and had no ulterior motives. Reflecting on how he had treated these straightforward and generous heroes as if they were thieves, he felt a sense of guilt.

When the boat finally docked, everyone disembarked. Yang Zhi bowed to the crowd seeing them off and said, "I am deeply grateful for the generous hospitality of all the leaders and for providing me with provisions and travel expenses. I will ensure that Leader Wang reaches the capital safely without any negligence!"

Before anyone could respond, Wang Lun smiled faintly and said, "Then I will trouble you, Commander Yang!"

Hearing Wang Lun's tone and demeanor, Yang Zhi felt a pang of discomfort. Ever since meeting this scholar, he felt constrained in his actions, as if his thoughts were known to the man. Indeed, the man had shown him respect by traveling with him, and the stronghold was clearly well-staffed and thriving, unlike a place that lacked guards. Yang Zhi realized he had spoken out of turn again.

Fortunately, Lin Chong spoke up, "Brother, this journey is long and perilous. Take care of yourself. I will wait here in the stronghold, hoping for your safe return!"

Wang Lun bowed to Lin Chong and said, "Brother, don't make it sound like a farewell! When I went to the capital for the imperial exams, I was alone. Now, with Commander Yang by my side, we can look out for each other. Don't worry! Just focus on protecting the stronghold and the brothers. I will bring my sister-in-law back and reunite your family!"

Lin Chong felt a lump in his throat, his eyes welling up with tears. He said, "Unless I am dead, I will never let anyone harm a single blade of grass in Liangshan!" After saying this, he bowed deeply to Yang Zhi, saying, "Commander, please ensure my brother's safety!"

Yang Zhi hurriedly returned the bow, promising not to let them down.

Wang Lun patted Lin Chong's shoulder and bid farewell to the old brothers, including Du Qian. Du Qian stepped forward and said, "Brother, be careful on this journey. Alas! My injury is ill-timed, and I cannot go with you!"

Wang Lun frowned and said, "What's wrong with you today? Why are you saying such inauspicious things! Pah, pah, pah! An injury is never timely!" As he finished speaking, Song Wan stepped forward and said, "Brother Du, take care of your injury. I will go with Brother Wang!"

Yang Zhi, who had been standing to the side, feeling the brotherly bond among the Liangshan heroes, sighed and interjected, "Leader Song, your loyalty is commendable, but..."

Song Wan asked, "Commander, what do you mean?"

Yang Zhi nodded and said, "Don't take it the wrong way, but someone like Leader Song would likely draw attention from the authorities in the capital. It's better for Leader Wang to go alone, as scholars are common in the city and won't attract notice!"

Song Wan, feeling a bit dejected, shook his head. Xiao Qi laughed and said, "Brother Song, you look like a natural bandit. You might scare the emperor in the capital!"

Everyone burst into laughter, but Yang Zhi looked rather awkward. Wang Lun patted Xiao Qi and instructed him to take care of his injury. Xiao Er and Xiao Wu said, "Brother, be careful on this journey. When you return, we will present you with a new navy!"

Wang Lun smiled and nodded, encouraging them. He then greeted Zhu Gui, who understood the situation. They exchanged a knowing smile, and Wang Lun patted Zhu Gui's shoulder before bidding everyone farewell.

Under the concerned gazes of Lin Chong and the others, Wang Lun and Yang Zhi each led a horse and headed west.

On the journey, Yang Zhi relaxed and found himself getting along well with Wang Lun, making the trip pleasant and enjoyable.

After three to five days, they arrived in the Fan County area of Puzhou. As the sun set and evening approached, they found a village inn and ordered seven or eight pounds of cooked beef, twenty steamed buns, and a pot of wine. They sat and ate, chatting. Before long, the sky turned gray, and night was falling. Wang Lun called the waiter and asked for a piece of yellow wax paper to wrap the leftover beef. He paid with over two taels of silver, asked the waiter for directions to the next inn, and was about to leave when a loud voice boomed, "Waiter, the bill!"

The waiter hurried over to the nearby table, calculated the bill, and said, "Three pounds of cooked beef, a pot of wine, some cold dishes, and fifteen meat buns. Thank you, sir, that's one guan and twenty wen. You can pay one guan."

The man nodded and said, "That's fair, but waiter, I have no money. Don't be alarmed! Just beat me up to settle the bill!"

Hearing this, Wang Lun became interested and nodded to Yang Zhi, staying to watch. The man, though wearing a thin winter coat, was broad-shouldered and muscular, with a round face devoid of eyebrows or a beard, which was quite frightening. The waiter complained, "Sir, why would I beat you? My business is small and can't afford to let customers owe money!" He then pleaded bitterly.

The man didn't run but sat there, urging, "Just one beating, it will make you feel better, and I will feel better too!"

Wang Lun found the man increasingly interesting and took out a five-tael silver ingot, called the waiter, and paid for the man's bill, giving him the change. The waiter happily returned with four taels of silver. The man took the money but didn't thank him, just stared at Wang Lun and Yang Zhi with his strange eyes. After a while, he left.

Wang Lun smiled and exchanged a glance with Yang Zhi, both finding the situation amusing. They left and went to the inn the waiter had directed them to, where they took two rooms and went to sleep. In the middle of the night, Wang Lun, needing to relieve himself, stepped out and saw a figure sitting motionless in the dark hall, which startled him. By the flickering candlelight, he recognized the man from the village inn and said, "What a coincidence, I didn't expect to see you again!"

The man didn't smile but said, "What coincidence? I followed you here!"

Wang Lun found this amusing and asked, "Why did you follow me?"

The man said, "I received your money for no reason, which made me uncomfortable. I will follow you and protect you until I reach a place, then I will leave!"

Wang Lun found this even more interesting and said, "I have a companion, you can leave! Even if I go to the ends of the earth, will you follow?"

The man shook his head and said, "Your companion looks fierce and not very trustworthy. You are a weak scholar. I'm afraid he might harm you and take your money. I can't let that happen!"

Wang Lun laughed heartily, realizing he had brought a lot of money with him. Seeing the man's honest and straightforward nature, he liked him and sat down beside him, saying, "Brother, you don't seem to be a nameless person. Tell me your name!"

The man said, "You go first."

Wang Lun smiled and said, "Don't judge by appearance. My companion is well-known in the martial world, called the Green-Faced Beast. How could he harm me or take my money?"

"Is he a descendant of General Yang?" the man asked.

Wang Lun nodded and said, "Yes, now you can rest assured. Go back!"

"I still want to see you to a place, I can't accept your kindness for nothing!" the man insisted.

Wang Lun found him endearingly stubborn and asked, "What is your name, and how did you end up here?"

The man said, "I am originally from Zhongshan Prefecture. My family has been wrestlers for three generations, passing down the skills from father to son. I have no face, and people call me Faceless Jiao Ting!"

It was him!

The man who had punched Li Kui, the mighty warrior, and kicked Iron Ox to submission, making him flee in defeat. Wang Lun was delighted and asked, "Why are you called Faceless?"

Jiao Ting explained, "My father once told me: in the martial world, you can deceive and kill, but never harm the innocent or the good. I took this to heart. So, no matter how close a brother is, if he acts against his conscience, I won't show him any mercy. That's why people call me Faceless!"

Wang Lun was surprised by the man's principles and asked, "Where are you heading now?"

Jiao Ting said, "I have no destination, just wandering around."

Wang Lun chuckled and said, "Not far from here, about three to five days east, there is a stronghold called Liangshan. I have connections with the leaders there. How about I write a letter recommending you to join them?"

Jiao Ting was overjoyed and said, "I have always wanted to join, but lacked the means. I am deeply grateful! I will protect you on this journey and then join Liangshan!"

Wang Lun, moved by his sincerity, revealed, "To be honest, I am Wang Lun of Liangshan. My brother, the head instructor of the 800,000 imperial guards in the capital, was framed by villains and joined our stronghold, leaving his family behind. They have been harassed by Gao Qian, so I am going to the capital to bring back his wife, my sister-in-law, to reunite them."

Hearing this, Jiao Ting fell to his knees, "So you are the White Scholar Wang! Truly a man of great righteousness! I will follow you, no matter what!"

Wang Lun, pleased by his straightforwardness, took him back to his room, took out a hundred taels of gold, and gave it to Jiao Ting. Jiao Ting accepted it without hesitation. Wang Lun smiled and said, "I need a personal attendant. How about you stay with me as a personal leader?"

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