Chapter 82

Let's split the narrative into two parts, as it's difficult to cover both at once. I will first recount the story of Wu Song, which will be detailed later. Now, let me tell you about Wang Lun leading a large group of men out of Enzhou. Along the way, he pondered whether his presence would change Wu Song's future, which had been so tumultuous. Before he knew it, they had been riding for half a day.

By now, the sun was setting, and they saw a small market not far ahead. Wang Lun called everyone to head for the inn there. Deng Fei and the others were delighted to have found a place to stay. Although it was dusk, the weather was still hot, and Deng Fei, riding his horse, stripped down to his bare skin, feeling much more comfortable. He then followed the leader with the cavalry.

As they rode through the streets, they saw that the market was quite small, with only a dozen or so households scattered along the road, mostly mud houses. Seeing this, they decided to head for the inn.

Once everyone entered the inn, they instructed the innkeeper to start a fire and prepare a meal. The personal guards conducted a thorough inspection. The innkeeper, seeing a group of soldiers, did not dare to interfere, allowing them to search the place. After confirming everything was safe, they reported back to Jiao Ting, who nodded and, as usual, divided the group into two batches for dining. The first batch of guards ate first, while Wang Lun, Lin Chong, and the others waited their turn.

At this moment, Deng Fei, feeling stifled indoors, went out with a few guards to cool off. This man from Jingnanxi Road had a naturally loud voice, and he was boasting with the guards as if they were arguing. The others, not to be outdone, joined in. Although Deng Fei was a new leader, they were all close to the chieftain and, given his generous and righteous nature, they treated him as one of their own. They were so loud that Wang Lun and Lin Chong, resting at the inn's entrance, could only shake their heads at each other.

As they were talking, a man suddenly appeared, wielding a woodcutter's axe, and seemed ready to charge at them. The guards, all chosen from Liangshan, reacted quickly, drawing their swords and rushing forward. Wang Lun, sitting at the entrance, saw the man approaching, with a round head, large ears, a straight nose, a square mouth, fine eyebrows, and broad shoulders. The man, while running, shouted, "Brother Deng Fei, run! I'll deal with these soldiers!"

It turned out that when Wang Lun and his group rode into town, they caught the attention of a guest staying at the inn. Seeing his old friend among the soldiers, he thought his friend must have been captured. Being a man of honor, he was deeply worried and wished he had a weapon to help. He looked around and rushed into a nearby farmhouse. The family, startled by the sudden intrusion, stared in fear. To prevent them from raising an alarm, he quickly pulled out some silver from his pocket and threw it on the ground. The family, seeing the silver, remained quiet and started picking it up. The man then found a dusty woodcutter's axe in a side room. Thinking it was the best weapon available, he took it and hid in the house.

When the soldiers returned, he heard the commotion outside and knew he couldn't wait any longer. He raised the axe and rushed out, knowing the odds were against him but concerned for his friend's safety.

Seeing the man call his name, Deng Fei, with red eyes, looked closely and exclaimed, "Don't move! He's one of us!"

The guards immediately stopped, and the man stood in the middle of the street, surprised. "Brother, when did you join the soldiers!?"

Deng Fei laughed and pulled the man aside, lowering his voice. "What soldiers? This is Wang Lun, the great leader of Liangshan, and I'm now on the mountain, recognizing him as my brother!"

The man was shocked and hurried to Wang Lun, who had already come out, and bowed deeply. Wang Lun quickly helped him up, thinking to himself, "After all this time, I finally get this kind of respect. It hasn't been easy these past six months."

Wang Lun then asked, "You don't seem like an ordinary man. May I ask your name?"

Deng Fei introduced him. "This is my brother Yang Lin, who has always been a good friend of mine."

Wang Lun was surprised. "Could you be the Yang Lin known as the Leopard of Brocade in the江湖 (jianghu)?"

Yang Lin was taken aback, thinking he wasn't that well-known, but then he realized Deng Fei must have mentioned him. "I only met my brother recently and didn't mention my name! I didn't expect you to know about my brother!"

Yang Lin was even more surprised. "How do you know my nickname? I am indeed Yang Lin."

Wang Lun smiled. "I've heard that the Leopard of Brocade, Yang Lin, is extremely cautious. I didn't expect you to risk your life to save a friend. That's truly a noble act!"

Wang Lun knew that Yang Lin's defining trait was his caution. He had hesitated to join Liangshan, fearing that leaders like Chao Gai and Song Jiang wouldn't accept him. He wandered the jianghu until he met Gong Sunsheng, who wrote a letter recommending him to Liangshan. After much thought, Yang Lin still didn't dare to join. Later, he met Dai Zong, who personally took him to the mountain, and he finally joined. He ranked 51st among the 108 heroes, likely due to Dai Zong's recommendation.

After the campaign against Fang La, Yang Lin contracted a plague. While other heroes who were with him in the infirmary didn't survive, he did. He later retired with Pei Xuan to Yinma Chuan, where he spent his remaining years.

Hearing Wang Lun's praise, Yang Lin was deeply moved. "Not helping a friend in need is not the way of the jianghu. Leader, you flatter me! But it's no wonder you have so many heroes under your command. You truly have the entire jianghu in your heart, even knowing about someone like me. I am truly impressed!"

Wang Lun, impressed by Yang Lin's eloquence, smiled and asked, "Where are you currently based?"

Yang Lin, feeling a surge of hope, replied, "I wander without a fixed place. What else could I do?"

Deng Fei then said to his old friend, "Why not join us on the mountain? My brother loves talent and has been kind to me, even though I'm not much. With your abilities, Brother Yang Lin, he wouldn't reject you!"

Yang Lin, his eyes glowing, looked at Wang Lun. Wang Lun smiled. "Deng Fei is right. Brother Yang Lin, why don't you join us on the mountain and take a seat?"

Yang Lin was overjoyed, bowing again. "Thank you, Brother. I will follow you to the death!"

Wang Lun helped him up and introduced him to Lin Chong, Jiao Ting, and others. The heroes greeted each other warmly, and Deng Fei invited his old friend inside for a drink. Wang Lun, standing at the threshold, looked at the setting sun and felt a wave of emotion.

It was already mid-May. If history hadn't changed, Yang Zhi should have set out by now. Wang Lun sighed to himself, "The birthday tribute is coming, isn't it?"