Chapter 90

As Yang Zhi stood on the Yellow Mud Hill, his chest was filled with endless regret. He turned his head and, under the moonlight, looked at the fourteen men who were staring at him helplessly, wishing he could give each of them a slash. In the end, he restrained himself, gazing at the rugged rocks below, he only wanted to close his eyes and jump down, thus freeing himself.

Suddenly, an image and voice appeared in his mind: "No matter what, no matter how difficult, Commander, you must not forget your brothers in Shandong!"

Yang Zhi suddenly woke up, held his feet, and thought to himself: "My parents gave me a fine appearance and a strong body, and I learned eighteen martial arts from a young age. I cannot just end it like this! Instead of seeking death now, I should wait until they capture me and then deal with it!"

Yang Zhi turned around and pointed at the men who were still under the influence of the drugged wine, cursing them: "All of you! You didn't listen to me, and now you've dragged me down!" After cursing, he turned back, took his saber, sighed, and went down the hill.

Yang Zhi walked south for half the night, rested in the forest for a while, and thought: "I have no money left, and there's no one I know. What should I do? I remember how much Wang Lun of Liangshan loved me, but I didn't stay then. If I go back to him now, it would be a sign of weakness! I'll just keep walking for a while!"

As the sky gradually brightened, Yang Zhi walked south for another twenty miles and saw a tavern. Feeling hungry, he walked in, found a seat, and said: "Waiter, bring me two cups of wine first, and some rice to cook a meal. If you have meat, prepare some!"

The waiter responded and went to prepare the food. At this moment, a man came out from inside. He was tall and had a grand appearance, with a square face and a three-pronged yellow beard. When Yang Zhi saw this middle-aged man, he felt a jolt and turned to leave. The man, seeing this, quickly stepped forward and hugged him from the waist, saying: "Isn't this Commander Yang? I haven't seen you in half a year. I heard you became a cavalry commander in Daming Prefecture. Why are you here now?"

Yang Zhi's face turned red, and he stammered: "I'm on official business in Shandong. I'm about to return to Daming Prefecture to report! Please let me go!"

The innkeeper laughed and said: "I can't let you go! If my brother finds out that Commander Yang is here and I let you go, he'll beat me! Come, come, let's go up the mountain and talk! Commander Yang, you've been here before, so you shouldn't be afraid of us keeping you!"

Yang Zhi, hearing Wang Lun's name, sighed and asked: "Is Leader Wang well? Has he taken in Instructor Lin's family? This hero looks familiar, but I can't remember your name. Please forgive me!"

"I am Zhu Gui. Don't worry about Commander Yang. Instructor Lin's family is on the mountain. Commander Yang, please don't refuse. If you do, I won't be able to explain to my brother. Please come up the mountain with me! If you see my brother, you can decide whether to stay or leave."

Yang Zhi, hearing this, sighed and had no choice but to go with him. Zhu Gui ordered the waiter to bring two good horses, and they rode together.

After a while, they arrived at a tavern at the northern edge of the lake. The people inside saw Zhu Gui and hurriedly came out to welcome them. The waiter took their horses, and Zhu Gui led Yang Zhi to the back. A boat was waiting by the lake, and they boarded it. After about two hours, they could see the outline of a large island.

The boat continued for a while and entered the naval camp. Yang Zhi saw that the camp was very busy, much different from when he first came half a year ago. There were many people, and three heroic-looking men were standing on a large ship, talking to a craftsman. The ship looked familiar to Yang Zhi, and he suddenly realized it was the same type of ship he had used to transport the floral stones!

Yang Zhi was puzzled when the boat stopped. Zhu Gui invited him to get off, and they headed up the mountain. On the flat ground by the lake, a general in golden armor was training cavalry. When he saw Zhu Gui and Yang Zhi, he looked at Yang Zhi for a long time, then dismounted and said: "Are you the Green-Faced Beast Yang Zhi from the Imperial Guard?"

Yang Zhi was surprised and looked at Zhu Gui, who was smiling. He quickly replied: "Yes, it's me, but I don't know your name, General."

The general smiled bitterly and said: "I am Xu Ning, and you've caused me a lot of trouble!"

Yang Zhi was shocked: "Are you the Golden Lance Xu Ning from the Imperial Guard? I've heard of you! But I haven't done anything to harm you!"

Xu Ning shook his head and smiled: "Last year, when you presented the knife to Wang Taiwei, it made him remember my 'Sai Tang Ni.' Gao Qiu, upon receiving his letter, had my family arrested and wanted to kill me to silence me!" Over time, the truth gradually came to light. Gao Qiu, seeing Xu Ning was dead, didn't want to take all the blame and spread the word that Wang Taiwei had asked him to do it. Xu Ning, knowing the truth, said this.

Yang Zhi was ashamed and couldn't speak, only bowing and apologizing. Xu Ning smiled bitterly, didn't say more, and helped Yang Zhi up. He then told his men to continue training and accompanied Zhu Gui to send Yang Zhi up the mountain.

As they passed the first checkpoint, a large monk was coming down the mountain. Yang Zhi was surprised and asked: "Why is Lu Tixia here? Has he joined the bandits?"

It was indeed Lu Zhishen. He laughed and said: "Xu General blames you for bringing him here, but I thank you for showing me the way! Don't worry, I'm not here to blame you! Come up the mountain with me, my brother has been waiting for you!"

Yang Zhi felt a mix of emotions but couldn't speak. Xu Ning said: "Tixia, don't joke around! Why bring up the past? I don't blame Yang Zhi. If it weren't for Wang Taiwei, there would be other Taiweis in the future! I used to guard the palace without knowing there was such a place like this!"

Lu Zhishen laughed: "Brother, you see things clearly, I like your attitude! When we have time tonight, let's have a match on horseback!"

Xu Ning shook his head: "My son was just born, and my wife needs help. I've been away for a while, and I feel guilty for training with you every day. Now that Instructor Lin is back, you can find him for training!"

Lu Zhishen sighed: "You mean my brother? I can't move him! He and his wife have been apart for a long time, how can he leave? I just praised your attitude, and now you're giving me this!"

Xu Ning smiled and said to Yang Zhi: "Commander, let's go up the mountain. Don't keep my brother waiting!" He then said to Lu Zhishen: "Commander Yang is here, and you two are from Guanxi. He can train with you!"

Lu Zhishen laughed and pulled Yang Zhi. Seeing his enthusiasm, Yang Zhi couldn't refuse, and the four of them went up the mountain. After passing the third checkpoint, they saw a scholar-general standing at the entrance. Yang Zhi quickly went forward and bowed: "Instructor Lin, how are you? Have you brought your family back? I saw Leader Wang take in a skilled man on the way to Tokyo and left. I feel guilty for not fulfilling your request!"

Lin Chong took his hand and said: "Brother Jiaoting is very skilled. With him, you can leave with peace of mind! My family is on the mountain, and I thank you for your concern!"

Yang Zhi and Lin Chong talked for a while. Suddenly, four men ran up from below. One of them, dressed as a craftsman, said: "Is this Commander Yang? I didn't expect to meet you here today, it's fate!"

Yang Zhi quickly asked his name, and the man smiled: "Commander Yang, you should recognize me from the naval ships. The ship that transported the floral stones was built under my supervision!"

"Are you Yu Fan Gan Meng Kang?" Yang Zhi was surprised, and Meng Kang nodded and smiled, then introduced the three Ruan brothers to Yang Zhi. Seeing their impressive appearance, Yang Zhi quickly greeted them. The three Ruan brothers laughed and said: "The bandit camp is even more lively with Commander Yang joining us!"

Yang Zhi felt embarrassed and only mumbled in response. Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong exchanged glances and shook their heads. Xu Ning, seeing the awkward atmosphere, quickly invited Yang Zhi to move forward, and the others followed behind, no one speaking, just following in silence.

When they reached the hall, they saw Wang Lun and the other leaders waiting. Wang Lun, seeing Yang Zhi's awkward expression, sighed and stepped forward: "Commander Yang, how have you been?"

Yang Zhi felt a lump in his throat and thought: "If it weren't for his words last night, I might not be here today. But now, in such a state, how can I face him? I'll just pretend and find a place to stay!" He stepped forward and bowed to Wang Lun: "I haven't seen you in half a year, Leader Wang. You still look as good as ever. But I have official duties and can't stay long. If there's a chance, I'll come back to see you!"

Wang Lun, seeing his state, wasn't surprised and said: "I won't force you to stay and delay your service to the country. But please come in and talk for a while, to catch up on old times."

Yang Zhi had no choice but to agree and followed everyone into the hall. The Liangshan bandit camp was now much more prosperous than half a year ago. Wang Lun sat in the main seat, with a middle-aged scholar on his left, Jiaoting standing behind him. Two rows of seats were arranged along the entrance, with Lin Chong and Lu Zhishen on the left, and Du Qian and Song Wan on the right. The other leaders sat according to their order of joining and their duties. Yang Zhi was invited to sit in the guest seat.

After a while, Wen Huanzhang stood up and asked Yang Zhi: "Commander Yang, did you deliver the birthday tribute to Tokyo and are now returning to Daming Prefecture to report?"

Yang Zhi, hearing this, felt a burning sensation but forced himself to say: "Yes, that's right."

"Commander Yang, you must be promoted soon! If you gain the favor of Liang Zhongshu, your family will be honored soon!" Ruan Xiaoqi couldn't stand it and said.

This hit Yang Zhi's sore spot, and he felt a lump in his throat, tears streaming down his face. He couldn't hold back anymore and, like a child seeking comfort from a close friend, he knelt before Wang Lun: "Brother, I lost the birthday tribute, and I can't return to Daming Prefecture. Now, even heaven has abandoned me. I have nowhere to go, and I beg you to take me in!"

Wang Lun helped Yang Zhi up and said softly: "Brother, if you had another chance to escort the birthday tribute, would you still join our bandit camp?" (To be continued)