Chapter 111: The Violent Confrontation with Wang Lun (Part I)

“Very well, very well! Today, brothers Lin Zhong and Yang Zhi join our Liangshan—truly a rare joy for us! Quickly, prepare a feast to celebrate!” Wang Lun declared.

The underlings immediately set to work, transforming the entire stronghold into a vibrant scene reminiscent of a festive New Year’s celebration. Zhu Gui led Lin Zhong and Yang Zhi to a temporary lodging, promising to arrange a proper courtyard after the festivities.

In a large courtyard, Wang Lun’s face had lost all traces of the earlier smile.

“Chief!” Several minor leaders, dressed sharply, stood beside him, saluting in unison.

“How many reliable men can you mobilize now?” Wang Lun asked.

“Combined, the four of us have about two hundred skilled men, all masters of refined inner energy,” one replied.

“Only two hundred!?” Wang Lun frowned deeply. Even counting the guards he had painstakingly trained, the total barely reached three hundred. Could they, with a full-force surprise attack, stand against two warriors of the second rank? Not even worth considering—it was impossible!

“You all, go to the kitchen. Poison their food and wine! Don’t let the effects show immediately. Then find two beautiful women. As long as they can restrict their inner energy, strike tonight!” Wang Lun instructed. The men nodded eagerly.

“Go!” With a wave of his hand, they hurried away. Wang Lun gazed out the window, a chilling light gleaming in his eyes. Originally, he hadn’t planned to act so soon, but the situation was too dangerous. Lin Zhong gave him a sense of threat unlike any other. If he did not move first, Lin Zhong would find an opportunity to kill him!

Wang Lun had failed the imperial examinations multiple times. Now middle-aged and without a livelihood, he had resorted to underhanded thoughts. Yet his first attempt was discovered—by a wealthy local family—and with no other way out, he fled to the hills.

Thus, he only wished to maintain his position and live comfortably. He did not want to expand the stronghold by absorbing others, nor did he want anyone threatening his authority. Above all, he desired revenge, harboring an innate resentment toward those like Lin Zhong, who came from a good background.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhong and Yang Zhi sat calmly in chairs. Lin Zhong sipped a cup of water and looked disdainfully toward the main hall. “Do you think that fool will make a move tonight?”

He had already sensed it. Wang Lun’s strength was merely early second rank, and his mental energy seemed insufficient—either due to poor talent or lacking foundation forcing a premature breakthrough. Perhaps both. His so-called second-rank power was nothing but a show; he might not even match a late first-rank warrior.

Yang Zhi replied, “If he strikes first, then when we act, no one will have grounds to complain!” From the start, they had planned to seize high positions at Liangshan. Had Wang Lun possessed strength, cunning, and magnanimity, they would not mind him leading. But his performance left them utterly contemptuous and ambitious to replace him.

As for Zhu Gui, Du Qian, and Song Wan, all were first rank masters without breakthrough potential. Even if they wanted to protect Wang Lun, they simply could not.

On another side, Zhu Gui sat restlessly in his room. He had an uneasy feeling that something would happen tonight. Reflecting on Wang Lun’s recent actions, they were completely unlike what he had expected. Yet he did not believe Wang Lun genuinely wished to accept Lin Zhong and Yang Zhi. There was only one possibility: Wang Lun was desperately planning to strike against the newcomers.

At that moment, a knock came at the door.

“Who is it?” Zhu Gui looked up and opened the door.

Two men entered without hesitation. “Brother Zhu Gui, why haven’t we seen you helping with the feast preparations?” They were Du Qian and Song Wan.

Zhu Gui closed the door. “To be frank, I suspect Chief Wang Lun intends to harm brothers Lin Zhong and Yang Zhi tonight, perhaps even use this chance to eliminate us all at once!”

Song Wan laughed bitterly. “Brother, you jest! Not to mention the great advantage of having Lin Zhong and Yang Zhi join us, even if we put everything on the line, we are no match for them!” As the one in charge of training, he knew well the skill level of the bandits in the stronghold. Those who came out with Lin and Yang today were specially trained elites.

Du Qian added, “We know, Chief Wang Lun has repeatedly rejected the people Brother Zhu Gui recommended. But you shouldn’t think like this! We’ve brought a jar of fine wine this time—let’s drink well tonight!” The two men each grabbed one of Zhu Gui’s arms and pulled him out.

As the three turned a corner, a grotesque face suddenly appeared before them.

The sky was already darkening, and this shadowed corner was lit by a faint light that revealed the monstrous face and its large eyes.

Du Qian was startled, as his gaze met the eerie visage.

In the next instant, a fierce blow struck his chest, followed by a force crashing from the side.

“Ouch! Zhu Gui, what are you doing?!” Song Wan, caught off guard by Zhu Gui’s sudden grip, was pressed against the wall. Though they were at the same level, Zhu Gui’s nickname revealed his strength and toughness, giving him the physical advantage over Song Wan.

Nearby, Du Qian, just about to rise, was pinned to the ground by Du Xing’s boot pressing firmly on his chest.

“That scoundrel Wang Lun has bribed you to betray your brothers? Was our brotherhood all a joke?” Du Xing glared down at Du Qian. “You talk about loyalty reaching the heavens—do you even deserve it?”

“You don’t see that if those two truly join the stronghold, who will control them? Our power will inevitably diminish, and our very lives won’t be in our hands. I don’t want that!” Song Wan argued.

“Ha! So this is why you follow Wang Lun? You think you’ll never break through?” Du Xing turned to Song Wan, a ripple of aura flowing from him as starlight sprinkled over his body.

Zhu Gui and the others were stunned. When the light faded, Du Xing’s aura had firmly reached early second rank.

“I’ve long disliked Wang Lun. So many capable, loyal, and promising men were driven away by him. Why have I been obsessed with brewing? To hide my true strength! Now I understand why we came to Liangshan—to suffer such humiliation?” He glanced at the three. “If this life is what you want, if this is what Liangshan deserves, then today I, Du Xing, am no longer your brother!”

Zhu Gui nodded. “I’ve disliked Wang Lun too. He rejected every person I introduced, and denied my request to assign more men to the four inns. Now, only one inn still has some semblance of business; the others lack customers, and even our own men avoid staying there!”

Zhu Gui looked toward Song Wan, while Du Xing fixed his gaze on Du Qian.

“Brother Zhu Gui, Brother Du Xing, we were blind to trust Wang Lun’s deceit. But if we act like this, will Lin Zhong and Yang Zhi accept us?” Du Qian asked.

One reason they initially accepted Wang Lun was the old guard giving way to the new. Wang Lun openly admitted he could not defeat either Lin Zhong or Yang Zhi in direct combat. If either harbored murderous intent, what would become of the founding elders?

Especially since, unlike leaders like Zhu Gui and Du Xing who handled external affairs, Lin Zhong and Yang Zhi controlled the stronghold’s military power. Even if things went smoothly at first, once they had their own followers, would the old leaders remain safe? Their lives might very well be in danger.

“Hmph! Wang Lun is narrow-minded indeed. Lin Zhong is no one he can compare to!” Zhu Gui recalled the warm feelings he had sensed from Lin and Yang.

“Rest assured! If Lin Zhong kills Wang Lun, Zhu Gui and I will vouch that your actions remain secret. You are all still elders in the stronghold. With Wang Lun gone, to maintain stability, they wouldn’t dare eliminate two important leaders!” Du Xing reassured.

Du Qian and Song Wan nodded, and the four returned to Zhu Gui’s room to plan how to face the events looming tonight.