Liu Bei time-travels to become the Heavenly King Chao Gai

Chapter 7 Leopard Head Lin Chong

The two men with guns looked Wu Yong up and down.

The leader, with a dark complexion and wary eyes, asked, "Did Instructor Lin do you a favor?"

With a smile on his face, Wu Yong took out a small piece of silver from his pocket and quietly slipped it to the person.

"This is just a small token of my appreciation for the tea."

The man weighed the silver in his hand, and his expression softened somewhat.

Wu Yong continued, "When I was young, I was instructed in martial arts by Instructor Lin in my hometown, and I have always been grateful to him. Later, I worked as an accountant, and when I heard that Instructor Lin was here, I thought that I had to come and pay my respects to him no matter what."

He exchanged a glance with his companion.

"Wait here, I'll go and inform them."

Wu Yong quickly cupped his hands in greeting.

"Thank you for your help, sir."

The man turned and left, but returned shortly afterward.

"Let's get on the ship."

The three of them then rowed deeper into the water.

Soon, they arrived at the foot of Liangshan Mountain. The man led the way while instructing them, "The leader has given you permission to go up. But I must warn you, this place is not like other places. Don't wander around aimlessly, or you'll lose your life, and you can't blame anyone else."

"I understand, I understand."

Wu Yong followed behind, observing the surroundings discreetly.

Liangshan Marsh is indeed a natural fortress.

The mountain is steep, and there is only one road leading up and down.

There are also several checkpoints guarded by henchmen.

These people all looked fierce and menacing, and their eyes were filled with hostility when they saw Wu Yong, this outsider scholar.

Finally, the view opened up before me.

On a flat piece of land, there stood a large stockade. In front of the stockade gate, a burly man stood with his hands behind his back.

He was eight feet tall, with a leopard's head and round eyes, a swallow's jaw and a tiger's beard. He wore an ordinary blue cloth short shirt, but it couldn't hide the heroic spirit that emanated from his bones.

It was none other than Lin Chong, the Leopard Head Instructor of the 800,000 Imperial Guards.

Wu Yong quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"Instructor Lin is doing well."

Lin Chong looked at him, his brows furrowing slightly.

He searched his memory but couldn't recall ever seeing this accountant who claimed to be an old friend before.

But he didn't say it out loud.

He simply nodded and said to the henchmen beside him, "You can go now."

"Yes, Instructor Lin."

The two men who had led the way bowed and turned to leave.

Only Wu Yong and Lin Chong remained on the vast training ground.

Lin Chong then spoke, his voice tinged with wariness.

"Who exactly are you? What business do you have with me?"

Wu Yong straightened up and solemnly said, "My name is Wu Yong, courtesy name Xuejiu, and I am from Dongxi Village, Yuncheng County."

"I have come here today on the behalf of a righteous man."

Lin Chong asked, "Which righteous man?"

"Chao Gai, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King."

Upon hearing the name, Lin Chong's heart stirred.

He had heard of the name of the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King after he wandered the world.

He was a chivalrous and generous man who helped those in distress.

"I have never met Chao Gai before, so why did he send you to see me?"

Wu Yong did not answer directly, but instead asked a question.

"With the coach here, are you satisfied?"

Lin Chong fell silent.

After a long silence, he finally let out a long sigh: "Here, I am merely surviving."

Wu Yong stepped forward and lowered his voice: "Instructor, may I be so bold as to say a few words?"

"explain."

Wu Yong said, "My brother recently chatted with a merchant from beyond the Great Wall and foresaw a major event."

"The Jin Dynasty in the north is no longer the barbarian state it once was. They defeated the Liao Dynasty and now have a strong and well-equipped army. They are currently preparing for war. My brother says that within three to five years, they will surely launch a major southward invasion."

Lin Chong's body trembled slightly.

He turned around abruptly and stared intently at Wu Yong.

Is this really true?

"Absolutely true." Wu Yong met his gaze earnestly: "Brother said, when the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact? Once the Jurchens march south, the world will be in chaos, and the Song Dynasty will be in grave danger."

Lin Chong's breathing became somewhat heavy.

He was originally an instructor in the Imperial Guards, and was much more sensitive to matters of state than ordinary people in the martial arts world.

He was well aware that the imperial court had been prioritizing civil affairs over military matters and that border defenses had fallen into disrepair over the years.

He was trapped in a predicament and powerless to change his fate.

Looking at his expression, Wu Yong continued, "My brother also said that he has long admired Instructor Lin's reputation and respects you as a true hero. He said that a hero like you should be expanding territory and making great achievements. But now you are confined to this place, associating with a bunch of highway robbers. It is truly a waste of your talent."

"He feared that after the Jurchens marched south, everything would be destroyed. He was even more afraid that the imperial army would come to besiege and suppress them, causing someone like the instructor to die in vain amidst the chaos of battle."

"Therefore, I have specially sent this humble student to meet with the instructor and pay my respects."

After Wu Yong finished speaking, he remained silent and simply looked at Lin Chong.

Lin Chong's chest heaved violently.

Ever since he was framed by Gao Qiu, exiled to Cangzhou, burned down the hay storage yard, and went to Liangshan on a snowy night... all he heard was either sympathy, mockery, or wariness.

Who has ever said such a thing to him before?

They viewed him as a hero who should have made great achievements, rather than a prisoner with nowhere to turn.

"Brother Chao Gai..." Lin Chong's voice was a little hoarse, "He... he really said that?"

"Every word and phrase is my brother's original statement."

Wu Yong leaned forward again, lowering his voice even further.

"Brother, may I ask another question? Is Wang Lun, the leader of Liangshan Marsh, willing to tolerate an instructor?"

Lin Chong's face instantly turned ashen.

"Wang Lun..."

"He's nothing but a narrow-minded, pedantic scholar! Jealous of the talented and virtuous, utterly intolerant of others!"

"When I first came to the mountain, he made things difficult for me in every way. Now that he has kept me here, he is constantly hindering me and on guard, fearing that I will take away his position as chieftain."

"I, Lin Chong, only ask for a place to settle down and make a living, but he... but he just won't believe it!"

The pent-up resentment finally erupted at this moment.

Wu Yong listened quietly until Lin Chong's emotions calmed down a little.

"If that's the case, why doesn't the coach look for another way?"

Lin Chong gave a bitter smile.

"In this vast world, where can I, Lin Chong, find refuge?"

"Yes," Wu Yong said. "My brother said that although Dongxi Village is small, he is willing to prepare a stable courtyard for the instructor. He respects the instructor and is willing to address him as a brother. It's better to wait for the situation to change in the future and then plan something big than to suffer the humiliation of a pedantic scholar here on Liangshan Marsh."

Lin Chong's heart skipped a beat.

Leave Liangshan?

He had considered this idea before.

But where can he go?

Now, this hero named Chao Gai has reached out his hand to him.

He looked at Wu Yong, his eyes filled with struggle.

"Brother Chao Gai... what exactly does he want to do?"

Wu Yong looked at him and smiled slowly.

"I have already explained my plan, brother."

"Recruit soldiers and horses, stockpile fodder and grain, and wait for the world to change."

Lin Chong gasped.

What a grand vision!

This is no longer about ruling the mountain; it's about having the ambition to conquer the world.

Now I am all alone. Should I stay here and be a bandit for the rest of my life, or should I go to Chao Gai and try to use my skills to build a future?

Lin Chong said urgently, "But if I leave, will Wang Lun let it go? What if he sends someone to stop me..."

"There's no need to worry about this instructor," Wu Yong whispered in Lin Chong's ear.

Lin Chong's eyes widened as he listened.

His face first showed shock, then admiration, and finally, a resolute expression.

"Fine!" He slammed his fist into his palm. "We'll go with the scholar's plan!"