Water Margin: From a White-Robed Scholar to Donning the Yellow Robe

Chapter 114 Wang Lun's Righteous Rescue of Song Jiang

Black Whirlwind Li Kui, his eyes bloodshot with rage, screamed and killed the most people.

He was engrossed in his hacking and slashing when a blade suddenly appeared from behind, blocking his axe with a clang.

He turned around and saw a huge man behind him, his body like a mountain, his eyes like lightning, staring at him and saying, "Hero, the chieftain ordered that no one be killed, save Song Jiang and then leave."

It was Wu Song.

Li Kui roared in fury, "Are you going to stop me from killing someone?"

Wu Song said in a deep voice, "If you do not obey orders, you will not be able to save Song Jiang. You can choose whether to kill someone for a quick death or to save Song Jiang."

Li Kui was taken aback, then nodded and followed Wu Song, rushing towards Song Jiang.

By this time, everyone had charged in from all directions and arrived in front of Song Jiang.

Song Jiang was helped up by Dai Zong and Li Kui, and immediately knelt down before Wang Lun, tears streaming down his face: "I am deeply grateful that my lowly life has been troubled by the presence of Chief Wang of Liangshan."

Wang Lun said with a smile, "We're still not out of danger, Song Gongming, no need for such formalities. Can you still walk?"

Having suffered physical pain these past few days, and with his execution imminent, Song Jiang was already trembling with fear.

Dai Zong then carried Song Jiang on his back, and the group charged out again.

Cai Jiu, Huang Wenbing, and others took advantage of the chaos to escape. Halfway there, Cai Jiu instructed, "This scoundrel Song Jiang has so many accomplices. Magistrate Huang, this time, immense wealth will fall into our laps."

Huang Wenbing was overjoyed and said, "Please speak plainly, sir."

Cai Jiu said, "Killing Song Jiang only captures one person who wants to rebel, but killing Wang Lun will destroy the morale of the Liangshan bandits. The imperial court is currently having a major headache with the Liangshan bandits. If we capture Wang Lun and his leaders, it will intimidate them. How could the imperial court not be pleased? All I need to do is write a letter to my father, and our wealth and honor will come our way!"

Huang Wenbing immediately knelt down: "This humble servant will obey Your Excellency's orders without question."

"I have six or seven thousand soldiers in Jiangzhou. Quickly pass on my order to seal off all four gates, inside and outside the city. Now that these people have come, they will not be able to leave." Cai Jiu immediately gave the order.

"Prefect Huang, I hereby order you to lead three thousand troops to capture these rebels. If you fail to capture them, kill them all."

Huang Wenbing immediately knelt down to receive the order, overjoyed.

Just then, thick smoke billowed from afar, and flames shot into the sky.

Cai Jiu looked around for a while and asked, "Where is that? Why did it suddenly catch fire?"

Huang Wenbing said, "Could it be that the fire was also set by thieves?"

After the two looked around for a while, Cai Jiu suddenly shouted, "Oh dear, that's my residence! Quick, lead men to put out the fire!"

Cai Jiu and Huang Wenbing were thrown into chaos and could only send someone to notify the city gate guards to close the city gate.

The two men led their troops to put out the fire first, since the fire at Cai Jiu's house was a bigger issue than the escape of the thieves.

On the other side, the soldiers and jailers near the execution ground were few in number to begin with, and after being slaughtered by the crowd, some fled and some died.

The crowd then rushed toward the west gate.

Wang Lun had long ago arranged for his brothers Tong, Zhang, and Mu to guard the area near the city gate.

When Huang Wenbing and others sent someone to order the gates closed, Mu Hong immediately ordered, "Kill! Seize the city gates!"

The six men then engaged in a fierce battle with the city gate guards.

There were many guards at the city gate, and the six men were outnumbered and surrounded under the gate. Fortunately, they were still able to occupy the position at the entrance and prevent the soldiers from closing the gate.

After a long fight, Wang Lun and his men arrived and cut their way in from behind the soldiers, relieving Mu Hong and the other six from their predicament.

With the addition of Wang Lun and others, the city gate guards immediately collapsed, and the group charged out and fled.

Li Jun and his men had hidden dozens of fine horses outside. The group fled to the horses, mounted their horses, and rode on until they were exhausted. Finally, they arrived at a temple.

Zhao Si reported, "Chief, this place is called Bailong Temple. You can rest here for a while."

Wang Lun's heart skipped a beat. They had come to the White Dragon Temple again. It seemed that the story of the small gathering at the White Dragon Temple in the original work would be repeated.

Although Li Jun and others did not directly participate in the rescue in the original work, many things changed because of his intervention.

Thinking this through, he ordered everyone to rest there and instructed Li Jun to send men to patrol outside. If the government troops caught up, they would figure out another way.

Black Whirlwind Li Kui was a restless fellow. He rushed into the temple gate, shouting and yelling, which frightened the temple keeper inside, who had already hidden himself away.

He continued cursing, "When I see this temple keeper, I'll chop him up with an axe."

Wang Lun sighed softly. Li Kui was too sinister and had too much bloodlust. Although he was straightforward and brave, he couldn't muster any interest in him.

Jin Shengtan once described Li Kui as "innocent and carefree," which was originally true. Li Kui was a man without guile, with a forthright personality, and he could stand firm on his principles when faced with matters of principle. He was also completely devoted to Song Jiang.

However, he also had a bloodthirsty and cruel nature.

Just now in the city, Li Kui wielded his knife and killed people without a care, as if he were cutting down cabbages. He even had murderous intent towards the civilians who were nearby. If Wu Song hadn't stopped him, who knows how many civilians Li Kui would have killed.

In the original story, Li Kui killed many innocent people in Jiangzhou and even cut off Huang Wenbing's flesh to roast and eat.

Wang Lun's expression did not escape Song Jiang's notice.

Song Jiang hurriedly said, "You scoundrel, why aren't you paying your respects to Chief Wang?"

Li Kui said, "Which Chief Wang? There are plenty of chiefs in the world, do I have to bow down to every single one of them?"

He was so focused on killing the enemy that he didn't hear Wang Lun shouting "I am Wang Lun of Liangshan" in the crowd.

Song Jiang scolded, "This savior is none other than Wang Lun, the leader of Liangshan Marsh, also known as the White-Robed Scholar. You admire heroes all the time, and this is the greatest hero."

Upon hearing that the other party was actually Wang Lun from Liangshan, Li Kui was overjoyed and immediately bowed down, saying, "Li Kui greets Chief Wang."

Wang Lun laughed and said, "You must be Li Kui, nicknamed Black Whirlwind. I've known about you for a long time."

Li Kui was greatly surprised: "Chief, I didn't expect that I, Li Kui, have become so famous?"

Everyone burst into laughter. No one knew the name Li Kui, nor did they know where Wang Lun had heard it from.

Li Kui then asked Wu Song, "What is this brother's name? Your knife is incredibly strong."

Wu Song's knife was the Flying Tiger Military Knife that Wang Lun had commissioned to be made. It weighed thirty-six jin. Wu Song was very comfortable using this knife. He was overjoyed to have killed someone with this knife for the first time. At this moment, he was carefully wiping the blade.

Upon hearing Li Kui's question, he replied, "Wu Song."

Li Kui exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, could it be Wu Song who married Hu Sanniang not long ago? News of your wedding has spread throughout the land, even I know about it."

Wu Song was very pleased and said, "You knew too?"

Li Kui looked at Song Jiang and said, "Brother, I also want to get married, so that the news will spread throughout the world."

Song Jiang cursed "rascal" under his breath, then looked at Wang Lun and said, "If it weren't for the chieftain and everyone's help, I, Song Jiang, would have died long ago. Your kindness today is as deep as the ocean; how can I ever repay you all?"

Wang Lun and the others quickly offered their apologies.

Song Jiang said solemnly, "I only hate that scoundrel Huang Wenbing for repeatedly framing me and even trying to take my life. How can I not avenge this grievance? I, Song Jiang, earnestly request all my brothers to come with me to Jiangzhou again, to attack Wuwu Army, kill Huang Wenbing, and quell the hatred in my heart. Then we can return to Liangshan with the chieftain. What do you say?"