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

Chapter 96 Iron Rod Luan Tingyu

Luan Tingyu investigated the matter of Zhu Long being beaten, and after asking many people, they all said they didn't know anything about it and that he deserved his punishment.

After working for most of the day, no results were found by dusk.

Luan Tingyu was listless and looked dejected when he returned to the house.

The maid Yulan keenly noticed Luan Tingyu's change and immediately stepped forward to gently massage his shoulders, asking softly, "What happened?"

Luan Tingyu grasped the maid's hand in return and said, "Zhu Hu disappeared after leaving the city, so he must have been captured by Liangshan. Zhu Long was also beaten by the people for raping women, and his genitals were cut off."

Yulan's eyes lit up, and her hand trembled slightly.

Luan Tingyu felt the slight tremor in Yulan's hand and sighed softly. He naturally knew that the three brothers, Long Hu Biao, were the ones who led the group that killed Yulan's family in Zhujiazhuang.

After a moment of silence, Luan Tingyu couldn't find anything to say to Yulan, so he simply closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair.

"Why...why did you come to Zhu Family Village in the first place?" Yulan thought for a long time before finally asking this question.

"Having mastered his skills, I originally intended to earn some merit in the army and secure a position for my wife and children. However, while traveling the martial world, I witnessed Liang Zhongshu's exploitation of the people. I wanted to kill him, but the world is full of corrupt officials; how could I possibly kill them all?"

Luan Tingyu glanced at Yulan. He knew that Yulan's father was also a corrupt official. When the whole family passed through the vicinity of Dulonggang, it was because of their wealth that they attracted the attention of the Zhu Family Village.

"Later, when I arrived in Yunzhou, Zhu Chaofeng was a salt merchant. He valued me highly and offered me a large sum of money to stay in his mansion. I refused him at first and wanted to go to my senior brother Sun Li, who was the military commander of Dengzhou. But as a man, I didn't have the face to go to someone else."

Yulan held Luan Tingyu tightly; this was the first time she had heard about Luan Tingyu's past.

"So I went back to the Zhu family and stayed as an instructor, and also helped Zhu Chaofeng build the Zhu Family Manor."

Luan Tingyu truly couldn't bear to part with the Zhu Family Village. Without him, there would be no Zhu Family Village. Over the years, whenever the Zhu Family Village encountered trouble, it was always him who stepped in.

He designed Pantuo Road, and he also participated in the construction of the city wall and moat.

Although it's called Zhu Family Village, in reality, the Zhu family only contributed money; Luan Tingyu put in the most effort.

"actually……"

Yulan said cautiously, "Although Zhu Chaofeng has treated you very well, you have already helped him so much, so you are already even."

Luan Tingyu remained silent, but did not shake his head.

Yulan said, "Actually, someone came looking for me just now."

Luan Tingyu asked, "Who is it?"

"He said his name was Zhang Cheng, that he was from the Liangshan Intelligence Bureau, and that he had been in Zhujiazhuang for over a year," Yulan said without hiding anything.

Luan Tingyu's eyes widened suddenly: "What does he want with you?"

"He contacted me... He promised to help me get revenge."

His clenched fist tightened and loosened repeatedly, but Luan Tingyu finally grasped Yulan's hand and said, "Yulan, you have treated me with deep affection, and I am not without feelings for you either. Logically speaking, I should be the one to avenge you, but..."

"You don't need to say anything, I know," Yulan said softly. "I understand you, and I won't let you point your knife at the Zhu family."

Luan Tingyu nodded.

"This man named Zhang Cheng told me that Wang Lun, the leader of Liangshan, is a man of great wisdom, loves his people like his own children, and treats his soldiers very well. He is a good person. I think he can help you realize your ambitions." Yulan sat down next to Luan Tingyu, nestled beside him.

"I don't ask you to avenge me, but when I do, please don't stop me. Of the three sons of the Zhu family, I must kill at least one with my own hands."

Yulan spoke very seriously.

Luan Tingyu asked, "What are you going to do?"

You'll find out tomorrow.

Yulan grasped Luan Tingyu's hand and pulled it into her bosom, saying emotionally, "My lord, I may die tomorrow, but today... let me serve you one last time."

Luan Tingyu hugged Yulan tightly.

The two moved from the chairs to the couch. It was late at night, and Yulan was already fast asleep, while Luan Tingyu was still awake.

After a long while, he quietly got up, picked up the iron bar, and walked out of the room.

Zhang Cheng injured Zhu Long during the day, and upon seeing Luan Tingyu and Zhu Chaofeng arrive, he immediately went to find Yulan.

He told Yulan that Liangshan was willing to help her take revenge.

For Yulan, revenge was the most important thing, something she couldn't do on her own. After hearing that Liangshan was going to attack the Zhu Family Village, she wanted to go find Liangshan, but she was unable to leave the village.

To everyone's surprise, the people from Liangshan came to them on their own initiative.

Zhang Cheng didn't waste any more words, and Yulan agreed to his plan.

Zhang Cheng then returned to his hut and gathered the other spies from Liangshan to review the plan. They determined that the chances of success were extremely high before they dispersed.

He was asleep when he heard a very light footstep.

Having worked as a spy for over a year, his vigilance was naturally higher than that of ordinary people. Although the voice was soft, it had already startled him awake. When he turned over, he had already pulled out the dagger from under his pillow.

There was another person inside, standing quietly, holding an iron bar in his hand.

Zhang Cheng's hands and feet suddenly turned cold. Although he couldn't see the person clearly in the dark, he recognized the weapon.

"Don't be afraid, I won't kill you," Luan Tingyu said first.

Zhang Cheng remained vigilant and asked in a deep voice, "Instructor Luan, what brings you here?"

He was already preparing to escape.

Luan Tingyu saw through his thoughts and said, "Don't leave yet, let me say a few words."

Zhang Cheng nodded: "Please speak."

"Neither the Zhu family father nor son knew you were a spy from Liangshan, but I did. You blended in with the common people and disguised yourself very well, but you were no ordinary person. You were skilled in martial arts and shrewd. A person like that would attract attention wherever he went."

"When did you start to suspect me?"

"It's been a long time, you don't need to know that. I won't kill you, I heard it from Yulan, and I won't stop you. But I only have two requests."

Zhang Cheng hesitated for a moment, then said, "Go ahead."

"My first request is that you must not harm Yulan. Whatever your plan is, please let her live."

Luan Tingyu spoke in a low voice, his eyes fixed on Zhang Cheng, and he spoke very seriously.

Zhang Cheng nodded and said, "Alright, my plan didn't include killing her. What's the second request?"

Luan Tingyu nodded and said, "You must have a way to contact Chief Wang of your village. Please pass on a message to him: when you attack Zhu Family Village, please ask him to spare Zhu Chaofeng's life."

Zhang Cheng said, "Okay, I will spread the message as soon as possible."

Luan Tingyu bowed and left the room.

Zhang Cheng breathed a sigh of relief and sat on the bed. His entire back was covered in sweat, which now felt cold.

He began to think about what Luan Tingyu had said. It was reasonable to spare Yulan's life. Yulan was just an ordinary person, and Liangshan would not kill her.

Why should Zhu Chao be allowed to serve?

Should his plans be put on hold?

Because Luan Tingyu saw through his plan, he had to rethink everything and couldn't sleep that night.

Finally, dawn broke, and Zhang Cheng immediately drove the sheep up the mountain to transmit the prepared intelligence through them.