signingbooks #426 - New life
#426 - New life
The atmosphere inside Black Tiger Hall instantly became delicate.
Everyone present was astute and, in that moment, they all clearly saw that Meng Wei was deliberately targeting Liang Jin.
This discovery caused many to frown and discuss it in hushed voices, making no attempt to conceal their displeasure.
“That Meng Wei is becoming increasingly reckless, relying on his father's position in the stronghold! He dares to provoke even senior figures of the Green Forest. He has the nerve to constantly bring up rules, which is simply absurd!”
“Exactly! Hero Song is known for his loyalty and righteousness, and everything he does brings honor to the Green Forest. How can Meng Wei twist things to make him seem like a poor and stingy wretch? I really wonder where Meng Wei keeps his brain!”
“Hero Song gave away all his wealth for the sake of impoverished people. Such noble and selfless acts are beyond the comprehension of short-sighted fools like Meng Wei, who have no right to criticize him.”
“The fault lies with the father for failing to teach his son. In my opinion, Meng Wei’s father has spoiled and indulged him too much, making him so ignorant of etiquette, rules, and basic manners!”
Now that they disapproved of Meng Wei's behavior, they spoke without reservation.
Many even deliberately amplified their voices, fearing that Meng Wei wouldn't hear their rebukes.
Meng Wei heard these harsh words and, despite feeling indignant, couldn't retort.
His father, Meng Guang, hearing these discussions, had a face that alternated between green and red, like a painter's palette, with shame and anger intertwined.
He couldn't help but turn back, rebuking Meng Wei in a low but stern voice:
“I told you to shut your mouth!”
“If you don't speak, no one will think you're a mute!”
Although resentful of his father's scolding, Meng Wei could only shrink his neck and dared not argue, hoping the matter would end there.
But at that moment, Yin Leiling, sitting on the tiger-skin armchair, coldly snorted.
This cold snort was like a thunderclap, instantly making Meng Guang realize that his son's rash behavior had not only made him lose face but also indirectly diminished Yin Leiling's prestige in front of everyone.
Yin Leiling was clearly extremely dissatisfied with his light punishment earlier.
Meng Guang's heart trembled, knowing he had to show some gesture, or he would not be able to quell Yin Leiling's anger and the crowd's dissatisfaction.
Therefore, he suddenly raised his hand.
“Slap!!!”
A loud slap struck Meng Wei's face hard.
With the crisp sound of the slap, Meng Wei's face immediately swelled up high.
Somewhat dazed by the sudden slap, Meng Wei covered his face and looked at Meng Guang with disbelief, saying:
“Dad, you actually hit me?”
“Just for an outsider?”
Being hit in front of so many people, especially Yan San Niang, made Meng Wei feel utterly humiliated, filled with shame and anger.
Meng Guang remained unmoved, pointing to the Black Tiger Hall's door and sternly saying:
“I'm hitting you because you deserve it!”
“Get out of here immediately!”
“Otherwise, I'll break your legs!”
He knew that if Meng Wei stayed here, he didn't know what kind of trouble he would cause, so he decisively prepared to drive him away.
Covering his face, Meng Wei looked resentful, but he didn't dare disobey his father's orders.
Finally, he turned his head and glared fiercely at Liang Jin, his eyes seeming to want to devour Liang Jin alive, then turned angrily and strode out of the Black Tiger Hall.
Only then did Meng Guang turn around, clasping his fist at Liang Jin with an apologetic expression, saying:
“My son is rude, I'm truly sorry. I apologize to Hero Song on his behalf, and I hope Hero Song can forgive him!”
Liang Jin remained calm and merely smiled.
Yin Leiling then smiled and said:
“Hero Song is too modest. With your current reputation in the Green Forest, if we were to have you and your brothers doing chores like chopping firewood and feeding horses, wouldn't that make my Yanshan Stronghold a laughingstock among heroes everywhere?”
“How about this, Hero Song, you can first take the seats of the Earth Fiend Hall, and when you have made contributions in the future, we will reward you according to your merits!”
Yin Leiling's arrangement could be considered reasonable.
Liang Jin and his group, relying on their reputation, received the same treatment as Ji Yan and his group, who relied on offering treasures, appearing fair and just.
So the three of Liang Jin clasped their fists together and said in unison:
“Thank you, Chieftain!”
Seeing this, everyone in the Black Tiger Hall was happy for Liang Jin.
Although Yin Leiling had a smile on his face, he was unwilling to make such an arrangement in his heart.
If it weren't for that idiot Meng Wei acting rashly and almost causing public anger, he wouldn't have had to make such a decision to appease the people.
Meng Guang then stepped forward and said loudly:
“Present the red incense!”
Upon hearing the order, the bandits quickly brought red incense for Liang Jin and Ji Yan's groups to perform the initiation ceremony.
Then, under the witness of everyone, the two groups began to offer incense to heaven and earth.
Each of them took three incense sticks and began to worship with solemn expressions.
Meng Guang shouted loudly from the side:
“One stick respects heaven, not officials; two sticks kneel to the earth, not power; three sticks dye the Yanshan flag with blood, from now on, there is no name on the King of Hell's register!”
Following Meng Guang's shout, the three incense sticks were quickly burned.
Meng Guang continued to shout:
“Having respected heaven and earth and offered incense, from now on, five thunderbolts will not turn back!”
Everyone followed the ritual, smearing the ashes on their eyelids.
Meng Guang then shouted:
“These ashes cloud the eyes of the past—from now on, only see the Yanshan flag, not the imperial edict!”
Afterwards, Liang Jin and others followed the procedure, cutting off a piece of their clothing and throwing it into the brazier.
Meng Guang continued to shout:
“This piece of robe serves as a guiding banner—on the road to the Yellow Springs, you must first brave the mountain of knives for your brothers!”
After that, a series of initiation ceremonies continued for quite a while before finally ending.
According to the rules, Yanshan Stronghold would hold a grand banquet tonight to celebrate the joining of the two new groups of heroes.
While waiting for the wine and meat to be prepared, everyone naturally had their own things to do.
Yin Leiling said:
“Bai Yi, take the two groups of newly joined brothers to tour the stronghold and familiarize themselves with the environment.”
“Girl Yan, let's talk in detail. Meng Guang, you stay and accompany us.”
Immediately, Yan San Niang stayed behind to discuss matters concerning the Thief Saint with Yin Leiling and Meng Guang.
Bai Yi then led the two groups of people to wander around Yanshan Stronghold.
Yanshan Stronghold is located among mountains, surrounded by overlapping peaks and undulating mountains like sleeping beasts, with a majestic aura.
A winding mountain path, like a gray ribbon, coiled upwards from the foot of the mountain, leading to the gate of the mountain stronghold. The walls of the stronghold were tall and thick, constructed from huge blue stones.
At the highest point of the stronghold was Black Tiger Hall.
Black Tiger Hall had upturned eaves and interlocking brackets, with carved beams and painted rafters, displaying solemnity and majesty. On the two thick pillars in front of the hall were carved lifelike black tigers, their eyes wide open, baring their fangs and brandishing their claws, as if they would roar out at any moment, shaking the surrounding area.
Surprisingly, the mountain was dotted with springs. Even in this dry season, clear spring water gurgled from the ground, bringing life and vitality to the stronghold.
This place was located at the junction of three prefectures, with complex terrain, dangerous terrain, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and with a water source, it has been a gathering place for outlaws and heroes since ancient times.
Now, Yanshan Stronghold has been operating here for many years and has become quite large.
This Yanshan Stronghold has five thousand men under its command!
It is naturally difficult for this mountain alone to support so many people.
Those gathered in the stronghold are all elites, while most of the other members are scattered in the villages and towns around the mountain.
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When needed, as long as the stronghold sends a signal, all members can quickly gather.
Moreover, the surrounding counties, fearing the attack of Yanshan Stronghold, send a large amount of protection money to Yanshan Stronghold every month in exchange for peace.
Those county officials dare to embezzle various court rations, but they are the only ones who dare not embezzle the protection money of mountain bandits and bandits.
With the protection money from the surrounding counties, Yanshan Stronghold can also maintain normal operation.
Bai Yi led the two groups of people to introduce the stronghold, mainly to the Liang Jin brothers, and somewhat neglected Ji Yan and the others.
Ji Yan was aware of the gap between himself and Liang Jin in terms of prestige and other aspects, and did not mind.
However, Ding Jia, who was beside him, occasionally flashed a look of disdain in his eyes, and he looked extra carefully while walking around, and listened extra carefully to Bai Yi's introduction.
During the break, Ji Yan would also come forward to talk to Liang Jin, trying to get closer to Liang Jin.
But Liang Jin was indifferent to him.
Liang Jin knew very well that this guy was from Princess Zhao Chuxia, or more precisely, from the Pingcheng Prince's Mansion.
Liang Jin didn't believe that he was now sincerely betraying Prince Pingcheng and coming to join Yanshan Stronghold.
After all, he had previously lurked in Yan San Niang's team, luring Yan San Niang to rob official silver. Now that he came to join Yanshan Stronghold, he was probably harboring evil intentions.
It's just that Liang Jin didn't want to pay attention to him for the time being.
Liang Jin also had to see if this Yanshan Stronghold was worth his help.
If it was worth it, he would find out Ji Yan, the traitor.
If it wasn't worth it, then he would leave after staying for a while.
Why stay for a while?
Of course, it was to pull people into the 【Nine Empty Realms】.
Now, Yanshan Stronghold is full of people of the Ninth Extremity, and they are suitable for working for Liang Jin.
Of course, it was impossible for Liang Jin to pull them into the 【Nine Empty Realms】 now.
If Liang Jin had just arrived at Yanshan Stronghold, and then a group of people from Yanshan Stronghold suddenly entered the 【Nine Empty Realms】, it would be easy for others to associate Liang Jin with the 【Nine Empty Realms】.
Therefore, Liang Jin planned to pull the people from Yanshan Stronghold into the 【Nine Empty Realms】 in batches after a while.
As long as these people in Yanshan Stronghold can survive for a long time, they will provide a constant stream of martial arts spirit for the 【Nine Empty Realms】 every day.
"Huff!"
Along with a gust of wind, the divine eagle landed with Xiaoyu and jumped steadily in front of Liang Jin.
Bai Yi looked at the divine eagle with envy and praised:
"What a divine eagle! I heard Dong Xiong say that it can be worth a thousand troops!"
Then Bai Yi looked at Xiaoyu on the back of the divine eagle and asked Liang Jin:
"Hero Song, is this your daughter?"
Liang Jin shook his head and said:
"I picked her up."
Bai Yi was slightly surprised when he heard this.
He originally thought that Liang Jin had already started a family, so he brought his daughter with him.
Since this Xiaoyu was not Liang Jin's daughter, then Liang Jin's details became even more mysterious.
Liang Jin looked at Xiaoyu at this time and said softly:
"Xiaoyu, from now on we are going to live here. How do you feel? Do you like it here?"
Xiaoyu sat on the back of the divine eagle, blinking her big watery eyes, curiously looking around.
She didn't care where she lived. What she cared about was whether Liang Jin could live with her.
Lei Zhen and Xiao Liu's eyes were full of longing.
The two had been running around with Liang Jin for a while, and now they finally had a place to settle down, and they also planned to rest and settle down for a while.
However, the two would not expect to settle down for too long. From the moment they stepped into the green forest, they were already insulated from a stable life.
At this time, two people walked over. It was Dong Xiong and Xing Niang.
As soon as Dong Xiong came up, he patted his round belly and smiled:
"Hero Song, Lao Lei, you haven't arranged a place to live yet, have you?"
"Come, come, come, live next to us, so we can drink every day in the future!"
Xing Niang also smiled and extended an invitation:
"If I can become neighbors with the three Song heroes, then it would be my honor."
"I just don't know, will the three of you do me the honor?"
Dong Xiong and Xing Niang had only joined Yanshan Stronghold not long ago, and they also brought their own Black Boar Village men and horses.
If they wanted to gain a foothold in Yanshan Stronghold, they also needed to befriend more people.
The Liang Jin brothers were old acquaintances with them, and they had just joined the stronghold like them and had not yet gained a foothold.
Therefore, Dong Xiong and the two naturally gave priority to win over the three.
Liang Jin laughed when he heard this. He looked at Bai Yi:
"Then I will trouble Mr. Bai to arrange it."
Bai Yi smiled and said:
"It's a small matter. It's time to arrange a place to live for you. Please come with me."
Immediately, Bai Yi led the two groups of people towards the accommodation area.
Dong Xiong and Xing Niang naturally followed, ready to help.
A group of people talked and laughed, very comfortable.
Only in the distance, Meng Wei stood quietly, looking at all this with hateful eyes, the jealousy and resentment in his heart surging like a tide...