Starting from the imperial palace guards, his clones spread all over the world.

Chapter 591 Xinhe Liansheng?

Surprised, everyone turned to look in the direction from which the sound came.

A group of menacing-looking men strode in menacingly.

The leader was a young man.

He was tall and strong with a handsome face, but there was an inescapable air of hostility and impatience between his brows.

A heavy flail in his hand dragged carelessly on the ground, making a dull grating sound.

It was none other than Meng Wei, the "Jade-faced Mountain-Destroying Hero".

Meng Wei strode into the center of the arena, his gaze fixed on the icy-faced Mu Shanqing like a venomous snake. His voice, loud yet deliberately exaggeratedly impassioned, resounded throughout the entire arena:

"Mu Shanqing! Head Constable of the Shadow Gate of the Six Doors in the capital, aged forty!"

"Half a month ago, I was ordered by the God of Arrest to infiltrate Changzhou!"

"His mission is to infiltrate my Yanshan stronghold and secretly investigate the murder of Princess Zhaoyang, the disappearance of the imperial disaster relief funds, and that madman who dared to impersonate the famous constable Zhu Ying!"

He suddenly stopped a few steps in front of Mushan Qing, and the flail slammed down, sending shards of stone flying.

He raised his chin, his expression one of undisguised provocation and smugness, and demanded sharply:
"Officer Mu, is there a single word of what I, Meng Wei, have said false?!"

Wow! ! !
The scene erupted instantly, as if someone had thrown boiling oil into cold water!

Everyone from Yanshan Village gasped in shock and instinctively took several steps back, creating a huge, hostile void between themselves and Mu Shanqing!

The sounds of swords being drawn rose and fell, and countless wary, angry, and even fearful gazes, like tangible blades, instantly isolated Mushan Qing in the center!
Bai Yi's pupils suddenly contracted, and his folding fan snapped shut. A glint of sudden realization flashed in his eyes:

"No wonder...no wonder!"

His voice was deep, carrying the weight of someone who had figured out the answer:
"In the martial world, I dare not say that I know all those whose cultivation has reached your level, but I do know a little about them."

"Only you, Mu Shanqing, have vanished without a trace, like a stone sinking into the sea!"

"If you really are a member of the Shadow Gate... then everything makes sense!"

The Shadow Gate, the most mysterious and unpredictable fifth gate of the Six Doors, specializes in intelligence gathering and assassination. The identities of its members are like ghosts, and even within the Six Doors, few know them. It can be described as a sharp blade in the shadow of the imperial court.

"Our Yanshan stronghold has always operated with integrity and uprightness, gathering heroes from all over the world based on loyalty!"

Bai Yi stepped forward, his folding fan pointing directly at Meng Wei, his voice suddenly rising in pitch, carrying an undeniable air of authority:
"Meng Wei! Your accusations are so serious, concerning the safety of my mountain stronghold and the reputation of Miss Mu!"

"Words alone are not enough; do you have any concrete evidence?!"

Meng Wei snorted coldly, his face showing even more hostility:

"Hmph! Do you think I, Meng Wei, am someone who speaks nonsense?"

He suddenly pulled an envelope sealed with sealing wax and stamped with a bright red official seal from his pocket, and held it high:

“Yesterday, we set up a checkpoint on the official road and intercepted a courier who was in a hurry! What we found on him was this item!”

He slammed the envelope down on a tray held by one of his men, pointing it at Kiyama Ao:

"At the time, I had no idea who this 'Mushanqing' was. It wasn't until today, with this 'distinguished guest' coming up the mountain, that I suddenly realized!"

"It turns out the imperial court had already laid a trap and was plotting this all along!"

Bai Yi's expression turned solemn as he quickly stepped forward to take the official document.

He carefully examined the texture of the sealing wax, identified the paper's texture, and his eyes quickly scanned the arrangement of the ciphertext.

After a moment, he raised his head, surveyed the entire room, and spoke in a deep but clear voice:
"The official seal is correct, and the Six Doors secret document format... is also correct."

He slowly displayed the contents of the official document to the heroes of Yanshan Village who were eagerly waiting around him.

The appointment and task description of "Shadow Gate Constable Mu Shanqing" were clearly written in black and white on white paper with a large vermilion seal, exactly as Meng Wei had said!

In particular, the final destination of this secret order was to be delivered to Qin Feng, a famous constable of the Six Doors of Changzhou!
The proof is like a mountain!

All suspicion instantly turned into real hostility!

Countless gazes once again focused on Mu Shanqing, this time filled with chilling killing intent!
Han Tong and Fei Biao's expressions also changed drastically, looking at Mu Shanqing with surprise and uncertainty.

Although they had been traveling with Kiyama Sei for many days, they were still shocked and bewildered by the sudden and irrefutable evidence of his official status.

Bai Yi gently tapped his palm with his folding fan, producing a soft, suppressed "snap" sound. His gaze was piercing, fixed on Mu Shanqing, who remained aloof and arrogant.

"Miss Mu, things have come to this point, shouldn't you... give the entire Yanshan stronghold an explanation?!"

As soon as he spoke, the heroes of Yanshan Village around him seemed to receive a command and took a step forward in unison!
The blades gleamed coldly, and the heavy footsteps converged into a suffocating sense of oppression, crushing towards Mushan Qing in the center!

The air was so tense it felt like it was about to burst!

Faced with this situation of being pointed at by thousands and surrounded by swords, Kiyama Sei showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, a cold smile full of utter contempt and disdain curled at the corner of his lips:
"explain?"

Her voice was like an ice bead falling to the ground, clear yet icy:
"You think you're worthy to listen to my explanation? Utter nonsense!"

Judging from her appearance, she didn't bother to prove her innocence at all.

Meng Wei's stern shout rang out again, this time directed at Han Tong and Fei Biao:
"Han Tong! Fei Biao! You two are also well-known figures in the martial arts world. Our Yanshan stronghold has never doubted your identities!"

"But since you've been traveling with this woman, you must know something about the situation!"

"In front of all these heroes, tell me, how did you meet this 'Wooden Maiden'? Has she revealed even a shred of her secrets to you?!"

Han Tong and Fei Biao exchanged a glance, both seeing complexity and struggle in each other's eyes.

Fei Biao took a deep breath and forced himself to speak:
"We...we did indeed meet by chance on our journey of seeking revenge. Brother Han and I share a common enemy, and upon hearing that he had fled to Changzhou, we agreed to pursue him. While discussing our plans at an inn, this Miss Mu happened to overhear us and said that she also had an irreconcilable feud with Li Wanshan, and was willing to travel with us..."

Han Tong continued, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible confusion:

“Miss Mu… did indeed display profound martial arts skills at the time. We thought we had encountered a powerful ally on our quest for revenge, and we were overjoyed, so we… agreed. We traveled together until we met Brother Song, at which point we temporarily put aside our revenge and came to pay our respects to the heroes of Yanshan…”

Their voices grew weaker and weaker.

Clearly, the more they talked, the more they realized that what they were saying was not only unbelievable to others, but also difficult to convince themselves.

Their encounter seemed untenable once the shadow of doubt fell over it.

"Hahaha!"

Meng Wei burst into a mocking laugh, interrupting Han Tong:

"Stupid! You two are utterly foolish!"

"What a coincidence!"

"A completely unknown woman with ridiculously high martial arts skills, whom you could just bump into at any inn, and who happens to share the same mortal enemy?"

"You actually believed such a lame excuse?!"

He pointed at Mushan Qing and said sternly:
"In the end, you know absolutely nothing about her true background!"

Han Tong and Fei Biao were humiliated in public by Meng Wei, their faces flushed red, and their eyes blazed with anger.

But faced with the "ironclad evidence" and Meng Wei's questioning, he was speechless and unable to refute it.

They really... don't know the truth.

This silence was undoubtedly seen as tacit agreement by the people of Yanshan Village around them!
The flames of doubt instantly burned even brighter!

Seeing this, Meng Wei grew even bolder. He suddenly stepped forward, his finger almost poking Mu Shanqing's nose, his voice carrying the roar of a victor:

"Kiyama Ao! The evidence and witnesses are all there! What else do you have to say?!"

Miso miso miso!
The heroes of Yanshan Village all around them took another step forward in unison!
The blade drew even closer, and the killing intent almost solidified into a tangible form!
However, at this critical moment, when everything was about to fall apart, Kiyama Sei made a move!

She didn't even bother to look at Meng Wei again; her clear, cold eyes suddenly flashed with a chilling light, like ancient ice.

"You ignorant wretch, how dare you tarnish my reputation?"

"Today, I will show you the price!"

Before she finished speaking, her figure had already moved like a ghost!
A terrifying, overwhelming, and suffocating aura erupted instantly, like an invisible tsunami, sweeping across the entire area!

"Protect the young chieftain!"

Two sharp shouts rang out at the same time!

Two figures shot out like arrows from Meng Wei's left and right sides!

On the left is a man, hunched over and as thin as a withered branch, wearing a coarse linen garment full of patches and dirt. His skin is dark and rough, and his face is covered with deep wrinkles as if carved by a knife and axe. He looks exactly like an old farmer who has been through many hardships and is about to die.

But the brass-handled sword in his hand gleamed with a chilling light, moving as fast as a viper's tongue, aiming straight for the vital points on Mu Shanqing's body!

It was none other than Ji Yan, the "Starry Night Guest"!
The person on the right was the complete opposite, with a burly build like an iron tower, bulging muscles, and a square, expressionless face, as if cast from steel.

It was none other than "Iron-Faced King Kong" Ding Jia!
He clenched his fists, the wind howling as he slammed them down with the force of splitting mountains and shattering rocks!
"roll!"

Kiyama Sei uttered only a single cold word and casually waved her hand!
There are no fancy moves, just pure and extreme external release of internal energy!

"not good!"

Ji Yan and Ding Jia's expressions changed drastically!
They felt an overwhelming and terrifying force rushing towards them, as if they were facing not a person, but a collapsing giant mountain!

Their attacks were as fragile as paper in the face of this power!

"puff--!"

"Ugh—!"

Two dull thuds and a short, painful groan rang out almost simultaneously!
Ji Yan and Ding Jia were struck as if by an invisible giant hammer, spitting out blood and flying backward uncontrollably!

Like two out-of-control cannonballs, they crashed hard into the dense crowd behind them!
"Oh!"

"my leg!"

"Quickly open!"

……

Amidst screams and shouts of agony, the two men knocked over no fewer than twenty or thirty people before crashing heavily to the ground like broken sacks.

They struggled for a while but couldn't get up, clearly suffering from severe internal injuries!
The instant Mu Shanqing made his move, Bai Yi's expression changed drastically, and he cried out in alarm:

"Oh no! Stop her!"

The internal strength that Mu Shanqing displayed in that fleeting glance far exceeded his expectations!
He suddenly unfolded his folding fan, and sharp, cold blades instantly sprang from the fan ribs. He transformed into a white blur, lunging straight at Mu Shanqing's back, while shouting fiercely:

"Miss Mu! Show mercy!"

Without turning his head, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, Kiyama Sei casually struck out with a backhand!
"By you?"

Her tone was dismissive.

The palm strike was as sharp as a knife, tearing through the air with a piercing whistle!

"Bang!!!"

A deafening thud!

Bai Yi's steel fan blade, infused with powerful internal energy, shattered into pieces like rotten wood!
The violent force of the palm strike had not yet subsided and slammed into his chest!

"puff!"

Bai Yi was struck dumb, spitting out a mouthful of blood. He flew backward like a kite with a broken string, knocking over several of his men before barely managing to steady himself by leaning on half a fan handle.

His face was ashen, and his eyes were filled with unprecedented horror and disbelief.

"Third...third rank?!"

"You're a third-rank expert?!"

He finally understood why even a master like Han Tongfeibiao secretly revered this woman!

This is not even in the same league!

Meng Wei, who was standing to the side, witnessed everything that happened in the blink of an eye and was so frightened that he was completely terrified and his face turned ashen!
He never dreamed that this seemingly unremarkable woman was actually a legendary third-rank master!

If he had known this beforehand, he wouldn't have dared to make a public attack even if he had a hundred lives!
He was instantly gripped by endless regret and fear!

However, it's too late!

His pupils, dilated with extreme fear, reflected Kiyama Sei's icy, frosty face.

She appeared before him like a ghost, her fair and slender hand, now like the scythe of death, leaving afterimages as she mercilessly slapped down!

"Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!..."

The crisp, loud slaps, like rapid drumbeats, instantly reverberated through the deathly silence of the scene!

Mu Shanqing's attack was as fast as lightning. In just a few breaths, Meng Wei's once handsome face was now as smashed as a watermelon!
The skin was torn and the blood was flowing!

The white shards of the broken cheekbone even pierced the skin and were exposed!
A dozen or so bloody teeth, mixed with saliva and blood, splattered out!

Meng Wei was hit so hard that he spun around twice on the spot like a top, seeing stars and hearing a constant ringing in his ears. Finally, his legs gave way and he collapsed to the ground with a thud.

Like rotten mud.

Mushan Qing's blood-stained hand, now carrying immense force, pressed firmly onto Meng Wei's bloodied and mangled Baihui acupoint on the top of his head.

She looked down at Meng Wei with disgust, who lay there like a dead dog, her voice as cold as the winds of the deepest hell:

"Why are you harming me?"

“Don’t tell…”

She applied slight pressure with her fingers, and Meng Wei's skull emitted a teeth-grinding "crackling" sound:

"Then I will tear off your sky-covering bones."

boom--!
A chilling, viscous, and terrifying killing intent, seemingly emanating from a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood, erupted from Mu Shanqing without reservation!
The temperature at the scene seemed to drop by tens of degrees!

Those who get close to her can even feel a stinging sensation on their skin and a stagnation of blood!

The breaths exhaled by everyone instantly turned into clearly visible white mist!

Everyone, including the originally indignant heroes of Yanshan Village, felt a chill run from the soles of their feet straight to the top of their heads!

Looking at Mu Shanqing, who seemed like a god of death descending to earth, and at Meng Wei, who lay at her feet like a dead dog, an indescribable fear gripped them!
These aren't just imperial henchmen; they're demons crawling out of hell!
Meng Wei completely broke down! He felt like his head was about to be crushed!

Overwhelmed by the fear of death, he let out a piercing, ghostly wail:

"Uncle Bai! Uncle Bai, save me! Please save me!"

"I can't die! Otherwise, when my father and the chieftain come back... you won't be able to explain yourself! Save me!"

Bai Yi clutched his chest, which was throbbing with pain, his face ashen, and stared at Mu Shanqing with a complicated expression.

He took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly, yet still firm:

"Mu Shanqing! This is Yanshan Village! We will not tolerate your insolence here!"

"You really think... no one here can handle you?!"

His gaze abruptly shifted to Liang Jin, who had remained silent throughout, his expression a desperate plea and command:
"Hero Song!!"

Bai Yi's voice was urgent:

"I know you and Meng Wei have a long-standing feud! But with a powerful enemy at hand and spies from the imperial court right before our eyes! We are all brothers of Yanshan Stronghold, so we should put aside our past grievances and unite against this common enemy!"

"Hero Song! Please take action and capture this scoundrel!"

Swish-!
Like a drowning man grasping at a straw, Meng Wei looked at Liang Jin with a final hope, pleading, and even coercive gaze.

All eyes instantly focused on Liang Jin!
This newly emerged hero of Yanshan Village, the unfathomable "Timely Rain," has become the only person who might be able to turn the tide at this moment!

Mushan Qing's hand, which was pressing on Meng Wei's head, paused slightly. His cold eyes turned to Liang Jin, and a very complex emotion flashed deep in his eyes.

There was vigilance, scrutiny, and even... a slight sting, which she herself had not noticed, about the possibility of betrayal by someone she trusted.

She spoke coldly, her voice carrying a metallic chill:

"Song Jiang, you...you're going to stop me too?!"

Liang Jin remained calm, as if the tense and murderous scene had nothing to do with him.

He gently picked up Xiaoyu, who had been quietly staying by his side, and handed her to his second brother, Lei Zhen, who was behind him.

Then, he strode forward, unhurriedly, stepping across the ravaged ground, heading towards the eye of the storm.

His steps were steady and firm, each step seeming to tread on the tense heartstrings of everyone present.

Finally, he stopped in front of Mushan Qing, so close that he could see the frost churning in her eyes.

Liang Jin smiled slightly, a gentle smile that carried a strange, comforting power:

"of course."

The faint sting in Mushan Qing's eyes instantly transformed into icy rage. Her eyebrows furrowed, and her murderous aura surged once more!
She was about to erupt without restraint—

Liang Jin then spoke, his voice clear and firm, like a rock:

"I believe you, and naturally I must stop this misunderstanding from... from getting worse."

Kiyama Sei felt as if he had been struck by an invisible bolt of lightning!

"You...believe me?"

She subconsciously loosened her grip on Meng Wei's head by half.

She stared incredulously into Liang Jin's deep and calm eyes.

In this desperate situation where everyone's voices were overwhelming, the evidence was irrefutable, and even Han Tongfeibiao was wavering... this man, whom she had only known for a short time, actually said so resolutely... that he believed her?!
In the instant she was shaken and momentarily lost her composure, Liang Jin naturally reached out, his movements gentle yet with an irresistible force, and gently grasped her bloodstained wrist that was pressed against Meng Wei's head.

His palm was warm and strong, and he slowly and firmly removed her hand from Meng Wei's head.

Then, under everyone's gaze, he didn't let go, but instead gently held that cold hand in his own warm palm!

At the same time, Liang Jin spoke in a loud voice, his voice like a resounding bell, echoing throughout the entire Hall of Gathering Righteousness, carrying an admirable confidence and sense of responsibility:
"I, Song Jiang, am willing to stake my life on this!"

"I believe Miss Mu is definitely not a spy for the imperial court! There must be a huge misunderstanding here!"

Liang Jin's confidence was naturally justified.

If someone else accused Mushan Qing of being a spy for the imperial court, Liang Jin might have some doubts.

But it was that idiot Meng Wei who stood up to make the accusations.

This made Liang Jin realize that Meng Wei had definitely been tricked.

Because Ding Jia and Ji Yan, whom Meng Wei considered his confidants, were actually the real spies lurking in Yanshan Village!

Ji Yan was a man of the Prince of Pingcheng. Although Ding Jia did not know his identity, Liang Jin could roughly guess it.

After all, Ding Jia is a martial artist who can enter the Nine Void Boundless Realm.

Liang Jin had once seen him secretly conveying information to a martial artist through gestures and lip reading in the Nine Void Boundless Realm.

Clearly, the Nine Realms Without Boundaries has become a platform for some people to communicate.

For the imperial court, instigating internal strife within the Mushan Qinglai and Yanshan stronghold would undoubtedly maximize its interests.

No one would consider falsely accusing Liang Jin of being a spy.

After all, a person's reputation precedes them, and Liang Jin's fame had already spread throughout Changzhou. If someone wanted to frame him, they would have to find a reliable and reasonable one.

Kiyama Ao is highly skilled in martial arts, has an unknown background, and is arrogant and disdainful of proving himself, making him the perfect target for framing and sowing discord.

Therefore, Liang Jin believed that this was a scheme orchestrated by the imperial court.

aside.

Mu Shanqing's body shook imperceptibly.

She felt the unfamiliar yet unusually firm temperature emanating from her wrist, and then looked into Liang Jin's unwavering, trusting, and open eyes.

For the first time, a crack appeared in the high wall in her heart, built of anger, coldness, and murderous intent.

She pressed her lips tightly together, a hint of bewilderment and emotion flashing across her icy face, her voice unconsciously trembling slightly without her even realizing it:

Why...do you trust me so much?

"If...if I really am a spy..."

She looked directly into Liang Jin's eyes, as if trying to find the answer within them:
"What do you think?"

Hearing this, Liang Jin felt quite helpless.

Women... always love to ask these hypothetical, meaningless questions.

But that's precisely the breakthrough!

Liang Jin instantly understood.

Who is Kiyama Ao?
He is a cold, aloof, and proud third-rank expert!
At this moment, she was able to set aside her pride and ask such a question, with the tenderness of a young girl seeking a promise.

This in itself means that her carefully constructed defenses have been unknowingly torn open!
She is wavering, she is being overwhelmed!
Don't miss out!

A glint flashed in Liang Jin's eyes, and he decided to strike while the iron was hot.

Instead of loosening his grip on Mushan Qing's wrist, he slightly tightened his fingers, gently caressing her cool, delicate skin with a soothing yet possessive touch.

Then, he turned his head slightly, his warm breath carrying a masculine scent, brushing against Mushan Qing's sensitive earlobe without warning, his voice extremely low, like a whisper between lovers, yet clearly reaching her ears:

"If you really are Officer Mu..."

He paused deliberately, feeling the slender wrist beneath his palm tremble slightly:
"Then I, Song Jiang, will immediately leave this Yanshan stronghold and serve the imperial court!"

Kiyama Sei's breath hitched.

Liang Jin's breath drew closer, almost touching her earlobe, his deep voice possessing a seductive power:
"Not for fame or fortune, not for a bright future."

"Just so I can stay by your side, and walk alongside you..."

Sweet words are the sharpest spear to breach a fortress.

Liang Jin was well-versed in this.

In order to completely subdue the incredibly powerful expert before him, he didn't mind weaving the most touching lies.

This ambiguous promise, half true and half false, struck at the most vulnerable part of Mushan Qing's heart at that moment.

Immediate results!

Mushan Qing felt an indescribable heat, accompanied by Liang Jin's warm breath brushing against his ear, instantly spreading from his ear to his entire body!
That heart, which had been wrapped in ice for years, seemed to have been thrown into a scorching furnace. The ice layer made a "crackling" sound as it was rapidly melting under the strain!
Liang Jin's almost straightforward declaration of "just to be together" was like a honey-coated arrow that accurately struck the most hidden and tender corner of her heart!
"you……"

She instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but felt weak all over, and her strength was negligible.

Her usually aloof and frosty cheeks were now flushed with two astonishing red patches, as if she were drunk, which spread all the way to her slender neck.

The overwhelming murderous intent, the anger at being slandered, and the obsession with proving one's innocence that had preceded them were strangely replaced at this moment by a stronger thrill of being understood, trusted, and "chosen."

It was as if, as long as this man stood beside her, how the whole world viewed her no longer mattered.

"Hero Song!!"

Bai Yi's sharp shout was like a thunderclap, suddenly exploding!
He clutched his still aching chest, his face ashen, his eyes filled with disbelief, disappointment, and anger!
Looking at Liang Jin's almost intimate manner and the unusual blush on Mu Shanqing's face, he felt a chill rise from the bottom of his heart!

"How...how could you be so easily fooled?! So easily bewitched by this woman?!"

Bai Yi's voice trembled with excitement, and he almost crushed the broken handle of his folding fan:

"This woman's identity is unknown; the evidence is clear!"

"If we allow her to set foot in the heart of our Yanshan stronghold, it would be tantamount to inviting a wolf into the house, and it will surely bring annihilation to our stronghold!"

"Song Yingxiong, think it over!"

Liang Jin slowly raised his head, the gentleness on his face instantly vanishing, replaced by his usual composure.

He held onto Kiyama Ao's hand without letting go, his gaze calm yet unwavering, slowly sweeping over the faces of the audience—faces filled with shock, anger, and hesitation. His voice was clear and resolute:
"Miss Mu is a distinguished guest personally invited by me, Song Jiang!"

"Since I invited her here, I will never betray that trust, nor will I let her suffer an injustice here!"

He paused, his gaze fixed on Bai Yi's face, his tone resolute:

"If Yanshan Village cannot accommodate her..."

"Then I, Song Jiang, am willing to immediately leave the stronghold! I will find another place to settle Miss Mu!"

boom--!
These words were like a thunderclap in the already somewhat calmed scene!
Quit the knock-off trend?!

For a woman whose identity is questionable?!
The entire hall fell into a deathly silence; you could hear a pin drop!
Everyone was stunned by this earth-shattering declaration!

The people of Yanshan Village looked at each other, their eyes filled with extreme shock, confusion, and even a sense of absurdity!
After a brief silence, an overwhelming torrent of whispers erupted!
Everyone understood that Song Jiang was forcing everyone to choose sides!
Bai Yi trembled with rage, pointing at Liang Jin with heartbreaking pain:
"Song Jiang! You...you're utterly absurd! Acting recklessly and impulsively is not the behavior of a hero!"

"This Mu Shanqing's identity is rife with suspicious points, and the evidence is irrefutable! Why would you disregard the greater good of our mountain stronghold for her sake?!"

"Please take back what you just said! This matter... this matter needs further consideration!"

In Bai Yi's view, Liang Jin's move was nothing short of delusional, using withdrawal to blackmail the stronghold, which was utterly foolish!
However, Liang Jin simply stood there quietly, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his gaze as firm as iron.

That resolute attitude, that uncompromising stance, clearly told everyone—there was no room for discussion on this matter!

At this suffocating stalemate—

"Big brother!"

A deep, booming roar broke the silence!

Lei Zhen and Xiao Liu stepped forward abruptly, standing behind Liang Jin without hesitation, their eyes filled with loyalty and fervor.
"Wherever you go, we brothers will follow!"

"I'd brave mountains of knives and seas of fire without hesitation!"

That shout was like a spark thrown into a pot of boiling oil!
Immediately afterwards, Dong Xiong, formerly of Heijia Village, slapped his thigh hard, his voice booming:

"Hero Song! Back when we robbed government grain, the brothers followed you and did it with great enthusiasm! If you're leaving, count me in!"

"Xingniang, don't you think so?"

He looked at the still charming woman beside him.

Xingniang covered her mouth and smiled, her eyes sparkling, yet carrying an undeniable firmness:
"Of course! Song Yingxiong is a man destined for great things. Following you, there's hope for the future!"

"The brothers of Black Jade Village are willing to follow Hero Song and start anew!"

Then another loud shout rang out:
"And us!"

Then, "Cloud-Winged Eagle" E Xuan, leading a group of men whom Liang Jin had rescued from the execution ground, stepped forward in a flurry, clasped their hands in salute, and spoke with great emotion:
"The kindness of Hero Song in saving my life is like giving me a second chance! If I don't repay this kindness, I'm not worthy of being human!"

"We are willing to follow you closely, serving you faithfully and without any disloyalty!"

These three forces ignited a wildfire!
The eyes of the martial artists who were originally observing and hesitating changed instantly!
Some people genuinely admire Liang Jin's unwavering loyalty and extraordinary methods; some respect his sense of responsibility and courage in the face of power and doubt; and others are drawn to the strong cohesion Liang Jin has demonstrated and the greater benefits he may create in the future!

One by one, figures began to leave their original positions, each with different thoughts, yet all making the same choice.

They clasped their hands in greeting, shouted, or silently but resolutely marched forward, gathering into the ever-growing "camp" behind Liang Jin!
"I am willing to follow Hero Song!"

"Count me in!"

"Hero Song, if you're leaving, please take your brothers with you!"

……

The sound waves gradually converged, and although they were not in unison, they were full of power!
Behind Liang Jin, a formidable force quickly gathered, forming a clear confrontation with Bai Yi, Meng Wei's remnants, and those who remained hesitant.

Although those who sided with Liang Jin were in the minority.

But each and every one of them is a backbone force of Yanshan Village!
If they really leave, then Yanshan Village will be as if its bones have been instantly removed.

Liang Jin's gaze slowly swept over the faces behind him, some familiar, some unfamiliar, all filled with eagerness and a desire to follow, finally landing on Bai Yi's ashen and shocked face.

The deep-seated satisfaction and sense of control in his eyes were finally no longer concealed, like an undercurrent surging beneath a calm lake.

People’s hearts are available!

It seems that even if he were to establish a "New Banquet Mountain Village," he would still have a large following.

(End of this chapter)