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

Chapter 597 The Chief's Coercion
The heavy doors of the Black Tiger Hall opened like the gaping maw of a giant beast.

Two figures slowly stepped out, illuminated by the dim yellow light inside the hall.

The person in the lead was none other than the chieftain, Yin Leiling.

He walked with a steady gait, his stride powerful and unwavering. He was still wearing his blood-stained black outfit, the strong stench of blood and rust mixed with the smell of sweat, like his invisible cloak.

His resolute face, though still showing signs of fatigue, was overshadowed by a triumphant excitement and an absolute desire for control.

His gaze was sharp as he surveyed the entire room, exuding an air of dominance.

Bai Yi followed closely behind, taking half a step.

He was still dressed in a simple long robe, holding a folding fan. His face was slightly pale, but his eyes were unusually bright and sharp, like an icicle hidden beneath a calm surface.

He trailed Yin Leiling by half a step, his posture respectful, yet he exuded an aura of strategic brilliance.

The appearance of these two was like a drop of cold water into a boiling oil pan, instantly igniting the enthusiasm of the entire audience!
"The chieftain is mighty!"

"Mr. Bai is a diviner!"

"A resounding victory! A resounding victory! A resounding victory!!!"

……

A deafening roar, like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing, rose into the sky, making people's eardrums buzz.

The fervent emotions surged like tangible waves, crashing against every corner of the square.

Swords and spears were raised high, striking the ground and shields with a dull, wild drumbeat.

Everyone's faces were filled with the ecstasy of surviving a catastrophe and a kind of blind worship, their eyes fixed on the two key figures who had led them to "victory".

A satisfied smile curved Yin Leiling's lips as he raised his large, bony hand and slowly pressed it down.

As if by magic, the clamor subsided quickly with his movement, leaving only heavy breathing and an uncontrollable, excited heartbeat.

The entire square fell into a silent atmosphere filled with anticipation.

"Brothers!"

Yin Leiling's voice boomed like a bell, resounding across the silent square, filled with undeniable authority and persuasive power:
"In last night's battle, I, Yin, have lived up to my mission! I led my men of Yanshan to strike hard against the imperial henchmen, behead the enemy chieftain, seize their weapons, and bring glory to our mountain stronghold!"

He abruptly waved his hand, pointing to the mountains of spoils and the hanging heads in the square:

"This battle is to show those high-ranking corrupt officials that Yanshan Village is not a pushover they can easily manipulate!"

"Those who dare to defy my might will pay a bloody price!"

The crowd erupted in thunderous cheers once again.

"it is good!!!"

The cheers soared into the sky.

Enjoying the thunderous applause, Yin Leiling continued loudly:
"I hereby swear! This is just the beginning! Next, I will lead my brothers to continue sweeping across the land, robbing the rich to help the poor, to bring more wealth and glory to my brothers, and to expand the territory of my Yanshan stronghold!"

"All the spoils seized last night..."

He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping over the villagers who were eagerly eyeing their spoils:

"Regardless of age or social status, all of it will be distributed to every brother who fought last night!"

"I, Yin Leiling, will not take a single penny! All credit belongs to the brothers who fought and bled!"

The final promise was like lighting the final fuse, and the entire square erupted in cheers.

"The chieftain is wise!!!"

"We swear to follow our chieftain to the death!!!"

A wave of ecstasy swept over everyone.

The piles of spoils of war armor instantly transformed into gleaming gold and gleaming silver in everyone's eyes!
The bloody battle and pain of last night seemed to be compensated doubly at this moment.

Yin Leiling's prestige reached an unprecedented peak under the halo of this generosity and victory.

Liang Jin stood on the edge of this frenzied vortex.

He wore a gentle, even slightly appreciative, smile, as if he were a detached observer.

He watched all of this calmly, his eyes deep and unwavering.

Lei Zhen and Xiao Liu behind him had faces so gloomy they could drip water.

Lei Zhen's fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and the veins on his forehead throbbed. He looked at Yin Leiling, who was being fawned over by everyone, and his eyes almost spit fire.

Xiao Liu frowned, his eyes scanning the frenzied crowd around him with deep concern.

He could clearly sense that the core position that Liang Jin had painstakingly built up was being rapidly washed away and diluted by the tide of this victory.

In the crowd, Meng Wei was struggling to push his way toward Yin Leiling, his face filled with confusion and anxiety about what had happened the night before.

Ji Yan and Ding Jia, who were originally following behind him, exchanged a silent glance amidst the pushing and shoving of the crowd.

His eyes were filled with extreme fear and despair.

Instead of following Meng Wei, they used the crowd as cover, like two slippery eels, to move backward silently, trying to disappear into the depths of the crowd.

at this time.

Yin Leiling's gaze swept across the crowd like a hawk's, landing precisely on Liang Jin.

His smile widened, carrying a deliberate air of familiarity and a hint of barely perceptible contempt, as he laughed loudly:
"Hahaha! Song Yingxiong! You've finally decided to leave that harem!"

His voice was loud and clear, reaching everyone's ears:

"Last night, the brothers were all looking forward to your heroic appearance and displaying your divine might!"

"Alas, Song Yingxiong is so busy taking care of that Miss Mu that he rarely even steps out of the room."

"Mr. Bai and I sent people to invite him several times, but we were turned away each time! Left with no other choice, I, a rough man, had to lead my brothers to fight to the death!"

These words, though seemingly a joke, are actually veiled in truth.

This firmly cemented Liang Jin's image as someone "obsessed with women" and "disregarding the bigger picture."

really.

As soon as he finished speaking, bursts of suppressed laughter and whispers erupted from the crowd.

Countless gazes were cast upon Liang Jin, filled with amusement, disdain, and even contempt.

In the world of outlaws who value martial prowess and loyalty, neglecting one's "real business" for the sake of a woman is undoubtedly a major drawback.

Lei Zhen was trembling with rage, and Xiao Liu's face was ashen. The two could hardly contain their urge to draw their swords against each other.

however.

Despite being at the center of the storm, Liang Jin's smile remained unchanged, even becoming more gentle, as if he hadn't noticed the barb in Yin Leiling's words at all.

He nodded slightly, his posture composed, as if he had tacitly accepted the teasing.

A barely perceptible glint of coldness flashed in Yin Leiling's eyes as he continued to smile, his tone carrying a condescending "leniency":
"Everyone, please stop laughing at Hero Song! It's only natural that heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman!"

He changed the subject, his gaze scrutinizing Liang Jin:

"Don't worry, Hero Song, next time I go down the mountain to 'beg for alms,' I'll definitely keep an eye out for some stunning beauties for you, so you'll never be lonely!"

These words caused everyone to continue laughing.

Yin Leiling paused, then her voice suddenly rose, carrying an unquestionable commanding tone:
"However, before the beauty arrives, we will have to trouble Hero Song to do his part for the stronghold first."

"I think it's best if Song Yingxiong temporarily takes on the responsibility of overseeing the logistics department!"

He seemed to have thought of something interesting and added:

"Beauties love pretty clothes! Hero Song is in charge of the Logistics Department, so he has the perfect opportunity to prepare some fine silks and satins for your beauties in advance. Wouldn't that be wonderful? Hahaha!"

coax--!
A huge burst of laughter erupted in the square once again.

This time, the mockery and contempt in the laughter were even more blatant.

The Logistics Department? What kind of place is that?
The logistics department that manages food supplies, clothing, and miscellaneous items!
Furthermore, the Logistics Department already had a manager, Qian Fu, known as "Iron Abacus".

Although the Logistics Department is important, it is essentially an "internal affairs" department, far removed from the core combat and decision-making circles, and has no chance to charge into battle or make a name for itself!

Should top combatants like "Song Yingxiong" be in charge of logistics?

This is like putting a tiger in a cage and letting a dragon manage shrimp!
In particular, Yin Leiling's arrangement, under the guise of "taking care of the beauty," was actually a way to suppress and sideline her, and was full of condescending and humiliating implications!

But the timing he chose was perfect:
After the great victory, the people's hearts were with him; Liang Jin had "lost his virtue" and was in the wrong; and the Logistics Department itself was indeed an "important" department. Liang Jin did not have a formal position in the stronghold, so putting him in charge of the Logistics Department could be considered a "promotion".

From any perspective, it seems to make sense.

This meant that after Yin Leiling made this decision, although some people had questions about it, no one took the initiative to speak up for Liang Jin.

The square fell silent for a moment.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on Liang Jin, waiting to see his reaction.

Is it a fit of rage and a sudden outburst?
Should we swallow our anger and keep quiet?
still……?
Under the watchful eyes of countless people, Liang Jin's smile remained gentle, even more pronounced.

He clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, his voice clear and bright, without a trace of anger:
"I am deeply grateful for the chieftain's kindness!"

He then changed the subject, his tone carrying just the right amount of humility:
"However, I am not very knowledgeable and am a complete novice when it comes to the management of money, grain and supplies. The Logistics Department is the lifeblood of the stronghold and bears great responsibility. I am afraid that I am not qualified for the position and may delay the important affairs of the stronghold."

"I implore the chieftain to rescind his order and choose another capable person. I, Song, will be eternally grateful!"

They refused?!

The crowd was in an uproar!
To everyone's surprise, Liang Jin refused so decisively!
And with such a humble and polite demeanor!
Is he sulking?
Or is it a strategic retreat to advance?

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, their whispers barely audible.

Yin Leiling's smile froze slightly, and a shadow crossed his eyes.

Liang Jin's refusal was undoubtedly a public humiliation for him.

His voice deepened, carrying a hint of pressure:
"Oh? Does Song Yingxiong think the position in the Logistics Department is too lowly?"

"Do you still feel that my arrangement was unfair?"

Liang Jin shook his head slightly, his expression remaining calm:
"The chieftain has misunderstood."

“It is by no means a sign of disdain, much less a questioning of the chieftain’s fairness.”

"It is really……"

He paused, his tone sincere:
"Song's adopted daughter, Xiaoyu, has recently reached a critical juncture in her martial arts training, but she is struggling to break through the bottleneck and is feeling restless and depressed."

"As her adoptive father, Song felt obligated to take her to West Peak to find a secluded place for secluded cultivation and help her overcome her difficulties."

"The journey will take a long time, and I fear it will be difficult to manage the affairs of the village, let alone the important duties of the supply depot."

West Peak?!
The moment this name was uttered, it was like a boulder being thrown into a calm lake!
Everyone was stunned!

That solitary, sheer cliff on the west side of Yanshan Mountain!
Apart from a simple watchtower on the mountaintop and a few henchmen on duty, the area is constantly swept by howling winds and jagged rocks, so much so that even birds are reluctant to stay there, making it a truly desolate place where even birds wouldn't bother!
Liang Jin actually suggested going to that kind of place?

Or should he take his adopted daughter to "retreat"?
How can this be considered refusing a job?

This is clearly a voluntary withdrawal from the core power circle of Yanshan Village!
It's a complete handover of power!

It's self-exile!
The astonishment in everyone's hearts was beyond words.

The fierce battle and power struggle they had envisioned did not occur. This once-powerful "Song Hero" actually chose the most complete retreat.
Is it because he knew he couldn't compete with Yin Leiling's prestige, and chose to protect himself?

Or... is there another motive?
Yin Leiling was also visibly stunned. He subconsciously turned his head slightly to look at Bai Yi behind him.

Bai Yi's brows were already tightly furrowed, the folding fan in his hand stopped waving, and his eyes were full of scrutiny and incomprehension.

He shook his head slightly, indicating that he couldn't see through Liang Jin's intentions either.

Yin Leiling's mind raced.

Liang Jin's initiative to back down and relinquish power was undoubtedly a result he was happy to see, saving him a lot of trouble.

But the other party's decisiveness and even their willingness to go to the perilous place made him feel uneasy.

However, under the watchful eyes of everyone, this is undoubtedly the best opportunity to establish his image as a magnanimous person!
His face quickly contorted with a complex expression of regret and understanding, and he let out a long sigh:
"Alas! So even Hero Song has such difficulties! Matters concerning his children are indeed of utmost importance!"

"In that case, how could I, Yin, refuse to grant Song Yingxiong's wish to be a loving father?"

He seemed to have made a very big decision:
"The important task of the Logistics Department, then..."

His gaze swept over Lei Zhen and Xiao Liu beside Liang Jin, clearly intending to take the opportunity to place these two into the Logistics Department and bring them under his control.

"Chief, wait!"

Liang Jin's voice rang out again, interrupting Yin Leiling.

He wore a gentle yet undeniable smile.

"I have one more request."

"During this retreat in Xifeng, the environment is harsh, and we need manpower to help build temporary accommodations and take care of Xiaoyu's daily life."

"I would like to invite my two brothers Lei Zhen and Xiao Liu, as well as the newly joined Zhong Lihan, to go to Xifeng to help me."

"We humbly request the chieftain's permission!"

Yin Leiling's gaze instantly darkened, like dark clouds before a storm.

He stared intently at Liang Jin, a surge of anger rising within him!

Song Jiang's constant retreats were a ruse; his true intention was to undermine Song Jiang's plans!
He not only left himself, but also took his three most trusted and capable confidants with him.

This is equivalent to uprooting Liang Jin's last remaining foundation in the mountain stronghold and completely removing him!

Yin Leiling almost wanted to refuse immediately, and even take the opportunity to lash out!

however……

Hundreds of eyes in the square were watching him.

Liang Jin's posture was so humble, and his reasons so "sufficient," that if he were to forcefully refuse, he would not only appear narrow-minded but might also evoke sympathy from some uninformed people. What he needed was absolute control and solid authority, not to be branded as suppressing a meritorious official after Liang Jin voluntarily withdrew!

Suppressing his anger, Yin Leiling's expression shifted several times before he finally managed a forced smile, his voice carrying a barely perceptible stiffness:

“Hero Song…is deeply devoted to his daughter and has considered everything carefully. Now that he has spoken, I, Yin…naturally have no reason to refuse!”

"Lei Zhen, Xiao Liu, and Zhong Lihan, the three of you will accompany Song Yingxiong to West Peak!"

Liang Jin smiled broadly and bowed deeply with his hands clasped in front of him.
"Thank you for your kindness, Chieftain!"

His posture was impeccable.

Without pausing, he turned and gestured to Lei Zhen and Xiao Liu.

The three of them pushed through the crowd and strode towards their residence under the gazes of countless people who were either astonished, regretful, disdainful, or thoughtful.

His back turned resolutely, without a trace of lingering affection.

Yin Leiling watched Liang Jin's departing figure, his eyes narrowing dangerously into slits, a glint of cold light flashing in them.

The fact that Liang Jin was able to leave so "dignifiedly" and take three skilled men with him undoubtedly cast a shadow over the powerful image he had carefully cultivated.

We must immediately divert everyone's attention!

We must use stronger stimuli to wash away the traces left by Liang Jin!

He whirled around, his face instantly contorted with fury, and roared at his already prepared subordinates:

"Bring the person up to me!"

At Yin Leiling's command, a commotion broke out at the back of the crowd.

Several fierce soldiers roughly pushed and shoved the two people who were tied up and had their acupoints sealed, and dragged them to the center of the square, where they knelt down in front of Yin Leiling and Bai Yi!
When the faces of the two people were seen clearly, the entire square fell into a deathly silence!
You can hear the needle drop!

Ji Yan! Ding Jia!
These two men were none other than Meng Wei's trusted lieutenants!

He was someone who usually served Meng Wei faithfully and treated him like a brother!

"Chief! What...what's going on?!"

Meng Wei, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, suddenly jumped out of the crowd, his face ashen, his voice trembling with shock, anger, and disbelief:

"Brother Ji! Brother Ding! What heinous crimes have they committed? Why are they being treated this way?!"

Meng Wei felt a surge of heat rush to his head!

His father had just died, and his status had plummeted. Now even his only remaining confidant had been publicly tied up and humiliated.
This is a complete slap in the face to him!
He had to get to the bottom of this!
Yin Leiling looked down coldly at the two kneeling on the ground, then glanced at the shocked and furious Meng Wei, a cruel sneer curling at the corner of his lips:

"Meng Wei! You treat them like brothers? Too bad, they've been playing you for a fool!"

His voice was like ice, piercing and heart-wrenching:
"These two traitors are spies planted by the imperial court in my Yanshan stronghold! They are lackeys of the Six Doors!"

boom--!
Like a bolt from the blue!

The entire square erupted in chaos!

Exclamations, curses, and gasps of shock rose and fell!
All eyes were like sharp arrows, shooting towards the two trembling figures on the ground!
"impossible!"

Meng Wei instinctively roared in rebuttal, but his voice sounded so pale and weak.

"impossible?"

Yin Leiling scoffed, as if looking at a hopeless fool:

"I had anticipated that after their great victory last night, their identities would be exposed, and they would be like stray dogs, eager to escape the stronghold and spread the news! That's why I had already ordered my men to secretly lay a trap!"

"Sure enough, they were like two headless flies, running headfirst into my pocket!"

"Caught red-handed, still trying to deny it?!"

Ji Yan, kneeling on the ground, was already deathly pale and was trembling uncontrollably.

Cold sweat streamed down his forehead, soaking his collar. His lips trembled, but he couldn't utter a single word. His eyes were filled with a deathly despair.

Beside him, Ding Jia suddenly raised his head, his face contorted with a desperate ferocity, and roared hoarsely:
"If the hero is so kind, then give me a quick death!"

This almost tacit roar, like a final, heavy blow, slammed into Meng Wei's heart!
He staggered back a step, his face turning from white to green, and then from green to red.

Countless images flashed through his mind: recently, every time he led a team out, no matter how secretive the plan was, they would always "just happen" to run into an ambush by the government's elite troops, suffering heavy losses and ending up in a sorry state...

No wonder Liang Jin always deliberately provoked him to split up; it turns out he had already sensed that there was a ghost around him!
No wonder Bai Yi told him the false intelligence last night that "we will attack the southern outpost at sunrise"—it was a trap all along!
It was deliberately passed on to these two traitors through his mouth, and then they passed it on to the government, thus leading the main force of the government army into the death trap carefully set by Yin Leiling!

So... everyone knew!
Only Meng Wei was like a complete fool and a clown!
He was manipulated by the "brother" he trusted!

Immense anger, boundless shame, and overwhelming hatred for being fooled gnawed at his heart like venomous snakes!

He had thought that after his father's death, he would still receive care from his two uncles, Yin Leiling and Bai Yi.

But now it seems they just see themselves as brainless good-for-nothings!

They didn't even bother to tell him the truth, letting him be made a fool of and lose face in front of the entire village.

They never consider how they will be able to maintain their foothold in the mountain stronghold in the future!

"what--!"

Meng Wei let out a low growl like a wild beast, no longer able to face the surrounding gazes that were filled with pity, disdain, or ridicule.

He shoved the crowd in front of him and fled the square, which had humiliated him, like a stray dog, without looking back.

"It's worthless!"

Yin Leiling watched Meng Wei's fleeing figure and snorted coldly.

He then turned to the entire audience, his voice like a chilling wind from the depths of hell, carrying a strong stench of blood:

"Look carefully, everyone! This is the consequence of betraying the stronghold and colluding with the imperial court!"

"Chop him up! Hang his head on the gate of the village! Expose it to the sun for three days! As a warning to others!"

The bandit soldiers left, swords raised.

"As ordered!"

The blade flashed like snow, drawing two chilling streaks in the twilight!
"Pfft!"

"Pfft!"

Two fine heads, spurting blood, rolled onto the cold, muddy ground.

Ji Yan's terrified and distorted face, and Ding Jia's wide-open eyes filled with resentment, appeared particularly glaring and shocking in the pool of blood.

Soon, two bloody heads were impaled high on spears and hung above the rugged gate of Yanshan Village.

Thick blood dripped down the spear shaft, gleaming a dark red in the twilight.

…………

Inside Liang Jin's residence.

The atmosphere was completely different from the hustle and bustle and bloodshed in the square; it was unusually quiet, even somewhat oppressive.

Lei Zhen paced restlessly around the room, like a caged bear, his fists clenched tightly. Finally, he couldn't hold back any longer and slammed his fist hard on the table, making the cups and saucers jump.
"Big brother! Are we really going to West Peak?"

"That godforsaken place is nothing but rocks and wind; you can't even get a proper night's sleep! What's the difference between this and being exiled?!"

He glared at Liang Jin, his eyes filled with incomprehension and frustration:

"Once we leave, there will be absolutely nothing left for us to do in Yanshan Village!"

"Once that bastard Yin Leiling has won over everyone's hearts and completely marginalized us, then he can do whatever he wants with us!"

"When he turns against us, there probably won't be anyone left to speak up for us!"

Although Xiao Liu didn't speak, his furrowed brows and worried eyes clearly expressed his confusion and concern.

He quietly packed some simple belongings, but his movements seemed somewhat heavy.

Liang Jin sat at the table, slowly wiping a slender short sword suitable for a child, the cold light reflecting on his calm and expressionless face.

He simply smiled at Lei Zhen's question and was about to explain.

"Tuk tuk tuk..."

A series of steady, powerful footsteps approached from afar and stopped outside the door.

Immediately afterwards, a tall figure pushed open the door and entered; it was none other than the newly joined Zhong Lihan.

His expression was calm. He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Liang Jin, his voice deep and clear:
"Brother Song, you were right."

"I have carefully examined the list of spoils captured last night and secretly checked the inventory of the Logistics Department."

He paused, his tone grave:
"This time, we have seized gold, silver, weapons, and armor, but... not a single grain of food!"

"Not only that, the current grain and fodder reserves of the Logistics Department have quietly decreased by a full 20% compared to the accounts from a month ago!"

Upon hearing this, Lei Zhen and Xiao Liu abruptly raised their heads, their eyes filled with astonishment.

They exchanged a glance and saw the confusion in each other's eyes.

Just now in the square, Yin Leiling was trying to pass the hot potato of the Logistics Department to his elder brother or them, but in the blink of an eye, Zhong Lihan brought definite news that the Logistics Department was short of food and supplies.

Is this just a coincidence, or did the elder brother have foresight all along?
"Big brother! What... what exactly is going on?"

Lei Zhen pressed for details, sensing that things were far more complicated than he had imagined.

Liang Jin put down the short sword he was wiping, and its cold gleam faded.

His gaze swept over his three brothers, his voice calm yet carrying an all-knowing power:

“A while ago, when I led my men out on an operation, I discovered something strange. Whether we attacked wealthy manors or government camps, the amount of food we obtained was decreasing, even plummeting.”

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table:

"At that time, I suspected that the government had probably begun to secretly implement a scorched-earth policy within a hundred miles of Yanshan! They were sparing no expense to either transport away or burn all the grain and fodder they could find in the vicinity!"

"Our goal is to completely cut off our Yanshan stronghold's food supply and starve us to death!"

Upon hearing this, Lei Zhen quickly calculated in his mind and asked in confusion:
"But... but even if we have 20% less food than last month, as long as we tighten our belts and eat sparingly, we should be able to last for half a year, right?"

"Is Yin Leiling so eager to push the Logistics Department onto my elder brother just because of a potential shortage six months from now?"

Liang Jin smiled slightly:
"Half a year?"

"That's the calculation method for peacetime! What about wartime?"

His voice suddenly turned deep, carrying a chilling sense of urgency:
"Once war breaks out, the consumption of food and supplies for people and horses will be several times higher than usual!"

"If the mountain stronghold is besieged by the imperial army again and all external support is cut off, then what will happen to the meager supplies left in the supply depot..."

Liang Jin did not continue speaking.

But the unresolved meaning, like a cold iron clamp, instantly gripped the hearts of Lei Zhen, Xiao Liu, and Zhong Lihan!

A chill ran up from the soles of my feet!
Lei stared in shock, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Big brother!"

"You mean... the imperial court... is going to really take action against Yanshan Village?!"

Liang Jin nodded slightly, his eyes sharp as knives.

Through his "Thousand-Mile Tracking" technique, he had already pinpointed the whereabouts of Yan Zi'an, Cen Ruifeng, and the famous Six Doors constable, Qin Feng.

With a clear objective and a well-defined route, they charged straight at Yanshan like sharks that had smelled blood!

This is by no means a small-scale crackdown!

Xiao Liu suddenly realized what was happening, and his face turned even uglier:

"So that's how it is! No wonder... no wonder Yin Leiling went to such lengths to put the Supply Division in my elder brother's hands! He must have already sensed the crisis of food shortage and anticipated the arrival of the imperial army!"

"He wants to put his elder brother in a difficult position! When the supplies run out and morale collapses, he'll pin all the blame on his elder brother! He'll accuse him of dereliction of duty, embezzlement, and even... colluding with the enemy!"

"Then he'll appear as a savior to clean up the mess and, just like that, put his elder brother... to death!"

Having figured out the crux of the matter, Lei Zhen felt a surge of anger rush to the top of his head. He slammed his fist on the table, his hair standing on end in fury:

"Despicable! Shameless! That scoundrel Yin Leiling, I thought he was a straightforward and honest man! I never expected him to be so vicious and treacherous!"

"Brother! He's already schemed against us like this, why are we still going to West Peak? Isn't that just sitting here waiting to die? We should..."

Lei Zhen couldn't finish his sentence.

Liang Jin smiled and said:
"So it should be like this?"

"Charge out and fight him? When the hearts of the people are all in his hands? When the imperial army is about to press in?"

"Even if we win, the Yanshan stronghold will be completely destroyed."

He stood up, walked over to Lei Zhen, patted the straight-talking brother's tense shoulder, and spoke with a strange, comforting tone:

"It's easy to kill someone, but difficult to win their hearts."

“I’m not worried about Yin Leiling at all. The reason I’m keeping him around is because he’s still useful to my plans.”

Liang Jin's gaze seemed to pierce through the walls, landing on the gradually quieting square, and that cold smile reappeared on his lips:
"Now is the time when he is most triumphant and most self-satisfied."

"but……"

He turned back, his gaze sweeping intently over his three brothers, his voice resolute and filled with an air of absolute confidence:

"Yet, this was also the moment when he was about to fall!"

Liang Jin's tone returned to calm, yet contained an even greater power:

"Don't worry, only I can solve the problems they can't. Only I can find a way out of the dead end that they can't lead the stronghold out of!"

He picked up his simple packed bag and walked towards the door first, his back view appearing tall and solitary in the dim light.
"Sooner or later, everyone will understand who... is truly the one who can lead them to survival in this Yanshan stronghold, in this life-or-death situation!"

"Let's go to West Peak!"

(End of this chapter)