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

Chapter 600 Gathering Hall

The negotiations completely broke down. Even though Yin Leiling and Bai Yi were extremely unwilling to see the mountain stronghold split up, they were now forced to the edge of a cliff with no room for maneuver.

They could only hastily gather all the members of the stronghold and, in the empty square, facing countless bewildered and terrified eyes, announce the suffocatingly bad news:
With government troops pressing in and supplies cut off, there was no hope of holding out to the death!

The only way to survive is to abandon the village and evacuate immediately!

Yin Leiling and Bai Yi knew all too well what kind of uproar this decision would cause.

After the announcement, they retreated into the heavily guarded Black Tiger Hall as if avoiding a plague, closing the doors tightly and never showing themselves again.

Only a few trusted confidants with solemn expressions and eloquent tongues remained outside to maintain order, answer questions, and try to calm the already boiling public sentiment.

However, the storm they had anticipated came much more violently and chaotically than they had imagined!

The news spread like wildfire, instantly reaching every corner of the mountain stronghold.

The camp, which had been cheering for victory just moments before, was now plunged into chaos and confusion.

“You’re even abandoning the village?! I… my ancestors have always been from Changzhou! My roots are here! My soul is here! You want me to abandon my family and home, leave my village, and go to some unknown, godforsaken place? I… I can’t bear to!”

An elderly man with a weathered face choked with sobs, and murky tears streamed down his deeply lined face.

"They ran away without even fighting?! Is the imperial army really that terrifying? Even the chieftain is afraid of them? We've run to unfamiliar territory, do you really think we can escape? Won't the authorities chase us?"

A hot-blooded young man waved his fist, his face full of resentment and anger.

"Yes! Chief! Lead us in one more battle! Even if... even if we really can't win, we brothers will accept it! We'll die like true heroes! Running away like this, looking so pathetic... we brothers feel so frustrated! We're not reconciled!"

More people echoed, their voices filled with a sense of abandonment and fear of the unknown.

The huge difference left everyone stunned.

Just two days ago, they were still basking in the euphoria of their great victory, having dealt a heavy blow to the officers and soldiers and seized mountains of spoils.

How could this business, built up over a decade ago, suddenly become a doomed place that must be abandoned immediately?
How did the stronghold chief who led them to slaughter the government troops into defeat suddenly become a bandit who wanted to lead them to flee for their lives?
And... we have to leave immediately!

Let's leave tonight!

This sudden turn of fate, like a cold iron hammer, struck everyone's heart hard, bringing unbearable dizziness and tearing pain.

Soon, like drowning people grabbing onto driftwood, many people thought of that name:

"Where is Song Yingxiong?! What did he say? Is he leaving or staying?!"

"Yes! What does Song Yingxiong think?! If Song Yingxiong leaves too, then... then I won't say a word! If Song Yingxiong decides to stay... then... can we stay too?"

"Go to West Peak! Go find Song Yingxiong right now and get to the bottom of this! Just one word from him and the brothers will be at ease!"

"Let's go! Let's go together before it gets completely dark!"

Immediately, many people who had doubts or were unwilling to leave spontaneously gathered together, like a fleet of ships searching for a lighthouse, and hurried towards the isolated West Peak under the cover of twilight.

The entire village was gripped by anxious waiting.

A strong sense of unease and anticipation filled the air.

Meanwhile, Yin Leiling's trusted men, who had been left behind, were not idle. They moved among the anxious crowd, trying their best to promote the benefits of evacuation:
"As long as we live, we'll survive! Follow the chief and we'll have a way out! We can still make a name for ourselves in a new place!"

They tried to win over more undecided people at the last minute.

at last.

Those who went to the West Peak brought back news that was enough to shake the entire Yan Mountain:

"Song Yingxiong... he's not leaving!"

"He said it himself—he wanted to stay! To lead the brothers who were willing to stay and resist the government troops!"

The news was like a spark thrown into boiling oil, instantly igniting the hearts of all those who stayed behind!
Everyone was shocked!

They originally thought that Liang Jin's decision to retreat to the West Peak when the chieftain Yin Leiling was at the height of his power and had achieved great victories was cowardly and an admission of defeat.

But now, while Yin Leiling has chosen to abandon his business and flee to another place, Liang Jin has chosen to stay and perish with this desperate situation!

Only now did they suddenly realize what was happening!

Liang Jin's initial concession may not have been out of cowardice, but rather to consider the overall situation and avoid internal strife!
Staying here at this moment requires true courage!
It is the courage to do something even when you know it is impossible!

"Hero Song... he is truly a great man! I was so blind before! I actually... actually thought of him like that!"

An old bandit who had once questioned Liang Jin was now filled with shame, his beard trembling with excitement.

"Song Yingxiong's magnanimity and spirit... I... I admire him! I was blind before, and even spoke ill of him behind his back. I am ashamed! I am truly ashamed!"

The other person's face turned bright red as he slapped his head hard.

"I don't want to leave either! If Hero Song dares to stay and lead us, I dare to follow him! I'll brave any danger, no matter what!"

A burly swordsman gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his voice ringing out.

"That's right! With Brother Song around, we have a pillar of support! Even if the sky falls, we'll hold it together!"

"Yes! Let's fight! If Song Yingxiong dares to stay, we dare to follow him! We'll die a quick and painless death!"

"Stay! Stay! Follow Song Yingxiong!"

The crowd's emotions were ignited, and their initial fear and anxiety were replaced by a surge of tragic passion.

soon.

The entire mountain stronghold was as if it had been cleaved in two by an invisible blade, forming two distinct camps.

A group of people, their faces grave, quickly packed their valuables, tied up their bags and luggage, pushed creaking wheelbarrows, drove their poultry and livestock, and helped the old and carried the young, silently and swiftly surging toward the village gate.

Those were fugitives determined to follow Yin Leiling.

Another group of people stopped what they were doing. Some leaned against the door frame, while others gathered together, watching the departing figures with complicated expressions, and frequently glancing in the direction of West Peak.

Those were the steadfast followers who chose to stay and stay with Liang Jin.

However, whether they stayed or left, everyone carried a heavy weight on their hearts.

Confusion, fear, and immense uncertainty about the future overwhelmed everyone like a cold tide.

No one knows whether the path beneath their feet leads to life or death.

The night, like thick ink, completely swallowed up Yanshan.

Torches were lit throughout the village, their flickering flames illuminating anxious faces in the darkness.

A dense crowd had already gathered at the entrance of the village.

Families, carts, and supplies mingled with the cries of poultry and livestock, creating a chaotic and desolate scene.

Under the firelight, some people held their sleeping children tightly, while others looked back at the houses where they had lived for many years, their eyes filled with tears of reluctance.

at last.

The heavy doors of the Black Tiger Hall creaked open.

Yin Leiling and Bai Yi appeared in the firelight.

Yin Leiling's face was ashen and his gaze swept over the brothers who had entrusted their lives to him. His voice was low and powerful, as if trying to drown out the cacophony of grief:
"Brothers! Tonight, we're leaving Yanshan!"

"The road ahead is uncertain! Perhaps we'll settle down in a new place, or perhaps... one day we'll come back!"

"The road ahead is fraught with peril! We'll travel a thousand miles, enduring wind and rain, and be surrounded by formidable enemies! But this road is the road to survival!"

"It's so that more brothers and more families can survive! It's to preserve the roots of our Yanshan Village! To protect this flag!"

"I, Yin Leiling, hereby swear that as long as I have a breath left, I will never betray everyone's trust! I will definitely lead everyone to fight our way out!"

There was no cheering.

The crowd was deathly silent, save for the crackling of the torches and the restless squeals of the livestock.

Yin Leiling abruptly waved his hand, as if severing the last vestige of lingering affection:
"Set off--!!!"

The order was given, and the huge and bloated team began to slowly crawl out, like a heavy python struggling to squeeze out of the village gate and meander down the mountain.

Within the group, suppressed sobs could no longer be contained, drifting in the night wind—the heart-wrenching pain of being unable to leave one's homeland.

In the distance, those who chose to stay stood silently in the shadows at the edge of the firelight, watching their former companions gradually disappear into the distance.

Their faces were tinged with sadness at parting from their companions, but even more so with the suffocating emptiness and unease that suddenly descended after most of them had left.

Because too few people stayed!

At a glance, it appears that over 60% of the people chose to leave!

The stark contrast cast a shadow of fear over everyone who remained.

Just then, a burly man as thick as a black iron tower suddenly stepped forward from the departing group. It was Dong Xiong from the former Black Jade Village.

He shouted at the top of his lungs towards the crowd that remained:

"What the hell are you all standing there for?! Waiting to die?! Hurry up and follow us! We can still make it!"

"Staying here means certain death! Not even a bone will be left!"

His rough roar was like a heavy hammer, striking the already fragile hearts of those who stayed behind.

really.

Several more figures who had been hesitant were thrown into a panic by his shout and hurriedly ran into the evacuation team with their heads down.

Dong Xiong's gaze swept across the crowd and suddenly settled on a still-attractive and beautiful woman, Xing Niang.

"Xing Niang!"

Dong Xiong shouted urgently:
"Aren't you leaving yet?! What are you standing there for? We're from Black Jade Village, we should stand together through thick and thin! We came together, and we'll leave together!"

Xingniang simply shook her head slightly, the firelight illuminating her slightly tired yet unusually calm face.

She sighed, her voice carrying a weariness born of a life lived through many hardships:

"Brother Dong, I'm not going any further. I'm tired, I really can't walk anymore."

Her gaze seemed to pierce through time:

"Back then, I killed that despicable bully and was wanted by the government, so I had to flee for my life. Later, I joined the bandits and went to the Black Tiger Stronghold, thinking I had found my home... But what happened? The stronghold was wiped out by the government, and I could only run for my life like a stray dog."

"Now that I've finally had a few days of peace here on Yanshan Mountain... I have to run away again."

She closed her eyes wearily, then opened them again, her eyes filled with deep weariness.
"I don't want to run anymore, and... I can't run anymore."

She paused, her gaze involuntarily drawn to the solitary western peak, its outline blurred in the night, a strange tranquility creeping into her voice:

"Besides..."

"With heroes of the Song Dynasty around, I feel... at ease."

She witnessed Liang Jin accomplish many impossible things.

She had complete trust and admiration for Liang Jin.

If it weren't for Mu Shanqing appearing, otherwise she… Dong Xiong frowned as he listened, shaking his large head vigorously, like a rattle drum:
"I don't understand! I really don't understand what you women are thinking! The chieftain's arrangement is the safest! You're being foolish!"

Unwilling to give up, he shouted again at the remaining crowd:
"Anyone else who's figured it out?! If you want to live, hurry up and follow! It'll be too late if you're any later!"

At this time.

An excited shout, like a thunderclap, exploded in the silent night!
"Hero Song has arrived—!"

Wow——!
Everyone's attention was instantly drawn over.

In the firelight, Liang Jin led Zhongli Han, Lei Zhen, Xiao Liu and others, walking steadily and swiftly towards the gate of the village.

The flickering firelight illuminated his calm, expressionless face and his deep, unfathomable eyes.

He didn't deliberately exude an aura, but his steady steps and composed demeanor seemed to carry an invisible power, instantly making him the absolute center of the entire arena!
The urgency on Dong Xiong's face froze instantly, his neck shrank sharply as if a duck had its throat choked, and he swallowed back the words he was about to say.

He dared not utter another word, hurriedly lowered his head, squeezed into the evacuation line, and disappeared.

When he first met Liang Jin, he was able to bargain with him.

However, after Liang Jin entered the banquet stronghold, Dong Xiong felt that he could see through Liang Jin less and less.

Liang Jin was as unfathomable as an abyss. Dong Xiong could not see through Liang Jin's strength, nor could he see through Liang Jin's thoughts.

It seemed that Liang Jin was getting stronger and more profound every day.

Dong Xiong was filled with fear of this unknown.

Not only him, but the entire evacuation team seemed to be choked by an invisible force, suddenly falling into a deathly silence.

No one dared to shout or cheer anymore, no one dared to look back, only the sound of rolling wheels and hurried footsteps remained.

People sped up in silence, wanting only to get as far away from that awe-inspiring figure as possible.

The confusion and fear in the eyes of those who remained melted away the moment they saw Liang Jin.

In an instant, I was filled with excitement and hope, as if I had found my pillar of support!

"Hero Song! You've finally arrived!"

"Hero Song! Tell us! What should we do now? We'll listen to you!"

"Yes! Wherever you point, we'll shoot!"

……

As if they had found a reliance, everyone crowded around, chattering and their eyes filled with eagerness and dependence.

Liang Jin's gaze slowly swept over the crowd that had gathered around him. Their faces bore the marks of hardship, their eyes burning with trust and determination, yet also concealing a fear of the future.

He nodded, his voice steady and powerful, clearly reaching everyone's ears:

"Brothers, trust me, Song Jiang, and I will not let you down!"

He paused, then changed the subject, pointing to the long, winding line of torches outside the village, disappearing into the darkness:
"According to Mr. Bai's previous intelligence, the main force of the officers and soldiers should arrive at Yanshan in three days."

Upon hearing this, a slight sense of relief appeared on everyone's faces, but then Liang Jin continued:

"However, the commander of this army is one of the four great constables of the Six Doors, Qin Feng!"

"This man is all about speed! He's swift as the wind and lightning! I was once chased by him for a thousand miles, from west of Changzhou to east of Changzhou, and I know his style all too well. He will never follow a set plan and give us time to set up our defenses!"

Liang Jin's gaze sharpened, as if piercing through the darkness before him to see the enemy rapidly advancing in the distance:

"Therefore, I predict that Qin Feng will strike unexpectedly, for speed is of the essence in warfare!"

"Their main striker will arrive at the foot of Yanshan Mountain as early as tonight or as late as tomorrow morning!"

As soon as this statement came out, the whole audience was in an uproar!

Those who remained behind were all horrified!
"what?!"

"Tonight?!"

"Tomorrow morning?!"

If someone else were to utter such astonishing words, everyone would simply scoff.

But these words came from Liang Jin!
Now that Yin Leiling has led his men away, Liang Jin has become the de facto master of Yanshan. His words carry great weight and are unlikely to be baseless.

No one dares to underestimate them!
Panic, like a cold tide, once again quietly crept into the hearts of those who remained behind.

They couldn't help but feel grateful for their choice, and cast worried glances at the departing team.

Liang Jin glanced around at the panicked crowd and understood what was going on.

He did not tell the whole truth.

According to his "Thousand-Mile Tracking" information, experts such as Qin Feng, Yan Zi'an, and Cen Ruifeng have arrived near Yanshan and are forming an encirclement around it.

Yin Leiling's decision to lead his men to retreat at this moment is tantamount to walking into a trap!
This is precisely why he gave Bai Yi that seemingly inexplicable piece of advice today.

Unfortunately……

Bai Yi is too arrogant.

He thought his plan was foolproof.

He used two brothers in the village who could enter the City of the Unjustly Dead: one acted as a scout outside, and the other was in charge of receiving messages inside. By transmitting messages through the special time and space node of the City of the Unjustly Dead, he ensured that the information was absolutely safe, fast, and secretive.

After all, in this era, the transmission of information is fraught with danger.

Along the way, there were bandits who robbed travelers, starving disaster victims, and even government soldiers and yamen runners lying in ambush.

Even if you release carrier pigeons, they may be preyed upon by birds of prey, get lost, or be shot down.

Bai Yi's arrangement was undoubtedly very reasonable.

However, even the wisest person can make a mistake.

Therefore, when he learned that the soldiers had just passed Heifeng Pass, he judged that the soldiers would not arrive for at least three more days.

But as the saying goes, even the wisest person can make a mistake.

When the intelligence Bai Yi received differed greatly from the information Liang Jin obtained through the "Thousand-Mile Tracking," Liang Jin realized that Bai Yi's plan had gone wrong.

And it's not hard to guess that the problem lies with the outposted scouts.

This time, the officers and soldiers were as cunning as foxes!
Not only did they plant spies early on to cut off the supply lines to Yanshan stronghold, but they have now also cracked Bai Yi's intelligence system, causing him to make a fatal misjudgment!

The government troops' plan was clearly to achieve their goal in one battle and completely wipe out Yanshan Village!

However, the officers and soldiers also made a fatal mistake!

That is...

They seriously misjudged Liang Jin!
"Hero Song, hearing you say that... if the chieftain and the others retreat tonight, wouldn't that mean... their chances of survival are slim?!"

Someone asked in a trembling voice, their voice filled with lingering fear.

If the government troops arrive tonight as Liang Jin predicted, then the troops, having left the mountain stronghold for protection and carrying their families, will encounter the well-rested and elite government army on the open plains...

The consequences would be unimaginable!

Liang Jin sighed softly, a subtle, complex emotion flashing in his eyes:

“I have already reminded Mr. Bai. But... everyone has their own ambitions and strategies. Mr. Bai has his own considerations, and the intelligence system he has is surely based on something.”

"My judgment is ultimately just a speculation based on my understanding of Qin Feng, and has no factual basis."

He looked at the terrified expressions on everyone's faces, and his voice lowered:

"Now, all we can do is... pray that the chieftain and his men will be able to turn danger into safety and have a safe journey."

Upon hearing this, although no one knew whether Liang Jin's prediction would come true, the lingering fear of being thankful for having survived intensified.

They were incredibly grateful that they had chosen to stay and not follow that seemingly large but potentially doomed group.

Staying in a sturdy mountain stronghold is much safer than being exposed in the wilderness!

At this point, the most crucial and weighty question was finally asked:
“Song Yingxiong… I heard from Mr. Bai that this time the government troops… are terrifyingly strong.”

"So...if we stay...can we really...win the fight?"

The sound wasn't loud, but it struck like a heavy hammer, hitting everyone's heart.

All eyes were fixed on Liang Jin, filled with the ultimate question of life and death.

Facing the worried, expectant, and even desperate gazes of the crowd, Liang Jin slowly revealed a calm and confident smile.

That smile was like the dawn breaking through thick, dark clouds.

"If we can't win..."

His voice was clear and resonant, carrying an unwavering conviction, echoing in the silent night:

"Then why should I stay? Why not leave with the chieftain and preserve my usefulness?"

His gaze swept across every face, his tone carrying a compelling and powerful force:
"Rest assured, everyone! Since I, Song Jiang, have chosen to stay and lead you all to fight against the powerful enemy... I am confident that I can succeed!"

"I hereby swear that I will live and die with you all!"

"This battle must be won!"

There were no specific strategies, no fancy words.

Only those two resolute words, "Victory is certain," and the powerful, awe-inspiring aura of confidence emanating from Liang Jin!

"We must win! We must win! We must win!"

Lei Zhen was the first to raise his arm and shout, his voice booming like a bell!

Zhongli Han and Xiao Liu followed closely behind!
Immediately afterwards, like dry tinder being ignited, the fear in the hearts of all those who remained was instantly dispelled by these bold words and Liang Jin's unparalleled confidence, replaced by a fervent fighting spirit that had been suppressed to the extreme!
They waved their fists and shouted at the top of their lungs!

The sounds converged into a torrent, breaking through the oppressive night sky of Yanshan Village!
Liang Jin raised his hand, silencing the boiling clamor. His gaze was calm as still water.
"Now is not the time to celebrate! A formidable enemy could arrive in an instant! What we must do is regroup and prepare for war!"

"And this first thing..."

His gaze passed over the excited crowd and landed on the brightly lit Black Tiger Hall, the core of power in Yanshan Village.

He strode through the crowd and walked straight to the huge plaque hanging high above the Black Tiger Hall.

The flickering firelight illuminated the three large, ferocious, and domineering gilded characters on the plaque—Black Tiger Hall!

Liang Jin raised his hand, pointing to the plaque symbolizing the old order, his voice like a declaration, resounding throughout the entire village gate:
"Take it off!"

"Replace it with a new one!"

He surveyed the crowd, his eyes gleaming with a light that seemed to break with the old and establish the new, a light that unites people:

"On the new plaque, it is inscribed—"

"Gathering! Righteousness! Hall!"

The three words uttered were resounding and powerful!
(End of this chapter)