Chapter 60 Playing Along with the Scheme

Huang Si-lang hurried all the way to the granary situated at the rear of the grand stronghold.

Although patrols of ruffians and guards were normally stationed here, he was intimately familiar with every inch of the encampment, allowing him to slip past unnoticed with absolute ease.

Stealthily entering the granary, he gazed at the mountains of rice and grain piled high within. Huang Si-lang sighed softly, dragged a barrel of oil over from the side, and began splashing its contents all over the provisions.

Midway through his busy work, a gloomy, chilling voice suddenly echoed from behind him, "Si-lang, what are you busy with?"

Startled into a violent shudder, Huang Si-lang dropped the oil barrel with a loud *clatter*, sending the oil spilling across the floor.

He whipped around in a panic, only to find Li Yun—who ought to have been fast asleep in his quarters—standing there with his arms crossed, staring at him with cold eyes.

"Y-you... why are you here?"

With a dark countenance, Li Yun lowered his gaze to trace the spreading puddle of bean oil, then spoke in a haunting tone:

"When you lot arrived at the foot of the mountain that day, our Big Brother explicitly stated that among the sworn brothers returning to the stronghold, there would inevitably be government spies."

"Had it been up to Big Brother's temper, he would have simply taken an axe and chopped you all to pieces. It was only through Zhu Fu's and my earnest pleas that Big Brother changed his mind, deciding to feign ignorance and turn the tables against them."

"Though we did not know the exact identity of the mole, any spy making a move would inevitably resort to murder and arson. What else within this stronghold could possibly cause more panic than the burning of the granary?"

"Therefore, I kept watch right here, simply waiting for the spy to take the bait. To think it would actually be you!"

Trembling from head to toe, Huang Si-lang chattered his teeth, stammering, "B-Big Brother... k-knows as well?"

Li Yun arched an eyebrow, offering a cold, mocking laugh as he gazed at him derisively. "Not only does Big Brother know, but every single commander in the new battalion has received individual instructions from him."

"Did you truly believe you were being planted into the new battalion to divide the command?"

"It was merely a pretext to have every brother keep their eyes fixed firmly upon you!"

Hearing these words, Huang Si-lang finally understood why Zhu Fu had repeatedly emphasized "matters entrusted by the Chief of the Stronghold" during the handover earlier, and why the patrol captain had replied, "We keep the Chief's words etched in our hearts at all times, never daring to commit the slightest lapse."

To his everlasting regret, he had been standing right beside them at the time, completely blind to the unspoken understanding passing between them.

"I-is Big Brother coming too?" Huang Si-lang's legs turned to jelly as he cast anxious glances left and right.

"Do you really think taking you down requires Big Brother to dirty his own hands?" Li Yun drew his saber from its scabbard, pointing the blade straight at Huang Si-lang. "If you know what's good for you, surrender immediately and come with me to confess before Big Brother, awaiting whatever punishment he deems fit. If you refuse—while I may know who you are, this blade of mine has no such recognition!"

Upon hearing that Li Kui had not come, Huang Si-lang's desperate will to survive surged once more. His eyes turning bloodshot, he drew his own waist saber and shrieked hysterically:

"Talk of confession?"

"What wrong have I committed?"

"I am an officer of the imperial court now! I am suppressing bandits!"

"That Li Kui is nothing but a lunatic!"

"Was amnesty not a fine path to take?"

"Why insist on plundering the imperial birthday gifts?"

"If only he had returned Tutor Cai's birthday tributes, everyone would have lived in peace and safety!"

"Yet he stubbornly refused!"

"He is merely a puny hoodlum from a county town; what grand airs is he putting on?"

"Preaching about acting on behalf of Heaven?"

"He is nothing more than a common thief at heart!"

"Had I possessed martial prowess like his, I would have secured a noble title on the battlefield long ago, bringing honor and prestige to my wife and descendants!"

"That cold-blooded, ruthless villain turns his back on others without a second thought!"

"Old Seven Li and I were among the very first to follow him, but look at where we stand now!"

"The moment you lot arrived, the two of us were cast aside instantly!"

"Do not be fooled by how he treats you as a brother today; once other powerful outlaws join the mountain, he will kick you away without a second hesitation at any moment!"

"What good could possibly come from following him?"

"Better by far to help me burn these provisions to ash, while Old Seven Li opens the stronghold gates to welcome the imperial forces. When that time comes, we shall all secure official posts!"

Li Yun gazed coldly upon Huang Si-lang, who was barking like a rabid dog, and inwardly shook his head.

It was merely a matter of seating rank within the stronghold. Had you desired it so deeply, you needed only to speak; what harm would it have been to yield it to you?

Was it truly worth harboring such resentment in your heart all this time?

Yet... such a narrow-minded wretch was hardly worthy of being called a brother of Li Yun!

His disappointment in Huang Si-lang had now reached its absolute zenith, instantly scattering what little lingering sentiment remained into oblivion. Refusing to waste any more breath, he leaped forward, bringing his blade down in a sweeping slash.

Huang Si-lang brandished his waist saber, clashing fiercely with Li Yun.

However, the disparity in their martial prowess was simply insurmountable. Before meeting Li Kui, Huang Si-lang had never practiced martial arts at all, and the meager skills he later acquired were gleaned entirely from Li Kui—a master of only half-baked techniques.

Li Yun, on the other hand, possessed a family tradition of martial arts. The nickname "Green-Eyed Tiger" was well-earned, and when it came to martial skill, scarcely anyone in the entire Yishui County could rival him.

Were it not for desperation fueling a reckless bid for survival, Huang Si-lang would not have lasted even three exchanges.

Barely a dozen clashes later, Li Yun severed Huang Si-lang's head with a single stroke.

Meanwhile, before the stronghold gates, Old Seven Li was also greeted by a neatly arrayed group of guards.

Unaware that his betrayal had long since been exposed, he still approached with a smile, calling out jovially:

"We are merely sharing a midnight snack, what is the meaning of forming up in ranks like this?"

The captain of the guard wore a freezing expression. With a sweep of his hand, the dozens of men behind him instantly thrust their long spears upright, aiming directly at Old Seven Li and his companions.

Old Seven Li's smile froze instantly as he demanded in an aggrieved tone, "I brought wine and meat out of the goodness of my heart to treat the brothers. What is the meaning of this?"

The captain let out a cold, cynical laugh. "Hah! The Chief of the Stronghold specifically gave strict instructions long ago: guarding the gates strictly forbids drinking, forbids falling asleep, and forbids allowing unauthorized personnel atop the ramparts... Anyone who dares violate these rules shall be executed without mercy."

"These regulations are no secret to you, Old Seven Li, yet you deliberately chose to break them. You must undoubtedly be a spy for the imperial forces."

Color draining from his face, Old Seven Li flew into a rage:

"I came here to reward the troops under the direct orders of Brother Li Kui! How on earth did your glib tongue twist that into being a government spy?"

"If you do not give me a clear and satisfactory explanation today, I will not let this rest!"

With that, he stepped forward, reaching out to grab the captain, only for the captain to thrust his spear straight forward without hesitation.

Had Old Seven Li not maintained a wary guard, that single thrust would have pierced a hole right through his body.

Shocked and furious, Old Seven Li pointed at the captain and cursed:

"I am the Fourth Chief of this stronghold! How dare you strike at me with a spear? Do you intend to rebel?"

"Come, let us go before Brother Li Kui and settle this right and wrong once and for all!"

The captain sneered coldly. "There is no need to trouble the Chief. I already dispatched someone to report to him just moments ago; by now, the Chief is likely well on his way here."

Panic finally seized Old Seven Li. Abandoning all further pretense, he ripped his saber from its scabbard and roared at his men:

"Kill these dogs at once! Open the gates and let the main army in!"

"Once that Li Kui arrives, none of us will leave this place alive!"

Dropping their food boxes in unison, the accomplices drew their blades, preparing to force their way through.

The situation stood on a razor's edge when the sound of brisk footsteps suddenly rang out. The figures of Li Kui and Zhu Fu appeared atop the ramparts.

The moment he laid eyes on Li Kui, Old Seven Li abandoned all thought of resistance. He tossed his blade aside and turned to flee down the steps.

Zhu Fu closed the distance in two or three strides, cut him down with a single stroke, and severed his head.

The remaining conspirators were utterly terror-stricken. As they scattered in frantic panic, they found themselves completely surrounded by elite guards emerging from the shadows.

Unwilling to waste words on them, Li Kui merely flicked his hand, and the traitors were riddled with spear thrusts, dying a death most thorough.

Without further delay, Li Kui took personal command at the stronghold gates, dispatching his men to round up all remaining accomplices before preparing to turn the tables and lure the government forces into the trap.