Liver in Water Margin, outlaw madman

Zhang Shan and his party slowly traveled north along the official road, their carriages rumbling along. Gradually, the magnificent manor disappeared behind the shadows of the trees.

Once they left Chaijin's territory, everyone returned to their usual routine.

Chai Jin, on the other hand, was in a great mood.

After seeing Zhang Shan off, he returned to his study and had someone carefully retrieve the dozen or so bottles of "Hero's Wine".

The celadon bottle gleamed warmly under the lamplight. Chai Jin examined it for a long time, then suddenly had a brilliant idea. He called over the steward and instructed, "From today onwards, whenever any hero comes to the manor, serve him a cup of this wine first."

The butler hesitated for a moment, then, not daring to ask any further questions, accepted the order and left.

Chai Jin sat alone in his study, thinking about the people who would come to him for help in the future. After a cup of strong liquor, those who could drink were true heroes, while those who couldn't would naturally reveal their true colors.

The more he thought about it, the more pleased he became, and he couldn't help but clap his hands and chuckle, as if he could already see the scene of his discerning eye recognizing talent and his disciples gathering together with outstanding individuals.

........

After traveling for most of the day, Zhang Shan and his party arrived at a secluded spot at the foot of a mountain to rest.

The group dismounted, found a flat patch of grass to sit down, and some ate dry rations while others drank water.

Taking advantage of a break, Shi Yong approached Du Qian and asked in a low voice, "Brother Du Qian, which Liangshan... is it?"

Du Qian smiled and didn't hide anything from him: "It is Liangshan Marsh under the jurisdiction of Jizhou Prefecture."

Shi Yong's eyes lit up instantly, and his voice rose several decibels: "Are you all heroes of Liangshan? Have you ever heard of someone, Song Jiang, the Timely Rain Song Jiang?"

Du Qian thought for a moment, then shook his head: "I have heard of Song Jiang, the clerk, from Yuncheng County. But I've never heard of the title 'Timely Rain'."

He was telling the truth.

When Wang Lun was alive, Liangshan kept to itself and paid little attention to any disturbances outside.

Du Qian joined Liangshan early, and he was not familiar with many new names in the martial arts world.

If it were Zhu Gui, he might know something.

Jiao Ting sat to the side with a dark face, not saying a word.

He had actually heard of Song Jiang, but he didn't like to talk, and he didn't like to get involved in such matters.

Moreover, ever since he joined Liangshan and met someone like Lin Chong, his interest in a minor county official has diminished considerably.

Wu Song, however, took a sip of water, wiped his mouth, and continued, "I've heard of Song Jiang's name many times at Master Chai's manor. Everyone says he's a chivalrous and generous man who helps those in distress and is a renowned hero."

Zhang Shan listened, smiled, and did not refute.

He sat down against a large tree, legs outstretched, and said slowly, "I've heard that Song Jiang isn't interested in women and uses all his money to help others. But... I've never understood how much wealth and salary a county clerk could possibly have to support such extravagance?"

These words were spoken in a tone that was neither too strong nor too weak, as if he were talking to himself, or perhaps asking the people present.

Zhang Shan didn't utter a single negative word about Song Jiang; he simply stated a fact in a plain and unassuming manner.

Where does the money come from?

It's not that no one has thought about this problem.

It's just that everyone overlooked it, or rather, subconsciously didn't want to think about it.

Because everyone hopes that when they are in trouble, they can meet such a person who will help them in their time of need and be generous and righteous.

After Zhang Shan finished speaking, he lowered his head, unscrewed the water pouch, and took a sip.

Shi Yong and Wu Song both fell silent.

Shi Yong used to be a loan shark and had seen too many money transactions. He knew the situation very well. As a clerk, with his meager salary, he couldn't even support his family, let alone be generous.

Needless to say, Wu Song, having come from a poor background, knew better than anyone how much a steamed bun or a bowl of wine cost.

Because he understood this, he was even more aware of the weight of Zhang Shan's words.

The two were lost in their own thoughts, and neither spoke for a long while.

Having rested enough, Jiao Ting stood up, dusted himself off, walked over to Zhang Shan, and said in a muffled voice, "Brother, want to come again?"

This is his unwavering habit these days.

If Zhang Shan doesn't say stop, he can train with him for a lifetime, never asking why, and never slacking off.

Zhang Shan didn't hesitate. He stood up, stretched his muscles, and walked to the middle of the open space.

Jiao Ting also got into a fighting stance, and the two of them began to practice, one advancing and the other retreating, one attacking and the other defending.

The sandy ground was riddled with holes from being trampled, and dust rose up in bursts.

Shi Yong watched for a long time, his hands itching to be touched.

Taking advantage of Zhang Shan's moment to catch his breath, he couldn't help but speak up: "Brother Jiao Ting, shall I spar with you?"

Jiao Ting didn't say anything, but first glanced at Zhang Shan.

Zhang Shan leaned against the tree and nodded slightly.

Jiao Ting then turned around, clasped his hands in greeting to Shi Yong, and acknowledged him.

But sparring with Shi Yong was completely different from sparring with Zhang Shan. Zhang Shan was the chieftain, so he had to hold back and give way to him.

Shi Yongyao, on the other hand, doesn't have so many rules.

Jiao Ting tripped Shi Yong, and he fell.

Jiao Ting pushed Shi Yong with his palm, and Shi Yong fell down again.

Jiao Ting subdued Shi Yong, pinning him to the ground.

Jiao Ting captured Shi Yong again, and Shi Yong was pinned to the ground once more.

Once, twice, three times, Shi Yong got up as if nothing had happened, dusted himself off, and rushed back up.

Zhang Shan initially found it interesting, treating it as a way to pass the time during his journey.

But as he watched, he realized something was wrong. How could Shi Yong be so resilient?

If it were an ordinary person, falling like that a few times would at least leave them grimacing for a while, if not seriously injured.

But Shi Yong got up and seemed completely unharmed, his expression unchanged.

"You two are quite skilled." Zhang Shan smiled and stepped forward, separating the two men with his hands.

Shi Yong's face was flushed, and he was panting heavily. He waved his hand and said, "I...I'm not good at hand-to-hand combat."

Zhang Shan looked him up and down, his eyes filled with curiosity: "Brother Shi Yong, why are you called General Shi? I've seen you fall so many times, yet you're completely unharmed?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Yong's face flushed slightly, replaced by a smug expression.

He puffed out his belly and patted his chest, as if showing off some amazing treasure: "Brother Zhang Shan has a good eye! My family's Hard Belly Kung Fu, once you circulate your qi, makes your belly as hard as an iron plate, and your whole body indestructible, so you're naturally not afraid of a mere fall."

"Can you dodge swords and blades?" Zhang Shan's eyes lit up, and his voice was filled with urgency.

Shi Yong's smug expression vanished instantly. He scratched the back of his head and gave an awkward laugh: "If I can't... then I'm not afraid of fists and kicks."

Zhang Shan's mood also plummeted.

He originally thought that if such a divine skill really existed, mastering it would greatly increase his chances of survival.

Especially if you have your own proficiency system, you might be able to master things that others can't.

Others may only learn the basics, but you might learn it to the core.

But this thing just can't stop swords and blades.

If you can't even withstand swords and spears, what use are you on the battlefield?

Just as Zhang Shan was feeling disappointed, another thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

No, it's still useful.

Shi Yong is no good; perhaps his level of understanding is too low.

I'm different; with the system around, I might be able to train this "Hard Stomach Skill" to an even higher level, and then I might not be able to withstand swords and blades.

Thinking of this, Zhang Shan became excited again.

He grabbed Shi Yong's hand and said sincerely, "Brother Shi Yong, would you be willing to teach me?"

Shi Yong was stunned, his mouth agape, unsure how to respond.

Du Qian, who was watching closely, quickly stepped forward to chime in: "Our chieftain loves martial arts the most. Instructor Lin and Commander Lu are both willing to teach him everything they know. If Brother Shi Yong would be so kind as to teach us, the whole mountain stronghold would be eternally grateful."

Shi Yong was still somewhat hesitant. Although his family's martial arts skills weren't some extraordinary techniques, they weren't something that could be passed on casually.

But upon hearing the words "Instructor Lin," his hesitation vanished.

If someone like Lin Chong is willing to teach Zhang Shan, how can I call myself a hero if I keep things to myself?

"Chieftain," Shi Yong clasped his hands in a fist salute and said solemnly, "I wasn't unwilling just now, it's just that this skill isn't very useful, and I was afraid it would waste your energy, brother."

Zhang Shan smiled and shook his head, patting Shi Yong on the shoulder: "Thank you, Brother Shi Yong. I don't have any other hobbies, I just love practicing martial arts." He paused, then added, "If Brother Shi Yong wants to see Song Jiang, I have a friend who knows him well and can help arrange it."

Shi Yong's face lit up with joy, and his eyes immediately shone.

He had long wanted to get to know Song Jiang, the timely rain, but he had been struggling to find an introduction.

If you rashly go to their door, it's hard to say whether they'll even acknowledge you.

Now that Zhang Shan has made this offer, it's an opportunity that's hard to come by even with a lantern.

"Then thank you very much, Chieftain!" Shi Yong bowed deeply, his mouth agape with joy.

Jiao Ting stood aside, watching all of this coldly without saying a word.

He's not a talkative person, but he understands things better than anyone else.

Everyone says Song Jiang is good, but what makes him so good?

Where does the money for generosity come from?

No one figured it out, and no one wanted to think about it.

His own chieftain had only mentioned it briefly, and Shi Yong had already followed along.

In this world, reputation is truly a wonderful thing.