Chapter 48: Three Forts Form an Alliance

  Three Villages Alliance

  Feng Tianxiong wanted to be the second master, making everyone burst out laughing. It wasn't until Liu Shuping gave him a lesson that he finally understood what was going on. It turned out that the second master was Zhu Bajie, a pig, and he had been vying to become a pig himself. He secretly ridiculed his own foolishness and resented Hu Sancai for leading him astray. Liu Shuping seemed to have seen through his thoughts and said: "Later on, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing protected Tang Seng, going through countless hardships to obtain the true scriptures and achieve their goal, becoming a legendary tale. We are now like Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and them; we need to defeat the little devil, this monster, and eliminate the fascist threat to humanity. Do you agree?"

  Liu Shu-ping's words made Feng Tian-xiong very excited. He nodded vigorously and said: "Right, right! Whether it's Sun Wu-kong or Zhu Bajie, as long as they can drive the little devils back home, I don't care if I'm a pig!" His mannerisms and speech made everyone laugh again.

  After dinner, Yun Xiang Tian sat with Chen Jingguo and Liu Shu Ping alone, Yun Xiang Tian reported the situation on Fengling Mountain to them. The two were very satisfied and encouraged Yun Xiang Tian to continue doing a good job. Finally, Yun Xiang Tian asked about the Japanese spy lurking in the National Army's 206th Regiment. Liu Shu Ping said: "After you sent us the intelligence, we immediately reported this important information to the Military Sub-district at the first time. The head of the Military Sub-district attached great importance to it and arranged for our underground workers to secretly investigate, believing that there will be good news soon."

  Yun Xiang thought for a moment and said: "I hope to dig out this Japanese spy as soon as possible. The two leaders, on Mount Fengling, we can now gather an anti-Japanese army of five or six hundred people, and Huang Min will also leave behind a battalion of troops. I think that by withdrawing a team from Mount Qilin, in coordination with the second battalion left behind by the National Army, we can continue to defend Lingfeng City. If so, Mount Qilin, Lingfeng City, and Mount Fengling will form a triangular formation, dispersing the enemy's forces, supporting each other, crushing the Japanese plot to occupy Lingfeng, and keeping the secret of Mount Fengling."

  Liu Shu patted his thigh and laughed: "It's really a case of great minds thinking alike. Old Chen and I were thinking the same thing."

  Chen Jingguo stood up and looked at Yun Xiangtian, saying: "Alright, let's act according to this deployment. The little devils will launch an attack at any time, Yun Xiangtian, you go back and prepare! Let those little devils have no way to return."

  Yun Xiang Tian saluted Chen Jingguo and Liu Shu Ping with a military salute and said loudly: "Yes."

  It's been half a month, and the Japanese army still hasn't made a move, it's very quiet, can't see any signs of attacking Lingfeng. During this time, Yunxiang Tian gathered the three village heads again in Anmin Village to discuss how to form an alliance to defend Fengling Mountain. When electing the alliance leader, Yunxiang Tian said: "I think the alliance leader should be taken by Uncle Ba Tianlong? Uncle Long is far-sighted and has a good strategy. Xuanjian Cave is located between Heihu Peak and Yuquan Ridge, if there are external enemies, it can issue orders at any time to attack or respond."

  Ba Tian Long burst out laughing before Yun Xiang Tian could finish speaking. He said, "Alright, alright! When it comes to being cunning and sinister, who can compare to you, Yun Xiang Tian? Moreover, you've fought battles with the little devils and know how to deploy troops and anticipate enemy movements. Which of us can surpass you? I nominate Yun Xiang Tian as the leader, stationed at Xuan Jian Cave. What do you think, everyone?"

  Zhen Shantiger also shouted: "Damn it, I think it's okay. I've been out with this kid to do a job, that was exciting. Besides, he still has a relationship with the anti-Japanese brigade on Qilin Mountain, not an ordinary person at all. I think it's settled then. With this clever ghost leading us to fight the devils, we'll only gain and not lose."

  "No, no, I'm just a small cleverness, can't go on the big stage, it's better to choose one of you as the most suitable."

  Hong Shangu looked worried, she crossed her arms in front of her chest, sighed softly and said: "Yu'er is brave and resourceful, that's not what I'm worried about. But this war will inevitably result in casualties, I'm afraid the burden on him is too heavy. What if he exhausts himself?"

  Ba Tian Long knew Hong Shan Gu's intention, he took a sip of tea and said: "Mountain Girl Village Master, I understand your meaning. Don't worry, the people killed by those little devils will not be blamed on Yun Xian's head. Although I am an outlaw, I still know national hatred and family enmity. Even if we don't form an alliance, when those little devils come, I will shed my blood to defend this Feng Ling Mountain. As long as we can hold on to Feng Ling Mountain and drive away the little devils, even if everyone in Xuan Jian Dong dies, I won't regret it. However, before I die in battle, I want to ask Yun Xian for a favor, take me to see Wang Fu Ren, they are the greatest contributors on Feng Ling Mountain. Xuan Jian Dong owes them a debt of blood! I don't dare ask her for forgiveness, but just want to ask her to wait until we drive away the little devils and then let her deal with us, to make up for the harm caused by Xuan Jian Dong."

  His voice was not loud, but every word shook everyone's heart, and everyone fell silent for a moment. A woman's sobbing sound came over, followed by someone turning out from behind the screen in the hall, carrying a treasured sword in hand.

  Yun Xiangtian shouted: "Madam Wang, how did you come?"

  Here is the translation:

  It was Wang Furen who arrived, and she had been seeking an opportunity to avenge the deep-seated grudge against the Wang family for a long time. Anmin Village and Xuanjian Cave had never interacted before, and she never left the mountain, thinking that this great hatred would surely sink to the bottom of the sea. Since Yunxiang Tian came, Anmin Village and Xuanjian Cave finally had contact, although Ba Tianlong had come a few times before, but it was only after he left that they received the news. This time, she received the news that Ba Tianlong was coming to Anmin Village for discussion, so she hurriedly rushed over from the secret passage between Wangjia Dazhai and Anmin Village. When she arrived at the Pingfeng Hall, just as she was about to make her move, she heard Ba Tianlong's bold and stirring words, and his confession to the Wang family. For a moment, she didn't know what to do for the best? Killing him wouldn't be good, nor would not killing him be right, it was a difficult decision. She couldn't help but feel sorrowful, and the resentment that had been suppressed for over a decade suddenly burst out, tears streaming down her face, and she cried out loud.

  Ba Tian Long saw Madame Wang walking towards him, and with a bitter smile said: "Listen up, brothers of the Suspended Sword Cave! After I die, Yun Xiang Tian will be the new leader, everything will follow his orders. No one is allowed to interfere in my matters with Madame Wang, no revenge can be taken, whoever disobeys, even after I'm dead and buried, I won't let them off." He looked at Madame Wang calmly and said: "Madame Wang, come on. Today I'll return this life to you for my father's sake."

  Yun Xiang Tian hastily stepped forward to stop Mrs. Wang, saying: "Mrs. Wang, listen to me! Dragon Inn's master is no longer the mountain bandit of old, but a hero who will soon dye the battlefield with his blood. If you kill him, you will lose a good anti-Japanese fighter. Please think thrice."

  Madam Wang pushed Yun Xiang Tian away and said coldly, "Get out of my way. I want to avenge our family's hatred first, then wipe out the national humiliation. He, Ba Tian Long, can shed blood on Feng Ling Mountain. Didn't our Wang family's souls die protecting Feng Ling Mountain? His father destroyed our Wang family's village, how can I not avenge this deep-seated hatred?"

  Yun Xiang Tian stood in front of Ba Tian Long and said, "Lady Wang, calm down and listen to me. The massacre at the village back then was done by Hong and Hun Di Long. It has nothing to do with the Dragon Village Master. Moreover, he is also filled with regret over this matter and wants to make amends in every way possible. When will we end this cycle of revenge? Put down your hatred, Lady Wang."

  Hong Shangu and Zhen Shantiger also came to persuade her, but Mrs. Wang refused to give in, insisting on taking revenge with her own hands before she could rest in peace.

  Ba Tian Long suddenly burst out laughing and said: "Indeed, a woman from the Wang family, with great courage and magnanimity. To inherit her husband's legacy, she is willing to live in seclusion in a cave, guarding it for life. Letting us old men die at your hands today, without any regrets, repaying the debt to my father, that would be a worthy death. Everyone, don't try to persuade me, I am willing to accept death, no other thoughts. Just hope that you all won't give up on the oath to guard Mount Fengling together because of me. Step aside, let Lady Wang take action, and settle this one thing in her heart."

  Zhen Shantiger scolded angrily: "You fart, we just became sworn brothers, agreed to guard the Fengling Mountain together, and kill the ghost children. How can you change your mind? No way!" He suddenly lowered his voice and spoke cautiously to Lady Wang: "Lady Wang, do you think this is okay? Let my younger brother go to the front of Wang Yuanwai's spirit tablet and offer incense, to make amends for his father's mistake in confusing the dragon. What do you think?"

  Under everyone's persuasion, Wang Furen put away the soft sword and choked with sobs: "Okay, I'll listen to you." After finishing speaking, she walked to the opposite side of Ba Tian Long and sat down. She wiped away the tears on her face and said: "Yu Er, pour me a cup of tea."

  The crowd let out a sigh of relief and sat back in their seats. Yun Xiang Tian picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for Madame Wang. Just as everyone thought all was well, Madame Wang suddenly jumped up, drew her soft sword and stabbed at Ba Tian Long's face. Ba Tian Long smiled, closed his eyes, and the crowd gasped in shock, only to hear a sharp cry of "Ah", and then everything fell silent.