Chapter 16: Ghost-Slaying Night (Part One)

The raid on Xixi Village was Ren Yuan’s first mission of "acting on behalf of Heaven" since becoming the master of the stronghold. He even referred to it, with a touch of adolescent flair, as "Operation Ghost-Slayer." He truly wanted to see what kind of ghost this village head of Xixi really was.

"Brother, the scouts have returned. That Xixi village head keeps fifty or sixty retainers at his estate, and they are constantly bullying the common folk. It is said he has a great deal of grain—estimates suggest tens of thousands of shi." Du Qian reported to Ren Yuan as soon as the intelligence arrived.

"Perfect. Our stronghold is in need of grain; a wealthy landlord delivering it to our door is a stroke of good fortune," Ren Yuan sneered. "Xixi Village has hundreds of households, yet they have been exploited by this village head for years. Ordinary families go hungry, barely scraping by, while he hoards so much grain? He must have plundered it from the people!"

"Brother is right. The village head's son runs wild in the village, harassing women and seizing farmland. Their family has long since greased the palms of the local officials, so any complaints filed against them are ignored. They even beat petitioners with clubs until they are thrown out! Several villagers have died from their injuries." Du Qian continued, his anger rising as he recounted the findings.

"How can the officials be so shameless!" Everyone was incensed.

"It is because the Xixi Village ritual of 'youth offerings' requires cooperation with the authorities, who receive a cut of the money, which is why they ignore the village’s affairs. As for who is in charge of this, it is said to be none other than 'the Timely Rain,' Song Jiang. He is very precious about his reputation, so he never shows his face, letting his estate stewards or younger brother handle it instead."

"And he calls himself the 'Timely Rain'?" Ren Yuan was shocked to learn that "Black Song" was involved in such dark dealings.

"Tonight, send four hundred brothers down the mountain. Du Qian, your wounds have not yet healed, so you shall remain to guard the stronghold. Zhu Gui and Zhu Fu will also stay behind. Yuan Lang and Song Wan will accompany me."

Ren Yuan realized that while he had six lieutenants, only Yuan Lang and he were truly combat-ready for a real battle. He needed to recruit more capable men quickly.

"Brother, this village head has been entrenched in Xixi for years; we must be cautious of traps," Zhu Gui warned. No one complained about being left behind, nor did they try to stop Ren Yuan, knowing that for the first expedition, the master had to lead.

"Rest assured. With Yuan Lang and me together, we can go anywhere in the world. I don't believe any demons or monsters in a tiny village like Xixi can stop us," Ren Yuan joked to put them at ease.

"Brother," Yuan Lang said, suddenly recalling something as he cupped his hands, "I have a sworn brother, a lifelong friend whose martial arts are even superior to mine. If you do not mind, I shall write to him and ask him to come to Liangshan."

"Oh? What is his name?"

"Mi Sheng."

"Excellent! Yuan Lang, write the letter immediately—no, I shall write one as well. If Brother Mi Sheng joins our stronghold, it will be like adding wings to a tiger!" Ren Yuan was thrilled. Mi Sheng, known as the "Rival to the Tiger-Fool," was a great general under Wang Qing in the original records, and the only one to ever best Zhang Qing and his wife.

"Brother has heard of him?" Yuan Lang asked curiously.

"The 'Rival to the Tiger-Fool' Mi Sheng, a native of Jingnan, a hunter by trade, known for his giant battle-axe. Am I correct? A warrior of such caliber joining Liangshan would be a tremendous blessing!"

"Understood. I shall write the letter at once."

Setting aside the matter of Mi Sheng, Ren Yuan had Zhu Gui and Zhu Fu assemble the four hundred Liangshan scouts for the night's expedition, ensuring their weapons were ready and the boats prepared. This was Liangshan's first battle, and it had to be done in style.

That night, the wind was biting and the moon was obscured. On the Golden Sands Shore of Liangshan, four hundred men stood in neat rows, clad in battle gear and clutching their weapons. Ren Yuan, Yuan Lang, and Song Wan stood at the front, looking toward the distant Xixi Village.

"All men, board the ships! Cross the water quickly!"

As the fleet of various sizes made its way across the vast lake, the men were initially filled with excitement mixed with trepidation, chatting and cheering each other on. After an hour of travel, the cold, biting wind of the dead of night began to take its toll, and the men huddled together for warmth, falling into a tense silence.

Another half-hour passed before they spotted the giant, partially frozen creek that separated East Creek Village from West Creek Village.

"Master, this is the boundary creek. Once we land here, it is less than ten miles to Xixi Village," said Liu Si, their guide.

"Land!"

Ren Yuan nodded and ordered the men to shore. Leaving fifty to guard the boats, he divided the remaining three hundred and fifty into three echelons to advance toward the village.

"Listen closely: First, seal off all exits from the village—no one enters or leaves. Second, our target is only the village head's estate; do not disturb or plunder other villagers. Third, follow all commands; no one is to act on their own initiative. Is that clear?" Ren Yuan's instructions made every man feel as though he were an instrument of justice.

Guided by Liu Si, they quickly entered the village. It was deathly quiet, save for the occasional bark of a dog. They sealed the roads and surged toward the estate. It was a sprawling compound with high, sturdy earthen walls that stood in stark contrast to the dilapidated huts of the commoners.

"Attack!"

Ren Yuan gave the order without hesitation. Thirty agile scouts—formerly retainers from Chai Jin's estate—rushed forward with blades in their teeth. Using each other as leverage, they scaled the walls. Moments later, they were inside. The sound of barking dogs erupted, followed by the cries of guards caught off guard. After a few muffled groans, the main gate was thrown open from the inside.

The waiting warriors, led by Ren Yuan and Yuan Lang, surged through the gates like arrows released from a bow.

"Secure the passages and the gates! Do not let a single person escape! The rest of you, come with me to find the village head!"

The estate was in chaos. A few night guards tried to resist, but Yuan Lang dispatched the ringleaders with ease, and the rest immediately dropped their weapons and surrendered. These retainers were bold when bullying the weak, but they had no intention of dying for a village head who didn't pay them enough to face real warriors.

"Brother! We have captured the old scoundrel!"

Before Ren Yuan could even formulate a plan, Song Wan appeared, leading a group of men who had bound two or three dozen people.

"Let’s go," Ren Yuan said, "and see what this 'ghost' of Xixi really looks like."