Chapter 488

Liangshan Marsh, the Hall of Gathered Righteousness.

Liangshan Marsh, the Hall of Gathered Righteousness.

The Hall of Gathered Righteousness today is completely unlike what it was before.

Translation: "Today's Hall of Gathered Righteousness is starkly different from before."

Within the solemn and reverent air, an indescribable tension and undercurrent flow.

Translation: "Amid the solemn and reverent atmosphere, there is an indescribable tension and undercurrent."

The hall teemed with people as the 108 leaders, great and small, took their places left and right according to their rank, achievements, and fame, filling the assembly.

Translation: "Inside the hall, heads swarm; the one hundred and eight leaders, big and small, are roughly arranged left and right according to their status, merit, and prestige in the stronghold, filling the hall."

This marks the first time since Song Jiang took over as chief of Liangshan that all the leaders have assembled so formally; the aim is obvious—to assign seats and clarify the pecking order.

Translation: "This is the first time since Song Jiang became chief of the stronghold that all leaders have gathered so formally; the purpose goes without saying—to assign seats and make clear the hierarchy."

Song Jiang took his seat in the tiger‑skin chair that once belonged to Chao Gai, dressed in a new robe, his face solemn, his eyes scanning the leaders below, betraying a faint sense of satisfaction and scrutiny.

Translation: "Song Jiang sits upright on the tiger-skin chair once belonging to Chao Gai, wearing a fresh robe, his expression solemn, his gaze sweeping over the assembled leaders below, carrying a barely perceptible air of self-satisfaction and scrutiny."

Wu Yong stood beside him, gently waving his feather fan, his gaze lowered as if deep in thought, keeping his intentions inscrutable.

Translation: "Wu Yong stands at his side, lightly swaying his feather fan, eyes downcast, as if pondering something, making his thoughts unreadable."

Lin Chong, Qin Ming, Hua Rong and other cavalry commanders took the front left; the three Ruan brothers, Li Jun and other naval leaders stood nearby; Shi Dun, Du Qian, Song Wan and others also had their assigned spots.

Translation: "Lin Chong, Qin Ming, Hua Rong and other elite cavalry commanders stand in the front left; the Ruan trio, Li Jun and other naval leaders are beside them; Shi Dun, Du Qian, Song Wan and others also have their places."

The newly arrived Lu Junyi, renowned for his reputation and martial prowess, was temporarily given the foremost spot on the right, just beneath Song Jiang's seat, but his composure gave away no hint of joy or anger.

Translation: "The newly arrived Lu Junyi, due to his reputation and martial skill, has been temporarily placed at the foremost position on the right, just below Song Jiang's seat, yet his expression remains calm, revealing neither joy nor anger."

Guan Sheng, Hu Yanzhuo, Dong Ping and other former imperial officers who had surrendered were likewise placed in conspicuous spots.

Translation: "Guan Sheng, Hu Yanzhuo, Dong Ping and other former imperial defectors have also been placed in prominent positions."

The mood in the hall was delicate.

Translation: "The atmosphere in the hall is subtle."

The hall held veterans of great merit, newcomers with diverse motives, firm supporters of Song Jiang, and also those who held to the 'Northward Looking' ideal, secretly unhappy with the present direction.

Translation: "There are veterans with outstanding achievements, newcomers harboring various thoughts, firm supporters of Song Jiang, and also those who cherish the 'Northward Aspiration' idea, secretly dissatisfied with the current course."

This seating is not just a simple reward for merit; it determines Liangshan's future power balance, resource distribution, and ideological direction.

Translation: "This seating arrangement is far more than a simple reward for merit; it concerns the future power structure, resource allocation, and even ideological direction of Liangshan."

Song Jiang cleared his throat and spoke loudly, his voice reverberating through the hall:

Translation: "Song Jiang cleared his throat and spoke loudly, his voice echoing in the hall:"

"Brothers! Since we first banded together at Liangshan, heroes from all sides have come to join us, and now we have a hundred and eight leaders—this is heaven's gift, and we must greatly expand!"

Translation: "\"Brothers! Since our gathering at Liangshan, heroes from all sides have come to join us, and now we have one hundred and eight leaders—this is a gift from heaven, and we must greatly expand! \"

"But as our stronghold grows ever stronger, we cannot be without rules. I have called you here today to assign seats based on past achievements, individual talents, and the future needs of the stronghold, to define responsibilities, so that Liangshan may be orderly from top to bottom, like fingers to a hand, enabling us to accomplish great deeds!"

Translation: "\"However, as the stronghold grows ever stronger, it cannot lack rules and order. Today we summon you to assign seats based on past merit, individual abilities, and the future needs of the stronghold, clarifying duties so that Liangshan may be orderly, like fingers to a hand, and thus achieve great undertakings! \"

Hardly had his words finished when Liu Three stepped forward, eager to speak, and voiced his agreement loudly:

Translation: "No sooner had his words fallen than Liu San stepped forward eagerly, voicing his agreement loudly:"

"What the chief brother says is absolutely right! As the saying goes, 'A snake without a head cannot move; a bird without a head cannot fly.' It's long overdue! Brother Song Gongming is unmatched in benevolence and courage, wise and brave—he should be the chief of the stronghold, overseeing everything! Military advisor Wu Yong, with his divine strategies, ought to be the strategist, assisting in military affairs! Officer Lu Junyi, famed throughout Hebei and peerless in martial skill, should be the deputy chief, aiding the brother!"

Translation: "\"Chief Brother's words are absolutely right! As the saying goes, a snake without a head cannot move, a bird without a head cannot fly—this should have been done long ago! Brother Song Gongming is unmatched in benevolence and righteousness, endowed with both wisdom and courage; he should be the chief of the stronghold, overseeing everything! Military Advisor Wu Yong's divine strategies and wondrous calculations make him fit to be the military advisor, assisting in military affairs! Lieutenant Lu Junyi, famed throughout Hebei and peerless in martial skill, should be the deputy chief, assisting the brother! \"

These remarks were clearly prepared ahead of time, aiming to cement the core positions of Song Jiang, Wu Yong, and Lu Junyi.

Translation: "These remarks were clearly prepared in advance, aiming to cement the core positions of Song Jiang, Wu Yong, and Lu Junyi."

Many nodded in agreement, especially Song Jiang's close followers and the newly arrived officers who were eager for a clear rank.

Translation: "Many nodded in agreement, especially Song Jiang's close confidants and the newly arrived defectors who yearned for clear positions."

However, Lin Chong frowned slightly and spoke in a low voice:

Translation: "However, Lin Chong furrowed his brow slightly and spoke in a low voice:"

"Assigning seats is not wrong in itself. But Liangshan belongs not to one person but to all the brothers. Seats should be awarded according to one's contributions to the stronghold, personal martial skill and virtue, and… the ideals one holds, so as to win the hearts and minds of all brothers."

Translation: "\"Assigning seats is not inherently wrong. However, Liangshan is not one man's Liangshan; it belongs to all brothers. The rank of seats should be based on one's contribution to the stronghold, personal martial virtue and conduct, and... the ideals one holds, so as to win the hearts and mouths of all brothers. \"

Although he did not say it outright, the words 'the ideals one holds' moved many, and their eyes unconsciously turned to Song Jiang.

Translation: "Though he did not state it outright, the phrase 'the ideals one holds' stirred many hearts, and their eyes involuntarily swept over Song Jiang."

Ruan Xiaoqi was even more blunt:

Translation: "Ruan Xiaoqi was even more blunt:"

"Instructor Lin is right! Our Liangshan once flew the 'Northward Looking' banner! When assigning seats, we must also see whether we truly keep that ideal in mind!"

Translation: "\"Instructor Lin is right! Our Liangshan originally raised the banner of 'Northward Aspiration'! When assigning seats, we must also see whether this matter is truly kept in heart! \"

The moment those words were spoken, the hall's atmosphere froze.

Translation: "As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall instantly froze."

Song Jiang's smile remained unchanged, but a hint of gloom flickered in his eyes.

Translation: "Song Jiang's facial smile remained unchanged, but a hint of gloom flickered in his eyes."

He was about to speak when Wu Yong stepped forward, lifting his feather fan slightly, his tone gentle yet unquestionable.

Translation: "He was about to speak when Wu Yong stepped ahead, raising his feather fan slightly, his tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable force:"

"What Instructor Lin and Brother Ruan Xiaoqi said is indeed reasonable. Brothers of Liangshan, only when our ideals are united can we achieve unstoppable strength."

Translation: "\"What Instructor Lin and Brother Ruan Xiaoqi said is indeed reasonable. Brothers of Liangshan, if our ideals are of one heart, we can cut through metal. \"

He then shifted his tone, his gaze sweeping over the whole hall.

Translation: "He then shifted his tone, his gaze sweeping across the entire assembly."

"However, for today's seating, the primary goal is to clarify duties and stabilize the situation. Debate over ideals concerns the long term and should wait until the stronghold's foundation is solid; only then can we discuss it thoroughly, which is the prudent course. If we now quarrel endlessly over this, we will waste effort and become a laughingstock to outsiders—not the act of the wise."

Translation: "\"However, for today's seating, the primary aim is to clarify duties and stabilize the overall situation. Debate over ideals concerns the long term; it should be postponed until the stronghold's foundation is solid, then examined in depth, which is the prudent course. If we now quarrel endlessly over this, we would waste effort and become a laughingstock to outsiders—not the act of the wise. \"

His words were flawless, acknowledging Lin Chong's concerns while emphasizing 'stability of the big picture,' thus temporarily putting the ideological dispute aside; on the surface he was smoothing things over, keeping the hall from splitting apart immediately.

Translation: "His words were flawless, both acknowledging the concerns of Lin Chong and others and emphasizing 'stability of the big picture,' thus temporarily suppressing the ideological dispute; on the surface he was smoothing things over, preserving the hall from immediate division."

Lin Chong, Ruan Xiaoqi and the others, seeing Wu Yong speak, felt reluctant but held their peace for now.

Translation: "Seeing Wu Yong speak, Lin Chong, Ruan Xiaoqi and others, though unwilling, held back and said no more."

They trusted Wu Yong's wisdom and understood that this was not the moment to lay all cards on the table.

Translation: "They trusted Wu Yong's wisdom and also understood that now is not the best moment to lay all cards on the table."

Just when everyone thought the seating would proceed routinely——

Translation: "Just as everyone thought the seating would proceed in orderly fashion——"

Boom!

Translation: "Boom—"

A deep, muffled roar, as if rising from the nether depths, shook the entire Hall of Gathered Righteousness, making it tremble slightly.

Translation: "A deep, muffled roar, as if coming from the netherworld's depths, shook the entire Hall of Gathered Righteousness, making it tremble slightly!"

Outside the hall, the sky toward Jinsha Beach suddenly changed color; dark clouds gathered, and strange purple lightning snakes writhed within the clouds.

Outside the hall, the sky near the Jinsha Beach direction suddenly changed color; dark clouds gathered, and strange purple lightning snakes writhed within the clouds!

"What's happening?!"

Translation: "\"What's happening?! \""

"Did the earth move?!"

Translation: "\"Did the earth move?! \""

All the leaders inside the hall were greatly startled, rising to their feet and warily looking toward the outside.

Translation: "All the leaders in the hall were greatly startled, rising to their feet and warily looking toward the outside."

Song Jiang also sprang to his feet, his face showing surprise and uncertainty, his gaze instinctively turning to Wu Yong.

Translation: "Song Jiang also sprang to his feet, his face showing surprise and uncertainty, his gaze unconsciously turning to Wu Yong."

Wu Yong's eyes also showed astonishment, but looking deeper, that astonishment concealed a hint of realization and icy sharpness.

Translation: "Wu Yong's eyes also showed 'astonishment,' but upon closer look, deep within that astonishment lay a hint of realization and icy sharpness."

He whispered, "Brother, such omens… are probably not ordinary."

Translation: "He whispered, \"Brother, such omens... are probably not ordinary. \""

Before anyone could react, a little lackey came tumbling into the hall, face drained of color, pointing outside and stammering:

Translation: "Before anyone could react, a little lackey came tumbling into the hall, face drained of color, pointing outside and stammering:"

"Report—report to the chief! All leaders! At… at the edge of Jinsha Beach, that… that huge reclining ox stone… it… it split open on its own! Inside… inside flew out a golden light, shooting straight to the heavens! And… there is something down below!"

Translation: "\"Report—report to the chief! All leaders! At the... the edge of Jinsha Beach, that... that huge lying ox stone... it... it split open by itself! Inside... inside flew out a golden light, shooting straight to the heavens! And... there is something down below! \"

"What?!"

Translation: "\"What?! \""

Upon hearing this, the leaders were even more horrified.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, the leaders were even more horrified."

Song Jiang forced himself to stay calm: "Brothers, follow me to investigate!"

Translation: "Song Jiang forced himself to stay calm: \"Brothers, follow me to investigate! \"

The crowd surged out of the Hall of Gathered Righteousness and raced straight to Jinsha Beach.

Translation: "The crowd surged out of the Hall of Gathered Righteousness, heading straight for Jinsha Beach."

All that could be seen was the massive reclining ox stone, which had stood here for who knows how many years, now split open down the middle, revealing a dark, black opening.

Translation: "They saw that the massive lying ox stone, which had stood here for who knows how many years, had now split open, revealing a pitch-black mouth."

At the mouth of the cave, a faint rosy glow lingered, and an exotic fragrance assailed the nose (in fact from burning some special incense).

Translation: "At the mouth, a faint rosy glow lingered, and a strange fragrance assailed the nose (in fact, from burning some specially prepared incense)."

Meanwhile, in the sky, the dark clouds and purple lightning were gradually dispersing, as if the earlier phenomenon had merely been a sign of this place's numinous nature.

Translation: "Meanwhile, in the sky, the dark clouds and purple lightning were gradually dispersing, as if the earlier phenomenon had merely been meant to reveal this place's numinous nature."

A few bold leaders stepped forward and carefully lifted an object from the stone cavern.

Translation: "Several bold leaders stepped forward and carefully lifted an object from the stone cavern."

It was a huge slab, neither metal nor jade, of unknown material, black as night, its surface smooth as a mirror, yet engraved with ancient, arcane characters bearing countless names and their corresponding stellar titles!

Translation: "It was a huge black stele, neither gold nor jade, of unknown material, its surface smooth as a mirror, yet engraved with ancient, arcane characters: densely packed names and their corresponding stellar titles!"

"Heaven's Chief Star… Protector of Righteousness… Song Jiang!"

Translation: "\"Heavenly Chief Star... Protector of Righteousness... Song Jiang! \""

"Heaven's General Star… Jade Unicorn… Lu Junyi!"

Translation: "\"Heavenly General Star... Jade Unicorn... Lu Junyi! \""

"Heaven's Opportunity Star… Wise Star… Wu Yong!"

Translation: "\"Heavenly Opportunity Star... Wise Star... Wu Yong! \""

"Heaven's Leisure Star… Cloud‑Entering Dragon… Gong Sun Sheng!"

Translation: "\"Heavenly Leisure Star... Cloud-Entering Dragon... Gong Sunsheng! \""

……

From top to bottom, the 108 titles correspond to the Heavenly Stalwart and Earthly Fiend stars, arranged neatly and orderly!

The names of Song Jiang, Lu Junyi, and Wu Yong conspicuously occupy the top three!

Lin Chong is listed as the Heavenly Mighty Star, sixth place. Ruan Xiaoer, Ruan Xiaowu, Ruan Xiaoqi and other Earthly Fiend stars rank relatively high, and Shi Dun is among them, his position neither too high nor too low.

More crucially, nearly all the leaders ranked high and given important Heavenly Stalwart titles are either from Song Jiang's faction or are those who clearly support his 'act on Heaven's behalf, await amnesty' line!

Those who clearly uphold the Northward Aspiration ideal—Lin Chong, the Ruan brothers, and the like—though not deliberately pushed to the bottom, have absolutely no chance of entering the core decision‑making circle.

"The Astral Inscription on the Stone Stele! This is heaven's decree that we, the 108, correspond to the constellations above and ought to band together in righteousness!"

Wu Yong was the first to react, plunging to his knees before the stone stele with a thud, his voice carrying a deliberately manufactured excitement and tremor.

"This is heaven's mandate! One must not defy heaven's mandate!" At the moment he knelt, his gaze flickered obscurely toward Shi Dun in the crowd, flashing a meaning only the two of them could understand.

Song Jiang also immediately knelt, bowing his head repeatedly before the stele, tears streaming down his face:

"What virtue or ability do I, Song Jiang, possess to merit such heavenly favor, to be placed foremost among the stars? I must faithfully discharge my duties, lead the brothers, act on Heaven's behalf, and not betray Heaven's great grace!" He felt wild joy, firmly believing this heavenly will, thinking his sincerity had moved the heavens and that it was clear proof of the Iron Crow Army's successful behind‑the‑scenes maneuver.

Liu San, Du Qian, Song Wan and many other leaders, seeing this 'miracle' and witnessing Song Jiang and Wu Yong's reaction, had no lingering doubt; they all knelt and shouted, "Heaven's mandate belongs to us!"

Lin Chong, the Ruan brothers, and the like stood where they were, their faces ashen.

They did not believe this was any damn heavenly mandate!

Shi Dun could clearly sense that the stone stele, as well as the recent heaven‑earth anomaly, contained an immense and twisted surge of nether energy!

That was no natural force! It was clearly the Iron Crow Army exercising some incomprehensible authority and power, forcibly interfering with reality to fabricate this 'miracle'!

And as for Strategist Wu Yong… why…

Just as they were filled with bewilderment, almost unable to restrain themselves, Wu Yong rose, turned to the crowd, and spoke in a sorrowful tone yet with a strange guiding quality:

"Brothers! Heaven's will has appeared, the constellations are fixed! This is a great opportunity for our Liangshan! Yet heaven's will is clear, and it also lies in the human heart! Having received the heavenly mandate, we must constantly examine ourselves: do our deeds truly answer to Heaven's heart and bring peace to the people? Can we truly live up to the name 'act on Heaven's behalf,' or is it merely… an empty show?"

His words, while seeming to stress compliance with heaven's will, actually re‑emphasized the substance of 'Heaven's heart,' 'the people,' and 'acting on Heaven's behalf,' subtly reminding those who still had a clear mind.

Under Wu Yong's apparent compliance‑with‑heaven guidance and Song Jiang's performance, the 'Astral Inscription on the Stone Stele' was quickly established as the supreme source of Liangshan's legitimacy.

The matter of seating order left no further overt dispute.

Everything was settled according to the titles on that stone stele.

Song Jiang, relying on his status as the Heavenly Chief Star, solidified his position beyond anyone's ability to shake.

The apricot‑yellow banner bearing 'Act on Heaven's Behalf' replaced the former flag with the character '望' that hinted at sharpness, now flying high before the Hall of Assembly.

That night, Wu Yong secretly met with Shi Dun.

"Strategist, today's affairs…" Shi Dun asked eagerly.

Wu Yong's face no longer showed the daytime excitement; only calm and depth remained:

"This is undoubtedly the work of the Iron Crow Army. They intend to use this 'heavenly mandate' to lock Liangshan's future, binding Brother Gongming completely to the amnesty chariot."

"I go with the flow, helping them complete this setup, and I have three purposes."

"First, to make them complacent and lower their guard, facilitating our covert actions."

"Second, using this 'miracle,' to bring out into the open all those hidden within the stronghold who lean toward amnesty or are easily duped, making them clear to see."

"Third, and most important," Wu Yong said with a sharp gaze, "only by letting this 'heavenly mandate' descend in the most overbearing, indisputable way can we make Commander Lin, the Ruan brothers, and all who truly uphold Northward Aspiration fully grasp reality, shatter their last illusion, realize that compromise and waiting lead nowhere, and understand that the proper path is to start anew, secretly accumulate strength."

"This stone stele is their shackle, yet is it not also… the kindling that ignites our true resolve?"

Shi Dun suddenly understood, his heart filled with admiration for Wu Yong's deep foresight.

In the shadows, Chen Wen, through an urgent report transmitted by Qian Gui, sensed the surging, rule‑binding nether energy and twisted 'Fortune Momentum' rising from the Liangshan direction; his face grew grave, yet he also showed a hint of a stern smile.

He could 'see' that, beneath the 'heavenly mandate' net, Wu Yong had cleverly planted spike after spike.

"The heroes' seating arrangement… is a perfect case of going with the flow to break and then establish."

He muttered to himself.

"The Iron Crow Army thinks they've locked down the script, unaware that the true actors have already learned to dance in shackles."

He closed his eyes again, pouring all his mind and spirit into the surging, boiling‑water‑like growth power within his body.

Assaulting Level 4—right now!

Only by gaining greater strength can we support this undercurrent, which grows ever more turbulent beneath the surface!