Chapter 500: Gathering of Winds and Clouds

Shandong, the territory of Yuzhou.

Duan Jingzhu lay slumped on the horse's back, having almost exhausted his last ounce of strength.

"Night-Shining Jade Lion" remained spirited, but the days of flight, fright, and detours.

This had left the gaunt man exhausted, his eyes sunken.

Only instinct and his obsession with the two words "Liangshan" kept him from collapsing.

The jade seal in his bosom now felt as heavy as a thousand jin, no longer a ladder to wealth but more like a death‑summoning talisman.

Along the way he had seen too many covetous gazes and endured too many baffling ambushes and inspections.

Had it not been for some mishap always appearing at the critical moment,

or two unknown forces suddenly clashing,

or an imperial patrol suddenly passing by, he would likely have lost both himself and the treasure.

"Almost… just about there…"

He lifted his head and could faintly make out the outline of the famed vast marsh, his spirits lifting involuntarily.

Just as he thought he was finally about to escape the sea of suffering,

Suddenly several cold arrows shot from the woods ahead, forceful, aimed straight at him and his horse!

Duan Jingzhu was frightened out of his wits, instinctively tugging the reins, and the jade lion reared up.

Barely avoiding a vital spot, but the horse's haunch was still grazed, drawing a line of blood.

Several masked black‑clad figures sprang from the forest, blades flashing, killing intent fierce, clearly aiming for what he held in his arms.

At the critical moment, thunderous hooves rang from the side road!

A squad flying the Liangshan banner charged like a whirlwind, their leader agile, voice like a great bell:

"Liangshan's Dai Zong is here! Who dares to move my Liangshan guests?"

Before his words faded, Dai Zong and the few leaders behind him sprang like a descending tiger, lunging at the black‑clad men.

The two sides instantly tangled in combat.

Dai Zong and his men, highly skilled and prepared, soon drove the few black‑clad attackers back.

Seeing the situation turn bad, they whistled and swiftly vanished into the mountains.

Duan Jingzhu, still shaken, saw Dai Zong rushing to his side and, as if seeing a savior, spoke with a sobbing tone:

"Isn't that Liangshan's God‑walking Guardian Dai Zong, elder brother? I, Duan Jingzhu, have come specially to join Elder Brother Song Gongming and present… present the treasure!"

Dai Zong sized up Duan Jingzhu and the white horse behind him, whose divine nature remained evident even despite dust.

Having already formed a plan, he broke into a gentle smile:

"Brother Duan Jingzhu, you've worked hard! Elder Brother Gongming already knows of your righteous deed and has specially ordered us to come and meet you!"

"This place is no good for lingering; hurry and follow us up the mountain!"

Liangshanpo, Golden Sand Beach.

Song Jiang led Wu Yong, Lu Junyi, Hua Rong and the other core chieftains, personally awaiting here.

The scene was quite grand, showing great importance attached to the one presenting the treasure.

When Duan Jingzhu, accompanied by Dai Zong, led the Night-Shining Jade Lion and staggered onto the Golden Sand Beach,

Everyone's gaze focused on him… and on the yellow‑silk bundle he clutched tightly to his chest.

"Elder Brother Gongming!"

Seeing Song Jiang, Duan Jingzhu could no longer hold himself up and fell to his knees with a thud.

He raised the yellow‑silk bundle high with both hands, his voice hoarse yet filled with immense excitement.

"I, Duan Jingzhu, by chance obtained the Imperial Jade Seal in the northern lands!"

Knowing well that it symbolizes the mandate of heaven, I dare not keep it private; I have come specially to present it to you, Elder Brother, to aid you in accomplishing your great undertaking!

Although mentally prepared, when the words "Imperial Jade Seal" were spoken outright from Duan Jingzhu's mouth,

The whole Golden Sand Beach still burst with an unstoppable gasp of astonishment.

Everyone's breathing grew heavy, their eyes blazing as they fixed on that bundle.

Song Jiang suppressed his inner joy and excitement, stepped forward quickly, personally helped Duan Jingzhu to his feet, and spoke with utmost sincerity:

"Brother Duan Jingzhu, please rise quickly! Your thousand‑li offering of treasure, this heart and intent, outweigh Mount Tai!"

"What virtue or ability do I, Song Jiang, have to deserve such a heavy treasure?"

Though he said so, his hand steadily took hold of that yellow‑silk bundle.

It felt weighty in his grasp, as if bearing the fate of a thousand jin.

Under the breathless, focused gaze of all, Song Jiang slowly unfolded the yellow silk.

One side was bluish‑green, with a chi‑tiger knob.

The jade seal engraved with bird‑worm seal script revealed its true form in the sunlight!

Its material was warm and smooth, the carving ancient and unadorned.

Though it has endured the years, it still exudes a solemn, majestic aura that inspires reverence.

This jade seal was carefully forged by the Iron Crow Army, almost indistinguishable from the genuine article.

Furthermore, it was imbued with imperial sanction, giving it an aura of "orthodoxy" that confounds the heart.

"It really is the jade seal!"

"Heaven blesses Liangshan!"

"Elder Brother Gongming is truly the one heaven has mandated!"

On the beach, a thunderous cheer erupted at once, especially among Song Jiang's direct followers, who were beside themselves with excitement.

Wu Yong timely raised his voice in praise:

In the past, a stone stele descended to the world, announcing the order of the stars!

Now a jade seal has come to submit, confirming where the Mandate of Heaven lies!

This is heaven's decree: Liangshan must assist the enlightened ruler, act on heaven's behalf, and achieve a staggering undertaking!

His words cleverly linked the stone stele and the jade seal.

This further solidified Song Jiang's status as the "person of the Mandate of Heaven".

Lu Junyi gazed at that jade seal, his expression complex; in the end he merely gave a slight nod, saying nothing.

Some minor leaders who still harbored thoughts of "Northward Aspiration" in their hearts, seeing this scene, could not help but waver.

Song Jiang held the jade seal, feeling its substantial weight and the surrounding acclaim like mountains shouting and seas roaring.

He felt triumphant; the earlier hint of gloom from rumors was completely swept away.

He scanned the crowd, his voice booming, with an indisputable authority.

"This is a gift from Heaven, the will of the people! Song Jiang, having been entrusted by you brothers as leader and now possessing this divine artifact, how could I not devote myself to the welfare of all under Heaven!"

"My intention: three days from now, before the Hall of Gathering Righteousness, we will erect an altar to offer sacrifices to Heaven and hold the Jade Seal Presentation Ceremony!"

"I proclaim to all heroes under Heaven: Liangshan, following the Mandate of Heaven, will surely sweep away treachery and restore to the world a bright and clear universe!"

"I will dutifully obey the elder brother's command!"

The crowd responded in unison, their voices shaking the marsh.

In the rear hall of the Hall of Gathering Righteousness, Wu Yong secretly met with the hastily returning Shi Dun.

"Shi Dun brother, the ceremony arrangements are settled; in three days."

Wu Yong lowered his voice.

"Song Jiang attaches great importance to this; he has ordered preparations to be expedited, the event will undoubtedly be grand, and the invitations to all allied forces to attend have already been sent out."

"As for the guards, Lü Fang and Guo Sheng are responsible for the open sentries, and the stronghold's elite troops are mobilized to guard all key passes."

"In secret, the Iron Crow Army's personnel, especially that 'Zeng Tu', will undoubtedly plant agents, keep tight surveillance, and prevent anyone from sabotaging."

Shi Dun listened carefully, nodding.

"Our lord and Heavenly King Chao have already anticipated this."

"They have instructed me to tell the military advisor: at the time of the ceremony, act according to circumstances, and follow the predetermined plan."

He paused, then added.

"At that time, some 'unexpected' events may occur; the military advisor must prepare mentally beforehand and strive to stabilize the situation, lest the stronghold fall into uncontrollable chaos."

A flicker of understanding flashed in Wu Yong's eyes as he lightly swayed his feather fan.

"I understand."

"Please inform Mr. Chen and the Heavenly King that I, Wu Yong, know how to act."

"This 'Mandate of Heaven' light—now is the time to let it shine on those things hidden in the shadows."

In the secret valley, inside the main tent.

Chen Wen, Chao Gai, and Qian Gui gathered around the map.

"The ceremony is set for three days from now."

Qian Gui pointed at the simple map of Liangshanpo.

"Based on the information Wu Yong passed on and our own reconnaissance, the deployment of open and hidden posts is now clear."

"Lü Fang and Guo Sheng are of little concern; the key is the Iron Crow Army's lurking shadows and that 'Zeng Tu'."

Chao Gai rubbed his palms together, clenching his fists.

"Sir, when shall we strike? How shall we strike?"

"The Jade Seal is surely a fake; as long as we expose it publicly, Song Jiang's 'Mandate of Heaven' becomes a laughingstock!"

Chen Wen's gaze was calm, his finger lightly tapping the spot of the square before the Hall of Gathering Righteousness.

"There's no need for us to rush forward ourselves to expose it."

"Qian Gui, I want you at the ceremony's moment of highest ridicule!"

"When Song Jiang holds the Jade Seal, receives the cheers of ten thousand, the atmosphere is at its most fervent, and it is also the moment when their defenses appear tightest but are actually loosest inside."

He lifted his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them.

"Let that Jade Seal speak for itself."

Qian Gui understood instantly, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold arc.

"Your subordinate understands."

"The 'evidence' has long been ready, awaiting the east wind."

"It will surely make this Jade Seal Presentation Ceremony wonderfully splendid."

Chen Wen looked toward Chao Gai.

"Chao Gai brother, on this base side, all personnel must make ready."

"After the ceremony, regardless of success or failure, Liangshan will surely undergo a great upheaval."

"We must always be prepared to receive Lin Chong, Wu Yong, and the others, as well as……"

"to receive those brothers who have seen through the truth of the 'Mandate of Heaven' and are willing to follow the true 'Northward Aspiration' path."

"Sir, rest assured!"

Chao Gai readily agreed.

"The blades are already sharpened, awaiting only the order!"

Winds and clouds gather upon the summit of Liangshan.

"A ceremony that appears to be the Song Jiang faction's march toward its peak is, in fact, the crucial juncture deciding the fate's course of 'Northward Aspiration,' and its curtain is now slowly rising."

"All gazes, all undercurrents, are directed toward the square before the Hall of Gathering Righteousness three days from now."