The Gathering Storm

Over the next few days, several more government spies were captured on the mountain and executed one by one by Lu Shen. No matter how they kowtowed, begged for mercy, or wept bitterly, he remained unmoved, striking without a shred of mercy.

Xi Cui had even less time to look after Wei Dansheng.

Lu Shen had ordered that no one was to approach him, especially Xi Cui.

Even though she had made promises to him, at this critical juncture, he still harbored some doubts.

Of course, Xi Cui would not be foolish enough to bargain with him at this time. She spent her entire day mingling with Lu Jinchuan, seemingly preparing actively for battle, waiting for a fierce clash with the government soldiers.

The author of "The Peaceful Female Physician" did not spend much ink on this battle, only glossing over it in a few lines. The only reason it was mentioned was to enrich Wei Dansheng's character, setting up a tragic childhood for him and finding a reason for his crippled leg, adding a touch of flawed beauty that would make readers' hearts ache.

Xi Cui only knew that Wei Dansheng would be rescued, but how he was rescued, whether this battle was lost or won, or if Lu Shen was offered amnesty by the government like in *Water Margin*—she had no idea.

The system didn't tell her; she could only follow the plot and wait for this day to arrive.

In this manner, another two or three days passed.

At night, Wei Zonglin finally led the government forces to launch a surprise attack on the mountain.

Torches were raised one after another, illuminating the surroundings so brightly that the night seemed like day.

Lu Shen was fully dressed, a saber at his waist. Without the slightest panic, he calmly commanded his subordinates.

Mount Biaor was easy to defend and hard to attack. Relying on the terrain, he already held a distinct advantage.

"Although Wei Zonglin went to the Xiaosi Office to borrow troops, how many could he actually get? The soldiers in the military camps are all a bunch of weaklings who only know how to flee in battle. They don't even have as much promise as our men."

A small group was sent to scout the situation, another group took a secret path to ambush the government soldiers from behind, while the rest remained stationary, guarding the camp.

The enemy was in the light, while they were in the dark, but Wei Zonglin was in no hurry to strike.

Although Lu Shen was fierce, he still harbored some wariness toward court officials.

Since they did not speak, the others dared not act rashly, and the forces of both sides fell into a stalemate. Before long, a soldier came up the mountain to deliver a message, saying that Wei Zonglin invited Lu Shen to talk.

As Lu Shen's confidant, Xi Cui naturally had to follow.

This was the first time Xi Cui had seen Wei Zonglin.

With a single glance, she saw countless soldiers on the mountain path, all clad in armor, the front row holding long shields.

Under the moonlight and firelight, their murderous aura was formidable.

Wei Zonglin, who led the troops, did not look very old, perhaps in his early thirties. His features were somewhat elegant, his beard short, and the furrow between his brows was very deep.

His appearance bore some resemblance to Wei Dansheng.

But his gaze was much more resolute, making him look like a rigid, stubborn man.

The torches flared wildly in the mountain wind. Wei Zonglin's voice carried from afar.

"Things have come to this. Do you still wish to resist?"

Lu Shen seemed not to hear the threat, merely smiling. "Official, it has been a long time."

Wei Zonglin's brow furrowed deeper, making no attempt to hide the disgust on his face. He said loudly, "Cut the nonsense. There is no friendship between you and me."

Lu Shen was not angry either, still smiling. "Since that is the case, I will spare the hypocritical pleasantries and get straight to the point."

Lu Shen's voice sank. "Since the official does not wish to exchange pleasantries with me, I wonder what you have called me here for?"

Wei Zonglin replied in a deep voice, "Naturally, to give you a chance. If you lead your subordinates to surrender quickly, you may still have a chance to live. If you persist in resisting by relying on this treacherous terrain, do not blame me for eliminating evil for the people and enforcing justice on behalf of Heaven."

"I admire the official's righteousness," Lu Shen smiled. "It was I who measured the stature of a great man with the heart of a petty thief, thinking the official came here for the young son in your household."

Hearing him mention Wei Dansheng, Wei Zonglin's expression stiffened, his face turning even colder. "You want to use him to threaten me?"

"Rest assured, official. Your son has been living quite well on the mountain these past few days, and my subordinates have not mistreated him. But..." Lu Shen shifted the topic, his smile fading as his heavy gaze locked onto Wei Zonglin. "If the official does anything to harm my brothers in the camp, do not blame me for acting ruthlessly and turning your own weapon against you."

A myriad of emotions flashed through Wei Zonglin's eyes before condensing into the cold light at the tip of his spear. His gaze grew even more resolute than before. "Dannu is my son. He has been by my side since childhood, personally taught by me. Today, if he dies for a righteous cause, his death will not be in vain."

Lu Shen showed a trace of surprise. "The official means to say that you would not hesitate to sacrifice your own young son?"

"Indeed, Dannu is my son," Wei Zonglin said loudly. "But since I became the county magistrate of Qingyang, I have had more than just this one son. I will never sacrifice the lives of the people for him! Today, the government will surely eradicate you bandits!"

"I did not expect the official to be so cold-hearted," Lu Shen said. "I have not read many books, nor do I know many characters, and I do not understand great righteousness. I only know that even a fierce tiger does not eat its own cubs. Although the people around me are fierce and ruthless, they have never thought of abandoning their own flesh and blood. With such a mindset, it is no wonder the official can serve in the imperial court and accomplish great things, while I am merely a vulgar brute."

"Since the official has seen through it, how could I not?" Lu Shen did not look at Xi Cui but raised his left hand. "Lao Liu, since that is the case, go and cut off the head of the official's young son, and fulfill this official's great righteousness."