Yinma River Recruits Another Hero 2 Immortal Mountain Master Answers Questions

These people only robbed money and didn't care about their lives, so they still had some sense of chivalry, unlike the kind of villains who would kill after robbing someone!

Aside from Song Jiang and Shi Qian, whose martial arts skills are somewhat lacking, and Gongsun Sheng, who rarely takes action, Song Jiang's side also includes skilled fighters such as Wu Song, Yang Zhi, Jiao Ting, Bian Xiang, Mi Sheng, Li Zhu, Li Huai, and Ma Ling!

Song Jiang didn't take a mere one or two hundred men seriously, but he was more interested in whether the two leaders in front of him were Deng Fei and Meng Kang. If so, he certainly couldn't let them leave; they had to come to Liangshan with him!

Seeing no one react, the leader roared, "Didn't you all understand what I said? Or are you willing to risk your lives for money?"

Bian Xiang laughed and said, "Brother, watch me end this villain's life. You all protect your brother!" After saying that, he picked up his giant axe.

Song Jiang quickly said, "Don't rush to attack!" Then he turned to the two leaders and asked, "Are you two heroes Brother Deng Fei and Brother Meng Kang?"

The two men were taken aback; how could they have known that Song Jiang could expose their identities?

One of the leaders immediately said to his henchmen, "Don't make a move!" He then walked over to Song Jiang and the others and said, "May I ask how this hero knows my name?"

In fact, Song Jiang admired Deng Fei for daring to come to his side alone. If he had any evil intentions, Bian Xiang and the others would have immediately attacked him, and he would not have survived. In any case, he himself would definitely not have been able to do it.

But Deng Fei is indeed an open-minded person. He was thinking that since he knew my name, he might be someone I knew. How could he possibly harm me?

Song Jiang laughed and said, "I am Song Jiang. I have traveled the Jianghu before, so naturally I have heard of your name, brother!"

Deng Fei hurriedly asked, "Is it Brother Song Jiang, the Timely Rain?"

Song Jiang nodded and said, "Exactly!"

Deng Fei hurriedly called Meng Kang to Song Jiang's side, and the two knelt down, saying, "We've only heard of your great name before, but we never imagined we'd meet you in person today!"

The group of people nearby, especially Wu Song, were dumbfounded. Although they weren't afraid of these bandits, the fact that one of them would kneel down upon hearing Song Jiang's name was truly unparalleled!

Song Jiang quickly helped the two men up, saying, "Brothers, there's no need for such formalities. This is not the place to talk."

Deng Fei hurriedly said, "If you brothers don't mind, please come to our small village for a chat, and we can meet for a while!"

Deng Fei led the way, and after a short while, they arrived at the village gate, where they were greeted by people.

Deng Fei then invited Song Jiang and the others to the Hall of Righteousness. After everyone had exchanged pleasantries, Song Jiang was given the seat of honor, followed by Deng Fei and the others in turn. The host and guests treated each other with respect, and the banquet began. That day, they made a great fuss and drank heavily.

As everyone was drinking merrily, after a few rounds of drinks, Song Jiang spoke up, "I have a question, and I hope Brother Deng Fei can help me answer it?"

Deng Fei replied, "Brother, please speak frankly. Don't be so polite!"

Song Jiang laughed and said, "I've heard in the Jianghu that you enjoy eating people, brother. I wonder if this is true or not?"

Deng Fei and Meng Kang were taken aback, then burst into laughter!

Deng Fei laughed and said, "Brother, where did you hear such a rumor? It's just that my eyes are naturally bloodshot, and I make a living in the bandit world. The rumors have spread that I like to eat human flesh. I thought that having such a rumor would make me seem more vicious, and passing merchants would be more afraid. It would also save me some effort. So I haven't told anyone that I don't actually eat people!"

So that's how it is! Actually, Song Jiang also thought that Deng Fei probably wouldn't eat people, but there's a poem in the original text that says Deng Fei eats human flesh a lot and his eyes are red; the fiery-eyed lion is Deng Fei!

In Song Jiang's eyes, Deng Fei was a true hero, upright and honorable, deeply loyal and not greedy for power. His greatest hobby in life was saving people!

Because Pei Xuan was the eldest, Deng Fei actually gave up the position of leader of Yinmachuan Village to Pei Xuan after he and Meng Kang rescued Pei Xuan. Song Jiang knew he couldn't do that!

During the third attack on Zhu Family Village, Deng Fei first rescued Ou Peng, who had been knocked off his horse by Luan Tingyu's iron hammer. When he saw Qin Ming being captured alive by Luan Tingyu's scheme, he immediately rode to his rescue, but he was also tripped by the tripwire and captured alive along with Qin Ming, becoming his sworn brothers in misfortune!

During the campaign against Fang La, Suo Chao fought against Shi Bao, but was tricked into defeat and killed by Shi Bao with a meteor hammer. Deng Fei rode to his rescue, but was cut in two by the arriving Shi Bao!

Throughout Deng Fei's life, although he didn't have many outstanding achievements and his martial arts skills were only average, his willingness to yield his position to Pei Xuan and his repeated acts of saving people, ultimately dying while doing so, absolutely earn him the title of a hero! (Liangshan isn't just about Lu Zhishen being a hero; Shi Jin, Zhang Qing, and Xu Ning also have pretty good reputations!)

As for the cannibalism incident, it has been confirmed to be a false alarm. Song Jiang wanted to directly incorporate Yinmachuan into Liangshan, but with Yang Zhi present, some things could not be said too bluntly!

After several rounds of drinks, the group moved to the Duanjin Pavilion on the back mountain to continue drinking while admiring the scenery of Yinmachuan. Yinmachuan was truly a beautiful place. There, they saw: a vast expanse of wild water, surrounded by faintly visible green mountains. Several old trees reflected the setting sun, and a few wisps of colorful clouds drifted to distant peaks. The barren fields were desolate, with no children tending the cattle; the ancient ferry was forlorn, where no one watered their horses. Only the strong could build fortified camps, a perfect place for heroes to unfurl their banners.

Looking at the beautiful scenery of Yinma River, Song Jiang exclaimed, "What beautiful mountains and waters! How did you two manage to get here?"

Deng Fei said, "Originally, a few good-for-nothing servants were camped here, but the two of us came and took over the place."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Seeing Yang Zhi happily drinking in the distance, Song Jiang said to Deng Fei, "Life is short, like a tree that withers in autumn. This place is nice, but are you two brothers willing to live a carefree and happy life here?"

Deng Fei replied, "Brother, do you have any good places to go?"

Song Jiang laughed and said, "In Jizhou Prefecture of Shandong, there is a marshland of eight hundred li called Liangshan Marsh. It can store a million troops. There are also lakes as natural defenses. In the middle, there are Wanzicheng and Liaoerwa, and there are many more troops. Why should we worry about the government troops coming?"

Meng Kang asked, "Brother, do you mean we should go there?"

Song Jiang laughed and said, "I won't hide it from you two brothers, I am indeed the leader of Liangshan!"

Deng Fei was startled. Who in the Jianghu didn't know that Song Jiang was the clerk of Yuncheng? Who would know that he was also the leader of Liangshan? Such a secret was revealed to the two of them by Song Jiang. This trust was truly invaluable!

Deng Fei replied without hesitation, "Yinmachuan has three or four hundred men, a dozen or twenty cartloads of grain and money, and forty or fifty horses. If you don't mind, I'm willing to join Brother Meng Kang!"

Song Jiang was overjoyed and said, "Thank you for your kindness, brothers. Your help is like adding flowers to brocade. I have some business to attend to at Erxian Mountain. You can pack your bags and wait for me. We will disguise ourselves as government troops and go to Liangshan together!"

Deng Fei and Meng Kang had no objections, but Song Jiang reminded them to act as if nothing had happened!

These two are indeed people that Liangshan desperately needs at this moment, especially Meng Kang. His shipbuilding skills can be described as superb. In the original story, he was in charge of all the ships of Liangshan. His martial arts skills are not bad either, and he is also quite righteous. He is a rare talent!

After spending the night there, Song Jiang and his group continued their journey towards Erxian Mountain! (Here's a plot hole I'd like to point out: Shi Nai'an lived during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, but *Water Margin* is set in the Northern Song Dynasty. During that period, Jizhou was actually Liao territory, not Northern Song territory. While the original text doesn't elaborate, both Yang Xiong and Deng Fei were Song people, clearly assuming Jizhou was Northern Song territory. For the sake of plausibility, this text portrays the area north of Jizhou as Liao territory, but the area south as Northern Song territory!)

After leaving Yinmachuan, the group traveled for a long time before finally arriving at Jiugong County. Now that they were on Gongsun Sheng's territory, with Gongsun Sheng leading the way, the journey was much faster!

Five miles east of the county seat, Mount Erxian is right before our eyes. There we see:

Verdant mountains rise sharply, their peaks shrouded in clouds. Two cliffs, like crouching tigers and coiled dragons, stand guard, while the cries of monkeys and cranes echo from all sides. At dawn, clouds shroud the mountaintops; at dusk, the sun hangs high in the treetops. A stream murmurs, its murmur like jade pendants; a waterfall cascades, its murmur like the faint strains of a zither from a cave. If not for Daoist practitioners, surely an immortal is refining elixirs.

Arriving at the foot of Erxian Mountain, Gongsun Sheng gazed at the mountain in a daze, lost in thought.

Everyone had no choice but to wait with him!

After a long while, Gongsun Sheng came to his senses, turned around and smiled, "I've kept you all waiting. Let's continue on our way! I imagine our master has been waiting for us for quite some time!"

After crossing a mountain pass and stepping over a stone bridge, a dozen or so small houses came into view. Gongsun Sheng did not stop, but continued onward! An old woman was looking at him, but he ignored her and stared straight ahead!

Song Jiang sensed that the two of them seemed to have a story, but Gongsun Sheng walked very fast, so Song Jiang didn't ask too many questions and could only follow closely behind Gongsun Sheng!

Halfway up the mountain, a small path appears in the shade of the pines, leading all the way to the Luo Zhenren Temple!

Upon seeing a vermilion plaque with three golden characters that read "Zixu Temple," the group arrived at the temple and looked at the two immortal mountains, which were indeed a beautiful fairyland.

Lush green pines and towering cypresses. A flock of white cranes listens to scriptures, while several men in green grind medicine. Green paulownia and emerald bamboo, the cave entrance locked deep, the green window cold; white snow and yellow buds, the stone chamber shrouded in clouds, the alchemy furnace warm. Wild deer carry flowers through the path, mountain monkeys carry fruit across the rocks. Sometimes one hears Taoist priests discussing scriptures, often one sees immortals debating the Dharma. Beside the Altar of the Void Emperor, the heavenly wind carries down the sound of footsteps; in the Hall of Worshiping the Dipper, suddenly a phoenix appears on its back, the sound of jade pendants tinkling. This alone is the true Purple Palace, where else can one find Penglai?

Gongsun Sheng turned around and said, "My master does not receive worldly guests. Apart from Clerk Song, Daoist Li, and Daoist Ma who will accompany me inside, please wait here with the rest of you!" He then gave a deep bow.

Although Gongsun Sheng was not a man of many words, he had come with Song Jiang and everyone already considered him one of their own. Although they were somewhat worried about Song Jiang, they believed that Gongsun Sheng would not harm him!

Song Jiang also laughed and said, "Taoism emphasizes self-cultivation and character building. You usually only enjoy physical training and wielding weapons. Today, in this sacred place, you should reflect on the past and calm your restless hearts!"

When the two boys saw Gongsun Sheng leading people in, they went in to inform Master Luo, who then conveyed the Dharma decree to invite the four people in.

Upon entering Songhexuan, Master Luo was sitting on the bed in a Taoist robe, his eyes tightly closed, giving him a rather ethereal appearance!

Song Jiang looked at what the Luo Zhenren looked like, and saw:

A crown of stars adorned with jade leaves, a crane-feather cloak embroidered with golden clouds. A long beard and broad cheeks, cultivated to the point of perfect purity; bright blue eyes and square pupils, consuming elixirs to achieve immortality. He has tasted the dates of Anqi and the peaches of Fangshuo. His vital energy fills his dantian, truly a sight of green veins and a purple brain; his name is inscribed in the Xuanlu (Mysterious Register), surely a sign of azure kidneys and azure liver. Just as the moon shines brightly at midnight, the phoenix's cry echoes far, riding the clouds ten thousand miles high on the crane's back.

Gongsun Sheng stepped forward to greet him and stood respectfully, while Li Zhu and Ma Ling knelt directly on the ground!

Song Jiang was a little surprised. Ma Ling was alright, but Li Zhu, with his personality, actually knelt down without hesitation. This Master Luo was truly mysterious!

Song Jiang hesitated for a moment, but still bowed down!

Master Luo opened his eyes and said, "Layman Song, this old Daoist has been waiting for you for a long time. It must have been a difficult journey!"

Song Jiang was startled. On the surface, Master Luo seemed to be implying that his journey from Yuncheng County had been fraught with trouble, but was that really what he meant? Song Jiang was unsure!

Seeing that Song Jiang was somewhat reserved, Master Luo pointed to the prayer mat in front of him and said, "Please sit down!"

As for Ma Ling and Li Zhu, they remained kneeling on the ground, and Master Luo ignored them!

Song Jiang no longer hesitated, picked up the prayer mat, sat down, and said, "Master, you have traveled a great distance to send Daoist Gongsun to find me. May I ask what brings you here?"

Instead of answering, Master Luo asked, "Has Layman Song ever heard of the saying that when the Dao governs the world, ghosts and spirits lose their power?"

Song Jiang nodded, naturally understanding the meaning of those words, which came from the Tao Te Ching. It meant governing the world with the Tao, and having no fear of ghosts or gods! But Song Jiang didn't understand why Master Luo was asking him this question!

Master Luo said, "Some time ago, I observed the celestial phenomena at night and discovered something strange!"

Song Jiang remained silent. These Buddhist and Taoist monks always liked to say only half of what they meant, leaving people to guess, which was really troublesome!

Moreover, their answers to questions were irrelevant, which was exhausting.

Seeing that Song Jiang did not react, Luo Zhenren said to Gongsun Sheng, Li Zhu, and Ma Ling, "The three of you go out first. Without my orders, do not come within six feet of the room!"

The three men obeyed and left. Master Luo looked at Song Jiang and laughed, "I couldn't even deduce the clerk's fate; this is truly strange!"

Taoists have a skill that uses birth date and time (the Eight Characters of Birth) to predict fate or to read faces and palms!

But truly skilled people don't need birth dates to predict a person's fate. Song Jiang didn't know if it was true or not, but Luo Zhenren's words left him somewhat confused, making him feel that Luo Zhenren's words could not be completely believed, but they also could not be completely disbelieved!

Song Jiang hurriedly asked, "Then what was my destiny before?"

Master Luo said, "Heavenly secrets should not be revealed, but since Layman Song's fate has completely changed, it's alright to speak of it. He's a cursed lone star!"

Song Jiang frowned and asked, "What do you mean by that, Master?"

Master Luo said, "In his previous life, Layman Song had a smooth life, but he was plagued by romantic entanglements. Now everything has changed. In this life, he is destined to have no fortune, longevity, or prosperity. His fate will be tragic. Although his official career will be successful, those around him will die unnatural deaths, and he himself will die far from home!"

Song Jiang stood there speechless for a long time; wasn't this just his own fate in the original story?

He was once full of vigor in Yuncheng County, but because of Yan Poxi, he was forced to wander the world and eventually joined Liangshan!

However, he did not want to become an outlaw on Liangshan, so he risked his brothers' future and accepted the imperial amnesty. For the sake of the court, he fought against Liao, defeated Tian, ​​destroyed Wang, and annihilated Fang. He made great contributions to the court, but in the end, he ended up with a cup of poisoned wine!

Master Luo then asked quietly, "Has Layman Song ever heard of Wang Mang?"