Wu Yong Speaks 3 Ruan Juyi Song Jiang Feels the Impermanence of Life

That day, Song Jiang stayed in Dongxi Village and did not return to Songjiazhuang!

In ancient times, traveling back and forth was indeed very troublesome without a vehicle. Traveling back and forth to Songjiazhuang by myself would have been quite a waste of time!

In the evening, Chao Gai slaughtered pigs and sheep and held a grand banquet to entertain Song Jiang and Liu Tang. Wu Yong also came, and the group drank and made merry!

Song Jiang didn't really like drinking this ancient wine, but he was genuinely happy today. His small group of followers had been initially formed, and they had finally taken the first step in their long march! Naturally, he didn't care whether the wine tasted good or bad; he just gulped it down, treating it like medicine!

No wonder Li Bai once said that sages and worthies of the past are all lonely, only drinkers have left their names. Indeed, wine is a "good medicine" to enhance the mood when people are in high spirits!

The group chatted and laughed, drank heartily, and sang loudly. Song Jiang couldn't remember the last time he had been this happy!

I probably only had those days when I was in the army, when I was completely unguarded and just drinking and chatting.

The days had passed far too long, and Song Jiang couldn't remember how much he had drunk or how he finally got back to his room!

Just as I was drifting off to sleep, a familiar voice suddenly reached my ears: "Yashi, wake up, we should get going!"

Song Jiang opened his blurry eyes and saw that it was Wu Yong!

It was still pitch black outside. Song Jiang took a breath and asked, "Sir, what time is it now?"

Wu Yong said, "It's already past four in the morning. We need to set off as soon as possible to reach Shijie Village!"

Song Jiang rubbed his throbbing head, glanced at the pitch-black window, and nodded, saying, "Let me wash my face!"

In ancient times, there were often sparsely populated areas with many forests, so traveling often required getting up early and working late, which was really inconvenient!

But Song Jiang didn't complain too much. As the saying goes, "Since we're here, let's make the best of it!"

Under the cover of darkness, the two headed towards Shijie Village!

On the way, Song Jiang hesitated for a moment before asking, "Sir, do you know a man named Dai Zong?"

Wu Yong was somewhat surprised; Song Jiang really knew him inside and out! However, since he had decided to join Song Jiang in plotting something big, he naturally wouldn't hide anything anymore!

Wu Yong nodded and said, "Of course I know him. This Dai Zong is the jailer of the two prisons in Jiangzhou. I wonder how you know him?"

Song Jiang actually had a question in his heart that he kept to himself. He wouldn't feel at ease until he figured it out. That question was about magic!

Not only Water Margin, but all four classic novels feature gods, ghosts, and magic—things that only exist in myths and legends.

Originally, Song Jiang was a standard believer in Marxist materialism, but this soul-travel actually happened to him, which completely reset his worldview!

If I can exist even after time travel, then magic, gods, and ghosts must also exist. If these things really exist, they are clearly superior to battlefield weapons and soldiers, so I will have to change many of my strategies and tactics!

When Song Jiang saw Wu Yong asking him a question, he smiled and said, "Dean Dai is known in the martial arts world as the 'Divine Traveler,' and I've heard he can travel a thousand miles a day. I wonder if that's true?"

Wu Yong chuckled, then after a long pause, said, "Where did you hear such absurd talk, Clerk? Dai Zong isn't a god; how can a mortal travel a thousand miles a day!"

Song Jiang breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed this was just an ordinary world, devoid of these ethereal beings! However, he still thought that if he had the chance to meet Gongsun Sheng, he would ask him personally!

After thinking for a moment, Song Jiang spoke up: "I once heard someone named Shi Nai'an mention it by chance, but I don't know where he is now. Since Dean Dai can't travel a thousand miles a day, why does he have the nickname 'Divine Traveler'?"

Wu Yong felt an inexplicable connection to the name Shi Nai'an, a sense of wanting to get closer to him, to look up to him. However, he still smiled and said, "When traveling the martial world, a more imposing nickname can intimidate petty villains. Dai Zong's legs are indeed faster than ordinary people!"

Having resolved their doubts, the two continued walking and talking. Wu Yong was well-versed in classical Chinese literature and knew a great deal, but Song Jiang possessed a historical background spanning five thousand years and had the insights of many modern masters of Chinese studies on various ideas and issues. In comparison, Wu Yong admired Song Jiang even more!

After walking for quite some time, the two finally arrived at Shijie Village. Song Jiang carefully examined the village. He saw:

Clear water flows around the small village, and green mountains and forests reflect the white clouds!

A stone path leads to the village entrance, and in the distance, a small island marks Liangshan Mountain!

Those who live by the water live on the lake; their thatched huts are simple, but they have no worries.

Wu Yong knew the way and didn't need to ask anyone; he led Song Jiang directly to the home of the three Ruan brothers.

Upon arriving at the gate, one could see several small fishing boats tied to withered stumps, a tattered fishing net drying outside the sparse fence, and about a dozen thatched houses nestled against the mountain and beside the water.

Wu Yong called out, "Is Second Brother home?"

Ruan Xiaoer came out from inside, carrying a steel knife in one hand and a wooden boat on his back in the other. The boat was covered with chains and weighed at least three or four hundred pounds, which Ruan Xiaoer carried out with one hand.

Song Jiang then took a quick look at Ruan Xiaoer. He was eight feet tall, with short, bright green hair that resembled some modern hairdressers. He had sharp eyebrows and fierce eyes, was shirtless, and had a muscular body that gleamed with a bronze glow in the sunlight. He wore brownish-blue shorts and was barefoot.

If Ruan Xiaoer were alive today, he would definitely be a bodybuilding champion, Song Jiang thought with genuine admiration! Especially in such cold weather, he was barefoot and shirtless, seemingly impervious to the cold. Most importantly, why did Ruan Xiaoer have short hair? This was something Song Jiang found rather strange, since weren't people in ancient times supposed to have long hair?

Upon seeing that it was Wu Yong, Ruan Xiaoer hurriedly greeted him, "Professor, where did you come from? What brings you here? And who is this gentleman?"

Wu Yong replied, "There are some things I need to discuss with Erlang. Are Wulang and Qilang here as well? Let's go together."

Ruan Xiaoer laughed and said, "Fifth Brother is a gambler. At this time, he should still be enjoying himself at the village gambling den, and Seventh Brother should be fishing on the lake. Professor, what brings you here? Please speak freely. May I ask your esteemed name?"

Wu Yong also smiled and said, "In that case, I'll tell you later. It's been a long time since we last met, and I miss you all very much. I'd like to have a drink with you three brothers. I'll trouble you, Erlang, to take me to find Wulang and Qilang."

Ruan Xiao'er said, "That's exactly what I was thinking. Since the professor wants to see them, then come with me to find them." With that, he put down the boat on his back and turned to pick up an even larger boat from the side.

"What great strength!" Song Jiang praised.

Ruan Xiaoer laughed and said, "That boat was just finished by me these past two days, and it needs to sit for another two days before it can be launched. I'll have to trouble you two to board the old boat first!"

The two laughed at the same time, saying, "It's alright, it's alright!"

Ruan Xiaoer carried the boat and led the two men to the shore, casually placing the boat in the water before helping Wu Yong onto the boat.

Ruan Xiaoer intended to help Song Jiang again, but Song Jiang smiled and waved his hand, then boarded the boat himself.

The three boarded the boat. Song Jiang and Wu Yong sat at the bow and stern respectively, while Ruan Xiaoer took out an oar and rowed slowly toward the center of the lake.

Song Jiang took a deep breath of fresh air and felt very refreshed!

Looking at this pristine natural environment that had not suffered any damage, Song Jiang couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart!

While modern entertainment is diverse and abundant, it always feels somewhat lacking in terms of environment and air quality.

The willows that can be seen everywhere on both sides of the river trembled slightly in the cool breeze, but they could not hide the vibrant spring atmosphere in the slightest!

Unidentified birds also slowly began to emerge, singing loudly and freely across the vast land!

The blue sky and white clouds reflected on the lake surface are like a magnificent and exquisite painting, radiating their own beauty!

Song Jiang was truly captivated by the flowers, birds, fish, and insects. If he couldn't go back, staying here seemed like a good option!

Song Jiang didn't know why he would have such an idea!

At this moment, Ruan Xiaoer waved his hand and shouted, "Seventh Brother, the professor is here."

As Song Jiang and Wu Yong looked, they saw a boat emerging from the reeds in the distance. There was a person on the boat, holding an oar.

Song Jiang sized up the man and saw that he had short indigo hair with two small braids tied on either side, a pair of round, strange eyes that exuded murderous intent, and he was also shirtless, wearing only blue shorts. His body was muscular and looked like it was made of iron.

When Ruan Xiaoqi heard that Wu Yong had arrived, he was overjoyed. He jumped into the water and soon swam to Ruan Xiaoer's boat, excitedly saying, "Professor, it's been a long time! Please forgive me. What brings you here today to see you, Professor!"

Wu Yong laughed and said, "I'd like to invite the three of you to have a drink together. Have you seen Wu Lang?"

Ruan Xiaoqi said sadly, "Fifth Brother should be having fun at the gambling den at the village entrance right now. It's a pity that all the savings we had at home were given away by Fifth Brother to the gambling den. It's just that my mother suffers because she has to live with us and never has a single day of peace and happiness!"

Wu Yong smiled and said, "Then why don't we go find him together?"

Ruan Xiaoqi nodded and said, "Very good. With the professor here today, if he loses less, we can better entertain him. But I wonder who this hero next to the professor is?"

Wu Yong said mysteriously, "We'll talk about it later!"

Ruan Xiaoqi nodded, jumped back into the water and swam back to his boat. He picked up his oar and rowed with Ruan Xiaoer's boat to the other side!

Before long, the two boats docked one after the other. In the distance, a group of people were shouting loudly around a stall, making it very lively. A tattered cloth was hanging on the stall, with the word "gambling" written crookedly on it!

Ruan Xiaoer led a few people to Ruan Xiaowu, who was already red-faced and breathing rapidly after losing!

Song Jiang shook his head and remained silent. Ruan Xiao Wu's luck was bad; he lost all the money in front of him in this hand!

Ruan Xiao'er said, "Fifth Brother, the professor is here. Let's not gamble anymore today. Let's go drink three big bowls with the professor!"

Ruan Xiaoqi also complained, "Fifth Brother, all you know is gambling! Don't you know the professor and this hero have been looking for you for so long!"

Ruan Xiaowu hurriedly stood up and said, "It's my fault, I'll leave now!"

Suddenly, a voice spoke up from the side: "Fifth Brother, wait a moment. There's still a debt of two taels and four mace of silver owed to my gambling den today. I hope you can settle it!"