Chapter Sixty-Two: An Intact Corpse and a Painting

In the world of mountain strongholds and outlaw bands, misfortunes like having one’s arm cut off, fingers severed, or even eyes gouged out at the hands of enemies were not uncommon. Objectively speaking, this time it was the men from Cangshan Stronghold who acted first, which led to one of their own falling into enemy hands.

Yet, Li Yun had grown up in Cangshan, and though Heizi hadn’t been as close to him as Li Zheng or Zhang Hu, the two had still shared their childhood. Now, a violent, uncontrollable rage surged in the heart of the chief.

When Li Zheng looked up at Li Yun again, he noticed both of Li Yun’s eyes were tinged red.

Li Zheng hurriedly grabbed his arm and whispered, “Second Brother, please, don’t lose your head…”

He understood Li Yun’s temper better than anyone, having grown up together. If it had been the old Li Mazi, he would have rallied the men at once to fight it out with Shiwang Stronghold.

Li Zheng knew well that Shiwang was no ordinary bandit den—it was far larger than any they’d destroyed in recent months, and odds were, it wasn’t just an ordinary outlaw lair at all.

Pulling Li Yun aside, he spoke softly, “Second Brother, I know you’re angry, but we can’t be rash. Shiwang’s not a simple place, and they have powerful backers in Xuanzhou.”

Li Yun didn’t answer directly. Instead, he asked, “Shouhou, do you think Heizi can survive?”

Li Zheng fell silent. Losing an arm in a day wasn’t fatal, but without proper care, it was hard to survive. And now, Heizi was still trapped in Shiwang. Survival seemed unlikely.

Noting Li Zheng’s silence, Li Yun patted his shoulder and said quietly, “Don’t worry, I’m not foolish enough to rush the brothers up Linyang Mountain right now. But Heizi can’t just die up there. We have to bring him back.”

Li Zheng looked up. “Let me go, Second Brother.”

Li Yun shook his head. “No. You’re too well known in the county. Too many people recognize you. You can’t go.”

“Let Old Nine handle it.”

“Take some money,” Li Yun said hoarsely. “Tell the men of Shiwang that Heizi got lost and strayed onto their turf.”

Li Zheng shook his head slightly and sighed. “If they could track him all the way to the foot of Cangshan, it means Heizi couldn’t hold out. He’s already talked.”

“Still, we have to try. I’ll go with you this afternoon. We’ll leave the city together with Old Nine and head for Linyang Mountain.”

Emotion welled up in Li Zheng’s chest and his eyes reddened. He said in a low voice, “These past two months, I thought you had changed, but you haven’t, Second Brother. You’re still the same man of loyalty.”

Li Yun patted his shoulder. “Enough talk—we’re leaving to pack up now.”

He paused. “Don’t tell Huzi about this yet. He can’t hold back his temper.”

Li Zheng nodded. “Don’t worry, Second Brother. I know what to do.”

...

Now that Li Yun was thriving in the Qingyang county yamen, his status rivaled that of the Fourth Master, Commissioner Jiang. He no longer had to ask for leave. That afternoon, he and Li Zheng left Qingyang.

The two rode hard for Cangshan Stronghold, and by nightfall, with Liu Bo, they arrived at the foot of Linyang Mountain.

At the mountain’s base, Li Yun instructed, “Old Nine, I can’t show my face. You’ll go up to Shiwang Stronghold on behalf of Cangshan and demand our man back.”

He paused before adding, “If you’re afraid, I’ll go myself. The county yamen’s business can wait.”

Liu Bo took a deep breath. “Second Brother, leave this to me. Heizi grew up with me too. He may not be the most likable, but he can’t just die out there with no explanation. You and Thin Monkey wait here. I’ll go alone.”

Li Yun and Li Zheng exchanged a glance. The chief said quietly, “Don’t force yourself.”

Liu Bo grinned. “If I don’t come back, Second Brother, remember to burn me some paper figurines.”

Li Yun frowned, and Li Zheng chimed in, “Ninth Brother, maybe I should go?”

Still shaking his head, Liu Bo took another deep breath and strode out. At the threshold, he looked back at Li Yun. “Don’t worry, Second Brother. I’ll return safely.”

Li Yun nodded slowly. “I’ll wait for you here.”

Liu Bo smiled and disappeared into the darkness.

Li Yun and Li Zheng waited in the dilapidated courtyard at the foot of Linyang Mountain. It was midday, and it wasn’t until night had fully fallen that a knock sounded outside.

Li Yun sprang up and opened the gate. Liu Bo staggered in, carrying a man on his back.

Inside, he set the burden down and collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air.

Li Zheng went to fetch him water.

Li Yun looked at the man Liu Bo had laid down. The man’s eyes were shut, his face dark and bloodless.

“He’s gone,” Liu Bo said hoarsely after drinking deeply. “When I saw him, he was barely alive. They’d taken his right arm and tossed it aside, the wound left untreated—”

“Maggots were about to set in.”

Liu Bo’s face went pale. “He didn’t say a word. He died on my back as I carried him out.”

Li Yun turned to look at Liu Bo.

The latter’s cheeks were swollen from a beating. Seeing Li Yun’s gaze, he quickly lowered his head and continued, “They took all the gold you sent, Second Brother. Didn’t give any of it back…”

“That’s enough, Ninth Brother.”

Li Zheng clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. “Don’t say any more.”

Li Yun raised his head to the moonlight, silent for a long time. At last, he said, “I want to kill someone.”

Li Zheng shook his head. “Second Brother, stay calm. There’s only the three of us, and who knows, Shiwang’s men could already be watching…”

“First things first, let’s get clear of Linyang Mountain.”

Li Yun slowly exhaled, then bent down to lift Heizi’s one-armed corpse onto his back. He looked at Liu Bo and Li Zheng.

“Let’s go home to Cangshan.”

The other two answered softly and followed in silence.

When the moon was at its zenith, Li Yun—already on the main road—looked back at Linyang Mountain, murder gleaming in his eyes.

...

Outside Cangshan Stronghold, the sun set in the west.

Li Yun packed the final shovelful of earth onto the grave, gazing at the mound in silence.

Heizi’s body and severed arm rested together in the grave, finally making a whole.

Li Zheng stood behind him. “Second Brother, what now? Give the word.”

He gritted his teeth. “I’m quick and grew up in these hills—they won’t catch me. Maybe I should scout around Linyang Mountain again?”

Li Yun turned, about to speak, when Liu Bo arrived with a sheet of paper. He unfolded it and held it out.

“Second Brother, this is a map I drew of Shiwang Stronghold. Take a look.”

Li Yun looked down. Though the map was crude and hard to decipher, it gave a general idea of the place.

He took it and managed a smile. “You’re pretty meticulous.”

Liu Bo chuckled. “I’ve got a good memory, just not much skill with a brush. When you go to Shiwang, take me—I’ll lead the way.”

Li Yun nodded. “Don’t worry. Before the year’s out, I’ll take you back up Linyang Mountain to Shiwang Stronghold.”

He patted Liu Bo’s shoulder and glanced again at the map. “Next year, I’ll find you a painting teacher. Learn all you can.”

Liu Bo flushed. “Second Brother, you’re teasing me again.”

“Not at all.”

The chief looked up at the sunset, his voice calm.

“This knack for drawing maps—someday…”

“It’ll be of great use.”