Wang Shixiong and the other two returned to the Chu Zhou rebel stronghold. Yin Pingzhi, one of the defending generals, known as "Obstruction Tiger," immediately accosted Wang Shixiong upon his return, saying, "The Golden Huns seemed to have divined your whereabouts. They sent troops to attack as soon as you left, and there were also the Mo Luan swordsmen..." Seeing Lin Chaoying following him, he fell silent and stared at Wang Shixiong. Wang Shixiong said, "We'll discuss it in the council hall." With that, he looked at Zhou and Lin.
Lin Chaoying stood coldly. Zhou Botong understood and said, "Let me show you around. We're not exactly welcome here anyway." Zhou Botong led Lin Chaoying to a humble dwelling and introduced her to a woman hanging dyed cloth in front. "This is Aunt Su. If it weren't for her pastries and Gou'er, I really wouldn't want to stay here."
Aunt Su sized up Lin Chaoying's attire and felt apprehensive. Lin Chaoying spoke directly, "I am..." Just then, a clear child's voice rang out, "Mama!" A girl about three or four years old ran over and clung to Lin Chaoying's left leg. Aunt Su was terrified and quickly exclaimed, "Gou'er, don't!" Gou'er ignored her and instead played by weaving in and out from beneath Lin Chaoying's black skirt. Aunt Su finally grabbed her by the collar, pulled her close, bowed to Lin Chaoying, and apologized repeatedly.
Zhou Botong asked Lin Chaoying, "Do you know why she's named Gou'er?" Seeing no reaction, Zhou Botong said listlessly, "Her father, Jin Jing, clung to life and suffered much humiliation. He could only curse his daughter a few times as 'Gou'er' to vent his anger." Aunt Su smiled faintly and said, "It's not bad to be a dog in times of peace." Lin Chaoying asked, "Did her father die at the hands of the Jin people?" Aunt Su nodded slightly, pushed Gou'er into the house, and closed the door.
In the council hall, Wang Shixiong asked with some displeasure, "To usurp our position and use her as bait to lure Mao Ya here for assassination?" Wei Jietui, known as "Guard Flower Flower," who was the strategist and chief of scouts for the rebel forces, nodded and said, "This scoundrel relies on the dark swordsmen to slaughter Song civilians and curry favor with the Jin ruler for promotion. Eliminating him would remove a major threat to the rebels and also dampen the Golden Huns' morale." Yin Pingzhi stated, "It was clearly his design to invade the stronghold while you were at Lingyan Mountain, and to ambush assassins to harm you there. I truly don't understand why you brought this assassin back." Wang Shixiong explained, "Her swordsmanship and light footwork are superb, yet she couldn't kill me. However, I also couldn't stop her. Why not let her come openly so we can defend openly? She knows the plight of the residents here, so perhaps it's not a bad thing." Yin Pingzhi sneered and was about to retort when Wei Jietui interjected, "With the combined strength of the three of us plus your junior brother, I don't believe we can't subdue her. Capturing her will allow us to negotiate with Mao Ya and secure benefits for the stronghold." Seeing Wang Shixiong's hesitant silence, Yin Pingzhi could no longer restrain himself and stormed out of the house. Wei Jietui chased after him and called out, "Let's talk, why the rush?"
"Capturing her as a hostage can indeed make the demon hesitate, but how can I betray her trust and... her intentions?" Wang Shixiong mused as he paced, gazing at the harvested fields, feeling as though the stalks were like decapitated rebel soldiers. He watched the cooking smoke curl in the setting sun, almost mistaking it for her fist and sword dance, and sighed deeply.
"Always sighing and groaning. If you're so troubled, just die then."
Wang Shixiong turned his head and saw Lin Chaoying standing with her sword on the footpath behind him. She continued, "Don't worry! After this bout, whether you live or die, I will leave immediately." Gazing at her, Wang Shixiong truly didn't know what to say, but smiled slightly in thanks and then drew his long sword. The two fought slowly and quickly for over an hour, then stopped and faced each other, as if searching for each other's weaknesses, or perhaps... Meng Hanguang, who had recently come to help defend the stronghold, rushed in with an urgent report that the Jin troops were attacking again.
Outside the north gate of the Chu Zhou stronghold, a large patch of dense forest contained high ground and rapid streams. Wang Shixiong utilized these to create a barrier that repeatedly repelled Jin incursions. At this moment, the Jin troops, like wolves on a night hunt, passed through the trees in waves and launched another assault. Approximately thirty valiant fighters and strong men were ambushed among the tree trunks, preparing to intercept and resist. Lin Chaoying rushed towards Wang and Meng. One of them, hidden in the woods, a stone mound that served for both attack and command, encountered Aunt Su and a group of women transporting a large quantity of rope nets through a secret passage. Aunt Su hesitated for a moment before revealing, "Guard Flower Flower intends to 'net capture' the Jin bandits. Fearing we wouldn't have enough, we quickly wove more to bring them as reserves." Lin Chaoying gazed at her for a moment and said, "Be careful." Aunt Su understood and replied, "The valiant fighters who came to help, and the men of the stronghold, sacrifice themselves to protect this land where 'Song people can live with dignity.' What we are doing is nothing." Lin Chaoying said, "Gou'er cannot afford to lose you as a mother." With that, she quickened her pace to catch up with Wang Shixiong.
The sounds of killing shook the heavens. The Jin troops pursued the retreating Yin Pingzhi and his remaining forces. The remnants, according to prior deployment, feigned retreat and withdrew to the designated location. They turned back to find Yin Pingzhi returning, horizontally swinging his long-handled tiger-head saber, furiously cutting down two approaching Jin soldiers.
Wang Shixiong, observing from the stone mound, reprimanded, "Why bother stubbornly killing one or two more Jin bandits! It would be disastrous if the greater plan is ruined."
Those ambushed in the bushes, as planned, showered the Jin troops with rope nets. At this moment, an arrow with a flaming arrowhead struck the rope net and rapidly ignited it. The Jin soldiers were greatly surprised and retreated in panic, colliding with each other and falling into disarray.
Wang Shixiong observed this, glanced at Lin Chaoying, who was drawing and shooting her bow, and then shouted, "Release! Release!"
The ambushed men, following the order, successively threw two rope nets. Lin Chaoying, with a bow and two arrows, did the same, startling the Jin soldiers into panicked shouts as they retreated from the forest.
Yin Pingzhi seized the opportunity to kill several Jin soldiers and stopped after a short pursuit. The valiant fighters and strong men cheered and laughed loudly. Wei Jietui ran over from another direction, panting with anger, glared at Lin Chaoying, and questioned Wang Shixiong, "Wasn't the agreement to capture Jin soldiers as bargaining chips with the demon?" Lin Chaoying retorted, "Capturing those Jin soldiers would only consume energy guarding them. Mao Ya would never give up his target for anyone. Long-term resistance like the weak, holding back a belly full of anger, and suppressing morale, it's better to strike back fiercely and let them know the consequences."
Wei Jietui said, "Don't you realize the disparity in our forces? This will provoke the Golden Huns to attack more fiercely. You are clearly intentionally causing harm!"
Meng Hanguang, full of suspicion, said, "You actually dealt such a blow to the Jin people."
Lin Chaoying said, "Heh, I am a descendant of Southern Tang, persecuted to death by Zhao Guangyi."
Hearing her directly address Emperor Taizong by name, Meng Hanguang's face flushed with anger.
Wang Shixiong interjected, "She saw the critical situation and rashly decided to help. She was genuinely unaware of this deployment."
Wei Jietui said, "In that case, please escort this 'young lady' far away, lest she get in the way again."