Wang Shixiong and the other two returned to the Chu Zhou rebel stronghold. Yin Pingzhi, one of the defending generals, known as "Obstruction Tiger," greeted Wang Shixiong with a reprimand. "The Golden Huns seemed to have divined your movements; they dispatched troops the moment you left, and there were also Magic Peaks and Swords warriors..." Upon seeing Lin Chaoying following behind, he was rendered speechless and stared at Wang Shixiong in astonishment. Wang Shixiong said, "We'll discuss it further in the council hall," casting a glance at Zhou and Lin.
Lin Chaoying stood coldly. Zhou Botong, understanding her situation, said, "Let me show you around. We're not exactly popular here anyway." He led Lin Chaoying to a humble dwelling where a woman was drying dyed cloth. "This is Auntie Su. If it weren't for her steamed buns and her little dog, I really wouldn't want to stay here," he introduced.
Auntie Su sized up Lin Chaoying's attire, a sense of dread creeping into her heart. Lin Chaoying stated frankly, "I am..." Just then, a clear, childish voice called out, "Mama!" A girl of about three or four ran over, hugging Lin Chaoying's left leg. Auntie Su was greatly alarmed and cried out, "Gou'er, don't do that!" Gou'er ignored her, wriggling playfully beneath Lin Chaoying's black skirt. Auntie Su finally grabbed her collar, pulled her close, and bowed repeatedly to Lin Chaoying, apologizing profusely.
Zhou Botong asked Lin Chaoying, "Do you know why she named her Gou'er?" Seeing no reaction, he added dejectedly, "Her father, Jin Jing, lived a life of humiliation and endured many grievances. He could only vent his frustrations by calling his daughter 'Gou'er' a few times." Auntie Su smiled faintly and said, "It's not so bad to be a 'Gou'er' in peaceful times." Lin Chaoying inquired, "Did her father die at the hands of the Jin people?" Auntie Su nodded slightly, then ushered Gou'er inside, closing the door.
Inside the council hall, Wang Shixiong asked with some displeasure, "To usurp the host's role, using her as bait to lure Mao Ya here for assassination?" Wei Jietui, known as "Wei Huahua" and the strategist and chief scout for the local rebels, nodded. "This scoundrel has been slaughtering our Song people with his Dark Sword warriors and seeking favor from the Jin lord to advance his career. Eliminating him would remove a great threat to our army and also dampen the Golden Huns' morale." Yin Pingzhi added, "It was clearly his design to attack our stronghold while you were at Lingyan Mountain, even ambushing assassins to harm you. I truly don't understand why you brought this assassin back." Wang Shixiong explained, "Her swordsmanship and agility are exceptional, but she couldn't kill me, yet I couldn't stop her. Why not let her come openly so we can defend openly? She knows the suffering of the residents here, 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 believe we can subdue her. Holding her captive would allow us to negotiate with Mao Ya and secure benefits for the stronghold." Seeing Wang Shixiong hesitate, Yin Pingzhi could no longer restrain himself and stormed out of the hall. Wei Jietui chased after him, calling out, "Let's talk it over, why the haste?"
"Capturing her as a hostage can indeed make the demon hesitant, but how can I betray her trust and... her intentions?" Wang Shixiong paced back and forth, lost in thought, gazing wistfully at the harvested fields. He felt the stubble resembled decapitated rebel soldiers. Looking at the wisps of smoke rising in the sunset, he almost mistook them for her fist and sword movements, and he sighed deeply.
"Always sighing and lamenting. If it bothers you so much, why not just die?"
Wang Shixiong turned back to see Lin Chaoying standing on the path behind him, sword in hand. She continued, "Don't worry! After this bout, whether you live or die, I'll leave immediately." Gazing at her, Wang Shixiong truly didn't know what to say, only offering a faint smile of gratitude before drawing his long sword. They dueled at varying paces for over an hour before stopping to face each other, as if searching for each other's weaknesses, or perhaps... Meng Hanguang, who had recently come to assist in defending the stronghold, rushed in with news of another Jin troop attack.
Outside the northern gate of the Chu Zhou stronghold, a vast expanse of dense forest featured steep ridges and swift currents. Wang Shixiong utilized these to create a barrier that had repeatedly repelled Jin incursions. At this moment, the Jin troops, like wolves hunting at night, streamed through the trees, launching wave after wave of assault. Approximately thirty rebels and strongmen lay in ambush among the tree trunks, preparing to intercept and resist. Lin Chaoying rushed towards Wang and Meng. One of the strategic stone ridges, serving both for attack and command, was located within the woods. They encountered Auntie Su and a group of women transporting a large quantity of ropes and nets via a secret passage. Auntie Su, after a moment's hesitation, revealed, "Wei Huahua plans to 'net capture' the Jin bandits. We feared we wouldn't have enough, so we quickly wove more to send for use." Lin Chaoying glanced at her and said, "Be careful." Auntie Su understood and replied, "Those righteous warriors who came to help, and the men of our stronghold, are sacrificing themselves to protect this land where 'Song people can live with dignity.' What we're doing is nothing." Lin Chaoying said, "Gou'er can't afford to lose you as a mother." With that, she quickened her pace to catch up with Wang Shixiong.
The sounds of battle roared to the heavens as the Jin troops pursued the retreating Yin Pingzhi and his scattered remnants. The remnants, according to prior arrangements, feigned a retreat to a designated location. Turning back, they saw Yin Pingzhi return, swinging his long-handled tiger-head saber, furiously cutting down two approaching Jin soldiers.
Wang Shixiong, observing from the stone ridge, chided inwardly, "Why insist on killing one or two more Jin bandits! It would be disastrous if the grand plan is ruined."
Those in ambush within the bushes, following the plan, showered the Jin troops from above with ropes and nets. At that very moment, an arrow with a fiery arrowhead struck the rope net, igniting it and burning rapidly. The Jin soldiers were greatly surprised, retreating in panic, shoving each other, and falling into disarray.
Wang Shixiong saw this, glanced at Lin Chaoying, who was drawing her bow, and immediately shouted, "Release! Release!"
The ambushers, obeying the command, threw two more rope nets. Lin Chaoying, with a bow and two arrows, replicated the action, striking fear into the Jin soldiers, who hastily whistled and retreated out of the forest.
Yin Pingzhi seized the opportunity to slay several Jin soldiers, pursuing them for a short distance before stopping. The rebels and strongmen cheered and jeered loudly. Wei Jietui, rushing over from another direction, glared at Lin Chaoying and demanded of Wang Shixiong, "Wasn't the plan to capture Jin soldiers as bargaining chips for negotiations with the demon?" Lin Chaoying retorted, "Capturing those Jin soldiers would only tie up our efforts in guarding them. Mao Ya will never abandon his objective for anyone. To resist passively for a long time, harboring suppressed anger and lowering morale, it's far better to strike back hard and let the enemy know our strength."
Wei Jietui said, "Don't you realize the vast disparity in our forces? This will only provoke the Jin bandits to attack more fiercely. You are clearly intending to bring harm!"
Meng Hanguang asked with suspicion, "You actually resorted to such ruthless means against the Jin people."
Lin Chaoying replied, "Heh, I am a descendant of the Southern Tang, driven to ruin by Zhao Guangyi."
Hearing her openly speak the name of Emperor Taizong, Meng Hanguang's face flushed with anger.
Wang Shixiong interjected, "She saw the situation was critical and rashly chose to assist. She was indeed unaware of the current deployment."
Wei Jietui said, "Since that is the case, would you please escort this 'young lady' away, lest she continue to be a hindrance?"