Volume One: The Wild Boy Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Warmhearted Villager Lin Changtian

Kui Sheng’s assault grew ever fiercer. In just a few days, he swept clean the surrounding bandits, while the group led by Liu Er Yongchi, singled out for special attention, were battered into timid turtles, unable to step even half a pace down the mountain.

As the pace of expansion quickened, the power of Mount Si swelled even more. The mount became crowded with all sorts: the original, proper border troops mingled with various “reformed” bandits. With such a mix, scorn and conflict among them were inevitable.

What should have been a fuse buried deep in the earth was quietly dug up by someone.

The southern sun of the Northern Domain peeked out, warming the hearts of those on Mount Si.

Lately the mountain’s atmosphere had eased considerably. It was as if an unseen hand was guiding the course of events.

Qi Yong sensed something amiss. Frowning, he questioned his subordinate closely, “So recently, there’s a mysterious man doing good deeds?”

“Reporting to the general, that’s indeed the case. He seems to be from a nearby village, and everyone praises him for his helpfulness.”

“Oh?” Qi Yong rose from his chair, curiosity lighting his face. “What exactly has he been doing? Has the recent peace between the new and old factions anything to do with him?”

The subordinate nodded, his expression odd, as if recalling something extraordinary. “That’s right, lately there have been quite a few bizarre events—many brothers have experienced them. Some got lost in the woods and were guided out by this mysterious man. Others were enjoying the scenery at the mountain’s edge when a sudden collapse sent them, armor and all, tumbling down the cliff; thanks to him, they escaped with just a few scrapes. There have also been incidents of stumbling on flat ground, heavy objects falling, even things like urinating against the wind and having it blow back—all sorts of things, but each time, the mysterious man appeared and rescued them.”

“I understand the rest, but isn’t getting ‘blowback’ when urinating into the wind perfectly normal?” Qi Yong rubbed his forehead, sighing. Ever since he was tasked with managing the mountain’s affairs, he’d encountered stranger and stranger things.

The young soldier blinked, innocent as could be. “It’s nothing for most, but that particular gentleman was General Lu Liang. You know, the legend who once urinated three yards against the wind! Heaven knows what happened this time—it blew back several feet, and if the mysterious man hadn’t yanked him away, General Lu Liang’s reputation would have been ruined.”

“Is that so? Did General Lu Liang ask which village he was from, and thank him afterward?”

The soldier shook his head, his face full of admiration. “He’s always been the type to do good deeds without leaving his name. He leaves with a flourish, like a true hero.”

“If he seeks nothing and leaves no name, how do you know he’s from a village?” Qi Yong asked suspiciously, his curiosity thoroughly piqued.

The young soldier scratched his head, hesitating before he answered. “To be honest, General, that’s just my guess. He always wears a pair of long underwear over his head, covering his face so no one has seen it. I figured he must not know what it’s really for, so I labeled him as a villager.”

Qi Yong pursed his lips in exasperation, saying offhandedly, “So he’s another hero who wears his long underwear outside—can someone that simple-minded really bring peace between the old and new factions?”

As soon as he finished speaking, the young soldier’s demeanor changed, his face flushed with passion as he pointed at Qi Yong and declared, “General! You don’t understand the nobility of Long Underwear Man! Though his actions are wild, it’s all a display of his boundless love for humanity! Each time he leaves, he urges those he’s helped to carry on that love, to spread kindness throughout the world! Underwear Man has said, ‘I save people not for power, wealth, or gratitude, but so the rescued will cherish all beings, uphold harmony, and wish for equality under the sky!’ What a tremendous love! Granted, he may have some issues—perhaps some brain atrophy—but as a hero with a resilient spirit, how can you dismiss his achievements with a few words?”

Qi Yong was stunned, then slowly clapped and gave a thumbs-up. “How did I never notice your literary talent? You managed several parallel phrases—must’ve been brewing that speech for a while.”

The soldier straightened his hair and his sleeves, stood with hands behind his back, and said quietly, “Before I served under you, I was the village’s only scholar. A belly full of books gives one a natural elegance. How can oppression rob me of my individuality…”

“Get out—otherwise, I’ll have you copy all my official documents from now on.”

“Alright, General. It’s cold; I’ll close the door for you.”

Qi Yong watched as the soldier pulled a face at the curtain before vanishing from sight. He smiled helplessly—youthful spirits, indeed. “But the style of this mysterious guest seems oddly familiar,” Qi Yong murmured, as if recalling something, his expression peculiar. He walked out and headed straight to Lin Changtian’s chambers.

Qi Yong never bothered knocking; he lifted the curtain and entered. Both general and chief were taken aback.

Lin Changtian was gripping an embroidery needle, fingers poised delicately, working on a very familiar pair of “long underwear.”

“Qi Yong, can’t you knock? If you don’t give me a proper explanation today, I’ll twist your legs off!” After some time on Mount Si, Lin Changtian's speech was peppered with rough words.

Qi Yong lowered the curtain, rubbed his hands, and sat opposite Lin Changtian. “Chief Lin, the door was ajar—I’ve come to report something…”

He drew out the words, waiting for Lin Changtian to prompt him.

“Enough with the suspense. What, now that the matter’s settled, you don’t need to report to me?”

Lin Changtian’s tone grew stern. But Qi Yong, ever observant, noticed the nervousness behind the chief’s severity. Scratching his head, he replied with honest simplicity, “To be frank, Chief, there’s been a pervert in the mountains lately, wandering around with long underwear over his head, scaring quite a few brothers. The rumor has it he’s some evil spirit—everyone is wary of him!”

Lin Changtian blinked, glancing at Qi Yong who was barely holding back laughter. “Fine, fine, I admit it. Be honest—does everyone really think I’m a pervert?”

“Not at all. Your reputation’s good—you’ve won a batch of followers, mostly the younger ones. But what I don’t understand is, why wear long underwear for these acts? Isn’t it a bit…”

“Long underwear?” Lin Changtian’s eyes widened. “What are you talking about? That’s my self-made ‘Y-shaped mask,’ symbolizing two branches joining into one trunk, meant to inspire harmony and unity. Has no one caught on to my intention?”

Qi Yong: …

“Why go to such lengths, Chief? And, if I’m not mistaken, those ‘supernatural incidents’ were your doing too?”

Lin Changtian whistled softly. “I didn’t do much—just dug some earth, and happened to have someone stand atop it. Tossed things that happened to hit someone below. As for General Lu Liang, that was just me practicing swordsmanship, testing my energy against the wind. It was dangerous, but nothing serious happened.”

Qi Yong sighed, resigned. “I know you’re worried about the discord between old and new factions. But, if I may speak frankly, your method only fools the young. Whether local or newcomer, the young have no real grudges between them—there’s no need for mediation. The real prejudice and contempt are ingrained in the elders of both sides. To be honest, I’m probably the most accepting of these ‘converted bandits,’ yet the bias in my bones is like a mountain—how could it be moved so easily? Whenever those people cause trouble, contempt rises in me, beyond my control. So…”

“So you suggest dividing the troops, setting up separate camps, is that it?” Lin Changtian’s youthful softness vanished, replaced by the authority of Mount Si’s master.

Qi Yong merely nodded, pressing his lips, unable to voice the words.

Lin Changtian stood up, stabbed the embroidery needle into the table, walked to Qi Yong, and patted his shoulder. “Raise your head and answer me.”

Qi Yong lifted his head, drooping it respectfully, preparing for a lesson.

“Tell me, in the Northern Domain, what rules matter?”

“Need you ask?” Qi Yong replied instantly, “There are many rules in the Northern Domain, but none work as well as this: your fist must be hard enough!”

“A hard fist—how unreasonable can that be? Can it break centuries-old customs?”

Seeing Lin Changtian’s skepticism, Qi Yong jumped up, neck stiff with indignation. “You may doubt the rest, but this is the greatest rule in the Northern Domain! Think—Master Yu never followed the region’s unified procedures, never worshipped the northern gods, but forced everyone into submission with his fists alone! What glory, what…”

“Enough.” Lin Changtian hurried to cut him off; Qi Yong could speak of Yu Baili’s prowess for days. “If that’s so, then I’ll subdue the elders of both factions. Qi Yong, send word—raise the banner, we’ll do it now!”

Qi Yong stood stunned, watching the sly smile on Lin Changtian’s face. He began to realize—had he fallen into the chief’s trap once again?