Riding north towards Longzhou, Wang Chongyang was surprised to find the situation in Liaodong remarkably calm, lacking the impending sense of crisis that pervaded the lands north and south of the great rivers. He also noticed that Lin Chaoying seemed less inclined to playful banter or martial discussions than usual, appearing lost in thought. After passing Xianping Prefecture, a hint of worry deepened in her eyes.
As they traversed a forest, they came upon a winding, multi-branched pond. The terrain surrounding the pond was characterized by low hills and ridges, with mountain peaks of varying sizes extending from north to south towards its edge, dissected by numerous gullies and layered with undulating mountains. Beneath the verdant pines and crimson elms, Lin Chaoying was about to capture a pheasant, her silver needle poised, when a sudden thought caused her to lower her hand. She then strolled up a hill, gazing at the pond and peaks that resembled two intertwined giant pythons, her thoughts swirling further.
A moment later, she realized Wang Chongyang was following behind. Unsure how to face him, she heard him smile and say, "I've picked some wild rice shoots and vegetables to make some vegetarian rolls for you. Do you like them?" Lin Chaoying couldn't help but take his hand and sit with him on a rock, saying, "In the dense forest of the Duke Kaiguo’s estate, Fu Siyuan met with me and spoke some words." Knowing you cherished me, you remained silent all the way. Now that we are returning to the mountains, I will tell you clearly, lest you complain or regret it later. After recounting Fu Siyuan’s words, Lin Chaoying added, "These words, along with what she said at Yulin Garden urging you to return to Song and aid them, were largely spoken according to someone else's instructions." Wang Chongyang had already guessed as much and asked, "Who?"
"Youxudong master Jiang Chudao," Lin Chaoying continued. "After the last emperor was captured, a group of his favored ministers and confidants, including our founding ancestress Li Jincuo, fled the Song dynasty's purges and led the remaining people to the Unchanging Mountains. The local cave dwellers coveted the rare treasures they carried and settled them in hidden deep mountain valleys, each harboring ulterior motives. However, their schemes and martial arts were no match, and they could not succeed. This led to constant resentment and conflict between the cave dwellers and the remaining people. Among them, the weakest, Youxu Cave, whose master Jiang Jinsheng, secretly conspired with the founding ancestress to merge and suppress the various caves, forming the Unchanging Mountain Alliance, with him being elected as the alliance leader. But after integrating with the remaining people, all affairs of Youxu Cave had to be determined by the Xiang family council. The position of Grand Xiang was filled by a non-sannian survivor selected from the remaining three Xiang families, while the second, third, and fourth Xiang families were hereditary positions for survivors of the Zhan, Li, and Dong families. Jiang Jinsheng died shortly after becoming alliance leader, and the position of cave master and alliance leader fell to his mortal enemy, the original cave dweller Ding clan, until two years after the 'Yimao Resistance Incident,' when the twenty-year-old Jiang Chudao recaptured it."
Wang Chongyang felt a sudden chill in his palms as she mentioned that incident, and he moved closer to her. His protection filled her heart, and she felt a surge of emotion. Lin Chaoying said, "In the first hundred years of its founding, the cave dwellers were divided by their origins, leading to disunity in all matters. The caves were also constantly plotting rebellion against each other. Externally, they were repeatedly attacked by Liao troops and later oppressed by the Jin after the Jin used them to eliminate Liao. It was entirely thanks to the founding ancestress and the Xuanzu ancestress who single-handedly held everything together!" Wang Chongyang, having heard that her maternal grandmother was skilled in Mo Luan, asked, "What about your grandmother?" Lin Chaoying's eyes flickered as she replied, "About forty-five years ago, the Bohai Emperor Gao Yongchang rebelled against Liao but suffered a setback and sought aid from Jin. The Jin Taizu, Wanyan Aguda, took the opportunity to annex the Tokyo region and dispatched Wanyan Zonggan with a large army to annihilate the mountain alliance. The front line was fortunate to have a handsome and refined commander from a non-sannian lineage, who elegantly dismantled them one by one, eventually forcing Jin to change its approach to appeasement and alliance. To this day, the stories of my maternal grandfather's clever duel with the Jin commander are still passed down in the various caves of the Luan Alliance." Wang Chongyang asked, "Was it Xu Qingping? I've heard fleeting mentions of his strategies against Jin from Master, Marshal Han, and other seniors." Lin Chaoying, with a hint of excitement, said, "After marrying into the family, the Xuanzu ancestress bestowed upon him the name Li Qingping. With him in command, the front line enjoyed sixteen years of peace. After his death from illness, the Jin court intended to renege on their agreement. Jin Taizong suddenly fell seriously ill, and the plan was abandoned, but disturbances and disputes gradually increased."
Wang Chongyang thought it was time for her father to appear. Lin Chaoying, as if reading his mind, gave a faint smile and said, "At this time, two young men of comparable talent emerged, the original cave dweller Chi Qianyue and the non-sannian Chen Tiyu. The Xuanzu ancestress also favored her great-granddaughter, Li Wenjun, known as 'Beauty of the Entire Liao,' and betrothed her to one of them." In response to Wang Chongyang's gaze, Lin Chaoying shot him a cold glare and said, "They all mocked me, saying I resembled my father and my looks were only two-thirds as good as my mother's. Many were infatuated with my mother, including those with excellent looks, talent, and martial arts, such as Jiang Chudao, who was then praised as the 'Carved Youth,' but none could match Chi and Chen. Then, they persuaded the Xuanzu ancestress, who harbored a deep hatred for the Zhao Song, to consider accepting Yue Fei's proposal for a joint attack on Jin." Wang Chongyang was inwardly astonished and bewildered, having never heard of such a thing. Lin Chaoying said, "It's not surprising. Your imperial family's incompetence and suspicion ruined the plan, and it also caused the Luan Alliance to lean towards Jin, leading the Youxu Cave to directly participate in its military affairs." Wang Chongyang asked, "Did Chi Qianyue's ideals and marriage fall through, causing him to lose all hope and become dejected?" Lin Chaoying said, "What struck him the hardest was discovering his mother's love affair with my father at that time. Although he treated my father as a brother, in reality, he only saw him as a follower, and they mockingly called him 'Little Fatty Brother.'" Lin Chaoying continued, "My late father's name was Lin Xingsheng, and he was from the non-sannian lineage. When he befriended Chi Qianyue, he was condemned by his clan and elders for betraying his roots. When their love affair was revealed, he was also accused by the Chi faction and the original cave dwellers of being a homewrecker and morally corrupt. Later, Chi Qianyue, in particular, was eloquent and persuasive, while his family also treated him coldly."
Wang Chongyang sighed softly and said, "A hero's chalice commemorates the river moon..." Lin Chaoying glanced at him and said, "A beauty's favor is hard to repay, and loyalty and righteousness are even harder to reconcile. When Jin's Crown Prince Halal visited the Luan Alliance, Chi Qianyue attempted to assassinate him in public, but my parents intervened in time. Chi Qianyue, fearing punishment, fell off a cliff, and his followers were arrested. My father, however, was commended by the Xuanzu ancestress for his loyalty and promoted to Silver Wing Guard Captain and was granted a marriage. He had outward glory, but he carried the stigma of being opportunistic, disloyal to friends, and even mockingly called a 'slave of the sannian.'" His situation was difficult and perilous, like a solitary pheasant foraging for food, living from moment to moment. "Deep affection between lovers could not withstand gossip. My father spent his days in the military camp, neglecting my pregnant mother at home, and did not return even when she was about to give birth."
Wang Chongyang secretly worried if they would meet the same fate in the future.
Lin Chaoying spoke to herself, "On the day of my 'full moon' celebration, the Xuanzu ancestress was invited to bestow my name. My father returned from the military camp to accompany me. As the ceremony was being prepared, someone discovered in the gifts a roster of those involved in the plot to 'resist Dang Shunnu and ally with Song against Jin.' My father confessed his guilt to the Xuanzu ancestress in public, saying, 'I alone will bear the consequences,' and then committed suicide. My grandmother, stating that although my mother was not an accomplice, her crime could not be forgiven, named me Lin Chaoying, meaning to revoke my mother's right to succession."
Wang Chongyang saw her speak so calmly, as if discussing someone else, but he could feel the sorrow within her. After careful consideration, he understood her purpose in bringing up the past but did not agree with her sentiment. He said, "Chen Tiyu was not without suspicion." Lin Chaoying replied, "Yes, as gifts were being delivered, he suddenly brought a brocade box containing a pearl necklace as a gift for my mother and engaged her in conversation. After their love affair was revealed, he had been avoiding my mother."
Wang Chongyang thought of the seashell hairpin in his embrace, which he had been unable to find a suitable time to give her. Distractedly, he blurted out, "That is to say, one cannot simply suspect your father based on Jiang Chudao recapturing the cave master's position two years later. What happened to Chen Tiyu afterwards?"
"A year and a half after the incident, he was elected to succeed as Grand Xiang, and he served until his death nine years ago. During his tenure, he was loved by everyone and deeply respected my grandmother." Lin Chaoying further explained, "On her deathbed, my mother still believed that Chi Qianyue and my father were harmed by Jiang Chudao. I kept a close watch on him, and although he appeared respectful on the surface, he did everything he could to recruit followers. Fu Siyuan was also deceived by him and followed his orders." Wang Chongyang heard a hint of emotion in her voice, and fearing misunderstanding, he quickly said, "I am not questioning your account, nor do I doubt your purpose in recounting this past event, which is to make me guard against Jiang Chudao in the future. If this person's true nature is unclear, we will try to avoid him when we reach Mo Luan."
Lin Chaoying shook her head and said, "There is also the Grand Xiang Cao Kaixiu, who can be considered an elite among the younger generation. He was cultivated by Chen Tiyu from a young age, but his actions are extreme and unlike his mentor. He will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. When he took office, I also reminded my grandmother to guard against him."
Wang Chongyang strongly suspected that Chen Tiyu was pro-Jin and had been plotting rebellion to join them, and that Cao Kaixiu was likely carrying out his remaining plans.
Lin Chaoying said, "I have been away from the mountains for over eight years, and my grasp of people and events is no longer accurate. However, I infer that this incident was largely a conspiracy between Jiang Chudao and Cao Kaixiu. Heh, since Jiang Chudao has cast his bait, why don't we enter the tiger's den to retrieve the cub?"