Chapter Twenty-Four: Yang Battles the Demon

Zhang Zuolin suddenly smiled, stood up with his hands behind his back. “So what? All people in this world pursue nothing more than fame and fortune. If they’re from Gulu Mountain, I can give them a life better than what they have up there. If they’re from the government, I’ll make them feel that serving me is better than risking their lives for officials!”

Zhao Zhanyuan looked at his son-in-law with great appreciation, setting down his teacup. “Good! Only those who can accommodate others will find people willing to follow them, and only with followers can great things be accomplished! But remember, never drop your guard.”

Zhang Zuolin nodded. “Don’t worry. I asked them to pick men from under Sha Hai’s command, but my own eyes and ears are already among them. And this time, when we go into the mountains, I plan for them to stick close to Tang Dahu. If they really are from Gulu Mountain, letting them help me take down that tiger isn’t a bad thing at all.”

Zhao Zhanyuan chuckled, even more pleased. “Our minds think alike.”

Just then, Zhang Zuoxiang came in from outside. “Brother, the new Yang brothers are outside—they say they have something to discuss with you.”

Zhang Zuolin said, “Speak of the devil. I’ll go see what they want.”

He was just about to step out when Zhao Zhanyuan waved him back. “Wait, let them come in.”

Yang Xiaolin and Jin Dadao entered the room. The furnishings were simple, much like the inner chambers of a landlord’s home. It was Yang Xiaolin’s first time seeing Zhao Zhanyuan, who, at that moment, sat in a grand armchair like an old man, slowly sipping tea, seemingly uninterested in them.

In truth, Zhao Zhanyuan was only in his early forties, still in his prime.

Yang Xiaolin’s gaze swept across him, then he turned to Zhang Zuolin, cupping his fists. “Commander, my brother and I have a request. We hope you will grant us this favor.”

Zhang Zuolin replied, “We’re all brothers here—no need to be so formal. Speak your mind!”

Yang Xiaolin said, “It’s almost time for the campaign, so this is not the best moment, but as you know, commander, we have another brother still recovering in Fengtian. We can’t stop worrying. Before heading into the mountains, we’d like to visit him, hear what the doctor says, and have a little peace of mind.”

Zhang Zuolin nodded. “Of course. Do you both plan to go into the city?”

Jin Dadao said, “No need. I’ll go alone.”

Zhang Zuolin thought for a moment and was about to agree. “Very well—”

Before he could finish, Zhao Zhanyuan behind him began to cough violently. Zhang Zuoxiang hurried forward to pat his back. Zhang Zuolin glanced back, and when he turned around, his tone changed. “How about this: your men are new to the unit, and they’ll need time to get acquainted. Better that Second Brother Yang stays. Let Third Brother Yang make the trip—either way, it’s the same.”

Yang Xiaolin and Jin Dadao hadn’t expected Zhang Zuolin to insist on switching people. From their perspective, did it matter who went? At least, it shouldn’t. So why insist on a change?

Jin Dadao couldn’t stay behind. If Zhang Zuolin insisted on sending just him, both would have to leave immediately—there’d be no chance to gather intelligence on Tang Dahu.

Yang Xiaolin glanced at Zhao Zhanyuan, who still seemed to be struggling with his tea, coughing fit. Saying nothing more, he turned to Jin Dadao. “Commander is right. Brother, I’ll go instead.”

As he spoke, his hand landed on Jin Dadao’s back—a signal to find an excuse for both of them to escape together. If Tang Dahu arrived, there might be no more chances.

Jin Dadao nodded to show he understood. “Very well, commander. I’ll see Third Brother Yang off.”

They had resolved to leave Haicheng County and not return. Zhang Zuolin, suspecting nothing, simply said, “Be quick—at the latest, we set out the day after tomorrow.”

Yang Xiaolin and Jin Dadao were about to take their leave when the door was suddenly pushed open. As mentioned earlier, aside from Zhang Zuolin’s three confidants, only Wang Jinhan could enter this room unannounced.

Yang Xiaolin’s heart sank. He hoped Tang Dahu wouldn’t arrive so soon.

But fate had other plans. Wang Jinhan entered, beaming. “Brother, Lord Tang has arrived with two hundred men! They’re waiting for you outside the city!”

Yang Xiaolin and Jin Dadao’s faces fell, but Zhang Zuolin didn’t notice, too excited. “Excellent! With his help, our success is assured! Come, let’s go greet him! Third Brother Yang, there’s no rush now—I’ll introduce you to everyone.”

Jin Dadao exchanged glances with Yang Xiaolin. Yang Xiaolin shook his head slightly and glanced at Zhang Zuolin, clearly signaling: go with him to the outskirts first—if exposed, they’d have to seize Zhang Zuolin together.

The group walked out, Yang Xiaolin and Jin Dadao keeping about five or six paces behind Zhang Zuolin. Haicheng was small, with no real city walls; the so-called inside and outside the city was just a matter of a ring of trees marking the boundary.

From a distance, Yang Xiaolin saw a group resting. A burly man sat astride a tall horse. Before they even drew near, the man called out, “Is that you, Old Five?”

Zhang Zuolin replied, “It’s me, brother! It’s been too long—I’ve missed you!”

The big man strode over and embraced Zhang Zuolin warmly. “Ha! Old Five, I see you’ve put on some weight these months! Still up to riding?”

Zhang Zuolin laughed. “Don’t tease me, brother. If I couldn’t mount a horse, why would I ask you to join me in wiping out those bandits on Gulu Mountain?”

Tang Dahu, as yet, hadn’t noticed Jin Dadao, who kept his head lowered, trying to avoid his gaze. He and Zhang Zuolin walked up front together, never once glancing aside. This made Yang Xiaolin wonder if the crisis might simply pass them by.

Tang Dahu said, “I heard those men took out five hundred Russians not long ago. They’re tough. We must be careful.”

Zhang Zuolin nodded. “If they weren’t formidable, how could I trouble you, brother? Tell me, what reward do you want for helping me this time? Just say the word—no need for formality between us.”

Tang Dahu replied, “Let’s not talk about that now. Is there anything we can’t agree on? Old Five, to tell the truth, I’ve had dealings with Jin Dadao before. He’s a loyal man—helped me out more than once. If possible, when the time comes, spare his life.”

Zhang Zuolin agreed without hesitation. “No problem. The authorities are only after Yang Xiaolin’s head. If we say Jin Dadao disappeared in the chaos, that’s enough.”

Jin Dadao, listening behind, was genuinely moved. For Tang Dahu to think of sparing him at such a time—he truly was a man of honor. Jin Dadao made up his mind that, should Yang Xiaolin prevail, he would spare Tang Dahu in return.

Tang Dahu laughed heartily. “To be honest, I’m curious to meet this Yang Xiaolin. I’d never heard of him before, but after that night in Ganzitun, he’s famous across western Liaoning. Do you know what people in my neck of the woods call him? Yang the Ghost-Slayer.”

Only now did Yang Xiaolin learn he’d acquired such a nickname—it sounded awkward to his ears.

Zhang Zuolin pulled two scrolls from his coat. “Brother, here are their portraits from the magistrate. Take a look—I think you look far more imposing than he does.”

Of course, the magistrate’s portraits were anything but imposing. If Zhang Zuolin relied on them, he’d never catch the real men no matter where he searched in the country.

And because of these portraits, Zhang Zuolin, though suspicious they might be from Gulu Mountain, never imagined that Yang Er and Yang San were actually Yang the Ghost-Slayer and Jin Dadao themselves. Nor could he have imagined Yang Xiaolin would come right to his door.

While Yang Xiaolin was pondering how to help Jin Dadao avoid Tang Dahu, he suddenly heard Zhang Zuolin say, “Brother, let me introduce you to two brothers I’ve just met—Yang Er and Yang San, come here for a moment!”