Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

"Clap! Clap!..."

The sound of Chai Jin whipping the yellow robe echoed in the square in front of the Liangshan Hall of Righteous Gathering.

Chai Jin struck him a full 154 times!

The Northern Song Dynasty was founded in 960 AD, and this year, 1114, marks exactly 154 years!

One lash a year!

These 154 lashes left Chai Jin panting heavily.

Zhao Da's dragon robe, once the symbol of the founding emperor, had become tattered and worn, especially the dragon on his chest, which was now barely visible.

"Thank you, brother!"

After the beating, Chai Jin walked up to Ren Yuan and stood up straight, ready to kneel down.

"My lord, you mustn't do that."

Ren Yuan quickly helped him up.

"Having struck this dragon robe today, I, Chai Jin, have finally vented my anger. How about today, brother, you..."

"Haha, my lord, the time is not yet ripe, no rush. Besides, I don't care for Zhao Kuangyin's stuff."

Ren Yuan could roughly guess what Chai Jin wanted to say, so he interrupted him with a smile.

“Yeah, this thing is annoying to look at. Even if you want to wear it in the future, you can’t wear it. You have to get a new one.”

Chai Jin thought about it and agreed.

Shi Qian came up with a smile and said to Chai Jin:

"My lord, have you vented your anger? Then I'll take this dragon robe with me."

"Take it."

After the fight, Chai Jin said that the dragon robe was useless now, and he had vented his anger. He added that if he wanted to fight again, he would fight Zhao Ji.

Shi Qian accepted the tattered dragon robe. He planned to set off again in the next couple of days to deliver it to Fang La.

Whether Fang La wore it or not was his business.

However, before sending it out, we need to release this message first!

……

Within two or three days, rumors began to circulate among the common people of the Song Dynasty:

"Have you heard? The Tokyo Imperial Palace was robbed!"

"What? Who did this?"

"Who else could it be but Leader Fang of the Ming Cult! It's said that Leader Fang sent his henchmen, the Dharma Kings, to infiltrate the palace and set it on fire! They also stole the Emperor Taizu's dragon robe!"

"What? The Emperor Taizu's dragon robe? What is Sect Leader Fang trying to do?"

"He's donning the yellow robe! Leader Fang is now imitating the founding emperor! And the founding emperor's dragon robe is the key proof!"

"That's it!"

Anyway, no one knows who started this rumor, but it spreads like wildfire, and soon the whole world knew about it!

Fang La, the leader of the Ming Cult, sent men to steal the imperial robe from the palace!

Moreover, this news was confirmed at the Tokyo Imperial Palace: Fang La not only stole the dragon robe, but also left behind a seditious poem!

This immediately commanded people's utmost respect for Fang La!

What a formidable leader of the Ming Cult! Truly worthy of being one of the Four Heroes of the Song Dynasty! After the other three had all turned against the imperial court, Fang La's actions this time not only did not diminish his status, but instead gave him a sense of outshining the rest!

After all, Ren Yuan and Wang Qing only defeated the imperial court, Tian Hu fought a protracted war with the imperial court, and only Fang La directly stormed the palace!

For a time, Fang La became the most popular topic in the Song Dynasty's outlaws and imperial court.

Jiangnan, Bangyuan Cave.

Fang La urgently summoned the high-ranking members of the Ming Cult to this place to discuss the recent rumors circulating in the martial arts world.

"Master, when did you send someone to the palace? Why weren't we notified?"

Fang Qifo, the Right Envoy of the Ming Cult, was completely baffled by the recent rumors circulating in the martial arts world.

Because the rumor was so detailed and supported by evidence from the palace, it was impossible not to believe it.

"That's right, Master. Even if you want to ensure this mission goes perfectly, you can't keep it from us, can you? Don't you trust us?"

Yang Batong also felt that it was a bit bad that Fang La hadn't notified everyone this time.

In particular, Yang Batong was responsible for delivering auspicious omens to Liangshan, so he could be considered Fang La's most trusted confidant. However, he was unaware of this, which made Yang Batong feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"Left Envoy Yang, Right Envoy Fang, I really didn't do this."

Fang La looked at his men and shook his head helplessly.

"Master, even if it really was you who did it, it's fine. We think it's great. Why won't you admit it? Besides, when the news came from Tokyo, you even left a rebellious poem? Master, even if we've already confirmed that we're going to rebel, leaving a rebellious poem at this time isn't very rational, is it?"

Fang Fei, one of the Dharma protectors, also felt that Fang La's continued refusal to admit wrongdoing meant he was no longer treating everyone as brothers.

Moreover, in Fang Fei's view, this matter was not handled properly.

“That’s right, brother. In our Ming Cult, only you like the yellow robe. Although this dragon robe of the founding emperor is a bit old, it is still the yellow robe of the founding of the Song Dynasty. We can understand why you like it.”

"But if you want it, just tell me. With my iron fists, I'll fight my way into the palace and get this yellow robe for you. Why let someone else take it?"

Fangmao, one of the Dharma protectors, was Fang La's younger brother and substitute. He was extremely loyal to Fang La, and he also expressed his incomprehension about this matter.

In his opinion, this job should be done by him!

"Brother, you know me. If it were really what I wanted, I would definitely tell you."

Fang La relied heavily on his younger brother Fang Mao, who was the most capable fighter in the family. Seeing that Fang Mao had begun to doubt him, Fang La quickly explained.

Just then, a member of the Ming Cult rushed in carrying a bundle!

"Report! Master! Earlier this morning, a masked man on horseback threw down this bundle in front of our Ming Cult's Hangzhou headquarters, claiming that he was ordered by the Master to retrieve it from the Imperial Palace! This has attracted a crowd of onlookers!"

"What? Where is that person?"

Fang La was greatly surprised!

"That person ran away in the chaos! We haven't found him!" The cult members also looked panicked.

"What are you doing? You can't catch this by yourself. Give it to me and let me see what it is."

Yang Batong walked up to the followers, opened his bundle, and then he froze.

"Brother Yang, what's wrong?"

Everyone was puzzled, but Yang Batong slowly turned around and raised the thing in his hand.

That thing should be a dragon robe... right?

Because there are too many signs of damage on it, and even the dragon head on the chest is almost unrecognizable.

"Master, is this the dragon robe you had someone get? Could there be a mistake?"

"Yeah, yeah, this is way too shabby."

"Was Zhao Kuangyin this poor back then? Is this what he wore when he ascended the throne?"

……

"Stop arguing, everyone. This time, it's obvious that we've been set up."

The crowd was buzzing with discussion, and Fang La was struggling to explain. Just then, an old but powerful voice suddenly came from inside Bangyuan Cave, instantly silencing everyone.

"Congratulations, Master, on your completion of seclusion!"

Upon hearing this voice, Fang La was overjoyed and immediately bowed towards the cave.

The Ming Cult members behind him also bowed in salute.

"Welcome, Your Majesty!"

From inside Bangyuan Cave emerged a kind-faced old monk. This old monk was none other than Fang La's mentor, the most core strategist of the Ming Cult, and one of the Dharma Kings who protected the cult—Old Buddha Wang!

Before this person, all members of the Ming Cult were juniors! Even Fang La, who was already the leader, could only be respectful.

The old monk walked up to the crowd, looked at the tattered dragon robe in Yang Batong's hand, shook his head, and sighed.

"The world is about to descend into chaos. Quickly give the orders. Our Ming Cult must also prepare to enter the fray."