Wu Erlang Dyed His Face and Beard to Deceive Bianliang; the Heavenly Star Slew Gao Qiu in the Tiger's Den

Huyan Zhuo swung his paired steel whips and charged straight at Wu Song. Wu Song laughed at the sight. "Good! Let me see just how formidable the Huyan Generals, renowned throughout the Great Song, really are."

With that, he swept the Phoenix-Winged Gilt Trident at Huyan Zhuo. Though his strike came later, it arrived first. Alarmed, Huyan Zhuo hastily broke off his attack to block.

With a clang, Huyan Zhuo was knocked clean off his horse. The moment he got to his feet, the Phoenix-Winged Gilt Trident was already at his face.

"Thank you for the bout, old general," Wu Song said.

"Your strength is extraordinary," Huyan Zhuo said. "I'm no match for you, and I accept my defeat wholeheartedly. Kill me or carve me up as you please."

"Old general," Wu Song said, "not only does the Great Song favor civil officials over military men, but treacherous ministers now hold power, and the emperor is foolish and incompetent. Powerful enemies like Liao, Jin, and Western Xia lurk along its borders, watching hungrily. Sooner or later, foreign invaders will breach the capital. Is a court like this truly worth serving? I know a few words won't persuade you, but please think it over."

Huyan Zhuo looked somewhat surprised. "You're not going to kill me?"

"Old general, there's no grudge between us," Wu Song said. "Why would I kill you?"

"Good. You truly deserve your reputation as the tiger-slaying hero. I'll give your words serious thought," Huyan Zhuo said.

Wu Song nodded and let Huyan Zhuo leave.

After lifting the siege of Peach Blossom Mountain, Wu Song returned to Twin Dragon Mountain.

Half a month later, the system announced: ``` The tiger-slaying Wu Song's reputation is not yet great enough to secure the leading seat on Liangshan. New mission issued: assassinate