Disclaimer: I do not own Hero: 108.
Outlaws of the Marsh (where some characters are from and their stories) belong to Shi Nai'an.
Chapter 7:
The morning was silent as they all got up to get breakfast. After much discussion, it was decided that the remaining few that hadn't had the chance to see Liangshan would go to visit it, while some of the others stayed behind to make sure that the cave stayed protected.
Along the way, Lady Green and Lin Chung didn't talk about it much. But in the early dawn, the topic they discussed was quite often talked about.
It was frustrating to both that they couldn't form a solid conclusion.
That was, until Lin Chung mentioned that his old village was near Liangshan.
The Big Green members that had gone with them immediately offered to visit the village. Lin Chung agreed, his eyes lighting up at the thought of going home. Making their way to the small but cosy looking village, the group looked around in awe.
It was hard to see how Lin Chung, one of the finest warriors in Hidden Kingdom, could be raised in such a small and modest-looking village.
Men worked hard in the fields, occasionally calling out greetings to Lin Chung. Lin Chung called back, grinning as he walked over the fields before re-joining the rest to trek into the cluster of huts.
Once they reached the inner-village, where most of the houses were gathered, Lin Chung was nearly tackled over by a 7-year-old.
"Lin!" The boy was clearly excited, eyes gleaming.
"Hi, Lu." Lin Chung knelt down to the boy's level, smiling broadly. "Where's your mother?"
Lu pointed towards a young lady walking to them, expression friendly. "Lin!" She hugged him tightly, with him returning it just as well.
"Uh, Lin Chung?" Kowloon prompted.
"Right." Lin Chung turned to his friends. "Lina, these are my friends, Rosefinch, Kowloon, Jumpy, Lady Green, Golden-Eye Husky, and Mano." Lina smiled politely at them. "Guys, this is my adopted cousin, Lina."
"Nice to meet you." Lady Green was the first to greet.
Lina smiled at her. "Likewise. You have a well-known reputation around here."
Lady Green ducked her head, surprised that she was known even out here.
Lina seemed to sense that as she laughed. "My dear, we keep tabs on Big Green. After all, Lin Chung's in it, isn't he?"
Lin Chung smiled bashfully at her.
"So, what are you doing here?"
"We need to get to Liangshan, and I realised that the village was on the way. So we decided to visit."
"Yay!" Lu cheered, taking ahold of Lin Chung's hand. "C'mon! Papa will want to see you again."
Lin Chung gave the group an apologetic glance before he was dragged away, back to the fields.
Lady Green watched in amusement as more children started to crowd around the sharpshooter. "Popular, isn't he?"
Lina laughed again. "You have no idea. The children love him." She beckoned to them. "C'mon, I'll show you the fields."
They followed her out into the fields, where, sure enough, Lin Chung was surrounded by some farmers, who were laughing as they talked to him, delight clearly on their faces. The children were dancing around him, Lu having hadn't let go of his hand yet.
"That's sweet." Rosefinch stated, looking at the scene.
Lina smiled fondly. "Yes…he's always been one of them, even after he joined Big Green."
"Why did he join Big Green?" Kowloon asked, curious.
Lina's eyes darkened. "It's…hard to explain. Get him to explain it to you. It's not my story to share."
Hu Sanniang looked at Lin Chong. They had stopped for a break on their way to the village, and both sat quietly, relishing the silence for once compared to the rough sounds of battle and training.
"Are you alright now?"
Hu Sanniang startled at the sound of Lin Chong's voice. "I beg your pardon?"
"Are you alright now?" he repeated patiently. "After the training and the balm?"
Hu Sanniang guiltily looked down at her hands, hoping that he wouldn't notice. She had used the balm, but for bruises that weren't the result of training. "Yes, the balm helped."
Lin Chong was sometimes way too perceptive for his own good. "Just for training?"
"What?" She asked, surprised. She tried to maintain a calm facade.
"Those bruises. The one on your hip." His voice was low and soothing. "No one ever strikes that low, not even with the fake swords we sometimes use. No one hits the back of their blade into someone's waist - usually someone's heart."
"What are you talking about?" Hu Sanniang tried to regain control of the conversation.
Lin Chong's dark eyes fixed hers. "Be careful, Hu Sanniang. I do not wish for you to end up like my wife." He stood up abruptly, and then turned, walking several metres away. "It's getting late. I'll take first watch."