On the way, Yang Zhi runs into Lin Chong at Liangshan Marsh, who wants to cut off and present his head to the bandit chief Wang Lun as his ticket to join the stronghold. After a long fight, neither wins. Wang Lun appears, stops the fight and asks Yang Zhi to join his band. He reckons that Yang could be a counterbalance to Lin, a formidable fighter who he fears might usurp his position. But Yang declines, vowing to uphold his ancestor's reputation.