Despite having beaten the army from Qingzhou, Song Jiang, Hua Rong and the bandits of Mount Qingfeng, fearing attack by a bigger government force, decamp to join Liangshan Marsh. On the way, Song Jiang runs into Shi Yong in an inn, who has a letter from Song Qing which says their father has passed on and urges him to rush home for the funeral. Upon reaching home, Song Jiang is shocked to find his father alive and well. In fact, Song Qing has penned the letter under the instruction of their father, who fears Song Jiang will tarnish the family's reputation by falling into bad company.