Scene 1 That Day
Emperor Huizong of Song dreams of Liangshan: the 108 generals of Liangshan Marsh appear, the song of the Mythic Queen of Ninth Heaven drifts in the air…

Scene 2 Shishi
The story begins at the head courtesan’s residence in the capital’s courtesan house. That day, Yan Qing and Chai Jin leads Song Jiang to courtesan Li Shishi. The bells ring,
signalling that Emperor Huizong is in the secret tunnels on his way to meet Shishi. Song wants to hand in the petition for amnesty, but his fear of incriminating Shishi stops him.

Scene 3 Petition for Amnesty
Brave and unstoppable, Liangshan defeat the imperial army three times, capturing villainous official Gao Qiu. Wu Yong presents Gao with gifts, hoping that he would petition
for Liangshan. Spurned by Gao, Wu sends Yan Qing back to the courtesan house.

Scene 4 Tattoo
Yan Qing begs Shishi to petition for Liangshan directly with the Emperor. However, she demands in return that he strips and shows her his tattoo. Yan Qing remains unmoved
by her seduction, caring only for Song Jiang. Shishi agrees to help and sighs that she has no one to entrust her heart to.

Scene 5 Amnesty Parade
Song Jiang leads Liangshan’s 108 generals in their full glory to the capital to receive amnesty from the Emperor. Unexpectedly, they are not given any titles, only an imperial
banquet. At the banquet, a shouting match between the Liangshan heroes and the imperial army escalate into a brawl. Wu Yong calms both sides down, but discord is sown.

Scene 6 Eliminating Bandits
The Liao state army’s sun formation is in a standoff against Song Jiang’s eight trigrams formation. Princess Tianshou is wilful and tough, and it takes both Hu Sanniang and
Wang Ying to capture her. But an imperial edict demands her release, causing frustration among the Liangshan heroes. They then defeat outlaws Tian Hu and Wang Qing. The Liangshan heroes feel buoyant and the Emperor grants them imperial wine. Song Jiang happily leads the heroes back to the capital to receive their promised titles.

— Interval —

Scene 7 Imperial Notice
In the bathhouse, the Liangshan heroes are having a good time. Lin Chong shows the imperial notice forbidding their entry into the capital, causing much agitation. The heroes cry for rebellion. Song Jiang tries to placate them to no avail, and he pulls his sword out to end his life. The Liangshan heroes stop him and regret their rash demand.

Scene 8 Fang La
Fang La’s army battle with the Liangshan heroes on water with fire and cannons. Cavalry and infantry clash. Neither is able to gain the upper hand. Lin Chong is shot by a
poisoned arrow. Song Jiang captures Suzhou at the cost of 16 generals and orders to halt.

Scene 9 Mourning
A memorial is set up. Imperial wine is offered. Lost brothers are mourned. Song Jiang senses their heroic spirits are still earthbound, which doubles his grief.

Scene 10 The Battle of Sorcery
The thunder spell by Gongsun Sheng overcomes the five elements and black wind sorcery by Deng Yuanjue. Xiang Chong loses his life in a trap. Wu Song loses his left arm and Qin Ming is trampled to death. Song Jiang is surrounded by warriors in golden armours, but the Mystic Queen of Ninth Heaven rescues him. Fang La falls for the undercover ploy and is killed by Chai Jin.

Scene 11 Playacting
Ruan Xiaoqi steals into the abandoned palace of Fang La. Wearing Fang’s duplicate dragon robe and regalia, he sings. Once again, the Liangshan heroes fall into dispute with the imperial army. Seeing this sight, Yan Qing decides to bid Lu Junyi farewell to roam the world instead of following Song Jiang.

Scene 12 Imperial Order
Song Jiang and the other 26 surviving generals return to the capital for their audience with the Emperor, who sighs for the loss. He grants posthumous titles to the departed and the surviving generals receive official posts in different parts of the country. Gao Qiu schemes to defame Lu Junyi and kills him, then he gives Song Jiang poisoned wine under the Emperor’s name. To protect his reputation of loyalty and righteousness, Song Jiang coaxes Li Kui to drink with him.

Scene 13 Liangshan
Shishi welcomes Emperor Huizong, but he cannot stop thinking about Song Jiang and falls into a fitful sleep. He dreams of Liangshan Marsh and its 108 generals. In their silken robes and armours, they howl at him, demanding justice. Huizong wakes up in a fright, and it stays with him all night…