Command Platform

　　The Command Platform is situated at the eastern end of the snow mountain. The stone platform rises abruptly and stands prominently, backed by a mountain cliff and overlooking a martial arts training ground, encircled by pine and cypress trees, making for an imposing view. It was the place where leaders such as Chao Gai and Song Jiang directed military drills, inspected troops, and reviewed officers of all ranks in the past.

　　It is said that one day, the infantry was practicing formations on the martial arts ground. Gongsun Sheng accompanied Song Jiang and the other leaders on the Command Platform to observe the drill and secretly cast a spell. In an instant, the training ground was engulfed in thick smoke, with rocks and sand flying about. The soldiers could hardly stand their ground and all showed fear on their faces. Seeing this, Wu Yong quickly waved his command flag and changed the exercise to the "Eight Trigrams Fire Formation." The troops advanced and retreated, attacked and defended in an orderly manner. Song Jiang and the other leaders were pleased with what they saw. However, only Gongsun Sheng realized that his spell had been broken, and he became displeased. He then summoned his ancient bronze sword with pine-pattern engravings to break the Eight Trigrams Fire Formation, determined to compete with Wu Yong.

　　At that moment, Li Kui was in the formation. When he saw a black whirlwind rising from the ground, he knew someone on the Command Platform was casting a spell. He quickly put away his twin axes and jumped out of the circle. With their leader gone, the infantry fell into chaos, and the entire formation fell apart. Song Jiang was furious and ordered his men to pin Li Kui to the ground and prepare to punish him with a beating. Li Kui shouted and yelled, refusing to submit. The other leaders also blamed Gongsun Sheng for turning a training session into a personal contest. In anger, Gongsun Sheng left Liangshan under the pretext of visiting his master and adoptive mother. Despite repeated invitations, he refused to return. It wasn't until later, during the mission to rescue Chai Jin by capturing Gaotangzhou, that Li Kui and Dai Zong managed to persuade him with great effort to come down from Mount Erlang in Jiugong County. This even led to the humorous incident where Li Kui chopped up the Daoist Priest Luo.