The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 121 Like-minded, Masters of Both Spear and Sword

A gentle breeze stirs up white waves, and a clear sound echoes in the moonlit night.

"Did the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) not expect this?" Yang Miaozhen asked, leaping off her chestnut horse.

"Indeed."

Zhou Yan nodded, then turned to Qiu Qianchi and said, "Life is full of unexpected encounters."

Qiu Qianchi explained succinctly: "I left the valley to search for my relatives. Since I had met my elder brother in Xiangyang, I went there to inquire and learned that he had settled in Xinyang. I searched all the way and arrived at Xianshan. I then learned that my brother had gone to Caizhou, so I took an old man with me. On the way, I happened to run into Miss Yang, and we became acquainted after a fight. During our conversation, Miss Yang mentioned the head of the镖头 (bodyguard/escort), and she guessed that you were still in Huai River, so she rushed over."

With Qiu Qianchi's explanation, Zhou Yan was able to refine and supplement the details.

Sun Bu'er encountered Qiu Qianzhang in the Xiangyang area, who was impersonating the leader of the Iron Palm Clan and swindling people.

Qiu Qianchi knew her brother's character and conduct, so she only needed to find out Qiu Qianren's name.

One left his mark everywhere, while the other was purposeful; finding Xinyang from Xiangyang was not difficult.

There are hundreds of bandits who have betrayed the Ming Cult on Xian Mountain. Qiu Qianchi gave his name, and the other party readily told him that Qiu Qianchi had gone to Chaya Mountain and told him about Yang Miaozhen's general situation.

As a result, they collided head-on on the way.

Hong Niangzi was about to besiege Xianshan, while Tie Niangzi was searching for her relatives. They fought and developed a mutual respect. Yang Miaozhen recounted Qiu Qianzhang's deception and mentioned how she exposed the truth. Guessing that the caravan was still on the Huai River, they didn't go to Xianshan but instead led their men to find them.

Zhou Yan thought for a moment and realized that it was a good thing that Qiu Qianchi and Yang Miaozhen had become acquainted. He said, "No coincidence is too good to pass up. How about we take our time to exchange pleasantries?"

"Very good."

Yang Miaozhen replied to Zhou Yan, then turned to Qiu Qianchi and asked, "Sister Qiu, what about you?"

Zhou Yan chuckled inwardly. The other party called Mu Nianci "Yang family sister" and Iron Palm Lotus "Qiu family sister." Yang Miaozhen's ability to get along with people was truly superb.

"Listen to Sister Yang."

Zhou Yan said to Zhang Wangyue, "Chief镖头 (Chief Escort), this is Chief Yang. Do you recognize Miss Qiu?"

Zhang Wangyue had never fought Qiu Qianchi, but he had seen her when the escort team passed through the valleys and countryside outside Xiangyang, when Iron Palm Lotus was chasing Qingjing Sanren. The chief escort of Fu'an immediately cupped his hands and said, "Chief Escort Zhou mentioned the two young ladies, praising them as 'women who are not inferior to men,' and said they are heroines among women. Today, I have seen them, and they are indeed heroic and valiant, living up to their reputation."

Yang Miaozhen clasped her hands in a fist and said, "I learned about the Chief Escort's demeanor from Sister Mu and I greatly admire him. I have offended you in many ways during the robbery."

"Of course. Please!"

"Thank you.

Zhou Yan and the others had previously fed each other soup on the banks of the Huai River in a rather casual manner, but with the arrival of Qiu Qianchi and Yang Miaozhen, things had to be done in a more formal way.

During the encampment of the escort team, the porters cut down trees and made simple tables and chairs.

Zhang Wangyue instructed people to move tables and chairs to set up a feast by the Huai River, and then left the space for Zhou Yan, Qiu Qianchi, and Yang Miaozhen to talk.

Zhou Yan offered tea in return, anticipating that Qiu Qianchi would say things like Qiu Qianzhang's actions were laughable, and once that was brought up, it would be difficult to continue the conversation.

Before Qiu Qianchi could speak, he said with a smile, "When I mentioned Miss Qiu's whereabouts to your brother, he said he wanted to find you, fearing that you might be deceived."

Qiu Qianchi was moved and said, "I am indeed very close to my brother. To be honest, I left the Iron Palm Clan because my second brother was dissatisfied with some of my elder brother's past behavior. The two of them had a dispute, and I defended my elder brother a few times. I was scolded by my second brother, so I left Iron Palm Peak in a fit of anger."

In the world of martial arts, with Gongsun Zhi not by her side, Qiu Qianchi spoke much more frankly.

Zhou Yan said, "I'm sorry to put Miss Qiu in such a difficult position."

Qiu Qianchi looked somewhat dejected.

Yang Miaozhen, observing the situation, said, "Sister Qiu, there's no need to be upset. Once we return to the mountain stronghold, you siblings will be reunited, and I will host a feast to entertain you."

"Thank you, Sister Yang. I was wrong in this matter. Please forgive me."

"If it weren't for this commotion, I wouldn't have met Sister Qiu. Now that we've found your brother, should we return to the valley or go to the Iron Palm Clan?"

Zhou Yan laughed and said, "Whether you're wandering the world or staying in the mountain stronghold, I think Miss Qiu should accompany your brother more. He cares about his reputation, but he's just gone down the wrong path."

“Sister Qiu, your brother has a good reputation. It’s simple. There are hundreds of bandits in Xian Mountain. After I wipe them out, Sister Qiu can recruit other virtuous men to act on behalf of Heaven. Wouldn’t that bring you fame?” As soon as Yang Miaozhen finished speaking, her mind suddenly stirred. “Sister Qiu and I hit it off immediately. Why don’t you stay at the mountain stronghold, and we can raise the banner and fight against the Jin people?”

"Ah!" Qiu Qianchi was taken aback.

Yang Miaozhen said, "With Sister Qiu's talent, it would not be difficult for her to settle in Chaya Mountain and, taking advantage of the chaos in Jingdong Road and Hebei Road, make a name that is no less than your brother's." Zhou Yan had already been thinking that Qiu Qianchi and Yang Miaozhen could become close friends. Knowing Yang Miaozhen's intention, he said tactfully, "It is actually a good thing for Miss Qiu to stay in Chaya Mountain for a while since she rarely leaves the valley."

"What do you mean?"

"Miss Qiu was unaware that when I first met her in the Xiangyang Valley, her demeanor and temperament had subtly changed over the subsequent meetings."

"really."

"Didn't Miss Qiu realize that you were sharp and spirited when you fought against Master Sun in the Xiangyang Valley, but were much more reserved and taciturn when you met me in the valley?"

Qiu Qianchi was momentarily dazed.

"Miss Qiu's change in mood may be related to her life in the valley, as well as the estrangement and resentment between her and her brother. Therefore, I suggest that Miss Qiu stay in Chaya Mountain for a while longer to ease her mind. Even if Miss Qiu has the desire to find solace in the mountains, there is no need to sever the bond between siblings. She can go to the Iron Palm Clan and reconcile with her brother. Wouldn't Miss Qiu be more open-minded when she returns to the valley in this way?"

Zhou Yan's advice was meticulous, considerate, and thoughtful.

Qiu Qianchi said solemnly, "Thank you for your kind words, Chief Escort."

"polite."

Qiu Qianchi changed the subject and said to Yang Miaozhen, "Sister Yang, we hit it off. I'll go to Chaya Mountain to see my brother first, then help you wipe out the bandits of Xian Mountain. After that, we'll stay for a while and discuss martial arts. What do you think?"

"I couldn't ask for more." Yang Miaozhen then said, "Zhou, the镖头 (bodyguard), said that he knew Sister Qiu through Qingjing Sanren of the Quanzhen Sect."

"Indeed."

"My younger sister is from Yidu. She has practiced martial arts since childhood. My father wandered the world in his early years and admired Master Wang of the Quanzhen Sect, but he never had the chance to meet him, which was a lifelong regret. My name 'Miaozhen' is related to the Taoist sect."

Zhou Yan blurted out, "The Wonderful True Scripture"

Yang Miaozhen was surprised: "The head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) knows this scripture."

"I have had the privilege of knowing Master Wang, the Jade Yangzi, and Master Ma, the Danyangzi, of the Quanzhen School, and through their guidance, I have come to know the *Miaozhen Jing*."

Yang Miaozhen said with delight, "This fate is getting more and more wonderful. I come from humble beginnings and am very straightforward. From now on, when you associate with the head镖头 (bodyguard), how about you call him 'Big Brother'?"

Zhou Yan, not one to stand on ceremony, replied, "Yes, Miss Yang."

"Brother Zhou's swordsmanship is exquisite. I admire him greatly. It's a pity I can't accompany Sister Qiu to the mountain stronghold to discuss the Dao."

Zhou Yan pondered that his "One Sword Seven Stars" technique was derived from the sudden enlightenment of "One Sword Transforms into Three Pure Ones," and that there would be no problem in telling the other party about it.

"I'm telling this sword technique to the girl."

How can this be done?

"Martial arts are self-defense techniques."

Yang Miaozhen, being a straightforward and generous person, immediately said, "Brother Zhou, it would be impolite to refuse. I will also talk about 'Three Steps and Eighteen Spears,' and I will be a master of both spear and sword from now on."

Qiu Qianchi blurted out, "It can also be used with both spear and sword, and in battle, it can catch the enemy off guard."

Yang Miaozhen was not satisfied.

Zhou Yan's mind raced. He had obtained the Jueqing Valley martial arts manual, "Golden Knife, Black Sword, Yin-Yang Double Blades," from Huang Rong. Since coming from Taihu Lake, he had been pondering how to reverse the knife and sword to turn them into a spear and sword. Qiu Qianchi had now revealed this to him.

Qiu Qianchi, unaware of Zhou Yan's thoughts, said, "The sword is light and feminine, but when the spear is used to sweep and smash, it takes on a masculine quality. The spear, on the other hand, thrusts, picks, cuts, and washes, following the light and agile path of the sword. The spear becomes the sword, and the sword becomes the spear."

Yang Miaozhen came to her senses and said, "Sister Qiu, your ideas are truly ingenious."

Qiu Qianchi felt ashamed inwardly, "I have seen the chaos of swords and spears, and when I heard you say that I was proficient in both, I just made things up."

"Once we reach the mountain stronghold, we will ask Sister Qiu for guidance."

"Mutual verification".

Yang Miaozhen was forthright and generous, Qiu Qianchi's words and actions became increasingly unrestrained, and Zhou Yan was a man of strong emotions who spoke his mind freely. This conversation greatly benefited him in thoroughly understanding the "Golden Saber, Black Sword, Yin-Yang Double Blades" technique. Of course, he also needed to master the "Three Steps, Eighteen Spears" technique, the essence of which lay in its unique method of circulating qi.

Zhou Yan is now proficient in this art, and mastering the killing move of the "Rain of Pear Blossoms Spear" is not a difficult task.

(End of this chapter)