The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 136 A Visitor from the Western Regions, Mo Chou Descends the Mountain

Outside the Songhelou Restaurant, carriages and horses bustle about; inside, people drink and laugh.

Zhou Yan, Hu Yanlei, Yang Tiexin, and the others finished their meal and filed out.
"Brother Zhou, see you at the escort agency," Huyan Lei said.

"okay."

As Zhou Yan was about to leave, Sha Gu followed him.

Mu Nianci hurriedly said, "Silly girl, follow your sister."

"Oh dear, I forgot, silly girl, come with your sister."

In the evening, Hu Yanlei hosted a banquet, which was attended by Liang Xiaowu, Sha Gu, and others.

After returning from Jingzhou, the escort team held another selection and examination. Liang Xiaowu was already an outstanding martial artist among the escorts. He followed Zhou Yan to Taihu Lake and received guidance from him along the way. He also consumed snake gall during their camping trip in Snake Valley, which greatly increased his strength. Naturally, he stood out and became a bodyguard for the escort agency.

Yang Tiexin had a past relationship with Qu Lingfeng, who used the alias Qu San in Niujia Village. Since it was inconvenient for Sha Gu to stay at Zhou Yan's place, he suggested during the meal that he take her to a courtyard in the suburbs so that Mu Nianci could keep him company.

This arrangement is the best way for Zhou Yan to express her gratitude.

As for Sha Gu's daily life, after Zhou Yan arrived, his employer Duan Huai'an also came over. He explained Zhang Wangyue's itinerary in detail and finally mentioned Sha Gu, hoping that the escort agency would arrange a job for her.

Duan Huai'an had long regarded Zhou Yan as the pillar of Fu'an, so it was no problem for him to lend a hand.

Zhou Yan also mentioned the mental problems of the simple-minded girl. The owner sighed and finally accepted Zhou Yan's suggestion to arrange for the simple-minded girl to tend the fire.

The escort agency provides the bodyguards and porters with a lunch, and the silly girl's job is just to light the fire and chop wood; it's an easy job.

During the meal, Yang Tiexin and Mu Nianci both called the silly girl "Miss Qu," but the silly girl giggled and said they were calling her by the wrong name, and that she was actually the silly girl.

Her words stirred up another wave of sadness among the crowd.

Zhou Yan omitted some details, only mentioning the scene of seeing the skeletons of Sha Gu and Qu San at the Niujia Village Hotel.

Yang Tiexin was saddened and briefly mentioned some events from eighteen years ago. Hu Yanlei and the others all regarded Qu Lingfeng as a chivalrous thief, so they took care of the silly girl.

When Yang Tiexin heard that the silly girl didn't want everyone to call her Miss Qu, he said to Zhou Yan, "From now on, I will treat the silly girl the same way I treated Nianci."

"Thank you for your help, senior."

"The head镖师's words are hurtful."

Zhou Yan smiled slightly, thinking to himself that Yang Tiexin had taken the silly girl as his adopted daughter, and perhaps Huang Yaoshi would give him an opportunity in the future.

Hu Yanlei said, "I also treat Sha Gu like my own daughter."

Zhou Yan let out a "ha!"

The group parted ways at Songhelou, and Zhou Yan wandered through the streets and alleys until he arrived at his own courtyard.

Before going to "Songhelou," he returned once, bringing with him the iron box and the bamboo basket containing the two large snakes to his lodgings. He would keep the venomous snakes in the side room for the time being, and wait until he met a medicine boy or had the opportunity to capture a snake slave before putting the secret manual for raising snakes on his agenda.

Under normal circumstances, the two Bodhi snakes are extremely easy to raise. Throw a shot bird over, and they can be left unattended for several days without any problems. These large snakes with golden scales are intelligent. At first, they would attack Zhou Yan whenever they had the chance, but he kept hitting them. Now they are mostly lying down, being fed and spending the rest of their time curled up in a ball, as if hibernating, which makes them much easier to care for.

Zhou Yan entered the courtyard, swept the inside and outside with a broom, buried the iron box in the corner of the wall, fetched water to take a bath, went into the room, turned off the lights, and went to sleep.

……

After several heavy rains, the scorching sun of late June blazed down on Zhongdu.

Zhang Wangyue rushed back from Huzhou.

During this time, Zhou Yan, Hu Yanlei, and Zhang Wangyue had a small gathering. In their conversation, the chief镖头 (bodyguard) of Fu'an seemed to be in good spirits, which Zhou Yan guessed was because he had resolved the matter of the Imperial City Guard's express escort. Since returning from Lin'an, he had never mentioned the ambush he suffered at Nanping Mountain in West Lake, but Zhang Wangyue brought it up during the gathering.

Huyan Lei was furious and said he wanted to settle accounts with Changfeng.

Zhou Yan persuaded Hu Yanlei to stop, saying that the situation was critical at the time and there was no time to reveal his identity. There was no way to verify it now that he was dead.

Hu Yanlei angrily said that if he didn't leave Fu'an, he would kill everyone at the Changfeng Escort Agency, then become an outlaw and recruit people to form a righteous army like Yang Miaozhen.

Zhang Wangyue laughed and scolded.

Zhou Yan was moved. He also had his own plans, and he used kind words to calm Hu Yanlei down.

Hu Yanlei finally said that no matter when Zhou Yan made a move against Changfeng, he would definitely take him along.

He smiled and changed the subject.

Everything returned to normal. Zhou Yan went to the escort agency during the day to train his men. In the evenings, he practiced martial arts in his own courtyard.

Silly Girl adapted perfectly to life at the镖局 (bodyguard agency), doing tasks like tending the fire and chopping wood. In her spare time, she would go to the martial arts field and watch the镖师 (bodyguards) and 趟子手 (bodyguards) practice martial arts with a smile.

Those bodyguards and porters who would tease the silly girl in their spare time were completely unaware that the fire- tending girl, who always ate melon seeds and candied fruit, was actually skilled in martial arts, and quite skilled at it.

During this time, Zhou Yan kept an eye on the activities of Prince Zhao's mansion. The mansion was heavily guarded, so Wanyan Kang probably had not returned to Zhongdu.

Helian Chuncheng and his men from Changfeng were also not at the escort agency; it was unknown whether they were still in Lin'an or had gone to Datong Prefecture. However, Changfeng Escort Agency was doing brisk business, with escort teams setting out every few days.

Fu'an is not bad either.

The crowing of a rooster is auspicious, and being in the middle of the night is auspicious.

As dawn broke, the bodyguards and porters of the Fu'an Escort Agency busied themselves with their tasks.

The air was filled with the scent of pine firewood, believed to ward off evil and bring good fortune. The groom led out Wang Kui and Shi Baichuan's yellow horses. The simple-minded girl stood under the gatehouse with a tinderbox, waiting to light the firecrackers.

Zhou Yan took a long sword from the weapon rack in the martial arts arena.

"Brother, take this knife and have a safe journey."

Wang Kui smiled and took the knife, saying, "We'll be heading to Fuzhou via the Huai River, passing through Chief Yang's territory. Everything will go smoothly. There's no need to worry."

The escort agency received a shipment destined for Jiangzhou, Jiangxi. In the past, they would have had to cross the Yellow River, pass through Xinye and Nanyang, and then travel along the Yangtze River to Poyang Lake.

However, bandits were rampant in the Tongbai and Funiu Mountains around Nanyang, so Wang Kui and Shi Baichuan escorted the goods along the Huai River route that they had used for the previous escort mission to Jingzhou.

Judging by the distance, we arrived around September, the golden autumn season.

Yang Tiexin had made an appointment with Qiu Chuji, so Zhang Wangyue did not arrange for anyone to accompany him.

Zhou Yan had been escorting goods for half a year without a single day of rest. He was going to Jiangzhou via the Huai River, which he thought would be safe, so Zhang Wangyue did not arrange anything for him.

The two walked side by side until they reached the courtyard where the caravans were parked, where the owner had already prepared a farewell feast.

Wang Kui hurried a few steps, handed the long sword to the escort, and said to Duan Huai'an, "Master, Chief Escort, I'm setting off."

"Have a safe journey. I hope to return on the Double Ninth Festival. I will then climb the Western Hills with Chief Escort Zhang, Chief Escort Zhou, and others."

"must."

Wang Kui and Shi Baichuan held the wine bowls with both hands and drank them down in one gulp.

Shi Baichuan said, "Lock the lock and raise the flag."

The escorts put anti-theft locks on the cargo boxes and placed triangular flags on the cargo carts.

Mu Nianci, standing on the other side of the gate tower, shouted, "Silly girl, light the firecrackers!"

The carriages rumbled, the horses neighed, and the firecrackers exploded.

The caravan set out and walked along the long street.

Zhou Yan accompanied him for ten miles to the long pavilion.

"Brother Zhou, stop here. Climb the Western Hills on the Double Ninth Festival."

"Wait for me, brother." Zhou Yan took out an exquisite iron spearhead from his bosom. "You carry this spearhead with you at all times. If you encounter a large number of bandits in the Jiangzhou area, showing this spearhead may have a miraculous effect."

"I'll listen to Brother Zhou." Wang Kui didn't ask why, took the spearhead, wrapped it in a handkerchief, and put it in his pocket. "Let's go."

"it is good!"

Wang Kui and Shi Baichuan rode up to the escort team.

Zhou Yan watched the caravan depart into the distance, then turned his horse around and headed back to the city.

……

Three days later, the first light of dawn appeared.

The moment the sword light flashed, the spear leaped into the air. Zhou Yan used the "Yin-Yang Reversal Blade Technique." The Qingfeng sword's movements were originally agile, but now it suddenly hardened and fiercely thrust, transforming into a masculine spear style, while the spear thrust, parried, and slashed, all following the light and agile path of a single sword. The sword became a spear, and the spear became a sword, truly a fantastical and unpredictable sight.

After the sword light and spear tip faded, Zhou Yan shook his head. "It's flashy and looks nice, but if you encounter a skilled opponent, you'll definitely be tied up."

After Wang Kui and the others left on their mission, he began to practice the Jueqing Valley's martial arts technique, but he always felt it was difficult to coordinate. If he faced an ordinary martial artist, it would be enough to kill the enemy, but if he faced a master, it would be better to just use a gun or sword.

Zhou Yan muttered to himself, "In the world of The Return of the Condor Heroes, Qiu Qianchi made up for the shortcomings of this set of skills. Now my cultivation and martial arts vision are no less than hers. I was able to comprehend the ten kinds of power of the 'Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms,' so I can also refine this skill to perfection."

He had no shortage of comprehension, so he was not impatient. He put away his gun and sword, washed up, left the courtyard, walked along the street, ate at a shop he frequented, and headed straight for the escort agency.

……

After lunch, Zhou Yan, Hu Yanlei, Yang Tiexin, and others went to the martial arts field.

Just as he was about to practice his boxing, a henchman came over and said, "Head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) Huyan, Head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), Chief镖师 (bodyguard/escort) is looking for you."

Hu Yanlei scoffed and asked Zhou Yan, "Believe it or not, you're going to be a镖师 (bodyguard/escort)?"

"I believe you." Zhou Yan smiled. "Guess where we're going?"

"Mr. Lü would be the best choice. Escorts from Jingzhou are safe to travel along the Huai River now, and the profits are substantial. If Wang Kui is delayed on the way, we can meet up together."

Zhou Yan laughed and said, "Indeed, we can also fish together on the Huai River."

The two joked with each other and left the martial arts arena for the council hall.

Zhang Wangyue had been waiting for a long time.

"The goods being transported to Xianyang were escorted by the owner to the trading company. There were over fifty caravans carrying furs, medicinal herbs, and ointments from outside the pass."

Zhou Yan was taken aback. Xianyang was not far from Zhongnan Mountain.

The delivery of this shipment will coincide with the return journey, which will be the same as the one-year agreement with Li Mochou. We don't need to return to Zhongdu; we can simply wait at the mountain temple in the suburbs.

"More than fifty caravans, with substantial profits. The combined profits from all the long and short-distance caravans in the first half of this year are equivalent to the profits from the entire previous year," Huyan Lei said.

"Make sure the employer gives out extra bonuses at the end of the year," Zhang Wangyue said with a smile.

“Yes, yes,” Zhou Yan and Hu Yanlei said in unison.

"Brother Zhou, Brother Huyan, let's take this escort mission."

"okay."

……

Two days later, all the goods were delivered to the escort agency. The merchants, the owner Duan Huai'an, and the agency manager checked the accounts together. After verifying that everything was correct, the goods were sealed.

The next day, at the auspicious hour, the silly girl lit firecrackers and offered a bowl of farewell wine before the caravan left the city.

Zhou Yan and Hu Yanlei were escorting the goods, with bodyguards Mu Nianci and Liang Xiaowu accompanying them. Yang Tiexin stayed behind at the escort agency. Zhou Yan then sent the large snake he was raising to Yang Tiexin.

During his journey north from Xiangyang with the silly girl, she often fed him, so he wasn't worried about anything unexpected.

The caravan left the city in a grand procession, traveling through Zhangjiakou, Datong Prefecture, and Lüliang, before finally crossing the Yellow River and arriving in Xianyang.

The caravan didn't stop at inns along the way. They camped in the countryside instead. Everything went smoothly, and they encountered no trouble.

In mid-July, the caravan passed through Lüliang, and the Yellow River was close at hand.

……

Zhongdu Changfeng Escort Agency.

The July sun blazed fiercely, and the air itself seemed to wrinkle in the sweltering heat.

Helian Chuncheng picked up a bowl of refreshing plum juice, took a few small sips with a spoon, placed the porcelain bowl on the table, and asked, "Has the escort team from Fu'an crossed the Yellow River soon?"

"Based on the distance traveled, it's about the same." Yin Kexi laughed. "There were over a hundred people who went, but I wonder how many came back?"

Nemo said, "It all depends on how skilled the young master is. If there are no problems, it's a win-win situation. Fu'an will lose people and have to pay for the goods, while the young master will also get rid of a thorn in his side."

Helian Chuncheng said, "That's no problem. Changfeng often travels to the Western Regions and has connections in both the legitimate and illegitimate worlds. The person he invited to come out of seclusion this time is no ordinary person."

"If that's how it is, then let's see if all the widows in Fu'an cry themselves to death."

Helian Chuncheng laughed.

It all started when Helian Chuncheng arrived in Zhongdu.

Seeing Zhou Yan, the young master of Changfeng, as a thorn in his side, Nimo Xing offered a plan to kill two birds with one stone.

Have the young master of Changfeng find someone to entrust the goods to Fu'an, and then arrange for skilled men to rob the goods.

In this way, Fu'an not only lost both people and goods, but also had to pay compensation for the shipment.

Helian Chuncheng naturally adopted the suggestion.

Yin Kexi was a Persian whose ancestors were merchants. He frequently traveled between Taiyuan, Datong, and Daxing, and his acquaintances were all wealthy and powerful. Helian Chuncheng and his party did not enter Zhongdu but went directly to Datong to discuss this matter.

This is why Zhou Yan did not see the other party after returning to Zhongdu.

When Helian Chuncheng arrived in Datong Prefecture, he told Helian Zhantai about his good relationship with the Longmen Escort Agency in Lin'an and his connection with Wanyan Kang. He then mentioned Nimo Xing's scheme.

Helian Zhantai immediately found someone to pose as a merchant and paid a large sum of money to hire thugs from the Western Regions.

Unaware of the situation, Zhou Yan and Hu Yanlei were confronted with a scene where the former owner of the Four Seas had hired assassins for a hefty sum, only this time their opponent was the Changfeng Escort Agency, making the situation extremely dangerous.

……

Behind Zhongnan Mountain, by the stream and river.

In the empty mountains, no one is seen, but the sound of voices can be heard.

"Sister, are you going to keep your appointment?"

"Of course, I keep my word."

"A promise is a promise, isn't it?"

"Ah."

"Sister, take me with you."

Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage and fell on the stream. The little dragon girl, her face porcelain white, dipped her toes in the water and pleaded.

"Pfft, why would I bring you along?" Li Mochou chuckled.

"If you don't tell me and make me ask Zhou Yan, am I smarter or is he smarter?"

"This is it."

"Just now my sister said that we should keep our word, and that a promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold."

"Heh, you're so clever for your age. Why don't you go by yourself?" Li Mochou teased with a smile. Her slender white jade feet dipped into the cool stream, swaying gently. Her blue skirt spread out like lotus leaves, and the clear stream rippled shallowly, with water splashing like silver.

Little Dragon Girl blinked her bright eyes, "Then do you think you might be able to beat Zhou Yan?"

“It should be fine. He’s a bodyguard, he has to travel all over the place. I’ve trained hard for a year and even learned the Jade Bee Needle hidden weapon. How can I be inferior to him?”

What happens after you win?

"Visiting Zhongdu."

"Sister, I want to go even more now."

"Hehe, come on, I'll take you to see your master, and you can tell him then."

"Sister, I think I'd better not go."

Li Mochou chuckled to herself, thinking that her junior sister was becoming increasingly clever and quick-witted, and she could easily trick her into revealing information. However, since her master was strict with her, bringing up this would surely solve the problem.

"Let's go!"

Li Mochou stretched her jade feet out of the stream, put on shoes and socks, and led Xiaolongnu toward the ancient tomb.

As the sun reached its zenith, she descended the mountain, wearing a sunshade on her head, carrying a giant bow and quiver of arrows on her back, and holding a long sword in her hand.

(End of this chapter)