The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 150 Conspiracy, Overt Scheme

The Yang and Guo families, the Zhao royal family, are entangled in a complex web of grudges and affections.

The people in charge were still Qiu Chuji, one of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen, and the Six Heroes of Jiangnan.

Therefore, when Yang Kang invited him, the kind-hearted Ma Yu replied, "You are busy with your affairs, so I will not disturb you."

"Has Master also arrived in Zhongdu?" Yang Kang asked.

"You will know when your master comes looking for you."

Yang Kang nodded, "I will heed your words, Uncle-Master, and respectfully see you off."

"Chief Zhang, young friend Zhou, please," Ma Yu said.

"Thank you, Daoist Master." Zhang Wangyue replied, reining in his horse and riding forward. Mu Nianci then mounted her horse as well. Several riders passed by the entrance of Changfeng Escort Agency.

Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi's actions were clearly intended to elevate the Fu'an Escort Agency and project an image of a close relationship with Zhou Yan.

In the past, the two had spent many time with Zhou Yan, but they kept silent about the matters of Jiaxing and the Prince Zhao's Mansion, for fear of being implicated.

But now the entanglements are becoming increasingly complex. The Six Heroes of Jiangnan were able to uncover the truth behind Wanyan Honglie's massacre at Niujia Village only because Zhou Yan captured Duan Tiande. Moreover, Yang Tiexin is now staying at the镖局 (escort agency).
Zhou Yan and Fu An were inevitably drawn into the conflict.

When Yang Kang acknowledged his ancestor, the kind-hearted Ma Yu assumed that the other party was at most a greedy person for wealth, just as his junior brother had said, and did not consider at all that Yang Kang would do something like betraying his master and ancestors.

Therefore, now that Zhou Yan has appeared in front of Yang Kang, Ma Yu feels that by showing that Fu'an and Quanzhen Sect have a connection, the other party will definitely not make things difficult for him.

Zhou Yan knew exactly what Ma Yu was thinking. He wasn't worried that Yang Kang would make a move against him or Fu An right now. In the world of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, Yang Kang had wanted to kill Qiu Chuji, but he didn't have an absolute chance of success, so he gave up.

Yang Kang nowadays probably has the same mentality, but he is no longer the same person he used to be, as can be seen from his attitude toward Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi.

Zhou Yan's psychological maturity comes around the later stages of The Return of the Condor Heroes, when he ponders Yang Kang's motives for treating the two Quanzhen disciples with great hospitality.

After Zhou Yan, Ma Yu and the others left, Helian Chuncheng regained his composure and said apologetically, "I did not know that the young prince's sect was the Quanzhen Sect. My subordinates were reckless and caused trouble."

Yang Kang smiled and said, "It's alright. Does Young Master Helian have some kind of grudge against them?"

Helian Chuncheng said, "It all stems from profit, it's insignificant."

Yang Kang did not want any unexpected events to occur while his plan was being implemented, so he said, "Since it is for profit, let's be patient for now."

Helian Chuncheng had not yet grasped Yang Kang's meaning, but Helian Zhantai already understood and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness."

"No problem," Yang Kang said with a smile, though he was genuinely thinking to himself, "Old ginger is spicier."

Helian Zhantai invited, "Why don't you come to the escort agency, young prince, and we can drink and chat some more?"

Yang Kang declined, saying, "Thank you for your introduction, Mr. Helian. Master Baoxiang and I have important matters to discuss. We will meet at the escort agency another day."

"Important matters must be taken care of; we respectfully see off the young prince."

Helian Zhantai watched Yang Kang leave before turning to Helian Chuncheng and asking, "Do you understand what the young prince means?"

"The child is slow to realize."

“That’s fine then,” Helian Zhantai said. “Leaving aside martial arts skills, in terms of temperament, shrewdness, and methods, few can match the young prince.”

Helian Chuncheng was completely convinced, "That's indeed the case."

"Let's go back and talk about it."

Father and son walked side by side, passing through the gatehouse and entering the escort agency before heading into the distance.

……

When the group arrived in Fu'an, they handed the horses over to the guards on duty.

Zhang Wangyue and Huyan Lei bid farewell, and Zhou Yan escorted Yang Miaozhen and Mu Nianci to the inn, before accompanying the two Quanzhen disciples to the courtyard.

The things remain the same, and the people are still there; a sense of familiarity washes over me.

As midnight approached, Ma and Wang, who had enjoyed a lively conversation at the Yang family's house during the day, exchanged a few pleasantries with Zhou Yan before resting in the west wing. When they woke up, Zhou Yan had already prepared eight-treasure rice.

Everything returned to normal.

Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi ate their fill, and Zhou Yan accompanied them to the security escort agency.

Yang Miaozhen, Mu Nianci, Zhang Wangyue, and Huyan Lei had been waiting for a long time.

When Mu Nianci accompanied the two Quanzhen disciples and Yang Miaozhen away, Zhou Yan instructed them to send a message if Qiu Chuji brought Yang Kang out of the palace to recognize his relatives.

After parting ways on the long street, Zhou Yan, Zhang Wangyue, and Hu Yanlei walked side by side toward the镖局 (bodyguard agency).

Zhang Wangyue: "Brother Zhou, last night we encountered people from the Changfeng Escort Agency. Did you see the people who were trying to kill you at Nanping Mountain in West Lake, Lin'an Prefecture?"

Zhou Yan nodded: "It's that planet called Nemo."

"It's that shorty! I'll find a chance to stab him to death!" Huyan Lei was furious.

"Have a good talk with Brother Zhou about this, and also with Brother Yang."

"Okay," Zhou Yan said with a smile.

The three arrived at the octagonal pavilion in the courtyard of the security escort agency, sat on the stone benches, and a diligent porter immediately brought them tea.

After drinking his tea, Zhang Wangyue asked, "Brother Zhou, what are your thoughts on Changfeng's matter?"

“That’s right. Knowing you have an enemy but not being able to kill them yourself, if it were me, I would have already lost my temper,” Huyan Lei said.

"When the chief镖头 (chief镖头) and I arrived in Lin'an, Helian Chuncheng was unaware of this matter. Therefore, the other party must have encountered me suddenly and, seeing that I was alone, acted on impulse."

Zhang Wangyue nodded: "That's how it should be."

"Cui Qingshan is dead. Given Helian Chuncheng's cautious nature, he has also transferred the bodyguards who went to Lin'an to Zhongdu. Therefore, since they are dead, there is no way to verify their identities, and it is impossible to arrest and interrogate any of the bodyguards."

"So, we'll just have to suffer in silence?"

"I heard from Brother Zhou?" Zhang Wangyue asked.

Zhou Yan concealed his true abilities: "I have been thinking about this matter all along, and I have even considered leaving the escort agency to go and take on the role of Changfeng again."

Hu Yanlei laughed: "I would have thought the same way, but luckily Brother Zhou didn't act rashly, otherwise I wouldn't be able to practice martial arts and drink with you."

“I’m also reluctant to part with you, brother.” Zhou Yan smiled. “Yesterday, when I met Chief Yang, she talked about the Mongol invasion of the Jin Dynasty. Suddenly, I felt that things weren’t so complicated.”

"Why is that?" Among the people Zhou Yan had come into contact with, the one who could see some clues about the situation in the world when it came to reference information was Zhang Wangyue, a descendant of Zhang Xian of the Yue Family Army.

He asked the other party, "When the Mongols attacked the Jin, did the chief镖头 (chief镖师) think Zhongdu was safe?"

“The Great Wall is a natural barrier. Once…” Zhang Wangyue suddenly looked at Zhou Yan: “Brother, are you perhaps thinking of attacking Changfeng again when the Mongol army is at Zhongdu?”

Zhou Yan laughed: "I only came up with a clue the night before last."

"Uproot the Changfeng tree," Zhang Wangyue asked.

"Yes, when Senior Yang and the Bao family are reunited, they can choose to stay in Fu'an or go to Niujia Village or Yang Touling Mountain Village."

Zhou Wangyue gently brushed the tea needle with the tea lid, as if he had figured things out. He exclaimed in admiration, "Brother Zhou, you truly have a tiger in your heart."

"These are still the words of earnest advice that Brother Huyan gave me back then."

Hu Yanlei laughed loudly, "I did mention this to Brother Zhou, but I don't think I can do what Brother Zhou does. Now that you say it, I understand. I know that I should be patient and restrain myself, and only act decisively when necessary."

Zhou Yan said sincerely, "Thank you for your concern, brother."

Hu Yanlei glared: "If you don't worry about your own brothers, who do you worry about?"

Zhou Yan chuckled.

……

The sun had passed its zenith in the western suburbs.

Qiu Chuji said to Yang Tiexin, "I will take that unworthy disciple to West Mountain. Brother Yang, you and my senior and junior brothers will wait for me there."

"Thank you for your help, Taoist priest."

"Brother Yang, you're too kind."

Everyone went about their own business: Qiu Chuji headed straight for the Prince of Zhao's residence, Wang Chuyi, Ma Yu, and Guo Jing went to Xishan, while Mu Nianci and Yang Miaozhen rushed to deliver a letter to Fu'an.

Just as Qiu Chuji arrived at the Prince's residence, Zhou Yan learned of the news. He naturally wouldn't go to Xishan. What he was thinking was that Yang Kang would definitely react after meeting Yang Tiexin, and he could go to the Prince's residence that evening to investigate. He just didn't know if Ouyang Feng was there. Just in case, he needed to make thorough preparations.

……

The Zhao Prince's Mansion has towering flagpoles on the left and right sides in front of the main gate, with two majestic and ferocious jade lions sitting on either side of the gate. A row of white jade steps leads straight to the front hall, exuding an extremely imposing and powerful aura.

The elegant residence within the mansion is not far from a lake in the palace, surrounded by drooping green willows, creating a tranquil environment.

Yang Kang was talking to Bao Xiang.

The two had spent some time together, and Yang Kang had been subtly probing Bao Xiang's information, gaining him a general understanding of the Vajra Sect of the Western Regions. Bao Xiang had eight fellow disciples, and was the fourth among them.

Besides the Bao generation, there are dozens of others with the Gang generation.

He guessed that the Vajra Sect had only about a hundred people inside and outside, which was far fewer than the Shaolin Temple in terms of numbers, but he had great respect for Baoxiang's martial arts skills.

Compared to Ouyang Ke, he is only better, not worse. Based on this, it can be inferred that Master Baoxiang should be no worse than Ouyang Feng.

Thinking this way, he treated the guests with great hospitality, and during their conversation, a servant from the Prince's residence came in to report.

"Young Prince, a Taoist priest is requesting an audience at the door."

"Have you been negligent?"

"No, we treated him with the utmost courtesy as instructed by the prince."

"Back off."

As they left the study, Bao Xiang asked, "Is he a guest advisor hired by the young prince?"

Yang Kang laughed and said, "With the master's help, why would I need to invite another guest? He is a rather troublesome person."

Bao Xiang's brows twitched slightly, and he smiled, saying, "This humble monk will go and meet him."

Yang Kang hurriedly said, "How could I trouble you, Master? I'll go and take a look. Please wait for me to return so we can have a long talk."

"Alright, Your Highness, please feel free to speak up if you need anything."

"Thank you, Master."

Yang Kang bowed, turned and left the study. After changing his clothes, he headed straight for the gate of the Prince's Mansion. He saw Qiu Chuji in the distance and rushed over.

"Master, how did you enter the Prince's Palace? And where are your uncles?"

Qiu Chuji noticed that Yang Kang was dressed simply, not in fine clothes, but spoke in a rather amiable manner.

"Come with me out of the city, and I will take you to see someone."

"My master is getting the car ready."

"No need, let's go."

A fleeting look of displeasure crossed Yang Kang's face. He immediately gave a few instructions to the guards at the door and followed them.

Qiu Chuji walked very fast, but Yang Kang could keep up. He thought to himself that his unworthy disciple's skill had greatly improved, while Jing'er was not as good as him.

The two left the city and traveled several more miles before reaching the Western Hills.

Yang Kang's vision was filled with Ma Yu, Guo Jing, Wang Chuyi, and Yang Tiexin.

Who is that person? Yang Kang wondered to himself.

The two sides were together, and before Qiu Chuji could speak, Yang Kang bowed and said, "Disciple greets the two senior uncles."

After saying this, he turned to Guo Jing and said, "Brother Guo, it's been a long time."

"Yes, Brother Yang," Guo Jing replied politely.

"Master, who is this?" Yang Kang asked, looking at Yang Tiexin, whose face was weathered and resembled that of a farmer.

No matter how much Yang Tiexin hated Wanyan Honglie, Yang Kang was still his own flesh and blood. Seeing that the other party was not dressed in fine clothes, his eyes suddenly became misty.

Qiu Chuji's voice, which was like a thunderclap to Yang Kang, rang out.

"He is your biological father, Yang Tiexin."

(End of this chapter)