The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 153 A Cunning Plan, The Origin of the Sword God

The midday sun streamed into the courtyard, where Yang Tiexin's chickens scurried about, clucking softly.

Inside, Mu Nianci poured tea, then moved a stool and sat down next to Zhou Yan.

"Young friend Zhou, have you come here for matters concerning the Prince Zhao's residence?" Qiu Chuji asked with a smile.

"Ah."

Qiu Chuji said, "That wicked disciple was quite sincere yesterday, recognizing his relatives in Xishan. He even said that Ouyang Feng was in the Prince's Mansion, and that he would try to find a way to send his mother away."

Yang Tie was in a good mood and said to Zhou Yan, "Thank you for your help, Chief Escort. Otherwise, I don't know when we would be able to reunite, and my wife would have to suffer in the Prince's mansion."

"Senior, please don't be so polite." Zhou Yan changed the subject, "I went to the Prince's Mansion last night."

Yang Miaozhen reacted the fastest, smiling and saying, "Brother Zhou is so kind-hearted, it must be for Senior Yang's sake."

Zhou Yan said, "The main concern is that there might be unexpected events."

Yang Miaozhen looked at Zhou Dian's eyebrows, which were like willow leaves fluttering in the wind, and asked, "Brother Zhou, does that mean there's a change in circumstances?"

Zhou Yan said tactfully, "I only heard the mother and son talking. Later, something went wrong, and they fought with a monk from the Prince's mansion. They managed to escape, but I don't know what happened after that."

"A monk?" Ma Yu was taken aback.

"He is not a master hired by Wanyan Honglie earlier, but his cultivation is no less than that of Ouyang Ke."

Wang Chuyi had witnessed Ouyang Ke and Zhou Yan's fight and knew that their cultivation levels were no lower than his own. Realizing that another expert had arrived at the Wang residence, his expression became quite solemn. Zhou Yan's voice rang out again.

Yang Kang told his mother that he would send her out so that she could reunite with her elder and go far away. He said that he would come back to look for her after he had finished dealing with some matters in the palace.

Zhou Yan's words were subtle, but the meaning was clear.

Qiu Chuji was furious. "I thought that wicked disciple was reflecting on his mistakes, but it seems he still covets wealth and status. Once we meet up with Master Ke and the others, we will find a way to kill Wanyan Honglie and completely sever his hopes."

"I do have an idea."

"My friend speaks frankly."

"Let's bring them out first, settle them properly, and then deal with the matter of killing Wanyan Honglie slowly."

Yang Miaozhen said, "Brother Zhou is right. Why don't we bring them out and let them stay at the mountain stronghold for the time being?"

Fearing that Qiu Chuji might act impulsively, Ma Yu quickly said, "This method is excellent."

"Father, I think the most urgent thing is to ensure the safety of my godmother."

Yang Tiexin let out a slight breath and said, "Alright, thank you for your trouble, Chief Yang."

"Senior, please don't be so polite. It was just a small favor."

With this agreement reached, Zhou Yan felt relieved. The fates of Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo had been completely reversed. Yang Kang's plans were ruined because he hadn't eavesdropped after his whereabouts were exposed the night before. However, it was certain that as long as Guo Jing, the Seven Heroes of Jiangnan, Qiu Chuji, and others did not attack Wanyan Honglie before the Mongol army reached Zhongdu, Fu'an would be safe.

When the flags changed hands on the city walls, Guo Jing and Yang Tiexin decided to take Wanyan Honglie's head and then settle accounts with the Changfeng Escort Agency themselves.

Zhou Yan had lunch at the Yang family's house. In the afternoon, he went to the escort agency. Zhang Wangyue and Huyan Lei asked him about the Yang family's affairs, and he gave a brief explanation.

Zhang Wangyue praised Zhou Yan for his clever use of a counter-strategy.

Zhou Yan chuckled.

Starting in the afternoon, Fu'an added some special training programs for the bodyguards and escorts at the escort agency. Zhou Yan selected more than 30 escorts with outstanding arm strength to train in archery.

Hu Yanlei and Wang Kui's method of combining swords and spears after capturing three or four people in a team.

In the evening, Zhou Yan, who had been training for half a day, left the escort agency and went to the courtyard.

As the moon rose above the willow branches, the sound of the clapper at the hour of Hai (9-11 PM) echoed through the long street. Zhou Yan, who was practicing martial arts in the courtyard, had a glint in his eyes as he stood up.

Two figures leaped in from the white walls and green tiles.

It is Huang Rong and the medicine boy.

"Master Zhou." The young apprentice greeted Zhou Yan with delight.

"Your martial arts skills have improved."

Hearing Zhou Yan's praise, the apprentice said happily, "My master often teaches me some techniques, so I have made progress."

Mei Chaofeng has not returned to Peach Blossom Island and dares not take on any disciples, so the medicine boy calls the other party "master".

"I've arrived as promised," Huang Rong said with a smile.

"After waiting for so long, let's go see the snake."

"it is good."

The three entered the west wing's storage room, where Zhou Yan lit an oil lamp.

Although the light was dim, it was still clearly visible. Through the gap between the two bamboo baskets, one could see a large snake with golden scales inside.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, snakes and insects should be active, but the temperature in Zhongdu is not as high as in Snake Valley in Xiangyang. Therefore, the snake in Huang Rong and the medicine boy's eyes was coiled up and listless.

"Master Zhou is very skilled in martial arts, but he's really an amateur when it comes to raising snakes," the apprentice said, glancing at the large venomous snake.

Zhou Yan smiled. In fact, the two snakes behaved this way not only because they were hit, but also because their venom had been extracted.

"Tell me about it." Huang Rong was afraid of snakes, but perhaps because she had eaten and drunk too much snake gall and snake soup, she was not afraid when she saw the triangular snake head and the Bosichthys snake that occasionally flicked its tongue.

"To raise snakes, you need to understand snakes, know their habits, and keep them quiet. When Liang Ziweng raised his big snake, he prepared a snake house and had a dedicated person to feed it. As for Master Zhou, he had to cook and practice his skills in the courtyard. It was already quite good that he could keep it alive."

Zhou Yan humbly accepted the advice. Indeed, his practice was quite noisy.

"Why did the snake die despite following the secret recipe?"

"I don't know the habits of snakes. This snake lives in damp and hot places, while Liang Ziweng's big treasure snake is the exact opposite. Therefore, the proportions of pills made from different medicinal plants need to be adjusted accordingly."

The young apprentice had also raised and cared for Liang Ziweng's giant snake. He spoke with great familiarity about it, saying, "For example, cinnabar is cold in nature. If you feed the snake the same amount of poison that it lives in a humid valley, you need to increase the dosage."

Zhou Yan suddenly understood: "I see."

"Don't worry, Master Zhou, I can raise this snake. It's just that it will probably cost a lot of money."

Before Zhou Yan could answer, Huang Rong said, "There are so many corrupt officials in Zhongdu. You can't steal from the Prince Zhao's mansion, but you can come and go as you please from other officials' residences."

“Yes!” Zhou Yan replied with a smile.

"You think so too?"

Zhou Yan scoffed, "We can't just make money to raise snakes, taking whatever we want from the people's hard-earned wealth."

"You're becoming less and less like a bodyguard. You could be a chivalrous knight."

Zhou Yan smiled slightly, but did not answer the question.

The medicine boy found a burlap sack, covered the bamboo basket, and carried one in each hand.

"Master Zhou, when will it be delivered to you?"

"They'll find it when they need it?"

"okay."

Huang Rong said, "Then we'll meet again."

"Yes, Madam Bao should be leaving the Prince's residence in the next few days. She might cause some trouble, so please be careful."

Huang Rong, remembering Zhou Yan's life-saving grace and his words of concern, felt grateful and said, "I know, thank you, I'm leaving now."

“No”

The three of them left the outhouse. Huang Rong and the medicine boy leaped over the courtyard wall and disappeared from Zhou Yan's sight.

With his worries resolved, Zhou Yan realized that the Bodhi snake possessed spirituality. As long as the prescription was correct, it would surely grow to surpass Liang Ziweng's Great Treasure Snake. Based on his current cultivation progress, he could attempt to refine his Ren and Du meridians within one or two years, achieving the convergence of dragon and tiger. At that time, he would consume snake gall and snake blood to aid him in breaking through the Xuan Gate in one fell swoop.

……

The majestic ancient city wall of Zhongdu stands under the autumn sun.

Yang Kang, still dressed simply, rode out of the city alone and arrived at Xishan as agreed with Qiu Chuji and others.

Looking into the distance, he saw no Yang Tiexin, only Qiu Chuji.

"Master."

Yang Kang dismounted and strode forward.

"Kang'er, what are the preparations?" Qiu Chuji asked, his mind filled with Zhou Yan's words from the other day.

Yang Kang was also aware of the taboos surrounding his relationship with his mother and the fact that Bao Xiang's poison had been neutralized, but he was also concerned about whether he could focus on his studies for the next twenty days, and whether he could abstain from meat and women.

He exhaled slightly to calm his turbulent emotions and said, "Master, I have a plan. I can send Mother out to reunite with Father."

"Where is Wanyan Honglie?"

“Ouyang Feng and his nephew are in the Prince’s mansion, so it’s not advisable to take action. I will stay there for now and discuss it with Master and Brother Guo when the time is right. I think the most urgent thing is to send Father and Mother to a safe place first, so that we will have fewer worries later.”

Qiu Chuji's expression darkened. Yang Kang hurriedly said, "Please understand, Master."

"Very well," Qiu Chuji said after a long pause.

Yang Kang was overjoyed: "Where will my disciple take Mother?"

"Tomorrow at midday, five li west of the city."

"Alright, disciple, I'll prepare right away."

"Does the Prince's residence have other experts?" Qiu Chuji asked.

Yang Kang hesitated for a moment, then said, "My father invited a high-ranking monk, but I do not know his cultivation level."

"Okay, go back and prepare."

"Disciple, please resign."

Yang Kang bid farewell to Qiu Chuji and departed.

The sound of horses' hooves faded into the distance, and Qiu Chuji sighed, "You unfilial disciple!"

……

The autumn wind blows, and the autumn atmosphere deepens.

Six strong men carrying a large sedan chair embroidered with gold and red cloth appeared five miles west of the city.

Yang Kang, who was traveling with him, saw the carriage and Qiu Chuji parked on the side of the road from afar.

The sedan chair stopped, and Bao Xiruo quickly stepped out. Upon seeing Qiu Chuji, she stepped forward and was about to kneel down.

Qiu Chuji helped him up, saying, "Let's talk after we meet my brother Yang. Get in the carriage first."

"Thank you, Taoist Master."

Bao Xiruo, dressed in simple clothes, turned to look at Yang Kang.

Yang Kang smiled and said, "Mother, I'll come to see you as soon as I'm done with my work."

“Yes!” Bao Xiruo remembered Yang Kang’s instructions, her eyes reddened, she turned around and got into the carriage, escorted by Qiu Chuji, and the driver drove away.

"Young Prince, what's the Princess Consort doing here?" a burly man carrying the sedan chair asked.

"My mother won't be going back to the Prince's Mansion. Do you know what to say when she goes back?"

"Ah, I know," the big man replied hastily.

"I didn't even teach you, how would you know?"

The burly man knelt down with a thud. "Please enlighten me, Your Highness. I will keep my mouth shut."

Yang Kang chuckled in a low voice, then struck down with both hands, shattering the man's skull with a soft thud, killing him instantly.

The remaining burly men were terrified and fled in all directions, but Yang Kang killed them one by one.

Amidst the pervasive stench of blood, Yang Kang stared at the corpses scattered on the ground and muttered to himself:

Only the dead can keep a secret.

……

The sounds of people and vehicles mingled together.

A great migration began in early winter.

Wealthy households, traveling in carriages and carrying grain and gold and silver, left Daxing Prefecture under the escort of escort agencies of all sizes, including Fu'an and Changfeng, and migrated south of the Jin Kingdom.

Genghis Khan led his army in a fierce battle against the Jin soldiers along the Great Wall, and the panic brought by the war swept through Zhongdu.

This was all within Zhou Yan's expectations.

Zhang Wangyue had also guessed this day, but the Mongol army's arrival was still slightly beyond his expectations. He had imagined it would be at least next year, but he never expected that the situation would change so drastically in just one month since Yang Tiexin and his wife left.

After Yang Tiexin met Bao Xiruo, he went to Chaya Mountain with Yang Miaozhen.

Mu Nianci then returned to the escort agency.

During this period, all the guards and escorts of Fu'an Escort Agency were working non-stop, with 70% of the shipments concentrated on Kaifeng Prefecture and Luoyang.

Zhou Yan, Wang Kui, Hu Yanlei, Shi Baichuan, Mu Nianci, and others were no exception.

The north wind swept across the land, snapping the white grass, and the withered grass and dust swirled in the cold wind.

The group of over thirty people traveled along the route from Zhuozhou to Zhongdu. The leaders were Zhou Yan, Hu Yanlei, and Mu Nianci, and the accompanying bodyguard was Liang Xiaowu.

Zhou Yan and his two companions traveled through Luoyang as goods escorts and personal escorts, delivering wealthy families from Zhongdu (the capital city) to Luoyang.

Huyan Lei went to Kaifeng Prefecture.

On the way back, they happened to meet and went together to Zhongdu.

Logically, empty wagons should travel at a decent speed, but all the wagons were heavily loaded, clearly indicating they were carrying cargo.

It's grain.

The price of grain in Zhongdu changed daily. Duan Huai'an followed Zhou Yan's advice and ordered all the caravans that had gone south to return with their carts loaded with grain, in case the Mongol army breached the Jin dynasty's Great Wall defenses and besieged the city.

As they walked, Hu Yanlei sighed and said to Zhou Yan, "When I left Zhongdu, I advised my master to leave the city and avoid it."

"What did the employer say?"

Huyan Lei said, "He said that the Liao and Jin people come and go, but Fu'an has always been in Zhongdu. Now that the Mongols are coming, how can they abandon Fu'an? It's just a matter of changing the city lord. I don't know if I will live to see the court cross the river to Zhongdu."

Mu Nianci said, "If the imperial court had been capable, General Yue Fei, General Han, and others would have already crossed the river to drink their water when they were fighting against the Jin."

Zhou Yan felt that Mu Nianci had become more outspoken after spending a few days with Yang Miaozhen in Zhongdu.

“That’s right.” Zhou Yan nodded.

"Brother Zhou, you're so farsighted. Is there really no such day?"

Zhou Yan sighed softly.

"Let's not talk about such depressing things." Hu Yanlei looked at the distant Taihang Mountains and suddenly said, "Master Mu, let me tell you something. The first time we were on a镖局 (bodyguard/escort) mission in Jingzhou, we passed through Anyang. Brother Zhou happened to be away, so we camped at midnight. In the morning, Chief Escort Wang and I were preparing to practice our skills. Guess what we saw?"

"What?" Mu Nianci asked curiously.

"The swordsmen of Taihang Mountain, their sword light rises from the mountaintop, like a rainbow piercing the sun. At that time, I was still lamenting that Brother Zhou was no longer with the caravan."

Zhou Yan took a sip of water from his water pouch and suddenly choked.

Mu Nianci asked, "Where is the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort)?"

“He parted ways with us in Jingzhou, and only caught up with us near Zhuozhou.”

Mu Nianci was observant. Observing Zhou Yan's expression, she recalled the scene of him often going to Xishan to meditate and practice his skills in Zhongdu. She smiled and said, "Although the world is vast, how can one encounter a sword cultivator so easily? Chief Escort Huyan did not expect that the sword cultivator was Chief Escort Zhou."

Hu Yanlei was taken aback and looked at Zhou Yan with suspicion.

Zhou Yan smiled.

Hu Yanlei stared in disbelief: "It really is you?"

"really."

Why didn't Brother Zhou say so back then?

"Brother said that the Taihang swordsmen are as agile as dragons. If I had been there, they would have taught me swordsmanship like Sun Zhenren. I have no words to say."

Liang Xiaowu couldn't help but laugh when he heard this.

Hu Yanlei's face turned red, but he was a forthright man after all. He laughed and said, "I have only just met Brother Zhou, the Sword God of Taihang."

Mu Nianci covered her mouth and chuckled, "The title of Taihang Sword God is impressive."

“That’s right, that’s right,” Liang Xiaowu said.

Zhou Yan laughed: "Do you think I'm Qiu Qianzhang?"

Hu Yanlei and Mu Nianci burst into laughter again.

As dusk approached, a sudden commotion arose ahead, with shouts of men and neighing of horses.

Zhou Yan said to Hu Yanlei, "Something's wrong."

Liang Xiaowu turned around and gestured to the镖队 (bodyguards) members.

More than ten escort wagons stopped abruptly, and the guards drew their swords, nocked their bows, and drew their arrows.
"I'll go take a look," Zhou Yan said.

"One way!" Hu Yanlei spurred his horse to follow, and Mu Nianci followed as well.

The three men and three horses traveled half a mile when they saw more than a hundred Jin soldiers, as fierce as wolves, slashing and plundering a group of people escorted by martial arts masters.

(End of this chapter)