The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 156 Sworn Brotherhood, Assassination

White walls and black tiles, lanterns hanging in rows.

The welcoming couplet at the entrance of the Zhongdu "Yuelai" Inn reads: "We welcome guests from all directions, including farmers, scholars, officials, and merchants."

The window was open, facing the bright moon.

The moonlight cast its glow on the dark windowpane, making it appear like a shackle, especially when Guo Jing stood there.

He stayed at the inn with Qiu Chuji, Wang Chuyi, Ma Yu, and Ke Zhen'e.

The other members of the Six Heroes of Jiangnan were also in the city, but they did not live in the same place.

Yang Kang saw Bao Xiruo off and told Qiu Chuji that Ouyang Feng was by Wanyan Honglie's side, and that they should wait for an opportunity. Qiu Chuji, Ke Zhen'e, and the others waited from Mid-Autumn Festival to early winter.

During this period, we kept in touch frequently, and the meeting place was "Yuelai".

The Milky Way flowed across the night sky. Dressed simply, Yang Kang arrived at the inn, went upstairs with practiced ease, and knocked on the door of a guest room.

"My disciple has arrived?" Qiu Chuji asked.

"Yes, Master, Uncle, and Master Ke are all well. Brother Guo, it's nice to see you again."

Yang Kang greeted everyone one by one, while Guo Jing poured tea and waited by Ke Zhen'e's side.

Qiu Chuji asked, "Is the Mongol army almost at Zhongdu?"

"Exactly."

Guo Jing said, "The city is in complete chaos. Isn't this the perfect opportunity to assassinate Wanyan Honglie?"

"Brother Guo is right."

Ma Yu was taken aback and asked, "From what you've said, it seems you're all prepared."

Yang Kang picked up his teacup, lowered his head to drink, and his face, with its red lips and white teeth, appeared calm and composed on the tea surface of the cup. His gaze was calm and decisive.

"Gudong, gudong..."

After finishing his tea, Yang Kang said, "Tomorrow, the King will leave the capital for Kaifeng Prefecture. Wanyan Honglie will accompany him. Ouyang Feng and his nephew are well-known figures in the martial arts world, so they will not be in the group."

Ke Zhen'e slammed his steel staff on the ground with a loud thud, and said, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Once we leave the city, we'll be escorted by a large army, so it's not advisable to make a move. We can take their heads in a few moves and then escape and hide."

Qiu Chuji also thought it was a good idea, "Reliable?"

Yang Kang nodded. "Wanyan Honglie personally told his disciple that I should accompany him."

Guo Jing, being kind and honest, said, "Brother Yang, stay away from that scoundrel Wanyan tomorrow. Once things are done, quickly rejoin us and leave Zhongdu."

"Thank you for your concern, Brother Guo."

Guo Jing said, "Uncle Yang said that he and my late father made a pact with him that we would become sworn brothers. What do you think?"

Yang Kang said, "I couldn't ask for it."

"Then let's become sworn brothers."

"it is good."

The two men reminisced about their ages. Guo Jing was born two months earlier. With Qiu Chuji and Ke Zhen'e as witnesses, Guo Jing and Yang Kang bowed eight times to each other and became sworn brothers.

Guo Jing helped Yang Kang up, and everyone sat down again. Yang Kang then explained in detail the route out of the city and the approximate number of guards he had.

As night deepened, Yang Kang took his leave, and Guo Jing saw him off at the inn.

"Brother, make sure you stay safe tomorrow. Once we've accomplished our mission, we'll go visit my Uncle Yang."

"Alright, Brother Guo, take care." Yang Kang cupped his hands in greeting, then turned and left.

The embers of the fire lingered through the long night, and the bean lamps glowed like fireflies.

Inside the guesthouse, Wang Chuyi asked Qiu Chuji, "What do you think of this matter, Senior Brother?"

"There shouldn't be any problem. The Jurchen emperor won't hold out in Zhongdu forever; he'll definitely move the capital, and the royal family members will naturally have to leave the city together."

"Well, should we tell Young Friend Zhou?"

Ke Zhen'e said, "That's not appropriate. This is an assassination attempt. Our benefactor is kind-hearted and will definitely help us upon hearing the news. He is not a member of the Jianghu and works for a security escort agency. If the Khan has captured Zhongdu, that would be fine. But if his troops are blocked outside and they are inside the city, wouldn't that bring trouble upon themselves?"

"Master Ke is indeed very thoughtful."

Ke Zhen'e smiled slightly and said, "Then let's make that decision. The blind man will go find the siblings."

"it is good."

As the inn lights went out, Ke Zhen'e suddenly flew out of the window. He had lived in "Yuelai" for a long time and knew the surrounding terrain like the back of his hand. Although no one was guiding him, the gray figure was like a large bird flying through the moonlight, rising and falling and blending into the night.

……

The Zhao Prince's mansion was abuzz with noise, like a raging ocean. The backyard, however, remained serene.

Zhou Yan sneaked into the Prince's mansion, but unsurprisingly, he was discovered by Mei Chaofeng.

Of course, this is also related to the fact that he took heavier steps.

Mei Chaofeng lived in a cave, while Huang Rong and the medicine boy lived in a deserted house on the ground.

Zhou Yan learned from Huang Rong that the main personnel of the Prince's Mansion would be leaving the capital the next day.

Outside the backyard, the mansion was in disarray, with people busy packing up valuables and valuables, so Zhou Yan saw no need to risk sneaking in. If the Six Heroes of Jiangnan, Guo Jing, and the others were to assassinate Wanyan Honglie, it would certainly be tomorrow, and within the city.

Once outside the city, with troops protecting them on all sides, there will be no further opportunity. At that point, all that's needed is to track and observe.

The two squatted on the ground, looking at the snakes in the bamboo basket by the moonlight.

Professional tasks really do need to be done by experts.

In just a few dozen days, Zhou Yan noticed that the golden scales of the two large snakes had become increasingly radiant. Red spots were faintly visible on their bellies. He pondered that if he could raise these snakes to the same level as Liang Ziweng's Treasure Snake, the time required would be significantly shortened; creatures possess spirits and grow rapidly.

“Master Zhou, at this rate, his entire abdomen will turn red within a year.”

"It was a pleasant surprise. If we raise more in the future, they'll all get a share."

The young apprentice, now quite shrewd, chuckled and said, "With two masters teaching me martial arts and Master Zhou taking care of me, I am very content."

Huang Rong had a sudden idea, "Why don't I wait until the weather gets warmer and catch a batch to take home and raise?"

"If we don't drain the pond to catch all the fish, then there's no problem."

Huang Rong tilted her head and looked at him.

Zhou Yan said, "These snakes are far more intelligent and spiritual than other species. In the struggle for survival, they cannot be wiped out by humans."

“That makes sense. Father is like that sometimes too.”

Zhou Yan chuckled and said, "I saw your father not long ago."

"By the way, where did you learn your leg techniques?" Huang Rong's mind was very quick, and the question that had been raised for almost a year was brought up again.

"On the banks of the Jingzhou River, after you borrowed the horse, a man in a blue robe asked you some questions and then taught you."

"what?"

"It should be related to you. Ask if you saw any fifteen or sixteen-year-old boys attacking the Yellow River Gang at Fenglingdu Wharf."

How did he find you?

"We were practicing martial arts by the river when the enemy sailed south in a small boat. We just happened to run into them."

“That’s my father.” Huang Rong suddenly smiled. “When I saw you use my father’s martial arts in Zhongdu, I was really surprised.”

"Perhaps if I hadn't used that leg technique, you wouldn't have suffered this undeserved disaster."

"The mandate of heaven is predetermined."

"Too."

"By the way, Wanyan Honglie is leaving the capital tomorrow. What do those who want his head think?"

"We lost contact during the escort mission, but this is the best opportunity to strike within the city."

"This is going to be interesting."

Zhou Yan smiled.

"Aren't you going?" Huang Rong asked.

“Go. Zhongdu is under lockdown. Aren’t you going to leave the city?” Zhou Yan said.

"Wouldn't it be convenient to raise snakes if they all left? I want to see what the Mongols are like when they get into the city."

"Alright, let's go. If you need any food, just come to the escort agency."

"it is good."

The conversation stopped, and the black-clad figure rose and disappeared into the night with a "whoosh."

Zhou Yan returned to the courtyard, which was quiet and still; Hong Qigong had not returned.

He sat quietly, calming his mind and practicing Quanzhen internal energy cultivation. At midnight, he washed up and rested.

As he turned off the lights, he sighed, "A storm is brewing, and the mountains are full of life."

(End of this chapter)