The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 190 A Faithful Deed Entrusted with a Mission

When the wind picks up.

Sand flies like a curtain falling, the sun hides behind the blue-yellow sky.

The monk in Zhou Yan's arms had a face as yellow as a sheet of paper.

He still had breath, but it was as faint as a wisp of smoke.

Zhou Yan, who practiced the "Heart-Shattering Palm" technique from the Nine Yin Manual, knew what the symptoms displayed on a monk's face meant.

This is because the internal organs were severely injured by the penetrating force of the "Diamond Palm".

No matter how skilled you are, you are powerless to help.

Zhou Yan placed his right palm on the "Dumb Gate" acupoint on the monk's back. Pure internal energy flowed into the monk continuously.

"Grandmaster."

During the fight inside and outside the inn, the monk was in a semi-conscious state.

Zhou Yan channeled his internal energy, and the person regained some clarity.

The monk's gaze lingered on the Indian monk, a look of satisfaction on his face. His voice trailed off, "Thank you... young hero for your righteous help."

"Master, please don't be so polite."

"This humble monk has a request."

"Speak freely, and I will do my utmost."

The monk raised his hand, slowly reached into his robe, and took out a letter.

"This humble monk hails from the Shaolin Temple in the Western Regions. My master instructed me to deliver a letter to the Shaolin Temple in the Central Plains. However, I have been struck by a severe blow and my life is hanging by a thread. I am unable to fulfill my master's mission. Young hero, could you please pass this letter on to Shaoshi Mountain?"

Zhou Yan took the letter and said, "Master, rest assured, I will certainly live up to your expectations."

"Thank you, young hero." The monk finished speaking, his gaze falling once more on the Indian monk, his breath lingering.

“I heard clearly what the master and the monk said, and I will escort the monk out of the Western Regions.”

The monk struggled to his feet, clasped his hands together, and the clear light in his eyes faded.

"Amitabha Buddha," chanted the sutra by the Indian monk to help the deceased.

Zhou Yan stood up, bowed, put the envelope in his pocket, and walked to Liang Xiaowu, who was interrogating the big man outside the inn.

The burly man had his "Tian Tu" acupoint on the Yin Wei meridian pressed. His whole body felt numb, as if a thousand ants were gnawing at his heart, but his fierce nature allowed him to endure the excruciating pain of his internal organs churning.

Liang Xiaowu immediately took some bamboo paper, soaked it in water, and covered his face with it.

In just a moment, the big man's eyes bulged out, his whole body trembled, and he was covered in cold sweat.

When the pupils constricted, Liang Xiaowu tore off the bamboo paper, waited for the other person to breathe heavily, and then covered the face with the paper again.

"I said."

The burly man collapsed and said urgently.

"Who is the monk who is with you?"

"A member of the Vajra Sect of the Western Regions."

"Tell me the details."

"Master Baohu of the Vajra Gate".

"He really is the same kind of 'Bao' (宝) generation as the monk Baoneng who was killed at the Tongguan Wharf on the Yellow River," Zhou Yan thought to himself.

How many people in the "Bao" generation of the Vajra Sect are there?

"I don't know, I really don't know."

Tell me about yourself.

"Luan Jie is one of the Seven Heroes of Yumen." The big man spoke of his nickname with considerable pride.

"What is the relationship between the Vajra Sect and the martial arts world of the Western Regions?"

Knowing that speaking his mind would lead to his being silenced, Luan Jie only wanted a quick death. He sneered, "Most of the heroes in the Western Regions martial arts world are affiliated with the Vajra Sect. Judging from your appearance, you are from a security escort agency, waiting for the Western Regions martial arts world to take revenge."

Where is the Vajra Gate?

"West of Kunlun Mountains".

Why target the Shaolin monks from the Western Regions?

"We will obey Master Baohu's orders."

Zhou Yan deduced the general idea from the situation.

Luan Jie's statement that most of the heroes in the Western Regions martial arts world heeded the call of the Vajra Sect might be an exaggeration, but there were indeed scoundrels who aided and abetted evil. The bandits encountered at Tongguan were among them.

The Western Regions are vast and sparsely populated, unlike the Shaolin Temple on Mount Song, which has a continuous lineage, countless believers, and thriving incense offerings.

Given Huo Toutuo's ferocious nature and modus operandi, the survival of the Vajra Sect was based on conquering various martial arts sects in the Western Regions through martial arts and collecting money. In short, they were no different from gangs like the Yellow River Gang.

"Is there anything else you want to ask? If not, just give me a straight answer."

"it is good."

Zhou Yan pressed his finger on the opponent's vital acupoint, the Qi penetrating and clashing wildly with the Qi and blood, causing the Hua Gai Tian Tu acupoint to collapse upwards and the Shen Que Qi Hai acupoint to crumble downwards.

Luan Jie died instantly, his life force exhausted.

Zhou Yan walked toward the Indian monk.

"Young hero, you are kind and benevolent. You have fulfilled Master Tiancong's wish. Well done, well done."

It turns out that this master from the Shaolin Temple in the Western Regions belongs to the "Tian" generation. It is unknown whether the current abbot of Shaolin Temple is still Ku Cheng, or a high monk of the "Ku" or "Tian" generation.

Zhou Yan thought this through and bowed, saying, "I just heard that the divine monk is skilled in medicine. There happens to be a patient in my group. Would the divine monk be so kind as to take a look?"

"Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Young hero, lead the way."

"please!"

Duan Chaoxi witnessed the whole process. He knew the rule that the caravan should not cause trouble when traveling. He was puzzled by Zhou Yan's intervention to save people. Wasn't this just asking for trouble?
However, knowing his lack of experience in the martial arts world and Zhou Yan's deep trust from his father, he remained silent and observed until now, when he finally understood the other party's purpose.

He suddenly recalled his father's words: Zhou Yan was the future of Fu'an. If he stayed in Fu'an, he could open a branch and be appointed as the chief镖头 (chief镖头, a position in charge of security escorts).

How could Duan Chaoxi keep a镖头 (bodyguard/escort) in Fu'an who viewed money as something external? Lost in thought, Duan Chaoxi hurried over to the carved carriage.

The Indian monk entered the carriage, took Zhou Yan's pulse, inquired about how his employer in Fu'an had been injured, and then examined his head.

After it was over, Zhou Yan asked, "How was it?"

"It is treatable."

Zhou Yan was overjoyed.

"The patient has intracranial hemorrhage and needs to have a hole drilled with a fine copper chopstick."

"Oh, how can this be allowed?" Madam Duan's expression changed drastically upon hearing about the skull drilling. Duan Chaoxi also looked incredulous.

"Chief镖师, I have something to say."

Zhou Yan got out of the car, and Duan Chaoxi said, "I know the head镖师's sincere heart, but where in the world is there a treatment that can remove blood stasis by drilling the skull?"

Zhou Yan thought to himself that the Duan family's ancestor served as the Protector-General of the Western Regions during the Han Dynasty, and Hua Tuo at that time had such abilities.

"Why don't we let the employer make the decision?"

Duan Chaoxi hesitated for a moment, then said, "Okay!"

"it is good!"

Zhou Yan returned to the carriage, helped Duan Huai'an up, pressed his palm against the "Dumb Gate" acupoint, and used the Quanzhen Heart Sutra to intercept the warm and pure Qi of the Jade Guanyin and transmit it into the body of Fu'an's former employer.

The purest and most yang internal energy soothed his muscles and tendons. After a hundred breaths, Duan Huai'an groaned and awoke.

He looked around and asked, "Brother Zhou, Chaoxi, what's going on?"

Zhou Yan explained the situation concisely.

Duan Huai'an smiled faintly: "I'll listen to Brother Zhou."

“Sir, it’s still hundreds of miles to Wuwei. Wouldn’t it be better to pay respects to our ancestors properly here? We can talk about it once we reach Wuwei, but at least we should find a clinic.”

Duan Huai'an said, "If it weren't for Brother Zhou using his internal energy to prolong my life, I would have died long ago, and I wouldn't be here now."

After saying this, he looked at Zhou Yan and said, "Brother Zhou, please tell the monk that there is no need for any reservations."

"it is good."

Zhou Yan stepped out of the carriage and subtly relayed Duan Huai'an's message to the Indian monk waiting outside, asking, "Is there anything else the monk needs?"

"Intoxicating flower, raw aconite, fragrant angelica, angelica sinensis, chuanxiong, arisaema, silk."

"Arrange for someone to purchase it; it will be returned within two hours."

The place they passed through was about two hundred miles away from the nearest county town. Zhou Yan had Liang Xiaowu ride the "Night-Shining Jade Lion" and lead a horse to fetch medicine, and also to buy blood-activating and bone-strengthening ingredients from the county town.

The two riders will take turns, and will return in the evening.

……

Scattered clouds form mist, creating a hazy atmosphere; the mist dissipates, and clouds return to their former state. A large, round, red and gold mirror, dispelling all clouds and mist, illuminates heaven and earth.

Light streamed in through the inn's windows, and Zhou Yan witnessed the entire treatment process that the Indian monk performed on Duan Huai'an.

Shaving, disinfection, drilling, removing blood clots, and bandaging.

Based on Zhou Yan's knowledge of living two lives, Duan Huai'an's head hit the ground when he rolled down the stairs, causing a head injury. The bruising must have been caused by compression of blood vessels or nerves.

After nearly an hour, the Indian monk looked tired.

"Thank you for your trouble, Venerable Monk."

"polite."

"How is the situation?"

The Indian monk said, "You should be able to wake up by noon. Then find a doctor and get some medicinal food to help you improve blood circulation and strengthen your bones. You should be fully recovered in about a month."

"The monk will gather some information and I will then relay it to my master."

"Once you awaken, I will head south."

"I have been entrusted by Master Tiancong to go to Shaolin Temple on Mount Song. Master, you may stay at the inn for a day. We can travel together by carriage and horse, which will not delay our journey. Once we reach Zhongdu, we can arrange for someone to escort us to western Hunan."

"How does this work?"

“Divine Monk, you may not know this, but the Central Plains are currently in turmoil, with bandits roaming around. The dangers are no less than those in the Western Regions. Your master runs a security escort agency and is familiar with the routes. Divine Monk, you are concerned about the safety of the people in India who are suffering from poisonous insects. We cannot be careless.”

The monk was magnanimous, and Zhou Yan was sincere.

"In that case, I'll trouble you, young hero."

"polite."

The errand boy disposed of the corpse and received several hundred taels of silver, which Zhou Yan handed over to the innkeeper. After everyone left, he instructed the innkeeper to pack up his valuables and find another place to run the business.

The shopkeeper was extremely grateful and arranged for his staff to treat him with great hospitality.

The waiter led the Indian monk to the guest room to rest, and Zhou Yan went downstairs to tell Duan Huai'an's wife and Duan Chaoxi about Duan Huai'an's condition.

The mother and son wept with joy, embracing each other and crying bitterly.

Mu Nianci was also filled with sorrow. Fallen leaves return to their roots to usher in the new spring; life is unpredictable.

Around noon, Duan Huai'an awoke. He was physically weak, but his mental state was vastly different from before.

Following Zhou Yan's instructions, Liang Xiaowu purchased wild ginseng and black-boned chicken.

Duan Huai'an ate black chicken and ginseng soup, and by evening, his complexion had improved significantly.

Zhou Yan then recounted in detail what had happened at the inn and the matter of the Western Shaolin Temple entrusting him with a mission.

Upon hearing this, Duan Huai'an said, "I was able to be brought back from the dead thanks to the two eminent monks and Brother Zhou. I have been entrusted with this task and cannot delay it. I am going to Wuwei to pay respects to my ancestors and recuperate for a period of time. What arrangements do you have for me, Brother Zhou?"

Duan Huai'an addressed Zhou Yan as brother during the journey, and he will continue to do so now.

"Let Master Mu escort our master to Wuwei, while Xiao Wu and I will accompany the high monk to Zhongdu. Xiao Wu is familiar with the Xiangxi route, so he will escort him, and I will go to Songshan."

"good."

……

Hiding by day and traveling by night, we traversed the vast desert, the wind gentle and the moon like a hook.

As night fell, the team set off.

Duan Huai'an arranged a carved carriage for the Indian monk to ride in, while Mu Nianci led twelve escorts to Wuwei.

Liang Xiaowu drove the chariot, and Zhou Yan rode the "Night-Shining Jade Lion." The group split into two, each heading north and south.

Before leaving, Duan Huai'an gave the innkeeper a gold ingot. The innkeeper was overjoyed and packed his belongings that night, taking his family and staff with him to a distant place.

Zhou Yan and his two companions traveled swiftly and without incident, arriving in Zhongdu under the blazing July sun.

……

In the waters off Zhoushan, there are lush islands where, from a distance, the trees and flowers display clusters of green, red, yellow, and purple, creating a truly magnificent sight.

Huang Rong left the island, leaped onto the large ship, and the mute servant set sail.

A white dress flows freely, hair dances in the long wind.

Huang Rong pondered:
"How can I trick Zhou Yan into accompanying me on a journey to explore and discover mysteries? And where should we go?"

(End of this chapter)