The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 194 Jade Maiden Heart Sutra Sword Technique
"laugh"

The pebble pierced the air and struck a spearhead viper squarely.

The force was just right, enough to paralyze the large venomous snake without killing it.

"With the 'Flick of the Finger' technique, things are indeed much more convenient." Zhou Yan moved swiftly, caught the venomous snake, applied the venom to a bamboo arrow, flicked his finger, and his inner force shot out from the "Guangchong" acupoint, killing the snake.

The venom of large poisonous snakes is used to coat bamboo arrows to make arrow traps, while the snakes themselves can be roasted and eaten.

Lu Youjiao said the other side had more than thirty people. Zhou Yan estimated that at the very least, it was a mistake by the escorts from Changfeng Escort Agency. Ordinary traps would be difficult to use effectively, and the safest method would be a bow and arrow trap made of green bamboo.

He catches snakes to extract venom and cuts down bamboo and wood; he has made more than a dozen such traps.

I don't know how many times I've faced the enemy, but as a镖人 (bodyguard/escort), most of the time I'm on the defensive, and I rarely have the opportunity to calmly deploy my forces.

Although his opponent was Ouyang Feng, Zhou Yan still felt like he was hunting.

Lin Chaoying's maid stood on a hill not far from the ancient tomb, watching Zhou Yan make traps, find a stone cave to light a campfire to roast food, and then come out to continue her enthusiastic work on trap making.

Prejudice in people's hearts is a mountain that cannot be climbed, and the ancient tomb is gone. She recalled Zhou Yan's words again. In the twilight, the setting sun was like fire, and a sigh drifted in the gentle breeze.

Lin Chaoying's maidservant made several leaps and bounds to the ancient tomb, her figure disappearing into the corner of the setting sun.

……

"Zhou, the镖头 (bodyguard)!"

A clear voice suddenly rang out, and Li Mochou moved gracefully and swiftly towards him.

Zhou Yan smiled. Since the fate of the ancient tomb was at stake, Lin Chaoying's maidservant compromised and agreed to let her practice swordsmanship.

Li Mochou seemed a little thinner, but her face was even more exquisitely beautiful.

Li Mochou, who came into Zhou Yan's sight, smiled charmingly, but in reality, she was already under extreme control of her emotions. Her heart was already turbulent and surging like the underground river beneath the ancient tomb.

If she could forget, she would have already taken over his mantle and freely entered and exited the ancient tomb.

When Zhou Yan went to the Western Regions, Li Mochou was imprisoned. He escorted the Indian monk to Zhongdu and then went to Shaolin Temple, which took nearly two months.

Lin Chaoying's maid managed to keep Li Mochou locked up for such a long time.

The more Li Mochou tried to forget her feelings, the more deeply etched those memories became within her.

However, she didn't neglect her martial arts training at all. Zhou Yan taught her the "Yi Jin Duan Gu" chapter of the Nine Yin Manual to ensure Li Mochou's safety and protect the ancient tomb. When Lin Chaoying's maid asked, Li Mochou always replied that she still couldn't forget him. Even after he left, she diligently practiced her skills, hoping to exchange her master's forgiveness for an improvement in her cultivation level.

Zhou Yan could tell from Li Mochou's movements that her skill had improved significantly.

Li Mochou, however, felt that the Zhou language had changed even more.

Tall and elegant, he now possessed a touch more of the unrestrained, hermit-like air of the mountains and forests, and a touch more of the noble air of a prince. The remaining four parts were his familiar demeanor.

Li Mochou's senses were influenced by two factors: firstly, Zhou Yan's improved cultivation level, and secondly, the events she had experienced in the past six months since returning from Zhongnan Mountain, which were far more dramatic than simple escort missions. Her involvement, thinking, making decisions, and implementing these experiences had unconsciously enhanced her temperament.

"Senior agrees to practice swordsmanship?" Zhou Yan asked as Li Mochou approached.

Li Mochou perked up and said, "Yes, I've already said that. However, Master doesn't allow Junior Sister to leave the Ancient Tomb during this period."

"this is necessary."

"What are you doing?"

"An arrow trap, coated with snake venom, will incapacitate the enemy if it hits, even if it doesn't kill them. Then, use poisonous bees for a surprise attack. The fewer enemies we lose, the more time we can buy, waiting for Senior Hong to arrive."

"Yes, the duel is indeed approaching soon." Li Mochou sighed, "Time flies like an arrow," then excitedly added, "Our swordsmanship was greatly enhanced after our last collaboration. I secretly studied it after returning home, and guess what?"

"The Quanzhen Swordplay and the Ancient Tomb Swordplay are like the two poles of Yin and Yang; when combined, they have the power to reverse the universe."

"You're really clever; you figured it out back then. I was deep in thought in the ancient tomb, and I also read the martial arts manual 'Jade Maiden Heart Sutra' passed down by my master, which finally solved my problem. By the way, Master also explained the external cultivation method of the Heart Sutra."

A gentle breeze swept across the hillside, Li Mochou's hair fluttered in the wind, and her long sword gleamed three feet. "Now we may begin our cultivation."

Zhou Yan scoffed. Lin Chaoying's maid had taken precautions and had not taught him the "Jade Maiden Heart Sutra" internal skills. As for the reason behind it, he knew it himself.

They need to undress and practice martial arts. Practicing external martial arts is their bottom line.

Zhou Yan didn't take it seriously.

Ouyang Feng and his nephew wouldn't delay their journey to the Ancient Tomb for ten or fifteen days. Time waits for no one. Even if Lin Chaoying allowed it, they still wouldn't be able to cultivate the internal energy of the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra. It would be enough if they could master the external energy.

"There's no rush. Let's finish setting up the arrow traps and eat our fill before practicing swordsmanship."

"Okay, I'll help you."

With Li Mochou joining, the progress accelerated.

Unless it is a rare and extremely poisonous substance, Zhou Yan is immune to all poisons. He catches snakes and toads, and in two days in Baicao Valley, he can identify several types of poisonous plants. He extracts the poison, and Li Mochou makes bamboo arrows. By the time night falls, Zhou Yan has already set up more than forty traps on the path leading to the ancient tomb and in the surrounding woods and bamboo groves.

The campfire cast a dim, yellowish glow on Li Mochou's face, making her look as beautiful as a peach blossom. The water on the fire boiled, and the two of them ate the dry rations Zhou Yan had bought from the market, along with some roasted, golden-brown snake meat.

Li Mochou's life in the ancient tomb was monotonous, while Zhou Yan's was the exact opposite.

Time seemed to rewind to two years ago at the mountain temple on the outskirts of Datong Prefecture, where Li Mochou listened to Zhou Yan recount some interesting stories about the martial arts world and techniques for protecting oneself.

She was filled with emotion. In just about two hundred days, Zhou Yan had gained such a wealth of experience, from the northern frontier with its westerly winds to the misty rain and apricot blossoms of Jiangnan. She even felt a little envious of the life of a镖师 (bodyguard/escort).

After they had eaten, Li Mochou said, "According to the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra, for two people to combine their swords, they need to become familiar with each other's sword techniques. Let me first tell you about the Jade Maiden Sword Technique."

Zhou Yan had watched Li Mochou practice her skills at the Mountain God Temple and the ancient tomb in Datong Prefecture, and had already memorized a lot of them. He said, "You should familiarize yourself with the Quanzhen Sword Technique first."

“Your comprehension is far superior to mine, so you will definitely learn the ‘Jade Maiden Sword Technique’ very quickly. I’ll listen to you.”

To practice the Quanzhen Sword Technique, one must first comprehend the internal cultivation method.

"In the initial cultivation of the Great Dao, the nine orifices are opened, and the first orifice is located at the coccyx. First, start by surging from the sole of the foot (Yongquan point), then gradually move up to the knee. After passing the knee, slowly descend to the coccyx, and then rapidly rotate at the top of the head (Niwan point)..."

Zhou Yan began by teaching Wang Chuyi the "Song of the Great Dao of Quanzhen," and then proceeded to elaborate on the internal martial arts of Quanzhen. Li Mochou had many questions, such as "the twelve-story tower" and "the golden lock and the magpie bridge." When he explained these concepts, Li Mochou saw Zhou Yan as a learned scholar and a master of classical studies.

She was a passionate lover, and Zhou Yan's figure became increasingly clear and distinct.

At midnight, Li Mochou understood the Quanzhen Martial Arts.

Zhou Yan poured himself a drink and drank it down, then rose, sword in hand.

"Raising the sails and lifting the oars," "Using the soft oars," "A small oar and a light boat," "Fishing on the Tiaoxi River," "A single leaf in a small boat"—the forty-nine moves of the Quanzhen Swordplay are linked together, one after another, like shooting stars streaking across the sky, like snow gathering in the Milky Way, engaging in combat and counterattacks, ancient and grand.

He used it twice and broke down the moves once, and Li Mochou was already able to remember the general idea.

"It's my turn to teach you the 'Jade Maiden Sword Technique'."

"Okay, we'll practice together then."

Li Mochou also first taught the method of guiding qi, and then demonstrated the sword moves. The improvement of her internal energy cultivation brought about Li Mochou's sword skills. Her figure was graceful and her posture was soft and slow, just like a fairy dancing in the air.

In less than an hour, the "Jade Maiden Sword Technique" was fully applied to Zhou Yan.

The two pondered their sword techniques, unaware of how much time had passed. The iron-gray sky had faded, and a magnificent sunrise appeared.

"Why don't we try a move?"

"Right on my mind."

When the two arrived at a slightly open area in front of the ancient tomb, Zhou Yan used the Quanzhen Sword Technique, which Li Mochou countered with the Jade Maiden Sword Technique.

Li Mochou used the Quanzhen Swordplay, which Zhou Yan countered with the Jade Maiden Swordplay. The Jade Maiden Swordplay was the nemesis of the Quanzhen Swordplay, each move perfectly suppressing its techniques, leaving them unable to move, a constant, tit-for-tat exchange. However, there was a difference in their skill levels; Zhou Yan's moves were driven by momentum, his swordplay less archaic and more swift, leaving Li Mochou helpless.

Suddenly, two sword lights appeared one after the other. Li Mochou lightly slashed her longsword and casually made a move, sending up a white light. Zhou Yan's sword move arrived first after the move, sending up a blue light. The blue and white lights intertwined and transformed into a dazzling array of colors. The sword flowers fell like stars, scattering down. When the two swords came together, their power was unparalleled.

Zhou Yan used the Quanzhen Swordplay move "A Leaf on a Flat Boat," while Li Mochou countered with the Jade Maiden Swordplay move "Painting Eyebrows with a Colorful Brush." ​​Both moves were horizontal slashes, but Zhou Yan's longsword swept several feet from left to right, causing Li Mochou's sword to tremble only slightly. The two moves combined to form the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra Swordplay move "Playing the Qin and Flute."

Zhou Yan's swordplay was imbued with intent, and Li Mochou sensed it. A sliver of her gaze swept over him, and a shy smile bloomed on her fragrant face.

(End of this chapter)