The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 203 Two Ultimate Techniques Within Easy Reach

Goodbye, Seventh Master.

"Don't send it, don't send it."

At the foot of Zhongnan Mountain, Hong Qigong waved to Li Mochou, then turned around and walked side by side with Zhou Yan.

Last night, Ouyang Feng, Huang Yaoshi, and others left, while Zhou Yan, Li Mochou, and Hong Qigong chatted around the campfire.

Li Mochou completely let go of her worries and became very sweet-talking, calling Hong Qigong "senior" very diligently.

Hong Qigong was a man who did not concern himself with formalities, so he said that since they were so familiar with each other, he could just call him Qigong.

Zhou Yan directly referred to himself as "Seventh Master," and Li Mochou followed suit.

The martial arts competition proceeded as scheduled.

Both Zhou Yan and Li Mochou abandoned the martial arts passed down by Hong Qigong, the Quanzhen Sect, and the Ancient Tomb Sect. Zhou Yan only used the Hengshan Five Divine Swords and Yue Family Fist to fight Li Mochou.

Such a competition is actually just a friendly exchange.

Zhou Yan actually intended to demonstrate the martial arts technique created by Yue Fei to Hong Qigong.

The more proficient he became in this technique, the more he believed that if Yue Pengju lived in the world of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, he would definitely be a master no less than the Five Greats.

For someone of Hong Qigong's stature, it was perfectly normal for him to observe the Yue Family Boxing Technique and refine three or five moves.

During the exchange, Zhou Yan noticed that Hong Qigong was exceptionally focused when he used the "Yue Family Freehand Technique".

By returning the favor, the goal was achieved.

The contest between the two ended with Zhou Yan emerging victorious, and Li Mochou then suggested that they compete again in six months.

Hong Qigong chuckled, clearly seeing that the other party was using a martial arts contest as an excuse to arrange a meeting every six months.

Zhou Yan did not believe Ouyang Ke's words that he would not make things difficult for the Ancient Tomb from now on. He had already planned to resign from his position as head镖头 (bodyguard) and go into seclusion for a period of time when he had free time. Going to Zhongnan Mountain would allow him to protect the three members of the Ancient Tomb and visit Wang Chuyi, Ma Yu, and others during his cultivation, killing two birds with one stone. So he naturally agreed.

The sorrow that had been etched on Li Mochou's brow finally subsided because Zhou Yan was returning to Dadu.

As dawn broke, they chatted about Hong Qigong's descent from the mountain in the middle of the night. Duan Huai'an had come back from the dead, and the Indian monk had arrived in western Hunan. The grand banquet of heroes in Zhongdu was something Zhou Yan could choose to watch or not; what he cared about now was when the Vajra Sect would ascend Mount Song.

Therefore, Zhou Yan was not in a hurry to go back. He went to the market to buy some medicine to get rid of snakes and insects, and waited until the ancient tomb was completely settled before going to Zhongdu.

Along the way, Zhou Yan told Hong Qigong about Lu Youjiao's message that he had arrived ahead of time, and the conversation naturally turned to Mount Song.

"When the caravan went to the Western Regions, they encountered the Shaolin monks of the Western Regions being ambushed by the Vajra Gate monks. Master Tiancong of the Western Regions Shaolin was seriously injured and died. Before leaving for the west, he entrusted me to deliver a letter to the Shaolin Temple on Mount Song."

"Shaolin Temple in the Western Regions?"

"I have never heard of it before."

"Ah."

Zhou Yan thought it was normal; the Shaolin Temple kept the matter under wraps, so people in the martial arts world were unaware of the Fire-Worker Monk.

“I sent a letter to Shaoshi Mountain and learned from Abbot Kucheng that the Vajra Sect of the Western Regions and Shaolin Temple had an old feud. Master Tiancong’s letter said that the Vajra Sect was going south to challenge Shaolin.”

"What's going on with the Vajra Sect?"

“Master Kucheng didn’t say, but the Vajra Sect and the Changfeng Escort Agency in Datong Prefecture have some dealings. When I was escorting goods to Xianyang, I was robbed by bandits at the Tongguan Yellow River Wharf. The leader’s martial arts were no less than mine; he was from the Vajra Sect and was hired by the Changfeng Escort Agency. Would you be interested in coming to Shaoshi Mountain then, Seventh Master?”

"Of course, now that you've heard the news, how can you not go and watch the excitement of such a major event in the martial world? Are you perhaps thinking of seeking revenge against the Vajra Sect?"

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Of course."

"Old beggar should go and take a look. When we get to Zhongdu, have Lu Youjiao pass on the message that the little beggars along the route from Zhongdu to Songshan should keep an eye out for visitors from the Western Regions."

"Thank you, Master Qi. This will save me a lot of trouble."

"You're really not going to be a bodyguard anymore?"

"I'm getting into more and more trouble, and I'm afraid it will implicate the escort agency. Going out into the martial world will be a good experience."

"Very well. With your current skill level, you'll be famous throughout the martial arts world in less than five years."

"I only ask that I act with a clear conscience."

"Well said, I think you deserve a place in the Mount Hua Sword Competition."

"Seventh Master's words are auspicious."

"Haha!" Hong Qigong took a swig from his wine gourd and drank heartily, shouting how delightful it was.

The two parted ways at the market. Zhou Yan bought snake and insect repellent and several jars of strong liquor. When he returned to Zhongnan Mountain by the same route, he deactivated all the traps that had been set up but not triggered.

……

Azure skies, yellow leaves on the ground, autumn colors stretching across the waves, and cold mist rising from the water.

The scenery changes constantly as you walk down the mountain, creating a magnificent landscape painting.

Before Zhou Yan even reached the ancient tomb, he heard a cry of "Oh dear!"

He quickened his pace, only to see Li Mochou carrying white silk in both hands. With a wave of her hands, two white silk ribbons meandered out like water snakes, accompanied by the tinkling sound of golden bells.

Suddenly, as Li Mochou exerted her strength, the ribbon lashed back, and Li Mochou, unable to dodge in time, was struck by it. "Ah, why is this so difficult to practice?" Li Mochou lamented.

For a moment, Zhou Yan was in a daze. The Li Mochou in front of him seemed to overlap with the Little Dragon Girl from The Condor Heroes, and then they separated. The other party waved her long silk ribbon, and he felt as if she was using the "Silver Dust Brush Skill".

"The head镖师 (镖头, a term referring to a镖师 who is skilled in escorting goods)."

Hearing Zhou Yan's footsteps, Li Mochou put away her long silk ribbon and walked over gracefully.

"I've never seen you practice this kind of technique before?" Zhou Yan said with a smile, snapping out of his daze.

"They had been practicing before the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) arrived, thinking they could use a surprise attack to win in a critical moment, but they weren't ready yet."

"Is it difficult to practice?"

"The key is to grasp the right rhythm; you can't do whatever you want."

"This is medicine to repel snakes and insects. Sprinkle some more." Zhou Yan handed the medicine to the other party and said, "I have been practicing boxing for a long time and have quite a bit of experience with force. When you are done with your business, tell me about 'entangling force,' 'twisting force,' 'collapse force,' and 'penetrating force,' which may be of some help."

"It would be impolite to refuse." Because of their familiarity, Li Mochou did not decline and accepted the thanks generously.

“If I don’t say that, Ouyang Ke’s words are not to be trusted. He will definitely do more evil.”

Li Mochou chuckled.

"What's wrong?"

"Thinking back to the first time we met, you said, 'A seemingly honest and upright man's words cannot be trusted.'"

Zhou Yan let out a snort.

Li Mochou took the medicine and said, "Then I'll go now. Junior Sister is afraid of snakes and insects."

"Okay, I'll go for a walk in the mountains too."

After Li Mochou left, Zhou Yan packed his belongings, took a tinderbox and flint, found pine branches to make torches, wrapped them properly in felt, and headed straight for the valley where an underground river led to the ancient tomb.

The secret chamber containing Chongyang's inscriptions contains the "White Python Whip Technique" from the Nine Yin Manual. He hadn't memorized it before, but now he could write it down for Li Mochou, to benefit her cultivation with the Silk Ribbon Golden Ball.

At midday, under the bright autumn sun, Zhou Yan arrived at the stone cave in the valley.

He memorized the "Secret Manual of Acupressure," "Secret Manual of Breath Holding," and "Secret Manual of Acupressure Release" from the secret chamber, and naturally practiced these skills. Now, he can hold his breath and pass through the underground river as if he were strolling in a garden.

……

With a splash, Zhou Yan leaped out of the underground river and landed. He opened the felt cloth, took the flint and tinder from the oilcloth, lit the torch, and walked smoothly towards the secret chamber.

The light from the burning pine branches illuminated the stone chamber, and Zhou Yan stepped inside.

Under the bright light, the words engraved on the gold needles came into Zhou Yan's view.

He was taken aback, and for a fleeting moment wondered if he had overlooked it during his previous visit to the ancient tomb. He quickly dismissed that notion; someone must have been there.

Upon closer inspection, the words "Falling Flower Divine Sword Palm" came into view.

"Has Huang Yaoshi been here?" Zhou Yan went to the other side, where the words "Instant Thousand Miles" lightness skill were engraved.

It dawned on him.

When Huang Yaoshi and Ouyang Feng arrived at the ancient tomb one after the other, they must have come from the secret chamber to get here. As he thought about it, more details came to mind. At that time, the clothes of the Eastern Heretic and the Western Poison were half wet.

Zhou Yan, following the lead, muttered to himself, "It must have been Ouyang Feng catching snakes and accidentally discovering the stone cave. Huang Yaoshi, searching for Huang Rong, happened to encounter Ouyang Feng, and that's how the two of them entered the stone chamber."

"How did Ouyang Feng discover the secret of the stone chamber?" Zhou Yan was puzzled. Finally, he turned his attention back to the two unique skills of Peach Blossom Island and White Camel Mountain.

As for why the martial arts manual was left on the stone wall, Zhou Yan could easily guess that it must have been Huang Yaoshi's doing. Perhaps it was because he was well-versed in the Five Elements, Eight Trigrams, and Qimen Dunjia. He felt that Huang Yaoshi was the one among the Five Greats who believed most in fate and karma.

Otherwise, in the world of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, when Ouyang Feng brought Ouyang Ke to propose marriage, and Guo Jing recited the Nine Yin Manual on Peach Blossom Island, Huang Yaoshi wouldn't have said that Feng Heng appeared and used Guo Jing's words to pass on the Nine Yin Manual to him.

Ouyang Feng, on the contrary, showed no respect for ghosts or gods.

Zhou Yan gladly accepted the two unique skills.

"Instant Thousand Miles" and the Ancient Tomb Lightness Skill each have their own merits and are both top-notch lightness skills. "Falling Blossom Divine Sword Palm" needs no further explanation. When used, it is like a sudden gust of wind in a peach forest, causing thousands of flowers to fall. Moreover, it complements the "Whirlwind Sweeping Leaves Retreat" taught by Huang Yaoshi.

With this in mind, Zhou Yan began to memorize the techniques without any distractions. After about two hours, he had memorized all three martial arts techniques, including the "White Bone Whip Technique," without missing a single word.

He reviewed the inscription, then left the stone chamber and returned the way he came. Before descending into the underground river, he thought to himself, "Since Huang Yaoshi has read Chongyang's inscription, he should release Zhou Botong after returning to Peach Blossom Island. Otherwise, if Guo Jing's storyline changes, the Old Urchin won't know when he will be able to leave Peach Blossom Island."

Less than half an incense stick's time later, Zhou Yan surfaced and waded forward. After a few steps, he suddenly stopped, and a serpent emerged from the water and quickly disappeared.

He was taken aback, then suddenly realized what was going on.

Ouyang Feng went to the valley to catch snakes and saw snakes and insects that had escaped from the ancient tomb. He guessed that the underground river led directly to the ancient tomb and wanted to attack it by surprise. However, he accidentally discovered Chongyang's inscription. The snakes and insects that were escaping were actually poisoned by Li Mochou.

The Western Poison could never have imagined that he would arrive at the stone chamber and memorize the "Instant Thousand Miles" technique so soon after the Western Poison left.

God willing.

Zhou Yan sighed, put on his clothes, and headed straight for the ancient tomb.

(End of this chapter)