The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 209 Eight Thousand Miles of Clouds and Moon

"hehe!"

What does "hehe" mean?

Upon hearing that Shi Bowei had invited Zhou Yan, Huang Rong excitedly told Zhou Yan that they would go to the Ten Thousand Beasts Manor on another day after Shi Bowei left.

If it were just an ordinary paradise, how could it have attracted Huang Rong? But Huang Rong had a playful nature, and the words "ten thousand beasts" happened to appeal to her interests, so she couldn't help but feel longing and couldn't resist inviting them.

Zhou Yan chuckled, which is why Huang Rong asked the question.

"I can't help myself."

Huang Rong pouted.

She disguised herself as a man, deliberately changing her voice, way of speaking, and facial expressions. Perhaps because Ouyang Ke revealed her true gender in public, she has less of a disguise now, and her every move is increasingly reminiscent of "Rong'er" from the Legend of the Condor Heroes world.

"I was just saying roughly."

"If you agree, you must keep your word. But what if you're in the mood and I'm not available?"

There are too many unpredictable things in life.

Looking back on her experiences with Zhou Yan, Huang Rong found them quite extraordinary.

They met because of a "Jade Lion Under the Night," and because of his identity as a bodyguard, he escorted her, who was on the verge of death, all the way to Taihu Lake. After that, she had a wonderful trip to places like Snake Valley in the suburbs of Xiangyang, Iron Palm Mountain, Lin'an Palace, and western Hunan.

Life on Peach Blossom Island is never this dramatic.

The镖头 (镖头, a type of镖师, is) intelligent. Although his martial arts skills are not as good as his father's, he is now a master in the martial arts world with few rivals. He can provide protection, shares many ideas with others, and has the same unconventional nature as his father. This is the most rare quality, making him an excellent partner.

He was just too fixated on his identity as a bodyguard.

She read it aloud and said, "Then let's do it today, no other time."

Huang Rong, having settled for second best, thought to herself, "Do you think I have no other options? Ha, I have plenty of other things to consider."

Zhou Yan's gaze had already moved past Huang Rong to the side of the woods, and he smiled, "Island Master Huang has arrived."

Huang Rong turned around and saw her father, dressed in green, approaching swiftly.

"Father." She ran over happily, took Huang Yaoshi's hand, and reached out to remove the mask Huang Yaoshi was wearing. The hazy starlight revealed the elegant and serene face of Xiao Shuxuan, the master of Peach Blossom Island.

Zhou Yan stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting: "This junior greets Island Master Huang."

Huang Yaoshi had a good impression of Zhou Yan because Zhou Yan refused to become Hong Qigong's disciple, because he said "I never pay attention to a person's background, I only discuss what I think should be discussed" when they were in Zhongnan Mountain, because Zhou Yan saved Huang Rong's life, and also because of the "Wumu's Legacy".

Huang Yaoshi nodded, but instead of offering thanks, he said directly, "The 'Finger Flicking Skill' you have learned only uses the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian and the Hand Jueyin Separate Meridian. I will now explain the method of circulating Qi through the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian and the Separate Meridian."

Zhou Yan suddenly realized that, just like when Huang Yaoshi taught the "Whirlwind Sweeping Leaf Kick" by the river in Jingzhou, the Eastern Heretic was going to use the "Finger Flicking Divine Skill" to offset the favor he owed Huang Rong for the "Martial Arts Manual" and the Heroes' Banquet.

Huang Yaoshi, true to his own ways, concisely explained to Zhou Yan the methods of circulating internal energy along the main and secondary meridians, as well as the techniques for solidifying acupoints.

After uttering the last word, he said to Zhou Yan, "Your internal strength is considerable, and you possess two methods of 'Finger Flicking Divine Skill' to guide your Qi. With diligent practice, given time, injuring someone with a finger will be a piece of cake."

"Thank you, senior."

"No need for that," Huang Yaoshi declined the thanks, then turned to Huang Rong and said, "Let's go."

"Daddy!"

Huang Yaoshi's face darkened, and Huang Rong stuck out her tongue, "I'll listen to Father."

"Senior, walk slowly."

Huang Yaoshi nodded, Huang Rong winked at Zhou Yan, and then turned and followed him away.

The two separated, and Huang Yaoshi asked, "Did you teach him the 'Finger Flicking Skill'?"

"Of course."

"Why was it taught when facing a powerful enemy?"

Huang Rong chuckled, "In Baicao Valley in Xiangxi, I wanted to eat bamboo rats, but he couldn't shoot them with his giant bow, so I taught him how."

Huang Yaoshi smiled. This reason was more acceptable to him than the one about Zhou Yan encountering a powerful enemy and Huang Rong passing on her skills to repel the enemy.

"That kid has good talent."

"A little worse than Father."

Huang Yaoshi laughed heartily. Having found his daughter and obtained the Nine Yin Manual, he was in high spirits. Father and daughter left hand in hand.
……

"Brother Zhou is back."

After Huang Yaoshi left, Zhou Yan vividly remembered the "Finger Flicking Divine Skill" and the method of guiding Qi in the Lesser Yin Heart Sutra and the Separate Sutra. Without lingering, he headed straight for the escort agency.

Zhang Wangyue, Hu Yanlei, and others were all in the council hall.

When he went in, Yang Tiexin greeted him and poured him tea.

"Thank you, senior." Zhou Yan took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and asked, "How's the banquet going?"

Hu Yanlei laughed heartily: "The place is a mess, and more than 80% of the heroes from all walks of life have dispersed."

"However, nearly half of the dozens of people who obtained seats during the day stayed behind."

“Pursuing fame and fortune is perfectly normal,” Zhou Yan said.

"really."

"That monk is truly remarkable." Wang Kui recounted with a smile the scene of Jinlun Fawang being pushed into the crowd by Hong Qigong with a single palm strike, while also praising the monk's martial arts skills.

"Slightly stronger than the Iron Palm Gang leader I once fought, but inferior to Gang Leader Hong, Island Master Huang, and others," Zhou Yan gave a fair assessment.

"But we still can't do anything to Brother Zhou." Hu Yanlei laughed heartily.

"His disadvantage lies in his lack of practical experience," Zhou Yan said with a smile.

"I can also see that in the future, if any of you brothers encounter Huo Du, be extra careful and don't cause trouble for Brother Guo," Zhang Wangyue instructed.

"Yes, yes." Everyone nodded.

Zhou Yan originally intended to wait for Duan Huai'an to return to discuss his resignation, but after the uproar at the Heroes' Banquet, he felt it was better to say it sooner rather than later.

He said, "Chief镖师, I have something to ask you."

Zhang Wangyue looked at Zhou Yan with a warm and kind gaze, seemingly encouraging yet reluctant to part.

Zhou Yan's heart skipped a beat: "Has the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) guessed it?" "Yes!"

The two exchanged questions and answers as if speaking in riddles. Wang Kui and Yang Tiexin were puzzled, but Hu Yanlei suddenly realized what was going on and said, "Brother Zhou wants to resign."

"I was planning to wait until the employer arrived before discussing this further."

The council chamber fell silent, the teapot on the stove gurgling and steam rising from it.

Wang Kui stood up and said, "I'll have the porter fetch the wine."

“Okay,” Zhang Wangyue said.

Zhou Yan said, "I'll go."

“I’m with Brother Zhou.” Hu Yanlei stood up, and the two walked through the courtyard. The man with the rough features said, “Actually, the head镖师 (chief镖师) said long ago that you are a dragon among men, and the镖局 (镖局) cannot keep you. That’s why the镖师 did not try to stop you when you said that.”

"I know."

"The chief镖头 (chief镖头) once said he cherished the days he spent with Brother Zhou. I didn't really feel it then, but now that you've suddenly said it, it's really making my chest feel so tight."

"No, we're still in Zhongdu. Brother, you're on a delivery mission. I'll see you off for ten miles and then welcome you back with a feast."

"Haha, that's a straightforward statement."

Huyan Lei laughed loudly, but his eyes seemed to be veiled by a layer of mist.

……

A table was set up in the council hall, where Zhou Yan, Zhang Wangyue, Yang Tiexin, Hu Yanlei, Wang Kui, Shi Baichuan, and others toasted each other.

Wang Kui said, "I wish Brother Zhou all the best in his life."

"Thank you, bro."

Hu Yanlei said, "Fu'an has lost a pillar that can support the sky. From now on, the martial arts world will be filled with divine swords."

"What is this?" Zhou Yan asked in astonishment.

Hu Yanlei laughed and said, "The Taihang Sword God is a bit stingy. He thinks the Zhongzhou Sword God is grand, but not as catchy as the Zhongshen Sword."

This was a joke caused by Zhou Yan's enlightenment of swordsmanship in Taihang. When he heard Hu Yanlei say this, he couldn't help but laugh.

Shi Baichuan said, "When venturing into the martial world, one needs a name. I think 'Central Divine Sword' is appropriate."

“Exactly. Brother Zhou is from Fu’an. After he ventured into the martial world, this name was given to him by the older brothers.” Wang Kui and the others echoed.

Zhou Yan laughed: "Then I will practice diligently and tirelessly. One day, I will live up to the nickname given to me by my brothers."

May Brother Zhou soar like a roc in the wind!

These are heartfelt words from Zhou Yan, a toast to everyone, as a bowl of strong liquor burns like fire down his throat.

Yang Tiexin and Zhou Yan drank together, and Yang Tiexin asked, "What are your plans for the future, Chief Escort?"

"Let's wait for the boss to return and settle things at the escort agency before making any plans. We'll settle all the scores with Helian Chuncheng, Nimo Xing, and the Vajra Gate."

Yang Tiexin nodded. All good things must come to an end. But he and his daughter had been searching for his sworn brother's son, wandering the world, and now they had settled down in Fu'an. Zhou Yan, who had shown him great kindness, was about to leave. He wondered what Nianci would think if she found out.

As Yang Tiexin thought this through, he felt quite melancholy.

As midnight passed, the clouds dispersed, and the crescent moon hung in the azure sky.

After the wine was finished and everyone had left, Zhou Yan went to his own courtyard. He took out the well-preserved "Yue Family Boxing Manual" and the "Wumu Legacy," wrapped them up, and then left the courtyard and jumped onto the roof.

The gray figure rose and fell among the rows of buildings in Zhongdu, its trajectory extending towards Zhang Wangyue's residence.

……

No one cared for the gentle breeze and bright moon. Zhou Yan arrived on the wind and under the moonlight, landing in the courtyard.

The lamplight, like fireflies, illuminated two shadows; he landed, slightly stunned.

The window was half open, and besides Zhang Wangyue, Huyan Lei was also there.

"Head of the escort team."

"Ha, Brother Zhou, come on, let's have another round, we won't leave until we're drunk." Hu Yanlei laughed heartily when he saw Zhou Yan in the courtyard.

"it is good."

He quickly entered the house.

Bowls and chopsticks were added to the table, and Zhou Yan and the three of them drank a bowl of wine together. Zhou Yan then took out a book wrapped in yellow silk from his bosom.

"What is this?" Hu Yanlei asked.

"One book is the 'Yue Family Boxing Manual' given to me by the chief镖头 (chief镖头 is a person's name), and I am also proficient in its techniques. I'm returning the manual. The other book is 'The Legacy of Yue Fei' (岳家拳谱)."

Zhang Wangyue was lost in thought.

Zhou Yan said, "Shangguan Jiannan, the former leader of the Iron Palm Clan, was a subordinate of General Han Shizhong. General Yue's military treatise and some notes were kept by Leader Shangguan in the Iron Palm Clan's forbidden area. They were stolen by me and Miss Huang Rong. The originals are now in the hands of Island Master Huang. This is a transcribed copy."

"call!"

Zhang Wangyue let out a heavy breath, his fingers trembling slightly, as he opened the yellow paper and turned to the suicide note.

Huang Rong copied it down, and also included Yue Fei's inscription at the beginning of "The Legacy of Yue Fei".

Zhang Wangyue turned the page and saw the text.

"Since the Central Plains were thrown into turmoil and barbarian tribes invaded, I, filled with righteous indignation, rose from Xiangtai to join the army, fighting in over two hundred battles. Though I could not venture far into the barbarian lands to wipe out their strongholds, I still avenged a fraction of our national grievances. In the Battle of Jiankang, I defeated the enemy in one fell swoop, but I regret that I could not ensure that not a single horse returned. Therefore, I will rest and recuperate my troops, gathering strength for the enemy. I will then encourage my soldiers, and once again fight, crossing the desert to the north, shedding blood in the barbarian court, and slaughtering all the barbarians..."

The words in Zhang Wangyue's eyes gradually blurred. He got up, poured himself a full glass of wine, and left the hospital.

Zhou Yan and Hu Yanlei understood each other's intentions and poured wine for each other.

Three cups of wine to honor the hero.

Zhang Wangyue knelt and bowed, gazing towards the other side of the night.

The crescent moon shines over the whole country, its silvery light pouring down from the sky.

Eight thousand miles of road, clouds and moon.

This is the general's ambition, and it is also his future.

(End of this chapter)