The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 216 Sow a seed in spring, reap a thousandfold in autumn
"The large ship that Guo Jing and I were on was attacked by a group of burly men in black. Some of them tried to capture me, so I jumped into the Yangtze River. I need to find him, my brother, and others."

When Hua Zheng woke up, she saw Zhou Yan and a kind-looking Indian monk. When she saw that she was wearing Han Chinese clothes, she instinctively wanted to find a knife to fight back.

Zhou Yan calmed Hua Zheng down with his words, "I know Guo Jing," and then explained the whole story: they saw each other by the river, the Indian monk came to her rescue, and the innkeeper's wife helped her rest.

Hua Zheng suddenly realized that it was a misunderstanding. Her Chinese wasn't very fluent, but she could hold simple conversations without any problem, and she succinctly described what had happened on the river.

Hua Zheng was skilled in martial arts, and Zhou Yan used his internal energy to relax her muscles and tendons, so she was no longer seriously injured.

After a brief explanation from both sides, Hua Zheng was about to go find Guo Jing when Zhou Yan said, "I'll take you."

"Thank you very much, Master Zhou."

"You're welcome."

Liu Qingzhou and Yanbo Diaosou Hou were at the inn, chatting with an Indian monk about the Western Regions and India. Zhou Yan, accompanied by Hua Zheng, rode down the mountain on horseback to search for them.

The incident occurred at the mouth of Poyang Lake into the Yangtze River, and Zhou Yan searched along the Yangtze River towards Jiangzhou.

"Guo Jing!"

"Brother Guo."

Hua Zheng's voice was swallowed by the sound of the river and wind, but Zhou Yan mustered his inner strength and uttered a sound like thunder that could be heard for miles, startling birds and beasts on the riverbank into scattering.

More than ten miles away, anxious, tearful voices echoed.

"Hua Zheng, my dear sister."

A biting wind howled, and fine snow fell like a curtain. Guo Jing staggered forward, while Tolui, Zhebie, Ke Zhen'e, and the others trailed behind. Han Xiaoying and Zhu Cong believed that Hua Zheng had long since died a violent death, but Guo Jing was determined to find her, so they followed along.

The old rascal followed Guo Jing at a leisurely pace.

After leaving Peach Blossom Island, Zhou Botong naturally planned to go to Zhongnan Mountain first, so he stayed at the dockside inn. Being a lively and mischievous person by nature, upon hearing the fighting, Zhou Botong found a fishing boat, rowed over, jumped onto the mast, and sat on it to watch. Only when Guo Jing used the Quanzhen Sword Technique did he speak up to ask a question.

In a daze, Guo Jing thought of jumping into the river to search for them, but Zhou Botong stopped him and drove the Iron Palm Clan off the boat. Guo Jing bowed to express his gratitude and answered Zhou Botong's question, saying that he had been taught martial arts by Ma Yu, Qiu Chuji and others. He then went ashore anxiously to search, while the Old Urchin wanted to ask about the current situation of Qiu Chuji and the others, following him closely.

"Hey, Guo, that girl you're looking for is long dead. You said Ma Yu taught Quanzhen internal energy in the desert, what was he doing in the desert?"

"I want to see him alive or dead," Guo Jing said, his eyes bloodshot, each word distinct.

"You are stupid."

"When we were in the desert, they all said I was stupid."

"Haha, interesting. There's actually someone who admits to being stupid. You're much more interesting than Huang Yaoshi and Huang Xiaoxie."

"Hey, why don't you ask who Huang Yaoshi is?"

"It's important for the younger generation to find the person."

Why don't you ask me how I know you know the Quanzhen Sword Technique? Ask me!

Guo Jing was in a state of confusion and didn't know how to respond. Suddenly, the Old Urchin said, "Young Guo, someone is calling you."

"Senior, please don't joke around."

The old rascal glared and puffed out his beard, saying, "Your martial arts skills are weak and your senses are limited, so of course you can't hear me."

Guo Jing understood this principle and quickly stopped and turned around to ask, "Who is it?"

The two had only been talking for a few breaths when a faint sound came from the river breeze. Guo Jing listened carefully, and the sound became clearer and clearer. Suddenly, a female voice was mixed in.

"Guo Jing!"

"Hua Zheng!" Guo Jing exclaimed joyfully, "Hua Zheng!"

"Guo Jing!" the woman replied, and Tore, Jebe, and the others shouted loudly at the same time, and in an instant the riverbank was filled with voices.

Upon hearing the sound, Zhou Yan tightened the reins, slowing down the "Night-Shining Jade Lion." Hua Zheng cracked her whip, and the green horse galloped like lightning, creating a white tornado behind them as the wind whipped up the snow.

……

The hoofbeats were rapid, and the horse galloped like a shooting star. Guo Jing saw the green horse galloping towards him. As the distance closed, he saw Hua Zheng leap off the horse and stride forward.

"Guo Jing, I've searched for you so hard! How are you? I'm perfectly fine."

Hua Zheng held Guo Jing's hands, crying and laughing at the same time.

"It was Senior Zhou who rescued us."

"I was also rescued by a great hero. Hero Zhou even said he recognized you; you're right behind me."

Following Hua Zheng's words, Tore, Jebe, Ke Zhen'e, and the others looked in the direction they were looking, and in the distance, a magnificent horse, whiter than snow, galloped towards them.

Though his face is not seen, his horse tells you who he is.

Guo Jing exclaimed with delight, "It's Brother Guo!"

"Brother Guo, it's been a long time."

Zhou Yan dismounted and strode forward. Taking advantage of the moment, Hua Zheng briefly recounted to Torre and the others how she had been rescued.

Guo Jing stepped forward to kneel and express his gratitude, but Zhou Yan quickly helped him up, saying, "We're brothers, no need for formalities." "Hmm!" Guo Jing's eyes were red, and he was speechless.

Ke Zhen'e stepped forward and said, "Thank you, Zhou Engong. Please join me, the blind man, and the others for a drink and to get to know each other better."

"Being respectful is worse than obeying orders."

"Hey kid, nice horse, I'll let you play with it for a while." A carefree voice suddenly came from behind. Zhou Yan looked for the voice and saw a long-haired, long-bearded, long-browed old man standing a few feet away.

Zhou Yan inwardly scoffed. It was Zhou Botong. Huang Yaoshi had indeed allowed the Old Urchin to leave Peach Blossom Island after obtaining Chongyang's inscription.

"it is good."

With a cry, the old rascal leaped onto the "Jade Lion Under the Night" and sped away.

……

Numerous wharves of varying sizes dot the area between Poyang Lake and Jiangzhou. Zhou Yan, Guo Jing, and the others found an inn at the nearest wharf to stay in.

Zhu Cong had his waiter deliver wine and dishes to the guesthouse, and the group put together two square tables and sat down.

A bowl of wine warmed them up, and two bowls started the conversation. Zhou Yan asked, "Where are Brother Guo and the others headed?"

Guo Jing did not regard him as an outsider and said, "The Great Khan has summoned me, Toleanda, and others back to the desert."

"Yes, I know about that."

"It was the Great Khan who instructed us to go to the Lin'an court to discuss a joint attack on the Song Dynasty."

"Is that so?" Zhou Yan nodded slightly, thinking to himself that it was exactly as he had guessed.

"Who would have thought that we would encounter such an accident on the Yangtze River?" Guo Jing added.

“It’s impossible to separate Ding He from Wanyan Honglie and Yang Kang,” Zhou Yan said.

"What do you mean?" Guo Jing asked, puzzled.

The shrewd scholar Zhu Cong belatedly realized that the thieves had come prepared, specifically targeting the large ship where Jing'er, Princess Huazheng, and Prince Tuole were located. Their attack was well-intentioned and obvious.

"But how did they know the whereabouts of me and my master?"

Zhou Yan laughed and said, "Huo Du held a grand banquet for heroes, and Ouyang Ke and his nephew made an appearance. If Yang Kang had planted a few scouts in the city, it wouldn't have been difficult for him to track their movements."

Ke Zhen'e nodded: "That's true."

"That treacherous scoundrel Wanyan Honglie is cunning. Once we capture Kaifeng, we'll definitely take his head," Guo Jing said angrily.

Zhou Yan poured wine, and everyone drank together. He then said, "I have something to say, but I don't know if it's appropriate?"

Ke Zhen'e hurriedly said, "The blind man and his companions have spoken frankly and openly with our benefactor."

"Exactly!" Zhu Cong poured wine and said with a smile, "My benefactor has a great vision and I truly admire him. Wanyan Honglie's ascension to the throne and Yang Kang's betrayal were both things that my benefactor saw through beforehand."

Zhou Yan laughed and said, "Then I will speak freely."

"Listen carefully."

"It is only natural and gratifying for Brother Guo to kill Wanyan Honglie, given the deep-seated blood feud. But have you ever considered what would happen if the Mongol Khan and the Lin'an court joined forces to attack the Jin Dynasty, and the Jin Dynasty was destroyed? What if the Khan continued to march south, crossed the river, and wanted to destroy the Lin'an court?"

Guo Jing replied without hesitation, "The Khan's word is as good as gold. Since he has allied with the Lin'an court to jointly destroy the Jin, he will not break his promise."

After a moment of contemplation, Ke Zhen'e slowly said, "The Mongols are indeed people of their word."

“He who makes promises lightly is unlikely to keep them; I doubt it,” Zhu Cong said.

"To take a recent example, when the Mongol army besieged Zhongdu, Brother Guo never expected that the Great Khan would massacre the city. So nothing in this world is absolute." Zhou Yan smiled and slowly explained, "If Lin'an and the Mongols had joined forces to destroy the Jin Dynasty, in other words, could it be understood that with the destruction of the Jin Dynasty, the alliance would no longer exist, and the Great Khan would not have to keep his promise?"

A single stone stirs up a thousand waves, suddenly awakening those who are dreaming.

Zhu Congru performed a juggling act, the wine bowl spinning rapidly in his hands. A chilling thought crossed his mind. He asked, "What does my benefactor mean?"

"After the Mongols captured Zhongdu, Brother Guo was appointed Commander of Ten Thousand by the Great Khan. If this negotiation goes smoothly, there will certainly be further rewards. After the Jin Dynasty is destroyed, it is not impossible for Brother Guo to be made a king. What if the Great Khan then wants Brother Guo to lead the army to attack the Song Dynasty?"

Guo Jing exclaimed, "Ah, that's what the Great Khan said!"

Ke Zhen'e hurriedly asked, "When?"

"Reporting to Master, it is because the Great Khan wanted to massacre Zhongdu. When Jing'er pleaded for mercy, the Great Khan said that he would reward Jing'er for every city she conquered. If she took Kaifeng and took Wanyan Honglie's head, she would marry Hua Zheng and be rewarded with the title of King of Song."

"Are there any other explanations?"

Guo Jing shook his head.

Ke Zhen'e felt a great weight lifted off his shoulders.

Zhu Cong seemed to be deep in thought, and after a moment, he said, "What if that day really comes?"

Guo Jing hurriedly said, "How could Jing'er become a Song king and lead troops to fight the Han people? I will definitely resign from my military post, take my mother to Zhongdu, live with Uncle Yang and others, and work as a镖人 (bodyguard/escort) in Fu'an."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan inwardly scoffed, thinking to himself, "This is a small matter; there is also the greater principle."

(End of this chapter)