The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 218 White Lotus Sect, Golden Baby

A small red clay stove, Jiangzhou-style wine with piled flowers.

Liu Qingzhou and Yanbo Diaosou drank their drinks while listening to the Indian monks talk about the people and customs of the Western Regions and India, and then listened to Buddhist chants, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Both of them were thinking about Zhou Yan, and would occasionally glance out the window at the snowy weather.

Suddenly, the white curtain hanging between heaven and earth seemed to be lifted by a pair of hands, and Zhou Yan's figure swept in through the window and landed on the bench.

The moment he entered, his internal energy surged outwards, shaking off the snowflakes from his body, leaving his gray clothes spotless.

"Truly a swift departure and return," the Fisherman of Misty Waves joked, pouring wine and saying, "Brother Zhou, let's warm ourselves up with a drink."

Jiangxi is famous for its liquor, and Duihua liquor is one of them. With its vibrant foam and enticing aroma, Zhou Yan raised his bowl and declared, "Bottoms up!"

Liu Qingzhou and Yanbo Diaosou drank together, and the three of them finished their drink in one gulp.

"How is the situation?" Liu Qingzhou asked.

"They are from the Yellow River Gang and the Iron Palm Gang."

The Hengshan Sect and the Iron Palm Clan are rivals. Liu Qingzhou immediately asked, "Brother Zhou, please elaborate?"

"The Mongol envoy traveled south to Lin'an, intending to form an alliance with the imperial court to jointly attack the Jin Dynasty. Wanyan Honglie learned of this and invited the Yellow River Gang and the Iron Palm Gang to intercept and kill him. It was a sure-fire defeat, but unexpectedly, because the sister of Qiu Qianren, the leader of the Iron Palm Gang, married into the Valley of Heartbreak, Ouyang Feng, Qiu Qianren, and others attended the banquet, the battle at Poyang Lake and the Yangtze River took a turn for the better."

"Valley of Heartbreak? That's a peculiar name. Where is it?"

The old fisherman of Yanbo lived in Dongting Lake, but loved fishing. He boasted that he knew everything about the mountains, rivers and lakes on both sides of the Yangtze River. He was unfamiliar with the Valley of Heartbreak, so he couldn't help but ask.

"Several hundred miles north of Xiangyang, surrounded by mountains, the valley is full of exotic flowers and trees, truly a paradise."

"Such a wondrous place exists! Brother Zhou, have you been there?"

Zhou Yan smiled, "It's not just that I've been there, I've also fought with the Valley Master of the Valley of Heartbreak many times."

Liu Qingzhou and the Fisherman of Misty Waves were intrigued. The Fisherman said, "A cup of wine in the snow is perfect for enjoying the weather and telling stories. Brother Zhou, please tell us your story slowly."

"it is good."

Amidst clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, Zhou Yan succinctly recounted his journey to Jingzhou as a镖师 (bodyguard/escort), his chance encounter with Qiu Qianchi, his subsequent clash with Gongsun Zhi, Liang Xiaowu's capture, and his daring rescue of people in the Valley of Heartbreak.

Interspersed throughout are some events related to Qiu Qianchi's departure from the valley to Chaya Mountain in Caizhou.

As the saying goes, "Drunk on wine, I face the snow of Yanshan; with a spirited heart, I tread the path of the Jianghu." A picture of swords flashing and shadows, of镖人 (bodyguards) in the Jianghu, suddenly unfolds in the minds of Liu Qingzhou and Yanbo Diaosou.

The old fisherman raised his glass: "Brother Zhou, although you are a镖师 (bodyguard/escort), you are chivalrous and righteous. I regret not meeting you sooner. I admire you. Cheers!"

"Easy to say."

"come together."

Bowls clinked like falling pearls, the sound of wine echoed among the chivalrous youths.

Liu Qingzhou said, "According to Brother Zhou, Qiu Qianchi is quite a heroine. How could she marry a coward like Gongsun Zhi?"

The old fisherman rolled his eyes: "The Iron Palm Clan has a grudge against the Hengshan Sect. Are you speaking up for your enemy?"

"One thing at a time."

Zhou Yan said, "What is love in this world? How can outsiders explain it clearly?"

"That's true."

Liu Qingzhou said, "The high monk will still have to pass through Xiangyang on his way north. I will go with him to see what he is up to. Since Qiu Qianren has colluded with Wanyan Kang, he will definitely be making trouble in western Hunan. I want to see what he does and whether he will do anything that is detrimental to the Hengshan Sect."

Zhou Yan had already been thinking of going to check it out, so he readily agreed, "Okay!"

Liu Qingzhou said to the old fisherman on the misty waves, "When I return from Xiangyang, I will go to Dongting Lake to challenge you again."

"You're going to the Valley of Heartbreak, but I can't go?"

Zhou Yan scoffed, "These two are bound to become best friends through a fierce battle."

Plans can't keep up with changes. After fishing for the golden baby, and while escorting the Indian monk northward, they passed through Xiangyang to explore the Valley of Heartbreak. The Indian monk and the golden baby needed someone to look after them, so Liang Xiaowu and the others weren't in a hurry to return to Zhongdu and could travel together.

The young bodyguards and porters were overjoyed upon hearing the news.

The group stayed at the inn for four days. The snowstorm subsided and the temperature immediately warmed up.

The Fisherman of Misty Waves led Zhou Yan, Liu Qingzhou, and the Indian monk straight to Longhu Mountain, which is about 300 miles away from Poyang Lake.

……

Purple and green mists rise from Longhu Mountain, their vibrant colors beautiful in all four seasons.

Under a clear blue sky, the mountains are characterized by their unique peaks, strangely shaped rocks, cascading waterfalls, and towering ancient trees. In the distance, the mountains are shrouded in mist and clouds, a vibrant tapestry of purple and green.

Two days after arriving from Poyang Lake, Zhou Yan, Liu Qingzhou, the Indian monk, and the Fisherman of Misty Waves entered Longhu Mountain. Nearby, a waterfall resembling a white dragon cascaded down between two peaks with astonishing force. The sound of the water echoed and surged, a thunderous roar.

Upon seeing this magnificent sight, the Indian monk asked, "How did you know there were golden babies here, sir?" The fisherman, quite pleased with himself, replied, "I have fished in any place with aquatic beauty, and I have caught even more unusual aquatic creatures than the golden babies: Qinling fine-scaled salmon, Liujiang spotted eel, Yellow River bighead carp, Dali bream, and Sichuan taimen."

The old fisherman, as if reciting a familiar story, described more than ten kinds of rare aquatic delicacies.

Zhou Yan felt ashamed; his knowledge from two lifetimes was so limited that he only understood a fraction of what the other person was saying.

The sky is high in the sky, and it's the time when the temperature is at its best.

When the old fisherman reached the edge of the pool, he said, "Golden babies always come in pairs. These beasts are clever and vigilant. At the slightest disturbance, they will hide among the rocks at the bottom of the water. It will be extremely difficult to lure them onto the hook again."

"Okay!" Zhou Yan nodded with a smile, asked Liang Xiaowu to bring over the wooden bucket, and told everyone to keep their distance.

Liang Xiaowu led a group of men to a distant mountain forest to build a thatched hut for hunting and to prepare their midday meal.

Under the watchful eyes of Zhou Yan, Liu Qingzhou, and others, the old fisherman of the misty waves released his bait, cast his fishing rod, and the nearly transparent fishing line flew straight up several feet and fell into the pool.

Zhou Yan and Liu Qingzhou held their breath, their eyes fixed on the crystal-clear pool. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they suddenly saw a golden light shimmer in the water. The old fisherman's face lit up with joy, and abruptly, his fishing rod bent straight down. From the bottom of the pool emerged something about a foot long, biting the fishing line. The creature was neither fish nor snake; it was entirely golden and had a very peculiar appearance.

"This is the Golden Baby," Zhou Yan thought curiously. Just then, another identical golden fish emerged from the water and bit the fishing line.

The old fisherman on the misty waves roared, "Lift!"

Zhou Yan still doesn't know what the fishing rod of the old fisherman of the misty waves is made of. It looks like a white waxwood rod, and when struck, it makes a metallic sound. It is incredibly tough. With a loud bang, a streak of light explodes on the surface of the pool. The fishing rod shoots out, and two golden dolls in Zhou Yan's sight leave the water. They glitter in the sunlight.

Zhou Yan was delighted to take the wooden bucket when suddenly a furious shout came from the side of the pool.

"How dare these cowards trespass into forbidden territory and steal sacred artifacts?"

"Bold thief" the male voice fell, and the female shouted.

Looking over, Zhou Yan and Liu Qingzhou saw a dozen or so women in white dresses fluttering like white butterflies coming from the bamboo grove on one side of the pool a few feet away. The women were dressed in white, with long white silk ribbons wrapped around their shoulders and arms. Their long sleeves seemed to be carrying the misty air of clouds, as if they were celestial beings descending to earth. The moment they landed, their skirts fluttered, like white lotuses blooming.

The sword light flashed from the woman's hand like a flowing stream of light, followed by two bamboo poles that whistled through the air. One pole, with a sharp, piercing sound, struck the old fisherman on the misty waves, while the other flew towards the fishing rod.

Since Zhou Yan began practicing the "Finger Flicking Skill," he has always carried pebbles with him.

In a mere instant, the powerful internal energy converged from the two main channels, gushing forth from the two acupoints "Yuji" and "Zhongchong" between the fingers. Driven by this internal energy, the two pebbles shot towards the bamboo pole that was heading straight for the fishing rod with a sound like tearing silk.

Zhou Yan threw the stones first and then drew his sword. With two loud "thumps," the bamboo pole above the pool was hit by the stones and fell to the water. The Qingfeng sword pierced the bamboo tube. With a flick of his wrist, the sword trembled slightly, instantly deflecting the force of the straight shot. He spun around like a whirlwind and thrust his sword forward. The bamboo pole attached to the sword was returned with a whoosh.

"Excellent swordsmanship!" the newcomer exclaimed, throwing a punch at the bamboo pole.

With a "bang," the sturdy bamboo pole exploded, sending fragments of bamboo flying everywhere.

The old fisherman seized the opportunity to reel in his line, and two golden tuna fell into the wooden bucket.

The three then looked at the man with extraordinary palm strength.

He was around thirty years old, with a broad forehead, wide face, tiger-like body, and a burly waist, exuding an extraordinary air.

Zhou Yan stared at the other man and asked in a low voice, "Brother, did you encounter any accidents while fishing here before?"

"No, he must be a new master."

"So that's how it is."

Zhou Yan cupped his hands and looked at the man: "I did not know that you were the host of this place. I apologize for any offense I may have caused."

The woman in white, as white as snow, was arrogant and domineering. Another woman shouted, "You thief, how dare you trespass into the Holy Sect and steal sacred artifacts! Cut off your own arm and get out of this forbidden area!"

The old fisherman with a strange temper sneered, "I have been fishing here for a long time, and by right I am the owner of this place. I will forgive your offense, but you little brat, cut off your own arm and get out of here."

"You audacious scoundrel, how dare you offend the Holy Son!"

The man laughed loudly: "This holy son will see what kind of skill this old man has, daring to speak so arrogantly."

Zhou Yan thought to himself, "Several women dressed in white, exuding arrogance, claim to have trespassed into the Holy Sect. This place is only a few hundred miles from the White Lotus Sect's stronghold on Poyang Lake. Could this man be the Holy Son of the White Lotus Sect, or perhaps Yu Hua's disciple or descendant?"

He asked, "Are you members of the White Lotus Sect?"

The man's pupils contracted slightly, and he said, "How did you learn about our sect?"

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "We know that you have occupied the mountain as king and spread your teachings, so what's so strange about that?"

"Is it?"

After spending several days with the Indian monk, the old fisherman admired his character greatly. However, when he thought of the high monk being imprisoned by the White Lotus Sect, he was filled with anger and thought, "He's hiding his head and tail, pretending to be a ghost."

"How dare you! I'll take your life, you old man!"

In their field of vision, the Holy Son of the White Lotus Sect took flight like a falcon, his figure plunging down, his toes lightly touching the rocky surface of the pool before he suddenly landed.

Those women in white followed like shadows, their graceful movements quite beautiful.

(End of this chapter)