The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 256 Three people from one family, each serving their own master
As the evening breeze swept across the city sky, Huang Yaoshi stood atop a high rooftop with his hands behind his back, gazing intently at Zhou Yan. The wind whipped his robes into the air, and his elegant and aloof demeanor made him appear, in this setting, truly like an immortal looking down upon the world.

"This junior greets Island Master Huang," Zhou Yan said, bowing.

Huang Yaoshi nodded in return, but like Zhang Wangyue, he was quite surprised. This kid had noticed him as soon as he appeared on the rooftop; his skill had improved considerably since his time at Shaoshi Mountain. The old beggar's words about Zhou Yan's future potential in the Mount Hua Sword Tournament were indeed true.

Huang Rong took a step and floated down into the courtyard from the afterglow of the setting sun. Just as she was about to go forward, a group of servants came hurrying over.

"Chief镖头, Chief镖头 Zhou." The escort suddenly stopped, looking in surprise at Huang Yaoshi standing on the roof and Huang Rong in the courtyard.

"What is it?" Zhang Wangyue asked.

The escort replied, "Young Master Guo, the Mongolian princess requests an audience with the head镖师 (镖师 is a person who has saved the life of a镖师). She has brought generous gifts to express her gratitude for saving her life."

As the wind blew past the eaves, a barely perceptible "humming" sound seemed to drift into the air.

Guo Jing and Hua Zheng had already returned to Zhongdu, something Zhou Yan knew when he was at Yumen Pass. However, he had only been in the city for a couple of hours when they came to his door, which was somewhat unexpected.

Zhang Wangyue said to Zhou Yan, "I'll go pick it up."

"Thank you for your help, brother."

"Why be so polite?" Zhang Wangyue said, then turned to Huang Rong and said, "Miss Huang, please continue your conversation."

"Thank you very much, Chief Escort Zhang."

"You're too kind." Zhang Wangyue bowed to Huang Yaoshi and turned to leave.

"Wow!" The little leopard had become quite familiar with Zhou Yan since they arrived at the Ten Thousand Beasts Manor. When Huang Rong reached the pavilion, the little guy stretched his head out and called out to her affectionately.

Zhou Yan reached out and gently stroked the leopard's head, saying, "Are we going back to Peach Blossom Island?"

"Yes, I'm going back to Peach Blossom Island to stay with my father for a while. I just came to say hello. If I leave the island, I'll come looking for you."

"Let's go!"

Huang Rong smiled sweetly, turned around and leaped onto the roof, pulling Huang Yaoshi's arm, "Let's go, Father."

"Senior, walk slowly."

Huang Rong waved, and the father and daughter landed on the other side of the rooftop, disappearing into the twilight.

Zhou Yan withdrew his gaze, left the pavilion, and headed straight for the guest room.

……

"Brother Zhou has arrived."

Zhou Yan appeared under the eaves, and Guo Jing and Hua Zheng in the guest room got up.

"Brother Guo, it's been a long time," Zhou Yan greeted him.

"Greetings, young hero." Hua Zheng's Chinese had become much more fluent, and she greeted him generously.

"Princess, please don't stand on ceremony. Brother Guo, please have a seat."

After the two sat down, he said, "When I was at Yumen Pass, I learned from the Third Prince that Brother Guo had returned to Zhongdu."

"Yes, it's been a while," Guo Jing said frankly. "After returning, I went to the escort agency and learned that Brother Zhou had gone to the Western Regions. Sister Hua Zheng instructed the soldiers guarding the city to report immediately if any young hero riding the 'Night-Shining Jade Lion' entered the city. Therefore, not long after you entered the city, the city guards sent you the message."

Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue suddenly realized that horses were easier to recognize than people.

Hua Zheng said, "Young hero left in a hurry when we were at Poyang Lake, and my brother, Guo Jing and I were on our way to Lin'an, so we didn't have time to thank you. That's why we've come to visit you."

"It's just a trivial matter, nothing worth mentioning."

"A life-saving grace should be repaid with a spring of gratitude."

Zhou Yan smiled and decided not to dwell on the matter. With Hua Zheng present, it was inconvenient to discuss many things. He knew that Guo Jing might not realize his subtle hints, so he said, "I'll go to the western suburbs with Brother Guo another day."

Guo Jing quickly stood up and said, "The chief镖头 said that Brother Zhou has guests here, so I won't disturb you any longer. I'll take my leave now."

Zhou Yan inwardly scoffed, realizing he had misunderstood.

"I'll give this to Brother Guo and the princess."

Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue saw them off, and Guo Jing and Hua Zheng left. The two returned to the escort agency, and the chief escort of Fu'an pointed to two brocade boxes in the guest room and said, "These were sent by Hua Zheng."

Zhou Yan opened the brocade boxes one by one, and all he saw were gold ingots.

"This box will be left at the escort agency to subsidize the escorts and porters who were injured or killed in Ganzhou."

“Alright, Brother Zhou, you can decide.” Zhang Wangyue did not refuse.

"I'll head back first and then to Songshan tomorrow. After that, I'll go to Chief Yang's place. If we attack Tongbai Mountain, send me a message."

"no problem."

As the evening breeze blew gently, Zhou Yan walked towards the courtyard. As he passed the "Songhelou" restaurant, the number of pedestrians gradually increased. It was the peak time for customers to arrive at the restaurant, and he could hear the bustling noise of people and see the clamor of carriages and horses.

Zhou Yan suddenly stopped. Several people approaching him also stopped in front of him. His gaze fell directly on the person in the middle. The person was wearing a yellow short shirt and was waving a large palm-leaf fan in his right hand. His face, which was as white as orange bark, was also showing surprise. Beside him was a handsome young man dressed in rich clothes, with arrogant eyes and brows. He was the Mongolian prince, Huo Du.

Zhou Yan immediately recognized the other party as Qiu Qianzhang.

Huo Du slammed his folding fan shut. "Haha, Young Master Zhou, what a coincidence."

“What a coincidence.” Zhou Yan replied to Huo Du with a smile on his face, but his gaze was fixed on Qiu Qianzhang.

Qiu Qianzhang, fanning himself with a large palm-leaf fan, said with great poise, "Long time no see, Young Hero Zhou."

Huo Du was taken aback and asked, "Mr. Qiu, do you know Young Master Zhou?"

"There is quite a connection between them."

Huo Du said, "In that case, Young Hero Zhou, why don't you come to 'Songhelou' for a cup of wine?"

Zhou Yan said, "I am preoccupied with important matters and cannot make things difficult. I will take my leave."

“In that case, I won’t bother you any longer,” Qiu Qianzhang said with a smile. He then turned to Huo Du and said, “Please go upstairs first, little prince. I have a few words to say to young hero Zhou.”

"Alright!" Huo Du followed the advice and led Ma Xiuping, Xiao Xiangzi, Ran Tianshi and others upstairs.

"Please, head镖师, come to the side to talk," Qiu Qianzhang immediately lowered his posture and said in an almost pleading tone.

Zhou Yan scoffed, "You know I recognized you as Qiu Qianren?"

"The head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) has sharp eyes and can easily see through this old man."

“Alright!” The two took about ten steps forward and stood on the side of the street. Zhou Yan asked, “How did you end up working for Huo Du?”

Qiu Qianzhang vividly remembered the scene where Zhou Yan exposed his tricks at Chaya Mountain. He dared not lie, so he said, "Huodu is recruiting talents, and I am volunteering myself."

"Is he puffing away again, bragging that he's even more powerful than Qiu Qianren?"

Qiu Qianzhang gave an awkward smile.

"Huo Du didn't ask Qiu Qianren why he went to Mongolia after he defected to the Jin Dynasty." "Sun Bin and Pang Juan became sworn brothers, and Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya were sworn brothers who fought to the death. They all served their own masters."

"Ha, quite the smooth talker. Why don't you go and pledge allegiance to Wanyan Kang?"

“My second brother has always looked down on me, and the Jin dynasty is doomed.”

"Weren't you working for the Jin Dynasty before?"

"Things are different now; a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on."

"It's opportunism."

"Young hero, you are right."

"Aren't you worried about being exposed?"

Qiu Qianzhang said confidently, "Although my skills are not as good as my second brother's, my insight and knowledge are not bad."

"That's true. At least it shows that the Jin Dynasty is declining."

"Thank you for your praise, young hero."

"However, I must remind you to be careful not to play with fire and get burned."

"I have roamed the martial world for decades, and I have only ever been defeated by you, young hero. I hope you will keep my past a secret."

"Take care of yourself." Zhou Yan patted Qiu Qianzhang on the shoulder, turned and walked away. He couldn't help but sigh. The three Qiu siblings were now each in their own domain.

After a few steps, Zhou Yan recalled the people around Huo Du: Xiao Xiangzi, Ran Tianshi, Ma Xiuping, Han Wugou, etc. Ma Xiuping used the Springing Leg and Fast Fist, a martial art that belongs to the First-Class Hall in the Tianlong world.

When the escort team from Fu'an went to Yumen Pass, they encountered the "Iron Falcon" in Ganzhou. If the news leaked from Huodu, the most suspicious person would be Ma Xiuping.

Having lived two lives, Zhou Yan saw through everything.

He would not capture the other party for interrogation; it was not the right time.

As for Qiu Qianzhang, following Huo Du in his swindling and deception might prove useful in the future.

Houses stand like a forest, their eaves overlapping, and the lights among the densely packed buildings of Zhongdu City gather into a stretching stream of fire, outlining the city's landscape in this early summer night.

Zhou Yan returned to the courtyard, cleaned and tidied up as usual, took a bath, and went to bed.

As dawn broke again, he slung his packed bundle over his shoulder, went to the Fu'an Escort Agency to fetch his horse, greeted Zhang Wangyue, and then went to the inn to meet Ku Hui and the others.

The group of several dozen people left Zhongdu and headed straight for Mount Song.

……

The June sun shines on Caizhou, and Zhou Yan rides alone to Chaya Mountain.

He set off from Zhongdu, escorted Ku Hui and others to Shaoshi Mountain, and then went straight to the mountain stronghold without lingering. Of course, he had a private conversation with Ku Cheng at Shaolin Temple, where he told the abbot about the traitor in the Shaolin Temple in the Western Regions and warned him to be wary of the dozens of people who came with Ku Hui, including the Fire-Worker Monk.

The horses' hooves pounded the ground. Before they even got close to the mountain stronghold, a carrier pigeon took flight from the woods. The young leader ran over excitedly, "Master Zhou!"

Zhou Yan didn't recognize the other person, so he jumped off his horse and said, "Brother Shi isn't here?"

"Stone Leader was selected to join the cavalry in the stronghold."

"That's it."

"I've already sent a carrier pigeon to inform the chieftain. I'll deliver it to Master Zhou."

"No need to trouble yourself, I will go by myself."

"That works too, since Master Zhou knows the way."

"okay!"

Zhou Yan rode forward, and after only a few miles, the sound of hooves thundered as two riders came galloping towards him. They were Yang Miaozhen, riding a chestnut horse, and Qiu Qianchi, riding a black horse.

"Brother Zhou."

A few feet away, Yang Miaozhen dismounted and said with great excitement, "Good brother, you have helped the stronghold so much! Five hundred sets of armor and a full set of weapons, four hundred fine horses from Hexi, I have put together a cavalry of five hundred men."

Zhou Yan laughed and said, "It was all earned by the escort team."

"Huyan, the镖头 (bodyguard), recounted the entire incident. Otherwise, how could Brother Zhou have achieved such a great victory at Ganzhou? Come on, Sister Qiu and I will drink with you and discuss the matter of attacking Tongbai Mountain."

"Are they about to send troops?"

"Indeed, since you returned to Zhongdu and went to the Western Regions, you have been training day and night for the past few months. With the addition of equipment, you can test your skills against the remnants of the Great Qi."

"Does Young Master Lu know?"

“I knew it. As soon as Chief Huyan left, I knew you would be coming soon, so I arranged for someone to go out and inform Young Master Lu and Senior Fisherman.”

“Very good. Sister, arrange for more people to go to Zhongdu. The chief镖头 (chief镖头, head镖师, or镖师 is also coming).”

Yang Miaozhen was overjoyed, "Great!"

The three continued on their way, and the spirited woman said again, "Chief Huyan said that Brother Zhou is no longer with the escort agency."

"Exactly."

"How about we settle down in Chaya Mountain from now on? You can be the leader."

Zhou Yan chuckled.

"What's wrong, Brother Zhou? Don't you believe my sincerity?"

"I have an appointment with Brother Liu in Hengshan, and we have many places to visit in the future. I will be busy, so thank you for your kindness, sister."

"That's fine too. The girl will always keep the top leader position for you."

"This young lady is just as capable as any man; there's no need for such formality."

"Let's put that aside for now and drink to our hearts' content."

"This is acceptable."

"How is Miss Qiu doing lately?"

"After we finish fighting Tongbai Mountain, I'll take Sister Qiu to see what kind of person the Valley Master of Heartbreak Valley really is."

“Very well, I also have something to say to Miss Qiu.”

“The head镖师 speaks frankly,” Qiu Qianchi hurriedly replied.

Zhou Yan recounted to Qiu Qianchi his encounter with Qiu Qianzhang in Zhongdu. The three of them rode away, gradually disappearing into the bright sunlight.

(End of this chapter)