The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 260 The镖师 (bodyguard/escort) in armor, invincible.

The setting sun left a trail of crimson on the horizon. Before nightfall, oil lamps were already lit in the village at the foot of the mountain, their orange-red glow occasionally flickering onto Huo Du, Qiu Qianzhang, Jinlun Fawang, Xiao Xiangzi, and Liu Qianfeng, a descendant of Liu Yu, the pseudo-Qi emperor.

Liu Qianfeng was a fat man, and in Huo Du's opinion, he was also the kind of person with eccentric personality. He wore a mink coat in the hot weather and held a string of large orange-yellow prayer beads in his hand. The prayer beads were carved with skull-like patterns, and when he moved, the prayer beads collided and made a clanging sound.

The Tongbai Mountain village and Huodu's imagination also differed.

Dazhai is located on the foothills of a mountain on one side of the valley. This village, which can accommodate more than 20,000 people, is the power center composed of dozens of courtyards, where leaders of all ranks live. Along this courtyard, rows of wooden houses cover the entire hillside.

The valley was inhabited by villagers dressed in tattered clothes. Huo Du guessed that most of them were refugees who had fled south when the Great Khan and the Jin Dynasty went to war. These refugees were captured and brought here to dig ditches, build roads, and cultivate land.

This was somewhat beyond Huo Du's expectations. In his original imagination, Liu Qianfeng of Tongbai Mountain lived purely by plundering, and there were no spare people in the stronghold.

Huo Du was born in Mongolia, hence his intuitive perception. But in Qiu Qianzhang's view, it was perfectly normal for a mountain stronghold to develop from a father to a son, and for the son to manage it for more than ten years, into a large stronghold like those in western Hunan.

Several rectangular tables were set up in the hall. Besides Huo Du's men, there were also several leaders from the Tongbai Mountain stronghold. The second leader's surname was Zhang, and his given name was Xiao Yue. From the previous introductions, Huo Du knew that Xiao Yue's ancestor was Zhang Xiaochun, the second most important figure after Liu Yu, the emperor of the pseudo-Qi state. He was a famous general who led troops in the defense of Taiyuan, one of the most tragic battles in Song Dynasty history, when the Jurchens invaded the south. He later surrendered to the Jin Dynasty and fought against Yue Fei many times. He was a prominent figure of that era.

Huo Du could tell that Zhang Xiaoyue, who was now in charge of the mountain stronghold's troops, was a formidable character.

Of course, this name also easily made Huo Du's mind wander. Could it be that someone close to the other party had died at the hands of Yue Fei's army? Otherwise, what normal person would have such a name?

However, none of that matters; what's gratifying is that the negotiations went very smoothly.

Under Qiu Qianzhang's persuasive tongue, Liu Qianfeng agreed to surrender to the Mongols. Once the Great Khan once again led his cavalry out from Tongbai Mountain to attack Nanyang, he would strike from both sides.

What seemed like an insurmountable task to Huo Du was actually incredibly simple to Qiu Qianzhang.

Liu Qianfeng's ancestors had once enjoyed a glorious past. The other party, Liu Yu, had been biding his time in the Tongbai Mountains, merely waiting for the right moment. However, Liu Yu had offended the Song Dynasty and was subsequently dismissed by the Jin Dynasty, forcing his descendants to live in seclusion in the mountains. By allying with the Mongols, they could both avenge their defeat against the Jin and vent their anger by attacking the Song. How could he possibly refuse the immense wealth and opportunity offered by Huo Du?

Old ginger is spicier.

The henchmen came and went, carrying pots of soup, serving dishes and drinks, and the atmosphere gradually became lively.

Liu Qianfeng picked up his wine bowl and said with a smile, "When the Little Prince held his Heroes' Banquet, I thought I would go to Zhongdu to get to know him. But I was too busy with affairs in the village to get away. I thought I would regret it, but good fortune has just arrived. I toast the Little Prince."

"Chief Liu, you're too kind. Cheers!"

The two drank the wine in one gulp. Liu Qianfeng poured more wine and said to Qiu Qianzhang, "Thank you for your teachings, Mr. Qiu. I hope you will stay in the stronghold for a while longer so that I can learn some martial arts from you."

Qiu Qianzhang picked up the palm-leaf fan on the table, waved it a few times, and laughed, "I'm afraid I can't help you with this."

"What do you mean?" Liu Qianfeng asked hurriedly.

"My second brother is out of touch with reality and has defected to the Jin Kingdom. The Iron Palm Clan is eager to expand its power in Jiangnan and has frequently clashed with the Beggar Clan and the Demonic Cult. I am going to Xiangxi to see if I can persuade my second brother to abandon the darkness and embrace the light. I will also ask Hong Qigong and Zhang Sanqiang to mediate, after all, the Iron Palm Clan is also a product of my hard work. I cannot bear to see the disciples of the clan suffer heavy casualties."

Liu Qianfeng was filled with awe.

Huo Du said, "Mr. Qiu is kind."

Qiu Qianzhang sighed and said, "When I was young, I devoted all my energy to martial arts, practicing diligently and assiduously, believing that martial arts could solve all the problems in the world. Only in my old age have I realized that this is not the case."

"Please enlighten me, sir."

Liu Qianfeng and Huo Du said in unison.

"Thoughts are what distinguish humans from wild beasts. Martial arts can protect you and also be used to fight, but how you fight depends on the thoughts in your mind."

Zhang Xiaoyue remarked with deep feeling, “Sir, your words are just like the military strategy of ‘the best strategy is to attack the enemy’s plans.’”

"The second leader is intelligent."

"I'd like to offer you a toast, sir." Zhang Xiaoyue raised his bowl to toast.

"You're too kind," Qiu Qianzhang said.

The two drank together, and the sound of pigeons flapping their wings could be heard outside the hall. A moment later, a minor leader came over with a letter tube. Liu Qianfeng took out the note, read it word by word, and a smile appeared on his face. He said to Zhang Xiaoyue, "A message came from down the mountain. A caravan of more than three hundred people and a hundred carriages has arrived."

Zhang Xiaoyue was overjoyed, "This is truly a double blessing! I will rob this caravan to celebrate my elder brother and the little prince's great success."

Huo Du wanted to see the true strength of Tongbai Mountain, so he said, "These guest elders of mine are all experts from the Three Mountains and Five Peaks. They can join forces with the Second Leader to lend a hand."

Liu Qianfeng was well aware of Huo Du's thoughts, so he smiled and said, "Since that's the case, let's all go together, and the little prince can treat it as a hunt."

"Just to my liking."

"Come on, let's have a drink first."

Inside the hall, wine cups clinked and people chatted. Zhang Xiaoyue estimated the time it would take for the caravan to reach the foot of the mountain after passing the checkpoints. After midnight, he was the first to get up and take his leave. Soon after, a few drumbeats sounded in the village.

Thousands of elite troops were assembled.

Liu Qianfeng euphemistically called it a "hunt" and invited Huo Du to participate. The large group set off from the depths of Tongbai Mountain towards the outside world.

...The sword's edge parted the moonlight.

As blood splattered, several figures rushed out from a roadside eatery. A ghostly figure followed closely behind, wielding a long sword that stabbed repeatedly. Several men dressed as waiters were either stabbed in the back or chest and were killed by Zhou Yan, falling to the ground.

The old fisherman in the misty waters waved his fishing rod, tossing the corpses one by one into the forest.

"Let's go, old fisherman."

Zhou Yan vanished into the forest in a flash.

The caravan did not rest at night, bypassing Nanyang and proceeding from the Tongbai Mountain side. This was a normal caravan route. Zhou Yan and Yanbo Diaosou followed the caravan, eliminating the illegal shops that Lu Beihe had investigated one by one, clearing the way for Yang Miaozhen's team.

As dawn broke, the caravan set up camp and sent out sentries. Zhou Yan and Yanbo Diaosou cleared out several bandits from the black shops along the caravan's route before disappearing into the Tongbai Mountains.

……

A light mist hung in the air as night gradually fell, and the long line of people stretched out along the winding mountain path.

Zhang Xiaoyue rode a black horse and carried a spear made of thirteen feet of fine iron, known as the "armor-piercing spear." The spearhead was long and thin like a reed leaf, made of fine steel and quenched with silver, and could pierce through strong armor.

The second leader of Tongbai Mountain led his troops in the lead, with Qiu Qianzhang, Huo Du, and Jinlun Fawang walking in the middle. Just as the group was about to leave the mountain, a surprised voice came from the forest on one side of the mountain road from Yanbo Diaosou.

"Why is that Tibetan monk here, and Qiu Qianren too?"

Zhou Yan emerged from the bushes and looked at the tall, thin Golden Wheel Monk and his companions in the distant ranks, wrapped in cassocks, in the light of day. He was slightly surprised and said, "That's not Qiu Qianren, it's Qiu Qianzhang. The brothers look exactly alike. I met Qiu Qianzhang in Zhongdu. It must have been his bad idea to send Huo Du to win over the bandits of Tongbai Mountain and Funiu Mountain. Let's go, the plan needs to be adjusted a bit."

"Why?"

"The Golden Wheel Monk's martial arts surpass Qiu Qianren's; in a one-on-one fight, no one can rival him." Zhou Yan withdrew, swiftly heading towards the caravan's camp. The Fisherman of Misty Waves followed closely behind, asking, "Even if you and I joined forces, we still couldn't defeat the Golden Wheel Monk?"

Zhou Yan chuckled, "There's a better way."

……

As dawn broke, two figures sped out of the mountain pass. When they reached a wooded area by the river, a joyful voice rang out, "Brother Zhou!"

With a whoosh, Liang Xiaowu, who was on duty, emerged from the forest.

The young bodyguard was a man of good judgment. In Fu'an, Zhou Yan was called the head bodyguard. After he resigned, he was called Brother Zhou.

"How's the team?" Zhou Yan asked.

"They've all eaten and are resting and recuperating."

"The bandits will arrive in about half an hour. Watch out for their scouts. I'm looking for the chief镖头 (chief镖头 is a term used in Chinese martial arts to refer to a bodyguard or镖师)."

"okay."

Zhou Yan and Yanbo Fisherman did not linger and went straight to the campsite.

The escort team consisted of elite escorts and porters from the Fu'an and Zhenwei escort agencies, as well as fierce soldiers from Chaya Mountain. Despite the imminent battle, there was no sense of tension within the team.

A campfire was burning in the woods near the campsite, and Zhang Wangyue, Hu Yanlei, Wang Kui, and Lu Beihe were making tea.

"Brother Zhou is here." Hu Yanlei greeted him from afar, then took two teacups and poured tea.

When Zhou Yan and the Fisherman of the Misty Waves arrived at the campfire, he thanked them, took a teacup, sipped a few mouthfuls, and then said, "The bandits will probably come out of the mountain in about half an hour. Huo Du, the Golden Wheel Monk, and others will also be there."

"Coming to Zhao'an?" Huyan Lei asked in surprise.

"That's it."

Having witnessed the Golden Wheel Monk's prowess at the Heroes' Banquet, Zhang Wangyue said in a deep voice, "The Monk's martial arts are above ours, and Huo Du's subordinates are all skilled fighters. This is indeed a variable."

Zhou Yan laughed and said, "I have a way to make the Golden Wheel Monk like a stray dog."

"Haha, tell me quickly," Huyan Lei said.

"Back in Ganzhou, we all witnessed the might of the 'Iron Falcons' charging into battle. Chief镖头, Brother Huyan, and Brother Lu, would you be willing to join me in donning armor?"

Huyan Lei clapped his hands: "I am a descendant of the Huyan family, and I have long hoped to be like my ancestors, charging into battle in armor."

Lu Beihe Road: "The longing of the heart".

“Agreed!” Zhang Wangyue understood Zhou Yan’s meaning best.

Zhou Yan laughed; this was going to be interesting.

The escort team of over three hundred men was handed over to Wang Kui and Qiu Qianchi. Zhou Yan, Zhang Wangyue, Hu Yanlei, and Lu Beihe headed straight for Yang Miaozhen's group at the rear.

(End of this chapter)