The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 281: Being courteous for nothing is either adultery or theft.

Autumn has arrived, but the world is like a giant kiln, steaming with heat.

The verdant elm trees on the hilltop cast cool shade, and the leaves rustled in the wind. Looking out from the hillside, one could see markets and wharves of all sizes along the river.

The Fire-Worker Monk was old, but his physique was strong and robust. His robes swirled in the air like vortexes of wind. The burly and imposing Monk Baoshou held an iron rod, which he swung down as if it were the entire earth.

With a loud "bang," the iron rod smashed into the cassock that was being swirling around, creating a huge vortex of air.

"Apprentice, give it your all." The foreman of the fire-making workshop smiled sinisterly.

"understood."

Bao Shou's muscles and bones throbbed, his arms seemed to have grown thicker, and his bulging muscles resembled iron ingots. He unleashed a set of Shaolin Mad Demon Staff techniques, chopping, pointing, flicking, hooking, sweeping, and clouding, his staff dancing like thunder, carrying an earth-shattering power, his attacks like thousands of dragons soaring.

No matter how hard Bao Shou tried, he couldn't break through the bright yellow kasaya in his line of sight. The more effort he put in, the more turbulent the force of the iron rod's rebound became.

Suddenly, the bright yellow kasaya caught the iron rod and twisted it rapidly. Bao Shou's hand went numb, and the iron rod slipped from his grasp, plunging into the tree trunk with a thud, causing the elm tree to shake violently for a while.

"Congratulations, Master, on mastering the 'Kasaya Subduing Demon Skill'!" Bao Shou said hurriedly.

The Fire-Worker Monk felt a sense of satisfaction and let out a long, deep roar that soared into the sky and spread in all directions.

He was full of vigor and burned down the Shaolin Temple in the Western Regions. He also planted disciples in Shaoshi Mountain and learned three unique skills. Now he has mastered all of them and is just waiting for his disciples to steal the Yi Jin Jing.

The Fire-Worker Monk was a cunning schemer. He poisoned the dining hall of the Shaolin Temple in the Western Regions, thus seizing control of the temple. From then on, the entire martial arts world of the Western Regions revered the Vajra Sect, forcing Ku Hui to retreat to the Central Plains. His disciple then naturally entered the Shaolin Temple.

Bao Xian, a man of great wisdom, remained in the Western Regions while he led Bao Shu, along with the recovered Bao Shou, Bao Xiang, and others, southwards. They awaited the opportune moment to launch a sudden attack and seize control of all the temples in the land, finally able to hold their heads high and wash away the humiliation of decades past.

Both he and Ouyang Feng did things for Wanyan Honglie and Yang Kang, but unlike Helian Chuncheng and others who stayed in Kaifeng, they were always on the move and did their own thing. Like the Fire-Worker Monk, he wanted to find Huang Yaoshi, but by a twist of fate, he encountered Ouyang Feng, who wanted to arrange a marriage for Ouyang Ke.

They are all ruthless, decisive, and unscrupulous people, yet they can still get along.

This led to the scene where the two appeared at Yueyang Tower, joining forces to seize the "Great Shift of the Universe" manual. Both were more powerful than Zhang Sanqiang, and their simultaneous attack was due to the large number of Manichaean disciples in Jingzhou City, aiming for a swift victory. However, Zhou Yan ruined their plans.

The voice, like the chanting of Vajra, subsided. Huogong Toutuo sat down and Baoshou said, "Junior Brothers Baoxiang and Baolei haven't arrived yet. Shall I go and look for them?"

The Fire-Worker Monk said ominously, "No need, they must have already died at the hands of Zhou Yan and Zhang Sanqiang."

Bao Shou's expression turned fierce. "I swear to kill Zhou Yan."

"You are far inferior to him, so don't be reckless when you encounter Zhou Yan."

"Even the eldest brother is no match for Zhou Yan?"

The Fire-Worker Monk chuckled arrogantly and said smugly, "That depends on which senior brother."

"Disciple understands. Is the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth really that powerful?"

"If I wanted to master this skill, all I needed was Zhang Sanqiang's skill level, and I would be invincible."

"This disciple will definitely help Master obtain this skill."

The Fire-Worker Monk cackled, “My good disciple, I will now tell you about this ‘Kasaya Subduing Demon Skill’.”

Bao Shou was overjoyed, "Thank you, Master."

The Fire-Worker Monk explained the techniques and cultivation insights to Bao Shou in detail, and then said, "You can slowly ponder them. I'm going to see Ouyang Feng."

"Ok"

The Fire-Worker Monk got up, ready to go down the mountain.

Suddenly, a figure sped towards them from the foot of the mountain.

The Fire-Worker Monk felt a chill run down his spine and stopped in his tracks.
The figure swept across the sea of ​​grass like a wave cutting through the waves, then suddenly solidified, revealing itself to be a grinning old man.

"Hey, big monk, was it you who roared like a lion just now?"

"So what?"

"Your internal strength is incredibly profound. How about we have a fight?"

The Fire-Worker Monk observed the old man's movements and knew that his cultivation was no less than his own. He said, "Amitabha, monks are forbidden from fighting."

"Shall we have a friendly spar?"

"Monks practice martial arts only to cultivate their character and temperament."

"Please, I beg you," the old man said, bowing.

"This old monk has urgent business to attend to, farewell." The Fire-Worker Monk swayed and walked forward.

"What superb lightness skill! Let's have a footwork contest." The old man followed closely.

The Fire-Worker Monk turned around and went to sit cross-legged under the elm tree.

"We can compete in terms of willpower," the old man said, sitting down.
"Who are you, benefactor?" the Fire-Worker Monk asked, suppressing his anger.

"Zhou Botong".

"Please do as you please, Benefactor Zhou." The Fire-Worker Monk figured that after meditating for an hour or two, this old man who seemed to have something to rely on and was looking for trouble would have no way to leave.

Zhou Botong thought to himself, "I've been sitting on Peach Blossom Island for over ten years. Surely I'm not as good as you at meditation." With this thought, he felt invigorated and full of confidence.

Each lost in their own thoughts, they remained seated motionless under the old elm tree.

……

A riverside inn in Xiangyang.

Gongsun Zhi skillfully cleaned and re-bandaged Ouyang Feng's wounds, then said, "This place is quite close to the Valley of Heartbreak. Senior's injuries are quite serious. Why don't you go to the valley to recuperate?"

Yang Kang said, "I would also like to go for a walk. What do you think, Senior Ouyang and Chief Qiu?"

Qiu Qianren nodded: "It would be good to visit Elder Gongsun."

Ouyang Feng thought that coming to the Valley of Heartbreak was better than going to Kaifeng Prefecture, so he said, "Alright!"

Gongsun Zhi was overjoyed: "Your Highness, Senior Ouyang, Chief Qiu, please wait a moment. I will go and prepare some medicinal meals."

"it is good!"

Gongsun Zhi left the inn and went downstairs. He walked along the street toward the pharmacy. When he arrived at the old-established pharmacy, he suddenly saw a woman with slender fingers and fair wrists lifting the bamboo curtain. The woman swayed her waist gently, like a daffodil trembling slightly in the wind. Her skin was snow-white and tender, and her appearance was like that of a peach blossom.

Gongsun Zhi couldn't help but recall the lines: "In the jade hall hangs a pearl curtain, within which dwells a beautiful woman. Her appearance surpasses that of immortals, her beauty as lovely as peaches and plums."

A comparison was made quite naturally.

In comparison, Gongsun Zhi felt that the stunning beauties beside Ouyang Ke were like dirt compared to the woman before him, and Qiu Qianchi was far beyond his reach. The only one who could be compared to her was Huang Rong, whom he had seen at Yueyang Tower.

However, while Huang Yaoshi's daughter was exquisitely beautiful, she lacked the charm of a woman.

As the woman entered the pharmacy, Gongsun Zhi couldn't help but look again at her waist, which swayed like willow leaves and trembled like daffodils.

Li Mochou's intuition was astonishing.

She traveled south to find Zhou Yan. After crossing the river to the dock, she thought that she would often have to sleep in the countryside, where the weather was hot and humid and there were many mosquitoes, so she bought some insect repellent powder. However, upon entering the pharmacy, she felt as if she were being watched.

She remained calm and entered the pharmacy.

"Young lady, what would you like to order?"

"Give me some patchouli and mugwort."

"Is this mosquito repellent, young lady?" the waiter asked.

"Really."

"Huichuntang has sachets made of mint, perilla, star anise, fennel, and patchouli. Wearing them can repel mosquitoes and refresh the mind," Gongsun Zhi's voice suddenly rang out beside Li Mochou.

On the long street, two figures, one in black and one in red, leading horses, stopped and stood under the eaves of the pharmacy.

Inside the pharmacy, Li Mochou was quite displeased. She turned to the side and said, "Were you the one staring at me just now?"

Gongsun Zhi then noticed the long sword in the woman's hand.

"Miss, you misunderstand." Gongsun Zhi was surprised that Li Mochou had sensed him, but he also felt that the opportunity was rare, so he continued, "I went to the pharmacy to get medicine, and it was just a chance encounter with you, Miss. I only know a little about medicine, and when I heard you say you wanted to buy mosquito repellent powder, I couldn't help but suggest it. Please forgive my abruptness."

"Should I be thanking you?"

"Please don't be so polite, young lady. If you're not familiar with the way, I'll take you there. By the way, my name is Gongsun Zhi. May I ask your name, young lady?"

If it were the inexperienced Li Mochou, she would have believed Gongsun Zhi's words. However, Zhou Yan had imparted too much experience in the martial world, and she suddenly remembered Zhou Yan's saying, "Those who offer unsolicited kindness are either treacherous or thieves."
Li Mochou sneered:

"Ha, clearly harboring ill intentions."

(End of this chapter)