The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 282 Captured, Rescue

Yang Miaozhen had long ago told Qiu Qianchi that once the Tongbai Mountain and Funiu Mountain strongholds were settled, she would accompany her to the Valley of Heartbreak to see if Gongsun Zhi was someone she could entrust with her duties.

After Zhou Yan left Dazhai, he traveled from Yuezhou to Baicaogu, and then north to Jingzhou with Liu Qingzhou and others. During this time, Yang Miaozhen organized the many affairs in the village in an orderly manner.

The two went down the mountain, passed through Xinye, and went straight to Xiangyang.

They arrived just as Yang Kang and his party were returning to Kaifeng Prefecture.

If Ouyang Feng had not been injured, such a coincidence would not have occurred. However, everything changed because Zhou Yan's stabbing of Ouyang Feng triggered a "butterfly effect".

Qiu Qianchi not only saw Gongsun Zhi, but also heard the entire conversation between the Valley Master of Jueqing Valley and Li Mochou.

Gongsun Zhi, unaware that walls have ears, was mocked by Li Mochou. He responded with considerable composure, saying, "My intentions were merely well-intentioned. Since you have misunderstood, I will not disturb you any longer."

When Gongsun Zhi said this, Li Mochou didn't know how to respond, and simply said, "That would be best."

After she finished speaking, she said to the shop assistant, "Please get the medicine."

"Please wait a moment, young lady."

The shop assistant quickly prepared the medicine, and Li Mochou paid the money and left the pharmacy without lingering.

Gongsun Zhi was skilled in alchemy and medicine. He told his assistant about a few herbs that could promote blood circulation and tissue regeneration, then hurriedly left the pharmacy with the packaged medicine.

The swift horse galloped along and soon stopped at a tavern on the side of the street. Gongsun Zhi stared intently until Li Mochou entered the tavern, then sighed, turned around, and walked listlessly toward the inn.

Qiu Qianchi and Yang Miaozhen walked out from the alleyway next to the pharmacy.

"Let's go back to Funiu Mountain," said Qiu Qianchi, who had overheard every word Gongsun Zhi spoke in the medicine shop.

Yang Miaozhen had little experience in matters of the heart, so she comforted him, "Master Gongsun's words don't seem to be inappropriate. Why don't we take another look?"

"Need not!"

“Since we’re here, how can we be so arbitrary? Let’s go.” Yang Miaozhen tied the reins of her horse to a willow tree on the side of the street and pulled Qiu Qianchi to follow.

……

"Thank you for your help, Master Valley."

Gongsun Zhi entered the inn, and Ouyang Ke, who was eating in the lobby, greeted him with a smile.

"Young Master Ouyang, you're too kind."

"Why does the Valley Master look so unwell?" Ouyang Ke asked.

“Yes, the Valley Master just left in high spirits,” Helian Chuncheng said.

"Valley Master, why don't we have a drink together? What brings you here?"

Gongsun Zhi sat down, drank his wine, and said, "I was just distracted when I saw a woman who looked like Miss Qiu."

A gust of wind swept across the eaves, and a few fallen leaves tumbled at Yang Miaozhen's feet. Her pretty face turned cold as she thought to herself, "How could Gongsun Zhi be so shameless? Saying that Miss Qiu and that woman are similar is like comparing heaven and earth!"

Qiu Qianchi's face turned ashen.

Ouyang Ke was well aware of Gongsun Zhi's thoughts. He chuckled and said, "Where did that young lady go? Let me go and see this woman who resembles Miss Qiu."

“I’ll go take a look too,” Helian Chuncheng said.

"Let's go together!" Yin Kexi, who had lost an arm, and Nemo Xing egged them on.

Gongsun Zhi went with the flow, "We've arrived at the restaurant ahead."

"I'll trouble you, Master, to prepare the medicine. I'll be right back."

"Young Master Ouyang, please don't be so polite."

Ouyang Ke and his three companions got up and walked towards the entrance of the inn.

Under the bright autumn sunlight, Qiu Qianchi appeared at the entrance of the inn in a flash.

Ouyang Ke glanced at Iron Palm Lotus. Her appearance was acceptable, but not as beautiful as Mei Ji's. He frowned and said, "Miss, please step aside."

A gunshot rang out, and Yang Miaozhen appeared beside Qiu Qianchi. Ouyang Ke's eyes lit up, thinking to himself that this girl was pretty and spirited, and worth taking action against.

Gongsun Zhi heard the commotion at the inn's entrance and turned around.

A familiar figure and face suddenly rushed in. His hand trembled, and the wine glass fell to the ground, shattering into pieces with a crash.

"Miss Qiu."

Ouyang Ke was taken aback. The woman with the unfriendly expression in front of him was Qiu Qianren's sister, Qiu Qianchi.
Gongsun Zhi was initially surprised but then delighted. He quickly got up and stepped forward, saying, "When Miss Qiu left that day, I searched all over the country but couldn't find her. It's true that heaven rewards those who persevere, and I've been able to see you again."

Ouyang Ke withdrew his gaze from Yang Miaozhen. Now that Qiu Qianchi had appeared, there was no need to kidnap anyone from the restaurant. The woman in front of him was outstanding in both figure and appearance. Wouldn't it be better to use some effort to get her?

Thinking it over, he laughed and said, "That's right. Just now, Valley Master Gongsun said that he saw a woman who resembled Miss Qiu and was in a daze and not in good spirits."

"This is terrible!" Gongsun Zhi's expression changed drastically.

Qiu Qianchi asked in a cold voice, "But, Valley Master Gongsun?" "Miss Qiu, please let me explain."

Qiu Qianchi let out a soft breath and said, "No need. I saw that girl outside the pharmacy. Whether she looks like her or not, you and I both know the truth. The reason I showed up is to say a few words."

Qiu Qianchi's voice was cold and urgent: "After much deliberation, I've decided I'm not a suitable match. From now on, let's go our separate ways peacefully and leave each other alone. Also, don't deceive that girl. Farewell!"

After Qiu Qianchi finished speaking, he said to Yang Miaozhen, "Sister Yang, let's go."

The two turned and walked under the eaves when a cold snort suddenly rang out from the lobby staircase, "Qianchi, where are you going?"

Qiu Qianchi's heart skipped a beat, and she secretly groaned, "Why is my second brother here too?"

"Let's go!" she urged Yang Miaozhen.

"Stop her."

"Excuse me." Ouyang Ke smiled slightly and strode after Yang Miaozhen.

As Yang Miaozhen turned around, a fierce and domineering dark red spear suddenly thrust towards Ouyang Ke.

The spear thrust in a straight line, and a terrifying killing intent surged forth. Ouyang Ke's hair stood on end, and he retreated swiftly. Qiu Qianren appeared ghost-like in front of Ouyang Ke. His sleeves, which had been fluttering softly, hardened like iron plates the moment he approached, and a powerful force stirred up a piercing whistling sound in the air.

Yang Miaozhen wielded her spear like a dragon, while Qiu Qianren struck the spear tip directly with his iron sleeve. The force of the impact sent the spearhead flying like a chaotic snake.

The sounds of fighting, banging and clanging, quickly spread from the lobby to the long street.

"Second Brother, stop!" Qiu Qianchi lunged at Qiu Qianren, but was stopped by Ouyang Ke and Helian Chuncheng.

Yang Miaozhen retreated six steps and thrust out thirty-two spears. The buzzing sound of the spear being hit by the rusty sleeve grew louder and louder. Suddenly, Qiu Qianren stepped forward and struck out with both palms. With a loud bang, the powerful internal force sent the spear flying into the sky.

Qiu Qianren's palm strike, carrying a heavy and fierce force, landed on Yang Miaozhen once again.

Yang Miaozhen's martial arts skills were not particularly good, so how could she be a match for Qiu Qianren, who was famous for his Iron Palm technique? After only a few rounds, Yang Miaozhen was struck in the shoulder by a palm strike. She staggered backward, and Qiu Qianren followed closely, striking her pressure points.

Qiu Qianchi lunged at Qiu Qianren, and the two figures spun around in the street. After more than thirty moves, she was also struck in the acupoints.

Qiu Qianren said to a leader of the Iron Palm Clan who had come after hearing the news, "Find a carriage and take him to the Valley of Heartbreak."

"Alright!" The hall master turned around to find the carriage.

Among the crowd watching on one side of the long street, Li Mochou thought to herself, "I should help those in need. How can I just stand by and watch them die? There's that scoundrel Ouyang Ke in the other side's group. I can't just stand by and do nothing. But that man's martial arts are really powerful. I'm no match for him. I can only act according to the situation."

The restaurant was not far from the inn. Li Mochou, who heard the fighting, rushed over and saw Qiu Qianren capturing Yang Miaozhen and Qiu Qianchi.

She was a novice who had been rescued by Zhou Yan, and now that she saw Yang Miaozhen and Qiu Qianchi in trouble, she would not stand idly by.

The crowd of onlookers quickly dispersed, and soon after, the leader of the Iron Palm Gang arrived at the inn by car. Ouyang Feng, Qiu Qianren, and others went downstairs, rode horses, and drove straight to the Valley of Heartbreak.

Li Mochou followed from a distance, her heart filled with worry.

……

Before the sun had set, weary birds returned to their nests, flying over the docks and markets.

The chestnut horse by the roadside snorted uneasily.

"what!"

A surprised cry rang out from the long street as Zhou Yan leaped down from the "Night-Illuminated Jade Lion".

The old fisherman also dismounted, asking in confusion, "This seems to be Chief Yang's horse."

“It’s the chestnut horse.” Zhou Yan reached out, and the chestnut horse that recognized him poked its head out and rubbed against his sleeve. He looked at another black horse with a somewhat solemn expression and said, “This is Miss Qiu’s mount.”

"I'll go and find out," said the old fisherman.

"One."

Zhou Yan untied the reins, and the chestnut horse and the black horse followed the "Night-Shining Jade Lion." The four of them inquired along the street, and with a little money, they easily learned about the fight that had taken place on the main street outside the inn that afternoon, as well as the news that Yang Miaozhen and Qiu Qianchi had been captured.

The red clouds hanging in the sky were burning like fire. Zhou Yan breathed a sigh of relief and said to the Fisherman of Misty Waves, "Miss Yang and Miss Qiu should have been taken to the Valley of Heartbreak."

The old fisherman chuckled, "I was planning to visit the Valley of Heartbreak last time, but I missed the opportunity because I met Miss Qiu at the dock. This time, I'll give it a try."

Liu Qingzhou and Baicao Xianweng both knew that this trip was dangerous. Ouyang Feng and Qiu Qianren alone were no match for the four of them, but the situation was urgent and they could not afford to send Zhao and Zhang Sanqiang from Jingzhou to help them.

"Get ready, we're heading to the Valley of Heartbreak." Zhou Yan chuckled in a low voice, "Time to pick up lime powder again."

The Herbalist was taken aback and asked, "What are you going to do with lime powder?"

"Throwing lime is very effective; I've used it on Ouyang Feng and Qiu Qianren."

Liu Qingzhou and Yanbo Diaosou were taken aback, then burst into laughter.

As night fell, Zhou Yan, Liu Qingzhou, and the others, having purchased lime and ropes, left the dock and headed straight for the Valley of Heartbreak.

(End of this chapter)