The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 293 Some prioritize chivalry, while others collude in evil.

The Songhelou Pavilion features soaring eaves that resemble a crane when viewed from afar, with white walls, black tiles, and drooping green willows.

Lanterns hung in rows outside the building, and plaques were prominently displayed. Inside, the building was adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, and bustling with activity.

The old beggar that Li Mochou had seen went up to the second floor and ordered a table full of food and wine. He was nothing like Lu Youjiao, the elder of the Beggars' Clan whom Zhou Yan had seen, who looked poor and destitute and begged for a living.

Originally, the Beggars' Sect was divided into two factions: Clean Clothes and Dirty Clothes. The Clean Clothes faction, aside from wearing patched-up beggar's clothes, lived like ordinary people. These people were mostly heroes of the martial arts world who joined the Beggars' Sect either because they admired its chivalrous deeds or because they were on good terms with its members; they were not truly beggars. The Dirty Clothes faction, however, lived by begging, strictly adhering to rules: they were forbidden from using money to buy things, from sharing meals with outsiders, and from fighting those who did not know martial arts.

The old beggar's clothes were patched, but he was well-built and had a fair complexion, so he belonged to the "clean clothes" faction. Lu Youjiao, whom Zhou Yan had met in Zhongdu, belonged to the "dirty clothes" faction.

The three men ate meat and drank wine, frequently attracting the attention of other diners in the building, but the old beggar didn't seem to care.

The sound of footsteps echoed downstairs as the three of them came up the stairs.

Before them stood a man with white hair and a youthful face, none other than Yu Huacheng, the leader of the White Lotus Sect. The man following behind him was around forty years old, tall, with a pale face, deep-set eyes that conveyed a sense of weariness, and a face that was sharply angled like a knife.

The last man to step forward was handsome and had an extraordinary bearing; he was none other than the White Lotus Saint, Wuse.

The three appeared, and the old beggar sitting in the private room had a slight change in expression before returning to normal.

Yu Huacheng stepped forward and said with a smile, "Elder Peng, it's been a long time."

"Master Yu, how have you been?" Elder Peng said with a chuckle.

In the Jingxiang area, the Beggars' Sect, the White Lotus Sect, and the Manichaeism were constantly in conflict and friction. As the Nine-Bag Elder, Elder Peng naturally recognized Yu Huacheng.

The two began their conversation with a few words, with Yu Huacheng saying, "How about I reserve a private room and have a good drink with Elder Peng?"

Elder Peng smiled and said, "The Beggars' Sect and the White Lotus Sect have a long-standing feud."

The pale-faced middle-aged man laughed and said, "Elder Peng, the thing you are carrying is Chief Hong's Dog-Beating Stick, right? It was obtained from the Manichaeism. The Beggars' Sect and the Manichaeism have a deep-seated grudge. Zhang Sanqiang's cultivation is not much inferior to Chief Hong's. After Elder Peng became the chief, doesn't he want to find a reliable helper?"

"Who are you?" Elder Peng asked politely, his pupils shrinking slightly.

Yu Huacheng introduced with a smile: "This is Zhuang Shiyi of our sect, Zhuang the Dharma Protector."

Elder Peng only knew that the White Lotus Sect had two great protectors, but he had never met them. Upon hearing this, he was secretly surprised, realizing that the other party must have been watching him from Jingxiang to Zhongdu.

However, after listening to Zhuang Shiyi's words, Elder Peng pondered them briefly and found them to make sense. In order to seize the Dog-Beating Stick, they had killed many Manichaean disciples in Yuezhou. The Beggars' Sect and the Manichaeism were already enemies, and the White Lotus Sect was also irreconcilably at odds with the Manichaeism; the enemy of one's enemy is also one's friend. However, this man's ability to guess his intention to take control of the Beggars' Sect showed he was indeed a shrewd and calculating individual.

Elder Peng thought to himself, and chuckled, “I’d rather accept your offer. The Beggars’ Sect’s roots are in the North. As the old man, I’ll do my duty as a host. How about I treat you to this meal?”

“No problem,” Yu Huacheng said with a smile.

Elder Peng left the full table of food for his two beggar disciples, and told the waiter to open a private room to serve wine and food. Everyone entered and sat down according to their status. Elder Peng raised his wine cup: "This old beggar toasts Leader Yu and Protector Zhuang."

"That's great, let's do it together!"

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the opening remarks, Elder Peng asked, "Please tell me, Master Yu, what brings you to see this old beggar?"

"Elder Peng speaks frankly, and I will not beat around the bush either," Yu Huacheng praised, and said, "I will assist Elder Peng in becoming the leader of the Beggars' Sect. Once Elder Peng is in charge of the Beggars' Sect, we can become friends with the White Lotus Sect and work together to deal with the Manichaeism, what do you think?"

Elder Peng was unaware of the origins of the White Lotus Sect and the Manichaeism. Yu Huacheng was the son of the former leader of the Manichaeism, and his aim was to regain control of the Manichaeism and seize the sect's most powerful martial art, "The Great Shift of Heaven and Earth." However, he was well aware of the conflict between the two sects. Upon hearing this, he breathed a slight sigh of relief and smiled, "I couldn't ask for more."

Yu Huacheng laughed heartily: "It's a pleasure to cooperate with you."

"Pleasant to work with."

……

The flames shone through the lantern shades, casting a warm orange glow across the courtyard, which contrasted beautifully with the surrounding rock pavilion.

"Brother Zhou."

Hua Zheng stood on the porch, panting heavily, her hands on her knees. She was strong and skilled in archery, but she had never practiced internal martial arts. After running all this way, she felt weak in the legs and short of breath.

Li Mochou's figure swept across the corridor and over the artificial hill, heading towards Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue who were walking towards her.

Whenever Huang Rong had something to say, she spoke quickly and urgently. Her voice was clear and crisp, like pearls falling onto a plate.

Li Mochou's voice was soft and melodious, delicate and gentle, and she spoke slowly and deliberately, "I encountered members of the Beggars' Clan on the street."

"Elaborate."

"He was a nine-bag elder, with two Beggar Clan disciples behind him. The old beggar mentioned that there was a Beggar Clan assembly and that he was determined to become the clan leader. By the way, the Beggar Clan disciples called the old beggar Elder Peng."

Zhou Yan breathed a sigh of relief. Things were finally looking up in the Beggars' Sect. Based on the story's trajectory in The Legend of the Condor Heroes, it wasn't hard to predict what was about to happen to the Beggars' Sect.

Hong Qigong, also known as the Northern Beggar, was from the Beggars' Clan, whose roots were in the north. Lu Youjiao was based in Zhongdu and Kaifeng, and the Beggars' Clan's disciples were mainly from the Dirty Clothes Sect. Elder Peng was one of the four elders in *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* who used "Mind Control Technique" to control Guo Jing and Huang Rong before defecting to the Mongols. He was quite cunning and shrewd. The Beggars' Clan assembly was for electing a leader. Unsurprisingly, the Dog-Beating Staff would fall into Elder Peng's hands. He brought the Dog-Beating Staff to Zhongdu to compete with Lu Youjiao for the Beggars' Clan's leadership. Hong Qigong couldn't possibly be unaware of this; he should also be in Zhongdu.

"Brother Zhou, should we go over there?" Li Mochou said.

Zhou Yan laughed and said, "No rush. Seventh Master is definitely in Zhongdu. Let's go to Brother Guo's place first."

“Okay,” Li Mochou readily agreed. “Where is the princess?” Zhou Yan asked.

Li Mochou then remembered that when they arrived at the escort agency, she had run ahead while Hua Zheng, due to exhaustion, had lagged behind.

"I was so busy talking about the Beggars' Sect that I left Hua Zheng behind. I'll go check on her now." Li Mochou handed the wrapped ginseng, lingzhi and other medicinal herbs to Zhou Yan, then turned and gracefully flew away.

"Miss Li has a good personality," Zhang Wangyue praised.

“Indeed.” Zhou Yan nodded with a smile.

Zhou Yan placed the medicinal herbs in the hall and walked side by side with Zhang Wangyue to the guest room of the escort agency. Hua Zheng recovered quickly, and in the night, the words of the Mongolian princess praising Li Mochou's lightness skill could be heard.

The porter led the horse over, and the four of them rode straight to the western suburbs.

……

"Chief镖头 Zhang, Brother Zhou, and Hua Zheng have arrived."

The slightly cool autumn breeze blended into Bao Xiruo's kind and gentle demeanor and warmth.

Hua Zheng accompanied Guo Jing to visit Bao Xiruo many times, and the two became quite familiar with each other.

When Zhou Yan was in Fu'an, whenever he went to the outskirts to cultivate, he would hunt on his way back and bring a few game to the Yang family, so he was no stranger to them. Bao Xiruo, who had already prepared wine and food, stepped forward to greet him warmly.

After Zhou Yan returned the greeting with a bow and introduced Li Mochou, Bao Xiruo took a closer look and smiled, "You are quite beautiful, young lady."

Li Mochou was secretly delighted. "Mochou greets Madam Yang."

"Come on, let's go inside."

The wine was "Pear Blossom White," and the table was laden with a variety of dishes, both meat and vegetables. After exchanging toasts and chatting about everyday matters, Bao Xiruo mentioned preparing some clothes for Huazheng to take back to the desert for Guo Jing's mother, Li Ping. She then pulled Huazheng away.

Zhou Yan secretly praised Bao Xiruo, saying she was clever and virtuous.

Zhang Wangyue poured wine and said, "Brother Guo, on your westward expedition, this cup of wine is to bid you farewell."

"Thank you, Chief Escort."

"Brother Yang, let's have a drink together," Zhou Yan said.

The four men raised their wine cups and drank them down in one gulp. Zhang Wangyue said, "Brother Zhou, you may bring some books on military strategy and tactics to read on this western expedition."

Guo Jing clasped his hands in a fist and bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Chief Escort Zhang."

"Brother Guo, you're too kind. I'd also like to share a set of Eight Formations for training combat. These Eight Formations were originally created by Zhuge Liang based on ancient methods. They have been passed down to the present day and have been modified by General Yue. When applied to the battlefield, they are highly effective in defeating the enemy."

Guo Jing was taken aback. "It's Grandpa Yue's military strategy."

"Exactly."

Yang Tiexin knew that Zhang Wangyue was a descendant of Zhang Xian, the general of the Yue family army, but he never mentioned it to Guo Jing. Now, seeing the chief镖头 (chief镖头, a type of bodyguard) imparting military strategy, he said, "The chief镖头 is a descendant of General Zhang Xian."

Guo Jing rose and hurriedly knelt down, saying, "What virtue or ability do I possess to learn Yue Fei's military strategies?"

Zhang Wangyue quickly helped Guo Jing up, saying, "Brother Guo, there's no need for this. Hundreds of thousands of people in Zhongdu alone were spared from disaster because of you. How can we not learn from you?"

Guo Jing stood up and Zhang Wangyue said, "There is only one thing I hope Brother Guo will keep in mind."

"Please speak, Chief Escort. Guo Jing will listen attentively and act accordingly."

"General Yue's lifelong ambition is to drive out the barbarians and restore our land. Brother Guo, if you are ever valued by the Great Khan, do not use military tactics to help the Great Khan harm our land and people."

Guo Jing hurriedly replied, "I obeyed the Great Khan's call, but only for that scoundrel Wanyan Honglie. My seven masters often said that the greatest heroes are not only those with superb martial arts skills, but also those who have the world in their hearts and are willing to take responsibility. I will never forget this. My mother also taught me to be kind and not to do anything wrong. I would never do anything to betray my master and ancestors."

“Brother Guo is a true hero,” Zhou Yan said.

Guo Jing raised his cup and said sincerely, "During my time in Zhongdu, I often heard Uncle Yang speak of my benefactor." Guo Jing was filled with emotion and blurted out that he was Zhou Yan's benefactor. He continued, "I met Uncle Yang by chance at Fengling Ferry, and he was a chivalrous man. He traveled a thousand miles alone for the sake of an Indian monk. I admired him greatly. After avenging my father's murder, I took my mother south and followed my master's teachings, acting as a chivalrous man like my benefactor."

"I respect Brother Guo."

"Thank you so much, my benefactor."

Zhang Wangyue raised his glass, "I also toast Brother Guo, though the road ahead may be fraught with peril, keep your integrity in mind and let things take their course."

"Guo Jing will remember this in his heart."

The three drank together and sat down. Zhang Wangyue taught Guo Jing the Eight Formations from the "Wumu Legacy". Guo Jing found it difficult to understand at first, but he forced himself to memorize it, thinking that when he returned to the desert, he would train his 10,000-strong army in accordance with the method.

At 9 PM, Zhou Yan, Li Mochou, and Zhang Wangyue bid farewell to Yang Tiexin and his wife, Guo Jing, and Hua Zheng, and rode into Zhongdu. The two delivered their horses to the Fu'an Escort Agency and headed straight for the lodging of Lu Youjiao, the elder of the Beggars' Sect.

(End of this chapter)