The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 297 Asking what love is in the world

The night was filled with mist and dew, and the autumn wind rustled through the poplar trees, making the leaves move like the sound of a reed pipe.

"Seventh Duke."

Zhou Yan landed in the abandoned temple, threw Elder Peng to the ground, and leaped onto the roof.

The fish-scale green tiles and the moonlight like frost cast a pale silvery hue on Hong Qigong as he drank, with Li Mochou, holding a sword in her arms, sitting beside him.

"Kid, did you get anything out of him?"

"We found out. The Dog-Beating Stick did indeed fall into the hands of the Manichaeans, and Elder Peng, upon learning the news, led the disciples of the Yuezhou branch to retrieve it. The conflict between the Beggars' Sect and the Manichaeans was instigated by Elder Peng. Yu Huacheng's purpose in seeking out Elder Peng was similar to what he said: the White Lotus Sect supported him as their leader, and the Beggars' Sect and the White Lotus Sect would cooperate to deal with the Manichaeans. Most of the Clean Clothes Sect disciples were heroes from the martial arts world who came because of its reputation, and Elder Peng arranged for Zhuang Shiyi to be a four-bag disciple, so no one suspected anything. As for the selection of the Martial Arts Sect leader, this was something Elder Peng had already discussed with Elder Liang and Elder Jian, taking advantage of the conflict between the Clean Clothes Sect and the Dirty Clothes Sect. However, the two elders were unaware of Zhuang Shiyi's true identity."

Hong Qigong said he wanted to find Zhang Sanqiang, and Yu Huacheng participated in the Beggars' Sect meeting again, supporting Elder Peng to become the leader of the Beggars' Sect. Zhou Yan felt it was necessary to briefly explain the grudges between the Manichaeism and the White Lotus Sect to Hong Qigong.

"Yu Huacheng, the leader of the White Lotus Sect, is the son of Yu Wupo, the former leader of the Manichaeism Sect. The root of the conflict between the two sects is that Yu Huacheng wants to regain control of the Manichaeism Sect and seize its supreme martial arts technique, 'The Great Shift of Heaven and Earth'."

"Hmm, kid, you've done a great job, you've helped the old beggar a lot."

"Seventh Master, there's no need for such formalities."

"After finishing his work, the old beggar went to Jingzhou."

"Seventh Master, there is one more thing."

Hong Qigong stared wide-eyed.

Zhou Yan chuckled and said, "Why the Dog-Beating Stick ended up in the hands of the Manichaeans is something worth considering. At the time, Seventh Master fell out of Yueyang Tower and was unconscious. Ouyang Feng, the Fire-Worker Monk, Qiu Qianren, and others were chasing fiercely, and I had no time to attend to anything else. Leader Zhang summoned Manichaeans for help, so it's possible that the Dog-Beating Stick ended up in the hands of Manichaeans. However, it's also possible that someone else did something to incite conflict between the Beggars' Sect and the Manichaeans, thus weakening both sides."

"Who do you think is most likely?"

"Wanyan Kang is the prime suspect."

"know."

"How should we deal with Elder Peng, Master Qi?"

Hong Qigong paused for a moment, then said, "Expel them from the Beggars' Sect."

"Seventh Master is wise."

"Alright, you and Mochou go back. Old Beggar will handle the gang's affairs."

"okay."

"Seventh Master, Mochou is gone. When you have some free time, come to Zhongnan Mountain and I will brew you a few jars of fine wine."

"The girl is kind, but don't deliberately wait for the old beggar."

"Of course, Mo Chou knows the Seventh Master."

"Haha, go ahead."

Zhou Yan and Li Mochou stood up, bowed to Hong Qigong to say goodbye, and the two jumped off the roof. After a few leaps, they disappeared into the night. When they were a little further away from Fu Temple, Zhou Yan led Li Mochou to leap onto an old tree with a lush canopy.

In that abandoned temple, Hong Qigong was no longer as magnanimous as before. He used swift and decisive methods to expel Elder Peng and his two disciples from the Beggars' Clan. Elder Jian and Elder Liang were stripped of their elder status and made into eight-bag disciples. Li Sheng was promoted to elder, and the beggars cheered.

Elder Peng knelt down to thank Hong Qigong for showing mercy, and then left the abandoned courtyard.

……

The night wind rustled through the buildings of Zhongdu City, large and small. Elder Peng and his two disciples walked along and entered the "Yuelai Inn." The disciples lit lamps and poured tea. Elder Peng, sitting in a chair, revealed a sinister expression on his plump face.

"Master, what should we do now?"

Another disciple said, "The world is vast, and with Master's talent, there is nowhere he cannot find a place to settle down. He is already tired of staying in the Beggars' Sect. This is forbidden, that is not allowed."

“That makes sense, Master. How about we go to the White Lotus Sect?” the first disciple to speak said.

Elder Peng sipped his tea and said, "Having been stripped of your elder status, going to the White Lotus Sect would be like living under someone else's roof. Do you think Yu Huacheng and Zhuang Shiyi would value you?"

"What should we do then?"

Elder Peng said sinisterly, "There's an even better place to go."

"Master, where is this?"

Elder Peng chuckled softly, “It’s right in front of us. Find the Mongolian prince, Huo Du. He’s recruiting talent. With my ‘mind-controlling technique’ and my intelligence, I won’t have to worry about not being given important positions.”

"well said!"

A sudden sound from the window startled Elder Peng. The half-open window was flung open by Zhou Yan, who landed in the guest room.

The sudden chill was like a raging sea of ​​blood, making Elder Peng's hair stand on end. He slashed out with both palms, one in front of the other.

A clear, bright sword light flashed, and Zhou Yan, like a dragonfly treading on water, struck a vital acupoint on Elder Peng's body. Zhou Yan's body darted left and right, thrusting his long sword repeatedly. Elder Peng's two disciples clutched their chests and staggered back several steps, with blood flowing from their mouths, noses, and ears with each step.

With a thud, the two fell to the ground.

Elder Peng had already died, bleeding from all seven orifices.

Zhou Yan knew Elder Peng's character. Whether he followed the storyline of The Return of the Condor Heroes and joined Huo Du, or sought another place to stay, he would harm Hong Qigong. Zhou Yan decided to eliminate him completely.

……

Zhou Yan leaped out of the window, a breath of internal energy warming him, making him as light as a swallow as he swirled onto the roof.
“Let’s go!” he said to Li Mochou, who was waiting on the rooftop.

Two figures appeared and disappeared in the dark wind, and soon arrived at Zhou Yan's courtyard. A familiar scene unfolded: fallen leaves and dusty rooms filled the courtyard. Zhou Yan looked at the somewhat surprised Li Mochou and said with a smile, "Each time I go on a delivery mission, it takes at least ten days to half a month, and sometimes up to a hundred days. This is how it always looks when I come back."

"I'll help you clean."

"You are a guest, how can I let you come?"

"It's nothing, we often did these things when we were in the ancient tomb."

Li Mochou strode forward, placed her long sword on the weapon rack under the eaves of the west wing, took a wooden basin to draw water from the well, then rolled up her sleeves, took a rag and went inside to wipe the tables and chairs. Under the warm yellow light, a bright red "virginity mark" was faintly visible on her snow-white skin.

She was busy with the household chores, while Zhou Yan swept up fallen leaves in the yard.

Every now and then, he would glance back at the woman bustling about under the lamplight, and suddenly feel that this was what home was all about.

The autumn wind swept across Zhongdu City, heading south, crossing the Yellow River and landing on Shaoshi Mountain.

In the moonlight, a figure as swift as a hawk swept over the Shaolin Temple wall and landed on the ground. With a few leaps, the figure reached the woods. The figure proceeded cautiously, and when it saw the tall and thin Fireworker Monk sitting on a rock, its face lit up with joy, and it quickly stepped forward, saying, "Disciple greets Master."

The Fire-Worker Monk grinned sinisterly, "My good disciple, have you found the *Yi Jin Jing*?"

The figure said, "Master, please forgive me, I have not found it, but I have remembered another divine skill."

"What kind of unique skill is it?"

"It is the highest level of Shaolin internal martial arts, the 'Indestructible Vajra Body'."

The Fire-Worker Monk chuckled, "He truly is my good disciple."

"I will tell Master right away."

"it is good."

The figure recited the cultivation method of the "Indestructible Vajra Body" to the Fire-Worker Monk. His memory was amazing; the figure only needed to say it twice, and he remembered it word for word.

The Fire-Worker Monk silently memorized it once, then asked, "Are there still people in the temple practicing this technique?"

The figure said, "Tianxin and Tianming of the Arhat Hall and Bodhidharma Hall have been cultivating for a long time, but none of them have made such rapid progress as their disciple."

The Fire-Worker Monk scoffed, "How can Tianxin and Tianming's talents compare to yours? And what about Ku Hui?"

"His injuries have fully healed, and he is now undergoing rigorous training."

"Well, the Vajra Indestructible Body is no less than the Yi Jin Jing. You should stop for now and not try to memorize the techniques, lest you give yourself away. Just study and practice diligently in the temple. Once I have mastered the Vajra Indestructible Body, I will take care of those two old men. After that, the one who will inherit my mantle will be my good disciple."

"Disciple only asks to serve Master. Without Master, there would be no disciple."

"Good disciple, I will now share with you my insights into the cultivation of the 'Kasaya Subduing Demons Technique,' 'Crossing the River on a Reed,' and 'Shadow-Following Leg Technique.'"

"Thank you, Master."

The Fire-Worker Monk recounted his insights from cultivating these three Shaolin skills, which the figure remembered. Nearly an hour later, the figure bid farewell to the Fire-Worker Monk, circled through the forest to the back mountain, and leaped into the temple.

The Fire-Worker Monk used the "Crossing the River on a Reed" light-foot technique, making him as light as smoke. When he arrived at Mount Song, he found a secluded valley cave and practiced asceticism in the world of Yitian. He saw that the monk had achieved great success in his cultivation, and even Xie Xun, the Dharma King of the Ming Cult, could not defeat him with his "Seven Wounds Fist".

……

The Great Wall of Qi is located outside Zhongdu City.

Zhou Yan and Li Mochou walked along, and saw the winding Great Wall stretching into the distant mountains and disappearing into the clouds. Being there, the magnificent and awe-inspiring scenery stirred their hearts.

Over the course of several days, Zhou Yan kept his promise and took Li Mochou to tour Zhongdu, where they enjoyed a fine banquet at the "Songhelou" restaurant and mutton soup in an unnamed alley within the city.

Hunting on horseback in the western mountains, boating on the Chaobai River.

The sky was clear, and the two of them climbed the Great Wall (the Great Wall of the Northern Qi Dynasty) together.

In autumn, literary figures and poets are everywhere, enjoying themselves as they admire the autumn mountains and maple leaves, occasionally listening to scholars reciting poems and composing lyrics in front or behind them.

As autumn deepens, Zhou Yan and Li Mochou stand on the Great Wall, their gaze sweeping across the distant forests ablaze with color.

A group of scholars were enjoying the autumn scenery when one of them saw geese flying in the sky and said with a smile, "Throughout history, if we're talking about using geese to express emotions, then Yuan Haowen's 'Touching Fish - Ode to the Goose Mound' is the best example."

A scholar gently waved his folding fan and said, "Indeed, 'What is love in this world that makes people willing to die for it? A pair of lovers fly across the vast land, their old wings enduring countless seasons. Joyful moments, bitter partings, and among them, foolish lovers. You should have words to say: Across ten thousand miles of layered clouds, a thousand mountains covered in evening snow, to whom does this solitary figure turn?'"

"It's a pity that Yuan Haowen was a Jurchen."

"Literature and literature are inseparable."

"That's true."

Scholars and literati walked past Zhou Yan and Li Mochou. Mochou looked at the flocks of wild geese in the blue sky and said to Zhou Yan with a smile, "Brother Zhou, this word describes something different from the geese. Geese are not people, so how can they have sorrow?"

Zhou Yan only knew that Yuan Haowen was a poet of the Jin Dynasty, but he was unclear about the year when this poem "Touching Fish - Ode to the Goose Mound" was written. He heard from other scholars that it was written on its own.

Thinking of the verses Li Mochou recited when she perished in the flames of the Valley of Heartbreak in the world of The Return of the Condor Heroes, and then looking at the bright-faced person in his line of sight, he sighed inwardly, but said aloud, "There is a story behind this. Yuan Haowen, on his way to take the imperial examination, heard a goose hunter say that there was a pair of geese flying wing to wing in the sky. After one of them was captured and killed, the other goose fell from the sky and died for love. This inspired him to write the verses."

"Ah, is that so?" Li Mochou stared blankly at the wild goose that was gradually disappearing into the clouds. She suddenly said, "Qiu Qianren, Ouyang Feng, and Huogong Toutuo are all incredibly powerful, and they are all Brother Zhou's enemies. You must take good care of yourself in the future. If anything happens to you, your junior sister and I will be very sad, just like that wild goose."

Zhou Yan paused for a moment, then laughed:

"it is good!"

(End of this chapter)