The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 307 Joining, Faith

The night sky is filled with flowing stars, and beneath it, more than a dozen grief-stricken faces are gathered together.

A night breeze rustled through the leaves in the courtyard, and a faint scent of blood permeated the air.

In the afternoon, Zhang Jinzhong, Helian Zhantai, and the others still hadn't received any news from Zhang Julu about their successful interception and killing of Han Dang and Lu Beihe of Zhenwei Escort Agency.

At this point, unease began to grow in the hearts of the three of them and started to intensify.

After all, based on the estimated time it took for the dozens of people from Zhenwei Escort Agency to leave the city, Zhang Julu, who was chasing on horseback, should be able to catch up with them and solve the problem no matter what.

Yin Donglai dispatched a head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) with his bodyguards and assistants to search outside the city. The experienced head镖师 of Changfeng镖局 (Escort Agency) found the desolate forest where the head镖师 of Zhenwei镖局 (Escort Agency) had dumped the body based on the traces and blood left on the ground, and brought Zhang Julu's body back to Longmen镖局 (Escort Agency).

At this time, in the courtyard of Longmen Escort Agency, besides Helian Zhantai and others, there were also Helian Chuncheng, Yin Kexi, Nimo Xing, Gongsun Zhi, Sha Tongtian and others who had rushed over out of fear of Zhou Yan's retaliation.

Zhang Julu had too many bones shattered by Zhou Yan's "Wenji Returns to Han" move from the "Beauty Fist Technique," making him look as limp as a large blood sac.

Helian Chuncheng's face turned pale as he thought of Master Lingzhi.

Master Lingzhi also died. Unlike Qiu Qianren, he did not possess the powerful internal strength to protect himself, nor did he have the external martial arts skills cultivated by Baoshou and Baoshu. He lost his life during the fight on the long street outside the "Four Seasons Studio" to Zhou Yan's "Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute".

Helian Chuncheng muttered to himself, "It was Zhou Yan. He was the one who did it. The situation of the master is exactly the same. Back in Zhongnan Mountain, he also injured Mr. Ouyang with this kind of boxing technique."

He Lianchuncheng thought of what Nemo Xing had said, and realized that Longmen Escort Agency and Changfeng Escort Agency had acted inconsiderately in their dealings with Zhenwei Escort Agency.

Kaifeng Prefecture, which could have trapped Zhenwei Escort Agency to death, chose the most extreme method. As a result, not only did the enemy escape with the help of Zhou Yan and Huang Rong, but they also gained an enemy.

Zhang Jinzhong's face kept changing color, turning bluish, then pale, then gray. As he stared at the corpse of his "Divine Fist" brother, his eyes widened, the muscles in his cheeks tightened, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

"Brother Zhang, please accept my condolences." Helian Zhantai stepped forward to comfort him.

"Zhou Yan, I swear I will never let you get away with this!" Zhang Jinzhong's grief-stricken voice rang out in the night.

The commotion came from the gatehouse of the security escort agency, followed by greetings.

Helian and his son, Nimo Xing and others looked over, and Yang Kang and Bao Shou walked in.

Helian Chuncheng stepped forward quickly and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"No need to be polite."

"How are Chief Qiu and Mr. Ouyang?" Helian Chuncheng asked.

"Chief Qiu is not in serious condition. Senior Ouyang is treating Brother Ouyang, and he can be saved."

Helian Chuncheng breathed a sigh of relief and then said, "It was Zhou Yan who did it."

Yang Kang nodded, stepped forward to comfort Helian Zhantai, Yin Donglai, and Zhang Jinzhong, and said to the three of them, "I will definitely take Zhou Yan's life."

Zhang Jinzhong cupped his hands in greeting, "Whatever Your Highness requires, Longmen Escort Agency will do its utmost."

"Of course!" Yang Kang replied politely, but in his heart he wondered how loyal Zhang Jin was. He couldn't judge, but Jiang Kui's ability to fight Zhou Yan to a standstill on Dongting Lake was truly outstanding. All the large and small escort agencies in Jiangnan followed the lead of the Longmen Escort Agency. If his father went south, the Longmen Escort Agency could be of great help. In this light, Zhang Julu's death was a good thing.

With this in mind, he summoned his guards and ordered a city-wide search to arrest Zhou Yan, making a show of force for Zhang Jinzhong.

……

"Back at Iron Palm Peak, Qiu Qianren left us at a loss, making us walk on thin ice. Now you can seriously injure Qiu Qianren. I think given time, defeating Iron Palm Water-Walking will be a piece of cake."

The "Jade Lion Under the Night" glided swiftly along the road to Funiu Mountain, with Huang Rong laughing as they rode side by side.

"Actually, in terms of cultivation level, he is still somewhat inferior to Qiu Qianren."

"But you are no longer afraid of him."

“That’s true,” Zhou Yan said with a smile. Back at Iron Palm Peak, Qiu Qianren was chasing him, and he had to rely on lime powder to save his life. Now, let alone Qiu Qianren, even if he encountered Ouyang Feng, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to escape after fighting for dozens of rounds.

He was refreshed and energetic, urging his horse on, the silver saddle gleaming on the white horse, swift as a shooting star.

Zhou Yan, Huang Rong, and Mei Chaofeng traveled day and night from Kaifeng Prefecture and arrived at Funiu Mountain two days later.

Yang Miaozhen had already arranged for people to wait at the foot of the mountain.

Zhou Yan, Huang Rong, and Mei Chaofeng headed straight for Dazhai along the layered mountain range. The little leopard excitedly ran around in the forest, startling the forest birds into flight.

"Before I return to Peach Blossom Island, how about I temporarily place the little leopard in the care of Funiu Mountain?"

"The dragon enters the deep abyss, the leopard enters the forest; excellent."

"I kind of like it here," Huang Rong said to herself, gazing at the main peak of Funiu Mountain, which appeared and disappeared in the clouds.

"You can come anytime."

"Of course," Huang Rong replied with a smile.

Before the three arrived at the mountain stronghold, several fine horses galloped towards them from the autumn light.

"Brother Zhou, we've finally been waiting for you." Yang Miaozhen's clear voice rang out from afar.

"Brother Zhou, Miss Huang. Long time no see." Accompanying Yang Miaozhen were Han Dang and the Immortal of a Hundred Herbs. The old man, with his white hair and beard, had a hearty voice that echoed through the mountains. As they approached, they dismounted. Huang Rong greeted the Immortal of a Hundred Herbs, and then Yang Miaozhen grasped her hand. "Sister Huang, dressed in a skirt, you are like a light cloud veiling the moon, or swaying like snowflakes in the wind. You look like a man, and you even outshine Brother Zhou."

Huang Rong, still a young girl at heart, was delighted to hear Yang Miaozhen's praise and said, "Leader Yang is just as capable as any man, and quite impressive."

"We hit it off immediately, so we must stay in the mountain stronghold a little longer."

"it is good."

One is dashing and the other is intelligent, and both disdain worldly etiquette. They had spent time together in the Valley of Heartbreak, but never became close. Now, when they meet again, they are like old friends.

Along the mountain path shaded by trees, Zhou Yan and Han Dang walked side by side. The head of Zhenwei Escort Agency, who had rushed back to the mountain stronghold, had already told them about Zhou Yan's killing of Zhang Julu with his fist, and Han Dang expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

"Don't be so formal, Master Han. How about we stay at the mountain stronghold?" Zhou Yan replied politely before asking.

"This is beyond my expectations." Han Dang exclaimed in admiration, "Chief Yang is truly a heroine among women. I admire her greatly."

"Master Han, you flatter me."

"Not a single word is superfluous."

"Don't flatter me, Master Han. You are like a pillar of strength in the stronghold. I feel very secure now and dare to venture out into the world. Come on, let's go to the stronghold for a drink and a chat," Yang Miaozhen said.

“I happened to bring some Dukang wine with me. I was planning to go to Kaifeng Prefecture to drink with Brother Lu,” Zhou Yan said with a smile.

"Excellent!" Yang Miaozhen clapped her hands. "Let's drink until we're completely drunk."

Zhou Yan chuckled to himself, thinking to himself, "Who can make you drunk? Back in Chaya Mountain, there were many banquets, and everyone else was drunk while you alone remained sober."

……

"Let's drink until we drop" is just a polite way of saying it.

After the midday hour, Zhou Yan, Han Dang, Huang Rong, and Yang Miaozhen rode their horses around the two villages.

Lu Beihe was young and strong. After applying the "Black Jade Broken Heart Ointment" and having his muscles and tendons soothed by Zhou Yan using the warm and gentle energy of the Jade Guanyin, and with the help of medicinal diets from the Herbalist, he recovered well and was expected to be fully healed in less than a hundred days.

Now that they had arrived in Nanyang, Zhou Yan naturally wanted to visit Zhang Sanqiang in Jingzhou to find out how Hong Qigong's meeting with him had gone. His journey was urgent, and Yang Miaozhen didn't dare to linger, so she quickly pulled Zhou Yan along to walk between the two villages, watching the soldiers drill and the villagers farm.

The soldiers and villagers, all from Zhenwei Escort Agency, now number over 20,000. This number is still less than Liu Qianfeng's previous Tongbai Mountain stronghold, but for Yang Miaozhen, managing all aspects of the village is a considerable challenge.

However, in Zhou Yan's eyes, the two villages have undergone a complete transformation.

When the escort teams from Zhenyuan went to Jingzhou to deliver their goods and settle the remaining payment, they would purchase grain from places like Xiangyang during their northward journey. This grain would then be transported to the Funiu Mountains, and the goods from the two villages would be delivered to the trading companies that were about to open in the villages. Most of these goods came from the villagers and farmers in the surrounding mountains. The villagers could then cultivate the land, and with this means of livelihood, the two villages were perfectly capable of being self-reliant.

In just six months, they had already made great strides in "building high walls and storing up grain." All that remained was to focus on matters of spirit and faith, and to train a new generation of "Beiwei Army" according to the methods in the "Wumu Legacy."

"Huang Meizi, what do you think is the best way to reorganize the mountain village?" Yang Miaozhen asked as the four rode their horses on the hillside, looking at the villagers farming in the valley.

Huang Rong is indeed intelligent; she can easily set up a magic array. However, when it comes to deepening the management of the mountain stronghold, she is a bit troubled and has to think hard.

Zhou Yan said, "I have some ideas."

"Brother Zhou, please tell me quickly."

"Master Han, why was Yue Fei's army able to win every battle back then, and why were they so deeply loved by the people and praised by the heroes of the martial arts world?"

Without hesitation, Han replied, “The military records contain regulations such as ‘Anyone who tramples on crops, harms agricultural work, or sells goods at prices lower than what the people desire shall be executed without exception.’ Such strict military discipline has won the hearts of the people.”

Zhou Yan nodded and said to Yang Miaozhen, "It's actually easy to set a rule, but it's very difficult to implement, enforce, and maintain consistency between words and deeds."

"I'm so anxious! Brother Zhou, don't speak in riddles, tell me quickly."

"When Fang La, a leader of the Manichaeans, launched his rebellion, he preached 'equality of all beings,' which was how they united their followers. The White Lotus sect also had similar slogans. These slogans were, in fact, spiritual beliefs. Just as scholars would shout 'For the sake of peace for all generations' during times of chaos, this too is a form of faith."

Yang Miaozhen seemed to be thinking, "Brother Zhou wants the mountain stronghold to also formulate such a program, so that the soldiers can have faith."

“That would be superficial and empty,” Zhou Yan laughed. “Why not start with the most basic things? First, let the soldiers and villagers wholeheartedly support the stronghold before we formulate a code of conduct and talk about beliefs. When we go on escort missions, we always bring our escorts back for drinks and chats. This is actually a very good way to unite people’s hearts. Life in the stronghold is very monotonous. We can’t have harsh training day and night. We can make the monotonous drills and life more interesting, so that they will have a sense of belonging and identity. Then, when we formulate rules, we will get support from the bottom up.”

Han Dang said admiringly, "These are golden words of wisdom."

Yang Miaozhen's eyes gradually brightened. "How can we enrich it?"

Zhou Yan chuckled, "I was comparing it to the Fu'an Escort Agency. Master Han is an expert in this field."

"Master Han, you have to help me."

Han Dang hurriedly replied, "We are deeply grateful to Chief Yang for taking in my son and me. We will do our utmost to help. However, managing a stronghold is different from running a security escort agency. We need to consult with the young hero and Miss Huang to gather their wisdom."

“Alright!” Zhou Yan said with a smile.

Huang Rong smiled and said, "I don't have much experience, so I won't get involved. However, I could set up a magic array on the way into the mountain to confuse some unscrupulous people and make them unable to find their way into the village."

Yang Miaozhen was overjoyed.

(End of this chapter)