The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 314 Tomb Keeper

After finishing a bowl of thick, white fish head soup, Zhou Yan felt all his fatigue disappear, and he felt warm all over, full of energy from the inside out.

The fish was caught by Huang Rong when she was fetching water from the river. Now she is trying every possible way to make sure Zhou Yan eats well.

The water in the iron pot was boiling hot, and Hong Qigong threw the centipedes he had caught into the pot one by one. The centipedes struggled for a while, and then they were all scalded to death.

"When a centipede is dying, it spits out all its venom and urine, which is why this pot of water is extremely poisonous."

Huang Rong cried out with delight, took out a delicate deerskin pouch from her waist, and took out one "Ice Soul Silver Needle" after another, placing them in the pot of water to poison the needles.

"Seventh Master, I injured Ouyang Ke with a silver needle laced with snake venom."

"The old poison master is an expert at antidoting snake venom. That brat Ouyang Ke won't die." Hong Qigong chuckled.

"So these needles are laced with centipede venom. Next time Ouyang Ke is injured, let's see how Ouyang Feng detoxifies."

Zhou Yan recounted how Ouyang Feng ambushed Huang Yaoshi in the Valley of Heartbreak. Upon hearing Huang Rong's words, Hong Qigong laughed and said, "It's all because that old poisoner injured your father."

"Of course," Huang Rong said with a smile. "If there's a chance, I'll get a few for Zhuang Shiyi and Yu Huacheng as well."

"Goodness, you hold a grudge."

Huang Rong pouted, "Who told them to hurt Father, Zhou Yan, and Seventh Master?"

Hong Qigong laughed and said, "You'd better be careful. The old beggar has no antidote for this centipede poison. Don't hurt yourself."

"Understood, Master Qi!"

Huang Rong took out the "Ice Soul Silver Needle" that had been used to poison her, put it into a deer skin pouch, and used some wood ash to clean and disinfect her hands.

Hong Qigong took out a small knife, scooped out the centipede, cut off its head and tail, and gently pinched it. The shell fell off easily, revealing the flesh, which was snow-white and transparent, like a large shrimp, and was very beautiful.

Hong Qigong boiled water again and washed the centipede meat clean, finding it completely free of toxins. He then took out seven or eight iron boxes of various sizes from his backpack, which contained oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar. He heated the oil in a wok, poured in the centipede meat, and fried it. Immediately, a fragrant aroma wafted to his nose.

Huang Rong helped Hong Qigong; the old man and the young woman talked about various methods of steaming and boiling birds and beasts, like old friends despite their age difference.

Once the centipedes were fried until slightly golden, they were mixed with seasonings. Hong Qigong lifted one out of the pot, put it in his mouth, chewed it a few times, took a sip of wine from his gourd, and closed his eyes slightly. Zhou Yan then saw on his face the expression that said, "There is no greater pleasure in the world than this."

"Master Zhang, young Zhou, come and have a taste. It not only relaxes muscles and tendons and nourishes blood and qi, but deep-fried centipedes are a rare delicacy."

"It's disrespectful!"

"okay!"

Zhang Sanqiang and Zhou Yan walked over, and Huang Rong shaved bamboo into chopsticks and handed them to Zhou Yan.

He thanked them, picked up a piece, put it in his mouth, chewed it, and found it delicious, crisp, fragrant, sweet and rich. He couldn't help but exclaim in delight.

Zhang Sanqiang also praised it repeatedly.

Huang Rong thought to herself that since Zhou Yan liked it, she would learn how to catch and make centipedes herself, and she would make them several more times in the next few days.

……

Time flies, and three days have passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhou Yan has recovered from her injuries.

Zhang Sanqiang has also recovered to about 60-70% of his previous level.

The air was filled with the smells of fried centipedes and alcohol, and the campfire crackled and popped.

Zhou Yan, Huang Rong, Zhang Sanqiang, and Hong Qigong sat around the perimeter.

"What are your plans for the near future, Master Qi?"

While drinking and eating centipedes, Hong Qigong said, "The Beggars' Sect and the Manichaeism are no longer in conflict. This old beggar should find a place to recuperate properly."

"Can we return to Zhongdu?" Zhou Yan asked.

"You're going back to Zhongdu, kid?"

"Let's go to Taihu Lake first, and then come back from Nanyang."

"Go your way, and don't bother with the old beggar."

“Alright!” Zhou Yan smiled. He had already told Hong Qigong his itinerary. If Hong Qigong was interested, he would come to Zhongdu. He then turned to Zhang Sanqiang and said, “Qiu Qianren, Gongsun Zhi and Yu Huacheng are together. They must have been instructed by Wanyan Kang to try to win over the White Lotus Sect.”

“Yu Huacheng will not surrender to the Jin Dynasty,” Zhang Sanqiang said with certainty.

Huang Rong had limited knowledge of Manichaeism, and she said, "The world is bustling with people coming and going for profit."

“That’s true, but Yu Huacheng’s mother was the former leader of our sect, so it’s impossible for him to pledge allegiance to the imperial court, including the Jin Kingdom.”

Zhou Yan said, "But there is a possibility that the White Lotus Sect and the Iron Palm Clan will join forces to deal with Leader Zhang."

Zhang Sanqiang nodded: "That's possible."

"I have a close relationship with the leader of the Funiu Mountain stronghold. If Leader Zhang needs anything, you can send someone over."

"Thank you, Brother Zhou." Zhang Sanqiang simply gave a polite reply without asking any further questions, and Zhou Yan knew that there was no possibility that Zhang Sanqiang and Yang Miaozhen would join forces.

Zhang Sanqiang was deeply influenced by Manichaeism and had strong personal beliefs and convictions.

The rest of the time was spent on trivial matters. As night deepened, everyone went to the temple to rest. When dawn broke again, Zhou Yan bid farewell to Hong Qigong and the others and left Jingzhou. His original plan was to return to Funiu Mountain after meeting Zhang Sanqiang in Jingzhou, and then go to Zhongdu with Lu Beihe. However, due to Li Yan's appearance, he made a last-minute change and decided to make a trip to Taihu Lake instead.

……

Taihu Lake connects three prefectures, and all the waters of the southeast flow into it. It has a circumference of 500 li and was anciently known as the Five Lakes. Looking out, the sky stretches to the horizon, the waves are vast, and the verdant peaks stand tall amidst the waves, creating a magnificent spectacle.

Zhou Yan and Huang Rong traveled south on a large ship from Jingzhou on the Yangtze River, toured Taihu Lake, and arrived at Guiyun Village.

The servants in the manor recognized Huang Rong and led the two into the manor. As they walked, Zhou Yan saw that the furnishings were magnificent, with carved beams and painted rafters, displaying the utmost ingenuity.

He did have some respect for Lu Chengfeng; it was truly remarkable that he had built such a successful business after being expelled from his master's school.

The two entered the hall, where a maid served tea, and a familiar voice came from inside.

"Master Zhou!"

Zhou Yan knew from the voice that it was the medicine boy.

Two years had passed, and the young apprentice who strode into the hall had grown considerably more robust, full of energy, and walked with a brisk pace.

In the eyes of the young apprentice, Zhou Yan had also changed, becoming more angular and imposing.

"Master Zhou is becoming more and more handsome and dashing." The young apprentice was eloquent, which was purely his nature. He praised Zhou Yan and said, "The master is visiting a friend and should arrive soon. Is Master Zhou here to get the Great Treasure Serpent? That serpent is more spiritual than the Great Viper. Although it has only been raised for two years, it has almost the medicinal effects of the Great Viper after eight years."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan sighed. If that's the case, wouldn't raising it for another three or four years yield the same medicinal effects as the giant viper raised by Liang Ziweng for twenty years?

"Thank you for your trouble. No rush. I'm here to pay my respects to the Master of the Manor."

“You’re too kind, Master Zhou. Without you and Benefactor Huang, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m overjoyed to be able to do something for you.”

The three exchanged pleasantries, and Zhou Yan inquired about the other party's martial arts cultivation. He learned that the medicine boy practiced the "Five Poisons Divine Palm," and Mei Chaofeng also practiced it, but she did not have the opportunity to use it in the battle of "Four Seasons Hall" in Kaifeng Prefecture.

Half an hour later, Lu Chengfeng arrived. He had practiced the "Whirlwind Sweeping Leaf Leg" technique, and now his movements were no different from those of an ordinary person.

The three sat down, and the young apprentice poured tea and left. Lu Chengfeng said, "Brother Zhou's name has now spread throughout the north and south of the country."

"Really?" Zhou Yan asked curiously.

"In the Battle of Shaoshi Mountain, he fought against four opponents single-handedly, defeated the Vajra Sect masters, and fought a fierce battle with Qiu Qianren for a hundred moves, even inflicting a hidden loss on the latter. The name 'Central Divine Sword' has long been known."

"I don't know."

“My son has close ties with some heroes of the martial arts world, which is why Guiyun Manor knows about it.”

"I see." Zhou Yan chuckled, then changed the subject, saying, "I apologize for visiting, but I have a favor to ask of you."

"Brother Zhou, please don't be so polite. I would go through fire and water for you."

"Thank you, Master. Please help me find out if there is a Murong family in Taihu Lake."

Huang Rong never asked Zhou Yan about his purpose in coming to Taihu Lake. When she heard what Zhou Yan said, she asked curiously, "The surname Murong is rare, but conversely, it's easy to find out about it. Why are you asking this?"

Zhou Yan has his own explanation.

"Li Yan's kung fu is quite similar to the martial arts of the Murong lineage from Suzhou that I heard about when I was a镖师 (bodyguard/escort).

"I see." Huang Rong asked Lu Chengfeng, "Has Senior Brother Lu ever done this before?"

"No, but if Brother Zhou says so, it shouldn't be difficult to find out." Lu Chengfeng didn't waste any time and immediately summoned the steward to find the person.

The manager's surname was Zhang. Zhou Yan had met him before. When Huang Rong hired a bodyguard to go to Yuezhou, it was Manager Zhang who went to Zhongdu Fu'an to negotiate.

Ten days passed quickly. Zhou Yan spent most of his time cultivating, and occasionally drank with Lu Chengfeng, chatting about the affairs of the martial world, or went boating on Taihu Lake with Huang Rong. They enjoyed leisurely boating and fishing on the lake.

……

A small boat rests on the lake, with Zhou Yan sitting at the bow fishing. The vast expanse of water and his solitary fishing rod create a scene reminiscent of a traditional Chinese ink painting.

Huang Rong was brewing tea at the stern of the boat, and her eyes would light up with pleasure whenever she looked at Zhou Yan.

A small boat approached. Aboard, Chengfeng said, "Brother Zhou, we've made progress."

"How so?"

Lu Chengfeng said, "It turns out that the Murong family really did live in Taihu. Their manor was destroyed when the Jurchens marched south and searched the mountains and seas. The Murong family disappeared without a trace. However, there is a cemetery in Lingshan, Wuxi. I found out that it is the Murong family mausoleum. There are still people guarding the mausoleum."

"Thank you for your trouble, Master. I'll go take a look."

"Brother Zhou, you're too kind."

Zhou Yan inquired about the address of the cemetery in detail, and then he and Huang Rong rowed a boat towards Lingshan.

The lake wind was bleak, chilling the streets and alleys of the city.

Chrysanthemums wither beside the sparse fence, the wind blows the white dew and clothes feel cold.

At dusk, Zhou Yan and Huang Rong arrived at Lingshan in Wuxi and began their ascent according to the directions given by Lu Chengfeng.

Amidst the rustling of pine trees and the fading sunlight of dusk, Zhou Yan spotted a hunched-over, white-haired tomb keeper sweeping the cemetery.

Zhou Yan let out a soft breath and stepped forward.

(End of this chapter)