The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 323 Black Cop, White Cop, Dragon and Tiger in Turmoil

When Matthew woke up, the morning light streamed in through the window, turning into a pillar of light and dust particles. The dust swirled around, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees.

The familiar environment was in my own courtyard.

What surprised and made Matthew Ping uncomfortable was the person sitting in the chair.

He recognized him. He had met him during the Battle of Shaoshi Mountain, and Zhou Yan, the former head of the Fu'an Escort Agency, had fought Qiu Qianren for a hundred moves and defeated the famous Iron Palm Water-Walking Master.

"It's Young Master Zhou. Is there some misunderstanding between us?" After his initial surprise, Ma Xiuping quickly calmed himself down and spoke in a very gentle tone.

"The Western Xia First-Class Hall launched a night raid on the Fu'an Escort Agency." Zhou Yan's eyes were calm, and the voice that came out from his throat was unhurried but very authoritative.

Ma Xiuping's heart skipped a beat. What did Zhou Yan's words mean? Yipintang's operation had failed, and Zhou Yan was about to interrogate him.

"I don't understand what Young Master Zhou means by that."

Zhou Yan's voice gradually lowered, "The reason why Fu'an was attacked by Yipintang was that 'Iron Hawk' had hijacked a shipment of goods from Fu'an to the Western Regions, and it was you, Ma Xiuping, who sent this message to Xixia."

Ma Xiuping's heart sank, but he said, "Young Master Zhou, please don't joke. How could I send intelligence to Xixia?"

“Yes, you are a guest advisor to Prince Huodu, so why would you send intelligence to Western Xia?” Zhou Yan smiled sarcastically, then changed the subject, “But what if you were from Yipintang? Dispatched by Li Wuxiang, you used Huodu’s recruitment drive to showcase your skills and gain his trust. Huodu could then obtain information about the Mongol army’s movements, and you would then transmit the collected intelligence to Western Xia. That’s both right and wrong.”

Matthew Ping forced himself to remain calm and said, "Young Master Zhou, you can't just say things like that."

"Is that so!" Zhou Yan got up from his chair, walked to Ma Xiuping's side, and grabbed him. "I really want to see how Huo Du will treat you when he finds out that you are a member of Yipintang, lurking by his side with ill intentions."

Zhou Yan did not strike Ma Xiuping's pressure points, but the seriously injured Ma Xiuping was powerless to fight back against Zhou Yan's extremely humiliating and smuggling behavior.

Zhou Yan took a few steps and went from the hall to the courtyard where peach and plum blossoms were in full bloom.

"Young Master Zhou, let go!"

"You should know Huo Du's nature. He may seem young and humble, but he's actually ruthless. Do you think he'll listen to your explanation? Once you can't withstand the interrogation and confess everything, how will Huo Du deal with you?"

Zhou Yan walked very fast, and by the time he finished speaking, he had already reached the entrance of the villa.

Matthew Ping's struggling body suddenly stopped. "What do you want?"

"Heh, so you're admitting your identity now?"

"Given the situation, we have no choice but to bow our heads."

Zhou Yan left Ma Xiuping behind and walked to the stone table and benches under the ancient tree in the courtyard. He sat down and said to Ma Xiuping, who had followed him, "Tell me about Li Wuxiang?"

After saying this, Zhou Yan chuckled softly, seemingly speaking to himself, "Even when my martial arts were still very weak, I dared to kill Ouyang Ke. His uncle is the infamous Western Poison. What I mean by this is that you should think carefully before you speak, because you don't know what information I obtained from the people of Yipintang during my interrogation. I'm not afraid of Ouyang Feng, nor am I afraid of Yipintang, so if you conceal anything, I will use all sorts of unimaginable methods on you."

Matthew Ping let out a slight sigh. This was the most troublesome thing. After thinking about it for a moment, he said, "He has royal blood and took charge of Yipintang a few years ago."

"What about your martial arts skills?"

"At least on par with Qiu Qianren and Jinlun Fawang. That's all I know."

"Where is the spy who was supposed to be in contact with you?"

"The waiter at Songhelou Restaurant."

"Who were the officials sent to Zhongdu by the Lin'an court?"

"The guy only overheard a few words at Songhelou Restaurant, where the other party mentioned Shi Miyuan several times."

"Do you know where the 'Iron Falcon' weapon armor that went missing in Ganzhou is now?"

Ma Xiuping, who had accompanied Huo Du to Tongbai Mountain and witnessed the Golden Wheel Monk being reduced to a stray dog ​​by the armored cavalry's unstoppable charge that ravaged the mountains, nodded: "I know, it should be Tongbai Mountain."

“Sit down and talk.”

After Matthew Ping sat down, Zhou Yan asked, "What are your plans for the future?"
"I beg Young Master Zhou for guidance," Ma Xiuping said immediately, standing up and bowing.

"You will continue to be the First-Class Hall's spy in Mongolia, but you must help me gather some information: Li Wuxiang's exact identity; the First-Class Hall's unfavorable actions towards Fu'an and Tongbai Mountain; and the specific purpose of the Lin'an court sending personnel to Zhongdu."

"It seems like there's no choice."

“You made your choice when you mentioned Li Wuxiang. It’s a pleasure doing business with you.” Zhou Yan stood up and walked through the doorway.
Matthew looked at Zhou Yan's retreating figure with a complex and inscrutable expression.

……

Zhou Yan walked along the street, his mind replaying Ma Xiuping's words about Li Wuxiang. He thought to himself, "Having royal blood means Li Wuxiang is from the Li family of the Western Xia Kingdom. He wasn't born in the capital. His cultivation is no less than Qiu Qianren or Jinlun Fawang; that should be true. In the world of Tianlong, Legend of the Condor Heroes, and Return of the Condor Heroes, only Li Qiushui has any connection to the Western Xia Kingdom and possesses unparalleled martial arts skills."

Following these intricate clues, Zhou Yan pondered and analyzed the situation with great effort.

Li Wuxiang, Wuxiang.

When Zhou Yan was with the eminent Indian monks, he often listened to and sought their teachings on Buddhism, becoming well-versed in many Buddhist scriptures and doctrines. While reciting the words "no form," he suddenly recalled a line from the Diamond Sutra: "All forms are illusory. If one sees all forms as non-forms, then one sees the Tathagata." This means that all phenomena in the world are temporary, unreal, like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows.

In the world of Tianlong, Xuzhu was well-versed in Buddhism and seemed to have said this line from the Diamond Sutra to Tianshan Tonglao.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Zhou Yan's mind: Could this Li Wuxiang be a descendant of Xu Zhu and Meng Gu?

It is highly likely that Zhuang Shiyi, the Dharma King who protects the White Lotus Sect, is related to Zhuang Juxian. Could it be that this Li Wuxiang is from the lineage of Xuzhu, who became the son-in-law of the Western Xia?

Zhou Yan let out a slight sigh. If his guess was true, Li Wuxiang was practicing the "Free and Unfettered Sect" martial arts, and the world of Condor Heroes could truly usher in a golden age of martial arts.

To see who truly stands out, look to the present.

……

After a brief period of overcast skies, large swaths of white clouds drifted away, and the clear blue sky returned, bathing the entire city of Zhongdu in the afternoon sunlight.

"Let us welcome beauties from all directions, and let us accommodate farmers, scholars, officials, and merchants."

The Yuelai Inn is bustling with business people coming and going. The courtyard walls and gate tower have been renovated, but the fourteen-character welcoming couplet remains unchanged.

The spring breeze pattered against the oiled paper window like a tide. When the experts from the Imperial City Guard entered the guest room, Li Yan and Li Taiping were drinking tea.

"My lord!" The burly man handed a list to Li Taiping with both hands.

After the Imperial City Guard took the thin list, the man said, "In Zhongdu City, there are two well-known and prestigious escort agencies, as well as eight less reputable ones. All the names of the Zhang family's escort leaders, guards, and porters are recorded here."

"Not bad." Li Taiping praised, quickly glanced through the list, and then handed it to Li Yan.

"Lord Li, come and take a look."

"it is good"

Li Yan took the list and quickly glanced through it. There were thirty-two people on it, but no one named Zhang Tailai. He previewed it again, and finally his gaze fell on Zhang Wangyue, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) of the Fu'an镖局 (escort agency). Li Taiping picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said, "Zhang Tailai is not on this list. Lord Li, which镖局 (escort agency) and who do you think should be the first to be arrested and interrogated?"

"Zhang Wangyue, Chief Escort of Fu'an Escort Agency".

"Why?"

"Zhang Wangyue and Zhang Tailai, both names actually refer to the same person, who shares the character 'Yue' in their names."

Li Taiping put down his teacup and smiled:

"Lord Li and I are on the same page; let's start with the Fu'an Escort Agency."

……

A gentle spring breeze caressed the willows, which drooped low. Sunlight streamed through the branches and leaves, illuminating the bluestone of the alley. Helian Chuncheng stepped through the bluestone alley and entered a three-courtyard complex. Following a path paved with small blue stones through a grove of trees, he came into view of a small building. Tall, slender white poplars sheltered the building, creating a serene and secluded atmosphere that soothed the soul.

"Young Master Helian has arrived." Sha Tongtian and Hou Tonghai, who were practicing martial arts outside the small building, stopped their weapons when they saw the young master of the former Changfeng Escort Agency and greeted him from afar.

"Hmm, are Lord Sha and Lord Hou practicing martial arts?"

Hou Tonghai brandished the steel fork in his hand and said, "I'm going to stab that brat Zhou Yan to death."

"Your Excellency is truly magnanimous," Helian Chuncheng replied with a smile, then asked, "Is Young Master Ouyang present?"

“I’m here, let’s go together.” Sha Tongtian stepped forward, carrying an iron mortar.

When the two entered the wooden building, Ouyang Ke, who was adjusting his breathing, had already stopped and stood up.

Helian Chuncheng said, "The group of people from the imperial court in Lin'an Prefecture are staying at the 'Yuelai Inn'."

Ouyang Ke paused for a moment, then said after regaining his senses, "Since you are staying at an inn, it must have nothing to do with the alliance with the Mongols to attack the Jin Kingdom."

“That is how it should be. Now, what should we do?” asked Helian Chuncheng.

Ouyang Ke said, "Keep an eye on them and see what they're up to."

“Okay!” Helian Chuncheng nodded.

Ouyang Ke, Ouyang Feng, Helian Chuncheng and others went to Xiangzhongdu in two groups. After entering the city, they took up residence in the Helian family's villa.

Ouyang Ke said he would arrange for someone to keep watch. Helian Chuncheng got up and left the courtyard. He beckoned, and a man recruited by Yang Kang who used a nine-section whip leaped over. After giving him some instructions, the man left the courtyard with two skilled men and headed straight for the "Yuelai Inn".

……

A gentle evening breeze blew by, and the early spring weather was warm and pleasant.

As dusk fell, weary birds returned to their nests, their cacophony echoing from the dilapidated temple of Kaifu Temple and the ancient tree where Zhou Yan and Li Mochou had once hidden.

More than ten people were gathered in the courtyard, led by a nun. The nun was tall and had a pair of slanted eyebrows; she was none other than Abbess Shengyin.

"Master, when will the master arrive?" a burly man holding a long sword asked.

Master Shengyin said, "Based on the time it took for the message to be transmitted, it should have been within the last day or two."

The man nodded: "We feel somewhat ashamed before you, sir."

"That's right. I was deeply trusted by the adults, but I suffered a setback at the Fu'an Escort Agency. I have no face to face them."

No sooner had the man finished speaking than a gentle voice rang out: "Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war; there's nothing to be concerned about."

The sound echoed outside the courtyard wall and reached inside the dilapidated temple. Suddenly, two men appeared before Abbess Shengyin and the others.

The man in question was dressed in a long white robe and possessed a handsome appearance. Behind him followed a burly man with thick lips.

When Master Shengyin and the others saw the man, their expressions immediately became respectful.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

The fact that Master Shengyin addressed the man in this way implies that he was Li Wuxiang, who was in charge of the Yipintang and had a blood relationship with the Western Xia royal family.

"How exactly did it happen?" Li Wuxiang asked.

It turned out that Abbess Shengyin and her group had returned empty-handed from Fu'an. Knowing that her cultivation was far inferior to Zhou Yan's, the abbess immediately sent a message by carrier pigeon. When Li Wuxiang asked this question, Abbess Shengyin recounted the entire incident that had occurred at the Fu'an Escort Agency in great detail.

"Do you know that person?" Li Wuxiang asked.

The nun had a fierce appearance, but she presented a kind and gentle demeanor in front of Li Wuxiang. When Li Wuxiang asked her, she quickly replied, "I have investigated. The man's name is Zhou Yan. He was originally a head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) of the Fu'an镖局 (escort agency)."

Upon hearing this, Li Wuxiang said to the broad-faced, thick-lipped man beside him, "Let's go and meet Zhou Yan."

"okay!"

Li Wuxiang turned and walked out of the temple, followed by the man and his nun Shengyin. After a short while, the group left the dilapidated temple.

"Tsk tsk, that kid has offended quite a few people."

After Li Wuxiang and the others left, a voice rang out from behind the Buddha statue. The person had a long face, a slight beard, gray hair, rough hands and feet, and was holding a green bamboo staff that was as clear as jade. He also had a large vermilion gourd on his back. It was none other than Hong Qigong.

Kaifu Temple, this dilapidated temple, was originally the Beggars' Sect's branch in Zhongdu. The unsuspecting Master Shengyin and her companions stayed there. However, Hong Qigong overheard the entire conversation within the First-Class Hall. Hong Qigong took a gourd from his back, uncorked it, and the aroma of wine filled the air. He gulped down a few mouthfuls, then swayed and left the spot.

……

As night fell, Zhongdu City gradually became bustling. The Songhe Tower was filled with noise as merchants and outlaws came and went, exchanging all sorts of firsthand information.

The war between the Mongols and Khwarazm in the Western Regions. The war between the Iron Palm Clan, the Beggars' Clan, the White Lotus Sect, and the Manichaeism on the Jinghu route.

On the second floor, by the window, sat Zhang Sanqiang and Huo Zuoshi. The two ate while listening to the lively discussions of the heroes and outlaws in the building. Zhang Sanqiang listened especially attentively when the war in the Western Regions was mentioned.

He and Huo Zuoshi headed north for two reasons. First, they were facing a siege by the imperial court in Lin'an and wanted to distance themselves from the court to expand their influence. Second, there was the war between the Mongols and Khwarazmians; Zhang Sanqiang had a desire to go to Persia to see if he could be affected by the war and to retrieve the sacred torch.

During the meal, Left Envoy Huo said, "Why don't you go to the Fu'an Escort Agency to inquire? The agency escorts goods to the Western Regions and should have more detailed information."

“That’s true.” Zhang Sanqiang nodded.

After finishing their meal, the two asked the waiter for the address of the Fu'an Escort Agency before leaving the restaurant. Zhang Sanqiang and Huo Zuoshi then mounted their horses and headed straight for the agency.

Ahead of him, Li Wuxiang, the broad-faced man, Master Shengyin, and others walked through the street toward the Fu'an Escort Agency.

In front of the group from the Western Xia First-Class Hall stood Li Yan and Li Taiping, both handsome and carrying swords.

An ominous atmosphere permeated the air.

(End of this chapter)