The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 33 The Bandit's Knife Never Started, Yet It Falls

As the night breeze whispered, Wanyan Kang stepped into the exquisitely designed building, bathed in the warm red glow emanating from the lanterns under the eaves.

"Mr. Ouyang, how are your injuries?"

Ouyang Ke was relieved. He was an expert in detoxification. The poison on Su's iron ring was actually just venom from soaking Tripterygium wilfordii and Strychnos nux-vomica, which was then applied to the needles. It was not a highly toxic substance like Arsenic or any other rare snake venom. Ouyang Ke was able to force it out by using his internal energy.

However, he was not good at neutralizing plant toxins, so he was very worried. In the end, Liang Ziweng collected the poisoned blood and had a young apprentice test it, which easily revealed the toxins.

One prescription, and the poison is cured.

However, his hatred for Zhou Yan only grew stronger, and he urged Wanyan Kang to search for Zhou Yan.

Wanyan Kang harbored fear of Qiu Chuji, who had taught him martial arts. How could he possibly be wholeheartedly devoted to Qiu Chuji before he understood the relationship between Zhou Yan and the Quanzhen Sect?

He entered the room, and Ouyang Ke asked him this question. He comforted him, saying, "Mr. Ouyang, don't worry. As long as that person is in Zhongdu, he will have nowhere to hide. By the way, how did you and that boy become enemies?"

Ouyang Ke changed the subject: "I remember what that bastard looks like. Find a painter to draw his portrait, and finding him won't be difficult."

Wanyan Kang said, “Even so, it will still take time. After all, Zhongdu is a prosperous city with a large population, right? Also, the person who is blocking me is Yuyangzi Wang Chuyi, one of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen. To be honest, I have some connection with the Quanzhen Sect, but compared with Mr. Ouyang, my friendship is not worth mentioning. However, in order to avoid conflict with the Quanzhen Sect, I would like to ask Mr. Ouyang to tell me the details of the matter.”

Ouyang Ke scoffed, "I have no fear of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen."

That's because your uncle is Ouyang Feng, the Western Poison. Wanyan Kang thought to himself, but smiled and said, "But I don't have Mr. Ouyang's martial arts skills."

Ouyang Ke was quite pleased and said, "Since that's the case, I'll tell you. When I entered the capital, I happened to see that man riding the 'Night-Shining Lion.' I liked the horse and wanted to take it, but I fell into that kid's trap."

Wanyan Kang thought to himself, "So it's such a trivial matter. If I help you, my master will scold me to death if he finds out. I'll stall for time until he goes south to Lin'an Prefecture with Peng Lianhu, Sha Tongtian, and the others, and then this matter will be forgotten."

He then changed the subject, saying, "My Great Jin produces fine steeds. I'll find Mr. Ouyang a 'Jade Lion Shining in the Night,' and I'll definitely help you find that boy."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Mr. Ouyang's sparring with that young man was incredibly skillful and intricate, a true eye-opener for me."

Ouyang Ke thought to himself, "He wants to learn the 'Spirit Serpent Fist,' how could I teach him? But now I need his help and rely on Your Highness to achieve something. If I refuse directly, it will hurt our friendship." After a moment's thought, Ouyang Ke said, "I have a martial art called 'Divine Camel Snow Mountain Palm.' The movements are elusive, and the palm strikes are like snowflakes, making it difficult to predict. It is even better than the 'Spirit Serpent Fist.' If Your Highness is interested, you may learn a thing or two."

Wanyan Kang was overjoyed and stood up to bow: "Thank you, Mr. Ouyang."

"You're too kind, Your Highness."

The lights were as bright as day, and Ouyang Ke began to teach Wanyan Kang the simplified moves of the "Divine Camel Snow Mountain Palm".

……

In a daze, Cui Changshun felt noisy voices all around him. His consciousness had not truly returned to normal, so he could not immediately discern the true meaning of these words.

"This beast is such a person."

"Severe punishment will not be tolerated."

"I don't know if this was his personal action, or if it was instructed by Master Cui, or if someone else arranged or directed it."

"Master, we must not tolerate evildoers."

The word "master" sent a chill down Cui Changshun's spine. He struggled to gather his thoughts, and many things became clear. The镖师 (bodyguards) Su and Lu from Sihai had mentioned that he and his uncle could get high positions there, and that Zhou Yan's martial arts had greatly improved, perhaps due to some fortuitous encounter. Then, unable to control his impulse, he took advantage of Zhou Yan's night watch to search his house, and a fist struck him.

Cui Changshun was startled and sat up abruptly. The moment he opened his eyes, the light became bright, and what came into view were Duan Huai'an, the owner of Fu'an, Zhang Wangyue, the head镖师 (bodyguard), and Shi Baichuan, the镖师 (bodyguard).

When Zhou Yan arrived at the escort agency that evening, he noticed that Cui Changshun's eyes were darting away when he looked at him. He was cautious, but after thinking it over, he felt that given Cui Qingshan's absence on his escort mission, the other party wouldn't secretly sabotage him. So, he thought about the martial arts manual. Could the other party have stolen "Yue Family Scattered Hands" while he was away? Everyone in the escort agency knew that he had asked Wang Kui and others for advice on lightness skills and had been personally instructed and summoned by Zhang Wangyue.

Cui Changshun was also a member of the escort team on this shipment. If he missed tonight's opportunity, it would be gone forever.

Zhou Yan was a decisive person. After practicing his internal energy at the escort agency, he gave Shi Baichuan some instructions and headed straight for the courtyard.

When Cui Changshun sneaked in, he had been lying in wait for a long time. Only when the other man pushed open the door and ransacked the place did he reveal himself and knock him unconscious with a single punch. He didn't interrogate Cui Changshun privately; the other man was from the escort agency, and his uncle was even a镖师 (bodyguard/escort). It wouldn't be appropriate to interrogate him privately, so he took him directly to the escort agency.

Shi Baichuan was on Zhang Wangyue's side. He arranged for a reliable messenger to deliver the message, but Zhang Wangyue brought Duan Huai'an with him.

"Tell me, what is your intention?" Zhang Wangyue's gaze darkened as he spoke in a menacing tone upon seeing Cui Changshun awaken.

There was no time to adjust between waking up and being interrogated. Zhang Wangyue had a great deal of influence in the escort agency, and Duan Huai'an was also present. However, Cui Changshun, a nobody, had a shifty look in his eyes and dared not speak.

"Still not talking!" With a bang, the owner, Duan Huai'an, slammed his teacup heavily on the table.

Cui Changshun trembled and said, "I saw that Zhou Yan's martial arts had improved by leaps and bounds, and I wondered if the head镖师 had summoned him in private and given him any martial arts techniques. So I thought I would take advantage of Zhou Yan's night duty to search for him."

"anything else?"

"that's it."

"Who ordered this?" Zhou Yan suddenly asked.

Cui Changshun immediately said, "It has nothing to do with my uncle."

The trolley's words weren't wrong; he meant "a hero takes responsibility for his actions," which at least sounded right to Shi Baichuan. But Zhou Yan seized the opportunity to ask, "Who does it have to do with?"

Cui Changshun thought to himself, "How could I possibly say that?"

"It has nothing to do with anyone."

However, after a moment's thought, Zhang Wangyue felt that something was amiss, and he glanced at Shi Baichuan.

The bodyguard realized what was happening.

Shi Baichuan's weapon was an iron fan. When the iron fan was unfolded, it seemed to swirl in the air as the umbrella surface fell towards Cui Changshun, its chill penetrating. "I'll cut off your fingers first, then see if you'll talk."

Cui Changshun was terrified. "The master is a bodyguard from all over the world."

With a whoosh, the iron fan closed, causing a few strands of Cui Changshun's long hair to flutter up before slowly falling back down.

"Speak," Duan Huai'an said, his face ashen.

Cui Changshun knelt on the ground: "The镖师 Su and 镖师 Lu have approached me, saying that I can become a镖师 there, and so can my uncle. The treatment is far better than in Fu'an."

"anything else?"

"They say Zhou's martial arts have improved by leaps and bounds, so there must be some good fortune. The head镖师 (bodyguard) and the head镖师 Shi have a long-standing feud, and they will definitely eliminate dissidents. Tell me to keep a close eye on things and gather information."

"continue!"

"That's all, boss. That's all." Cui Changshun kowtowed.

"White-eyed wolf."

Enraged, Shi Baichuan strode forward and kicked out.

With a "thud," Cui Changshun curled up and slid backward along the wooden floor, crashing into the wall and coming to a stop.

“Master, this bastard cannot be allowed to live. I will take my men and head to Sihai right away.”

Shi Baichuan's eyes flashed with murderous intent.

　I wrote two chapters this morning, so the update is delayed. Sorry. There will be another update tonight.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)