The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 46 Helping in an Emergency: Sharing a Horse

Zhou Yan was certain that the ancient and majestic eagle he saw was the same divine eagle that Yang Guo had encountered.

He crossed the Yellow River at Fenglingdu and headed south. As he got closer to Xiangyang, he imagined countless times that on his return journey he would go to the Xiangyang mountains to seek an opportunity to see the Divine Condor and enter Dugu Qiubai's "Sword Tomb".

Actually, compared to the "Sword Tomb," Zhou Yan was more concerned about the Bodhi Serpent, which could enhance his strength. Having consumed the blood of the Great Treasure Serpent, he knew the method to stimulate internal energy. He figured the effects of the serpent's gallbladder were similar to those of the Great Treasure Serpent's blood, so consuming the gallbladder would produce rapid results.

Snakes typically hibernate from November to April of the following year, but some begin hibernating as early as the beginning of December and emerge in early March. It's currently early winter. Zhou Yan isn't sure what kind of snake the Bosciutto is, but Xiangyang is in the south, with clear skies and pleasant temperatures, so it's possible he might actually encounter one.

As for the "Sword Tomb," he's taking a laissez-faire attitude for now. He doesn't know any swordsmanship, and the "Sword Tomb" doesn't contain any martial arts manuals. At most, he'll just get sharp swords and heavy swords.

"A heavy sword has no edge, great skill is without artifice"—this is a realm of swordsmanship known without even needing to go to the "Sword Tomb," but can one comprehend it? No.

Zhou Yan also wondered if he had any immunity to snake venom after consuming the blood of Liang Ziweng's giant snake.

In short, I had many wild ideas, but I never expected this kind of start, because I came to this valley in search of the recluse Sun Bu'er. The fine steed and the strange eagle, however, started fighting each other like oil and water.

However, from the perspective of the natural food chain, it seems that there is indeed a hostile relationship between mules and wild beasts and birds of prey.

Zhou Yan ran quickly toward the eagle horse.

The rivalry between the "Jade Lion Under the Night" and the "Divine Eagle" has become uncertain.

The giant eagle suddenly stretched out its curved beak and landed on the "Jade Lion Under the Night." The horse neighed and suddenly raised its front hooves to stomp on the giant eagle.

Suddenly, a cry rang out, stirring and desolate, with a magnificent momentum. The great eagle retreated and then advanced again.

The "Jade Lion Under the Night" neighed and spewed white breath from its nostrils in the shape of snakes. It took a few steps back and then stomped its hooves again.

The giant eagle suddenly changed its attack method, running swiftly like a galloping horse, rapidly circling the "Jade Lion Under the Night".

As Zhou Yan began to run, the giant eagle flapped its wings, sending dust and grass clippings flying everywhere, and in the blink of an eye, it seemed to be enveloping the "Night-Shining Jade Lion".

Suddenly, the horse reared up, and with a loud thud, the eagle's mane flew up and down.

In an instant, the eagle's wings landed on the horse's rump. The "Night-Shining Jade Lion" leaped several feet away in pain, but the eagle followed closely, its iron-hook-like beak pecking at the "Night-Shining Jade Lion's" round rump with lightning speed.

Zhou Yan and the eagle horse were still more than thirty feet apart. Seeing that the horse was in imminent danger, he grabbed his bow.

With a loud "bang," the open string vibrated, like a thunderclap.

Only then did he draw his bow and nock an arrow, drawing it like a full moon.

The giant eagle suddenly leaped several feet away from behind the horse, its blood-red eyes fixed on Zhou Yan.

He slowed his pace, and the long arrow nocked on his iron bow fell to the ground.

Zhou Yan knew that the eagle was intelligent, but hoped that it could see the misunderstanding from earlier and the goodwill he was showing now.

"Wow..."

The great eagle let out a long cry.

With his strong, powerful legs, he charged straight toward Zhou Yan, exuding a strong aura of hostility.

The bow and the man moved along with the eagle's gallop. He darted into the forest, the eagle hot on his heels. With a "thud," the long arrow left the bowstring and flew away like a shooting star.

Zhou Yan did not unleash his full power in the blast, and the eagle dealt with it easily, flapping its wings to knock away the long arrow. In an instant, the man and the eagle switched positions, with the eagle inside the valley and Zhou Yan at the valley entrance.

The distance remained at about ten zhang. The giant eagle flapped its wings, and the wild grass beneath its feet rippled like water, but this time it did not attack.

Zhou Yan roughly guessed the other party's purpose.

unwelcome.

The most urgent task is to find Sun Bu'er, not to investigate whether this place is Snake Valley. Dugu Qiubai's "Sword Tomb" is nearby. Fortunately, we saw the giant eagle. If we are well prepared when we return from Jingzhou, we can come back and explore again, which will save a lot of effort.

Thinking this through, Zhou Yan stepped back to the side of the "Night-Shining Jade Lion" to check the situation. Fortunately, the eagle's wing was resting on the horse's rump, so there was no major problem.

He stroked the horse's neck, mounted it, and the "Jade Lion Under the Night" seemed unwilling to stay in the valley for even a moment longer, its hooves flying as it galloped away. Just as it was about to leave the valley, a figure suddenly appeared in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Zhou Yan's pupils constricted slightly.

The visitor was none other than Sun Bu'er, the Recluse of Tranquility.

He dismounted and strode forward.

Sun Bu raised his longsword in both hands, ready to defend himself.

“Senior, I saw you fighting with the woman in green in the canyon. Because I recognized the ‘Golden Goose Skill’, I searched for this place. I was fortunate enough to be instructed in martial arts by Master Yuyangzi.”

Upon hearing Zhou Yan's words, Sun Bu'er recalled that the bluebird of memory flew over.

Not long ago, I encountered a caravan in the canyon. Three caravan members had dealt with that wicked woman, and it seems that the young caravan member in front of me was one of them.

"Where did you meet my senior brother?"

"Zhongdu".

Sun Bu'er nodded, no longer doubting.

She sheathed her longsword and said, "I heard the sounds of eagles and horses, and thought there must be a master on this mountain, so I came here seeking help."

Zhou Yan felt a little ashamed.

Sun Bu'er quickly said, "Thank you for your kindness, but that woman is formidable. I am injured by her palm and should not fight any longer. We should leave this dangerous place as soon as possible."

Zhou Yan hurriedly asked, "Who is that woman?"

"Qiu Qianchi, the younger sister of Qiu Qianren, the leader of the Iron Palm Clan."

Zhou Yan was taken aback. Qiu Qianchi?
The one in the underground cave of the Valley of Heartbreak in The Return of the Condor Heroes.

This was a dangerous place, not a time to linger, nor was it the time to inquire why Qingjing Sanren and Tiezhang Lianhua were fighting so fiercely. Zhou Yan quickly said, "Senior, please mount your horse, I will take you away."

Sun Bu'er was a discerning person; just by looking at the "Jade Night Lion," he knew it was extraordinary and magnificent. Even with two people with him, Qiu Qianchi would definitely not be able to catch up.

The young man had received martial arts instruction from his senior brother and had a considerable connection with the Quanzhen Sect, so there was no need to worry about whether it was appropriate for the two of them to ride a horse together.

To be more realistic, I'm almost at the point of exhaustion.

"Thank you!"

"Senior, you're welcome."

No sooner had Zhou Yan finished speaking than a sound rang out from the mountains on one side of the valley entrance:
"You damned nun, let's see where you can run to now."

Zhou Yan looked in the direction of the sound and saw Qiu Qianchi, dressed in green, appear about seven or eight zhang above him. He moved with incredible speed, like a flying duck.

Sun Bu'er hurriedly said, "If we use the Quanzhen Sword Technique, we might be able to hold out for a while longer, and then we can take the opportunity to escape when it gets dark."

"This junior does not know the Quanzhen Sword Technique."

"Didn't you say that your senior brother instructed you on the cultivation method?"

"We must focus on breathing exercises and practice our inner energy. There's no time to lose, so we should flee. Senior, please mount your horse quickly."

Sun Bu'er mounted his horse, and Zhou Yan followed closely behind.

The "Jade Lion Under the Night" swung its four hooves and galloped away.

With his back to Sun Bu'er, the bow and string began to open as Qiu Qianchi moved, like the mouth of a bloodthirsty dragon.

　There will be another update tonight.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)