The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 51: The Song of the Rising Tide

Clouds drifted across the deep blue night sky, and the gaps between the clouds were tinged with silver by the moon, creating a breathtaking beauty.

Zhou Yan's consciousness seemed to open up a crack, his mind filled with the thought, "What joy is there in life, what sorrow in death? Do good and eliminate evil, only for the sake of light."

This is the doctrine of the Ming Cult, most widely circulated in the Condor Trilogy, "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber".

In fact, the Ming Cult, also known as Manichaeism, existed long ago.

So when the bodyguard mentioned the Demonic Sect, he naturally had preconceived notions.

The imperial court often referred to popular rebellious forces as demonic cults. Zhou Yan had no recollection of whether Zhang Sanqiang was a member of Manichaeism. As for the Ming Cult, all he knew about it was the chosen one, Zhang Wuji, and the unlucky one, Yang Dingtian.

The former mastered the Nine Yang Divine Skill. The latter's wife cheated on him, and he suffered a qi deviation during his practice.

But Zhou Yan knew of Zhang Sanqiang, who had claimed that "the Mingzun is about to be reincarnated" and "Maitreya is about to descend to earth," and called himself "Great Heavenly King," leading his followers in an uprising in Jiangxi.

Traveling south, they heard no news of any uprising in Jiangxi, which means that Zhang Sanqiang was still in the process of accumulating strength. Based on this analysis, it makes sense that the other party robbed the caravan.

Putting everything else aside, just a few hundred mules and horses would have been enough to tempt them, prompting them to send their men to launch a surprise attack when the caravan approached Jingzhou. If it weren't for Huang Rong, who was practicing martial arts and gave them a heads-up, they might have actually succeeded.

He was also somewhat moved, realizing that his journey south as a镖师 (bodyguard/escort) had led to an unexpected encounter with so many people.

The Yellow River Gang's Three-Headed Dragon, Yang Tiexin and his daughter, Huang Rong, Qiu Qianchi, Sun Bu'er, and Zhang Sanqiang of the Demonic Sect.

I wonder how much this experience will change the timeline of events in the Legend of the Condor Heroes. Zhou Yan, his thoughts returning to normal, asked, "What else did they say? How did the Demonic Sect find out about us?"

The bodyguard said, "This group operates in the Jingxiang area, often disguising themselves as Jurchens to plunder. We were spotted when we headed south from Xiangyang."

"I see." Zhou Yan nodded. In times of chaos, it was common for officials to force the people to rebel. But when the people rebelled, it didn't necessarily mean they were acting on behalf of Heaven, killing the rich and robbing the poor.

Hu Yanlei didn't see the "Jade Lion Under the Night," so he walked over and asked, "Where's your horse?"

The topic was brought back, and Zhou Yan said, "I went to the river to practice my skills and happened to run into the young master who wanted to buy a horse from Fengling Ferry, who was chasing Hou Tonghai. I lent him the horse, and on my way back, I encountered this group of horse bandits."

Hu Yanlei was stunned for a moment, "So that means if it weren't for that young master, we would have been successfully ambushed by the bandits."

"Most likely."

"He's truly a lucky star for the escort agency," Hu Yanlei sighed. "'Night-Shining Jade Lion' has been lent out, but fortunately, there are still more than ten fine horses left behind by bandits. We can choose one."

"okay!"

All the horses were plump and strong. Zhou Yan first accompanied the pack carriers to clear the battlefield and then chose a yellow horse. This type of horse has white spots, mostly on its belly and flanks. Most importantly, it has white hair on its head, shaped like a full moon. Therefore, it is also known as "Western Liang Jade-top Dry Grass Yellow Horse". Even when the yellow horse is well fed, its ribs are still visible. Hence, it is also known as "Penetrating Bone Dragon".

Hu Yanlei exclaimed that Zhou Yan had a sharp eye for talent.

Having survived this ordeal, they had no desire to sleep. To avoid any unforeseen complications, the caravan set off directly for Jingzhou City.

Nothing further happened along the way. The following evening, the majestic city of Jingzhou appeared in the distance from Zhou Yan and his companions. Zhang Wangyue had sent someone ahead of time to deliver a message to the address given to him by the merchant Lü.

When the caravan arrived, Mr. Lü was already waiting outside the city.

After opening the cargo box and inspecting the goods, and confirming everything was correct, the other party signed the escort order. Merchant Lü took the goods, and Zhang Wangyue received the remaining escort fee. This escort mission was considered successfully completed.

Lu Keshang said that he would continue to cooperate with Fu'an in the future and would host a banquet for Zhang Wangyue and other bodyguards.

Zhang Wangyue's identity was special, and he naturally had the idea of ​​finding out more about the situation during the banquet. Moreover, the caravan also needed a day of rest, so he gladly accepted the invitation.

While the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) was settling the errand boys, Zhou Yan found Zhang Wangyue and said, "Master Sun is going to Yangzhou. I'll see him off at the ferry. Also, I'd like to leave the escort team for a few days."

"It is only right to escort the real person. The caravan will set off tomorrow, hiring a boat from Jingzhou, traveling along the Yangtze River, then the Han River, and then the Yellow River. They can meet up with the caravan before arriving in Daxing Prefecture."

Zhou Yan was overjoyed, "Thank you, Chief Escort!" "Go." The chief escort, who had once told Hu Yanlei, "If it is an opportunity, don't force it," treated Zhou Yan with kindness and generosity.

The scouts set up camp outside the city, and Zhou Yan, leading a yellow horse, accompanied Sun Bu'er to the Jingzhou ferry.

The mountains follow Hirano, and the river flows into the great wasteland.

The Yangtze River in Jingzhou was magnificent. Zhou Yan admired the river view while finding a light boat for Sun Bu'er. He had made some gains from the bandits the night before and paid them directly.

Sun Bu'er wouldn't argue with Zhou Yan about something like this.

As she was about to board the ship, looking at the young man who had saved her twice, she couldn't help but say, "The Quanzhen Sect's martial arts are hailed as the 'orthodox school of martial arts under heaven.' They cultivate external skills from internal strength, which are continuous and endless. You are exceptionally talented and have practiced diligently without ceasing. Your potential is limitless."

"Thank you for your guidance, Master."

"Furthermore, if you ever need to escort goods in Jiangnan in the future, you can report my name to the Cheng family in Baoying. I have a disciple in the Cheng family. The Cheng family is large and powerful and will provide assistance."

“I will remember your words.”

"Alright, let's go back!"

Sun Bu'er turned around and leaped onto the deck, entered the cabin, and the light boat drifted downstream. In no time, the lone sail disappeared into the blue sky, leaving only the Yangtze River flowing to the horizon.

Instead of returning to Jingzhou, Zhou Yan carried a bow and arrow bag and headed straight for Xiangyang along the Yangtze River.

The stars hang low over the vast plain, and the moon rises over the flowing river.

It was past midnight when a bonfire was burning by the river. Zhou Yan appeared in the river tide, shirtless.

With his current level of cultivation, which involves external physical training and internal energy cultivation, as well as the gentle and pure energy emanating from his protective jade Guanyin, he is not afraid of the icy cold of the river.

Practicing martial arts in the river not only benefits the two forms of the Dragon Subduing Palm technique, but also greatly helps with various martial arts techniques in "Xiaoyao You", "Yanqing Fist" and "Yue Family Boxing Manual".

Throughout history, those who practice martial arts while facing the tide have all been chivalrous figures. To take a recent example, Yang Guo from the world of Condor Heroes is a prime example.

The river tide surged fiercely, layer upon layer. Zhou Yan stood firmly with his feet planted firmly on the ground, like a tree rooted to the earth, unshaken by any push or pull. He lowered his hips and relaxed his waist, shifting his stance in all directions, supporting himself from all sides. With each step forward, his elbows hard as iron, he was ready to strike the raging waves.

Like a thousand troops and ten thousand horses, he, wielding the Yue Family Fist, was like a charging iron cavalry.

Suddenly, his fist technique transformed into a palm strike, and he pushed out a palm towards the wave, which crashed against the rocks, creating a thousand piles of snow.

Zhou Yan shouted loudly, feeling the impact of the backlash on his back. He swung his hand back and slashed horizontally, unleashing a magnificent splash of water with his "Dragon Tail Swing".

At that moment, a wisp of flute music entered Zhou Yan's ears.

The sound of the flute, though initially faint, was all-pervasive. In an instant, it became like the cry of a phoenix on Kunlun Mountain. The sound gradually approached and quickened, simulating the vast ocean, calm for thousands of miles, with the distant tide slowly pushing in, followed by a scene of surging waves.

Although he was clearly by the river, Zhou Yan suddenly felt as if he were in the blue sea, with a massive force pressing down from all directions, tearing and piercing his body and spirit.

It made my breathing quicken.

When Zhou Yan encountered Huang Rong on the Yangtze River in Jingzhou and heard the sound of the flute again, he was startled, wondering if it was Huang Yaoshi, the Eastern Heretic, who had arrived.

He fought Ouyang Ke in Zhongdu, using techniques such as "The Dragon Regrets" and "The Dragon Swings Its Tail" to attract the attention of Yu Yangzi, Wang Chuyi.

Now, while practicing martial arts in the river, he used the same two moves to lure the Eastern Heretic, who was searching for Huang Rong.

　拜谢“不游水胖子”打赏。感谢“16110314434”、“慢慢稀饭你”、“甚么理想”、“15书虫”、“TIM恋烟”、“2023031174058”、“鲁智深三打孙悟空”、“三丁大包子”、“犹记当年小蛮腰”、“梁凉”、“210807131161”、“20230626”、“黎霸霸”“咸鱼喂懒猫”、’“汤圆多多爹”、“落叶的苍凉”、“张磊168”、“地球来的陌生人”、“青龙降白虎”、“大脸歪”大大的月票支持，感激不尽。

　　Just a heads up, I should be able to add an extra chapter based on monthly votes the day after tomorrow. Originally, it was supposed to be tomorrow, but I wasn't satisfied with today's chapter, so I spent half the night revising it, which delayed my writing and drafting.

　　Thank you to all the readers for your support!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)