The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 72 Even when beating a dog, you have to consider its owner?
Mu Nianci held the middle of the iron spear in both hands. Her feet, clad in embroidered shoes, moved rapidly, her skirt and clothes whistling like bolts of silk. The iron spear left afterimages in the wind and snow.

Hu Yanlei and Wang Kui stood at the edge of the martial arts arena, watching Mu Nianci practice this move of Zhou Yanwu's Three Spear Technique. They nodded repeatedly, their faces showing admiration.

Both of them were far more skilled than Yang Tiexin. Having previously witnessed Zhou Yan's spear technique, Mu Nianci's current execution was almost identical to Zhou's, requiring only minor adjustments and refinements in some minute details. This alone was enough to demonstrate her exceptional talent in spear training.

Zhou Yan was simply admiring it; it was indeed very beautiful to see women wielding guns, especially Mu Nianci, dressed in red, her skirt billowing open like a blooming red lotus.

He always felt that Mu Nianci had lived a life that was too humble or rather, a life of compromise and accommodation in the world of Legend of the Condor Heroes since she met Wanyan Kang. But now he saw that the other party's expression was becoming more and more confident.

Thinking of the other person's untimely death at the age of thirty, and then looking at his current dashing appearance, Zhou Yan sighed.

Suddenly, the powerful arc of the spear disappeared. Mu Nianci spun around, twisted her waist, and thrust out the spear like a phantom, then retracted it.

This is a signature move from the Yang family's spear technique, used to break through enemy lines and repeatedly kill generals. When Mu Nianci used it, it already had a fierce and ruthless flavor.

"Great!" Zhou Yan couldn't help but cheer.

Hu Yanlei was also thoroughly enjoying the spectacle and said to Yang Tiexin, "Brother Yang, the Yang family's spear technique truly has been passed down."

Yang Tiexin's eyes welled up with tears, and he felt a pang of emotion. Given his daughter's current rate of progress, it was certain that she would surpass him in the Yang family's marksmanship in the future. However, because of his stubbornness, he had almost ruined his daughter's bright future.

Thinking this through, he hurriedly said, "I rely entirely on the guidance of the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) and the other镖师 (bodyguards/escorts)."

Hu Yanlei said, "We are quite familiar with Brother Yang now, so just call him 'brother' from now on. There's no need to be so formal."

Wang Kui said, "It should have been done long ago."

"Alright, Brother Huyan, Brother Wang, Brother Shi. Escort Zhou sent over some game this morning, and they'll all be at my house this evening for a lively gathering."

"no problem."

Mu Nianci didn't hear much of their conversation, which surprised her, but she felt her body relax, a warm sensation coursing through her body. This was completely different from the tense feeling she usually experienced after finishing practicing spear techniques.

Actually, this is all thanks to Zhou Yan.

Whether it's the Yue family spear or the Yang family spear, both have methods for guiding qi and exerting force. He borrowed Zhang Sanqiang's spear technique, but incorporated the "Free and Easy Wandering" body movement into his spear technique, which also coincided with the qi-guiding and breathing method of the skill taught by Hong Qigong.

Mu Nianci happened to practice this set of techniques, which allowed her to move freely and feel warm all over.

Both Zhou Yan and his opponent are talented in martial arts, but Mu Nianci's martial arts potential may just be stuck at the "comprehension" stage.

Mu Nianci stood holding her gun, still immersed in that strange feeling, when Zhou Yan had an idea. He said to Mu Nianci, "Miss Mu, do you have any leg techniques?"

Mu Nianci snapped out of her daze, "Yes!"

He then said, "After the arc spear, you can actually add two more moves as needed. One is kicking the spear, and the other is shoving the iron spear into the ground and then kicking it in mid-air."

Mu Nianci began to ponder, and Zhou Yan stopped disturbing her and went to chat with Hu Yanlei, Yang Tiexin and others.

At this moment, a porter hurried over and said, "Huyan Escort, Zhou Escort, the master and the head escort are looking for you."

The young man in his early twenties, full of youthful vigor, said indignantly, "Lei Luo, the owner of Sihai, has arrived. He's with people from the Changfeng Escort Agency in Datong Prefecture. The young master from there has come to visit, he must be here to mediate this matter."

The news that Sihai Escort Agency had joined Changfeng was only circulating among the escorts; the porters were unaware of it, hence the saying.

Zhou Yan thought to himself that Helian Chuncheng had arrived very quickly. As expected of one of the four great escort agencies in the world, on par with Fu'an, his demeanor was assertive and decisive.

Huyan Lei asked, "How many men have come?"

"Helian Chuncheng, Lei Luo, and three others are in the guest room."

Wang Kui said to Zhou Yan, "Brother Zhou, it's up to you now."

The young man smiled and nodded.

"Brother Zhou, let's go!"

"okay."

As Zhou Yan walked past the martial arts arena, Shi Baichuan watched his retreating figure and sighed:
"A spirit of enterprise and unwavering perseverance—youth is truly wonderful." "Absolutely!" Wang Kui exclaimed.

……

The two entered the council chamber, where the host and Zhang Wangyue were drinking tea.

"Good afternoon, Master and Chief Escort."

"sit."

"Thank you, boss."

Zhou Yan and Hu Yanlei took their seats, and Duan Huai'an said, "The fact that Sihai has joined Changfeng Escort Agency has truly exceeded my expectations. When we meet again, you should act according to the plan you discussed with the head of the escort agency, and assess the situation carefully. Don't have any reservations."

"Don't worry, boss."

"Hmm." Duan Huai'an nodded, then fell silent. He held the teacup in his left hand and the porcelain lid in his right. Steam rose from the cup, and his expression was somber and hard.

……

Five figures of varying heights and builds walked through the courtyard. The porter quickly approached the eaves and said, "Master, the young master of Changfeng Escort Agency has arrived."

Zhang Wangyue, Hu Yanlei, and Zhou Yan stood up and went to greet them.

The north wind swirled under the eaves, making a howling sound, and people's shadows faced each other.

The head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) cupped his hands and said, "My name is Zhang Wangyue. I apologize for not being able to greet you properly, young master."

Helian Chuncheng looked at the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), who had a solemn, square face, with brows that conveyed a sense of vicissitude and authority.

He suddenly smiled: "My father said that the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) is the pillar of Fu'an. Today I have met him, and he is indeed as majestic as his reputation suggests."

Zhang Wangyue said, "How can anyone compare to the young and promising Master Helian? Please."

"Thank you!"

As everyone entered the hall, Yin Kexi gave Zhou Yan a low smile. Zhou Yan looked at the young man's waist, and the Hu man's face instantly turned gloomy. In a moment, the two of them collided silently.

After both sides took their seats, Lei Luo cupped his hands and said, "Manager Duan, with Sihai being taken over by Changfeng, I can say that I have fulfilled your wish to have Sihai withdraw from the escort agency. I wonder if you are satisfied with this result?"

Duan Huai'an didn't reply to Lei Luo, but instead looked at Helian Chuncheng: "Is the young master aware of the conflict between Sihai and Fu'an?"

"Know a thing or two."

"In that case, young master, have you come to our door to mediate, or do you have other intentions?"

Helian Chuncheng sighed inwardly. Before arriving in Fu'an, he had anticipated various verbal battles and exchanges between the two sides upon their first meeting. However, the atmosphere had already reached a tense and confrontational level upon contact, which was truly unexpected, yet also incredibly exciting. The Changfeng Escort Agency was the undisputed leader in Datong Prefecture, without a single worthy opponent, but now they had encountered one in Zhongdu.

Helian Chuncheng smiled and said, "Before I set off, my father repeatedly instructed me that in the business of escorting goods, one should make many good connections and make money through harmony. I am here to visit you sincerely hoping to admire the demeanor of the head manager. Manager Lei has already withdrawn from the escorting business in accordance with Fu'an's wishes and will not interfere in the management of Changfeng in the future, so where does the word 'mediation' come from?"

Zhou Yan's words suddenly rang out. He stood up and, as he walked forward, said, "Manager Lei instigated the镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) to try and win over the镖师 of Fu'an by stirring up trouble and spreading rumors. Sihai also hired a large sum of money to kill someone, wanting to plunge Fu'an into an abyss of no return, and then take advantage of the internal and external troubles to annex Fu'an. When the plot was exposed, they sought refuge with Changfeng镖局 (Escort Agency). Since the young master knows about this matter and says that this trip is not for mediation, then it is tantamount to covering up and provoking. A river cannot fill a leaky cup, and mountains and seas cannot fill a stream. I think Changfeng镖局's efforts to make friends and build wealth through harmony are a pretense; their true intention is insatiable greed."

Yin Kexi said grimly, "The conflict between Sihai and Fu'an is just about competing for goods in Jingzhou. There's no need for all this trouble."

Zhou Yan suddenly realized, "So, Second Young Master, that means Manager Lei deliberately concealed the truth and intentionally provoked a conflict between Changfeng and Fu'an. It's true that women and petty people are hard to deal with. How could someone like you be qualified to enter Fu'an's door?"

Zhou Yan grabbed Lei Luo.

Lei Luo was shocked and leaned back. A Hu (non-Han) bodyguard next to him jumped up and shouted, "Even when beating a dog, you have to consider its owner! How dare you!"

The bodyguard reached out and grabbed him, but Zhou Yan countered with a backhand slash.

With a loud "bang!", the bodyguards from Changfeng Escort Agency were sent staggering backward by the "Dragon Tail Swing" move, which combined internal and external force. Zhou Yan grabbed Lei Luo and turned to rush out of the hall.

　There's still a little bit left to finish; I'll post it in two parts tonight.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)