The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 8 Judging a gentleman by the standards of a petty person

The镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) from Sihai镖局 (Sihai Escort Agency) arrived full of vigor, but left looking dejected, giving Songhelou (Pine Crane Restaurant) a new topic of conversation after tea and dinner.

Zhou Yan walked to the private seats of Taoist Priest Yin and Taoist Priest Zhao and said apologetically, "I am Zhou Yan from Fu'an Escort Agency. I apologize for disturbing you two Taoist priests."

Taoist Yin hurriedly stood up, clasped his hands together, and said loudly, "Yin Zhiping of the Quanzhen Sect, Escort Zhou, there's no need for you to take offense."

Zhou Yan introduced himself, and following the etiquette of the martial arts world, Yin Zhiping explained his sect.

He was Yin Zhiping. Zhou Yan sized him up and saw that he had long eyebrows, handsome eyes, and an elegant appearance. He was about eighteen years old.

"So you're from the Quanzhen Sect. My apologies for not recognizing you."

Hu Yanlei also came over and said, "Young master, your technique of deflecting force just now was quite remarkable. May I ask who your master is?"

"Master Changchunzi Qiu Daoren."

"A renowned teacher produces outstanding students," Hu Yanlei praised.

Zhou Yan casually asked, "Is Daoist Qiu here?"

Yin Zhiping found Zhou Yan long-winded, but seeing his eloquent speech, he replied, "Master is in seclusion."

"I see!"

Before Zhou Yan could ask any more questions, Zhao Daoshi stood up and said, "Junior brother, we've had our meal, it's time to get going."

"Okay, Senior Brother Zhao." Yin Zhiping picked up his bundle and longsword, nodded slightly to Zhou Yan, and left with his senior brother.

"Brother Zhou, let's continue."

The two returned to their private room. Yin Zhiping and Zhao Daoshi were already on the street. Zhou Yan looked at their backs and thought to himself that Zhao Daoshi must be Zhao Zhijing. Qiu Chuji was still in Zhongnan Mountain, while he himself had been attacked by the Four Ghosts of the Yellow River in the suburbs of Datong Prefecture. They had seen that Ouyang Ke was lusting after Li Mochou and had been relentlessly pursuing him.

The timeline of The Legend of the Condor Heroes should be when Guo Jing was about to head south.

Zhou Yan had forgotten where Guo Jing had met Huang Rong, only remembering that she seemed to be dressed as a beggar.

Thinking this way, Hu Yanlei said, "That Taoist Zhao is narrow-minded. He was afraid that we would attach ourselves to the Quanzhen Sect, so he hurriedly left with the young Taoist."

Zhou Yan smiled slightly. Zhao Zhijing is just that kind of person. Brother, you have sharp eyes.

……

As Yin Zhiping walked along the street, he said, "Senior brother, I'm still not full."

Zhao Zhijing said earnestly, "Junior brother, you have little experience in the martial world. Those two bodyguards are obviously sycophants. You should not talk to them, lest they use our Quanzhen Sect to bolster their own reputation."

"Such a thing is true."

Zhao Zhijing said, "The world is a deep and treacherous place, and people are wicked. They are bodyguards, and they are best at using others' identities to gain influence and influence."

"But I think Zhou the镖师 and Huyan the镖师 are very upright."

"Can the word 'upright' be written all over your face?"

Yin Zhiping glanced at Senior Brother Zhao and said respectfully, "Senior Brother's teachings are correct."

Zhao Zhijing was quite pleased and said as they walked, "'It's easy to draw a dragon or a tiger, but hard to draw their bones; it's easy to know a person's face, but hard to know their heart.' Junior brother, remember this: when you're traveling the world, talk less and observe more."

"Ok!"

In the soft twilight, two figures walked further and further away, eventually disappearing into the crowd.

……

Zhou Yan, seated in a private room by the south window of Songhelou Restaurant, asked Hu Yanlei for advice: "Brother, when do you think Escort Su will issue the challenge?"

Hu Yanlei laughed: "It's just empty talk to save face. There are all sorts of people in this building. If he backs down, wouldn't he lose face for the Sihai Escort Agency and himself?"

Zhou Yan realized what was happening and chuckled. He realized he was still inexperienced. If the other party really wanted to decide the outcome and even life or death, they would have already set the route, location, and time.

"I misjudged him, but Master Su's martial arts skills are also very formidable."

Hu Yanlei glared: "You fought and defeated both of them, so you're not so domineering?"

"We can't boast about ourselves."

"I will boast!"

Zhou Yan smiled knowingly, recalling Hu Yanlei's favorite saying.

……

As the moon sets in the deep night, the stars grow sparse.

Zhou Yan and Hu Yanlei left Songhelou.

One went east, the other west, and they parted ways.

The street scene still seemed crowded, with buildings of varying heights crammed together and alleyways of varying widths crisscrossing like a spider web. Zhou Yan, carrying a quiver, walked alone, past white-walled and blue-tiled courtyards covered in moss, past imposing mansions with stone lions, and past brothels. He could see women with empty eyes leaning against windows upstairs, absentmindedly eating melon seeds and watching passersby. Laughter drifted from some of the windows, floating on the street.

When the pedestrians were quiet, he reached the end of the alley and climbed over the wall to enter.

The door bolts held the two black doors together, exuding the aura of age. Long uninhabited, the courtyard was covered with fallen autumn leaves. This old courtyard house is now Zhou Yan's home.

A dim oil lamp cast a warm orange glow. Zhou Yan placed his bow case on the table, went out of the room, grabbed a broom, swept the courtyard clean, drew water from the ancient well in the courtyard, and found a rag to wipe the dust off the tables and chairs.

The crescent moon climbed into the azure sky. Zhou Yan tidied up inside and out, walked out of the house, and stood in the courtyard.

Most of the time of a镖人 (bodyguard/escort) is spent on escorting goods. The original owner was able to have a remarkable set of skills, which, in addition to talent, relied on the hard work of burning the midnight oil and rising at dawn, just like the arduous training that men undergo when practicing martial arts.

Having transmigrated and merged with the original owner's memories, he was confident that his comprehension was now even more outstanding. Moreover, he now had the help of the Jade Guanyin, a golden finger, to assist him in cultivating his techniques. He needed to practice diligently and without ceasing.

Since parting ways with Li Mochou, he has been studying and researching the jade Guanyin.

Without any heaven-defying attributes like reflecting cultivation techniques, the Jade Guanyin can only continuously emit a balanced and peaceful warmth to eliminate fatigue, soothe the meridians, and repair internal ailments.

But in his eyes, the Jade Guanyin's real functions were like a timely help in need.

Without a master's guidance, relying solely on self-study can easily lead to physical and mental strain over time. Accumulated over time, it could even damage internal organs or cause qi deviation. Now, not only are these worries eliminated, but with the help of the Jade Guanyin, fatigue can be quickly eliminated. After completing the practice, it's like receiving a thorough massage from your "golden finger"—doesn't that sound wonderful?

Zhou Yan's thoughts returned to normal, and he focused intently on the "Free and Easy Wandering" boxing technique.

"...The hips are the central axis of the whole body, skillfully coordinated through the waist and legs. Find the right balance of heaviness and lightness, and yin and yang will naturally harmonize. The key is to use the substantial to send the insubstantial forward, pushing the insubstantial leg forward. The stepping leg extends segment by segment, from the toes to the heel. The movement is smooth and responsive, penetrating the bones and muscles, and when the foot touches the ground, the shoulders and back sink. The spirit is relaxed and the mind is hazy..."

Zhou Yan silently recited the mantra of "Free and Easy Wandering," savoring its essence and filling in any gaps. When the moon was high in the sky, he suddenly assumed a boxing stance, his chest and abdomen expanding, swallowing a breath into his throat. He simultaneously unleashed the "Begging for Alms at Doors" move, his graceful movements undiminished, yet now exuding even greater ferocity.

Zhou Yan was overjoyed. He unleashed a series of moves, including "Reaching out to anyone," "Food served to him," "Sun high in the sky," and "A fleeting dream." On the white wall of the courtyard, a figure could be seen leaping and rolling at varying heights, one move after another, one style after another. His figure was as fast as a shooting star, and his fist shadows were as dense as snow gathering in the Milky Way.

He was immersed in the state of boxing, coordinating his steps and breathing, unaware of the time it took. The internal energy he had cultivated through the arduous practice of "Yanqing Fist" was suddenly guided by his intention, circulating in his abdominal cavity, and then spreading along the meridians to his limbs, enhancing his agility and the power of his punches and kicks.

He was overjoyed. Hong Qigong said that the "Free and Easy Wandering" boxing technique could help solidify the foundation of internal strength and assist in cultivation. The Northern Beggar was kind-hearted and honest.

I voted for peach and reported it to Qiong Yao.

(End of this chapter)