Yang Guo: I defied death and reached the heavens in The Return of the Condor Heroes

Yang Guo withdrew his palm and stood up.

Despite the recent fight, his white robes remained completely unstained by dust or blood.

His gaze swept indifferently over the Mongol soldiers lying haphazardly on the ground, groaning incessantly, without a trace of murderous intent on his face.

He simply turned his head and addressed the surrounding crowd, saying loudly:

"The ferry crossing is now open. You may all board the boat and cross the river without any further hesitation."

The crowd of people were stunned for a moment.

Then, the pent-up resentment and joy burst forth, and a deafening cheer resounded across the Baihe River.

Without further hesitation, everyone carried their bags and loads of goods and rushed toward the ferry dock.

The boatmen quickly poled the boat together and called the people to board in turn.

The ferry crossing, which had been sealed off by the iron cavalry and was now eerily bustling with activity, was suddenly filled with the sounds of people and the vibrant atmosphere of the marketplace.

The frustration from being bullied by the Mongol soldiers for days dissipated with the cheers.

Wang Zhensong led the black horse slowly to Yang Guo's side, his eyes filled with genuine admiration.

He sighed deeply, cupped his hands in praise, and said:

"Master Yang's martial arts skills have truly reached a state of divine perfection. I have been wandering the martial world for decades and have seen many famous masters fight, but none of them can do it as effortlessly as you, subduing a group of armored soldiers with the flick of your finger."

Yang Guo slightly raised his hand, his tone calm and indifferent:

"You flatter me, Master. They are just a group of ordinary border guards, nothing to mention. Let's call everyone to board the boat and cross the shore quickly to avoid any further trouble."

The words had barely left his mouth.

Several boatmen waiting to solicit customers at the dock could no longer contain themselves and crowded forward, their faces full of reverence.

The lead man, a lean middle-aged man, quickly stepped forward to Yang Guo, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bowed deeply, speaking with utmost enthusiasm:

"What skill this hero possesses! I am Liu Laosan, and I have been operating boats at this Baihe ferry crossing for over a decade. My boat is large and sturdy, capable of carrying three large carts in a single trip. If you do not mind, please feel free to use my boat; it will be free of charge!"

Before Liu Laosan could finish speaking...

A dark-skinned boat owner standing nearby immediately pushed aside others and loudly retorted:

"Liu Laosan, your boat is leaking, how dare you ask for a ride? Great hero, use my boat! I just replaced the planks, it's perfectly sturdy!"

The other boat owners also stepped forward to invite them, and the dock was noisy for a while.

The boatmen, who had been trembling with fear in the face of the Mongol soldiers, now rushed to help this white-robed master across the river, hoping to express their gratitude.

Seeing this, Wang Zhengsong raised his hand to suppress the chaotic voices, and spoke gently:

"I appreciate your kind offer. But which two boats are the largest and sturdiest enough to carry our three carriages and more than ten mules across the river?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Laosan and the dark-faced boat owner patted their chests in unison and agreed.

The two men pounded their chests with their hands, making a loud thud, as if afraid that someone else would take their job away from them.

Wang Zhengsong walked slowly to the two ferries and examined them closely.

A ship with a wide and thick hull, a flat and spacious deck, is used to transport large quantities of cargo year-round. It has a deep and stable draft and is not afraid of the wind and waves on the river.

The other boat, though slightly smaller, had a freshly painted hull and solid, sturdy wood, making it a good vessel for crossing the river.

He nodded slightly: "Then I'll trouble the two boatmen to ferry us to the south bank."

Upon hearing this, Liu Laosan and the dark-faced man were overjoyed and repeatedly clasped their hands in thanks.

He immediately rushed back to his own ferry, ordered his boatmen to untie the mooring ropes and pole the two large boats steadily to a stop beside the dock pier.

Wang Zhengsong turned around, raised his hand, and instructed the servants accompanying him to perform their respective duties.

Three blue-curtained carriages and more than ten mules were led onto two ferries in turn.

The driver carefully led the animals onto the deck. The mules and horses were initially uneasy at the sight of the rippling water, but after being gently soothed by the boatman, they finally stood still.

Two ferries slowly departed from the dock, one after the other, cutting through the shimmering blue waves and heading towards the south bank of the Baihe River.

A river breeze blew in his face, carrying the unique refreshing moisture of the river water, and ruffled Yang Guo's snow-white hair.

He stood with his hands behind his back on the deck at the bow of the ship, quietly gazing at the trees and embankments on both sides of the river receding slowly behind him, his expression serene and peaceful.

The river surface shimmered, reflecting the flowing clouds and the bright sun in the sky.

Several water birds skimmed low across the water, their clear calls echoing across the ripples, creating a serene scene.

A moment later, the blue cloth curtain of the middle carriage was gently lifted a crack.

Wang Qingyuan slowly stepped out of the cabin and onto the deck.

She looked up at Yang Guo's solitary figure, the scene of their fight at the ferry crossing flashing through her mind, her eyes filled with admiration.

But then, the image of the white-clad beauty who had been by Yang Guo's side the whole time they had been traveling together came to mind again.

The unspoken understanding between the two, conveyed without words, stirred a subtle, bittersweet feeling in her heart.

She calmed her mind and suppressed these chaotic thoughts deep inside.

He walked slowly to Yang Guo's side, placed his hand on the cold gunwale, and spoke softly:

"Young Master's actions just now were truly admirable. Not only were my group able to cross the river safely, but countless oppressed people at the ferry were also freed from their predicament. Seeing the cheers of those people, Qingyuan felt a sense of satisfaction."

Yang Guo smiled upon hearing this:

"It's just a small favor, nothing serious. Those Mongol soldiers have blocked the ferry crossings without cause, causing suffering to merchants and civilians. We should help them if we can."

Wang Qingyuan nodded slightly, her eyes filled with genuine respect:

"Young master, your magnanimity is truly rare. Most martial artists with such superb skills are arrogant and disdainful of others, but you always show compassion for the suffering of strangers. This is the true chivalrous spirit that people in the martial world yearn for."

Yang Guo, feeling somewhat embarrassed by her repeated praise, waved his hand and laughed, "If Miss Wang keeps praising me like this, I might float into the river."

A joke immediately relieved Wang Qingyuan's pent-up frustration.

She couldn't help but cover her mouth and smile faintly, all the melancholy between her brows disappearing.

The two chatted for a few moments while enjoying the scenery along the river.

Wang Qingyuan asked Yang Guo if he had ever visited Nanyang. Hearing that Yang Guo had always lived in the Zhongnan Ancient Tomb and had never set foot in this place, he told Yang Guo in detail about the local customs, folklore and legends.

After a few words, knowing she shouldn't linger and disturb them, she gave a slight bow, turned around, and returned to her seat in the cabin.

The ferry sailed smoothly all the way, and by the time the bow touched the south bank dock, it was already three quarters past 1:30 PM.

The boatmen quickly erected sturdy gangplanks, and the servants methodically carried the carts and led the horses ashore.

Liu Laosan and the dark-faced boat owner stood at the bow of the boat, serving respectfully without daring to be negligent in the slightest.

Wang Zhengsong settled the fare according to the market price and also gave out extra silver as a reward.

The two men repeatedly bowed in gratitude and accepted the gift. Before leaving, they continued to bow to Yang Guo at the bow of the boat, expressing their thanks for saving them from their predicament.

The group rearranged their carriages and horses, and the caravan set off again along the main road to the south.

The rest of the trip went smoothly.

The sky was clear and the official road was smooth and wide. We never encountered any more Mongol soldiers setting up checkpoints to check and rob travelers along the way.

The weight that had been hanging over Wang Zhengsong's heart was finally lifted, and he often rode alongside Yang Guo and chatted during their journey.

He recounted the various anecdotes and legends he had heard during his decades of travels, and described the local customs and traditions of different regions in the north and south. The long journey did not feel tedious or unbearable.

They traveled for another two or three days.

We are getting closer and closer to the Dasheng Pass area.

The appearance of the people traveling on the official road has changed dramatically.

The passersby who were originally mixed among merchants and farmers gradually became mostly martial arts practitioners with swords and knives, coming and going in an endless stream.

There were wealthy and powerful men dressed in brocade robes, sitting on tall, fine horses, with swords inlaid with beautiful jade at their waists.

There were Taoist cultivators carrying long steel swords and wearing plain Taoist robes, their steps steady and graceful.

There were also wandering swordsmen with wine gourds hanging from their waists, dressed in shabby and unruly clothes, drinking as they walked.

Many young disciples traveled in groups of three or five, chatting and laughing along the way, their brows furrowed with eagerness to attend the grand event.

All sorts of people mingled among the merchants and travelers. Along the official road, there was both the bustling noise of ordinary people and the chilling atmosphere of swords drawn. The two atmospheres intertwined, creating a unique and special scene.

Wang Zhensong reined in his horse, riding slowly alongside Yang Guo, and said in a low voice:

"Master Yang, you see, these people have come from all directions to participate in the Heroes' Gathering. This gathering can be said to be the largest event in the Central Plains martial arts world in recent years."