Chapter 293: Some Prioritize Chivalry, Others Collude in Villainy
Songhe Tower’s overhanging eaves soared, its distant shape resembling a crane, with white walls, black tiles, and green willows hanging all around.
Lanterns hung outside the tower, and a plaque was displayed high up. Inside, carved beams and painted rafters adorned the space, filled with a clamor of voices.
The old beggar whom Li Mochou had seen went up to the second floor, ordering a table full of wine and dishes. He did not at all resemble the Beggars’ Sect Elder Lu Youjiao that Zhou Yan had seen, who looked impoverished and lived by begging.
Originally, the Beggars’ Sect was divided into the Clean Clothes Faction and the Dirty Clothes Faction. The Clean Clothes Faction, besides wearing patched beggar robes, lived like ordinary people in their daily lives. These individuals were mostly heroes of the Jianghu, who either admired the Beggars’ Sect’s chivalrous deeds or were friends with the sect disciples and thus joined the Beggars’ Sect, not truly being beggars. The Dirty Clothes Faction, however, lived by begging, strictly adhering to their precepts: they were not allowed to use money for purchases, not allowed to share tables with outsiders, and not allowed to fight with those who did not know martial arts.
The old beggar’s clothes were patched, but his physique was robust, and his complexion fair and clean; he was naturally of the Clean Clothes Faction. Lu Youjiao, whom Zhou Yan had seen in Zhongdu, belonged to the Dirty Clothes Faction.
The three ate meat and drank wine, frequently drawing the attention of the diners in the tower, but the old beggar paid them no mind.
The sound of footsteps echoed from downstairs as three people ascended the stairs.
The person in front had white hair and a youthful face, it was the White Lotus Sect Leader Yu Huacheng. Following him was a man about forty years old, tall in stature, with a pale complexion, sunken eyes conveying a sense of weariness, and a face as sharp as a knife.
The man who came last was handsome and possessed an extraordinary demeanor; it was the White Lotus Saint Son Wuse.
As the three appeared, the old beggar by the private room’s complexion changed slightly before returning to normal.
Yu Huacheng walked straight forward and said with a smile, “Elder Peng, long time no see.”
“Sect Leader Yu, I trust you are well,” Elder Peng replied with a hearty laugh.
The Beggars’ Sect, the White Lotus Sect, and Manichaeism were in constant conflict in the Jingxiang region. As a nine-bag elder, Elder Peng naturally recognized Yu Huacheng.
After exchanging pleasantries, Yu Huacheng said, “How about I book a private room, and we have a good drink together, Elder Peng?”
Elder Peng smiled, “The Beggars’ Sect and the White Lotus Sect have always had grudges.”
The middle-aged man with the pale complexion chuckled, “Elder Peng, the item you carry is the Gang Leader Hong’s Dog Beating Stick, obtained from Manichaeism. The Beggars’ Sect and Manichaeism have deep-seated animosity. Zhang Sanqiang’s cultivation is not much inferior to Gang Leader Hong’s. Elder Peng, after you become the Gang Leader, don’t you want a reliable helper?”
“And you are?” Elder Peng’s pupils contracted slightly as he politely asked.
Yu Huacheng introduced with a smile, “This is our sect’s Zhuang Shiyi, Dharma Protector Zhuang.”
Elder Peng only knew that the White Lotus Sect had two great Dharma Protectors but had never met them. Hearing this, he was secretly astonished; they must have been tracking him from Jingxiang all the way to Zhongdu.
However, listening to Zhuang Shiyi’s words, Elder Peng pondered for a moment and found them reasonable. To snatch the Dog Beating Stick, many Manichaean disciples had been killed in Yuezhou. The Beggars’ Sect and Manichaeism were already enemies, and the White Lotus Sect was also locked in a life-and-death struggle with Manichaeism. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. However, this person could guess his ambition to lead the Beggars’ Sect; he was truly a cunning individual.
Thinking this, Elder Peng chuckled, “It’s better to obey than to refuse. The Beggars’ Sect’s foundation is in the north. As the host, allow me to treat you to this meal.”
“Certainly,” Yu Huacheng replied with a smile.
Elder Peng left the table full of food for two beggar disciples, beckoned a shop assistant to open a private room and serve wine and dishes. They entered and sat according to their status. Elder Peng raised his wine cup, “This old beggar toasts Sect Leader Yu and Dharma Protector Zhuang.”
“Cheers! Let’s all drink together!”
As cups clinked and conversation flowed, Elder Peng began, “Sect Leader Yu, please elaborate on why you sought me out.”
“Elder Peng speaks directly, and I will not beat around the bush,” Yu Huacheng praised, “I will assist Elder Peng in becoming the Beggars’ Sect Leader. Once Elder Peng is in charge of the Beggars’ Sect, we will be friendly with the White Lotus Sect and jointly deal with Manichaeism.”
Elder Peng was unaware of the origins between the White Lotus Sect and Manichaeism. Yu Huacheng, the son of the former Manichaean leader, aimed to regain control of Manichaeism and seize the sect-protecting cultivation technique 《Qiankun Great Shift》. However, he was well aware of the conflicts between the two sects. He let out a slight sigh upon hearing this and smiled, “I couldn’t ask for more.”
Yu Huacheng laughed heartily, “Happy cooperation.”
“Happy cooperation.”
…
Flames flickered through the lantern shades, casting an orange glow across the courtyard, highlighting the rocks and pavilions within.
“Brother Zhou.”
Hua Zheng knelt with her hands on her knees, standing by the porch and gasping for breath. She was physically strong and possessed excellent archery skills, but she had not cultivated internal martial arts. Having run all the way, her legs felt weak, and she was short of breath.
Li Mochou’s figure swept across the corridor courtyard, leaped over the rockery, and moved towards Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue.
Whenever there was something to discuss, Huang Rong spoke quickly and rapidly, her voice as clear as pearls falling on a jade plate.
Li Mochou’s voice, however, was soft and melodious, delicate and gentle, speaking neither hastily nor slowly, “I encountered someone from the Beggars’ Sect on the street.”
“Elaborate.”
“It was a nine-bag elder, with two Beggars’ Sect disciples behind him. The old beggar said there would be a Beggars’ Sect Conference and mentioned that the position of Gang Leader was a must-win. Oh, and the Beggars’ Sect disciples called the old beggar Elder Peng.”
Zhou Yan felt a sense of relief. The matter of the Beggars’ Sect finally had some direction. Referring to the story progression of the Condor Heroes world, it was not difficult to infer what was about to happen in the Beggars’ Sect.
Hong Qigong was known as the Northern Beggar, and the Beggars’ Sect’s foundation was in the north. Lu Youjiao was stationed in Zhongdu and Kaifeng, and the Beggars’ Sect disciples were mainly from the Dirty Clothes Faction. Elder Peng was one of the four elders in the Condor Heroes who had once controlled Guo Jing and Huang Rong with “mind control techniques” before defecting to the Mongols. He was quite cunning and strategic. The Beggars’ Sect Conference was to elect the Gang Leader. If nothing unexpected happened, the Dog Beating Stick would be in Elder Peng’s hands. He had brought the Dog Beating Stick to Zhongdu to contend for the Beggars’ Sect leadership with Lu Youjiao. Hong Qigong could not possibly be unaware of this and should also be in Zhongdu.
“Brother Zhou, should we go over there?” Li Mochou asked.
Zhou Yan smiled, “No rush. Qigong is definitely in Zhongdu. Let’s go to Brother Guo’s place first.”
“Okay.” Li Mochou was obedient.
“And the princess?” Zhou Yan asked.
Li Mochou then remembered. They had arrived at the escort agency, and she had run ahead. Hua Zheng, due to her physical fatigue, had fallen behind.
“I was busy talking about the Beggars’ Sect and left Hua Zheng behind. I’ll go check on her now.” Li Mochou handed the packaged ginseng, ganoderma, and other medicinal herbs to Zhou Yan and turned to lightly leap away.
“Miss Li has a good disposition,” Zhang Wangyue praised.
“Indeed,” Zhou Yan nodded with a smile.
Zhou Yan placed the medicinal herbs in the hall and walked alongside Zhang Wangyue to the escort agency’s guest rooms. Hua Zheng recovered quickly, and in the night, the Mongolian princess’s praise for Li Mochou’s lightness skill could be heard.
A runner led the horses over, and the four rode straight towards the western suburbs.
…
“Chief Escort Zhang, Brother Zhou, and Hua Zheng have arrived.”
The slightly cool autumn breeze blended with the warmth of the kind-faced Bao Xiruo.
Hua Zheng had visited Bao Xiruo many times with Guo Jing, and they were already very familiar with each other.
When Zhou Yan was in Fu’an, he would often hunt when he went to the suburbs to cultivate, bringing some game back to the Yang family; he was no outsider. Bao Xiruo, who had already prepared wine and dishes, stepped forward to greet them warmly.
After Zhou Yan bowed in return and introduced Li Mochou, Bao Xiruo observed her for a moment and smiled, “Young lady, you are truly beautiful.”
Li Mochou was inwardly delighted, “Mochou greets Madam Yang.”
“Come, let’s go inside.”
The wine was “Pear Blossom White,” and the table was filled with a variety of dishes. As they drank and chatted about everyday matters, Bao Xiruo prepared some clothes and asked Hua Zheng to take them back to the desert for Guo Jing’s mother, Li Ping, and then she led Hua Zheng away.
Zhou Yan silently praised Bao Xiruo as intelligent and virtuous.
Zhang Wangyue poured wine and said, “Brother Guo is on a western expedition. This cup is a send-off.”
“Thank you, Chief Escort.”
“Elder Yang, let’s drink together,” Zhou Yan said.
The four raised their cups and drank them dry. Zhang Wangyue said, “Brother Zhou, during this western expedition, you might consider reading some books on military strategy and tactics.”
Guo Jing clasped his fists and respectfully said, “Thank you for your guidance, Chief Escort Zhang.”
“Brother Guo, you are too polite. Additionally, I can teach you a set of training and combat methods, the Eight Trigrams Formation. This formation was originally created by Zhuge Liang based on ancient methods and, passed down to the present, has been further modified by General Yue. When applied on the battlefield, it has great power to defeat the enemy.”
Guo Jing was startled, “It’s Grandpa Yue’s military strategy.”
“Precisely.”
Yang Tiexin knew that Zhang Wangyue was a descendant of General Zhang Xian’s family, but he had never mentioned it to Guo Jing. Seeing the Chief Escort imparting military strategy, he said, “The Chief Escort is a descendant of General Zhang Xian.”
Guo Jing stood up and hurriedly knelt, saying, “How can I be worthy of learning Grandpa Yue’s military strategy?”
Zhang Wangyue quickly helped Guo Jing up and said, “Brother Guo, there is no need for this. In Zhongdu alone, hundreds of thousands of people were spared due to your efforts. How can you not learn?”
Guo Jing stood up, and Zhang Wangyue said, “There is only one thing I hope Brother Guo will remember.”
“Please speak, Chief Escort. Guo Jing will listen attentively and act accordingly.”
“General Yue’s lifelong ambition was to expel the barbarians and reclaim our land. If Brother Guo is later valued by the Great Khan, do not use military strategy and tactics to help the Great Khan harm our land and people.”
Guo Jing quickly said, “I will obey the Great Khan’s call, but only for that scoundrel Wanyan Honglie. My seven masters always said that a true hero is not only skilled in martial arts but also has the world in their heart and dares to take responsibility. Guo Jing will never forget this. My mother also taught me to be kind and not to act recklessly. I would never do anything to betray my teachers and ancestors.”
“Brother Guo is a hero,” Zhou Yan said.
Guo Jing raised his cup and said sincerely, “During my time in Zhongdu, I often heard Uncle Yang speak of Benefactor’s deeds.” Guo Jing’s emotions surged, and he blurted out calling Zhou Yan Benefactor again. He continued, “At Fengling Ferry, I met Uncle Yang by chance and acted chivalrously. For the sake of the High Monk from India, I rode alone for a thousand li. Guo Jing admires you. After avenging my father, I will take my mother south and, as my masters taught, act chivalrously like Benefactor.”
“I toast Brother Guo.”
“Thank you, Benefactor.”
Zhang Wangyue raised his cup, “I also toast Brother Guo. Do not say the road ahead is full of dangers; with righteousness in your heart, let fate take its course.”
“Guo Jing will remember this.”
The three drank together and sat down. Zhang Wangyue taught Guo Jing the Eight Trigrams Formation from the 《Wumu’s Military Writings》. Guo Jing found it difficult to comprehend at first, so he forced himself to memorize it, thinking that when he returned to the desert, he would train his Ten-Thousand Man Squad according to it.
At the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), Zhou Yan, Li Mochou, and Zhang Wangyue bid farewell to Yang Tiexin and his wife, Guo Jing, and Hua Zheng, and rode into Zhongdu. The two delivered their horses to the Fu’an Escort Agency and headed straight for the lodging of the Beggars’ Sect Elder Lu Youjiao.
