Chapter 191: Heroes’ Banquet, Songshan Shaolin
The Taihu Lake in July was clear for ten thousand miles, with a thousand sails moving lightly with the wind.
A small boat floated on the lake, with Lu Chenfeng, disguised as a fisherman, sitting at the bow fishing. Huang Rong held a fishing rod, but she lacked patience, unlike Lu Chenfeng’s calm and composed demeanor.
After Zhou Yan left Hundred Herbs Valley, Huang Rong and others waited for Mei Chaofeng to recover. They first went to Luxi to meet Chef Ren and discuss the Dao, then traveled by way of Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake, and finally reached Guiyun Manor by the Yangtze River, taking Shagu to Peach Blossom Island.
Mei Chaofeng still had descendants of Peach Blossom Island to find and had not yet fulfilled Huang Yaoshi’s instructions, so she dared not see her master.
When she arrived at the island, Huang Yaoshi was present and handed the 《Wumu’s Military Writings》 and Yue Fei’s poetry and relics to her father.
Huang Yaoshi, who admired Yue Fei, treated them as treasures and diligently studied the art of formation within the book, while Huang Rong sought out the Old Urchin.
Her sneaking away from Peach Blossom Island was initially to bring wine and meat to the Old Urchin, which displeased Huang Yaoshi and led to his scolding. However, after Huang Rong’s near-death experience, Huang Yaoshi’s mindset changed, and he no longer stopped her.
However, after chatting with the Old Urchin for a few days, Huang Rong found it boring. Unable to bear the boredom, she took advantage of Huang Yaoshi’s concentration on studying formations to secretly leave Peach Blossom Island and head straight for Guiyun Manor to find Mei Ruohua.
She mused that Yang Kang and others should have returned to Kaifeng Prefecture from Iron Palm Mountain and would likely cause trouble for Hou Tonghai. She also planned to ask Lu Chenfeng where the most fun places in the world were.
Lu Chenfeng practiced the “Whirlwind Sweeping Leaves Leg,” and his leg injury had recovered significantly, allowing him to walk with a cane. Seeing Huang Rong’s arrival, he was in high spirits. Upon hearing Huang Rong mention encountering a strange guest in Western Hunan whose weapon was a fishing rod, he was inspired and took her out on Taihu Lake to fish.
However, it wasn’t long before Huang Rong began hitting the water with her fishing rod, splashing large amounts of water.
“In the past, Physician Fan took Xi Shi on a boat across the Five Lakes; how clever he was! To die here, wouldn’t that be better than being some official? You say being an escort is so good, why not emulate Physician Fan and find solace in nature?”
“Is Junior Sister referring to Escort Zhou?”
“Naturally.”
“In one’s youth, one must strive to achieve something.”
“He is very clever. Traveling the Jianghu and reaching the peak of martial arts, isn’t that also achieving something?”
“One can only say that everyone has their own aspirations.”
“I think he’s just foolish.”
Lu Chenfeng smiled slightly; it seemed Junior Sister was quite concerned about Head Escort Zhou.
Just as he was about to probe her feelings, a large boat approached, and several people dressed as Jianghu figures on the bow were talking loudly.
“Little Prince is hosting a Heroes’ Banquet, inviting heroes from all over the world. If we can gain the Little Prince’s favor in Zhongdu, we can achieve great things.”
“Indeed, Mongolia is attacking Jin and striking the Jin dogs hard.”
Huang Rong heard this and stood up, saying, “Esteemed heroes, what is this Heroes’ Banquet you speak of?”
A small boat, with Huang Rong disguised as a young man, stood gracefully at the bow, appearing handsome and possessing an outstanding demeanor.
In the Jianghu, there were both treacherous and forthright individuals.
The men on the large boat were forthright and called out, “Mongolia’s Little Prince Huo Du has issued invitations for a Heroes’ Banquet to meet heroes from all directions. We heard the news and are attending. Would you like to join us, young brother?”
“Heh, Mongolia’s Little Prince, ‘knives and chisels are sold in the market.’ My abilities are shallow; thank you for your kind invitation.”
“No problem.”
The Big Man replied and no longer paid attention to Huang Rong. After the boat had traveled a short distance, someone among them suddenly said, “That young man seems to be hinting at something to us.”
“What do you mean?”
“I always felt those words were familiar. After much thought, I finally remembered. The next line is ‘demons and monsters serve as dogs and hawks.'”
“Preposterous.”
The Big Man who had spoken with Huang Rong stood up and looked back, but the fishing boat was nowhere to be seen. Lu Chenfeng had already taken Huang Rong away.
Upon returning to Guiyun Manor, Huang Rong sought out Mei Chaofeng.
Dressed in black and white, she left Taihu Lake, deciding to travel north along the river, passing through Kaifeng on her way to Zhongdu.
…
“Heroes’ Banquet?”
Zhongdu in July was enveloped by the scorching summer sun. In the sweltering heat, the dazzling sunlight shone upon the square courtyard of the Escort Bureau, and cicadas chirped in the parasol trees.
Zhou Yan placed the cooling sour plum soup he was holding back on the table.
After escorting the Tianzhu Monk from the Western Regions to Zhongdu and settling him in, Zhou Yan gathered with Zhang Wangyue, Huyan Lei, and Wang Kui, who had returned from an escort mission.
He had mentioned Duan Huai’an’s resurrection long ago.
Everyone was overjoyed, saying that the Boss was benevolent and heaven helped the righteous.
Zhou Yan also recounted the ambush of Master Tiancong of Shaolin of the Western Regions by the Vajra Sect and their entrusted mission.
Huyan Lei and Wang Kui exclaimed how satisfying the fight was. Huyan Lei, in particular, pounded his chest and lamented missing the escort mission to Wuwei by leaving Luzhou.
For Zhang Wangyue and others, the interception of the high monk of Shaolin of the Western Regions by the Vajra Sect was a shocking event. What surprised Zhou Yan was Huo Du’s convening of the Heroes’ Banquet.
Zhang Wangyue said, “Elder Yang inquired with Brother Guo, and it turns out that Huo Du is a descendant of Jamukha, the sworn brother of the Great Khan. Jamukha and the Great Khan fell out and fought, and Jamukha was captured by the Great Khan. Genghis Khan, remembering their sworn brotherhood, intended to spare Jamukha’s life. However, Jamukha willingly chose death. Later, the Great Khan ordered that Jamukha’s descendants be made princes for generations. Huo Du’s title of prince thus originated from this. （Referencing the new edition’s setting）”
“So that’s how it is.” Zhou Yan only knew that Huo Du was a Mongolian prince and a disciple of Golden Wheel Law King. In the world of the Divine Condor, he was similar to Yang Guo in the Legend of the Condor Heroes, but he didn’t know his specific identity.
Zhang Wangyue said, “I heard about Huo Du’s identity and made some deductions.”
“Chief Escort, don’t keep us in suspense.”
Zhang Wangyue smiled, “Is there a possibility that Huo Du, knowing that due to his background he has no significant prospects in Mongolian politics and military affairs, is therefore focusing on the Jianghu?”
Zhou Yan inwardly praised; the Chief Escort’s deduction was spot on.
Mongolia’s Little Prince Huo Du and Jin Dynasty Crown Prince Yang Kang are in opposition.
Currently, Guo Jing, the Golden Saber Consort under Genghis Khan, commands a Ten-Thousand Man Squad, and has a mortal enemy in the Jin Emperor Wanyan Honglie for the murder of his father. Referring to Legend of the Condor Heroes and Divine Condor, the current world has completely changed.
“What do you think of this matter, Brother Zhou?” Zhang Wangyue asked.
“When I passed through Kaifeng Prefecture on my way to Yueyang, I chatted with Zhenwei’s Lu Beihe. He mentioned that Yang Kang was also recruiting experts. I also saw Yang Kang pay a visit to Qiu Qianren in Western Hunan. It’s likely Huo Du knows something about Yang Kang.”
Zhang Wangyue understood immediately.
“Huo Du is imitating Yang Kang.”
“There’s a possibility,” Zhou Yan said with a smile, “Let Huo Du and Yang Kang fight to the death.”
“But the Boss was injured, and it’s inseparable from Huo Du.”
Zhou Yan said, “When the time comes, we will settle the score.”
“Well said.”
“When will Brother Zhou depart for Shaolin?” Zhang Wangyue asked.
“There’s no time to delay. I’ll depart tonight. I’ll trouble Chief Escort to make arrangements for the Indian Monk.”
“No need to worry. Let Little Wu escort him.”
“Mm.”
“Brother Zhou, hurry back. If you’re not on an escort mission, you might even get to see that so-called ‘Heroes’ Banquet.'”
Zhou Yan chuckled. He was also curious. In Divine Condor, Ni Mo Xing and Yin Kexi, among the “Mongolian Three Heroes,” had already defected to Yang Kang. What kind of figures could Huo Du recruit?
The sun set in the west, horses’ hooves kicking up the remnants of the sunset.
Zhou Yan rode the “Night-Shining Jade Lion” out of the city, heading straight for Songshan.
…
Mongolia captured Zhongdu, and the army marched south, with war spreading across Hebei and Shanxi circuits, but Shaoshi Mountain in Henan remained unaffected.
Shaoshi Mountain’s terrain was quite steep, but the mountain path was a long series of wide stone steps. It was magnificent in scale and a considerable undertaking, carved by Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty for his visit to Shaolin Temple, spanning a total of eight li.
Zhou Yan rode the “Night-Shining Jade Lion” in a winding ascent. He saw strange peaks rising like clouds and green cypresses shading the peaks. As he moved forward, five waterfalls suddenly appeared, scattering pearls and jade, cascading down. Looking down at the mountains, they appeared like ants and snails.
Turning a bend along the mountain path, he saw a large temple with yellow walls and green tiles.
Zhou Yan dismounted and placed the “Night-Shining Jade Lion” in the mountain forest. He slowly walked towards the temple entrance. He saw dense trees shading a stele forest. He glanced at the inscriptions, which bore the imperial edicts bestowed by Emperor Taizong of Tang upon the monks of Shaolin Temple.
The thirteen monk-soldiers saved the Tang King. Zhou Yan sighed and walked forward leisurely.
In the past, Huo Gong Toutuo defected from Shaolin, and Master Ku Hui, in his anger, went far away to the Western Regions and founded the sect of Shaolin of the Western Regions. Shaolin had since not participated in the affairs of the martial world.
However, as the ancestral court of Chan Buddhism, it still received pilgrims as usual.
Zhou Yan approached an elderly reception monk and explained that he was entrusted by a high monk of Shaolin of the Western Regions to deliver a letter.
Upon hearing this, the reception monk’s expression changed greatly. He led Zhou Yan into the reception courtyard and then hurried away with the letter. After a short while, the reception monk returned and said, “The Old Abbot requests your presence.”
“May I ask who the Abbot is?”
“Grandmaster Ku Cheng.”
Zhou Yan understood; the current Abbot of Shaolin Temple was not Tianming Chan Master.
Master Ku Hui and Huo Gong Toutuo managed Shaolin of the Western Regions and the Vajra Sect, respectively.
When Huo Gong Toutuo defected from Shaolin Temple, Ku Cheng was the Abbot, and he still is.
Entering the ancient temple at dawn, the first sun shines on the tall forest. A winding path leads to a secluded spot, where a Chan room is surrounded by flowers and trees. All sounds are silent here, only the sound of bells and chimes is heard.
Zhou Yan followed the reception monk through corridors, passing through several Chan courtyards, and entered a Chan room.
After the reception monk reported, he withdrew from the Chan room.
Zhou Yan looked at the old monk within his sight.
His face was emaciated, and his sparse long beard was entirely white. He was at least seventy years old.
“I am Zhou Yan, Head Escort of Fu’an Escort Agency. Greetings, Abbot.”
“Head Escort Zhou, there is no need for politeness.”
A little novice monk served tea. Zhou Yan thanked him. After the novice monk withdrew from the Chan room, Master Ku Cheng said, “May I ask how this letter came into Head Escort Zhou’s possession?”
Zhou Yan was not surprised by Ku Cheng’s question.
The sender of the letter from Shaolin of the Western Regions must have mentioned Master Tiancong within it.
What he was curious about now was the content of the letter.
