Chapter 100: Zhenwei Escort Agency, The Jianghu in Peril
The rain kept falling.
The spring chill rain washed the early green trees clean and clear, with sprouting plants and budding flowers, dotting this world with vitality, drop by drop.
In the misty rain, Zhou Yan’s steps sank heavily, and water pooled in the grass burst open like lotuses. His hands formed claws, one reaching for the sky, the other for the ground, the starting stance of “Crushing Hardness Divine Claw” as if propping up heaven and earth.
In an instant, his claws moved from left to right, as if stirring the clouds.
He propelled his body with his steps, his spine exerting force, his claws separating and joining, and a “swish” sound of breaking wind could be heard in the air. His claws were like giant pythons coiling, and in the misty rain, thousands of raindrops were stirred by his claw movements, forming lines of rain, like tiny flying snakes, that flew and bit each other with his claw movements.
Suddenly, Zhou Yan’s steps spun rapidly, expanding and bursting. Pure Internal Force surged out from the five acupoints of his thumb “Shaoshang”, index finger “Shangyang”, middle finger “Zhongheng”, ring finger “Guangchong”, and little finger “Shaoze”, following the Qi Guiding Method of “Crushing Hardness Divine Claw”.
Zhou Yan’s Internal Energy radiated outwards, and his left hand interlocked and clawed at an ancient tree in front of him.
With a “bang”, Zhou Yan retreated, and large pieces of bark were torn off, leaving ten clear finger marks on the trunk.
Zhou Yan walked over to take a look and laughed, “This is the true ‘Five Fingers Emitting Force, Unbreakable by Anything’ 《 Crushing Hardness Divine Claw》”
He was still far from mastering this Cultivation Technique, but in terms of realm, his mastery of this technique was far beyond that of Wanyan Kang, who also practiced it.
The reason for his rapid improvement was his understanding of the Taoist Sect’s cultivation essentials.
The same Cultivation Technique was eerie in Mei Chaofeng’s hands, but fierce when Zhou Yan used it.
Zhou Yan retracted his Cultivation Technique and practiced the “Flying Dragon in the Sky” and “Shocking a Hundred Miles” from Subduing Dragon Eighteen Palms before returning to the escort team.
Liang Xiaowu had already prepared the noodles.
It was no longer plain noodles in clear broth. Because of the arrival of spring, wild scallions and wild vegetables could be found everywhere. Adding a wild chicken that Zhou Yan hunted along the way made for a mouth-watering chicken noodle soup.
Zhou Yan called the Medicine Boy over to eat noodles together, and he asked Liang Xiaowu to serve two more bowls of noodles to Mei Chaofeng and Huang Rong.
When Xiaowu returned, he said indignantly, “Young Master’s health is not good, so the Head Escort instructed me to specially add a chicken leg. But the Young Master only took one bite and frowned, saying it tasted terrible. He said the chicken soup wasn’t cooked long enough, and the noodles should be boiled in water, and after the water boiled, water should be poured into the pot, with vegetables added, and then after the water boiled again, they should be scooped out and served with chicken soup.”
Zhou Yan chuckled, and Huang Rong gradually returned.
He smiled at the Runners and said:
“From now on, do it like this.”
“Will doing it this way really change the taste?”
“Naturally!”
Zhou Yan affirmed, Huang Rong’s cooking skills were beyond doubt, capable of conquering the gourmet Hong Qigong.
…
Zhongdu, Fu’an Escort Agency.
A few peach blossoms slanted out over the blue tile wall. The peach trees in the courtyard had gnarled branches, filtering the daylight into a pink haze. Merchant Lu walked past the flower petals that had fallen on the blue bricks and said to Zhang Wangyue, who was coming to meet him, “Peach and Plum Spring Breeze, a Cup of Wine, today I must have a good drink with the Head Escort.”
“Good, then I shall ‘Have to Drink Three Hundred Cups’.”
The two had known each other for a long time. After exchanging pleasantries, they walked towards the Meeting Hall. On the Martial Field, Huyan Lei said to Yang Tiexin and Mu Nianci, “That is Merchant Lu from Jingzhou. We used this merchant’s escort service when we passed Fengling Ferry. Merchant Lu’s arrival must mean another collaboration. Brother Zhou’s Taihu Lake Guiyun Manor personal safety escort, plus this cargo escort, the escort fees are equivalent to the entire year’s income from previous years. Elder Yang, we have work to do.”
Since Fu’an Escort Agency reopened after the Lantern Festival, they had successively taken on several cargo escorts, all short-distance escorts that did not cross the Yellow River. Head Escort Shi Baichuan was out on an escort. Now that Merchant Lu had arrived, it must be a lucrative cargo escort like in the past. Huyan Lei was certain he would have to travel to Jingzhou again.
Mu Nianci also looked forward to it, finally being able to escort goods.
However, judging by the time, Head Escort Zhou would not be able to make this escort.
…
Spring sunlight fell into the hall through the open window, with dust motes swirling in the air.
Merchant Lu said, “I passed by the Martial Field just now and didn’t see Escort Zhou.”
Zhang Wangyue replied, “Escort Zhou was promoted to Head Escort before the New Year and is now handling matters independently, escorting goods to Taihu Lake.”
“I see.” Merchant Lu’s eyes held a hint of regret. He was indeed disappointed, greatly admiring Zhou Yan. Last year, when the escort arrived in Jingzhou, the young man did not enter the city, which was a great pity. He had hoped to meet and chat this time, but his wishes were not to be.
Merchant Lu’s thought was fleeting. He brought his mind back and said, “This escort is the same as last year, with mules and horses, medicinal herbs, and leather goods, but the mules and horses will be doubled.”
“No problem.”
“I respect the Chief Escort’s character, so there’s no need for further explanation. All the purchased supplies will arrive in the next two days. The mules and horses will be purchased from the Horse Market. How about departing in three days?”
“Agreed.”
“Chief Escort, accompany me to the Horse Market to select mules and horses. Tonight, you and I will ‘Have to Drink Three Hundred Cups’.”
“Alright.”
The two finalized the arrangements. After finishing a cup of tea, Zhang Wangyue summoned Huyan Lei, and together they accompanied Merchant Lu out of Fu’an Escort Agency and headed straight for the Horse Market in the suburbs.
…
Xinye is west of Qinlong and south of Jingxiang, known as the “Northern and Southern Passage, Barrier of the Central Plains.”
The escort team passed Xinye, with Xiangyang in sight.
After traveling for a night, the Carved Carriage stopped by the forest by the mountain and water in the faint dawn light.
The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees. The Medicine Boy took out some furs from the Carved Carriage and spread them directly on the grass in the forest for Huang Rong to breathe and rest.
Zhou Yan entered the woods and, in a short while, shot two wild chickens.
Liang Xiaowu skillfully plucked and cleaned them, stewed them to perfection, then prepared the noodles, ladled the chicken soup over them. The entire process was skillful, and indeed, the chicken noodle soup made according to Huang Rong’s teachings was authentic.
The Medicine Boy came over with two bowls of noodles for Mei Chaofeng and Huang Rong, and Zhou Yan and the others sat around to eat.
Suddenly, with a “bang”, fireworks rose into the sky.
Zhou Yan stood up with his bowl, and in a moment, fierce clashes of metal could be heard continuously from the front.
“Xiaowu, hitch the horses, I’ll go and investigate.”
“Got it!” Liang Xiaowu took three Runners and ran to hitch the horses to the Carved Carriage. Zhou Yan rode his Yellow Spotted Horse, holding his Fine Steel Spear, and galloped towards the sound.
Rounding the mountain pass ahead, Zhou Yan saw a bandit force of over a hundred people attacking an escort team.
It was just like a scene outside Jingzhou.
Hundreds of mules and horses were surrounded by the escort carts, and over a hundred Head Escorts, Escorts, and Runners were desperately defending behind makeshift defenses.
Within Zhou Yan’s sight, a young man, about twenty years old, wielding two short spears, advanced. With his right hand, he thrust his short spear into the chest and abdomen of a bandit. Amidst the bandit’s hysterical screams, the young man plunged his left-hand short spear into the opponent’s throat. In a flash, he pulled out his right-hand short spear and backhanded it into the throat of a bandit who charged forward with a saber.
A dual-wielding spearman, rarely seen. Zhou Yan’s gaze moved past the young man to the escort team’s banner.
The imposing banner, fluttering in the wind, was emblazoned with the words “Zhenwei”. The banner unfurled, and the writing on the other side was also clearly visible: “Han”.
Zhou Yan looked at the hundreds of mules and horses and thought, could these also be destined for the Jingzhou military camp?
He turned his horse and galloped back to the Carved Carriage, saying to Liang Xiaowu, “The Zhenwei Escort Agency of Kaifeng Prefecture is under attack by bandits. Xiaowu, take the carts into the mountain forest to take shelter.”
“Got it!”
Zhou Yan then turned to Mei Chaofeng and said, “I need your help.”
Mei Chaofeng was stunned. Was he talking to her?
Huang Rong smiled, “Go on, do you think you ate chicken noodle soup for free?”
Zhou Yan laughed. This was how Huang Rong should be.
Mei Chaofeng dared not disobey Huang Rong’s words. Moreover, she had gotten along well with Zhou Yan during their journey. It was just helping to kill people.
“Bring the horse over.”
Liang Xiaowu nimbly led his Qingcong Horse to the Carved Carriage.
Mei Chaofeng mounted the horse and, with Zhou Yan, rushed towards the Zhenwei Escort Agency’s escort team.
Three chapters are delivered, thank you, great readers.
