Chapter 78: Night Reconnaissance of Zhao Wang Manor, Iron Corpse Mei Chaofeng
The sky was like a dome, and the vast snow covered Zhongdu.
The snowy evening arrived early. Just as the last trace of daylight was about to be submerged among the scale-like houses, Zhou Yan left the courtyard.
The entire afternoon, his conversations with the Two Immortals of Quanzhen had focused on the Daoist Canon.
Although he was an escort, his words were filled with a desire for enlightenment. Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi were naturally delighted and answered all his questions without reservation.
As Zhou Yan left the courtyard, he felt that with his current understanding of Taoist terminology, if he were to obtain the 《Nine Yin Manual》, he should be able to comprehend it.
He told the Two Immortals of Quanzhen that he would arrange for the escort bureau to investigate the Six Freaks of Jiangnan. In reality, he would first go to the Yuelai Inn to see if the Six Heroes were still there, and then wait for two days before informing them of the news. This way, the matter would be handled properly and thoroughly.
The cold wind whistled, and the northern snow fluttered.
Inside the houses, Wang Chuyi watched the descending night and said to Ma Yu, “If the Six Heroes of Jiangnan have entered Zhongdu, their lodging would be an inn. If the young friend arranges for runners to investigate, there will surely be news. Now that we are free, Senior Brother, why don’t we go visit the Prince’s Manor?
“To see what that Wanyan Kang is up to?”
“Yes.”
“Agreed!” Ma Yu said.
The two left the courtyard. In the darkness, everything was reduced to black and white silhouettes. The figures of the Two Immortals of Quanzhen flew over the rooftops of the city covered in heavy snow, occasionally appearing and then disappearing into the white expanse. Their gray forms extended and twisted under the night sky, heading straight for the Zhao Wang Manor.
…
Amidst the wailing of the cold wind, a few orange lanterns hung under the eaves of the Yuelai Inn, their dim light falling on the bluestone ground in front of the entrance, which had been swept clean and then dusted with snow, reflecting an boundless light.
Zhou Yan arrived under the eaves, took off his conical hat, shook off the snowflakes, and stepped into the inn.
“Guest, looking for a meal?” The waiter, seeing Zhou Yan, eagerly stepped forward.
The wind was fierce and the snow was heavy. There was no one in the hall of the inn, and it was quiet upstairs.
Zhou Yan said, “I’m here to inquire about someone.”
The waiter looked troubled, “Our inn is an old brand, with countless merchants coming and going, each with their own demeanor. I’m afraid I can’t remember everyone.”
Zhou Yan gave the waiter a silver coin.
The waiter’s expression immediately changed, “Please tell me, sir, and see if I have any recollection.”
“About six or seven people, including a woman around thirty, and an elder with a sharp jaw holding an iron staff.”
The waiter suddenly smiled, “I remember. The blind man walks as if flying; anyone who sees him will remember him clearly. There was also a guest about your age, dressed expensively. These few were unusual in appearance and generous with their money. Oh, and there was a scholar-like person, with a lazy demeanor, always seeming half-asleep. Not long ago, he and the sword-wielding woman went downstairs and left, and haven’t returned.”
Zhou Yan understood. The waiter was referring to Guo Jing as the expensively dressed young man, and the “Masterstroke Scholar” Zhu Cong and “Yue Maiden Sword” Han Xiaoying as those who left the inn.
The Six Heroes of Jiangnan, and the Golden Saber Consort were all here.
“Thank you, waiter.”
The silver coin Zhou Yan gave was not insignificant, and the waiter was shrewd. He casually asked, “Is there anything else special you’d like to mention, sir?”
“No, thank you!”
He turned and left the inn.
“Farewell, sir!”
The waiter saw him off to the eaves. He was in a good mood. With just a few words, he had earned a silver coin, which could add meat to the table during the New Year and buy new clothes for his wife.
Zhou Yan walked along the street, recalling the waiter’s words. He thought that Zhu Cong and Han Xiaoying leaving the inn at night might mean they went to the Prince’s Manor.
After a moment’s consideration, he headed in the direction of the Prince’s Manor.
…
The vast snowy ground reflected a cold silver-gray in the dim light. Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi, their figures like gray wild geese, descended from the archway pillars of the long street outside the Prince’s Manor. They crouched and glided into the shadows of the adjacent alley, reaching the backyard of the Prince’s Manor in a few leaps.
“Senior Brother, shall we go in together?”
“Alright.”
The two used the “Golden Goose Skill,” their bodies rising ten feet into the air. In the falling snow, they seemed to soar through the air, drifting several feet forward and landing lightly in the courtyard of the Prince’s Manor.
They saw that in their line of sight, amidst the white snow, the ground was covered with thorns and rugged stones, like countless stone swords plunged into the earth.
Wang Chuyi was curious and whispered, “Why are there thorns and rugged stones in this Prince’s Manor?”
He asked casually, and the good-natured Ma Yu replied, “I don’t know either. I’ve never been a guest at the Prince’s Manor.”
The two exchanged questions and answers, which sounded like telling cold jokes.
Wang Chuyi paused for a moment, then smiled and shook his head, walking ahead.
After walking about ten steps, a soft whip silently emerged from the darkness, whipping like lightning and wrapping around Wang Chuyi’s ankle. The soft whip suddenly exerted force, intending to drag him over.
Wang Chuyi, known as the “Iron Leg Immortal,” possessed extraordinary leg skills. Faced with this sudden change, he channeled his intent to guide energy, pouring all his strength into his legs with the Thousand Jin Drop. With a “snap,” the soft whip straightened, and the snow on the ground rippled, forming a misty white fog.
Wang Chuyi felt a burning pain in his ankle. In the darkness, a sound of surprise came from not far away.
At this moment, Ma Yu saw a black-clothed woman emerge like a ghost from the direction of the sound. She had long hair cascading over her shoulders and a face as pale as paper.
His mind buzzed, and the bluebird of memory returned.
The cliff top in the desert, the Black Wind Twin Fiends, the Iron Corpse Mei Chaofeng.
Danyangzi exclaimed in surprise, “Mei Chaofeng.”
The black-clothed woman stopped upon hearing the name, as if in thought. Suddenly, the soft whip wrapped around Wang Chuyi’s ankle retracted.
“Is that Taoist Master Ma?”
Ma Yu replied, “You still remember this poor Taoist?”
Mei Chaofeng said, “A blind person’s eyes may be poor, but their ears are sharp and their memory is good. Back then, on the cliff top, I was confused and received guidance from the Taoist priest. I am grateful and remember your voice.”
Ma Yu remembered. Years ago, on the desert cliff, he and the Six Heroes of Jiangnan had set up a diversion. Mei Chaofeng had asked about the cultivation techniques of the Taoist Sect, and he had replied a few words.
“Why are you at the Prince’s Manor?”
“Why has Taoist Master Ma come to the Prince’s Manor?”
Mei Chaofeng and Ma Yu asked simultaneously, then fell silent again.
Neither found it easy to answer.
It was Mei Chaofeng who broke the silence, saying, “When I was starving in the desert, a large group of people happened to pass by the mountain cave where I was hiding. They were speaking the Jurchen language of the Great Jin Dynasty. I went out to beg for food. The Prince leading them took pity on me and took me in, bringing me to the Prince’s Manor in Zhongdu.”
Wang Chuyi angrily said, “A disciple of Peach Blossom Island is actually working for the Jin!”
Mei Chaofeng did not get angry. She said, “How could I be their thug? The Prince doesn’t know my identity. I just found a place to stay, sweeping the floor in the backyard for food. I practiced my skills in my spare time. They all thought I was a pitiful blind old woman.”
“So that’s how it is,” Ma Yu said.
“Taoist Master Ma, you didn’t come to the Prince’s Manor for this blind old woman.”
“No. It’s for another matter.”
“Then it’s not beneficial to the Great Jin Prince?”
Ma Yu found it difficult to answer.
“Taoist Master Ma should return. There are several individuals with considerable skill in the Prince’s Manor recently.”
The two would not give up so easily.
Ma Yu said, “Thank you for the warning. Take care of yourself.”
The two continued to sneak forward. Suddenly, Mei Chaofeng’s voice rang out from behind Ma Yu, “Taoist priest, what is Gathering the Five Elements and Combining the Four Symbols?”
Ma Yu hesitated for a moment and said, “The wood of the eastern soul, the metal of the western spirit, the fire of the southern god, the water of the northern essence, and the earth of the central intention are Gathering the Five Elements. Concealing the spirit, concentrating the ear’s rhythm, regulating the nasal breath, and sealing the tongue’s qi are Combining the Four Symbols.”
“Thank you for your guidance, Taoist Master Ma.” Mei Chaofeng’s figure flickered and disappeared among the rugged stones.
Wang Chuyi said, “Senior Brother, she is asking about Taoist cultivation methods.”
Ma Yu sighed, “Back then, on the desert cliff, she asked the same question. I didn’t realize it at the time and gave her a few pointers. Since there was a previous cause, there must be a consequence. She also kindly warned us just now, and considering her lonely plight, I told her. I hope she can find a new path.”
Wang Chuyi said no more. The two moved in a zigzagging manner, heading towards the brightest part of the Prince’s Manor.
Gratitude to “Finally Have Time,” “Boundless Romance 1976,” “Indeed Thinking Wildly,” and “Three Cripples” for their generous rewards. Thank you immensely.
