Chapter 72: To Beat a Dog, You Must First Look at Its Master?
Mu Nianci held the iron spear at its midpoint with both hands. Her feet, clad in embroidered shoes, moved rapidly, her skirt and sleeves rustling like streaks of light, as the iron spear carved afterimages in the wind and snow.
Huyan Lei and Wang Kui stood at the edge of the martial field, watching Mu Nianci practice this move, which Zhou Yan had derived from Zhang Sanqiang’s spear techniques. They nodded continuously, their faces showing admiration.
The cultivation of the two far surpassed Yang Tiexin. They had previously watched Zhou Yan perform this spear technique, and Mu Nianci’s current execution was almost identical to Brother Zhou’s. Only in some very minor details did she need to make changes and fine-tune. However, this was enough to demonstrate her talent for practicing the spear.
Zhou Yan was purely appreciating the sight. A woman wielding a spear was indeed beautiful, especially Mu Nianci. Dressed in red, the moment her skirt bloomed, she was like a blooming red lotus.
He always felt that in the Jianghu of Legend of the Condor Heroes, since meeting Wanyan Kang, Mu Nianci had lived too humbly, or rather, had been wronged and accommodated. But now, he saw increasing confidence radiating from her expression.
Thinking of her life cut short at thirty, and then seeing her heroic and spirited appearance now, Zhou Yan sighed.
Suddenly, the spear’s arc of light vanished. Mu Nianci, using her body’s rotation, shifted her steps and twisted her waist, extending her arm to thrust the spear. The iron spear shot out like an illusion and then retracted.
This was a killing move from the Yang Family Spear Technique, used to break through enemy lines and kill generals. When Mu Nianci performed it, it already possessed a fierce and rapid quality.
“Good!” Zhou Yan couldn’t help but exclaim.
Huyan Lei was also delighted. He said to Yang Tiexin, “Elder Yang, the Yang Family Spear Technique truly has a successor.”
Yang Tiexin’s eyes were moist, and he felt deeply moved. With his daughter’s current rate of progress, it was certain that her mastery of the Yang Family Spear Technique would surpass his own in time. Yet, due to his stubbornness, he had almost ruined his daughter’s bright future.
Thinking this, he quickly said, “It’s all thanks to the Head Escort and all the escorts for their guidance.”
Huyan Lei replied, “We and Elder Yang are now close. From now on, you can just call us Younger Brother. There’s no need to be so formal.”
Wang Kui added, “It should have been this way long ago.”
“Alright, alright. Younger Brother Huyan, Younger Brother Wang, Younger Brother Shi. Escort Zhou brought some game this morning. Let’s all gather at my place tonight for a lively time.”
“Good, no problem.”
Mu Nianci didn’t hear much of their conversation. She was surprised, but felt her body relax, a warm energy circulating within her. This was completely different from the tense feeling her body usually had after practicing spear techniques.
In fact, this was all thanks to Zhou Yan.
Whether it was Yue Family Spear Technique or Yang Family Spear Technique, they all had methods for guiding energy and using force. He had borrowed from Zhang Sanqiang’s spear techniques, but integrated the “Free and Easy Journey” agility into his spearplay. This also naturally aligned with the breathing method for guiding energy taught by Hong Qigong.
Mu Nianci happened to be cultivating this technique, which allowed her to feel as if she were in her element, her body warming up.
Both Zhou Yan and she were talented in martial arts, but Mu Nianci’s martial arts ceiling might be precisely at the hurdle of “comprehension.”
Mu Nianci stood holding her spear, still immersed in that wondrous feeling. Zhou Yan, however, had a thought. He asked Mu Nianci, “Miss Mu, have you practiced any leg techniques?”
Mu Nianci snapped back to attention, “Yes!”
He then said, “After the arc of the spear, you can actually add two moves spontaneously: one is a spear kick, and the other is to plant the iron spear on the ground and perform an aerial kick.”
Mu Nianci began to ponder. Zhou Yan didn’t disturb her further and went to chat with Huyan Lei, Yang Tiexin, and the others.
A runner hurried over at this moment and said, “Escort Huyan, Escort Zhou, the Boss and Head Escort are looking for you.”
The runner, in his early twenties, was full of youthful vigor and said indignantly, “The Boss of Four Seas, Lei Luo, has arrived with people from the Changfeng Escort Agency of Datong Prefecture. The Young Master is here to visit, they must be here to mediate this matter.”
The news that the Four Seas Escort Agency had defected to Changfeng was only circulated among escorts. The runner was unaware of this, hence his statement.
Zhou Yan thought to himself that Helian Chuncheng had arrived so quickly. He was indeed worthy of being one of the Four Great Escort Bureaus, on par with Fu’an, known for their assertive and swift actions.
Huyan Lei asked, “How many men have they brought?”
“Including Helian Chuncheng and Lei Luo, there are five people. They are in the guest room area.”
Wang Kui said to Zhou Yan, “Brother Zhou, it’s up to you.”
The young man smiled and nodded.
“Brother Zhou, let’s go!”
“Alright.”
Zhou Yan walked across the martial field. Shi Baichuan watched his retreating figure and sighed:
“Driven by ambition, unwavering in their pursuit. Youth is truly wonderful.”
“Indeed!” Wang Kui replied.
…
The two entered the meeting hall. The Boss and Zhang Wangyue were drinking tea.
“Good afternoon, Boss, Head Escort.”
“Sit.”
“Thank you, Boss.”
Zhou Yan and Huyan Lei sat down. Duan Huai’an said, “The matter of Four Seas defecting to the Changfeng Escort Agency truly exceeded my expectations. When you meet them, act according to what you and the Head Escort discussed, seize the opportunity, and assess the situation. Don’t have any reservations.”
“Rest assured, Boss.”
“Mm.” Duan Huai’an nodded and said no more. He held his teacup in his left hand and the lid in his right. Steam rose, and his expression was somber and stern.
…
Five figures, short, tall, fat, and thin, walked through the corridor courtyard. A runner hurried to the eaves and announced, “Boss, the Young Master of the Changfeng Escort Agency has arrived.”
Zhang Wangyue, Huyan Lei, and Zhou Yan stood up to greet them.
The north wind swirled under the eaves, making a whistling sound. The figures met face to face.
The Head Escort cupped his hands and said, “I am Zhang Wangyue. You have come a long way, and I apologize for not welcoming you sooner.”
Helian Chuncheng looked at the Head Escort, a solemn, square-faced man with an air of weathered authority.
He suddenly smiled, “My father said the Head Escort is a pillar of Fu’an. Seeing you today, your reputation for might is indeed well-deserved.”
Zhang Wangyue replied, “How can I compare to the young and promising Young Master Helian? Please, come in.”
“Thank you!”
As everyone entered the hall, Yin Kexi gave Zhou Yan a low smile. Zhou Yan’s gaze fell to the man’s waist. The Hu man’s expression instantly turned sinister, but in a flash, they had a silent clash.
After both parties were seated, Lei Luo cupped his hands and said, “Manager Duan, with Four Seas being taken over by Changfeng, I have fulfilled your wish for Four Seas to withdraw from the escort business. Are you satisfied with this outcome?”
Duan Huai’an did not reply to Lei Luo, his gaze falling on Helian Chuncheng. “Does the Young Master know about the conflict between Four Seas and Fu’an?”
“I am aware of it, to some extent.”
“Since that is the case, is the Young Master’s visit intended for mediation, or does it have another purpose?”
Helian Chuncheng sighed inwardly. Before coming to Fu’an, he had imagined various scenarios of verbal sparring and sharp exchanges, but from the very first contact, the atmosphere had become tense. This was truly unexpected, but also very exciting. The Changfeng Escort Agency was dominant in Datong Prefecture, with no worthy opponents. Now, they had encountered one in Zhongdu.
Helian Chuncheng smiled and said, “Before I departed, my father repeatedly instructed me that in the escort business, one must build good relationships and prosper through harmony. My visit is sincerely to pay my respects to the esteemed Manager. Manager Lei has already withdrawn from the escort business according to Fu’an’s wishes and will not interfere with Changfeng’s operations in the future. Therefore, where does the word ‘mediation’ come from?”
Zhou Yan’s voice suddenly rang out. He stood up and said as he walked forward, “Manager Lei incited escorts and intended to poach Fu’an escorts, spreading rumors and causing trouble. Four Seas then hired assassins with a large sum of money, intending to plunge Fu’an into an abyss of despair, and then, taking advantage of internal and external turmoil, annex Fu’an. When the plot was exposed, they defected to the Changfeng Escort Agency. Since the Young Master knows of this matter and claims this visit is not for mediation, then it is either complicity or provocation. The river cannot be filled with a single ladle, nor the sea with a single stream. I see that Changfeng Escort Agency’s claim of building good relationships and prospering through harmony is false; their greed is insatiable.”
Yin Kexi said darkly, “The conflict between Four Seas and Fu’an was just about competing for escorting goods in Jingzhou. There aren’t so many complications.”
Zhou Yan feigned realization, “If the Second Young Master says so, then Manager Lei deliberately concealed the truth, intending to instigate a conflict between Changfeng and Fu’an. Truly, women and petty men are difficult to deal with. How can someone like you still have the right to enter Fu’an’s doors?”
Zhou Yan lunged towards Lei Luo.
Lei Luo’s face turned ashen, and he leaned back. A Hu escort beside him sprang forward, “Even a dog needs its master to be present, how dare you!”
The escort reached out to grab him, and Zhou Yan countered with a horizontal chop.
With a “bang!”, the Changfeng Escort Agency’s escort was sent staggering backward by a move using “Shenlong Tail Whip” internal energy external influence. Zhou Yan grabbed Lei Luo and turned to rush out of the hall.
There’s still a little bit left to write, I’ll post two chapters together tonight.
