Chapter 51: Azure Sea Tide Sound
The sapphire blue night sky was dotted with clouds, and the gaps between them were dyed silver by the moon, creating a breathtaking beauty.
Zhou Yan’s consciousness also felt like it had a crack, his mind filled with “What joy is there in life, what suffering in death? To do good and eliminate evil is for the sake of light.”
This was the doctrine of the Ming Cult, most widely circulated in the Legend of the Condor Heroes trilogy, specifically in Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber.
In fact, it was also known as Manichaeism, and the Ming Cult had existed long before.
So when the escort spoke of the Demonic Cult, he naturally fell into a habitual way of thinking.
The imperial court often referred to popular rebel forces as the Demonic Cult. Zhou Yan had no memory of whether Zhang Sanqiang was a member of Manichaeism, and regarding the Ming Cult, he only knew of Zhang Wuji, the son of destiny, and Yang Dingtian, the son of misfortune.
The former had achieved great success in cultivating the Nine Yang Internal Energy. The latter’s wife had an affair, leading him to go mad from practicing martial arts.
However, Zhou Yan knew of Zhang Sanqiang, who had once claimed “The Ming Lord is about to reincarnate,” “The Maitreya is about to descend,” and called himself “The Great Heavenly Ming King,” leading his followers in an uprising in Jiangxi.
Traveling southward, he had not heard any news of an uprising in Jiangxi, meaning Zhang Sanqiang was still in the process of accumulating strength. Analyzing it this way, his robbing of the escort team became reasonable.
If nothing else, hundreds of mules and horses alone would be enough to tempt the other party, who would then dispatch their subordinates to launch a surprise attack as the escort team approached Jingzhou. If not for encountering Huang Rong while practicing martial arts and receiving an early warning, they might have succeeded.
He felt a bit emotional, that this escort mission southward had unexpectedly led him to encounter so many figures.
The Yellow River Gang’s Three-Headed Flood Dragon, Yang Tiexin and his daughter, Huang Rong, Qiu Qianchi, Sun Buer, and Zhang Sanqiang’s subordinates from the Demonic Cult.
He wondered how much the accident line of the Legend of the Condor Heroes world would change due to these experiences. Zhou Yan’s thoughts returned, and he asked, “What else did he say? How did the Demonic Cult know about us?”
The escort said, “These people operate in the Jingxiang area and often disguise themselves as Jin Soldiers to rob. We were targeted when we traveled south from Xiangyang.”
“So that’s how it is,” Zhou Yan nodded. The world was chaotic, and it was common for the oppressed to rebel, but rebellion did not necessarily mean acting for heaven. Killing the rich and robbing the poor.
Huyan Lei, not seeing the “Night-Shining Jade Lion,” walked over and asked, “Where is your horse?”
The topic was brought back, and Zhou Yan said, “I was practicing martial arts by the riverside when the young man who wanted to buy a horse at Fengling Ferry happened to be chasing Hou Tonghai. I lent him my horse, and when I returned, I encountered these bandits.”
Huyan Lei was stunned for a moment, “So, if it weren’t for that young man, we would have been successfully ambushed by the bandits.”
“Highly likely.”
“He truly is the escort bureau’s lucky star,” Huyan Lei sighed. “The ‘Night-Shining Jade Lion’ has been lent out. Fortunately, there are still over ten fine horses left by the bandits. Choose one.”
“Certainly!”
They were all well-fed and strong horses. Zhou Yan first accompanied the runners to clear the battlefield, then chose a yellow spotted horse. This type of horse has white spots, mostly on its belly and flanks. Most importantly, its head has white markings shaped like a full moon. Hence, its alias is “Xiliang Yuding Gancao Huang.” Even when fed well, the ribs of a yellow spotted horse are visible. Thus, it has another alias, “Tougu Long.”
Huyan Lei exclaimed that Zhou Yan’s discernment was sharp.
After this ordeal, with no desire for sleep, and to avoid further complications, the escort team set off directly for Jingzhou city.
There were no further incidents along the way. The next evening, the majestic high city of Jingzhou appeared in the distance of Zhou Yan and the others’ sight. Zhang Wangyue had already sent someone to deliver a message according to the address provided by Merchant Lu.
By the time the escort team arrived, Merchant Lu was already waiting outside the city to receive them.
The escort chest was opened for inspection, the goods were verified, and the other party signed the escort order. Merchant Lu took the escort goods, and Zhang Wangyue received the remaining escort silver. This escort mission was successfully completed.
Merchant Lu stated that he would continue to cooperate with Fu’an in the future and invited Zhang Wangyue and the other escorts to a banquet.
Given Zhang Wangyue’s special status, he also had the intention of gathering information during the feast, and the escort team needed a day to rest, so he gladly accepted the invitation.
While the head escort was settling the runners, Zhou Yan found Zhang Wangyue and said, “Taoist Priest Sun is going to Yangzhou. I will escort him to the ferry crossing, and I also wish to leave the escort team for a few days.”
“It is only right to escort the True Person. The escort team will depart tomorrow, hire a boat from Jingzhou, travel along the Yangtze River to the Han River, and then cross the Yellow River. You should rejoin us before reaching Daxing Prefecture.”
Zhou Yan was overjoyed, “Thank you, Head Escort!”
“Go ahead.” The head escort, who had once told Huyan Lei, “Since it is an opportunity, do not force it,” treated Zhou Yan’s earnest heart with magnanimity.
The runners camped outside the city. Zhou Yan led his yellow spotted horse and accompanied Sun Buer to the Jingzhou ferry crossing.
Mountains end at the flat plains, and the river flows into the vast wilderness.
The Yangtze River in Jingzhou was magnificent. Zhou Yan, while admiring the river scenery, found a small boat for Sun Buer. Having gained some spoils from the bandits the previous night, he paid the silver directly.
Sun Buer would not argue with Zhou Yan over such matters.
As she was about to board the boat, looking at the young man who had saved her twice, she couldn’t help but say, “The martial arts of the Quanzhen Sect are renowned as the ‘orthodox martial arts of the world.’ From internal energy to external force, it is continuous and endless. You are gifted and diligently practice, with limitless potential.”
“Thank you for your teachings, True Person.”
“Also, if you travel to Jiangnan for escort missions in the future and are in urgent need, you can report my name to the Cheng family in Baoying. I have disciples in the Cheng family, and the Cheng family, being a large and prosperous one, will provide assistance.”
“I will keep your words in my heart, True Person.”
“Alright, go back!”
Sun Buer turned and leaped onto the deck, entering the cabin. The small boat drifted downstream, and in a moment, only the lone sail’s distant shadow could be seen against the vast sky, with only the Yangtze River flowing towards the horizon.
Zhou Yan did not return to Jingzhou. With his quiver on his back, he headed straight for Xiangyang along the Yangtze River.
Stars hang low over the vast plain, and the moon surges with the great river’s flow.
It was midnight when a campfire burned by the riverside. Zhou Yan appeared shirtless in the river tide.
With his current cultivation of external training of muscles and bones, and internal training of qi, along with the gentle qi emanating from his protective Jade Guanyin, he was not afraid of the bone-chilling river water.
Practicing in the river tide was not only beneficial for the two Subduing Dragon Palm techniques but also greatly aided the cultivation methods in “Free and Easy Journey,” “Yanqing Fist,” and the “Yue Family Fist Manual.”
Historically, those who practiced against the tide were knights-errant. Not to mention ancient times, in the world of the Divine Condor, Yang Guo was an example.
The river tide was fierce and layered. Zhou Yan’s stance was firm, his feet gripping the ground like roots of a tree, pushing forward and pulling back, unshakeable. He sank his hips and relaxed his waist, maintaining a low stance and short steps, shifting in all directions, supporting himself from all sides. His shoulder stance advanced, his six elbows as hard as iron, specifically striking the surging waves.
The waves were like a thousand troops and horses. Practicing the Yue Family Boxing, he was like charging iron cavalry.
Suddenly, his fist techniques transformed into palms. He pushed a palm towards the crest of the wave, and the wave crashed like hitting a reef, churning up a thousand piles of snow.
Zhou Yan let out a great shout, feeling the impact of the returning wave on his back. He counter-attacked with a horizontal chop, and with a move called “Shenlong Tail Whip,” he splashed a large area of magnificent water.
A wisp of flute music then entered Zhou Yan’s ears.
Although the flute music was faint at first, it was pervasive, and in an instant, it became like the cry of a phoenix from Kun Mountain. The flute music grew closer and faster, simulating the vastness of the ocean, with calm waters in the distance, followed by surging waves.
It was clearly by the river, yet Zhou Yan suddenly felt as if he were in the Azure Sea, with immense gravity pressing down from all directions, tearing and piercing his body and spirit.
This made his breathing become rapid.
Encountering Huang Rong by the Yangtze River in Jingzhou, and now hearing this flute music, Zhou Yan shivered. Could it be the Eastern Heretic, Huang Yaoshi, who had arrived?
He had fought Ouyang Ke in Zhongdu, using “Kanglong Regret” and “Shenlong Tail Whip,” which attracted Yuyangzi and Wang Chuyi.
Now, practicing in the river tide, he was similarly attracting the Eastern Heretic, who was looking for Huang Rong, with these two moves.
Gratitude to “Bu You Shui Pang Zi” for the reward. Thanks to “16110314434,” “Man Man Xi Fan Ni,” “Shenme Lixiang,” “15 Shu Chong,” “TIM Lian Yan,” “2023031174058,” “Lu Zhishen San Da Sun Wukong,” “San Ding Da Baozi,” “You Ji Dang Nian Xiao Man Yao,” “Liang Liang,” “210807131161,” “20230626,” “Li Ba Ba,” “Xian Yu Wei Lan Mao,” “Tangyuan Duoduo Die,” “Luo Ye De Cang Liang,” “Zhang Lei 168,” “Mo Sheng Ren Lai Zi Di Qiu,” “Qing Long Jiang Bai Hu,” and “Da Lian Wai” for their monthly ticket support, deeply appreciated.
A preview: The day after tomorrow, there will likely be an extra chapter for monthly tickets. It could have been tomorrow, but the author is not satisfied with today’s chapter and spent half the night revising it, delaying the writing of the manuscript.
Thank you to all the readers for your support!
