Chapter 119: Sword Seven’s Three Steps Eighteen Spears
It turned out it wasn’t that his skills were inferior, but that this brat had interacted with Sun Buer of the Quanzhen Sect and knew the old man’s background. Hearing Zhou Yan and Yang Miaozhen’s conversation, Qiu Qianzhang’s inner doubts were finally resolved.
Seeing Yang Miaozhen raise her spear and approach with a hostile expression, his eyes darted, and he immediately said, “Leader Yang, I have something to say.”
“You think I’ll still listen to your nonsense.”
“I have three strategies. The best one can allow you to lead the heroes.”
“I can barely protect myself.”
With a “hum” of the spear’s sound, the spear leaped up.
“I am the elder brother of the Iron Palm Sect Leader.”
“Heh, shameless wretch.”
The edge of the iron spear in Yang Miaozhen’s hand flashed.
“Leader Yang, spare him!”
The edge of the iron spear receded, and Yang Miaozhen looked at Zhou Yan, “What is it? You were the one who exposed him, and now you want to plead for him?”
“This matter is a long story and involves Jianghu favors. There might still be remnants of the Jiangxi bandits. I will interrogate them for Leader Yang.”
Yang Miaozhen pondered for a moment, “Agreed!”
“What about Fu’an’s escort?”
Yang Miaozhen was quite forthright and laughed, “If it weren’t for hundreds of mules and horses, we wouldn’t have robbed your escort. Since you have kindness towards the mountain stronghold, it naturally belongs to its owner.”
“Thank you, Leader Yang.”
“You infiltrated the mountain stronghold. Many escort and runners from the Fu’an Escort Bureau must have come as well?”
“Indeed.”
“Have someone bring the escort.”
“Alright, please have Leader Yang detain this old man for now. I will interrogate him later.”
“Fine!”
Zhou Yan arrived beside Qiu Qianzhang, who was unconvinced, “It’s not that my skills are poor, it’s that you brat are cunning.”
“When I return, I’ll tell you about Qiu Qianchi’s matter.”
Qiu Qianzhang’s expression suddenly tensed, “What happened to her?”
“She’s fine for now. Do these bandits have any remnants, and where are they hiding? Think it through and tell me later.”
After speaking, Zhou Yan ignored Qiu Qianzhang and left with Lu Beihe.
As the two figures moved away, Yang Miaozhen said to her subordinates, “If it weren’t for this head escort, we would have been deceived by this old man and invited a wolf into our den. However, due to lax security, someone easily infiltrated. You all need to reflect. What if these were Jin soldiers or spies from the Lin’an Prefecture court? The mountain stronghold would be in grave danger.”
“As you command,” the leaders said, sweating profusely.
“I will also reflect,” Yang Miaozhen added. After saying this, her thoughts turned to Zhou Yan again, secretly thinking that the Fu’an head escort’s martial arts skills were not bad.
…
The spring scenery was bright, filtering through the treetops onto Wang Kui, Huyan Lei, Yang Tiexin, Mu Nianci, and others.
Huyan Lei received the information transmitted by the escort sent by Wang Kui. He was both surprised and delighted, never expecting such a turn of events. He immediately led nearly a hundred escorts and runners and rushed over, meeting everyone at dawn.
As the sun climbed higher, Mu Nianci couldn’t help but ask, “Could there be any accidents?”
Huyan Lei replied, “I think the possibility of a complete resolution is quite high.”
Wang Kui nodded, “That makes sense. If there were any problems, Brother Zhou would have already sent a signal flare.”
“Mm!” Mu Nianci nodded, thinking to herself that she was simply too impatient.
In just over a hundred breaths, the happy shouts of the runners acting as scouts in the forest suddenly rang out, “Head Escort Zhou is back.”
Huyan Lei, Wang Kui, and others quickly stood up. In the distance, through the forest, two figures, Zhou Yan and Lu Beihe, emerged, their movements graceful and unhurried.
Huyan Lei’s anxious heart suddenly settled.
It was stable.
…
Sunlight streamed in through the window, forming a column of light and floating dust.
Zhou Yan pushed the door open and walked in. Qiu Qianzhang shifted his body and leaned against the corner of the wall.
After reuniting with Huyan Lei and the others, Zhou Yan spoke of Yang Miaozhen returning the escort. The escorts and runners were overjoyed, and Huyan Lei immediately led his men to retrieve the escort.
Zhou Yan returned to find Qiu Qianzhang again, partly to inquire about any remnants of the Ming Cult scum and partly for Qiu Qianchi.
“Where did you see my younger sister?”
Zhou Yan pulled over a bench and sat down. In the projection of the light, his entire demeanor was somewhat somber.
Qiu Qianzhang’s heart tightened. He had traveled the Jianghu and was skilled at reading people. He had seen many spirited young talents, but this mature demeanor on someone who looked only eighteen or nineteen years old still surprised him.
“Let’s talk about whether there are any remnants of that group first.”
“Yes, two to three hundred people, hiding in Xian Mountain, southwest of Xinyang.”
“How did you get involved with them?”
“They are disciples of the Jiangxi Demonic Cult. It seems they violated the sect’s rules and fled to Xinyang. I saw they were in a sorry state, so…”
“Enough!” Zhou Yan suddenly smiled. “They want to expand their influence and resist the Demonic Cult’s investigation. You used Qiu Qianren’s name, and these people, thinking they had found a powerful backer, obeyed your every command.”
Qiu Qianzhang gave a sheepish smile, “It was more or less like that.”
“What about Cuya Mountain?”
“The forces of gangs and mountain strongholds scattered by the Jin soldiers in Jingdong Road and Hebei Road can be used to expand our manpower.”
“What was your objective?”
“I also want to make a name for myself and build a foundation that is not inferior to the Iron Palm Sect.”
“Heh!” Zhou Yan laughed. “Aren’t you afraid of being exposed?”
“I was caught off guard by you, but I am not without strength.”
“Shall we have another match?”
How could Qiu Qianzhang dare? He changed the subject, “Young Hero, please tell me about my younger sister.”
Zhou Yan knew that Qiu Qianzhang and Qiu Qianchi were deeply affectionate siblings, so the old man’s question was not insincere.
“She might be looking for you right now.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“In Xiangyang, you were swindling and deceiving. If it weren’t for Qiu Qianchi, you would have died by Qingjing Sanren’s sword. She rescued you, and later, by chance, she met a man named Gongsun Zhi who practiced alchemy in the mountains and fields.”
“Did that person deceive my younger sister?” Qiu Qianzhang asked quickly.
Zhou Yan smiled inwardly. Qiu Qianzhang was good at deceiving others. Hearing that Qiu Qianchi had met Gongsun Zhi, he also wondered if the other party was using flowery words.
“I don’t know about that, but I have clashed with Gongsun Zhi many times. That man’s behavior is not exactly honorable. Last month, I went to the valley where Gongsun Zhi lived to rescue someone and encountered Qiu Qianchi again.”
“That little brat Gongsun must have deceived my younger sister into the valley!” Qiu Qianzhang suddenly stood up, cupped his hands, and said, “I beg the Young Hero to show mercy. I must go find my younger sister.”
“I will pass on a message for you. If the matter of the Demonic Cult remnants in Xian Mountain that you spoke of is true, you will have a chance to live.”
“There is absolutely no falsehood.”
“We will know in a few days.”
Zhou Yan stood up and left.
The spring scenery of the mountain was unrestrained, with light yellow and green reflecting on the pavilions.
He walked through the wooden building and, upon reaching the martial field, saw two women in red talking and laughing in the distance.
Mu Nianci and Yang Miaozhen had hit it off.
However, this seemed reasonable.
They had similar tastes in clothing, were of similar age, and both used spears as their weapons. It was normal to have some common topics.
“Head Escort Zhou.”
Yang Miaozhen, with her straightforward personality, saw Zhou Yan and greeted him from afar.
He walked over quickly and, as the distance closed, said, “Qiu Qianzhang said there are still two to three hundred remnants of the bandits who entered the stronghold, hiding in Xian Mountain, southwest of Xinyang.”
“Alright, I’ll lead my men toSuppression this group of bandits immediately.”
“Agreed.”
“What about the old man?”
“After Leader Yang returns fromSuppression the bandits, how about giving him a way to survive?”
“That’s fine too. We’ll teach him a lesson and let him leave the mountain,” Yang Miaozhen said, then laughed, “I was just chatting with Sister Yang about spear techniques. It turns out that Head Escort Yang is a descendant of General Yang. If I had known earlier, why would I have robbed the escort?”
“We became friends through conflict.”
“That makes sense. Sister Yang said the Head Escort is an expert spearman, and I am skilled in the ‘Storm of Pear Blossoms Spear Technique.’ How about we spar?”
Since Zhou Yan transmigrated, this was the first time he had met someone who called herself “little sister” within a few words.
He was not one to stand on ceremony and laughed, “Let’s spar as friends. I respectfully accept your offer. However, my spear is not with me. How about we spar with swords?”
“Generous.”
Yang Miaozhen took her spear and said, “My ‘Storm of Pear Blossoms Spear’ has a killing move called ‘Three Steps Eighteen Spears.’ Head Escort, be mindful.”
Zhou Yan secretly thought that he had tempered the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and comprehended the profound meaning of the Quanzhen Swordplay. Now, with his “One Sword, Three Purities” sword technique, he could transform one sword into seven moves. Yang Miaozhen’s ‘Three Steps Eighteen Spears’ was roughly six spears from one, her spear technique mastery and talent were truly astonishing.
The Fu’an Escort Bureau and the mountain stronghold turned their enmity into friendship.
The runners pushed carts and drove mules and horses. Huyan Lei and the others didn’t need to do these things; they were all idle. The valley was spacious, and the view was unobstructed.
While Zhou Yan was interrogating Qiu Qianzhang, Lu Beihe was with Huyan Lei, Wang Kui, and Yang Tiexin. Seeing the commotion at the martial field, they walked over.
Mu Nianci said the two were sparring. Among the group, except for Wang Kui, everyone else was a skilled spearman, and they all focused their attention on watching.
A gentle breeze rustled, stirring up wisps of dust.
Yang Miaozhen, on the field, said, “Head Escort, receive this ‘Three Steps Eighteen Spears.'”
Zhou Yan did not underestimate her. The long sword in his hand, infused with internal force, emitted a clear sword cry under the sunlight.
In an instant, the great spear in Yang Miaozhen’s hand changed.
As she said “three,” she took a sideways step, and the spear leaped into the air with a swish. She thrust out the first spear, the second followed closely, and the third was as fast as lightning. By the time she reached the sixth spear, the momentum carried by the spearhead was like a thousand miles of rushing water.
Six spears thrust in one step, indistinguishable in sequence, attacking Zhou Yan’s chest, abdomen, shoulders, and neck.
Zhou Yan guided his energy with intent. Internal energy circulated instantaneously between his Hand Taiyin Main Meridian and Hand Yangming Secondary Meridian, flowing like mercury pouring onto the ground, like the merging of the Yan Jin sword. He thrust out a sword, which was like a meteor, one becoming seven.
The sound of spears and swords clashing rang out like popping beans.
Within Lu Beihe’s sight, Yang Miaozhen continuously thrust her spear, her body like a whip or a snake as she wielded it, creating countless afterimages, her movements unpredictable and her skill divine.
However, no matter how Yang Miaozhen’s spear style changed, it was all entangled by Zhou Yan’s sword light. The sparks generated by the fast sword brushing against the spear body were like fireworks, meticulously designed and long-lasting.
The young master of the Zhenwei Escort Agency blinked fiercely and said to Huyan Lei beside him, “Isn’t Brother Zhou primarily a spear practitioner?”
Huyan Lei watched, mesmerized, and exclaimed with enjoyment, “Head Escort Zhou is skilled in archery, proficient in fist and palm techniques, later cultivated swordplay, and then learned spear.”
“Which is higher, Brother Zhou’s spearplay or swordplay?”
“Fist and palm are first, swordplay is second, and spearplay is last.”
Lu Beihe felt as if he had eaten a sour apricot, bitter and unbearable, and muttered to himself, “He truly has skills that don’t weigh him down.”
Suddenly, a silver rainbow streaked across the sky in the arena. With a “clang,” metal struck metal, and all sounds abruptly ceased. Yang Miaozhen held her spear with both hands, and Zhou Yan’s Qinggang sword point rested on the spearhead, its blade curved like a crescent moon.
Lu Beihe, Huyan Lei, and Wang Kui were all sharp-eyed. Zhou Yan had seized the initiative. His long sword only needed to slide down the spear shaft, and the opponent’s killing move, ‘Storm of Pear Blossoms Spear,’ would be broken.
Even so, everyone was shocked. When this spear technique was unleashed, it was truly like a fierce storm, and they felt they could not withstand it.
Zhou Yan also secretly felt fortunate. Since his transmigration, he had seen the Yang Family Spear Technique, Yue Family Spear Technique, and Huyan Spear Technique. These spear techniques emphasized grandeur and simplicity. Yang Miaozhen’s Storm of Pear Blossoms Spear, however, prioritized speed.
If it weren’t for the ‘One Sword, Seven Stars,’ derived from ‘One Sword, Three Purities,’ it would have been truly difficult to counter ‘Three Steps Eighteen Spears’ solely with moves.
Yang Miaozhen was genuinely impressed. “Head Escort’s swordplay is exquisite, the best I’ve ever seen. I am inferior in skill and willingly concede defeat.”
“If Leader Yang had used a ‘burst’ force to flick away my long sword and then attacked with Middle Flat Spear, I might have found it difficult to resist.”
Yang Miaozhen came back to her senses. The opponent was proficient in both sword and spear. This was giving her a way to break through. She felt ashamed of her own lack of magnanimity.
With a swish, she retracted her spear.
“Head Escort is honorable. From now on, when Fu’an escorts goods, I guarantee unimpeded passage along the Caizhou and Huai River routes. If you travel along Jingdong Road, I have some reputation there. If you encounter any trouble, just mention the name ‘Yang Siniangzi.'”
“Thank you, Leader Yang.”
Huyan Lei heard this and said to Wang Kui with emotion, “Fu’an’s escort routes are becoming wider and wider.”
“Indeed!”
