Chapter 121: Like-Minded Souls, Master of Spear and Sword
A clear wind stirred white waves, and the moonlit night carried pure sounds.
“Did the Head Escort not expect this?” Yang Miaozhen said as she dismounted her chestnut horse.
“Indeed.”
Zhou Yan nodded, then turned to Qiu Qianchi and said, “We meet again, as we do in life.”
Qiu Qianchi explained concisely: “I left the valley to search for my kin. I met my elder brother in Xiangyang, so I went to inquire. I learned he was staying in Xinyang and followed him. Upon reaching Xian Mountain, I learned my brother had gone to Caizhou, so I took Yi Weng with me. Along the way, I happened to encounter Miss Yang, and we became acquainted through our encounter. During our conversation, Miss Yang mentioned the Head Escort. She surmised you were still by the Huai River, so she hurried over.”
With Qiu Qianchi’s explanation, Zhou Yan could infer the details.
Sun Buer encountered Qiu Qianzhang in the Xiangyang area. The latter was impersonating the Iron Palm Sect Leader and swindling people everywhere.
Qiu Qianchi knew her brother’s temperament and methods; she only needed to inquire about Qiu Qianren’s name.
One left a trail everywhere, while the other had a specific target. It wasn’t difficult to find him from Xiangyang to Xinyang.
There were hundreds of bandits on Xian Mountain who had rebelled against the Ming Cult. Qiu Qianchi announced her name, and they readily revealed that Qiu Qianzhang had gone to Cuya Mountain and provided general information about Yang Miaozhen.
As a result, they ran into each other on the way.
The Red Lady was going to **annihilate** Xian Mountain, and the Iron Lady was searching for her kin. After a fight, they developed mutual respect. Yang Miaozhen spoke of Qiu Qianzhang’s swindling and how she exposed the truth. She guessed the escort team was still by the Huai River and came directly to find you.
Zhou Yan thought to himself that it was good for Qiu Qianchi and Yang Miaozhen to meet. He said, “Life is full of coincidences. Shall we chat for a while?”
“Very well.”
Yang Miaozhen replied to Zhou Yan, then asked Qiu Qianchi, “Sister Qiu, what about you?”
Zhou Yan chuckled inwardly. The other person called Mu Nianci “Sister Yang,” and referred to Iron Palm Lotus as “Sister Qiu.” Yang Miaozhen’s ability to interact with people was truly remarkable.
“I’ll listen to Sister Yang.”
Zhou Yan said to Zhang Wangyue, “Chief Escort, this is Leader Yang. Miss Qiu, you know her.”
Zhang Wangyue had not fought Qiu Qianchi, but he had seen Iron Palm Lotus chasing Qingjing Sanren in the suburbs and valleys around Xiangyang. The Chief Escort of Fu’an immediately cupped his hands and said, “Head Escort Zhou mentioned the two young ladies, praising them as ‘women are not inferior to men’ and heroines. To see them today, they are indeed heroic and spirited, living up to their reputation.”
Yang Miaozhen cupped her fists and said, “I have long admired the Chief Escort’s reputation from Sister Mu. Regarding the escort robbery, I apologize for any offense.”
“You are too kind. Please!”
“Thank you.
Zhou Yan and the others had been casually cooking by the Huai River. With the arrival of Qiu Qianchi and Yang Miaozhen, things needed to be more formal.
While the escort team was camped, the runners cut down trees to make simple tables and chairs.
Zhang Wangyue directed the men to carry the tables and chairs and set up a banquet by the Huai River, then left the space for conversation to Zhou Yan, Qiu Qianchi, and Yang Miaozhen.
Zhou Yan offered tea, anticipating that Qiu Qianchi would mention her brother’s embarrassing actions, which would make further conversation difficult.
Before Qiu Qianchi could speak, he smiled and said, “When I mentioned your whereabouts to your brother, he said he wanted to find you, fearing you might be deceived.”
Qiu Qianchi’s expression moved, and she said, “My brother and I are indeed deeply affectionate. To be honest, I left the Iron Palm Sect because my elder brother’s past actions displeased my second brother, leading to a dispute. I defended my elder brother a few words and was reprimanded by my second brother, so I left Iron Palm Peak in anger.”
In the Jianghu, and with Gongsun Zhi not by her side, Qiu Qianchi spoke much more openly.
Zhou Yan said, “It must have been difficult for you, Miss Qiu.”
Qiu Qianchi’s expression turned a little sad.
Yang Miaozhen observed her expression and said, “Sister Qiu, you don’t need to be sad. When we return to the mountain stronghold, you and your brother will be reunited, and I will host a banquet to entertain you properly.”
“Thank you, Sister Yang. This is my brother’s fault, please bear with me.”
“If not for this incident, I wouldn’t have met Sister Qiu. After finding your brother, will you return to the valley or go to the Iron Palm Sect?”
Zhou Yan smiled and said, “Whether roaming the Jianghu or staying at the mountain stronghold, I think Miss Qiu might as well accompany your brother more. He has a good reputation, but he has taken the wrong path.”
“Sister Qiu’s brother has a good reputation, it’s simple. Those hundreds of bandits on Xian Mountain, after I eliminate them, Sister Qiu can recruit virtuous people and act for Heaven, wouldn’t that earn her fame?” As Yang Miaozhen spoke, her thoughts shifted. “Sister Qiu and I hit it off immediately. Why don’t you stay at the mountain stronghold, and we can raise a banner together to fight the Jin soldiers?”
“Ah!” Qiu Qianchi was stunned.
Yang Miaozhen said, “With your abilities, Sister Qiu, settling in Cuya Mountain and taking advantage of the chaos in Jingdong Road and Hebei Province, it would not be difficult to forge a reputation no less than your brother’s.”
Zhou Yan, who had been thinking that Qiu Qianchi and Yang Miaozhen could become close friends, understood Yang Miaozhen’s intention and said tactfully, “It’s a beautiful thing for Miss Qiu to have come out of the valley and stay in Cuya Mountain for a while.”
“What do you mean?”
“Miss Qiu, you may not realize it, but when I first met you in the valley near Xiangyang, and in subsequent encounters, your demeanor and temperament have subtly changed.”
“Really?”
“Haven’t you noticed that when you fought True Person Sun in the valley near Xiangyang, your spirit was sharp, but when you met me in the valley, you were much more reserved and quiet?”
Qiu Qianchi was momentarily dazed.
“This change in your state of mind, Miss Qiu, might be related to your life in the valley, and also to the resentment and estrangement from your siblings. Therefore, I suggest that Miss Qiu stay in Cuya Mountain for a while longer to relax. Even if you wish to find solace in the mountains and fields, you don’t need to sever ties with your family. You can go to the Iron Palm Sect and reconcile with your brother. In this way, wouldn’t your heart be more open when you return to the valley?”
Zhou Yan’s advice was meticulous and comprehensive, taking all human sentiments into account.
Qiu Qianchi said seriously, “Thank you for your kind words, Head Escort.”
“You’re welcome.”
Qiu Qianchi changed the subject and said to Yang Miaozhen, “Sister Yang, we get along well. I will go to Cuya Mountain to see my brother first, then help you **annihilate** the bandits on Xian Mountain, and then stay for a while to discuss martial arts. What do you think?”
“I couldn’t ask for more, little sister.” Yang Miaozhen then said, “Head Escort Zhou mentioned that he knew Sister Qiu because of Qingjing Sanren from the Quanzhen Sect.”
“Indeed.”
“My little sister is from Yidu. I have practiced martial arts since childhood. My father roamed the Jianghu in his early years and admired True Person Wang of the Quanzhen Sect, but he never had the chance to meet him. It was his lifelong regret. My name, ‘Miaozhen,’ is related to the Taoist Sect.”
Zhou Yan blurted out, “《Miaozhen Sutra》”
Yang Miaozhen was surprised, “Head Escort knows this scripture.”
“I met Yuyangzi, Taoist Wang, and Danyangzi, Taoist Ma, of the Quanzhen Sect by chance and received their guidance, which is why I know the 《Miaozhen Sutra》.”
Yang Miaozhen was delighted, “This fate is becoming more wonderful. My little sister comes from humble beginnings, is straightforward and honest. From now on, when I interact with Head Escort, shall I call you ‘Elder Brother’?”
Zhou Yan, not one for formality, replied, “Good, Sister Yang.”
“Brother Zhou’s swordplay is exquisite. Little sister admires it greatly, but unfortunately, I cannot accompany Sister Qiu to the mountain stronghold to discuss the Way.”
Zhou Yan thought that his “One Sword, Seven Stars” was an epiphany from “One Sword, Three Purities,” so it was fine to tell her.
“I will tell you about this swordplay.”
“How can that be?”
“Martial arts are for self-defense.”
Yang Miaozhen, being bold and forthright, immediately said, “Since Brother Zhou says so, I cannot refuse. Little sister will also talk about ‘Three Steps Eighteen Spears.’ Little sister will be skilled in both spear and sword in the future.”
Qiu Qianchi blurted out, “You can also use spear and sword together. In battle, it can catch the enemy off guard.”
Yang Miaozhen did not grasp the meaning.
Zhou Yan’s thoughts suddenly shifted. He had obtained the martial arts of the Valley of Unfeeling, 《Gold Knife Black Sword Yin-Yang Dual Blades》, from Huang Rong. Since coming from Taihu Lake, he had been contemplating how to transform the chaotic use of knives and swords into chaotic use of spears and swords. Qiu Qianchi had now voiced it.
Qiu Qianchi did not know what Zhou Yan was thinking. She said, “Swords are light and **gentle**. Suddenly using the spear’s sweeping and smashing movements adds a Yang energy, while the spear’s thrusting, picking, and slicing moves follow the sword’s light and agile path. The spear becomes a sword, and the sword becomes a spear.”
Yang Miaozhen came back to her senses, “Sister Qiu, you have such wonderful ideas.”
Qiu Qianchi secretly thought to herself, “I saw the chaotic use of knives and swords, and hearing little sister talk about being skilled in both spear and sword, I just said it randomly.”
“When we get to the mountain stronghold, I will ask Sister Qiu for guidance.”
“We will discuss it together.”
Yang Miaozhen’s personality was bold and forthright, Qiu Qianchi’s words and actions became more unrestrained, and Zhou Yan was a man of sentiment, speaking freely. This conversation greatly benefited his thorough understanding of the 《Gold Knife Black Sword Yin-Yang Dual Blades》 cultivation technique. Of course, he still had “Three Steps Eighteen Spears,” and the wonder of this spear technique lay in its unique qi circulation method.
Zhou Yan was now proficient in this art, and mastering the killing move of “Storm of Pear Blossoms Spear” was not difficult.
