Chapter 132: Colluding in Misery, Passing Each Other by
Insects chirped faintly, and jade green ivy covered half the mud wall. Wild flowers and grass grew lushly amidst the ruins. Grasshoppers leaped out and then disappeared, while more insects rustled beneath the bricks and stones. The homeland was in ruins, yet it was also adorned with a touch of vitality by spring.
When Qiu Chuji left with Wanyan Kang, Zhu Cong and the others did not linger.
When the Six Heroes of Jiangnan and Guo Jing arrived, they brought writing materials, incense, and memorial tablets.
Guo Jing, Han Xiaoying, and the others cleared a space among the ruins. Han Baoju purchased a wooden table from within the village. Zhu Cong, holding a brush, wrote the eight large characters: “Spirit Tablet of Righteous Person Guo Xiaotian.”
The spirit tablet was placed on the table, and incense and candles were offered.
Wanyan Kang then slowly walked over from the Yang family’s side and approached Duan Tiande.
“Let me ask you, were the events that occurred at Niu Family Village that day your doing?”
“Little Prince, I was just a minor official then, unable to act on my own. It was all arranged by the Prince.”
Wanyan Kang pondered that if he did not yield today, he would never escape. He immediately roared in anger, “What a corrupt official.”
He used the “Divine Camel Snow Mountain Palm” taught to him by Ouyang Ke. With a downward strike of his right palm, with a ‘poof,’ he shattered Duan Tiande’s skull, killing him.
Qiu Chuji, seeing Wanyan Kang kill Duan Tiande with a palm strike from afar, felt gratified. However, he frowned inwardly, as this palm technique was not taught by him to Kang’er.
The Prince’s Manor had many skilled individuals, so some guidance was normal, but this level of internal force cultivation was far beyond when he had taught him.
Guo Jing, witnessing Duan Tiande being killed by a palm strike and recalling his father’s tragic death and his mother’s hardships, his facial muscles tensed, and tears streamed down his face.
Han Xiaoying wiped her tears and walked to his side, “Jing’er, pay your respects.”
“Jing’er understands.”
Guo Jing knelt before the spirit tablet and kowtowed heavily.
Wanyan Kang walked over, knelt on the ground, kowtowed a few times, stood up, and said, “Brother Guo, I was kept in the dark about all these matters. I hope you can forgive me.”
Bao’s pampering of Wanyan Kang was such that although he often used subtle tactics to please Bao Xiruo when he was at the Prince’s Manor, the mother-son bond was genuine. Thinking of his mother’s melancholic state at the Prince’s Manor, his eyes also reddened.
Wang Chuyi, Ma Yu, the Six Heroes of Jiangnan, and others believed Wanyan Kang regretted his actions. Ma Yu said, “It is best to correct one’s mistakes. From now on, you are Yang Kang.”
“That’s right!” Qiu Chuji stepped forward and said.
Wanyan Honglie was injured by Zhu Cong’s poisoned hidden weapon during an assassination attempt on the Lantern Festival. Wanyan Kang took charge of some of the Prince’s Manor affairs, his desire for power growing. Since associating with Ouyang Feng and his nephew, his ability to observe others’ expressions and hide his own had greatly increased. Hearing Qiu Chuji’s words, he quickly regained his composure and bowed, “Master, I am still in the dark about many of the reasons behind this. I beg you to enlighten me.”
“Very well, I will tell you later.”
Qiu Chuji paid respects at Guo Xiaotian’s spirit tablet, then spoke of his search for the Guo and Yang families, receiving no news. He later went to Niu Family Village in Lin’an Prefecture to investigate. By chance, he saw public officials carrying things from the Yang family’s former residence. He overheard the officials talking privately that the Zhao Wang Manor’s personal guards were specifically ordered to collect all the furniture and belongings from the Yang family’s old home. Out of curiosity, he followed them to Zhongdu and saw Bao Xiruo living in a small brick house, caressing an iron and weeping. Seeing that Bao Xiruo had not forgotten her late husband and was not heartless, he kept his promise to teach Wanyan Kang martial arts and other matters.
Wanyan Kang understood the entire sequence of events. He then recalled how Qiu Chuji had taught him martial arts with strictness and severity, without showing any favoritism. It was all because of his father.
After speaking, Qiu Chuji asked, “Now that you know your origins, what are your thoughts?”
Wanyan Kang quickly replied, “Disciple only now knows that I am indeed surnamed Yang. I must acknowledge my ancestors and return to the clan. From this day forward, I am Yang Kang.”
“Good, this is a hero who does not forget his roots,” said Guo Jing.
“Brother Guo, you jest.” Yang Kang cupped his hands in a salute, then turned to Qiu Chuji and said, “Master, this matter is of great importance. I will return to Zhongdu to explain today’s events to my mother and devise a plan to get her out of the Prince’s Manor.”
“You recognize a thief as your father. What about Wanyan Honglie?” Ke Zhen’e asked.
“My mother’s safety is paramount. After getting her out of the Prince’s Manor, we can discuss it with Brother Guo?”
Guo Jing, being filial, felt this plan was excellent and said, “As Brother Yang wishes.”
“Thank you, Brother Guo, for your understanding.”
Yang Kang looked at Qiu Chuji, “Master, can we call off the martial arts competition? What face do I have to compete with Brother Guo for victory?”
The agreement in Jiaxing years ago, how could Ke Zhen’e and the others have predicted that eighteen years later Yang Kang would recognize a thief as his father? Therefore, when Yang Kang said this, they felt he was being sensible.
Ke Zhen’e immediately laughed, “Taoist Priest Qiu, Yang Kang’s words are reasonable. Instead of letting Jing’er and Yang Kang compete at the ‘Drunken Immortal Pavilion’ in Jiaxing, how about you and the Seven Immortals take a tour of our old haunts and have a good drink?”
“Good, let’s follow Hero Ke’s suggestion.”
Guo Jing said, “Jing’er also thinks it’s very good.”
Yang Kang quickly said to Qiu Chuji, “Master, something happened in the Imperial City of Lin’an last night. I can use it as an excuse to leave the city. I will return first.”
“Go.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Wanyan Kang bowed a few times to Qiu Chuji and turned to leave.
“Taoist Priest Qiu, shall we head to Jiaxing now?”
Qiu Chuji said, “We must go, but regarding the agreement at the ‘Drunken Immortal Pavilion,’ this poor Taoist has lost.”
“What do you mean?” Ke Zhen’e asked, confused.
Qiu Chuji mused, “I taught him martial arts for several years and know his character. He is greedy for wealth and not a person of true sentiment. I have lectured him several times on how to conduct himself, but he only gave me glib responses. Getting him to send Bao’s away might not be difficult, but getting him to kill Wanyan Honglie will be hard.”
Ke Zhen’e said, “This matter is not difficult to resolve. We can all go to Zhongdu with Jing’er and keep an eye on that young man.”
Qiu Chuji said, “Very well. This poor Taoist also needs to go to Zhongdu to see my second brother Yang. We will discuss it then.”
…
Yang Kang walked along, contemplating how to handle this matter properly. He would use Ouyang Feng to kill, but how to persuade him, and whether the Western Venom was a match for more than ten people, he could not predict.
He pondered all the way and entered Lin’an City still without a good plan. Suddenly, he heard a voice.
“Little Prince.”
Yang Kang snapped back to attention and looked ahead. He saw more than ten horses, each ridden by individuals who appeared valiant, and there were even people with strange attire and appearances.
He was surprised, “What is this?”
The person at the front dismounted and performed a deep bow, “I am Helian Chuncheng, the young master of the Changfeng Escort Agency from Zhongdu. I saw the Prince being attacked on the Lantern Festival and brought a group of escorts to assist. However, we were intercepted by thieves and did not get to see the Prince or the Little Prince.”
Yang Kang had a recollection; there was indeed fighting at the other end of the long street at that time.
“You are thoughtful.”
Yin Kexi, Ni Mo Xing, and others dismounted and bowed to Yang Kang.
Helian Chuncheng said, “I admire the Little Prince, but unfortunately, I never had the chance to meet you. To encounter you in Lin’an is truly a coincidence.”
Yang Kang could tell what Helian Chuncheng meant.
He smiled and said, “Your escorts are quite unusual. Are they from the Western Regions?”
Helian Chuncheng understood Yang Kang’s intention to curry favor with the Zhao Wang Manor. Without strength, how could he stand tall?
He smiled and introduced, “Little Prince, you may not know, but the Changfeng Escort Agency is based in Datong Prefecture, and Zhongdu is a branch office. The escort agency often travels to the Western Regions and Beyond the Pass, so most of our escorts are from the Western Regions. These two brothers of mine are experts from the Western Regions and India.”
“Ni Mo Xing greets the Little Prince.”
As Ni Mo Xing took two steps, the blue bricks on the ground were indented several inches deep.
Yang Kang’s eyes lit up. He thought to himself that his martial arts were not inferior to Wang Chuyi’s. Helian Chuncheng called them brothers, so his own skill should not be weak either. He was in need of capable people right now and could try to recruit him.
Thinking this, he smiled and said, “Mr. Ni Mo, you have great skill. This Little Prince admires you. Thank you, Young Master Helian, for your righteous intervention that day. Since we are fated, please join me for a humble drink.”
“I am honored by the Little Prince’s appreciation.” Helian Chuncheng was overjoyed; he had climbed the high branch of the Zhao Wang Manor.
…
Zhou Yan entered the city and found a restaurant, ordering a meal with chicken, duck, and fish.
Shagu was delighted and ate heartily.
After they had their fill, on the way back to the inn, Zhou Yan bought clothes from a tailor shop. Upon reaching the inn, he gave the shop assistant extra money and asked him to prepare a tub full of water. He told Shagu to bathe and change on her own while he went to the inn’s hall to drink.
As half a pot of “Pear Blossom White” was consumed, he suddenly heard a voice outside the inn asking, “Waiter, inquire if there is a guest named Zhou staying here?”
Zhou Yan looked towards the sound and saw a handsome Taoist priest standing under the eaves. It was Yin Zhiping.
He had coincidentally met the Seven Immortals of Quanzhen at West Lake and had naturally mentioned the inn where he was staying.
“Taoist Priest Yin.”
“Head Escort Zhou.” Yin Zhiping’s face showed joy as he walked into the hall and produced a letter, “Master asked me to deliver this letter to the Head Escort.”
“Thank you.” Zhou Yan took the letter and asked, “Where are Taoist Priest Qiu and the others?”
“Master and Junior Uncle have gone to Jiaxing. This humble Taoist will take his leave.”
“Thank you.”
Yin Zhiping departed. Zhou Yan opened the letter and read it. Qiu Chuji expressed his gratitude to Fu’an for providing Yang Tiexin and his daughter with a place to stay. He mentioned that discussing the Tao at West Lake was very enjoyable and that they would meet in Zhongdu on the Mid-Autumn Festival, after which he would visit Yang Tiexin at the escort agency.
Zhou Yan calculated the time; there were still over a hundred days.
Before Zhang Wangyue went to Huzhou, he had instructed Zhou Yan to travel north with Qiu Chuji. Since Changchunzi had also sent such a letter, he did not linger in Lin’an. He would search for Huang Rong for two days, and if he did not find her, he would take Shagu north.
Huang Rong would surely cause trouble for the Yellow River Gang again and would eventually go to Zhongdu.
Zhou Yan returned to the guest room. Shagu had already finished bathing and looked completely refreshed.
Although not a stunning beauty, she had a delicate appearance and excellent bone structure.
He thought of Shagu’s mental state and felt pity.
For two days, Zhou Yan explored the many lively places in Lin’an, visiting the antique streets and alleys and restaurants where Huang Rong might go, and also letting Shagu enjoy good food.
He did not encounter Huang Rong, so he bought a yellow spotted horse and took Shagu away from Lin’an, heading straight for Jingxiang.
One reason was to see if Huyan Lei and the others were heading north. Another was to go to Snake Valley to catch some large snakes and raise them according to Liang Zi Weng’s Snake-Raising Secret Manual.
…
“Has Head Escort Zhou returned to Zhongdu?”
As Zhou Yan left the city, Huang Rong, who was in the city, stood in front of an escort agency in Lin’an Prefecture and thought this.
Huang Rong was also looking for Zhou Yan.
Both were intelligent individuals.
Zhou Yan, thinking Huang Rong was playful, searched in bustling areas following this line of thought.
Huang Rong reasoned that Zhou Yan’s presence in Lin’an must be related to escort agency matters, so she inquired at various escort agencies in Lin’an Prefecture.
As a result, they missed each other.
“Forget it. Mei Ruohua couldn’t find an opportunity to get close to Wanyan Kang at West Lake, so she must go to Zhongdu. I’ll go to Guiyun Manor to see my father, then cause trouble for the Yellow River Gang. I’ll also go to Zhongdu for fun.”
