Chapter 136: Guests from the Western Regions, Mo Chou Descends the Mountain
Outside the Songhe Tower, carriages and horses bustled, while inside, cups clinked and laughter echoed.
Zhou Yan, Huyan Lei, Yang Tiexin, and others finished their banquet and filed out.
“See you at the escort agency, Brother Zhou,” Huyan Lei said.
“Alright.”
As Zhou Yan was about to leave, Shagu followed him.
Mu Nianci quickly said, “Shagu, follow your sister.”
“Oh dear, I forgot. Shagu will go with sister.”
In the evening, Huyan Lei hosted a banquet, which Liang Xiaowu, Shagu, and others attended.
The escort team returned from Jingzhou, and another selection and examination was held. Liang Xiaowu was already an outstanding martial artist among the runners. He followed Zhou Yan to Taihu Lake, receiving his guidance along the way. After staying in Snake Valley, he consumed snake gallbladders, greatly increasing his strength, and naturally stood out to become an escort agency escort.
Yang Tiexin had a past connection with Qu Lingfeng, who was using the alias Qu San in Niu Family Village. It was inconvenient for Shagu to stay at Zhou Yan’s place, so during the banquet, he mentioned taking her to a courtyard in the suburbs to keep Mu Nianci company.
Zhou Yan thanked him, stating that such an arrangement would be best.
Regarding Shagu’s daily life, after Zhou Yan arrived, the Boss Duan Huai’an also came. He detailed Zhang Wangyue’s itinerary and finally mentioned Shagu, hoping the escort agency could arrange a job for her.
Duan Huai’an had long considered Zhou Yan the pillar of Fu’an, so a small favor was no problem at all.
Zhou Yan also mentioned Shagu’s mental state. The Boss sighed a few times and finally accepted Zhou Yan’s suggestion to arrange for Shagu to tend the fire.
The escort agency provided a lunch for the escorts and runners. Shagu only needed to tend the fire and chop wood, which was a leisurely job.
During the banquet, Yang Tiexin and Mu Nianci both called Shagu “Miss Qu.” Shagu giggled and said they had the wrong name, that she was Shagu.
Her words again brought a wave of sadness to everyone.
Zhou Yan omitted some details, only mentioning the scene of seeing Shagu and Qu San’s skeletons at the Niu Family Village hotel.
Yang Tiexin was saddened and briefly recounted some events from eighteen years ago. Huyan Lei and the others considered Qu Lingfeng a chivalrous thief, and thus naturally took care of Shagu.
Upon hearing that Shagu did not want to be called Miss Qu, Yang Tiexin said to Zhou Yan, “From now on, I will treat Shagu as I do Nianci.”
“Thank you, Elder.”
“Your words wound our friendship.”
Zhou Yan smiled slightly, thinking that Yang Tiexin considered Shagu his adopted daughter, and perhaps in the future, Huang Yaoshi might offer an opportunity.
Huyan Lei said, “I also treat Shagu as my own daughter.”
Zhou Yan chuckled.
After parting ways at Songhe Tower, Zhou Yan walked through streets and alleys to his own courtyard.
Before going to “Songhe Tower,” he had returned once to bring his iron chest and the bamboo basket containing two large snakes to his residence. The poisonous snakes were temporarily kept in a side room, and he would start the process of raising snakes with the manual when he encountered a medicine boy or had the chance to capture a snake slave.
The two Pusi snakes were extremely easy to keep under normal circumstances. Throwing in a shot bird was enough, and they could be left unattended for days without any issues. These large snakes with golden scales were intelligent. Initially, they would attack Zhou Yan whenever they had the chance, but he kept subduing them. Now, they seemed to have resigned themselves, waiting for food. The rest of the time, they coiled up as if hibernating, making them much less troublesome.
Zhou Yan entered the courtyard, swept the area inside and out with a broom, buried the iron chest in a corner, drew water to bathe, and went to bed after extinguishing the lights.
…
After several heavy rains, the scorching sun of late June beat down on Zhongdu.
Zhang Wangyue returned from Huzhou.
During this time, Zhou Yan, Huyan Lei, and Zhang Wangyue had a small gathering. In their conversation, the Chief Escort of Fu’an was in high spirits. Zhou Yan guessed it was because the matter with the Imperial City Guard’s swift runners had been resolved. Since returning from Lin’an, he had never mentioned being besieged and killed on Nanping Mountain in West Lake. During their small gathering, Zhang Wangyue brought it up.
Huyan Lei flew into a rage, saying he would settle the score with Changfeng.
Zhou Yan dissuaded Huyan Lei, saying the situation was critical at the time, and he hadn’t had a chance to reveal his face. There was no proof.
Huyan Lei angrily said he would leave Fu’an, turn Changfeng Escort Agency upside down, and become a bandit, like Yang Miaozhen, recruiting people to join the Righteous Army.
Zhang Wangyue laughed and cursed.
Zhou Yan was touched. He had his own plans and managed to appease Huyan Lei with kind words.
Huyan Lei finally said that whenever Zhou Yan decided to take action against Changfeng, he would definitely join him.
He changed the subject with a smile.
Everything returned to normal. Zhou Yan went to the escort agency during the day to train the runners. In the evening, he cultivated in his own courtyard.
Shagu had completely adapted to life at the escort agency, tending the fire and chopping wood. In her free time, she would happily watch the escorts and runners practice martial arts in the martial field.
The escorts and runners who would tease Shagu a few words during their breaks were unaware that the fire-tending girl, Shagu, who always ate melon seeds and candied fruit, was actually skilled in martial arts, and not just a little.
During this time, Zhou Yan kept an eye on the movements of the Zhao Wang Manor. The manor was heavily guarded, and Wanyan Kang had likely not returned to Zhongdu.
Helian Chuncheng and others from Changfeng were also not at the escort agency, and it was unknown if they were still in Lin’an or had gone to Datong Prefecture. However, Changfeng Escort Agency’s business was booming, with escort teams departing every few days.
Fu’an was no different.
The crowing of the rooster signifies good fortune, and noon signifies smooth sailing.
With the dawn light faintly visible, the escorts and runners of Fu’an Escort Agency became busy.
The air was filled with the scent of pine wood for warding off evil. The groom led out Wang Kui’s and Shi Baichuan’s yellow spotted horses. Shagu stood by the gatehouse with a fire starter, waiting to light the firecrackers.
Zhou Yan took a long sword from the weapon rack in the martial field.
“Brother, take this sword. Have a safe journey.”
Wang Kui smiled and took the sword, saying, “This trip to Fuzhou will be via the Huai River, passing through Leader Yang’s territory. It will be smooth sailing. No need to worry.”
The escort agency had accepted a cargo escort to Jiangzhou, Jiangxi. In the past, they would have had to cross the Yellow River, pass through Xinye and Nanyang, and then travel along the Yangtze River to Poyang Lake.
However, the Nanyang area, including Tongbai Mountain and Funiu Mountain, was rampant with bandits. Therefore, Wang Kui and Shi Baichuan, escorting the cargo, chose the Huai River route, the same as the previous Jingzhou escort.
Based on the travel time, their return would be around the golden autumn of September.
Yang Tiexin had an appointment with Qiu Chuji, and Zhang Wangyue had not arranged for anyone to accompany him.
Zhou Yan had been on escorts for half a year without a single day of leisure. This trip to Jiangzhou via the Huai River was expected to be safe, so Zhang Wangyue had not assigned him either.
The two walked side by side to the large courtyard where the escort carts were parked. The Boss had already prepared farewell wine.
Wang Kui quickened his steps, handed the long sword to a runner, and approached Duan Huai’an, saying, “Boss, Chief Escort, I’m departing.”
“Have a safe journey. Return on the Double Ninth Festival in September, and we’ll ascend West Mountain together with Head Escort Zhang, Escort Zhou, and others.”
“Certainly.”
Wang Kui and Shi Baichuan held their wine bowls with both hands and drank them down in one gulp.
Shi Baichuan said, “Lock it up, raise the flag.”
The runners attached anti-theft locks to the escort chests, and the escort carts were fitted with triangular flags.
From the gatehouse, Mu Nianci shouted, “Shagu, light the firecrackers!”
The carts rumbled, horses whinnied, and firecrackers exploded loudly.
The escort team departed and proceeded along the long street.
Zhou Yan escorted them for ten li to the pavilion.
“Brother Zhou, stop here. We’ll ascend West Mountain on the Double Ninth Festival.”
“I’ll wait for you, Brother.” Zhou Yan took out a delicate iron spearhead from his embrace. “Take this spearhead with you. If you encounter a large group of bandits in the Jiangzhou area, show this spearhead, and it might have a miraculous effect.”
“I’ll do as you say, Brother.” Wang Kui didn’t ask why. He took the spearhead, wrapped it in a handkerchief, and put it in his embrace. “I’m leaving.”
“Good!”
Wang Kui and Shi Baichuan mounted their horses and followed the escort team.
Zhou Yan watched the escort team depart, then turned his horse back to the city.
…
Three days later, the dawn light was faint.
The moment the sword light flashed, the great spear leaped into the air.
Zhou Yan unleashed the “Yin Yang Reversal Blade Technique.” The sword styles of the Qingfeng Sword, originally agile, suddenly became forceful and aggressive, like spear techniques, while the long spear thrust, flicked, and swept, all in the light and agile manner of a single sword. The sword became a spear, and the spear transformed into a sword, truly wondrous and unpredictable.
After the sword light and spear edge vanished, Zhou Yan shook his head. “It’s flashy and looks good, but if I encounter an expert, I’ll be tying my own hands.”
After Wang Kui and the others left on their escort, he began practicing this cultivation technique from the Valley of Unfeeling, but he always felt it was difficult to coordinate. Against ordinary martial artists, it was enough to defeat enemies, but against masters, it was inferior to using just a spear or a sword.
Zhou Yan muttered to himself, “In the world of the Divine Condor, Qiu Qianchi compensated for the shortcomings of this technique. My current cultivation and martial arts insight are not inferior to hers. Since I could comprehend ten types of strength from the ‘Subduing Dragon Eighteen Palms,’ I can also refine this technique to perfection.”
His greatest asset was his comprehension, so he wasn’t impatient. He put away his spear and sword, washed up, left his courtyard, and walked along the street to a familiar shop for a meal before heading straight to the escort agency.
…
After noon, Zhou Yan, Huyan Lei, Yang Tiexin, and others finished their lunch and went to the martial field.
As he was about to practice his fists, a runner came and said, “Head Escort Huyan, Head Escort Zhou, the Chief Escort is looking for you.”
Huyan Lei chuckled and said to Zhou Yan, “Do you believe we’re going on an escort?”
“I believe it,” Zhou Yan said with a smile. “Where do you guess we’re going?”
“It’s best if it’s Merchant Lu. The Jingzhou escort is safe via the Huai River now, and the escort profits are substantial. If Wang Kui is delayed on the road, we can meet up.”
Zhou Yan smiled and said, “Indeed, we can also go fishing together on the Huai River.”
The two teased each other and left the martial field for the meeting hall.
Zhang Wangyue was already waiting.
“It’s a cargo escort to Xianyang. The Boss accompanied the merchants to the trading company. There are over fifty escort carts carrying leather goods, medicinal herbs, and ointments from beyond the Pass.”
Zhou Yan was surprised. Xianyang was not far from Zhongnan Mountain.
Once this escort was delivered, the return trip would coincide with his one-year appointment with Li Mochou. They wouldn’t need to return to Zhongdu and could directly wait at the mountain god temple in the suburbs.
“Fifty escort carts, with substantial escort profits. The profits from all the escorts, both long and short distance, in the first half of the year are equivalent to the entire previous year,” Huyan Lei said.
“Let the Boss give out more bonuses at the year-end,” Zhang Wangyue said with a smile.
“Of course, of course,” Zhou Yan and Huyan Lei said in unison.
“Brothers Zhou and Huyan, you will take this escort.”
“Alright.”
…
Two days later, all the escort goods were delivered to the escort agency. The merchants, Boss Duan Huai’an, and the escort agency shopkeeper reconciled the accounts. After confirming everything was correct, they sealed the goods.
The next day, at the auspicious time for the escort team’s departure, Shagu lit the firecrackers, and after a bowl of farewell wine, the escort team left the city.
Zhou Yan and Huyan Lei escorted the cargo. Escorts Mu Nianci and Liang Xiaowu accompanied them. Yang Tiexin remained at the escort agency. Zhou Yan sent the large snakes he had been raising to Yang Tiexin.
Since he and Shagu traveled north from Xiangyang, Shagu often fed them, so he wasn’t worried about accidents.
The escort team, vast and mighty, left the city, traveling along the Zhangjiakou, Datong Prefecture, and Lüliang line, finally crossing the Yellow River and heading directly to Xianyang.
Along the way, the escort team did not stay in inns but camped in the wilderness. They had smooth sailing and encountered no incidents.
In mid-July, the escort team passed Lüliang, with the Yellow River close at hand.
…
Changfeng Escort Agency in Zhongdu.
The July sun blazed like fire, and in the hot climate, the air seemed to wrinkle.
Helian Chuncheng held a bowl of sour plum soup for cooling off and took small sips with a spoon. He placed the porcelain bowl on the table and said, “Fu’an’s escort team should be crossing the Yellow River soon, right?”
“Based on the travel time, approximately.” Yin Kexi smiled. “They left with over a hundred people. I wonder how many will return?”
Ni Mo Xing said, “It depends on the skill of the people the Young Master hired. If there are no problems, with the ‘kill two birds with one stone’ plan, Fu’an will lose people and cargo, and the Young Master will also remove a thorn in his side.”
Helian Chuncheng said, “That’s not a problem. Changfeng often travels to the Western Regions and has connections in both the black and white paths. The individuals invited out this time are no ordinary people.”
“If the Young Master says so, then we’ll see Fu’an’s entire household weeping.”
Helian Chuncheng laughed.
Everything began when Helian Chuncheng arrived in Zhongdu.
Changfeng’s Young Master considered Zhou Yan a thorn in his side, so Ni Mo Xing proposed the ‘kill two birds with one stone’ plan.
He suggested that Changfeng’s Young Master find someone to entrust cargo to Fu’an, and then arrange for experts to rob the escort.
In this way, Fu’an would not only lose people and cargo but also have to compensate for the loss.
Helian Chuncheng naturally adopted the suggestion.
Yin Kexi was Persian, and his ancestors were merchants. He frequently traveled between Taiyuan Prefecture, Datong Prefecture, and Daxing Prefecture, and the people he associated with were either rich or noble. Helian Chuncheng and his group did not enter Zhongdu but went directly to Datong Prefecture to discuss this matter.
This was why Zhou Yan did not see them when he returned to Zhongdu.
Upon arriving in Datong Prefecture, Helian Chuncheng told Helian Zhantai about befriending Dragon Gate Escort Agency in Lin’an and forming ties with Wanyan Kang. He then mentioned Ni Mo Xing’s scheme.
Helian Zhantai immediately found people to impersonate merchants and hired assassins with a large sum of money from the Western Regions.
Unsuspecting Zhou Yan and Huyan Lei were facing a scene where the former Boss of the Four Seas had hired assassins with a large sum of money, but their opponent had become Changfeng Escort Agency, making it extremely perilous.
…
Beyond Zhongnan Mountain, by the stream.
The empty mountain was silent, but human voices could be heard.
“Sister, are you going to keep your appointment?”
“Of course, I keep my word.”
“A promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold, right?”
“Mm.”
“Sister, take me with you.”
Sunlight filtered through the dense leaves, falling on the stream. Little Dragon Girl, with her porcelain-white face, stood with her toes in the water and pleaded.
“Pfft, why would I take you?” Li Mochou chuckled.
“Didn’t you say I should ask Zhou Yan if I’m smarter or he’s smarter?”
“That?”
“Just now, Sister said you keep your word and that a promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold.”
“Heh, you’re too clever for your age. Why don’t you go by yourself?” Li Mochou teased with a smile. She dipped her slender, white feet into the cool stream, swaying them gently. Her green skirt spread out like lotus leaves. The clear stream rippled lightly, and splashes of water flew like silver.
Little Dragon Girl blinked her intelligent eyes. “Then do you think you can defeat Zhou Yan?”
“It should be no problem. He’s an escort and has to travel around. I’ve cultivated diligently for a year and learned the hidden weapons of Jade Bee Needles. How can I not be better than him?”
“And after you win?”
“We’ll go sightseeing in Zhongdu.”
“Sister, I want to go even more now.”
“Heh heh, come, I’ll take you to see Master. You can tell Master then.”
“Sister, I still won’t go.”
Li Mochou chuckled, thinking that her junior sister was becoming more and more intelligent. She could easily be tricked into revealing information. However, Master was harsh on her junior sister, so bringing him up would surely solve the problem.
“Let’s go!”
Li Mochou pulled her jade feet out of the stream, put on her shoes and socks, and took Little Dragon Girl towards the Ancient Tomb.
The sun was high in the sky. Wearing a veil to shield herself from the sun, carrying an ox horn giant bow and a quiver, and holding a long sword, she descended the mountain.
