Chapter 14: A Scholar’s Transformation After Three Days
Fine horses galloped like the wind, and with a crack of the whip, they entered the capital.
The last wisp of sunset glow on the horizon faded, and Zhou Yan, who had ridden into the city, arrived at the Fu’an Escort Agency.
“Escort Zhou is here.”
The runners at the entrance knew he had ridden out of the city to hunt. Seeing no large prey on his Qingcong horse, they thought Zhou Yan must have had bad luck this time, not encountering beasts like deer or wild boar.
As a runner led the horse, Zhou Yan asked, “Is Escort Huyan here?”
“He’s in the martial field.”
Zhou Yan took a pheasant from a cloth bag and threw it to the runner, “Take this back for a feast.”
“Thank you, Escort Zhou.” The runner was overjoyed.
He said no more, carrying the cloth bag, he quickly entered the escort agency and headed straight for the martial field.
Several escorts were practicing martial arts in the martial field, including Huyan Lei, Shi Baichuan, and Cui Qingshan.
He called out from the side, “Old Brother Huyan.”
“Brother Zhou is here.” Huyan Lei threw his spear to a runner, grabbed a towel, and walked over, wiping sweat.
“I went hunting in the mountains and caught a few pheasants and wild rabbits. I’ll treat you to a meal at my place tonight.”
“Sure.”
“Escort Shi and Escort Wang, will you join us?”
“You’re a loyal fellow. They got their fill of delicacies yesterday with just a few words, enjoying good fortune.”
“Sharing is better than enjoying alone.”
“It’s all up to you.”
“Alright, I’ll go back and get ready first.”
“Okay!”
Zhou Yan’s invitation was actually to avoid wasting the meat of the Big Treasure Snake. The snake, its blood drained, was still in the cloth bag. His idea was simple: since it was raised with cinnabar, ginseng, and other medicinal herbs, even if the snake meat was not as nutritious as its blood, it was still a rare delicacy for nourishing qi and blood.
Huyan Lei had taken good care of him, and Head Escort Shi and Head Escort Wang had shown him kindness yesterday by offering advice on lightness skills. He wanted to reciprocate their goodwill.
In Zhou Yan’s world, grudges were clearly defined.
As he left, Huyan Lei said casually, “Escort Shi, Escort Wang, Brother Zhou is inviting us to a meal, let’s go together.”
Shi Baichuan smiled upon hearing this, “I almost did more harm than good yesterday. I was thinking of inviting Brother Zhou to Songhe Tower, and now he’s inviting me instead.”
“Are you going or not?”
“Of course, I’m going.”
“What about Escort Wang?”
“I’m definitely going. Let me change into casual clothes.”
Huyan Lei then turned to Cui Qingshan, “Escort Cui, will you join us?”
The escort who had previously made things difficult for Zhou Yan had already learned from the runners about what happened in the martial field yesterday. He snorted inwardly, thinking that Huyan Lei inviting Escort Shi and Escort Wang was just a show for him, to let him know Zhou Yan was protected. With this in mind, Cui Qingshan said with a forced smile, “I don’t accept favors without merit!”
Huyan Lei cupped his hands, “In that case, I’ll take my leave.”
“Farewell!”
……
As Zhou Yan walked, he bought ingredients like eggs, ginger, shiitake mushrooms, and wood ear mushrooms at the market to make snake soup. He passed by Songhe Tower and bought three jars of Green Ant Wine.
The moon hung high above the willows, and lovers met at dusk.
The aroma of chicken soup and snake soup gradually filled the kitchen.
He emerged from the kitchen, crossed the courtyard, and went to the door to see if Huyan Lei and the others were in sight at the end of the alley. When he returned to the courtyard, the sound of boiling soup reached his ears.
The scene before him perfectly matched the poetic imagery.
The soup simmered like the wind in the pines, already lessening the wine’s effects by two parts.
The aroma was rich and lasting. The road to intoxication was a beautiful realm.
Just like meeting an old friend under the lamp, returning from afar to face a solitary shadow.
……
The pheasant and snake soup needed to simmer. Seeing that Huyan Lei and the others had not yet arrived, Zhou Yan, who had opened his Extraordinary Meridians and Qiao Meridian, felt restless. He stretched his body and began to perform the “Xiaoyao Fist” fluidly.
He moved as lightly as a swallow, his steps agile. While shifting rapidly and powerfully, he still displayed a graceful demeanor, subtle elegance, and nimble rhythm. This “Xiaoyao Journey” fist technique truly embodied the true essence of the words “Free and Easy.”
The autumn wind rustled past, and leaves detached from branches, falling leisurely. Zhou Yan’s toes tapped the ground repeatedly, his body like willow catkins drifting in the wind, and his movements like a startled rabbit’s fleeting shadow. His hands were half-open, thumbs and index fingers forming a cup-like shape. He continuously executed the “Eating from the Bowl” move of the Xiaoyao Fist, gathering several fallen leaves into his palm.
“Huh…” A sudden sound startled Zhou Yan. He retracted his movements and looked towards the source of the sound.
Hong Qigong, whose clothes were patched and who held a green bamboo staff and a vermilion lacquered gourd on his back, landed as lightly as a yellow leaf falling silently in the courtyard.
He clicked his tongue in admiration, “You young man have truly ‘changed remarkably after three days apart.’ How long have you been learning the Xiaoyao Fist, yet you already possess the skill of someone who has practiced for many years.”
Zhou Yan, initially surprised, then delighted, asked, “Elder, how did you get here?”
“If you can live in Daxing Prefecture, can’t I come here?”
Zhou Yan smiled, “It’s truly a surprise, hence the question.”
Hong Qigong then explained, “I’ve been traveling from Datong Prefecture and saw many famous figures from the Jianghu heading towards Zhongdu, so I came to see what was happening. I was looking for a place to stay and smelled the snake soup, so I followed the scent. I didn’t expect it to be you, young man.”
Zhou Yan was not surprised that Hong Qigong didn’t go to the Beggars’ Sect branch in Zhongdu. He had important matters to attend to personally. The Beggars’ Sect was not so chaotic that it would lead to a power struggle.
After Hong Qigong finished speaking, he headed straight for the kitchen.
The firewood crackled as it burned, the snake soup boiled, and a medicinal aroma wafted through the air.
Hong Qigong clicked his tongue in admiration, “The shredded snake meat, mixed with shredded chicken that has been blanched with egg white, shredded shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, and snake broth, and then boiled. You young man have great skill.”
“Is this a medicinal snake?”
Zhou Yan did not hide it, “I went hunting outside the city during the day and happened to encounter a disciple of Liang Zi Weng. This snake smelled the blood and coiled around me. In a moment of desperation, I killed the big snake.”
“So it was a snake raised by that old monster. That scoundrel actually does all sorts of wild and wicked things.”
“Do you know him, Elder?”
Hong Qigong said, “It happened twenty years ago. That old monster believed in some evil theory of Yin Yang Cultivation, finding many women and deflowering them, claiming it could lead to immortality. I ran into Liang old monster doing this wicked deed and gave him a severe lesson, making him swear an oath that he would never commit such evil acts again, or I would make his life a living hell.”
Zhou Yan asked, “Why didn’t you kill him, Elder?”
Hong Qigong said, “You young man have a heavy killing intent. Did this big snake also kill the old monster’s disciple?”
“My explanation is useless. The other party was determined to kill me, so I had to fight back.”
Hong Qigong nodded, but the next moment, Zhou Yan’s voice rang out again.
“Of all the evils, lust is the worst. Elder, did you not consider that Liang Zi Weng’s defilement of women might lead those innocent women to take their own lives, and ruin countless families?”
“Are you implying I did wrong, young man?”
“Upholding justice, how could it be wrong.” Zhou Yan thought for a moment, “In my opinion, Liang Zi Weng is utterly wicked and deserves to be killed without mercy. Excessive softness and mercy can sometimes allow evil thoughts to grow like wild grass.”
“I’ve inquired, and the old monster hasn’t reoffended all these years.”
Zhou Yan chuckled in a low voice, no longer arguing with Hong Qigong. He said, “I’ve invited a few friends, would you like to join us, Elder?”
“I dislike noise. I’ll leave some of this snake soup for the beggar.”
“I’ll leave some for you, Elder.”
“Good!” Hong Qigong’s eyes lit up with joy, “I’m off to get some wine. It’s not yet midnight, I’ll be back for the soup.”
“Please wait a moment, Elder.”
Zhou Yan walked out of the kitchen, then returned, carrying a jar of Green Ant Wine.
“This is the fine Songhe Tower brew, Green Ant Wine. Please accept it, Elder.”
“Thank you for your kindness, young man. This wine is too sweet for my taste. Three cups of strong liquor, four windows of empty dreams. This beggar likes that kind of drink. Your guests have arrived, I’m leaving.”
Hong Qigong’s figure, like a bird floating and descending, drifted into the courtyard and soared into the night sky. At the courtyard gate, Huyan Lei’s surprised voice could already be heard, “I smell snake soup, wonderful!”
Zhou Yan smiled, they were all gourmands.
Thank you to “Big Brother Don’t Take My Name” for the monthly votes! Deeply grateful.
