Chapter 146: The Boss’s Identity, Guo Yang Enters the Capital
The roosting birds stirred the front forest, and the morning light climbed the western ridge.
The ox horn giant bow was as taut as a full moon.
“Bang”
The arrowhead pushed open a distinct ripple in the air, heading straight for a wild boar over ten zhang away.
“Roar”
A tragic sound instantly rang out, startling the forest birds into flight.
The wild boar, struck by the arrow, tumbled over from the terrifying penetrating force.
The wild boar, weighing over a hundred and fifty catties, was fierce by nature and got up to charge.
Zhou Yan’s figure moved swiftly, and the second and third arrows were shot out in a flash of lightning. At intervals, the sound of arrows piercing the wild boar could be clearly heard.
With arrows in its front and hind legs, the wild boar flipped forward onto the ground, kicking up large amounts of soil and grass.
“What a good bow, it feels just right in my hands,” Zhou Yan praised.
Li Mochou did not mention her encounter with Ouyang Ke at the Mountain God Temple, fearing it would be detrimental to her sect if he went to Zhongnan Mountain. She bid farewell to Zhou Yan and left in a hurry.
After recuperating at the Mountain God Temple for several days, Zhou Yan arrived in Zhongdu accompanied by Hong Qigong.
The Beggars’ Sect leader was a person who appeared and disappeared like a dragon’s head and tail. Zhou Yan’s injuries had not yet healed, so he did not disturb him, saying he was going for a drink and then left.
Zhou Yan’s injuries had recovered by five to six tenths. When he arrived at the escort bureau, Zhang Wangyue, Huyan Lei, and the others could not detect anything amiss. He continued as usual, practicing with the runners during the day and cultivating and healing at night.
When Wang Kui and the others returned from Jiangzhou, they had not only recovered but also made a small improvement in their internal force.
The boss, Duan Huai’an, arranged for everyone to ascend West Mountain on the Double Ninth Festival, and all escorts not on duty participated.
Martial artists climbing the mountain were not concerned with poems, but rather with how much profit the escort bureau would make this year and discussing Changfeng’s future direction. How the escort bureau would operate next year, and whether to open a branch office.
Knowing my brother is climbing high, with dogwood flowers everywhere, but one person is missing.
During this time, Zhou Yan learned of something that surprised him.
Duan Huai’an, missing his relatives and friends, inadvertently mentioned that his ancestors hailed from Wuwei.
This news greatly surprised Zhou Yan.
He recalled that the Duan family of Dali also seemed to be from Wuwei, and he became curious. After returning from West Mountain, he tried his best to consult some ancient texts, and indeed, there was a Duan clan in Wuwei.
If it were an ordinary prominent family or a martial arts family, it would be difficult to investigate, but the Duan family of Wuwei held official positions. During Emperor Wen of Han’s reign, they served as the Protector-General of the Western Regions, making it not difficult to inquire.
His thoughts then uncontrollably turned to whether the boss and the Duan family of Dali had any connection.
However, Duan Huai’an only mentioned it briefly, so it was not easy to probe further.
This matter was forgotten after ten days to half a month, as the appointed date between Qiu Chuji and Yang Tiexin was fast approaching.
Nearly a month after ascending West Mountain, the escort bureau had completed several short-distance escorts. Zhou Yan had some free time, and the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived amidst the drifting yellow leaves of West Mountain.
He took his bow and went out of the city early to hunt. By the time the sun rose, in addition to the wild boar before him, he had also shot several mountain chickens and wild rabbits.
The poultry for Yang Tiexin’s family banquet was almost sufficient.
Zhou Yan put away his bow and arrows and approached the dying wild boar. He retrieved his arrows and put them into his quiver. With a whistle, “Night-Shining Jade Lion” ran into the mountain forest. He placed all the game into a pre-prepared felt bag, mounted his horse, and headed straight for Yang Tiexin’s place.
…
In the courtyard on the outskirts of the city, the osmanthus flowers were fragrant.
Mu Nianci watched Yang Tiexin pace back and forth and said with a smile, “Father, please sit for a while and have some tea. Perhaps Taoist Priest Qiu will arrive soon.”
Yang Tiexin said, “I haven’t seen Taoist Priest Qiu for eight or ten years. If I can still see Nephew Guo, how can I sit still?”
“But Father, you’ve been pacing so much, you’re making Shagu and I dizzy.”
“Alright, alright, I’ll sit for a while.”
As soon as Yang Tiexin sat down, the sound of horse hooves approached from afar.
Mu Nianci, who was killing a chicken with Shagu in the courtyard, got up, washed her hands, and quickly walked towards the courtyard entrance with Yang Tiexin.
Zhou Yan dismounted, placed the bag of game on the ground, and said to Yang Tiexin, “I went out of the city early and hunted a wild boar.”
“Thank you, Head Escort.”
“Please don’t be so polite, Elder.”
The escort bureau was closed for the Mid-Autumn Festival, with only escorts and runners assigned to duty. Zhou Yan said, “I’ll go to the escort bureau for a bit and come back later.”
Familiar friends don’t stand on ceremony. Yang Tiexin said, “Let’s eat together at noon.”
“Certainly.”
“Head Escort Zhou, please go slowly.”
“Mm, I’m back.” Zhou Yan waved to Mu Nianci, who was seeing him off, and rode away.
Without the wild boar, “Night-Shining Jade Lion” ran more lightly. Not far from the city gate, the merchants coming and going became more numerous. Zhou Yan reined in his horse, and the white horse slowed down, its hooves striking the hard ground with a rhythmic clatter.
At this moment, the sound of other horse hooves came from Zhou Yan’s direction.
The sound was urgent. He guided “Night-Shining Jade Lion” to the side of the road to clear a path.
When the approaching hoofbeats were about ten zhang away from Zhou Yan, a sudden light shout came from the rider, “Watch your spear!”
In the autumn sunlight, a long spear was released from its sheath, piercing forward with a sound of breaking wind.
Zhou Yan heard the sound of wind behind him, and with his left hand, he circled and grabbed about five inches behind the spearhead.
However, the spear followed the flick of the wielder’s wrist, its tip suddenly dropping, evading Zhou Yan’s counter-grab of the “Returning Spear,” and aimed at the “Yaoshu” acupoint.
All spear techniques have a “Returning Spear,” and the difference between each school of spearplay lies in the hidden follow-up variations within the moves. For example, the Yang Family Spear Technique has three variations, surpassing the Huyan Spear Technique.
And the “Phoenix Nods,” as classic a killing move as the “Returning Spear,” also exists in various spear techniques. However, Zhou Yan had never encountered anyone who wielded this move with such mastery.
He performed a “Stirrup-Hidden Body,” landing smoothly. As the spear behind him continued its thrust, Zhou Yan leaped forward, his toes behind, his body in front, in a posture from Li Mochou’s “Beauty Fist Technique” called “Chang’e Flying to the Moon.”
At the Mountain God Temple outside Datong Prefecture, Zhou Yan watched Li Mochou practice her fist techniques and, like Hong Qigong, memorized many moves.
“Chang’e Flying to the Moon” requires turning back.
The spear behind Zhou Yan followed like a shadow. He also suddenly turned his head, drew his sword, and executed a fluid strike, swinging his longsword like a whip towards the spear.
“Clang!” Metal clashed against metal, sparks flying. Zhou Yan’s Qingfeng Sword arced like a rainbow, and the spear was knocked away.
A woman in red, holding a spear, appeared before his eyes.
“Brother Zhou’s swordplay is masterful.”
“Youngest Sister Yang.”
A moment before, Zhou Yan had heard the words “Watch your spear!” and found the voice quite familiar. However, the spear continued its attack, so he responded with equally fluid counter-attacks.
Seeing Yang Miaozhen now, he understood that the feeling of familiarity he had earlier came from their connection.
Yang Miaozhen dismounted, put her spear back into its sheath, and said with a smile, “Sister wanted to see how much Brother Zhou’s skills have improved. I hope you’ll forgive any offense.”
“You’re too kind, too kind.”
The two led their horses along, and Zhou Yan asked, “Youngest Sister Yang, do you have business in Zhongdu?”
“I came to visit Brother Zhou, Sister Mu, several head escorts, and also because a while ago I led people to intercept a Jin official with his family who was heading to Kaifeng Prefecture. Upon interrogation, I learned that the Mongol Great Khan is mobilizing troops southward. Thinking I have free time recently, I came to Zhongdu to gather information. Have you heard any rumors in the city, Brother Zhou?”
The Fu’an Escort Team rarely traveled to the Western Regions or Beyond the Pass. Zhongdu was still peaceful, and no rumors had spread. Zhou Yan was indeed unaware of this information.
However, based on his rough calculations, the time for Genghis Khan to personally lead an expedition against the Jin was not far off, so the information Yang Miaozhen obtained through interrogation was highly credible.
“There are no rumors in Zhongdu. What are you planning to do, Youngest Sister Yang?”
“With the Mongols attacking the Jin, the Righteous Armies in Hebei Province and Jingdong Road are naturally responding.”
“Is that so?” He nodded thoughtfully.
“Mm. Since there are no rumors in Zhongdu, I’ll have some fun. Is Sister Mu at the escort bureau?”
“Yes, she is. Why don’t we go to the escort bureau first, rest a bit, and then go together?”
“Alright.”
“What about Miss Qiu?”
“She left.”
“Back to the valley?”
“She said she’s going to the Iron Palm Sect first.”
“Did Qiu Qianzhang go with her?”
“Mm!”
The two chatted as they walked, passing through the city gate with the merchants entering the city. About ten li behind them, four riders were galloping.
Qiu Chuji was in high spirits and said to Wang Chuyi beside him, “My brother Yang must be waiting with wine.”
“Young Friend Zhou is surely the same.” Wang Chuyi replied.
Qiu Chuji laughed heartily, “Indeed.”
Guo Jing, who was accompanying the Three Immortals of Changchun, saw Zhongdu in the distance. He thought he would soon see Uncle Yang, thank his benefactor, and also kill Wanyan Honglie. His expression was excited.
