Chapter 149: Mu Nianci and Yang Kang’s First Meeting
Yang Kang first invited Baoxiang to the study alone.
The maid served tea and withdrew. Yang Kang bowed and said, “The esteemed guests are all renowned figures. Forgive my earlier disrespectful words, Master.”
Baoxiang chuckled, “Little Prince, there’s no need to be polite. It’s normal for people in the Jianghu to be proud.”
“Master has excellent finger strength.”
“This is my sect’s ‘Great Strength Vajra Finger.’ Little Prince, you jest.”
“My eyes have been opened.”
“This humble monk’s skill is not worth mentioning. My Senior Brother Baoshu’s finger technique is at the peak of perfection.”
Yang Kang thought to himself upon hearing this, Master Baoxiang’s words have hidden meaning.
The two exchanged pleasantries and sat down for tea. Baoxiang said, “This humble monk has something presumptuous to say.”
“Master, please speak freely.”
“Little Prince, you are respectful of worthy individuals, and this humble monk will certainly follow my Master’s orders to support you with all his might. To be frank, my Master once had a grievance with the Shaolin Temple. Now that I am in Zhongdu, I cannot help but think of seeking justice for my Master.”
Yang Kang, being exceptionally intelligent, realized that the Vajra Sect’s origin in the Western Regions was not primarily due to Helian Zhantai’s favor, but rather to leverage the Prince’s Manor’s support to deal with the Shaolin Temple.
“Certainly. I will report to Father, and we will avenge all grudges and repay all resentments. This is only natural.”
“Thank you, Little Prince.”
Yang Kang probed, “However, the Shaolin Temple has a long history and many experts within its walls. Master should still exercise caution.”
Baoxiang chuckled deeply, “Little Prince, you need not worry. My fellow disciples will arrive soon.”
Yang Kang was overjoyed, thinking that with Ouyang Feng and the assistance of the Vajra Sect experts, he would have nothing to fear from Hong Qigong, the Seven Immortals of Quanzhen, and others.
…
Clouds obscured the moon, and the light faded. It was impossible to enjoy the Mid-Autumn Festival moon.
However, in a courtyard in the western suburbs of Zhongdu, people were clinking glasses and toasting, completely forgetting to invite the bright moon and ask the heavens for wine.
By the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), the feast was over, and the guests dispersed.
Yang Tiexin’s courtyard was not very spacious, and Zhou Yan was also on good terms with Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi.
After a brief discussion, Qiu Chuji and Guo Jing would stay at the Yang residence to reminisce and mediate, while Mu Nianci would accompany Yang Miaozhen to an inn in the city. Ma and Wang would go to the Zhou residence.
Wine intoxicates not the people, but themselves. As they parted, Qiu Chuji, Yang Tiexin, Huyan Lei, and others were already tipsy, while Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue were sober.
Huyan Lei had mentioned that Zhang Wangyue, when drunk, had spoken of a personal safety escort for an infant girl. Upon waking, he asked if he had said anything he shouldn’t have, and Huyan Lei said no.
Therefore, Zhou Yan guessed that since then, their Head Escort, to be safe, had likely not gotten drunk. From New Year’s Eve, the Lantern Festival, to the current Mid-Autumn Festival, he had exercised restraint at every banquet. The Chief Escort was a person capable of extreme rational reflection.
This also indicated from another angle that the identity of that infant girl was very special.
The evening breeze brushed against their faces, slightly chilly.
Yang Miaozhen gently pulled the reins, allowing her chestnut horse to keep pace with the ‘Night-Shining Jade Lion.’ She moved to Zhou Yan’s side.
“Brother Zhou.”
“Is it about the Mongol Great Khan’s campaign against Jin?”
“You know me best, Brother Zhou.”
Zhou Yan smiled.
“If the Mongols truly do as the Chief Escort and Brother Zhou say and conquer Jin, how will this world change?”
“Chief Escort, what do you think?” Zhou Yan asked.
Zhang Wangyue sighed and said, “If Mongolia can defeat Jin, their military might would be so formidable that the Lin’an Court would be unable to resist. I only hope I am overthinking things.”
Zhou Yan said, “Therefore, it is not the best strategy for the Yang family to launch a counterattack when the Mongols are invading Jin. The best strategy is to use the conflict between Jin and Mongolia, when Jin soldiers are unable to suppress them, to develop ourselves.”
Zhang Wangyue nodded, “Brother Zhou’s words are reasonable.”
Yang Miaozhen suddenly smiled, “I think it’s necessary to have a more in-depth discussion with Chief Escort Zhang and Brother Zhou.”
Huyan Lei chuckled, “We are all outsiders. Leader Yang, please visit Fu’an often when you have the time. When we escort goods and pass by the Huai River, we will certainly visit. When will we not have the opportunity for heartfelt conversation?”
“Head Escort Huyan’s words are sensible. This younger sister will certainly bother you more in the future.”
“You’re welcome!” Zhang Wangyue said.
Mu Nianci envied Yang Miaozhen’s personality, her ability to speak her mind and express herself, unlike her own.
Ma Yu remained silent. The air was slightly cold, and he had also sobered up a bit. Hearing Zhou Yan, Yang Miaozhen, and the others speak, his mind recalled the brave and skilled Mongolian soldiers he had seen riding and shooting in the desert years ago. His expression couldn’t help but become solemn.
The group exchanged pleasantries and headed straight for the Fu’an Escort Agency in the city. Yang Miaozhen’s chestnut horse and Zhou Yan’s ‘Night-Shining Jade Lion’ would be stabled at the agency and fed by the night groom.
As long as they didn’t take a detour, entering Fu’an from the west of the city meant passing by the Changfeng Escort Agency.
Huyan Lei was about to ask Zhou Yan why he was looking for Helian Chuncheng to settle a score when he saw two horse carriages and several riders approaching from the long street.
The carriages stopped, and many people dismounted and began talking at the entrance of the escort agency.
Zhou Yan’s pupils contracted. He recognized some of them.
Yang Kang, Helian Chuncheng, and Yin Kexi.
He glanced sideways at Mu Nianci.
The young lady, now an escort at the Fu’an Escort Agency, looked preoccupied.
“Escort Mu.”
“Ah!” Mu Nianci snapped back to attention and quickly asked, “Head Escort, you called me.”
“Yes, the young man in his late teens in front of the Changfeng Escort Agency is Wanyan Kang, also known as Yang Kang.”
Mu Nianci trembled and looked.
The distance had shortened considerably. The lanterns hanging at the gatehouse of the Changfeng Escort Agency illuminated the entire space brightly. What entered Mu Nianci’s sight was a handsome young man in brocade robes, adorned with luxurious attire, with red lips, white teeth, and a handsome appearance.
So this is the sworn brother who recognized a traitor as his father.
Yang Miaozhen had also heard Zhou Yan’s words. After a brief observation, she sneered, “One look and you can tell he’s a schemer.”
Zhou Yan asked curiously, “What makes you say that?”
“A dignified little prince of the Jin Dynasty, driving a carriage to an escort agency, is he trying to win over the worthy?”
“Makes sense,” Zhou Yan praised.
Yang Miaozhen smiled slightly.
The clinking of horse hooves also caught the attention of Yang Kang and the others.
Helian Chuncheng glanced over, first stunned, then delighted.
A good opportunity to humiliate Fu’an.
Yang Kang was also taken aback. His gaze swept past Zhou Yan and the others, landing on Wang Chuyi and Ma Yu. He thought, how unlucky. After the banquet, to repay Helian Zhantai’s matchmaking efforts and to win people over, he had specifically escorted them to the Changfeng Escort Agency, only to encounter his enemies.
The young master of Changfeng, Helian Chuncheng, now viewed Zhou Yan as a dead man.
Baoxiang had arrived from the Vajra Sect, and more people would follow. His ‘copper head and iron arms’ would be crushed, and his bones shattered. He was in a good mood and said to the approaching horse troop, “It’s Chief Escort Zhang and Escort Zhou. What a coincidence. Are the two Taoist priests also here?”
Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi, who were visiting Zhou Yan in Zhongdu, had clashed with the escorts of Changfeng at the entrance of Fu’an and had exchanged words with Helian Chuncheng, hence they knew each other.
Zhang Wangyue smiled and said, “So it’s Young Master Helian. It is indeed a coincidence.”
Ma Yu nodded slightly, acknowledging the greeting.
Yin Kexi signaled to a nearby escort. The two escorts understood, shouted loudly, and lunged forward, “How dare you! Dismount when you see the Little Prince.”
The two escorts knew they were no match for Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue, so they reached out to snatch the reins of Yang Miaozhen and Mu Nianci’s mounts.
Yang Miaozhen had considered going to the Zhao Wang Manor that night to kill, but now seeing Yang Kang with the Changfeng Escort Agency escorts, and the escorts being so arrogant, she was furious.
She leaned forward, grabbed the wrist of the Changfeng Escort Agency escort who was reaching for the reins, and directly twisted him up. Her arm moved very little, but the escort’s body spun violently, facing Wanyan Kang, with one hand twisted behind his back.
“Blind fools.”
Yang Miaozhen’s internal energy radiated outwards, and the escort was suddenly flung towards Yang Kang.
Yang Kang remained unmoved. Helian Zhantai, beside him, stepped forward, grabbed the flying escort, and placed him on the ground.
Yang Miaozhen became vigilant, thinking that this burly old man should not be underestimated.
Mu Nianci had a similar thought, and also harbored resentment from the conflict between Fu’an and Changfeng. However, she did not possess Yang Miaozhen’s exquisite seizing techniques.
Mu Nianci pushed off her horse, spun her body, and her legs flew out. The escort was greatly surprised. He threw a couple of punches, and with a bang, the escort staggered backward.
Mu Nianci, a red blur, landed on the ground, stepped in front of him, feinted with her left palm, and struck upwards towards his jaw with her right fist, using the ‘Free and Easy Journey’ fist technique taught by Hong Qigong.
The escort only heard a “bang,” his vision spun, and he flew backward towards Helian Chuncheng.
“How dare you.”
Yin Kexi lunged towards Mu Nianci.
Zhou Yan’s body suddenly soared like an eagle and descended, striking Yin Kexi with a palm strike of ‘Flying Dragon in the Sky.’
Seeing the fierce palm strike, Yin Kexi exerted all his strength to meet it. Then, his body retreated like a wave. As his tiger’s mouth vibrated, he was greatly alarmed. Compared to when he fought Zhou Yan in Zhongdu, the opponent’s cultivation had advanced too much.
Helian Chuncheng pushed out his left and right hands, stopping the figures of the escort and Yin Kexi who were retreating one after another.
He was about to speak when Zhou Yan’s voice reached him, “Young Master Helian, the escorts of Changfeng are becoming increasingly hot-tempered.”
Helian Chuncheng chuckled, “Actually, they’ve improved a lot. After all, harmony brings wealth. It’s just that seeing Escort Zhou and the others offend the Little Prince, they asked the escorts to dismount.”
Helian Zhantai did not intervene, watching how Helian Chuncheng, who had created the dispute, would handle it.
“I don’t hear anyone dismounting to pay their respects to the Little Prince.” Ni Mo Xing had a grudge against Zhou Yan and had recently pledged allegiance to the Prince’s Manor, wanting to make a show of himself.
His words were provocative. He sneered and lunged towards Zhou Yan.
“Mr. Ni Mo, please don’t.”
Yang Kang stopped him and stepped forward, saying, “Greetings to my two Martial Uncles.”
After saying this, he turned to Mu Nianci and Yang Miaozhen and said, “My apologies for the offense just now. Please forgive me, two young ladies.”
Zhou Yan was shocked by this. This person was clearly the masked man who had pursued him on Nanping Mountain by West Lake. Yang Kang called him Brother Ni Mo, could he be Ni Mo Xing? Heh, only Xiaoxiangzi was missing.
He then thought again, Yang Kang’s attitude towards Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi was completely different from the Jianghu in Legend of the Condor Heroes. There was a hidden mystery here.
Yang Kang apologized. Mu Nianci thought to herself, he clearly had time to stop the Changfeng Escort Agency escorts from attacking, but only intervened now. He was indeed as cunning as Leader Yang had said.
She said coldly, “So it is the Little Prince. How would this commoner dare?”
Is this woman out of her mind? Yang Kang thought irritably, but he smiled slightly and no longer paid attention to Mu Nianci and Yang Miaozhen. He turned to Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi and said, “Where are my two Martial Uncles staying? I will arrange for someone to pick you up and escort you to the Prince’s Manor.”
After Yang Kang said this, Helian Chuncheng looked at Helian Zhantai in confusion. His father’s expression was quite solemn. He thought, the Little Prince actually addressed the two Taoist priests from the Quanzhen Sect, who were acquainted with Zhou Yan, as Martial Uncles.
He had shot himself in the foot.
