Chapter 150: Conspiracy, Open Scheme
The Yang and Guo families’ Zhao Wang Manor, filled with countless grudges and tales of love and hate.
The ones in charge were still Qiu Chuji and the Six Heroes of Jiangnan, the Seven Immortals of Quanzhen.
So when Yang Kang invited them, Ma Yu, who had a kind disposition, said, “You are busy with your affairs, so I will not disturb you.”
“Has my Master also arrived in Zhongdu?” Yang Kang asked.
“When your Master finds you, you will know.”
Yang Kang nodded, “I will respectfully heed my Junior Uncle’s words and bid farewell to both Junior Uncles.”
“Head Escort Zhang, Young Friend Zhou, please,” Ma Yu said.
“Thank you, Taoist Priest,” Zhang Wangyue replied gratefully, reining in his horse and riding forward. Mu Nianci also mounted her horse. Several riders passed by the entrance of the Changfeng Escort Agency.
Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi’s actions were intended to elevate the Fu’an Escort Agency and display their close relationship with Zhou Yan.
In the past, the two had interacted with Zhou Yan many times, but they remained silent about matters concerning Jiaxing and Zhao Wang Manor, fearing they would be implicated.
But now the entanglement was deepening. The Six Heroes of Jiangnan were able to expose the truth of Wanyan Honglie’s creation of the Niu Family Village massacre, which was actually initiated by Zhou Yan capturing Duan Tiande. Moreover, Yang Tiexin was currently staying at the escort agency.
Zhou Yan and Fu’an were inevitably drawn into the conflict.
Yang Kang’s recognition of his lineage, the good-natured Ma Yu thought that the other party was at most a person greedy for wealth, as his junior brother had said, without even considering that Yang Kang would betray his master and ancestors.
Therefore, now that Zhou Yan appeared before Yang Kang, Ma Yu felt that by presenting Fu’an as having a connection with the Quanzhen Sect, the other party would not make things difficult.
How could Zhou Yan not know Ma Yu’s intentions? He was not worried that Yang Kang would attack him or Fu’an at this moment. In the world of Legend of the Condor Heroes, Yang Kang had harbored murderous intent towards Qiu Chuji, but he had not had a guaranteed opportunity with absolute certainty, which was why he gave up.
Yang Kang at this moment was likely of a similar disposition, but the current Yang Kang was far from what he used to be, as could be seen from his attitude towards Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi.
Psychological maturity would only be reached in the later stages of Legend of the Condor. Zhou Yan pondered Yang Kang’s motives for treating the Two Immortals of Quanzhen so attentively.
As Zhou Yan, Ma Yu, and others departed, Helian Chuncheng collected his thoughts and apologized, “I was unaware that the Young Prince’s sect was the Quanzhen Sect. My subordinates were reckless and caused trouble.”
Yang Kang smiled, “It’s alright. Does Young Master Helian have any grudges with them?”
Helian Chuncheng said, “It’s all for profit, nothing significant.”
Yang Kang did not want any unexpected incidents to occur during the execution of his plan, so he said, “Since it is for profit, bear with it for now.”
Helian Chuncheng had not yet grasped Yang Kang’s meaning, but Helian Zhantai understood it. He said, “Thank you, Young Prince, for your guidance.”
“You’re welcome,” Yang Kang smiled, thinking to himself that the older generation was indeed wiser.
Helian Zhantai invited, “Why don’t you come to the escort agency, Young Prince? We can have a drink together.”
Yang Kang politely declined, “Thank you, Mr. Helian, for making the connection. Master Baoxiang and I have important matters to discuss. I will visit the escort agency another day.”
“Important matters come first. We bid farewell to the Young Prince.”
Helian Zhantai watched Yang Kang leave, then said to Helian Chuncheng, “Do you understand the Young Prince’s intentions?”
“My son was slow to realize.”
“Then it’s fine,” Helian Zhantai said. “Setting aside martial arts, in terms of character, depth, and methods, few can match the Young Prince.”
Helian Chuncheng was thoroughly convinced, “Indeed.”
“Let’s go, we’ll talk back at the manor.”
Father and son walked shoulder to shoulder, passing through the gatehouse and entering the escort agency, disappearing into the distance.
…
Everyone arrived at Fu’an and handed their horses over to the waiting runners.
Zhang Wangyue and Huyan Lei took their leave. Zhou Yan escorted Yang Miaozhen and Mu Nianci to the inn, and then accompanied the Two Immortals of Quanzhen to the courtyard.
The scenery was the same, yet the people were different, and a sense of familiarity washed over him.
It was midnight. After a pleasant chat at the Yang family’s residence during the day, Ma and Wang exchanged a few pleasantries with Zhou Yan and retired to the West Wing to rest. When they woke up, Zhou Yan had already prepared Eight Treasure Rice.
Everything returned to its daily routine.
After filling their stomachs, Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi accompanied Zhou Yan to the escort agency.
Yang Miaozhen, Mu Nianci, Zhang Wangyue, and Huyan Lei had already been waiting for a long time.
As Mu Nianci, accompanied by the Two Immortals of Quanzhen and Yang Miaozhen, departed, Zhou Yan instructed them to send a message if Qiu Chuji took Yang Kang out of the manor to acknowledge his lineage.
They parted ways on the long street. Zhou Yan, Zhang Wangyue, and Huyan Lei walked shoulder to shoulder towards the escort agency.
Zhang Wangyue: “Brother Zhou, we encountered people from the Changfeng Escort Agency last night. Did you see the person who tried to besiege and kill you on Nanping Mountain in Lin’an Prefecture?”
Zhou Yan nodded, “It was that fellow named Ni Mo Xing.”
“That shorty! If I get the chance, I’ll run him through with my spear,” Huyan Lei said, furious.
“Let’s have a good chat about this with Brother Zhou, and about Elder Yang too.”
“Alright,” Zhou Yan smiled.
The three arrived at the octagonal pavilion in the escort agency’s courtyard and sat on stone stools. A diligent runner immediately brought them tea.
After drinking his tea, Zhang Wangyue said, “Regarding the Changfeng matter, what are your thoughts, Brother Zhou?”
“Exactly. Knowing your enemy but being unable to strike them down. If it were me, I would have lost my temper long ago,” Huyan Lei said.
“When the Chief Escort and I went to Lin’an, Helian Chuncheng was unaware of the matter. So, it was a sudden encounter, and seeing me alone, he acted on impulse.”
Zhang Wangyue nodded, “That should be the case.”
“Cui Qingshan is dead. Given Helian Chuncheng’s cautious nature, he would have also transferred the escorts who went to Lin’an out of Zhongdu. Therefore, even if there are no witnesses, we cannot interrogate an escort.”
“So it’s a case of suffering in silence?”
“Shall we listen to Brother Zhou?” Zhang Wangyue asked.
Zhou Yan concealed his strength, “I’ve been pondering this matter. I even considered leaving the escort agency and then challenging Changfeng.”
Huyan Lei laughed, “I would have thought the same. But fortunately, Brother Zhou did not act rashly, otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to practice martial arts and drink together.”
“I would also be reluctant to part with you, Elder Brother,” Zhou Yan smiled. “Yesterday, when I encountered Leader Yang, she mentioned the Mongol invasion of Jin, and suddenly I felt that things were not as complicated as I thought.”
“Why is that?”
Among the people Zhou Yan had interacted with, Zhang Wangyue, a descendant of Zhang Xian of the Yue Family Army, was someone who could discern the general situation of the world based on the information he had.
He asked him, “With the Mongols invading Jin, do you think Zhongdu will be safe, Chief Escort?”
“Only the Great Wall stands as a natural barrier. Once…” Zhang Wangyue suddenly looked at Zhou Yan, “Brother, are you thinking of making a move against Changfeng when the Mongol army reaches Zhongdu?”
Zhou Yan smiled, “I only came up with this idea the night before last.”
“Uproot Changfeng completely?” Zhang Wangyue asked.
“Yes. By then, Senior Yang and Madam Bao will be reunited, and they can choose freely whether to stay at Fu’an or go to Niu Family Village or Leader Yang’s mountain stronghold.”
Zhang Wangyue lightly brushed the tea leaves with his cup lid, as if he had also figured things out. He praised, “Brother Zhou truly harbors a tiger in his heart.”
“This is still the earnest teaching of Elder Huyan to me.”
Huyan Lei laughed heartily, “I did mention this to Brother Zhou, but I don’t think I could do what you’ve done. Hearing you say this clarifies things for me. I know I must endure and endure, and then strike like thunder.”
Zhou Yan said sincerely, “Thank you, Elder Brother, for worrying about me.”
Huyan Lei glared, “If I don’t worry about my own brother, who else should I worry about?”
Zhou Yan chuckled.
…
The sun passed noon, in a courtyard in the western suburbs.
Qiu Chuji said to Yang Tiexin, “I will take that worthless disciple to West Mountain. Brother Yang, you wait for me on West Mountain with my Senior Brother and Junior Brother.”
“Thank you, Taoist Priest.”
“You are too polite, Brother Yang.”
Everyone went their separate ways. Qiu Chuji headed directly to Zhao Wang Manor, Wang Chuyi, Ma Yu, and Guo Jing went to West Mountain, while Mu Nianci and Yang Miaozhen rushed to deliver a message to Fu’an.
It was precisely when Qiu Chuji arrived at the manor that Zhou Yan received the news. He certainly would not go to West Mountain. What he was contemplating was that after Yang Kang met Yang Tiexin, there would surely be a reaction. He could go to Zhao Wang Manor in the evening to investigate, but he didn’t know if Ouyang Feng would be there. To be safe, he needed to make thorough preparations.
…
Tall flagpoles stood on either side of the main gate of Zhao Wang Manor. Two majestic and ferocious jade lions sat by the entrance, and a row of white jade steps led directly to the front hall, exuding immense grandeur.
The study within the manor was not far from a lake. Green willows drooped around it, creating a serene environment.
Yang Kang was in conversation with Baoxiang.
They had been together for some time, and Yang Kang had been continuously probing, gaining a general understanding of the Vajra Sect from the Western Regions from Baoxiang. Baoxiang had eight fellow disciples, and he was ranked fourth among the monks.
Besides the Baoxiang generation, there were also dozens of people in the Gang generation.
He estimated that the Vajra Sect had only about a hundred people in total, far fewer than Shaolin Temple. However, he greatly respected Baoxiang’s martial arts.
Compared to Ouyang Ke, he was no less, leading him to infer that Baoxiang’s Master should be comparable to Ouyang Feng.
With this thought, he treated Baoxiang with great attentiveness. While they were talking, a servant from the manor entered to report.
“Young Prince, a Taoist Priest is requesting an audience outside the gate.”
“Was he kept waiting?”
“No, according to the Prince’s instructions, he was treated with great courtesy.”
“You may withdraw.”
After the servant left the study, Baoxiang asked, “Is he a guest consultant hired by the Young Prince?”
Yang Kang smiled, “With the Master’s help, why would I need to hire another guest consultant? He is a rather tricky individual.”
Baoxiang’s pair of drooping eyebrows twitched. He smiled, “I will go and meet him.”
Yang Kang quickly said, “How dare I trouble the Master? I will go and see. Master, please wait for my return so we can continue our conversation.”
“That is acceptable. Young Prince, if you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Yang Kang bowed, turned, and left the study. After changing his attire, he headed straight for the manor gate. Seeing Qiu Chuji from afar, he quickened his pace.
“How did Master enter the manor? Where are my Senior Uncles?”
Qiu Chuji saw that Yang Kang was dressed simply, not in brocade robes, and spoke with a bit more kindness.
“Come with me out of the city. I will take you to see someone.”
“I will prepare a carriage for Master.”
“No need, let’s go.”
A fleeting look of displeasure crossed Yang Kang’s face. He immediately gave some instructions to the guards at the gate and followed.
Qiu Chuji’s footsteps were very fast, but Yang Kang could keep up. He thought to himself that his worthless disciple’s cultivation had indeed increased greatly; Jing’er was not as good.
The two left the city and traveled several miles before reaching West Mountain.
Ma Yu, Guo Jing, Wang Chuyi, and Yang Tiexin gradually came into Yang Kang’s view.
Who is that person? Yang Kang thought.
As the two groups met, before Qiu Chuji could speak, Yang Kang bowed, “Your disciple greets both Senior Uncles.”
After saying this, he turned to Guo Jing and said, “Brother Guo, long time no see.”
“Yes, Brother Yang,” Guo Jing replied politely.
“Master, who is this?” Yang Kang asked, looking at Yang Tiexin, whose face was weathered like a farmer’s.
No matter how much Yang Tiexin hated Wanyan Honglie, Yang Kang was still his flesh and blood. Seeing that the young man was not dressed in opulent attire, his eyes suddenly welled up.
Qiu Chuji’s voice, which was like thunder to Yang Kang, then rang out.
“He is your biological father, Yang Tiexin.”
