Chapter 153: Turning the Tables, The Origin of the Sword God
The midday sun streamed into the courtyard, where the chickens raised by Yang Tiexin roamed, clucking.
Inside, Mu Nianci poured tea and then moved a bench to sit beside Zhou Yan.
“Young friend Zhou, have you come regarding the matter of the Zhao Wang Manor?” Qiu Chuji asked with a smile.
“Yes.”
Qiu Chuji said, “That worthless disciple’s attitude yesterday was quite sincere as he acknowledged his kin on West Mountain. He also mentioned that Ouyang Feng is at the manor and that they would find a way to send his mother out first.”
Yang Tiexin was in high spirits and said to Zhou Yan, “Thank you, Head Escort, for your assistance. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know when we would be reunited, and my wife would still be suffering hardship in the manor.”
“Please don’t be so polite, Elder.” Zhou Yan changed the subject, “I went to the manor last night.”
Yang Miaozhen reacted the quickest, smiling brightly, “Brother Zhou is truly warm-hearted. It must still be about Senior Yang’s matter.”
Zhou Yan said, “Mainly, I was worried about any unexpected developments.”
Yang Miaozhen’s eyebrows, like willow leaves in the wind, perked up, “Brother Zhou, by saying that, are there complications?”
Zhou Yan said tactfully, “I only overheard the mother and son talking. Later, there was a bit of a scuffle, and I exchanged blows with a Monk from the manor before escaping. I don’t know what happened afterward.”
“A Monk?” Ma Yu was startled.
“Not a master hired by Wanyan Honglie previously; his cultivation is not inferior to Ouyang Ke’s.”
Wang Chuyi had seen Ouyang Ke and Zhou Yan spar and knew Zhou Yan’s cultivation was not below his own. Realizing that another expert had arrived at the manor, his expression became quite grave. Zhou Yan’s voice sounded again.
“Yang Kang told his mother that he would send her out to reunite with you, Senior, and flee far away. He said he would come looking for you after he dealt with some matters in the manor.”
Zhou Yan spoke ambiguously, but his meaning was clear.
Qiu Chuji was furious, “I thought that worthless disciple would reflect and repent. It seems he is still greedy for wealth and status. When I meet with Hero Ke and the others, we will find a way to kill Wanyan Honglie and completely sever his aspirations.”
“I do have an idea.”
“Speak freely, young friend.”
“Why not bring her out first and settle her properly? As for killing Wanyan Honglie, we can take our time.”
Yang Miaozhen heard this and said, “Brother Zhou is right. Why don’t we bring her out and have her stay at the mountain stronghold for now?”
Ma Yu, fearing Qiu Chuji would act impulsively, quickly said, “This method is excellent.”
“Father, your daughter believes the most urgent matter is to ensure Mother’s safety first.”
Yang Tiexin let out a slight sigh and said, “Alright, I’ll trouble Leader Yang.”
“Please don’t be polite, Elder. It’s just a small matter.”
With this agreement reached, Zhou Yan felt at ease. Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo’s fates had been thoroughly altered. Whatever schemes Yang Kang had, Zhou Yan hadn’t eavesdropped after his whereabouts were exposed the night before, and his efforts were in vain. However, it could be predicted that as long as Guo Jing, the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, Qiu Chuji, and the others did not act against Wanyan Honglie before the Mongol Army reached Zhongdu City, Fu’an would be safe and sound.
When the flags changed on the city walls, Guo Jing and Yang Tiexin could go and take Wanyan Honglie’s head, and he would settle accounts with the Changfeng Escort Agency.
Zhou Yan had lunch at the Yang residence and went to the escort agency in the afternoon. Zhang Wangyue and Huyan Lei asked about the Yang family’s affairs, and he explained them concisely.
Zhang Wangyue praised Zhou Yan for turning the tables and executing the plan brilliantly.
Zhou Yan chuckled.
Starting in the afternoon, the escort agency’s escorts and runners at Fu’an began more specialized training. Zhou Yan selected over thirty runners with outstanding arm strength to train in archery.
Huyan Lei and Wang Kui organized groups of three to four people for joint attacks with sabers and spears.
In the evening, after training for half the day, Zhou Yan left the escort agency and returned to his courtyard.
The moon hung high above the willows, and the midnight bell chimed along the long street. As Zhou Yan practiced martial arts in the courtyard, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. He stood up.
On the white walls and blue tiles, two figures leaped in.
It was Huang Rong and the Medicine Boy.
“Lord Zhou.” The Medicine Boy, seeing Zhou Yan, happily stepped forward to greet him.
“Your martial arts have improved.”
The Medicine Boy, hearing Zhou Yan’s praise, said joyfully, “Master often teaches me some cultivation techniques, so I’ve made progress.”
Mei Chaofeng had not yet returned to Peach Blossom Island and dared not take disciples, so the Medicine Boy called her Master.
“We’ve come as promised,” Huang Rong said with a smile.
“I’ve been waiting for a long time. Let’s go see the snakes.”
“Alright.”
The three entered a side room in the west wing, and Zhou Yan lit an oil lamp.
Although the light was dim, they could see clearly. Through the gaps in the two bamboo baskets, they could see large snakes with golden scales inside.
It was the Mid-Autumn Festival season, and under normal circumstances, the weather should still be conducive to snake and insect activity. However, the temperature in Zhongdu was not comparable to that of Xiangyang Snake Valley. Therefore, the large snakes in Huang Rong and the Medicine Boy’s eyes were coiled up and listless.
“Lord Zhou’s martial arts are very powerful, but he’s truly an amateur at raising snakes,” the Medicine Boy said, glancing at the large poisonous snakes.
Zhou Yan smiled. In fact, the snakes’ behavior was not only due to being struck but also because their venom had been extracted.
“Tell me more.” Huang Rong used to be afraid of snakes, but perhaps due to eating snake gall and snake soup frequently, she was no longer intimidated by the triangular-headed Pusi Snake, which occasionally flicked its tongue.
“To raise snakes, one must understand them, know their habits, and let them rest. When Liang Zi Weng raised the Big Treasure Snake, he specifically prepared snake sheds and had dedicated caretakers. For someone like you, Zhou, who cooks and practices martial arts in the courtyard, it’s already good that they’re not dead.”
Zhou Yan humbly accepted the advice. Indeed, his martial arts practice created quite a commotion.
“Why did you follow the secret manual and kill the snakes?”
“You don’t understand snake habits. These snakes live in damp and hot places, while Liang Zi Weng’s Big Treasure Snake is the opposite. Therefore, the dosage of medicinal pills made from different herbs needs to be adjusted accordingly.”
The Medicine Boy had also cared for Liang Zi Weng’s Big Treasure Snake and spoke with great familiarity, “For example, cinnabar is cold. If you feed poisonous snakes that live in hot and humid valleys the same dosage as you would for the Big Treasure Snake, you need to increase it.”
Zhou Yan’s eyes lit up, “So that’s how it is.”
“Don’t worry, Lord Zhou, I can take care of these snakes. It will just cost quite a bit of money.”
Before Zhou Yan could reply, Huang Rong said, “How many corrupt officials are there in Zhongdu? We can’t steal from the Zhao Wang Manor, but we can come and go freely from other official residences.”
“Yes!” Zhou Yan said with a smile.
“You think so too?”
Zhou Yan chuckled, “We can’t earn money to raise snakes. ‘Your salary and your favor are the people’s fat and blood,’ so we can take what we need.”
“You’re becoming less like an escort and more like a Knight-Errant.”
Zhou Yan smiled slightly and didn’t answer the question.
The Medicine Boy found a burlap sack and covered the bamboo baskets, carrying one in each hand.
“Lord Zhou, when should I deliver them to you?”
“I’ll find you when I need them.”
“Alright.”
Huang Rong said, “Then, see you later.”
“Yes, Bao’s should be leaving the manor in the next few days. There might be some commotion, so you all should be careful.”
Huang Rong thought of Zhou Yan’s life-saving grace and his current concern, feeling grateful. She said, “Understood, thank you. We’re leaving.”
“No need to see us off.”
The three left the side room. Huang Rong and the Medicine Boy leaped over the courtyard wall and disappeared from Zhou Yan’s sight.
With his mind at ease, Zhou Yan believed that the Pusi Snake, being intelligent, would grow even better than Liang Zi Weng’s Big Treasure Snake if the medicinal formula was correct. With his current cultivation progress, he could break through the Ren and Du meridians in one to two years, leading to the convergence of dragon and tiger. At that time, he would use snake gall and snake blood to assist him in breaking through the Mysterious Pass.
……
The majestic ancient city walls of Zhongdu stood under the autumn sun.
Yang Kang, still dressed in simple clothes, rode out of the city alone, heading to West Mountain as agreed with Qiu Chuji and the others.
He looked into the distance and saw no sign of Yang Tiexin, only Qiu Chuji.
“Master.”
Yang Kang dismounted and quickly walked forward.
“Kang’er, how are you prepared?” Qiu Chuji said this, recalling Zhou Yan’s words from the day before.
Yang Kang’s mind was also on his time with his mother and how Baoxiang’s severe poisoning had been resolved, but he remembered the restrictions: no strenuous exertion for twenty days, no meat, and no women.
He exhaled lightly, calming his turbulent emotions, and said, “Reporting to Master, your disciple has thought it through. I can send Mother out to reunite with Father.”
“And Wanyan Honglie?”
“The manor has Ouyang Feng and his nephew, so it’s not suitable to act yet. I will remain there for now. When the time is right, I will discuss it with you, Master, and Brother Guo. I believe the most urgent matter is to send Mother and Father to a safe place, which will also reduce our worries later.”
Qiu Chuji’s expression darkened.
Yang Kang quickly said, “I beg Master to understand.”
“Very well,” Qiu Chuji said after a long pause.
Yang Kang was overjoyed, “Where will your disciple send Mother?”
“Tomorrow, at noon, five miles west of the city.”
“Alright, your disciple will prepare immediately.”
“Are there other experts at the manor?” Qiu Chuji asked.
Yang Kang hesitated slightly and said, “Father King has invited a High Monk, but I don’t know his cultivation level.”
“Alright, go back and prepare.”
“Your disciple takes his leave.”
Yang Kang bid farewell to Qiu Chuji and left.
As the sound of horse hooves faded, Qiu Chuji sighed, “Wicked disciple!”
……
The autumn wind blew, and the autumn mood was deep.
Six strong men from the city carried a red sedan chair embroidered with gold, appearing five miles west of the city.
Accompanying them, Yang Kang saw the horse carriage and Qiu Chuji parked by the roadside from afar.
The soft sedan chair stopped, and Bao Xiruo quickly stepped out. Seeing it was Qiu Chuji, she stepped forward to bow.
Qiu Chuji supported her, “We’ll talk after you meet Brother Yang. Get in the carriage first.”
“Thank you, Taoist Priest.”
Bao Xiruo, dressed in plain cloth clothes and skirt, looked back at Yang Kang.
Yang Kang smiled, “Mother, Kang’er will come see you after he finishes his busy work.”
“Mm!” Bao Xiruo remembered Yang Kang’s instructions, her eyes reddened. She turned and got into the carriage. Qiu Chuji escorted her, and the coachman drove away.
“Little Prince, what about the Princess Consort?” asked one of the sedan chair bearers.
“My mother will not return to the manor. Do you know what to say when you go back?”
“Ah, we know.” The man quickly replied.
“I haven’t taught you, how would you know?”
The man knelt with a thud, “Please enlighten your Little Prince, I will keep my mouth shut.”
Yang Kang let out a low laugh, struck him with his palms, and with a thud, shattered his skull, killing him.
The remaining men were terrified and fled in all directions, but Yang Kang killed them all one by one.
Amidst the lingering scent of blood, Yang Kang looked at the corpses on the ground and murmured to himself:
“Only the dead can keep secrets.”
……
Human voices mingled with the urgent sounds of carts and horses.
A great migration began in the early winter.
Wealthy households, driving carts and carrying grain and silver, left Daxing Prefecture under the escort of Fu’an, Changfeng, and other large and small escort agencies, migrating south of the Jin Dynasty.
Genghis Khan commanded the army, and the army and Jin soldiers were locked in fierce battle at the Great Wall. The panic caused by the war spread throughout Zhongdu.
This was all within Zhou Yan’s expectations.
Zhang Wangyue had also anticipated this day, but the Mongol Army’s arrival was slightly faster than expected. In his imagination, it would be at least next year. He hadn’t expected the situation to turn so drastically just a month after Yang Tiexin and his wife left.
After Yang Tiexin met Bao Xiruo, he went to Cuya Mountain with Yang Miaozhen.
Mu Nianci returned to the escort agency.
All the escorts and runners at the Fu’an Escort Agency had been working non-stop during this period, with seventy percent of their escorts concentrated in Kaifeng Prefecture and Luoyang.
Zhou Yan, Wang Kui, Huyan Lei, Shi Baichuan, Mu Nianci, and others were all the same.
The north wind swept across the land, and the white grass was all broken. Dry grass and dust swirled in the cold wind.
A team of over thirty people traveled on the route from Zhuozhou to Zhongdu. The leaders were Zhou Yan, Huyan Lei, and Mu Nianci, with Liang Xiaowu among the accompanying escorts.
Zhou Yan and the other two were handling cargo and personal safety escorts to Luoyang, escorting wealthy households from Zhongdu City to Luoyang.
Huyan Lei was heading to Kaifeng Prefecture.
On the return journey, they encountered each other and were all heading to Zhongdu.
Logically, empty carts should travel fast, but all the escort carts were heavily laden, clearly filled with goods.
It was grain.
The price of grain in Zhongdu increased daily. Duan Huai’an had followed Zhou Yan’s advice, and all escort teams traveling south were to load grain on their return carts to prevent the Mongol Army from besieging the city after breaching the Jin Dynasty’s Great Wall defenses.
As they traveled, Huyan Lei sighed and said to Zhou Yan, “When I left Zhongdu, I advised the Boss to leave the city and take shelter.”
“What did the Boss say?”
Huyan Lei replied, “He said that whether it was the Khitans or the Jin, they came and went, but Fu’an has always been in Zhongdu. Now that the Mongols are coming, how can we abandon Fu’an? It’s just a change of city lord. I don’t know if I’ll live to see the imperial court cross the river to Zhongdu.”
Mu Nianci said, “If the imperial court had been capable, Grandpa Yue and General Han would have already watered their horses north of the river when they resisted the Jin.”
Zhou Yan felt that Mu Nianci had become more outspoken after spending a few days with Yang Miaozhen in Zhongdu.
“That’s right,” Zhou Yan nodded.
“Brother Zhou, you see far ahead. Will there truly be no such day?”
Zhou Yan sighed softly.
“Let’s not talk about such depressing things.” Huyan Lei looked at the Taihang Mountains in the distance and suddenly said, “Escort Mu, let me tell you, the first time we escorted from Jingzhou, we passed through Anyang. Brother Zhou wasn’t there at the time. We camped at midnight, and in the morning, when Wang Head Escort and I were preparing to practice, guess what we saw?”
“What?” Mu Nianci asked curiously.
“A Taihang Sword Cultivator. Sword Light rose from the mountaintop, like a rainbow piercing the sun. At that time, I lamented that Brother Zhou wasn’t with the escort team.”
Zhou Yan took a drink from his water skin and suddenly choked.
Mu Nianci asked, “Why wasn’t the Head Escort there?”
“He parted ways with us in Jingzhou and only caught up near Zhuozhou.”
Mu Nianci, being observant, saw Zhou Yan’s expression and recalled him often going to West Mountain to gain enlightenment and practice in Zhongdu. She smiled and said, “The world is vast, but it’s not easy to encounter a Sword Cultivator by chance. Head Escort Huyan, didn’t you ever consider that Sword Cultivator might be Head Escort Zhou?”
Huyan Lei was stunned and looked at Zhou Yan suspiciously.
Zhou Yan smiled.
Huyan Lei was dumbfounded, “It was really you?”
“Indeed.”
“Then why didn’t Brother Zhou say anything at the time?”
“Old Brother said the Taihang Swordmaster was as agile as a dragon. If I had been there, the other party would have taught me sword techniques like True Person Sun. I was speechless.”
Liang Xiaowu couldn’t help but chuckle at this.
Huyan Lei’s old face turned red, but he was a hearty man after all. He laughed heartily, “Only today do I recognize Brother Zhou, the Taihang Sword God.”
Mu Nianci covered her mouth and giggled, “Taihang Sword God, that’s a powerful title.”
“Exactly, exactly,” said Liang Xiaowu.
Zhou Yan laughed, “You take me for Qiu Qianzhang.”
Huyan Lei and Mu Nianci burst into laughter again.
As dusk approached, a sudden clamor arose ahead, with shouts and the neighing of horses.
Zhou Yan said to Huyan Lei, “There’s trouble.”
Liang Xiaowu turned and signaled to the escort team’s runners.
More than ten escort carts stopped abruptly, and the runners drew their sabers and nocked arrows.
“I’ll go take a look,” Zhou Yan said.
“Let’s go together.” Huyan Lei spurred his horse to follow, and Mu Nianci also joined them.
The three on their horses rode forward for half a mile and saw over a hundred Jin soldiers, like jackals, attacking and plundering a group of people escorted by Martial Arts Instructors.
