Chapter 154: Yang Kang Sighs, Qigong Reappears
The sunset spread across the horizon, and within Zhou Yan’s sight, a Jin soldier’s steel knife sliced into the side of a man’s neck, the burst of blood staining the afterglow.
A martial artist swung a long staff, shattering a Jin soldier’s knee. The fierce Jin soldier fell to the ground, his steel knife sweeping horizontally, severing the opponent’s lower leg.
The martial artist cried out in agony and fell to the ground, the Jin soldier’s steel knife then cutting into his neck.
The bloody scene made Mu Nianci’s hair stand on end.
The martial artist’s martial arts were clearly superior to the Jin soldiers’, yet he was killed in return.
This was the biggest difference between ordinary Jianghu figures and soldiers who survived the battlefield; the former’s martial arts emphasized illusion and reality, and when outmatched, their best strategy was to dodge and flee.
Soldiers who survived the battlefield, however, often knew how to fight to the death, thinking that if they couldn’t kill you, they would at least take you with them.
The three of them were still dozens of zhang away from the chaotic and bloody scene, and Huyan Lei said, “I’ve never seen Jin soldiers looting on such a large scale and so brazenly near Zhongdu. Could it be that the Mongolian army has attacked, and these are their defeated troops?”
“Something like that.”
“Damn it.” Huyan Lei reined in his horse, and the Wuzhui Horse shot forward.
Zhou Yan reached back for his Ox Horn Giant Bow and said to Mu Nianci, “Fire the signal flare, tell Xiaowu and the others to come over. Capture one alive, and leave none of the rest.”
“Okay!”
Mu Nianci took a flame tube from the cloth bag slung over her shoulder. The moment she lit the fuse with a flint, she heard a “bang” sound by her ear. An arrow pushed through the air, emitting a sharp whistle as it plunged into the distance.
In a flash, Zhou Yan drew his great bow again to an astonishing arc, and the second arrow split the air, flying far away.
A Jin soldier grinned and swung his knife at a woman holding a child. In the woman’s desperate eyes, there was a “bang,” and the Jin soldier standing close by had his face explode. The arrow, carrying blood, flew out and embedded itself in another Jin soldier’s neck.
In an instant, the woman saw several Jin soldiers to her left and right fall backward one after another.
Just as she realized someone was rescuing her, fireworks bloomed in the sky.
Zhou Yan’s Ox Horn Giant Bow made a rhythmic “bang bang” sound. His arrows were like meteors, never missing their mark. The fifteen long arrows in his quiver killed an equal number of Jin soldiers.
He slung his bow over his back, drew his Fine Iron Great Spear, and the “Night-Shining Jade Lion” charged towards the Jin soldiers like a bolt of lightning across the dusk.
Horse hooves galloped closer. The Jin officer swung his werewolf club, carrying a sharp whistle, and smashed it towards the spear Zhou Yan thrust forward.
With a “clang,” the werewolf club was sent flying high. In the instant the two warhorses crossed paths, the Jin officer was impaled by the spear and sent flying.
In the dim dusk, the corpse acted as a human shield, crashing with a “boom” into the Jin soldier behind it. Man and horse fell to the ground like a wall.
Zhou Yan flipped his wrist, his spear tip like a drill, shredding the chest of the Jin soldier who had served as a human shield. He pulled out his spear, and as the “Night-Shining Jade Lion” galloped, the spear edge sliced through an infantryman’s body, his blood erupting like fireworks.
Zhou Yan was like a fierce tiger, unstoppable. Following the trajectory of his galloping horse, an astonishing bloodline stretched out. Seeing strong reinforcements arrive, the martial artists freed themselves up to gather the old, young, women, and children among several horse carriages. They then joined the fray with their sabers.
Mu Nianci and Liang Xiaowu, leading over twenty people, arrived at this moment and pursued them.
The Jin soldiers, having already lost a third of their numbers, saw the situation was unfavorable and began to flee.
…
An atmosphere of blood and killing permeated the air. The “Night-Shining Jade Lion” caught up to the last fleeing Jin soldier. Hearing the approaching horse hooves, the man turned and shouted “Ah!” as he swung his saber.
Zhou Yan’s great spear descended with thunderous momentum.
With a “bang,” the helmet shattered and flew off within his sight.
The corpse, with its head split open, fell to the ground like a wooden post.
“Hoo,” Zhou Yan exhaled heavily.
He had fought countless battles on and off horseback, but this time, there was a sense of catharsis, and he struck with full force.
Wonderful!
He turned his horse and galloped towards the convoy.
As the distance closed, Mu Nianci rode up. “Escort Liang captured one alive. After interrogation, we learned these Jin soldiers were remnants defeated from the direction of the Great Wall, and they’ve been burning and killing along the way.”
“What about the convoy?”
“We asked them too. They are wealthy households withdrawing from Zhongdu. They said the city might be sealed off in the next few days.”
“We’ll make it in time. Let’s go.”
The two rode to the convoy of wealthy households. The martial artists were already clearing the corpses.
A wealthy man approached, holding a brocade box, and knelt down with a thud, saying, “Thank you, heroes, for saving my life. I have no words to express my gratitude, only to offer gold and silver. I hope the heroes will accept.”
The wealthy man’s eyesight was poor and he didn’t recognize the escort uniforms of Liang Xiaowu and the others, but the martial artist behind the wealthy man was sharp-eyed, though he pretended not to notice.
“Where are you going, old man?” Zhou Yan asked.
“To Luoyang to visit relatives.”
“The road ahead is safe. Depart quickly.”
As Zhou Yan finished speaking, he turned his horse and headed straight for his own escort cart.
Mu Nianci, Huyan Lei, Liang Xiaowu, and others followed closely as they withdrew.
“What good people.” The wealthy man, having just escaped death, wept profusely.
Zhou Yan and the others arrived at the escort team. The runners guarding the escort carts put away their sabers and arrows, and the team sped up, heading directly for Daxing Prefecture.
…
Zhao Wang Manor in Zhongdu.
The clamor from within the city drifted from afar as Yang Kang looked at the night sky where faint starlight was falling.
Time waits for no one.
His mother had been sent away, and Qiu Chuji and Guo Jing and the others had been stabilized. This was the best outcome he hadn’t even anticipated. He was ready to make his move, but alas, the Jin Dynasty was in decline, its military strength insufficient, affecting his entire plan.
Yang Kang withdrew his gaze and walked towards the brightly lit great hall.
As he entered the hall, he saw Wanyan Honglie standing with his hands behind his back, by the carved window.
“Father.”
“Kang’er has arrived.”
“Mm.”
“Father, have we lost?”
“Nonsense. As long as Zhongdu can hold, we will have plenty of time to reorganize our troops. We can also ally with Khwarazm, and we can destroy Song. My son, you are intelligent and wise, unmatched by anyone. When I gain full power, with your assistance, we will surely turn defeat into victory. At that time, Kang’er, your prosperity will be boundless.”
Yang Kang’s heart warmed, and he said, “Father, your son will assist you with all his might.”
“Good son, go back and pack your things. You will leave the capital with me.”
“Alright. Your son bids farewell.”
Yang Kang walked out of the great hall, passing through corridors and buildings, heading towards Baoxiang’s study.
…
Time shifted, and the dawn light was faint.
The runners at the entrance of Fu’an Escort Agency shouted joyfully, “Escort Zhou, Escort Huyan, and Escort Mu are back.”
Zhou Yan and the others had actually arrived in the Zhongdu area at midnight. After resting for two hours, they entered the city as daylight broke.
Additional runners had been posted outside Fu’an Escort Agency. They dismounted, and the runners led the horses to the stable.
He, Huyan Lei, and Mu Nianci entered the escort agency and saw Zhang Wangyue walking towards them.
“You’re back?”
“Yes, Chief Escort. What’s the situation?” Huyan Lei asked.
“Let’s talk in the meeting hall.”
The group passed through corridors and buildings, arriving in the hall.
After the runners served tea, they left.
As Zhou Yan drank his tea, Zhang Wangyue said, “The escort agency has stopped taking escorts. The city should be sealed off in the next few days. I don’t know if Escort Wang and Escort Shi can make it back.”
“It’s good that it’s stopped.” Zhou Yan changed the subject, “What about Changfeng?”
“They’ve also stopped escorting, just like us. I went to scout a few nights ago and overheard some on-duty escorts chatting. Changfeng is planning to set up a branch office in Kaifeng Prefecture, and Helian Chuncheng should be going there.”
“What about Zhongdu?” Huyan Lei asked.
“It’s still operating.”
Zhou Yan mused, “Changfeng has climbed onto Zhao Wang Manor. If that’s the case, Wanyan Honglie will also leave Zhongdu for Kaifeng Prefecture.”
“That should be the case.”
“Brother Zhou, how should we deal with Helian Chuncheng and Ni Mo Xing?” Huyan Lei asked.
“We’ll go to Zhao Wang Manor tonight to scout first.”
“That’s fine. Be careful,” Zhang Wangyue cautioned.
“Will do.”
Time was pressing, so there was no unnecessary small talk. Zhou Yan, accompanied by Mu Nianci and Shagu, left the escort agency to pack some belongings at a courtyard in the western suburbs. From now on, the two would stay at the escort agency.
After noon, Zhou Yan ate lunch at the escort agency and headed straight for his own courtyard.
He walked through streets and alleys, arriving and then climbing over the wall to enter.
He rarely locked the door from the outside when he went out on escort duty, to avoid being robbed.
“Kid, you’re here.”
As Zhou Yan’s feet landed, a familiar voice came.
He chuckled; it was Hong Qigong.
The Beggars’ Sect Gang Leader was sitting under an old tree in the courtyard, drinking.
“Why have you come, Elder?” Zhou Yan asked joyfully.
“Zhongdu is facing disaster. This old beggar has come to check on the little beggars in the city.”
