Chapter 173: The Pledge
The sunrise, like splashed golden ink, fell upon the golden tent. Sunlight streamed in through the circular skylight, forming a pillar of light and floating dust.
The Great Khan was on this side of the light, and Guo Jing was on the other.
The question, “How about it?” seemed like an inquiry, but the decision had already been made.
Offered a city’s daughters and silks, Guo Jing instinctively wanted to refuse.
However, when he looked at the Great Khan, all his words caught in his throat.
The Great Khan appeared benevolent, but the aura of slaughter from his life of warfare was equally evident. Guo Jing felt that if the Great Khan’s expression shifted even slightly, his face would immediately become rugged, his muscles sharply defined, and the beard on his lips and chin would rise like swords, slashing at anyone who dared to disobey.
Guo Jing’s body trembled slightly. He endured the pressure of the Great Khan’s imposing presence, thinking, “If I refuse, the people of Zhongdu will not be safe. In the future, when the Great Khan leads his army, how many cities will fall into his hands? If he were to massacre them again, how could they be protected? Of all the millions of parents in this world, are there any who did not raise their children with hardship, like a mother or Uncle Yang? Taoist Priest Qiu said, ‘The greatest hero serves the country and the people.’ How can I be worthy of being a great hero of the country? But now, if there is an opportunity to protect the people, how can I miss it? However, this Prince of Song cannot be accepted.”
Thinking this, Guo Jing bowed and said, “The Great Khan has been as steadfast as a mountain to my mother and me. Wanyan Honglie also has the enmity of killing my father. I will certainly dedicate myself to taking that scoundrel’s head, but I absolutely cannot accept the Prince of Song.”
The Great Khan laughed heartily, very pleased. He knew Guo Jing’s character like the back of his hand. To bestow the title of Prince of Song upon Guo Jing was a long-term consideration, not an immediate one. He was not angry but delighted by Guo Jing’s refusal.
“Because of your bravery, and also because of Hua Zheng, I will grant your request. All the women of Zhongdu City will be bestowed upon you, to have as you please. You will be appointed Commander of Ten Thousand.”
In the world of Legend of the Condor Heroes, Genghis Khan quelled rebellions on the grasslands, and Guo Jing achieved great merit, being appointed Commander of a Thousand. He was then just a boy of over ten years old. Now, about to reach the age of twenty, he became Commander of Ten Thousand for conquering Zhongdu. He was once again listed among those like Muqali, Borchul, Borokhula, Chilaun, Zhebie, Zelemi, and Subutai, who had been granted titles for their distinguished military achievements in countless campaigns over the years.
Instantly, personal guards of the Great Khan entered the city to convey military orders. The news of Guo Jing’s reward and enfeoffment also spread. The Mongol soldiers were fierce and martial, admiring heroes. They all knew Guo Jing was the first to ascend the long-unconquered city tower of Zhongdu and open the city gates. Those Mongol officers who had seen Guo Jing rescue the Great Khan on the grasslands and then charge the city tower at the west gate of Zhongdu erupted in cheers.
Zhebie, Hua Zheng, and Tolay were all in the city. Upon hearing the news, they came to offer congratulations. However, Guo Jing took this opportunity to bid farewell to the Great Khan and entered the city to go to the Fu’an Escort Agency.
The sunrise hung amidst rolling clouds. The sound of horse hooves occasionally cut through the long street. Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue stood on the rooftop, watching Mongol officers gallop out of the city one by one.
The Mongol soldiers who had been driving the city residents away had already retreated. Zhang Wangyue said, “It seems the Guo brothers have persuaded the Great Khan.”
“It should be so,” replied Zhou Yan, relieved.
“Let’s go down and talk.”
The two descended into the courtyard and walked side by side. Zhou Yan asked, “Chief Escort, what do you think of the Mongol army’s might?”
“The Jin Dynasty is bound to fall. However, if Wanyan Honglie ascends the throne, he will at least allow the Jin Dynasty to linger longer than the former Jin Emperor. If the Great Khan leads his army southward after destroying the Jin, the Great Song will not be safe.”
Zhou Yan praised him, saying he was indeed worthy of being Zhang Xian’s successor in the Yue Family Army, seeing through things clearly. “When will the West Lake songs and dances cease? They treat Lin’an as Bianjing. But if Lin’an Prefecture had pillars of talent like General Zong Ze, General Han, and General Yue from back then, and the court produced a wise ruler, utilizing the Jin’s obstruction of the Mongol army to drill troops and feed horses?”
“There would certainly be a possibility of regaining the lost territories. It is a pity that we, the Great Khan, and even Wanyan Honglie are clear-headed, while the court in Lin’an is lost in its own intoxication,” Zhang Wangyue sighed.
The two walked through the courtyard. As they were about to reach the meeting hall, Liang Xiaowu, with Guo Jing, walked over from the corridor.
“Chief Escort, Head Escort Zhou, Young Hero Guo has arrived.”
Liang Xiaowu did not know Guo Jing’s specific identity, and the Golden Saber Consort appeared as someone from the Jianghu, hence he referred to him as Young Hero.
The two stepped forward. Liang Xiaowu took his leave. Zhou Yan said, “I just saw the Mongol soldiers driving the citizens out of the city retreat. It must be that Brother Guo persuaded the Great Khan?”
Guo Jing replied, “The Great Khan saw that I was the first to attack Zhongdu and appointed me Commander of Ten Thousand, bestowing upon me the citizens of the city. This is how the people were saved.”
Zhang Wangyue was astonished, thinking that Guo Jing truly had a noble status.
Zhou Yan sighed. Guo Jing had indeed been rewarded by the Great Khan as he had guessed. According to this trajectory, Guo Jing, Yang Kang, and Wanyan Honglie facing each other on the battlefield and in the Jianghu had become a foregone conclusion.
“Brother Guo’s kindness and righteousness are a good thing for the citizens of this city.”
“Hearing Brother Zhou say that makes me feel much more at ease. At the time, I was also thinking of what Taoist Priest Qiu had said, ‘The greatest hero serves the country and the people.’ I wondered if I was worthy of being a great hero, but if I could save the city’s people, then becoming Commander of Ten Thousand was acceptable.”
“Brother Guo’s righteousness is admirable,” said Zhang Wangyue.
“Chief Escort, you jest,” Guo Jing cupped his hands. “I have come this time to inform you of this matter. I have other important affairs to attend to. After the city’s order is fully restored, I will visit the escort agency again.”
“Certainly,” the two returned the gesture. Guo Jing then hurried away.
After noon, some strong young men in the city were organized to clear the corpses. Afterward, Mongol soldiers conducted routine checks to prevent Jin spies.
Zhang Wangyue, Duan Huai’an, Huyan Lei, and others could not linger at the escort agency and returned to their respective residences. These checks were indeed effective, with at least over a thousand Jin people being discovered and taken to the city walls to be beheaded. For a time, heads rolled.
The citizens, unaware they had narrowly escaped death, clapped their hands in approval.
The sunset disappeared behind the West Mountain. Zhou Yan prepared a simple dinner. Just as he was about to eat, a sound landed in the courtyard.
“Kid, a beggar has come for a meal,” Hong Qigong landed.
“There is wine and meat, Senior. You have come at the perfect time,” Zhou Yan smiled and welcomed him. In a moment, he had cooked several meat dishes. While they drank and ate, Zhou Yan asked, “Senior, have you been in Zhongdu during this time?”
“Mm,” Hong Qigong drank his wine bowl in one gulp and said, “The Great Beggar and the Little Beggar are safe. If it weren’t for the fact that I haven’t explained the usage of the Subduing Dragon Eighteen Palms, I would have left long ago.”
Hearing Hong Qigong say this, Zhou Yan knew that the Beggars’ Sect had been unharmed during the Mongol army’s siege of Zhongdu.
“Senior, you have also come at the right time. I was just thinking if I could meet any Beggars’ Sect disciples looking for you these past few days.”
“Why?”
“The appointment at Zhongnan Mountain has been postponed by half a year.”
“You went to Zhongnan Mountain?” Hong Qigong asked in surprise.
“When we were in Datong Prefecture, Miss Li and Ouyang Ke had a confrontation. The other party brought people to Zhongnan Mountain. I unintentionally learned of this and left the city before the Mongol siege to go there.”
“Did you resolve the trouble?”
“I joined forces with Miss Li and her Master to repel the enemy.”
Hong Qigong naturally would not ask about Li Mochou’s sect. He nodded, “That is good. This old beggar can happen to make a trip to Yueyang.”
Zhou Yan remembered the Beggars’ Sect Conference.
However, in the current world, Yang Kang would not appear holding the Dog Beating Stick, impersonating the Gang Leader, and Hong Qigong would not be injured by Ouyang Feng’s scheme. The Beggars’ Sect Conference was not something to worry about.
As he thought this, Hong Qigong said, “This morning, the Mongol soldiers were driving the citizens out of the city. Brother Yao said the Mongols intended to massacre them, but later gave up. Do you know why?”
So Huang Yaoshi was still in the city. Huang Rong had not mentioned him, and Zhou Yan did not know if they, father and daughter, had met. Zhou Yan said, “It was the disciples of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan who strongly advised the Great Khan, thus averting the disaster of death.”
“Ke Zhen’e and the others can indeed be called heroes who punish evil and promote good. However, how could his disciples persuade the Great Khan?”
Zhou Yan spoke concisely, mentioning the past kindness between the Guo and Yang families, Guo Jing’s upbringing in the desert, and events like the assassination attempt on Wanyan Honglie during the Lantern Festival. He used the words of Qiu Chuji and Yang Tiexin as a thread to connect the events, stopping at the appropriate point.
Hong Qigong sighed upon hearing this, saying that the Jiangnan heroes had successors. He also joked that Huang Yaoshi had been preparing to kill the Mongol general who was about to carry out the massacre.
Zhou Yan was astonished.
If Huang Yaoshi had acted, then Tolay or Zhebie would certainly not have survived. One was Guo Jing’s brother, and the other was his archery master. If Guo Jing had not saved the people of Zhongdu, and the Eastern Heretic had acted, killing either Tolay or Zhebie would have led to Guo Jing becoming enemies with Peach Blossom Island.
A false alarm. Zhou Yan quickly regained his composure and accompanied Hong Qigong for dinner. The Nine-Fingered Beggar, full and satisfied, explained the usage of the Subduing Dragon Eighteen Palms.
Since Zhou Yan began practicing the “Bone Forging Chapter of the I Ching,” his cultivation had increased by over twenty percent. He often had new insights into the use of force. Combining this with Hong Qigong’s principles of force, he gained a great deal.
The moon, with a bite missing, crossed the zenith. Hong Qigong departed freely.
Zhou Yan integrated and comprehended the teachings, practiced for a long time, and then took a bath and went to rest.
…
Time flew by like a white steed.
It had been a month since the Mongols occupied Zhongdu.
The winter snow on the West Mountain had quietly melted, and new grass was green.
The “Night-Shining Jade Lion” grazed in the woods. Beneath an ancient pine, Zhou Yan moved his body with his footwork. His Qingfeng Sword, starting with the most basic stances of Quanzhen Swordplay—thrust, parry, cloud, sweep—gradually became swift. From a distance, it appeared like thousands of intertwined snake lightning bolts being cast, with green light rippling and sword qi permeating the air.
Suddenly, Zhou Yan thrust his sword towards a pine branch in front of him. The clear sword light touched the pine branch, and the thumb-thick branch began to sway with the tremor of his hand.
With a “crack,” the branch broke and fell.
“Hahaha!”
Zhou Yan laughed three times and thrust his sword again. The light shimmered and disappeared into the inch-long pine needles.
The sword light receded. He stepped forward to examine the pine needles; several were on the verge of breaking.
His expression was joyful.
The pine needles were not broken. This meant his use of force with the sword had reached a state of perfect control. Zhou Yan had perfectly integrated the “Acupoint Secret” from the Nine Yin Manual into the Quanzhen Swordplay. With a single sword strike, he could point at acupoints as if it were an extension of his arm.
He had also applied the “Coiling Force” and “Twisting Force” learned from the Subduing Dragon Eighteen Palms to the Quanzhen Swordplay, which resulted in the scene where the sword did not cut the pine branch, but the branch broke on its own.
The stances of the Quanzhen Swordplay taught by Sun Buer and Wang Chuyi remained unchanged, but in Zhou Yan’s hands, they had become even more varied and powerful.
Even if Wang Chongyang were reborn, he would praise it.
In the past month, Zhou Yan had gone to the West Mountain to practice every few days. His integration of martial arts this time was no less significant than his enlightenment of the sword at Taihang.
The sun rose over the West Mountain, bathing the land in spring light. Zhou Yan rode a white horse into Zhongdu.
…
“Head Escort, we have merchants arriving.”
A runner passed through the courtyard and quickly went to the meeting hall.
Wang Kui and Shi Baichuan had already returned to the escort agency after entering the city. Everyone was drinking morning tea in the meeting hall.
From the time the Mongol army besieged Zhongdu until now, the escort agency’s business had been suspended for over two months. Now, hearing that merchants had arrived, everyone in the hall was excited.
“What kind of escort?” Wang Kui asked urgently.
“A personal safety escort to Yueyang.”
Huyan Lei chuckled and said, “The first escort after last year’s Lantern Festival was also a personal safety escort, and it’s still the same now. I think this escort is for Brother Zhou.”
Zhang Wangyue asked, “How many people?”
The runner replied, “Three people. The merchants said they would pick up two more people in Luoyang.”
Zhang Wangyue said, “Two carriages will be enough. We won’t go via the Huai River. We’ll go through Luoyang and Kaifeng Prefecture, which is a good opportunity to visit the Zhenwei Escort Agency. We’ll discuss it when Brother Zhou returns.”
Huyan Lei laughed and said, “I told you it was for Brother Zhou.”
