Chapter 177: Yang Kang Visits the Mountain, Night Reconnaissance of the Holy Land
Ten li of long pavilion, a final farewell.
Zhou Yan and Huang Rong stayed in Hengshan for three days, drinking Ling wine and discussing swordsmanship, until it was time to part.
Liu Qingzhou escorted them out of Hengshan City. Zhou Yan cupped his fists in a salute, asking him to stop there.
He and Huang Rong and others rode away on horseback.
Zhou Yan’s original intention was to have Liang Xiaowu and the runners rest in Hengyang, while he, Huang Rong, and Mei Chaofeng went to Iron Palm Mountain. However, he learned from Liu Qingzhou that the Iron Palm Sect’s main headquarters was located northwest of Changde and Chenzhou, between Luxi and Chenxi, upstream along the Yuan River. Estimating the distance to be nearly a thousand li, he abandoned his original plan and set off with everyone.
As Zhou Yan and his group gradually disappeared into the mountains and waters of Hengyang, Liu Qingzhou withdrew his gaze and used his agility to head straight for Hengshan. He had gained much insight from his discussion of swordsmanship with Zhou Yan. If internal energy could be externally projected, driven by “coiling force” and “twisting force,” the Hengshan Swordplay would become even more fluid and unpredictable, making it impossible to defend against. After a period of diligent cultivation, he was sure he would surpass the fisherman of Dongting Lake.
…
Suddenly, human voices were heard in the empty mountains. Huang Rong and Zhou Yan rode forward. She asked, “Do you remember the techniques of Liu Qingzhou’s ‘Hengshan Five Gods Sword’?”
“About eighty percent.”
Huang Rong smiled, “I’ll make up the remaining twenty percent for you.”
“Thank you.”
“No need. I’m hiring an escort, and you’ll ensure my safety. Your strength benefits my peace.”
“Makes sense.”
Huang Rong chuckled, “You truly don’t stand on ceremony, much like Father. However, you only have the techniques, not the method of guiding energy and emitting force. How can you unleash the full power of the Hengshan Swordplay? Since I started seeking out Hou Tonghai, I’ve seen all sorts of experts and remembered many techniques, but they are merely superficial. They can scare off common opponents, but they’ll be exposed when facing a true master.”
“In swordsmanship, form is secondary, momentum is primary, and intent resides within momentum. When executed with sword momentum, it can perfect the sword techniques. Just like the Quanzhen Swordplay, where energy flows through the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and Hand Yangming Meridian, and internal force surges through acupoints like ‘Shaoshang’ and ‘Yuji.’ Using this Qi Guiding Method, the Hengshan Swordplay can also be employed, but it would lack the agile essence of the Hengshan Swordplay. However, compared to the Quanzhen Swordplay, it gains more in terms of variation.”
Huang Rong clicked her tongue in admiration, “Integrating and understanding, what a brilliant idea. I’ve remembered the Qi Guiding Method of the Quanzhen Swordplay, so when I see you use swordplay in the future, I’ll know it too.”
“That’s a good thing. Your safety is my safety.”
Huang Rong thought of what she had said to Zhou Yan earlier, her bright eyes twinkling. She said, “As I said, when you and I join forces, we are invincible.”
Zhou Yan chuckled, not taking up Huang Rong’s remark.
Huang Rong smiled playfully, not necessarily needing an answer from Zhou Yan. Since she had successfully gotten Zhou Yan to accompany her to Iron Palm Mountain, there would be a second and third time, and she had plenty of ways.
The group rode their horses forward. Five days later, following the route Liu Qingzhou had provided, they entered the Luxi and Chenxi region. After spending some money to gather information, by noon on the sixth day, they could already see five towering peaks reaching into the clouds from afar.
The Iron Palm Sect’s main headquarters, Iron Palm Mountain, was near.
During the past few days, while the group rested, Zhou Yan practiced the Hengshan Five Gods Sword techniques he remembered one by one, diligently honing his understanding of its sword intent and momentum. He then repeatedly experimented with the Qi Guiding Method of the Quanzhen Swordplay and the “Three Steps Eighteen Spears” from the “Storm of Pear Blossoms Spear,” gradually integrating them. A point-acupoint swordplay based on the Hengshan Five Gods Sword began to take shape in his hands.
Along the way, he also instructed Liang Xiaowu and the others in martial arts. Even the youngest escort from the Fu’an Escort Agency after Zhou Yan gained considerable benefits.
When the group reached the foot of the mountain, Huang Rong looked up at Iron Palm Peak and sighed, “It truly looks no different from the painting. But how can we ascend to the middle peak’s second level so silently?”
Zhou Yan knew that the Wumu’s Military Writings were hidden in the Iron Palm Sect’s Holy Land, and sect disciples were strictly forbidden from entering. It contained the skeletons of past Iron Palm Sect leaders, their weapons, and cherished antiques, making it a treasure trove. In the Legend of the Condor Heroes world, Qiu Qianzhang had once thought of finding some precious swords in the forbidden stone cave, but after being chased by Qiu Qianren, Guo and Huang, who had stumbled there in their haste, ended up falling into a valley, their bodies never found.
Zhou Yan had considered a foolproof plan on the way and had made preparations.
When Huang Rong asked, he replied, “First, let’s find a place to stay. Tonight, Xiao Wu and I will scout the mountain.”
“And Mei Ruohua and I will go too.”
“Alright!”
The group did not ascend Iron Palm Peak. They found a pine forest, settled the horses, and rested there.
Night fell, and tired birds returned to their nests.
The four of them moved towards the Five Peaks along Iron Palm Mountain. Zhou Yan and Liang Xiaowu both carried several coils of rope.
In the Legend of the Condor Heroes world, Guo and Huang escaped with the help of the twin eagles.
Zhou Yan, as an escort, possessed the masterful skills of rope throwing and knot tying.
He had encountered Gongsun Zhi and Qiu Qianchi outside Xiangyang and escaped by descending Snake Valley using ropes. He could also climb and retreat on Iron Palm Peak using ropes.
…
There were stone villages and stone houses in the mountains.
Inside, the lights were bright, and more than ten people were seated.
Among the three in the center were an old man with a white beard, wearing a yellow hemp shirt, waving a large palm-leaf fan in his right hand; a Westerner with a high nose and deep-set eyes; and a handsome noble young master with red lips and white teeth.
Seated in rows on either side were Ouyang Ke, Ni Mo Xing, Yin Kexi, Helian Chuncheng, Monk Lingzhi, and others.
With Ouyang Ke’s appearance, the Westerner in the center was naturally Ouyang Feng.
The identities of the noble young master and the white-bearded old man were obvious.
Yang Kang and the Iron Palm Sect Leader, Qiu Qianren.
When Zhou Yan went south to Yueyang, he met Lu Beihe, the young master of the Zhenwei Escort Agency, outside Kaifeng Prefecture. They had a long talk, and Zhou Yan learned that Yang Kang was recruiting people from the Jianghu.
In fact, Yang Kang had already left Kaifeng Prefecture at that time and was heading straight for the Iron Palm Sect.
The Iron Palm Sect was the foremost sect in Jiangnan. With Qiu Qianren’s assistance, the Jin Dynasty could coordinate with them in their invasion of Song.
With Iron Palm Water Floating and the Western Venom, Yang Kang did not fear the Quanzhen Sect, the Eastern Heretic, or the Northern Beggar.
He had a well-calculated plan.
He had come with generous gifts.
If he were recruiting ordinary sects, how could he have invited Ouyang Feng? But the Iron Palm Sect was renowned in Jiangnan, and Qiu Qianren’s title of “Iron Palm Water Floating” was not much inferior to the Western Venom. It was only then that Ouyang Feng accompanied Yang Kang south.
One was the Jin Dynasty Crown Prince, and the other was the famous Western Venom.
How could Qiu Qianren refuse?
Yang Kang raised his cup and said, “With the assistance of Sect Leader Qiu, Father Emperor’s great undertaking can be achieved. At that time, the area within five hundred li of Iron Palm Mountain will all belong to the Iron Palm Sect.”
Ouyang Feng said in a voice like scraping broken cymbals, “Sect Leader Qiu can also contend for the title of the foremost sect in the Jianghu with the Beggars’ Sect.”
Qiu Qianren was not someone who could let go of fame and fortune. Otherwise, he would not have infiltrated the Dali Kingdom’s Imperial Palace to contend for the title of the foremost sect, striking the infant born to Consort Liu with a palm to deplete the Southern Emperor’s cultivation.
He certainly wanted to contend for the title of the foremost sect.
The taxes from the five hundred li around Iron Palm Peak belonging to the Iron Palm Sect would make them richer than a small, secluded country like Dali.
Qiu Qianren was greatly pleased, but he said, “The Crown Prince is courteous, and you can also spar with Brother Ouyang. How could I not know what’s good for me? After my younger sister is married, I will descend the mountain to Kaifeng Prefecture.”
“Thank you, Sect Leader Qiu.”
“You’re welcome.”
The three raised their cups. Ouyang Ke, Ni Mo Xing, and a group of Hall Masters from the Iron Palm Sect also joined them, clinking glasses and feasting merrily.
Yang Kang was full of ambition. Although Zhongdu City was lost, with the Iron Palm Sect’s assistance, as long as Father Emperor could stop the Mongol Army from advancing south and drill troops and feed horses, in time, he would surely turn the tide.
He was a man of meticulous thought and asked, “Sect Leader Qiu mentioned your younger sister’s marriage. Is it the renowned Iron Palm Lotus, Qiu Qianchi?”
“Indeed.”
“When is the wedding date? I will certainly send a small gift.”
Ouyang Ke smiled, “Why don’t we join the Crown Prince for a wedding banquet?”
“Excellent,” said Yang Kang.
The shimmering light flickered, the gentle fan fluttered like butterfly wings.
Qiu Qianchi left Chazhi Mountain in Caizhou and went to the Iron Palm Sect. The siblings had naturally reconciled, and Qiu Qianchi also spoke of Gongsun Zhi of the Valley of Unfeeling.
In fact, the Valley of Unfeeling and the Iron Palm Sect had not yet had formal contact, let alone reached the stage of marriage discussions. However, Qiu Qianren surmised that Qiu Qianchi had been living in the Valley of Unfeeling for a long time, and this marriage was a natural progression, so he mentioned it casually.
Unexpectedly, Yang Kang, in order to please Qiu Qianren, even offered to attend the banquet to celebrate.
Qiu Qianren also felt it was a good thing and expressed his gratitude repeatedly. The atmosphere in the hall was fervent.
…
The bright moon entered the peak, its light like white silk.
Zhou Yan, Huang Rong, Liang Xiaowu, and Mei Chaofeng silently crept onto Iron Palm Mountain.
From afar, they could see the brightly lit stone village. The four of them circled around.
Mei Chaofeng, with her profound internal energy and excellent hearing, easily avoided several patrols of Iron Palm Sect disciples and proceeded to the valley below the middle peak.
Huang Rong looked up. The valley was steep, shaped as if cut, and the sky was like a strip of gray cloth spread with starlight.
“You want me to climb the cliff?” Huang Rong asked.
“Trees grow horizontally, and ancient pines are twisted together. Climbing is not difficult. In fact, given the Iron Palm Sect’s night defense strength, we could also sneak up from the front. But one must be prepared for the unexpected.”
“Makes sense. Be careful.”
“It’s just a matter of expending some effort. Don’t worry.”
Zhou Yan, carrying an ox horn giant bow on his back and several coils of rope on his shoulder, used the “Golden Goose Skill.” He leaped more than two zhang high, like a flying goose, and landed on the trunk of a pine tree.
Using the rebound force, he leaped another two zhang, stopping on a thick pine branch that grew out of the rock. He repeated this, ascending more than ten zhang. The pine trees gradually thinned out. He used his rope-throwing skill, just like scaling the walls of Zhongdu City. He either used pine trees several zhang apart or utilized protruding rocks, climbing like a monkey on a mountain, completely blending into the night from the perspective of Huang Rong and Liang Xiaowu in the valley below.
Zhou Yan did not climb towards the mountain peak. Based on his memory of the plot in Legend of the Condor Heroes, he knew the stone cave was tens of zhang below the peak.
The journey was perilous but safe.
About thirty zhang from the peak, Zhou Yan threw a rope towards a pine tree protruding from the side of the cliff. Feeling the load, he swung his body several zhang, then descended and landed firmly on his feet.
“Hoo,” Zhou Yan exhaled softly.
Although the journey was safe, it had consumed a considerable amount of energy.
He regulated his breath slightly and tied several coils of rope into tight knots, connecting them.
He tied the end of the rope to a signal arrow, drew his bow, and shot. With a “bang,” amidst a low whistling sound, the long arrow flew more than ten zhang before falling with the rope.
In about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Huang Rong’s figure emerged on the cliff, followed by Liang Xiaowu. Mei Chaofeng, being blind, guarded the valley floor.
“Xiao Wu, you wait here.”
“Got it.”
Liang Xiaowu drew his saber, concealed hidden weapons, and hid in the woods.
Zhou Yan was about to lead Huang Rong in a search, but he saw her observing the stars and then examining the ground.
He was stunned. Feng Shui divination?
