Chapter 185: Young Huo Du, Disaster Descends from the Heavens
A wine cup should be filled to the brim; Jianghu heroes, come and taste.
The wine was Hundred Herbs Wine brewed by the Hundred Herbs Immortal.
The dishes included “Three Phases Bamboo Rat,” “Dragon-Tiger-Phoenix,” “Smoked Frog Legs,” and “Steamed Tofu,” all prepared by Huang Rong.
Liang Xiaowu and three runners also had their share, and none of them missed out on the Hundred Herbs Wine.
For the young escorts of Fu’an, this was another opportunity brought about by Zhou Yan.
After Zhou Yan left Fu’an, in due time, that person would become the escort agency’s most outstanding escort. In a sense, Zhou Yan considered him his successor and trained him.
Duan Huai’an had treated Zhou Yan exceptionally well, and he repaid him with exquisite wine.
The Hundred Herbs Immortal’s hospitality was overwhelming, with one cup after another. As the medicinal effects took hold, Zhou Yan felt a surge of warmth in his lower abdomen, like holding a brazier in the dead of winter.
After this bout of drinking, circulating Qi and Blood for cultivation would generate internal force, requiring at least several months of effort.
The Hundred Herbs Immortal was still pondering Mei Chaofeng’s poisoning by a toad and her ability to suppress the toxin. He asked again during the meal, “Regarding Miss Mei’s poisoning, please enlighten me, young friend.”
Zhou Yan replied, “I once ate a medicinal snake and inadvertently discovered that I could counteract snakes. The situation was critical at the time, so I resorted to this method, drawing blood to feed others.”
The Hundred Herbs Immortal suddenly understood. He inquired about the ingredients of the medicinal formula used to feed the snake. Zhou Yan truthfully explained, and Huang Rong, with her sharp wit, realized that the Big Treasure Snake mentioned by the medicine boy was actually eaten by the head escort.
Interesting.
The Hundred Herbs Immortal pondered for a moment and then smiled at Zhou Yan, saying, “All medicine has a three-part toxicity. Both the medicinal snake and my Hundred Herbs Wine adhere to the principle of integrating poison and medicine. This Hundred Herbs Wine initially nourishes the blood and Qi, providing continuous benefits and increasing cultivation, but its effect diminishes over time.”
Zhou Yan understood this principle. Eating snake gallbladders in the suburbs of Xiangyang was similar; initially, even ordinary snake gallbladders could increase strength, but later only purple snake gallbladders were effective. And their efficacy was also gradually weakening.
“Medicines counteract each other, which is why you, young friend, can resist toxins, especially snake venom, after eating medicinal snakes. After you finish these several jars of Hundred Herbs Wine today, your resistance to toxins will be even more effective. Except for extremely rare poisons in the world, any other poison can be ignored.”
Zhou Yan had long known that his physique was resistant to snake venom, but the world’s poisons were innumerable. He was unsure if it would be effective against other types of toxins. The Hundred Herbs Immortal’s words put his mind at ease.
Huang Rong teased, “I’ll have a few more cups then.”
“We must drink three hundred cups.”
Huang Rong smiled charmingly. While she said this, she was actually drinking with great restraint.
Zhou Yan kindly said, “None of the Five Venoms Sect members who came to Hundred Herbs Valley survived. You have some time, but Immortal, you should make further plans.”
Huang Rong clapped her hands, “I have nothing to do in the valley. I can set up a formation designed by my father. It will disorient any enemies from the Five Venoms Sect, preventing them from entering the valley. And if they are numerous and destructive, it will give us ample time to escape calmly.”
The Hundred Herbs Immortal chuckled. He didn’t know that Huang Rong’s father was the Eastern Heretic, so he didn’t fully believe her words. However, he accepted her good intentions wholeheartedly, and Huang Rong’s intelligence and quick wit greatly pleased him.
“Thank you, young friend Huang.”
“Immortal, please don’t be so polite.”
When drinking with a kindred spirit, a thousand cups feel like few. During this drinking session, Zhou Yan and Huang Rong shared some interesting Jianghu anecdotes and also mentioned the Mongol army besieging Zhongdu and the Jin Dynasty losing Daxing Prefecture and relocating its capital.
The Hundred Herbs Immortal was completely unaware of these events. He also mentioned that he had come to this place since Yue Fei was unjustly accused. Zhou Yan clicked his tongue, thinking that the Hundred Herbs Immortal was almost as ancient as the Free and Easy Three from the world of Tianlong Babu.
Upon hearing that the Mongol army had intended to massacre Zhongdu, the Hundred Herbs Immortal cursed loudly, calling the Lin’an Court incompetent and lamenting the suffering of the common people, saying that after the jackals came the tigers and leopards.
Zhou Yan sighed, “When a dynasty prospers, the people suffer; when it falls, the people suffer.”
Huang Rong squinted at Zhou Yan, thinking that one could not judge this escort’s habits by ordinary standards.
The aroma of wine on the stone table was blown away by the wind; the cups were empty, and clear dew formed among the flowers.
After a hearty session, it was midnight, and the three returned to their respective bamboo huts.
Zhou Yan circulated his energy, moving Qi and Blood, converting the medicinal effects into internal force.
This added several months of diligent cultivation.
…
In the spring month of April, they were escorted to the outer suburbs.
The Hundred Herbs Immortal took two jars of Hundred Herbs Wine from a boy and handed them to Zhou Yan.
“This wine is for your enjoyment on the road.”
“Thank you, Immortal. If you have time, please visit Zhongdu.”
“I will. Young friend, when you escort to Western Hunan, please stop by Hundred Herbs Valley for a few days.”
“Certainly.”
After their conversation last night, the Hundred Herbs Immortal learned that Zhou Yan was an escort.
The two made an appointment in the Jianghu.
“Take care on your journey,” Huang Rong said with a smile.
“Thank you. I’m leaving.”
Zhou Yan hung the Hundred Herbs Wine on the “Night-Shining Jade Lion,” mounted his horse, and with the runners accompanying the cart, the group departed.
Huang Rong waited for a while. Seeing that Zhou Yan didn’t wave goodbye as he left, she pouted and turned to say, “Young people don’t know the taste of sorrow.” She smiled at the Hundred Herbs Immortal and said, “Immortal, now that you have free time, you should teach me about medicine and acupuncture.”
“I will teach you everything I know.”
The Hundred Herbs Immortal laughed heartily.
…
Zhou Yan and his group rode swiftly out of the valley. Liang Xiaowu said, “Immortal’s Hundred Herbs Wine is truly magical. Last night, I felt my body heat up, and my blood boil.”
“And then?”
A rider said, “Escort Liang said the Hundred Herbs Wine is as effective as a medicinal bath. We went to a secluded spot in the valley to temper our muscles and bones.”
“Indeed,” Zhou Yan praised, taking a jar of Hundred Herbs Wine and tossing it to Liang Xiaowu.
“This is for you all.”
“Head escort, how can we accept this?”
“This wine’s medicinal properties have limited effect on my cultivation now, but it’s different for you. It can increase your cultivation by at least half a year.”
Liang Xiaowu knew Zhou Yan’s word was final and said, “Xiaowu will repay the head escort with his life.”
“We will too.”
Zhou Yan smiled, “Just bring glory to Fu’an.”
Unaware of Zhou Yan’s intention to leave, Liang Xiaowu and the others nodded solemnly.
It had been mostly drizzling on their way in, but on their way out, the weather was clear and sunny. They quickened their pace and arrived at the Yuan River wharf a day later. Liang Xiaowu returned the hired horse carriage.
Zhou Yan remembered that the Beggars’ Sect’s Junshan Assembly in the Legend of the Condor Heroes world seemed to be in the latter half of the year, so there was no need to detour to Yueyang. After crossing the Yuan River, they galloped northeast, heading straight for the Yangtze River in Jingzhou.
Along the way, he thought that after resigning from his position as head escort, he would travel south to drink horse water across the Yangtze River when he had free time. Starting from Hengyang, he would thoroughly tour Western Hunan.
…
Zhongdu, Songhe Tower.
Baoxiang committed murder against the Jin Emperor, and Songhe Tower was almost reduced to ruins.
Now it was completely renovated, with white walls, blue tiles, and soaring overhanging eaves. Lanterns hung high, and the signboard was grand.
Songhe Tower was already the top restaurant in Zhongdu. After this incident, its fame soared. Jianghu heroes occupied private rooms, drinking and listening to storytellers recount the sensational assassination that had occurred inside and outside the tower, which was quite exhilarating.
Outside the tower, carriages and horses bustled; inside, cups clinked and laughter echoed.
Such a clamor arose from the private room.
“Congratulations, Boss Duan, on your prosperous business.”
“I think it’s more than just prosperous business; one day, it will be known throughout the Jianghu.”
“You flatter me.”
There were five or six people in the private room. The person in the center was Duan Huai’an, the boss of Fu’an.
With Zhongdu stabilized, the Zhongdu branch of Changfeng Escort Agency in Datong Prefecture was uprooted by Zhou Yan and Huyan Lei.
The incident occurred on the night the city fell. Zhongdu had many merchants and wealthy families who were looted. Changfeng could not hold Fu’an responsible for this. Helian Chuncheng defected to Yang Kang, wanting to make a grand display, and had no interest in the escort agency business. Helian Zhantai was observing, not in a hurry to reopen a branch in Zhongdu, which was under Mongol control.
Guo Jing and Mu Nianci returned from Caizhou. They had also visited Fu’an during that time. He was now a Commander of Ten Thousand, and his every word and action attracted attention. Many Mongol nobles and stationed military officers in Zhongdu knew some news.
Therefore, while the merchants of Zhongdu were adapting to being robbed and fed for free, no one harassed Fu’an, which naturally led to their business becoming even more prosperous.
Duan Huai’an thanked the shopkeepers of the cart shops, horse markets, and trading companies who cooperated with the escort agency and hosted a banquet at Songhe Tower.
As the wine flowed freely, the bosses and shopkeepers emerged from the private room and headed towards the stairs.
“Brother, please!” said the shopkeeper of the Western Suburbs Horse Market, who had received the “Night-Shining Jade Lion.”
“No need for politeness, Shopkeeper Wang, you first.”
The shopkeeper of the Cart Shop laughed, “We all follow Boss Duan’s lead, so please don’t be so formal.”
Merchants, unlike Jianghu people, were not unrestrained. They valued proper conduct and were attentive to minor details that ordinary people might overlook. Everyone insisted that Duan Huai’an go first.
As they politely deferred to each other, another noble young master emerged from a private room, accompanied by two attendants.
The tiger-backed and bear-waisted attendant strode forward, pushing with a harsh voice, “Make way, make way.”
The shopkeeper of the horse market was displeased, “You fellow are so rude and uncouth.”
The man looked back at the young master. Seeing that the latter sneered without speaking, he turned back and pushed the man, saying, “Get out.”
Duan Huai’an, with his martial stance, used a move called “Wild Horse Parts Its Mane” to try and deflect the push. He said, “Let’s talk nicely. This young master can go first.”
The big man sneered, “Good guts, still resisting.”
He saw the man’s elbow sink and rise, his palm slipping under Duan Huai’an’s arm and striking his chest.
“Bang.”
Duan Huai’an flew backward, hitting the handrail of the stairs heavily before being bounced off and rolling down to the first floor.
“Brother Duan.”
“You brute.”
Some shopkeepers rushed to the first floor, and some lunged at the man. With several “bangs,” the shopkeepers who rushed forward were all struck to the ground.
“Little Prince, please.”
The young master, addressed as the Little Prince, flicked open his folding fan and walked downstairs as if nothing had happened.
The shopkeepers of the horse market and cart shop called for their drivers to help carry the unconscious Duan Huai’an to the escort agency. The shopkeeper of the cart shop said they would find someone to settle the score.
The shopkeeper of Songhe Tower rushed over in a panic.
They were all acquainted. The restaurant shopkeeper said, “That young man is the Mongol Little Prince, Huo Du. How can we fight him? Hurry and take him to the escort agency. Find a doctor to treat him.”
Amidst the noisy commotion, Duan Huai’an was carried into a horse carriage.
…
An ominous aura permeated Fu’an Escort Agency.
Huyan Lei, Wang Kui, and Shi Baichuan were all out on escort missions. Mu Nianci, along with Yang Tiexin, who had returned from Caizhou, and a group of escorts who were not on missions, waited anxiously in the courtyard.
“Creak!”
Yang Tiexin and Mu Nianci felt their hearts leap as the widening door gap loomed.
“Doctor, how is it?” Mu Nianci hurried forward to ask.
The doctor sighed, “He was struck in the chest. The injury itself isn’t severe; the pills from Head Escort Zhang would cure him. However, his head was injured. There’s no telling when he’ll wake up. Perhaps, alas!”
Mu Nianci and Yang Tiexin’s hearts sank.
