Chapter 187: Returning to Roots, The Last Dart?
Flowing clouds drifted in the sky, and the wind swirled in through the window, gently swaying a corner of the tied gauze curtain. The white gauze looked like a kite, ready to be carried away by the wind at any moment.
Within Zhou Yan’s sight, Duan Huai’an was as thin as a skeleton.
Zhang Wangyue and the Young Master Duan Zhaoxi were both present.
Zhou Yan entered the room. Duan Zhaoxi, who was about the same age as him and usually spent his days horseback riding, hunting, and composing poetry on outings, rarely appearing at the escort bureau, looked at him with red eyes.
“Head Escort Zhou is here?”
“Yes, Young Master, I am well.”
Zhou Yan greeted him and walked to the bedside, squatting down to hold Duan Huai’an, who had opened his eyes.
“You’ve come?”
“Returning to you, Boss, I’m back.”
“Yes, it’s good that you’re back. I’ve been waiting for you all along,” Duan Huai’an said with a weak smile. He then turned to Duan Zhaoxi and said, “Son, I have something to say to the Chief Escort and Head Escort Zhou.”
“Yes,” Duan Zhaoxi replied softly and walked out of the room.
“Head Escort Zhou…”
“I will take the Boss to seek medical treatment immediately. I met an immortal doctor in Yueyang who has the ability to bring the dead back to life.” Zhou Yan looked at the emaciated Duan Huai’an and thought of the Hundred Herbs Immortal in Hundred Herbs Valley.
Duan Huai’an said, “I know my physical condition. Head Escort, listen to me.”
“I’m listening, Boss.”
“Chief Escort, you come here too.”
Zhang Wangyue moved to Zhou Yan’s side and squatted down with him.
“From now on, Zhaoxi will be the Boss of Fu’an.”
Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue nodded, “We understand, Boss.”
“Zhaoxi is not interested in the escort bureau’s affairs, but he is kind. Chief Escort, please be patient.”
“Yes.”
“If Zhaoxi does not strive for progress, Fu’an will be managed by the Chief Escort. As long as my son can live a stable life, that is enough.”
“The Young Master is intelligent. I will do my utmost.”
“Brother Zhang, listen to me. Fu’an’s escorts come from all corners of the world and have settled in Zhongdu. There are hundreds of runners, all loyal and righteous heroes. Now that times are chaotic, they cannot lose their livelihood.”
“Boss, Fu’an will always be here.”
A grateful smile flickered across Duan Huai’an’s face.
“Head Escort Zhou.”
“I am here, Boss.”
“When I went on escorts to Jingzhou and Yueyang, I told you that you would transform into a dragon when you left and soar through the Four Seas upon your return. Brother Zhou is no ordinary person. Merchant Lu in Jingzhou appreciates you; he is a noble person. If you are interested, you can go and join Merchant Lu.”
“Thank you, Boss.”
“There is one more thing I wish to ask.”
“I will do my best.”
“Last year, on the Double Ninth Festival, I, along with the head escorts and escorts, climbed West Mountain and spoke of our ancestors originating from Wuwei.”
“I remember.”
“The Duan family in Zhongdu all return to their roots. I trouble you, Brother Zhou, to undertake an escort mission for me and take me to Wuwei.”
“I will prepare immediately.”
“Thank you, Brother Zhou.”
“Let Zhaoxi come in. I have something to say to him alone.”
“Boss, please wait a moment.”
Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue stood up and left the room. The Fu’an Chief Escort said, “Young Master, the Boss is waiting for you.”
Duan Zhaoxi nodded and quickly entered.
The two walked side by side to the pavilion in the courtyard. Zhou Yan asked, “What exactly happened?”
“The Boss hosted a banquet for the shopkeepers of the cart and horse markets at Songhe Tower. Huo Du happened to be there too. When the banquet ended, the shopkeepers and the Boss were politely descending the stairs, and they were blocked at the entrance. Huo Du’s followers forced their way through, leading to an argument. The Boss only knows some basic martial arts, nothing substantial, and was struck by a palm from Huo Du’s follower, falling down the stairs and hitting his head. Huo Du must have heard about some connection between Fu’an and Brother Guo. He sent his follower to apologize and brought a hundred taels of gold.”
“So that’s what happened.”
“The doctors could not save him. For the past few days, we have been giving the Boss ‘Nine Flowers Jade Dew Pills,’ but the injury to his skull is superficial and does not address the root cause. The Boss cannot hold on for much longer. Please fulfill his last wish.”
“I will have Xiaowu go to the cart shop to hire a carved carriage immediately.”
Zhang Wangyue nodded and patted Zhou Yan’s shoulder, “We’ll discuss other matters when we return.”
“Alright!”
Zhou Yan turned and left. He went to the martial field, where Liang Xiaowu was talking with some escorts. His expression was somber, indicating he had heard about Duan Huai’an’s condition.
“Xiaowu.”
“Head Escort,” Liang Xiaowu stood up and ran over.
“Go to the cart shop and hire three carved carriages.”
Liang Xiaowu said excitedly, “Are we going to Hundred Herbs Valley to see the Boss?”
“Wuwei.”
Liang Xiaowu was stunned for a moment.
“Hurry up.”
“Got it.”
After a few steps, Liang Xiaowu, who had also climbed West Mountain during the Double Ninth Festival, finally understood. He looked up at the flowing clouds in the sky, exhaled heavily, and quickly went to the stable to fetch a horse.
Zhou Yan turned back and walked towards Zhang Wangyue. From the quiet small building behind the Fu’an Chief Escort, Duan Zhaoxi’s crying could be heard. Light streamed in through the window, and dust motes danced in the air. Duan Huai’an said, “Regarding all matters of the escort bureau, listen to Chief Escort Zhang’s arrangements.”
“I understand, Father.”
“If Head Escort Zhou wishes to leave the escort bureau, he will be generously compensated. If he stays, he can establish a branch office and be made Chief Escort.”
“Yes.”
Duan Huai’an thought for a moment and said weakly, “Do you know why my name is ‘Zhaoxi’?”
“‘If one hears the Way in the morning, one can die content in the evening.'”
“Yes. The ancestors of the Duan family once served as the Protector-General of the Western Regions, serving the country and the people. Remember this saying: ‘Though my position is humble, I dare not forget my duty to the nation.'”
“Your son will engrave it in his heart.”
“Good.”
“Go, prepare yourself, and accompany me to Wuwei.”
“Yes.”
Duan Zhaoxi left the room and saw Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue in the courtyard. He walked over and bowed deeply.
Zhang Wangyue and Zhou Yan quickly said, “Boss, you absolutely must not.”
Duan Zhaoxi was supported by the Fu’an Chief Escort. The young man said, “While I am in Wuwei, I trouble the Chief Escort to look after the escort bureau.”
“Boss, rest assured.”
“Yes!” Duan Zhaoxi looked at Zhou Yan and said, “Thank you, Head Escort Zhou, for accompanying me.”
“It is my duty.”
“When shall we depart?”
“The hour of Wei (1-3 PM) is auspicious.”
“Alright, I will go and prepare.”
Duan Zhaoxi left. Zhou Yan said to Zhang Wangyue, “I need to go back for a moment.”
“Alright.”
As Zhou Yan was about to move, Yang Tiexin and Mu Nianci hurried over from the long corridor.
“The Head Escort is back?”
“Yes.”
Yang Tiexin, having apparently heard the news from the escorts at the martial field, looked grave and got straight to the point: “The Boss is going to Wuwei?”
“Yes,” Zhou Yan replied.
Yang Tiexin looked at Zhang Wangyue and said, “The Boss is benevolent and took me and Nianci in. Let Nianci accompany the Boss on this journey.”
“Madam will also be going. We were already planning to arrange for Escort Mu to accompany them.”
“Thank you, Chief Escort, and thank you, Head Escort Zhou, for your hard work.”
“It’s nothing,” Zhou Yan replied politely. After a brief exchange, he headed straight for the courtyard.
The vast sky turned, and escorts walked through the streets.
Zhou Yan returned to his own courtyard, leaped over the wall, drew water to bathe, changed into a set of clothes, and then repacked his bundle with changes of clothes and money before slinging it over his shoulder.
He had returned from Western Hunan after a long journey, stayed for less than an hour, and was now about to embark on a journey to the vast, sandy Western Regions.
When Duan Huai’an had his accident, Huyan Lei, Wang Kui, and Shi Baichuan were all out on escort missions, which is why the escort bureau was quiet. By the time Zhou Yan arrived, Liang Xiaowu had already hired the escort carts and was waiting. Mu Nianci, who had also returned to the Western Suburbs to retrieve some clothes, had also rushed back.
Zhou Yan bid farewell to Zhang Wangyue and Yang Tiexin, giving them two bottles of detoxification pills he had obtained from the Deputy Cult Leader of the Five Venoms Sect.
A short while later, Madam Duan, Duan Zhaoxi, and a maid arrived at the escort bureau.
A brazier in the escort bureau’s courtyard was burning pine incense, symbolizing good fortune.
Duan Huai’an was carried out by Zhang Wangyue and placed in the carriage of a carved carriage parked in the courtyard.
Madam Duan and the maid took one carriage, and Duan Zhaoxi rode in another.
Duan Zhaoxi, now the Boss of Fu’an, stood under the eaves of the meeting hall, took a deep breath,
“We… are… departing.”
Liang Xiaowu, who had once carried the flag as a runner, held the escort bureau’s “Fu” (fortune) character flag and walked out of the escort bureau’s main gate. He unfurled the flag and shouted loudly, “Sincerity opens the gold, and the river’s source brings fortune.”
Zhou Yan stood in the sunlight, recalling how he had shouted the same when he was a runner in his previous life.
A world of Legend of the Condor Heroes, a Jianghu of escorts.
Fu’an ushered in the era of Duan Zhaoxi.
…
The carts rumble, the horses whinny, and the escorts have bows and arrows at their waists.
The three carved carriages carried a total of twelve people, including Zhou Yan, Mu Nianci, Liang Xiaowu, and runners.
The journey to Wuwei, after passing through Datong Prefecture, would enter the territory of the Western Xia Kingdom. Zhou Yan never imagined that the escort bureau’s first escort mission to the Western Regions would be to protect Fu’an’s former Boss.
As the escort team left Zhongdu, Duan Huai’an, who had been in a deep sleep, reacted with a pained groan and woke up.
The reason for this was that while the carriages were within the city, the roads were wide and flat. However, outside the city, the roads were dirt, and the carved carriages bumped along.
Although Duan Huai’an tried his best to endure it, he was not a martial artist after all, and his willpower could not resist the pain that felt like his head was exploding.
Liang Xiaowu was at the front of the escort team, Mu Nianci was at the rear, and Zhou Yan rode the “Night-Shining Jade Lion” beside the carved carriage carrying Duan Huai’an. He dismounted and entered the carriage.
“Boss.”
“Help me up.”
Zhou Yan helped Duan Huai’an up. The latter smiled weakly, “My ancestors were also from a general’s family. The Chief Escort has extraordinary martial arts. Why didn’t I learn even a single move? Otherwise, this body wouldn’t be so frail.”
Zhou Yan placed his hands on the “Yamen” point of the other’s spine and said, “I will help you clear your channels.”
“There’s no need to waste internal force. Just talk to me.”
“Boss, listen to me.”
Duan Huai’an chuckled, “I am a merchant, and you are an escort. Should I not obey?”
Zhou Yan smiled, “Precisely.”
“Since you became an escort and head escort, you’ve spent little time at Fu’an. We’ve never had a heart-to-heart talk. You are truly an extraordinary person. No wonder you are friends with Taoist priests from the Quanzhen Sect.”
“I will talk with the Boss along the way.”
“Good.”
Duan Huai’an nodded and remained silent for a moment. Zhou Yan used the internal energy cultivation technique of the Quanzhen Sect, extracting the gentle qi of Jade Guanyin and channeling it into the other’s body.
Regarding the skull injury, Zhou Yan was at a loss. However, he reasoned that the head had parts of the Du Meridian, Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, and Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian circulating through it. The qi of Jade Guanyin had the effect of relaxing muscles and activating collaterals, and promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Perhaps it could alleviate Duan Huai’an’s pain.
Just as he had treated Huang Rong, Zhou Yan continuously infused the extracted gentle qi of Jade Guanyin into Duan Huai’an’s body. After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the expression of pain on the former Boss of Fu’an’s face gradually faded, and he fell asleep in Zhou Yan’s arms.
He carefully helped the other onto a thick blanket, silently dismounted the carriage, and leaped onto the “Night-Shining Jade Lion.”
“How is my father?”
Duan Zhaoxi was not in the carved carriage. He rode his horse forward and asked.
“I tried to relax his muscles and activate his collaterals. He’s a little better.”
“Thank you. I will go into the carriage to be with my father.”
“Yes, if you need anything, Boss, call me.”
“Alright.”
The runners stopped the carriages, and Duan Zhaoxi entered. The carved carriages moved again, and it was already dusk.
Zhou Yan reined in his horse, slowing the “Night-Shining Jade Lion.” Mu Nianci caught up from behind, and he finally had a moment to ask about Yang Tiexin and Bao’s family.
Mu Nianci recounted the story, and by the time night fell, Zhou Yan had learned the general details.
Yang Tiexin, grateful for the kindness shown, returned to the escort bureau. Bao Xiruo followed her husband’s lead. Yang Tiexin had not mentioned to Bao Xiruo that Wanyan Honglie had used Duan Tiande to orchestrate the Guo family’s blood case and deceive Bao Xiruo.
He sighed, thinking that Yang Tiexin endured the hatred of Wanyan Honglie stealing his wife and killing his sworn brother without telling Bao Xiruo, fearing that Bao Xiruo would be stimulated and unable to bear it. In the end, it all came down to “love.”
In this world, what is love?
