Chapter 19: A Tiger Cub from a General’s Family, The Yue Family Fist Manual
The night wind rustled past, and the stars in the sky dimmed.
The one alive was a man caught in a fishing net, with many hidden weapons embedded in his body. His companion had long since breathed his last, the fatal wound originating from a long arrow that pierced his chest.
As for the man whose legs were severed by Zhou Yan, he had already died from excessive bleeding.
The courtyard was noisy, with runners boasting to each other about hitting each other with hidden weapons.
Zhou Yan brought a token to Huyan Lei, “Old Brother, take a look at this.”
The escort took it, examining both sides, and said in a low voice, “This matter is strange.”
“Everyone disperse,” Huyan Lei roared.
“Alright!”
The runners scattered, their voices carrying into the night.
“Escort Zhou’s slash was truly superb.”
“Indeed, a slash like waves crashing against the shore.”
“Fierce and domineering, not inferior to Escort Wang.”
Runners often learned martial arts from escorts. The escorts in the escort bureau rarely taught their ultimate skills, but occasionally, on a whim, they would demonstrate one or two of their renowned techniques to broaden the runners’ horizons, so these people had good judgment.
As everyone dispersed, Zhou Yan put away the fishing net and applied styptic powder to the heavily wounded Imperial City Guard runner.
He and Huyan Lei did not interrogate him, waiting for Zhang Wangyue to arrive.
The head escort’s home was only a few miles from the escort bureau. The runner who delivered the message was swift, and within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, footsteps could be heard from afar. Zhang Wangyue’s burly figure appeared in the night.
“Head Escort,” Huyan Lei stepped forward, handing the token in his hand to Zhang Wangyue, and said concisely, “These few people first used agility to leave from the escort bureau, and then returned. I and Brother Zhou and others ambushed them, and they captured Escort Su of the Four Seas Escort Agency.”
In the light of the lantern under the eaves, Zhang Wangyue’s expression became solemn. He looked up at the clear night sky, the starlight brilliant, the coolness like water, and the bluebird of memory returned.
“Head Escort.”
Zhang Wangyue’s thoughts returned, and he asked Huyan Lei, “Are there any survivors?”
“There is one.”
“Bring him here.”
“What about Escort Su? He’s been acupoint sealed.”
“Let’s give it a moment.”
“Alright.”
Huyan Lei looked at Zhou Yan and pointed to the man on the ground. He understood, grabbed the man, and followed the head escort towards the side room.
Lying on the ground, Escort Su resentfully thought that these scoundrels must want to interrogate him and find leverage against him. But he couldn’t figure out which faction they belonged to, as he had offended many people before.
Zhou Yan entered the side room and threw the man on the ground. Huyan Lei said, “Brother Zhou, please take care of the corpse.”
“No problem!” Zhang Wangyue said.
Their words, though few, held much meaning. Huyan Lei did not want Zhou Yan to be further involved in this matter, so that if anything unexpected happened, he could bear the brunt of it. Zhang Wangyue’s words conveyed his trust in Zhou Yan.
“That’s fine too,” Huyan Lei replied with a smile.
Zhang Wangyue waved the token in front of the man, “From Lin’an Prefecture?”
The man’s face was gloomy, “That’s right.”
“Why were you sneaking around in the middle of the night?”
The man remained silent.
“Speak up. You should realize I’m also from an escort agency. You captured a fellow professional. Professionals stick together, you understand this. So, if you have a valid reason, I can spare your life. Otherwise, killing you is also fine, and you shouldn’t resent it.”
Zhang Wangyue’s words were righteous and proper, without any fault.
The man knew this was the case. After a few moments of thought, he said, “Looking for someone.”
“Who?”
“An escort from the Dragon Gate Escort Agency in Lin’an.”
Zhou Yan’s heart trembled. Wasn’t Zhang Wangyue from the Dragon Gate Escort Agency in Lin’an? Only then did he realize, and a cold sweat broke out. The head escort knew from the moment he saw the token that these people from the Imperial City Guard were looking for him. That’s why he wasn’t in a hurry to unseal Escort Su’s acupoints, to kill him if necessary to silence him.
The head escort would not act against him and Huyan Lei, so he acted in reverse, treating them with trust.
Following this line of reasoning, Zhou Yan thought of the personal safety escort Zhang Wangyue had undertaken before.
Could it be that these people from the Imperial City Guard were trying to find the infant girl through the head escort?
As he thought this, Zhang Wangyue asked, “What is that escort’s name?”
“Zhang Tailai.”
“There is no such person in the Four Seas Escort Agency. Nor in the Fu’an Escort Agency,” Zhang Wangyue said.
“We don’t know. In Zhongdu, there are only two major escort agencies, Four Seas and Fu’an. Fu’an is too famous, so we first captured an escort from Four Seas to interrogate. If we find the person, it will be over.”
“Otherwise, we’ll make a move on the Fu’an Escort Agency.”
“Yes.”
Huyan Lei scoffed, “Can’t you just ask around casually?”
The man glared ferociously at Huyan Lei, “Do you think we’re stupid? Wouldn’t the other party use an alias? How would ordinary people or runners know?”
Huyan Lei was so angered that he kicked the man.
The man grunted and glared at him venomously.
Zhang Wangyue asked, “But how did you know the escort was in Zhongdu, and not in Datong Prefecture or Kaifeng Prefecture in Nanjing?”
“The order came from above.”
Zhang Wangyue nodded slightly, “I see. Are you the only ones?”
“Yes.”
The man’s gaze gradually became suspicious as he looked at Zhang Wangyue.
“I am the person you are looking for.”
As the head escort finished speaking, his fingers became like a sword, pointing at the Shanzhong Acupoint on the man’s chest.
The man’s body trembled violently, and he died.
At this, not to mention Zhou Yan from earlier, even Huyan Lei felt a chill run down his spine.
Zhang Wangyue calmly looked at the two of them.
Zhou Yan had almost pieced everything together. He had long suspected that the head escort might be a descendant of the Yue Family Army, and now it seemed there was no doubt.
He suddenly said with a serious expression, “The Head Escort is a descendant of Grandpa Yue and the Yue Family Army.”
Zhang Wangyue was stunned, and after a while, he asked, “Why do you say that?”
“The Taizu Long Fist that the Head Escort gave me has methods for internal energy cultivation, qi guiding methods, and standing meditation. Therefore, I guessed that the fist techniques might originate from the military. Someone who possesses a complete fist manual and holds it must have a special identity. Earlier, the Head Escort said his real name was Zhang Tailai, and his alias was Zhang Wangyue. Tailai, Yue. To be so persistent with the character ‘Yue’ in one’s name must have an unusual connection to the word ‘Yue’, so I dared to guess.”
Zhang Wangyue smiled slightly, “Brother Zhou is intelligent. My ancestor is Zhang Xian.”
“Good heavens,” Huyan Lei muttered to himself.
Zhou Yan exhaled softly. Although he had long suspected that the other party was from the Yue Family Army, the Zhang Xian lineage was still somewhat shocking.
Zhang Wangyue’s voice rang out again, “This matter…”
“Head Escort, rest assured. If I reveal even half a word, may lightning strike me. Both the Head Escort and I are from General’s Families.”
Zhang Wangyue chuckled, “Indeed. If you are interested, you can privately follow me to learn the Yue Family Spear Technique.”
“Thank you, Head Escort,” Huyan Lei was overjoyed.
“I have nothing to teach Brother Zhou.”
“The Head Escort gifting the Taizu Long Fist, along with meridian and acupoint diagrams, is already a great kindness,” Zhou Yan said with clasped hands. In his heart, however, he thought that if he had the chance to go to Iron Palm Peak, he would definitely find a way to steal the Wumu’s Military Writings and give them to the Head Escort. If Guo Jing could still become a great hero for the country and the people, and the Head Escort could lend a hand in Xiangyang, it would be a joyous occasion. We’ll see as we go.
“Head Escort, what about Escort Su? Perhaps…” Huyan Lei made a throat-slitting gesture with his right hand.
“He’s just an insignificant unlucky fellow. He was likely captured while on night duty. Many runners saw him. After I unseal his acupoints, I’ll let him go back.”
“What if more people come from Lin’an Prefecture?”
“No need to worry. The Imperial City Guard is just investigating. When it’s convenient, I’ll make a trip to Lin’an Prefecture.”
“Alright!”
Zhang Wangyue finished speaking and said to Zhou Yan, “I haven’t finished speaking to Brother Zhou. Although I have no cultivation techniques to teach, I have preserved a copy of the Yue Family Fist Manual. Your fist techniques are outstanding, your character is resolute, and you act decisively. I hope you can bring this martial art to greater heights.”
Yue Family Fist Manual, Yue Family Boxing.
Zhou Yan suddenly felt that sometimes fate was like a bridge. Yue Fei was a disciple of Zhou Tong, and the original owner was also from Zhou Tong’s lineage. Everything seemed to fall upon him.
