Chapter 190: Entrusted with a Task, Loyal to the End
When the wind rose.
Sand flew like a curtain, the sun hid, and the sky turned yellow.
The monk in Zhou Yan’s arms had a complexion like yellow paper.
His breath still lingered, faint as a thread.
Zhou Yan practiced the “Heart Crushing Palm” from the Nine Yin Manual, and knew what the monk’s complexion signified.
He had been severely injured in the viscera by the penetrating force of the Vajra Prajna Palm.
No matter how skilled one was at bringing back the dead, it would be futile.
Zhou Yan placed his right palm on the monk’s back at the “Yamen” acupoint. Pure internal force flowed in continuously.
“Master.”
During the fight inside and outside the inn, the monk was in a semi-conscious state.
As Zhou Yan infused internal force, the monk became slightly more lucid.
The monk’s scattered gaze fell upon the Indian Monk, a look of relief on his face. He spoke intermittently, “Thank you… young hero for your righteous assistance.”
“Master, please do not be so polite.”
“This humble monk has one request.”
“Speak freely, I will do my utmost.”
The monk raised his hand, slowly reaching into his robes, and produced a letter.
“This humble monk hails from Shaolin of the Western Regions. My master instructed me to deliver this letter to Shaolin in Zhongdu. I have been struck by a powerful palm, my life is like a flickering lamp, and I cannot fulfill my master’s command. Could you, young hero, deliver this letter to Shaoshi Mountain?”
Zhou Yan took the letter, “Master, rest assured, I will not fail this trust.”
“Thank you, young hero.” As the monk finished speaking, his gaze returned to the Indian Monk, holding his breath.
“I heard clearly what Master and the Divine Monk said. I will escort the Divine Monk out of the Western Regions.”
The monk struggled to sit up, clasped his hands together, and the clarity in his eyes faded.
“Amitabha,” chanted the Indian Monk, reciting scriptures for the departed.
Zhou Yan bowed and placed the letter in his embrace. He then went outside the inn to question Liang Xiaowu, who was interrogating the big man.
The big man had been struck at the “Tiantu” acupoint on the Yinwei Meridian. His body was numb, as if being gnawed by ten thousand ants, but his fierce nature allowed him to endure the pain of his internal organs churning.
Liang Xiaowu immediately took bamboo paper and soaked it with water to cover the man’s face.
In just a moment, the big man’s eyes bulged, his body trembled, and cold sweat broke out.
As his pupils contracted, Liang Xiaowu tore off the paper. When the man gasped for air, he covered his face with paper again.
“I’ll talk.”
The big man broke down and said urgently.
“Who is the monk who was with you?”
“Someone from the Vajra Sect in the Western Regions.”
“Elaborate.”
“Master Baohu of the Vajra Sect.”
So it was indeed the “Bao” generation, like the monk Baoneng killed at the Yellow River Tong Pass wharf, Zhou Yan thought.
“How many people are there in the ‘Bao’ generation of the Vajra Sect?”
“I don’t know, I truly don’t know.”
“Tell me about yourself.”
“Luan Jie, one of the Seven Eagles of Yumenguan.” The big man said his nickname with considerable pride.
“What is the relationship between the Vajra Sect and the martial world of the Western Regions?”
Luan Jie knew that even if he told them everything, he would still be silenced. All he wanted was a quick end, and he sneered, “Most of the heroes in the Western Regions martial world are affiliated with the Vajra Sect. Judging by your attire, you are from an escort bureau. You are waiting for the martial world of the Western Regions to take revenge.”
“Where is the Vajra Sect?”
“West of the Kunlun Mountains.”
“Why did you attack the monk from Shaolin of the Western Regions?”
“We were acting under the orders of Master Baohu.”
Zhou Yan deduced the general situation.
Luan Jie claimed that most of the heroes in the Western Regions martial world obeyed the Vajra Sect’s call, which might be an exaggeration, but there were indeed scoundrels aiding and abetting evil. The bandits encountered at Tong Pass were among them.
The Western Regions were vast and sparsely populated, unlike the Songshan Shaolin, which had a continuous lineage, countless believers, and flourishing incense offerings.
Given the ferocious nature and methods of Huotuo, the survival of the Vajra Sect was built on conquering many sects in the Western Regions martial world through martial arts and collecting money. In short, they were birds of a feather with gangs like the Yellow River Gang.
“Is there anything else you wish to ask? If not, give me a quick end.”
“Alright.”
Zhou Yan’s finger pointed at the opponent’s Shufu mortal point. Qi Energy penetrated, fiercely clashing with Qi and Blood, rising to the Huagai and Tiantu acupoints, and descending to the Shenque and Qihai acupoints.
Luan Jie’s life force withered, and he died instantly.
Zhou Yan walked towards the Indian Monk.
“Young hero, you are benevolent. You have fulfilled Master Tiancong’s wish. Blessed, blessed.”
It turned out that this master from Shaolin of the Western Regions was of the “Tian” generation. Zhou Yan wondered if the current Abbot of Shaolin Temple was still Master Ku Cheng, or perhaps a high monk of the “Ku” or “Tian” generation.
Zhou Yan thought this, bowed, and said, “I heard the Divine Monk mention his medical skills earlier. My team has a patient, would it be convenient for the Divine Monk to take a look?”
“Saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Young hero, please lead the way.”
“Please!”
Duan Zhaoxi witnessed the entire process. The escort team was not to provoke trouble; he understood this rule. Zhou Yan’s intervention to save someone puzzled him. Wasn’t this inviting trouble?
However, he knew his own Jianghu experience was insufficient, and Zhou Yan was deeply trusted by his father. Therefore, he observed without speaking, only now understanding the other party’s intentions.
He suddenly recalled a saying from his father: Zhou Yan was the future of Fu’an. If he stayed in Fu’an, he could open a branch office and be appointed Chief Escort.
How could someone like an escort, who viewed wealth as extraneous, be retained in Fu’an? Duan Zhaoxi pondered this as he quickly approached the carved carriage.
The Indian Monk entered the carriage, took the pulse, and asked Zhou Yan how the Boss of Fu’an was injured, then examined his head.
Afterward, Zhou Yan asked, “How is it?”
“It can be treated.”
Zhou Yan was overjoyed.
“The patient has stagnant blood in the skull. A fine copper needle will be needed to drill a hole.”
“Ah, how can this be done?” Madam Duan’s face changed drastically upon hearing about drilling the skull.
Duan Zhaoxi also looked incredulous.
“Escort Leader, I have something to say.”
Zhou Yan got out of the carriage. Duan Zhaoxi said, “I understand the escort leader’s good intentions, but where in the world is there a treatment method of drilling the skull to resolve stagnant blood?”
Zhou Yan thought that Duan’s ancestors were protectors of the Western Regions during the Han Dynasty, and Hua Tuo at that time possessed such skills.
“Perhaps let the Boss decide?”
Duan Zhaoxi hesitated, then said, “Alright!”
“Good!”
Zhou Yan returned to the carriage, helped Duan Huai’an up, placed his palm on the “Yamen” major acupoint, and used the Quanzhen Cultivation Method to draw in the gentle Qi of Jade Guanyin, infusing it into the former Boss of Fu’an.
The pure and yang internal Qi relaxed the muscles and activated the collaterals. After a hundred breaths, Duan Huai’an groaned and awoke.
He looked around and said, “Brother Zhou, Zhaoxi, what is going on?”
Zhou Yan concisely explained the situation.
Duan Huai’an smiled weakly, “I’ll listen to Brother Zhou.”
“Master, there are still hundreds of miles to Wuwei. Wouldn’t it be better to pay respects to our ancestors properly? Let’s talk about it in Wuwei, at least find a clinic.”
Duan Huai’an said, “If not for Brother Zhou’s internal force sustaining my life, I would have died long ago. How could I have reached here?”
After saying this, he looked at Zhou Yan, “Please tell the Divine Monk that he can proceed without any reservations.”
“Alright.”
Zhou Yan exited the carriage and politely conveyed Duan Huai’an’s wishes to the Indian Monk waiting outside. He then asked, “Does the Divine Monk have any other needs?”
“Drunken Flower, Raw Grass Aconite, Fragrant White Angelica, Angelica Sinensis, Chuan Xiong, Tian Nan Xing, Silk Cloth.”
“Arrange for someone to purchase them. They will be back in two hours.”
The nearest county town was over two hundred li away. Zhou Yan had Liang Xiaowu ride the Night-Shining Jade Lion, lead a horse to fetch the medicine, and also buy ingredients for invigorating blood and strengthening bones from the county town.
With two riders taking turns, they would be back by evening.
…
Clouds scattered like mist, creating a hazy scene, then gathered again to form clouds. A large red and gold mirror, it dissolved all mist and clouds, illuminating the universe.
Light streamed through the windows of the inn’s houses. Zhou Yan witnessed the entire treatment process of the Indian Monk on Duan Huai’an.
Shaving the hair, disinfection, drilling, removing stagnant blood, bandaging.
With Zhou Yan’s knowledge from two lifetimes, he understood that Duan Huai’an’s fall down the stairs and his head hitting the ground had caused a cranial injury, and the stagnant blood must have been pressing on blood vessels or nerves.
After nearly an hour, the Indian Monk looked tired.
“Thank you, Divine Monk.”
“You are welcome.”
“What is the condition?”
The Indian Monk said, “He should wake up by noon. Afterward, find a clinic and prescribe some medicinal cuisine to invigorate blood and strengthen bones. In about a month, he will be completely recovered.”
“Divine Monk, please rest for a moment. I will inform the Boss of the news.”
“Once the benefactor awakens, this old monk will head south.”
“I am entrusted by Master Tiancong to go to Shaolin Temple on Songshan. Master can stay at the inn for a day. We can travel together then, with carved carriages and fast horses, which will not delay our journey. Upon reaching Zhongdu, I will arrange for escorts to send you to Western Hunan.”
“How can this be?”
“Divine Monk, you may not know, but Zhongdu is currently in turmoil, with bandits appearing everywhere. It is no less dangerous than the Western Regions. The Boss operates an escort bureau and is familiar with the routes. The Divine Monk is concerned about the safety of the people in India who have been harmed by poisonous insects, so we cannot be careless.”
The monk was open-minded, and Zhou Yan was sincere.
“If that is the case, then I shall trouble the young hero.”
“You are welcome.”
The runners handled the corpses and received several hundred taels of silver. Zhou Yan gave it all to the innkeeper. After everyone left, he told the innkeeper to pack his belongings and find another place to operate.
The innkeeper was naturally extremely grateful and arranged for the shop assistants to provide attentive service.
The shop assistant led the Indian Monk to a guest room to rest. Zhou Yan went downstairs to inform Madam Duan and Duan Zhaoxi of Duan Huai’an’s condition.
The mother and son were overjoyed and wept, embracing each other.
Mu Nianci also sighed deeply, “Returning to roots for a new spring, life is unpredictable.”
At noon, Duan Huai’an awoke. His body was weak, but his mental state was vastly improved compared to before.
Liang Xiaowu, as instructed by Zhou Yan, purchased wild ginseng and black-feathered chicken.
Duan Huai’an ate the black-feathered chicken and ginseng soup. By evening, his complexion had greatly improved.
Only then did Zhou Yan explain in detail the events that had transpired at the inn and the matter of the letter from Shaolin of the Western Regions.
Duan Huai’an heard this and said, “I owe my recovery to two eminent monks and Brother Zhou. I must fulfill the trust placed in me and not delay. I will go to Wuwei to pay respects to my ancestors and recuperate for a period. What are Brother Zhou’s plans?”
Duan Huai’an had called Zhou Yan “brother” on the way, and still addressed him as such.
“Have Escort Mu escort the Boss to Wuwei. Little Wu and I will accompany the eminent monk to Zhongdu. Little Wu is familiar with the routes in Western Hunan, so he will escort him. I will go to Songshan.”
“Good.”
…
Traveling by night through the desert, the wind was light and the moon like a hook.
As night fell, the convoy set off.
Duan Huai’an allocated a carved carriage for the Indian Monk to travel in. Mu Nianci led twelve runners to escort everyone to Wuwei.
Liang Xiaowu drove the carriage, and Zhou Yan rode the Night-Shining Jade Lion. The convoy split into two, heading north and south respectively.
Before departing, Duan Huai’an gifted the innkeeper a gold ingot. The innkeeper was overjoyed and that night packed his belongings, took his family and shop assistants, and left for another place.
Zhou Yan and the other two traveled swiftly, encountering no trouble along the way. They entered Zhongdu under the scorching July sun.
…
In the waters of Zhoushan, there is an island lush and green. From afar, the trees and flowers appear as patches of green, red, yellow, and purple, truly a tapestry of blossoms.
Huang Rong left the island and boarded a large boat. The mute servant Yang Fan set sail.
Her white skirt flowed, her hair danced in the long wind.
Huang Rong pondered:
“How can I trick Zhou Yan into escorting me on a trip to explore and have fun, and where should we go?”
