Chapter 209: Eight Thousand Li of Clouds and Moon
“Heh heh!”
“What does ‘heh heh’ mean?”
Huang Rong, upon hearing Shi Bowei’s invitation to Zhou Yan, excitedly told Zhou Yan to choose a day to visit Ten Thousand Beasts Manor after the other party left.
If it were an ordinary Peach Paradise, how could it attract Huang Rong. But Huang Rong was playful, and the words “Ten Thousand Beasts” happened to strike her fancy, so she couldn’t help but invite him.
Zhou Yan chuckled, which was why Huang Rong asked.
“I have no control over myself.”
Huang Rong pouted.
She was disguised as a man, deliberately altering her voice, manner of speaking, and expressions. Perhaps it was because Ouyang Ke had revealed her female identity in public. Now, she had shed her disguise, and her every move increasingly embodied the “Rong’er” traits from the Legend of the Condor Heroes world.
“I was just saying approximately.”
“If you agree, it must be a promise worth a thousand pieces of gold. What if your mood is just right, and I’m unable to be in two places at once?”
In life, there are too many things that are unpredictable.
Huang Rong recalled her experiences with Zhou Yan, which were truly marvelous.
They met because of a “Night-Shining Jade Lion,” and then, because of his identity as an escort, he escorted the critically ill her thousands of li to Taihu Lake. After that, there were the exciting journeys in the Snake Valley in the Xiangyang suburbs, Iron Palm Mountain, the Imperial Palace in Lin’an, and Western Hunan.
Life on Peach Blossom Island was hardly this full of ups and downs.
The Head Escort was intelligent. Although his martial arts were not as good as her father’s, he was now a master with few rivals in the martial world. He could provide protection, and they shared many common ideas on matters. Furthermore, his nature was as unconventional as her father’s, which was the most rare quality, making him an excellent companion.
It was just that he was too stubborn about his identity as an escort.
Thinking this, she said, “Then it’s better to choose a day than to wait for one.”
Huang Rong settled for the next best thing, but in her heart, she thought, “Do you think I have no way?” Heh, I have plenty of ideas.
Zhou Yan’s gaze had already passed over Huang Rong, looking towards the side of the forest, and he said with a smile, “Island Lord Huang has arrived.”
Huang Rong turned her head and saw her father, dressed in green, arriving with a spirited air.
“Father!” she ran over joyfully, took Huang Yaoshi’s hand, and immediately removed the mask his father was wearing. The dim starlight illuminated the Island Lord of Peach Blossom Island, a man of refined bearing, with a divine countenance.
Zhou Yan stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said, “This junior greets Island Lord Huang.”
Huang Yaoshi, because Zhou Yan did not become Hong Qigong’s disciple, and because he had said at Zhongnan Mountain, “I never pay attention to someone’s background; I only judge what I deem worthy to judge,” and also because he had saved Huang Rong’s life, and furthermore because of the Wumu’s Military Writings, he had a very good impression of Zhou Yan.
Huang Yaoshi nodded, but instead of expressing thanks, he directly said, “The Finger Flicking Divine Skill you learned only follows the Pericardium Meridian of Hand Jueyin and the Secondary Meridian of Hand Jueyin. I will teach you a method of guiding energy that follows the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian and its secondary meridian.”
Zhou Yan suddenly understood. It was the same as when Huang Yaoshi taught him the Whirlwind Sweeping Leaves Leg by the Jingzhou riverside. The Eastern Heretic was using the Qi Guiding Method of the Finger Flicking Divine Skill to offset the favor of the Wumu’s Military Writings and the Heroes’ Banquet’s assistance to Huang Rong.
Huang Yaoshi, as was his wont, spoke concisely, explaining the method of guiding internal energy through this main and secondary meridian, and the technique of solidifying acupoints to Zhou Yan.
When the last word fell, he said to Zhou Yan, “Your internal force is not bad. You have two methods of guiding energy for the Finger Flicking Divine Skill. Cultivate diligently, and in time, injuring others with your fingers will be no problem.”
“Thank you, Elder.”
“No need for that.” Huang Yaoshi refused the thanks and then said to Huang Rong, “Let’s go.”
“Father!”
Huang Yaoshi’s expression darkened. Huang Rong stuck out her tongue, “I’ll listen to Father.”
“Farewell, Elder.”
Huang Yaoshi nodded. Huang Rong winked at Zhou Yan and turned to follow him.
As the two separated, Huang Yaoshi asked, “Did you teach him the Finger Flicking Divine Skill?”
“Naturally.”
“Why? Did you teach it to him when he encountered a powerful enemy?”
Huang Rong giggled, “In Hundred Herbs Valley in Western Hunan, I wanted to eat bamboo rats, and his giant bow couldn’t shoot them, so I taught it to him.”
Huang Yaoshi smiled faintly. This reason was more acceptable to him than Zhou Yan encountering a powerful enemy and Huang Rong teaching him the skill to repel it.
“That kid has good talent.”
“A little less than you, Father.”
Huang Yaoshi laughed heartily. Having found his daughter and obtained the Nine Yin Manual, he was in a good mood. The father and daughter walked away hand in hand.
…
“Brother Zhou is back.”
After Huang Yaoshi left, Zhou Yan, with the Qi Guiding Method for the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian and its secondary meridian of the Finger Flicking Divine Skill deeply imprinted in his memory, did not linger and headed straight for the Escort Bureau.
Zhang Wangyue, Huyan Lei, and others were in the Meeting Hall.
As he entered, Yang Tiexin greeted him and poured him tea.
“Thank you, Elder.” Zhou Yan drank the tea to moisten his throat and asked, “How is the banquet?”
Huyan Lei laughed heartily, “It’s a mess. More than eighty percent of the heroes from all walks of life have dispersed.”
“However, among the dozens of people who secured seats during the day, nearly half have remained.”
“It’s only natural to pursue fame and fortune,” Zhou Yan said.
“Indeed.”
“That monk is quite formidable.” Wang Kui said with a smile, recounting the scene of Golden Wheel Law King being pushed into the crowd by Hong Qigong’s palm, yet he also praised the opponent’s martial arts cultivation.
“Slightly inferior to the Iron Palm Sect Leader I once fought, and inferior to Gang Leader Hong and Island Lord Huang, among others,” Zhou Yan gave a fair evaluation.
“Yet he still couldn’t do anything to Brother Zhou,” Huyan Lei laughed heartily.
“He suffered from a lack of practical combat experience,” Zhou Yan said with a smile.
“I also noticed that if any of you brothers encounter Huo Du in the future, be extra vigilant and don’t cause trouble for Brother Guo,” Zhang Wangyue cautioned.
“Of course, of course,” everyone nodded.
Zhou Yan had intended to wait for Duan Huai’an to return to discuss the resignation, but after the commotion at the Heroes’ Banquet, he felt it was better to speak sooner rather than later.
He said, “Head Escort, I have something to discuss.”
Zhang Wangyue looked at Zhou Yan. His gaze was earnest and kind, seeming to encourage him, yet also holding a hint of reluctance.
Zhou Yan’s heart stirred, “Head Escort, have you guessed it?”
“Mm!”
The two exchanged words as if playing charades. Wang Kui and Yang Tiexin were confused, but Huyan Lei suddenly realized and said, “Brother Zhou is submitting his resignation.”
“I had intended to wait until the Boss arrived to say it.”
The Meeting Hall fell silent. The teapot on the stove gurgled, and steam rose in wisps.
Wang Kui stood up and said, “I’ll have a runner go get some wine.”
“Agreed,” Zhang Wangyue said.
Zhou Yan said, “I’ll go.”
“I’ll go with Brother Zhou,” Huyan Lei stood up. The two walked across the courtyard, and the rough-featured man said, “Actually, the Chief Escort always said you were a dragon among men, and the escort bureau couldn’t keep you. That’s why the Head Escort didn’t try to keep you when you said this.”
“I understand.”
“The Chief Escort also said to cherish the days spent with Brother Zhou. I didn’t feel much then, but now that you’re suddenly saying this, my chest feels incredibly heavy.”
“Don’t worry. We’re still in Zhongdu. Old Brother, I’ll escort you for ten li when you go on your journey, and I’ll welcome you back when you return.”
“Haha, that’s the spirit.”
Huyan Lei laughed heartily, but his eyes seemed veiled by a layer of mist.
…
A table was set in the Meeting Hall. Zhou Yan, Zhang Wangyue, Yang Tiexin, Huyan Lei, Wang Kui, Shi Baichuan, and others clinked glasses.
Wang Kui said, “I wish Brother Zhou success in all his endeavors.”
“Thank you, Old Brother.”
Huyan Lei said, “Fu’an has lost a pillar of support. From now on, the martial world will have a Central God Sword.”
“Is that so?” Zhou Yan was taken aback.
Huyan Lei laughed, “The Taihang Sword God is a bit petty. He thinks the Zhongzhou Sword God sounds grand, but ‘Central God Sword’ is more catchy.”
This was a joke stemming from Zhou Yan’s enlightenment on swordsmanship in Taihang. Hearing Huyan Lei say this, he couldn’t help but laugh.
Shi Baichuan said, “When venturing into the Jianghu, one needs a title. I think ‘Central God Sword’ is appropriate.”
“Exactly. Brother Zhou hails from Fu’an. In the future, when he ventures into the Jianghu, this title will be bestowed by us older brothers,” Wang Kui and others agreed.
Zhou Yan smiled, “Then I will diligently cultivate without ceasing. One day, I will be worthy of the nickname you elder brothers have given me.”
“We wish Brother Zhou ‘a great roc soaring to the sky on a windy day.'”
These were heartfelt words. Zhou Yan toasted everyone, and a bowl of strong liquor burned as it went down his throat.
Yang Tiexin drank with Zhou Yan and said, “Head Escort, what are your plans for the future?”
“First, I’ll wait for the Boss to return. Once the matters of the escort bureau are settled, I’ll make plans. The debts owed to Helian Chuncheng, Ni Mo Xing, and the Vajra Sect will all be settled.”
Yang Tiexin nodded. All feasts must end. He thought about how he and his daughter had searched for his sworn brother’s son and wandered the Jianghu. Now that they had settled in Fu’an, Zhou Yan, who had shown them great kindness, was about to leave. He wondered how Nianci would react to this news.
As Yang Tiexin pondered this, he felt a sense of melancholy.
Past midnight, the clouds dispersed, and a crescent moon hung in the sapphire blue sky.
The wine was finished, and the guests departed. Zhou Yan went to his own courtyard. He took out the well-preserved Yue Family Fist Manual and the Wumu’s Military Writings, wrapped them together, and leaped onto the rooftop from the courtyard.
A gray figure flickered and darted between the scale-like buildings of Zhongdu, its trajectory extending towards Zhang Wangyue’s residence.
…
With the clear breeze and bright moon as his companions, Zhou Yan rode the wind and stepped on the moon, landing in the courtyard.
The dim lamp shone like a firefly, illuminating two shadows. As he landed, he was slightly stunned.
The window was half open. Besides Zhang Wangyue, Huyan Lei was also there.
“Chief Escort.”
“Ha, Brother Zhou, come, let’s have another round. We won’t go home until we’re drunk,” Huyan Lei said, laughing heartily upon seeing Zhou Yan in the courtyard.
“Alright.”
He quickly entered the house.
A bowl and chopsticks were added to the table. Zhou Yan drank a bowl with the three of them and then took out the books wrapped in yellow silk from his embrace.
“What is this?” Huyan Lei asked.
“One is the Yue Family Fist Manual given by the Chief Escort. I am already proficient in the cultivation technique, so I am returning the manual. The other is the Wumu’s Military Writings.”
Zhang Wangyue was lost in thought.
Zhou Yan said, “General Han Shizhong deployed the former leader of the Iron Palm Sect, Shangguan Jiannan. General Yue’s military writings and some notes were preserved by Leader Shangguan in the forbidden area of the Iron Palm Sect. Huang Rong and I stole them. They were originally with Island Lord Huang, but this is a transcribed copy.”
“Hoo!”
Zhang Wangyue exhaled heavily, his fingers trembling slightly. He opened the yellow silk and flipped through the Wumu’s Military Writings.
Huang Rong had transcribed it, and at the beginning of the Wumu’s Military Writings, she had also written Yue Fei’s inscription.
Zhang Wangyue turned the page and saw the text.
“Since the Central Plains have been in turmoil and invaded by barbarians, I have been filled with righteous indignation in Hebei. Starting from Xiangtai, I joined the army and fought over two hundred battles. Although I have not been able to penetrate deep into the wilderness and destroy their nests, I have at least avenged a fraction of the nation’s shame. In the Battle of Jiankang, I defeated the enemy with one charge, regretting only that I could not make a single horse return. Therefore, I will rest my soldiers and troops, accumulate strength to await the enemy, and then I will inspire the soldiers to fight again, crossing the desert to the north, shedding blood in the enemy’s court, and slaughtering all the barbarians…”
The characters in Zhang Wangyue’s eyes gradually blurred. He stood up, poured more wine, and went out into the courtyard.
Zhou Yan and Huyan Lei understood and followed, pouring wine as well.
Three cups of wine were offered to the hero.
Zhang Wangyue knelt and looked towards the other side of the night.
The crescent moon shone over the nine provinces, and silver light poured down from the sky.
Eight thousand li of clouds and moon.
This was the general’s ambition, and it was also his future.
