Chapter 222: I Am Ouyang Feng
“Head Escort!”
Liang Xiaowu’s voice rang out in the night, and Zhou Yan and the other two rushed over in pursuit.
“Miss Qiu, Master, and the others have already gone to Cuya Mountain.”
Zhou Yan said, “The arrangements are good.”
“Is the Head Escort injured?” Liang Xiaowu asked, seeing the bloodstain at the corner of Zhou Yan’s mouth.
“It’s nothing, let’s find a place to talk.”
“Alright.”
Four figures flickered in and out of different streets in the Xiangyang wharf. After about the time it takes to eat a meal, they arrived at a secluded forest.
Zhou Yan sat on the ground as if he had lost all his strength, leaning against a tree trunk.
The reason he could kick Qiu Qianren to the long street was ultimately due to the techniques learned from Shi Bowei during close combat and the “Snake Movement Fox Flip” technique catching the opponent off guard.
However, the gap in their cultivation levels was still obvious, and internal injuries were unavoidable after the fierce battle.
The Jade Guanyin hanging on his body continuously infused him with gentle qi, relaxing his muscles and activating his collaterals, and repairing his internal injuries. After more than ten breaths, Zhou Yan felt his strength slowly recovering bit by bit.
Liu Qingzhou was still shocked by what he had seen on the long street. “You defeated Qiu Qianren. I saw him fly out of the inn and fall to the ground.”
Zhou Yan smiled, “A body slam and lock, it caught Qiu Qianren off guard. If I want to defeat him openly, I still need to cultivate diligently for many years.”
Yanbo Diaosou grinned, “Compared to when we fought by the Yuan River, your cultivation has improved astonishingly in the past six months. I think you won’t need many years. A few years should suffice.”
Zhou Yan chuckled, “Then I will work hard.”
“Is that young lady Qiu Qianchi, the Iron Palm Lotus?” Liu Qingzhou asked.
“Yes, she was married into the Valley of Unfeeling. Upon learning that Qiu Qianren had defected to the Jin Dynasty and the Jin Crown Prince was attending the banquet, she earnestly advised Qiu Qianren. The siblings fell out, and Qiu Qianchi ran away, intending to go to Caizhou.”
“Dragons have nine sons, each different. I never expected such a great difference between these siblings.” Liu Qingzhou, who had already called Qiu Qianchi a heroine, sighed and asked, “Has Qiu Qianchi returned to the Valley of Unfeeling?”
Yanbo Diaosou rolled his eyes, “Why would she go back? It’s better to join the mountain stronghold and live a free and easy life.”
Zhou Yan sighed at this. The story of Li Mochou, who had just entered the Jianghu, had undergone earth-shattering changes. How could Qiu Qianchi, who was also venturing into the Jianghu, be any different? After this incident, it would likely be difficult for Qiu Qianchi to return to the Valley of Unfeeling.
In the world of the Divine Condor, Gongsun Zhi was initially able to maintain the image of a gentleman. However, after failing to marry Little Dragon Girl and the Valley of Unfeeling being retaken by Qiu Qianchi, his true nature was completely exposed. He resorted to despicable acts like kidnapping Wanyan Ping and Guo Fu, and professing love to Li Mochou. The current Gongsun Zhi might embark on this path even earlier.
He then pondered that Qiu Qianchi had fallen out with Qiu Qianren on the way to the Valley of Unfeeling and had run away from the wedding procession. Ouyang Feng and the others had not yet arrived, so the Great Eagle was safe, and Snake Valley had not been exposed.
Zhou Yan’s thoughts returned to the present. “Since Qiu Qianchi’s marriage has gone awry, there is no longer any need for us to go to the Valley of Unfeeling. What are your plans, Brother Liu and Brother Diaosou?”
Liu Qingzhou pondered for a moment and said, “The people of the Iron Palm Sect might recognize the Hengshan Swordplay through its sword styles. I will return to Hengshan to prepare the sect.”
Yanbo Diaosou said, “I am free. I will visit the mountain stronghold at Cuya Mountain and see for myself how the Iron Palm Lotus is a heroine, and also Leader Yang, whom Brother Zhou described as a woman not inferior to men. Then I will go to Hengshan to have a martial arts competition with this fellow.”
Zhou Yan chuckled inwardly. While he said it was a martial arts competition, it was actually a concern that the Hengshan Sect might be retaliated against by the Iron Palm Sect. The two of them, given the opportunity, would engage in endless verbal sparring. In fact, they had already developed a friendship.
How could Liu Qingzhou not know Yanbo Diaosou’s intentions? He said, “I await your arrival. Don’t forget to diligently cultivate your martial arts, lest you lose face under my sword.”
“We’ll see,” Yanbo Diaosou said proudly.
“I will go to Caizhou, and after handling some matters in Zhongdu, I will come to visit Brother Diaosou and Brother Liu.”
Yanbo Diaosou was overjoyed. “It’s a deal. We will admire the Dongting moon and eat fresh water delicacies together then.”
“Brother Zhou and I will go to Wushen Peak again.”
“Good, it’s a deal.”
With this agreement, they wasted no time. Liu Qingzhou bid farewell and headed south.
Zhou Yan asked Liang Xiaowu to deliver a silver ingot to the inn. He was not in a hurry to cross the river and stayed in the forest to circulate his energy and absorb the gentle qi from the Jade Guanyin to heal his injuries, and also to observe the subsequent actions of the Iron Palm Sect.
Zhou Yan healed his injuries while Yanbo Diaosou acted as his Dharma Protector.
As midnight approached, Zhou Yan’s body turned red, enveloped by swirling white mist.
Seeing this, Yanbo Diaosou was secretly astonished. This was a sign of internal injuries healing. He had originally thought it would take at least half a day or longer for Zhou Yan to fully recover, but it had only been an hour or so.
Yanbo Diaosou, unaware that Zhou Yan was absorbing the gentle qi from the Jade Guanyin to heal, was greatly surprised.
He had underestimated Brother Zhou’s current cultivation.
……
After the deepest part of the night, dawn broke.
In the suburbs of Xiangyang, a strange atmosphere permeated the wedding procession.
Fan Yi Weng’s long beard fluttered wildly in the morning breeze.
Qiu Qianren was unaware that Qiu Qianchi was going to Cuya Mountain in Caizhou. How could he find her within a short time after she crossed the Yangtze River? His immediate priority was to appease Gongsun Zhi and receive Yang Kang and his entourage.
Therefore, as soon as Zhou Yan and the others escaped, he rushed back to the camp. To his surprise, he saw the wedding procession arriving grandly from the Valley of Unfeeling.
As spring was about to arrive, Qiu Qianren bitterly and with great difficulty informed Gongsun Zhi of what had happened the night before.
The handsome Valley Master of the Valley of Unfeeling felt as if his heart had been grasped by a pair of invisible hands and fiercely torn, making his breathing almost cease.
Qiu Qianren admired Gongsun Zhi’s handsome appearance and elegant demeanor, as well as the unique martial arts of the Valley of Unfeeling. He looked at the slightly trembling Gongsun Zhi and, without revealing the internal conflict caused by his defection to Jin, quickly comforted him, “Valley Master Gongsun, rest assured. When the Crown Prince and his party arrive, after explaining the situation, I will definitely find Qianchi and bring her back for the wedding.”
Qiu Qianren did not tell the truth, only saying that he and his sister had a quarrel, pursued her to the wharf, and got into a fight with enemies, and Qiu Qianchi took the opportunity to leave.
He certainly would not go into detail about the weapons and moves Zhou Yan used, so Gongsun Zhi would not have thought that Zhou Yan was the one who blocked their path. Hearing Qiu Qianren’s account, Gongsun Zhi took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, and said, “I am loyal to Miss Qiu. If Master Qing agrees, I will accompany you in the search.”
Qiu Qianren was deeply moved. “Good, Valley Master, rest assured. The Iron Palm Sect has countless disciples, and the Crown Prince can also mobilize personnel to assist in the search. We will gather information soon.”
“Thank you, Head Escort!” Gongsun Zhi bowed.
Qiu Qianren helped him up, thinking that Valley Master Gongsun was knowledgeable and reasonable. His sister, with her stubborn temper, had found such a virtuous man, yet she did not cherish him. Thinking this, his hatred for Zhou Yan intensified.
“Next time we meet, I will surely kill him without mercy,” he thought resentfully.
……
Inside Xiangyang city, merchants gathered and pedestrians were as numerous as weaving threads, presenting a scene of prosperity.
Zhou Yan and Yanbo Diaosou walked side by side. Diaosou said, “The sun is about to set behind Xian Mountain, flowers are upside down under the thatched roof, and the children of Xiangyang clap their hands, singing Bai Tongdi in the streets. Others ask with a smile, why are they laughing? They laugh at the old man, drunk as mud, with a cormorant ladle and a parrot cup. A hundred years have thirty-six thousand days, and one day one must drink three hundred cups. Brother Zhou, do you know what wine to drink in Xiangyang?”
“The immortal on the river has gone and will not return, happily drinking chrysanthemum wine under the flowers. It is naturally chrysanthemum wine.”
Yanbo Diaosou laughed heartily, “Brother Zhou is truly a wonderful person. Come, I will take you to Xiangyang city’s ‘Drunken Immortal Pavilion’ to drink chrysanthemum wine.”
“Excellent.” Zhou Yan recalled the scene when he, as an escort, made his first trip to Jingzhou and met Zhang Sanqiang in Xiangyang. He smiled slightly and followed him.
The horses they rode had been transported across the river by the escort with Qiu Qianchi. Zhou Yan and Yanbo Diaosou crossed the river in the morning and bought horses in Xiangyang. Yanbo Diaosou was a glutton, just like Hong Qigong. Now that they were in Xiangyang city, he naturally wanted to go to the ‘Drunken Immortal Pavilion’.
Weaving through streets and alleys, the three approached this top restaurant in the city. Inside the building with overhanging eaves and upturned corners, and lanterns hanging high, a middle-aged man with a beard like a halberd was drinking ‘chrysanthemum wine’ while casting a sidelong glance at several people eating not far away.
The young master, surrounded by admiration, had a rosy complexion and a handsome face. Beside him stood a man with a high nose and deep-set eyes. His stern face and profound gaze gave the impression of immense pressure.
Who is this Western Regions person? He seems to have a significant background. The man thought this, and his gaze suddenly met the Western Regions man’s piercing eyes. He nonchalantly withdrew his gaze and looked at the long street. Slowly, a smile appeared on the man’s face.
It seems an old friend has arrived.
……
Zhou Yan, Liang Xiaowu, and Yanbo Diaosou arrived downstairs and handed their horses to the shop assistants. The shop assistants who came forward greeted them, and the three entered the bustling ‘Drunken Immortal Pavilion’ and went up to the second floor.
“Three guests, please sit here.” The shop assistant solicitously led Zhou Yan and the others to a private room. After a few steps, Zhou Yan stopped.
In his sight, Ouyang Feng smiled sinisterly, revealing white teeth. “Kid, long time no see!”
As soon as Ouyang Feng spoke, Yang Kang, Ouyang Ke, Helian Chuncheng, Ni Mo Xing, Yin Kexi, and others all turned their heads.
Yanbo Diaosou also smiled sinisterly and said to Zhou Yan, “This group of people has fierce looks on their faces, clearly enemies rather than friends. You really have many enemies. This old man is very arrogant, who is he?”
“I am Ouyang Feng!” the Western Venom said sinisterly.
