Chapter 256: Three People from One Sect, Each Serving Their Own Master
The evening breeze blew across the city sky. Huang Yaoshi stood with his hands behind his back on a high rooftop, gazing at Zhou Yan with a deep look. As the wind blew, his robes fluttered wildly. His refined and elegant demeanor, in such a setting, gave him the appearance of an immortal looking down upon the mortal world.
“Junior greets Island Lord Huang,” Zhou Yan said, cupping his fists.
Huang Yaoshi nodded in return, but inwardly, like Zhang Wangyue, he was quite surprised. To be detected by this **youngster** upon appearing on the rooftop, his cultivation had improved significantly compared to when he was at Shaoshi Mountain. The old beggar said Zhou Yan would have the potential for the Huashan Sword Discussion in the future; this was no empty boast.
Huang Rong stepped forward, descending into the courtyard from the lingering sunset glow. Just as she was about to approach, a runner hurried over.
“Chief Escort, Escort Zhou,” the runner stopped abruptly, looking in surprise at Huang Yaoshi standing on the rooftop and Huang Rong in the courtyard.
“What is it?” Zhang Wangyue asked.
The runner replied, “Young Hero Guo, the Mongolian princess requests an audience with the escort. The princess has brought heavy gifts to express her gratitude for the escort’s life-saving grace.”
The wind swept past the overhanging eaves, and a barely audible “hmph” seemed to dissipate into the air.
Guo Jing and Hua Zheng had already returned to Zhongdu. Zhou Yan knew this when he was at Yumen Pass, but he had only been in the city for a little over an hour, and for them to come calling was somewhat beyond his expectations.
Zhang Wangyue said to Zhou Yan, “I’ll go receive them.”
“Thank you, Old Brother.”
“No need for politeness.” Zhang Wangyue finished speaking and said to Huang Rong, “Miss Huang, please continue your conversation.”
“Thank you, Chief Escort Zhang.”
“You’re welcome.” Zhang Wangyue cupped his fists in a salute to Huang Yaoshi and turned to leave.
“Wow!” Having traveled together from the Ten Thousand Beasts Manor, Little Leopard was familiar with Zhou Yan. When Huang Rong arrived at the pavilion, the little creature poked its head out and let out a fond bark at him.
Zhou Yan reached out and gently stroked the leopard’s head, asking, “Are you returning to Peach Blossom Island?”
“Yes, I’m going back to Peach Blossom Island to spend some time with Father. I came to say hello. If I leave the island, I’ll come find you.”
“Farewell!”
Huang Rong smiled charmingly, turned, and leaped onto the rooftop, pulling Huang Yaoshi’s arm. “Let’s go, Father.”
“Farewell, Elder.”
Huang Rong waved, and the father and daughter descended to the other side of the rooftop, disappearing into the dusk.
Zhou Yan withdrew his gaze and left the pavilion, heading straight for the guest room.
…
“Brother Zhou has arrived.”
Zhou Yan’s figure appeared under the eaves. Guo Jing and Hua Zheng in the guest room stood up.
“Brother Guo, long time no see,” Zhou Yan greeted.
“Greetings, Young Hero,” Hua Zheng’s Chinese had become much more fluent, and she greeted him generously.
“Princess, please don’t be so polite. Brother Guo, please sit.”
After they sat down, he said, “When I was at Yumen Pass, I learned from the Third Prince that Brother Guo had returned to Zhongdu.”
“Yes, it’s been a while.” Guo Jing said frankly, “After returning, I visited the escort agency and learned that Brother Zhou had gone to the Western Regions. Young Lady Hua Zheng instructed the city guards to report immediately if any young hero riding a ‘Night-Shining Jade Lion’ entered the city. Therefore, shortly after you entered the city, the city guards transmitted the information.”
Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue suddenly understood. Horses were easier to recognize than people.
Hua Zheng said, “When we were at Poyang Lake that day, Young Hero Zhou left in a hurry, and Brother and I, along with others, had to go to Lin’an. We didn’t have time to thank you, so we came to visit.”
“It was a trivial matter, hardly worth mentioning.”
“A life-saving grace should be repaid with a gushing spring.”
Zhou Yan smiled and didn’t dwell on the matter. With Hua Zheng present, it was inconvenient to discuss many things. He knew that even if he reminded them subtly, Guo Jing might not react. So, he said, “I’ll go to the Western Suburbs with Brother Guo another day.”
Guo Jing quickly stood up and said, “The Chief Escort said Brother Zhou has guests, so we won’t disturb you. We’ll take our leave.”
Zhou Yan inwardly scoffed. They had still misunderstood.
“I’ll escort Brother Guo and the Princess.”
Zhou Yan and Zhang Wangyue saw them off. Guo Jing and Hua Zheng departed. The two returned to the escort agency, and Fu’an’s Chief Escort pointed to two brocade boxes in the guest room, saying, “These were all sent by Hua Zheng.”
Zhou Yan opened the brocade boxes one by one. All he saw were gold ingots.
“This box will remain with the escort agency to help subsidize the escorts and runners who were casualties in Ganzhou.”
“Alright, Brother Zhou, you decide.” Zhang Wangyue did not refuse.
“I’ll head back first. Tomorrow I’ll rush to Songshan, then to Leader Yang’s place. If they attack Tongbai Mountain, send me a message.”
“No problem.”
The evening breeze was vast. Zhou Yan walked towards the courtyard. As he passed “Songhe Tower,” the pedestrians gradually increased. It was precisely the time when the restaurant was bustling with customers, and he could hear the clamor and the noise of carriages and horses.
Zhou Yan’s footsteps suddenly stopped. In his line of sight, several people approaching also stopped. His gaze fell directly on the person in the middle. He saw that the man was wearing a yellow hemp shirt and waving a large palm-leaf fan in his right hand. His face, like orange peel, also showed a look of surprise. Beside him was a richly dressed young master with a handsome appearance and an arrogant expression in his eyes. It was the Mongolian Little Prince Huo Du.
Zhou Yan immediately identified the other person as Qiu Qianzhang.
Huo Du quickly closed his folding fan. “Haha, Young Hero Zhou, what a coincidence.”
“Indeed, it is a coincidence,” Zhou Yan replied to Huo Du, a smile on his face, but his gaze was fixed on Qiu Qianzhang.
Qiu Qianzhang waved his large palm-leaf fan with considerable presence, saying, “Long time no see, Young Hero Zhou.”
Huo Du was taken aback and asked, “Does Mr. Qiu know Young Hero Zhou?”
“We have quite a bit of history.”
Huo Du said, “In that case, Young Hero Zhou might as well come to ‘Songhe Tower’ for a drink.”
Zhou Yan said, “I have pressing matters to attend to, so it’s inconvenient. I bid you farewell.”
“Since that’s the case, we won’t disturb you further,” Qiu Qianzhang said with a smile. Then, changing his tone, he said to Huo Du, “Please go upstairs first, Little Prince. I have a few words to say to Young Hero Zhou.”
“Alright!” Huo Du followed the suggestion and went upstairs with Ma Xiuping, Xiaoxiangzi, Ran Tianshi, and others.
“Please, Escort, step aside to talk,” Qiu Qianzhang immediately lowered his posture, speaking in an almost pleading tone.
Zhou Yan scoffed, “You know I recognized you are not Qiu Qianren?”
“The escort’s eyes are like torches; he can naturally see through this old man.”
“Alright!” The two walked forward about ten paces and stood by the roadside. Zhou Yan asked, “How did you end up under Huo Du?”
Qiu Qianzhang vividly remembered the scene at Cuya Mountain where Zhou Yan exposed his trickery. He dared not lie and said, “Huo Du is recruiting talent, and I recommended myself.”
“Did you again spew smoke and blow yourself up to be more formidable than Qiu Qianren?”
Qiu Qianzhang gave an embarrassed smile.
“Did Huo Du not ask why Qiu Qianren defected to the Jin Dynasty while you went to Mongolia?”
“Sun Bin and Pang Juan became sworn brothers, Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya were lifelong friends; they all served their respective masters.”
“Heh, you’re eloquent. Why didn’t you defect to Wanyan Kang?”
“My second brother has always looked down on me, and the Jin Dynasty’s power is already waning.”
“Weren’t you working for the Jin Dynasty before?”
“Times have changed. A wise bird chooses its tree.”
“It’s opportunism.”
“The Young Hero speaks the truth.”
“Aren’t you worried about being exposed?”
Qiu Qianzhang said confidently, “Although my physical skills are not as good as my second brother’s, my insight and judgment are not bad.”
“That is true, at least you can see that the Jin Dynasty is in decline.”
“Thank you for your praise, Young Hero.”
“However, I must still remind you, be careful not to play with fire and get burned.”
“I have walked the Jianghu for decades, and I have only stumbled in the hands of the Young Hero. I hope the Young Hero will keep my past a secret.”
“Take care of yourself.” Zhou Yan patted Qiu Qianzhang’s shoulder and walked away. He couldn’t help but sigh, thinking that the three Qiu siblings were now serving different masters.
After a few steps, Zhou Yan recalled the people around Huo Du: Xiaoxiangzi, Ran Tianshi, Ma Xiuping, Han Wugou, etc. Ma Xiuping’s martial art was Spring Leg with fast fists, a technique belonging to the First-Rank Hall in the Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils World.
When Fu’an’s escort team went to Yumen Pass, they encountered the ‘Iron Hawks’ in Ganzhou. If the news leaked from Huo Du’s side, Ma Xiuping would be the most suspected.
Having lived two lives, Zhou Yan saw through everything.
He would not capture the opponent and interrogate them; it was not the right time.
As for Qiu Qianzhang, following Huo Du and swindling people, he might be useful in the future.
The houses were like a forest, with overlapping eaves. Between the scale-like arrangements of houses in Zhongdu City, the lights formed extending streams of fire. On this early summer night, they intricately outlined the city’s landscape.
Zhou Yan returned to the courtyard, cleaned as usual, bathed, and went to bed.
When daylight broke again, he shouldered his packed bag, went to Fu’an Escort Agency to get his horse, greeted Zhang Wangyue, and then went to the inn to meet Ku Hui and the others.
The group of dozens of people left Zhongdu and headed straight for Songshan.
…
The June sun fell on Caizhou, and Zhou Yan rode alone to Cuya Mountain.
He had departed from Zhongdu, escorted Ku Hui and the others to Shaoshi Mountain, and then, without lingering, headed straight for the mountain stronghold. Of course, at Shaolin Temple, he had a private conversation with Master Ku Cheng, informing him about the traitor from Shaolin Temple of the Western Regions and asking the Abbot to be wary of anyone among the dozens of people accompanying Ku Hui who might be associated with Huo Gong Toutuo.
The horses’ hooves clattered on the ground. Before even approaching the mountain stronghold, a carrier pigeon flew into the sky from the forest. A minor leader ran over joyfully, “Lord Zhou!”
Zhou Yan did not recognize him. He dismounted and asked, “Is Brother Shi not here?”
“Stone Leader has been selected for the cavalry within the stronghold.”
“So that’s how it is.”
“I have already sent a carrier pigeon to inform the **chieftain**. I will escort Lord Zhou.”
“No need to trouble yourself. I can go by myself.”
“That’s fine too, since Lord Zhou is familiar with the way.”
“Alright!”
Zhou Yan rode forward. After only a few miles, the sound of hooves was like thunder. Two riders galloped towards him at full speed. They were Yang Miaozhen, riding a chestnut horse, and Qiu Qianchi, astride a Wuzhui horse.
“Brother Zhou.”
Several zhang apart, Yang Miaozhen dismounted, her face beaming. “Good brother, you’ve helped the mountain stronghold immensely. With five hundred sets of armor and complete weapons, and four hundred fine horses from Hexi, I’ve managed to assemble five hundred cavalry.”
Zhou Yan smiled and said, “It was all thanks to the escort team’s efforts.”
“Head Escort Huyan recounted the entire incident. Without you, Brother Zhou, how could there have been the great victory in Ganzhou? Come, Sister Qiu and I will drink with you, and we can also discuss the matter of attacking Tongbai Mountain.”
“Are we going to send troops?”
“Of course. From your return to Zhongdu to the Western Regions, these past few months have been spent day and night training. With the equipment, we can now test our blades on the remnants of Great Qi.”
“Does Young Master Lu know?”
“Yes, he does. When Head Escort Huyan left, I knew you would be coming soon. I’ve already arranged for someone to send word to Young Master Lu and Elder Fishing Old Man.”
“Excellent. Sister will also send someone to Zhongdu; the Chief Escort will come as well.”
Yang Miaozhen was overjoyed. “Great!”
As the three walked, the spirited woman added, “Head Escort Huyan said Brother Zhou is no longer at the escort agency.”
“That’s right.”
“How about settling down at Cuya Mountain from now on? You can be the leader.”
Zhou Yan chuckled.
“What’s wrong? Brother Zhou doesn’t believe in Sister’s sincerity?”
“Brother Liu and I have an appointment at Hengshan, and there are many places I need to go in the future. I can’t be idle. Thank you for your kind offer, Sister.”
“That’s fine too. I’ll always keep the position of Great Leader open for you.”
“Sister, you are not inferior to men. There’s no need for that.”
“Let’s not talk about this for now. Let’s have a good drink.”
“That I can do.”
“How has Miss Qiu been recently?”
“After we finish attacking Tongbai Mountain, I’ll take Sister Qiu to see what kind of person the Valley Master of the Valley of Unfeeling truly is.”
“That would be good. I also have something to tell Miss Qiu.”
“Please speak freely, Escort,” Qiu Qianchi said quickly.
Zhou Yan told Qiu Qianchi about his encounter with Qiu Qianzhang in Zhongdu. The three horses galloped, gradually disappearing into the bright daylight.
