Chapter 282: Captured, Rescue
Yang Miaozhen had long told Qiu Qianchi that once the strongholds of Tongbai Mountain and Funiu Mountain were stable, she would accompany her to the Valley of Unfeeling to see if Gongsun Zhi was worth entrusting.
While Zhou Yan left the stronghold, traveled from Yuezhou to Hundred Herbs Valley, and then went northward to Jingzhou with Liu Qingzhou and others, Yang Miaozhen organized the many affairs of the stronghold in an orderly manner.
The two descended the mountain, passed Xinye, and arrived directly at Xiangyang.
They happened to arrive just as Yang Kang and his party were returning to Kaifeng Prefecture.
If Ouyang Feng had not been injured, such a coincidence would not have occurred, but everything changed due to the “butterfly effect” triggered by Zhou Yan stabbing Ouyang Feng.
Qiu Qianchi not only saw Gongsun Zhi but also heard every word of the Valley Master of Unfeeling and Li Mochou clearly.
Gongsun Zhi, unaware that he was being overheard, was mocked by Li Mochou. He said with great demeanor, “My intentions were good. Since you misunderstand me so, I shall not disturb you further.”
With Gongsun Zhi saying this, Li Mochou found it difficult to respond and said, “That would be best.”
After saying this, she turned to the shop assistant and said, “Please fetch the medicine.”
“Please wait a moment, young lady.”
The shop assistant nimbly prepared the medicine. Li Mochou paid the silver and left the pharmacy without delay.
Gongsun Zhi, skilled in alchemy and medicine, told the shop assistant several medicinal herbs for promoting blood circulation and muscle regeneration, then he hurried out of the pharmacy with a bag of prepared medicine.
The Qingcong Horse trotted along and soon stopped at a restaurant on the side of the street. Gongsun Zhi stared intently until Li Mochou entered the restaurant. Only then did he sigh, turn around, and walk towards the inn with a dejected air.
Qiu Qianchi and Yang Miaozhen emerged from the alley beside the pharmacy.
“Let’s go back to Funiu Mountain,” said Qiu Qianchi, who had heard every word Gongsun Zhi said inside the pharmacy.
Yang Miaozhen, lacking experience in emotional matters, comforted her, “Valley Master Gongsun’s words don’t seem to be inappropriate. Why don’t we look again?”
“No need!”
“Since we’re here, why be so hasty? Let’s go.” Yang Miaozhen tied her mount’s reins to a willow tree on the side of the street and pulled Qiu Qianchi along.
…
“Thank you, Valley Master.”
As Gongsun Zhi entered the inn, Ouyang Ke, who was eating in the lobby, greeted him with a smile.
“Young Master Ouyang is too polite.”
“Why does the Valley Master look unwell?” Ouyang Ke asked.
“Yes, the Valley Master seemed so cheerful when he came out earlier,” Helian Chuncheng added.
“Why doesn’t the Valley Master join us for a drink and tell us what’s bothering him?”
Gongsun Zhi sat down and, while drinking, said, “I saw a woman who resembled Miss Qiu, and I became distracted.”
The wind blew past the overhanging eaves, and a few fallen leaves tumbled at Yang Miaozhen’s feet. Her pretty face turned cold, and she thought, “How shameless of Gongsun Zhi to say Miss Qiu resembles that woman. They are worlds apart!”
Qiu Qianchi’s complexion turned ashen.
Ouyang Ke, knowing Gongsun Zhi’s intentions, chuckled, “Where did that young lady go? Let me go and see this woman who resembles Miss Qiu.”
“I’ll go take a look too,” said Helian Chuncheng.
“Let’s go together,” chimed in Yin Kexi, who had lost an arm, and Ni Mo Xing.
Gongsun Zhi went along with the flow, “We’ll go to the restaurant ahead.”
“Please be so kind as to decoct the medicine for me, Valley Master. I’ll be back shortly.”
“Young Master Ouyang, please don’t be so polite.”
Ouyang Ke and the other three stood up and walked towards the inn’s entrance.
Under the bright autumn sunlight, Qiu Qianchi’s figure flickered and appeared at the inn’s entrance.
Ouyang Ke glanced at Iron Palm Lotus. She was reasonably attractive but not as beautiful as a concubine. He frowned and said, “Please step aside, young lady.”
A buzzing gunshot sound rang out, and Yang Miaozhen appeared beside Qiu Qianchi. Ouyang Ke’s eyes lit up, and he thought, “This young lady is beautiful and full of spirit. She’s worth pursuing.”
Gongsun Zhi heard the commotion at the inn’s entrance and turned his head.
A familiar figure and face suddenly appeared before him. His hand trembled, and the wine cup fell, shattering into pieces with a crash.
“Miss Qiu.”
Ouyang Ke was stunned. Was this woman with an unfriendly expression Qiu Qianren’s sister, Qiu Qianchi?
Gongsun Zhi was first surprised, then overjoyed. He quickly got up and went forward, “When you left that day, Miss Qiu, I searched north and south of the Great River, but I couldn’t find you. My efforts were not in vain; to see you again!”
Ouyang Ke withdrew his gaze from Yang Miaozhen. Since Qiu Qianchi had appeared, there was no need to go to the restaurant to abduct someone. This woman before him was outstanding in both figure and appearance. If he put in some effort, wouldn’t it be even better to win her over?
Thinking this, he smiled and said, “Indeed. Just now, Valley Master Gongsun said he saw a woman who resembled Miss Qiu and became distracted and unwell.”
“This is terrible!” Gongsun Zhi’s expression changed drastically.
Qiu Qianchi said coldly, “Is that so, Valley Master Gongsun?”
“Miss Qiu, please let me explain.”
Qiu Qianchi exhaled softly and said, “No need. I saw that young lady outside the pharmacy. Whether she resembles me or not, we both know. The reason I’ve appeared is to say a few words.”
Qiu Qianchi’s voice was cold and urgent: “I’ve thought about this for a long time. I am not a good match for you. From now on, let us live in peace, without disturbing each other. Also, do not deceive that young lady. Farewell!”
As Qiu Qianchi finished speaking, she said to Yang Miaozhen, “Youngest Sister Yang, let’s go.”
The two turned and walked under the eaves when a cold snort suddenly came from the inn’s staircase, “Qianchi, where are you going?”
Qiu Qianchi’s heart sank. She inwardly lamented, “Why is my second brother here too?”
“Go!” she urged Yang Miaozhen.
“Stop her.”
“Forgive me.” Ouyang Ke smiled slightly and stepped forward to pursue Yang Miaozhen.
A fierce and domineering dark red spear suddenly thrust towards Ouyang Ke as Yang Miaozhen turned.
The spear thrust in a straight line, and terrifying killing intent surged forth. Ouyang Ke’s hair stood on end, and he retreated rapidly. Qiu Qianren appeared before Ouyang Ke like a ghost. His sleeves, which were originally soft and flowing, became as hard as iron plates the moment he approached. The powerful force stirred up a piercing whistle in the air.
Yang Miaozhen wielded her spear like a dragon. Qiu Qianren directly collided with the spear tip with his iron sleeves. The qi energy that erupted upon contact sent the spearhead scattering like a flickering snake lightning.
The sounds of clashing and fighting quickly moved from the lobby to the long street.
“Second brother, stop!” Qiu Qianchi rushed towards Qiu Qianren but was blocked by Ouyang Ke and Helian Chuncheng.
Yang Miaozhen retreated six steps and thrust out thirty-two spears. The buzzing sound of the spear being struck by the rusty sleeve grew louder. Suddenly, Qiu Qianren stepped forward and struck out with both palms. With a boom, the powerful internal energy actually sent the spear flying into the sky.
Qiu Qianren’s palm momentum, carrying a heavy and fierce gust of wind, descended upon Yang Miaozhen again.
Yang Miaozhen’s fist and foot techniques were not particularly brilliant, so how could she be a match for Qiu Qianren, who was famous for his iron palm? After only a few exchanges, Yang Miaozhen was struck on the shoulder. She staggered back, and Qiu Qianren, like a shadow, pressed her acupoint.
Qiu Qianchi rushed towards Qiu Qianren. The two figures spun around on the street. After more than thirty moves, she too had her acupoints pressed.
Qiu Qianren said to a Hall Master of the Iron Palm Sect who had arrived upon hearing the commotion, “Find a horse carriage and take them to the Valley of Unfeeling.”
“Certainly!” The Hall Master turned to find a horse carriage.
Among the crowd watching from the side of the long street, Li Mochou thought, “I must help those in distress. How can I stand by and do nothing? Moreover, that scoundrel Ouyang Ke is among them, so I cannot remain indifferent. But that person’s martial arts are truly formidable; I am no match for him. I can only act according to the situation.”
The restaurant was not far from the inn. Li Mochou, hearing the fight, rushed over, only to see Qiu Qianren capturing Yang Miaozhen and Qiu Qianchi.
She was a novice, having been rescued by Zhou Yan. Now, seeing Yang Miaozhen and Qiu Qianchi in trouble, she would not ignore them.
The crowd watching on the street soon dispersed. Shortly after, the Hall Master of the Iron Palm Sect arrived with a carriage. Ouyang Feng, Qiu Qianren, and others came downstairs, mounted their horses and carriages, and headed straight for the Valley of Unfeeling.
Li Mochou followed from a distance, filled with worry.
…
The sunset had not yet fallen, and tired birds were returning to their nests, flying over the wharf and market.
The chestnut horse by the roadside snorted restlessly.
“Huh!”
A sound of surprise came from the long street. Zhou Yan leaped down from the Night-Shining Jade Lion.
Yanbo Diaosou also jumped off his horse and asked doubtfully, “This looks like Leader Yang’s horse.”
“It is the chestnut horse.” Zhou Yan reached out. Recognizing his chestnut horse, it nuzzled his sleeve. He looked at another Wuzhui horse with a somewhat solemn expression and said, “This is Miss Qiu’s mount.”
“I’ll go and inquire,” said Yanbo Diaosou.
“Let’s go together.”
Zhou Yan untied the reins. The chestnut horse and the Wuzhui horse followed the Night-Shining Jade Lion. The four of them inquired along the street. After spending a little silver, they effortlessly learned about the fight that had occurred outside the inn on the main street that afternoon and the news of Yang Miaozhen and Qiu Qianchi being captured.
The red clouds hanging in the sky burned like fire. Zhou Yan exhaled and said to Yanbo Diaosou, “Miss Yang and Miss Qiu were likely taken to the Valley of Unfeeling.”
Yanbo Diaosou chuckled, “I wanted to visit the Valley of Unfeeling last time but missed the opportunity when I met Miss Qiu at the wharf. This time, we’ll go and break in.”
Liu Qingzhou and Hundred Herbs Immortal knew this journey would be dangerous. With Ouyang Feng and Qiu Qianren, the four of them would not be a match. However, the situation was urgent, and they could not wait to get help from Zhang Sanqiang in Jingzhou.
“Prepare yourselves. We’re going to the Valley of Unfeeling,” Zhou Yan said with a low chuckle. “I’ll have to pick up the lime powder again.”
Hundred Herbs Immortal was startled and asked, “What do you need lime powder for?”
“To throw lime. It’s very effective. I’ve used it on both Ouyang Feng and Qiu Qianren.”
Liu Qingzhou and Yanbo Diaosou were stunned and burst into laughter.
As night fell, Zhou Yan, Liu Qingzhou, and others, having purchased lime and rope, left the wharf and headed straight for the Valley of Unfeeling.
