Chapter 38: Mu Yi Takes Root, Walls Have Ears
The wind howled, hitting the window, and the oiled paper rustled.
Mu Yi’s heart was shaken like a stormy sea.
The Yang Family Spear Technique was known throughout the Jianghu, but more than eighty percent of it was not from the direct lineage. The Head Escort before him used the authentic Yang Family Spear Technique, the same as his own lineage. How did he know it?
Zhou Yan, being privy to the situation, said gently, “Senior Mu, please do not worry too much, nor should you be concerned. Our Head Escort means well.”
A life-saving kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring. Hearing Zhou Yan say this, Mu Yi asked, “How did the Head Escort figure it out?”
This statement was equivalent to an admission.
Zhang Wangyue’s spirits lifted, and he said, “Escort Huyan saw you in action at the inn and recognized it as the authentic Yang Family Spear Technique. You also gave your name as Mu Yi. If you break down the character ‘Yang,’ it becomes ‘Mu Yi’.”
Zhou Yan inwardly sighed at the Head Escort’s meticulous and intelligent mind.
Mu Yi suddenly understood, “So that’s how it is. I am Yang Tiexin, and my ancestor was precisely Yang Zai Xing.”
Huyan Lei laughed heartily, “Those of the same kind are bound to meet.”
Yang Tiexin asked, “What do you mean by that?”
At this point, Zhang Wangyue had no need to hide his identity. “My ancestor was Zhang Xian. I am Zhang Wangyue.”
Yang Tiexin suddenly realized and quickly cupped his hands, “I was blind and did not recognize the General.”
Zhang Wangyue quickly helped him up, “There is no need for formalities. I am now merely a Head Escort at an inn. Let us sit and talk.”
Mu Nianci busied herself tidying the tables and chairs. Zhou Yan withdrew from the room and went downstairs to the hall. He asked a Shop Assistant for a pot of good wine and a few small dishes, which he then brought to the room himself.
As the saying goes, “Peach and Plum Spring Breeze, a Cup of Wine; Jianghu’s Night Rain, Ten Years’ Lamp.” At such a moment, without wine, wouldn’t it spoil the mood?
When he arrived in the room, Zhang Wangyue saw the wine and smiled slightly. Zhou Yan returned his smile.
The four of them sat around the square table. Mu Nianci busied herself pouring wine. Zhou Yan said, “Please do not trouble yourself, Miss.”
While he was downstairs, Zhang Wangyue and Yang Tiexin had already introduced themselves to each other.
The Head Escort said to Zhou Yan, “This young lady is Brother Yang’s Adopted Daughter, Mu Nianci.”
How could he not know? He smiled slightly, “Greetings, Miss Mu.”
Mu Nianci’s complexion turned slightly red, “Thank you, Escort Zhou, for saving my life.”
Huyan Lei, being blunt, spoke without restraint. He said, “Brother Zhou, fearing that the villainous young master and the Iron Palm Sect disciples might hold a grudge and seek revenge, pursued those people not long ago and rooted them out.”
Yang Tiexin and Mu Nianci were both shocked, and relieved. They had eliminated future trouble. However, they were more astonished by Zhou Yan’s thoughtfulness and methods.
Mu Nianci looked at Zhou Yan again. She felt they were not much different in age, but in terms of Jianghu experience and foresight in handling matters, she didn’t know how much they differed. She suddenly felt inadequate.
Zhou Yan did not wish to dwell on this matter. He changed the subject with a simple phrase, “Preventing problems before they arise.” He poured wine and said, “This evening, I heard Senior Yang mention departing at dawn. Where are you headed?”
At this point, Yang Tiexin had no need to hide anything further. He raised his wine bowl and said, “I am clumsy with words and not good at speaking. The first bowl is for gratitude, the second for our meeting, and the third for friendship.”
“Magnificent!” Huyan Lei exclaimed.
Zhang Wangyue raised his bowl with both hands, “Well said.”
After three bowls of wine, Yang Tiexin said, “To be frank, I brought my daughter here for a Martial Arts Competition to Recruit a Husband, but in reality, I am traveling north and south, searching for an old friend. We will depart at dawn and wish to head Northward Journey to Cangzhou and Daxing Prefecture.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Yang Tiexin concisely recounted how, more than ten years ago, he and Guo Xiaotian had become sworn brothers in Niu Family Village in Lin’an Prefecture. Later, they encountered misfortune, Guo Xiaotian died, and Li Ping disappeared without a trace.
Even though Zhou Yan already knew the inside story, hearing these words spoken in a low voice by the battle-hardened man, and seeing his eyes redden with emotion, he thought of the man’s hardships, his dusty appearance, and his decades of wandering the Four Seas. He was deeply moved.
Loyalty and righteousness as solid as a mountain were vividly displayed by Yang Tiexin.
Mu Nianci’s eyes were also filled with tears.
Zhang Wangyue and Huyan Lei were filled with solemn respect.
The Head Escort said, “I have a humble suggestion, Brother Yang, you may consider it.”
Yang Tiexin quickly replied, “Head Escort, please speak freely.”
“After all, so much time has passed. The world is vast, and people are countless. Searching like this is ultimately not the best plan. If another incident like last night were to occur, wouldn’t it bring further disaster? Brother Yang mentioned going to Daxing Prefecture. My Boss is in Zhongdu. He is kind and righteous. If Brother Yang is willing, I can write a letter. When Brother Yang arrives in Zhongdu, present the letter at the Escort Bureau, and my Boss will help you find the person. Brother Yang can stay at the Escort Bureau without issue. The Escort Bureau travels on missions throughout the Five Lakes and Four Seas. Brother Yang can travel with the Escort Team, inquiring along the way. Wouldn’t that give you a better chance of finding Madam Guo’s whereabouts?”
Yang Tiexin was somewhat moved. In this day and age, if one wanted to be well-informed, it would be the Escort Bureau.
“This is indeed a good method, but how can I possibly accept such great kindness?”
Zhou Yan could see Yang Tiexin’s hesitation and advised, “Senior, there is no need to worry. You and our Head Escort’s ancestor were both under Grandpa Yue. Since there is a past connection, why not cherish this reunion?”
Yang Tiexin no longer hesitated. He cupped his hands in thanks, “Then I will trouble the Head Escort.”
Zhang Wangyue was overjoyed, “With Brother Yang joining us in Fu’an, the Escort Bureau will be even stronger.”
Huyan Lei said, “In the future, I will spar Spear Techniques with Brother Yang.”
“Not at all, it is Escort Huyan who should guide me.”
Zhou Yan smiled with satisfaction. This was the best outcome.
Mu Nianci observed their expressions. As a woman, she was perceptive and thought to herself:
“He is truly remarkable. He seems taciturn, but every word he speaks is like threading a needle, connecting everything.”
…
It was past midnight, and the banks of the Yellow River at Fengling Ferry were far from peaceful. The clamor of merchants crossing the river disturbed the night.
The Young Master, who had failed to buy a horse, sat on the stone steps outside the Boat Company, looking at the scene before him. His heart was like a floating duckweed, contemplating whether to cross the river or head north.
Two Black-Clothed Big Men walked by in a hurry and entered the Boat Company. Faintly, their voices could be heard, “After tomorrow, those mules and horses will belong to the Yellow River Gang.”
“Indeed, that horse, the ‘Night-Shining Jade Lion,’ is truly magnificent.”
The Young Master glanced back at the two men who had entered the Boat Company and thought, I couldn’t even buy a horse, and you’re going to steal one? How outrageous.
He stood up and circled around to the back of the Boat Company. With a leap, in the moonlight, everything was a simple black and white silhouette. The Young Master’s figure landed on the rooftop, his legs hooked over the Overhanging Eaves, his waist like a willow branch swaying. He performed a move called “Pearl Rolling Backwards” and looked into the hall of the Boat Company.
The two men walked directly into the main hall. The Shopkeeper of the Boat Company stood up to greet them, “Gentlemen, the ferry fees for this month have all been paid in full.”
One of the Big Men asked, “Let me ask you, will there be an Escort Team hiring a boat to cross the river tomorrow?”
“That is correct!”
“All the Boatmen are to be replaced by people from the Yellow River Gang.”
“Sir, how can this be done?” the Shopkeeper asked fearfully.
The Big Man sneered, “Do you still want to do business ferrying across the Yellow River?”
The Shopkeeper was instantly dejected.
The Young Master flipped himself up and sat on the rooftop, thinking, so the owner of that horse was from an Escort Bureau. This Yellow River Gang is planning to Rob the Escort on the river. I won’t rush off; I’ll stay and watch.
…
As the Dawn Light began to appear, the inn became noisy once more.
Some were leaving, and some were arriving.
Yang Tiexin carefully placed the letter written by Zhang Wangyue into his chest. He cupped his hands and said, “Thank you for your hospitality, Head Escort.”
Zhang Wangyue replied, “Have a safe journey. See you in Zhongdu.”
“Alright, See you later.”
Mu Nianci tidied the cart. She inserted her Iron Spear into the side of the cart, glanced back at Zhou Yan and the others, turned around, and pushed the cart on its way.
The sound of the cart wheels, like a grindstone on her heart, made her think that once they reached Zhongdu, she would no longer be drifting east and west. It would be quite good to settle down at the Escort Bureau.
As she thought this, Huyan Lei’s calm demeanor after mentioning Zhou Yan pursuing the villainous young master and the Iron Palm Sect disciples flashed through her mind.
If Father were to become an Escort at the Escort Bureau, would I follow him on escorts in the future?
Mu Nianci mused absentmindedly.
