Chapter 8: A Scoundrel’s Heart Judges a Gentleman’s Mind
The escorts from the Four Seas Escort Agency arrived with high spirits and left dejected, adding another topic of gossip to the re-established atmosphere of Songhe Tower.
Zhou Yan walked to the private room of the Taoist priests Yin and Zhao and apologized, “I am Zhou Yan from the Fu’an Escort Agency. I apologize for disturbing you, two Taoist priests.”
Taoist Priest Yin quickly stood up, cupped his hands, and said loudly, “Yin Zhiping of the Quanzhen Sect. Escort Zhou need not be concerned.”
Zhou Yan introduced himself, and following Jianghu etiquette, Yin Zhiping stated his sect.
This was Yin Zhiping. Zhou Yan observed him, noting his handsome features, bright eyes, and elegant appearance, appearing to be around eighteen years old.
“So you are from the Quanzhen Sect. My apologies.”
Huyan Lei also walked over and said, “Your technique for deflecting force just now was impressive. May I ask who your master is?”
“My master is Taoist Priest Qiu Changchunzi.”
“Your name is legendary. A great master produces a worthy disciple,” Huyan Lei praised.
Zhou Yan casually asked, “Is Taoist Priest Qiu here?”
Yin Zhiping found Zhou Yan a bit long-winded, but seeing his polite demeanor, he replied, “My master is in seclusion.”
“I see!”
Before Zhou Yan could ask further, Taoist Priest Zhao stood up and said, “Junior Brother, we have finished eating and should be on our way.”
“Understood, Senior Brother Zhao.” Yin Zhiping picked up his bundle and longsword, nodded slightly at Zhou Yan, and left with his senior brother.
“Brother Zhou, let’s continue.”
The two returned to their private room. Yin Zhiping and Taoist Priest Zhao had already left for the street. Zhou Yan watched their retreating figures, thinking that Taoist Priest Zhao must be Zhao Zhijing. Qiu Chuji was still on Zhongnan Mountain, while he himself had encountered the Yellow River Four Ghosts outside Datong Prefecture. They had seen Ouyang Ke lusting after Li Mochou’s beauty and had pursued them relentlessly.
The timeline of Legend of the Condor Heroes should be around the time Guo Jing was about to head south.
Zhou Yan had forgotten where Guo Jing met Huang Rong, only remembering that she seemed to be disguised as a beggar.
As he thought this, Huyan Lei said, “That Taoist Priest Zhao is narrow-minded. Fearing we might try to associate with the Quanzhen Sect, he hurried away with the young Taoist.”
Zhou Yan smiled slightly. Zhao Zhijing was just that kind of person. Old Brother had sharp eyes.
…
Yin Zhiping walked along the street and said, “Senior Brother, I’m still hungry.”
Zhao Zhijing said earnestly, “Junior Brother, your experience in the Jianghu is shallow. Those two escorts are clearly sycophants. You must not associate with them, lest they use our Quanzhen Sect to boost their own prestige.”
“There are such things?”
Zhao Zhijing said, “The Jianghu is deep and treacherous. They are escorts; they are best at using others’ influence for their own gain.”
“But I felt Escort Zhou and Escort Huyan were very upright.”
“Can ‘upright’ be written on someone’s face?”
Yin Zhiping glanced at his Senior Brother and respectfully said, “Senior Brother’s teachings are correct.”
Zhao Zhijing was quite pleased and said as they walked, “It’s hard to draw a dragon or tiger without drawing its bones; you can know a person’s face but not their heart. Junior Brother, remember, when walking in the Jianghu, speak less and observe more.”
“Mm!”
In the faint twilight, two figures walked further and further away, eventually merging into the crowd and disappearing.
…
Zhou Yan, seated in a private room by the south window of Songhe Tower, consulted Huyan Lei.
“Old Brother, when do you think Escort Su will issue a challenge?”
Huyan Lei laughed, “It’s just empty talk, trying to save face. This place has all sorts of people. If he backs down, wouldn’t he lose face for the Four Seas Escort Agency and himself?”
Zhou Yan realized, and chuckled. He was still inexperienced. If the other party truly intended to decide victory or death, they would have already set a time and place.
“I misjudged. However, Escort Su’s martial arts are also very formidable.”
Huyan Lei glared, “You fought against both of them and won, and you say they aren’t formidable?”
“I can’t boast about myself.”
“Then I shall boast!”
Zhou Yan recalled Huyan Lei’s catchphrase and smiled knowingly.
…
The moon descended, and the stars were sparse in the deep night.
Zhou Yan and Huyan Lei exited Songhe Tower.
One went east, the other west, parting ways.
The streetscape still appeared crowded, with buildings of varying heights packed together, and winding narrow alleys crisscrossing like a spiderweb. Zhou Yan, carrying his quiver, walked alone past large courtyards with blue tiles and white walls covered in moss, past imposing residences with stone lions, and by brothels where women with vacant eyes leaned against windows, absentmindedly watching passersby while cracking melon seeds, their laughter drifting from some windows onto the street.
When the pedestrians had thinned, he reached the end of an alley and climbed over a wall.
A door bolt secured two dark wooden doors that exuded an aura of age. As it had been uninhabited for a long time, the courtyard was covered in fallen autumn leaves. This old siheyuan was Zhou Yan’s home now.
A faint oil lamp cast a dim orange glow. Zhou Yan placed his quiver on the table, went out of the room to get a broom, and cleaned the courtyard. He drew water from the old well in the courtyard and found a rag to wipe the dust off the tables and chairs.
A crescent moon climbed into the sapphire blue firmament. Zhou Yan finished cleaning inside and out, walked out of the house, and stood in the courtyard.
Most of an escort’s time is spent on the road. For the original owner to possess such formidable external martial arts, besides talent, it relied on diligent cultivation, burning the midnight oil.
Having transmigrated and integrated the original owner’s memories, he believed his comprehension was now even more outstanding, and he also had the golden finger, Jade Guanyin, to assist him in his cultivation. He had to practice diligently.
Since parting ways with Li Mochou, he had been studying Jade Guanyin along the way.
It had no heaven-defying attributes like reflecting cultivation techniques. Jade Guanyin could only continuously emit a moderate and peaceful warmth, eliminating fatigue, clearing meridians, and repairing internal illnesses.
However, in his eyes, Jade Guanyin’s practical functions were like a gift in the snow.
Without a master’s guidance, relying solely on self-study, over time, it was inevitable that muscles and bones would be damaged, and accumulated injuries could harm the internal organs or even lead to qi deviation. Now, not only were there no worries, but with Jade Guanyin’s help, he could also quickly eliminate fatigue. After practicing, it was equivalent to getting a full body massage from a golden finger immediately. What could be better?
Zhou Yan’s thoughts returned, and with a focused mind, he immersed himself in the “Free and Easy Journey” fist technique.
“…The hip is the body’s central axis, skillfully managed through the waist and legs. Find the point of imbalance, and yin and yang will naturally harmonize. Sending the solid to the void is the secret; push the empty leg forward. The stepping leg extends segment by segment, the toes scraping the rope to the heel. It penetrates bones and muscles, flowing smoothly. When the foot touches the ground, the shoulders and back sink. The spirit is ethereal, the mind is hazy…”
Zhou Yan silently recited the cultivation technique mantra of “Free and Easy Journey,” chewing on its essence and filling in any gaps. When the moon was at its zenith, he suddenly assumed a boxing stance, expanding his chest and abdomen. He swallowed a breath, and with his left palm and right foot moving simultaneously, he executed the “Begging Bowl Along the Door” technique, his movements as graceful as ever, with an added three parts of ferocity.
Zhou Yan was overjoyed. Techniques like “Seeing a Hand Reach Out,” “Food Comes to the Mouth,” “The sun is three poles high,” and “A Dream of Yellow Millet” were unleashed one after another. On the white courtyard wall, a figure leaped and rolled at varying heights, moves connecting to moves, stances following stances, his body as fast as a meteor streaking across the sky, his fist shadows as dense as a celestial river gathering snow.
He was immersed in the boxing realm, coordinating his footwork and breathing exercises. Unaware of the time, the internal force cultivated through diligent practice of “Yanqing Fist” was suddenly guided by his intent, circulating in his abdominal cavity, then spreading along the meridians to his limbs, enhancing his footwork agility and the power of his fists and kicks.
He was filled with surprise and joy. Hong Qigong had said that the “Free and Easy Journey” fist technique could solidify the foundation of internal energy and aid cultivation. The Northern Beggar was indeed true to his word.
You give me a peach, and I’ll repay you with fine jade.
