Chapter 80: The Shame of a Warrior
A parallel to the Jianghu of Legend of the Condor Heroes.
Wang Chuyi had exchanged a palm strike with Monk Lingzhi at the Zhao Wang Manor, and both had suffered severe injuries. Zhou Yan knew he was no match for the monk at the moment, but he couldn’t abandon Zhu Cong and Han Xiaoying.
Setting aside their connection to the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan and Guo Jing, these individuals from humble backgrounds truly acted with righteousness.
Another point was that in Zhou Yan’s eyes, Han Xiaoying was like Mu Nianci, a tragic figure in the Jianghu of Legend of the Condor Heroes whose fate was hard to accept. Han Xiaoying, with her Yue Maiden Sword, never married and remained steadfast. The eighteen years of wind and frost in the desert had ravaged her beautiful appearance, and she dedicated all her energy to teaching Guo Jing martial arts. No matter when or where, it was always this seemingly delicate woman who protected the Golden Saber Consort.
Yet, in the end, she met the same tragic fate as Mu Nianci.
Therefore, they had to be saved, but not recklessly. The monk’s “Great Hand Seal” shattered internal organs and injured meridians; it was absolutely not to be underestimated. It would be enough to entangle Monk Lingzhi and help the two heroes escape.
In a flash, Zhou Yan arrived at where Han Xiaoying had fallen. He hid close to the wall, and after only a few breaths, the sound of Monk Lingzhi’s figure disturbing the air above his head, like tearing silk, echoed from the night sky.
Monk Lingzhi’s burly figure descended like a falling red cloud.
Zhu Cong struck back with a flying dart. Monk Lingzhi casually swung his bronze cymbals, swatting away the hidden weapon shot from the darkness with a “pa.” He bared his menacing teeth.
“Haha, how can you escape from Buddha’s Five Finger Mountain?”
As he spoke, his figure was about to pounce like an eagle.
Zhou Yan, crouched close to the wall, suddenly sprang up. He threw a brick in his hand, smashing it towards the back of Monk Lingzhi’s head. Immediately, he took a step, bent his left leg slightly, curved his right arm inward, and pushed his right palm outward with a “whoosh.”
Monk Lingzhi suddenly heard a loud sound of wind breaking behind him. He didn’t have time to swing his bronze cymbals to block, so he shifted his body. The brick hit his shoulder with a “boom.”
Zhou Yan’s current cultivation had long surpassed those like Hou Tonghai and even Sun Buer, who had taught Quanzhen Swordplay. He was only slightly behind Qiu Chuji, Wang Chuyi, and Ma Yu among the Seven Immortals of Quanzhen. Furthermore, he possessed great arm strength. With this brick strike, Monk Lingzhi felt as if his shoulder and arm had fallen apart.
Zhou Yan’s “Kanglong Regret” followed closely behind.
Monk Lingzhi didn’t even have time to turn around. He used the move “Su Qin Carrying His Sword,” protecting his back with his left bronze cymbal.
With a loud “bang,” Zhou Yan’s palm landed on the bronze cymbal.
The bronze cymbal suddenly flew into the air. Monk Lingzhi felt as if his back had been struck by a hammer. He was already lunging forward, and his body violently lost balance. With a “bang,” he fell forward into the snow and slid forward, flailing his limbs. The bronze cymbal in his right hand flew out of his grasp and rolled rapidly ahead.
Monk Lingzhi was filled with immense rage.
He pushed himself up with both hands and leaped into the air. As soon as he turned around, he saw the bronze cymbal that had flown out of his grasp whistling towards him.
Monk Lingzhi could only roll on the ground to dodge it.
Zhou Yan moved like a whirlwind, leaping over walls and roofs, and rushed onto the main street.
“If you have the guts, don’t run! Fight me for a hundred moves.”
In the snowy night, Monk Lingzhi’s roaring voice echoed.
Zhou Yan chuckled lowly and disappeared into the night.
On the long street where heavy snow was falling, Zhu Cong emerged from behind the street archway.
Zhu Cong had seen Zhou Yan fighting Monk Lingzhi earlier, but with Han Xiaoying injured, he dared not linger. He took Han Xiaoying out of the long street where the Prince’s Manor was located, bandaged her wounds, and had her head to the inn first. He then hurried back the way he came. As a result, he encountered Zhou Yan, who had retreated unharmed, on the street.
Zhu Cong let out a slight sigh. It was good that his benefactor was safe. It was a pity he arrived too late to thank him in person. Although there was regret, the current scene was still a blessing in disguise.
Zhu Cong no longer lingered and turned to fly towards the Yuelai Inn.
…
The study courtyard of the Prince’s Manor.
Yuyangzi Wang Chuyi was fighting Liang Zi Weng. The Ginseng Immortal Old Freak’s continuous “Yanqing Fist” suddenly changed its move, and he attacked with “Wild Fox Fist.”
He had spent years roaming the mountains and forests collecting ginseng, often observing birds and beasts hunting and leaping. He had thus comprehended and created the “Wild Fox Fist,” a cultivation technique.
Seeing that his prolonged attack was unsuccessful, the Ginseng Immortal Old Freak unleashed his peerless skill. His footwork suddenly sank, his body shifted, and his fists, like a fox’s pounce, shot towards Wang Chuyi with fierce and powerful moves.
Wang Chuyi flicked his horsetail whisk towards Liang Zi Weng’s arm. He bent his elbow, changing his fist into a claw. His hand nimbly hooked the whisk like a fox’s paw.
“Come here!” Liang Zi Weng roared.
Wang Chuyi went over, and his elbow followed.
He channeled his internal force into the horsetail whisk, and the three thousand silver threads suddenly expanded. Taking advantage of the Ginseng Immortal Old Freak’s impaired vision, he swept his elbow down with a 《Yue Family Fist Manual》 technique.
This strike was incredibly satisfying. With a “bang,” as his right elbow landed on Liang Zi Weng’s face, the opponent’s taut facial muscles rippled like waves. With a “poof,” saliva and teeth flew into the air.
Liang Zi Weng spun like a top. Wang Chuyi took a step sideways, moving to Ma Yu’s side. He twirled and stopped his whisk, then smashed it towards Ouyang Ke.
Ouyang Ke had the upper hand against Ma Yu, but with Wang Chuyi’s reinforcement, he felt the pressure. He threw several punches and retreated about ten feet.
Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi did not linger to fight. They leaped up and quickly departed using the “Golden Goose Skill” agility.
“Catch them!” Liang Zi Weng steadied himself and angrily shouted at the Prince’s Manor guards.
Wanyan Kang, standing under the eaves, his expression changing several times, said, “Do not pursue the fleeing enemy. Protect Father.”
Wanyan Kang had already recognized that Wang Chuyi and Ma Yu were using Quanzhen Techniques and had also identified Wang Chuyi. In a very short time, he wondered if his Master had also arrived in Zhongdu. Seeing the two leave, he dared not send troops to pursue them.
Liang Zi Weng was quite unwilling, but what Wanyan Kang said was not unreasonable. He stomped his foot resentfully and led the guards towards the study where Wanyan Honglie resided.
Ouyang Ke looked in the direction where Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi had gone, then looked at Wanyan Kang suspiciously.
Wanyan Kang sighed, “Master Ouyang, I have my difficulties. You have treated me sincerely, so I will not hide it from you. Half of the martial arts I have learned are from the Quanzhen Sect, and those two were from the Quanzhen Sect.”
“So that’s how it is. Thank you, Little Prince, for informing me. But they trespassed into the Prince’s Manor with malicious intent. Are we just going to let them go?”
“If I had Master Ouyang’s martial arts, why would I have such worries?”
“Perhaps when Uncle arrives in Zhongdu, I will put in a good word for you, Little Prince.”
Wanyan Kang was overjoyed, “Thank you, Master.”
While the two were talking, Monk Lingzhi landed in the courtyard. Wanyan Kang saw that his clothes were covered in snow and mud, looking quite disheveled.
“What happened to you, Venerable Monk?”
Monk Lingzhi said indignantly, “A despicable and shameless scoundrel! He actually squatted under the wall and used a brick to scheme against me, and attacked from behind. It’s a disgrace to martial artists.”
Ouyang Ke and Wanyan Kang exchanged glances.
…
With a “creak,” the wooden door was pushed open. Zhou Yan entered and turned to bolt the door. As he turned back to walk towards the courtyard, he saw two figures emerge from between the distant houses. With a few leaps, they arrived and floated into the courtyard.
Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi looked at Zhou Yan, who was standing on the porch, with a hint of embarrassment.
“Daoist priests, what is this?”
Wang Chuyi said, “My Senior Brother and I have matters to attend to. Your elbow strike technique is truly practical; it knocked out the teeth of a vile old man with red hair and white hair.”
Zhou Yan suddenly laughed. Wang Chuyi and Ma Yu must have gone to the Prince’s Manor, and the Ginseng Immortal Old Freak had suffered. However, judging by their tone, they likely hadn’t met up with Han Xiaoying and Zhu Cong.
Ma Yu said, “The person the young friend is looking for is in Zhongdu.”
Zhou Yan quickly replied, “Please rest assured, two Daoist priests. Since they are within the city, we should find news soon.”
“We appreciate your trouble, young friend.”
“You are too polite, Daoist priest.”
Wang Chuyi said, “Red clay small stove, chrysanthemum white. Shall I tell you about Taoism?”
“I couldn’t ask for more!”
