Chapter 83: Mu Nianci’s Martial Arts Competition, Huang Rong Goes to Zhongdu
Winter favors dense snow, with the sound of shattering jade.
As Zhou Yan passed through the alley, the accumulated snow hanging from the wall could no longer bear the weight, and it slid down with a crash, scattering on the ground like blooming white lotuses.
“Creak”
The door opened, and he reached the corridor, seeing the messy footprints in the courtyard and several thick wooden stakes broken in the middle.
He was startled. Had someone entered the courtyard? Two Taoist priests were fighting an enemy.
As soon as this thought crossed his mind, Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi emerged from the east wing.
The two men’s Taoist robes were neat, but faint bruises could be seen on their necks and cheeks.
Wang Chuyi, bold and forthright, laughed and said, “My senior brother and I observed the young friend’s elbow techniques and remembered many exquisite moves. Since the young friend is leaving, and we have nothing else to do, we decided to spar a bit.”
Zhou Yan smiled, “So that’s how it is. It seems there were ill-intentioned individuals who entered the courtyard and disturbed the two Taoist priests.”
Ma Yu smiled faintly, “It was just a misunderstanding.”
“Indeed!” Before the two could ask, Zhou Yan spoke, “The person you Taoist priests are looking for has been located. They are staying at the ‘Yuelai’ Inn in Tongmafang.”
Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi were overjoyed.
“Thank you, young friend.”
“You are too polite, Taoist priests.”
The two were not in a hurry to go to the ‘Yuelai’ Inn. Although they didn’t know why Zhu Cong and Han Xiaoying were at the Zhao Wang Manor, they figured they wouldn’t dare to venture there now, given the manor’s strict security.
Ma Yu said, “We will have a candlelit talk with the young friend tonight, and tomorrow morning, my junior brother and I will bid you farewell.”
“Very well. The east wing of my humble abode is prepared for you, Taoist priests. Please make yourselves at home.”
“You are very generous, young friend.”
Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi did not stand on ceremony. They had already brewed tea in the room and were waiting for Zhou Yan. The three entered the room, sipped tea, and discussed the Tao, with their conversation focusing on cultivation techniques.
Danyangzi and Yuyangzi had practiced the “Elbow Technique” from the 《 Yue Family Boxing 》. Zhou Yan, using both demonstration and drawing, explained not only the “Elbow Technique” but also the “Five Peaks” without reservation. The “Five Peaks” were methods of using short-range boxing techniques, striking the enemy with five parts of the body—head, shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees—during close combat.
In any group of three, there must be one who can be my teacher. Quanzhen techniques are primarily internal, but Zhou Yan’s practice of the “Yue Family Boxing” made him increasingly feel that this technique was a superior martial art that cultivated both internally and externally. “Liuhe Guiyi” had traces of Xingyiquan, while “Elbow Technique,” “Five Peaks,” and “Sanshou” were either fierce or exquisite external skills. Upon reaching great mastery, internal and external unity was achieved, quite similar to “Subduing Dragon Eighteen Palms.” He practiced diligently and had achieved profound attainments in this cultivation technique. When he shared his views and insights, Wang Chuyi and Ma Yu nodded frequently, gaining considerable knowledge.
The two were not ashamed to ask for advice. Zhou Yan acted without restraint, speaking boldly and frankly within reason. This was the biggest difference between him and Guo Jing. While those who liked his style could consider him a close friend, those who valued rules and principles might see him as heretical.
Fortunately, Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi were like-minded individuals.
They were so engrossed that they lost track of time and forgot to eat or drink.
During this time, the two also shared their cultivation experiences, which greatly benefited Zhou Yan by helping him identify and fill gaps in his practice of Quanzhen Internal Energy.
The sound of the drum at Mao hour echoed through the long street, and their discussion finally subsided. Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi sat in meditation, while Zhou Yan went into the courtyard to fetch water and prepare a meal. As dawn broke, the clouds that had hung over Zhongdu for half a month gradually dispersed.
After eating the Eight Treasure Rice, the Two Immortals of Quanzhen bid farewell to Zhou Yan and disappeared into the alleys.
It was still early. Zhou Yan swept the snow in the courtyard and sat on a stone stool under an ancient tree, silently circulating the Quanzhen Internal Energy cultivation technique, guiding the gentle Qi emitted by the Jade Guanyin into his meridians to strengthen his inner Qi. He then used the Qi Guiding Method of “One Sword, Three Purities” to temper the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and the Hand Yangming Meridian.
Half an hour later, Zhou Yan rose and went to the weapon rack in the west wing to retrieve the Qinggang Sword. He guided his Qi with his intent, circulating his inner Qi through the two meridians and acupoints, forming a cycle, and then it surged out from “Yuji” and “Shaoshang,” and the “Chize” in his elbow.
Under the bright daylight, the sword hummed crisply. Zhou Yan thrust out his sword, and the sword moves appeared like three cold plum blossoms blooming, piercing in three directions. With a “crack,” three inch-deep sword marks appeared on the wooden stake in front of him.
He had consumed the blood of the Big Treasure Snake and the Pusi Snake, and used the Quanzhen Internal School’s cultivation technique to extract the gentle Qi from the Jade Guanyin, transforming it into pure inner force. He practiced diligently, and the strength of his inner force surpassed that of Qingjing Sanren. When he unleashed this move, “One Sword, Three Purities,” his realm and power were no longer comparable to Sun Buer, who had imparted the technique in Xiangyang.
…
White horses and west winds on the frontier, apricot blossoms and misty rain in Jiangnan.
A straw cloak of mist and rain enveloped Taihu Lake. Amidst the rapid hoofbeats, the “Night-Shining Jade Lion” broke through the misty drizzle and galloped northward.
Her white robes like snow, the “Night-Shining Jade Lion” moved like a meteor. On the horse was Huang Rong.
She had pursued Hou Tonghai from Fengling Ferry, extracting information along the way. She learned that he was heading to Lin’an Prefecture. By the Jiangling River, she encountered Zhou Yan, borrowed his horse, and traveled south. Upon arriving in Lin’an City, she couldn’t find the Three-Headed Flood Dragon.
The reason was simple: Hou Haitong had joined forces with Sha Tongtian, Peng Lianhu, and their group, and they had not entered the city directly.
Huang Rong spent several days wandering around Lin’an City. Being impatient with any task, she quickly grew bored. She then met merchants from Daxing Prefecture at an inn, who spoke of the continuous snow in Zhongdu.
On one hand, she was concerned about returning the horse. On the other hand, she had never seen a snow-covered landscape, and the Yellow River Gang’s stronghold was in the north. Huang Rong was thinking of causing more trouble.
After much thought, she decided to ride north.
“I wonder if that escort is still in Zhongdu. If he’s out on an escort mission, this ‘Night-Shining Jade Lion’ will have to accompany me for a few more days.”
While watering her horse at Taihu Lake, Huang Rong thought this.
…
With the year-end approaching, a lively atmosphere enveloped the escort bureau.
The ordinary runners could not sense the brewing conflict and surging undercurrents between Fu’an and Changfeng.
Now, they only looked forward to the year-end bonuses after a year of hard work, and the possibility of promotion by the escorts.
Due to Mu Nianci’s female identity, her bright eyes, white teeth, and beautiful appearance, this examination had attracted much attention.
Several days had passed since Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi departed.
During this time, they had not visited the courtyard again.
Zhou Yan sometimes sent clever runners to the ‘Yuelai’ Inn to check. The information they brought back indicated that the Six Heroes of Jiangnan were all present. He became increasingly certain that they intended to target Wanyan Honglie.
Zhu Cong and Han Xiaoying had suffered a setback during their night raid on the Zhao Wang Manor. Therefore, Zhou Yan considered whether they might use opportunities after the year-end, such as Wanyan Honglie visiting temples to burn incense or attending temple fairs and lantern festivals, to carry out an assassination.
He observed and waited. On the escort bureau’s side, Yang Tiexin and Mu Nianci’s examinations were also scheduled to begin after the Minor New Year.
Yang Tiexin and his daughter were familiar with the escorts from Zhang Wangyue’s side. To ensure fairness, escorts returning from the Shu Region were chosen to conduct the examinations.
Mu Nianci was matched against Cui Qingshan.
When Zhou Yan arrived at the martial field, the Boss and Zhang Wangyue had not yet arrived. The runners were busy arranging benches, while Mu Nianci was wiping her iron spear.
He walked over and asked, “Are you nervous?”
“A little.”
“Just perform normally, and you can win,” Zhou Yan advised. “Cui Qingshan will not hold back, so you shouldn’t either.”
“What if he tries to kill me?” Mu Nianci asked nervously.
“Return his attack with his own. Be wary of him using the beads from his iron abacus as hidden weapons.”
Mu Nianci took a slight breath and said firmly, “I want to be an escort, so I must win this examination.”
“Then beat Cui Qingshan until he’s bruised and swollen, so much so that even his nephew wouldn’t recognize him.”
Mu Nianci froze for a moment, then let out a “puff” of laughter.
The tension vanished completely.
