The Legend of the Condor Heroes: From Being Expelled from Peach Blossom Island

Chapter 558 Wanyan Honglie's affection was ultimately misplaced.
After finishing the snake soup, Wu Chengyu finally had time to comfort Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo: "Gentlemen, to be fair, the kindness of raising is greater than the kindness of giving birth. If Wanyan Honglie had not treated Yang Kang well since childhood, that would be one thing, but he doted on him and treated him like his own son."

Yang Kang had always regarded Wanyan Honglie as his biological father, and eighteen years of affection could not be easily overturned.

On one side is the deep bond between father and son, and on the other is the blood tie, yet the two are also bound by a deep-seated hatred, forcing him to make a painful choice.

To be fair, the current situation is somewhat cruel to him. After all, he's only eighteen years old and doesn't know how unpredictable fate can be. So it's normal that this kid is unwilling to acknowledge his ancestors.

Upon hearing this, Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo's expressions softened slightly. Wu Chengyu's words made sense, and these few words seemed to give them a reason to forgive Yang Kang, or at least to comfort themselves.

Upon hearing these words, Yang Kang couldn't help but sit up. A few more drops of color returned to his pale face, and his eyes showed more gratitude as he looked at Wu Chengyu.

Wu Chengyu turned to look at Yang Kang: "You brat, don't think you're innocent. Your biological father has never wronged you. Without him, you wouldn't have had the chance to be born. The reason he didn't take care of you as you grew up wasn't because he was derelict in his duty, but rather because of the sins committed by your adoptive father, Wanyan Honglie."

It's one thing if you're unwilling to acknowledge your biological father and can't accept the fact, but it's another if you acted without hesitation twice and attempted to kill your father—that's an unforgivable crime.

Moreover, what truly makes you reluctant to part with Wanyan Honglie is probably not just the bond between father and son, but the wealth and glory of the Jin Dynasty, where Wanyan Honglie might one day become the emperor.

To outsiders, he always said that you were his biological son. Even if you had Han Chinese blood, you wouldn't be able to become the crown prince of the Jin Dynasty. But once Wanyan Honglie became emperor, you would be a prince with a secure position and great power.

And look at your biological father. For eighteen years he has been wandering the world, never having enough to eat or wear. He is a down-on-his-luck wanderer who has nothing. How could he possibly give you the power you desire? This is the real reason why you showed no mercy and wanted to kill him.

In your view, as long as Yang Tiexin dies, you, Yang Kang, will forever be Wanyan Kang, forever the little prince of the Jin Kingdom, and there will be no more trouble.

Wu Chengyu's words were scathing, revealing Yang Kang's true feelings and intentions. Yang Kang had no way to refute them. He bit his lip tightly and ultimately remained silent, offering no excuses. His attitude was one of acceptance of Wu Chengyu's words.

Seeing this, Yang Tiexin's heart turned to ice. He was finally certain that his son's heart was made of stone and he would never recognize him again. His fists clenched so tightly that the veins on his forehead bulged, and his chest felt as if a huge rock was pressing down on it, making it hard to breathe.
Bao Xiruo keenly sensed the pain in her husband's heart, and felt even more powerless, ultimately feeling sorry for Yang Tiexin. She couldn't help but bury her face in Yang Tiexin's arms and burst into tears, silently blaming herself for everything.

After a few breaths, Yang Kang finally calmed down and suddenly said, "My father will not abandon me. He will definitely lead a large army to find me. When that happens, you will all die. If you know what's good for you, let me leave."

My mother was, after all, the Princess Consort of Zhao. She cannot leave Zhongdu, as it concerns the reputation of the Zhao Prince's Mansion. I will not allow her to leave us either.

As for this man, I might spare his life, but I don't want to see him again.

I know I am now in your hands, but don’t forget that my Great Jin Kingdom is the strongest country in the world, and my Zhao Royal Palace is full of experts, including top-notch masters. Once they catch up with you, you will have no chance to escape and will die without a burial place.

Therefore, if you let my mother and me leave now, I will give you a chance to escape first; otherwise, the only outcome will be mutual destruction.

Wu Chengyu's lips curled into a smirk: "The expert you're talking about, is it Ouyang Feng, the Western Poison? One of the Five Greats of the World, it's indeed quite frightening to say. I just went back to the Prince Zhao's mansion to get this viper, and I saw him following Wanyan Honglie."

Upon hearing Wu Chengyu mention Ouyang Feng, Yang Kang immediately gained more confidence: "That's right, it is indeed Mr. Ouyang, the Western Poison. You are no match for him."

Wu Chengyu replied, “You are very clever. First, you tried to find an opportunity to escape on your own. After realizing that you could not get away, you immediately chose to negotiate. Moreover, you seem to have some confidence. You seem to be very sure that they will catch up with you here. Let me think about it.”

Wu Chengyu looked him up and down, then clapped his hands and said, "Your confidence must come from the fact that you left marks along the way, giving Wanyan Honglie's men the opportunity to follow the marks and catch up with you."

There should have been sixteen jade beads on your belt, but now only five remain. It seems you secretly kept the rest and threw them on the ground along the way.

I can also tell you that Wanyan Honglie hired spies from the Jin Dynasty's intelligence agency, who, along with hunting dogs, tracked them down. Your arrangements did indeed leave them clues.”

Yang Kang's face turned pale and then red. He was pleased with Wanyan Honglie's arrangement. With the secret agents and hunting dogs of the Investigation Bureau, plus his mark, they could indeed bring back reinforcements.

What worries him is that his elaborate plan has not escaped Wu Chengyu's notice. If Wu Chengyu chooses to kill him now, what use will it be even if reinforcements arrive?

While he was still pondering, the aroma of the snake soup in the mountain god temple grew stronger. Wu Chengyu ignored Yang Kang and turned to the campfire. He lifted the lid of the earthenware pot and smelled it, knowing that it was ready.

"Come, come, Ah Ku, use the bowls you prepared to serve a few bowls. When you're out and about, don't be picky. Take turns drinking some. This snake soup is really nourishing. It's fine for others, but Seven Heroes and the three Taoist priests should drink more to replenish their qi and blood. It will be very beneficial."

A-Ku took out two bowls, filled them with snake soup, and everyone held them in their hands, taking a big gulp before passing them on to others. Even Yang Tiexin drank half a bowl more at Mu Nianci's insistence. He had spent half his life wandering and suffered a lot, leaving his body severely depleted, and this snake soup was very beneficial to him.

Aside from Bao Xiruo being injured and having no appetite, the snake soup was too potent for her to eat. Of course, Yang Kang didn't receive the same treatment; it's likely that even this young prince wouldn't want to eat such coarse food.

Guo Jing, however, looked worried: "Master, since Yang Kang left clues along the way, and Wanyan Honglie has hunting dogs tracking us, and this mountain god temple is only a dozen miles away from Zhongdu City, it seems that the army will arrive here soon."

We've already eaten snake soup and rested for a while; we should retreat immediately to avoid being surrounded by the army.

Ma Yu, standing nearby, also spoke up: "I never thought that Ouyang Feng, the Western Poison, would also become a lackey of the Jin people. Although his character is despicable, his martial arts skills are undeniable."

With Ouyang Feng in command, Zhao Wangfu's henchmen, and the elite troops Wanyan Honglie has brought, if they really catch up with us, we'll probably have no chance of survival.

Wu Chengyu turned to look at Yang Kang and found that there was a hint of smugness in Yang Kang's eyes. At this moment, the most pitiful people were Yang Tiexin and Bao Xiruo. The more they were reluctant to part with their son, the more heartbroken they felt.

Wu Chengyu said, “Don’t worry, everyone. I have already made arrangements. Some things are like this snake soup. Ultimately, it depends on the timing. If the timing is not right, the medicinal effect will be weak. If people cannot make decisions or give up, they will only cause endless trouble in the end.”

As for Ouyang Feng, I, Wu Chengyu, will face him head-on. He is the Western Poison, but I am now the Eastern Heretic. The Eastern Heretic and the Western Poison will not only determine who is superior, but also decide life and death.

Months ago, Qu Lingfeng of Peach Blossom Island spread the news through the Beggars' Sect that Wu Chengyu had defeated Huang Yaoshi and earned the title of "Eastern Heretic." Huang Yaoshi would then live out his days on Peach Blossom Island and never set foot in the martial world again. This news shocked the entire martial arts world. However, Wu Chengyu's name was so obscure that no one knew where such a master had come from, and his true deeds were not to be revealed. Countless people in the martial arts world believed it was just a hoax.

However, the three Quanzhen disciples and the seven heroes of Jiangnan knew Wu Chengyu's abilities well and that he was absolutely worthy of the title of Eastern Heretic. Only Yang Kang was completely bewildered. He secretly looked at Wu Chengyu again. He knew that Wu Chengyu's martial arts were extremely high, but he could not believe that Wu Chengyu could be compared with Ouyang Feng.

After eating the snake soup, everyone felt hot and bothered, and had to use their internal energy to counteract the medicinal effects of the soup. Yang Tiexin was the most depleted and had not yet developed internal strength, so he was unable to relieve the heat for a while. It was Guo Jing who helped him by pushing his uterus to promote blood circulation.

In addition, there was Mu Nianci. The Beggars' Sect's Free and Easy Wandering was a set of fist techniques and light body movements, which did not include internal energy. She was young and full of vigor, and her face turned red for a moment. When A-Ku saw this, he immediately taught her a method of regulating qi and circulating energy, and used his internal energy to help her familiarize herself with the energy circulation path.

Since she had received Hong Qigong's instruction, even if it was only for three days, in A-Ku's heart she was considered Hong Qigong's nominal disciple, and naturally also her junior sister, so she took extra care of her for a while.

As everyone gradually digested the effects of the snake soup, half an hour of night had passed. Wu Chengyu occasionally picked up some dry wood and threw it into the campfire, listening to the crackling sounds in the fire, and occasionally glancing at Yang Kang, whose eyes were darting around, constantly thinking of a way to escape.

Just then, he twitched his ears slightly, glanced at Yang Kang, and tilted his chin slightly toward Yang Kang. Yang Kang was bewildered by Wu Chengyu's gaze, but the next moment his face lit up with ecstasy. Everyone in the dilapidated temple also woke up and stood up.

In the distance came the sounds of shouts and neighing horses, a large number of them, and they were getting closer and closer, their destination being the dilapidated temple where they were now.

Wu Chengyu remained seated, adding a few more pieces of dry wood to the campfire. At the same time, he used his strength to stir up a gust of wind, making the fire burn even brighter, as if he were pointing the way for the attackers.

"There were about a thousand cavalry and more than four thousand infantry. Among these infantry, there were probably quite a few archers. In addition, there were about thirty people among these people whose footwork was either light or heavy, and they were obviously skilled in martial arts."

In the dead of night, in such haste, to be able to mobilize so many troops out of the city and pursue us all the way—even though Yang Kang left marks along the way—such a swift response truly makes Wanyan Honglie worthy of being the most capable prince of the Jin Dynasty.

Guo Jing looked into the distance and saw countless torches. He was also a commander, so he was not flustered at this moment.

“Master, with this troop composition, there are at least five hundred archers. When they get close, they will first fire arrows in unison, then the infantry will surround them step by step, and then the cavalry will patrol the perimeter, chasing and killing them. Even if we are highly skilled in martial arts, it will be difficult for us to escape alive.”

They're only a mile away now; if we don't leave now, we might never have another chance.

At this moment, Yang Kang regained his confidence. He slowly stood up, his eyes threatening: "Giving you a chance is useless. You didn't leave earlier and insisted on eating snake soup here. Even if you let me go and beg for mercy now, this young prince will not be soft-hearted. Those involved tonight will not be let off lightly."

As soon as he finished speaking, he found that no one paid any attention to him, and no one even glanced at him. Yang Kang was about to continue his threat when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in the back of his knees, and then his knees seemed to lose all feeling. He involuntarily knelt on the ground.

Wu Chengyu turned his head and said, "You've been smart since you were young, so you should be able to see that no one here will be threatened by you. Why bother saying more?"

"These Jin soldiers are at least fifty feet away from here. Want to try? You'd better behave yourself."

Yang Kang was immediately speechless and dared not speak again, while Wu Chengyu patted Guo Jing on the shoulder and used the momentum to stand up: "When have you ever seen me fight an unprepared battle?"

Wu Chengyu walked to the entrance of the mountain god temple. The Jin soldiers were extremely fast. In the time it took to say a few words, they were only a few hundred meters away. Now, the thousand cavalrymen split into two groups and went around to try to surround the mountain god temple.

Several thousand infantrymen, led by swordsmen and shieldmen, advanced steadily in formation, their shields raised. Spears protruded from the gaps in the shields, and behind the spearmen were several hundred archers. As they drew closer, arrows were already nocked on their bows. When they were within two hundred paces, they would gradually draw their bows, awaiting the order to attack.

This operation prioritizes stability. Knowing that the opponents are all martial arts masters, the commander chose the most rigorous military formation. Ordinary martial artists often find themselves helpless against such a formation and are ultimately crushed by it.

Five hundred paces, three hundred paces, two hundred paces, "Stop!" Someone gave the order from the rear of the army formation, and the infantry finally stopped. Even though it was dark, under the countless torches, the people in the mountain god temple and the army opposite could see each other very clearly.

At this moment, a path parted among the swordsmen and shieldmen, and a nobleman dressed in fine clothes and wearing a fur hat stepped out from the crowd, accompanied by more than thirty martial arts masters.

This powerful figure was none other than Wanyan Honglie, the Prince of Zhao of the Jin Kingdom. Ma Yu then whispered a warning: "Everyone be careful. The old man in white fur and holding an iron staff beside Wanyan Honglie is Ouyang Feng, the Western Poison."

At this moment, Yang Kang could no longer control himself and rushed to the temple gate, but was grabbed by Wu Chengyu and could not get away.

When Wanyan Honglie saw his son being held captive, his eyes seemed to blaze with fury. However, he was very shrewd and did not speak immediately. Instead, he looked into the mountain temple and saw Bao Xiruo.

But Bao Xiruo was not kidnapped as he expected. Instead, she was standing with a man. After so many years, Yang Tiexin had aged terribly, and Wanyan Honglie could not recognize him. Bao Xiruo's condition made him very suspicious.

"Kang'er, how are you and your mother?" Wanyan Honglie couldn't help but ask.

"Father, Kang'er is fine, and Mother... is also fine." In front of everyone, how could Yang Kang say that his own mother had found his own father and was preparing to run away?

Wanyan Honglie took a deep breath and looked at Wu Chengyu, who was clearly the leader of this group.

“Where did you come from, fellow martial arts practitioners? If you have any difficulties, just tell me, and I will naturally help you. Why did you have to kidnap my queen and son? My queen has always been chaste and virtuous in the palace, and my son has only just come of age. I don’t know where he has offended you all.”

Wu Chengyu shook his head and said, "It's not that the princess has offended us, it's just that the princess's real husband has come looking for her, and we are simply asking the princess to return to Jiangnan."

Wanyan Honglie's eyes widened. Wasn't Bao Xiruo's real husband dead for many years? The old man beside Bao Xiruo stepped forward and said, "Wanyan Honglie, do you still remember Yang Tiexin from Jiangnan?"

Wanyan Honglie was struck dumb, staggering back several steps. The thing he feared most in his life had finally happened.

His feelings for Bao Xiruo are beyond doubt. They have been married for more than ten years, and he knows her very well. A princess has spent more than ten years living in a dilapidated mud house in Niujia Village. Now that Yang Tiexin has returned, she will surely follow him.

(End of this chapter)