The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 324 An Uninvited Guest, the Shifting Stars?

The moon rises above the willow branches, a round, disc-like moon hanging in the western sky, quietly casting its light.

In the shadows cast by the rows of buildings of the Fu'an Escort Agency, people occasionally appeared and then quickly disappeared into the shadows. After the escape of Master Shengyin and others from Yipintang, and after Zhou Yan interrogated Ma Xiuping, the escort agency, knowing that the opponent would make a comeback, took active measures to deal with the situation.

Knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in every battle. Zhou Yan, Zhang Wangyue and others already had a relatively clear understanding of the Xixia Yipintang, but they knew very little about the Fu'an Escort Agency.

Fu'an is far beyond what ordinary large and powerful escort agencies can compare to. Although it is true that it lacks top experts like Zhou Yan, Hu Yanlei, Wang Kui, Shi Baichuan, and Mu Nianci are all skilled fighters who are no less than Sha Tongtian of the Yellow River Gang. The young escorts promoted by Liang Xiaowu and others have at least surpassed the cultivation of the "Four Ghosts of the Yellow River".

The key point is that the bodyguards and escorts had been trained by Zhang Wangyue for nearly two years according to the Eight Formations method of the "Wumu's Legacy".

In this world, the most skilled in the "Eight Formations" are the bodyguards and escorts of the Fu'an Escort Agency.

Bringing the Fu'an镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) into the martial arts world would make them no less formidable than the Hengshan Sect at its peak.

When Zhang Wangyue mentioned the attack on the escort agency by Yipintang to Duan Huai'an, his former employer in Fu'an, and Duan Chaoxi, his current employer, the father and son were of one mind and entrusted Zhang Wangyue with full responsibility.

During this time, Wang Kui returned from his escort mission. Zhang Wangyue selected more than two hundred escorts and porters, divided them into three teams, and took turns guarding the area at night. These men were all proficient in the Eight Formations and skilled in using hidden weapons and fishing nets. Their cultivation was quite remarkable, and they were all on high alert.

Zhang Wangyue, Huyan Lei, Wang Kui, and others lived and ate at the escort agency, but Mu Nianci, under Zhang Wangyue's arrangement, only stayed at the agency when she was on duty.

Mu Nianci was on duty at night.

Qiu Qianchi was also there.

A gentle breeze and bright moon filled the pavilion, where Zhou Yan, Zhang Wangyue, Hu Yanlei, Qiu Qianchi, Mu Nianci, Yang Tiexin, Wang Kui, and others were seated. Lu Beihe, the chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) of Zhenyuan镖局 (escort agency), was absent; he was escorting goods to the border region.

The spring breeze swirled under the eaves, making a whistling sound, along with Zhou Yan's words: "'Flipping Fist' emphasizes the agility of the body, the wonder of leaping, shifting, dodging, and turning. I have incorporated some elbow strikes and kicks into the fist technique, making the fist stance fierce, the footwork rapid, advancing like a madman, and retreating with murderous intent."

As Zhou Yan put it, he got up and walked outside the pavilion, where he demonstrated "Fanziquan," a style that incorporated elements of Yue Family Boxing.

Everyone knows that "Fanziquan" was passed down from Zhou Tong, but even Zhang Wangyue didn't know that Zhou Yan was a descendant of Zhou Tong. Yue Fei was a disciple of Zhou Tong, and Zhou Yan, relying on the solid foundation he built with the "Nine Yin Manual" and the experience he honed through countless trials, incorporated Yue Fei's boxing style into it. In other words, he made "Fanziquan" a lineage that was passed down, making it even more powerful and bringing it to greater heights.

His words resonated deeply not only with Wang Kui and Hu Yanlei, but also with Qiu Qianren and Zhang Wangyue, who were renowned for their palm techniques.

Especially Qiu Qianchi, when she saw Zhou Yan demonstrate, his fingers were like iron hooks, his upper body remained still, and his arm suddenly stretched out. If she had been standing in front of him, her eyeballs might have been gouged out by him. She sighed inwardly, thinking that if Zhou Yan were compared to her second brother, he really wouldn't be much worse.

After Zhou Yan finished his demonstration, everyone cheered and showed admiration.

Apart from Qiu Qianchi, everyone present practiced "Flipping Fist," and most had witnessed Zhou Yan use this technique against Qiu Qianren and Ouyang Feng. These镖头 (bodyguards) and镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) who traveled far and wide, making a living on the edge of death, knew that martial arts were killing techniques. In their eyes, Zhou Yan's improved technique was a divine skill. Those who practiced Zhou Tong's fist style often only grasped the superficial aspects, finding it difficult to understand its essence. Among the major镖局 (bodyguard agencies) across the land, those who mastered this fist style were as numerous as carp crossing a river, but to say that they had truly mastered its essence, few besides Zhou Yan could claim to have achieved it. And now, in the eyes of the镖师 and镖手 (bodyguards/escorts) of Fu'an, spending a lifetime practicing this fist style was enough to place them among the top masters of the martial arts world. Everyone was incredibly excited.

Zhou Yan walked towards the pavilion, Mu Nianci poured her tea, and Hu Yanlei said with a smile, "If I master this boxing style, I will be an expert in both fist and spear."

"An old steed in its stall may still aspire to gallop a thousand miles, and you, brother, are still in your prime. I have high hopes for you." Wang Kui's words drew laughter from the crowd.

Inside the pavilion, everyone chatted and laughed, while outside the Fu'an Escort Agency, a storm was brewing. Suddenly, a figure silently emerged from the white walls and green tiles. Just as he landed in the courtyard, a voice rang out from the darkness, "Chief Hong!"

"Huh!" Hong Qigong looked in surprise at Liang Xiaowu, the young bodyguard who emerged from the shadows under the eaves.

Liang Xiaowu cupped his hands in greeting, "I have never met you before, but I have heard about your attire from Master Zhou many times."

Hong Qigong laughed heartily: "You're a clever lad, Zhou Yan is here too?"

"Yes, I'll go find Master Zhou right away."

Hong Qigong looked around and saw that the figures that had emerged from the darkness when he appeared had quickly disappeared. He had overheard Li Wuxiang, Abbess Shengyin, and others talking in the dilapidated temple of Kaifu Temple. He went to Zhou Yan to deliver a message, but the Zhou family was gone. Hong Qigong then went to Fu'an and saw this scene before him. He knew that the escort agency had been prepared, and his heart was at ease.

When Liang Xiaowu suggested finding Zhou Yan, Hong Qigong waved his hand, saying, "Since that kid was prepared all along, there's no need for the old beggar to meet him. Just tell him that a group of people from the Xixia Yipintang are coming, and there are some experts among them."

As soon as Hong Qigong finished speaking, he leaped into the air, flew onto a house outside the escort agency, and disappeared behind the roof. After a few leaps, he landed on a tall building overlooking the Fu'an Escort Agency, lay back on the fish-scale tiles, and took out his wine gourd to drink.

As Liang Xiaowu, who was on duty, walked through the corridor and across the building toward the pavilion, Zhou Yan, Zhang Wangyue, and the others looked over when they heard his hurried footsteps.

"Master Zhou, Chief Escort, the Beggar Clan leader just arrived in the courtyard and said that the First-Class Hall is sending people, and that there are some experts among them."

"Has Chief Hong left?" Zhang Wangyue asked hurriedly.

"Ok!"

Zhou Yan knew Hong Qigong's character—a chivalrous man who punished evil and upheld justice. Since he had sent Liang Xiaowu to deliver the message, mentioning a master, he figured Hong Qigong couldn't have gone far.

He retracted his thoughts and said to Zhang Wangyue, "Seventh Master said there is a master, who must be no ordinary person."

"Could it be Li Wuxiang of Yipintang?" Zhang Wangyue quickly asked, having deduced the result from the information he obtained from Zhou Yan's interrogation of Ma Xiuping.

"That's how it should be."

Qiu Qianchi said, "Transfer some men from Zhenyuan Escort Agency."

"Row!"

Qiu Qianchi summoned a bodyguard who had come with her, gave him a few instructions, and the bodyguard quickly left. Zhou Yan said to Zhang Wangyue and the others, "I'll go and meet this Li Wuxiang. If only he from Yipintang makes a move, the bodyguards should remain still."

"it is good!"

The chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) of Fu'an quickly made arrangements. Soon after, Hu Yanlei, Wang Kui, Qiu Qianchi, Mu Nianci and others left, leaving only Zhang Wangyue, Zhou Yan and Qiu Qianchi drinking in the octagonal pavilion.

……

The bright moon cast its clear light, outlining the city's silhouette. As night fell, a chilly spring breeze swept past the upturned eaves and corners, and three more people appeared on the courtyard wall of the Fu'an Escort Agency.

The man in the center was tall and handsome, none other than Li Wuxiang. To his left and right were a man and a nun.

The nun is Master Shengyin.

Li Wuxiang glanced around and laughed, "You've hidden quite a few people; you've underestimated the Fu'an Escort Agency."

As soon as he finished speaking, he took a step and landed in the courtyard, followed by the nun and the man.

The bodyguards and porters lurking in the escort agency did not make a move. The three of them walked through the long corridor with lanterns hanging on it and arrived at the courtyard where Zhou Yan was. Their gazes were fixed on the octagonal pavilion.

"Which one of you is Zhou Yan?" Li Wuxiang asked from outside the pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, Zhou Yan finished his wine and said, "If you know my name, how could you not know my appearance?"

"Young Master Zhou, you've made me sound dishonest," Li Wuxiang said with a slight smile.

Zhou Yan glanced around. He recognized the nun; she was Master Shengyin, though they had never directly sparred. The man in the center appeared to be around thirty, with slanted, sword-like eyebrows and a handsome face. He might be Li Wuxiang, a descendant of Xu Zhu and the Western Xia princess from the world of Tianlong. The man on the left had a broad face and thick lips. The bright moonlight and lantern light illuminated the courtyard. Zhou Yan's attention was drawn to the man's hands. His fingers had no nails, his knuckles were as hard as iron, and his tiger's mouth was covered with hard, iron-gray calluses. His palms were large, with the soles of his hands like flat cakes. He was clearly a formidable opponent skilled in fist and palm techniques.

He looked away and said, "I am Zhou Yan."

"A handsome man, his reputation is well-deserved. Li Wuxiang." Fu'an's territory was nothing short of a den of dragons and tigers, but Li Wuxiang had already seen through it and didn't care at all. He continued, "This is Abbess Shengyin. Young Hero Zhou has already met her. Her name is Helian Dashi, the head of the First-Rank Hall." "I am Zhang Wangyue, the chief镖师 (bodyguard/escort) of Fu'an." Li Wuxiang didn't care about revealing his identity and got straight to the point. Zhang Wangyue gave his name.

"Nice to meet you!" Li Wuxiang said with a smile, then became serious and said, "More than ten days ago, the nun brought a lot of people to visit the Fu'an Escort Agency. Afterwards, many people fell into the hands of the escort agency. Did Young Hero Zhou manage to get rid of them after interrogation?"

Zhou Yan laughed and said, "Are you perhaps going to let the tiger return to the mountain?"

“Of course not.” Li Wuxiang agreed with Zhou Yan’s words. He nodded and said, “I have come to ask you something. Please tell me frankly, Young Hero Zhou.”

"About the 'Iron Falcon'?"

"Hmm, five hundred 'Iron Falcons,' neither alive nor dead."

"Are you absolutely certain that 'Iron Falcon' wasn't killed by someone from the escort agency?"

Helian Dashi chuckled and continued, "Young Master Zhou, don't joke around. Five hundred Iron Falcons can rout tens of thousands of Song soldiers like stray dogs."

“What if I say I don’t know?” Zhou Yan said.

"Then I'll have to offend you." Helian Dashi stepped forward: "I've come to learn from Young Hero Zhou's skills... ah."

No sooner had Helian Dashi finished speaking than a hurried voice rang out from outside the courtyard ahead, followed by a second one…

……

Outside Liang Xiaowu's courtyard, two blood-soaked corpses lay on the ground. A skilled swordsman from the Western Xia First-Class Hall wielded his long sword with a fierce slash, accompanied by a chilling scream.

This master swordsman's knife skills were cunning and fierce, his shouts terrifying and awe-inspiring, similar to the Shaolin Temple's "Lion's Roar," capable of instilling fear and throwing opponents into disarray. However, Zhang Sanqiang was oblivious to the knife skills and the sounds, charging straight forward with his spear. The flashes of the blade and the cold glint of the spearhead clashed abruptly, and the two figures crossed paths. With a resounding "clang," Zhang Sanqiang's spear smashed through the opponent's steel knife, the spearhead piercing the right hand of the man from Yipintang who was holding the knife.

The palm and fingers exploded first, turning into a cloud of blood mist. The spearhead went upwards, shredding the opponent's arm and shoulder, and grazed the expert's neck. A staggering amount of blood gushed out from the opponent's neck in an instant.

Zhang San swiftly darted past the experts from Yipintang, leaped onto the courtyard wall, and stood inside the courtyard of Fu'an Escort Agency, with Left Envoy Huo following closely behind.

……

As the third shrill scream rang out, Master Shengyin's arched eyebrows slowly rose. The three screams, less than seven or eight breaths apart and coming from different mouths, indicated that a master had arrived.

With a slight smile on his face and no other expression, Li Wuxiang said to Zhou Yan under the pavilion, "The Fu'an Escort Agency is truly a place where hidden talents abound."

Zhou Yan was thinking about who had come. Could it be Huang Rong or Huang Yaoshi, who could kill three people in just a few breaths?

As he was thinking this, Li Wuxiang had already turned his head to look.

Zhou Yan's gaze also fell on the long corridor.

In the orange light cast by the lantern, a burly man with a weathered face and a gun walked over.

It was Zhang Sanqiang? Zhou Yan was quite surprised. Zhang Sanqiang was the person he had encountered the most times among all the people he knew, but he was never particularly surprised by each encounter. However, to run into Zhang Sanqiang again, especially under such circumstances, was quite unexpected.

Zhang Sanqiang walked into the courtyard, and Zhou Yan stood up, cupped his hands and said, "Long time no see, Master."

"Indeed, a considerable number of men gathered outside the security company's courtyard. Their identities are unknown, but they killed three people when they broke in."

"It's the Western Xia First-Class Hall. Leader Zhang has come over for a drink."

"So it was that bunch of bastards." Zhang Sanqiang sneered, striding towards the pavilion. He walked straight towards Helian Dashi, his trajectory unchanged.

Helian Dashi smiled coldly and said, "I'm afraid you can't finish this cup of wine."

As soon as the head of Yipintang finished speaking, he raised his right palm, and his already large hand instantly became filled with blood and energy, as if it had grown a size larger. However, no palm lines could be seen on his palm; it was a deep red mass.

Zhang Sanqiang exclaimed in surprise, "The Great Seal of Tantra!"

"You do have some insight." Helian Dashi clasped his hands together, his body swirling wildly like a terrifying whirlpool in a stormy sea, the wind howling like waves, the fierce force and profound energy intertwined, pushing horizontally towards Zhang Sanqiang.

"roll!"

"not necessarily."

Zhang Sanqiang handed the spear to his left hand, and his right palm drew an arc. Suddenly, his palm strike came out like lightning from the arc, like a divine pestle smashing down from the sky, arriving in front of Helian Dashi with extreme power.

Zhou Yan had seen the same palm technique on the leader of the White Lotus Sect. It was the Ming Cult's signature technique, "Great Nine Heavens Hand," but in terms of skill level, it seemed to be inferior to Yu Huacheng's.

With two loud "thumps," Zhang Sanqiang received two consecutive "Great Handprints" from Helian Dashi. The cool air suddenly churned like boiling water, a menacing wave forming in the air with a piercing sound. Zhang Sanqiang slammed his spear into the ground with his left hand, and with a deafening "boom," the blue bricks that the spearhead touched shattered into pieces, sending fragments flying. Zhang Sanqiang swayed slightly but regained his balance, and with a low shoulder strike, he delivered a "Iron Mountain Lean."

"The stars have shifted?" Li Wuxiang exclaimed in surprise.

Helian Dashi never expected that the dragon and elephant power contained in his palm strike would be cleverly transferred by the opponent with a strange technique. Facing the fierce "Iron Mountain Lean", unaware of Zhang Sanqiang's follow-up move, his body swayed and he drifted away ghostly for several feet. When he landed, he realized that he was facing away from Zhou Yan and the others in the pavilion. His toes, like a wisp of smoke, moved to the side and drifted away for several feet again. In this way, he completely cleared the way.

Zhang Sanqiang strode into the pavilion.

Zhou Yan's pupils, which had been slightly constricted, fully dilated with the arrival of Zhang Sanqiang. Just moments before, Li Wuxiang had said "the stars have shifted and the constellations have changed." These words meant nothing to Zhang Wangyue, Qiu Qianchi, and the others, but to Zhou Yan, they were like a thunderclap.

Li Wuxiang regarded "Qiankun Da Nuoyi" as "Dou Zhuan Xing Yi", and the opponent was from the lineage of the Western Xia princess in the world of Tianlong, who must be responsible for the martial arts of the "Xiaoyao Sect".

Zhang Sanqiang sat down, picked up his wine bowl, and drank it all in one gulp. "Good wine!"

After saying this, he turned to Zhou Yan and said, "When I went to the Western Regions, I passed through Zhongdu and wanted to gather some information, but I didn't expect to run into these bastards."

"Does Master Zhang recognize him?"

"We had long heard that Yipintang was offering high salaries to recruit greedy and profit-driven people in the martial arts world."

"I see." Zhou Yan nodded with a smile, picked up the wine pot, and poured himself another cup.

Li Wuxiang, standing outside the pavilion, had regained his composure. He asked, "How should I address this hero?"

"Zhang Sanqiang".

"So he was the leader of Manichaeism?"

"Exactly!"

The scene before him was truly beyond Li Wuxiang's expectations. The fact that the Fu'an Escort Agency was connected to the Manichaeism was something he hadn't anticipated. In Li Wuxiang's eyes, the Manichaeism, with its numerous disciples and immense power, was far beyond the reach of ordinary gangs; conflict was not advisable. After a moment's consideration, he said to Zhou Yan in the pavilion:

"Let's have a fight. If I win, you answer my question. If I lose, the feud between Yipintang and Fu'an will be wiped clean, how about that?"

(End of this chapter)