The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 62 Snowstorms, swords drawn, bows drawn; night falls, murders committed.
"The head镖师 (镖头,镖师, or镖师, are back?")

"Hello, Brother Yang."

Hearing the commotion in the courtyard, Yang Tiexin lifted the curtain and came out of the house. He was delighted to see Zhang Wangyue and Huyan Lei. When he saw Zhou Yan killing the chicken, he hurriedly said, "Why did you do this, Zhou镖师? Nianci, that girl..."

Mu Nianci was at a loss. Zhou Yan came over, took the knife, and made the cut so decisively. Her hands were still covered in chicken feathers, and she didn't know how to explain it to her father.

Zhou Yan laughed and said, "Senior Yang, please don't mind, I'm skilled."

Hu Yanlei explained, "Brother Yang, don't treat Brother Zhou like an outsider. He is indeed skilled. He often goes hunting in the suburbs and has excellent skills. When we went to Brother Zhou's house, he took care of all the butchering and cooking."

"That won't do either," Yang Tiexin insisted.

Mu Nianci then came to her senses and said to Zhou Yan, "Zhou镖师, come inside quickly. I will take care of the rest."

He smiled and said, "That works too!"

"I'll get you some water to wash your hands."

"Thank you!"

Zhang Wangyue and the others went into the house first. Mu Nianci brought over some water. When Zhou Yan took the wooden basin, he glanced at the other person's inner wrist and casually said, "Are you practicing your spear?"

"You noticed?"

"The skin on the Neiguan area is rubbed by the gun handle."

“Yes!” Mu Nianci nodded. “But Father won’t let me practice.”

"Why?"

"The Yang family's spear technique is passed down only to men, not women."

Zhou Yan had never witnessed Mu Nianci's martial arts skills, but he knew she had mastered Hong Qigong's "Free and Easy Wandering" fist technique. He had seen her wield a knife at Fenglingdu; while her knife strikes were sharp, her knife skills were rather ordinary. If she were to learn spear techniques, she could later receive guidance from Zhang Wangyue and Huyan Lei at the镖局 (bodyguard agency). The Yang Family Spear, Huyan Spear Technique, and Yue Family Spear—these were all excellent resources.

"Shall we speak to Senior Yang about this later?"

"Is that alright?" Mu Nianci asked in surprise.

"No destruction, no construction; we cannot allow the authentic Yang family spear technique to be lost."

"Thank you, Escort Zhou."

"No need to be polite." He washed his hands, and before Mu Nianci could get a towel, he flicked his hands in the air. "We brought drinks, so you don't need to get any more."

"got it."

The wind swirled and howled under the eaves. Zhou Yan walked over with wine under the eaves, and Mu Nianci began to busy herself. She felt that life should be like this: a place to stay, the warmth of everyday life, and the comings and goings of friends.

Thinking this way, she felt much lighter. As the saying goes, peace of mind is true home.

Zhou Yan entered the room and saw that Zhang Wangyue and Huyan Lei were already on the kang (a heated brick bed). He sat on the kang as if they were old friends and said with a smile, "When I was at the escort agency, I heard from the boss that you refused to be directly hired as an escort and wanted to be assessed according to the rules."

Yang Tiexin was honest and said, "We have already troubled the head镖师 and others. If we make an exception and cause trouble, wouldn't that put the head镖师 in a difficult position?"

"I see that Miss Mu's wrists are chafed. Is she practicing her shooting skills for the assessment?"

"The girl likes guns."

Hu Yanlei immediately replied, "It's simple. If it's swordsmanship or fist techniques, Brother Zhou can give me some pointers. As for spear techniques, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) and I can both teach you by example."

Zhang Wangyue nodded: "That's true."

Yang Tiexin looked troubled.

Zhou Yan asked, "What's wrong, senior? Is there something you're having trouble telling us?"

"There's nothing that can't be said. The Yang family's ancestral rule is that the spear technique is passed down to sons, not daughters."

Hu Yanlei thought it was no big deal, but when he heard Yang Tiexin say this, he advised, "Let me say a few words, brother, don't mind my nagging."

"How could that be?" Yang Tiexin hurriedly said. Huyan Lei said, "The Huyan spear technique is the same. It's passed down to men but not women, and to family members but not outsiders. But over time, it becomes a matter of clinging to the old ways and not making progress. When I stayed at the escort agency, I sparred with the escorts, and as a result, my spear skills improved. The reason for this is simply that I learned from their strengths and made up for my weaknesses. So my mind became clear, and when I felt like it, I would teach a few moves to the escorts. Brother, you are a descendant of General Yang, we are family, so I won't hide anything from you. I now practice the authentic Yue Family spear technique, which was given to me by the head of the escort agency. Brother Zhou practices Quanzhen martial arts, but he is not a disciple of Quanzhen. In martial arts teaching, there should be no discrimination."

Yang Tiexin was a little surprised. He had traveled all over the country and knew about the Quanzhen Sect, but he did not expect that Zhou Yan also practiced Quanzhen Sect martial arts.

Zhang Wangyue said, “The Yang family has such family precepts, perhaps because they are more concerned with the fierceness of the spear technique. If it falls into the hands of unscrupulous people, it could cause harm and commit evil deeds. But now, Brother, only Miss Mu is filial. Considering these ancestral precepts again is out of touch with the times. We can’t let the tradition be lost because of this. Wouldn’t that be sinful? Take the Yue family spear technique as an example. The Yue family spear technique originated from General Yue. The general was humble and open-minded. The Yue family spear technique protects the country. Anyone with ambition, regardless of gender, can learn it. The general’s daughter is a master of spear technique. I am passing on the Yue family spear technique to Huyan Escort, which is to carry on the general’s wishes. Learning martial arts is like tailoring clothes. Since Miss Mu likes the spear, we should guide her step by step. I think it would be better if you didn’t hesitate. You teach the Yang family spear technique, and I will teach the Yue family spear technique to Miss Mu. If the spear technique can be brought to its full glory in Miss Mu’s hands one day, the general will be pleased.”

Huyan Lei said, "The Huyan family's spear technique is also fine."

Yang Tiexin hurriedly replied, "Since the镖头 (镖头 is a ...

Hu Yanlei said, "General Yang was also under Grandpa Yue's command. With your choice, General Yang will be able to rest in peace."

"I am ashamed of my narrow-mindedness."

Zhou Yan remained largely silent throughout, yet everything stemmed from him, and he resolved the matter subtly.

Then he heard Hu Yanlei say, "I think Brother Zhou might as well learn the Yue Family Spear Technique with Miss Mu. Your talent is amazing, far surpassing mine. If you master the spear technique, you might be able to use it as if Grandpa Yue himself were here."

Hu Yanlei's words were so appealing that Zhang Wangyue was tempted. "Brother Zhou, what do you think?"

Zhou Yan said, "How can I not learn what the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) teaches me? Skills are never a burden, but if I can gain a sudden understanding of the Yue Family Spear technique and carry it forward, it would be my inescapable duty."

"Great! The inheritance of the Huyan family's spear technique will also depend on Brother Zhou." Huyan Lei was overjoyed. "Come, let's drink to celebrate."

Yang Tiexin breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a sense of ease.

Mu Nianci was efficient; in no time, she brought over several dishes to accompany the drinks, such as stir-fried wild vegetables with eggs and steamed stuffed tofu. Zhou Yan served "Chrysanthemum White" wine, and the four of them toasted each other, creating a lively atmosphere.

Zhou Yan felt that this "Chrysanthemum White" was pure and mellow, and its taste was not inferior to the "Chrysanthemum Wine" of Xiangyang. If he knew Yuan Haowen's poem, "What is love in this world that makes people willing to die for each other? ... For thousands of years, it has been left for poets to sing wildly and drink deeply, to visit the place where the wild geese came down."

The wine mentioned is this "Chrysanthemum White," which would likely evoke a great deal of sighs.

Mu Nianci set out a stew of tender old hen soup. Yang Tiexin said, "The head镖师 (bodyguard) and 护師 (bodyguard master) Huyan will teach you the Yue Family Spear Technique and the Huyan Family Spear Technique. I will also teach you the Yang Family Spear Technique. Why don't you thank them?"

Surprise filled Mu Nianci's heart. She never expected that Zhou Yan, who had just said he would help her persuade her father, would not only teach her spear techniques, but also allow her to practice the Yue Family Spear and Huyan Spear techniques.

She was deeply grateful to Zhou Yan.

"Thank you two seniors."

……

The cold wind howled, and heavy snow slowly fell from the sky.

Mu Nianci lifted the curtain, and Zhang Wangyue, Huyan Lei, Zhou Yan, and Yang Tiexin came out one after another.

The crisscrossing footprints stretched out of the courtyard. After exiting the gate, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) said, "Brother, please go back. See you at the镖局 (bodyguard/escort agency) tomorrow."

"Alright!" Yang Tiexin cupped his hands in greeting.

The three turned around and mounted their horses in the wind and snow. Mu Nianci wondered in surprise where Zhou Yan's "Night-Shining Jade Lion" had gone.

The clatter of horses' hooves broke through the wind and snow.

Zhou Yan took the bow case from the hook, brushed off the snowflakes, and carried it on his back.

Zhang Wangyue glanced at Zhou Yan and suddenly said, "Brother Zhou, have you guessed what I'm going to do?"

"If the master wants to settle scores with Lei Luo, he can't just send all the bodyguards and porters to fight. The culprits behind Si Hai's attack on Fu An are bodyguards Lu, Su, and Lu. The drinking session this evening wasn't as satisfying as the one at the Fengling Ferry Inn. So I guess he's going to retaliate in kind. Snow makes the sword and bow ready, the night is perfect for killing."

Zhang Wangyue smiled but remained silent.

Hu Yanlei then felt as if he had been struck by lightning:

"A gentleman doesn't hold grudges overnight, that's satisfying!"

(End of this chapter)