Shooting the Eagle: Starting from Iron Palm Peak

The day to descend the mountain is set for three days from now.

Lin Qi didn't sit idle. Over the past three days, he practiced the first three stances of the newly learned Iron Palm Kung Fu hundreds of times until he knew each move by heart. Qiu Qianren told him that this trip down the mountain wasn't just about handling business, but also about gaining experience. The martial world wasn't Iron Palm Peak; no one cared whose disciple you were—only your fists mattered.

On the night before his departure, Lin Qi lay on the wooden bed in the side courtyard, staring at the wooden beams above his head, and went through the timeline of the original work from beginning to end.

Guo Jing should still be on the Mongolian grasslands at this time. The Seven Freaks of Jiangnan taught him martial arts for ten years, and Ma Yu of the Quanzhen Sect also went to the desert to teach him internal energy.

He had just descended the mountain, preparing to march south to the Central Plains. Wanyan Honglie had gathered a group of martial arts masters at the Zhao Prince's residence; Ouyang Ke, Sha Tongtian, Peng Lianhu, Liang Ziweng, and Lingzhi Shangren were all under his command. Yang Kang, unaware of his true parentage, was still dreaming of becoming a prince of the Jin Dynasty.

At this point in the story, Guo Jing and Huang Rong had not yet met. Their famous "first date" at the small tavern in Zhangjiakou had not yet occurred.

Lin Qi silently noted these key points in his mind. He didn't know what he would encounter on his descent down the mountain, but it was always good to be prepared.

At midnight, he got up and practiced the palm technique again until he was covered in sweat before lying back down and falling into a deep sleep.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Lin Qi stood in front of the stone building.

Qiu Qianren had changed into a long blue cloth robe, with a black belt around his waist and thin-soled boots, looking like an ordinary martial arts practitioner. Behind him stood two black-clad disciples, his accompanying guards. Lin Qi recognized one of them as one of the disciples who had dragged him in the main hall that day; the man's eyes darted away when he saw Lin Qi.

"Let's go." Qiu Qianren didn't say anything more and strode down the mountain.

The mountain path of Iron Palm Peak was winding and twisting, its stone steps covered in moss. Lin Qi followed behind Qiu Qianren, walking cautiously. Qiu Qianren's steps were not fast, but each step was extremely steady, like nails driven into the ground. Lin Qi noticed that he walked almost silently, his toes touching the ground, his body leaning slightly forward, his center of gravity always maintaining a straight line—this was the foundation of his light-body skill.

The nickname "Iron Palm Water Floater" wasn't given for nothing.

The journey down the mountain took half an hour. When they reached the foot of the mountain, three horses were parked by the roadside, led by two grooms. Upon seeing Qiu Qianren, the grooms immediately bowed and paid their respects.

Qiu Qianren mounted his horse, and Lin Qi and his two disciples followed suit. Lin Qi knew how to ride a horse; this was a skill Ah Qi remembered—the disciples of the Iron Palm Clan had to go down the mountain every year to purchase supplies, and horseback riding was a basic skill.

The horses' hooves pounded on the official road, raising a cloud of dust.

Lin'an is northeast of Iron Palm Peak, a two-day journey by horse. Qiu Qianren seemed unhurried, riding at a slow pace, telling Lin Qi about the place names and martial arts forces along the way.

"This road leads north, past Dongting Lake, to Xiangyang. East of Xiangyang is Ezhou. Further east from Ezhou is Lin'an." Qiu Qianren pointed to the distant mountains. "Most of the bandit groups along the way have connections with our Iron Palm Clan. When you travel the martial world in the future and encounter anything you're unsure about, first mention the name of the Iron Palm Clan."

Lin Qi nodded in agreement.

The first day of their journey was uneventful. They lodged at an inn in a small town at dusk. Qiu Qianren booked two superior rooms; he and Lin Qi shared one, and their two disciples shared the other. For dinner, Qiu Qianren ordered four dishes and a soup, but did not drink alcohol. Lin Qi ate quickly, and after finishing, returned to his room to meditate and practice his martial arts.

Qiu Qianren sat by the window, watching Lin Qi cross-legged and practicing his internal energy, and suddenly said, "You practice very diligently."

Lin Qi opened his eyes: "This disciple's foundation is weak, I must hurry up."

"A weak foundation can be made up for, as long as you put your heart into it." Qiu Qianren paused, "But you've offended Han Duanyue, and your days in the gang won't be easy in the future. Taking you down the mountain this time is also to let you temporarily avoid him. After I finish my business and go back, I'll give Han Duanyue a talking-to."

"Thank you, Master."

"No need to thank me." Qiu Qianren looked at the dark night outside the window. "The Iron Palm Clan has indeed become rotten over the years. Han Duanyue's faction controls the Iron Palm Hall, engaging in corruption and lining their own pockets. I'm not unaware of this, I just couldn't be bothered to care. But what you said in the main hall that day really struck a chord with me."

Lin Qi didn't respond, waiting for him to continue.

"You tell me, the quality of a gang can be judged by two things—what the gang members do outside, and what kind of people surround the gang leader." Qiu Qianren turned around and looked at Lin Qi. "The people around me over the years haven't been very good."

Lin Qi was silent for a moment, then said, "It's not too late for Master to take charge now."

Qiu Qianren did not answer, but only sighed softly.

The next afternoon, the group arrived outside Lin'an city.

Lin'an was the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty. Lin Qi could see the tall city walls and flags on the city towers from afar. People were coming and going at the city gate, and the shouts of vendors, the wheels of horse-drawn carriages, and the laughter of pedestrians mingled together, creating a lively scene.

Lin Qi had been to Hangzhou in his previous life and knew what it would look like more than 800 years later. But now, standing in front of the city gate, looking at the common people dressed in coarse cloth and short tunics, the peddlers carrying loads, and the officials riding tall horses, he had a real feeling—he had really traveled through time, really arrived in the Southern Song Dynasty, and was really in this era that was about to be trampled by the Mongol cavalry.

The feeling was complex. There was excitement, fear, and an indescribable heaviness.

Qiu Qianren led them into the city and headed straight for a large mansion in the east of the city. Two servants were standing at the gate of the mansion. When they saw Qiu Qianren, they quickly opened the gate and welcomed him in.

The mansion was grand, with artificial hills and flowing water, and winding corridors. A middle-aged man in his forties, dressed in a brocade robe, came out to greet them, cupping his hands and smiling, "Chief Qiu, it's an honor to have you here! I'm so sorry I didn't welcome you sooner!"

Qiu Qianren nodded slightly: "Boss Qian, you're too kind."

Lin Qi followed behind, sizing up the middle-aged man. Boss Qian—the younger brother of Qian Sihai, the head of the Foreign Affairs Department, named Qian Wanyin—was the head of the Iron Palm Gang's secret agents in Lin'an. On the surface, he was a silk merchant, but in secret, he was inquiring about information and contacting various forces for the Iron Palm Gang.

Qian Wanyin led them into the main hall, served tea, and then lowered his voice to say to Qiu Qianren, "Chief, the Jin envoys have arrived and are staying at the inn in the west of the city. They sent word that they are hosting a banquet at Zuixianlou tonight and request that you grace them with your presence."

Qiu Qianren picked up his teacup and blew away the foam. "I understand. What's the background of the Jin envoy?"

"The leader was an advisor to Wanyan Honglie, surnamed Tang, named Tang Zude. He was originally a Han Chinese from the Jin Dynasty, but he joined Wanyan Honglie and became his advisor. He came to Lin'an this time ostensibly to discuss business, but in reality, he was trying to win over the underworld forces on Wanyan Honglie's behalf."

"Tang Zude..." Qiu Qianren repeated the name, "Never heard of him. Is there anyone else?"

Qian Wanyin shook his head. "It's said that only a few ordinary attendants came."

Qiu Qianren nodded and said to Lin Qi, "You're coming with me tonight."

"Yes."

As evening fell, Lin Qi changed into clean clothes and followed Qiu Qianren out the door. Qian Wanyin led the way, passing through several streets and alleys, until they arrived at a three-story restaurant. Above the restaurant's entrance hung a golden signboard—Drunken Immortal Restaurant.

When Lin Qi saw those three words, his heart started racing.

Zuixianlou. In the original novel, this is where Guo Jing and Huang Rong first met. Guo Jing treated Huang Rong to a meal, spending nineteen taels of silver, which won her heart.

But the timeline is still early. Guo Jing should still be on the Mongolian grasslands, and Huang Rong should still be on Peach Blossom Island. There is neither Guo Jing nor Huang Rong in this restaurant; only the Jin envoy and the Iron Palm Clan leader are there.

Lin Qi took a deep breath and followed Qiu Qianren inside.

In a private room on the second floor, a middle-aged man in his forties with a short beard was already waiting at the table. He was wearing a dark blue robe with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, and looked like a businessman, but his eyes were sharp.

"Chief Qiu!" The man stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "I am Tang Zude, and I have long admired your name, Chief Qiu."

Qiu Qianren returned the greeting with clasped hands and took the seat of honor. Lin Qi stood behind him, while two black-clad disciples guarded the door.

Tang Zude cut to the chase: "Chief Qiu, I have come here on the orders of King Zhao to discuss a business deal with your gang."

"What kind of business?"

"His Highness Prince Zhao wishes to ask the Iron Palm Gang for help in gathering intelligence for the Jin Kingdom in the Jiangnan region," Tang Zude said. "The price is negotiable. It will be 50,000 taels of silver per year, plus 1,000 bolts each of silk and tea."

Fifty thousand taels of silver. Lin Qi did a quick mental calculation; this was equivalent to a quarter of the Iron Palm Clan's current annual income. Wanyan Honglie was indeed generous.

Qiu Qianren picked up his wine cup, took a slow sip, and did not answer.

Tang Zude thought he was hesitating, so he added, "His Highness Prince Zhao said that if Chief Qiu is willing, the Jin Kingdom can also set up an 'Iron Palm Battalion' in the Iron Palm Clan, composed of your clan's disciples, with His Highness Prince Zhao responsible for providing provisions and weapons."

Lin Qi's heart skipped a beat. This wasn't just simple information gathering; it was about recruiting the Iron Palm Gang as mercenaries for the Jin Kingdom.

Qiu Qianren put down his wine cup and said calmly, "Mr. Tang, go back and tell His Highness Prince Zhao that the Iron Palm Clan is a Jianghu gang and does not interfere in the affairs of the imperial court. They can gather information, but they cannot expect their disciples to risk their lives for the Jin Kingdom."

Tang Zude's expression changed slightly, but he quickly smiled again: "Chief Qiu, you flatter me. His Highness Prince Zhao only wants your gang to help pass on some messages; he has absolutely no intention of sending your gang's disciples to the battlefield."

"Passing messages is also forbidden." Qiu Qianren's tone was calm but unquestionable. "The Iron Palm Clan has its own rules. Mr. Tang, please leave."

Tang Zude's smile froze. He glanced at Qiu Qianren's expression, knowing that further words were futile, and stood up, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect, saying, "Since Chief Qiu is unwilling, I will not force him. If he changes his mind in the future, please send someone to inform me immediately."

After saying this, he left with his entourage.

The private room fell silent. Lin Qi stood behind Qiu Qianren, his mind churning with various thoughts.

Qiu Qianren refused the Jin Kingdom. This is quite different from the Qiu Qianren in the original novel, in which Qiu Qianren, in order to compete for the title of "Number One Under Heaven," did not hesitate to collude with the Jin people and even participated in the assassination attempt in the Dali palace.

But Qiu Qianren, faced with the temptation of 50,000 taels of silver, refused without hesitation.

Was it because of his words that Qiu Qianren was moved? Or was Qiu Qianren not a villain in the true sense of the word?

Lynch was unsure.

"What are you thinking about?" Qiu Qianren suddenly asked.

"I'm thinking," Lin Qi carefully chose his words, "Why doesn't Master agree to their request? Fifty thousand taels of silver is no small sum."

Qiu Qianren glanced at him, his eyes holding a meaningful look.

"Since your words in the main hall could change my mind, I cannot turn back now." Qiu Qianren stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the night outside. "The Iron Palm Clan is the legacy left by my master, Shangguan Jiannan. He fought against the Jin all his life. If I take the Jin's money, I will have no face to see him even after I die."

Lin Qi was silent for a moment, then said, "Master, I have a question, but I don't know if I should ask it."

"explain."

"Now that you've refused the Jin Kingdom, won't Wanyan Honglie become a threat to the Iron Palm Clan?"

Qiu Qianren turned around, looked at Lin Qi, and smiled slightly.

"He wouldn't dare."

The three words were spoken lightly, but Lin Qi sensed their weight.

The Iron Palm Clan, with tens of thousands of members spread throughout Jiangnan, is a major gang in the martial arts world, comparable to the Beggars' Clan. Even if Wanyan Honglie were incredibly bold, he wouldn't dare to easily provoke the Iron Palm Clan.

Moreover, Qiu Qianren's martial arts skills were virtually unmatched. Who in the world would dare to say they could harm him?

"Let's go." Qiu Qianren strode out. "We're going back to the mountain tomorrow. When you get back, your homework will be doubled."

Lynch gave a wry smile: "Yes."

Stepping out of Zuixianlou, a night breeze blew by, carrying the unique dampness of the Jiangnan water towns. Lin Qi walked behind Qiu Qianren, gazing at the ancient city of Lin'an from eight hundred years ago, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

Today he saw another side of Qiu Qianren. This man is not a simple villain; he has his own principles, his own bottom line, and a sense of guilt and loyalty towards his master, Shangguan Jiannan. He can be swayed by a single sentence, and he can also say no to 50,000 taels of silver.

Such a person deserves to be called "Master".

Back at Qian Wanyin's house, Lin Qi didn't rush to sleep. He practiced the first three postures of the Iron Palm Kung Fu in the courtyard, then meditated and circulated the Iron Bone Technique for one cycle before going back to his room to lie down.

Tomorrow he will return to Iron Palm Peak. After returning, he will not only have to face training, but also Han Duan Yue's hostility, the disdain of the disciples in the sect, and the land that will soon be trampled by the Mongol cavalry.

He knew the future was heading. Wanyan Honglie wouldn't give up on winning over the Iron Palm Clan just because Qiu Qianren refused; the Jin Dynasty's power would grow increasingly rampant, and the Mongol cavalry would draw ever closer.

He must establish himself in this world in order to survive in this era.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water.

Lin Qi closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.