Chapter 5: The Chivalrous Qiu Mo Yan

Thirty miles south of Longmen Inn, there is a canyon

With the cultivation methods of Confucianism, a positive mindset, regular daily routines, and the addition of practicing martial arts and meditation, the body has gradually transformed from a sub-healthy state to a robust condition

Diao Buyu is chopping meat. The shopkeeper is directing the waiter to work. The boss's wife, Jin Xiangyu, is leisurely standing by, cracking pumpkin seeds.

The strong individuals in the military are different from ordinary martial arts masters

The backpack is somewhat heavy, clearly containing something.

Early morning

He Hu asked, "Who is that old man? Is he a senior from the martial arts world?"

The silver in the box amounts to at least several tens of thousands of taels. Even if four or five people share it equally, it would be enough for each person to live comfortably for a lifetime. Tie Zhu decided that after completing this task, he would retire and no longer engage in the underworld. With the money for retirement, who would still be willing to become a bandit

Qin Zhiyong asked: "Do you need wine?"

Qiu Moyan glanced at Qin Zhiyong. There were no signs of martial arts training on Qin Zhiyong, but his demeanor was somewhat distinctive

Cao Shaoqin attempted to assassinate Zhou Huai'an several times, but each time he failed, allowing Zhou to escape

It is not shameful to ask questions when one is unsure

Qiu Mo Yan said softly: "He does not understand martial arts; he is a scholar"

... ...

In fact, there are very few guests at the Dragon Gate Inn. Sometimes, several days can pass without any guests arriving.

... ...

Qin Zhiyong reads, works, practices martial arts, and meditates every day. Life is hard, but it is fulfilling

Ten days ago, Qiu Mo Yan received a secret letter from Zhou Huai An, asking her to assist in rescuing Yang Yu Xuan's children

Qiu Mo Yan and He Hu Tie Zhu rescued Yang Yu Xuan's children

A cloaked figure in black suddenly appeared

Bad habits can easily take hold if one is not careful, such as a preference for ease over hard work; if one's willpower is slightly weak, one may unknowingly fall into a state of decline. However, to cultivate a good habit, it requires at least half a month.

Qiu Mo Yan sat in the cave, gently wiping her long sword with a handkerchief. Her sword was a concealed sword within a sword, commonly known as a mother-and-child sword. It was designed for ambush, making it difficult for the enemy to defend against.

Qiu Mo Yan donned a cloak and was the first to emerge from the cave, followed closely by He Hu and Tie Zhu.

Qin Zhiyong turned and left. His walking posture was very upright. His pace was neither hurried nor slow. It was completely different from that of an ordinary person.

Cao Shaoqin wore an expression of confidence and said, "A group of disordered rebels. They won't last long. Anyone who dares to oppose us in the Eastern Depot must die. They are carrying two little ones and won't be able to move quickly. Jia Ting, Cao Tian, Lu Xiaochuan, you three keep an eye on them for me"

The only person that Cao Shaoqin intends to deal with personally is Zhou Huai'an

Qin Zhiyong said: "Boss lady, I believe I can do it"

He Hu looked at Qin Zhiyong's back and quietly asked, "Heroine Qiu, this person has issues."

Footsteps were heard outside the cave

Those two children are the son and daughter of Yang Yuxuan, the Minister of War.

Jia Ting returned to Cao Shaoqin's side and said, "Supervisor, the person has already been taken away by them"

Cao Shaoqin, with a confident expression, smiled and said: "Zhou Huai'an is Yang Yuxuan's most loyal subordinate. Those two little brats are the only bloodline of the Yang family, so Zhou Huai'an will definitely come. It's just that I don't know when he will appear"

Qiu Mo Yan is a pure heroine, who fights against the strong to help the weak, and robs the rich to aid the poor. This time, she is rescuing the descendants of loyal and virtuous individuals, and she agreed without hesitation. Moreover, Zhou Huai An is the man she admires.

Qiu Mo Yan shook his head and said: "He is not a martial arts senior. He is the esteemed Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng of the current dynasty."

In order to deal with Zhou Huai'an, Cao Shaoqin must take action personally

Only by adopting a humble attitude and maintaining a positive mindset can one recognize their own shortcomings. Once one acknowledges their deficiencies, they can correct their mistakes, learn new things, and ultimately make progress

The martial arts skills of the two of them can be considered quite formidable. The skills of the other few are somewhat lacking. After all, this rescue operation is in opposition to the Eastern Depot of the court, and not every person from the jianghu has the courage to participate.

Qiu Mo Yan sheathed his long sword, pointed at the box beside him, and said: "The silver you requested is all here. However, I have one condition: you can only take the money after the matter is completed"

Zhou Huai'an is not only highly skilled in martial arts, but also possesses considerable wisdom. A foolish person will not be favored by Yang Yuxuan

How could a scholar come to work as a waiter in an inn on the frontier Gobi Desert?

Qin Zhiyong arrived at the Longmen Inn over half a month ago

Qiu Mo Yan removed the hood from his head and said, "First, bring us some food"

Even inviting heroes of the green forest like He Hu and Tie Zhu, Qiu Mo Yan still spent a considerable amount of money

It is good to have money to earn

To invite a peerless master from the martial world, Qiu Moyan does not yet possess such influence and power

Upon entering the cave, He Hu clasped his fists and said: "I have met you, Heroine Qiu."

Among them, two individuals are each carrying a large backpack.

Qiu Mo Yan thought to himself that the Longmen Inn was somewhat unusual. He must proceed with caution

It is indeed Qiu Mo Yan and his companions

Qiu Mo Yan said: "His breathing method clearly indicates that he has not practiced internal skills, nor does he possess internal energy. The way he walks... I have seen it before in an old man in the capital."

They rescued Yang Yuxuan's children and proceeded to the Dragon Gate Inn to meet Zhou Huai'an as agreed. As long as they handed over the two children to Zhou Huai'an, their mission would be considered accomplished

Apart from knowing some history of the Ming Dynasty and recognizing a few more characters, Qin Zhiyong does not feel that he is superior to the ancients. There are many qualities in the ancients that are worth learning from.

I did not expect that today, as many as seven or eight guests would arrive all at once

Behind them, there was a large contingent of people

After sitting down

He Hu and Tie Zhu have arrived

He Hu, a grass bandit from Helan Mountain, wields a simple broadsword quite skillfully, making him a second-rate master in the martial world. Tie Zhu, a hero of the green forest, is equally proficient in swordsmanship

In recent nights, Qin Zhiyong has been sleeping very soundly, able to sleep until dawn without waking. During the day, he feels full of energy, walking with a sense of groundedness unlike before. His knife skills in chopping vegetables have also improved significantly. Of course, compared to Diao Buyu's skill in butchering an ox, he still has a long way to go

Qin Zhiyong said: "Madam Boss, Shopkeeper, there are guests arriving. I will serve some food to the guests. No alcohol please"

Currently, within the entire Eastern Depot, only Cao Shaoqin is capable of matching Zhou Huai'an. It is said that even when the four prominent figures—Chang Yanxiao, Jia Ting, Lu Xiaochuan, and Cao Tian—join forces, they may not necessarily be able to contend with Zhou Huai'an.

Qin Zhiyong said with a smile: "Good morning. Esteemed guests, welcome to the Dragon Gate Inn. Please come inside."

Qin Zhiyong walked into the kitchen

As Qin Zhiyong opened the door of the inn, he saw seven or eight people standing outside. The leader was wearing a cloak and dressed in black tight-fitting attire, holding a long sword. The others were similarly armed.

Although Qin Zhiyong has not even touched the threshold of true meditation, as long as the body is transforming in a positive direction, it is a good thing

The person who has arrived is Qiu Mo Yan

Qiu Mo Yan shook his head and said, "No need for alcohol"

The movements of a martial arts master are graceful, and their swordsmanship is light and agile, filled with the essence of the martial world. A person with keen insight can discern the opponent's martial arts style at a glance

Jia Ting and the others spoke in unison: "Yes, Supervisor."

Cao Shaoqin said: "He is not Zhou Huai'an. The person I am waiting for has not appeared. The newcomer is a woman disguised as a man. You just need to entertain her. Do not kill her. Let her abduct Yang Yuxuan's children; she will definitely go to meet Zhou Huai'an. This governor intends to use a long line to catch big fish, to capture Zhou Huai'an and other traitors in one fell swoop. Yang Yuxuan's children are my bait"

He Huda: "Please, Miss Qiu, go ahead."

Cao Shaoqin sat in a chair, watching the small path down the mountain, where two constables were escorting two children on their way.

Cao Shaoqin immediately recognized that she was not Zhou Huai'an

Jin Xiangyu said with a smile: "This is what you said. If someone kills you with a sword, don't blame me for not being able to save you."

When Qin Zhiyong smiles, it gives people a sense of sunshine and cleanliness. An ordinary shop assistant would not possess such an aura

Tie Zhu said: "Miss Qiu, rest assured. We understand the rules of the martial world; if the matter is not accomplished, we certainly will not accept any payment"

Hmm? Jia Ting's eyes lit up, "Finally here. Quite good at lightness skill. I will go first"

Zhou Huai'an is a military instructor of the Imperial Guard, whose martial skills are straightforward and simple, characterized by great strength and power, emphasizing a single, decisive strike

Qiu Mo Yan said: "It is good that you can think this way. This place is secluded, with no signs of human habitation for several dozen miles around, making it very safe to keep the silver here. Once the matter is settled, you can come directly to collect the silver. Let us go."

Relying solely on Zhou Huai'an and himself, with limited strength and resources, the rescue operation would undoubtedly be beyond their capabilities. Qiu Moyan took out all his savings and hired a few helpers.

He Hu, Tie Zhu, and others were all taken aback

The wooden box had no lid, and when several people saw the silver inside the box, their eyes lit up. They were unwilling to live as ordinary commoners; having experienced the perilous life of the underworld, was it not all in pursuit of wealth?

On the hillside, Lu Xiaochuan, Cao Tian, and Jia Ting, the three heads of the Eastern Depot, were respectfully standing beside Supervisor Cao Shaoqin.

... ...

Qiu Moyan and He Hu, among others, can handle Jia Ting, Lu Xiaochuan, and the others. If Cao Shaoqin were to intervene, it would be unbecoming of his status

Lu Xiaochuan said, "Supervisor, Zhou Huai'an has not yet appeared. Will he really come?"

Abnormal

Jin Xiangyu nodded and said, "I have seen it all. They are all people from the martial arts world. The woman in the lead is at least a top-tier expert, and I do not have the confidence to defeat her. People from the Jianghu have bad tempers and are not easy to deal with. Can you handle it? If not, I will have the shopkeeper or Diao Buyu entertain them."

If Qin Zhiyong has any questions, he will ask

They certainly enjoy drinking, as do Tie Zhu and He Hu. However, drinking can lead to mistakes. This is a critical time, and we must not make any errors. A slip-up would mean a dead end.

If Qin Zhiyong continues to look down upon the ancients, believing himself to be well-informed and knowledgeable, with such a mindset, he will certainly learn nothing. He may even incur the annoyance of Jin Xiangyu and Diao Buyu.

Cultivating oneself is difficult, but cultivating the heart is even more challenging

"How can you be so sure?" asked Tie Zhu.