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After Qu San left, Shi Yanming took his people to Niujia Village for a search. They left without capturing anyone, causing little impact on the villagers and Yi Qian. A year later, Qu San sent a letter through someone, stating that he had returned to his sect with two junior brothers. He specifically wrote to express his gratitude and included a gift. Among the gifts was an ink wash landscape painting depicting a steep and abrupt mountain with five peaks, one of which was particularly high, pointing skyward and piercing the clouds, descending into a deep ravine. On the mountain's side grew a row of pine trees, their branches laden with snow, all bending southward, suggesting the fierce northern winds. To the west of the peak stood an old pine tree, upright and majestic. Beneath the pine tree was a figure painted in red, a general dancing with a sword in the wind. The person's face was hard to discern, but their attire flowed elegantly, exuding an extraordinary presence. The entire painting was in ink wash style, with this figure appearing fiery red, making them stand out even more. The painting had no inscription except for a poem that read: "Years of dust cover my travel clothes, I seek fragrance atop the verdant peaks; good waters and mountains are never enough to behold, as horse hooves urge me to return under the bright moon." Yi Qian recognized that this painting contained clues about the whereabouts of the "Wumu Yishu" and was also a key item in "The Legend of the Condor Heroes." After some thought, he placed the painting in Qu San's tavern's secret room, waiting for Huang Rong and Guo Jing to retrieve it.
Another year passed, and Qiu Chuji returned to Niujia Village searching for Yang Kang. However, he was destined to return empty-handed. When Yi Qian settled in Niujia Village, he claimed that Yang Kang was his nephew named Yi Zhen. Thus, Qiu Chuji did not realize that the talented boy he wanted to take back to Zhongnan Mountain as a disciple was actually his target.
Disappointed, Qiu Chuji left while both Yi Qian and Yang Kang breathed a sigh of relief. Neither Yi Qian nor Yang Kang wanted Yang Kang to become Qiu Chuji's disciple—when Yang Kang began his cultivation journey, Yi Qian had already told him about his background. Six years passed quickly; Yi Qian finally regained his foundational strength while Yang Kang reached the sixth level of Qi Refinement, far surpassing the Five Greats. Yi Qian began packing their belongings to take Yang Kang to the Golden Capital!
The capital of the Jin Kingdom was Zhongdu, which is modern-day Beijing. In 1111 AD (the sixth year of the Xuanhe era), Jin allied with Northern Song forces to attack Liao. The Jin army captured Liao's southern capital Xijingfu and returned it to Song according to their original agreement; Song renamed it Yanshanfu. Soon after, Jin troops invaded Song again and occupied Yanshanfu, renaming it Beijing. They established the Privy Council and the Executive Secretariat successively. In April 1151 AD (the third year of Emperor Hailing Wang Wanyan Liangde), an edict was issued to move the capital from Shangjing to Beijing, stripping Shangjing of its title. Zhongdu was built following Northern Song's Bianjing model and expanded upon Liao's southern capital city foundation. The southeast corner of Zhongdu is at today's Yongdingmen Railway Station west at Siliutong; the northeast corner is at Cuihua Street inside Xuanwumen; the northwest corner is at Huangtingzi south of Junbo; and the southwest corner is at Fenghuangzui Village. The eastern city wall runs north from Siliutong through Ming and Qing dynasty moats, crossing present-day Taoran Pavilion Park, Heiyang Factory, Panjia River (now Panjia Hutong), Hufangqiao westward to Liangjiayuan before connecting with the northern wall on Xinhua Street's west side. There are three gates on this wall: Shiren Gate, Xuanyao Gate, and Yangchun Gate. The southern city wall starts from Fenghuangzui straight eastward passing through Erfangying and Wanquan Temple among other places with three southern gates: Duanli Gate, Fengyi Gate, and Jingfeng Gate.
Yi Qian and Yang Kang did not use flying swords for their journey but traveled leisurely northward while sightseeing along the way. Whenever they encountered injustice or something they couldn't stand, they let Yang Kang take action—firstly to train his combat skills and help him take his first step into bloodshed; secondly to build Yang Kang's reputation—Yi Qian restored Yang Kang's original name; now Yang Kang's strength rivaled that of the Five Greats—did Qiu Chuji still have the face to accept him as a disciple? Not a chance! Thirdly, it was about enjoying nature. During modern times, Yi Qian mostly stayed in bed and never traveled more than ten miles from home; after recovering his health came the apocalypse with earthquakes and other natural disasters destroying many scenic spots. Now arriving in ancient times provided an opportunity to explore beautiful natural landscapes that had yet to be ruined by modern technology or apocalyptic events.
Yang Kang's reputation gradually soared in the martial world; many were unaware of how formidable the Five Greats were but unanimously regarded Yang Kang as the top young master among his peers—even when they were young, none could match his skills! As their journey progressed from south to north, Yang Tiexin had been searching for news about his son and daughter-in-law in northern regions for years and had yet to hear about Yang Kang’s rising fame.
After spending half a year traveling together, Yi Qian and Yang Kang finally arrived at Jin Kingdom’s capital Zhongdu. At this time, Jin’s capital was known as one of the most prosperous places in existence; even compared to Song’s old capital Bianliang or new capital Lin'an, it fell short. They saw intricately designed pavilions adorned with embroidery and red doors where carved carriages competed for space while fine horses raced past. Tall shops displayed rare goods; tea houses and taverns were filled with elegantly dressed patrons adorned with jewelry. It truly was a scene filled with flowers along every road accompanied by music echoing through empty spaces; golden splendor shone under sunlight while fragrant silks wafted through air—this dazzled Yi Qian who had never seen such sights since coming from an apocalyptic world. Not short on money himself, he took Yang Kang into a magnificent restaurant where he ordered over ten expensive dishes at once causing their server to beam with delight.
Without needing Yang Kang to inquire deliberately, their server eagerly shared all recent significant happenings in Zhongdu.
“Recently a father-daughter duo came into town challenging suitors through martial arts competitions; that daughter is incredibly beautiful! In my lifetime as Li Er I have never seen such a stunning lady!” The server spoke with dreamy eyes as if recalling a beloved figure but lamented: “However both she and her father possess exceptional martial skills—despite so many challengers none could defeat them!”
“Martial arts competition for marriage? Haha! How interesting!” Yang Kang expressed great interest just like in the original story.
The server chuckled: “If you’re interested young master you can step up for a try! With your looks alone that girl might surrender without even fighting!”
Yang Kang shook his head with a smile: “I’m only here for entertainment; I don’t wish to join in!”
Since learning that he practiced not ordinary techniques but rather methods capable of achieving immortality through cultivation, Yang Kang had long decided to follow his master’s footsteps diligently striving for ascension as an immortal being. As for finding a wife? Forget it! No matter how beautiful someone might be now they would eventually grow old while he remained youthful—how would they coexist? Therefore it seemed wiser to wait until achieving immortality before seeking companionship! After all aren’t celestial maidens far more beautiful than mortal women? Otherwise how could there be legends of heavenly beauty?
Uh, with such thoughts, can Yang Guo still be born? Can the legend of the Divine Eagle couple continue?
Regardless of whether Yang Guo will be born in the future, Yang Kang currently has no intention of starting a family. He was chatting with his son when he suddenly heard the sound of a gong and said, "Young Master, that father and daughter have started the martial arts competition for marriage!"
Yi Qian and Yang Kang both curiously looked down at the street. They had chosen a table by the window, and with a slight tilt of their heads, they could see the scene below. Yi Qian's curiosity was no less than that of Yang Kang. In the past, he thought martial arts competitions for marriage were childish, but later, after being enlightened by his uncle, he realized there were many considerations and interests behind them. The essence was similar to a white lotus selling herself to bury her father, only it appeared more grandiose.
A crowd had gathered at the street corner, with a large open space in the middle. A colorful banner was planted in the ground, white with red flowers, embroidered with four golden characters: "Martial Arts Competition for Marriage." To the left of the banner was an iron spear planted in the ground, and to the right were two short halberds made of fine iron. Under the banner stood two people: a young girl about seventeen or eighteen years old, graceful and tall. Although her face showed signs of hardship, her bright eyes and white teeth made her appearance charming; beside her stood a middle-aged man who was stout and broad-shouldered but slightly hunched over. His hair was graying at the temples, his face lined with wrinkles from hardship, dressed in a coarse cotton jacket with patches on his clothes, showing none of the handsome spirit he had over a decade ago. Yi Qian sighed, deeply understanding for the first time the profound saying that "time is a butcher's knife."
The man bowed to everyone in a square manner and said loudly, "My surname is Mu and my name is Yi. I am from Shandong. Passing through this place, I seek neither fame nor profit; I only wish to find a husband for my daughter who has reached marriageable age but has not yet been promised to anyone. She once made a wish: she does not desire a wealthy husband but hopes for a skilled hero. Therefore, I dare to hold this martial arts competition for marriage. Any man under thirty who is unmarried and can defeat my daughter in one punch or kick will win her hand in marriage. My daughter and I have traveled from south to north through seven regions because all the renowned heroes are already married, while young heroes are rarely willing to pay attention to us; thus we have yet to find a suitable match." He paused here and clasped his fists together: "Zhongdu is a place where heroes hide; there must be many skilled knights here. My actions may seem foolish; I ask for your understanding."
Yang Kang frowned and said to Yi Qian, "Strange, why do I feel this man seems familiar? I clearly have never seen him before!"
Yi Qian withdrew his gaze and stared at Yang Kang: "He is your biological father!"
Yang Kang: "Huh?"
Yi Qian: "Although you haven't seen your father in over ten years and he has changed a lot, I won't mistake him; he is indeed your father! I brought you to Zhongdu so you two could recognize each other!"
"Is he really my father?" Yang Kang felt complicated emotions—some happiness at finding family but more so a sense of trouble. He felt that these suddenly appearing relatives would bring him great trouble and prevent him from continuing as a quiet handsome man!
Yi Qian did not confirm further; facts are facts. Yang Kang did not ask more questions either as their gazes returned to below. At this moment, Mu Nianci had already defeated a monk and a fat man and was now fighting against a brute. The brute's skills were mediocre; after exchanging several moves, Mu Nianci feigned an opening. The brute was delighted and executed a move called "Double Dragons Emerge from Their Cave," striking out with both fists aimed directly at her chest. Mu Nianci slightly shifted her body and dodged while sweeping her left arm; with a loud thud, she struck the brute's back. The brute lost his balance and fell forward onto the ground, covered in dust and dirt. He got up with an embarrassed expression and squeezed into the crowd. The onlookers erupted into cheers.
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