Chapter 176: Hengshan Sword Discussion, A Good Match for Each Other
The wind and rain howled, and human voices trembled.
Zhou Yan and Huang Rong both clearly sensed Liu Qingzhou’s lingering fear when he mentioned the Iron Palm Sect.
Qiu Qianren “annihilating the Hengshan Sect” was at least over ten years ago, yet the Iron Palm Sect could still leave such a lingering psychological shadow on the Hengshan disciples. This showed the ferocity of that Jianghu battle and the heavy losses of the Hengshan Sect.
“We have a minor grudge with the Iron Palm Sect,” Huang Rong replied to Liu Qingzhou.
This was her nature: she could uphold major principles but disregard minor ones. She prioritized the interests of herself, Zhou Yan, Mei Chaofeng, and others before considering others. To elicit more information about the Iron Palm Sect from Liu Qingzhou, she naturally had to claim a conflict with Qiu Qianren.
Huang Rong didn’t feel she was lying. After all, Mei Ruohua had clashed with Qiu Qianchi in the Valley of Unfeeling. They weren’t exactly friends, and Qiu Qianchi was Qiu Qianren’s sister, so it counted as having a grudge with the Iron Palm Sect.
She could always find a reason.
Liu Qingzhou let out a light breath, relieved. He had been worried that Zhou Yan and the others had some connection to the Iron Palm Sect, which would have made it difficult for him to distinguish friend from foe.
He quickly said, “The Iron Palm Sect has many people and great power. Their Gang Leader, Qiu Qianren, has few rivals in the Jianghu for his martial arts. Brother Zhou, you should still be cautious.”
Huang Rong asked, “How does Qiu Qianren’s martial arts compare to the Northern Beggar, the Western Venom, and the Eastern Heretic?”
Zhou Yan thought to himself that Huang Rong was concerned about the disparity between Qiu Qianren and Huang Yaoshi.
Liu Qingzhou chuckled, “That’s hard to say. Even though the Beggars’ Sect headquarters is in Yueyang, I haven’t seen the Gang Leader Hong’s demeanor. Not to mention the Western Venom and Eastern Heretic, who are elusive. But I imagine they are roughly comparable.”
“If that’s the case, why didn’t he participate in the Huashan Sword Discussion?” Huang Rong was naturally unconvinced by Liu Qingzhou placing Qiu Qianren on the same level as her father.
Liu Qingzhou raised his wine bowl and said with a smile, “I don’t know about that.”
Zhou Yan raised his bowl and drank with him. Changing the subject, he asked, “I’ve heard a little about the Hengshan Sect and the Iron Palm Sect. Why is that?”
Past events surfaced in his mind. Liu Qingzhou said hatefully, “At that time, the Hengshan Sect was at its peak, and the Iron Palm Sect was also rising. Originally, they didn’t interfere with each other, but then…”
Huang Rong said, “Qiu Qianren wanted to make a name for himself, so he attacked the Hengshan Sect.”
“Precisely. Back then, I was an inner disciple. The Iron Palm Sect launched a large-scale invasion. After a fierce battle, the Sect Leader and elders all fell at Qiu Qianren’s hands.”
As Liu Qingzhou spoke, the muscles in his cheeks bulged, and his eyes showed hatred. “Unfortunately, the Hengshan Sect is now weak, and my abilities are meager. I cannot avenge this deep hatred.”
“Qiu Qianren will eventually grow old and weak,” Zhou Yan said.
“Well said, Brother Zhou. Cheers.”
The night rain fell, strong liquor soothed the heart, and words flowed like water. Zhou Yan asked, “What is the current strength of the Iron Palm Sect?”
“In the Jiangnan region, it is the number one gang. In terms of disciple numbers, it may not match the Beggars’ Sect, but its strength is no less, if not higher.”
Zhou Yan believed this. Below Hong Qigong of the Beggars’ Sect, there were no true experts. The Iron Palm Sect’s influence extended throughout Jiangnan, and all major and minor gangs submitted to them, not solely relying on Qiu Qianren’s power. It was just that the Legend of the Condor Heroes did not mention the experts within the sect.
As Zhou Yan was thinking this, he suddenly heard Liu Qingzhou say, “Since Brother Zhou has a grudge with the Iron Palm Sect, why don’t I accompany you? I can provide support.”
Liu Qingzhou didn’t know Zhou Yan’s background and knew his own strength was inferior to Qiu Qianren’s, so he offered support rather than assistance. Of course, this statement also took into account the survival of the Hengshan Sect.
Zhou Yan quickly replied, “We are just investigating. Brother Liu, please don’t worry.”
“If that’s the case, then it’s fine. Why don’t we move to Hengshan and drink among the Five Gods Peaks? Wouldn’t that be delightful?”
Huang Rong was playful and still wanted to draw Zhou Yan into the Jianghu, to become an escort. She said, “You’re too kind.”
“No need for politeness.”
Zhou Yan did not refuse the kind offer and did not spoil Huang Rong’s mood.
He immediately gave instructions to Liang Xiaowu, leaving four people, including the runners, to stay at the inn.
In the drizzling night rain, Zhou Yan and Huang Rong entered the Hengshan Sect.
…
“According to the Gan Shi Xing Jing, Hengshan is named so because it is located in the wing of the Zhen star of the twenty-eight constellations, ‘adapting to the celestial balance’ and ‘measuring virtue and harmonizing all things,’ like a balance. It can be called the balance of heaven and earth, hence Hengshan.”
The long wind blows, opening the sky, and the rustling sea waves come from the heavens.
Huang Rong’s voice echoed in the sea of clouds.
“Brother Huang’s knowledge is vast. I am impressed,” Liu Qingzhou praised sincerely.
Zhou Yan smiled faintly, thinking that the other person was Huang Yaoshi’s daughter.
Huang Rong’s martial arts talent was among the best in the current era, but her temperament was restless, she couldn’t stand loneliness, and couldn’t endure hardship. Her martial arts were varied but not specialized. However, her achievements in Feng Shui divination, celestial constellations, and poetry were profound. By the way, Ying Gu seemed to live around Iron Palm Peak. In the world of the Legend of the Condor Heroes, the “divine calculator” Ying Gu’s lifelong knowledge of the Qimen Bagua was merely superficial compared to Huang Rong.
The night before, the two entered the Hengshan Sect and learned that Liu Qingzhou was the current Sect Leader’s junior brother. The three of them listened to the waves and drank wine at night. When dawn broke and the light rain stopped, they strolled up the mountain. At this moment, Zhou Yan’s vision was filled with the distant mountains shrouded in mist, bathed in a magnificent glow, flickering in and out of the clouds. Liu Qingzhou’s Hengshan Swordplay reappeared in his mind.
Liu Qingzhou was naturally familiar with all the sights of Hengshan. Seeing Zhou Yan lost in thought, he said, “Brother Zhou, to your left, a peak emerges from the sea of clouds. This is ‘Zhurong Peak.’ Ten thousand zhang of Zhurong rise from the ground, appearing and disappearing in the light mist. It is the best place to view the sea of clouds.”
Liu Qingzhou pointed into the distance, “That is ‘Zigai Peak.’ Among the five peaks of Zhurong, each is successively lower. Zigai alone does not face the others, vying for height and gazing at each other. All the other peaks face Zhurong, like bowing and saluting, but only Zigai Peak stands facing south.”
“So that’s how it is,” Zhou Yan nodded.
Seeing Zhou Yan’s gaze wandering, Huang Rong chuckled, “Are you perhaps contemplating the sword while observing the sea of clouds?”
Liu Qingzhou was curious, “Many of the Hengshan Sect’s sword styles are derived from the unique scenery of Hengshan. I didn’t expect Brother Zhou to have gained some insight.”
“Then let’s spar,” Huang Rong said, winking at Zhou Yan.
“What about you, Brother Zhou?” Liu Qingzhou asked.
People in the martial world with shared interests often sparred. Zhou Yan had exchanged blows with Lu Beihe and Yang Miaozhen.
“I couldn’t ask for more.”
…
At the peak of the sky pillar cliff, the east wind blew away the clouds and mist.
Zhou Yan formed a sword gesture with his left hand and stepped forward with his left foot. A Quanzhen Swordplay move, “Dingyang Needle,” was thrust upwards diagonally. This move was full of spirit and energy, with force, skill, style, and power all perfectly balanced. It appeared ordinary but fully embodied the ancient and solid nature of Quanzhen Sect swordplay.
Liu Qingzhou, a master swordsman, observed its posture and thought that Brother Zhou’s sword style was ancient and simple, which was perfect for breaking the ever-changing path of Hengshan Swordplay. He wondered about its level of mastery.
Liu Qingzhou dared not underestimate him and said, “Brother Zhou, your sword style is excellent. I will use the Hengshan Five Gods Sword to learn from your superior skills.”
Zhou Yan inwardly scoffed. The Hengshan Five Gods Sword was legendary, a lost sword technique that even Master Mo Da, the Sect Leader of the Hengshan Sect in “The Smiling, Proud Wanderer,” had not fully learned.
Knowing that the other party would not attack first due to his status, Zhou Yan said “Good” and stepped forward. “Dingyang Needle” transformed into the Quanzhen Swordplay move “The Great River Like Silk.”
The three-foot green sword pointed forward, thrusting straight and attacking, its momentum like a bursting silver bottle, like iron cavalry charging.
“Excellent swordplay!”
Liu Qingzhou exclaimed. His iron sword vibrated like a dragon’s roar, and in an instant, brilliance flew, and strange phenomena arose, like surging waves and rolling clouds. The green light of the sword and the golden light of the rising sun merged, and the sword light suddenly unfurled and coiled, enveloping Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan’s sword strike missed. He then used “A Small Boat on the Water,” thrusting his longsword directly into the vortex of sword light that Liu Qingzhou’s sword had stirred up. The green-edged sword broke through the air, creating faint ripples.
A “clang!” of metal striking metal sounded. Liu Qingzhou felt a powerful force surge along his sword, making his tiger’s mouth go numb.
He was secretly astonished, surprised that Zhou Yan, who was more than ten years younger than him, already possessed internal force that seemed to surpass his own. How had he cultivated his internal force?
At the age of thirty, he had not lost his competitive spirit, yet he also possessed the calm and steady demeanor of a middle-aged man like a pine tree. Liu Qingzhou’s aura condensed, and his moves became even more fierce and varied. The Hengshan Five Gods Sword’s “Spring Hibiscus,” “Crane Soaring Purple Cover,” “Stone Granary Book Sound,” “Heavenly Pillar Cloud Qi,” and “Geese Returning to Zhurong” were unleashed one after another.
The so-called Hengshan Five Gods Sword was a move that encompassed a whole style. Within a single move lay the essence of dozens of moves from a sword style, with both offense and defense. Its power was the pinnacle of Hengshan Swordplay.
In fact, it had a similar principle to Quanzhen Swordplay. Sun Buer taught Zhou Yan seven sword styles in total, each with seven moves, making forty-nine moves.
Zhou Yan countered each move as it came, continuously unleashing the Quanzhen Swordplay. After forty-nine moves, his swordplay abruptly shifted to “One Qi Transforms into Three Purities.”
As they sparred, Huang Rong saw two figures rapidly moving and constantly shifting in the mountains, like two flickering illusions, sometimes chasing and sometimes evading.
She also followed the figures, diligently memorizing Liu Qingzhou’s every move. Later, Huang Rong saw Liu Qingzhou’s sword styles becoming increasingly complex and varied, extremely strange and unpredictable, as if a hundred or a thousand swords were striking out simultaneously, gradually forming a wave-like and cloud-like momentum.
Huang Rong watched with delight, yet she also worried that Zhou Yan might not be able to withstand it. However, after dozens of moves, she saw Zhou Yan standing firm like a reef against the tide, unmoving after the great waves.
Only then did she feel at ease.
Zhou Yan felt exhilarated. Since his transmigration, he had never encountered someone of equal skill in swordsmanship. He grew stronger against stronger opponents. The Quanzhen Swordplay changed dramatically, its moves constant. While he was contemplating swordsmanship in the West Mountain of Zhongdu, the “Coiling Force,” “Twisting Force,” and “Collapse Force” integrated into his sword momentum gradually emerged, building in power.
Liu Qingzhou’s internal force was inferior to Zhou Yan’s, and he suddenly felt the pressure.
He swung his sword, and a cold light overlapped into a fan-shaped arc, pushing towards Zhou Yan like a cloud tide.
Zhou Yan swung his green-edged sword horizontally, “Hu Shuang Qian Li.” As the two swords clashed, Liu Qingzhou suddenly felt his longsword being deflected by Zhou Yan’s green edge.
He was greatly alarmed, but then he saw Zhou Yan’s footwork propel his body forward. His longsword suddenly retracted and then thrust out, splitting into three, then six.
Without hesitation, Liu Qingzhou met Zhou Yan’s “One Sword, Seven Stars” with Hengshan’s “Returning Wind and Falling Geese Sword.” Thus, the metal clangs, as dense as fireworks in January, rapidly struck Huang Rong’s eardrums.
As the twilight began to recede, the two figures suddenly retreated a zhang each, and all the sounds of their clashes dispersed into the mist of Hengshan.
Who won and who lost? Huang Rong was surprised. Zhou Yan and Liu Qingzhou had finally engaged in a rapid sword fight, and Huang Rong could not clearly discern the outcome.
“Exhilarating!”
“Magnificent!”
Both shouted with enjoyment. Liu Qingzhou said, “Brother Zhou, at such a young age, your swordsmanship is astonishing, and your internal force is profound. I am ashamed of my inferiority.”
“Hengshan Swordplay is ever-changing and truly eye-opening. With talents like Brother Liu, the Hengshan Sect will surely flourish.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
Both gained a lot from this exchange. Liu Qingzhou had a deep understanding of sword energy.
In Zhou Yan’s mind, it was filled with colorful sword shadows. He felt as if he had been enlightened. The Hengshan Five Gods Sword and the “Acupoint Secret” from the Nine Yin Manual were a perfect match. Using Hengshan Swordplay to strike acupoints with the sword was ever-changing and impossible to defend against.
If his internal force cultivation were to advance, it would be similar to Huang Yaoshi’s “Jade Flute Swordplay,” which focused on attacking the enemy’s acupoints.
The journey to Hengshan was not in vain.
