Chapter 212: Inviting a General is Worse Than Provoking One
The lake surface was wide, with rippling clear water.
The bamboo raft drifted with the waves, a life-and-death struggle.
The fishing rod suddenly shot out, its sharpness like a whistle. The rod, fishing line, and hook drew various arcs of starlight in the last ray of sunset, as if encompassing heaven and earth, descending upon the swordsman.
“Yangguan Sandie,” “Yueyang Sanzui,” “Meihua San Nong,” “Santan Yinyue.” With every sword thrust, the swordsman’s tip flickered, one sword becoming three. The sword styles were continuous, the previous one not yet dissipated before the next began. Sword light layered upon layer, essence light splashing, counter-enveloping the net descending from above.
Dense clangs of metal echoed, a rapid symphony, like large and small pearls falling on a jade plate. Puffs of blood also flew and scattered simultaneously as the two figures suddenly separated.
The man wielding the fishing rod had blood seeping from his left shoulder, right ribs, and other areas, revealing milky white skin and shockingly visible channels and tubes.
The swordsman bore wet bloodstains from the fishhook in multiple places on his body. His white robe was like a plum blossom tree in bloom, incredibly vibrant.
The fishing rod, Hengshan’s “Returning Wind and Falling Geese Swordplay.”
It was precisely the sworn enemies, the Yanbo Diaosou of Dongting and Liu Qingzhou of Hengshan.
That day, Zhou Yan and Liu Qingzhou discussed swordsmanship at Hengshan. Zhou Yan and Huang Rong memorized the Hengshan Five Gods Sword. Zhou Yan repeatedly attempted the guiding energy principles of “Quanzhen Swordplay” and “Jade Maiden Swordplay,” and “One Sword, Three Purities,” finally mastering this sword style of the Hengshan Sect. Liu Qingzhou, however, gained insight into Zhou Yan’s methods of using force, deeply understanding the techniques of using “Coiling Force” and “Coiling Force” to drive sword styles. After Zhou Yan left, he decided to go into seclusion for a period of cultivation, confident he could defeat the fishing elder of Dongting Lake.
It had been over half a year since Zhou Yan and Huang Rong went from Hengshan to his current location at Poyang Lake. Liu Qingzhou emerged from seclusion, feeling his swordplay had improved and his internal force had also increased, believing he could now defeat the Yanbo Diaosou.
In the past, the Diaosou always came to Hengshan to cause trouble. This time, Liu Qingzhou retaliated in kind, directly attacking Dongting Lake. A bloody battle ensued, with neither side gaining an advantage.
The Yanbo Diaosou ignored his injuries and smiled grimly, “Liu Qingzhou, you are truly impressive. Who has been guiding you?”
“The old man admits defeat.” Liu Qingzhou was overjoyed. In previous encounters, he was always at a disadvantage and could only escape by relying on his sect’s power. Now, in a one-on-one fight, he could make his opponent wary.
“Bah.” The Yanbo Diaosou, with his eccentric temper, angrily retorted, “I will surely make you feed the fish in Dongting.”
“You impudent old man.” Liu Qingzhou laughed heartily and attacked again with his sword. This time, he used the Hengshan Five Gods Sword’s “Heavenly Pillar Cloud Qi.” The sword style’s movements were unpredictable and elusive, like thousands of flashing snake lightning bursting forth, twisting and turning, sword light shooting out, making it impossible to parry.
The Yanbo Diaosou, however, held the fishing rod with both hands, thrusting it out like a spear in a sweeping arc.
Suddenly, the sword light from Liu Qingzhou’s narrow sword unfurled like a snake coiling around the spear-like fishing rod, rapidly entwining. This was precisely the coiling force and coiling force he had gained insight into from Zhou Yan.
The Yanbo Diaosou felt a constant swirling force pulling the fishing rod off course. Seeing the long sword, like a snake flicking its tongue, about to stab towards his chest along the fishing rod, he let out a strange cry. With a flick of his wrist, the fishing line, woven from an unknown, incredibly tough material, suddenly swung and rapidly spun with his hands, entangling Liu Qingzhou’s narrow sword.
“Good commoner.” With his right hand’s long sword bound, Liu Qingzhou abandoned his sword and agilely advanced, striking at the Yanbo Diaosou’s chest with a palm. The opponent returned a palm strike, and the two figures merged, pitting their internal forces against each other.
A large boat emerged from the dusk, approaching the bamboo raft by the lake. Zhou Yan stood at the bow.
He had seen the sword light rise from the river and recognized it as Hengshan swordplay. He had the boatman head into Dongting, and as they drew closer, he could see that the two figures locked in an internal force battle on the bamboo raft were the Yanbo Diaosou and Liu Qingzhou.
Zhou Yan analyzed the situation briefly, concluding that Liu Qingzhou of Hengshan, after discussing martial arts with him, had gone into seclusion, achieved success, and had come to Dongting Lake for revenge.
In fact, compared to the blood feud between Wanyan Honglie, Guo Jing, and Yang Tiexin, the conflict between these two could hardly be called hatred.
It was simply a clash of personalities: one with a peculiar temper, the other full of youthful spirit, they simply didn’t get along and ended up fighting.
When comparing internal forces, a moment’s carelessness could lead to the death of one or both.
Zhou Yan leaped and landed on a bamboo raft by the lake. Using a pole to propel the raft, he quickly moved closer.
Liu Qingzhou and the Yanbo Diaosou’s internal force comparison was equally matched. A faint mist of water gradually appeared above their heads. This was the sweat from their foreheads and crowns, forced out by their internal forces and turned into steam. This situation indicated that both were at the brink of death.
The two were locked in a stalemate, and both regretted their rashness. However, they also knew that if they showed any sign of weakness, the opponent’s internal force would overwhelm them, leading to immediate death. They could only continuously push their internal forces, risking draining themselves dry. This comparison felt like a journey beyond the self, completely oblivious to their surroundings.
Zhou Yan propelled the bamboo raft forward rapidly. From a distance of several zhang, he observed their states and knew they were at the critical moment of their lives.
As the bamboo raft advanced another two zhang, Zhou Yan’s figure flickered, like a water bird flying over the misty waves, landing beside Liu Qingzhou and the Yanbo Diaosou.
He guided his energy with his intent, circulating it from his Dantian through the Yinqiao and Yinwei meridians, exiting from the “Neiguan” major acupoint, and unleashing a move called “Double Dragons Taking Water.”
This move from “Subduing Dragon Eighteen Palms” could split into two, yin and yang without limit, quite similar to Zhou Botong’s self-created “Mutual Combat with Both Hands,” primarily using “Collapse Force” and “Intercepting Force.”
Double Dragons Taking Water, striking left and right. Yin and yang without limit.
Zhou Yan employed “Collapse Force,” his two palms striking out. With a “snap, snap,” they hit Liu Qingzhou and the Yanbo Diaosou’s wrists. Immediately following, the force transformed into “Intercepting Force.” Intercepting Force is when, before an opponent’s attack is fully delivered, a rigid force perpendicular to the opponent’s force direction is used to suddenly intercept or strike, causing the opponent’s attack to miss.
“Fanzi Fist” and “Yue Family Boxing” both have explosive moves of this nature, but “Subduing Dragon Eighteen Palms” is more exquisite.
Liu Qingzhou and the Yanbo Diaosou’s wrists were struck simultaneously. As their palms disengaged, the palm wind collapsed towards the bamboo raft. Immediately following with two “bang, bang” sounds, Zhou Yan’s left and right palms suddenly pushed forward, meeting theirs respectively.
This palm-to-palm clash directly blasted Liu Qingzhou and the Yanbo Diaosou towards the two ends of the bamboo raft.
The bamboo raft had first endured two gusts of collapse force. When Zhou Yan pushed with his palms, his body also sank with stored power. How could it withstand this?
With a “crack,” the bamboo raft broke in the middle. As Liu Qingzhou and the Yanbo Diaosou retreated towards both ends, the broken section suddenly lifted up.
Zhou Yan’s left and right feet landed on either side, and he was suddenly propelled upwards, a zhang off the ground.
“Down!”
Zhou Yan let out a light breath, channeling power into his legs for the Thousand Jin Drop.
The bamboo raft, which had been lifted high on both sides, descended with Zhou Yan’s body like a falling stone, smashing down with a “boom.”
With a loud noise and splashing water, the broken bamboo raft was pieced back together under Zhou Yan’s feet.
He said, “Brother Liu, long time no see.”
Having said this, Zhou Yan looked at the Yanbo Diaosou again, “I have offended you. Elder, please bear with me.”
Liu Qingzhou was surprised, then delighted, “Brother Zhou, why are you at Dongting Lake?”
Zhou Yan stood like a pine tree, steadying the bamboo raft, and said, “I was heading to Poyang Lake and happened to see someone using Hengshan swordplay from the river, so I came over. I didn’t expect it to be you, Brother Liu.”
“What a coincidence.”
The Yanbo Diaosou saw that Liu Qingzhou and Zhou Yan were familiar with each other. He rolled his eyes and said, “Kid, I suffered a small loss at your hands in Yuan River. What, are you and that little thief ganging up on me?”
Zhou Yan smiled, “How could that be? Elder, you said at Yuan River that you would come to Zhongdu in a year. I will await your arrival in Zhongdu.”
Liu Qingzhou was confused, “What is this about?”
“It’s a long story, let’s discuss it on the boat.” Zhou Yan replied to Liu Qingzhou, then turned to the Yanbo Diaosou, “Elder, do you dare to come aboard?”
As the saying goes, inviting is better than provoking. This method was particularly effective for someone with an eccentric temper like the Yanbo Diaosou.
“Haha, on Dongting, is there anything old man dare not do?”
“Please!”
The boatman had already brought the large boat over. The Yanbo Diaosou leaped onto the bow, followed closely by Liu Qingzhou. Zhou Yan’s figure suddenly flew up, using the Tomb Lightness Skill, his body like a flying duck, landing as lightly as a swan feather.
“What excellent lightness skill.” The Yanbo Diaosou couldn’t help but praise.
“You flatter me, Elder.” Zhou Yan replied politely and said to the runner, “Bring wine and prepare dishes.”
“Got it.”
The three entered the room and sat around the table. The runner first brought the wine and water.
Zhou Yan spoke concisely, explaining the circumstances of the High Monk from India’s arrival in Western Hunan, his subsequent abduction by the Demonic Cult, and the general situation of his trip to Poyang Lake. Then, in a few words, he recounted to Liu Qingzhou his encounter with the Yanbo Diaosou at Yuan River and their fight.
Upon hearing that the High Monk from India had traveled thousands of miles to Western Hunan to find the Golden Doll to save the people of India afflicted by poisonous insects, both were extremely impressed. The Yanbo Diaosou then said, “Golden Dolls are rare, not to mention intelligent, and they appear in pairs. For a monk who doesn’t know how to fish to try and capture them is simply wishful thinking.”
Zhou Yan raised his wine bowl, “Please, Elder, enlighten me.”
The Yanbo Diaosou raised his bowl, and they drank it down. He said, “Golden Dolls can be found in the water systems and valleys around Poyang Lake and Dongting Lake, but catching them through fishing is not easy.”
“This surely won’t be difficult for you, Elder.”
The Yanbo Diaosou was quite pleased, “Naturally.”
Liu Qingzhou, being a sensible person, wanted to help Zhou Yan and said, “Anyone can brag.”
“Liu, let’s fight another three hundred rounds.”
“First, catch a few pairs of Golden Dolls. Let’s see if you’re the number one angler in the world or just famous for nothing.”
“I’ll fish, I’ll fish.”
Zhou Yan secretly smiled, “He knows me, Liu Qingzhou of Hengshan.”
He then turned to Liu Qingzhou and the Yanbo Diaosou and said, “Please be patient. We first need to rescue the High Monk. Do you two know about the Demonic Cult?”
The Yanbo Diaosou dismissed it with disdain, “Just a bunch of dirty bandits who kill and rob, often appearing in Western Hunan.”
Liu Qingzhou said, “I’ve also heard of them. They act mysteriously, killing wealthy households and gentry, but if you say they act for heaven, they do things that are not above board.”
The Yanbo Diaosou scoffed, “Killing gentry is just stealing grain and money, it’s simply banditry.”
Zhou Yan had met Zhang Sanqiang, who had the intention of dealing with the Ming Cult. However, it was a mixed bag, with many outwardly complying but inwardly disobeying, and corruption was rampant. This might also be a common problem for the Ming Cult, which is why they repeatedly rebelled but always failed.
They lacked popular support, especially from local gentry, who feared them like tigers.
