Chapter 233: Pride, Get Lost
Ouyang Feng’s “Instant Thousand Li” light body cultivation technique had truly reached the pinnacle of mastery. His figure flickered and darted like a phantom, or like a wisp of smoke carried by a ten-li spring breeze, appearing so elegantly and lightly behind Helian Chuncheng.
If Lingzhi Shangren or Ni Mo Xing were in danger, Ouyang Feng might not have bothered to save them, but for the former Young Master of Changfeng, Ouyang Feng had a compelling reason to rescue him.
Ouyang Ke and Helian Chuncheng were quite close.
Helian Zhantai, the Boss of Changfeng Escort Agency, was even more respectful and attentive to Ouyang Feng, readily agreeing to any request.
Buying bones for a thousand gold was not suitable for someone like Ouyang Feng; he only acted for profit. A living Helian Chuncheng could bring Ouyang Feng substantial benefits.
Ouyang Feng obtained Chongyang’s Inscription on Zhongnan Mountain. When he descended the mountain, he had considered transporting poisonous snakes from White Camel Mountain. With his mastery of both the Toad Stance and the Nine Yin Manual, who could oppose him?
With the assistance of Changfeng Escort Agency, Ouyang Feng had long since transported thousands of cultivated poisonous snakes to Kaifeng Prefecture, and he had also brought his snake staff.
Therefore, he would not stand idly by and watch the other party die under Zhou Yan’s spear.
Ouyang Feng’s figure solidified behind Helian Chuncheng. His snake staff suddenly extended, using the principle of “using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds” to flick the opponent sideways. Maintaining his dignity, he disdained to clash weapons with Zhou Yan. His body advanced agilely, and his originally soft and flowing sleeves became as hard as iron plates at the moment of impact, striking Zhou Yan’s Profound Iron great spear with a “bang.”
The spearhead suddenly dropped towards the ground. Zhou Yan’s muscles bulged as he held the spear, his internal force surging to propel the spear. The great spear, which had just touched the ground, suddenly sprang up, stabbing towards Ouyang Feng’s lower abdomen.
At the same moment, from the dust and smoke behind the Western Venom, came the low hum of a spear.
Ouyang Feng executed a hidden sweeping kick, which landed on the spear thrusting towards his lower abdomen in a flash of lightning.
Amidst the swirling dust and smoke, the spearhead sprang up. Ouyang Feng suddenly turned, his snake staff smashing towards Zhang Sanqiang’s Fine Iron great spear. The powerful wind carried a surging force; this strike seemed to pull down the very sky above him.
Zhang Sanqiang’s explosive thrust suddenly seemed to lose all its power. The great spear retracted like a phantom, then thrust again.
Ouyang Feng’s snake staff deflected the horizontal and vertical attacks, defending while also attacking.
The speed at which the moves of the Western Venom, Ouyang Feng, and the demon Zhang Sanqiang changed was so rapid that the onlookers’ pupils could not adjust in time. In just a few breaths, they had each exchanged over twenty moves. Only then did the snake staff and iron spear make their first collision.
“Clang!” Amidst the ear-piercing sound, the iron spear was deflected. Ouyang Feng let out a “ge” sound, paused for a moment, and then appeared before Zhang Sanqiang as swiftly as lightning, unleashing a palm strike with overwhelming force towards the opponent.
Ouyang Feng and Qiu Qianren shared the same mindset: they would resort to any means to become the number one under heaven. He did not have a sure chance of killing Hong Qigong or Huang Yaoshi, so he maintained a state of intermittent engagement with them. However, against Zhang Sanqiang, who was several levels inferior in martial arts and much younger, he attacked without holding back. His Toad Stance strike was unleashed with full power, the airwaves surging like rolling tides. By the time his palm arrived, the fierce air had already struck Zhang Sanqiang’s face like a knife.
Zhang Sanqiang struck out with a palm. With a “bang,” Ouyang Feng suddenly felt his palm force disappear like a mud ox entering the sea. Within his sight, Zhang Sanqiang moved with Bagua steps, following the Six Harmonies, like a flying swallow or a colorful butterfly, leaving a series of orderly footprints on the bluestone ground.
This was the Qiankun Great Shift, truly exquisite. Zhou Yan watched clearly, marveling inwardly. He leaped up and landed beside Zhang Sanqiang, his great spear emitting a buzzing tremor.
“A good cultivation technique,” Ouyang Feng said with a sinister smile.
Helian Chuncheng’s crisis had been resolved. Ouyang Feng knew that Zhou Yan and the other were allied, and he would not gain an advantage. He praised the technique and walked out of the arena with the demeanor of a master, as perceived by outsiders.
Helian Chuncheng, having narrowly escaped death, hurried towards Gongsun Zhi.
Because of Qiu Qianchi, Zhou Yan showed mercy with his spear. The Valley Master of the Valley of Unfeeling had a deathly pale complexion, with blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, but his life was out of danger.
Qiu Qianren, concerned about Gongsun Zhi’s injuries, unleashed several palm strikes and leaped to the Valley Master of the Valley of Unfeeling’s side. Master Ku Cheng would not seize the opportunity to attack.
“Valley Master Gongsun, how are your injuries?”
“It’s nothing.” Gongsun Zhi cast a venomous glance at Zhou Yan, then his gaze returned. He took pills from his embrace and swallowed them, then was helped by Helian Chuncheng towards Yang Kang.
With the main combatants ceasing their exchange, Zhang Wangyue, Lu Beihe, and Yanbo Diaosou each launched a few probing attacks before disengaging from the fray. Bao Lei, the Tianzhu Monk, and Taihang Yixiao also retreated to their respective groups.
From the direction of the woods, Hong Qigong said, “Brother Yao, you are knowledgeable. Do you recognize this cultivation technique?”
Huang Yaoshi withdrew his gaze, which had been fixed on the ground for a long time, and said, “It is far beyond techniques like ‘using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds.’ It is a unique method of shifting force that I have never seen before.”
Hong Qigong said curiously, “This old beggar is also puzzled. I don’t know this man’s origins or which sect he belongs to. His skill is truly remarkable.”
Huang Yaoshi said, “Since Brother Chongyang departed west, the Jianghu has been quiet for a long time. Now, Esoteric Buddhist monks, the spear-wielding man, Master Ku Cheng, and Old Man Huang Ge are not much inferior to you and me. I never expected so many masters to emerge.”
Hong Qigong took out a chicken leg wrapped in oiled paper from his embrace, eating and drinking heartily. “That’s right, this is what it means to be thrilling! If we were enemies, the fight would be just as intense. However, it won’t be long before that kid Zhou Yan can also join this ranks.”
Huang Yaoshi nodded, acknowledging Zhou Yan’s future martial arts prospects. He withdrew his thoughts and looked again at Zhou Yan and Zhang Sanqiang.
On the field, Zhou Yan said to Zhang Sanqiang, who stood shoulder to shoulder with him, “Thank you, Elder.”
“You’re welcome. That move just now was very good.”
“I learned it when I saw you perform at ‘Drunken Immortal Pavilion’ in Xiangyang.”
“Without my spear technique’s Qi Guiding Method, you can still use your moves so smoothly and perfectly. That is already your peerless spear skill. Do not waste your good talent. Practice diligently, and in time, you may not necessarily lose to Ouyang Feng.”
“I will work hard!”
Zhang Sanqiang smiled and said, “Be careful, I’m leaving.”
“Alright!”
Under everyone’s gaze, Zhang Sanqiang put his spear bag over his Fine Iron great spear and walked away holding it. The crowd parted to create a passage.
Huo Du’s gaze remained on Zhou Yan and Zhang Sanqiang. Their engagement with Yang Kang’s subordinates clearly showed they were at least not enemies. Showing respect to the worthy and treating them as equals might lead to friendship.
Especially with Zhang Sanqiang, if he could gain his assistance, it would be like adding wings to a tiger. What cause would there be for worry?
Thinking this, Huo Du quietly instructed Ma Xiuping, who was beside him and known for his “Spring Leg,” a few words.
Ma Xiuping nodded upon hearing this, parted the crowd, and quickly walked to Zhang Sanqiang’s side.
“Hero, what is your surname?”
Zhang Sanqiang asked, “What is it about?”
“The Little Prince requests your presence.”
Zhang Sanqiang glanced towards the direction of the temple gate. The richly dressed youth standing in the spring sunlight smiled, his gaze fixed upon him.
He withdrew his gaze and said to Ma Xiuping, “Scram!”
Ma Xiuping’s expression stiffened. Zhang Sanqiang’s expression suddenly turned cold.
“You’ve got guts,” Ma Xiuping said, turning and walking back towards Huo Du. A few moments later, the Mongolian Little Prince’s expression slowly darkened.
This was the first time since arriving in the Central Plains that he had been rejected in such an overbearing and rude manner.
Huo Du then looked at Zhou Yan.
Fu’an’s former Boss had tumbled down from Songhe Tower. If he hadn’t encountered the Tianzhu Monk, he would have been doomed. Huo Du heard that Guo Jing had some connection with the escort agency, so he sent his subordinates to apologize and offer gold.
Since Huo Du did not personally visit, he did not recognize Zhou Yan or Zhang Wangyue.
He then pondered that Zhang Sanqiang was unyielding. Was the young man’s heart like metal? The world’s conflicts were nothing more than fame and fortune. He would find an opportunity to talk with the man.
How could Yang Kang not notice Huo Du’s every move? Although he couldn’t hear the conversation, he clearly saw Ma Xiuping’s back and forth. Seeing Huo Du’s expression change from sunny to gloomy, he guessed that the man had been rebuffed and felt greatly pleased. Of course, there was also regret, as the man had twice stood up for Zhou Yan, making him difficult to win over.
Yang Kang and Huo Du each had their own thoughts.
Master Ku Cheng had already retreated to the Shaolin Temple group. Qiu Qianren, seeing that Gongsun Zhi’s complexion had improved after taking the pills, stood up and walked towards Zhou Yan.
“Little thief, you escaped at the Xiangyang wharf, and now you’ve injured Valley Master Gongsun. Old debts and new debts will be settled together.”
Zhou Yan had long anticipated such a scene and said, “Good!”
Yanbo Diaosou chuckled, “The Iron Palm Sect is a sect in Jiangnan comparable in strength to the Beggars’ Sect. But compared to Sect Leader Hong, Sect Leader Qiu’s actions are like heaven and earth. Sect Leader Hong acts with integrity, while you are despicable. Brother Zhou just fought a fierce battle; is Sect Leader Qiu planning a war of attrition?”
Qiu Qianren was initially furious. When Yanbo Diaosou’s last sentence fell, he hesitated slightly. As the leader of his sect, engaging Zhou Yan at this moment would indeed be seen as taking advantage of his weakened state, leading to gossip. His anger instantly shifted towards Yanbo Diaosou.
“That makes sense. How about you and I exchange a few moves, allowing that kid to recover his energy?”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Yanbo Diaosou knew he was no match for Qiu Qianren, but why would he back down? If he could drain some of the opponent’s energy, he would.
As they exchanged words, the crowd erupted in an uproar.
Even those from the Western Regions Martial World had heard of the Iron Palm Sect’s reputation, but no one had expected the unassuming old man to be Qiu Qianren, who had once “annihilated the Hengshan Sect.”
Zhang Sanqiang had already reached the periphery of the crowd. Upon hearing the conversation between Yanbo Diaosou and Qiu Qianren, he advanced with his spear, and the crowd parted again.
“Are you the Sect Leader of the Iron Palm Sect, Qiu Qianren?”
“Indeed!”
“I have come to learn your Iron Palm skills.”
Qiu Qianren had just noticed Zhang Sanqiang’s exchange with Ouyang Feng and knew his martial arts were not inferior to his own. The old man Diaosou was easy to deal with, but Zhou Yan was a tough opponent. If he fought fiercely with Zhou Yan, he might not have the strength to face the latter afterward. Qiu Qianren weighed his options and said, “I have a grudge with this kid, but do I have one with you?”
Zhang Sanqiang did not answer, but retorted, “Will you fight or not?”
Qiu Qianren was furious. “Good heavens, you arrogant fellow! I shall then learn your spear techniques.”
Zhou Yan knew Zhang Sanqiang’s identity and had some inkling of his intentions.
Qiu Qianren, in charge of the Iron Palm Sect and expanding his influence, had nearly caused the annihilation of the entire Hengshan Sect. How could the Iron Palm Sect disciples not have conflicts with the Ming Cult disciples? It was just that Qiu Qianren had gone into seclusion for diligent cultivation later, so Zhang Sanqiang had not encountered him in battle. In fact, at this moment, Zhang Sanqiang seeking out Qiu Qianren was not only to avenge the Ming Cult disciples but also to stall the opponent for himself.
As Zhou Yan speculated, Qiu Qianren, who was on the field, suddenly said, “Draw your spear.”
Zhang Sanqiang calmly took his cloth bag, his great spear resting on the ground, emitting a series of tremors.
As the spearhead sprang up instantly, a voice was heard:
“Wait!”
