Chapter 234: A Finger Flick Shatters Iron Palm Water Floating
A voice called out, “Wait a moment,” and everyone turned to look.
A man in green, tall and thin, with his face covered by a mask, slowly walked out from the woods. Beside him walked another person, with a slight beard under his chin, large hands and feet, clothes patched all over, holding a green bamboo staff, lustrous like jade, and carrying a large vermilion lacquered gourd on his back.
Some of the martial artists present recognized Hong Qigong.
“It’s Hong Bangzhu.”
“Hong Bangzhu has arrived.”
Hong Qigong laughed heartily, “This old beggar greets all you heroes.”
“Hong Bangzhu is too polite.”
The atmosphere in the arena was lively, but it left Eastern Heretic Huang Yaoshi feeling neglected.
With the appearance of Northern Beggar and Eastern Heretic, how could Western Venom Ouyang Feng be left behind? He laughed and emerged, “Seventh Brother, long time no see. Brother Yao, we meet again.”
Hong Qigong glanced at the snake staff in Ouyang Feng’s hand and chuckled, “It has indeed been a long time. This snake is quite fierce.”
“Just keeping it for fun. Seventh Brother, you jest.”
Zhou Yan’s face held a smile. Hong Qigong’s comment about the two spirit snakes on Ouyang Feng’s staff being fierce was actually meant for him to hear, a warning to be wary of the snake staff in future encounters with Ouyang Feng. In the Jianghu of Legend of the Condor Heroes, Hong Qigong was indeed injured by spirit snakes, nearly losing his life.
He stepped forward and said, “Greetings to Qigong and Island Lord Huang.”
Hong Qigong waved his hand, “No need for such formalities.”
Huang Yaoshi nodded in acknowledgment.
With a few words exchanged between Eastern Heretic, Western Venom, and Northern Beggar, a buzz of excitement erupted from the hundreds of onlookers, many of whom had only heard of these figures but never seen them.
How fortunate it was to witness these legendary, elusive, and transcendent Elder masters of the Jianghu.
“Amitabha,” Master Ku Cheng clasped his hands together. The enmity between Shaolin Temple and the Vajra Sect had actually drawn Hong Qigong, Huang Yaoshi, and others, which was truly beyond expectation.
In the arena, Ouyang Feng asked, “Seventh Brother, Brother Yao, why have you come? Surely you’re not here to help this brat again.”
Huang Yaoshi had the intention to help; Wumu’s Military Writings were obtained by Zhou Yan through great risk from Iron Palm Mountain. If not for that, he wouldn’t have needed to show himself.
But with Ouyang Feng asking like this, and his naturally proud disposition, he didn’t want to directly challenge Qiu Qianren.
Hong Qigong knew Huang Yaoshi’s independent nature and pride; he couldn’t stand being provoked. He spoke first, “Bangzhu Qiu, you are also renowned. Do not bully the weak.”
“Hong Bangzhu intends to stand up for this brat.”
Ouyang Feng laughed heartily, “Bangzhu Qiu misunderstands. How could Hong Bangzhu bully the weak?”
“Brother Feng, you’re using my words to block this old beggar’s mouth.”
“My apologies for the inappropriate words, Seventh Brother. Brother Qiu and Seventh Brother are of equal renown, so it cannot be considered bullying the weak.” Ouyang Feng changed his tone and said to Qiu Qianren, “How about this: you have grievances to settle, and it is only natural. But Brother Qiu, do not earn a reputation for bullying the weak. You and this brat will fight, and the outcome will be decided within a hundred moves. If this brat can withstand a hundred moves, then we will drop this matter today and let the brat be, what do you say?”
How could Qiu Qianren not know that Ouyang Feng was helping him? He recalled Zhou Yan’s skills at the Xiangyang wharf battle. He figured that if he went all out, taking down Zhou Yan within a hundred moves would be no problem, so he said, “Agreed!”
“Seventh Brother, your opinion?”
“Agreed!” Zhou Yan suddenly said.
Hong Qigong had initially thought around fifty moves would be sufficient. But with Zhou Yan saying this, knowing his personality, he said, “Brother Feng has a good idea.”
Ouyang Feng laughed heartily, thinking that if Qiu Qianren killed that brat within a hundred moves, the old beggar would surely resent me. But once I cultivate the Nine Yin Manual, why should I fear you?
At this moment, Zhou Yan said to Zhang Sanqiang, “Bangzhu Qiu is seeking revenge against me first. How about Senior watches the battle?”
“Agreed!”
Zhang Sanqiang did not consult with Hong Qigong or Huang Yaoshi. He retreated with his spear, crossing several yards, and stood alone.
Qiu Qianren secretly exhaled, feeling much relieved. The spear-wielding man was very arrogant, and his technique for redirecting force was superb. If they were to fight fiercely, and then he had to fight the spearman, he wouldn’t gain any advantage. If he fought the brat for a hundred moves, his reputation would be ruined.
Conversely, with no worries, he could quickly finish the fight within fifty-six moves and then face the spearman without significant energy depletion.
“Brat, draw your spear,” Qiu Qianren flickered and appeared in the arena, hands behind his back, exuding an extraordinary aura.
Zhou Yan smiled slightly and tossed the Profound Iron Heavy Spear to Liang Xiaowu.
“I will use my three-foot Qingfeng Sword to spar with Bangzhu Qiu’s Iron Palm.”
Qiu Qianren inwardly thought that this brat was cunning. He knew his Lightness Skill was superior and his Iron Palm was invincible. Once the advantage of a spear’s length was negated, he would be restricted. He was switching to a sword, but he wondered about the brat’s swordplay.
Thinking this, he said, “Draw your sword.”
Lu Beihe, who was watching, felt much more at ease. He clearly remembered what Hu Yanlei had said at the Cuya Mountain stronghold: Zhou Yan’s martial arts were ranked first in fist and foot techniques, second in swordplay, and last in spearplay.
Fighting with a sword, he had a better chance of lasting a hundred moves.
The young master of Zhenwei Escort Agency underestimated Zhou Yan’s swordplay. Since cultivating the Tomb Lightness Skill, Jade Maiden Swordplay, and Hengshan Swordplay, Zhou Yan’s current swordplay was no inferior to his fist and foot techniques.
Zhou Yan had tempered his Dai Meridian at Shaolin Temple, and his Inner Qi circulation had increased significantly compared to before. The more channels he tempered, the more profound his Internal Force became.
As Qiu Qianren called out for him to draw his sword, Zhou Yan’s figure suddenly moved. A clear and bright sword light suddenly appeared, like the sudden flash of lightning on a dark, rainy night.
The Qingfeng Sword, obtained from Dugu Qiubai’s Sword Tomb, was a sharp weapon. The sword light was clear and bright. The onlookers felt their vision filled with a clear, cold radiance before they heard a loud sword hum.
Lu Beihe couldn’t believe it and muttered to himself, “Chief Escort, how has Brother Zhou’s swordplay improved so much?”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Brother Zhou use his sword. It is indeed a bit astonishing.”
While they were speaking, they saw Zhou Yan point his long sword diagonally, his sword tip splitting like a flower, as he thrust at three points in succession.
Hong Qigong said to Huang Yaoshi, “Brother Yao, this is the Quanzhen Swordplay move ‘One Sword, Three Purities.’ Brother Chongyang used it during the Huashan Sword Discussion. Huang Yaoshi nodded, “It has some of Brother Chongyang’s style.”
Ouyang Feng said, “Indeed!”
Suddenly, those three swords transformed into seven, then seven into fourteen, and fourteen into twenty-one. It was as if thousands of sword edges had formed an incredible formation in an instant. The clear sword light shimmered, emitting a piercing tearing sound, as if it were about to slice Qiu Qianren into pieces.
“Seventh Brother, Brother Yao, Brother Chongyang couldn’t do this move.” Ouyang Feng said with a sinister smile.
Moments later, Hong Qigong nodded, “Indeed. A young hero emerges.”
“That’s right, nephew is also young and promising,” Huang Yaoshi said.
Ouyang Feng had a grudge against the Quanzhen Sect and was trying to mock Wang Chongyang, but unexpectedly made a fool of himself.
On the Shaolin Temple side, the heads of the Arhat Hall and Dharma Hall, Tianxin and Tianming Chan Master, were greatly surprised. They couldn’t help but think, how could the swordplay displayed by Benefactor Zhou be more wondrous than the Abbot’s Thousand-Hand Buddha Palm?
It wasn’t just the two of them; everyone watching was shocked. They had thought Zhou Yan’s spear techniques were superb and rarely seen, but his swordplay seemed even more advanced.
Seeing this, Qiu Qianren’s heart tightened. He dared not be careless, channeling his Internal Force to his sleeves, which became like iron fans, stirring up a boundless, roaring force like waves. His palms were hidden within his sleeves, and as his palm force emerged, it was incomparably powerful, like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami surging back, each move fiercer than the last.
Without the hard impact of fist and foot techniques, and with the sharpness of the Qingfeng Sword, Qiu Qianren had reservations, greatly reducing Zhou Yan’s pressure. Jade Maiden Swordplay, Quanzhen Swordplay, and Hengshan Five Gods Sword were unleashed continuously. The sword styles were sometimes heavy, sometimes light and agile, with broken moves and continuous intent, truly elegant and spirited.
In just the time it took to eat a meal, Zhou Yan, relying on his swordplay and Tomb Lightness Skill, had exchanged ninety moves with Qiu Qianren.
Ouyang Feng said, “Brother Qiu, ten more moves until a hundred.”
Qiu Qianren became fierce. His body spun violently, the swirling force surging and rolling, forming roaring whirlpools. The momentum was astonishing. The thirteen ultimate techniques of Iron Palm Skill, such as “Yin Yang Unity,” “Palm Draws Blood,” and “Pillar of Heaven,” descended upon Zhou Yan like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami.
He exerted his full strength, holding nothing back, making the air around them extremely hot.
Hong Qigong and Huang Yaoshi’s expressions turned solemn.
Zhou Yan felt the air become viscous, as if carrying immense weight. With a “clang,” the Qingfeng Sword was plunged into the bluestone ground. Subduing Dragon Eighteen Palms’ moves like “Kanglong Regret” and “Shocking a Hundred Miles” were unleashed in a head-on collision.
The dust kicked up in the arena rolled outwards, shaking the surroundings, and the air roared like thunder.
“Ninety-nine moves.”
Ouyang Feng shouted. Qiu Qianren, who was already familiar with Zhou Yan’s Subduing Dragon Eighteen Palms, used the killing move “Five Peaks Facing the Sun.” The fan-shaped palm force enveloped Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan responded with “Riding the Six Dragons.” The two vast palm forces collided abruptly, and with a loud “bang,” an arc of energy spread out from their palms.
Zhou Yan retreated rapidly, and Qiu Qianren pursued him like a shadow.
“Lord Zhou, be careful!”
“This is bad,” Hong Qigong’s expression suddenly changed.
Zhang Sanqiang’s spear began to tremble with a hum.
Suddenly, Zhou Yan flicked a finger.
With a “swish,” a stream of energy broke through the air, heading straight for Qiu Qianren’s face.
