Chapter 273: Dog Beating Stick Method Against an Evil Dog
Zhou Yan recited it word for word. Hong Qigong analyzed the meaning of the sentences, finding them all profound and abstruse. When he reached the sixteen characters, “Complete understanding and wisdom, cultivating both essence and function, moving yet still, yielding yet peaceful,” he fell into deep thought. Looking at Zhou Yan again, he exclaimed in surprise, “This is a cultivation technique for healing internal injuries.”
“Mm!”
Hong Qigong was a man of great intelligence. With Zhou Yan’s reply and recalling his words on the way that he could surely make him recover, surpassing his past self, he suddenly understood.
“You brat… cough cough, this old beggar has been tricked.” Hong Qigong said with a smile.
Zhou Yan said sincerely, “Qigong taught me cultivation techniques and saved my life outside Datong Prefecture. Compared to what Qigong has done, what I have done is nothing.”
Zhou Yan did not mention that the cultivation technique originated from the Nine Yin Manual. Hong Qigong, given his status, would not ask further. He coughed a few times and said with emotion, “You are thoughtful, my boy.”
“You are too polite, Qigong,” Zhou Yan replied. “I have just devised a treatment method that shows remarkable efficacy. Immortal Elder has Snow Ginseng, which can help Qigong heal his visceral injuries. Once Qigong can circulate his internal force on his own, I will assist with my cultivation. In just seven days, Qigong will recover completely. Then, with Yijin Forging Bone and the completion of cultivation techniques, Qigong will be like a rebirth of muscles and bones, completely dissolving the damage to his meridians from the Vajra Prajna Palm, and his cultivation will even surpass his previous level.”
Hong Qigong was also a straightforward man. Hearing Zhou Yan’s words and recalling all the events since they met outside Datong Prefecture, he felt a surge of emotion. “Good, good. You are a person who is unconstrained by form and not enslaved by the mind. This old beggar will not be indecisive and will listen to you. It’s just a pity about the Immortal Elder’s Snow Ginseng.”
“The Immortal Elder is also a fellow practitioner, Qigong need not worry.”
“Good.” Hong Qigong nodded, thinking to himself that no matter what, he would repay this kindness in the future.
Zhou Yan finally relaxed completely. Knowing Hong Qigong’s fondness for food, he went to the bamboo forest and used stones to catch a few bamboo rats, which he then roasted for Hong Qigong. This roasting technique was learned from Huang Rong, and the dish was exquisitely prepared, full of color, aroma, and taste. Hong Qigong praised it highly and, in good spirits, drank a little Hundred Herbs Wine.
The medicinal wine brewed by the Hundred Herbs Immortal Elder had little effect on Zhou Yan’s cultivation advancement now, but it was quite beneficial to Yanbo Diaosou.
After dinner, Hong Qigong drank the Snow Ginseng soup prepared by the Hundred Herbs Immortal Elder.
Zhou Yan found the Immortal Elder and Yanbo Diaosou and told them that after Hong Qigong could circulate his internal force on his own, he would assist in healing with his cultivation. However, during the healing period, for seven days, their palms must not be separated for even a moment, their breaths connected. Although they could speak to each other, they absolutely could not speak to a third person, nor could they stand up and walk half a step. If anyone came to disturb them excessively, there would be a danger of qi deviation.
The Hundred Herbs Immortal Elder said that there were already a few boys in the valley. When Zhou Yan and Hong Qigong were healing in the bamboo hut, the boys were not to approach within half a step.
Zhou Yan and Yanbo Diaosou both found this arrangement satisfactory.
The Snow Ginseng was remarkably effective. By midnight, Hong Qigong’s body was steaming. After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, fine oil mixed with sweat dripped down, forming layers of sticky impurities.
Hong Qigong could now circulate his inner qi on his own.
The Hundred Herbs Immortal Elder had a boy prepare hot water. Zhou Yan helped Qigong bathe. Afterward, the two went to the secluded bamboo hut and sat cross-legged. They briefly studied the healing chapter of the true scripture, each understanding its meaning. Zhou Yan extended his right palm, placed it against Hong Qigong’s left palm, circulated his qi, and began practicing according to the method.
Practicing until dawn, Hong Qigong gradually felt the stuffiness in his chest loosen slightly. The pure inner qi transmitted from Zhou Yan’s palm slowly spread throughout his hundred bones, and the pain even lessened considerably. By noon, Hong Qigong’s chest felt much more comfortable, and Zhou Yan also felt refreshed.
The Hundred Herbs Immortal Elder personally delivered the braised hazel hen and ginseng soup. Zhou Yan and Hong Qigong each drank a bowl and continued their cultivation and healing.
…
Time flowed, sun rose and set.
Zhou Yan and Hong Qigong’s healing and cultivation had reached the seventh day.
During this period, the Hundred Herbs Immortal Elder only appeared when delivering meals. The rest of the time, he spent with Yanbo Diaosou. Both were eccentric individuals, yet they surprisingly hit it off after a few words. They played chess, fished, and drank, living a free and easy life.
…
Wind blew through the mountains and fields. The sunlight at the valley entrance shifted, and a figure emerged, followed by a second, a third, and then a tenth…
Soon, seventy to eighty people appeared in Hundred Herbs Valley.
“Cult Leader, this is where that old man lives.”
The man addressed as Cult Leader was over forty, with a pair of long mustaches and a horse-like face.
He looked from the valley entrance, seeing the valley’s lush and magnificent scenery.
The horse-faced Cult Leader snorted, “I want to see what is so extraordinary about this valley that twenty to thirty people have been lost here, one after another.”
With such words, the man’s identity was obvious: he was the Cult Leader of the Five Venoms Sect.
The cultists led the way, followed by the Five Venoms Sect Leader. The group moved majestically towards the valley. After several miles, lush trees appeared in their view.
The cultists at the front entered without any precautions. Then, within the Five Venoms Sect Leader’s sight, they wandered around in the forest. More people entered the woods, and the cultists behind them noticed something amiss and stopped.
“Cult Leader, there’s something strange.” a Dharma Protector of the Five Venoms Sect said.
The Five Venoms Sect Leader snorted, “I thought that old man had some earth-shattering ability, but it turns out he relies entirely on formations.”
“It seems that the previous disciples were trapped by the formations, which led to their deaths. However, this formation appears profound and difficult to break,” the Dharma Protector said.
The Five Venoms Sect Leader gazed intently. He also understood some principles of the Five Elements and Bagua, but no matter how he calculated and analyzed, he found it profoundly difficult to comprehend and impossible to break. He said, “Could that old man have filled the valley with such formations? Let’s go around.”
Huang Rong could not possibly deploy formations everywhere.
The purpose of formations was to trap reckless intruders, and also to buy time for the Hundred Herbs Immortal Elder to escape when facing a strong enemy. Perhaps, when engaging a strong enemy, one could lure them into the formation and then injure or escape.
However, as the saying goes, a clumsy method can break a clever plan. The Five Venoms Sect Leader had many disciples. They discovered the anomaly early and bypassed the forest.
After a short while, dozens of people bypassed the forest and traveled several miles. In the distance, they saw a lush bamboo forest and the Hundred Herbs Immortal Elder and Yanbo Diaosou playing chess among the trees.
The Five Venoms Sect Leader’s horse-like face contorted, and then he burst into laughter. As he lunged forward, he shouted, “Old man, give up your life!”
…
Under the bright sunlight, the sound surged like a tide. Yanbo Diaosou, engrossed in his chess game, was disturbed. He looked up with angry eyes and saw, in the distance, a tall, thin figure approaching at lightning speed. The figure charged across the sea of grass, as if cleaving through waves.
The Hundred Herbs Immortal Elder turned pale with shock, “It’s the Five Venoms Sect. The one coming is likely the Five Venoms Sect Leader.”
“I’ll go stop him.”
“There are too many people, this is big trouble.” The Hundred Herbs Immortal Elder quickly took out a porcelain bottle from his embrace and poured out a scarlet pill. “From the cultists to the Cult Leader and Dharma Protectors, everyone in the Five Venoms Sect is full of poison. This pill can prevent and detoxify poison.”
Yanbo Diaosou took the pill, swallowed it, and grabbed his fishing rod, charging forward.
The Hundred Herbs Immortal Elder ran towards the bamboo hut, inwardly lamenting. The few disciples in the valley were all out gathering herbs and would not be back anytime soon. The enemy had a large force; what was to be done?
…
Hong Qigong and Zhou Yan both heard the inner force projection of the Five Venoms Sect Leader.
Zhou Yan also realized that the opponent was likely from the Five Venoms Sect. Moreover, judging by his voice, it was loud and resonant, and his inner force was quite formidable. If he practiced the Five Venoms Divine Palm, Yanbo Diaosou might not be able to resist.
At such a critical juncture, why had a powerful enemy arrived?
As he thought this, Hong Qigong suddenly said, “Brat, you are using your energy to help me heal and cannot spare much inner force to deal with the enemy. Even if you can’t master the Finger Flicking Divine Skill, your swordplay will lose its power.”
“Does Qigong have a solution?”
A smile actually appeared on Hong Qigong’s face. “I will teach you the ‘Using Four Ounces to Deflect a Thousand Pounds’ technique. It involves picking, sealing, turning, and tripping, all relying on skillful force.”
“Dog Beating Stick Method?”
“The situation is urgent, this is a temporary measure. This old beggar will tell you now. As for the Beggars’ Sect Leader, as long as this old beggar is not dead, I will not make things difficult for you. Besides, you cannot learn it all in a short time, so it doesn’t count as mastering the direct martial art of the Beggars’ Sect Leader.”
“Qigong, speak quickly. The most practical moves are enough; time is limited.”
“Listen carefully, brat. Beat these evil dogs well later.”
