Chapter 276: Li Mochou Leaves Her Retreat to Go to Jiangnan
“Say that again?” Yuan Foshou lowered the foot he had raised and looked back at the Hundred Herbs Immortal.
“It’s the Beggars’ Sect Leader Hong Qigong, the elder. This is a long story, I’ll explain it to you in detail.”
Yuan Foshou suddenly laughed, “Luring the tiger away from its mountain, and also a delaying tactic. Now you’re dragging things out, aren’t you waiting for these two to finish healing and rescue you?”
The Hundred Herbs Immortal secretly despaired, but forced a calm expression, saying, “Who in this world would dare to impersonate the name of Hong Bangzhu for deceit?”
Yuan Foshou was suspicious, thinking that if the old man said so, it was likely true. Did he have to let the old man go and then apologize to Hong Qigong? Looking at the scene, Hong Qigong was clearly seriously injured, what was there to fear? Kill them all, destroy the bodies, and leave no trace.
As Yuan Foshou thought this, his eyes rolled, and he laughed heartily, “I think you old man are impersonating Hong Bangzhu for deceit. What kind of person is Hong Bangzhu, that he would seek you for healing? Who in this world could injure him? I will verify your identities. Dharma Protector Zhong, apprehend these two.”
The Dharma Protector of the Five Venoms Sect let out a sinister laugh and lunged at Zhou Yan. Under the moonlight, a faint green shadow suddenly poked forward. Dharma Protector Zhong’s left palm struck directly, intending to shatter the long bamboo rod with a single blow.
Zhou Yan, however, used the “Seal” technique from the Dog Beating Stick Method. He did not attack the opponent. The long bamboo rod transformed into a green wall, blocking the doorway.
No matter how Dharma Protector Zhong changed his moves, they all missed. As his body moved forward, the bamboo rod would suddenly point at a major acupoint in front of him. After multiple forceful attacks, he was repelled each time.
“Clang,” the long saber let out a long cry. The enraged Dharma Protector Zhong drew his saber and slashed down. The saber light streaked down. Zhou Yan retracted the long bamboo rod in his hand and pointed it forward again. The Dharma Protector struck back with a saber. In the flash of lightning, they both slashed and poked several times. The long saber was then held by Zhou Yan using the “Lead” technique of the Dog Beating Stick Method. Following that, the long rod swung, the saber followed the rod east, and the saber followed the rod west.
“What kind of evil technique is this?” Dharma Protector Zhong cried out.
“This is the Beggars’ Sect’s Dog Beating Stick Method.” Swish, the long bamboo rod was retracted. Zhou Yan stood up. Opposite him, Hong Qigong also withdrew his palm and opened his eyes.
The Hundred Herbs Immortal was greatly relieved and laughed heartily, “I told you it was Hong Qigong, the elder. You should believe me now.”
Yuan Foshou shouted and retreated rapidly, his right hand reaching into the deer skin pouch at his waist.
“Little friend, be careful,” the Hundred Herbs Immortal shouted loudly.
Zhou Yan’s figure flickered, and he dodged with Hong Qigong towards the side of the bamboo hut’s window. He heard continuous “swish” sounds filling his ears. Countless needle-like silver needles attacked. The faces of the Five Venoms Sect cultists lying on the ground were struck by the needles, and their skin instantly turned completely black.
Yuan Foshou threw a handful of poison needles, without any delay, turned and fled wildly, with Dharma Protector Zhong closely following.
Hong Qigong’s figure flickered and appeared at the entrance of the bamboo hut. The cultist who had controlled the Hundred Herbs Immortal said with a fierce look, “Don’t come any closer!”
“Swish!” Broken bamboo fragments splattered from the bamboo wall. The Qingfeng Sword pierced through the wall and entered the side of the neck of the Five Venoms Sect cultist who was holding a long saber to the Hundred Herbs Immortal’s throat.
Zhou Yan drew his sword and flew out of the window like a large bird. What appeared in his sight were more than twenty Five Venoms Sect disciples.
His figure flickered east and west. The clear sword light was sharp and swift, coiling like lightning. The Hundred Herbs Immortal only saw Zhou Yan’s sword strikes repeatedly, but never heard the sound of metal clashing. Each time the sword light flashed, a Five Venoms Sect cultist would cry out and fall.
In less than ten breaths, the sword light receded. The last two cultists struck by the sword were several yards apart, yet they fell to the ground almost simultaneously.
“How is the Fishing Old Man?” Zhou Yan asked urgently.
The Hundred Herbs Immortal said, “He was first hit by poison needles, then by a poisonous palm. The pills he took can slow the spread of the poison, and I can treat him.”
The Yanbo Diaosou was thrown not far away. Zhou Yan leaped over first, only to see the other person gritting his teeth, his face black.
“Little friend, bring the Fishing Old Man into the hut, and I will prepare.”
“Alright!”
The Hundred Herbs Immortal said he could treat him, so Zhou Yan was not very worried. He carried the Yanbo Diaosou into the bamboo hut and laid him on the bamboo couch, lighting a lamp.
The light dispelled the darkness, and the room became brighter. Zhou Yan unbuttoned the Fishing Old Man’s collar, and a cinnabar-like palm print appeared in his sight.
Zhou Yan exhaled lightly. It was the Five Venoms Divine Palm.
Hong Qigong walked in and saw the palm print on the Yanbo Diaosou. His face was solemn, saying, “The symptoms seem serious. Are you sure you can cure him?”
“If he says he can, then it’s true. I also met the Immortal Elder when I was bringing someone for treatment. The patient’s condition then was no less severe than this.”
“It’s good that he can be treated,” Hong Qigong’s expression eased considerably.
The Hundred Herbs Immortal returned, holding several brocade boxes. He said, “The method is similar to treating Miss Mei. Isolate the regular meridians and extraordinary meridians, so that the poisons cannot work against each other. Then, use aged mugwort to moxibust each meridian and important acupoint to force out the poison. Fortunately, the poisoning was not for long, and the pills inhibited the spread of the poison, so the recovery will be faster than Miss Mei’s. Little friend, Hong Bangzhu, do not worry.”
Hong Qigong was completely relieved.
“Thank you, Immortal Elder.”
“Hong Bangzhu, you are too polite.”
“Where are the medicine boys from the valley?” Zhou Yan asked.
The Hundred Herbs Immortal sighed, “Hearing the commotion, they all came to help and were harmed. Oh, and there are still many Five Venoms Sect cultists trapped in the formation at the valley entrance.”
“I’ll go help the Immortal Elder deal with it.”
“Thank you, little friend.”
Hong Qigong stayed in the bamboo hut. Zhou Yan went out and used his agility to reach the woods at the valley entrance. The formation deployed by Huang Rong was not difficult for him. He entered with his sword and, without a word, killed the more than ten Five Venoms Sect cultists who had been trapped all day, one by one. Then he found a place to dispose of the bodies.
He returned to the bamboo hut and saw Hong Qigong sitting on a bamboo chair under the eaves.
“The Immortal Elder’s medical skill has reached the Realm of Transformation, which is admirable. He has already removed the poison from the Fishing Old Man, and he is now regulating his breath.”
Zhou Yan moved a chair and sat beside Hong Qigong, “The Five Venoms Sect should not come to Hundred Herbs Valley again. Seven Elder, you might as well cultivate here until you have completed Yijin Forging Bone, and then return to Yuezhou. It won’t be too late.”
Hong Qigong removed the stopper from his wine gourd and took a few gulps. He said, “The old beggar was driven out of Yueyang Tower. This matter will surely spread. Yuezhou is now in chaos. If I don’t show myself, the Beggars’ Sect might be implicated.”
“But Seven Elder, only when your cultivation reaches perfection and you complete Yijin Forging Bone can you fully recover your cultivation and surpass your past. I will go to Yuezhou with Seven Elder.”
Hong Qigong glared, “Even if the old beggar has only one-tenth of his cultivation left, he is still the Beggars’ Sect Leader, the Northern Beggar Hong Qigong.”
“Seven Elder’s spirit is admirable.”
Hong Qigong laughed heartily, “Besides, the old beggar has nearly four-tenths of his cultivation available. Isn’t that enough?”
“As long as you don’t encounter Ouyang Feng, the Vajra Sect Leader, or Qiu Qianren, it’s enough.”
“If I encounter the Old Venomous, there are ways. He is the most suspicious.”
“If you recover your cultivation, and have the chance, can Seven Elder kill him?”
Hong Qigong drank, the wine gourd bottom-up. He threw away the gourd and spat out a breath of wine, “A fair fight, and the outcome will be decided, as will life and death.”
“Then I can rest assured.”
“What about you, kid?”
“After the Fishing Old Man’s injuries have healed a bit, I will go to Hengyang, and then return to Zhongdu.”
“Alright, the old beggar will set off tomorrow. There are sixteen moves left of the Dog Beating Stick Method.”
Zhou Yan chuckled, “Seven Elder has already taught me the eight essential techniques, which is enough.”
“Only you, kid, are so promising.”
Hong Qigong laughed heartily. He knew what Zhou Yan meant; what is known does not need to be expressed.
……
“Older Sister is so amazing.”
“Master is so amazing.”
Clear, childlike voices rang out like tinkling springs behind Zhongnan Mountain.
Bright sword light transformed into a cascade of brilliant and dense cold radiance, like a Heaven and Earth Net enveloping Li Mochou. She didn’t move half a step. The instant the cold, flame-like brilliance touched her body, her figure flashed extremely quickly close to the ground, agile like a wild cat, advancing and retreating with purpose, flowing and swift, weaving through the sword shadows.
Li Mochou thought to herself, “It’s no longer difficult for me to defeat Master now, but if I truly defeat her, how will she feel? What should I do?”
“Mochou girl has indeed worked hard over the past half year. Her martial arts have improved to an unbelievable degree. She has surpassed me. This girl is clearly holding back now. It’s rare to have such consideration. Alas, alas.”
With a hum, the sword’s resonance echoed through the valley. The sword light receded, and Lin Chaoying’s maid figure floated down onto a rock a zhang away.
Li Mochou was stunned, “Master, why aren’t we continuing?”
“That’s right, Master, we haven’t decided the winner yet,” Little Dragon Girl ran over and said.
“Do you think I don’t understand your intentions?” Lin Chaoying’s maid said with a cold face.
Li Mochou was terrified, “Please forgive me, Master.”
“Master keeps her word. Go down the mountain, and remember what you promised me.”
Li Mochou was overjoyed and leaped forward, hugging her Master’s arm, “Thank you, Master. How could your disciple bear to leave you and Junior Sister? I’ll be back in a few months at most.”
“Even longer is acceptable.”
“How dare I? If Master allows me to go down the mountain a few more times in the future, I will be content. I’m leaving now.” Li Mochou glided in front of Little Dragon Girl, pinched her cheek, and said, “Listen carefully to Master’s words and practice martial arts diligently.”
“Wuwuwu…”
The sun was bright. Li Mochou felt as if the world was vast and her mood was cheerful. She flew to the Ancient Tomb like a fluttering butterfly, packed a bundle, put on her green clothes, and descended the mountain with her sword.
