The Legend of the Condor Heroes: From Being Expelled from Peach Blossom Island

Chapter 506 Bear King and Tiger King
Shouxiu Peak, located southeast of Guangming Peak, is more than 200 meters lower in altitude than Guangming Peak. In winter, Guangming Peak shelters it from the cold winds blowing from the northwest. In addition, it has a rare hot spring. In terms of living conditions, it can be considered one of the best among the mountains in the Kunlun Mountains.

Originally a temporary residence before the completion of Bright Peak, it became a place for the Ming Cult's high-ranking members to recuperate in the winter after the main altar was built.

Only high-ranking members of the Ming Cult who had previously held high positions and whose lifespans were not long would actually settle here after retiring, such as the former one of the Four Great Protectors, the Red-Haired Bear King.

After the battle at Phoenix Mountain in Wuchang, Xiong Wang was seriously injured and almost crippled. His kung fu was all in his hands, which were like bear paws. After exchanging more than ten moves with Mo Ku’s Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, his palm bones were completely shattered, and he lost 70% of his kung fu.

After Nangong Luan betrayed him and was betrayed by Yang Xu, who became the leader of the Ming Cult. Xiong Wang, who was originally Nangong Luan's right-hand man, was completely at a loss. Fortunately, his family had been high-ranking members of the Ming Cult for generations, with deep experience, foundation, and influence. He was also of the same generation as the former leader, Fang Yu.

Even if Yang Xu became the leader, it would be difficult to take action against him easily. After all, when Nangong Luan rebelled, Yang Xu and Xiong Wang were still on the same side, so Yang Xu could not directly label Xiong Wang as a traitor.

Although the Bear King was named after a bear, none of those who could become Dharma Kings were just reckless brutes. Seeing that the situation was beyond their control and that they were too badly injured to return to their peak, they simply submitted to Yang Xu and let go very decisively.

Upon returning to Bright Peak, the Bear King immediately resigned from his position as Dharma King and publicly supported Yang Xu as the leader of the sect. He then moved to Shouxiu Peak to enjoy his later years.

That evening, after having dinner, Old Bear King sat in a hot spring pool. Amidst the swirling steam, he closed his eyes to rest, his hands soaking in the warm water, stretching them slightly.

It takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone. From leaving Phoenix Mountain to rushing back to Bright Summit, plus more than a month of recuperation, a full four months have passed.

His hands were just beginning to heal, and he could still hold a bowl and chopsticks without any problems. However, his palm techniques were completely ruined, and he would occasionally feel pain in his bones and meridians. Only by soaking in the hot spring water could he slightly relieve the unbearable pain in his hands.

In a daze, the Bear King recalled the battle of Phoenix Mountain. He was born with superhuman strength, was nearly eight feet tall, and had a broad back and a thick waist. He often boasted that he could split tigers and leopards in two. Later, he mastered his own unique skill, the Giant Spirit Palm, and was known as the number one palm striker in the Ming Cult.

Even the sect leader Fang Yu, in terms of sheer force and power of his palm strikes, was no less formidable, but the battle at Phoenix Mountain completely shattered the Bear King's pride.

The image of that tall girl with a baby face reappeared in his mind. Even now, he couldn't believe that her slender arms, with hands only half the size of his own, had managed to cripple him in their fight.

In particular, his powerful bones and strength, which were completely disproportionate to his size, made him, who called himself the Bear King, as fragile as a chick. His proud palm power was forcibly suppressed under the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms.

"This little girl is destined for greatness," the Bear King murmured to himself. Surprisingly, he felt little resentment towards the girl who had crippled him; instead, he held her in high esteem.

It must be said that the reason why the Bear King retreated so decisively was not only because he knew he could not defeat Yang Xu, but also because his ambitions had been crushed by Mo Ku.

However, thinking of Mo Ku, his palms began to sting again. The Bear King groaned and turned to look at the servant pouring him wine.

"I heard that Tiger King is still staying on Bright Peak and refuses to move here to retire."

This attendant was clearly a confidant of the Bear King and was well-informed.

"Your Excellency, the Tiger King wants to support someone from his lineage to succeed him as the Dharma Protector King. Recently, he has been making a lot of small moves at Bright Peak, which is very unsettling."

Several invitations have been sent these past few days, all wishing to invite you for drinks, but I have declined them all as you instructed.

"Hmph, when people get old and the tide has turned, they should recognize the situation. Yang Xu is a ruthless and vicious man. Although he will not completely eliminate us old guys because of his reputation, he will definitely not stand by and watch us."

If he had behaved himself, he might have been able to enjoy his old age in peace. But he's still unable to see clearly and let go. If he keeps causing trouble like this, sooner or later Yang Xu will not be able to bear it anymore and will directly take action against him.

He came to me just to get my support. Forget it. If he hadn't been hiding behind me on Phoenix Mountain, letting me take seventy percent of the attack from the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms by myself, I wouldn't be so badly injured. But his injuries aren't much better either.

What other news is there? Tell me everything.

"The Serpent King has officially become the Left Envoy of Light. He is currently ordered to rectify the direct forces left behind by Nangong Luan at Bright Peak. Many elders have been killed, and some have been dismissed from their posts and have no power anymore."

"Hmph, Snake King is just like his father. A snake bite goes deep into the bone, and it's incredibly venomous. Yang Xu is now using this Wu Poison as a weapon."

In my opinion, Snake King Wu Du will one day suffer a sudden poisoning attack and die mysteriously, just like his father.

It's inevitable that Nangong Luan's subordinates will be purged; we can't help them. However, it's commonplace for the Wu family to fight for power and profit. This Wu Du probably took advantage of the situation to gain a lot of benefits, and many innocent people will be framed by him.

We can't help with these things. It's already good enough that I can protect you all. Just mind your own business.

The Four Dharma Kings are truly laughable. The Tiger King still can't let go of his power, the Snake King only knows how to bite people everywhere, and that Fox King, who boasts of his superior wisdom, was still besieged and killed by us. Now it seems that in the future, I might be the only one who can have a peaceful end.

"By the way, what about the Fox King's son, Zhou Dao? How's he doing now? I heard he's a gambler and a drinker, a complete wastrel."

"Reporting to Your Excellency, it was quite astonishing that this young man initially won against the Five Elements Flags all by himself. However, for the past month, he has been gathering people to gamble at Hou Tu Tang every day. He even had Rui Jin Flags make various gambling tools for him. I heard that he has almost lost all the funds left to him by the Fox King. A few days ago, this man suddenly said that he wanted to try something new. He is searching everywhere for fighting cocks and is preparing to hold the number one fighting cock tournament in the world at the Five Elements Flags. He will be the dealer and let everyone in the Ming Cult participate."

The Bear King reached out and slapped the water, splashing water everywhere: "Hmph, as expected, he is a spendthrift. That Fox King has been lurking in Jiangnan for many years and has indeed done his best for the Ming Cult. To be honest, I also felt guilty when he was hit by my three Giant Spirit Palms."

Now it seems that he has really neglected to discipline his son. If a son is not taught, it is the father's fault. Now that the Fox King Zhou Quan is dead, this Zhou Dao is a good-for-nothing.

It seems our three Dharma protectors from the older generation have no successors, leaving only the young Snake King baring his fangs and claws, which is truly uninteresting.

"Enough, enough. Nothing lasts forever. The Ming Cult is destined for decline. I have nothing to do here. You may leave. Let me have some peace and quiet."

After the attendants left, only the Bear King sat quietly in the hot spring. Slowly, the resentment in his heart dissipated, and he was truly disheartened.

Just then, he heard a slight splashing sound. With his rich experience in the martial arts world, Xiong Wang immediately knew that someone had entered the room. But before he could even open his eyes, he felt a hand appear above his head.

Immediately afterwards, a tremendous force pushed his head directly into the hot spring. For a moment, he couldn't see anything in front of him, only a figure above his head through the water. He was also unable to make any sound in the water.

Although the Bear King's palm technique was crippled, his strength remained. He struggled to get up, trying to shake off the hand on his head, but was surprised to find that his self-proclaimed innate superhuman strength was completely useless against this man's palm.

Gradually, the bear king felt his strength waning. His limbs could no longer thrash, water began to fill his lungs, and his consciousness gradually blurred until his last breath.

~
In a large room on the west side of the main altar of Bright Peak, just as the Bear King had breathed his last and his massive body was soaking in the hot spring, several people were plotting something big.

The person in the center leading the group was none other than the White-browed Tiger King. Several of his subordinates were arguing fiercely beside him. The Tiger King was extremely agitated and forcibly suppressed his anger.

"Hmph, we originally agreed that our Tiger King would recommend a successor, and we did, but Yang Xu actually rejected it. He really went back on his word."

“I’ve said it before, Yang Xu is just a formality. Besides, they didn’t say that our recommendation would definitely work out. You’re just having wishful thinking.”

"Since that's the case, let's make things bigger, unite more of our people, and create momentum. In any case, our faction must retain the position of a Dharma King who protects the faith; otherwise, our power will inevitably be suppressed."

“Make things worse. Snake King Wu Du has just become the Left Envoy, and he’s killed so many people these past few days. Some of them have nothing to do with Nangong Luan, but they just refused to follow him, yet they’ve been labeled as traitors. He’s just hoping we’ll make things worse and is waiting to use us as scapegoats.”

"........."

The commotion below grew louder and louder, and Tiger King's forehead, which was covered in vitiligo, was so furrowed that it looked like a sky-high wrinkle. He slammed his hand on the table.

"Shut up, all of you. What's the point of saying all this now?"
That hateful Yang Xu, he's been avoiding me these past few days, only letting that junior Wu Du show up. Does he think that he can suppress me now that he's become the Left Envoy?
When his father was still alive, he was at most my brother. Now he wants to ride roughshod over me? No way.

Tomorrow I will go to guard Xiufeng and see how the Bear King tries to avoid me. I will surely be able to persuade him to stand with me.

Now that the Fox King is dead, as long as the Bear King and I join forces, we can at least retain one of the Dharma Protectors. I refuse to believe that the Bear King will simply stand by and watch as there aren't any of our people among the Dharma Protectors in the future.”

As he spoke, the Tiger King scratched the back of his neck, making himself even more agitated.

Someone nearby, with sharp eyes, asked: "May I ask if the Tiger King is feeling unwell?"

Tiger King shook his head and said, "It's nothing, but when I entered the house just now, I suddenly felt a chill on the back of my neck, as if a cold wind had blown on it. It was fine after that, but now it's suddenly itchy and a bit uncomfortable."

As he spoke, the Tiger King scratched harder and harder, and then the veins on his forehead bulged. He finally couldn't sit still anymore. He jumped up and scratched himself all over, and his clothes tore apart as he used his fingers.

Now everyone knew something was wrong. Some of his men ran out to find a doctor, while the rest rushed forward, only to be slapped away by the struggling Tiger King.

The Tiger King himself was so itchy that he was completely powerless and collapsed to the ground. His famous Tiger King Claws had been used on him, leaving not only his clothes torn but also bloody welts all over his body.

The white-browed tiger king began to roll around on the ground, his body gradually becoming a bloody mess, constantly shouting, "It itches, it itches so much!"

At this moment, the doctor finally arrived and ordered several people to hold the tiger king down tightly. Before they could even examine the cause of the illness, blood began to flow from the corner of the tiger king's mouth. Then, it wasn't just the corner of the mouth that started bleeding; blood gradually began to seep from the nose, eyes, and ears.

The tiger king's screams gradually subsided, and he was no longer recognizable as human. His body was hunched over and curled up, with not a single patch of intact skin remaining on his body.

Finally, his body trembled violently, and then all his struggles ceased. The White-browed Tiger King died in full view of everyone.

(End of this chapter)