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

Chapter 529 Buddha Jumps over the Wall

In the secret chamber of Guiyun Manor, west of Gushan City, Lu Chengfeng and Qu Lingfeng sat facing each other, their four palms touching. A wisp of steam rose from their heads and lingered. Two hours had passed since Qu Lingfeng was injured by Mo Ku's palm strike.

Late into the night, the two finished their practice at the same time. The internal energy they had been transmitting gradually returned to their own dantian, and they each circulated it for several cycles. Finally, they both exhaled a long breath and slowly opened their eyes.

Lu Chengfeng still had that gentle and refined demeanor. Compared to the Legend of the Condor Heroes, he had been granted permission by Huang Yaoshi to return to Peach Blossom Island many years ago, so he naturally had less sorrow in his heart. At this moment, he looked much younger.

However, if Wu Chengyu were here, he would definitely complain again that this guy tries to imitate Huang Yaoshi in every way, but he doesn't do it right at all.

In terms of temperament, he is more like an old scholar from the countryside. Compared with Huang Yaoshi's otherworldly air, Lu Chengfeng is more down-to-earth, but this down-to-earthness is not a compliment.

"Senior Brother Qu, the healing method taught by Master is indeed effective. We have rarely been injured in recent years, but today is the first time we have used this technique."

Your internal injuries have been suppressed. Take one Jiuhua Yulu Pill every day from now on and take good care of yourself. You will recover in less than a month.

However, the bones in your right arm are fractured, so you must rest carefully and absolutely not engage in any physical activity until you are fully recovered.

Qu Lingfeng nodded, his face ashen: "I miscalculated this time. It's my fault for underestimating my opponent. Mo Kulun's internal strength is a notch below mine, which is already quite remarkable. Considering her age, she is truly formidable."

But who would have thought that this petite woman, though tall and slender, possessed astonishing arm strength that was impossible to discern from her appearance, which is why she fell victim to her attack.

I am somewhat knowledgeable, and I have never heard of anyone in the martial world whose strength is so terrifying. Caught off guard by a direct clash with a palm, my right arm was immediately injured.

If I had known this would happen, I could have simply fought with more complex techniques, and I might not have been the one to lose. At least I wouldn't have been injured with a single blow, needlessly disgracing my master.

Lu Chengfeng was also very curious about Mo Ku. He and Qu Lingfeng had been fellow disciples for decades and knew his senior brother's martial arts very well. Apart from the Five Great Masters of the World, he really couldn't imagine anyone who could seriously injure Qu Lingfeng in one move.

But now that we've figured out the true nature of Mo Ku, as long as we know in advance that the opponent is incredibly strong, and we're prepared, it's not entirely hopeless.

"Although we live in seclusion in this small seaside town and do not concern ourselves with the affairs of the martial arts world, we still know that the name of the Beggar Clan's Dragon Subduing Granny has risen to prominence in recent years. It seems that her reputation is well-deserved and she is indeed worthy of being the personal disciple of Chief Hong."

However, the reason why this woman suddenly came to Gushan to cause trouble for us brothers is really hard to fathom.

The reason we drove away the Beggars' Sect's branch here was simply because we thought those beggars were nosy and an eyesore.

After all, they weren't really injured, so it could be considered a courtesy to leave. The Beggars' Sect didn't react at all afterward, and the matter was dropped. How come they suddenly came back to fight back a few years later?

In my opinion, this matter is not so simple. Even if the Beggars' Sect is the largest sect in the world, our master is no weaker than the Northern Beggar. Why would the Beggars' Sect cause trouble for a mere branch?

Lu Chengfeng came from a prominent family, while Qu Lingfeng was just a homeless orphan when he was taken in by Huang Yaoshi. His thoughts were far less complicated than Lu Chengfeng's.

"Hmph, in my opinion, it was the two of us who made the move back then. Our master was too lazy to bother with such trivial matters. Hong Qigong, being the Northern Beggar and on par with our master, would certainly not do anything like bullying the weak. Besides, how old was Mo Ku back then? He had no way to show up."

Now it seems that Mo Ku must have mastered martial arts to stand up for her master and try to restore the Beggars' Sect's honor.

From beginning to end, Lu Chengfeng and Qu Lingfeng did not take the matter of the old manager of Hongyun Restaurant seriously, thinking that Mo Ku was just using the old manager's gambling debts as an excuse to cause trouble. Little did they know that Wu Chengyu was really standing up for the old manager.

This time, when they returned to Gushan to cause trouble for Peach Blossom Island, Huang Yaoshi's disciples were unavoidable. Although they had made contact beforehand because of the old shopkeeper's matter, it wasn't a big deal.

However, Lu Chengfeng and Qu Lingfeng overcomplicated the whole matter, always seeing it as the Beggars' Sect returning to seek revenge, or perhaps having some other purpose, and never considering Wu Chengyu as a suspect.

Having not seen each other for many years, they had long forgotten about Wu Mianfeng from back then. With the passage of time, they had become strangers.

“Junior Brother Lu, no matter what, we cannot lose face for Peach Blossom Island. So what if we are from the Beggar Clan? How can we, the disciples of the Eastern Heretic, be afraid of the disciples of the Northern Beggar Clan?”

"Why should the disciples of the Eastern Heretic's sect be bound by martial arts rules? Once I recover from my injuries, the two of us joining forces will surely defeat her. At that time, as long as we give her a minor punishment to serve as a warning and don't harm her life, we can politely let her leave again. I doubt that Hong Qigong can say anything about it."

Lu Chengfeng shook his head: "This is not appropriate. Hong Qigong does not bully the weak, and we cannot win by force. Otherwise, wouldn't we be giving them an opportunity to use this as an excuse to cause trouble?"

Even if Hong Qigong doesn't intervene, the Beggars' Sect has tens of thousands of disciples, many of whom are highly skilled. If they send a few to assist Mo Ku, we'll have no grounds to object. This matter requires careful consideration. Ideally, we should defeat her one-on-one; then no one can say anything against that.

At this point, their eyes lit up simultaneously: "Junior Brother."

The junior disciple here is neither Wu Chengyu nor Wu Mianfeng. Back then, Wu Chengyu resolutely refused to return to Peach Blossom Island and parted ways with them. After Feng Mofeng was found by Qu Lingfeng, he naturally became the youngest disciple of the second generation of Peach Blossom Island.

Feng Mofeng only broke his leg back then. After being treated by Wu Chengyu with the Black Jade Broken Leg Ointment, he had no further problems. He was recognized as the most talented among the disciples of Peach Blossom Island. At the same time, he was of pure character, single-minded, and diligent in his training.

For years, Lu Chengfeng and Qu Lingfeng had lived outside Peach Blossom Island. Huang Yaoshi found them an eyesore and forbade them from coming to the island unless necessary. Only Feng Mofeng was allowed to reside on the island permanently. Huang Yaoshi favored disciples with quick aptitude, and under Huang Yaoshi's personal tutelage, Feng Mofeng's martial arts had improved by leaps and bounds. In addition, given that Lu Chengfeng and Qu Lingfeng were both crippled, Feng Mofeng's martial arts had now surpassed those of his two senior brothers.

As the successors of Huang Yaoshi of Peach Blossom Island, Lu Chengfeng and Qu Lingfeng had full confidence in Feng Mofeng.

"Junior Brother's martial arts are unmatched among the Five Great Masters. He is usually a bit dull, but when he fights, he is extremely clever. The same moves in his hands are far superior to yours or mine."

As long as he is reminded that Mo Ku's greatest strength is her arm strength, and he doesn't fight her head-on, his junior brother's skill and techniques will definitely surpass his. Then, Mo Ku will be defeated by his junior brother in a one-on-one fight, and neither Hong Qigong nor the Beggars' Sect can say anything. Our Eastern Heretic lineage will have overwhelmed the Northern Beggars in one fell swoop, and our master will surely be pleased.”

Qu Lingfeng became more and more excited as he spoke, as if Feng Mofeng had already avenged him for the slap he received today, and asked at the same time.

"Junior Brother should be on the island. I'll send someone back tomorrow to ask him to come to Gushan."

Lu Chengfeng shook his head with a wry smile: "You stay in the gambling den every day, and Guiyun Manor is responsible for transporting food and clothing to the island. Junior Brother left the island half a month ago."

“He is a quiet person who doesn’t like to move around. He wouldn’t even come to Gushan. Why would he suddenly leave the island?”

"It's our junior sister. She had a big fight with our master a while ago and ran away. Not only that, my Guanying and your little Quyun also ran away from home with their junior aunt. And you're a father, aren't you?"

Qu Lingfeng scratched his head: "Yun'er has been on Peach Blossom Island since she was a child, raised by her master. She also has Rong'er and Guanying by her side. What do I have to worry about?"

Rong'er has been mischievous since childhood, always full of clever ideas. Xiao Yun looks quiet and gentle, but she is actually just as precocious as Rong'er, and she comes up with many of the ideas. And your Guan Ying, although he is obedient, he is always an accomplice to whatever Rong'er and Xiao Yun do.

These three little devils have turned Peach Blossom Island into a complete mess. Back then, we fellow disciples would never have dared to act so recklessly.

Their master had always doted on their junior sister, and Guanying and Xiaoyun were grand-disciples. With Rong'er backing them up, they couldn't say anything; otherwise, they would have been kicked out of Peach Blossom Island by their master long ago.

When talking about Huang Rong and their own child, Qu Lingfeng and Lu Chengfeng both showed doting expressions, forgetting about the Beggars' Sect's previous trouble-making incident.

Lu Chengfeng stroked his three long beard: "Every time these three little guys run away from home, Junior Brother will follow behind them. He will bring them back after they calm down. Each time it will not exceed a month. Now, judging by the time, it should be about time."

After Rong'er and the others returned, they would hide in Gushan for a while, and only return to the island after they had made enough of a ruckus. Their junior brother would stay with them, naturally remaining in Gushan as well.

Tomorrow, you and I will send men to scout around Gushan. Report back immediately upon spotting our junior brother and his companions. We'll have our junior brother, the heir of Peach Blossom Island, meet that Beggar Clan lady."

Leaving aside Qu Lingfeng and Lu Chengfeng's late-night conversation, the night passed, and the morning light was still thin and misty, with the first rays of dawn. March mornings are always the most vibrant.

As soon as Hongyun Restaurant changed hands, Wu Chengyu couldn't wait to have Wu Moli and Shaobing open a shop.

Hongyun Restaurant has never held an early morning market, but a simple stove is set up early in front of the restaurant, with a large urn on it. The pattern on the outside of the urn is of flowers blooming and wealth, which is very appropriate for the occasion. It is said that it has been in Hongyun Restaurant for quite some time.

Shaobing and his two brothers were busy at work. Wu Chengyu didn't follow the old custom of choosing an auspicious day for opening, but since the restaurant owner had changed, they wanted to make a splash before the lunch service even started.

Abalone, sea cucumber, fish lips, yak skin glue, king oyster mushroom, tendon, shiitake mushroom, cuttlefish, scallops, quail eggs and other ingredients have all been categorized and prepared using special methods.

The ingredients alone required the sesame seed cake to be collected from all over Gushan, and it was only after working frantically before dawn that it was initially processed.

Not to mention the broth made primarily from old hens, chicken bones, pigeons, pork bones, dried scallops, rock sugar, white peppercorns, dried longan pulp, and ginger.

These broths were carefully simmered by Shaobing, who stayed up all night tending the stove. After simmering, the broth was filtered multiple times, and finally, chicken mince was added to absorb all the cloudy and suspended matter in the broth. This process is called "simmering the broth."

The sesame seed cake is made with a refined broth that has been cleared twice, also known as double-broth. This kind of broth is a top-quality soup, which looks like water but is clear and fragrant. The cost of it is shockingly high.

All the ingredients are placed into a large earthenware jar, and then broth and rice wine are poured in. The jar is then sealed, and the mixture is simmered over a low flame for a full four hours. Finally, the dish is the signature dish of Fujian cuisine, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.

This dish was formally established during the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty. Wu Chengyu made it once in Qianlong Cave, and Shaobing immediately took a liking to it. Over the years, in terms of the skill of making this dish alone, Shaobing has surpassed Wu Chengyu.

Ironically, although Buddha Jumps Over the Wall was created by the owner of Juxiangyuan Restaurant in Fuzhou, according to research, the dish was first invented by a group of beggars, perhaps even the Beggars' Guild during the Qing Dynasty.

Although the dish still needs to be simmered, the aroma had already completely won over the Beggar Clan's Auntie Ku. In any case, Ku was now shamelessly drooling around the large vat.

The aroma began to waft through the air, attracting the attention of everyone in Gushan City.

(End of this chapter)