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

Chapter 533 A Surprising Move Revealed in a Small Space

When the successor of the Eastern Heretic met the disciple of the Northern Beggar, one was just over thirty and the other was in his early twenties. Both were still young, of similar status, and had practiced martial arts for many years. It was inevitable that they would have the urge to compete.

Ah Ku picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea. However, instead of placing the tea in front of Feng Mofeng, he placed it in the center of the square table. The two looked at each other, calm as still water, completely ignoring the noise from the people around them. Yet, it seemed as if a battle was brewing on the small table in front of them.

"My restaurant just opened today. Brother Lu is a guest. He is very polite and courteous. I don't think he would ruin my business on our first meeting."

"Of course, when guests follow the host's lead, why not have a little sparring session in this small space? It's just a pity that the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms can't be used here."

"If the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms only involves large, sweeping movements, then it doesn't deserve to be called the number one palm technique in the world. I just wonder if Brother Lu can force me to use it."

As soon as he finished speaking, A-Ku's right palm was like a knife, stabbing straight at Feng Mofeng's throat. Feng Mofeng also moved accordingly, his right thumb and middle finger were loosely hooked, and suddenly he flicked them out, his fingertips cutting through the wind, aiming straight for A-Ku's right pulse point. The wind from his fingertip caused the wisps of steam on the teacup on the table to suddenly twist.

This move, seemingly slow but actually fast, was executed without any hint of frivolity, like an orchid just beginning to bloom, a delicate hand gently waving it, carrying a touch of dance rhythm.

Ah Ku's eyes remained fixed on Feng Mofeng, seemingly oblivious to Feng Mofeng's finger strikes. Yet, his palm strike vanished in an instant. His wrist did not rise, but instead slid like a nimble snake, avoiding the opponent's sharp edge. His index, middle, and ring fingers joined together like a cone, silently and swiftly pecking at the tiger's mouth on the back of Feng Mofeng's hand, like a woodpecker.

Feng Mofeng sighed softly, "What a fine Crane Pecking Style!" A-Ku looked at him with admiration, "The Orchid Flicking Acupoint Hand lives up to its name."

As they talked, their hands moved even faster.

Just as Feng Mofeng's Orchid Finger Technique was about to touch A Ku's wrist, he suddenly changed his move. His fingertips were only half an inch away from A Ku's pulse point, but he transformed hardness into softness invisibly.

The fingers, which had been straight and springy, suddenly sank and curled back. The thumb, index finger, and middle finger instantly formed an iron clamp-like arc, slashing down in the air to lock onto the three fingers that A-Ku was pecking at, like a tiger lowering its head and grabbing its prey by the neck.

A-Ku's response was even more ingenious. His slender fingers flicked lightly like willow branches in the wind, and his three fingers changed from pecking to brushing, transforming into a blur. Instead of retreating, they wrapped around Feng Mofeng's wrist like silk threads, trying to use the force against him and unleashing a soft force like the Silk-Wrapping Hand.

Within a small space, fingers danced in a flurry, palms rippled gently, yet the difference remained minuscule, never truly intersecting.

Every fierce attack, poised to strike, is neutralized or deflected the moment it touches the opponent's clothes by the opponent's exquisitely precise changes.

The teacups on the table, reflected in the thin layer of water, showed the ever-changing hand gestures of the two people, like two nimble birds darting and leaping in the light and shadow, pecking, dodging, entwining, and taking flight...

A small pinch of tea leaves, which had settled at the bottom of the cup, began to swirl silently under the subtle influence of the finger's strength.

Every move Ah Ku makes is full of hidden power, solid and refined. Each strike contains immense force, yet he can control it with ease within a small space, as if it were his own arm or fingers.

Feng Mofeng's moves are light and agile, combining feints and real attacks. Each change of move is like a leisurely stroll, graceful and nimble, yet it hides deadly intent.

The two had completely different styles; one was like a mountain pressing down, while the other was like drifting clouds. On this small tabletop, strength and gentleness, movement and stillness, reality and illusion chased and restrained each other.

After a brief foray, the two began to get serious.

A-Ku spread his five fingers wide, transforming them into the shape of a tiger's claw, exuding a powerful and imposing aura, as if he were about to pierce through Feng Mofeng's forearm with a single claw.

Feng Mofeng's hand moved like a crane raising its head, then pulled back, causing A Ku's tiger claw to miss its target, its fingertips almost brushing against the edge of Feng Mofeng's sleeve.

Taking advantage of the moment when his opponent's tiger claw missed its mark, and the old force dissipated while the new force had not yet been generated, he suddenly transformed his hand, which had just skillfully withdrawn, from soft to hard, condensing into a sword. With a sharp whistling sound as his palm cut through the air, he slashed diagonally at A-Ku's right wrist joint, which had not yet been withdrawn.

Suddenly, the skin on A-Ku's wrist tightened. In a flash, she lowered her shoulders and elbows. The tiger claw that had missed its target was not withdrawn. Instead, it flipped over and transformed into a palm blade to meet Feng Mofeng's fierce slash!
The palm knife and the palm sword, in a narrow space less than three inches above the teacup, carried enough power to shatter metal and stone, and hurtled towards each other at an astonishing speed, about to collide with a deafening roar.

The water in the teacup trembled violently, the reflected light and shadows distorted wildly, and the tea leaves spinning at the bottom of the cup suddenly accelerated.

At the critical moment, just before Akuna's palm strike was about to touch Feng Mofeng's palm, it suddenly sank downwards, the edge of his palm grazing the edge of Feng Mofeng's hand, creating a gust of wind.

At the same instant, Feng Mofeng's sharp downward palm strike, as fierce as a divine sword, also suddenly rose upwards like a startled swan!

Two palms, each imbued with immense force, narrowly missed each other, the force of which abruptly dissipated the last wisps of steam rising from the teacup.

Their palms crossed in the blink of an eye, each landing back on either side of the table. Feng Mofeng's palm rested firmly on the table, while A Ku gently tapped his fingers on it.

The water in the teacup in the center of the table rippled violently a few times before finally calming down. The tea leaf that had been stirred up by the force at the bottom of the cup finally settled down and lay silently at the bottom, as if the thunderclap that had just occurred was merely a fleeting image amidst the clinking of glasses in the restaurant.

The diners around were still eating and drinking, chatting and laughing, unaware that within such a short distance, a fierce wind had once fought like lightning, only to vanish without a trace.

Among those present who noticed the sparring was the waiter who was moving among the diners. After all, he was a master of the Beiwei Army. Even if he was not as good as Feng Mofeng and A Ku, he was still a first-class fighter and had a lot of experience fighting.

Guo Jing, who was telling a story, was already a top-tier martial artist under Wu Chengyu's tutelage. His potential was no less than that of Feng Mofeng and A Ku. Even though he was still far behind, his eyesight was exceptionally high, and he could naturally perceive the superb martial arts skills of both sides.

Of course, there was also Wu Chengyu, who was watching the match from a private room upstairs. In his opinion, the fight was like a children's game, with the focus on the sharpness of the attacks and the ingenuity of the changes in moves. It was very entertaining and pleasing to the eye.

This fighting style is probably the most adaptable and agile among top masters. It emphasizes reaction and a flash of inspiration at any time, and requires a very high level of comprehension. Even Wu Chengyu back then lacked some of the agility.

In terms of comprehension, Wu Chengyu is still inferior to Feng Mofeng and Mo Ku. If it weren't for the bamboo slips that gave him a boost, he would never have achieved his current level of cultivation.

However, once one enters the realm of subtlety, one can anticipate the enemy's moves at any time, which is another level altogether. Unless both are at the highest level, this fighting style is still full of flaws in the eyes of a master at the realm of subtlety.

Of course, Wu Chengyu's fighting style has never been about rhythm. He is always a pragmatist, always demanding to be faster and more powerful, emphasizing efficiency and lethality.

At his level, martial arts skills and his personality complemented each other, and the pragmatism from later generations permeated Wu Chengyu's martial arts philosophy.

Just as Huang Yaoshi is bound to be versatile and refined, Hong Qigong's fighting style is fierce and his mind is clever, and Ouyang Feng's poison is not in the snake venom but in the viciousness of his moves. Truly top masters have long since merged their martial arts with their humanity.

Feng Mofeng and A Ku are still following in their respective masters' styles. If they continue to fall into the same old patterns, even if their skills become more and more profound in the future, they will probably never be able to surpass the Eastern Heretic and the Northern Beggar. Only when they break through their masters' boundaries will they have a chance to reach the pinnacle.

Wu Chengyu, a master of keen observation, offered his assessment from top to bottom, but the other three children who had noticed Feng Mofeng and A Ku's fight were already mesmerized. Having grown up in families with a strong tradition of martial arts, and having learned techniques at the level of the Five Greats, the three children, while not yet masters, still possessed considerable insight.

In their eyes, the strongest person in the world is naturally their father or grandmaster, and the second strongest is Feng Mofeng, who always manages to force them back no matter how they try to run away from home.

Lu Chengfeng and Qu Lingfeng had both told them that Feng Mofeng's martial arts skills had long surpassed those of their two senior brothers. But who would have thought that today they would see a woman who seemed a bit carefree and easygoing who could be on par with Feng Mofeng?

The various moves and responses just now were even more ingenious in their eyes, how could they not admire them?

Now that they had given up on escaping, Lu Guanying was extremely excited and whispered, "Uncle Feng is so amazing! I've never seen him act like this before. But who is this lady?"

Huang Rong frowned. She didn't usually pay much attention to matters of the martial arts world. However, Qu Yun, whose family ran a casino, suddenly had a flash of inspiration and pulled Lu Guanying and Huang Rong along.

“I remember now. Just now, Uncle Feng called her Lady Mo of the Beggar Clan. I had heard people say that the current young leader of the Beggar Clan is surnamed Mo and is a woman. She is known as the Dragon-Subduing Granny and is the number one expert among the younger generation in Jiangnan. She has never been defeated.”

Most importantly, she was a disciple of the renowned Northern Beggar, who was on par with her grandmaster and ranked among the Five Greats of the World.

The three little ones exclaimed inwardly at the same time, and turned around to look at Mo Ku with admiration. Lu Guanying had never met a woman with such high martial arts skills and felt great respect for her.

Huang Rong and Qu Yun immediately regarded Mo Ku as their lifelong idol, their eyes shining, especially the title of "Grandma Dragon Subduer," which, although not pleasant to hear, was incredibly powerful for these two clever and mischievous girls.

Lu Guanying asked in a low voice, "Who do you think won just now? This lady is very strong, but I think Uncle Feng is definitely stronger."

Huang Rong was unconvinced and a bit disloyal: "Who says women are inferior to men? I say this sister wins, and I will be just as good in the future."

Qu Yun was good at pouring cold water on things: "If you continue to be as lazy as before, I guess you have no chance."

Just as the three were about to argue, they heard Feng Mofeng and Mo Ku speak again.

Mo Ku looked at the teacup on the table. It was originally in the center of the square table, but now it had unknowingly moved back half a step towards him.

"You won this fight. The martial arts of Peach Blossom Island are indeed well-deserved of their reputation."

Feng Mofeng shook his head: "I used both the Orchid Finger and Falling Flower Divine Sword Palms at the same time, but I still couldn't force you to use the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms. I should be the one who lost."

However, Lady Mo's palm technique is infinitely varied and unpredictable, something I, Feng, have never seen before. I wonder what kind of martial art this is; I never imagined the Beggars' Sect possessed such a unique skill.

Mo smiled bitterly and said, "Losing is losing. What do you care whether I used the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms or not? My palm technique is called the Carefree Plum Blossom Hand. It was not passed down by the Beggar Clan, so it cannot be considered that the Northern Beggar's palm technique surpasses your Eastern Heretic lineage."

As I said before, if the teacup moves in my favor, it means I've lost. The matter of Peach Blossom Island expelling my Beggars' Sect branch is now considered closed. Actually, I'm saying this to put your minds at ease. Seventh Master didn't take that matter to heart at all; you just thought I came here for that reason.”

Feng Mofeng frowned: "Although this is our first meeting, I know that Miss Mo is upright and honest, not the kind of person who hides her face and harbors ulterior motives. Since you are not here for the matter of that year, I wonder why the young leader of the Beggars' Sect would suddenly come to Gushan."

Mo smiled bitterly: "I'll say it again, I'm here to watch the show, because there's going to be a good show here in Gushan soon. There's no need to say anything else until the time is right."

I can only promise you that this time it has absolutely nothing to do with the Beggars' Sect or my master. Brother Feng, are you satisfied?

Feng Mofeng took a deep breath. He instinctively felt that things were not simple, but he also believed that Mo Ku was telling the truth. However, an ominous premonition arose in his heart.

At this moment, Mo Ku no longer wanted to get entangled with Feng Mofeng. Instead, she turned to look at Huang Rong and the others who were still eavesdropping and smiled very kindly.

"You three have eaten and seen the show, how did you feel?"

Even though Mo Ku had just fought Feng Mofeng, Huang Rong still genuinely liked this older sister she was meeting for the first time. She was quick-witted and, although she didn't have much experience in the martial arts world, she could sense the older sister's kindness towards her.

This time, Huang Rong didn't bother with Feng Mofeng anymore and sat down next to him, staring at Mo Ku with her big eyes.

"Sister Mo, I've heard so much about your reputation. I think you are the most extraordinary woman in the world."

Mo Ku shook her head: "I would be satisfied if I could become the second most extraordinary woman in the world in this life. I dare not even think about becoming the first."

Huang Rong was a little puzzled: "If you're not the most extraordinary woman in the world, then who is?"

Mo Ku took out a pair of gold-threaded gloves from his bosom and handed them to Huang Rong, then patted her head.

"On our first meeting, I'd like to present you with a gift. These gloves are as soft as if they were made of nothing, yet they can withstand divine weapons. They are quite a rare item."

As for that extraordinary woman, her name is Hong Niangzi, the commander-in-chief of a hundred thousand-strong anti-Jin resistance army. You will definitely meet her in the future.”

The gold-threaded gloves were a treasure that Wu Chengyu found in the Ming Cult's secret passage weapon room. He gave them to A-Ku, and now A-Ku is using them as a gift for her sister-in-law. However, it is not yet time for them to acknowledge each other, or perhaps they will acknowledge each other in the future.

Huang Rong liked it very much, but she also knew that she couldn't just accept gifts from people. She turned to look at Feng Mofeng, but before Feng Mofeng could speak, she was stopped by A Ku's words.

"What, do you still think I have ulterior motives? The Northern Beggars' Sect would never do anything sordid. I have already given the gift, and I will never take it back."

Feng Mofeng had no choice but to nod to Huang Rong. Huang Rong smiled and thanked Mo Ku, then eagerly put the gloves on.

Mo Ku also extended his affection to the house because of her. Speaking of which, the current Wu Chengyu is completely different from his childhood self after his transformation. Back then, Wu Chengyu looked like his mother, Mu Qingyin, so he has a five-point resemblance to Huang Rong in front of him.

Mo Ku felt a surge of joy upon seeing Huang Rong's face, after all, she and Wu Chengyu had relied on each other since they were children. She patted Huang Rong's little head again.

“This shop is owned by my husband. You and your friends can come here anytime you want to eat something delicious. My husband won’t charge you any money, so just come and don’t be shy.”

(End of this chapter)