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

Chapter 541 Landing on the Island to Pay Respects
The sea breeze in March is gentle, easing the chill of winter, yet still carrying a faint salty smell, and tenderly unfurling the petals of a flower bud.

The peach blossoms on Peach Blossom Island bloom very early, as if summoned overnight, quietly unfolding, first a single blossom, then a cluster, then a whole expanse, and finally layer upon layer, spreading like a crimson mist, enveloping the entire island.

The delicate pink blossoms, when newly opened, fade to an almost pure white when in full bloom, dotted with tiny yellow stamens. A gentle breeze stirs the branches, and the flowers sway, reflecting a shimmering halo in the sunlight.

As the petals fall, they resemble clouds crushed by the wind, fluttering and gently kissing the ancient stone steps covered with moss, drifting into the babbling brook, swirling with the waves, and rushing towards the sea.

The next morning, before dawn, Wu Chengyu, along with Mo Ku and Guo Jing, boarded a small boat and sailed towards Peach Blossom Island.

Guo Jing had trained in Taihu Lake for many years. Originally a master of horsemanship and archery from the Mongolian grasslands, he was now quite adept at swimming. He single-handedly navigated a small boat from Gushan to Peach Blossom Island. The journey took nearly an hour, and even with his exceptional arm strength, he inevitably felt somewhat exhausted.

The two men on the boat were perhaps the strongest men in the world, yet neither of them was willing to help him share the burden. When the master is in trouble, the disciple should do his duty. Guo Jing's forehead was covered in sweat and his arms were sore, but he felt no resentment whatsoever.

Inside the small boat's cabin was a small square table with a pot of wine on it. Wu Chengyu and A Ku sat on either side of it. Wu Chengyu smiled and would sometimes look up towards Peach Blossom Island, and sometimes wipe his most recent favorite, the noisy suona.

He would occasionally pick up his wine glass and take a sip, while Mo Ku always smiled sweetly. She knew her brother's current state of mind and didn't say anything. However, every time Wu Chengyu put down his wine glass, she would immediately refill it.

As the sun rises higher over the sea, a touch of crimson appears in the distance, shimmering in the sunlight with golden hues, like a wisp of rouge cast upon the earth, quietly existing amidst the ebb and flow of the tides and the passing of time.

Ah Ku couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "This is Peach Blossom Island! It's so beautiful!" This girl wasn't very learned, and after joining the Beggars' Sect, she made even less progress. Now, she could only use the simplest words to describe what she saw before her.

Guo Jing, who was rowing the boat, could only nod. He was used to the wind and sand of the desert and couldn't say anything about it. Now, with such beautiful and vast overseas scenery, how could he possibly utter any words of praise?

Wu Chengyu slowly stood up, looking in the direction of Peach Blossom Island. There was no surprise in his eyes, even though it was his first time visiting Peach Blossom Island. His previous impressions were all memories left to him by Wu Mianfeng. But at this moment, he was no different from Wu Mianfeng, and his expression showed only reminiscence.

"Using flowers as a pen and the sea as ink, the flowers bloom as promised every year, and the fallen petals fall like rain every year. This is Peach Blossom Island."

After a stick of incense had burned, the small boat sailed to a small dock outside Peach Blossom Island. Several small boats were moored at the dock. Qu, Lu, and Feng from Gushan had already returned to Peach Blossom Island yesterday with the three little ones. They hadn't dared to disturb Huang Yaoshi before, but now they had to inform him in advance.

The six of them must be on high alert right now. As for Huang Yaoshi, given his arrogance, he probably wouldn't take that dull-witted boy seriously.

The three of them went up the island and saw a winding stream with countless petals floating on the water. Following the stream, the mountain became steeper and the peach grove became more lush. In the distance, through the peach grove, they could see a waterfall hanging like a silver chain over the bright red blossoms, which was the source of the stream.

To reach this waterfall, one must first pass through the world-famous Peach Blossom Formation. Huang Yaoshi was proficient in formations and calculations, and even from a distance, the Peach Blossom Formation was dazzling. If one did not know how to enter the formation, one would be trapped inside and unable to escape.

Mo Ku looked on with curiosity: "This is the Peach Blossom Formation of the Eastern Heretic. I have heard Seven Masters mention it before."

Wu Chengyu stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the peach blossom formation before him but not stepping inside: "What did Seventh Master say?"

"He said it sounded scary and made him dizzy. If it were him, he would just jump to the top of the peach tree and fly over. Huang Yaoshi is always good at pretending to be cultured."

After listening, Wu Chengyu laughed heartily: "This formation is actually quite intimidating. To put it bluntly, it's mostly just a smokescreen. Only mediocre people can actually stop it. Seventh Master has a magnanimous character. When he encountered these tree trunks, he simply went around them from the top of the tree. He was indeed decisive."

Ah Ku, if it were you, what would you do?

Ah Ku tilted his head and looked around: "I'll fly over there too. If I'm unhappy, I'll just cut down all these peach trees, or burn them all down."

Wu Chengyu nodded and said, "Array formations aren't that mysterious in this world, and using trees as an array is even more trivial. Your method of breaking it with brute force is the simplest and most direct way. Jing'er, what about you?"

Guo Jing scratched his head: "Master, I think Master's wife is right. If we encounter this kind of formation when leading troops into battle, we should lead two hundred archers, dip the arrows in oil, and fire three rounds of arrows. This formation will surely be broken."

Wu Chengyu knew that Guo Jing now, when faced with an enemy, was full of military tactics, and was much more mature than he was at the same time in the original novel.

But who can this Peach Blossom Formation stop? Those who can be stopped are not worthy of Huang Yaoshi's attention. Wasn't it here that the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan were killed one by one by Ouyang Feng? So the only use of this Peach Blossom Formation is to block some villains and to provide Huang Yaoshi with a platform for his own purposes.

“Brother, you lived on Peach Blossom Island back then, so you must know how to navigate this formation.”

"That would be pointless. Why should I follow the method Huang Yaoshi taught me to enter the formation? We're not here as guests today, at most we're unwelcome guests. Gentleness, kindness, respect, frugality and humility are unacceptable. Of course we should make some noise and charge straight in."

"Jing'er, you've diligently practiced the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill and reached the sixth level, and you also have the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms taught by your master's wife. Now, use your palm power to clear a path for me."

“Disciple obeys.” He handed the offerings he had brought from Gushan to Moku and immediately got into position.

Guo Jing now had a soldier's mindset, and with Wu Chengyu always emphasizing to his troops that obeying orders was a soldier's duty, he did not hesitate at all and immediately used the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms. With the move "Double Dragons Emerging from the Sea," he immediately broke a peach tree in front of him in half.

The great formation formed by the peach blossom forest is only thirty or forty meters away in a straight line. Guo Jing has mastered the essence of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, and his internal strength and arm strength are far beyond those of ordinary people. In terms of strength alone, no one in the top-tier class can rival him.

All that could be heard were the sounds of trees breaking or collapsing. In just half an incense stick's time, Guo Jing had cleared a straight path through the peach blossom formation.

Wu Chengyu and Mo Ku followed behind him. When they saw Guo Jing chopping down the last few trees, he was already out of breath, but they were secretly satisfied with the boy's solid skills.

After leaving the peach blossom maze, a dozen or so feet ahead, one could see a cluster of pavilions and towers, scattered among the peach blossoms in a pleasing and elegant manner. However, Wu Chengyu did not give them a second glance and turned to walk towards the southeast of the island.

Beyond a small hill in the center of the island, between the mountains, water, and beach, lies a small valley. Surprisingly, instead of peach blossoms, the valley is filled with patches of white or pale purple flowers, which are in full bloom and appear even more elegant against the backdrop of the bright red peach blossoms.

Wu Chengyu turned to Mo Ku and said, "These are all magnolias. They are a bit plain and their blooming period is short, but they are Aunt's favorite."

Upon entering the valley, Wu Chengyu's expression turned solemn. In the center of the valley stood a grave, which was clearly cleaned regularly, as there wasn't a single weed around it. An incense burner stood before the tombstone, with three sticks of incense rising slowly.

The words on the tombstone have faded somewhat. It reads "Tomb of my beloved wife, Huang Fengheng," and the inscription at the bottom reads "Erected by her husband, Huang Gu, with tears in his eyes."

Wu Chengyu raised an eyebrow. He kept calling him Huang Yaoshi, but forgot that Yaoshi was just a courtesy name. This guy's real name was Huang Gu, and he lived up to his name.

The three slowly approached the tombstone. Qu Lufeng and the three children were standing beside the grave. The six of them had solemn expressions and were covered in dew, indicating that they had been there for a long time.

Wu Chengyu ignored them and placed the offerings he had brought in front of the tombstone. He did not perform the kneeling ceremony, but knelt down on one knee and slowly stroked the tombstone with his palm, his voice trembling slightly.

“Auntie, Chengyu has come to see you. It’s been so many years since I last visited, but I’ve always missed you. I hope you won’t blame Chengyu.”

Since you've never liked meat, I didn't bring any sacrificial offerings. Here are some Suzhou-style silver thread rolls, osmanthus cakes, and crabapple cakes, as well as your favorite water chestnut soup—all flavors of home, which I imagine you haven't had in a long time.

After saying that, he pointed to Mo Ku and said, "This is my wife, named A Ku. If it weren't for her, I would have died on Gushan Beach long ago. So I promised her a lifetime of happiness and that I would never betray her. She is really a good person. She loves to laugh and eat, and she loves me very much."

Mo Ku bowed deeply to the tombstone, then knelt on one knee. She first lit an incense stick, then took out a gold ingot candle and placed it in the brazier next to the incense burner. She lit it with a tinderbox before revealing a sweet smile: "A-Ku greets Aunt."

Wu Chengyu continued, "I also have a wife named Yan Chunyu, who is also an extraordinary woman. She has great ambitions and is simply too busy to come see you. Please don't be offended, Aunt. I will bring her here in the future." Wu Chengyu then pointed to Guo Jing: "This is my silly disciple, named Guo Jing. He is a bit simple-minded, but I have high hopes for him. He will eventually become the greatest hero in the world."

From the moment Guo Jing first met Wu Chengyu, he heard his master always say that he was a great hero. At first, he was a little embarrassed, but now he is immune to it. However, he has indeed developed the ambition of a great hero in his heart, especially after Wu Chengyu often told him, "The greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people."

Little did he know that he was the original author of the quote, and that Wu Chengyu was plagiarizing it right in front of him.

Guo Jing was quite decisive; he knelt down and kowtowed three times to the tombstone.

Wu Chengyu smiled at Huang Rong, who was standing solemnly to the side and whose eyes were also red-rimmed: "Auntie, I've met my cousin Rong'er. She looks just like you, and also like my mother. She looks even more like me when I was a child. She has a clever and quirky personality. I've heard the elders of the Mu family say that you were like that when you were a child. That's wonderful."

After saying this, Wu Chengyu picked up a pot of osmanthus wine, poured half of it in front of Feng Heng's tombstone, and then drank the rest in one gulp.

“Aunt, I know you love that guy very much. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have died from exhaustion back then, and you don’t want me to fight with him.”

But there's nothing I can do. Now I'm the only one left from your family. Grandpa Deng, who looked after the graves at the Mu family cemetery, has also passed away. Since you've suffered this injustice, your family has to come no matter what, otherwise outsiders will think you have no family to rely on.”

After finishing his words and drinking the wine, Wu Chengyu smiled at the tombstone, while a long sigh came from behind him.

Of all those present, except for Wu Chengyu, no one knew when Huang Yaoshi had arrived. Wu Chengyu's expression changed again. He smiled brightly, his eyes were frighteningly bright, yet he exuded a coldness that kept people at a distance.

He slowly turned around and looked at the person who was extremely popular in The Legend of the Condor Heroes and was also the nightmare of his predecessor: "Uncle, it's been a long time."

Huang Yaoshi was still the same as in his predecessor's memories: with a refined appearance, a tall and slender figure, and a rugged yet upright demeanor, exuding an air of noble character.

In terms of appearance, he could be described as handsome and refined, with an extraordinary demeanor, like a solitary pine tree standing alone, serene and divine. His only flaw was that his face was slightly long and narrow, which made him seem even more unfathomable, as if he carried a hint of mockery.

Apart from that, he wore a blue cloth robe, a scholar's cap on his head, and no other ornaments on his body except for a jade flute in his hand.

Huang Yaoshi's gaze was sharp as lightning. While staring at Wu Chengyu, he unusually did not show a cold and arrogant expression, but the oppressive aura was still there, causing A-Ku and Guo Jing to lower their breathing. Unfortunately, this pressure was not enough for Wu Chengyu.

"This time, I came to Gushan and saw Rong'er for the first time after she grew up. I was actually relieved. Rong'er looks more like my aunt. If her face shape were like yours, like a horse's face, wouldn't it be inherently mocking and make her more annoying?"

Huang Yaoshi seemed oblivious to Wu Chengyu's sarcasm, instead scrutinizing the current Wu Chengyu with a hint of doubt in his eyes. The transformed Wu Chengyu was completely different from the child he had been, except that the corners of his eyes and eyebrows still bore some resemblance to his wife.

The child who followed Feng Heng to Peach Blossom Island back then always followed Feng Heng and would shed tears from time to time, which annoyed Huang Yaoshi.

Later, Huang Yaoshi discovered that Feng Heng's talent was as rotten as wood and he was beyond redemption. He couldn't be bothered with him anymore. If Feng Heng hadn't been a relative, he would have been driven out of Peach Blossom Island long ago.

The current Wu Chengyu is radiant and confident. Even after seeing me, he still stands tall and speaks sarcastically. He is nothing like the timid and dull boy he once was.

It turns out that a person can change so much. What has this kid been through all these years?
Qu Lingfeng's three disciples rushed back to the island last night, saying that this kid was coming to cause trouble, and that he was already a top master of the Microscopic Realm.

Huang Yaoshi scoffed at the idea of ​​causing trouble. He didn't believe in the concept of the "Subtle Realm" at all. He knew how difficult it was to reach that level. Apart from the Five Greats, there were only two or three others in the world, but it was definitely not a young man under thirty.

But when Huang Yaoshi saw Wu Chengyu again, he instinctively felt a threat from him. This kind of threat could only be felt from a master of the same level, and it was even somewhat like Wang Chongyang during the Mount Hua Sword Tournament.

Huang Yaoshi's eyes were strange. In an instant, he put his guess about Wu Chengyu out of his mind. He had just seen Wu Chengyu paying respects to his deceased wife, and he felt a little sad. Even now, he regretted what happened back then, but how could he admit it because of his personality?

“What happened back then was indeed inappropriate. You dared to rebuke me, showing no respect for your elders. A minor punishment is necessary as a warning. However, breaking your leg in front of your aunt is something I did wrong to her.”

The implication is that breaking Wu Chengyu's leg was justified, but not at Feng Heng's grave.

Wu Chengyu narrowed his eyes slightly, and couldn't help but curse in his heart, but he couldn't lose his composure in front of Huang Rong.

"I entered Peach Blossom Island when I was five years old and stayed here for ten years. Although it was because of my aunt, I did eat the food of Peach Blossom Island for five years and also learned the Azure Wave Palm Technique and the Azure Wave Heart Technique."

Without these two martial arts skills, I probably would have been kidnapped by human traffickers back in Gushan.

I'm a person who distinguishes right from wrong; what is right is right. In truth, I do owe Peach Blossom Island a favor, so I'm repaying your kindness with this leg. There's no need to mention this matter again; I'm not that petty.

I came here today not only to pay respects to my aunt, but also to seek justice from you as a member of her family.

Huang Yaoshi, let me ask you this: if it weren't for your obsession with the Nine Yin Manual back then, neglecting my pregnant aunt and forcing her to exhaust herself trying to recall the manual until she died, do you take responsibility for this?

"Ah!" Huang Rong, who was standing anxiously beside her, suddenly turned pale upon hearing this. She had never known that her mother's true cause of death was this; everyone had told her that Feng Heng had died in childbirth.

Huang Yaoshi turned to look at Huang Rong, and his expression immediately turned ugly. He had kept it a secret all these years and was prepared to keep it a secret forever, but he did not expect that Wu Chengyu would forcibly expose this scar today.

"It's pointless to say more. You are indeed part of my family and have the right to seek justice from me. But if you're not capable enough, I'll kill you."

I don't want to fight you in front of Heng'er. Let's find another place.

As soon as he finished speaking, Huang Yaoshi's figure disappeared, and Wu Chengyu's figure also vanished in a flash. The three brothers Qu, Lu, and Feng, along with the three little ones, as well as A-Ku and Guo Jing, hurriedly followed their disappearing figures.

In the garden at the center of Peach Blossom Island, there is a pavilion in the northwest corner. On the pavilion is a couplet: "Peach blossoms cast shadows as divine swords fly; the blue sea rises as jade flutes play."

Huang Yaoshi, dressed in green, suddenly appeared in the pavilion, still with the demeanor of a hermit master. His eyes were half-closed, his face was calm, and he placed the jade flute in front of his mouth.

The unique skill of Peach Blossom Island, the melody of the rising tide of the blue sea.

Its first sound was clear and melodious, like a silver hook under the moon, and gentle as if a breeze was blowing across the tranquil sea, stirring up tiny ripples.

Then it gradually grew stronger, the flute sound sometimes like an undercurrent, sometimes like waves crashing on the shore, layer upon layer, stretching on and on.

Sometimes it flows like a distant tide, calling forth an ancient rhythm; other times it is like a turbulent undercurrent, carrying an overwhelming force.

The listener feels as if they are on a vast ocean, their mind rising and falling with it. Unconsciously, they are drawn in by the endless rhythm, as if they want to rise and fall with the surging tide, breathe together, until their heart is surging and they can hardly control themselves.

The music subtly conceals profound inner power, blending the real and the illusory, with deadly intent hidden beneath the magnificent beauty of raging waves.

(End of this chapter)