The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 155 The Gathering of Three Masters, A Grand Ceremony in the Martial World

Hong Qigong said that Zhongdu was facing war and was worried about the Beggars' Sect disciples.

Zhou Yan had actually guessed the other party's deeper purpose.

The concern was that Beggars' Sect disciples might break the rules with their martial arts. Given the size of Zhongdu City, the Beggars' Sect could easily have several hundred disciples, if not thousands. In the past, with the sect rules in place, there would have been no need to worry.

But now, with the Mongol army about to besiege the city, officials and wealthy households in Zhongdu are fleeing in panic. Zhou Yan himself is considering taking advantage of the opportunity to strike at Changfeng.

In the past, Beggars' Sect disciples often harbored minor grudges and grievances with each other, whether fellow disciples or outsiders. Once order collapsed, it was inevitable that personal vendettas would be settled out of necessity. This could even amplify desires suppressed by the sect rules, such as lust for power, killing, and money.

In Zhou Yan's eyes, Hong Qigong's management of the Beggars' Sect was far from successful. The dispute over clean and dirty clothes had already caused the Nine-Fingered Beggar a lot of headaches. However, Zhou Yan didn't think it was possible that Hong Qigong was unaware that the Beggars' Sect was a mixed bag. Therefore, Hong Qigong's appearance in Zhongdu was essentially out of concern that there would be disciples with ulterior motives who would not only ruin the Beggars' Sect's reputation but also harm innocent people.

Perhaps in the world of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, Hong Qigong passed on the Dog-Beating Staff Technique to Huang Rong early on, allowing her to inherit his mantle. This was also related to Huang Rong's intelligence, resourcefulness, and ability to manage the Beggars' Clan well, as well as her ability to uphold principles while not being bound by trivialities.

As Zhou Yan's thoughts returned, Hong Qigong said, "When you entered the city, a little beggar told me the news, and the old beggar rushed over. But who knew you were as slow as a snail."

"Sorry to keep you waiting, senior. Let me get you some wine."

"The old beggar's gourd is full of wine."

"This junior is empty-headed."

Zhou Yan took down the giant ox-horn bow and unsheathed the Green Edge Sword.

"Please wait a moment, senior. I'll bring more wine. After all, you'll be staying in Zhongdu for a while, so you'll be more relaxed with some wine."

“You understand me, kid.” Hong Qigong laughed heartily.

Zhou Yan opened the door and hurried straight to "Songhelou".

The most prestigious restaurants in Zhongdu are still open, but they have hired several martial arts instructors as a precaution.

The shopkeeper knew Zhou Yan. He ordered more than ten jars of strong liquor, several meat and vegetable dishes, paid the money, and had the waiter deliver them to the courtyard.

……

The winter sunlight, after filtering through the branches of the old trees, is divided into countless strands.

Zhou Yan and Hong Qigong sat facing each other on a stone bench, exchanging toasts.

"What is your current level in the Dragon Subduing Palm Technique?"

"How about you give me a test, senior?"

"Haha, let's see how many moves you can withstand from that old poisoner."

Hong Qigong finished the chicken leg in his hand in a few bites, then picked up the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

Zhou Yan also drank the strong liquor down his throat, letting a burning sensation ignite in his stomach.

He stood up and stood still, his palm powerful and his spirit strong. When Hong Qigong approached, he unleashed a palm strike, "The Dragon Regrets," which struck him like a tidal wave.

"Further improvement, not bad." Hong Qigong, without using his full strength, countered with the "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms."

The two palms struck each other with a loud "bang," and dust billowed everywhere. In an instant, Hong Qigong felt four streams of internal energy surging towards him like the Yangtze River in waves, each one stronger than the last.

"My internal energy has become much purer and more profound, and my ability to apply force has also improved, but not as much as the increase from internal skill."

Zhou Yan was not surprised by Hong Qigong's words. After the battle on the long street during the Lantern Festival, Hong Qigong went to the courtyard and tested this move. Compared to then, the method of using force in the "Kanglong Youhui" move had not improved much.

"Thank you, senior, for reminding me."

Zhou Yan lowered his body and changed his palm technique to "Double Dragons Taking Water" from the "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms". His right palm retreated from front to back, drawing Hong Qigong's palm force, while his left palm came out along his ribs and struck the opponent's chest.

This move is called "Double Dragons Taking Water," and the attack can be divided into two. In Zhou Yan's hands, it has become a move that combines offense and defense.

Hong Qigong suddenly felt that Zhou Yan's right palm force was like "a sudden rain and light thunder opening a road, and the stars and the Big Dipper turning in the north," and suddenly he transferred his palm force outward.

"Kid, this skill is amazing, how did you master it?"

"After battling the torrents in the valley for several days, I suddenly realized the power of borrowing force to strike back, using four ounces to move a thousand pounds."

"Wonderful!" Hong Qigong's interest instantly surged like wine.

"Anything else?" "First accumulate, then unleash, with the force of a mountain collapsing." As Zhou Yan finished speaking, he gathered his strength from the outside in with his limbs, using the "combined force" to unleash the most kingly move in the Dragon Subduing Palm technique, "Riding the Six Dragons."

When Zhou Yan returned from his escort mission, the courtyard was covered in dust and he hadn't even had time to clean it.

As the two clashed, dust billowed in the air. The dust was swept up by the palm wind and gathered together, resembling a dragon roaring towards Hong Qigong.

Hong Qigong was beaming with pride. After just two moves, he had a thorough understanding of Zhou Yan's internal strength and could easily withstand several moves from Ouyang Feng. He believed that if he himself possessed the same skill level and had practiced the Dragon Subduing Palm Technique for the same amount of time, he would be at a disadvantage against Zhou Yan in this match.

the student surpasses the master.

Hong Qigong immediately put his understanding of the "Riding the Six Dragons" method of internal and external strength into practice and fought against Zhou Yan.

"Oh!"

The two figures separated and then clashed head-on. Zhou Yan unleashed a continuous stream of moves, including "Shocking the Hundred Miles," "Flying Dragon in the Sky," and "Dense Clouds Without Rain."

"With a powerful stride, one can devour wolves and tigers; with every step, one can till the land."

"The explosive force is like drawing a bow; it springs back upon contact with anything."

……

Suddenly, Hong Qigong's palm strikes quickened, and Zhou Yan turned his back and slashed horizontally with his other hand.

"Twisting and wrapping, its momentum is like a spiral."

"bang"

The ground beneath Zhou Yan's feet cracked amidst the dust. He took a palm strike to his hips and waist from Hong Qigong, but Hong Qigong was pulled by the "twisting force" of the "Dragon's Tail Swing," causing his body to spin halfway around like a top.

"That's great, that's great!" Hong Qigong laughed three times, picked up his wine gourd, and began to gulp down the wine.

As the smell of alcohol dissipated into the air, Hong Qigong said, "Back then, when I taught you the Fourteen Palms at the Lin'an Imperial Palace, I only told you the formulas, methods, and moves. I never expected that in just half a year, you would have grasped the various ways of using force, such as 'collapse force,' which I only grasped in my middle age. You've got potential, kid. Come here and listen to my understanding of the force used in each palm technique."

This is what it means to be taught by a master. He does not deny Zhou Yan's inherent understanding of the "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms," but guides him in the right direction to form Zhou Yan's unique martial arts style.

Zhou Yan was overjoyed: "Thank you, senior."

"That's great! Life is short, so enjoy it while you can. The Dragon Subduing Palm technique has a legacy to pass down." Hong Qigong hugged his gourd and drank wildly again.

"laugh"

Suddenly, a ripple of air appeared straight up, and Hong Qigong's figure soared two zhang into the sky like a flying dragon, standing on the branch of the old tree.

Zhou Yan followed the sound and saw a scholar in blue robes standing on a high rooftop with his hands behind his back. He was slender and graceful, with an elegant and refined demeanor, and a serene and divine air.

The Eastern Heretic? Zhou Yan had met him twice, but Huang Yaoshi had always worn a mask. Now that he had seen the real person, he couldn't help but exclaim, "What a great demeanor and appearance!"

"Seventh Brother, it's been a long time. How about we find a place to have a few drinks?"

"Wonderful, wonderful!"

The branches beneath Hong Qigong's feet swayed slightly, and his figure moved like a dragon soaring through the sky, suddenly disappearing into the distance with Huang Yaoshi.

Why would Zhou Yan be angry that Huang Yaoshi's appearance ruined Hong Qigong's explanation of the application of force in the Dragon Subduing Palm technique?

He sat down on the stone bench, picked up his wine bowl, and pondered as he drank. It must be Huang Yaoshi looking for Huang Rong. With his intelligence, the Eastern Heretic knew that as long as he guarded Hou Tonghai, he would definitely meet Huang Rong, which was why he came to Zhongdu.

Wang Chongyang died young, and three of the four greatest martial arts masters in the world today have emerged.

A grand celebration for the martial arts world!

Zhou Yan drank the wine in his bowl in one gulp, then leaped onto the weapon rack. Taking advantage of the alcohol, he began to practice the Quanzhen Sword Technique. Only when the sun had set in the west did he sheathe his sword and clean the courtyard inside and out.

Smoke curled from the stove as Zhou Yan steamed hot food to fill his stomach, then regulated his breathing and circulated his qi to temper his Yang Wei meridian.

Mu Yun was overwhelmed with coldness, and Yin Han turned the jade plate silently.

Zhou Yan finished his training and prepared lime, iron rings, and iron wrist guards for his nighttime infiltration of Prince Zhao's residence.

(End of this chapter)