The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 16 The Ruthlessness of the Western Poison, the Madness of the Eastern Heretic

The crescent moon is as thin as an eyebrow, and the stars are as numerous as beans.

Hong Qigong said, "The essence of the 'Regretful Dragon' palm technique lies not in the word 'overpowering' but in the word 'regret.' If you only seek fierceness and ruthlessness, and are overly excited and aggressive, anyone with a few hundred pounds of brute strength can use it. 'Regretful Dragon, fullness cannot last long,' therefore, every attack must be followed by a retreat. Do you understand, boy?"
"It's more than enough."

"The kid is smart."

"The original name of 'Dragon Swings Its Tail' was 'Treading on Tiger's Tail,' which is like attacking a tiger's back. If you step on a tiger's tail, the tiger will turn around and bite back, which is naturally extremely fierce and vicious."

"Is the essence of this move simply 'setting up'? He may be ruthless and vicious, but I have enough true energy."

Hong Qigong paused in his action of drinking from the gourd, then clicked his tongue in admiration: "You're quite clever, kid. This explanation is unusual, but it hits the nail on the head."

The Nine-Fingered Beggar had originally intended for Zhou Yan to demonstrate the moves so he could offer some guidance, but after hearing Zhou Yan's suggestion, he felt it was unnecessary and asked, "Have you memorized the moves?"

"remember."

"Alright." Hong Qigong began to explain the method of internal energy manifesting externally, and the way to launch and withdraw attacks. Zhou Yan memorized the key points of the two moves without missing a single word in less than half an hour, and grasped their meaning.

Hong Qigong muttered to himself, "This kid has an exceptional aptitude; he's definitely a good candidate for martial arts."

He wanted to remind Zhou Yan not to pass on his martial arts techniques when he traveled the world, but considering the other's cautious nature, he felt that he was overthinking it and urged him, "Practice on your own. Perhaps we will meet again a year later at the Mountain God Temple on the outskirts of Datong Prefecture, when you and the girl have agreed to a sword duel. Then we can see how well these two palms are done."

"Okay!" Zhou Yan nodded with a smile, cleared the table, went back to the kitchen and put the snake soup, rabbit brains and other dishes into a steamer, heated it up and steamed them until they were piping hot, and then arranged them all on the table.

The lanterns were lit under the eaves. As Zhou Yan poured the green ant wine, Hong Qigong said, "Take a sip of this beggar's strong liquor."

"Okay!"

Hong Qigong took the wine gourd and poured it into the porcelain bowl with a gurgling sound.

"I respectfully bow to you, senior."

"Kid, do you know who the beggar is?"

Zhou Yan nodded: "I've guessed it."

Hong Qigong thought to himself that among all the heroes in the world, those who knew the name of a beggar would either be terrified, flatter him, or show him excessive respect. Only this kid remained calm and composed, and even asked me why I didn't kill Liang Ziweng. This kind of composure was beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Hong Qigong didn't ask Zhou Yan how he guessed it, and the two drank together.

Zhou Yan felt a mouthful of strong liquor go down his throat, and the liquor burned like a line of fire from his throat to his stomach.

He couldn't help but cough twice.

Hong Qigong laughed heartily. He had no regard for his appearance while eating. His wine gourd was placed on the table, and he held a rabbit head in his left hand and a bowl of snake soup in his right. In his hearty laughter, he said, "Do you think Liang Ziweng deserves to die?"

Bringing up the old topic again, Zhou Yan said, "When you punished the other party, you must have also protected those female victims, right?"

“That’s right, I had Old Monster send those women back. Leave them some money.”

"Such a settlement seems like a good outcome, but for those women, the shame is indelible. It's predictable that those with strong personalities would take their own lives." Zhou Yan held his wine bowl with both hands, took a sip, and continued, "I just feel that a martial artist's temperament is like a knife. If this knife is too sharp, one will use it to break the law and lose oneself, indulging in the thrill of killing. But this knife cannot be too dull either, otherwise one will hesitate and lose the bloodthirstiness of a common man who can spill blood in a fit of rage."

Zhou Yan smiled sincerely, “My status in the martial world is low, unlike yours, and I don’t have as many considerations for reputation. If I were in such a situation, I would submit to Liang Ziweng, not out of virtue, but because he is powerless and wouldn’t suffer a loss. Even if he stops using women to replenish his yin energy, given his character, he will still use other methods to bully men and women, rob and commit evil. If I were to spare his life, how many innocent people would suffer because of my compassion? It would be better to kill him.”

Hong Qigong felt a pang of emotion, but he chuckled and scolded, "You little brat, what do you even know about chivalry and benevolence?" Zhou Yan laughed and said, "I admire Li Bai's words, 'Killing one man in ten steps, leaving no trace for a thousand miles. After the deed is done, I dust off my clothes and disappear, concealing my identity and name.' These are the principles of chivalry. 'Even in death, the fragrance of chivalry lingers, worthy of the world's heroes.' Who cares what others say?"

Hong Qigong laughed heartily: "You little rascal have the arrogance of Huang Yaoshi and the ruthlessness of the old poison master."

"Senior, are you referring to the Eastern Heretic and the Western Poison?"

"Hmm, I think you and Huang Yaoshi could be good friends despite your age difference."

Zhou Yan smiled slightly, avoiding the topic.

Hong Qigong ate and drank to his heart's content, and spoke eloquently: "Those bodyguards talked about swords and spears, conveying the meaning but not the form. The beggar is interested, so he talked about his insights on fist and palm techniques. You will gradually understand and integrate them in the future."

"Thank you, senior."

"No need for formalities. In martial arts, besides the method of using force, the key to mastering the true essence of the Three Flames lies in the lower body and eyesight. The feet may appear to be running like the wind, but in reality, the center of gravity is firmly rooted."

Zhou Yan thought to himself, "Isn't this just like 'two doors in the hands, one root under the feet'?"

Hong Qigong explained in detail: "If your footwork is not impressive, no matter how fancy your handwork is, you will still get beaten up. That would be embarrassing. So, the more agile your handwork is, the more stable your lower body must be."

"As steady as a pine tree, as swift as a gust of wind."

"No wonder those bodyguards praised you for your pleasant speech and quick wit; that's a brilliant summary." Hong Qigong, completely oblivious to the fact that eavesdropping on Zhou Yan and Hu Yanlei's conversation was ungentlemanly, continued animatedly, "Your movements are so elusive that they can't be caught, so next comes the hand techniques. Eyes and hands must move in unison, fists and palms like two doors. And then there's the freedom from rigid forms. Like when you use the 'Begging for Food with a Bowl' move from the Free and Easy Fist to attack your opponent's lower body, while someone else uses a very ordinary 'Splitting Fist' or even..."

Hong Qigong raised his fingers together and struck out with lightning speed, making a few jabs in the air, the wind whistling through the air. "Even moves like gouging out eyes, locking throats, and stabbing waists can be easily countered. But if you are quick-witted and know how to adapt, and if you are three minutes slow after 'Begging for Food by Knocking on a Bowl' strikes, the opponent's move will miss."

"Anyone can practice martial arts, but only a handful can reach the pinnacle. These are the geniuses who, early on, grasp the true essence of martial arts without being bound by rigid forms. Understand this well."

"Thank you for your guidance, senior."

From Hu Yanlei and Wang Kui to Hong Qigong, Zhou Yan felt genuine gratitude.

Mediocre teachers teach the form, good teachers teach the meaning.

The words of Hong Qigong and others subtly shattered their own preconceived notions. Every word was priceless, a golden rule.

A gentle breeze carries the bright moon; the night is deep and desolate.

Only scraps of food remained on the table.

Hong Qigong burped contentedly and said, "Young man, thank you for the hospitality. I'm full and satisfied. Time for the beggar to go."

"Senior, you still come when you have free time."

"It depends on fate!"

When Hong Qigong uttered the word "see," he was still inside the courtyard; when he uttered the word "separate," he was already in the darkness of Zhongdu. The Nine-Fingered Beggar, carrying a vermilion lacquered wine gourd, walked under the moonlight, muttering to himself, "Was I truly wrong not to kill Liang Ziweng?"

"Ah, with eyes gleaming and heart empty, a bowl of wine, drifting aimlessly, it's hard to turn back."

"Thirty years as cattle and horses for all living beings, sixty years as Buddhas and dragons, that kid will surely become an outstanding person in the future."

(End of this chapter)