The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 234 One Finger Flick Breaks Iron Palm, Water Floating
A voice called out, "Wait a minute!" and everyone looked in the direction of the sound.

A tall, thin man in a blue robe, his face hidden by a mask, slowly walked through the woods. Accompanying him was another man with a slight beard, rough hands and feet, his clothes patched all over, carrying a green bamboo staff that shone like jade, and a large vermilion gourd on his back.

Some of them were martial arts practitioners who knew Hong Qigong.

"It's Chief Hong."

"Chief Hong has arrived."

Hong Qigong laughed heartily, "This old beggar greets all heroes."

"You're too kind, Chief Hong."

The atmosphere was lively, but Huang Yaoshi, the Eastern Heretic, was left out.

With the Northern Beggar and the Eastern Heretic appearing, how could the Western Poison Ouyang Feng lag behind? He laughed loudly and said, "Seventh Brother, it's been a long time. Brother Yao, we meet again."

Hong Qigong glanced at the snake staff in Ouyang Feng's hand and laughed, "It has indeed been a long time. This snake is quite ferocious."

"I'm just keeping it for fun. Please excuse my poor behavior, Seventh Brother."

Zhou Yan smiled. Hong Qigong had said that the two spirit snakes on Ouyang Feng's snake staff were ferocious, but he was actually telling himself to be wary of the staff if he encountered Ouyang Feng again. In the world of Legend of the Condor Heroes, Hong Qigong had been injured by the spirit snakes and almost lost his life.

He stepped forward and said, "Greetings, Master Qi and Master Huang."

Hong Qigong waved his hand, "No need for formalities."

Huang Yaoshi nodded in response.

With just a few words, the words of the Eastern Heretic, Western Poison, and Northern Beggar caused a buzz of noise among the hundreds of people outside the arena. Some of them were martial arts practitioners who had only heard of their names but had never seen them in person.

How fortunate it is to have the opportunity to meet a legendary master in the martial arts world, whose skills have reached a state of perfection and are rarely seen.

The ascetic monk, Ku Cheng, clasped his hands together in prayer. The feud between Shaolin Temple and Vajra Gate had unexpectedly attracted the likes of Hong Qigong and Huang Yaoshi, which was truly beyond expectation.

During that moment, Ouyang Feng asked, "Seventh Brother and Brother Yao, why are you here? Surely you're not here to help this kid again."

Huang Yaoshi had his own intention to help. Zhou Yan had obtained the "Martial Arts Manual" from Iron Palm Mountain at great risk; otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to show his face.

But since Ouyang Feng asked him this, he was naturally arrogant and didn't want to directly challenge Qiu Qianren to a duel.

Hong Qigong knew Huang Yaoshi was a maverick, arrogant and easily provoked. He preemptively said, "Chief Qiu, you are also a well-known figure. Don't use your superior status to bully the inferior."

"Chief Hong is going to stand up for this kid."

Ouyang Feng laughed heartily, "Chief Qiu misunderstands. How could Chief Hong use his power to suppress the weak?"

"Brother Feng, you're using my words to shut up this old beggar."

“My words were inappropriate, Seventh Brother, please forgive me. Brother Qiu and Seventh Brother are equally renowned, so it cannot be considered an abuse of power.” Ouyang Feng changed the subject and said to Qiu Qianren, “How about this, revenge is a matter of course, but Brother Qiu, don’t let yourself be accused of abusing power. You fight this kid, and the outcome will be decided in a hundred moves. If this kid can withstand a hundred moves, we will not mention the past today and let him have his way. What do you say?”

Qiu Qianren knew perfectly well that Ouyang Feng was helping him. Recalling Zhou Yan's skill in the battle at Xiangyang Wharf, he estimated that if he went all out, he could easily defeat Zhou Yan in a hundred moves. So he said, "Alright!"

"Seventh Brother, what's your opinion?"

“Okay!” Zhou Yan suddenly said.

Hong Qigong originally thought that about fifty moves would be enough. But when Zhou Yan said that, knowing Zhou Yan's character, he said, "Brother Feng, what a good idea."

Ouyang Feng laughed and thought to himself that Qiu Qianren had killed that kid within a hundred moves, and the old beggar would probably hold a grudge against him. But once he mastered the Nine Yin Manual, why would he be afraid of him?

At this moment, Zhou Yan said to Zhang Sanqiang, "Chief Qiu sought revenge against me first. How about you watch the battle, senior?"

"Okay!"

Zhang Sanqiang didn't even acknowledge Hong Qigong and Huang Yaoshi. He picked up his spear, retreated, and stood alone, spanning several meters.

Qiu Qianren breathed a sigh of relief, feeling much more relaxed. The man wielding the spear was very arrogant, and his skill in shifting and deflecting force was superb. If they were to fight fiercely and then clash with Zhou Yan, he would not gain the upper hand. If he were to fight that kid for over a hundred moves, his reputation would be ruined.

Conversely, without any worries, a quick victory can be achieved within fifty-six moves, and then fighting the spear-wielding man again will not consume much of one's energy.

"Boy, draw your gun." Qiu Qianren swayed and appeared in the arena, hands behind his back, exuding extraordinary presence.

Zhou Yan smiled slightly and tossed the Xuan Tie Heavy Spear to Liang Xiaowu.

"I will use my three-foot-long sword to experience Chief Qiu's Iron Palm."

Qiu Qianren thought to himself that this kid was cunning. He knew that Qiu Qianren's lightness skill was superb and his iron palm was invincible. Once Qiu Qianren broke the advantage of his spear's length, he would be constrained and would turn to his sword. He just didn't know how good Qiu Qianren's swordsmanship was. With that thought in mind, he said, "Draw your sword."

Lu Beihe, who was watching from the sidelines, felt much more at ease. He clearly remembered what Hu Yanlei had said when they were in the Chaya Mountain stronghold: Zhou Yan's fist and foot skills were the best, his swordsmanship was second best, and his spear skills were last best.

Using a sword to fight an enemy, one can withstand a hundred moves and even more foresight.

The young master of Zhenwei Escort Agency underestimated Zhou Yan's swordsmanship. Since practicing the Ancient Tomb Lightness Skill, Jade Maiden Sword Technique, and Hengshan Sword Technique, Zhou Yan's swordsmanship is now no less than his fist and foot skills.

Zhou Yan tempered his meridians at Shaolin Temple, which greatly increased his internal energy flow compared to before. The more meridians he tempered and opened, the more powerful his internal energy became.

Qiu Qianren drew his sword, and Zhou Yan moved swiftly. A clear sword light suddenly shone, like a flash of lightning that suddenly appeared and disappeared in the dark rainy night.

The Qingfeng Sword, obtained from the Sword Tomb of Dugu Qiubai, is a formidable weapon. Its sword light is clear and bright, and the onlookers felt their vision filled with its clear and cold light before they heard a loud sword cry.

Lu Beihe was incredulous, muttering to himself, "Chief Escort, how has Brother Zhou's swordsmanship improved so much?"

"I haven't seen Brother Zhou wield a sword in a long time; it's truly astonishing."

As the two exchanged words, Zhou Yan pointed his longsword diagonally, the tip of the sword splitting into flowers, and he actually stabbed three times in succession.

Hong Qigong said to Huang Yaoshi, "Brother Yao, this is the Quanzhen Swordplay's 'One Sword Transforms into Three Pure Ones,' which Brother Chongyang used during the Mount Hua Sword Tournament." Huang Yaoshi nodded, "It has some of Brother Chongyang's style."

Ouyang Feng said, "Indeed!"

Suddenly, the three swords transformed into seven, then into fourteen, then into twenty-one, as if hundreds of swords had formed this incredible arrangement in an instant. The clear sword light was hazy, emitting a piercing sound of tearing silk, as if it were about to cut Qiu Qianren into pieces.

"Seventh Brother, Brother Yao, Brother Chongyang doesn't know this trick." Ouyang Feng smiled sinisterly.

A moment later, Hong Qigong nodded, “Indeed, heroes emerge from among the young.”

“That’s right, my nephew is also a promising young man,” Huang Yaoshi said.

Ouyang Feng had a grudge against the Quanzhen Sect and originally intended to ridicule Wang Chongyang, but unexpectedly he made a fool of himself.

The head monks of the Arhat Hall and Bodhidharma Hall at Shaolin Temple, Tianxin and Tianming, were quite surprised. They couldn't help but think that Zhou's swordsmanship was even more fantastical than the abbot's "Thousand-Hand Tathagata Palm".

Not only the two of them, but all the onlookers were shocked. They thought Zhou Yan's spear skills were superb and rarely seen, but his swordsmanship seemed even more superb.

Upon seeing this, Qiu Qianren's heart tightened. He dared not be negligent and used his inner strength to urge his sleeves like iron fans, stirring up unparalleled energy like howling waves. His palms were hidden between his sleeves, and as soon as the palm force was released, it was unmatched in strength, like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami surging back, each move more ruthless than the last.

With less of the hard clashes between fists and feet, and with the sharpness of the Qingfeng sword, Qiu Qianren was more cautious, greatly reducing Zhou Yan's pressure. He unleashed the Jade Maiden Sword Technique, the Quanzhen Sword Technique, and the Five Divine Swords of Hengshan in an endless stream. His swordplay was sometimes solemn and sometimes light and agile, with the intent continuing even after the moves were broken. It was truly elegant, graceful, and unrestrained.

However, during the short time it took to eat a meal, Zhou Yan, relying on his swordsmanship and the lightness skill of the Ancient Tomb Sect, actually exchanged ninety moves with Qiu Qianren.

Ouyang Feng said, "Brother Qiu, there are ten more moves until we reach a hundred."

Qiu Qianren became fierce, his body suddenly spinning around, the energy he carried surging and churning into howling vortexes, creating an astonishing spectacle. The thirteen ultimate techniques of Iron Palm Kung Fu, such as "Yin Yang Returns to One," "Palm Without Cutting Blood," and "One Pillar Supporting the Sky," rained down on Zhou Yan like a collapsing mountain and a tsunami.

He gave it his all, sparing no effort, which made the air around them exceptionally hot.

Hong Qigong and Huang Yaoshi's expressions immediately turned serious.

Zhou Yan felt as if the air had become viscous, as if it carried a thousand pounds of force. With a clang, the Qingfeng Sword pierced the bluestone ground, and the moves of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, such as "The Dragon Regrets" and "Shocks a Hundred Miles," clashed against each other.

The dust kicked up inside the venue was thrown outwards in a rolling motion, shaking the surrounding area, and the air seemed to roar like thunder.

"Ninety-nine moves."

Ouyang Feng shouted, and Qiu Qianren, who was already familiar with Zhou Yan's "Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms", used the killing move "Five Peaks Facing the Sun", with a fan-shaped palm force enveloping Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan responded with "Riding the Six Dragons," and the two mighty palm forces collided suddenly. With a loud "bang," an arc of energy spread out from the two palms.

Zhou Yan retreated swiftly, with Qiu Qianren following closely behind.

"Master Zhou, be careful!"

"This is bad." Hong Qigong's expression changed drastically.

Zhang Sanqiang's spear began to vibrate and hum.

Suddenly, Zhou Yan flicked out a finger.

With a whoosh, a burst of energy pierced the air and headed straight for Qiu Qianren's face.

(End of this chapter)