The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 276 Li Mochou Leaves the Pass for Jiangnan
"Say it again?" Yuan Foshou put his raised foot down and turned to look at Baicao Xianweng.

"It's the Beggars' Sect leader, Hong Qigong. This is a long story, let me tell you in detail."

Yuan Foshou suddenly laughed, "A diversionary tactic, a delaying tactic. Now you're dragging things out, are you waiting for these two to finish healing before you come to rescue you?"

The Herbalist secretly groaned, but forced himself to remain calm and said, "Who in this world would dare to use Chief Hong's name to swindle and deceive?"

Yuan Foshou was suspicious, thinking to himself that if the old man said so, it was probably true. Could it be that I had to release the old man and apologize to Hong Qigong? Judging from the scene, Hong Qigong was clearly seriously injured, so what was there to fear? He could kill him cleanly, destroy the evidence, and leave no trace.

Yuan Foshou thought this through, his eyes darted around, and he burst into laughter. “I think you’re just trying to fool me with Chief Hong. What kind of person is Chief Hong? Why would he need your help? And who in this world could possibly hurt him? I’ll verify his identity now. Protector Zhong, take these two down.”

The Five Poisons Sect protector grinned maliciously and lunged at Zhou Yan. Under the moonlight, a green shadow suddenly appeared and stabbed towards him. Protector Zhong slashed with his left palm, trying to shake off the long bamboo stick with one blow.

Zhou Yan used the "sealing" technique from the "Dog-Beating Stick Method," without attacking the opponent. A long bamboo stick transformed into a green wall, blocking the entrance.

No matter how Zhong changed his moves, they all missed. He would lean forward and suddenly the bamboo stick would strike his vital points. Despite his repeated attacks, he was forced back each time.

With a resounding clang, the longsword rang out as the enraged Protector Zhong drew his blade and slashed down. Zhou Yan swiftly withdrew his long bamboo staff and met the attack head-on. The protector returned the blow, and in a flash, the two exchanged blows and thrusts several times. Zhou Yan then used the "Guiding" technique of his "Dog-Beating Staff Method" to deflect the longsword, moving it east and west with the staff.

"What kind of evil magic is this?" Protector Zhong shouted.

"This is the Beggars' Sect's Dog-Beating Stick Technique." With a swish, the long bamboo stick was retracted, and Zhou Yan stood up. Facing him, Hong Qigong also withdrew his palm and opened his eyes.

The Herbalist Elder breathed a sigh of relief and laughed loudly, "I told you it was Old Man Hong Qigong, now you believe me, right?"

Yuan Foshou shouted and retreated swiftly, reaching his right hand into the deerskin pouch at his waist.

"Young friend, be careful!" the Herbalist shouted.

Zhou Yan swayed and led Hong Qigong to dodge to the side of the bamboo house window. But the sound of "hissing" filled their ears. Countless silver needles as thin as cow hair attacked. Five Poisons Sect members who fell to the ground had needles in their faces, and their skin turned black in an instant.

Yuan Foshou threw out a poisoned needle and, without wasting any time, turned and ran wildly, with Protector Zhong in close pursuit.

Hong Qigong's figure flashed and he appeared at the entrance of the bamboo hut. The cultist who had controlled the Hundred Herbs Immortal said in a fierce but cowardly tone, "Don't come any closer!"

"Swoosh!" Bamboo shavings flew off the bamboo wall as the Qingfeng Sword pierced through it and sank into the side of the neck of the Five Poisons Sect member who was holding a long knife to the neck of the Hundred Herbs Immortal.

Zhou Yan drew his sword, and his figure flew out of the window like a large bird. What came into view were more than twenty disciples of the Five Poisons Sect.

His figure swayed from side to side, his clear sword light swift and fierce, swirling like lightning. The Hundred Herbs Immortal could only see Zhou Yan draw his sword again and again, but he never heard the sound of metal clashing. With each flash of the sword light, a member of the Five Poisons Sect would scream and fall to the ground.

In less than ten breaths, the sword light faded, and the two cultists who were last struck by the sword fell to the ground several feet apart, but it was difficult to tell who was who.

"How's the old fisherman?" Zhou Yan asked hastily.

The Herbalist said, "He was first shot by a poisoned needle, and then struck by a poisoned palm. The pills he took can slow the spread of the poison, and I can save him."

The old fisherman was thrown not far away. Zhou Yan leaped over first, only to find the other man's jaw clenched and his face black.

"Young friend, please bring the old fisherman inside. I'll get ready."

"it is good!"

Since the Herbalist said he could cure him, Zhou Yan wasn't too worried. He carried the Fisherman of Misty Waves to the bamboo hut, laid him flat on the bamboo bed, and lit a lamp.

The light dispelled the darkness, and the room became brighter. Zhou Yan unbuttoned the fisherman's robe, revealing a vermilion-like palm print.

Zhou Yan exhaled slightly; it was the "Five Poisons Divine Palm".

Hong Qigong walked in, saw the palm print on Yanbo Diaosou's body, and said with a solemn expression, "The symptoms seem quite severe. Are you sure it can be cured?"

“If he says it’s possible, then it’s true. I met this old man through my experience of bringing people to seek medical treatment. The patient’s condition was no less serious than this one.”

"It's good that he can be cured." Hong Qigong looked much relieved.

The Herbalist returned, carrying several brocade boxes. He said, "The method is similar to that used to treat Miss Mei. It involves isolating the normal and extraordinary meridians, preventing the toxins from interacting. Then, aged moxa is used to moxibustion each meridian and acupoint to expel the toxins. Fortunately, the poisoning was recent, and there are elixirs to inhibit the spread of the toxins, so the recovery is faster than Miss Mei's. Young friend, Chief Hong, don't worry."

Hong Qigong felt completely relieved.

"Thank you for your help, sir."

"You're too kind, Chief Hong."

"Where is the medicine boy in the valley?" Zhou Yan asked.

The Herb Immortal sighed, "Upon hearing of the fighting, everyone came to help, only to suffer the consequences. By the way, there are still quite a few Five Poisons Sect members trapped in the magic array at the valley entrance."

"I'll go help the old man deal with it."

"Thank you for your trouble, young friend." Hong Qigong stayed in the bamboo hut while Zhou Yan went out. He used his movement technique to reach the woods at the valley entrance. The magic array set up by Huang Rong was no match for him. He entered with his sword and, without saying a word, stabbed the dozen or so Five Poisons Sect members who had been trapped all day to death one by one. Afterwards, he found a place to dispose of the bodies.

He returned to the bamboo hut and saw Hong Qigong sitting on a bamboo chair under the eaves.

"The immortal's medical skills are unparalleled and admirable. He has already removed the toxins from the fisherman, and he is now recuperating."

Zhou Yan moved a chair and sat down next to Hong Qigong: "The Five Poisons Sect should not return to Hundred Herbs Valley. You might as well cultivate here and wait until you have strengthened your tendons and bones before returning to Yuezhou."

Hong Qigong took out the stopper from his wine gourd, took a few big gulps, and said, "The old beggar has been beaten out of Yueyang Tower. This matter will definitely spread. Yuezhou is in a mess right now. If I don't show my face, I'm afraid even the Beggars' Clan will be implicated."

"But only when Master Qi has mastered the technique and strengthened his bones and muscles can he fully recover his strength and surpass his previous abilities. I will go to Yuezhou with Master Qi."

Hong Qigong glared: "Even if the old beggar has only one-tenth of his strength left, he is still the leader of the Beggars' Clan, the Northern Beggar Hong Qigong."

"Seventh Master's heroic spirit."

Hong Qigong laughed heartily, "Besides, the old beggar has nearly 40% of his strength available, isn't that enough?"

"As long as we don't encounter Ouyang Feng, the leader of the Vajra Sect, or Qiu Qianren, that's enough."

"There are ways to deal with old poisoners, but he is the most suspicious of all."

"If he recovers his strength and has the opportunity, can you kill him, Seventh Master?"

Hong Qigong was drinking when his gourd was empty. He threw the gourd away, exhaled a breath of alcohol, and said, "A fair fight will decide the winner and the loser, and also determine life and death."

"That puts my mind at ease."

Where are you, kid?

"Once the old fisherman's injuries have healed a bit, we'll go to Hengyang and then return to Zhongdu."

"Alright, the old beggar will be on his way tomorrow. There are still sixteen moves left in the Dog-Beating Stick Technique."

Zhou Yan chuckled, “Seventh Master has already taught me the Eight Secrets of True Method, that is enough.”

"You're the only one who's successful."

Hong Qigong laughed heartily. He understood Zhou Yan's meaning; having grasped the essence, there was no need for further explanation.

……

"My sister is amazing."

"Master is so amazing."

The clear, melodious voices of children echoed like the tinkling of a spring behind Zhongnan Mountain.

The bright sword light transformed into a dense, flowing stream of cold light, enveloping Li Mochou like a net. She didn't move an inch. The instant the cold, flame-like light touched her body, she moved with incredible speed, skimming the ground and flashing away. Like a cat, she moved nimbly and gracefully, weaving and circling among the sword shadows.

Li Mochou thought to herself, "It is no longer difficult for me to defeat my master, but if I were to truly defeat him, how would he feel? What should I do?"

"Mo Chou has indeed worked hard over the past six months, and her martial arts have improved so much that it's unbelievable. She has already surpassed me. This girl is clearly letting me win now. It's rare to see such a thoughtful person. Oh well, oh well."

The humming sound of the sword echoed through the valley. The sword light faded, and Lin Chaoying's figure floated down onto the rocks a few feet away.

Li Mochou was taken aback. "Master, why aren't we competing anymore?"

"Yes, Master, the battle is still over," Little Dragon Girl said as she ran over.

"I don't understand what you're thinking," Lin Chaoying's maid said coldly.

Li Mochou was terrified. "Please forgive me, Master."

“Master is a man of his word. Go down the mountain and remember what you promised me.”

Li Mochou was overjoyed and leaped forward to hug her master's arm: "Thank you, Master. How could I bear to leave you and my junior sister? I'll be back in a few months at most."

"A little longer is fine too."

"How dare I, your disciple? I would be content if Master allowed me to go down the mountain a few more times. I'm leaving now." Li Mochou rushed in front of Xiaolongnu and pinched her cheek: "Listen to your master's words and practice your martial arts diligently."

"Woooooooo..."

Under the bright sunshine, Li Mochou felt a sense of boundless freedom and joy. Like a fluttering butterfly, she flew to the ancient tomb, packed a bundle, dressed in green, and descended the mountain with her sword.

(End of this chapter)