Be a proper Taoist priest in The Condor Heroes

Chapter 87 Nine Yin Manual

In the height of summer in July, the afternoon sun shines through the dense foliage of Zhongnan Mountain, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone.

Su Yan had just finished giving Yang Guo his introductory instruction and was practicing his palm techniques alone in the training ground on the back mountain. The Xuanmen True Qi circulated around his body, and the aftereffects of the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top Palm were gathering layer by layer in his palm. Just then, he saw a burly figure walking along the path. It was Guo Jing.

Su Yan stopped and saw that Guo Jing looked solemn and deliberately avoided the other disciples. He already understood that this great hero Guo could not hold back. The Great Subduing Demon Fist he used that day might be a little unfamiliar to his uncles and senior brothers. Even if they saw it, they would just think it was a martial art he had learned while traveling. But he could not hide it from this great hero Guo. After all, he had seen the entire Nine Yin Manual.

"Master Su, I apologize for disturbing you."

Guo Jing stepped forward quickly, bowing with his hands clasped in a respectful manner.

"Having spent time with you these past few days, I know you to be a man of upright character. However, there is one thing that has been lingering in my mind, and I must speak out about it. I hope you will not take offense."

"Please speak freely, Master Guo."

Su Yan stepped aside to clear the center of the training ground, his expression calm and undisturbed.

Guo Jing's gaze was earnest, and he spoke frankly, "That day in front of Chongyang Palace, the Great Subduing Demon Fist that the Taoist priest displayed possessed a powerful palm strike concealing a subtle internal force. The moves were so profound that they far surpassed ordinary martial arts. I was fortunate enough to see the Nine Yin Manual in my youth, and I recognized the origin of this fist technique at a glance; it was precisely the ultimate technique from the manual."

study."

He paused, then added.

"It's not that I'm invading your privacy, but the transmission of the true scripture has been fraught with difficulties, causing countless bloodshed in the martial arts world. I'm genuinely worried that the Taoist's martial arts may have been obtained through illegitimate means and that he may have gone astray."

Upon hearing this, Su Yan pondered to himself.

He was naturally aware of the origins and development of the Nine Yin Manual.

This scripture was written by Huang Shang during the Northern Song Dynasty after decades of painstaking effort, having read through three thousand volumes of the Daoist canon, in order to avenge a blood feud. It is a culmination of Daoist martial arts, combining both strength and gentleness, and encompassing all aspects of the art.

Later, at the Mount Hua Sword Tournament, Grandmaster Wang Chongyang outsmarted all the other martial artists and obtained the true scripture. He intended to entrust it to Zhou Botong to destroy before his death, to prevent chaos in the martial world. However, Zhou Botong was imprisoned on Peach Blossom Island by Huang Yaoshi. By chance, he learned the scripture, but the second volume was stolen by Huang Yaoshi's disciples, Chen Xuanfeng and Mei Chaofeng. Huang Yaoshi's wife, Feng Heng, exhausted herself trying to memorize the lost scroll and died, causing discord within the Peach Blossom Island community.

What is even less known is that, in order to decipher the Jade Maiden Manual left by Lin Chaoying of the Ancient Tomb Sect, the founder carved some of the Nine Yin martial arts techniques into the cave of the Ancient Tomb, but this secret is known to very few people.

These connections flashed through Su Yan's mind, but he remained calm and responded frankly.

"Master Guo's considerations are very thoughtful, and I understand. This Great Subduing Demon Fist is indeed a move from the Nine Yin Manual, but I did not deliberately seek it out."

He gestured for Guo Jing to follow him to a nearby stone pavilion to sit down, and then began to speak slowly.

"In my early years, when I was browsing through the Taoist canon in the Chongyang Palace's library, I unexpectedly discovered a few pages of martial arts fragments in a tattered Taoist canon with annotations. These pages recorded the moves and internal energy methods of the Great Subduing Demon Fist."

"I am well aware of the profound and extensive martial arts of the True Scripture, but I am also aware of the conflicts in the martial arts world behind it. Therefore, I have never deliberately pursued the complete scripture. I have only focused on refining this incomplete fist technique based on the internal energy of the Quanzhen Xuanmen. However, it is of a very legitimate origin."

These words were frank and unreserved, yet perfectly measured in their tone.

Upon hearing this, Guo Jing felt a huge weight lifted from his heart, and a relieved smile appeared on his face. He couldn't help but exclaim loudly, "Excellent! Daoist Master, you truly possess extraordinary talent! The Nine Yin Manual is obscure and difficult to understand, and the incomplete version is even more difficult to grasp in its entirety. A slight mistake can lead to qi deviation. Yet, Daoist Master has managed to cultivate this fist technique to a state of perfect harmony based on Quanzhen martial arts. Such comprehension and composure are truly rare, appearing only once in a hundred years!"

He recalled the hardships he had faced when he studied the scriptures, and felt even more grateful for Su Yan's composure, which deepened his respect for him.

"The martial world is now sparsely populated, and the Mongol invaders are eyeing us covetously. It is truly a blessing for the Central Plains martial world that the Daoist Master possesses such cultivation and temperament at such a young age!"

Upon hearing this, Su Yan's heart stirred slightly.

His cultivation had recently broken through to the top level, and although he spent most of his time training outside, he rarely had the opportunity to spar with a master of Guo Jing's caliber, and he was already eager to try his hand at it. Seeing Guo Jing's genuine admiration, he rose gracefully, cupped his hands, and said...

"Master Guo's Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms are renowned throughout the world, unparalleled in their power and ferocity, a model of the most yang and vigorous martial arts. I am but a junior, and my cultivation has recently made some progress. I am looking for a top master to spar with and verify my skills, in order to make up for my shortcomings. I wonder if Master Guo would be willing to give me some pointers?"

His eyes burned with a pure longing for martial arts.

Guo Jing was naturally forthright and knew that sparring was a shortcut to martial arts training, so he immediately burst into laughter upon hearing this.

"Since you have such intentions, Master, I, Guo, will certainly oblige! I can also benefit greatly from sparring with such a young and outstanding talent as you!"

The two hit it off immediately and got up to head towards the depths of the back mountains of Zhongnan Mountain.

Su Yan knew of a secluded valley with cliffs on both sides, lush vegetation at the bottom, and a babbling brook. It was a perfect place for sparring, with no one to disturb you and enough space to practice your skills.

Throughout the journey, Su Yan was filled with countless thoughts. Although he knew of Guo Jing's reputation, he had never personally experienced the power of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms. Today's battle would not only test his strength after integrating Quanzhen martial arts with the incomplete Nine Yin Manual, but also provide an opportunity to observe the exquisite nature of top-tier palm techniques, which would greatly benefit his future breakthroughs.

At the same time, he was secretly reminded that Guo Jing had profound internal strength and fierce palm techniques. He must not underestimate him in the slightest. He needed to use the agility of the Golden Goose Skill to maneuver around him and then counterattack with alternating fists and palms.

Before long, the two arrived at the valley.

As the sun sets, golden rays stream through the cracks in the cliff face, casting shimmering light on the babbling brook. A gentle breeze sweeps through the valley, dispelling the summer heat and leaving only the fragrance of grass and trees and the babbling of the stream—a tranquil and timeless scene.

The two stood facing each other, more than three zhang apart.

Guo Jing removed his outer robe, revealing a coarse cloth short jacket underneath. His robust figure was as steady as a mountain, and his powerful internal energy circulated slowly. The fierce aura of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms gradually spread out, causing the grass and trees in the valley to rustle without wind, and even the flow of the stream seemed to slow down.

Su Yan was still wearing a Taoist robe, his posture was as upright as a pine tree, his true energy was contained, and his eyes were calm but sharp.

He secretly activated the Golden Goose Skill, lightly touching the ground with his feet, his body slightly levitating, ready to transform into a streak of light to dodge at any moment; at the same time, various moves were rapidly circulating in his mind, adjusting his internal energy according to Guo Jing's aura, preparing to deal with the impending thunderous attack.

"Master Su, please enlighten me!"

Guo Jing gave a deep shout, and before he finished speaking, he had already moved.

With a stomp of his foot, several fine cracks appeared in the bluestone ground. He lunged forward like an arrow, raising his right palm high, his inner strength surging like a vast ocean – it was the "Regretful Dragon" move from the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms.

This palm strike, "Regretful Dragon," appeared to be incredibly powerful, but it concealed a hidden force. The palm strike, with the momentum of an overturned mountain, struck directly at Su Yan's heart. The palm wind howled as it arrived, carrying a scorching force that seemed to tear the air apart.

Su Yan secretly praised him, "He truly lives up to his reputation!"

This palm strike is both powerful and smooth, with a long-lasting aftereffect, making it far superior to ordinary powerful palm techniques!

He dared not be careless, and used the Golden Goose Technique to its fullest extent, his figure drifting out like a willow catkin, barely avoiding the thunderous strike.

The palm wind brushed past his clothes and struck the boulder behind him with a loud "boom." The boulder, several meters high, shattered, sending fragments flying and dust billowing everywhere.

Before the dust had settled, Su Yan had already turned and launched a counterattack.

He knew that Guo Jing's internal strength was as deep as the ocean, and that prolonged battle would inevitably lead to his defeat. Only by fighting quickly and decisively and using skill to overcome strength could he have a chance of winning.

Su Yan focused his mind and breath, channeling all his inner energy into his right palm. The powerful force of the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top Palm condensed layer upon layer, and the palm wind, carrying the dampness of summer grass and trees, slammed into Guo Jing's left shoulder like a wave. This palm seemed fierce, but it actually contained a clever way to deflect the force, intended to test Guo Jing's defensive center of gravity.

Halfway through his palm strike, he suddenly twisted his waist, activated the Golden Goose Skill, and his figure flashed out like lightning. He withdrew his right palm and gathered the Nine Yin Internal Force of the Great Subduing Demon Fist in his left fist. The fist force was as solid as cold iron and went straight for Guo Jing's vital point.

The palm strike and the fist strike were seamlessly connected, and the transition between hardness and softness was smooth without any hesitation, fully demonstrating Su Yan's mastery of martial arts.

He thought to himself that Guo Jing's palm strikes were fierce and powerful, so he would have to rely on direct confrontation. He needed to use his agile movements to disrupt Guo Jing's rhythm and then find an opening to strike and win.

Guo Jing was impressed by his exquisite moves and secretly admired him.

Master Su was indeed exceptionally gifted. The power of the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top Palm and the fierceness of the Great Subduing Demon Fist were connected so naturally that there was not a single flaw!

Instead of retreating, he advanced, his left palm blocking like an iron gate, forcefully stopping in front of his left shoulder, while his right palm swiftly retracted and then struck out, unleashing the "Flying Dragon in the Sky" move from the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms.

The palm strike was like a dragon soaring into the sky, powerful yet agile, and the whistling palm wind completely enveloped Su Yan's fist and palm energy, forcefully blocking this series of attacks.

"Bang!"

The muffled sound of fists and palms colliding echoed through the valley, and the force spread out like ripples.

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