Shooting the Eagle: Starting from Iron Palm Peak

Hong Qigong instructed Guo Jing in combat techniques every day, and seven or eight days passed in the blink of an eye. Although Guo Jing's Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms still consisted of the same fifteen palms, his ability to adapt to changing situations in battle had improved considerably. Huang Rong saw this and was delighted. She prepared various delicious dishes to reward Hong Qigong, and even Mu Nianci learned a few dishes from him.

Lin Qi didn't sit idle. He listened attentively to everything Hong Qigong taught Guo Jing. The principles of leaving room for maneuver, using the waist as the central pivot, keeping an eye on all directions, and coordinating footwork with palm techniques, along with Qiu Qianren's teachings of "power comes first in the palm" and "strength should not be exhausted," deepened his understanding of martial arts.

He also had something that others didn't: the Nine Yin Manual.

Every night, he would go alone to the hillside to practice his internal energy, silently contemplating the methods of channeling power and combat techniques recorded in the scriptures, and then trying to integrate them into his Iron Palm Kung Fu. Some parts of the scriptures were simple, while others were profound, and he couldn't understand them all at once, but even if he only grasped one or two parts, the effects on his palm techniques were immediate. His internal energy flowed more smoothly, his palm power became more concentrated, and his reaction speed increased significantly.

Hong Qigong observed this without a word, but inwardly marveled. This young man's progress was faster than anyone he had ever seen. Guo Jing's skill came from arduous training, improving daily, but that was through solid, gradual accumulation. Lin Qi was different; he seemed to always be able to find something useful in what others said and quickly incorporate it into his own martial arts. This kind of person was born to practice martial arts.

On a sunny afternoon, Hong Qigong dozed off against a large tree, while Guo Jing practiced his palm techniques in the distance, with Huang Rong counting for him. Mu Nianci sat quietly under a tree, watching. Lin Qi stood at the edge of the open space, his eyes closed, silently studying a passage from the Nine Yin Manual about "receiving force."

As he was thinking, he suddenly felt a sharp gust of wind rush towards him. Lin Qi opened his eyes abruptly, and Hong Qigong was already in front of him, pointing a green bamboo staff at his chest. The movement was not fast, but the angle was tricky, and the tip of the staff carried a heavy internal force. Before it even touched his clothes, Lin Qi already felt a tightness in his chest.

Without a second thought, he shifted his body and struck out with his right palm. This palm strike used the "Pushing Mountain" technique of the Iron Palm Kung Fu, concentrating the force into a single line, aiming straight for the side of the green bamboo staff, intending to deflect the tip. Hong Qigong flicked his wrist, and the green bamboo staff spun half a circle, avoiding the palm strike, and then pointed at his shoulder.

Lin Qi changed his move, reaching out with his left hand to grab the staff. Hong Qigong's hand was faster; the staff tip had already retracted and was now aimed at Lin Qi's lower abdomen. This attack was both swift and precise, leaving Lin Qi no time to dodge and forcing him to take the blow head-on. He extended both palms to protect his lower abdomen, channeling his inner strength into his palms, and blocked the blow head-on.

With a "bang," Lin Qi staggered back three or four steps, his hands numb. Hong Qigong did not pursue him, but put his green bamboo staff back beside him and looked at him with a smile.

"Young man, not bad. Take a few more moves from this old beggar."

The green bamboo staff came at him again, this time with three strikes in quick succession: a strike to the throat, a strike to the chest, and a strike to the abdomen. The three strikes were continuous, each faster and more cunning than the last. Lin Qi dodged left and right, retreating several steps, barely avoiding the first two strikes. He couldn't dodge the third, so he could only block it with the edge of his palm. The green bamboo staff struck his palm, and a powerful surge of internal energy flowed through him. Lin Qi retreated another four or five steps, his back slamming into a tree.

He gasped for breath, and before he could even regain his footing, Hong Qigong's green bamboo staff was upon him again. This time, it wasn't a point strike, but a sweeping motion, accompanied by a whistling sound, aimed at his ribs. Lin Qi pushed off the ground with both feet, sliding across the surface to barely avoid it. Before he could even get up, Hong Qigong had already changed position, the green bamboo staff slashing down from above. Lin Qi didn't have time to think; he rolled on the ground, rolling more than two zhang away, barely managing to dodge the blow.

He stood up, his arms numb, his chest heaving, and beads of sweat on his forehead. Hong Qigong stood not far away, leaning on his green bamboo staff, a hint of approval in his smile.

"Not bad, not bad, you withstood more than a dozen moves from the old beggar."

Lin Qi, panting, clasped his hands and said, "Seventh Master, please show mercy. This junior has already done his utmost."

Hong Qigong's smile faded, and he looked at him seriously: "Young brother, do you know how many people in this world can withstand more than three moves from this old beggar?"

Lin Qi shook his head.

"No more than ten." Hong Qigong held up one finger. "You're only in your early twenties, yet you can withstand more than a dozen moves from an old beggar. Your master Qiu Qianren taught you well, and you yourself are talented. Practice hard, and in ten years, there will be few in the world who can rival you."

Lin Qi was also somewhat excited. Although Hong Qigong hadn't used his full strength, he had still managed to withstand more than ten of his attacks. Although each attack was fraught with danger, this was something that not everyone could do.

According to his estimation, apart from the Five Greats, no one else can pose a threat to him now.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong rushed over upon hearing the commotion. Huang Rong tugged at Hong Qigong's sleeve and said anxiously, "Qigong, why did you suddenly start fighting with Brother Lin? You scared me to death!"

Hong Qigong laughed heartily: "Old beggar, I'm just testing his skills, not really trying to hit him. What's the rush?"

Guo Jing looked at Lin Qi with a hint of worry in his eyes: "Brother Lin, are you alright?"

Lin Qi shook his head: "It's alright, Master Qi, please show mercy."

Mu Nianci stood not far away, her face somewhat pale. She had almost cried out when she saw Hong Qigong suddenly make his move, and only now did she relax.

Just as Hong Qi was about to speak, his ears twitched, and his gaze shot into the depths of the woods. Lin Qi also heard it; a rustling sound came from the woods, not from the wind blowing through the leaves, but from countless tiny things crawling rapidly on the ground.

"Snakes." Hong Qigong frowned. "So many snakes."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a greenish-blue venomous snake slithered out of the bushes, flicking its tongue as it lunged at Guo Jing. Guo Jing struck out with his palm, unleashing the "Regretful Dragon" technique, its force so powerful that the snake was sent flying, crashing into a tree and falling to the ground, motionless.

More snakes surged out. Green, gray, and spotted, they emerged from all directions, completely surrounding the open space. Huang Rong drew her soft sword, its blade flashing, and severed several snakes that lunged at Guo Jing. Lin Qi unleashed both palms simultaneously, his sharp palm strikes cutting the approaching snakes in two. Mu Nianci also assisted, killing the snakes that came close to her one by one.

Hong Qigong waved his green bamboo staff, and the wind from the staff swept through, causing the snakes to retreat. However, there were too many snakes to kill or drive them away completely.

"A snake formation." Hong Qigong snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping into the depths of the forest. "Are they from White Camel Mountain?"

Seven or eight men in white emerged from the woods. The leader, dressed as white as snow, held a folding fan and possessed a handsome face. Behind him followed several women in white, their robes fluttering, long swords hanging at their waists. The man held a bamboo whistle, blowing it occasionally. With each whistle, the snakes moved in and out in an orderly fashion, clearly practicing a battle formation.

After emerging from the woods, he noticed people in the clearing. His gaze swept over the group, lingering for a moment on Guo Jing, then at Lin Qi, before finally settling on Hong Qigong. Seeing the old beggar's ragged clothes and green bamboo staff, he felt something was amiss, but didn't dwell on it. He closed his folding fan and smiled, "Gentlemen, how have you been? I am—"

Before he could finish speaking, Hong Qigong slammed his green bamboo staff on the ground and coldly said, "This old beggar asks you, what is Ouyang Feng to you?"

The man's smile faltered slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He hadn't given his name, yet the other man had immediately recognized his relationship with his uncle. He gave Hong Qigong another once-over, then clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "Ouyang Feng is my uncle. I am Ouyang Ke, and I don't know you, sir..."

Hong Qigong interrupted him: "Whom are you planning to deal with by arranging all these snakes here?"

Ouyang Ke laughed and said, "Sir, you misunderstand. I was just lonely on the way, so I brought some snakes to pass the time. I didn't expect to disturb you all. My apologies."

Hong Qigong said, "Practicing snake formation? Are you just passing the time like an old beggar?" He slammed his green bamboo staff on the ground, and a gust of wind swept out, immediately shaking off more than a dozen snakes that were close to him, which rolled back more than ten feet away.

Ouyang Ke's expression changed slightly. This seemingly casual move possessed a power that even he might not be able to achieve. He felt a growing sense of unease, but maintained a smile, clasping his hands in a fist salute and saying, "Sir, your skill is truly remarkable. This junior dares to request a few moves from you. Would you do me the honor?"

Hong Qigong rolled his eyes and sneered, "You? You dare to challenge an old beggar?"

Ouyang Ke's face stiffened. He had roamed the Western Regions for years and had never been so disrespected. Suppressing his anger, he said, "Old sir, your tone is far too arrogant. Although I am not talented, my uncle…"

Hong Qigong interrupted him again: "Your uncle is here, but he's no match for the old beggar. Neither of them can win. You, a junior, dare to challenge the old beggar? Go back and train for twenty years before you come back."

Ouyang Ke was greatly shocked. He had heard his uncle say that twenty years ago, during the Mount Hua Sword Tournament, only a handful of people in the world could fight his uncle to a draw. This old beggar before him dared to claim he was on par with his uncle. A thought flashed through his mind, and he blurted out, "Are you the Northern Beggar, Master Hong Qigong?"

Hong Qigong said irritably, "You know that, so why aren't you getting out of here? If you don't take your snake with you, this old beggar will take care of you and your snake together."

Ouyang Ke's face turned ashen, but he dared not retaliate. He knew he was no match for Hong Qigong, and his uncle had warned him that among the Five Greats of the Central Plains, the Northern Beggar was the most dangerous. With a wave of his hand, the swarm of snakes retreated like a tide, and several women in white also retreated behind him. He forced a smile, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "This junior has been very rude. Farewell." He turned and strode into the woods, never looking back.

Huang Rong breathed a sigh of relief and grabbed Hong Qigong's arm: "Qigong, you're amazing. You chased that scoundrel away with just a few words."

Hong Qigong said, "It's not that the old beggar is powerful, it's that he knows what's good for him. If he doesn't leave, the old beggar will let him taste the beggar's stick."

Huang Rong clapped her hands and laughed, "That would be wonderful!"

Lin Qi frowned slightly as he looked in the direction Ouyang Ke had disappeared. He knew Ouyang Ke wouldn't let it go so easily next time he came.

Mu Nianci walked to his side and asked softly, "Brother Lin, do you know that person?"

Lin Qi nodded: "I've met him in Zhongdu."