The Legend of the Condor Heroes

"It was a pity he was busy and only taught me for 3 days."

Wang Chu Yi let out a sigh. "You should be content. You have gained more in those 3 days than what others can teach you in 10, 20 years."

Mu Nian Ci said, "Priest is right." After a brief pause, she continued, "Priest, do you happen to know where Elder Hong is?"

Laughing, he replied, "Now you've had me stumped. I last saw him at Mount Hua over 20 years ago, and have never heard from him since." Disappointed, Mu Nian Ci walked slowly out of the room.

Han Xiao Ying asked, "Priest Wang, who is this Elder Hong?"

Wang Chu Yi smiled and seated himself on the bed. Qiu Chu Ji said, "Heroine Han, have you heard of the Eastern Heretic, Western Poison, Southern Emperor, Northern Beggar and Central Divinity?"

Han Xiao Ying replied, "I've heard people say these are the five strongest martial artists in the world, but I don't know if it's true."

Qiu Chu Ji said, "It is."

Ke Zhen'E said, "So this Elder Hong is the Northern Beggar?"

Wang Chu Yi said, "That's right. The Central Divinity refers to our late Teacher, Reverend Wang."

Upon hearing that this Elder Hong was mentioned alongside the Quan Zhen 7's Teacher, they were immediately filled with awe. Qiu Chu Ji turned and smiled at Guo Jing. "This wife of yours is the disciple of the great 9-Fingered Divine Beggar. Who would dare bully you in future?" Guo Jing felt his cheeks burn and wanted to dispute this, but he just stammered and did not manage to say anything.

Han Xiao Ying asked, "Priest Wang, how did you tell that she was taught by the Nine-Fingered Divine Beggar by just pushing her shoulder?"

Qiu Chu Ji motioned for Guo Jing to come over, and Guo Jing went to his side as instructed. Qiu Chu Ji pushed Guo Jing's shoulder with his palm, exerting pressure with internal energy. But Guo Jing had cultivated profound internal energy under Ma Yu's guidance, and also endured over 10 years of hard physical training from the 6 Freaks. As a result, he had considerable internal and external strength. With this push, Qiu Chu Ji could not bring him down. Laughing, he said, "Good lad!" and the pressure loosened.

Guo Jing had exercised his internal energy to resist the push, and now he relaxed both outwards and inwards. Quick as lightning, Qiu Chu Ji seized this instant; Guo Jing's earlier energy had dissipated and his new wave of energy had yet to catch on, leaving a gap. With a light pull, Guo Jing fell backwards. He extended his hands and, using his fingers, propelled himself upright again.

Everyone burst out laughing. Zhu Cong said, "Jing'er, remember this expert move that Priest Qiu taught you." Guo Jing nodded in obedience.

Qiu Chu Ji said, "Heroine Han, when pulled by the shoulder, all martial artists in the world will fall backward if they are unable to resist. But with the unique kungfu of the 9-Fingered Divine Beggar, one will fall forward instead. This is because his kungfu is rooted in extreme, rigid toughness. When faced with strength, it responds with greater strength. Though Miss Mu only spent 3 days under his tutelage, she has evidently grasped his martial arts philosophy. Though she was unable to withstand Younger Martial Brother Wang's pull, she refused to succumb to the situation. Even if she had to fall, she would fall in the opposite direction of the enemy's strength."

The 6 Freaks thought what he said made sense, and admired Quan Zhen Sect's proficient knowledge. Zhu Cong said, "Priest Wang has seen the 9-Fingered Divine Beggar display his kungfu?"

Wang Chu Yi said, "Over 20 years ago, my late Teacher competed in the Mt. Hua Tournament with the 9-Fingered Divine Beggar, Huang Yao Shi and the other Greats. Elder Hong's kungfu was truly outstanding but he was also very gluttonous, and Mt. Hua was short of delicacies. Feeling extremely bored, he took sword as wine and fist as dishes and began chatting about the theories of sword and fist with my late Teacher and Elder Huang Yao Shi. At that time I was waiting on Teacher and was very lucky indeed to have heard these brilliant theories. In fact, I learned a lot."

Ke Zhen'E said, "Oh, so out of the 'Eastern Heretic, Western Poison,' Huang Yao Shi must be the so-called 'Eastern Heretic?"

Qiu Chu Ji replied, "Correct." He then turned to Guo Jing and said jovially, "Though Elder Martial Brother Ma has taught you some internal energy, luckily you are not officially his disciple. If you start comparing seniority, you'll be one level lower than your wife! Then you'll never be able to raise your head in this life."

Guo Jing went red. "I'm not marrying her."

Startled, Qiu Chu Ji said, "What?"

"I'm not marrying her!"

"I'm not marrying her!" Guo Jing repeated.

Qiu Chu Ji's face sank and he stood up. "But why?"

Ever doting on her disciple, Han Xiao Ying saw that Guo Jing was in a tight spot and hurriedly explained on his behalf: "We received word that Master Yang's child was a male. Thinking that the betrothal agreement was annulled, Jing'er has already gotten engaged in Mongolia. The Khan of Mongolia, Genghis Khan, has appointed him as his imperial son-in-law."

Qiu Chu Ji's face hardened and he glared at Guo Jing. Laughing icily, he said, "Brilliant, this girl is a Princess, a precious imperial descendent – commoners can't hold a candle to her, so you're just going to conveniently ignore the wishes of the dead? You lust for riches and betray your roots. How different are you from that scoundrel Wan Yan Kang? And what of your late father's wishes?"

Panicking, Guo Jing bowed. "I have never met my father, and my mother has never mentioned anything about his wishes. Priest, please enlighten me."

At this, Qiu Chu Ji lost his cold smile and his expression softened at once. "So you are really not to blame. I was too quick to jump to conclusions." He then explained everything from beginning till the end – his meeting with the Guo and Yang brothers 18 years ago at Ox Village, the slaughtering of soldiers that night, his search for the Guo and Yang families, his misunderstanding with the 7 Freaks of Jiang Nan and the wager that followed, et cetera.

Now knowing the circumstances of his birth and how everything had begun, he broke down in sobs. His father died a horrible death and had yet to be avenged; he then thought of the great kindness of his 7 Teachers - how could he even hope to repay them in this lifetime?

Han Xiao Ying said kindly, "It's very common for a man to have more than one wife. Just let the Khan know about this and marry both women. That way, all your problems will be solved. I reckon the Khan himself has even more than 100 wives."

Wiping his tears, he replied, "I can't marry Princess Hua Zheng."

Surprised, Han Xiao Ying asked, "Why?"

"I don't like her as my wife."

"But haven't you always been on very good terms with her?"

"I view her as a younger sister and a good friend, but I certainly don't want her as my wife."

Qiu Chu Ji said happily, "Good child, you've got backbone! Khan or not, Princess or not, who cares? Just obey your father and Uncle Yang, and get married with Miss Mu." Unexpectedly, Guo Jing shook his head again.

"I won't marry Miss Mu either."

Everyone present was bewildered, not knowing what was running through his head. But Han Xiao Ying was a woman, and she paid heed to details. "You like someone else?" she asked gently. Guo Jing blushed and, after a moment or two, nodded his head.