The Legend of the Condor Heroes

His intelligence might be low, but after those two people repeatedly made the similar mistakes he began to realize that the flute and zither had a lot of holes in their defense. After listening for a little bit more a thought came into his mind, "Compared to the theory of Vacant Fist, their offense and defense have flaws and deficiencies; could it be that the theory passed on by Brother Zhou is better than both Island Master Huang's and Western Poison's martial arts?" But then he changed his mind, "Nah! It couldn't be! If Brother Zhou's martial art is really better than Island Master Huang's, how could those two fight countless battles for fifteen years and he is still stranded inside that cave?"

He racked his brain for a long time without any conclusion when he heard the flute sound was climbing higher and higher until if he went higher still, Ouyang Feng's defeat would be decided. But the flute was not able to climb any higher; it had reached the peak. Guo Jing stifled his laugh, "I was really dumb! There is a limit to what one can do. Among the desires of the heart, nine out of ten cannot be achieved. I know that if my fist could generate a ten thousand catties force, I will be able to crush my opponent to dust; but how can my fist develop those ten thousand catties of force? Seventh Master often said, 'Looking at others carry a burden on a pole easily does not mean we can do the same without breaking our back.' If merely carrying a burden follows this principle, how much more does martial art?"

The sound of music was increasingly fiercer; and it sounded like those two were engaged in a hand-to-hand combat, or fighting in a very close distance using naked blades. Victory or defeat would be decided very soon. Guo Jing was worried for Huang Yaoshi when suddenly he heard a long and loud whistle coming from the direction of the sea.

Both Huang Yaoshi and Ouyang Feng were startled; the flute and the zither were slowing down. The whistle came nearer and nearer. It sounded like someone was sailing on a boat coming toward the island. Ouyang Feng moved his hand and stroked two metallic notes, 'clank, clank.' The distant whistle went higher to overpower the zither. Not too long afterwards Huang Yaoshi's flute joined in. Sometimes the flute was fighting the long whistle; sometimes it entangled the zither in a close fight. The distinct sounds were fighting each other.

Guo Jing had played 'four-people combat' with Zhou Botong before, so he did not have any problem dividing his mind to distinguish different sounds. He knew a senior with a high level of martial art had arrived.

By then the person uttering the long whistle had arrived at the forest. The whistle turned high and low; sometimes sounded like a dragon's cry or a lion's roar; sometimes resembled a wolf's howl or an owl's cry; but it also sounded like a strong wind blowing through the forest which suddenly turned into a gentle rain showering the flowers. It was constantly changing.

The flute sound was clear and bright, the zither sound was intensely mournful, yet the combination of the three made a mysteriously wonderful sound; did not sound bad at all. Three different sounds entangled each other in a close fight.

Guo Jing was amazed and could not help exclaiming, "Wonderful!" But once he closed his mouth he realized he had made a mistake. He scurried away, but it was too late! A green shadow flashed by and Huang Yaoshi was standing in front of him. The three sounds were not heard anymore. Huang Yaoshi lowered his head and said, "Good Boy, come with me."

Guo Jing did not have any choice but stood up and meekly greeted, "Island Master Huang." With the hair on his back raised up he followed Huang Yaoshi walking toward the bamboo pavilion.

Huang Rong still had her ears covered with silk, so she did not hear Guo Jing's exclamation. Now suddenly Guo Jing appeared she was pleasantly surprised. "Brother Jing! You have finally come …" she called out. She was joyous, yet sad at the same time; before she could finish tears had already flowed down her cheeks. She rushed forward and threw herself into Guo Jing's bosom. Guo Jing opened his arms and embraced her tightly.

Since Guo Jing appeared, Ouyang Ke had been annoyed; now he saw how intimate Huang Rong with Guo Jing, his heart was burning hot with hatred. With a gust of wind his fist flew toward Guo Jing's face. "Stinky kid! You are also here!" he shouted.

He thought his martial art skill was higher than Guo Jing's; furthermore, his attack could be considered sneak attack, Guo Jing was unprepared, so he thought he might break Guo Jing's nose thus lashing out his hatred. But not in his wildest imagination that Guo Jing now was not the same as Guo Jing then, when they fought each other at the Baoying ancestral hall. Guo Jing saw a fist coming by, he leaned to side to evade, then his left hand launched 'hong jian yu liu' [wild geese rising from the shore] while his right hand launched the Proud Dragon Repents; both from the 18-Dragon Subduing Palms.

The 18-Dragon Subduing Palms were unparalleled in the world; one move was very difficult to withstand, much less two stances at the same time. How could Ouyang Ke face them? Huang Yaoshi and Ouyang Feng were actually standing close-by; but they did not anticipate Guo Jing's counterattack. Both were startled yet were unable to do anything.

Ouyang Ke felt his opponent's left hand was threatening his right side; he knew this 18-Dragon Subduing Palms were very fierce; he could evade but could not parry. Quickly he leaned his body to the left exactly at the same time Guo Jing's right hand's Proud Dragon Repents came by. 'Crack!' his upper torso was squarely hit; and one of his ribs was broken.

Actually he was aware of the fierceness of the opponent's attack; when Guo Jing's hand arrived he had already focused his energy on his chest to protect his heart and lungs against the incoming force. Furthermore, as soon as he was hit he tried to lessen the injury by trying to jump up. But the incredible force from Guo Jing's hand had added to his own energy and sent him flying toward the bamboo pavilion's roof. He managed to land standing up albeit staggering badly; then slowly slid down. He was awfully embarrassed and his chest was hurt badly. Slowly he walked back.

Guo Jing's counterattack had surprised both the Eastern Heretic and the Western Poison; gave Ouyang Ke a lesson he wouldn't forget easily; and acquired Huang Rong's accolade. She clapped her hands and bounced up and down with great happiness. Guo Jing himself did not realize that his martial art had improved tremendously. He simply thought that Ouyang Ke was being careless and was caught off guard. He was afraid Ouyang Ke would launch a counterattack; so he withdrew two steps waiting for the opponent with rapt attention.

Ouyang Feng glared angrily toward Guo Jing; loudly he called out, "Old Beggar Hong! Congratulations on your fine disciple!"

Huang Rong had taken out the silk handkerchief from her ears; hearing Ouyang Feng's loud call she knew Hong Qigong had arrived. Truly a savior sent from heaven. She rushed outside the bamboo groove and loudly called out, "Shifu! Shifu! [Master]"

Huang Yaoshi was astounded, "Why did Rong'er call the Old Beggar Hong 'shifu'?" Right at that moment Hong Qigong appeared with a scarlet wine gourd on his back, a bamboo staff in his right hand, Huang Rong's hand in his left, smiling broadly entering the bamboo groove.

Huang Yaoshi and Hong Qigong greeted each other and exchanged some pleasantries. Then Huang Yaoshi turned to his daughter and asked, "Rong'er, what did you call Qigong?"