The Legend of the Condor Heroes

The big boat was traveling quite fast, so a second later Hong Qigong had grabbed the edge of the small boat. Swing his hands his body somersaulted and landed on the small boat without making any sound. When Guo Jing had followed his example he quietly said, "Cut off the rope." Guo Jing took the dagger out and a moment later that small boat was floating freely on the ocean waves. Hong Qigong pulled the oar to give themselves some distance from the big boat. A moment later the big boat disappeared into the darkness.

Suddenly a flame was seen on the big boat's stern, it came from the torch in Ouyang Feng's hand. Ouyang Feng was heard shouting in alarm because the small life boat was nowhere to be seen. He sounded shocked, but also angry and afraid at the same time. Hong Qigong concentrated his 'qi' in the 'dan tian' region and let out a long laugh.

Out of nowhere another boat appeared, coming rapidly toward the starboard of the big boat. Hong Qigong wondered, "Uh, what boat is that?" Before he finished speaking a pair of white eagles came down from the sky, circling the big boat's main sail. Someone dressed in white was seen leaving the incoming boat, leaping toward the big boat. Under the bright starlight above one could see a glimmer of golden hair band on her head. "Rong'er!" Guo Jing gasped.

The person who was just leaping onto the big boat was indeed Huang Rong. Just before leaving the Peach Blossom Island she saw the little red horse came galloping from the forest, she thought, "This little red horse is useless on the sea, but those two condors would actually be able to help me find Brother Jing." Therefore, she whistled loudly to call the white eagles.

The eagles' eyes are sharp, they can fly extremely fast. On this boundless sea they unexpectedly saw Guo Jing on the big boat. Huang Rong was alarmed, but also pleasantly surprised to find the 'in danger' message Guo Jing tied on the eagles' leg; immediately she let the eagles soar to the sky and steered the boat following them. Eventually her boat caught up with the big boat, but she was a little bit too late, Hong Qigong and Guo Jing had already left the big boat.

Huang Rong had never forgotten the 'in danger' message she got earlier, she was afraid she might be too late; hence as soon as the eagles circled above this boat, she ordered her crew to sail alongside the big boat. As soon as the distance was manageable with a butterfly steel projectile in her hand she leaped to the big boat, only to see Ouyang Ke was pacing around nervously, like an ant on a hot pot.

"Where is Guo Jing?" Huang Rong shouted, "What did you do to him?"

Ouyang Feng had lighted the fire in the hold and was going to escape using the small life boat when suddenly he saw the boat was gone. His perspiration came down his forehead like beads or pearl when he heard Hong Qigong's loud and long laughter. He silently cursed his own stupidity because instead of harming others he had harmed himself; of course he was very anxious. But suddenly Huang Rong arrived on a boat, he rushed to grab this opportunity, "Quickly seize that boat!" he shouted.

Who would have thought that the crews of Huang Rong's boat were all deaf and mute servants from the island. As long as Huang Rong was on board, they followed her commands out of fear, but as soon as Huang Rong left the boat, immediately they turned the boat around, hoisted the sail and escaped as far as they could.

Not long after Hong Qigong and Guo Jing saw Huang Rong jumped onto the big boat, the fire from the hold was starting to reach the deck. Guo Jing did not know what happened yet, he called out in alarm, "Fire! Fire!"

"That's right," Hong Qigong said, "The Old Poison set the boat on fire to burn the two of us, master and disciple to death."

Guo Jing had a blank expression on his face, he busily said, "We must save Rong'er!"

"Let's go back to the boat!" Hong Qigong said. With all his might Guo Jing pulled the oar. That big boat was also changed its direction to approach the small life boat. The deck was full of male snake shepherds and female maidservants running around chaotically, shouting for help. Hong Qigong had to raise his voice to be heard, "Rong'er! Jing'er and I are here! Quickly swim over! Quick!"

On the sea the mighty waves rolled, the night was dark, so it was very dangerous to swim; but Hong Qigong knew Huang Rong's water skill was excellent and also it was a critical moment so he was compelled to take this risk.

Huang Rong heard her master's voice, she was delighted. No longer paying attention toward Ouyang Feng uncle and nephew she rushed to the boat's side and jumped into the water below. But suddenly she felt something was holding her back. Huang Rong turned her head in great surprise to see her right wrist in Ouyang Feng's hand. "Let me go!" she shouted, sending her left fist toward Ouyang Feng's face; as a result, both of her wrists were in Ouyang Feng's hands.

Ouyang Feng saw the boat that brought Huang Rong had already gone far away, too far for them to pursue; while the big boat they were on was already ablazed; the main mast was burnt and was about to fall down; the deck was extremely chaotic, the boat would sink any minute. His only hope right now was the small life boat in Hong Qigong's control; so he loudly shouted, "Stinky Beggar! Miss Huang is in my hand; do you see her?" He lifted Huang Rong high in the air.

By that time the sea was bright red with the fire from the boat. Hong Qigong and Guo Jing could see her clearly. Hong Qigong was very indignant, "Again he is using a dirty trick to get this boat. Humph! I am going the get Rong'er back."

Guo Jing saw the boat was almost burnt down, "I am coming too!" he said.

"No! You stay and guard this boat, don't let the Old Poison take it away," Hong Qigong said.

"Yes!" Guo Jing said and exerted his strength to pull the oar. By that time the big boat was motionless on the sea surface, so with only several pulls they have come close to the big boat.

Hong Qigong kicked the small boat and his body flew toward the big boat. Stretching his left hand out he grabbed the boat's edge with his strong fingers; and then catapulted his body upward and somersaulted toward the deck.

Ouyang Feng was still holding Huang Rong's wrists; "Stinky Beggar, what do you want?" he said, smiling ferociously.

Hong Qigong cursed him, "Come! Let us fight another one thousands stances." 'Swish, swish, swish!' He sent three palm attacks toward Ouyang Feng's face. Ouyang Feng was shrewd; he pushed Huang Rong's body forward as a shield, forcing Hong Qigong to retract his attacks. Ouyang Feng had sealed Huang Rong's acupoint, so she was paralyzed.

Hong Qigong loudly shouted, "Old Poison, you are shameless! Quickly release her and let her go; you and I will fight here to decide victory or defeat."

How could Ouyang Feng release his prisoner so easily? But he saw his nephew was continuously pushed backward by the fire, he threw Huang Rong toward him and called out, "Go to the small boat first!"

Ouyang Ke caught Huang Rong, then looked downward to see Guo Jing waiting on the small boat down below. He thought the small boat was really too small. If he jumped down carrying a person, he might cause the boat to turn upside down, so he found a thick rope. Tying it to the mast he used his right hand to slide down onto the small boat while holding Huang Rong with his left.