The Legend of the Condor Heroes

Ouyang Feng was the first to secretly groan, he thought, "How can the Old Beggar's martial art come back?" He did not know that after listening to Guo Jing's explanation on the Sanskrit part of the Nine Yin Manual Hong Qigong spent these past few days to practice according to the technique and was able to open up his 'qi jing ba mai' [marvelous/mysterious passage 8 pulses, Eight Extraordinary Channels].

Hong Qigong's martial art skill was very profound to begin with, after listening to an excellent internal energy secret such as treating one's own internal injury, with his divine comprehension within this short period of time he managed to open up one of the eight pulses; his lightness kungfu was 30, 40% recovered. Strictly speaking, if he were involved in a brawl just relying on his fists' and palms' strength, he could not even defeat a strong man who did not know any martial art. But in leaping up and down his movement was light and lively, at least in Ouyang Feng's eyes he did not look like someone who was devoid of any internal strength.

Hong Qigong was amazed to see these people were still in awe of him, he considered it carefully, "If the Old Beggar does not put on some airs, today's crisis will be difficult to resolve; but what can I say, so that the Quanzhen Masters will listen to my order, and also the Old Poison will comply without giving me too much difficulty?" Momentarily not knowing what to do he threw his head backward and laughed a big laugh; while he was looking up, he saw the moon was beginning to rise up, the bright circle looked like a wheel made of ice with one side of it slightly broken. An idea came into his mind, he said, "You are all experts in the Wulin world, but you deal with each other just like scoundrels and rascals, your words are just like farts."

Everybody was startled. They knew Hong Qigong always talked crazy words without any restrain, so they did not think much about his language; however, he must have a reason to say such thing. Ma Yu bowed in respect and asked, "Asking Qianbei [Senior] to grant us instruction."

Hong Qigong angrily said, "The Old Beggar heard some people say that on the eighth month's mid-autumn day this year there will be people fighting at the Misty Rain Tavern. The Old Beggar was afraid that his hearing was not clear, so while it is still early I want to laze around and sleep in peace and quiet here. Who knew that since early this morning I have been hearing clackety-clack and yakety-yak of people quarreling and fighting nonstop. I heard chamber pot formation or bed urinal formation, and then there was a husband beating his wife, a son-in-law attacking his father-in-law; very noisy just like killing pig or slaughtering dog, so noisy that the Old Beggar cannot take a nap in peace and quiet. Look at the moon, what day is today?"

Listening to his speech everybody remembered that today was the fourteenth of the eight month, so the martial art contest was going to be the next day. Besides, Peng Lianhu, Sha Tongtian and their company had not arrived yet, so fighting today did not make much sense. Qiu Chuji said, "Lao Qianbei [Senior] is right, we should not have made disturbance here today." He turned his head toward Ouyang Feng and said, "Ouyang Feng, let us find someplace else to decide who will be alive and who will be dead."

"Wonderful, wonderful," Ouyang Feng laughed, "I'll gladly accompany you."

Hong Qigong's face turned sour, he said, "As soon as Wang Chongyang returned to heaven, the Quanzhen Sect's bunch of mixed-up hair has become a reckless empty-headed bunch. Let me tell you something: five priests and one priestess, plus a little priest with low martial art skill, all of you join hands, you are still not the Old Poison's match. Wang Chongyang has never left anything good for me; it is none of the Old Beggar's business whether the bunch of mixed-up hairs will be alive or dead, but let me ask you this: you have a martial art contest appointment tomorrow, who will keep the appointment? Will seven dead Taoists be able to fight?"

This speech sounded like he was ridiculing the Quanzhen priests, but in it he reminded them that by fighting Ouyang Feng they would die and would not live. The seven of them could not defeat Huang Yaoshi then, obviously now they were not Ouyang Feng's match. All of the Six Masters were experienced Jianghu characters, how could they fail to catch the real meaning of his speech? But they were facing their archenemy right now, how could they cower?

With the corner of his eye Hong Qigong saw Guo Jing was staring angrily at Huang Yaoshi; while Huang Rong was crying with tears streaming down her cheeks. He knew whatever it was, it must be a very complicated matter; he thought carefully, "I'll wait for the Old Urchin; with his martial art skill he will be able to subdue everybody. At that time the Old Beggar will speak again." Thereupon he shouted, "The Old Beggar is going to take a nap; whoever lift up his fist or his kick deliberately wants to offend me. Come tomorrow evening, I don't care if you turn the sky over or shake the earth, the Old Beggar will not help anybody. Ma Yu, take this bunch of mixed-up hairs and sit down here with me cultivating your internal energy. Make a one notch internal strength gain is a gain; waiting for the last minute will not guarantee your victory. Jing'er, Rong'er, come over here and massage my legs."

Ouyang Feng was rather scared of him; he thought that if Hong Qigong joined hands with the Quanzhen Masters, they would be difficult for him to fight. He said, "Old Beggar, Yao Xiong and I two guys have some unfinished business with the Quanzhen Sect. The Nine-fingered Divine Beggar's words are like mountain; I'll follow your direction today, and tomorrow you may not help either side."

Hong Qigong was secretly amused, "If you push me with your little finger now, I am afraid I will fall down." Thereupon he loudly said, "The Old Beggar's fart is still sweeter than your words; I said I won't help, then I won't help. Are you sure you'll win?" Then he laid down face up on the ground, using his wine gourd as a pillow and called out, "Two children, come and massage my legs!"

By now only the bone was left of the lamb leg in his hand, but he was still reluctant to throw it away, he kept gnawing and licking like it was still tasty. He looked at the clouds looming over the horizon and said, "Those clouds look strange, I am afraid the weather will change very soon!" He also noticed thin mist rose from the surface of the lake; he took several deep breaths and shook his head, "It's very strange!" Turning his head toward Huang Yaoshi he said, "Yao Xiong, do you think I can borrow your daughter to massage my legs?"

Huang Yaoshi only showed a faint smile. Huang Rong came over and sat next to Hong Qigong, then started to massage his leg gently. Hong Qigong sighed, "Ay, these old bones have never enjoyed this kind of good fortune!" Staring at Guo Jing he said, "Dumb kid, are your dog's paws broken by the Old Heretic Huang?"

"Yes," Guo Jing replied. He came over the other side of Hong Qigong and started massaging his leg.

Ke Zhen'e was leaning on a willow tree by the lakeside; his pair of blind eyes was fixed at Huang Yaoshi. He was using his ears in place of his eyes. Huang Yaoshi was pacing around by the water. He walked to the east, Ke Zhen'e's head followed his movement to the east, he turned west Ke Zhen'e followed him to the west. Huang Yaoshi did not pay him any attention, only the corners of his mouth showed a cold smile.