Chapter 638

A burst of impassioned words made Ye Qin stare wide-eyed, "What? You say Lord Yue is also an innate master?"

Hong Qigong retorted, "What else would it be?"

"I thought he was just a general." Ye Qin gave an embarrassed smile.

"You don't understand? Speaking of this capital tragedy, countless wounded Jin soldiers need treatment, which requires huge amounts of money, medicine, and grain. If we killed them all, we'd become executioners instead.

Heaven loves life; even if the Jin people act themselves, they'd still be affected. Their warriors and generals lack the stomach to bear the bloody impact. Once the mind is stained, character becomes extreme and twisted. Anyone like that cannot break through the innate realm.

Don't think merely opening the Ren and Du meridians, connecting the two bridges of heaven and earth, is that simple."

Hong Qigong's earnest explanation left Ye Qin pondering, "Elder Hong should have no reason to deceive me; otherwise this would be easy to expose. Could it really be that killing many truly affects one's character?"

He suddenly recalled some murderers on Earth, those ruthless villains whose personalities were twisted—perhaps not originally so, but later inexplicably became that way.

"In that light, killing many indeed influences the mind. I just don't know what mood Bai Qi had when he buried alive over four hundred thousand Zhao captives."

While silently admonishing himself, he told Hong Qigong, "Elder Hong, thanks for pointing this out; otherwise I'd still be in the dark."

"No problem!" Hong Qigong shook his head; to him these were merely trivial matters.

"Brother Qin, sorry, I never heard my father mention this either." Huang Rong blamed herself. Usually Old Heretic Huang never told her these things, so she naturally didn't know the ins and outs, nearly dragging Ye Qin into an inescapable doom.

Fortunately, Hong Qigong stepped in to point things out, so it wasn't too late.

"It's fine, Rong'er, don't worry. With Elder Hong here." Ye Qin quickly comforted, "Besides, I haven't killed many; it's not enough to affect the mind."

Hong Qigong's face twitched as he thought: Added together, that's five or six thousand—still not many?

He didn't say that outright, but continued explaining, "Ye Qin, now you should understand why those people don't come to stop you, but instead send merchants to flatter you!"

This is a yang plot!

Ye Qin shuddered at the thought: Without Hong Qigong's warning, if he kept killing like this, once he wiped out all the bandits in the Great Song realm, his mind would be thoroughly corrupted. "By then, forget breaking through to innate—he'd likely become a murderous demon."

That's not what he wishes to see.

"Those people are truly hateful, using such vile means to frame Brother Qin!" Huang Rong's pretty face flushed with anger. She resented those behind the scenes and asked, "Elder Hong, do you know who's pulling the strings?"

Hong Qigong immediately shook his head, speaking mysteriously, "Kid Qin, you already have a guess in your heart, don't you? It's exactly what you think."

It's not hard for Beggar Sect disciples to uncover the behind‑the‑scenes figures, but if he spoke directly, that would be another matter—inviting disaster, not worth the loss.

Ye Qin casually said, "Most sects in Qin Lake, plus some clans, are probably involved. Possibly also Tibet, Great Song, Mongolia, and the Jin people. They look down on me!"

"You broke the original balance, so……" Hong Qigong explained to Ye Qin why the forces of Qin Lake united.

Simply because he shattered the original delicate balance, damaging many interests, thus this yang plot arose, even with covert guidance.

Many know that once Ye Qin has slain enough enemies, his hands stained with sufficient lives, upon reaching a certain threshold, his mind will be affected, making innate attainment impossible, thus he'd cease to be a threat.

Hong Qigong then said, "The fate I mentioned earlier is actually something intangible, unseen and untouchable, yet perceptible.

When fate is smooth, breakthroughs come easily. So you now understand why Quanzhen Sect spreads its teachings, and why my Beggar Sect disciples roam the world?"

"In a sense, this is also a way of gathering fate!"

"As a youth holding the post of Imperial City Office, you've surely received a thread of national fate. Hence, after just a few months, you've reached Acquired Perfection—this isn't baseless."

Official posts rely on the court and can also harvest national fate; for cultivators, this is greatly beneficial. That's why Hong Qigong said so. Though he's already an unrivaled innate master, he harbors no envy.

"Ah, I see!" Ye Qin nodded, suddenly enlightened. He couldn't help muttering, "This world is getting more and more interesting!"

At that moment, in the inn's hall, a man was narrating a shocking matter concerning Shaolin.

In a corner of an inn in Xiangyang City, a discussion about the Young Forest reopening its mountain gate was lively underway.

A burly drinker, slightly intoxicated, announced in a booming voice: "Do you know? After the capital's tragedy, the Young Forest has revealed a major matter to the entire martial world!"

Someone nearby curiously leaned in and asked, "Oh? What major matter?" Saying that, he immediately called the waiter, "I'll treat this brother's drink."

The waiter promptly agreed; using treats to exchange information is not uncommon here.

The burly man shook his head and began: "I recently heard that the Young Forest has announced they plan to reopen their mountain gate at Qin Lake, with the date set for the fifteenth of next month."

Upon hearing this, everyone around froze. The Young Forest has been under Mountain Closure for decades; now suddenly wanting to reopen, the purpose behind it leaves people speculating endlessly.

The tranquility of Qin Lake seems about to be broken; many people feel uneasy in their hearts. The world's storms are rising again—grudges entangled, the struggle over the Dao lineage and disciples likely to flare up anew. The world's fortune is limited; everyone wants a share, but there isn't enough to go around!

Someone asked doubtfully: "Do you know why the Young Forest wants to reopen its mountain gate? At this time, reopening would surely not be agreed upon by the major sects of Qin Lake, let alone the Jin people."

Many perceptive people saw that this step by the Young Forest would likely make it a target of public criticism.

Hong Qigong and Ye Qin walked in together; hearing the news, they also felt surprised. Hong Qigong said: "At this critical juncture, the Young Forest's move is hardly wise."

Ye Qin curiously asked: "Master Hong, why do you say that? Wouldn't it be better if the Young Forest didn't open its mountain gate?" Hong Qigong shook his head, sighed, and said: "Back then, the Young Forest's Mountain Closure was also unavoidable—before them were the heroes of Qin Lake, behind them the threat of the Jin state. But now, those threats haven't disappeared, yet they want to reopen the mountain gate; this is undoubtedly a grave mistake! Think about it: occasional appearances after the Mountain Closure aren't a problem, but if they reopen with great fanfare, they will surely compete with other sects and Daoist temples for incense followers. To seize others' wealth is like killing their parents, let alone fortune. Do you say the Young Forest has taken a wrong step?"

The struggle over followers, the battle over the Dao lineage—these are actually all for that elusive fortune, closely tied to each person's vital interests.

Ye Qin suddenly understood, saying: "Indeed! Then on the fifteenth of next month, Mount Song Young Forest will surely be lively. I estimate that everyone involved from across the world will go, possibly even involving aristocratic clans and government offices."

After Hong Qigong's guidance, Ye Qin understood. Previously, martial artists from across the world had gathered in the capital for the Buddha's relics; now, for the Dao lineage and fortune, they will certainly not retreat. The first to bear the brunt is the Quanzhen Sect, as the largest sect under heaven; the Young Forest's reopening will surely seize the Quanzhen's incense followers, possibly even coming to blows.

Hong Qigong said indifferently: "It will indeed be lively; this old beggar also wants to go join the fun. Back then, everyone had agreed that the Young Forest's Mountain Closure must not be broken for a hundred years. Now they dare to defy the world's taboo to reopen; we must give the martial world an explanation."

His eyes flashed with sharp light; the Innate Realm also has gradations—more fortune means greater strength. The Beggar Sect's disciples are spread across the world; once the Young Forest acts, it will surely harm his interests.

Ye Qin understood, smiling: "The Young Forest has gone back on its word first; this time it will surely suffer great losses."

Either they fight, or they suffer great losses; otherwise the Young Forest cannot pass the joint barrier of the martial world. Not only martial artists, but some aristocratic clans and officials stand behind the scenes; the Young Forest cannot avoid compromise. In the end, it's all about interests.

Hong Qigong curiously asked Ye Qin: "Are you going? With your current Cultivation Level, going to broaden your horizons would be good. How about going together to Mount Song?"

He valued Ye Qin's talent, and also saw that he held a strand of fortune granted by the court; if he maintains self-control, in a few years or over a decade he will surely break through to the Innate Realm and become an unparalleled master.

Ye Qin readily agreed: "Master Hong's invitation—how could I refuse? With you there, I can learn much and avoid many troubles."

!

After all, he is the Northern Beggar Hong Qigong!

Hong Qigong said satisfied: "That's excellent. If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, just come ask me. Although you are not my disciple, I also hate to see such talent of yours cut short."

The Great Song originally lacked talent; Ye Qin's ability even surpasses that of Guo Jing, whom Hong Qigong once valued. If it weren't for Ye Qin's position in the officialdom and his hold on the Office of the Imperial City, Hong Qigong would have wanted to take him as a disciple.

Ye Qin gratefully said: "Thank you, Master Hong. By the way, I actually have a question I'd like to ask you. If you could explain the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms to me once, that would be wonderful."

Of course, this is merely his thought.

Hong Qigong was stunned, thinking: I was just saying it casually, you brat actually took it seriously? Even if you did, I could never pass the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms to you!

This is a skill passed down through lineage; although he thinks highly of Ye Qin, Ye Qin is ultimately not his disciple.

Seeing Hong Qigong's gloomy expression, Ye Qin gave an embarrassed smile and quickly said, "Elder Hong, I actually just need you to explain it once. I want to make up for my shortcomings by integrating it with other martial arts, taking the essence and discarding the dross."

Facing Hong Qigong, he spoke bluntly. Anyway, it's impossible to learn the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms outright; the last three moves of this skill have been lost since the Song dynasty. If it weren't for Hong Qigong's breakthrough to the innate realm becoming an unparalleled master, there would probably be no chance to restore them.

But even so, the flaws of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms are still considerable.

Hong Qigong asked doubtfully, "What can you learn from just one explanation?" He shook his head, not believing Ye Qin had such ability.

Ye Qin said with a carefree grin, "Elder Hong, you think I can't remember it, so explaining it once won't hurt. Please indulge me!"

Hong Qigong felt this also made sense. After all, it's just one explanation—what could Ye Qin learn? What difference does it make whether I teach it or not? Besides, I could earn a favor, killing two birds with one stone.

"Fine! I've said it beforehand—I'll only explain it once. No matter whether you remember it or not, I won't explain it again." Hong Qigong said irresponsibly.

Ye Qin nodded: "Understood."

Hong Qigong didn't know that Ye Qin had a mysterious Vajra Bracelet in his dantian; otherwise he probably wouldn't have been so generous.

If Hong Qigong realized Ye Qin had set a trap for him, he might have turned around and subdued this brat, then headed to Mount Song. But in the end, he merely glared at Ye Qin and began to explain the profound secrets of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms in detail.

"The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms have always been the exclusive martial art of the Beggars' Gang leader, complementing the Dog-Beating Staff Technique. If I didn't think you couldn't possibly learn it in just one explanation, I really wouldn't have taught it to you." Hong Qigong said, his tone revealing a hint of helplessness.

Upon hearing this, Ye Qin smiled faintly; probably only he could make the renowned Northern Beggar of Qin Lake feel helpless.

"Elder Hong, this is a senior's guidance to a junior. I merely want to draw on the essence of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, not copy it wholesale." Ye Qin said with a smile.

"Hmph!" Hong Qigong curled his lip, "You brat, do you look down on this old beggar's martial arts?"

Seeing this, Ye Qin quickly offered an apologetic smile: "Elder Hong, your Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms are exquisitely superb; how could I easily master it? Grasping even some of its mysteries would already be good."

Although he also felt the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms were extraordinarily powerful—otherwise they wouldn't have become Hong Qigong's signature supreme skill—without the Vajra Bracelet's enhancement, he dared not casually cultivate it, lest practicing it cause problems that would outweigh the benefits. After all, everyone's physique and martial talent are unique; the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms suit Hong Qigong, but not necessarily him.

"You brat really know how to talk." Hong Qigong wasn't actually angry, just teasing a few sentences: "Remember, the most exquisite aspect of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms lies in its forward‑moving, fierce and domineering nature! No matter when or where, one must not retreat—that is its core. And furthermore…"

Afterwards, Hong Qigong pulled Ye Qin along and explained for an afternoon before sighing satisfied: "Alright, I've basically finished explaining it all; how much you can comprehend depends on your fortune."

He knew Ye Qin wouldn't cultivate the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, but merging martial arts like this requires a lot of time and experimentation to be possible. His reason for agreeing to Ye Qin was merely that he saw him as malleable talent, wanting to give him a chance, without holding great expectations.

However, after Hong Qigong finished his explanation, a mysterious light ring imperceptible to ordinary people was absorbed by the Vajra Bracelet inside Ye Qin's dantian. When Ye Qin's consciousness entered that miraculous space, he only then discovered what had been added.

"Although I can't directly enhance and upgrade my martial arts relying on the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, I can use it to optimize my previous techniques. If those techniques are sufficiently powerful and uncanny, combined with the might of sword intent, my combat power will definitely increase greatly!" (End of chapter)