Chapter 105

It was a misunderstanding — that was the only thought in Wu Chengyu's mind.

Or perhaps, ever since using Dou Zhuan Xing Yi always gave him the advantage, he had used it too smoothly; careless as he was, he never expected Hong Qigong to recognize it.

As sect leader, Hong Qigong naturally knew the history of the Beggar Sect; since he knew of Northern Qiao Feng, how could he not know of Southern Murong, who had so many entanglements with the Beggar Sect?

Over the past hundred years, martial arts similar to Dou Zhuan Xing Yi were basically unique to one family; others might have something similar, but none were as famous as Dou Zhuan Xing Yi.

The characteristics were so obvious that a top expert like Hong Qigong, who also knew many martial arts secrets, simply could not fail to recognize it even if he tried.

Most importantly, the Murong Family's reputation was not good; back then they schemed everywhere for the restoration of the nation and sowed discord, and Qiao Feng was harmed by the Murong Family — these things Hong Qigong surely knew as well.

"A centipede, even dead, does not stiffen; this old beggar originally thought the Murong Family had long since vanished without a trace, never expecting someone to still be around."

"Put that way, what you did today is indeed the Murong Family's long-standing style."

"I tracked Shi Tong because I did not want peace between Song and Jin, since Shi Miyuan would surely sell out the interests of the Great Song on a grand scale, and at the necessary moment expose his conspiracy."

"And your idea is to let war break out again between Song and Jin, then fish in troubled waters, to find another opportunity for your Murong Family's restoration of the nation."

"Don't you know that once a great war begins, how many common people suffer, and that stirring up chaos across the land for one's own private gain — indeed, Murong Family people will stop at nothing to achieve their goals."

Wu Chengyu was left speechless by what was said; prejudice in people's hearts was indeed a great mountain. After Hong Qigong confirmed it was Dou Zhuan Xing Yi, the Murong Family's past deeds surged into his mind, his hostility greatly increased, and he even harbored some killing intent.

What in the world was this? For no apparent reason, the Murong Family had dumped a huge blame on him, and Wu Chengyu felt very wronged.

But Hong Qigong was clearly getting serious; at that moment he gave Wu Chengyu no chance to explain, and immediately unleashed the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms.

The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms was the pinnacle of external palm techniques in the Jin Yong World; its moves were simple and clear, its essence lay entirely in the application of force, it was the utmost in yang and hardness, truly unstoppable and unbreakable, yet could also shift between heavy and light, hard and soft, at will.

Wu Chengyu's Dou Zhuan Xing Yi, when facing Hong Qigong, truly met its match; at least before Dou Zhuan Xing Yi was fully accomplished, he had no way at all.

Now Hong Qigong's palm force arrived before his eyes, and Wu Chengyu felt the space before him seemed to collapse; the overwhelming power left him unable to speak, and he could only use lightness skill to maneuver.

He stomped both feet, instantly exerted force, and with the Body-Doubling Shadow Art, in a moment produced seven or eight phantoms, simultaneously surrounding Hong Qigong from all sides, while his true body ran to Hong Qigong's rear; he no longer called him Chief Hong: "Elder Qigong, wait, I am..."

"Whoever you are, fight first and talk later." Hong Qigong acted as if he did not see the phantoms before him, and with his right hand swept backward, it was a move of Divine Dragon Wagging Its Tail.

Divine Dragon Wagging Its Tail was a move in the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms specifically targeting enemies from behind; one palm struck out, and Hong Qigong himself also shifted his steps and turned his body. The palm force was equally overbearing, but unlike Arrogant Dragon Has Regrets, it was faster and more direct, sweeping over in a single arc, truly like a tail.

Wu Chengyu had not finished speaking when this palm nearly swept him.

Now Wu Chengyu was secretly annoyed; Hong Qigong still had his old style — fight first, talk later. He no longer wanted to explain, and instead had the mind to properly measure himself against Hong Qigong.

Hong Qigong's Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms was indeed mighty; in a direct clash he would surely suffer.

But just as Hong Qigong said, he was at least not skilled in lightness skill, while Wu Chengyu's greatest achievement over these years was lightness skill and body movement technique, in which he was extremely confident.

Crane Shadow Flowing Light, Spiral Nine Shadows, and Snake Walking Fox Turning — three lightness skills each with their own characteristics; the swiftness of Cat Step, the explosive power of his super-long Achilles tendons, and his unique idea of using the protective qi flow inherent in Eel Skill to offset air resistance.

For a moment, seven or eight figures appeared again, this time all surrounding Hong Qigong and attacking.

One move of Jie Gu Qin Na Shou, reaching from the left side to grab Hong Qigong's arm.

Hong Qigong immediately used Seeing Dragon in the Field; as his palm pushed out, he quickly flipped his wrist, from below upward, the palm force suddenly accelerated and struck straight at Wu Chengyu's armpit.

Wu Chengyu dared not take it head-on, turned and transformed into a shadow to leave.

Immediately the next figure bowed and appeared directly in front of Hong Qigong, his right index finger extended, the Joining Finger pointing at Hong Qigong's dantian.

Hong Qigong now used Hidden Dragon Should Not Be Used; also raising his right hand with index and middle fingers bent, in a posture half fist half palm, he hammered toward Wu Chengyu's crown of the head, while his left hand hooked inward, grabbing at Wu Chengyu's right jawbone, forming a left-right pincer attack.

Wu Chengyu had to withdraw again; otherwise, before he could point at Hong Qigong, his own head would be plucked off by Hong Qigong.

But now he absolutely could not stop; the slightest hesitation would let Hong Qigong seize a flaw, so he could only flash and come to Hong Qigong's side again.

His hands feinted a move, using the posture of Two Dragons Seeking the Pearl to falsely attack Hong Qigong's eyes, while under his feet he used the Fierce Wind Leg Technique inherited from Feng Bo'e — one foot as pivot, one foot sweeping horizontally, the leg coming out like wind, and like a steel whip directly kicking Hong Qigong's lower body.

Hong Qigong again used Fish Leaping from the Abyss; like a swimming fish, he slipped out from Wu Chengyu's upper and lower pincer attack, and at the same time his palm came out like a claw, hooking toward Wu Chengyu's shoulder.

This move of his was like a carp leaping out of the water; whether body movement or palm strike, it was extremely explosive. In an extremely small space, even with Wu Chengyu's speed, he was somewhat unable to react. His shoulder was about to be seized by Hong Qigong, but fortunately Wu Chengyu used Eel Skill in time.

Hong Qigong's fingertips were slightly blocked by the flowing qi field of his body; immediately the shoulder muscles moved, and Hong Qigong's claw came down but could not actually grasp; Wu Chengyu withdrew in time.

Wu Chengyu unleashed several moves in succession, each time using a different martial arts skill, but each had just been launched for half a move when Hong Qigong neutralized it and counterattacked in turn. When attacking, it was like a sudden storm; when retreating, danger surrounded him.

Wu Chengyu's Body-Doubling Shadow Art body movement technique simultaneously used multiple martial arts skills; it was fast, but the consumption was also great. Normally one strike would take effect, but like now, attacking for a long time without success, the consumption of inner force and stamina was enormous, and he could not last.

Little did he know that at this moment Hong Qigong was also somewhat troubled, mainly because Wu Chengyu's speed was too fast and his body movement too slippery.

The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms was an unmatched art of utmost rigidity and ferocity, but rigidity cannot last — this is a natural law. Hong Qigong unleashed several consecutive palms, all dodged by Wu Chengyu. With his profound inner force accumulation, he was not yet exhausted, but likewise could not immediately defeat Wu Chengyu.

Clearly his martial arts far surpassed Wu Chengyu's, but the other's lightness skill and body movement were simply too unfair.

With the battle situation deadlocked, both simultaneously wanted to change their fighting style, and without prior agreement chose close-quarters combat.

Hong Qigong did so to limit Wu Chengyu's speed of body movement; even without using the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, with his martial arts cultivation he could crush Wu Chengyu.

And Wu Chengyu, on one hand to reduce the consumption of constantly using lightness skill, and on the other hand to verify his long-held idea, to test his true strength.

In the reward he obtained last time, besides the Dao Scripture, there was one thing: Hundred Families Rice.

(Chapter End)