Chapter 114: A Few Pigs That Brought Hong Qigong

After A Ku left, Hong Qigong finally raised his head and observed Wu Chengyu.

"Five years no see, and you've actually grown this tall. From your build, you should be practicing an external style."

A major advantage of Taoist School methods is that, if you don't exchange blows, it's hard to see any traces from the outside; the temples won't bulge either — at most the eyes are slightly brighter.

Yet Wu Chengyu now has a majestic physique like half a wall, his whole body covered in muscle; at first glance one would think he practices external hard skills.

"It's mainly just the Wu Family's hereditary Yan Qing Fist, not fit for the hall of elegance."

Wu Chengyu replied respectfully while walking to the wall corner and squatting down together with Hong Qigong.

Standing face to face like this letting Hong Qigong observe him — who knew if something would be spotted? Better to squat side by side.

"How did I hear the Wu Family produced a Lasa Wuchang, with extremely formidable grabbing hands, skilled in Dividing Muscles and Displacing Bones — that should be you, right?

Peach Blossom Island's family arts don't seem to have such ferocity. Lasa Wuchang isn't a good reputation. At a young age, you still shouldn't keep company with those jianghu scum who kill indiscriminately. But I also never heard that Huang Laoxie has a technique specifically for Dividing Muscles and Displacing Bones."

Three years ago at Xiao Lingshan, Wu Chengyu used the Jie Gu Qin Na Shou; his moves were too ruthless, leaving a deep impression at once. So it's only natural that news of his expertise in grabbing hands and Dividing Muscles and Displacing Bones reached Hong Qigong's ears.

As for the fight a few days ago, Wu Chengyu also used the Jie Gu Qin Na Shou; looking at it now, that was a flaw. At the time he never expected to run into Hong Qigong today.

But during that night's fight, Wu Chengyu only used the Jie Gu Qin Na Shou two or three times. Each time he was about to grab Hong Qigong, he was either dodged or directly shaken away by internal force.

The characteristic of the Jie Gu Qin Na Shou lies in dislocating bones; the premise is being able to grab the opponent's body solidly. Without a solid grab, on the surface it doesn't look much different from other grabbing hands.

At least Hong Qigong shouldn't know that the grabbing hands at that time were meant to dislocate his joints. So the grabbing hands aspect should not have exposed his identity for the time being.

However, his Body-Doubling Shadow Art lightness skill and body movement technique were undoubtedly revealed when fighting Hong Qigong; Hong Qigong must have been deeply impressed.

At Xiao Lingshan he also used it three times in full view of everyone. It was dark then, many people, noisy; people's attention was on the Black Wind Twin Demons. Then they were shocked by his own ruthless moves. So later no rumors spread that he excelled at lightness skill.

But regardless, from now on the Body-Doubling Shadow Art must be used less. Once it reaches Hong Qigong's ears, it will surely be connected together.

Wu Chengyu still decided to continue hiding his identity as the person who fought Hong Qigong that night.

On one hand, Hong Qigong has a prejudice against the Murong Family. Plus Wu Chengyu was too eager to curry favor at the time, using some underhanded tactics. Looking at Hong Qigong now, he always feels a bit guilty.

On the other hand, he now discovered the Wu Family and the Shi Family actually have secret ties — they count as one faction. If Hong Qigong knew it was he who killed Shi Tong, and if one day his mouth isn't tight and it leaks out, it will inevitably bring disaster to the family. And it would please neither side.

Some things are already riding a tiger — hard to get off. They really cannot be spoken.

While recalling the details of that night's battle, Wu Chengyu didn't dare be negligent in his speech, answering as carefully as possible.

"This technique is my late mother's hereditary family art. I also only got it from my late mother's legacy after returning to the Wu Family. It has nothing to do with Peach Blossom Island.

As for Peach Blossom Island, Huang Yaoshi is extremely particular. Martial arts must have beautiful postures — for example the Orchid Brushing Acupoint Hand and such. Qigong has surely seen them. But Huang Yaoshi never taught me any profound martial arts. I also stopped practicing Peach Blossom Island martial arts long ago."

"You — truly don't know what happened between you and Huang Yaoshi back then. But other people's family affairs I can't be bothered with.

How come I feel your voice sounds somewhat familiar?"

Wu Chengyu tried his best to keep his heartbeat from racing. His face showed no expression, but Hong Qigong's words instantly nearly broke his composure. He rallied his spirit, recalling in his mind that during the fight with Hong Qigong that night, his voice had been disguised. So there should be no flaw.

"Is that so? I'm nearly sixteen. My voice is breaking. It changes every day. Who knows, tomorrow it might be another sound altogether."

Hong Qigong expressed neither agreement nor disagreement, and didn't pursue the question further. Wu Chengyu also didn't know whether he truly suspected him.

At this moment A Ku ran out carrying a rice bowl. Inside was freshly cooked braised pig trotter. The aroma instantly filled the entire back alley.

Hong Qigong beamed with joy, hurriedly took the rice bowl, and directly bit into it. While eating, he mumbled: "It's still A Ku, this lass, who's good. You, this brat, have no conscience. This old beggar has been here half a day, and you didn't even give a cup of wine to drink."

Wu Chengyu helplessly instructed A Ku to go upstairs and fetch wine, then took the initiative to ask: "Since parting at Gushan five years ago, these years A Ku and I have both been at Wu Family Slope, yet we didn't see Qigong come looking for us. But I wonder, why did Qigong suddenly take a fancy today and suddenly appear at my Wumei Tower?"

Hong Qigong lowered his head and ignored him until he ate down half a pig trotter in one breath, then took a big breath. He took the wine A Ku handed over, gulped a few mouthfuls, exclaimed "refreshing" repeatedly, and only then had the leisure to answer Wu Chengyu.

"I'm an old beggar. You, this brat, are now a rich family's son. Unless I specially run to Wu Family Slope to beg for food, what is there to see?

But today is also a coincidence. I saw a cart deliver several pigs over. I thought this restaurant today definitely has meat to eat. So I followed along to get a bit of oil and water.

Who expected that just as I reached the alley entrance, I saw this lass A Ku, one pig in each hand, light as nothing, carrying them away. This is innate divine strength — the best material for practicing external skills.

At the time I didn't recognize A Ku as that young miss you risked your life to save back then. But from her face and age she's very young. At a young age, a body of horizontal-training tendons and bones — such promising material I haven't encountered in years.

What a pity. Back then this little lass followed you every day, yet I actually didn't check her root bones. Otherwise I would have taken her away long ago."

Only then did Wu Chengyu suddenly realize — it turned out Hong Qigong was actually attracted by A Ku.

Hong Qigong gnawed a few more pieces of meat. Speaking of A Ku, he seemed very interested.

"The old beggar then squatted in this back alley, wanting to wait for this lass to come out and observe a bit more.

Who knew not a moment later she came out carrying three large basins to give alms to beggars. These are all large chunks of meat. When can ordinary beggars enjoy such fortune?

This lass is so kind-hearted. I like her even more.

But who expected that upon seeing me she actually directly called out 'Qigong', saying I saved her back then. After a round of understanding, I then remembered the Gushan matter back then. Speaking of it, if not for A Ku, I would have completely forgotten you, this brat, long ago.

Wu Family brat, how old is A Ku this year?"

Wu Chengyu replied: "Just turned twelve?"

Hong Qigong used his own greasy hands to wildly slap his thigh, calling out "good" repeatedly.

"Such a young age, such excellent aptitude, kind-hearted at bottom. Most key is this little lass is also of beggar origin. Isn't this exactly the fine disciple Heaven sent me?"

(Chapter End)