Chapter 11: A Hundred Blossoms Bloom, Sword Banter Begins
Chapter 11: A Hundred Blossoms Bloom, Sword Banter Begins
The girl broke into a smile.
“I dare not call myself any sort of hero, I just used a bit of trickery. You’re thinking you weren’t outmatched at all, just beaten by treachery, right?”
Gu Fengchen nodded.
“Naturally not convinced. But losing is still losing. One must admit to defeat.”
The girl said,
“Fine. Since you seem relatively honest, I’ll tell you my name. I’m Qing’er.”
Gu Fengchen said,
“A fine name chosen. No matter who it is, no matter how foul their mood, as soon as they set eyes upon you, the skies will clear up like scrubbed clean, washing away every dark cloud.”
Qing’er giggled,
“My name may be good, but your explanation is better.”
Gu Fengchen looked left and right but could no longer see that silver net, so he asked,
“Where did your ready weapon disappear to? Truly without form or shadow, impossible to guard against.”
Qing’er said,
“The cords of this net are made by boiling together spider silk, silkworm silk, platinum threads, and oak tree sap. It’s both soft and tough. The knots also have tiny steel hooks within. But just now, I didn’t flick them out, sparing you some suffering.”
Gu Fengchen said,
“Many thanks for your kindness. Such a formidable weapon, I imagine no one could avoid it.”
Qing’er spat out a contemptuous “Pah!”
“What sort of person do you take me for? My net never makes an appearance lightly! Anyone fortunate enough to be snared by it once is counting it as their fortune, you know.”
Gu Fengchen touched the red mark on his arm, which hadn’t faded completely, and gave a faint smile.
Qing’er led another white horse out from the woods and shook her riding crop.
“Let’s be on our way.”
The two journeyed toward Mount Huang. They hadn’t gone far before the sky darkened. Gu Fengchen found an abandoned thatched hut at the foot of Mount Jiu Hua and prepared to pass the night there.
The bag Qing’er carried held wine and dry rations. Gu Fengchen went outside and knocked down a wild sheep with flying stones. They built a fire to roast its leg to accompany the wine. Qing’er was a skillful hand, roasting the lamb leg until crispy on the outside, tender within, most delectable.
As he drank, Gu Fengchen inquired about Qing’er’s background. Qing’er merely smiled without answering. She only said she was born south of the Yangtze River. This time, following her mother’s orders, she was making a venture into the Jianghu (Martial World) to broaden her experience. She happened to hear the Red Lotus Sect had reemerged and figured trouble certainly brewed where they appeared. So, she hurried over.
Gu Fengchen was only half-convinced but didn’t press further. He then asked if she had any clever schemes to reclaim Lian’er. Qing’er didn’t answer that either. Instead, she asked him,
“Your internal strength skill could be called transcendent. Do you truly intend to retreat from the Jianghu once you rescue that girl? Wouldn’t that be a waste?”
Gu Fengchen gave a cold laugh.
“There’s no shortage of buried talents in the Jianghu! Affairs of the world are like chess; human life is bitterly short. And the Jianghu these days… it’s different.”
Qing’er was taken aback.
“How is it different?”
Gu Fengchen said,
“The ancient ethos is gone. People all value profit. When doing anything, what people think about isn’t whether it accords with righteousness, but whether they can gain an advantage! Heh heh, not a shred of chivalrous spirit remains. What’s more, banding together to form cliques has become the prevailing wind. A man, even if his skills could pierce heaven, if unaffiliated with a faction, he’ll find it utterly hard to stand his ground. I heard that over a hundred years ago, the Jianghu teemed with wandering knights, and injustice was rare. But wandering knights of today… they’ve virtually vanished.”
Qing’er said,
“From what you’re saying, you aim to be a wandering knight yourself?”
Gu Fengchen sighed.
“I said, a man not relying on a faction cannot possibly gain foothold in the Jianghu. But this Gu is innately untethered, unwilling to serve any master. Were I to join some sect, inevitably I’d be distracted by efforts, dealing with comings and goings. How could it compare to happily forging iron in freedom.”
Qing’er gave a slight nod.
“That does have some merit. But hammering iron all day long? Ultimately, it’s rather dull. You yourself admire the ancient ethos. Why not have a go at being a wandering knight? If you truly find the Jianghu too hard to endure, seeking retreat later wouldn’t be too late either.”
Gu Fengchen swallowed a mouthful of wine and smiled faintly.
“By then, wishing to retreat likely wouldn’t be a choice any longer.” He seemed unwilling to dwell on this further and changed the subject: “Miss Qing’er, you shadowing me must have your own reasons. I shan’t pry. But the journey to Mount Huang is far too dangerous. You’d do better not to go. The fiends of the Red Lotus Sect are not only peerlessly skilled in martial arts; they are also ruthless and vicious. Should something happen, regret would come too late.”
Qing’er seemed somewhat touched, casting him a warm glance. She lowered her voice,
“This is my affair. Don’t worry about it; I can look after myself. In truth, the one who ought to be careful… is you.”
Gu Fengchen laughed,
“I’m only going to ask for a person, not to storm their stronghold. Besides, I bear no grudges against the Red Lotus Sect. They likely won’t be itching for my head.”
Qing’er said,
“Exactly so. I bear no grudges against the Red Lotus Sect either. Even if I help you demand the girl back, I’d merely be acting under duress. They would have even less reason to want my head.”
Unable to out-argue her, Gu Fengchen could only say,
“If you insist on following, then we shall scale the mountain at night. We’ll scout the place where Lian’er is held, then spirit her away unseen, unheard. What do you think?”
Qing’er spat a few “Pah!s” and shot him a withering glance.
“I thought you a hero! I was looking forward to witnessing the grand spectacle of Gu Fengchen wreaking havoc on the Bright Summit! Who would have guessed you’re as timid as a mouse, constantly plotting to skulk about!”
Gu Fengchen chuckled,
“A man who couldn’t even beat you? How on earth could I defeat so many fiends! If I don’t skulk about, what else can I do!”
Qing’er argued,
“You only lost to me because you fell into my trap! Measured by raw skill, you’re probably already the greatest martial artist under heaven! Afraid of the Red Lotus Sect? Isn’t that rather shameful!”
Gu Fengchen gave a faint smile.
“No need to try provoking me. A true man’s actions bow to no minor scruples. When strength cannot prevail, one employs wit. That’s not shameful at all.”
Qing’er was about to speak again when suddenly Gu Fengchen frowned.
“Someone’s coming.”
Qing’er hadn’t heard anything, but she flashed to the door in an instant, peering through a crack in the window frame. Seeing her quick reflexes, Gu Fengchen assumed this was not her first time navigating the Jianghu.
After a moment, a faint sound came from outside the hut. A soft Thunk! A small, four-edged dart pierced the doorpost. Beneath the body of the dart hung a black silk ribbon.
Seeing this dart, Qing’er turned her head back and smiled.
“They’re my family. No need to fear.”
Gu Fengchen asked without looking up,
“They must be watching over you.”
Qing’er pouted her small mouth, disdainfully saying,
“Me? Need protecting?! I’ll go chase them off this instant. Will you come along?”
Gu Fengchen said,
“Your family affairs are none of my business.”
Saying this, he attended only to his wine and meat.
Seeing he wouldn’t follow, Qing’er went out by herself. She pulled the dart free from the doorpost and walked in the direction from which it had been thrown.
After walking thirty paces or so, a small grove stood by the pathside. A figure slipped from its shadows to stand before Qing’er.
Qing’er tossed him the dart.
“I knew it was you.”
The man caught it and let out a light chuckle,
“Little sister, you are keeping well, I trust?”
Qing’er replied,
“I’m very well, naturally. Dare I inquire after Uncle Zhu Ge’s health?”
The man’s expression grew earnest,
“My father has always been in good health. Your concern touches us, little sister.”
The stars filled the sky at this moment, shining upon the figure below. He appeared stern and dignified, vigorous and spirited, and was not particularly old. It was none other than Zhuge Ren, the eldest son of Zhuge Xianyun.
Qing’er said, “Have you been following me?”
Zhuge Ren replied, “I was worried about you.” Qing’er pouted, “Worried about what? Afraid my martial skills are so poor I’d get myself killed?” Zhuge Ren waved his hands, “Not at all! It’s just… when you volunteered for this journey, my father wasn’t too pleased. With so many young men from the Four Great Clans, yet we let you take the risk—it would certainly invite ridicule among fellow warriors in the Martial World if it got out.”
Qing’er retorted, “Ha! So you were really worried about losing face, not about me!”
Zhuge Ren hurriedly defended himself, “I truly fear something might happen to you! Face doesn’t matter to me!” Qing’er smiled, “No need for concern. I will accomplish my mission and bring word back. Tell Lord Zhuge and the others to await good news.” Zhuge Ren offered, “Let me accompany you.”
Qing’er shook her head, “That won’t do. The young men of the Four Great Clans, like you, are constantly appearing publicly in the Martial World. Too many people recognize you. Among them, there will inevitably be spies of the Red Lotus Sect. If you’re recognized, it wouldn’t only be unhelpful—it could be downright fatal.”
A soft warmth flickered in Zhuge Ren’s eyes as he said gently, “You care about me. This one sentence alone is enough.”
Qing’er urged him, “Hurry now. We’re too close to Mount Huang.”
Reluctant to leave, Zhuge Ren took one step, glanced back thrice, and incessantly admonished, “Be careful on the road. Be extremely careful. If anything changes, come back immediately.”
Qing’er watched his figure disappear into the woods. Once he had completely vanished, she frowned, muttered something under her breath, and turned to walk back. She had only taken a few steps when she suddenly spun around again, addressing the trees, “Who’s there?”
A soft rustle came from the foliage of a tree, and a shadow shot down, swift as an arrow, landing on the ground.
Seeing this figure, Qing’er smiled slightly, “Senior Brother Wan is here too. Pleasure.”
The man didn’t reply nor approach. He remained isolated within the tree’s shadow, as if afraid of the moonlight. Qing’er, knowing he abhorred wasted words, asked bluntly, “Senior Brother Wan, you’ve come worried about little sister’s safety too, haven’t you?”
The man still didn’t answer, instead asking coldly, “Who was your companion?”
Qing’er replied, “A nobody.”
“A nobody?” the man’s voice was sharp. “You seemed rather pleased.” Qing’er laughed, “Of course I was pleased. Have I ever been displeased to see you?” The man seemed momentarily stumped. He paused before saying, “This person’s background is unknown. You should be cautious.”
Qing’er said easily, “Rest assured, Senior Brother. Frankly, I doubt anyone born yet could successfully deceive me. It’s already a blessing if I’m not the one fooling others, right?”
The man fell silent for several heartbeats, then finally nodded. “You are right. I overthought.”
Only then did the man slowly emerge from the shadows into the moonlight, revealing his face.
If a third person were present at that moment, they would have been deeply shocked. Because this face was truly grotesque and terrifying.
He was tall and gaunt, enveloped in fine silk robes that covered his limbs entirely, revealing only his head and neck. And it was precisely this head and neck that inspired instinctive horror.
Because it didn’t resemble a human head. It looked more like the head of a beast.
He was extremely hairy; coarse black hair covered nearly all of his head and face, leaving only his nose, eyes, and mouth bare. Viewed thus, he resembled a monkey, yet it was undeniably a human countenance. His eyes were sharp as knives; one glance from him felt like it cut directly into the heart, profoundly unsettling.
This strange, simian-like man was the only son of Wan Chongshan of the Longxi Golden Eagle Sect, one of the Four Great Clans. His name was Wan Xiaolou. Wan Xiaolou had been born covered in black fur, with a small tail protruding from his backside—an extremely rare case of genetic atavism. Unaware of such phenomena, the ancients deemed him a monster. His birth mother was literally frightened to death. In a rage, Wan Chongshan tried to drown the infant. Fortunately, a nun intervened, persuading him with difficulty to spare the child. She took Wan Xiaolou away to raise him. She found a renowned physician who removed his small tail, but the thick black hair covering his body only grew denser and thicker the more it was shaved. It was hopeless. The renowned physician declared that to permanently remove the hair, he would need his skin completely removed and replaced, a technique beyond the world’s medical knowledge. They had no choice but to abandon the idea.
Strangely, despite taking over a dozen concubines afterward, Wan Chongshan never fathered another child. Only when Wan Xiaolou was ten did the nun finally bring him back home. Seeing the child remarkably robust and strong, Wan Chongshan tested him. Wan Xiaolou mastered any martial art taught to him instantly. Impressed and pleased, Wan Chongshan formally acknowledged him as his son and took him back.
By the age of seventeen, Wan Xiaolou had fully mastered his father’s techniques, especially the hand technique known as the Eagle Claw Technique. Indeed, his skill in it now surpassed his father’s; he was reckoned second to none in the entire martial world. This supremacy stemmed from his naturally unique hands—shaped almost like an animal’s claws, granting him extraordinary finger strength.
Despite his formidable martial prowess, Wan Xiaolou was reclusive and deeply reluctant to be seen. Therefore, whenever matters arose in the martial world, his father, Wan Chongshan, always represented the Longxi Golden Eagle Sect. Even when Zhuge Xianyun recently celebrated his birthday, Wan Xiaolou declined to attend, letting his father go alone. This was common knowledge among the Four Great Clans, so no one blamed him for it.
Though solitary by nature, Wan Xiaolou harbored a deep affection for one person—the young woman Qing’er. Yet, he understood clearly in his heart: a celestial beauty like Qing’er would never willingly marry someone like him. Thus, he nurtured an unrequited love, consciously futile yet uncontrollable. Any chance he got, he seized it just to watch her a little longer.
Qing’er felt no particular aversion towards him. Indeed, she found Wan Xiaolou profoundly pitiful. Combined with her respect for his incredible martial skill, she regarded him with a complex mix of pity and reverence. Now, seeing that he had traveled thousands of li just to ensure her safety, a wave of gratitude washed over her again.
Wan Xiaolou glanced in the direction Zhuge Ren had departed and stated flatly, “Brother Zhuge seems quite concerned about you.” Qing’er replied readily, “Isn’t that good? The more people concerned for me, the safer I am.” Wan Xiaolou snorted coldly, “I fear he has ulterior motives.”
Qing’er retorted sharply, “Don’t think the worst of everyone!”
Wan Xiaolou pressed, “Do you think all his currying favor and building his reputation is for the sake of the Four Great Clans? Hmph! It’s solely for his own ambition. Already, the other three families are being overshadowed by Zhuge.”
Qing’er countered angrily, “‘Blood ties that bind the Four Great Clans’ – those words have echoed for decades! Speaking like this, aren’t you afraid to face punishment?”
Wan Xiaolou said, “I only speak the truth. I don’t tell lies. Not like others…”
Qing’er said, “Alright, alright, I understand how things stand. You should hurry back. If anyone sees you, my plan will be ruined.”
Wan Xiaolou gazed at her intently for another moment, then slowly retreated into the tree’s shadow. Suddenly, he leaped onto the tree, extended his ten fingers, and began grasping and swinging in quick succession. He darted and bounded through the branches and leaves with incredible speed and elusive agility, swift as lightning. In the blink of an eye, he vanished dozens of zhang away, truly moving like a long-armed gibbon.
Only after seeing him disappear into the distance did Qing’er finally let out a long sigh of relief. She sighed softly and walked towards the thatched hut. When she pushed the door open, she found Gu Fengchen was not inside. Looking around, she suddenly noticed several large lines of characters etched deeply onto the wooden plank wall, carved half an inch deep with a finger:
“The traveler, met by chance, will not request aid; bidding farewell, he takes one jar of wine, leaving a steed of mediocre quality to cover the cost of liquor.”
Stepping outside to look, she saw that Gu Fengchen’s horse was indeed still tethered to a tree. He hadn’t ridden away.
Qing’er returned inside the hut and stared at the carved words again and again. Finally, a soft pfft escaped her lips as she laughed. The firelight illuminated her face, her smile blossoming like a flower, a rosy blush spreading across both cheeks, making her look indescribably beautiful and charming.
Gu Fengchen left the thatched hut, choosing not to ride his horse, and instead strode purposefully towards Mount Huang. He had made up his mind early on to venture into danger alone. Though Qing’er seemed to offer a clever plan, Gu Fengchen, despite an outwardly rough boldness, possessed inner clarity. He was certain Qing’er harbored secrets of her own. Even if she helped him, she likely had ulterior motives. Moreover, he had always detested being in another’s debt; this feeling was as excruciating as having his guts ripped out. Such was his nature: he could bear injustice calmly, but receiving others’ favors would leave him sleepless.
He traveled at an incredibly swift pace, his strides eventually becoming so fast it seemed he was skimming just above the ground. It was now midnight, and the main road was utterly deserted, perfect for pushing himself. When exuberance struck him during his sprint, he would lift the wine jar he carried and take several hearty gulps, savoring the pure exhilaration.
He maintained this furious pace for more than two hours before finally slowing down to rest briefly. After traveling for another half hour, the sky gradually began to lighten, and early travelers became visible on the road.
Upon asking, Gu Fengchen learned he had reached the foot of Mount Huang. Raising his eyes, the distant mountain outline became increasingly clear. As a blazing red sun burst forth over the horizon, the majestic, beautiful landscape of this sacred mountain unfolded before him.
This was Gu Fengchen’s first visit to Mount Huang. Renowned since ancient times for its ethereal beauty, rugged grandeur, and unique wonders, its peaks and rocks were a deep, bluish-black, earning it the ancient name Mount Yi. The name wasn’t changed to Mount Huang until the era of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, who embraced the Taoist doctrine of Huang-Lao. Among its three principal peaks – Lotus Peak, Heavenly Capital Peak, and Bright Summit – each soared into the clouds, majestic and spectacular.
Today was the final day of the deadline. Gu Fengchen merely ate some simple dried rations before immediately setting foot into the mountains. Without checking for other hikers or tourists, even in broad daylight, he unleashed his lightness skill, dashing forward like the wind. Where the mountain path meandered, he took the most direct route, leaping and scaling cliffs directly. While this meant many scenic wonders along the way went unseen, he accepted this as an unfortunate necessity.
After racing like this for half a day, he arrived at the base of Bright Summit around noon. Mount Huang boasted seventy-two famous peaks. The Red Lotus Sect actually held only Bright Summit and Lotus Peak; the remaining seventy peaks remained untouched. When the Mount Huang Sect recaptured the territory after the Red Lotus Sect’s retreat, they had sensibly refrained from destroying the sect’s temples and halls. Thus, everything remained as it was, only under new ownership.
Reaching the base of the peak, Gu Fengchen paused briefly. His original intention had been to ascend under cover of night. But today was the final day. Waiting until dusk risked missing the deadline – Lian’er might already be dead. Delaying was impossible; he had to ascend immediately to ensure Lian’er remained alive.
In Gu Fengchen’s mind, Bright Summit at this moment must be heavily guarded, bristling with swords, with sect members swarming everywhere. Yet, as he ascended half a li, not a single person could be seen. This only deepened his suspicion.
Was Hong Linger deceiving me? Are there even any people on Bright Summit right now? Is Lian’er really imprisoned up there? These thoughts made him increasingly anxious. His feet flew over the ground, wishing he could soar to the peak in a single step.
The mountain path curved around a bend, and a strange spectacle suddenly appeared before him.
A deep, wide ravine lay across the path ahead. In the distance, a waterfall plunged down, its spray like shattering pearls and jade, flowing into the ravine’s depths. Spanning the gorge was a stone bridge, perhaps a dozen paces long, its design ancient and unadorned.
The bridge itself wasn’t what was strange. What was startling was the white flag planted just before the bridge. On it were written four large characters in vermilion ink: “Cross Here If Timid.” “Cowards cross here.”
The meaning couldn’t be clearer: the cowardly should take the bridge. So, where did the bold go? Gu Fengchen looked again. About ten paces away from the bridge, spanning the gorge itself, lay a small tree. Its trunk was barely a wrist’s thickness. Its crown rested on one side of the ravine, its roots stretched to the other, forming a perilous single-log bridge.
Near the roots on the far side, lying sprawled out, was a figure shielding its head and face with a large hat. The figure seemed to be snoring loudly in deep sleep.
Seeing that hat stirred a memory in Gu Fengchen. He recognized it as the small-headed man he had encountered earlier at the wild inn. That man possessed extraordinary internal energy and was not to be underestimated. Now he was blocking the other end of the log, his purpose unclear.
As soon as Gu Fengchen took his first step toward the log, the small-headed man stood up with a chuckle. Plopping the hat firmly back onto his head, he resumed his previous comical appearance: a visible hat where a face should be.
As Gu Fengchen approached the head of the log bridge, the small-headed man gave a sly giggle and said, “You did come, as expected. You honor your word.” His voice, muffled as before, made one wonder what benefit he got from speaking like that. Gu Fengchen replied, “It seems you have been waiting here for quite some time.”
The small-headed man said, “Not overly long. Judging by your pace, I expected you the day before yesterday.” Gu Fengchen responded, “There were hindrances on the road, causing delay. I trust I am not too late?” The small-headed man glanced at him. “Not yet too late. Our master decreed that if you had not ascended Bright Summit by the Xu hour [7-9 PM] today, the girl would be executed. Doing the sums, you have roughly three hours left.”
Gu Fengchen said, “In these three hours, I doubt Gu Fengchen will find a straightforward journey to the peak.” The small-headed man chuckled. “Naturally. Bright Summit only welcomes heroes and fierce warriors. Whether you possess such mettle requires passing three trials.” Gu Fengchen asked, “So, sir, are you the first trial?”
“Precisely,” the small-headed man confirmed with amusement. “However, should you feel fear, you may walk that way,” he gestured towards the stone bridge. “It’s no secret; each trial offers two passages. If you deem yourself lacking courage, you could reach Bright Summit in under an hour and retrieve the girl.”
Gu Fengchen laughed heartily. “Testing Gu Fengchen’s skills? Very well, state your challenge. Spare me the idle talk.” He stood before the end of the log bridge, head held high, standing erect, calmly waiting for his opponent to act.
The small-headed man giggled softly. “Ha, truly bold. I won’t detain you long. All you need do is stand upon this tree trunk, withstand three punches from me without falling into the ravine, and I will yield, allowing you passage. If I fall from the tree? That too counts as my defeat. Fair and reasonable. Agreed?”
Gu Fengchen knew this man possessed formidable internal energy. He recalled how even the seemingly harmless Yang Guan Thief had been sent fleeing, spitting blood, by one of the small-headed man’s seemingly light punches. Still, since mastering the Heaven-Defying Divine Art, Gu Fengchen wasn’t certain of his own current strength. This challenge offered a good opportunity to gauge it. He declared, “So be it. I shall receive your three punches.”
So saying, he stepped onto the tree trunk, planting his feet firmly, one before the other in a stance. “Come.”
The small-headed man approached, giggling, “Stand steady now. If you fall down, even if you don’t die, you’ll end up thoroughly soaked.”
Gu Fengchen understood why this spot was chosen for the challenge. Even if he lost and was knocked into the ravine, he wouldn’t fall to his death. It seemed the Red Lotus Sect didn’t truly intend to take his life. This thought ignited a heroic spirit within him. He thought to himself, If I lose, Lian’er will surely die, and I would have betrayed Feng Jue’s dying wish. I wouldn’t deserve to live either. So for me, losing means death.
Having resolved himself, he shouted, “Wait, let’s not start yet!” The small-headed man asked, “Anything more to say?” Gu Fengchen replied, “I dislike crossing hands with nameless people. State your name.” The small-headed man gave a cackle. “You’d find out sooner or later; it won’t hurt to tell now. I am Zhou Cuo, one of the Eight Steeds of the Crimson Lotus, the Marquis of Uplifting Wings.”
Gu Fengchen knew Xue Wuhen bore the title Marquis of Phantom Shadow, ranking far above the Marquis of Uplifting Wings. Xue Wuhen was famed for his qinggong (lightness skill), but his strategy and courage were also top-notch. As for this Marquis of Uplifting Wings, Zhou Cuo, Gu Fengchen had only witnessed his Internal Energy and had no inkling of his other abilities. But the fact that he was among the Eight Steeds meant he was certainly extraordinary. Fortunately, this trial focused on Internal Energy, something Gu Fengchen didn’t fear. After learning his name, Gu Fengchen concentrated his breath and focused his spirit, calmly awaiting the attack.
(The author notes secretly that this Marquis of Uplifting Wings, Zhou Cuo, was indeed a remarkable figure in the martial world. This man possessed natural divine strength and was further enhanced by Internal Energy imparted by an eccentric master, making him powerful beyond compare. Though ranked among the Eight Steeds, his Internal Energy could be considered the strongest among them. He was especially skilled in the fist techniques of every major martial school in the Jianghu and had invented his own set of fistwork called “Making the Best of a Mistake,” characterized by bizarre and unparalleled moves.) (His behavior was often eccentric and somewhat playful; no one had ever seen him truly angered. He found amusement in everything, a rare trait in the world.)
(Eccentric as he was, he most enjoyed crossing hands with others. Seeing Gu Fengchen set his stance and wait, Zhou Cuo strode forward.) “I shall strike you three times,” he declared. “For the first fist, I’ll use ‘Straight to Huanglong’ from the Six Harmonies Fist, striking your lower belly. The second fist will be ‘A Reed Westward Bound’ from the Great Sorrow Fist, attacking your right ribs. If you withstand both blows, for the final fist, I’ll use my own “Best of a Mistake” fist. Which move… ah, yes! I’ll use ‘Caring for One and Losing Sight of the Other’ strike to your chest. Got it?”
Gu Fengchen thought to himself, This man seems honorable. He clearly states which fist he’ll use and where it will land beforehand. He nodded, signalling Zhou Cuo to proceed with his strikes.
Zhou Cuo’s face still wore a broad grin as he set his feet, one forward, one back. “First fist, coming!” he announced. Adopting his posture, his right fist shot out with a whoosh straight towards Gu Fengchen’s lower belly—truly the “Straight to Huanglong” from the Six Harmonies Fist. Gu Fengchen observed the move closely. Seeing Zhou Cuo keep his word, he nodded inwardly. Zhou Cuo wanted him to receive three fists but hadn’t specified how. This meant, other than countering, Gu Fengchen could defend however he liked. He employed a Shaolin technique called “Dense Forest atop the Sacred Summit” from the Demon Subduing Palm, raising his palm to meet the incoming fist.
Thump! Fist and palm connected solidly. Both figures swayed slightly where they stood.
Gu Fengchen had used about sixty percent of his strength. He assumed Zhou Cuo, starting out, would likely test the waters to gauge Gu Fengchen’s limits before unleashing a fierce attack in subsequent rounds. So, he’d saved the remaining forty percent for the following two strikes.
Inside, however, Zhou Cuo was shocked. This first punch had contained ninety percent of his power.
Zhou Cuo was eccentric by nature, always unconventional. Gu Fengchen expected him to lead with a probing strike to assess his depth, but Zhou Cuo defied convention, unleashing an overwhelming force right from the start, nearly his full power. Despite this, Gu Fengchen hadn’t retreated half a step! How could he not be startled? With this full-bodied blow, he tested Gu Fengchen’s Internal Energy and found it superior to his own. Rarely had he met such an opponent since his debut in the Jianghu. Though Gu Fengchen’s exertion level was unknown, Zhou Cuo had reserves left. Yet, he realized he needed strategy for the next strike.
“Heh! Fine skill! Take my second fist!” Zhou Cuo cried out, launching the second punch precisely as promised: “A Reed Westward Bound” from the Great Sorrow Fist.
Unlike the straightforward Six Harmonies Fist move, this punch pulsed subtly, the force winding sinuously. His entire arm, down to the fist, moved like a spirit snake. It truly resembled a single reed leaf drifting on a vast river, shifting aimlessly, its direction impossible to predict. Zhou Cuo proved himself a master of the fist arts. Any punch he threw seemed honed over a lifetime, executed with deep familiarity and precision, embodying its essence perfectly.
True to his prior declaration, the punch targeted Gu Fengchen’s right ribs. Having been warned, Gu Fengchen was prepared. He invoked “Flowers Threaded, Willows Brushed” from the Shaolin Flower Plucking Palm. His left palm feinted while his right palm shot out from beneath it, meeting the incoming fist.
Crack! Fist and palm connected again, and Gu Fengchen was momentarily puzzled.
When experts clashed palms, the contact was usually either silent or produced heavy thumping sounds like thud-thud. It was never a sharp crack like this—a sound common only when two people utterly bereft of martial skill struck each other with hands. Perplexed, Gu Fengchen channeled his Internal Energy towards his palm only to find no trace of force emanating from Zhou Cuo’s fist. His own formidable strength met nothing.
In that instant of surprise and slightly scattered focus—the precise gap Zhou Cuo aimed for—his attack shifted. Having withheld his force, waiting for Gu Fengchen’s moment of vulnerability, Zhou Cuo now unleashed it abruptly. This time, the Internal Energy surged forth like a raging torrent breaking free of the heavens, a violent, irresistible flood!
In terms of pure Internal Energy reserves, Gu Fengchen was clearly superior. But Zhou Cuo far eclipsed him in real combat experience and the skillful application of Internal Energy. A simple ruse ensnared Gu Fengchen. His energy flow weakened, like an unbolted gate pushed open, allowing Zhou Cuo’s force to penetrate unimpeded.
By the time Gu Fengchen realized the trick, it was too late.
The force within Zhou Cuo’s fist was bizarre and fluctuating. Once it breached Gu Fengchen’s defense, Zhou Cuo intensified his output, the subsequent energy waves unrelenting like a mighty river’s endless flow. Gu Fengchen immediately sensed the crisis. The incoming force was unstoppable. Attempting to block it head-on would surely break his arm. Retreating would dissipate the force and spare him injury, but it meant conceding defeat, which sealed Lian’er’s fate.
In that sliver of an instant, Gu Fengchen resolved: he would die rather than retreat one step. His right arm, subjected to a violent tremor from Zhou Cuo’s impact, was nearly paralyzed with numbness and couldn’t withstand the pressure. Reacting with lightning speed, his left palm shot out, seizing his violently trembling right arm. Simultaneously, he channeled his Internal Energy through his left arm to meet the torrential onslaught. For the first fist, Gu Fengchen had used pure Yang Internal Energy—majestic, righteous, and untainted. What he summoned now, however, was a surge of pure Yin Internal Energy. Zhou Cuo never imagined Gu Fengchen could possess two polar opposite Internal Energies. Upon contact, it felt like an icy mountain colliding head-on—bone-chilling and intensely strange. Combined with Gu Fengchen’s hands now combined and stabilizing the confrontation, they sank into an Internal Energy contest. Zhou Cuo’s mind was perfectly clear: he knew he couldn’t easily gain the upper hand anymore. He laughed out loud and withdrew his force.
Logically, in this second exchange, Gu Fengchen had used both palms against a single fist, which should count as a loss. However, Zhou Cuo hadn’t explicitly forbidden using both hands in his initial terms—a careless oversight on his part. Therefore, this round could only be tentatively called a draw.
Gu Fengchen inwardly sighed with relief. If Zhou Cuo had set stricter rules, he’d have had to admit defeat. But Zhou Cuo was equally astonished. He had thrown two fists with his full power: the first, a straightforward, central attack meant to overpower, yielded no advantage; the second, involving the subtle flicker and flow of Internal Energy, was a high-level technique, yet it too was completely deflected by Gu Fengchen’s strange, unexpected energy. Now, only the final punch remained. To defeat his opponent, he couldn’t afford the slightest lapse.
With this in mind, Zhou Cuo maintained his playful tone, giving a thumbs-up of praise. “Truly, a young hero! Remarkable indeed! I went to the frontier for over a decade and never imagined a youngster as impressive as you would emerge in the Central Plains’ martial world. It truly shows the new waves push the old, the young replace the aged!”
Gu Fengchen made a cupped-hand salute and said, “No need for praise, your first two punches, I barely managed to withstand, and there’s still the last punch, which must be even more formidable.”
Zhou Cuo said, “That’s natural. For the first two punches, I used existing techniques from the Jianghu (Martial World), nothing unusual. This last punch, however, is a fist technique I created myself, never used before in the Jianghu (Martial World). You must be careful to face it.”
Gu Fengchen nodded and said, “I will certainly do so. Please go ahead, sir.”
Zhou Cuo was not exaggerating. This set of fist technique he created, called “Making the Mistake Right,” was truly a strange martial art in the martial world. Each punch did not follow conventional patterns, even the method of generating force was different. He created it while hiding in the borderlands. During trials, even “Mortal King” Gui Qulai of the “Three Talents” sighed in admiration at this technique, considering it a unique skill. Today, he had proposed beforehand to use one move from this technique, enough to show his regard for Gu Fengchen.
Seeing Gu Fengchen take a breath and concentrate, preparing to receive his final punch, Zhou Cuo contemplated inwardly. This punch absolutely must not injure him, or it would greatly contradict the Cult Leader’s intentions; but if he didn’t injure him, it might seem he was incompetent and invite ridicule. This fine line required careful handling.
Thinking of this, Zhou Cuo took a long breath, focused his force into his fist, and his entire fist seemed to grow larger. Previously, his fist was already the size of two ordinary people’s, and with this exertion, it became even more impressive, giving the impression that it was not a fist at all, but a steel hammer capable of shattering mountains and ridges.
Seeing this scene, Gu Fengchen dared not be careless. Holding his breath, he concentrated and channelled all his Internal Energy into his palm, ready to confront the enemy.
Zhou Cuo did not throw the punch immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes and fell silent. His fist clenched tighter and tighter, the knuckles seeming to protrude from the flesh.
At that moment, on the single-log bridge, the two stood still like two statues, motionless. The mountain wind blew, causing the large banner on the stone bridge ten steps away to flutter noisily, and the sound of the waterfall rushing below them seemed to fade into the distance as they listened. Their spirit and energy were entirely focused on fist and palm; even if drums and gongs were beaten beside them, they would not have heard.
Suddenly, Zhou Cuo exhaled and roared with a loud shout. This shout overpowered all else, startling the wild birds in the forest into flapping flight. The entire valley echoed continuously, as if even the waterfall below trembled for a instant.
In the past, at Changban Bridge, Zhang Yide faced a million Cao troops with a furious roar that broke the bridge and reversed the river flow. Today, Zhou Cuo’s powerful shout, while not breaking the bridge or halting the water, was still thrilling and terrifying. But opposite him was only one person.
With that roar, Zhou Cuo’s enormous fist slammed forward like a battle hammer. Its force was insufficiently described as splitting tombstones or rocks; it seemed capable of crushing mountains and severing ridges.
Facing such a blow, Gu Fengchen’s heart quivered wildly. Summoning all the strength of his life, he pushed out with a single palm as if moving Mount Tai, meeting the fist head on.
This time, both men exerted their full force; the two powers collided directly yet produced no sound at all. But the Internal Energy surged like underwater undercurrents—raging waves, unstoppable.
Yet Zhou Cuo’s fist force completely changed direction in an instant.
Logically, such a fierce fist force was like ten thousand horses charging together, released in one direction, impossible to alter midway. If forced to change course, it would inevitably fail to retract in time, leading to a disastrous fall—similarly with Internal Energy, such immense force suddenly changing direction could break bones and rupture tendons or cause severe internal injuries, spouting blood, a dreadful sight.
That was the theory, but Zhou Cuo’s punch achieved exactly that. He neither broke bones nor suffered internal injuries or blood-spitting. It seemed entirely natural, as if the punch had intended this direction from the start.
His target was the small tree beneath Gu Fengchen’s feet.
The force of the punch bypassed Gu Fengchen’s palm and slanted downward, striking the tree trunk. The wrist-thick tree could not bear such an impact, instantly snapping in two with a loud crack.
With the trunk broken, Gu Fengchen’s body began to fall downward. Zhou Cuo, prepared, moved back immediately after throwing the punch, standing on the tree roots.
Thus, with the trunk broken, the half-trunk and crown on Gu Fengchen’s side lost balance and plunged into the ravine, while Zhou Cuo’s half-trunk remained spanning the ravine because he stood on the roots. The previously stated condition was that whoever fell off the tree lost. Zhou Cuo still stood on the tree, so naturally Gu Fengchen had lost.
In truth, this punch had used all of Zhou Cuo’s strength. In his created “Making the Mistake Right” fist technique, “Grasping for One and Losing the Other” was an extremely profound move. The name reflected its intent—to make the opponent attend to one thing and lose sight of another. It appeared to aim at the chest, but the punch’s force could shift freely. Fortunately, Zhou Cuo did not wish to injure Gu Fengchen, or he could have directed the Internal Energy to strike Gu Fengchen’s lower legs instead of the trunk. With Gu Fengchen’s lack of experience and this strange move, broken leg bones would have been certain.
Their entire clash was actually extremely brief, over in the blink of an eye. Gu Fengchen’s support was gone, and his body started to fall. He felt a chill in his heart; if he fell into the ravine, he would lose, and for Lian’er, he absolutely could not lose.
Desperation fueled strength. At this critical moment, Gu Fengchen’s cultivated Heaven-Defying Divine Art came into play. Suspended in mid-air with nothing to leverage, he swung his arms with force and miraculously rose one foot upward.
In confrontations between masters, victory or defeat often hung by a hair. As Gu Fengchen rose abruptly and at the peak of his ascent, he waved his fingers and seized Zhou Cuo’s half of the snapped trunk, hanging in the air and swaying lightly.
Immediately, the situation deadlocked.
Gu Fengchen may have been in a precarious position, but he had not yet fallen off the tree. Though Zhou Cuo held the upper hand, he could not move an inch. If he stepped forward, the half-trunk would lose balance and both might fall into the ravine; if he stepped back, Gu Fengchen and the trunk would fall, but Zhou Cuo could no longer stand on the tree either, and by the rules, he would lose.
At this point, a single light punch from him would break the trunk, but the three punches were done—no further actions allowed. As a top fighter ranked among the Eight Steeds, backing out was dishonorable.
One above, one below, their eyes met, and neither spoke for a moment.
Shortly after, Zhou Cuo suddenly laughed heartily and extended his hand. “Come on up.” Gu Fengchen took a breath, leapt, tapped the trunk with his toes, and flew backward to Zhou Cuo’s rear. Zhou Cuo also jumped off the tree, and the half-trunk fell into the ravine, carried away by the water.
Gu Fengchen made a fist salute and said, “Thank you, sir, for going easy on me.” These words came genuinely. He knew in his heart—his Internal Energy might be strong, but his moves and experience paled next to Zhou Cuo. Truly, Zhou Cuo had not meant to harm him, so he had luckily survived the three punches.
Zhou Cuo, having failed to defeat Gu Fengchen, did not get angry. Instead, he chuckled and said, “You truly are a formidable man. The Cult Leader’s judgment is well-founded. Go ahead, ascend.”
Gu Fengchen dared not linger any longer. He cupped his hands toward Zhou Cuo and turned to walk up the peak.
After traveling another half a mile or so, he spotted a grand Main Hall halfway up the mountain. Above it hung a golden plaque inscribed with three large characters: “Hall of Reverence.” In front of the hall was a flat, bluestone-paved area. Standing at its center was a large, man-height incense burner from which thin wisps of blue smoke still rose.
Before the incense burner stood a figure in stillness, hands clasped behind his back, facing the Main Hall. Gu Fengchen observed him: clad in Taoist robes, a long sword strapped to his back, holding a horsetail whisk in hand.
Hearing footsteps, the Taoist turned around. His gaze swept over Gu Fengchen’s face, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. He asked, “Did Zhou Fuyi fail to stop you?” Gu Fengchen replied, “Senior Zhou showed mercy. Only through his leniency have I been able to arrive here. May I respectfully inquire the honorable Taoist’s name?”
The Taoist flicked his whisk. “This humble Taoist is Shende.” Gu Fengchen blinked. “Shende? Abandon to Gain? Can that be a Taoist name?” Shende Taoist smiled. “I say it counts, so it counts.”
Gu Fengchen laughed too. “That’s a fine name. Shende. Abandon to Gain. One must let go to gain. Close to Zen principles.” Shende Taoist’s expression turned serious. “Our Taoism is the teacher of the Buddhist school. In ancient times, Laozi taught the barbarians, giving rise to Buddhism. Its essence derives from our Taoism. Remember that, young friend, and do not mistake it.”
The story of Laozi teaching the barbarians was widely debated and held no definitive record. Gu Fengchen, having taken vows at the Shaolin Temple, certainly knew this. Arguing the point thoroughly with Shende would likely take years. Yet, the matter at hand seemed unrelated to Laozi. So, Gu Fengchen steered the conversation elsewhere. “Senior Zhou mentioned that I must endure three trials to ascend the Bright Summit. The Taoist master before me must be the second trial.”
Shende Taoist nodded. “Quite so. This humble Taoist awaits you here specifically.”
Gu Fengchen asked, “What methods does the Taoist Master plan to test in me?” Shende Taoist replied, “How dare I speak of ‘testing’? Since you passed the first trial, I believe your Internal Energy must be supreme. For this humble Taoist’s trial, I ought to know my limitations and retreat. Yet, by my master’s command, I dared not disobey. I steel myself to exchange a few moves with you.”
He spoke slowly and distinctly, each word enunciated clearly. His movements as he turned were also deliberate, almost sluggish. Coupled with his self-deprecating words, it was designed to invite underestimation from an ordinary listener.
Gu Fengchen, however, felt not a shred of complacency. He inquired, “Does the Taoist Master also rank among the Eight Steeds?”
Shende Taoist bowed his head slightly. “Though untalented, this humble Taoist is favored by his master’s regard, earning a humble place. I bear a minor sobriquet: Surpassing Light Lord.”
Gu Fengchen’s heart tightened inwardly. Surpassing Light Lord ranked sixth among the Eight Steeds; he must possess extraordinary ability. Cupping his hands, Gu Fengchen said, “So it is Surpassing Light Lord. My deepest respects. Having just learned your distinguished name, I ought to know my limitations and withdraw. Yet, with lives hanging in the balance, I steel myself to exchange a few moves with the Taoist Master.”
This was an exact echo of Shende’s own earlier words, returned intact. Shende couldn’t help but chuckle faintly. “We each have our reasons. Let us dispense with courtesies.” With that, he slowly drew the sword from his back, holding it horizontally in his palm, and with one hand unsheathed the blade—revealing it to be a mere Wooden Sword.
Gu Fengchen was inwardly startled, thinking, This man’s Internal Energy must be formidable indeed, to wield a blade of mere vegetation!
Though alarmed, his face remained composed. “The Taoist Master is the host, and I am but a guest. As the saying goes, a strong guest does not overpower the host. For this contest, I ask the Taoist Master to propose the challenge.”
Shende fetched a stick of incense from beside the burner. It was about the thickness of a finger and a foot long. He lit it in the burner’s embers and stuck it upright on the lid. “The trial is simple,” he declared. “If you can extinguish this stick of incense before it finishes burning, you win.”
The condition seemed lenient enough. Gu Fengchen confirmed, “The Taoist Master means I may use any method I wish? As long as the incense is extinguished, I win?” Shende nodded. “Men of the cloth keep their word. Whether you use fists, feet, or even water—as long as the incense goes out before finishing, you win.”
Gu Fengchen asked, “No other conditions?” Shende replied, “None.” He paused, then added, “You should begin. This incense is made of sawdust blended with fragrant oils and combustibles. It burns quite quickly.”
Gu Fengchen glanced up. Indeed, the incense stick had already burned through a tenth of its length in the time they spoke. Wasting no more time, he leaped forward. Raising a palm, he poured strength into his wrist. An invisible surge of power shot towards the incense stick.
Water is best for extinguishing fire, but there was none here. Gu Fengchen intended to shatter the incense stick into powder with a single palm strike. As long as the incense broke, it couldn’t finish burning, and he would win.
As he struck out, he knew Shende Taoist would surely block him with all his might. So, his left palm turned outward, ready to counter any attack.
The moment he moved, Shende moved too. Shende Taoist understood perfectly well that if Gu Fengchen passed Zhou Cuo’s trial, his Internal Energy must exceed Zhou Cuo’s. A single stick of incense would be no match for one of his palm strikes. Therefore, as Gu Fengchen’s palm thrust out, Shende’s Wooden Sword also flashed into action.
He did not attack Gu Fengchen. Instead, he sidestepped, sweeping his sword blade casually across the air about a foot in front of Gu Fengchen’s outstretched palm.
Whoosh! The Wooden Sword actually cleaved through the force of Gu Fengchen’s palm strike, cutting it in half.
Deprived of its thrust, the palm force instantly scattered. It merely blew the ash off the incense tip without achieving its purpose.
Gu Fengchen paused, startled. He instantly changed tactics, unleashing two simultaneous palm strikes with both hands. Shende held only one Wooden Sword. How could he sever two currents of force?
His hands struck out together, but the force was staggered. Though he had suffered from this against Zhou Cuo, the lesson served Gu Fengchen well now. His right palm extended forward, his left palm following behind. Yet, the force generated was inverted: the power of the left palm surged forward first, while the right palm’s force followed as the second wave. Adding to the complexity, both surges pulsed and flickered unpredictably, brilliantly capturing the essence of Fuyi Lord’s techniques.
An ordinary opponent would have been immediately overwhelmed by these crisscrossing, unpredictable bursts of force. But Shende Taoist, sixth-ranked among the Eight Steeds, naturally possessed remarkable abilities. He instantly discerned the nature of Gu Fengchen’s attack. Disregarding the force emanating from the right palm entirely, he thrust his Wooden Sword directly towards Gu Fengchen’s left palm strike. Though the sword was light wooden, saturated with Shende’s Internal Energy, it became truly harder than an Iron Spear. When the power of Gu Fengchen’s left palm met the sword’s tip, it was like a watermelon smashing onto an iron spike—instantly pierced.
A continuous hissing sound filled the air as the palm force split against the sword’s point. The tip of the Wooden Sword remained anchored, unmoved. The sundered currents of palm force flowed past on either side of the blade, billowing Shende Taoist’s robes backwards.
Now Gu Fengchen’s right palm force arrived. Shende Taoist’s arm remained stable, the sword tip tilting upwards slightly. Following the same method, he cleanly dispersed this wave of force as well.
Gu Fengchen had unleashed three palm strikes. One by one, they were shattered—either cleaved aside or punctured head-on—by Shende’s single Wooden Sword, dispersing without effect. He struck out several more times, but each attempt was relentlessly blocked by Shende Taoist’s Wooden Sword. He didn’t come close to extinguishing the incense; he couldn’t even blow the ash off its tip.
Glancing again at the incense stick, he saw it had already burned past a third.
Gu Fengchen realized that to extinguish the incense, he must first deal with Shende Taoist. So, his next palm strike suddenly changed direction. He shouted, “Careful…” as his palm force surged towards Shende Taoist’s chest.
Shende Taoist wore a faint smile. “Only just thought of it?” he said, his hands never pausing. He still thrust his Wooden Sword towards Gu Fengchen’s palm. The sword tip met the gust of palm force before even reaching its target. Gu Fengchen had used seventy percent of his Internal Energy in this strike, yet it couldn’t move Shende Taoist’s Wooden Sword. The wooden blade was like a swordfish surging with full force through water towards its prey, swift beyond measure.
Did this mean Shende Taoist’s Internal Energy was even stronger than Zhou Cuo’s? Gu Fengchen couldn’t help but feel a chill.
Actually, he was mistaken. When it came to Internal Energy, Zhou Cuo was undoubtedly the highest among the Eight Steeds. Shende Taoist’s energy was not as overwhelming as Zhou Cuo’s. Yet, Gu Fengchen had found Zhou Cuo’s full-force assaults manageable with sixty or seventy percent of his own effort. Now, he couldn’t budge a mere wooden sword. The reason lay in this: Shende Taoist’s Internal Energy, while lacking Zhou Cuo’s ferocious intensity, was purer and more refined.
Shende Taoist wielded his Wooden Sword, channeling his Internal Energy into it along a narrow line. Zhou Cuo’s energy, when unleashed, stirred fierce winds a foot around his fist — fearsome in power. But the difference became obvious upon impact. Zhou Cuo’s fist hits like a large slab of stone crashing down. Shende Taoist’s attack was like the sharp thrust of a spear. Gu Fengchen’s Internal Energy surpassed Zhou Cuo’s, and his technique was fundamentally similar. When their attacks clashed head-on, like two slabs colliding, Gu Fengchen’s higher energy acted like a thicker, harder stone slab; Zhou Cuo naturally couldn’t contend. But using a stone slab against a sharp spear was not necessarily an advantageous situation.
Such was the principle, but Gu Fengchen didn’t know it yet, nor had he time to ponder. Shende Taoist’s Wooden Sword was already stabbing towards him. Gu Fengchen’s thoughts raced like lightning. He curved his fingers into the shape of a tiger’s claw, employing the Shaolin Tiger Claw technique. He aimed to seize the Wooden Sword and snap it in half.
Unbeknownst to him, Shende Taoist had dedicated decades to this blade. He’d seen countless similar ploys and was always prepared. Seeing Gu Fengchen claw with his fingers, he twisted the blade abruptly. The sword edge flipped upwards, meeting Gu Fengchen’s fingers with a slicing motion.
Though it was merely a Wooden Sword, with Internal Energy coursing through it, it could sever gold and iron — let alone mere flesh and blood! As the sword edge rose, a sibilant whistle emanated from the blade. While the outward force might not seem severe, the hidden lethality within was terrifying.
Gu Fengchen saw it clearly. Hastily, he retracted his fingers and pulled back. He intended to strike Shende’s wrist with another palm blow.
Unexpectedly, after forcing him to retreat with one move, Shende Taoist didn’t pause. The Wooden Sword followed relentlessly, darting like lightning towards Gu Fengchen’s left shoulder. Gu Fengchen dropped his shoulder and twisted his body, seeking to evade the thrust. But Shende Taoist flicked his wrist, pulling the entire sword back. It reversed direction, sweeping down from above towards Gu Fengchen’s chest.
This change of move was extraordinarily swift, impossible without immense wrist strength, especially with Internal Energy concentrated in the Wooden Sword. No one else could manage such a stroke.
Shende Taoist wielding a Wooden Sword instead of steel gave him a significant advantage; the wooden blade was several times lighter, allowing far greater agility in movement.
Seeing the sword slice towards him, Gu Fengchen was shocked. Among all the opponents he’d faced in his life, the Yang Guan Thief’s martial arts were the most bizarre, yet not nearly as profound as Shende Taoist’s mastery. This sword maneuver changed direction instantly without the slightest hint of awkwardness, as if aimed there all along.
A month prior, Gu Fengchen would have been skewered. Luckily, since practicing the Heaven-Defying Divine Art, his bodily reactions had sharpened dramatically. Without even consciously thinking, his body shot backwards. In that critical split-second, he dodged the blade.
Shende Taoist spoke slowly, but once he moved, it was fast as lightning, ceaseless as a surging river. Even as Gu Fengchen dodged the sword, Shende Taoist leaped upward following him, the Wooden Sword in his hand unleashing five consecutive strikes, each aimed unerringly at Gu Fengchen’s legs.
The whistling sound of sword wind filled Gu Fengchen’s ears. Before the Main Hall, sword energy crisscrossed, saturating the entire area.
Suspended in the air, Gu Fengchen saw Shende Taoist pressing his attack relentively. There wasn’t even time to be surprised. He gathered his energy fiercely, his body spinning like a wheel until he was upside down. Both palms struck out towards Shende Taoist’s face.
He completely ignored the Wooden Sword aimed at his own vital points. He intended to perish together with his opponent. If you cut off my head, I’ll shatter your skull. Fair and square, no debt owed.
He was willing to make such a sacrifice, but Shende Taoist was not. After all, this was only a contest of skill. Fatal consequences were not only unnecessary but would also greatly displease the one above. Therefore, Shende Taoist raised his hand to meet Gu Fengchen’s palm blast. Their energies collided. Using the impact force, Shende Taoist leaped back lightly to a position before the incense burner.
Gu Fengchen also landed, his heels already on the edge of the steps. Another half-step back, and he would tumble down them.
After one exchange, Gu Fengchen was at a disadvantage but hadn’t lost. Shende Taoist also grew more cautious. He reflected inwardly that since his re-emergence into the Jianghu (Martial World), there hadn’t been many opportunities to draw his sword. Facing such a formidable rival on their very first clash was, strangely, quite exhilarating.
Gu Fengchen, however, felt little excitement. He shot a glance upwards. The incense stick was nearly half burned. At this rate, it would be gone within the time it took to drink half a cup of tea. He absolutely could not afford to lose.
Yet, Shende Taoist was a difficult barrier to overcome. To extinguish the incense, he must first defeat or repel Shende. A spark of inspiration flashed through his mind. If I do it like this, let’s see how you respond.
Gu Fengchen roared, seemingly in a burst of fury. He kicked off both feet and charged headlong towards Shende Taoist, prepared to overcome him by sheer force. He needed to see if Shende Taoist dared not dodge.
If you dodge, I’ll seize the chance to rush to the incense burner and snuff it. If you don’t dodge, even if it means taking your sword thrust, I’ll crash through your body! As long as you’re pushed even slightly further from the burner, I’ll have the time I need.
It appeared a do-or-die gamble, but his calculation was meticulous. Whether Shende Taoist dodged or stood his ground, he would be put at a disadvantage. It would create an opportunity for Gu Fengchen.
An opening, even one as fleeting as a blink, was all Gu Fengchen needed to successfully extinguish the incense.
The distance between them was short. Gu Fengchen sprinted with explosive force, covering the gap almost instantly. He was now less than five feet from Shende Taoist.
Against almost any other opponent, Gu Fengchen would have surely triumphed then. But the man opposing him now was Shende Taoist — possessor of the keenest adaptability among the Eight Steeds of the Crimson Lotus.
As Gu Fengchen charged towards him, Shende Taoist remained utterly unperturbed. It was as if what rushed toward him wasn’t a man at all, but a gentle breeze, a waft of floral scent — nothing worth being startled about. This unshakeable calm, this art of remaining unmoved even if Mount Tai were to collapse before him, was truly one in ten thousand.
Calm he was, yet when it came to responding to the pressing threat, not a single instant of hesitation was tolerable.
Shende Taoist suddenly moved.
He neither dodged, nor defended himself, nor attacked. Instead, he flicked his Wooden Sword straight up into the sky.
This move was entirely unexpected by Gu Fengchen. There was simply no known fighting technique where one would send a weapon skyward, only to let it fall back freely to harm an opponent, yet Shende Taoist had used it regardless. What was his true intention?
Gu Fengchen had no time left to ponder these thoughts. He had already rushed right before Shende Taoist, dropping his shoulder and lunging forward to crash into him.
With a whoosh of wind, Gu Fengchen found himself charging through empty air. His body surged forward for seven or eight feet before he managed to steady himself.
Logically, since the incense burner was right behind Shende Taoist, even if he failed to hit the Taoist, he should have collided with the burner. So why had he hit nothing?
It turned out that in that split second, Shende Taoist had reached back with both hands and lifted the massive incense burner, weighing three to four hundred jin, and shifted sideways five feet, evading Gu Fengchen’s charge. Then, letting go of the burner, he casually caught the falling Wooden Sword.
Flicking the Wooden Sword away had been solely to free his hands to move the incense burner.
Gu Fengchen finally understood. He paused slightly, thinking inwardly: Such a formidable old Taoist. If he keeps moving around like this, I’ll chase myself to death before I can extinguish that incense!
The stick of incense now only had a finger’s length remaining. Gu Fengchen knew the shorter it got, the harder it would be to extinguish. With a frontal assault failing, and stealth unavailable, how could he win this round? He needed to seriously ponder his next move.
But time would not permit careful thought. With a tiger-like roar, Gu Fengchen leaped upwards, descending headfirst towards the top of the incense burner. To prevent him from stomping the burning tip, Shende Taoist struck the burner’s body with his palm, shunting it smoothly three feet aside. An unexpected idea flashed through Gu Fengchen’s mind mid-air. He released both his shoes; with a flick of his left foot, one shoe flew straight at the burning incense end.
Shende Taoist shifted sideways, blocking the burner’s front. With a sweep of his sword, he deflected the flying shoe. At that very moment, the shoe from Gu Fengchen’s right foot arrived. Shende Taoist couldn’t bring his sword back fast enough. Instead, he extended two fingers of his left hand, touched and flicked – just like when he had flicked the wooden sword – and sent the second shoe spinning away.
But now, one hand held the sword, the other flicked the shoe, both arms extended away from his body. His chest and abdomen were completely exposed. And this was exactly the opening Gu Fengchen sought. He extended his body, darting in like a swimming dragon, coming face-to-face, almost nose-to-nose, with Shende Taoist. The tips of their noses nearly touched.
This opportunity was one in a thousand.
Wrapping his arms around Shende Taoist’s sides from under the arms, Gu Fengchen thrust both palms past the Taoist’s ribs towards the burning incense head. These palm strikes, backed by immense Internal Energy, would surely smash the incense to powder if they connected, extinguishing the flame instantly.
They stood pressed chest-to-chest. Shende Taoist was a sword master, but once an enemy closed to this proximity, his weapon became not just useless, but a hindrance. Gu Fengchen had judged this correctly; his gamble was paying off.
Just as Gu Fengchen’s palms were about to strike the incense tip, he forgot one thing: Shende Taoist’s hands might be blocked on the outside, but his two legs were free and at ease.
Calmly and unhurriedly, Shende Taoist hooked his legs upward, intercepting Gu Fengchen’s palms. With two soft thuds, the full force of the palm strikes landed squarely on the fleshy calves of Shende Taoist’s legs. The muscle there was thick and padded. Enhanced by the Internal Energy Shende Taoist also channeled for defense, Gu Fengchen’s blows merely managed to tear two palm-shaped holes in the Taoist’s trouser legs, leaving him unharmed.
Seeing he couldn’t succeed, cold sweat broke out on Gu Fengchen. This near-perfect moment was slipping away! If he missed it, allowing Shende Taoist to disengage and wield his sword freely, there would be no more chances.
In desperation, Gu Fengchen also lashed out with a kick, aiming past Shende Taoist’s side at the incense burner. The burner stood nearly man-high. This low kick, coming from below, struck one of its three tripod legs. The burner skidded backwards two feet, its momentum unspent. Then one tripod leg caught in a seam between the bluestone paving slabs. The residual force pulled it over, and the entire heavy incense burner crashed to the ground.
If the burner tipped over, the incense stick atop it would surely shatter, meaning victory for Gu Fengchen.
Yet, it seemed Shende Taoist had anticipated this very action. Gliding backward as smoothly as if on ice, he simultaneously reached back without looking – as if eyes on the back of his head – and plucked the burning incense stick right out of the collapsing burner, clutching it in his hand.
With a thunderous boom, the three-to-four-hundred-jin incense bucket hit the ground. Clouds of incense ash billowed out, filling the air with a choking stench.
Though Gu Fengchen had kicked the burner over, the burning tip itself remained lit, now held safely in Shende Taoist’s hand. Extinguishing it became a hundred times harder.
Holding the incense stick in one hand, Shende glanced at it. The burning end now measured barely an inch. A slight smile touched his lips: “Benefactor Gu, you have mere moments remaining now.”
Gu Fengchen stared wide-eyed. Suddenly, he let out a mighty shout, channeling his Supreme Skill. Executing the move “Boundless Dharma” from his “Dragon-Subduing Tiger-Taming Fist”, he charged straight down the center line, his fist aimed once more directly for the burning incense head in Shende Taoist’s grasp.
This tactic mirrored his initial attempt to strike the incense head. How could Shende Taoist forget it? He thought to himself: This man is truly at the end of his rope, resorting to a last-ditch effort. If he fails this test, the Cult Leader might be disappointed, but it will prove this man lacks genuine skill. That could actually be beneficial for our Sect.
Thinking this, Shende Taoist lifted his Wooden Sword to meet Gu Fengchen’s oncoming fist.
This was precisely the same defense he had used to break Gu Fengchen’s palm strike earlier. Though Gu Fengchen now used a fist instead of a palm, to Shende Taoist, it made no difference. If Gu Fengchen didn’t withdraw his hand, the flesh would surely be torn again before it could land.
Yet this time, although Gu Fengchen did retract his fist, he surged his entire body forward instead, presenting his whole chest! Shende Taoist hesitated, momentarily confused by this suicidal move. Gu Fengchen, however, seemed utterly resolved. His body closed the distance with frightening speed. With a soft shink, the tip of the Wooden Sword pierced through Gu Fengchen’s clothes and sank into his flesh.
Gu Fengchen seemed crazed, subjecting his own living flesh to test the sharpness of the Wooden Sword!
Shende Taoist could never have predicted such reckless self-sacrifice. Reacting with incredible speed, he froze the force driving the blade the moment its tip had penetrated only an inch. He withdrew the sword.
Despite this, blood was already gushing profusely from Gu Fengchen’s chest.
Shende Taoist was at a loss when suddenly Gu Fengchen let out a low groan and summoned his strength.
Under the surge of his internal energy, a jet of blood shot from his wound toward Shende.
Caught off guard, Shende Taoist hastily retreated.
However, propelled by Gu Fengchen’s internal energy, the blood jet was extremely fast, and the distance between them was too close.
In the end, Shende Taoist failed to dodge, and the blood splattered all over him.
Shende stepped back a zhang, his expression changing as he asked, “Benevolent donor Gu, why do this to yourself?”
Having lost considerable blood, Gu Fengchen’s face immediately paled like paper.
He forced out a bitter smile, “I won. You lost.”
Only then did Shende Taoist notice that the incense tip in his hand had been extinguished by the warm blood.
Gu Fengchen, finding no alternative, had resorted to this desperate move, enduring a stab to forcefully expel his blood with internal energy, all to secure a victory.
Shende Taoist sheathed his sword, sighed, and shook his head, “What a foolish lad.”
As he spoke, he retrieved a white cloth from his bosom and approached to bandage Gu Fengchen’s wound.
He first produced a small bottle of golden wound medicine, pressed several acupoints around Gu Fengchen’s chest to slow the bleeding, then applied the medicine.
Upon contact with the blood, the medicine instantly congealed into clots, sealing the wound and preventing further bleeding.
Shende Taoist moved with lightning speed; within moments, the wound was securely bandaged.
Gu Fengchen allowed him to proceed without suspicion.
Once the wound was tended to, Gu Fengchen offered a weak smile and clasped his hands in salute. “I won by sheer luck. I must take my leave now.”
Shende Taoist did indeed concede. “Young friend, your courage is unmatched, and your heart upholds righteousness and justice. This humble Taoist will pray for you before my late master’s spirit, wishing you abundant blessings and longevity.”
Gu Fengchen thanked him, “I am grateful for your kindness, Taoist. Most likely, this life of mine will not last long. Moreover, there is the final barrier, the most difficult of them all.”
Shende Taoist said, “Young friend, you may rest here a while longer. I have a tonic medicine that can restore some of your vitality.”
As he spoke, he took two pills from his sleeve. They were vermilion in color, exuding a rich medicinal fragrance—clearly excellent medicine.
Gu Fengchen waved his hand in refusal. “Such precious medicine is better saved for the long-lived. This humble life nears its end; consuming it would be waste. The day grows late. I have little time.”
With these words, he swayed unsteadily and walked through the Main Hall toward the summit.
Shende Taoist watched him leave, eyes filled with admiration, a slight smile touching his lips.
Having passed two barriers consecutively was no small feat. Especially the second, where he had resorted to self-mutilation to barely pass.
He didn’t know who awaited him at the final barrier, but judging by the previous two rounds, the opponents should be growing stronger.
The defender of the last barrier was likely to be one of the figures among the “Three Talents.”
Unexpectedly, the journey up was remarkably smooth, uninterrupted, and he reached the Bright Summit without hindrance.
Although no one troubled him, his wound caused dizziness and made it difficult to support himself.
Ascending the final stone step, he stood at the peak just as the sun sank in the west.
Lifting his gaze to the distant mountains, they resembled ink strokes, the dying sun cast in blood-red hues.
The cries of returning crows echoed in his ears, and the murmuring pine forests lay low—a scene of breathtaking grandeur.
The clouds and mists of Mount Huang have been renowned since ancient times.
Though weighed down by heavy burdens and severe injury, the sight of this wondrous scenery still dazzled and captivated Gu Fengchen, making him forget himself completely.
As he gazed afar, a voice suddenly sounded beside his ear, “What is this? You are injured…”
Gu Fengchen turned to look.
On the mountaintop stood three grand halls side by side, adorned with soaring eaves and majestic ridges.
Wind chimes on the eaves’ corners tinkled in the evening breeze, their sound melodious and pleasing.
The bright-painted pillars beneath the eaves were thick enough to encircle with both arms. Brackets and corbels beneath the beams were intricately carved and painted, exceptionally magnificent.
In front of the three halls lay a wide plaza, over a hundred paces broad, meticulously polished and paved with bright yellow glazed tiles. At first glance, it gleamed resplendently.
Standing gracefully now upon this plaza was a figure. Her hair was coiled high like clouds; her brows arched like distant ridges touched by spring.
Her shoulders seemed draped in the iridescent hues of sunset clouds; her feet appeared to tread upon brilliant golden light. At first glance, she seemed like a sacred immortal descended from heaven to the mortal world.
With blood loss having dulled his senses, Gu Fengchen failed to recognize her appearance at once, stammering, “You… you…”
The figure approached him gently and said softly, “You are grievously injured. Can you not see clearly?”
Gu Fengchen, whose mind was solely focused on rescuing Lian’er, wounded and weary as he was, mistook this person for Ying Lian. Overwhelmed with joy, he cried, “Lian’er! You are unharmed? That is excellent… they… they released you?”
The woman’s face abruptly hardened. “Do not forget, you have yet to pass the final barrier.”
Hearing this, clarity snapped back into Gu Fengchen’s mind. He realized now that the person before him was not Lian’er, but Hong Linger, whom he had seen that day on the painted boat in Fen River.
Unwilling to show weakness before her, though grievously wounded, Gu Fengchen straightened his spine. “So it is Miss Hong,” he said loudly. “You said that within twenty days, I should come to Bright Summit on Mount Huang to demand this person. And now I have come.”
Hong Linger noted his bold voice, yet could see his face was devoid of color, his body trembling slightly. Knowing he was forcing bravado, she sneered, “For this girl, would you truly abandon your very life?” Gu Fengchen declared, “A true man must know what is unthinkable and what must be done. What happens today, I will save Lian’er, even if it costs me my life.”
Hearing his resolve, Hong Linger bit her red lip and said, “Fine. Come and challenge this third barrier.”
As she spoke, her hands drew from behind her back, extracting three segments of a spear shaft.
With two crisp ‘ka-ka’ sounds, she swiftly assembled them into a long spear. The nine-petaled lotus pattern beneath its spearhead looked chillingly familiar.
Gu Fengchen was startled. “You… The killer in Mount Taiyue…” Hong Linger confirmed coolly, “Also me. That day I saw you risk your life to save me. Though your rescue was unnecessary, still it counted as kindness toward me. That’s why I told you where to find the girl, sparing you a fruitless search.” Gu Fengchen demanded, “Why then do you torment an innocent girl?”
Hong Linger replied, “She is the daughter of my enemy. Why should torment be denied?”
Gu Fengchen scoffed coldly, “Then why not seek your enemy? What heroism lies in abducting a daughter?” Hong Linger retorted, “If I could find her, would I go to such elaborate lengths?” Gu Fengchen pressed, “It seems this girl is vital to you. If I pass these three barriers, will you truly release her?”
Hong Linger stated, “My word is my bond. The girl is worthless in my eyes. Only… you come to this challenge injured. Can you truly surpass my barrier?”
Gu Fengchen said, “Success and failure in this world follow their destined courses. We need only strive; the outcome is left to Heaven’s countenance.” Hong Linger sneered, “Heaven has no eyes; why heed it? Now, taste my spear!”
She lunged with her spear even as she spoke, declaring, “Withstand my Thirteen Deadly Spears, and I release her.”
The spearhead thwipped as it moved, transforming into what seemed like a giant snake with seven or eight heads, all thrusting toward Gu Fengchen.
Already wounded and drained from the arduous climb, Gu Fengchen had little strength left upon reaching the summit. He barely dodged the first three thrusts before darkness swam before his eyes.
Knowing peril was upon him, he gathered the last dregs of his awareness, concentrating the remaining force into his palm, and unleashed a strike toward Hong Linger.
Fierce though the palm strike was, it was the feeble end of a broken bow; it did not even slow the spearhead aimed at him.
Seeing the multiple spearheads pierce unstoppably toward his heart, a chill settled in Gu Fengchen’s heart: My death deserves no regret, only that poor Feng Jue’s deathbed entrusting of his orphan falls to naught. When we meet in the Western Paradise someday, how will I ever face him…
This painful thought surged within him. His vital energies reversed their flow. A mouthful of blood sprayed forth, staining the spear tip moments away from his throat crimson red.
Then, everything went dark, and he collapsed onto the ground.