56: Chapter 56 A Chance Encounter with Hong Qigong

The sail of Peach Blossom Island gradually vanished at the edge of the sea and sky. Guo Jing stood at the bow, clutching the Wudang Sect jade pendant that Zhang Sanfeng had stuffed into his hand before leaving.

Zhang Sanfeng had instructed Guo Jing and Huang Rong to travel the Jianghu independently, broaden their horizons, and strive to stand on their own as soon as possible.

This was the first time Guo Jing had left his Master to venture into the Jianghu alone; he felt both nervous and excited.

"Brother Jing, stop daydreaming!" Huang Rong held a willow branch and lightly tapped his shoulder.

"Master said we should go to Guiyun Manor first to find Junior Martial Uncle Lu Chengfeng; he will take care of us."

"Once he returns from Dali, he will take us to Tianshan to find the Legacy of the Xiaoyao Sect!"

Guo Jing scratched his head and smiled honestly, "I know, but I'm just a little worried about Master."

"What if the Southern Emperor refuses to see Master?"

"Don't worry, my Master is so powerful, who could possibly make things difficult for him?" Huang Rong lifted her chin proudly.

"Instead, it is us—we must not lose face for Master."

"Going to Guiyun Manor this time is a perfect opportunity to see what the Jianghu is really like."

The two traveled south by boat and arrived at Taihu Lake in a few days.

Taihu Lake was vast and misty with dense reeds. Guiyun Manor was built on a small island in the center of Taihu Lake, surrounded by water on all sides, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

As soon as the boat docked, they encountered a group of water bandits blocking the way to rob them.

The leader of the water bandits held a large saber and shouted fiercely, "I opened this road, and I planted these trees! If you want to pass, leave behind your toll money!"

Guo Jing immediately blocked the path in front of Huang Rong, secretly channeling his Internal Energy.

Huang Rong drew the soft sword from her waist, her eyes scanning the surrounding water bandits.

This was their first time truly facing Jianghu villains. Although Guo Jing was a bit nervous, the Pure Yang Internal Energy in his palms flowed freely.

"You brat who doesn't know life from death!" The bandit leader roared and swung his saber at Guo Jing.

Guo Jing did not dodge, but lightly guided with his right hand, using the 'Grasping the Sparrow's Tail' technique, and followed the momentum to lead it away.

The bandit leader felt a soft yet tough force coming, and the large saber in his hand flew out involuntarily, crashing heavily into the nearby reed bed.

Seeing this, the other water bandits swarmed forward.

Huang Rong's figure flickered as she used the 'Flying Sleeves like Flowing Clouds' technique. Two white sleeve shadows drifted like flowing clouds, instantly knocking several bandits to the ground.

The soft sword in her hand was like a spirit snake flicking its tongue, striking at the acupoints of the water bandits with every move.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the dozen or so water bandits were beaten to a pulp by the two, kneeling and begging for mercy.

Guo Jing looked at the disheveled water bandits and said, "You may go. If you rob and plunder again in the future, don't blame us for being merciless."

The water bandits felt as if they had been granted amnesty and scrambled away.

Huang Rong clapped her hands and smiled, "Brother Jing, see? The Jianghu isn't that scary! Didn't we just win?"

Guo Jing nodded, a confident smile appearing on his face.

After this real-combat experience, the initial greenness of his entry into the Jianghu had faded quite a bit.

The two boarded the island and arrived at the gate of Guiyun Manor.

After the servant reported their arrival, Lu Chengfeng personally came out with a crutch to welcome them.

Although his legs were disabled and he sat in a wheelchair, his face was refined and elegant, his bearing extraordinary, and there was a faint scholarly air between his brows.

"You two have come from afar; please forgive me for failing to welcome you properly."

Lu Chengfeng said with a smile, his eyes filled with a hint of excitement.

He had been expelled from the sect by Eastern Heretic Huang Yaoshi for over twenty years and had never seen anyone from the sect. Now, seeing Guo Jing and Huang Rong was like seeing family.

"Senior Brother Lu, you are too polite."

Guo Jing and Huang Rong hurriedly bowed.

Thinking of Eastern Heretic Huang Yaoshi, Lu Chengfeng's eyes dimmed for a moment, but he immediately recovered his smile.

"Is Master well? Rong'er has grown so much; it really is true that girls change every day as they grow up."

The three entered the manor, and Lu Chengfeng hosted a banquet to entertain them.

During the banquet, Lu Chengfeng recounted his experiences after being expelled from the sect, and how he established Guiyun Manor and became the overlord of the Taihu Lake region.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong listened with great interest, full of admiration for this Senior Brother who was disabled but strong-willed.

A few days later, it happened that Guiyun Manor was holding a Hero Banquet, inviting various heroes from the Jiangnan region to discuss the grand plan of resisting the Jin Dynasty invaders.

For a time, experts gathered in Guiyun Manor, and the place was bustling with noise and excitement.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong followed Lu Chengfeng to entertain the various heroes. Huang Rong was clever, well-behaved, and articulate, and she soon hit it off with everyone.

Although Guo Jing was not good with words, his honest and upright personality also won the favor of many people.

Just as the banquet was halfway through, a ragged beggar suddenly jumped down from the rafters, walked straight to the main table, grabbed a roast chicken, and started gnawing on it.

His hair was gray, his face wrinkled, and he held a Dog Beating Stick in his hand. It was none other than Northern Beggar Hong Qigong.

Everyone was stunned by the sight. Lu Chengfeng quickly stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "So it is the esteemed Northern Beggar Hong Qigong who has graced us with his presence. I have failed to welcome you properly, please take the seat of honor!"

Northern Beggar Hong Qigong waved his hand, his mouth full of chicken, and said indistinctly, "No need, no need. I'm just here to cadge a meal. You all continue; don't mind me."

Huang Rong's eyes lit up. She had long heard of the great name of Northern Beggar Hong Qigong and knew that he was the number one gourmet in the world.

She hurried to Northern Beggar Hong Qigong's side and smiled, "Senior Hong, try the Beggar's Chicken I made; it's ten times more delicious than this roast chicken!"

Saying this, she turned and walked into the kitchen. In less than an hour, she walked out carrying a fragrant Beggar's Chicken.

Northern Beggar Hong Qigong smelled the aroma, his eyes went straight, and he snatched the Beggar's Chicken, devouring it greedily.

"Delicious! Too delicious!" Northern Beggar Hong Qigong praised it endlessly while eating.

"Girl, your cooking skills are better than the imperial chefs in the palace!"

Huang Rong giggled, "If you like it, Senior, I will make it for you every day."

Northern Beggar Hong Qigong looked at Huang Rong, then at Guo Jing standing on the side, and the more he looked, the more he liked them.

Guo Jing was honest, upright, and kind-hearted, making him the perfect material to Cultivate the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms.

The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms were extremely hard and Yang. Only someone with justice in their heart and an open mind could unleash its true power.

"Kid, your name is Guo Jing?" Northern Beggar Hong Qigong wiped his mouth and asked, looking at Guo Jing.

"Yes, Junior Guo Jing." Guo Jing hurriedly bowed.

"Who taught you your martial arts?" Northern Beggar Hong Qigong asked again.

"It was taught by my Master, Daoist Zhang Sanfeng." Guo Jing answered honestly.

"Daoist Zhang Sanfeng? Is that the Daoist who defeated West Poison?"

A flash of surprise passed through Northern Beggar Hong Qigong's eyes. He had heard about the incident at Zuixian Restaurant and nodded.

"No wonder your martial arts are so solid. However, your current martial arts lean towards defense and lack offensive Martial Skills."

"I have a set of Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms here, which is incomparably fierce and just right to make up for your shortcomings."

"Are you willing to take me as your Master and learn this palm technique?"

Hearing this, Guo Jing was both surprised and happy, but then he hesitated.

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Hong, but I am already a Disciple of Wudang Sect and cannot take another person as my Master."

Northern Beggar Hong Qigong laughed heartily, "No problem, no problem! I don't want you to change your sect; I will just take you as a Named Disciple."

"Your Master, Daoist Qingxu, has high martial arts, and I would like to make friends with him too; he won't mind."

Guo Jing looked at Huang Rong, and Huang Rong hurriedly gave him a wink.

Only then did Guo Jing bow, "Disciple Guo Jing, greets Senior Hong as Master!"

"Good! Good!" Northern Beggar Hong Qigong was overjoyed.

"From today on, you are my, Northern Beggar Hong Qigong's, Named Disciple. After we finish this meal, I will start teaching you the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms!"

Just at this moment, a shrill whistle suddenly came from outside the manor.

The whistle was sharp and piercing, making people's hair stand on end. Immediately after, a cold, sinister voice resounded throughout the entire Guiyun Manor:

"Guo Jing, you brat, get out here and die!"

Everyone's expressions changed, and they all stood up to look at the manor gate.

They saw an old man dressed in white, accompanied by a young man in brocade clothes, slowly walking in.

The old man had a high nose and deep-set eyes, a sinister complexion, and a green poisonous snake wrapped around his waist. It was none other than West Poison Ouyang Feng.

The young man beside him was naturally Ouyang Ke.

West Poison Ouyang Feng's gaze swept across the room and finally landed on Guo Jing, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes.

"Brat, last time in Jiaxing, that old Daoist Zhang Sanfeng made me lose all face."

"Today, your Master is not here, so I will cripple your martial arts as repayment. Let's see who can save you now!"

Lu Chengfeng leaned on his crutch and shouted angrily, "West Poison Ouyang Feng! This is Guiyun Manor, not a place for you to run wild!"

"Guiyun Manor?" West Poison Ouyang Feng sneered, "Today, not only will I kill Guo Jing, but I will also flatten your Guiyun Manor!"

Before he finished speaking, a majestic pressure radiated from his body, revealing his strength as a Grandmaster in the Late Stage.

The heroes in the manor changed color one after another and involuntarily took a few steps back.

In Dali, a notification sound rang in Zhang Sanfeng's mind.

[System Prompt: Triggered Main Quest [Battle of Guiyun Manor]!]

[Quest Objective: Defeat West Poison Ouyang Feng and protect the people of Guiyun Manor.]

[Quest Reward: World Origin Recognition +5%, Guo Jing's Destiny Deviation +20%.]