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Novel Excerpts - Qi Jian Xia Tian Shan (iv)

Author: Liang Yu Sheng

Original Language: Chinese

Chapter 3: Yungang Grottoes

Nearby Shanxi’s Datong is an ever-flowing river of yellow water, looming over both sides of the river are precipitous crags. Above the crags are multitudes of rock caves which were dug by Buddhists in the ancient times. These caves, totalling over a hundred, with each housing a number of Buddha statues, are known collectively as Yungang Stone Grottoes.

It was late spring, and the weather was sunny. Sauntering quietly were two men and one woman. The two men were Divine Eulalia of Mt Tian Ling Mo Feng and Heaven and Earth Society’s vice-leader Han Zhi Bang, and the woman was the newly appointed chief of Heaven and Earth Society’s Liu You Fang.

After departing at the foot of Mt Wutai, they arrived at Yungang hills after three days of journey. They did not see anyone living nearby. Liu You Fang smiled, “Looks like we have to spend the night in a rock cave.” Ling Mo Feng said, “Don’t you love bright and cheery places? How would you be able to put up with staying in a cave?” Astonished, Liu You Fang asked, “How did you know my preferences?” When Liu You Fang was young, she resided in Hangzhou. While other girls dared not keep their windows open, in Liu You Fang’s chamber, the curtains were always drawn, for she loved the sun and brightness, and shunned darkness.

Ling Mo Feng smiled, “It’s merely a guess. Don’t girls tend towards light and immaculacy?” Liu You Fang said, “It was indeed the case when I was young. But having roamed about in the pugilistic world, I have grown accustomed to living in all sorts of conditions.”

And the two gradually started a conversation. Yet Han Zhi Bang felt uneasy. He had been carrying a torch for Liu You Fang for 10 years, but she seemed to be completely oblivious of his feelings. Yet, Ling Mo Feng seemed to have struck a chord in her heart, and it was as if their hearts were already beating as one, as that of longstanding bosom friends, though they had just met. Even though Ling Mo Feng seemed to treat her very coldly, to the extent of contradicting her purposely at times, she was not the least bit bothered.

Reading Han Zhi Bang’s mind, Liu You Fang smiled, “Brother Han, why have you been so gloomy and quiet in the past few days. Let’s look for a stone cave.” Han Zhi Bang answered, desultorily picked up a dry twig, lit it and pointed at a large cave, “This is the best!” Liu You Fang looked up and saw the words Buddha Shifting Cave engraved above the entrance. Han Zhi Bang remarked, “I have been in the Northwest for many years and have often heard the Buddhists talk about these caves, of the marvel of the Buddha statues here. But I am such an oaf who knows nothing.”

The three entered the stone cave; this cave was indeed very lofty and numinous. In the middle was a sitting Buddha standing 10 metres tall, each of its fingers was bigger than an adult. Peculiar drawings were chiselled on walls, their style remarkably different from the Central Plains. Liu You Fang was attracted by the drawings of a flying fairy, her clothes light and airy, seemingly to extend her wings, ready to break out of the wall and fly away. Ling Mo Feng remarked, “I have been in the Northwest for years, yet I have never seen such an exquisite drawing!”

Liu You Fang seemed to be stirred and enquired, “How long have you been in the Northwest?” Ling Mo Feng replied, “16 years!” Liu You Fang’s expression changed suddenly, she took out a painting from her luggage, unrolled it, and said, “Take a look at this portrait!” On the painting was an exuberant, radiant and striking young man.

As Ling Mo Feng looked at the portrait, Liu You Fang’s eyes sparkled, staring intently at him. Ling Mo Feng forcibly repressed the outburst in his heart, and smiled blandly, “Not bad. The youthfulness on the face is amply portrayed. The youth in the painting appeared to be around 15 or 16.” Liu You Fang observed him heavy-heartedly, “Don’t you recognize him?” Ling Mo Feng faked a surprise and quipped, “How should I know him?”

Han Zhi Bang, looking at Liu You Fang’s expression, sensed something amiss. He interposed, ”Who is this? Sister Liu, why do you carry his portrait? Is he your long-lost friend or brother?”

Liu You Fang stood up vacuously, Han Zhi Bang could see that she was trembling slightly under the light of the torch. He asked, “What’s wrong?” At this time, the roar of the river outside, reinforced doubly by the promontories, reverberated deafeningly. Liu You Fang began slowly, “The roar of this river sounds very much like Qiantang River.” She sighed and leaned against the rock wall, looking very weary. Han Zhi Bang’s heart ached terribly. He approached her, intending to offer his arm, Liu You Fang shook her head, “No thanks, Brother Han. I should have told you this earlier.” She pointed at the boy in the painting, “This was painted by me. The boy was my childhood friend. A very good friend. One night, by Qiantang River, I gave him a tight slap. He jumped, to death, into the river.” Han Zhi Bang queried, “Why did you slap him if he was your close friend?”

Liu You Fang’s face was pale, her voice was almost lost, “It was all my fault. At that time, our fathers were all serving under Lord Lu and they died on the battlefield. The remaining subordinates of Lord Lu and us lived secretly in Hangzhou. One day, some of our men were captured by Commander Nalan. My friend was among one of them. Subsequently, nearly all our remaining men were nearly wiped out, for someone revealed our hideout.” Han Zhi Bang clenched his fists tightly, hammered the wall, and said, “He should have been killed - a slap was too light a punishment for him.” Seeing Liu You Fang shaking her head, Han Zhi Bang asked, “Wasn’t he the one who gave away the secret?” Liu You Fang, “That night, our men successfully made a jailbreak, and he escaped as well. When I saw him, I asked if he had said anything. He said it was true.” Han Zhi Bang was furious, “Sister Liu, I have always respected you. It’s already remiss of you not to have stabbed him, yet you still miss him!”

Liu You Fang glared at him, “Sometimes, things are more complicated that they appear. Before getting to the bottom of something, it’s best not to jump to the conclusion, or it might lead to a grave error. That friend of mine, he was a very resolute person since young. But he was merely 16 when he was arrested!” Han Zhi Bang said, “It’s unforgivable even for a kid!” Liu You Fang ignored his interruption and continued, “After being arrested, he was put through all forms of tortures and interrogations, but he uttered nothing. Later, the enemies came up with a ruse. They got someone to pose as an anti-Manchu rebel and put him in the same cell as my friend. When my friend was flogged, so was that person, and it was even harsher. Being young and artless, he began to believe that person. That person talked of escaping, but feared that there was no place to hide. So, my friend told him the address of our headquarters. We discovered this after capturing a gaoler and making a thorough inquisition.”

Han Zhi Bang was shocked, “Sister Liu, pardon my rudeness, may I ask you something…”

Liu You Fang, casting her hair backwards, disrupted his speech with an impatient tone, “I know what you wished to ask. All these years, I have been carrying this painting, marriage has never crossed my mind.” Han Zhi Bang remained silent for a while and then said softly, “What a disconcertingly morbid thought you have!” Liu You Fang shook her head, “If you had seen the look in his eyes when I slapped him, you wouldn’t think so. Whenever I close my eyes, I would see his face, that hopelessness, that tantrum on his face. I killed my best friend. It can never be redeemed.”

Ling Mo Feng crossed his arms, his scarred face, cold as ice, showed no emotion. Liu You Fang stole a fleeting glance at him, and screamed suddenly. She covered her eyes with her hands, and cried, “Oh, I seemed to have seen him again…” Han Zhi Bang gave her a light support, and said, “Chief, you have worried too much. This is only a hallucina…” Before he could finish, his eyes met squarely with Ling Mo Feng’s, Ling Mo Feng’s glance was as piercing as Divine Eulalia of Mt Tian. Han Zhi Bang unconsciously went atishoo with chill, and yelped, “Brother Ling, could you not look at people in this manner? You almost had me scared to death!”

Ling Mo Feng cracked up, “Trust the two of you to be the chiefs of Heaven and Earth Society! Yet you are daunted so easily. Don’t just be lost in your nightmares. Hark, there are people approaching.”

Slowly, four lamas and an army officer made their way into the cave. Both Ling Mo Feng and Han Zhi Bang understood Tibetan, and from their conversations, learned that they had missed the lodging. The four lamas were rather congenial, but the officer was rather arrogant. Ling Mo Feng could tell that he was Wu Sang Sui’s men judging from the soaring eagle emblem on the sleeve. Ignoring the strangers, Ling Mo Feng and his companions moved to the rear, behind the statue.

The lamas seemed to be in jocular mood. They started a campfire and began singing and dancing. Their singings were initially very ardent, yet became very desolate towards the end. Curious, Liu You Fang asked, “What are they singing about?”

Ling Mo Feng listened for a while and said, “They are singing about a legendary tale of Tibet. The tale tells of a young man called Hadeelu. He was a great hero on the plains, and was also great singer. He was a very proud person who never bowed to anyone. He took a liking to a shepherd girl called Argye, who was even more conceited than him. She wanted him to kneel in front of her before she would accept his marriage proposal. Hadeelu actually kneeled and proposed to her. All the young ladies, finding it unbearable to see their hero suffer such a humiliation, covered their faces. Now, they are singing what Hadeelu said, My dream of being a solitary crane, of passing cloud, has now been sunken into the abyss. These twenty years of pride, all yielded to your icy intelligence.” Liu You Fang, hearing Ling Mo Feng’s translation, was intoxicated. By chance, she took a transitory glance at Ling Mo Feng, his eyes were gleaming with abnormal brilliance.

Liu You Fang gazed at Ling Mo Feng in bewilderment. Ling Mo Feng hushed her, “Listen, this Tibetan legend is so beautiful. Now, the shepherd girl made a confession, she had once spurned a prince. Actually, deep down within her heart, she also loved Hadeelu. She sung,

All the wealth means nothing to me,
The enjoyments of people are so empty,
My eyes could only see a bright star in the dark sky,
Never be extinguished, as rock would rot, sea would dry up.
That eternal star is the pupil of darkness,
Showing me the path, telling me to pray,
Ten years of blind besotting,
Hoping to transform into the pusle in his heart, perpetually flowing.”

Liu You Fang held her breath, clasped her palms, “This verse was indeed excellent. What happened at the end? Did they tie the nuptial knot?” Ling Mo Feng said hesitatingly, “No, the outcome was unexpected. Hadeelu was a very bigheaded man, he loved Argye, but he loved his pride even more. The moment he went down on his knees, Argye smiled. Just as she was about to help him up, he stabbed Argye with a dagger. Subsequently, he also killed himself. Before his death, he sung,

Happiness is ephemeral but brilliant,
Just like lightning flashing across the sky,
Disappearing as instantaneously as it appears,
Having already illuminated its love that is filled with joy and sorrow.”

Han Zhi Bang shouted, “He is so unsympathetic, if I loved someone, I wouldn’t have killed her.” Ling Mo Feng smirked, “Neither would I. But if I were Hadeelu, if that girl wanted me to bow to her, I would never ask for her hand in marriage. While this song may seem callous, it extolled man’s dignity, even if that dignity was overboard. This song was entitled ‘The most obstinate person of the grassland.’ “

The officer was vexed by the song and spoke in Tibetan language, “Stop singing and get to sleep. We have to set off early tomorrow.” Then came a laughter in the middle of the cave, “No need to travel anymore, for you won’t have tomorrow!” Not only were the officer and lamas taken aback, so was Ling Mo Feng. He had such an incredible accomplishment in the internal style of martial arts that though he had not arrived, his voice seemed to be spoken right next to one’s ears.

Two lamas jumped up and lunged at the entrance. Some tumbling was heard in the dark passageway outside and as Ling Mo Feng peered out from behind the Buddha statue, the two lamas had been flung back into the cave, all within three to five moves. The officer and the other two lamas, greatly enraged, took out their weapons and charged towards the entrance. Han Zhi Bang was about to jump out when Ling Mo Feng pressed him, and spoke softly, “No hurry, let’s see who they are.”

Three guards in black entered, the one in the lead was Gallivanting Dragon Sword Chu Zhao Nan. Not only was Ling Mo Feng greatly astonished, but so was the officer who came with the lamas. The officer was Zhang Tian Hao, he and Chu Zhao Nan were Wu San Gui’s most trusted aides.

Zhang Tian Hao shouted hastily, “Big brother, don’t fight, we are on the same side!” Chu Zhao Nan stepped forward and hollered, “Tian Hao, tell them to hand over the sarira, or I won’t spare them!”

Sarira is a holy item to the Buddhists. Word has it that after an enlightened monk dies, and the body has been cremated, all the flesh and bones will turn to ashes, excepting a pearl-like bone that doesn’t disintegrate, and this is called sarira. The sarira in the lamas’ possession was Nagarjuna’s sarira, which Wu San Gui snatched away from Purple Light Temple in Burma. In order to win over the lamas, Wu San Gui ordered Zhang Tian Hao to escort the sarira to Tibet and these four lamas were here to receive the sacred artifact. Chu Zhao Nan related this to Emperor Kangxi, and Kangxi immediately sent two ace imperial guards and Chu Zhao Nan to intercept them. As Kangxi was more bent on dealing with Wu San Gui, the people at Wu Manor were able to escape unscathed.

Zhang Tian Hao became chary, “Brother Chu, have you just returned from Tibet? I was asked by Prince of Pingxi to deliver it, I dare not trouble you.” Chu sneered coldly, “What Prince of Pingxi? I was ordered by His Majesty to commandeer the sarira!” Zhang Tian Hao cried out in astonishment, “You are rebelling?” Chu Zhao Nan chuckled, “If Wu Sang Gui can revolt, why can’t I? Let me question you, do you wish to serve Wu San Gui or the emperor?”

Zhang Tian Hao, ranking lower than Chu Zhao Nan at Prince Wu Residence, was not privy to Wu San Gui’s covert plan to stage a rebellion. As such, he was at a loss for words. Chu Zhao Nan uttered threateningly, “What do you intend to do?” Zhang Tian Hao was at sixes and sevens. While the other two lamas could not understand Chinese, seeing Zhang Tian Hao being compelled to such a stage, they were exasperated. Both rushed up and began executing Thousand Catty Fist of Might, one on the left, one on the right, each making a strike with the fist. Chu Zhao Nan, intentionally trying to show off, allowed the two fists to hit him squarely in the chest, rather than evading. “Wham! Wham!” The two lamas were jerked back by a few steps while Chu Zhao Nan also felt a sharp pang of pain. He was rather surprised, thinking that the two lamas’ strength were indeed worth a few thousand catties of weight. He dared not be lax anymore and leaped out like an eagle catching a rabbit, clutched at the back of the lamas. However, there came a loud blast from behind the statue and an iron pigweed was shot out at blazing speed. What neat skill Zhu Zhao Nan possessed; as he made a back flip while in the midair, also used his heel to knock the iron pigweed back while floating upside down. Han Zhi Bang, who just came out of the Buddha statue, quickly used his Eight Trigram Purplish Gold Sabre to hit the returning iron pigweed. While he had diverted the iron pigweed, he was gripped by a momentary paralysis of ache in his chest. Han Zhi Bang was greatly stunned.

Before Han Zhi Bang could stabilise himself, Chu Zhao Nan had already plunged forward. Han Zhi Bang lowered himself, took a step forward, and chopped at Chu Zhao Nan’s chest with his Eight Trigram Purplish Gold Sabre. Chu Zhao Nan’s left sleeve swished outwards, a gust of strong wind came gushing at Han Zhi Bang’s face. Han Zhi Bang tilted his head, his saber missed. Chu Zhao Nan’s movements were like fluttering wind, all of sudden, he was already behind Han Zhi Bang. Han Zhi Bang was also executing a combination of feints and real moves, before fully completing his move and on missing his target, he had already inclined his body, and the blade extending out, sweeping at Chu Zhao Nan’s knees. Chu Zhao Nan shouted, “Disarm,” his left palm hacked out, his right hand thrust towards the Sanli acupoint on Han Zhi Bang’s right shoulder. Han Zhi Bang, on realising the situation was not in his favour, quickly changed his move to “Three Goats Splitting Mount Tai”, one move carrying three stances, his blade racing towards the opponent’s chest, left and right shoulders, sweeping vehemently. However, Chu Zhao Nan was even swifter, as Han Zhi Bang chopped, the enemy had already transposed himself, all he saw was the enemy’s left fist flashing in front of him, his vision blurred and his right arm was paralysed. Chi Zhao Nan’s skills were so exotic, while his position had shifted, his left fingers still hit Han Zhi Bang’s acupoint with precision. Han Zhi Bang’s Purplish Gold Sabre had already dropped onto the floor.

All these few moves took place quick as lightning. The two other guards had now seen Han Zhi Bang’s face clearly, “This is Heaven and Earth Society’s chief. Do not let him off!” Chu Zhao Nan laughed menacingly, and was about to advance when a dark gold light was discharged from behind the statue. Chu Zhao Nan summoned his internal strength and with a whiz of his sleeve, intended to divert the concealed specialty weapon. However, it pierced right through the sleeve, boring a big hole, paring past the flesh. Yet, the force of its momentum was still not weakened, for, when it hit the stone wall, there was a loud clash as it drilled right into the wall.

One man and one woman flew out from behind the statue, both blockading Chu Zhao Nan’s path. Chu Zhao Nan unsheathed his priceless sword, and rather than stepping forward, he backed away with a three-metre leap, and uttered, “What’s your relation to Reverend Hui Ming? Why do you keep opposing me time and again? Do you think I would really fear you?”

By now, Liu You Fang had already unsealed Han Zhi Bang’s acupoint. Ling Mo Feng grinned; standing in front of the statue, he took no notice of Chu Zhao Nan. He spoke to the lamas in Tibetan language, “Come over here, do not let them take away the sarira.” The lamas immediately retreated, the two guards charged forward. Ling Mo Feng, with a whoosh of his hand, shot out two dark gold eulalias at alarming alacrity. The two guards were no weaklings either, one lifted a ghost-head sabre to parry, there was a deafening clang, followed by sparks sputtering wildly, the eulalia had burst a chink in the blade; The other executed a supreme lightness kungfu “Crane Darting Up the Sky”, lifting himself up by 10 metres. While he dodged very rapidly, the concealed projectile still shot across his shoes, and despite wearing iron shoes, the heels were sliced off. What a close shave. Chu Zhao Nan ordered, “Don’t worry about the lamas, they cannot run away!” The two guards moved to Chu Zhao Nan’s flank. Zhang Tian Hao stood silently beside the lamas, his body shivering.

Ling Mo Feng sniggered frostily at Chu Zhao Nan, “In terms of apprenticeship, I should address you as senior brother. Yet, in terms of the code of honour of the pugilistic circle, I would berate you as a scum! Do you wish me to address you respectfully as senior, or condemn you as scum? Man and ghost should maintain a distance, make up your mind at once!”

Ever since going to the desert frontiers, Ling Mo Feng had been staying at the peaks of Mt Tian, learning martial arts under Dhyana Master Hui Ming. However, the whole matter was kept well under wraps. Not even Chu Zhao Nan, a disciple of Dhyana Master Hui Ming, was aware of it, let alone the pugilistic fraternity. Chu Zhao Nan thought that after the death of his senior Yang Yun Chong, he could reign supreme over the martial arts world. Yet, that day, at the valley of Mt Wutai, Ling Mo Feng showed up unexpectedly, and executed the most intricate stroke of Tian Shan Palm. He was taken by surprise and took a hit. Now that Ling Mo Feng had identified his martial arts lineage, and called him senior, Chu Zhao Nan panicked for a moment. Yet, on second thought, “Even if he was Reverend Hui Ming’s last disciple, he is but only in his thirties. No matter what, he couldn’t be a match for my tens of years of practice. Why should I fear him?”

Chu Zhao Nan peered condescendingly, and spoke haughtily, “Who is your senior? If you want to acknowledge me as your senior, you ought to prove your worth. Come, let’s witness your palmplay.” Having being dealt with a palm strike, naturally, he wanted to regain his face through palmplay.

Ling Mo Feng smiled coldly, was about to demonstrate his skills, while Chu Zhao Nan was about to charge, when one of the two guards rushed forward, “Let me assess him!” It was Gu Yuan Liang, who hailed from a house famous for acupoint-hitting. His acupoint-hitting techniques were camouflaged within palmplay, and were exceptionally fatal. He was a top-class fighter among the Forbidden Palace Guards. Chu Zhao Nan thought to himself, let him go first, it would be beneficial to me. If Gu Yuan Liang won, I wouldn’t have to fight him. Even if Gu Yuan Liang lost, I could still take the opportunity to observe Ling Mo Feng’s moves. So, he nodded.

Gu Yuan Liang was still peeved about his heels being grazed by Ling Mo Feng’s concealed weapon. He roared, “Let me witness your palmplay. If you want to compete in concealed darts, I shall see to you later. Let me make this clear, no usage of concealed weapons.”

Ling Mo Feng, understood that Gu Yuan Liang was fearful of his concealed weapons, that’s why he laid down the rules of the contest, as per pugilistic axioms. He grinned, “Even without concealed weapons, I could still smack till you jump about in hysteria!”

Gu Yuan Liang lifted his heels, and like an arrow shooting out of the bow, snarled, “I shan’t fight with you on the mouth! Watch out!” Before finishing his line, a palm was already pressing towards Ling Mo Feng’s Tianqu acupoint. Ling Mo Feng, sensing the strength of his palm force and the area where it was targeting, dared not be slacken. With a long bellow, he gyrated, his palm like blade, cutting at Gu Yuan Liang’s entrails. Gu Yuan Liang hopped away; Ling Mo Feng arced both arms, and with a leap of three metres, grabbed at his back. While Gu Yuan Liang suffered a disadvantage, he had not been trounced yet. He bent down, and turning like a spinning top, both palms charged out, one aiming at Ruquan acupoint on Ling Mo Feng’s ribs, and another swiping at his waist’s Guanyuan acupoint. It’s a rebuttal amidst defeat, with lethal moves sweeping forcefully.

Han Zhi Bang cried out in alarm, yet Chu Zhao Nan shouted, “Old Gu, be careful!” Before Han Zhi Bang could make it out, Gu Yuan Liang had already staggered many metres back, his face was ash pale. Ling Mo Feng yelled, “You have lost, why do you still insist on sticking around?” Gu Yuan Liang charged violently with both palms, the forces of his palms growing stronger by every moment; Ling Mo Feng hastily stepped back, still remaining composed as ever. Like an injured lion, Gu Yuan Liang attacked ferociously, the forces of his palms reaching out to all 36 major acupoints of Ling Mo Feng.

Gu Yuan Liang, having suffered a minor loss due to negligence, couldn’t take it lying down, and attacked again aggressively. This time, he was careful to guard himself intricately as he assaulted, combining acupoint-hitting with his palm strikes, all targeting at the major 36 nerve points. Ling Mo Feng slipped about accordingly, countering all moves as they came, Gu Yuan Liang was unable to gain an edge. After a while, Ling Mo Feng made a loud grunt, his palm strokes changed, his right hand was like a blade, chopping, pressing, grabbing and picking. It was Interceding Hand, the most potent technique of Tian Shan Joint-Locking Hand. At the same time, he had his two left fingers thrust out like a crescent blade halberd, pressing forward, seeking acupoints amidst Gu Yuan Liang’s hurtling palms. Gu Yuan Liang’s Palm Breaking Technique was being overcome by his Interceding Hand, while Ling Mo Feng’s right hand was eyeing at the 36 major acupoints on Gu Yuan Liang’s body. This was indeed fighting fire with fire. Gu Yuan Liang, being an expert at acupoint hitting, could tell its deadliness, and was alarmed. Ling Mo Feng was also very disparaging, whichever acupoint he was targeting, he would shout out the names, Sanli acupoint, Tongquan acupoint, Tianyuan acupoint… Calling out nonstop, seeming to remind the opponent of where he was jabbing, Gu Yuan Liang kept dodging to the sides, his body completely soaked with sweat. To the eyes of the onlookers, it was rather comical seeing him skittering and hopping about frantically.

Chu Zhao Nan was dismayed, and shouted, “Back off! Back off!” He was about to move forward when Ling Mo Feng roared, with his steps like typhoon, aggressively wound around to Gu Yuan Liang’s back, with a grab, he successfully seized Gu Yuan Liang left arm, while his left hand struck at the back of his waist, Gu Yuan Liang was instantly debilitated, drooping like a rope. Ling Mo Feng flung Gu Yuan Liang across the room, Chu Zhao Nan caught hold of him. Gu Yuan Liang’s eyes were stiff and motionless. Chu Zhao Nan immediately hit his Futu acupoint, Gu Yuan Liang let off a cry, vomited a puddle of blood, fell to the ground, lying immobile.

Chu Zhao Nan began assailing Ling Mo Feng with both palms. Ling Mo Feng raised both shoulders, lightly made a dodge. Chu Zhao Nan snapped in, both palms chopping with swirling wind. Ling Mo Feng still did not face the attack, tilting and darting like a giant hawk, he squeezed through under Chu Zhao Nan’s palms. Chu Zhao Nan cried out, made a flip, both palms clutching. Ling Mo Feng inclined to a side, and jumped up over 3 metres. Like a swallow fluttering its wings, landed gracefully. Chu Zhao Nan yelled, “To where do you think you could escape?” And again, he gave chase. Ling Mo Feng froze and halted, both eyes glaring dominantly like a tiger, shouted, “Stop being too anxious to pick a fight. I respect you as a senior, and gave you a handicap of three moves. If you are still unrepentant, I shall fight it out with you. Should I lose, I shall return to Mt Tian. What if you lose?” Chu Zhao Nan, “You may have the sarira!” Ling Mo Feng, “Fine! Watch out!” Chu Zhao Nan, both palms carrying powerful wind, struck at Ling Mo Feng’s chest. Ling Mo Feng swerved off with a palm, and the two unleashed a flurry of lightning-quick attacks on each other. Wherever their palms went, powerful forces of wind accompanied persistently, and like dark miasmas seeping in, all the dust that had gathered in the cave began fluttering about wildly under their palm-forces, and the cave, already dark and gloomy, became even more forbiddingly chilly and eerie. It was a nerve-racking sight. The campfire glimmered violently, the others had a suffocating feeling, as if something heavy was pressing hard upon their chests.

After a while, the two took a few steps back, their eyes wide open, staring at each other like fighting cocks. Separated by a few steps, Chu Zhao Nan sliced with a palm, Ling Mo Feng put his palms together, and rocked a little. The palm strikes and kicks were all executed at a distance, without physical contact, their movements growing slower gradually, as if it was a friendly spar between two fellow disciples. Liu You Fang, Han Zhi Bang and the rest, being no neophytes, could tell that each of their moves contained several hidden permutations, and while they were a few steps apart, every move carried attack and defense to deal with the other. This was the most superior form of palmplay, any minor neglect on the part one party could immediately afford the other the opportunity to deal the final killing blow.

After more than 100 strokes, they still couldn’t determine the winner. All of sudden, Ling Mo Feng gave a loud roar, Chu Zhao Nan inched back, Ling Mo Feng approached like a cyclone, Chu Zhao Nan suddenly attacked from the top, like an eagle swooping down, both palms aiming at Ling Mo Feng’s head. Ling Mo Feng propelled both arms upwards. The four palms met, followed by two loud thuds and the two were thrown away by 3 metres.

While Chu Zhao Nan might have longer period of training than Ling Mo Feng, Ling Mo Feng trained in Chastity Kid Skill, which he had had a good foundation since young. Chu Zhao Nan, being amorous by nature, led a life of debauchery, his internal energy was thus a class below Ling Mo Feng’s. Moreover, having become successful and thereby complacent, Chu Zhao Nan had neglected practice somewhat. So on meeting such a strong foe, despite being nearly evenly matched, he was still being subdued. Just now, Ling Mo Feng had already won by one stroke, and was about to deliver a lethal move when, unexpectedly, Chu Zhao Nan leapt onto the Buddha statue. Not willing to cause damage to the valuable statue of Yungang Stone Grottoes, Ling Mo Feng withdrew his palm. Chu Zhao Nan, making use of the gravitational force as he plunged down, gained some advantage. As such the two seemed to have reached a stalemate.

Chu Zhao Nan knew very well that this junior, whom he had never met, indeed ran rings around him. He was worried and frustrated. However, being blinded by greed, he was reluctant to let go. So, he took out his Gallivanting Dragon Sword, which carried a minor roar as it moved. This sword could easily slice through metal as mud, and was one of the two treasured swords of Mt Tian Clan; The other was a dagger, which was in possession of Yang Yun Cong. It was passed on to Yi Lan Zhu after Yang Yun Chong’s death. Chu Zhao Nan’s swordplay had reached an extremely profound level, and having such a priceless sword in his possession, he was still pompous as ever, challenging Ling Mo Feng to fencing.

As Chu Zhao Nan drew his sword, a chilly glint flashed out like lightning, Liu You Fang screamed in surprise, “This is an invaluable sword!” Ling Mo Feng did not care at all, lifting his left leg, and reversing his steel sword, he made a slice, the blade whirled upwards from the below, slashing at Chu Zhao Nan’s right arm. This was an extremely lethal move of Mt Tian Swordplay, called “Extreme Stare, Torrential Waves”. Naturally, Chu Zhao Nan could recognize it, relying on the sharpness of his prized sword, Chu Zhao Nan took a risky move, quickly made a somersault, swipe with three sequential sword movements, “Tail of Horse Sweeping the Floor”, slicing at the Ling Mo Feng’s lower limbs. Ling Mo Feng was extremely nimble, his movements like a gorilla, with a rise and fall, Chu Zhao Nan’s sword swept under his feet, without touching him at all. Chu Zhao Nan straightened his body, was about to change his move when Ling Mo Feng began a chain of five sword attacks. Chu Zhao Nan was compelled to back off, and did not have the chance to break his sword.

Having tens of years of experience and training in swordplay, Chu Zhao Nan’s skills were not of mediocrity. He could tell that Ling Mo Feng was utilizing speed to suppress slowness, using the swiftest swordplay to force him to defend, such that he would not have any chance to make use of the strengths of the rare sword. He laughed coldly and suddenly stood stationary. His sword lashed out in all directions, in the dark cave, circles of silver rainbows were formed, dancing about everywhere. Ling Mo Feng, using an ordinary weapon which would break on contact with Gallivanting Dragon Sword, was unable to thrust his sword forward. Chu Zhao Nan was observing carefully behind the silver sheens, looking for Ling Mo Feng’s vulnerability.

Ling Mo Feng withdrew his sword and stepped back. Chu Zhao Nan, with a raucous bawl, poked his sword at Ling Mo Feng’s back. Ling Mo Feng suddenly turned about, lifted his sword at breakneck speed. There was a loud collision as the two swords met directly. Liu You Fang screamed in nervousness, fearing that Ling Mo Feng would meet with mishap. However, unexpectedly, after the collision, all was silent, there was no sound of metal snapping, not even the sound of footsteps.

It turned out that Ling Mo Feng had yoked his sword to the flat side of Chu Zhao Nan’s blade, rather than clashing with the sharp edges. Chu Zhao Nan gave a mighty pull, but he felt as if his sword was glued and couldn’t pull it back. Mt Tian Swordplay was formulated by Dhyana Master Hui Ming by drawing from the merits of the various swordplay techniques from different sects. This technique was Tachi Swordplay’s “Stick” formula.

Chu Zhao Nan, being an old hand, was well aware that should he retract his sword by force, it would give Ling Mo Feng a chance to unleash a flurry of never-ending attacks. Having no choice, he reluctantly competed with Ling Mo Feng in internal strengths.

This kind of fencing was rarely witnessed in the pugilistic world. The cave was dead silent. After a while, Chu Zhao Nan was panting heavily, droplets of sweat appeared on his forehead. It seemed that the two fellow disciples were at the most critical moment of life and death duel, and there was no way anyone could help.

Just when everyone had their full attention on the battle, Zhang Tian Hao furtively approached a lama, suddenly jabbed at his acupoint. The lama fell after giving out a loud cry. Zhang Tian Hao frisked him, took away an incense box and ran out of the cave without delay. The other lamas began shouting frantically, “The sarira! The sarira has been snatched away!”

Ling Mo Feng, with a howl, retracted his sword, turned around and pursued. Chu Zhao Nan also gave chase. The rest followed as well. As Chu Zhao Nan scampered, he brandished his sword about, Han Zhi Bang and company had to dodge his blows. Within a short moment, he was ahead of the rest, yet, no matter what, he could never overtake Ling Mo Feng.

Ling Mo Feng, given his first-rate lightness kungfu, got nearer to Zhang Tian Hao shortly. With a leap, Ling Mo Feng pierced his sword towards the back of Zhang Tian Hao’s heart. Zhang Tian Hao, having enjoyed similar prestige as Chu Zhao Nan at Wu Residence, was naturally no slouch in martial arts. He had already readied his Dragon Bone-Lock Whip, which could snag sabres and swords, and could also be used like a solid weapon. On hearing the sound of wind, with a lash at the back, Ling Mo Feng’s sword was entangled by his whip. Zhang Tian Hao, delighted, turned around, gave a powerful yank. However, he did not manage to move it at all. Rather, Ling Mo Feng, with a lift, had his sword come slicing at Zhang Tian Hao. Zhang Tian Hao was greatly taken aback. With a shake, his whip disengaged, however, Ling Mo Feng’s sword was already approaching like thunderstorm.

By then, Chu Zhao Nan had already caught up with them. Zhang Tian Hao, with a few robust thrashes of the whip, dodged to one side. Ling Mo Feng pounded again with his sword. Suddenly, Zhang Tian Hao cast something at Chu Zhao Nan. Initially, Ling Mo Feng thought it was concealed weapon, but judging from the sound of its air displacement, he could tell that it wasn’t. Ling Mo Feng was even more surprised that it wasn’t aimed at him. Zhang Tian Hao cried out, “Catch it!” and laughed sinisterly at Ling Mo Feng, “Kill me if you will! But you can forget about retrieving the sarira!” Ling Mo Feng, latching on to what was happening, rushed towards Chu Zhao Nan, who had just got hold of the item. Ling Mo Feng, with his sharp eyes, could make out that it was an incense box. Giving a roar, and forgoing Zhang Tian Hao, his sword came compulsively at Chu Zhao Nan, his swordplay was of extreme speed, and they had already exchanged 30 to 50 strokes within a split second. The rest had also arrived. Zhang Tian Hao soared up and mounted on the peak of a little hill, just right above Chu Zhao Nan and Ling Mo Feng. He shoved vigorously at the rocks, which tumbled down like avalanche. Chu Zhao Nan and Ling Mo Feng, being embroiled in engagement, couldn’t evade the rocks. Both rolled forward and plunged into the river below. Filled with fatal fury, Ling Mo Feng made a flip midair and hurled his sword towards the hilltop. All that was heard was a scream from Zhang Tian Hao, he had been hit.

Ling Mo Feng, executing his superlative lightness kungfu, made another somersault when he almost reached the river surface, his feet caught hold of a protruding rock by the escarpment. As he took a glance, Chu Zhao Nan was being washed away by the waterfall, his body half-submerged, his hands struggling frantically to grab the rocks by the bank. Both were in extreme dangers.

 

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