Everyone traveled from the southwest, heading north all the way. Mount Nucang was located between Pingliang and Tianshui, about three hundred li from Lanzhou. When Qin Zhonghai had escorted the royal procession, he had passed by this route and gone up the mountain, so he wasn’t unfamiliar with it.
Entering Gansu, it was already near May. This day they passed through Tianshui and came to a small town less than twenty li from Mount Nucang. They saw misty fog in the sky with fine rain slowly drifting down. Yan Er’niang noticed the townspeople, old and young, killing chickens and slaughtering pigs with joyful expressions. She counted on her fingers and realized that in two more days it would be the Dragon Boat Festival.
During festivals, one misses relatives even more, especially when coming to a place of sorrow. Yan Er’niang’s heart filled with sadness as she sighed: “The Dragon Boat Festival is coming again… sigh… year after year, how quickly time passes…”
Qin Zhonghai grunted in response. Being an orphan, during his childhood whenever the Dragon Boat Festival came and he clamored for rice dumplings, Fang Zijing would randomly wrap roasted sweet potatoes in bamboo leaves to trick him into eating them. After years of such pranks, hearing that the Dragon Boat Festival was approaching naturally evoked no feelings in him. He glanced at Yan Er’niang and asked: “In the past, how did you celebrate during festivals in the stronghold?”
Yan Er’niang’s eyes reddened: “In the old days during the three major festivals—whether Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, or New Year—the stronghold would be packed with heroes. Everyone would drink and gamble, so lively and bustling…” Before she could finish two sentences, she was already choked with emotion. Tao Qing and the others exchanged glances, recalling the stronghold’s past glory, and were all overcome with sadness.
Qin Zhonghai shook his head, thinking: “They’ve wandered the world, suffering humiliation and beatings everywhere. Now returning to their homeland, such sorrow is inevitable.” Intending to boost everyone’s morale, he laughed heartily: “Why are you all sighing when we’ve finally reunited? Er’niang, go make preparations—we should have a proper rice dumpling festival.”
Yan Er’niang said joyfully: “You… you want to go up the mountain for the festival?” Qin Zhonghai smiled: “Exactly! First, to celebrate my recovery of martial arts, and second, to celebrate our reunion after so long—we should take this opportunity to drink a few cups and have a good meal.”
Yan Er’niang smiled slightly. Though she had a fiery temperament, she wasn’t stupid and knew Qin Zhonghai was trying to boost everyone’s spirits. She wiped away her tears: “Brother Ha, come with me to buy some vegetables, fruits, chickens, and ducks to take up the mountain.” Ha Bu’er was Mount Nucang’s cook and the signature chef at Huaiqing Restaurant, naturally skilled at cooking and preparing meals. Hearing this, he smiled: “Great! I, Little Rabbit, may not be good at fighting and killing enemies, but when it comes to cooking, just find me! Guaranteed satisfaction! Guaranteed satisfaction!” Everyone then found an inn in town to rest briefly, while Yan Er’niang went with Ha Bu’er to prepare wine, food, and provisions to avoid running out of supplies on the mountain.
Qin Zhonghai led Ouyang Yong and Tao Qing into the inn and they sat down. Qin Zhonghai looked at Golden-Haired Turtle and smiled: “Brother Tao, among your group, you’re the second-in-command, right?” Tao Qing’s expression changed slightly, then he composed himself and laughed dryly: “General Qin jests—what rankings are there among wandering ghosts? Keeping our lives is already good enough.”
Qin Zhonghai laughed heartily: “When the princess interrogated you, brother, I could tell from your articulate speech that you were someone of substance. Come, let me toast you first.” He picked up the wine pot and poured a cup each for Tao Qing and Ouyang Yong, and all three drained their cups.
Qin Zhonghai poured them another round, secretly calculating in his mind. Mount Nucang was nearby—if he wanted to return to investigate, that would be easy enough. But having sworn with raised blade to rebuild Mount Nucang, that wouldn’t be simple at all. Qin Zhonghai’s heart was troubled as he pondered whether there were any usable troops available.
Qin Zhonghai’s heart suddenly filled with sighs as he thought: “My brother Lu is resourceful and wise, skilled in martial arts, and loyal. If he were here, he’d be a great help.” But Lu Yun was now a court official—it was already fortunate he hadn’t come to arrest him, so how could he think of such things? He immediately treated Tao Qing as an advisor and asked directly: “Brother Tao, years ago I visited the mountain once. The stronghold buildings were dilapidated and desolate, with not one of the old brothers remaining. Where did they all go? Have you heard anything?”
Tao Qing was meticulous in thought. Hearing this, he knew Qin Zhonghai was eager to reorganize the stronghold and would definitely want to rally the old brothers. He hurriedly said: “I dare not hide anything from the general. Over these years, we’ve searched everywhere and only know that several great generals have either left or scattered—some have retired from worldly affairs, others have fled to foreign lands and won’t return to the country. For the moment, it would be difficult to find them all.”
After pondering for a moment, Qin Zhonghai asked: “How many brothers were there in the stronghold at its peak?” Tao Qing respectfully replied: “At its height, there were about fifty thousand troops. The mountain’s foundation was enormous, divided into three inner halls and five outer passes. The three armies—cavalry, naval, and infantry—occupied the central strategic position called Loyalty Hall, with the Dragon Head being your esteemed father, Old Stronghold Leader Qin Baxian. Additionally, there were two military strategists, five cavalry generals, one naval instructor, and many other infantry experts—truly countless.”
Qin Zhonghai grunted and asked: “What about your elder sister? What did she control?” Tao Qing replied: “She was one of the five pass minor generals, guarding Yide Pass. In terms of position within the stronghold, she ranked much higher than cooks, wine servers, and blacksmiths like us.”
Qin Zhonghai narrowed his eyes, thinking: “No wonder Yan Er’niang, though several years younger than Tao Qing and Ouyang Yong, is revered as their leader—it’s indeed due to her position.”
While frowning in thought, he suddenly remembered someone. Qin Zhonghai slammed the wooden table and said loudly: “I remember there’s a broken temple at the foot of Mount Nucang with a strange old man living inside who refuses to come out no matter what. What’s this fellow’s background?” Tao Qing sighed: “That man is surnamed Xiang, named Tianshou. His martial arts are excellent—he was the former Tianquan Hall Master of the stronghold.”
Qin Zhonghai raised his eyebrows and asked urgently: “Tianquan Hall Master? What kind of position is that?”
Tao Qing replied: “The stronghold formerly had three halls—Tianke, Tianquan, and Tianlu—one overseeing merit assessments, one handling punishments and discipline, and one managing money and trade. This Hall Master Xiang was impartial and iron-faced, quick in judgment. Years ago, Dragon Head Big Brother promoted him to Tianquan Hall Master. Whenever brothers had disputes or fights, they were all sent to Tianquan Hall for judgment. Whether you were one of the Five Tiger Generals or a common soldier, he would judge fairly without the slightest bias.”
Qin Zhonghai nodded, knowing these halls were modeled after the court’s Three Departments, and asked: “If this man is so capable, why is he imprisoned in the temple?”
Tao Qing sighed: “This is also a mystery. When the stronghold was destroyed, everyone scattered and fled. Xiang Tianshou led the Tianquan Hall brothers in fighting their way down the mountain. After the great battle, his brothers had all escaped, but he remained alone, locked in the temple for eighteen years without stepping out once. I suspect he must have suffered some grievance and finds it inconvenient to leave.”
While they were talking, Yan Er’niang and the others returned with provisions and wine, just entering the shop. Ha Bu’er, hearing them discuss Xiang Tianshou, immediately became furious and spat: “Why bring up that bastard Xiang for no reason? He’s been hiding in the temple for years—he went crazy long ago!”
Hearing the complaint, Tao Qing thought of Xiang Tianshou’s heartlessness at the time and couldn’t help sighing softly: “Maybe it’s really as Brother Ha says—perhaps Hall Master Xiang has indeed gone mad. There’s nothing in that temple—how could a perfectly good person endure staying there for years?”
Hearing their conversation, Qin Zhonghai had his own judgment and thought: “Since my father valued Xiang Tianshou, this man must be both resourceful and brave—why would he bind his own hands and feet? There must be some hidden story here.” He ordered: “Don’t rush to guess. In a while, let’s go to the mountain foot first to greet this Hall Master Xiang, then invite him to go up the mountain together to start our enterprise.”
Ha Bu’er shouted: “That won’t work! Last time we just tried to say a few words to him and nearly got beaten to serious injury! If you go pull and tug with him later, you’ll probably be beaten to death!”
Qin Zhonghai laughed heartily: “Brother Ha, don’t worry. I, surnamed Qin, have no other abilities, but my skill at taking beatings is superior to most. Just watch.” Ha Bu’er made a face and stuck out his tongue: “Bragging!”
Seeing Qin Zhonghai so confident, with everything well in hand, completely different from her own desperate situation in the past, Yan Er’niang thought the future situation would certainly be vastly different and felt invigorated.
Everyone walked to the mountain foot. All around was vast yellow sand, with the broken temple not far away. Qin Zhonghai recalled how he had once pursued Yan Er’niang here with Lu Yun and Xue Nu’er. Who would have thought that of the three, Xue Nu’er was already dead, Lu Yun was serving as a court official, while he, the roving general, had become a bandit. Thinking of this, he couldn’t help sighing softly.
While thinking of past events, he suddenly heard a cough from within the temple. Though the sound was low, it didn’t escape Qin Zhonghai’s ears. Qin Zhonghai smiled coldly to himself, thinking: “Well done, Xiang Tianshou! Truly worthy of being a Tianquan Hall Master—your martial arts are indeed extraordinary, hearing our footsteps from such a distance.” Seeing that Xiang Tianshou’s martial arts were superior to Tao Qing’s, Qin Zhonghai wasn’t worried but pleased—if he could subdue this man, the stronghold would gain another master. He signaled for Yan Er’niang and the others to go ahead while he hid in the distance to avoid being detected by Xiang Tianshou.
After taking only a few steps, the person in the temple had already detected someone approaching and said: “Er’niang, didn’t we agree that you shouldn’t bother me anymore? Why have you come again?” Hearing that he could recognize her just by the sound of footsteps, Yan Er’niang was also impressed and hurriedly said: “Hall Master Xiang, don’t misunderstand. The Dragon Boat Festival is approaching—we just wanted to see you, nothing else.”
The person in the temple sighed: “What’s there to see in a wandering ghost spending his remaining years in a broken temple?”
Yan Er’niang said gently: “Hall Master Xiang, don’t talk like that. We were all good brothers in the past—how could we forget you during festivals?”
Having lived alone for years, Xiang Tianshou was touched by these gentle words, as if they stirred his heart. He sighed deeply and said softly: “How quickly time passes… it’s been almost twenty years since the stronghold was destroyed…” He sighed sadly and added: “What about you, Er’niang? Have you found your husband?”
Hearing him mention her husband, Yan Er’niang’s whole body shook and her pretty face turned deathly pale. Though Qin Zhonghai was hidden in the distance, he was still watching the situation. Seeing Yan Er’niang’s eyes redden and knowing she was about to cry, he signaled to Tao Qing. Understanding, Tao Qing cleared his throat, stepped forward, and said loudly: “Old Xiang, I’m Golden-Haired Turtle! We have an impolite request today—we’d like to invite you to go up the mountain for a reunion. What do you think?”
Xiang Tianshou chuckled: “Can’t even save our lives, yet you want a reunion? Leave quickly—if court lackeys see you later, you’ll be in trouble again.” Tao Qing frowned: “Hall Master Xiang, why do you keep others at arm’s length?” Xiang Tianshou sneered: “My patience is limited. Stop wasting words and get lost immediately!”
Hearing his harsh words, Ha Bu’er immediately jumped out and cursed: “Endless nonsense! Xiang, we just want you to come out for a meal, not poison you—what are you being so precious about!” Before his words finished, he heard a sharp whistling sound as a pebble flew from the temple, aimed at Ha Bu’er’s front teeth. The flying stone wasn’t meant to kill but to punish his disrespectful speech. Ha Bu’er screamed, not knowing how to defend himself.
In the moment of alarm, Qin Zhonghai picked up a handful of yellow sand from the ground and scattered it in front of Ha Bu’er. Though the wind was strong and the sand was distant, driven by Qin Zhonghai’s profound internal energy, it formed a sand curtain protecting Ha Bu’er. The two stones, blocked by the sand curtain, had their force reduced and trajectory deflected, falling harmlessly to the ground.
Having saved his two front teeth, Ha Bu’er patted his chest repeatedly, thinking: “Good thing this fellow was here, or without my front teeth, my Little Rabbit nickname would be gone. For the sake of my teeth, I won’t spit in his food when cooking anymore.”
Seeing Ha Bu’er looking at him, Qin Zhonghai smiled slightly and winked. Ha Bu’er’s face reddened as he thought: “This guy is clearly not much older than me but always acts like a big brother—so annoying.” Thinking this, he stole another glance at Qin Zhonghai, seeing his confident and heroic expression, and couldn’t help making another face.
Having rescued someone, and with Xiang Tianshou’s martial arts being so excellent, he naturally sensed something unusual and shouted: “Which court expert has arrived? Why not show yourself for a chat?” Yan Er’niang hurriedly said: “Hall Master Xiang, don’t be suspicious—there are only stronghold brothers here, no one else.”
Xiang Tianshou knew Yan Er’niang was honest by nature and wouldn’t lie. He chuckled: “Little lady, your martial arts have improved greatly these past years. With such skills, what do you need to fear in the future? Quickly find a place to settle down and make a living—don’t be wandering ghosts anymore.” Hearing his advice brought back memories of past gatherings, and tears welled up in Yan Er’niang’s eyes: “Brother Xiang, please come out. We all really miss you…” Her words were sincere as she wiped away tears repeatedly. Tao Qing and the others, recalling past events, felt their hearts ache.
Hearing her speak this way, Xiang Tianshou couldn’t continue being a person of dignity and said quietly: “I’m sorry, I can’t come out. Please forgive me.” His words were sorrowful, and he was also overcome with emotion. Yan Er’niang choked up: “Brother Xiang… here’s some wine and food—I’ll leave it at the door. If you don’t want to come out, that’s fine… remember to take it and eat it later…” She took out wine and food from the bamboo basket, placed it at the temple door, then covered her face and cried.
Xiang Tianshou also seemed extremely distressed and choked up: “Er’niang, thank you.”
Everyone was tearful and sobbing when suddenly someone burst into loud laughter: “Others have ‘Fourth Son Visits His Mother,’ but you have ‘Er’niang Visits the Bald Thief,’ crying as if at a funeral—I really can’t stand watching this shit.”
Everyone quickly turned around and saw the laughing person scratching his head with a lazy expression—it was Qin Zhonghai. Hearing Qin Zhonghai’s words, Xiang Tianshou was both shocked and angry, roaring: “Who are you? How did I not hear your footsteps?”
At this time, Qin Zhonghai’s martial arts were extraordinary. Though his left foot was an iron prosthetic, relying on his mastered internal skills, he could walk just as silently as with a real foot, so despite Xiang Tianshou’s keen hearing, he couldn’t detect him.
Qin Zhonghai smiled: “Brother, don’t panic. I’m just a nobody—because of my disability, I was carried here by others. Isn’t that right, everyone?” His words were half true and half false—having a disability was true, but being carried was false. Everyone didn’t know how to respond.
Hearing this, Xiang Tianshou believed it. With his exceptional hearing, since he hadn’t heard this person’s footsteps, this fellow must have been carried here without doubt. He immediately shouted: “Since you’re a nobody, how dare you laugh here? Get lost immediately!”
Hearing this, Qin Zhonghai burst into even greater laughter, unable to stop for a long time. Xiang Tianshou was furious and shouted: “Bold boy, if you dare laugh once more, I’ll kill you!” His tone became stern, showing killing intent. Tao Qing, knowing Xiang Tianshou’s capabilities, though aware that Qin Zhonghai had mysterious martial protection, still secretly worried for him.
Qin Zhonghai forcibly suppressed his laughter and endured: “Sorry, I really didn’t mean to laugh. It’s just that I have a strange quirk—whenever I see a turtle, I can’t help laughing uncontrollably. I really can’t suppress it—I’m truly sorry!”
Xiang Tianshou raged: “You dare call me a turtle? Who exactly are you!” Yan Er’niang, fearing trouble, hurriedly said: “This is General Qin, who has connections with our stronghold…” Qin Zhonghai slightly shook his hand at her, indicating she needn’t reveal his identity. Yan Er’niang was puzzled, wondering: “What is General Qin’s intention? Why won’t he let me reveal his background?”
Hearing Yan Er’niang’s hesitant response, Xiang Tianshou immediately said angrily: “Er’niang, who exactly is this person? Is he a court lackey?” Qin Zhonghai laughed and cursed: “Not a lackey—a turtle! A moving turtle with a retractable head!” Xiang Tianshou was furious beyond measure and without another word, shot a flying stone through the door crack straight at Qin Zhonghai’s face.
Amid everyone’s cries of alarm, Qin Zhonghai remained calm and unhurried. He drew his blade and made a void slash forward. Instantly, fire flashed and flames spurted out—the flying stone disappeared without a trace. This move was exactly the “Fire Greedy Void Wind Slash” taught by Fang Zijing. Seeing Qin Zhonghai’s martial arts far surpass the past, Yan Er’niang and the others felt even more awe and respect.
The Void Wind Slash was executed silently and invisibly. Xiang Tianshou, inside the temple, couldn’t see Qin Zhonghai draw his blade and could only listen carefully to the movements outside. Knowing he was checking whether he was dead or alive, Qin Zhonghai immediately groaned and wailed loudly: “What a powerful flying stone! My belly is pierced and my chest is broken too… ugh… aiya!” He screamed randomly a few times, shook his body wildly, then fell silent. Yan Er’niang and the others didn’t know what mystery he was playing and were secretly puzzled.
Hearing the screams, Xiang Tianshou thought Qin Zhonghai was indeed dead and immediately sneered: “Boy, you spoke without restraint and repeatedly insulted your elders—don’t blame me for being ruthless…” He sneered continuously, chattering endlessly, when suddenly he heard more groaning and wailing outside, the sounds mixed with spitting noises like a string of firecrackers.
Xiang Tianshou was both shocked and angry, shouting: “What the hell? Still not completely dead?” Qin Zhonghai deliberately wanted to dampen his spirit and make him submit from then on, so he burst into laughter: “I just went down to hell for a trip, but before crossing the Bridge of Helplessness, I remembered I forgot to bring my wallet, so I came back to get it!”
Xiang Tianshou was furious beyond measure and roared: “Get lost!” Instantly three stones were thrown out, all flying through the door cracks. Everyone saw that the door crack was barely an inch wide, yet Xiang Tianshou could shoot projectiles through it—they were all greatly astonished. Yan Er’niang herself was a hidden weapon expert, and seeing Xiang Tianshou’s divine skill of listening to wind and determining position, she secretly admired him even more.
Hearing the whistling sound, Qin Zhonghai knew the stones carried deep internal energy. But having just mastered divine martial arts and newly learned the ultimate techniques taught by Fang Zijing, even if his opponent were ten times more formidable, why would he, Qin Zhonghai, have any reason to fear? He signaled for Yan Er’niang and the others to step back, instead taking two steps toward the temple door and shouting: “Today I won’t rest until I drag this turtle out of its shell.”
As the flying stones reached him, Qin Zhonghai’s gaze was precise as he struck like lightning—whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, three blade strikes, crack, crack, crack, six stones fell to the ground. He deliberately showed off his blade technique, not only splitting the flying stones in half but cutting through the center line of each stone. He picked up the broken stones to examine them—the cuts were smooth and the sizes uniform, showing that the fire technique on his blade had surpassed the past and reached perfect mastery.
Qin Zhonghai’s martial arts were already exquisite—before his injury he could easily defeat Yan Er’niang. Now, testing his blade technique for the first time, he felt his internal energy far exceeded the past, and his blade speed was more than ten times faster. Delighted, he tossed the broken stones in his palm and smiled: “Brother’s flying stones are truly formidable, but to kill me—I’m afraid that’s still a bit lacking. I think you’d better come out of the temple quickly for better odds.” He then walked two more steps toward the temple door—with just a slight reach, he could push open the temple door, intending to subdue Xiang Tianshou with force.
Xiang Tianshou gave no reply, but whooshing sounds rang out continuously. In an instant, ten flying stones shot out, aimed at Qin Zhonghai’s limbs.
Though Xiang Tianshou was inside the temple unable to see, his projectiles still had such accuracy—Qin Zhonghai also secretly applauded. Seeing the flying stones approaching, he wasn’t panicked. He weighed the cracked stones in his palm and smiled: “Brother, there aren’t many stones in the temple. I’m afraid you’ll run out of ammunition, so I’ll return these to you!” He deliberately tested his own power, gathering all his strength and waving his hand—six broken stones flew toward the temple door.
The projectiles from both sides collided, creating continuous banging sounds. Dust flew before the temple door, and Xiang Tianshou’s flying stones were actually pulverized!
With broken stones against flying stones, Qin Zhonghai used six to defeat ten—a complete victory. Yan Er’niang and the others were bewildered and puzzled. Actually, in this battle of few against many, Qin Zhonghai relied not on projectile technique but on his extraordinary internal energy.
The broken stones Qin Zhonghai threw had poor accuracy, but when a large number of stones were thrown, one or two would always hit their targets. However, because his internal energy was profound, when the flying stones were hit by the broken stones, they immediately shattered into powder. As debris scattered, the remaining impact destroyed all the remaining flying stones, showing how astonishing the internal energy attached to the stones was.
Xiang Tianshou was greatly shocked—he hadn’t expected that Qin Zhonghai, in his thirties, would have martial power far exceeding his own. While still in shock, he suddenly heard howling wind—those six stones, completely intact, were still flying forward!
Xiang Tianshou was terrified. His opponent had not only broken his flying stone formation but still had energy to spare. He couldn’t imagine such a strange thing could happen in the world. In his panic, the six stones had already smashed the temple door to pieces and rushed into the inner hall.
Seeing the broken stones’ fierce momentum, Xiang Tianshou didn’t dare to block them directly. In his haste, he threw himself to the ground to dodge. The flying stones scraped past half a foot above his head. The fierce wind struck, making his scalp feel burning hot. Xiang Tianshou was both shocked and angry, and before he could decide what to do, he heard a tremendous crash from the rear hall—those stones had actually pierced through the screen wall and flown out through the back hall.
With such overwhelming force from a single throw, neither those inside nor outside the temple had seen such domineering martial arts, and they all cried out in unison. Xiang Tianshou’s power was profound—in the past when competing with Xue Nu’er, he could shake the Celestial Golden Wheel with his flying stone force. Who knew that now, contending against Qin Zhonghai’s massive internal energy, it was like an egg striking a rock. Even Wu Dingyuan, honored as a “Generation’s True Dragon,” would be shocked to see such domineering strength.
Qin Zhonghai looked at his own hands, feeling great comfort in his heart. He knew that after experiencing life-and-death dangers, he had finally mastered supreme divine martial arts. In the future, when traversing the world, he would surely be invincible.
Qin Zhonghai’s martial foundation was originally excellent—before his injury, he was already among the first-class masters of the martial world. When he leaped from the cliff that day, relying on the grief and anger in his heart, he stimulated his own potential and from then on turned misfortune into fortune, opening the six meridians and eight vessels. Whether the six meridians of Greater Yin, Absolute Yin, Lesser Yin, Yang Brightness, Lesser Yang, and Greater Yang, or the eight vessels of Ren, Du, Chong, Dai, Yin Heel, Yang Heel, Yin Link, and Yang Link—his internal energy could now flow freely through all of them, no longer constrained by natural qi and blood. According to Zhi Guan’s explanation that day, it was like having the brute force of six tigers and eight oxen—his potential was naturally astonishing.
Actually, the benefits Zhi Guan mentioned were only half of it. Ordinary sects often speak of opening the Ren and Du meridians, hoping that when practicing, circulating the microcosmic orbit would first make it easier to enhance internal energy, and second make it easier to concentrate power when exerting force. At this time, Qin Zhonghai had not only opened the Ren and Du meridians, but his internal breath also flowed through his entire body. With the same punch, the internal energy of all six meridians and eight vessels would be infused, naturally making his force doubly powerful. Similarly, when sitting in meditation to practice qi, one breath of true qi channeled into the six meridians and eight vessels was more than ten times more effective than ordinary people. It was because of such convenience that Fang Zijing would use such a strange method to practice martial arts to achieve results.
With the temple door broken, everyone looked deeper inside and saw an old man sitting on the ground. His appearance was withered, his beard nearly reaching his knees, and not a single hair remained on his head. Though this person looked wretched, looking closely at his features, he was clearly the former “Tianquan Hall Master” Xiang Tianshou. Everyone saw dead birds scattered all over the temple floor—apparently Xiang Tianshou had survived these decades by eating birds. Seeing such a miserable state, everyone couldn’t help sighing.
Qin Zhonghai cupped his hands: “The temple door is broken—please come out, brother!” Xiang Tianshou angrily said: “Get lost! Years ago I made a solemn vow never to step out of this temple door in my lifetime. Do you want me to break my vow?” Qin Zhonghai’s heart trembled, finally understanding why Xiang Tianshou hadn’t left the temple door for many years, though he still didn’t know why he had made such a strange vow. Keeping his expression unchanged, Qin Zhonghai persuaded: “Hey, what’s to be afraid of? We’re just breaking a small vow—what’s the big deal? Look at me—yesterday I swore to quit drinking and women, but tomorrow I’ll come eat, drink, and carouse, breaking it all at once. As they say, without establishing, there’s no breaking; without breaking, there’s no establishing. Brother, come out and break your vow quickly. When you’re feeling good tomorrow, after drinking reunion wine, you can go back to the temple and hide again—wouldn’t that work!”
Xiang Tianshou shouted loudly: “Who do you think I am? As shameless as you?” Qin Zhonghai laughed heartily: “Doing shameless things is better than doing boring things—that’s not bad either. Come drink quickly!” His feet tapped lightly as he stepped into the temple.
Xiang Tianshou roared and his body shot up like a cannonball, rushing straight at Qin Zhonghai. Seeing him sitting cross-legged yet able to charge forward without lifting hands or feet, Qin Zhonghai was secretly amazed. Xiang Tianshou, in mid-air, shouted: “Get out quickly!” While speaking, he had already kicked out three times. Qin Zhonghai lightly waved his ape-like arms and blocked each one with ease. The more Xiang Tianshou fought, the more shocked he became. When their palms and legs met, Xiang Tianshou’s ankles felt like they were touching red-hot iron—extremely painful. Unable to figure out Qin Zhonghai’s martial lineage, he didn’t know how to counter and was already at a great disadvantage.
Xiang Tianshou, in mid-air, had already exchanged more than ten moves in an instant. Qin Zhonghai had long seen through Xiang Tianshou’s techniques clearly. Seeing him kick again, Qin Zhonghai suddenly shouted: “Watch out!” Instantly his right hand shot out, quickly grabbing toward Xiang Tianshou’s chest. This grab was lightning-fast with full force. Xiang Tianshou was greatly alarmed and touched the ground with both feet, wanting to flee backward. But Qin Zhonghai, starting later but arriving first, also tapped his foot and instantly caught up. Then his fingers reached out and touched his chest. He roared and channeled his energy into his opponent’s meridians, immediately pressing Xiang Tianshou to the ground.
Yan Er’niang and the others all marveled. Qin Zhonghai’s martial arts compared to that day were not only not inferior but showed even greater prowess than before. He had actually subdued the skilled Xiang Tianshou within a few moves. Seeing his divine martial arts, everyone thought of how this person would lead the stronghold in the future—he would surely be invincible and victorious in every battle. They couldn’t help showing joyful expressions.
Qin Zhonghai grabbed Xiang Tianshou and smiled: “Brother, oh brother, why stay inside eating crows and swallowing rats—such disgusting and miserable things? Come drink and sing with us, sharing the joy of reunion!” Xiang Tianshou refused, just shouting: “Let me go!”
Qin Zhonghai shook his head and said seriously: “Stop being stubborn. Even Yan Er’niang, a mere woman, can endure grief and humiliation to revive the stronghold. You, as a man, only know how to sigh and cower here without coming out. If you still know the meaning of backbone, come with me quickly!”
Xiang Tianshou, in pain and grief, cried out: “Stop talking! I vowed never to step out of this temple door. If you make me break my vow, I, Xiang Tianshou, can only die to atone!” Instantly he reversed his meridians with suicidal intent.
Qin Zhonghai was startled, thinking: “This guy is serious.” Fearing he might actually force this person to death, he immediately released his right hand and persuaded: “Let’s talk nicely—don’t do anything foolish.” Xiang Tianshou fell to the ground, waving his hands and shouting sternly: “All of you get out! Don’t force me to suicide!”
Qin Zhonghai turned to look at Yan Er’niang, only to see her also shake her head—she had no solution. Qin Zhonghai sighed: “Brother, I’ll ask you once more—you really won’t come out of the temple?” Xiang Tianshou said sternly: “Eighteen years ago I made a solemn vow never to step out of this temple. Please don’t disturb me anymore!” Qin Zhonghai nodded: “Very well, I won’t make you break your vow.” He turned and walked away, apparently giving up.
Just as Xiang Tianshou was breathing a sigh of relief, he suddenly heard Qin Zhonghai roar: “Fall!” His steel blade struck out, red flaming fire clouds rushing in all directions—it was the “Fire Greedy Void Wind Slash.” As the fire clouds erupted, the temple walls, already decayed, were blown by the extremely fierce blade wind and hot flames. In an instant they creaked and cracked, and in no time became debris that collapsed outward.
Xiang Tianshou exclaimed: “You… what are you doing?” Qin Zhonghai scratched his head, spread his hands, and smiled: “Brother, oh brother, your temple… is gone. Your vow—heh heh—is void.”
Xiang Tianshou turned to look around—indeed the broken temple had become ashes. Looking out, his body was already in the open wilderness. He opened his mouth wide with a bewildered expression. He had vowed never to step out of this temple, but now that the temple had turned to ash, how could he maintain his original vow? For a moment he didn’t know what to do and felt only panic and pain.
Qin Zhonghai squinted and said: “The temple is emptiness, emptiness is the temple. What a shame that you, brother, with your bald head looking like a monk, can’t even comprehend this principle. If you don’t leave, I’m going. Amitabha, farewell.” He turned and walked away. Yan Er’niang and the others looked at Xiang Tianshou, seeing him sitting dumbly on the ground with a completely bewildered expression. Presumably his years of painstaking adherence to his vow had become empty in an instant, making him feel at a complete loss—hence this idiotic appearance?
The north wind blew, lifting up the door that had rotted into a pile. Ha Bu’er exclaimed: “The broken temple ran away! Now he really has to break his vow!” Xiang Tianshou was greatly alarmed and hurriedly chased after the temple door. Suddenly another gust of wind blew, scattering the remaining ashes. In an instant they had drifted several li away and completely disappeared.
Ha Bu’er frowned: “It’s over! The temple has flown to the ends of the earth—Hall Master Xiang will have quite a chase ahead.” Hearing this, Xiang Tianshou became even more panicked and hurriedly chased out, but how could he find such fine ashes? Xiang Tianshou was scared pale, running and rolling about everywhere, crying sadly: “Heaven above! I’ve broken my vow! I’ve broken my vow!” He immediately threw himself to the ground and wept bitterly, overcome with grief. Seeing him adhere to his vow so strictly, everyone felt shocked.
Tao Qing stepped forward to help him up and consoled: “Hall Master Xiang, be more open-minded. Since this temple has scattered to the ends of the earth, why must you make things difficult for yourself, Old Xiang?” Seeing Xiang Tianshou still keeping his head down in silence, Qin Zhonghai suddenly jumped over. His palm-fan-sized hand struck heavily on his shoulder as he shouted loudly: “Tut! Fool! Now the temple door has gone to the North Pole and the walls to the East Sea. Since the broken temple has flown to the four corners of the world, this human world has become the broken temple, and the broken temple is the human world! Amitabha, brother—as long as you don’t fly up to the ninth heaven, where is there any breaking of vows!”
Xiang Tianshou murmured: “The human world is the temple, the temple is the human world!” He suddenly slapped his head and said joyfully: “Wonderful! Wonderful! That’s exactly the principle!” He began dancing and singing.
Qin Zhonghai had spouted Buddhist principles randomly until his mouth was dry and his head dizzy, thinking: “This fool has finally come around.”
They heard Xiang Tianshou laugh toward the sky and shout loudly: “Old thief Tianjue, Master Lingyin! Listen well! It’s not that Xiang Tianshou didn’t keep his promise—it’s because this temple grew legs and ran away on its own. I couldn’t help it! Don’t blame me!”
Everyone hearing the phrase “the broken temple grew legs and ran away” couldn’t help finding it absurd, but Xiang Tianshou had a strong personality. Yan Er’niang and the others, fearing he might turn hostile, didn’t dare laugh aloud. For a moment they suppressed their amusement and could only cover their mouths and smile.
Hearing Xiang Tianshou mention Monk Tianjue, Qin Zhonghai’s heart trembled as he pondered: “So he was imprisoned here by Monk Tianjue. It seems that when the stronghold was destroyed years ago, Shaolin was also involved.”
Thinking of Yang Suguan’s Shaolin origins, perhaps the two would have to engage in a great killing over this. For a moment his heart felt somewhat uncomfortable.