The Return of the Condor Heroes

Chapter 27 – Battle of wits and strength, Part 10

Yang Guo looked out into the distance, seeing four swords glinting. Every seven priests formed a row, tightly encircling himself and Xiao Longnü. The priests using this “Seven Man Circle” martial skill all united their swords and formed a first-class defense. This time the force around him was an equivalent of having tens of sword masters surrounding them from all sides.

Yang Guo had earlier disregarded life and death so he snorted and moved forward one step. Seven priests were holding their swords out to block him. Yang Guo thrust his sword out and seven swords simultaneously dashed out to counterstrike. A ‘qiang’ sound was heard as the seven swords were all broken and the seven priests holding the rest of their broken swords were quickly leaping aside.

The power Yang Guo sent out from his sword was this incredible. Although Qiu Chuji and others had for a long time fought powerful enemies, they had never seen anything like this. Wang Chuyi called out: “Xuan Ji “Jade Pearl” formation followed by Yao Guang “Moving Light Strike!” Yang Guo thought that he would pay no attention to the Quanzhen master’s big and small orders and rely on the power of sword thrusts to rush outside. He was carrying Xiao Longnü and moving two steps forward, and then he saw another seven priests circling and blocking his way so he immediately wielded his sword. This seven- priests formation did not seek to counterstrike but the priests appeared like a curtain, crisscrossing and changing their positions. He swept past them; two of them cried out — one had an injured waist, the other a broken leg — they collapsed on the ground.

But this time fourteen long swords were pointed at Yang Guo and Xiao Longnü’s backs, seven for Yang Guo and seven for Xiao Longnü. If Yang Guo turned back to strike, he would be able to knock down the fourteen swords but Xiao Longnü would also be injured. At his slight hesitation, another seven swords pointed at Xiao Longnü’s right side. At this point, he couldn’t even sacrifice himself and also didn’t have a way to rescue Xiao Longnü.

Qiu Chuji lifted his hand and shouted: “Hold!” The lights emitting from the twenty-one long swords glittered. Every sword pointed a few inches away from the couple, then stayed very still. Qiu Chuji said: “Long Guniang [Miss Long], Yang Guo, our respective honored founders shared a long, long history. We, the Quanzhen sect, have today won by numbers, which was not a glorious thing, and Long Guniang [Miss Long] had already been severely wounded. Wrongs should be righted by untying the problem, not by making it more complicated. You two please go. No matter who did or didn’t do something, let us wipe the slate clean today.”

Yang Guo and Quanzhen sect’s feud was already huge. In the early years, Sun Po Po [Grandma Sun] was killed by Hao Datong, who was remorseful and willing to give up his life to make it right. This matter was also unresolved. Yang Guo came to Mount Zhongnan to search for Xiao Longnü and really didn’t mean to battle with the Quanzhen sect. As he heard Qiu Chuji’s speech, he was thinking: “Saving Gu Gu’s life is important. If I fight with these little priests, regardless of victory or defeat, honor or disgrace, what good could come of it?” He was just about to say that he agreed, Xiao Longnü’s eyes slowly scanning from left to right. In a low voice she asked: “Where’s Zhen Zhibing?”

Zhen Zhibing’s back was struck by a wheel and his chest was pierced by his sword. These were two fatal wounds, but he hadn’t died yet. He was rescued by his apprentice brothers and taken to one side. His breathing was already heavy and his eyes were blurry. Then he heard a gentle voice asking: “Where’s Zhen Zhibing?” These four words were actually said lightly but to his ears they were like a thunder strike. Not knowing where he got the extra strength but he got up from the ground, waded through all the swords, and called out: “Long Guniang [Miss Long], I’m here!”

Xiao Longnü stared at him for a moment. Seeing his Taoist robe drenched with blood and his face ghostly pale, she couldn’t help but feel her heart sinking. Her voice trembled: “Guo’er, this person has defiled me. Even if he recovers from his injuries, he still couldn’t fight you. But he… but he gave up his life to save me… so you must not give him any more trouble. Such is my brutal fate.” She decided that she had to say this. Even though it was in front of several hundred people, she spoke honestly out her grief.

Zhen Zhibing heard her saying: “But he gave up his life to save me, you must not give him any more trouble. Such is my brutal fate.” As these words went through his ears, he couldn’t help feeling like his heart was being cut out. Out of his own dark desire, he had made a grave mistake. He revered her as if she was a goddess, yet he caused her a lifetime of sadness. To die a hundred times over would still not be enough to redeem him. He cried out loudly: “Master, Four Martial Elders, this disciple’s sin is atrocious. You and the others cannot bother Long Guniang [Miss Long] and Yang Guo.” Having said that, he jumped up and plunged into the eight or nine long swords that the priests were holding in front of him. Many swords pierced through his body, killing him instantly.

This was an unforeseen incident. Many people had not anticipated it so they couldn’t help crying out in alarm. The priests heard Xiao Longnü’s words. Then they saw Zhen Zhibing acknowledged the crime and committing suicide. It looked like he didn’t adhere to the rule and despicably disgraced Xiao Longnü. The Quanzhen Five Masters were priests who strictly adhered to the Taoist rules. Thinking about the wrongs that were done, they all felt greatly ashamed. But when it came to an apology, they found it difficult to express.

Qiu Chuji glanced at his four apprentice brothers and then shouted: “Put down the swords!” Then only the ‘qiang’ sound could be heard. The priests had put their swords back into their sheaths, making a pathway.

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