Chapter 48: Challenge

  After Gengyuan and Xinyuan descended the mountain one after another, Master Huichong was uneasy about his six disciples being pursued in Cangmen City, while also worrying about the safety of his daughter Yao Fenglan. Therefore, he felt especially depressed, always having a feeling that disaster was about to strike.

  Master Hui Chong strongly advised Master Hui Zhi to stay in Bi Yin Cave until the situation clears up before returning to Bi Yuan Temple. However, several elders of Bi Yuan Temple and Master Hui Zhi himself were unwilling to live in the dark and damp environment of Bi Yin Cave, insisting on moving back to Bi Yuan Temple. Master Hui Chong could not stop them, so he had no choice but to let them move back to Bi Yuan Temple.

  Since returning to Biyuan Temple, Master Huichong felt that something was amiss. He thought that Fengliu Fox, who had seen the green snake pattern on Gengyuan's back, would definitely report his discovery to Fengeren, and Fengeren had been waiting for this day, colluding with the Japanese to come to Biyuan Temple to capture people. If Fengeren wanted to capture Master Huichong, the monks of Biyuan Temple would not agree, which would inevitably lead to a fierce battle between the two sides, and Biyuan Temple would face disaster.

  Master Hui Chong's mind recalled an event twenty-five years ago.

  Twenty-five years ago, on an afternoon, two young men with high martial arts skills came to Biyuan Temple, claiming to be apprentices of the ghost son of Wuxiu Mountain. One was named Duan Ke, nicknamed "Mixed Yuan Holy Hand"; the other was named Feng Renhao, nicknamed "Life-taking Bookworm". As soon as they entered Biyuan Temple, they loudly declared that they wanted to compete with the famous high monk of Biyuan Temple, Eagle Claw Wang.

  At that time, the abbot of Biyuan Temple was Master Huiren, who was the senior fellow disciple of Master Huichong. Master Huiren received the two men.

  Master Hui Ren had Duan Gui and Feng Ren Hao wait in the Pu Guang Great Hall to drink tea, then he rushed straight to Master Hui Chong's Chan chamber.

  "Junior brother, just now two martial artists came to the temple looking for you to engage in a martial arts contest. They even reported their master's name - they are both disciples of Gui Hezi from Foggy River Mountain. Gui Hezi is renowned throughout the land, so his disciples must be skilled in martial arts. Moreover, I observed that neither of these two men is inferior to you in terms of martial prowess. Senior brother, I suggest you hide inside and don't come out. I'll go tell them you're not here, maybe gone to Cangmen City or something, and get rid of them once and for all. Junior brother, listen to senior brother's words - it's better to avoid trouble whenever possible, what do you think?"

  Master Hui Chong heard that the high-ranking disciple of Foggy River had arrived at Biyuan Temple, and specifically asked to engage in a martial arts competition with him. He wouldn't miss this opportunity to exchange moves with a master. He said to Master Hui Ren: "Brother, exchanging martial skills with a master is something every practitioner yearns for. If I don't get to exchange with a master, my skills will stagnate. Brother, rest assured, I can control myself and just touch hands with them. Please let me see their skills!" Master Hui Chong shook his brother's shoulder, begging him to agree.

  So why did Huichong insist on competing with Duan Yu and Feng Renyu?

  Huichong had his own ideas. For some time, Master Huichong had been secretly studying the temple's treasure of Biyuan Temple - "Floating Infinity Fist". The obscure and difficult-to-understand ancient texts and strange moves inside made him feel like he was in a cloud of fog, unable to decipher it. This set of martial arts secrets was handed over to him by his master before his death, instructing him to study this set of martial arts well, to glorify Chinese martial arts, and to spread the fame of Biyuan Temple. Today, with the opportunity to exchange blows with a high-ranking expert, he took advantage of the situation to use a few strange moves from "Floating Infinity Fist" in Eagle Claw Technique, to see the reaction of the two experts, perhaps thus gaining insight into its mysteries.

  "Junior brother, I didn't let you compete with them because I don't want you to get involved in the disputes of Jianghu. My eyes won't mistake a person, that bookworm who takes lives is absolutely not a good person, and he will definitely be the one causing trouble in the martial arts world in the future." Hui Ren made his final persuasion.

  "Alright, alright, brother, you know my character, I absolutely do not get involved in the grudges and disputes of Jianghu. Now it's just a small martial arts competition, why speak so seriously? Let's go, let's go, the guests are waiting impatiently." Hui Chong was getting anxious, pushing Hui Ren towards Pu Guang Hall.

  Huì Rén helplessly shook his head, hoping that the martial competition would end soon, so those two people could leave Biyuan Temple early.

  Hui Chong was beaming with joy, exuding a heroic aura. He walked out briskly and greeted the two visitors with a bow.

  "This humble monk is indeed Hui Chong of Biyuan Temple. I heard that the two donors are looking for me, but I don't know what brings the two esteemed guests to our humble temple?" Hui Chong asked politely.

  The two young men, Duan Yu and Feng Renhe, stood up straight and bowed respectfully. "We have long admired the great name of Eagle Claw King in the Jianghu world. Today, we are fortunate to meet you, and we cannot help but ask for your teachings. We would like to exchange a few moves with you, so as not to waste our lives' admiration. Would you be willing to grant our wish?" Duan Yu and Feng Renhe were at an age where they had plenty of energy and strength, and they were eager to test their skills against a top martial artist like Master Hui Chong.

  "The two donors are laughing, but I, a poor monk, have been living in seclusion in the mountains and forests, and have never been active in the Jianghu. Being called the 'Eagle Claw King' is really an undeserved reputation, and I'm afraid it will disappoint you. However, Chinese martial arts have a long history, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. Mutual polishing and learning from each other can be beneficial for both parties. If the two donors view this as a competition to win or lose, then they have found the wrong person. I can only regretfully ask the two donors to leave." Master Hui Cong is indeed a high-ranking monk, his words always put the principles of being a human first, causing Master Hui Ren to nod in agreement beside him.

  "The Master is right. Our purpose for coming here is also to sharpen our martial arts skills, and we have no other intentions." said Hunyuan Sheng Shoudang Ke.

  "In that case, I'll make a fool of myself in front of the two great heroes. I'll take the liberty to exchange blows with the two great heroes and hope we can stop at the crucial point during our martial arts exchange." Master Hui Chong said.

  "With Master Hui Ren as a witness by your side, what else are you worried about?" Duan Gui said with a smile.

  Master Hui Ren was originally closing his eyes to listen to them talk, after hearing Duan Yu mention him, he slightly opened his eyes to glance around the hall, then closed his eyes again and silently recited his Buddhist scriptures.

  Sharpen your martial arts skills, it's time for a duel, let's begin.

  Duan Gui first exchanged moves with the Holy Hand of Hunyuan, Master Hui Chong. Duan Gui calmed his mind and concentrated his spirit, sinking his breath into his dantian, releasing his internal energy to fill his entire body. As his intention moved, his energy moved, and as his energy moved, his body moved. His entire body was enveloped in the true Hunyuan energy, forming a strong repulsive force around him. This repulsive force had a rebounding effect on others, increasing exponentially with the increase of the opponent's strength. Unless one was an exceptional master, it would be difficult to approach him. Even if one could get close to him, if their martial arts skills were not profound enough, they would definitely be injured by Duan Gui's rebounding force, damaging their true yuan.

  This mixed yuan holy handprint, is indeed a top-notch expert, only to see him emitting force, blew out all the candles burning in the great hall of Biyuan Temple, and the monks onlookers, all secretly took a cold breath.

  On the other hand, Eagle Claw Master Wang Hui Chong strolled leisurely as if taking a casual walk in a courtyard. He simply ignored Duan Yu's released force and instead relaxed his muscles, shaking his arms loosely.

  Duan Kei had already launched his attack, and his Hunyuan True Qi was rushing towards Master Hui Chong. The monks standing in the hall felt a chill run down their spines, but Master Hui Chong seemed completely unaffected. At this moment, Duan Kei's preparations were complete, and he unleashed his first move, "Flipping the Ocean and Turning the Sea", a swift and powerful punch that shot towards Master Hui Chong like a wave. Master Hui Chong smiled and welcomed Duan Kei's fist without attempting to dodge.