Chapter 67: To take something from someone, you must first give something to them.

  "What? No master?!" Even with Hong Qigong's long-tested willpower, he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise at this sudden news.

  It's no wonder that Hong Qigong lost his composure, for the martial arts skills displayed by Ling Yun were, although not as good as his own, still among the best in the Jianghu. In fact, apart from those few old guys who had reached the Xiantian realm, there was probably no one else who could be his match. And yet, such a person claimed that he didn't have a master and was self-taught, how could this not shock Hong Qigong?

  However, Hong Qigong was after all a seasoned master, his willpower was extraordinary, and losing composure was only for an instant. He immediately regained his calmness, looked at Ling Zhu's expression which didn't seem to be lying, sighed, turned his head to Huang Rong and said: "This time Huang Yaoshi is really lucky, actually picking up such a good son-in-law!"

  Huang Rong was startled, and upon hearing Hong Qigong's words, it was clear that he had already seen through her origins. She couldn't help but ask: "Seventh Master, how do you know who my father is? Do you know my father?"

  Hong Qigong said: "Of course, he is the 'Eastern Heretic', I am the 'Northern Beggar', we are all among the Five Greats, I have fought with him countless times, can't I recognize him?"

  "Huang Rong asked again: 'Then how did you know me, we've never met before, how do you know I'm my father's daughter?'"

  Hong Qigong said: "Take a look at yourself in the mirror, don't your eyes and nose resemble your father's? I couldn't recall it earlier, but I felt that your face looked familiar. But now that you've taken out the Nine Flower Jade Dew Pill, it's clear as day! The Nine Flower Jade Dew Pill is Huang Yaoshi's exclusive spiritual medicine from Peach Island, how could Old Beggar not know?! Hmph, those two dishes you had earlier, 'Jade Flute Who Listens to Plum Blossoms' and 'Good Omen Soup', thinking back now, they must have been named by your cunning father as well."

  Huang Rong smiled and said: "You really are a master of foresight, so you also think my father is very formidable, don't you?"

  Hong Qigong sneered and said: "He's certainly formidable, but it doesn't necessarily mean he's the best in the world."

  "Huang Rong clapped her hands and said: 'Then it must be you first.'"

  Hong Qigong said, "That's not necessarily true. More than twenty years ago, the five of us - East Evil, West Poison, South Emperor, North Beggar and Central Divine - had a martial arts competition at the summit of Mount Hua to determine who was the best swordsman. After seven days and nights, it was clear that Central Divine was the most powerful, and we four acknowledged him as the number one in the world."

  Huang Rong said: "Who is Zhong Sheng Tong?"

  Hong Qigong said: "Didn't your father tell you?"

  "My father rarely talks to me about Jianghu affairs, he says there are many bad things and few good things in Jianghu, it's not beneficial for a daughter like me to hear, so he rarely tells me. I only occasionally heard your esteemed name from his mouth. Later, my father scolded me and didn't like me, so I secretly ran away, I'm afraid he won't want me anymore from now on."

  At this point, Huang Rong couldn't help but lower her head, looking sorrowful.

  "Hong Qigong cursed: 'This old monster is really evil'."

  Huang Rong heard this and immediately raised her head in anger, saying: "Don't you dare scold my father!"

  "Alas, people despise me for being an old, poor monk, and no one wants to marry me. Otherwise, if I had given birth to a daughter as lovely as you, I wouldn't have been able to bear parting with you."

  "Huang Rong smiled and said: 'Of course! You drove me away, who will cook for you now?'"

  "Not bad, not bad." Hong Qigong smiled and nodded, then sighed and continued: "After Wang Chongyang, the leader of the Quanzhen Sect, passed away, it's hard to say who is the number one in the world."

  "Quanzhen Sect? Hmm, there's one with the surname Qiu, one with Wang, and another with Ma. They're all mediocre Taoist priests. I think they're quite ordinary. When it comes to fighting, they get poisoned or injured within three moves."

  Hong Qigong said, "Is that so? Those are all Wang Chongyang's disciples. I've heard that among his seven disciples, Qiu Chuji's martial arts skills are the strongest, but they still can't compare to their uncle Zhou Botong. Although Zhou Botong has a childish personality, he is extremely talented in martial arts and far surpasses the Seven Immortals of Quanzhen. However, I haven't heard any news about him in recent years either, and I don't know where he's gone off to play."

  Huang Rong was slightly startled when she heard Zhou Botong's name and opened her mouth as if to speak, but then restrained herself.

  Ling Yun heard the name of Zhou Botong and saw Huang Rong's reaction, but in his heart he was very clear. At this time, Zhou Botong should still be imprisoned by Huang Yaoshi on Peach Blossom Island. He is a true martial arts fanatic, addicted to martial arts, and has been practicing since childhood. Although he is already old, he still has the heart of a child, like a mischievous boy. It can be said that he is one of the most extreme characters in the world of shooting eagles.

  Huang Rong's departure from home this time was also largely due to Zhou Botong. It was because she went to chat with Zhou Botong and was scolded by Huang Yaoshi, which led her to leave home in a huff and coincidentally run into him. So, if you think about it, Zhou Botong can be considered half a matchmaker for the two of them!

  At this time, Hong Qigong turned to ask Ling Yun: "Ling Xiaoyou, you said you don't have a master, then where did you learn your martial arts from? The martial arts you displayed earlier are all top-notch and shouldn't be unknown, so why haven't I heard of them before?"

  It seemed that Hong Qigong also felt he had asked something improper, so he added: "Of course, this is just an old beggar's curiosity getting the better of him. If it's inconvenient for you to say, then don't."

  Ling Moyun burst out laughing and said, "It's not inconvenient at all. Half of my martial arts skills are family heirlooms, while the other half were acquired through chance encounters. Except for swordsmanship, which is a family tradition, everything else I learned from a fragment of the Nine Yin Scripture that I happened to come across."

  "Nine Yin Manual?!" Hong Qigong's face suddenly changed color, he was extremely sensitive to the four words "Nine Yin Manual". He thought back to the year they had a martial arts competition at Mount Hua, where the goal was not only to become the number one in the world, but also to obtain the Nine Yin Manual. Who would have thought that Ling Yun's cultivation was actually based on the Nine Yin Manual? Although it was just a fragment, it was still incredible. No wonder he had such high martial arts skills at such a young age!

  However, Hong Qigong was surprised but did not have the intention of snatching it away. It is known that although Hong Qigong was a bit greedy, he was a chivalrous and straightforward person with impeccable character. The reason he participated in the Huashan sword fight to contend for the Nine Yin Manual back then was because at that time, the Nine Yin Manual was being fought over by various parties and was ownerless, plus there was the temptation of being number one under heaven. Which martial artist would not want to become number one under heaven? But if he were to be tempted into action against a junior who had just treated him to a big meal for the sake of a martial arts secret manual, it was something he absolutely could not do.

  Of course, it was precisely because Ling Yun knew Hong Qigong's character that he would speak to him so bluntly. If it were someone else, Ling Yun would never have been so frank. For example, his future father-in-law Huang Yaoshi, whom he had not yet met, had imprisoned Zhou Botong on Peach Blossom Island for over a decade just for the sake of the Nine Yin Manual. Or there was Western Venom Ouyang Feng, who would stop at nothing to get his hands on the manual.

  Hong Qigong was initially astonished, but his heart also surged with admiration and subtle emotion. The charm of the Nine Yin Manual he understood all too well, that was something even the Five Greats couldn't help but fight over, and as Linghu Chong's little lover, Huang Rong's daughter, she shouldn't have been unaware of its significance, yet she still spoke frankly to him, this trust moved him.

  Hong Qigong couldn't help but warn, "Ling Xiaoyou, the Nine Yin Manual is a serious matter. From now on, you shouldn't casually mention it to others, lest you bring trouble upon yourself. Remember, an innocent man may be faultless, but if he possesses a precious jade, he will be in danger!"

  Ling Muyun smiled faintly: "Thank you, Seventh Master, for your advice. However, there's no need for you to worry about this matter. I would only speak frankly with someone as chivalrous and renowned as yourself; if it were anyone else, I'd use a different tone."

  Ling Muyun's heart skipped a beat as he paused, then continued, "Besides, the Nine Yin Manual may have a big name, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's invincible. Let's not mention other things, just take the Seven Masters' Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms that was used earlier - even among the Nine Yin Manual's martial arts, there are few that can match its power. As soon as the Seven Masters unleashed their Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms, I would have no choice but to concede defeat."

  Hong Qigong's eyes flashed with emotion, and he said: "Ling Xiaoyou is being modest. Let's not mention the extraordinary and sharp swordsmanship you used later, which made it difficult for this old monk to cope. Even the fist technique you used earlier was no worse than my own Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms. The precision of your moves is astonishing, but since you are still young and your skills are not yet deep, that's how I managed to gain an advantage."

  Ling Muyun smiled slightly, and a hint of inexplicable meaning flashed in his eyes: "What, Seventh Uncle thinks that set of fist techniques is not bad?"

  Hong Qigong repeatedly praised, "Not only is it not wrong, but it's a set of extremely ingenious boxing techniques. I've been traveling the world for so many years and have never seen any more ingenious boxing techniques than this one!"

  "If Seventh Master is interested in this set of fist techniques, then I'll just pass it on to Seventh Master."

  "What?" Hong Qigong was suddenly startled and hastily asked: "Ling Xiaoyou, you're not joking, are you? How can such a superior skill be easily passed on to someone else? Moreover, we've only just met for the first time, and I haven't even repaid the kindness of eating your delicious food. How can this old monk bear to receive another gift of this superior skill from you?"

  Hong Qigong repeatedly shook his head and declined, but couldn't hide the eager look in his eyes. As a martial artist, the ultimate martial arts skills were right in front of him, who wouldn't want them? It was only due to his personal principles that Hong Qigong reluctantly suppressed his inner desires and gritted his teeth in refusal.

  Ling Mu Yun glanced at Hong Qigong, a hint of triumphant smile flashing in his eyes: "It's just a set of fist techniques, what's the big deal? If Master Hong is really embarrassed, then teach me an ultimate skill, and we'll call it even, who owes whom, Master Hong, how about that?"