A Three-Inch Tongue Cleverly Provokes the Nine-Finger Beggar
Hong Qigong sighed.
"I knew you kids were trying to lure me in, but I still couldn't resist the temptation. Now I've fallen for your trick and gotten what I wanted. Fine, fine, if you won't take the money, then tell me what you want."
At this moment, Guo Jing reacted quickly, shaking his head and waving his hands repeatedly.
"Senior, what are you saying? Inviting you to have a bite to eat is just a courtesy to entertain a friend. I don't want your money, so do you expect me to repay you in any other way? As for the bait, whether it's for fishing or not, I really don't understand."
Looking at this honest and simple young man, Hong Qigong felt a little better after hearing what he said.
She just pursed her lips and pouted, signaling to Guo Jing that Huang Rong and Ji Boying were no pushovers.
"Silly boy, you're an honest man, but these two are not. They've set this trap for this old man with great cunning."
"The young girl cooks excellent food, but she deliberately let half of the original flavor dissipate, leaving only the aroma to fill the air. Isn't that just so I can smell it? You all have excellent martial arts skills, with exquisite swordsmanship, ingenious palm techniques, and powerful fist Claw Technique. You left so many traces, weren't you just waiting for this old man to take the bait?"
Guo Jing stared in astonishment, his eyes wide and his mouth agape.
Hearing the beggar say this, he turned his head and looked at Huang Rong Ji Boying repeatedly.
"Ah... this..."
Ji Boying smiled and waved his hand, stopping Guo Jing from asking any more questions.
"After hearing that you live in this area, we've been looking for you for a whole month."
Hong Qigong was also acting strangely.
Looking at the three people in front of him, the silly boy had a solid foundation, while the tall and handsome young man had profound inner strength. The many traces of battle left behind were obviously left by this young man.
His martial arts skills are extremely high; it's truly astonishing that he possesses such abilities at such a young age.
But he didn't think he had any connection with such a master. Why was he looking for him? Did he want to have a match with him?
"You have indeed been quite scheming. People who know me should know that my first love is food, and my second love is martial arts. The little girl's cooking is unparalleled in the world. The traces of the battle you left behind, and the several martial arts techniques you displayed, are all exquisite skills that are among the best in the world."
"The two-pronged approach really made this old beggar's heart itch with desire. I saw through it early on; this open scheme was perfectly aimed at my weakness. I was thinking of quickly using money to settle this matter, but I didn't expect this silly boy to be so adorably foolish."
Hong Qigong sighed repeatedly. He knew that he wouldn't give the money to those two clever guys because he knew they would definitely want more and wouldn't sacrifice the greater good for a small gain.
But to my surprise, this silly boy, though a bit simple-minded, turned out to be an exceptionally kind and honest person.
But Hong Qigong has always been unwilling to owe anyone even the slightest thing, so this is really a difficult situation.
Instead, it obediently and willingly plunged into someone else's fishing net.
Those who are willing will take the bait, those who are willing will take the bait.
"Why do you keep calling me 'old man'? You look so young, you're in your prime."
Huang Rong, with a bright smile on her face, learned of Hong Qi's identity and spoke kindly to him from the side.
But then they heard Hong Qigong snort.
"I'm not young anymore, old man."
Ji Boying also had great respect for Hong Qigong's kung fu skills.
"Since ancient times, those who practice external martial arts age easily, while those who practice internal martial arts can maintain their health. Chief Hong practices this Dragon Subduing Palm from the outside in, and he looks no more than middle-aged. He even looks younger than those who practice internal martial arts in the Quanzhen Sect. He is truly remarkable."
Just as Ji Boying had witnessed on Mount Hua, the ability to practice sword techniques gradually declines in one's forties and fifties, which is precisely the time to develop internal energy.
Princess Hong Qigong practiced external martial arts, and her absolutely fierce Eighteen Subduing Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms were trained by him to be both external and internal, combining strength and gentleness, and even benefiting herself. How could one not admire her?
Huang Rong was also taken aback.
He thought Hong Qigong was because of his superb martial arts skills. Although he was younger than the Seven Immortals of Quanzhen, he was able to be on equal footing with his father because of his high level of martial arts. He never expected that Hong Qigong was actually from his father's generation.
Such a youthful appearance truly shows skill.
"Kid, stop flattering me. Just tell me what you want me to do, but I'm warning you, don't go too far."
Ji Boying laughed heartily.
"I have long heard that Elder Hong is a peerless hero with unparalleled skills, but unfortunately there is one thing he is not as good as the other Four Greats."
Hong Qigong immediately straightened his face and sat up straight.
He shouted, "What do I lack compared to them?"
Ji Boying chuckled and said, "The disciples under Eastern Heretic Huang Yaoshi, are all accomplished. Even Chen Xuanfeng Mei Chaofeng, who betrayed their master, have made a name for themselves in the martial arts world. Although Ouyang Feng, the Western Venom, only has one son and is a lecherous man, his martial arts skills are already no weaker than one of the Seven Immortals of Quanzhen."
"Master Yideng's Four Great Household Retainers, Fisherman, Woodcutter, Farmer, Scholar, are not weak in martial arts, but he has now become a monk, and the life of a monk is beyond question. But our Quanzhen Sect Patriarch Chongyang not only surpasses you in martial arts, but also took in seven disciples who became monks halfway through their lives. Although they are not very successful now, only the Five Greats in the martial arts world can surpass them. Such a skill in taking in disciples is naturally impressive."
"As the saying goes, you may be able to practice well yourself, but you may not be able to teach well. If you have something in your stomach but can't express it, it means you are still a step behind."
Hong Qigong understood the implication and his expression darkened.
Ji Boying continued, "Alas, to say who among the Five Greats is the most powerful, we'll probably have to wait for the Mount Hua Sword Conference. But as for who among the Five Greats has already fallen short..."
"Speak! Keep talking!"
Hong Qigong's face darkened.
Ji Boying chuckled softly.
"Please don't be offended, Seventh Master. It's just that people in the martial arts world are ignorant and make up stories. They say that despite having such a great reputation and leading the number one gang in the world, they haven't been able to train many outstanding individuals. Naturally, they are inferior to you... This is clearly just people in the martial arts world being ignorant and making up stories. I am on your side, Master Seventh Master."
"I just can't stand by and watch this, Seventh Master. I'm determined to help Seventh Master get his factory back. That's why I've traveled all this way with this silly boy to come to your door and give you a disciple. You can pass on your mantle to him and let him overpower the Seven Immortals of Quanzhen! That way, even though Patriarch Chongyang was one step ahead of you back then, you can turn the tables now. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Hong Qigong paid no heed to such sweet talk, his face darkening.
"Hey, little bastard, I see where the charlatans are making this up, it's clearly a bastard like you who farted randomly!"
"Good! Good! It's not difficult for me to take you as a disciple. Let me first experience the high level of the Quanzhen Sect's skills!"