158: Chapter 38 Top Master (Part Two)

"The Southern Emperor's real name is 'Duan Zhixing,' the sovereign of the Dali Kingdom. As he occupies the southern position and is an emperor, he is called the 'Southern Emperor.'"

"However, due to an old matter, he has since become a monk, taking the monastic name 'One-Lamp.'"

"What old matter?" Hearing there was gossip, Huang Rong immediately became interested.

Meng Li shook his head: "This matter involves quite a few people; it's a private affair and not easy to discuss."

"The Southern Emperor's initial famous Martial Arts was the hereditary supreme skill of the Dali royal family, named 'One-Yang Finger.' This One-Yang Finger is extremely exquisite; it can not only strike vital points against an enemy but also be used for healing. Legend has it that it is also the prerequisite Martial Art for cultivating the Six Veins Divine Sword."

"Six Veins Divine Sword?" Huang Rong let out a soft sound of surprise, then asked, "What kind of Sword Technique is that? This is the first time I've heard of it."

Meng Li replied, "It is not a Sword Technique, but a Finger Technique whose profound nature surpasses even the One-Yang Finger. It is also a hereditary supreme skill of the Dali Duan Clan, but it has been lost."

"It is said that once the Six Veins Divine Sword is mastered, one can launch different streams of Sword Qi from their fingers, injuring people invisibly, making them impossible to guard against."

Launching different streams of Sword Qi from the fingers to injure people invisibly?

Hearing this description, Huang Rong and the others were greatly astonished.

Was this definitely a Martial Art, or a Spell?

Meng Li continued: "Later, the Southern Emperor learned the Innate Skill, which, combined with his own One-Yang Finger, could counteract Ouyang Feng's Toad Kung Fu. This can be considered a contingency plan left by The Real Person of Chongyang to restrain Ouyang Feng."

"After all, if Ouyang Feng's Toad Kung Fu were broken once more, it would take him at least twenty years to cultivate it back."

"Judging by his age, even if he succeeded in his recovery after another twenty years, he would be an old man and wouldn't have much time left to live."

Guo Jing couldn't help but show admiration upon hearing this: "Looking at it this way, The Real Person of Chongyang was truly far-sighted."

Mu Nianci and the others nodded one after another.

Meng Li said: "It is true that The Real Person of Chongyang was far-sighted, but whether the plan succeeds is another matter. After all, Ouyang Feng is not a fool; having been tricked once, he won't be tricked again. If he avoids the Southern Emperor or finds a way to harm him, The Real Person of Chongyang's contingency plan might not succeed."

Guo Jing immediately became worried: "Then what should we do? Should we go and protect the Southern Emperor?"

Yang Kang, Yang Tiexin, and the others were speechless.

Huang Rong gave Guo Jing a sidelong glance: "The Southern Emperor is a Peak expert and was once the sovereign of the Dali Kingdom; why would he need our protection?"

"Besides, Ouyang Feng's Toad Kung Fu hasn't been successfully rebuilt yet."

"Even if he makes a comeback, learning from the lesson of his Toad Kung Fu being broken last time, he would probably avoid the Southern Emperor."

"As for schemes and tricks, the Southern Emperor was once a ruler of a nation; he has seen far more calculations than us, so how could he be so easily schemed against?"

Guo Jing suddenly realized, scratching his head with a silly smile: "It seems so. I was worrying for nothing."

"What about the Northern Beggar?" Huang Rong asked.

Actually, she was already somewhat familiar with the Five Masters.

After all, her father was the Eastern Evil, but Medicine Master Huang's personality was aloof, and he didn't have an omniscient perspective, so the situation he described was not as detailed as what Meng Li was saying.

Meng Li followed up: "The Northern Beggar's real name is 'Hong Qi,' the current Beggars Sect Leader of the number one great sect in the Jianghu, the Beggars Sect."

"Although he comes from a background of beggars, he deeply understands righteousness and is open and upright. Not only does he take punishing the wicked and eliminating evil as his duty, but he also leads the Beggars Sect Disciples to operate in the north, frequently interfering with the Jin Kingdom's actions and passing intelligence to the Song Dynasty."

"Because he often operates in the north and comes from the Beggars Sect, he is called the 'Northern Beggar.'"

"If we talk about contributions to the nation and the people, the Northern Beggar ranks first among the Four Masters."

"If we talk about chivalry, he is also the first among the Four Masters."

"After all, the greatest of chivalry is for the nation and the people.'"

"Good!"

When the classic eight characters were spoken, Guo Jing and Yang Tiexin immediately cheered in unison.

Then, Guo Jing's eyes shone brightly: "The greatest of chivalry is for the nation and the people. Elder Brother Meng, what you said is too good!"

Yang Tiexin also said: "It's a pity there is no wine right now; otherwise, I'd drink three big bowls!"

Bao Xiruo smiled without speaking.

Mu Nianci looked at Meng Li, her eyes full of admiration.

Huang Rong and Yang Kang were also moved.

Meng Li smiled and continued: "Although the Northern Beggar is chivalrous, he has one flaw that isn't quite a flaw.'"

Guo Jing immediately asked in surprise: "A flaw that isn't quite a flaw? What is it?"

Meng Li replied: "Greed for food!"

"Perhaps due to his background, the Northern Beggar is extremely fond of delicacies. Not only has he eaten all over the country, but he also frequently sneaks food from the Song Dynasty Imperial Kitchen. Because of his gluttony, he once delayed a major event. Afterward, as a warning to himself, he severed one of his own fingers."

"Therefore, he has another title, known as the 'Nine-Fingered Divine Beggar.'"

Mu Nianci started.

She remembered that the Senior who taught her Martial Arts back then was dressed as a beggar and only had nine fingers. Could he be the Northern Beggar?

Meng Li's words continued: "However, even after severing a finger, the Northern Beggar failed to change his gluttony.'"

"The Northern Beggar knows quite a few Martial Arts, but he has two signature supreme skills, both originating from the Beggars Sect Legacy."

"The first is the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms mentioned earlier, which is the best palm technique in the world, and also the Peak supreme skill of external Martial Arts."

"The second is called the 'Dog Beating Staff Technique'..."

Hearing this name, Huang Rong frowned slightly: "That name is too common, isn't it?"

Meng Li smiled: "The name is indeed common. Its origin is just as the name suggests; it was originally used for beating dogs. Life as a beggar is not easy; besides begging, they often have to fight dogs for food. The first Beggars Sect Leader created the Dog Beating Staff Technique for this very purpose."

"Later, successive Beggars Sect Leaders improved upon it, giving it numerous variations, turning it into a top-tier, exquisite Martial Art."

"Both it and the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms are the sect-guarding Martial Arts of the Beggars Sect."

"For the Beggars Sect, the importance of the Dog Beating Staff Technique is even greater than that of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms."

"Because the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms can be broken down and passed on to the Disciples in the sect, but the Dog Beating Staff Technique can only be learned by the Beggars Sect Leader; it is a secret passed down orally, not taught."

Huang Rong asked doubtfully: "Since it is a secret not to be taught, how do you know about it?"

Meng Li pinched his fingers.

Huang Rong's eye twitched: "You weren't calculating just now.'"

"I calculated before officially starting the lecture.'"

Huang Rong: "..."

She wanted to say Meng Li was talking nonsense, but she had no proof.

Seeing this, Mu Nianci changed the subject: "Now that the Peak experts are finished, what about the first-rate experts next?"

Meng Li said: "First-rate experts are the tier right below the Peak experts.'"

"Among those I know, there are only two.'"

"The first is called Old Imp, nicknamed 'Old Imp.' He is the Junior Martial Uncle of The Real Person of Chongyang, and the Junior Martial Uncle of The Seven Masters of Quanzhen..."

Saying this, he paused and said to Yang Kang and Guo Jing: "He is also your Grandmaster's Martial Uncle."

Guo Jing nodded, indicating he understood, and didn't feel anything unusual.

Yang Kang's mouth twitched.

He was just listening to a ranking, but the seniority kept dropping.

The previous Grandmaster, The Real Person of Chongyang, was acceptable; the other party was not only the founding Ancestral Master of the Quanzhen Sect but also the chief of the Five Masters and the number one in the world. Telling people about that carried a lot of Face.

He was entirely convinced.

But this suddenly appearing Junior Martial Uncle...

He had a Senior Brother who was number one in the world, yet he himself didn't even rank as Peak, only relegated to first-rate.

Moreover, the nickname was 'Old Imp'?

Just by hearing it, one could tell he wasn't a proper person.