Light flared in the east as the sea churned with wind and waves.
A howling sea wind whipped up blinding clouds of sand along the shore, making it clear that today was no good day to set sail.
Cang Haike, an old man, had been standing on the shore for a long time, gazing out at the vast ocean and occasionally looking up at the sky. Finally, making up his mind, he flicked his sleeves and pushed his small boat into the water.
The tide set the light boat adrift, and the old man swayed along with it.
Cang Haike drew a piece of blue cloth from his robes and wrapped it around a longsword, securing it tightly with a bronze-colored cord. Placing the sword in the middle of the boat, the old man gripped the oars and rowed toward the rising sun.
Under his powerful, practiced strokes, the small boat cut through the waves, flying forward. Though the hull pitched and tossed constantly, the old man's withered, gaunt frame remained as if nailed to the deck, completely unmoving.
Sometimes, people do not live for money; there are other things, such as competing for dominance, fighting out of spite, or seeking conflict...
Indeed, these seemed to govern life far more. Since time immemorial, countless people had ruined their reputations, lost their fortunes, and even sacrificed their lives for them, yet none felt any regret.
Just like this old man, Cang Haike—stubborn and fiercely competitive, he was bent on having his way.
Sometimes, even he did not understand why he had repeatedly fought over this petty grudge. Why did he have to contend with a youth who had absolutely nothing to do with him?
Yet deep down, this score had been festering for years, and now it was time to settle it.
Perhaps those in the martial world were simply too competitive, hence the saying, "One mountain cannot hold two tigers," or "Two heroes cannot coexist." It was only natural. At this thought, the old man's sallow face suddenly flushed red, and his silver-streaked eyebrows bristled.
"Junior!"
He let out a cold sneer, then, unable to help himself, muttered,
"Did you ever expect that I would return?"
With that, he reached out with his right hand to grip the hilt of his sword. A blood-red glint flashed in his eyes, his face turning dark with murderous intent.
The boat pulled up to the shore of an island. Cang Haike did not even know its name.
In truth, there were far too many islands, large and small, scattered across the Bohai Strait, most of them nameless. Yet, in the old man's heart, no place was more detestable than this island. Because of this, even a single blade of grass or a stray pebble on it filled him with loathing. It was a classic case of hating the person and, by extension, the very ground they walked on.
The sun peeked through the dark clouds, bathing the islet in the first light of dawn. Cang Haike scaled seven tiers of jagged rocks before suddenly coming to a halt.
Before him stood two intertwined willow trees, their lush, drooping branches completely concealing a pitch-black stone cave. Cang Haike parted the willow boughs and stepped onto the ground carpeted with dry leaves, pressing forward.
The place looked exactly as it had three years ago. The two willow trees remained ever green, the sandy shore still shimmered with gold, and silver waves continued to roll in, one after another.
Reaching the cave entrance, Cang Haike instinctively froze. He had been defeated more than once by his opponent's Iron Palm... Thinking back, it was no wonder his heart turned cold. His opponent was merely a youth of nineteen or twenty, whereas he was a man in his sixties whose fame resounded across the four seas—yet that youth had defeated him with effortless ease.
With a single, casual strike, the youth would smile—a smile of utter disdain for the world. The first time, the second time... it had always been the same.
Cang Hai Ke kept staring intently into the pitch-black stone cave. After a long while, he let out a hearty, booming laugh and said loudly:
"Kid in the cave, forgive this old man for disturbing your slumber. This is the third time this old man has come to seek your guidance."
The voice bounced off the cave walls and echoed back. Only after a long silence did a soft sigh drift out, followed by a clear, resonant voice:
"Cang Hai Ke, why must you trouble yourself so?"
The clear voice of the person inside the cave turned cold as he continued:
"I have merely borrowed this place to cultivate and train myself in solitude. In truth, I have never offended you. Why must you press me like this, for a third time?"
Hearing this, Cang Hai Ke's expression changed. He took a step back, realizing that his every move was clearly within the other's sight. Nonetheless, he let out a cold chuckle to steady his nerves and spoke loudly:
"Kid, you're not asleep? Very well, let us test our skills once more.
"Will you come out, or shall I go in?"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a spark of fire suddenly flickered inside the stone cave. Illuminated by the firelight, Cang Hai Ke could clearly see everything within. The cave was very simply furnished: a stone bed, a stone chair, and mountains of books and manuscripts piled high. It seemed as though this youth was a scholar who had come here to read and cultivate his mind, but who would have guessed that he was also a hidden master of the martial world?
His martial arts prowess was incredibly profound. Perhaps only the old man, Cang Hai Ke, knew this, which was why he couldn't help but feel a tinge of dread upon hearing the youth's voice. He was also afraid the other would detect his anxiety through his voice, which was why he laughed and spoke so loudly—perhaps the best way to mask his fear.
Beside the mountain of books sat a youth, leaning against the cave wall. With long hair draping over his shoulders, sword-brows, and starry eyes, he could well be described as an exceptionally handsome young man. However, his complexion was somewhat pale, his beard was rather long, and his gaze was brighter than that of ordinary people.
The youth smiled and said:
"I have been awake for a long time. Cang Hai Ke, do you think you are the only early riser in this world?"
What Cang Hai Ke feared most was seeing the youth's calm composure, just as he feared his own inner agitation. He let out a cold laugh, took a step forward, and said:
"Three years have passed. Three years is not a short time. You certainly couldn't have guessed what powerful martial arts I have mastered over these past three years. Therefore, today..."
At this point, he couldn't help but grin slyly.
The youth frowned slightly, speaking with a touch of emotion and surprise:
"Is that so... Three years already... How time flies!"
He counted on his fingers, gave a wry smile, and continued:
"Which means I have been on this small island for ten years now."
Cang Hai Ke chuckled and said:
"That is your business. Who has the leisure to come here and chat about your daily life? Kid..."
A strange light suddenly flashed in the youth's starry eyes as he cut him off:
"Didn't I tell you not to address me that way?
"Cang Hai Ke, you seem to have a very short memory."
The old man took another step back, his wrinkled face contorting as if he were trying to suppress an extreme sense of grief and indignation. He spoke in a booming voice:
"Jiang Haifeng, unless you are defeated by my hand and withdraw from Bohai, this old man will never let this go until the day I die. I will keep coming back, just like today."
He paused, let out a loud laugh, and continued:
"Eventually, the day will come when you fall beneath my sword."
The youth tossed his messy hair back, smiled, and said:
"You didn’t need to spell it out for me to realize that you brought a weapon this time. But..."
He chuckled and continued:
"But you will still lose."
As if to drive his point home, he added:
"You will suffer an even more miserable defeat than the last two times. Those who harbor malice in their hearts are bound to meet a malicious end."
Thuong Hai Khach shuddered. From his past two experiences, he knew that any display of anger or intimidation would be entirely wasted on the youth before him.
He forced himself to calm down, knowing all too well that defeat was most often born of haste and impatience.
"Giang Hai Phong!"
He barked coldly, then continued:
"There is no need to provoke me. The matter is simple. You already know why I am here. We will do as we did before—settle this with swift blades and wild swords. And then..."
The youth smiled and cut him off:
"And then what? Don't tell me it will be just like the last two times—you lose, turn on your heel and leave, only to seek me out again three years later? To be honest, I’ve grown utterly tired of this endless cycle."
The old man gritted his teeth and said:
"Naturally, this time will be different."
The youth remained seated calmly on the stone slab, leaning back against the cave wall. Hearing this, he smiled and asked:
"I believe I once told you that I haven't used a weapon in ten years. Perhaps you've forgotten."
Qiao Kun was taken aback. He said:
"Then what will you use to face my longsword?"
With that, he raised his longsword. Its cold gleam was striking; it was indeed a fine blade.
Jiang Haifeng raised a pine branch and said slowly:
"I will use this."
Canghai Ke took a step back. With a cold laugh, he said:
"Do not forget that this is not a mere friendly sparring match. I will show no mercy."
The youth smiled and said:
"Then it would be best if you killed me! To die at the hands of the illustrious Canghai Ke would be a comforting end."
He took a step to the left, raised the pine branch to chest level, and continued:
"Come, let us make this quick."
Veins bulged on Canghai Ke's forehead. He swept his gaze around, confirming that the sandy beach of this deserted island was indeed completely empty. Otherwise, for a sixty-year-old man to use a sword against a youth holding nothing but a pine branch would be an utter embarrassment. But now, consumed by the desire for revenge and dominance, he cast all reservations aside.
He let out a hearty laugh and said:
"Jiang Haifeng, within thirty moves, you will bleed beneath my blade."
The youth frowned and said:
"Make your move. I cannot waste too much time on you; I still have a chapter of my book left to finish."
Even as he spoke, Canghai Ke lunged forward. His longsword traced a brilliant arc of light, accompanied by a howling wind, thrusting straight toward the youth's chest.
Jiang Haifeng held the pine branch horizontally, then suddenly thrust the tip toward Qiao Kun.
It was such a simple move, yet it forced Qiao Kun to stumble back three or four paces before he could regain his footing. He immediately withdrew his stance.
Jiang Haifeng also seemed slightly surprised. He nodded and said:
"Canghai Ke, that was a fine retreat. You have improved greatly since last time."
Qiao Kun's face flushed red. Forcing a smile, he said:
"Save your mockery. I will not fall for your mind games."
With that, he circled half a turn on the sand without launching an attack. Jiang Haifeng remained motionless, the pine branch in his hand looking like a mere toy. Only grandmasters of martial arts could perceive the life-and-death struggle hidden within this standoff; to those with mediocre skills, it would surely look like two people merely playing around.
Canghai Ke circled once more, yet still did not strike. The youth remained rooted to the spot, silent. As the sun climbed higher, Canghai Ke formulated a plan. The higher the sun rose, the more its light would reflect off his blade, intensifying its glare. He would use the blinding reflection to dazzle his opponent's eyes, thereby securing a certain victory.
With this in mind, he feigned a lunge, unleashing a technique called "Dark Bird Sweeping the Sand," slashing directly at his opponent's knees. However, Jiang Haifeng did not even budge his pine branch. Canghai Ke immediately aborted his attack. Realizing his feint had been read, his face flushed red with embarrassment. He continued to shift his stance restlessly, his sword light scattering in all directions like a myriad of stars.
Suddenly, Jiang Haifeng let out a cry and took a step back. At that exact moment, Cang Hai Ke's body rose from the sand, the longsword in his hand unleashing his most lethal move, "Throat-Sealing Sword." The tip of the blade emitted a whistling sound like a dragon's roar as the sword stance aimed directly at the youth's throat, striking with lightning speed, arriving in the blink of an eye.
Jiang Haifeng let out a long howl, sinking his body, his expression showing surprise. He knew he had underestimated his opponent; at this moment, it would not be easy to retreat gracefully. However, in a flash, his body leaped high into the air, gliding over Cang Hai Ke's head in an instant.
With a sudden whoosh of sword wind, Cang Hai Ke Qiao Kun's longsword immediately spun upward. He executed his life-saving move, "Golden Rooster Shaking Feathers," aiming the sword stance straight at Jiang Haifeng's abdomen.
Although the youth appeared calm, his inner strength was unfathomably deep, having reached the realm of manifesting at will—this was truly a state of "where the mind goes, the sword follows."
He had originally looked down on figures like Cang Hai Ke Qiao Kun, but he had not expected that a momentary lapse of attention would almost allow his opponent to wound him.
Jiang Haifeng's ten years of quiet, bitter cultivation was a formidable thing.
Although Cang Hai Ke's previous move was perilous, it could not harm him; instead, it only deepened his aversion to the man.
Just as Qiao Kun's "Golden Rooster Shaking Feathers" was unleashed, the pine branch in Jiang Haifeng's hand moved at the exact same time. With a sharp "swoosh," Jiang Haifeng's body remained motionless, while Cang Hai Ke was shaken by the counterforce, stumbling back four or five steps.
In his imagination, his weapon was forged from hundred-times refined bronze; although it did not possess the power to slice through iron like clay, his opponent's weapon was merely a pine branch. If their weapons clashed, how could the pine branch not snap? But the reality defied his expectations; the shock of the counterforce nearly sent the longsword flying from his hand.
Cang Hai Ke was utterly astonished. Holding his sword horizontally across his chest, he saw that a chip the size of a fingertip had been gouged from the blade. Though the sword's light still radiated in all directions, the blade itself was trembling, causing him to cry out in shock.
Looking at his opponent's pine branch, let alone being broken, there was not even a single scratch on it. Faced with this, Cang Hai Ke could not help but shudder. He retreated another four or five steps, his face turning as pale as ash.
Jiang Haifeng still held the pine branch as if it were a mere toy. He chuckled and said:
– Cang Hai Ke, do you still want to fight?
Qiao Kun gripped the longsword tightly with both hands, his body trembling violently, and tears seemed to glisten in the corners of his eyes, ready to fall. He gritted his teeth to compose himself and said:
– I admit you are formidable... I am no match for you... I am far inferior to you.
But I am not convinced...
Jiang Haifeng rested the pine branch against the ground and gave a cold laugh, saying:
– But you no longer have another chance.
Cang Hai Ke suddenly shouted:
– No! No! I absolutely cannot die, I cannot die...
As he spoke, he kept backing away, as if terrified that Jiang Haifeng would take his life. However, Jiang Haifeng merely smiled calmly and did not pursue him. After retreating dozens of paces, seeing that his opponent was not giving chase, Cang Hai Ke stopped and said coldly:
– Jiang Haifeng, I only suffered a disadvantage because of my weapon, not because my martial arts are inferior to yours. Therefore, I cannot die.
Jiang Haifeng smiled slightly and said:
– That is up to you. I have no intention of forcing you to die.
Only then did Qiao Kun feel relieved. He looked around, forced a smile, and said:
"Then I shall take my leave."
Jiang Haifeng burst into a hearty laugh, tossed the pine branch aside, and said:
"Very well, you may go. I certainly will not pursue you. However..."
At this point, a cold gleam suddenly flashed in his eyes. He let out a cold snort and continued:
"Do not come looking for me again in the future. Otherwise, I will not be as polite as I am today, and this sandy beach will become your burial ground."
Canghai Ke Qiao Kun stood dazed like a statue. Only after a long moment did he turn around and walk away.
Jiang Haifeng watched his figure and the small boat gradually recede into the distance. He forced a smile and muttered to himself:
"Why must he bring such misery upon himself?"
With that, he turned and went back into the stone cave, feeling incredibly relaxed. In the past, whenever the weather was fine, he would often step outside the cave to watch the sunrise and sunset, or stroll along the sandy shore. These had been great pleasures for him. Recently, however, after spending time sitting in solitary silence on the ground, looking inward in tranquility, a desire to distance himself from the outside world had suddenly arisen in his heart. Those activities no longer brought him any sense of joy.
Entering the stone cave, he sat down on a stone chair and casually lit a lantern. He then opened a book and focused his mind on reading. He was accustomed to reading in the dark, intending to use this practice to train his night vision. But now, after finishing just three pages, he suddenly set the book down. His sword-brows furrowed deeply as he muttered to himself:
"Why has he returned after leaving? Does he truly have a death wish?"
He felt a surge of irritation, though it was not yet enough to make him lose his temper. Nevertheless, it completely ruined his mood for reading. After a long while, when there was still no sound or movement, Jiang Haifeng stood up abruptly, only to mock himself and say:
"Master was right. My patience is still lacking. It seems reaching the realm of an ancient well without ripples is indeed no easy task."
With this thought, he sat back down. But at that very moment, a figure suddenly appeared in his line of sight.
It was a young woman dressed in blue. Jiang Haifeng was utterly astonished. Focusing his gaze, he saw that there was indeed a young lady standing right at the cave entrance. She wore blue robes from head to toe, with a petite figure, a high nose, and bright eyes. She was truly as pure as jade and clean as ice, possessing a beauty ravishing enough to steal anyone's soul. However, in Jiang Haifeng's eyes, such things held no sway.
He merely stared at her in surprise, for she was a complete stranger to him. After a long pause, he asked in a cold, sharp tone:
"Where do you come from, young lady? Why have you entered this place so casually?"
The young woman smiled, her eyes fixed on Jiang Haifeng as she said:
"There is no need to be angry. I know you are a man of extraordinary abilities. I have come to make a request of you."
Jiang Haifeng furrowed his brows and asked:
"A request of me? But I do not even know you."
The young woman was slightly taken aback by his cold attitude, and her face flushed slightly. Forcing a smile, she said:
"I want you to teach me martial arts."
Jiang Haifeng let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this. He smiled, shook his head, and said:
"This is truly strange. Why did you come looking for me? Young lady, what martial arts could I possibly have to teach?"
At this point, anger suddenly flared on his face, for it was clear that this young lady was far too presumptuous. Moreover, he realized that his seclusion and martial arts practice in this place were known to more than just the old man, Canghai Ke.
The young girl smiled and said:
"I know you might blame me for speaking so bluntly. In truth, as long as you agree to teach me kung fu, I am willing to take you as my master right away."
Jiang Haifeng smiled. He slowly closed his eyes, shook his head, and said:
"Please leave at once, young lady. I do not have the time to chat with you."
The blue-clothed maiden was taken aback. At the same time, she found his cold, disdainful attitude extremely irritating. Suppressing her anger, she said:
"You really are... Why must you speak so rudely? I came here to sincerely beg you."
Before she could finish, Jiang Haifeng waved his hand and said coldly:
"If you are sincere, then I am also acting in good faith. Please leave. I am merely an ordinary scholar and know nothing of kung fu."
The young girl snorted and said:
"You are lying! You are an extraordinary person of superb skills, a recluse. Do you think I don't know..."
Jiang Haifeng suddenly opened his eyes. His cold gaze made the young girl take a step back in fear, cutting her words short. He sighed softly, waved his hand, and said:
"Go. Do not disturb me any longer, young lady!"
The blue-clothed maiden looked disappointed. She stamped her foot and said:
"What is so great about you anyway? You..."
Jiang Haifeng glared at her again, his eyes flashing with a cold light. He wanted to scold her, but seeing her eyes glistening with tears as if she were about to cry, his heart involuntarily softened. He thought to himself that she was merely a naive girl who didn't know any better, so why should he bother arguing with her? Thus, he held his tongue, though he could not help but look at her once more. He noticed her hair, pitch-black and flowing like a stream, and her leopard-skin belt, which bulged as if she had stuffed something inside it. Her waist was slender, her skin as white as snow, and as the gentle breeze ruffled her hair, she looked like a jade tree standing in the wind.
Jiang Haifeng found it very strange. Aside from Canghai Ke Qiao Kun, no one had ever set foot on this small island. Why had a young girl suddenly appeared today? Through years of cultivating his mind and character, though he had not yet reached the state of "an ancient well without ripples," he naturally disliked talking to women. Especially with a woman like this blue-clothed maiden, her presence was truly too intrusive.
Frowning, he said:
"Perhaps you have misheard someone. In truth, I am just an ordinary person, and there is no need for me to tell you why I live here. Where is your home? Coming to a small island like this alone is far too dangerous. Why don't you go back home quickly?"
The blue-clothed maiden pouted and said:
"I must learn kung fu. I am not afraid of hardship."
Jiang Haifeng let out a laugh and said:
"It is not a matter of whether you fear hardship or not, but rather that I simply do not know any kung fu. How can I teach you?"
The blue-clothed maiden was stunned. She asked:
"Do you really refuse?"
Jiang Haifeng closed his eyes again and shook his head.
The young girl stamped her feet in anger and said:
"Fine, if you won't teach me, then don't!"
With that, she turned and walked away. Just as she stepped out of the stone cave, she let out a cold laugh, turned her head back, and said:
"However, I will not leave this place, because this small island does not belong to you."
Jiang Haifeng watched the young woman's figure gradually recede and couldn't help but force a wry smile. Although he no longer paid her any mind, he felt a trace of worry in his heart, for she had once said she would never leave this place. That was indeed a major headache.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of oars splashing in the water. He thought to himself:
"She talked tough, but in the end, she still had to leave!"
On this cold, deserted island, Jiang Haifeng always felt as though night fell very quickly. For some reason, tonight he felt incredibly restless and uneasy. Perhaps the two events from earlier in the day had suddenly disrupted his long-tranquil state of mind.
Jiang Haifeng picked up a small lantern and slowly stepped out of the stone cave.
Day and night, the ocean waves crashed against the rocky shore. Although the night was pitch-black, the white sea foam was still visible—a sight that often prompted people to reminisce about the past or fantasize about the future.
A light drizzle was falling. Jiang Haifeng swept his gaze in all directions, then leaped and glided toward the highest peak of the deserted island. In the darkness, only the lantern in his hand could be seen, flickering and swaying in the drifting rain. Before him now was a sheer cliff over ten zhang high, completely vertical from top to bottom. The ocean waves could not reach it, and even tigers or leopards would find it difficult to scale. Yet, in the eyes of this extraordinary young hero, it was no different from a flat highway. He tucked the lantern into his waistband, then executed the Wall-Crawling Gecko technique to scale the cliff. Afterward, he gathered his qi and leaped down to the other side, his movements as light as a falling leaf.
What appeared before him now was a field of grotesque, moss-covered rocks. Amidst the pattering of the rain, the occasional chirp of insects rang out, creating an eerie scene that sent a chill down one's spine.
Jiang Haifeng took the lantern out of his waistband. He leaped and glided like a shooting star, crossing dozens of grotesque rocks in an instant, before finally stopping in front of an enormous boulder. He straightened his clothes, bowed respectfully, and said:
"Disciple pays respects to Master!"
A weak voice spoke from behind the boulder:
"My child! You have come too late tonight."
Jiang Haifeng said solemnly:
"Yes, Master..."
The weak voice spoke again:
"Something unusual must have happened to you today, isn't that right, my child?"
Jiang Haifeng couldn't help but smile, thinking to himself that his master was truly perceptive; nothing could escape his notice. With this thought, he stepped forward and gently pushed the boulder. With a soft click, the stone slab swung open like a door. Inside was a clean stone chamber, brightly lit by lamps. Had one not witnessed it with their own eyes, who would believe that such an exquisite place existed on this deserted island?
The stone chamber was carved out of the heart of a massive boulder, completely untouched by the dust of the mortal world. In the center of the chamber stood a stone bed, a rocking lounger, and a small stone table. Lying on the rocking lounger was a haggard old man. At first glance, it was difficult to tell his age; his face was not only deeply wrinkled but also sallow and emaciated, like someone suffering from a long-term illness. His eyes were deeply sunken, and though his gaze remained as sharp as ever, it carried the deep weariness of old age, no longer moving with its former agility.
The old man's skeletal frame was enveloped in robes made of chicken-fat yellow silk.
Perhaps he had once been quite stout, for his current robes hung loosely on him. Though he wasn't completely bald, there was barely any hair left—just a few sparse strands that failed to cover his smooth, shiny scalp. With his arms crossed over his chest, he let the chair rock his withered, skeletal frame back and forth.
Jiang Haifeng stepped forward and held the chair to stop its rocking. He observed the old man for a moment, then said:
"Master, your complexion has improved a great deal."
The old man smiled and said:
"Is it raining outside?"
Jiang Haifeng nodded and said:
"It's just a light drizzle. I wanted to come a bit earlier, but my mind was very restless today."
The old man laughed aloud and said:
"At this point, it wouldn't matter if you only came once a month, for I have no more great techniques left to teach you."
Jiang Haifeng smiled and said:
"I still haven't mastered the Formless Sword technique. I came tonight to ask for your guidance, Master."
The old man chuckled and said:
"No need to rush. Tell me, what happened today?"
Jiang Haifeng forced a smile and said:
"Has Junior Brother Qin Tong not told you yet, Master?"
The old man shook his head and said:
"No, he knows nothing. He hasn't gone down the mountain all day."
Jiang Haifeng found this strange, and he asked:
"Where is he now?"
The old man closed his eyes, then opened them again and said:
"He's probably catching fish in the stream. His inner strength is still far inferior to yours."
He leaned his head forward from the stone chair and continued:
"Pour me a cup of water."
From a stone pitcher filled with clear water, Jiang Haifeng poured some into a wooden cup and gently brought it to the old man's lips. The old man took a few sips, shook his head, and asked:
"How is that food? Is it palatable?"
Jiang Haifeng smiled and asked in return:
"Do you mean the Heixing, Master?"
The old man nodded slightly. Jiang Haifeng frowned and said:
"It's not very appetizing. Too astringent."
The old man smiled and said:
"Though it doesn't taste good, you will grow to like it after eating it for a long time. Besides, it greatly aids your cultivation."
He paused for a moment, then continued:
"Especially for your night vision."
Jiang Haifeng nodded and said:
"I know that, Master. You are far too good to me."
The old man smiled warmly. Looking at his disciple, who was exceptionally talented in both scholarly and martial arts, his heart was filled with immense comfort.
Jiang Haifeng knelt beside him, gently took the old man's hand, and said with an affectionate smile:
"Master, that old Canghai Ke came looking for trouble again today, but I sent him packing."
The old man asked in surprise:
"Did you injure him?"
Jiang Haifeng shook his head and said:
"Rest assured, Master, how could I injure him? It's just that this time, he challenged me to a duel of weapons. He used his sword to reflect light into my eyes, then took the opportunity to unleash his ultimate move, the Throat-Sealing Sword. He almost managed to wound me."
The old man let out an "ah" and quickly asked:
"A clever trick! But how did you evade it?"
Jiang Haifeng burst into laughter and said:
"If I couldn't evade that move, my ten years of bitter cultivation would have been a waste, and I would be unworthy of being the disciple of Old Man Yinhe."
The old man looked left and right, then said in a reproving tone:
"Haifeng, why did you mention my name? You must know that doing so is highly disadvantageous for you."
Jiang Haifeng smiled and said:
"There is no one else here."
The old man snorted and said:
"But you must be extremely careful, and always remember these four words: *Huo cong kou chu*—trouble comes from the mouth. Even now, there are still many people searching for me. If they ever find out you are my disciple... my child, it would be a great misfortune for you."
Jiang Haifeng raised his sword-like brows and smiled faintly, saying:
"Master, you are being overly cautious!"
But seeing the old man's solemn expression, he quickly corrected himself and said:
"Please rest assured, Master. I once promised you that I would never rashly harm a single person in my entire life, and I will certainly keep my word."
Only then did the old man's expression relax. He let out a sigh and said:
"My life was filled with too much slaughter, which is why the heavens have paralyzed me in my twilight years. You are still young but have already mastered all of my martial arts. I am truly worried that you will follow in my footsteps in the future."
Jiang Haifeng bowed his head and said:
"I will definitely not do that."
The old man said:
"I hope so too."
Then, the old man stared intently at his disciple's face and continued:
"Your features carry a heroic aura. Although you have spent years reading books to cultivate your character, it has barely diminished. I am truly worried that one day you will..."
He smiled faintly and continued:
"Do not forget my teachings. You should know that what I detest most is killing."
As he said this, a fleeting smile appeared on the old man's face, making one wonder if he possessed a dual personality.
Jiang Haifeng nodded and said softly:
"I will remember, Master!"
The old man nodded in approval and said:
"Good! Now tell me, how did you defeat that old Canghai Ke?"
Jiang Haifeng said:
"I used *Yi Bu Shan* to firmly defend my lower stance first, then used the *Jingshen* movement technique to glide over his head. After that, I channeled my inner strength into a pine branch to damage his weapon..."
He smiled and continued:
"Realizing how difficult I was to deal with, he chose to retreat on his own."
The old man frowned and asked:
"Why didn't you use the *Yi Zhang Shuang Lang* technique to force him into defeat before he could even advance?"
Jiang Haifeng was momentarily stunned. He scratched his head and said:
"Ah, that's right. I was truly foolish."
The old man smiled and said:
"Don't be discouraged. That level of insight only comes with experience. But from this, you can see that learning martial arts and learning literature are the same—there is no end to either."
He paused for a moment, then slowly continued:
"Your only shortcoming is a lack of mastery. From now on, as long as you continue to practice, it will not be difficult to achieve great things."
He paused, sighed, and asked softly:
"Has your junior brother returned yet?"
Jiang Haifeng walked to the entrance of the stone chamber, looked around, and then walked back inside, saying:
"Junior Brother Qin is already so old, yet he is still so simple-minded. What kind of fish could he possibly catch in this darkness?"
The old man looked up at the ceiling of the stone chamber and said:
"For the past four years, it is fortunate that he has been taking care of me. If I can live for a few more years, I believe his martial arts, though not equal to yours, will not fall far behind."
Jiang Haifeng said modestly:
"Junior Brother Qin is much smarter than I am."
The old man smiled and said:
"You are both the same, but I still believe..."
He shook his head again and continued:
"No, I shouldn't say that. In the end, having the two of you as my disciples to inherit my mantle is more than enough."
He swept his gaze toward the entrance of the stone chamber and slowly continued:
"If you have nothing else to do, then begin practicing the *Wuxing* Sword."
Jiang Haifeng quickly stepped to the right side of the stone chamber. He moved a slab of white stone and took out a flat stone tablet, upon which were drawn over a dozen pairs of human figures sparring with swords in various stances. Using a wooden sword, he practiced the movements once according to the drawings. Finally, he pointed to the drawings and explained them one by one to the old man. Wherever the old man was satisfied, he would nod; where he was dissatisfied, he would sit motionless or shake his head. In truth, the old man was still able to speak, but because teaching martial arts was an arduous task, Jiang Haifeng and his martial brother, wishing for their master to recuperate in peace without overexerting himself, had devised this method.
This method was highly effective, allowing them to communicate with perfect, tacit understanding. Ever since Elder Yinhe was paralyzed five years ago, the two martial brothers had been consulting their master on his ultimate techniques in this manner.
While master and disciple were focusing their minds on analyzing the martial arts, they suddenly, as if by common consent, turned their gazes toward the entrance of the stone chamber. It turned out that both had heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
Sure enough, a moment later, a figure flickered at the entrance, followed by a bright, resonant voice:
"Is that you, Senior Brother?"
Jiang Haifeng placed the stone tablet back in its original spot, smiled, and said:
"Come in quickly."
The stone door was pushed wide open, and a handsome, robust youth dressed in black appeared in the middle of the chamber. The youth set down a fishing lantern and bowed to the old man, then turned to smile at Jiang Haifeng, saying:
"If I had known Senior Brother was coming today, I wouldn't have gone fishing."
Jiang Haifeng said:
"Weren't you just catching fish in the mountain stream?"
The youth smiled, winked at Jiang Haifeng, and said:
"That's right! I was just wandering around there."
Jiang Haifeng knew that he must have gone off to play elsewhere but, fearing their master's scolding, had used fishing as an excuse. Now that his secret was exposed, he was hastily signaling with his eyes.
The old man loved both of his disciples dearly. Jiang Haifeng only returned to seek guidance once every ten days to half a month. He was already capable of leaving his master's side to travel far, but the old man was very strict in imparting his ultimate arts and had not yet permitted his eldest disciple to go far. He wanted to test him for another year, wanting everything to meet his full satisfaction before allowing Jiang Haifeng to roam the jianghu. A few years ago, the old man had found Qin Tong, but less than a year after taking him in, the old man was struck by paralysis. Qin Tong's intelligence and natural aptitude were in no way inferior to Jiang Haifeng's; both already possessed deep foundations, so they absorbed the old man's ultimate techniques very quickly. Thus, teaching them was not a difficult task for the old man.
He explained the profound theories to them, while their ultimate achievements depended on their own diligent practice.
Having begun his training several years earlier than Qin Tong, Jiang Haifeng's martial arts were naturally more advanced. However, Qin Tong's skills were by no means ordinary. Both were self-motivated youths who strove hard, which was why Elder Yinhe always praised them.
After Jiang Haifeng had been fully imparted all the martial arts, the old man focused his mental and physical energy on teaching Qin Tong. It was only a pity that he was paralyzed and could not thoroughly impart the techniques as before. Nevertheless, both Jiang Haifeng and Qin Tong knew that being accepted as disciples by this old man was their immense fortune.
Qin Tong did not complain once. He served his master with great devotion, and having him by his side eased the old man's loneliness. Since the old man could not move his hands or feet, he ordered Jiang Haifeng to pass on to Qin Tong those martial arts techniques that could not be taught through words alone.
At this moment, the old man smiled and said to Qin Tong:
"Qin Tong, why don't you quickly ask your senior brother for guidance?"
Qin Tong took a few gulps of water, then looked over at Jiang Haifeng and said:
"Shall we go outside?"
Jiang Haifeng nodded and said:
"Master, your disciples will go outside for a bit and then return."
The old man smiled and closed his eyes.
Jiang and Qin stepped out of the stone chamber. Outside, a light drizzle was still falling.
Qin Tong said:
"Let's practice the palm technique."
Jiang Haifeng nodded and said:
"Alright, as you wish, Junior Brother!"
Qin Tong smiled, a mysterious look in his eyes. He stepped closer to Jiang Haifeng and whispered:
"Senior Brother, how is that young lady doing?"
Jiang Haifeng was taken aback. He stammered:
"Young lady... what young lady?"
Qin Tong burst out laughing and said:
"Senior Brother, you really know how to play dumb. Don't worry, I won't tell Master."
Jiang Haifeng suddenly realized who he was talking about. His cheeks flushed involuntarily, but he quickly said in a serious tone:
"Don't talk nonsense. She was just a passerby; I don't know her at all. She wanted me to teach her martial arts, but after I scolded her, she left."
He paused, finding it strange, and asked:
"But how did you know?"
Qin Tong laughed heartily, looking quite pleased with himself, and said:
"Senior Brother, how could anything you do escape my eyes? I saw her the moment she arrived. She was rowing a small boat and wearing blue clothes, right?"
He paused, scratched his head, and continued:
"Absolutely beautiful. This is the first time I've ever seen such a beautiful young woman."
Jiang Haifeng smiled and said:
"Junior Brother, your mental discipline is still lacking. In my eyes, that young lady is nothing special, just an innocent girl who doesn't know the ways of the world."
Qin Tong quickly asked:
"Will she come back?"
Jiang Haifeng shook his head and said:
"I don't think she will return. What's gotten into you?"
Qin Tong shook his head and said:
"Don't be so suspicious. Let's just practice."
With that, the two of them began to move, trading and analyzing each technique.
Jiang Haifeng was astonished. In just one short month, Qin Tong's martial arts had improved significantly. Feeling very pleased, he waited until they paused, then smiled and said:
"I didn't expect you to make such rapid progress. You're almost able to match me on equal terms."
Qin Tong took off his black shirt, revealing a strong, muscular physique. He used the shirt to wipe away his sweat and said:
"Senior Brother, don't flatter me. Master once said that if I want to catch up to you, I still have to train hard for another four years."
He paused for a moment, then frowned and asked:
"Senior Brother, do you think it will really take that long?"
Jiang Haifeng laughed heartily and said:
"Master is just motivating you to work harder. In fact, in my opinion, it will only take two years before there is barely any difference between us."
Qin Tong frowned and said:
"But in two years, you will have made progress too, Senior Brother."
With that, they both laughed and returned to the stone chamber.
Old Man Yinhe still had his eyes half-closed, as if asleep.
Jiang Haifeng knew his master needed rest, so he did not stay long. He nodded to Qin Tong and whispered:
"I'm leaving. No need to see me out."
Suddenly, Old Man Yinhe opened his eyes and said:
"Haifeng, you didn't disobey my words and use weapons to hurt anyone, did you?"
Jiang Haifeng asked back in surprise:
“Absolutely not… Why do you ask that, Master?”
The old man shook his head and said:
“I only fear you will kill someone. It is nothing, go on.”
Jiang Haifeng couldn't help but smile inwardly at his master's over-suspiciousness. In truth, with his current martial arts, if he wanted to kill someone, it would be as easy as lifting a hand or moving a foot; there was absolutely no need to use a weapon.
He quickly bowed, turned, and stepped out of the stone chamber. Then, executing his lightness skill, he glided down the mountain as if flying.
Dawn was approaching, and a thick fog blanketed the Bohai Sea. The young woman in blue and her small boat drifted upon the waves, a gentle breeze fluttering her stream-like jet-black hair. The pots, pans, and kettles clattered against one another, making a chaotic din that mirrored her restless state of mind. Indeed, she was a headstrong girl who always did as she pleased. She had made up her mind to pursue the youth on the island and force him to teach her martial arts.
Her determination was truly beyond expectation—after all, she had practically moved her entire household here.
Finally, the small boat grated against the sandy shore of the islet. Leaping onto the beach as swiftly as a swallow, she dragged the boat up the sand and unloaded all her belongings. She then hid the boat behind a large boulder and chose a spot to pitch her tent.
She had once accompanied her grandfather to Xinjiang for trade, so she was long accustomed to living in the wild; thus, none of this was difficult for her. The spot where she pitched her tent was not far from the shore, only a few paces away. What pleased her most was that it was also only about an arrow's flight away from Jiang Haifeng's dwelling. This way, she could easily spy on him and keep watch over him day after day.
She thought to herself:
“One of these days! He won't be able to withstand my pestering, and will finally agree to my request.”
At this thought, the innocent and lively girl couldn't help but giggle. Whenever she thought of that elegant, handsome eccentric, a strange, indescribable feeling arose in the depths of her heart. In her eighteen years of life, she had never met anyone so peculiar.
She thought again:
“He is so young, why does he live all alone on this deserted island? I saw him deal with that old man called Cang Hai Ke; his martial arts are truly profound and unfathomable. But why did he flatly deny it when I asked? Having mastered such formidable skills, why is he content to live in such solitude? Why doesn't he roam the jianghu?”
These thoughts made her heart flutter, leaving her unable to sit or stand still. She was determined to go and demand a clear answer. Yet, what troubled her most was his cold, unfeeling attitude. Even so, his handsome face had permanently captured her heart from the very moment she saw him. No matter how hard she tried, she could not banish his image from her mind. She was confident that she had never been treated so coldly in her life. Other young men pursued her like a swarm of bees around a flower, but she had never paid them any mind. All she had ever heard and seen were sweet, flattering words of courtship and flirtation, yet now she had run into a youth who was utterly cold and disdainful.
She couldn't help but wonder:
“Is his heart made of iron?”
Then she thought to herself again:
“Why is he even too lazy to look at me? Could it be that, in his eyes, I am not beautiful enough?”
At this thought, her cheeks involuntarily flushed with a feeling akin to shame, bringing a pang of sorrow to her heart. This was the first time she had ever felt so inadequate, a budding anguish that tormented her.
But she was not a weak maiden; she possessed the courage to face reality. Aside from practicing martial arts, her purpose in coming here was to resolve a doubt she had encountered for the very first time in her life.
It was already past noon when Jiang Haifeng stepped down from the large, smooth boulder.
He retrieved his food from a crevice in the cave wall. It was a glossy black plant resembling dried mushrooms, which he called Hei Jing. This was a food that Elder Yin He had ordered him to eat, said to clear the mind and brighten the eyes, and particularly beneficial for circulating qi.
Jiang Haifeng had been consuming this food continuously for a very long time.
Its taste was both astringent and bitter, incredibly unpalatable. Every time he finished eating, Jiang Haifeng had to rinse his mouth for ages, yet the nauseating aftertaste remained. However, since he could find nothing more appetizing, he had to force himself to swallow the Hei Jing no matter what. Summoning all his willpower and patience, he tried to swallow a bite, but his throat rebelled, making it utterly impossible to force down.
Just then, he suddenly caught a fragrant aroma wafting in from outside the cave.
This scent made the piece of Hei Jing in his hand feel even more impossible to swallow. So, he tossed the Hei Jing back into the crevice and slowly crawled out of the cave. Suddenly, a thought struck him:
“This deserted island is uninhabited, so why is there the smell of food drifting over?”
At this thought, he froze in surprise, while the aroma grew even stronger.
For several years now, he had not eaten cooked food. Although Elder Yin He did not forbid him from eating other things, he was too lazy to search for them, and besides, he had no cooking utensils, so he had always relied on Hei Jing.
Now, smelling the aroma of cooked food, his stomach suddenly rumbled with hunger, and his feet involuntarily carried him toward the source of the scent. The further he walked, the stronger the aroma became, as if it were lingering just nearby. Jiang Haifeng felt increasingly bewildered as he walked. Aside from his master and junior brother up on the mountain, there were not even savages here, let alone civilized people. The more he thought about it, the more he quickened his pace, heading toward the sandy beach.
By now, he no longer needed his nose to guide him, for his ears had caught the clatter of pots and pans—someone was indeed cooking. He felt a wave of unease, yet he did not dare to rush forward blindly. It was not out of fear, but rather because he could not easily approach under the circumstances.
Nevertheless, he was determined to see what was going on. Thus, he quietly hid behind a boulder and swept his gaze across the beach. Sure enough, not only was there the sound of cooking, but he also saw an incredibly appetizing pot of food. The fragrant aroma...