Chapter 27 – Battle of wits and strength, Part 8
Knowing Nimoxing’s Wu Gong by heart, Yang Guo would only use his empty sleeve but then was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to subdue Nimoxing in one strike. By now Xiao Longnü’s body was powerless, leaning feebly against Yan Guo’s so his body slanted to the left while he was wielding his right empty sleeve. Rolling Xiao Longnü’s delicate waist, he let her body lean on the right front of his chest. Then his left hand drew out the black heavy iron sword [Xuan Tie Zhong Jian] that he carried on his back. ‘Pu’ the sword hummed, sounding both deep and dull like a wooden stick beating leather. Nimoxing’s right hand cracked and a shadow darted into the sky. It was actually his iron crutch fiercely flying upwards. This crutch was extremely heavy but unexpectedly flew up 20 feet high in the air and then dropped down behind Yu Xu Dong Shan [Cave of the Jade Void].
This was the first time Yang Guo used demonic Dugu Qiubai’s [Du Gu seeking a loss] heavy sword on an enemy. Seeing it had such power, he couldn’t help being secretly startled.
Nimoxing felt half his body in pain, his right arm uncontrollably shaking. But he had lived an incomparably brave life so, with a roar, using his remaining crutch, pushed up ten feet in the air and came down with the left iron crutch in his palm. Yang Guo thought since he had already tried the hard strength of the sword, he would now try the supple strength. The tip of the heavy sword trembled. With his internal energy pouring out, Nimoxing would be thrown 20 or 30 feet, it would be impossible not to injure muscles and bones. Seeing Xiao Longnü severely injured, Yang Guo was filled with bitterness in his heart, deciding this time he would strike with no mercy. But just when his arm was about to release his internal force, he saw Nimoxing’s body in midair with both legs cut off, fiercely reminding him of his own missing arm. He couldn’t help but think that they shared the same problem so he didn’t wield his heavy sword up but pushed it down instead. The iron crutch pierced down, dust flew up, and half the crutch was stuck into the ground.
Nimoxing grasped the iron crutch, thinking to use force to pull it out but suddenly his right arm was pressed by the heavy sword. Unexpectedly his pressure point was sealed so he couldn’t use any strength in the least. Yang Guo said: “Today I’ll spare your life. Just hurry back to India.” Nimoxing’s face turned ashen. Perfectly still, he couldn’t say a word.
Although Xiaoxiang Zi and Yin Kexi saw this turn of events, they didn’t think Yang Guo could advance his skills in just months, thinking it had to be because Nimoxing’s amputated legs were of no use. Yin Kexi rushed forward a few steps, pulling out the iron crutch and handed it over to Nimoxing. Having the crutch, Nimoxing used it to prop himself up, thinking to leap far away. Who would expect that his arm was numb and limp? As soon as he tried, he collapsed with a plop.
Xiaoxiang Zi always took pleasure in others’ misfortunes. As long as other people were having bad luck, regardless of whether friend or foe, he found it joyful. He thought: “This Indian dwarf has always been arrogant, not submitting to me, this is at last over. Just now you rushed out to capture Yang Guo. That was precisely what gave him a good opportunity.” Then he jumped out, shouting: “Baby Yang Guo, you’ve wronged our Prince several times, quickly come with father!”
Yang Guo thought: “Gu Gu is heavily injured. We must hurry to go and treat her. Right now surrounded by many powerful enemies, if I don’t kill anyone, it will be hard to escape.” In a low voice he asked Xiao Longnü: “Are you hurting very much?”
Xiao Longnü replied: “You are holding me, I… I am very happy.”
Yang Guo lifted his head up, facing Xiaoxiang Zi, and said: “Fight!” He drew out the black iron sword from between his waist, the sword tip approximately two feet from his body. He held it out steadily. Xiaoxiang Zi saw this crude black sword with a blunt tip and no edge, appearing to be a dumb piece of iron. He thought: “Sure enough, this boy’s swordplay is very fast and his agile movements fluctuate but, with this iron bar, his sword skills won’t be of much use.” He then said: “Shit” While saying that, he wielded his steel “Melancholy Rod” to hit the heavy sword.
Yang Guo’s sword stayed motionless while he channeled his inner strength into it. Only a ‘puff’ sound could be heard as the sword and the iron rod clashed. The “Melancholy Rod” broke immediately, sending several pieces flying. Xiaoxiang Zi cried out: “Heavenly gods!” and then scrambled backwards. Yang Guo then stretched out his sword and struck left and right, breaking both of Xiaoxiang Zi’s arms.
Yang Guo had repeatedly defeated opponents, Lu Qingdu, Zhao Zhijing and Nimoxing, creating sensation among the various people in front of the Cave of the Jade Void. But this time he didn’t even move his body, nor lift his arm, but simply used internal energy to break Xiaoxiang Zi’s weapon, these people were even more puzzled, looking at each other in disbelief, all thinking: “This person’s martial skills were really unbelievable!”
Yin Kexi was a merchant from the Western region so he knew a treasure when he saw one. Seeing Yang Guo’s heavy sword sending Nimoxing’s iron crutch flying, he was already secretly startled, thinking: “A sword this powerful is really not common. The blade is deep black with a hint of red glow, is it possible that it was actually forged from black iron? This black iron is the world’s most precious metal. Even an ounce is very difficult to find. By adding just a little to a common sword or spear, ordinary iron would become a sharp weapon. Where did he find that much of the black iron? Also, if the sword was indeed made from the black iron, how could it not weigh 40-50 catties [1 catty = 1.1 pounds/ 500 grams]? If so, how could Yang Guo be this agile?” Actually, this sword weighed 64 catties altogether. If it was not this heavy, even though Yang Guo’s internal force was strong, he still wouldn’t be able to send out such power. Now Yin Kexi saw Xiaoxiang Zi’s “Melancholy Rod” scattering all over the place so he was even more convinced that this sword was a divine object. Yet he still acted nonchalant. He was in the jewelry businesses, once he saw a rare treasure; his heart would be filled with delighted greed. It didn’t matter if he had to buy or cheat, to rob or steal; it just had to be quick. As soon as he saw Yang Guo’s heavy sword, he was burning with greed. So he jumped out immediately, shaking his Jin Long whip to grab the sword.
Yang Guo had spent time with him in the Passionless Valley [Jue Qing Gu] and saw him always laughing politely and amicably so he didn’t have any hostility towards Yin Kexi. Then he saw the Jin Long whip coiling his way. This whip was heavily decorated with precious stones, diamonds and jades. He let the whip wrap around his sword and said: “Yin Xiong [Brother Yin], you and I have yet to celebrate with a drink, pull back the whip and make way. Looks like you’ve got quite a few jewels on your soft whip. If damaged, it would be a pity.” Yin Kexi smiled and said: “Is that right?” and then applied force to snatch the sword. Yang Guo just stood still, not moving in the least.
This time Yin Kexi stood near, analyzing the situation. This sword was cast from black iron. Diamonds were the world’s hardest object, and could cut anything without damaging themselves. But surprisingly the big diamond embedded at the tip of his whip couldn’t scratch the black iron sword. His heart was on fire as he knew that his opponent’s martial skills were ferocious. If not attacking him by surprise, it would be difficult to snatch the sword. So he said: “Yang Xiong [Brother Yang]’s Kung Fu is excellent. Congratulations! I admit defeat.” While his mouth was saying these sweet words, he flicked his right wrist. Suddenly metal flashed. In his left hand was a dagger. His arm flew out fiercely to stab Xiao Longnü’s chest.
He did this not because he wanted to injure Xiao Longnü. Only he knew that Yang Guo loved her and if he saw her in danger, he would have to save her life. By creating a diversion, he would be able to snatch the precious sword. Yang Guo saw the situation, alarmed. Yin Kexi shouted: “Let go of the sword!” and sent all his body strength to the right arm, pulling the whip to seize the sword.
Hearing “Let go of the sword,” Yang Guo did as he was told, sending out the sword. The sword was long while the dagger was short. The heavy sword was between the three of them so the dagger couldn’t reach Xiao Longnü’s body. At that time, Yang Guo was desperate so he sent out the sword with a force that was extremely fierce. Yin Kexi knew perfectly well that this sword was heavy so he had already braced himself against the force. However, he didn’t expect the coming force to be this violent. Seeing that it was too late to escape, he summoned his internal energy while both hands pushed out. Then there came a crashing sound before he fell back five or six steps. He managed to stand firm and put on a smile on his face to cover his misery. Only in a short while he felt as if his internal organs had been turned inside out. He stood still, not daring to breathe or move even half a step, just like a stiff corpse.
Yang Guo walked over to him and extended his hand to retrieve his black iron sword [Xuan Tie Jian]. He lightly shook the sword, and then heard a “ding ding dong dong” sound. Under the bright sunlight, precious stones sparkled everywhere. These were the stones embedded in the Jin Long whip that had just broken into fragments.
Yang Guo called out: “Jinlun Fawang, do we settle our business today or wait for some other day?”
Jinlun Fawang saw him successively defeating the three big masters, Nimoxing, Xiaoxiang Zi, and Yin Kexi, injuring each opponent in only one move. How this young man’s martial skills were so high was actually quite unconceivable. If he himself stepped forward to fight, even though he would not defeated like the other three fighters, to seek victory would not be easy. At this moment all the heroes were gathering, if he walked away, how would he keep face? He thought: “Yang Guo has a missing arm. Even though his left hand is fierce, his right side is disadvantaged. I will just keep attacking his right side. He’s worried about Xiao Longnü’s injury. As time drags on, his mind must be restless.” As a result, from his sleeve he took out the five wheels — gold, silver, copper, steel, and lead. In his heart, he knew that this was really a moment of life or death, of honor or shame. He was not careless in the least yet his expression remained casual like he had no cares. He strolled out, smiling: “Yang Xiong Di [Brother Yang], I congratulate you as we meet again. You’ve obtained this powerfully divine sword! This is quite a magical weapon. I only fear this old monk also can’t handle it.” He still didn’t have a strategy to win so he used the situation to his benefit. He heavily praised this black iron sword, leading the crowd to think that this youngster was only lucky to obtain this God-sent weapon.
Xiao Longnü leaned against Yang Guo’s chest, in her dazed state seeing Jinlun Fawang holding his wheels. She thought that, depending on Yang Guo’s strength alone, he wouldn’t be able to beat the enemy so she said in a low voice: “Guo’er, go find me a sword, we… we… together… together use Yu Nu Su Xin swordplay “Pure Heart of the Jade Maiden Swordplay” to get rid of him.” Yang Guo felt pain in his heart, softly replied: “Gu Gu, you set your mind at ease. Guo’er alone can handle this.” Xiao Longnü moved to the left to shield his body as much as possible, trying to keep him out of danger. Yang Guo felt both gratitude and joy so he said out loud: “Gu Gu, today we two will fight this devil crowd together. In this life, I have no regrets.” and pointed his black iron sword straight out.
Fawang didn’t dare to meet Yang Guo’s force directly, he jumped backwards. Immediately there came a Wu-Wu sound from a spinning lead wheel Fawang tossed out. Yang Guo lifted his sword to cut it but the lead wheel flew past his body back to Fawang, unexpectedly untouched. Then there came a loud rumbling buzzing Wu-Wu, Weng-Weng sound and flashing gold and silver lights. The five wheels flew towards him from five different directions.
For fear that he would affect Xiao Longnü’s injured condition, Yang Guo stood there motionless. Fawang’s five wheels were only a deceptive attack, just to try out Yang Guo’s actions. The five wheels circled close to the two persons’ bodies, flying back and forth repeatedly. He saw Yang Guo would certainly not lift his sword to pursue, then understood and was secretly delighted: “You don’t dare to move your body, afraid that you would worsen Xiao Longnü’s injured condition. The situation is bad and there is no way out. My Zong Yue Yuan attack “Vertical Jump from Distance” can not be defeated.” The opponent has a missing arm and also had to protect the injured girl. According to Fawang’s rank, there couldn’t be a fight like this. However, he knew that a good opportunity of this kind was hard to come by. If Xiao Longnü recovered, the two persons combined couldn’t be defeated. Even if Xiao Longnü was injured to near death and Yang Guo was distracted, he himself might not necessarily be able to beat Yang Guo. He only had today to take advantage of the situation and kill them once and for all so there would be no more trouble in the future. As to whether or not it would be fair, let’s not pay much attention to it.
The crowd nearby also understood the circumstance and thought Fawang had stepped over the line. Ma Guangzuo loudly shouted: “Big Monk, are you a hero or a scum?”
Fawang appeared not to hear the comment. The five wheels were continuously thrown out and then came back, still circling around Yang Guo and Xiao Longnü. Then the wheels flew high and low, straight and slanting, making both soft and loud noises. The spectators were all bedazzled and anxious.
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