Chapter 005: Black Eating Black
Before us stands the monk Cui Daocheng, whose height exceeds 1.8 meters, with a robust physique that makes a resounding sound as he moves. His bald head is adorned with several scattered incense burns, and his eyebrows, shaped like inverted "V"s, are as dark as if molded from pitch.
Thus, Taishi Kun wore a false smile and said to Liu San and He Wu: "Old Liu, Old He! It must have been quite difficult for you to work hard and save up three hundred guan. How could I possibly add insult to injury and make you gather another three hundred guan?"
Only that monk Cui Daocheng, with an angry shout, raised a Zen staff and charged at Taishi Kun
Cui Daocheng clamped his legs together, and although the flute technique of scattering grass did not manage to entice between his legs, it nonetheless pierced one of his thighs, causing blood to flow profusely.
Tai Shikun, armed with a flying knife and a pine-patterned steel sword, led more than ten forest dwellers to a hearty meal. Subsequently, he ascended the mountain and found a secluded spot in a dense forest to hide, patiently awaiting news about the valley's tree bark.
Hearing this, Taishi Kun began to formulate a plan. If this monk and Daoist truly possessed some genuine skills, how could they be cooped up in a dilapidated temple in the wilderness? It is likely that these two are merely a pair of cowards
He dares not conceal anything, and will recount everything he knows in detail.
Tai Shikun kindly comforted Gu Shupi and patiently waited for a while. As he observed the sun moving westward, Tai Shikun surmised that the group of bandits must have had enough to drink, so he gathered his men and headed towards Daoming Temple
You! Tai Shikun was indeed furious after He Wu robbed him of his white goods. However, looking at the emaciated appearance of these Lin households, they certainly did not seem like the type to commit acts of violence. Tai Shikun could only helplessly say: "Enough, enough! That group of bandits will be dealt with by me! You Lin households just need to send out some young and strong men with ropes. When you see me take one down, just bind him up. That should work, right!"
Cui Daocheng is a man who becomes unruly when drunk; his skills while intoxicated are even stronger than when he is sober. One can see him shouting angrily, with a flurry of staff shadows completely enveloping half of the temple, leaving Taishi Kun so startled that he breaks into a cold sweat
Tai Shi Kun led a group of forest dwellers, stealthily approaching the crumbling wall, but the forest dwellers dared not advance any further. Tai Shi Kun cursed under his breath, gripping a flying knife in one hand and holding a long sword in the other, as he walked towards the temple gate
This technique, known as "the beauty that eclipses the moon and shames the flowers," is a dazzling swordplay that emphasizes the three principles of "speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness." Currently, even a young man who is not intoxicated would find it difficult to withstand this sword technique, let alone one who is already in a state of complete drunkenness
This technique, known as "Bee Waist Wave Dance," is a sword move aimed at the navel. Consider this: when an ordinary person is attacked at the navel, they cannot jump high enough to evade; if they attempt to bend down, they cannot lower themselves sufficiently. Even if they are determined to defend themselves, it is particularly challenging to grasp the appropriate counter-move for this specific attack. Therefore, it can be said that the "Bee Waist Wave Dance" is indeed a tricky and formidable technique
What a shabby den of thieves! This Daoming Temple can only be described with the word "broken"! The earthen walls of the courtyard have already collapsed by seven or eight parts, and a thatched-roof hall has also caved in halfway. The remaining half of the hall is covered with a few mats made of reeds, barely serving as a shelter from the wind
A monk and a Daoist? Remarkably powerful? Could this be a world of martial arts? Tai Shi Kun felt even more curious and continued to inquire about the matters concerning this monk and Daoist.
Upon hearing this, Gu Shupi immediately shook his head vigorously like a rattle drum and said, "Returning to the East, the Mongolian sweat medicine is concocted by people in the rivers and lakes for unlawful activities. How could ordinary shops possibly sell such items?"
Tai Shikun was greatly enraged and said: "How is it that you people are so lacking in ambition! Was it not said that the hunters in the mountains are all agile and fiery in spirit? Why is it that when it comes to you, you would rather pool your money than dare to step forward?"
The remaining two youths, upon witnessing the tragic death of their companion, were already trembling in fear. Although they managed to stand up with great difficulty, they merely leaned against the corner of the wall, shivering uncontrollably
The young man did not even have time to react before Tai Shikun's long sword pierced through his eye, penetrating his skull, resulting in instant death
Sigh, what do you think these two people are after by becoming robbers? - Excerpt from "Kunge's Diary"
After a while, Gu Shupi finally stumbled back. He was bare-skinned, sporting a pair of panda eyes, with traces of tears still visible on his face. It turned out that Gu Shupi was short and stocky; although he immediately dropped his burden and fled upon seeing the shadow of the bandits, he was still caught and stripped bare by them.
Unable to obtain the soporific drug, Taishi Kun was truly vexed. With no other option, he had no choice but to painfully take out the remaining few coins and went to the county's distillery to purchase two jars of the highest proof liquor, which Gu Shupi carried back.
On the morning of the second day, Liu San and He Wu, as agreed, brought over a dozen forest dwellers, armed with ropes, to the mountain villa of Tai Shikun. Tai Shikun examined each of these individuals and found them all to be skin and bones, their faces gaunt; indeed, they were all frail and incapable of enduring any physical confrontation. Tai Shikun sighed in lamentation and had no choice but to summon Gu Shupi, whispering a few instructions in his ear.
Cui Daocheng suddenly tightened his abdomen, and although the move "Bee Waist Wave Dance" did not strike his navel, it tore his tattered monk's robe in half.
Tai Shikun saw Cui Daocheng and inwardly lamented. It turned out that the staff used by Cui Daocheng was extremely thick, weighing at least forty to fifty pounds, and its length exceeded two meters. When he swung this staff, Tai Shikun did not dare to block it with his long sword, and could only jump and dodge three meters away in front of him.
Tai Shikun leaped like a fish, and once again, a shadow of a staff brushed past him. Even though Tai Shikun had experience performing in a circus and had some resistance to thrilling situations, he truly could not withstand this life-threatening level of excitement. Regardless of any heroism, wealth, or face-saving, Tai Shikun could no longer care about anything; he let out a scream and dove into the ruins of the half-collapsed temple.
Farmer He Wu, upon hearing Taishi Kun inquire about the origin of the bandits, quickly replied: "In response to the master, among that group of bandits, there is a monk and a Daoist, both extraordinarily formidable, possessing the strength to break stones and split rocks. As for the other three or four individuals, they are merely frail youths and are not worth mentioning."
These three moves are not only swift in their changes but also cunning in execution, leaving Cui Daocheng in a state of utter despair
As Cui Daocheng entered the ruins, the effectiveness of his Zen staff was immediately greatly affected. With a swing to the left, the staff struck the earthen wall, and with a swing to the right, it became lodged in the wooden beam, truly losing nine-tenths of his skill.
Upon hearing this, Liu San and He Wu were deeply moved by the great righteousness of Taishi Kun, and they knelt down and bowed repeatedly.
These three swords immediately transformed into "Waist-Slimming Wave Dance," "Flute Among the Weeds," and "Flowers Ready to Be Picked"! These three moves correspond to the techniques of "Stabbing the Navel," "Teasing the Yin," and "Exploding the Chrysanthemum" in the Bone-Transforming Heart-Urging Sword!
Liu San and He Wu immediately groaned upon hearing this. He Wu bowed his head and said, "Master Taishi, that group of strongmen possesses formidable martial skills; how could we mere forest dwellers possibly contend with them? I believe it would be better for us to return to the village and gather three hundred guan to hand over to you instead"
Although Gu Shupi was reluctant to serve as this dangerous bait, he had been accustomed to being ordered around since childhood and could not bring himself to say "no". Thus, Gu Shupi steeled his courage, took two jars of wine, and set off first.
Tai Shikun then said: "How about this! You young gentlemen from the Lin family gather a dozen or so of your peers to accompany me up the mountain, capture those two, Cui Daocheng and Qiu Xiaoyi, and retrieve the three hundred guan of silver!"
Tai Shikun's three moves were merely feints; his intention was to provoke Cui Daocheng into raising his staff to block. With steady footwork, Tai Shikun flicked his wrist, launching three swift sword strikes aimed directly at Cui Daocheng's face, then swiftly targeting his lower body.
These three moves are precisely the techniques of the Bone-Transforming Heart-Invoking Sword, specifically the ear-slicing, nose-cutting, and mouth-piercing techniques. The consecutive execution of these three moves clearly indicates an intention to round off Cui Daocheng's head! Upon seeing the insidious nature of these three moves, Cui Daocheng was greatly startled and hurriedly raised his Zen staff to defend himself.
The two individuals suddenly encountered each other, both taken aback. After all, Taishi Kun had come prepared, while the two young men were intoxicated, which is why Taishi Kun reacted more swiftly. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a move called "Closing the Moon and Shaming the Flowers" with his long sword.
These bandits are truly pathetic! Gu Shu, dressed in rags that are at least ten years old, is still not spared by this group of robbers. However, the more stingy the bandits are, the happier Tai Shikun feels inside, because only miserly individuals can accumulate great wealth
Tai Shikun sent off Liu San and He Wu, and pondered alone for a while. He reflected that his own skills might be somewhat inadequate to deal with two skilled robbers, so he called over Gu Shupi and asked, "Old Gu, do you know where in Qinghe County we can buy some knockout powder?"
Cui Daocheng was struck three times in the blink of an eye, and his lower body was already a bloody mess. In his panic, he was unaware of where exactly he was hurting, only thinking that his little bird had already been incapacitated by Taishi Kun. Overcome with grief, he let out a loud roar, summoning all his strength, and swung his staff at Taishi Kun with all his hatred.
Just as the saying goes, time waits for no one, and what a remarkable figure Tai Shikun is! Upon seeing Cui Daocheng with the gates of the empty door wide open, he, well aware of the principle that opportunities must not be missed and once lost cannot be regained, let out a clear whistle, performed a flourish with his sword, and executed three consecutive moves: "The Song of the Warbler and the Swallow," "The National Beauty and Heavenly Fragrance," and "Crimson Lips and White Teeth."
It is a long story; in fact, Tai Shikun's killing of two people happened in the blink of an eye. Upon witnessing the bloody battle at the entrance of the temple, several individuals immediately realized that an enemy had come seeking revenge, and each one rose to their feet, each displaying their own unique demeanor.
It turned out that Taishi Kun intended to carry a load of liquor made from tree bark, disguising himself as a peddler to wander near "Daoming Temple." When the group of bandits came to seize the liquor, he would drop the load and run back. He thought that once those bandits had taken the liquor, they would surely get drunk, and at that time, Taishi Kun could easily capture the bandits.
The monk was named Cui Daocheng, with the nickname "Iron Buddha"; the Taoist was named Qiu Xiaoyi, with the nickname "Flying Night Demon." The two were originally bandits wandering in the Jianghu, who had fallen to Qinghe County two years ago. They occupied a dilapidated temple called "Daoming Temple" on the mountain and engaged in acts of robbery and theft. Since they only operated in remote areas and did not rob the wealthy and powerful, the local government of Qinghe County had little interest in dealing with them, which led to their increasingly audacious behavior recently
But little did he expect that Taishi Kun was a person of meticulous thought; if he did not act, it would be one thing, but once he did, it would inevitably be a lethal move
Tai Shikun drew his long sword and executed a reverse move known as "Bee Waist Wave Dance," attacking another drunken youth.
How could a drunken youth possibly withstand such a technique? One could only see a long sword piercing into the youth's abdomen, twisting it twice in the process, instantly turning the youth's insides into a mush. The youth did not even have time to utter a sound before becoming a ghost under Tai Shi Kun's sword.
According to Tai Shikun's original intention, he wanted to stand at the temple gate and shoot down that group of drunkards one by one with throwing knives. However, just as Tai Shikun reached the temple gate, two young boys stumbled out, swaying unsteadily to relieve themselves, and thus, Tai Shikun collided solidly with the two boys at the temple gate
The Taoist Qiu Xiaoyi had a low tolerance for alcohol. Although he intended to rise and engage in battle, he was unfortunately dizzy and lightheaded, his steps unsteady, and after swaying for quite some time, he could not even grasp a weapon.
In the dilapidated temple, some hay was spread out, and Cui Daocheng and Qiu Xiaoyi, along with four thin youths, were happily drinking from two jars of liquor, completely oblivious to the outside of the temple.
Liu San and He Wu, seeing that Tai Shi Kun's attitude was resolute, had no choice but to agree, promising to send young and strong individuals to the mountain villa to assemble and await orders early the next morning. After discussing the matter, the two did not dare to delay, bid farewell to Tai Shi Kun, and returned to the village
What a lamentation! "Master! We are merely fruit-picking forest dwellers, not hunters who wrestle with fierce beasts barehanded. If we possessed the skills of a hunter, we would not only scorn the strong, but we would also disdain to pay you, Master, even your rent!"
Cui Daocheng twisted his hips, barely moving aside his flower, but was struck by the move "A Flower Ready to Be Plucked," which drove the sword tip into his right buttock by about an inch
Under normal circumstances, Cui Daocheng would never have chased into the narrow ruins. This is because his staff technique emphasizes wide openings and closings, which cannot be applied in confined spaces. However, at this moment, fueled by alcohol and a surge of aggression, Cui Daocheng impulsively followed Taishi Kun into the ruins.