Chapter 17

Standing behind the stone statue at the temple of Yang Taifu, Jiang Chen swept away the dust, crossed his legs, and sat down. He was confident in his profound inner strength, unmatched in the world. Although Nimo Xing was also a martial arts expert, he could never be stronger than himself, so he was not at all afraid of being discovered by the other party.

Coincidentally, Jiang Chen had already prepared for a prolonged battle, but unexpectedly, at midnight, his ears twitched, and he heard someone approaching from a distance. Realizing that the show was about to begin, Jiang Chen quickly focused his energy and listened carefully, paying attention to the temple's movements. Through a small gap, he soon saw a familiar figure enter the temple. Who else could it be but Guo Xiang?

Guo Xiang carried a gourd of wine and a basket of vegetables into the temple. She placed two sets of chopsticks and cups, filled the cups with wine, and said, "Old Uncle Lu, half a month ago, I still drank and talked with you here. Who would have thought that a hero would suffer such a tragic fate? If your soul is aware, please come and enjoy this cup of wine." As she spoke, she poured the cup of wine on the ground and drank it in one gulp. Thinking of this lifelong friend who had passed away, she could not help but feel sorrow and tears welled up in her eyes. "Old Uncle Lu, I will drink another cup with you!" She poured another cup on the ground and drank it herself.

Her drinking capacity was actually quite shallow, but her nature was open and she enjoyed the company of martial heroes, so she often drank with them. After drinking two cups, her face turned red, and she felt a slight warmth. Suddenly, she saw a shadow flash by the door in the darkness. Thinking that Old Uncle Lu's ghost had truly arrived, she called out, "Is it Old Uncle Lu? Your spirit is clear, please come and meet me." Although her heart was pounding, she was very eager to see Old Uncle Lu's ghost. However, a woman's voice replied, "What are you doing here in the middle of the night? Mother is calling you to come back quickly." A figure flashed into the temple, and it was Guo Fu.

Guo Xiang was very disappointed and begged her sister to wait with her for Old Uncle Lu's ghost. Guo Fu usually did not think much of Old Uncle Lu, believing that he only became the leader of the Beggar Sect because of their mother's support. She thought that even if his ghost really came, she would not be afraid. Knowing her younger sister's temper, if she insisted on waiting, she would not go back unless their parents came to stop her. So, she sat down and waited with her, as she was her sister and could not just leave her alone.

The two sisters waited and chatted in the temple, discussing trivial matters. The conversation then turned to the election of the new leader of the Beggar Sect. Guo Fu said, "The 15th is the main day of the Heroes' Feast. The most important thing is to discuss how to unite the heroes of the four seas to resist the Yuan Mongols. This discussion will take at least five or six days, or even seven or eight days. The election of the new leader of the Beggar Sect will likely be on the 23rd or 24th."

Guo Xiang was unhappy and said, "The 24th is my birthday. If you are so busy with the election, Mother won't have the time to celebrate it for me."

Guo Fu laughed and said, "Your birthday is not a big deal. How can it be compared to the election of the new leader? It's a trivial matter, and you are the only one who remembers it."

Guo Xiang turned her head and said, "Others may not care, but at least one great hero remembers my birthday. He promised to come and meet me." As she said this, she felt quite proud, but Jiang Chen shook his head, thinking, "Guo Xiang seems to have been poisoned by Yang Guo!"

Guo Fu said, "What great hero? Ah, is it a young hero even more impressive than your brother-in-law? First, there is no such person, and it's all in your head. Second, even if there is, he has many important things to do. How could he come to celebrate your birthday? Unless he is coming to the Heroes' Feast in Xiangyang."

Guo Xiang was almost in tears, stomped her foot, and cried, "He promised to remember, he promised to remember. He won't come to the Heroes' Feast, and he won't compete for the leadership."

Guo Fu said, "If he is not a hero, Father won't send him a hero's invitation. Even if he comes to the Heroes' Feast, he is far from qualified."

Guo Xiang took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears, saying, "If that's the case, I won't go to your Heroes' Feast. Whether you elect a new leader or celebrate the new leader's appointment, I won't look at any of it." She covered her ears and ran towards the temple door.

Suddenly, a black shadow flashed, and a person stood quietly at the temple door, blocking the way. Guo Xiang was startled and quickly leaped back to avoid colliding with him. In the moonlight, she saw that the person was very tall, with a dark face and an unusually short upper body. Upon closer inspection, she realized that the person's legs were broken, and he was using a pair of six-foot-long crutches. His pants were very long, dragging on the ground, making him look like a giant. Guo Fu was shocked and said, "Are you Nimo Xing?"

The person was indeed Nimo Xing, one of the top martial artists in the Yuan Mongol army. Although his legs were broken sixteen years ago by Yang Guo, his martial arts skills were not lost. After years of hard training, his skill with the iron crutches had only improved. This time, the Yuan Mongol army was advancing, but Nimo Xing and a group of other martial artists and spies had already arrived outside Xiangyang.

That night, he had planned to stay in the temple of Yang Taifu, but he overheard the conversation between Guo Fu and Guo Xiang outside the temple. He was overjoyed, thinking that although Guo Jing was not the commander of Xiangyang, the city's fate was tied to him. Capturing his two daughters would not only prevent him from surrendering but also disrupt his mind, which would be a great achievement. Recognizing Guo Fu, he said, "Miss Guo, your eyesight is excellent. You have grown even more beautiful. Let's avoid any conflict, and you come with me quietly!"

Guo Fu was both shocked and angry. Knowing that this person was a formidable martial artist, she and her sister together were no match for him. She glared at Guo Xiang, thinking, "It's all because of you that we are in this mess. How can we resolve this?" She said, "Sister, this black dwarf is a Mongol warrior with great skills. I will attack his left side, and you attack his right side." She drew her sword and stabbed at Nimo Xing's waist.

Nimo Xing supported himself with his left crutch and swept his right crutch horizontally. With a loud clang, it hit Guo Fu's sword, causing sparks to fly in the darkness. Guo Fu's sword almost flew out of her hand, and her arm felt numb, with a dull pain in her chest. She then formed a sword gesture with her left hand and used the "Yue Nu Sword Technique" to attack and defend, engaging Nimo Xing in battle.

The "Yue Nu Sword Technique" was taught to Guo Jing by Han Xiaoying, one of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan. After Han Xiaoying's tragic death, Guo Jing, in gratitude to his teacher, passed it on to his two daughters. This sword technique was ancient and intricate, a major school of swordsmanship. If used by Guo Jing, it would be thunderous and unstoppable. However, due to Guo Fu's limited strength, her sword technique, though precise, was no match for Nimo Xing's iron crutches.

Jiang Chen could have intervened long ago, but he disliked Guo Fu and wanted her to suffer a bit at Nimo Xing's hands. Besides, rescuing someone also required skill. At this moment, Guo Fu and Guo Xiang could still handle the situation, and even if he intervened, they might not be grateful.

Saving the damsel in distress... Bah! It's about standing up for justice and helping when the situation is most dangerous. In this regard, Yang Guo did it perfectly. Since Jiang Chen had come to wait, he intended to make a grand entrance, even if it was not as impressive as Yang Guo's, it would not be far off.

However, while he said this, he still kept a close eye on Guo Xiang and Guo Fu, ready for any unexpected changes.

Guo Xiang saw Nimo Xing using his crutches alternately, one for support and one for attack, moving as swiftly as if he had legs. His iron crutches, being long, gave him a height advantage, and his attacks from above were even more powerful. Seeing her sister clearly at a disadvantage, she became increasingly anxious.

Guo Fu felt the pressure from Nimo Xing's crutches growing heavier, and a sticky force pulled her sword, causing it to wobble. Out of concern for her sister, Guo Xiang rushed at Nimo Xing with her bare hands. Nimo Xing shouted, "Take this!" He leaped into the air, and with both crutches, he struck Guo Xiang's left shoulder and Guo Fu's chest. Guo Xiang staggered back several steps, while Guo Fu, hit hard, fell to the ground with a thud.

Nimo Xing moved like a ghost, fast and steady. He approached Guo Fu, coldly saying, "I told you to come with me quietly..." Suddenly, Guo Fu leaped up and shouted, "Sister, retreat to the back of the temple!" Nimo Xing was shocked. His iron crutch had clearly hit Guo Fu's "Shen Cang" point, yet she could still move freely. He did not know that she was wearing a soft armor that protected her. Although her acupoint was not closed, the impact of the iron crutch caused her immense pain, and she could no longer wield her sword effectively. Guo Xiang used the "Falling Petals Palm Technique" to protect her sister, saying, "Sister, you go first!"

Nimo Xing struck with his left iron crutch, aiming directly at Guo Xiang's face, missing her nose by only three inches. The wind from the strike stung her face, and his ugly, fierce appearance, with his eyes wide open and fangs bared, frightened her so much that she screamed.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen knew it was time to act. He laughed loudly, "Little sister, don't be afraid!" As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the palm force was like a tidal wave. The stone statue of Yang Taifu in front of him was shattered by his palm, flying like a meteor through the air, heading straight for Nimo Xing with unstoppable force!