Chapter Twenty-Six: The Lone Hero Battles Guo Jian Beyond the Pass

Guo Jian’s momentum began to wane. His sword strike was sluggish, and he was promptly kicked in the wrist by Elder Dugu. As Guo Jian’s blade tilted upward, Elder Dugu unleashed a palm strike aimed directly at his solar plexus. Guo Jian reacted with agility, leaping aside to evade, but though he was too slow to fully escape, he took the brunt of the blow, fortunately managing to deflect a portion of the force.

Elder Dugu tilted his head, listening intently to discern Guo Jian’s retreat. Seizing the advantage, he launched a move from the "Seize" style called "Flying Eagle Snatching the Rabbit." He soared into the air, and as Guo Jian swung his sword to intercept, Elder Dugu clamped his legs around the blade, flipped over, and lunged with his claws toward the crown of Guo Jian’s head. Guo Jian ducked, but seeing that the power behind the claws remained undiminished, he rolled along the ground to barely avoid the attack.

Daring not to remain prone, Guo Jian channeled his internal energy to spring to his feet. He lunged with a "Piercing Sword" technique, aiming rapidly at Elder Dugu’s midsection. Elder Dugu countered with a "Yield" style move known as "Inviting the Guest into the Urn," allowing the sword energy to draw close before flying up with his left leg to strike Guo Jian’s right flank. Guo Jian reacted instantly, pulling his sword back to thrust at the right in a "Flipping Sword" maneuver. Unexpectedly, Elder Dugu shifted his form, turning his right-sided attack into a left-sided one. With his defense focused on the right, Guo Jian had no time to recover and took another punch, spinning away from the impact.

The two traded blows for over a hundred exchanges. While Guo Jian could not land a hit on Elder Dugu, he managed to narrowly evade his strikes.

Elder Dugu smiled with his eyes closed. "As expected of seventh-level mastery. To hold out against me for a hundred moves without suffering a major defeat—the depth of your skill is evident."

Guo Jian held his sword and replied, "You fought me with both eyes closed and still handled me with ease. My 'Twelve Swords' failed to leave a single scratch on you. It seems the 'Nine Dugu Principles' are well-deserved of their reputation."

With that, Guo Jian caught Elder Dugu off guard, unleashing a "Sliding Sword" sequence of left slashes, right chops, and rotary thrusts. Elder Dugu moved like a ghost, appearing and disappearing; for over a dozen moves, he dodged every strike right under Guo Jian’s nose. Finally, Elder Dugu used a "Probe" style move called "Harrier Capturing the Snake," jabbing two fingers into the back of Guo Jian’s head. Guo Jian felt a wave of dizziness and slammed toward the ground, but he reacted instantly, using his hands to push off the earth and flipping back up to counter with a "Hooking Sword."

Elder Dugu stepped aside, flicked his fingers to effortlessly deflect the blade, then extended his arm to strike the Yuan-Ye acupoint under Guo Jian’s armpit, followed by a kick to his side. The three-move sequence was as swift as a gale. Before Guo Jian could even see the attacks coming, he was left defenseless and kicked several meters away. He skidded along the ground on his back, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Wiping the blood away, Guo Jian sighed, "I never imagined you were just playing with me all this time, only showing your true strength now."

"Had I used my full strength," Elder Dugu said, "you would not be able to speak to me now. I used only five levels of internal energy—no more than your own."

While Guo Jian had been outmatched, on the other side, Liang Keyong’s forces were suffering heavy casualties due to being outnumbered. Unable to break through, they split into two groups: one feigned a retreat back through the pass, while the other launched a direct assault on the gate.

Unsure if Liang Keyong had retreated outside or was still among the ranks at the gate, Guo Jian shouted, "Send a squad to pursue! The rest of you, hold the gate—don't let a single soul escape!"

No sooner had he spoken than Elder Dugu flew forward, unleashing a "Seize" style move called "Savage Bear Overwhelming Palm." His palm pressed directly toward Guo Jian’s face. Guo Jian immediately raised his sword to block, but the force hit him before the palm arrived. Staggering, he was struck by the palm itself. Under the weight of both forces, he felt as if crushed by a thousand pounds, slamming into the ground and kicking up a thick cloud of dust. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his consciousness beginning to fade.

***

Having swiftly struck down Guo Jian, Elder Dugu opened his eyes and immediately turned to help Liang Keyong break through. He unleashed several "Cut" style moves called "Dividing Flowers and Marking Generals," and Guo Jian’s disciples fell in rows like wheat before a gale.

Caught in the formation, Liang Keyong successfully broke through. Once inside the pass, they scattered to prevent Guo Jian’s disciples from tracking their position.

Elder Dugu also led his team away. Guo Jian, hoisted up by his disciples, was severely wounded, yet he still managed to gasp, "Send men in pursuit. If Liang Keyong escapes, the future consequences will be endless."

Elder Dugu and Liang Keyong rendezvoused at a nearby village, but knowing it was unsafe to linger, they rode hard, returning to Jinan Prefecture one after the other.

Days later, upon reaching Jinan, they received word that other sub-faction disciples had returned. Lu Dakuan, the Jinan sub-faction leader, suppressed the news, fearing Guo Jian would send forces to pursue them. Liang Keyong noted, "Guo Jian is severely wounded; he likely lacks the strength to spare any men."

Because Jinan had suffered from natural disasters and food shortages, Lu Dakuan prepared only a modest meal to welcome Liang Keyong. During the banquet, Elder Dugu asked, "What is Guo Jian’s background that he possesses such ambition?"

Liang Keyong sighed. "Guo Jian was a sub-faction leader in the south. In recent years, Shandong has suffered frequent droughts and floods, while the capital has been busy building palaces and repairing waterways. The people have suffered, and the northern disciples of the Beggar Sect were filled with grievances. Some urged me to move the main headquarters south. Our sect has always upheld righteousness and stood with the people; how could we run away and seek comfort the moment trouble arose? I refused. With the northern disciples suffering while the southern ones prospered, the divide widened. Guo Jian seized this opportunity to win hearts and incite rebellion among the northern disciples. With his southern strength and the support of most northerners, he easily rallied them to attack the main headquarters, nearly killing me. I retreated outside the pass with only a dozen disciples. Finding he couldn't kill me, he blockaded me outside and interfered with my attempts to return."

Elder Dugu asked, "Why didn't the three Great Elders intervene?" Liang Keyong sighed deeply. "They are of an age to retire and deliberately refused to get involved, merely condemning Guo Jian verbally. They are waiting for the dust to settle before stepping in to oversee the transition. However, they recognize only the Dog-Beating Staff, so my comeback depends on their support."

Elder Dugu asked with concern, "What are your plans now, Sect Leader Liang?" Liang Keyong pondered for a moment. "My northern forces have been severely crippled. I cannot deal with Guo Jian for the time being. I must recuperate and wait for an opportunity. I cannot stay in Jinan for long, nor can I return to the headquarters. For now, I must hide my identity and build strength in the shadows."

With that, Liang Keyong raised his glass. "Brother Dugu, thank you for your help. This internal strife is not something outsiders should touch, but after much thought, there was no one more suitable than you. I am deeply grateful for your protection in getting me through the pass."

Elder Dugu clinked his glass against Liang’s. "You have always looked out for me; there is no need for such formalities." After a drink, they reminisced until the fatigue of the journey led them to end the banquet. As Elder Dugu and Liang Keyong walked toward the back hall, Meng Xiaoli, having heard of her master’s return, happened upon them. Elder Dugu froze; Meng Xiaoli had donned men’s clothing, and he hadn't recognized her at first. The "Master" that had been on her lips died away when she saw Liang Keyong.

Liang Keyong glanced at Meng Xiaoli, finding the young man unfamiliar and not in sect attire. "Who is this?" he asked. Elder Dugu replied, "A wanderer I happened to save." Meng Xiaoli nodded hurriedly. Liang Keyong assumed she was of no consequence, nodded once, and walked past.

After bidding Liang Keyong farewell at the crossroads, Meng Xiaoli hurried after Elder Dugu. "Were you injured?" she asked with concern. Elder Dugu pushed open his door and replied, "How can one be injured without an opponent?" He sat down to pour tea, and Meng Xiaoli sat with him, grinning.

***

As Elder Dugu sipped his tea, he eyed Meng Xiaoli. "Why are you wearing men’s clothes?"

Meng Xiaoli smiled. "It’s inconvenient to follow you as a woman, so I got myself a set of men’s robes."

Elder Dugu nodded casually, uninterested, and reached for the teapot. He changed the subject. "So, why haven't you reached the fourth level of internal energy after all this time?"

Meng Xiaoli’s expression faltered. She quickly stood up to take the pot, pouring tea for him. "I haven't slacked off for a single day! Perhaps the feng shui here is wrong?"

She handed him the cup with a guilty conscience. Elder Dugu took it, shook his head, and sighed. "I wonder if it’s too late to take back my decision to teach you?"

Startled, Meng Xiaoli raised her hands. "I swear, I practice hard every day! I never slacked off!"

"That is exactly what makes it so terrifying," Elder Dugu said, looking at her with a smile. "If you practice bitterly every day and still fail to progress, it proves that you are not lazy—you are simply dull-witted."

Meng Xiaoli was speechless, staring at him in shock. Elder Dugu laughed teasingly. "Is it the feng shui? The energy? Or is my teaching wrong? How have you failed to make any progress?"

Meng Xiaoli sat to the side, tugging at her sleeve. "Maybe it is the feng shui," she said sadly.

Elder Dugu laughed heartily. "Yes, yes, it must be the feng shui. Tomorrow, we shall change locations and try again."

"Change locations? Where to?" she asked.

"Qingzhou," he replied.

Early the next morning, Elder Dugu prepared to leave Jinan with Meng Xiaoli. Liang Keyong wanted to see them off, but Elder Dugu refused, fearing it would draw unwanted attention.

Upon arriving in Qingzhou, they rode straight to a Taoist temple. Dismounting, Meng Xiaoli followed Elder Dugu inside. The people there were dressed in humble robes; seeing Elder Dugu, they bowed respectfully, and someone came to take their horses. Elder Dugu walked straight to the inner hall, where a Taoist nun emerged to greet them.

Meng Xiaoli looked at the nun. She appeared to be in her early thirties, with delicate features but a resolute air. Though she was lean, she appeared sturdy and powerful. A whip with a wicked, bony handle was coiled at her waist, looking menacing and somewhat incongruous with her Taoist robes. She walked with a natural, free-spirited grace, lacking the affected shyness of many women. To look at her was like seeing a Bodhisattva incarnate; her smile was so radiant that even her skin seemed to glow.