200: Chapter 80 Competition

"I'm afraid that won't do!"

As Medicine Master Huang revealed a look of hesitation, a voice laced with Internal Energy drifted from the distance.

Immediately after, the burly Ouyang Feng, holding his Snake Staff, leapt down from the boat in a single bound and arrived nearby after a few flashes of movement.

Then, he looked at Hong Qi and spoke, "Old Eccentric, your precious daughter has already been promised to my nephew, Ouyang Ke. We have come today specifically to perform the betrothal ceremony."

Hong Qi immediately turned to Medicine Master Huang, "Old Eccentric, is there such a thing?"

Medicine Master Huang pondered for a moment before replying resolutely, "It is indeed so. Therefore, Brother Qi, please stop joking with me."

Hong Qi said seriously, "I am not joking with you."

He then began to analyze the situation, "Now that your daughter is promised to two families, we both have the 'parents' orders.' As for the 'matchmaker's words'..."

"I represent the Guo Family. What about you? Who represents you?"

Medicine Master Huang remained silent.

Ouyang Feng wanted to respond, but Ouyang Ke spoke first in confusion, "The Guo Family? Senior Hong, isn't your Disciple surnamed Meng?"

When Hong Qi and Medicine Master Huang were discussing proposing on behalf of Guo Jing, he was still on the boat. His cultivation was far inferior to Ouyang Feng's, so he hadn't heard them.

Due to Meng Li's influence, the interactions between Ouyang Ke and Guo Jing had decreased significantly; he was currently unaware that the latter had become Hong Qi's Disciple.

In his impression, Hong Qi's Disciple was Meng Li.

"Surnamed Meng?" Hong Qi was slightly stunned, then looked puzzled. "Who told you that? This old beggar has only taken two Disciples so far."

As he spoke, he pointed at Guo Jing and Huang Rong. "It's these two. You all know Ronger. This silly boy is named Guo Jing, a descendant of Guo Sheng, the 'Second Rengui.' As for the one surnamed Meng you mentioned, you must be referring to Young Hero Meng. You truly think too highly of this old beggar; I don't have the ability to be his Master."

As soon as these words came out, both Ouyang Feng and Ouyang Ke were shocked.

It was because of Guo Jing's identity, and even more so because of Hong Qi's attitude toward Meng Li.

Medicine Master Huang was equally surprised, but it was because Huang Rong had become Hong Qi's Disciple.

He highly acknowledged Hong Qi's Martial Arts and character, and they had been friends for many years.

He was very satisfied that Huang Rong could take him as her Master and immediately wanted to exchange some pleasantries with Hong Qi, asking him to look after Huang Rong more.

But before he could speak, Ouyang Ke asked in confusion, "But Young Hero Meng knows the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms."

Meng Li said, "What I use is called the Raging Dragon Palm."

"Then back then, you were using Senior Hong's..."

Before he could finish, Meng Li interrupted, "At that time, I never said I was the successor of the Northern Beggar. It was all your own assumptions."

Ouyang Ke: "..."

He thought back carefully and realized it was indeed the case.

Back then, Meng Li had merely used Northern Beggar Hong Qi's name to intimidate Old Man Liang; he had never actually said he was Hong Qi's successor. Furthermore, his subsequent summoning of Hong Qi was clearly a ruse.

Seeing Ouyang Ke being rendered speechless, Ouyang Feng narrowed his eyes slightly. He didn't care much about that, instead looking at Meng Li and saying, "I wonder which sect Your Excellency hails from, to actually make this old beggar admit he is unqualified to be your Master."

Meng Li replied, "Yihua Palace."

"Yihua Palace?" Ouyang Feng thought seriously for a moment and shook his head. "Never heard of it."

"However, since you could defeat Ke'er and make the old beggar admit he cannot teach you, you must have extraordinary qualities."

"How about we cross hands, shall we?"

This was a desire to regain lost face, as well as an intent to test him.

Hearing this, Medicine Master Huang and Hong Qi became interested.

They had both fought Meng Li and knew his Martial Arts were extraordinary. Therefore, they didn't think Ouyang Feng was bullying the weak; instead, they wanted to take the opportunity to see if Ouyang Feng had reconstructed his Toad Kung Fu and how his progress was.

Mu Nianci, Huang Rong, and Guo Jing had confidence in Meng Li, so they also said nothing.

Meng Li said, "Fine."

"But a simple exchange of blows is boring. How about we add a wager?"

Ouyang Feng felt slightly surprised.

Ever since he made a name for himself as the Western Venom, there were very few people who could remain calm in his presence. Even Ouyang Ke, his nephew in name but son in reality, was inevitably constrained. Meng Li's composure made him inevitably think more highly of the youth.

Thus, he asked, "What wager?"

Meng Li smiled. "We'll set a limit of one hundred moves. If Your Excellency cannot win by even half a move within a hundred moves, I win."

"Then please part with what you love and give me that Snake Staff in your hand."

"If Your Excellency wins within a hundred moves, I lose, and I will give Your Excellency a piece of information. How about it?"

Ouyang Feng stroked the Snake Staff in his hand and sneered, "You want to exchange a single piece of information for this old man's precious Snake Staff? Boy, you're dreaming too big."

"Does Your Excellency lack confidence in yourself?" Meng Li provoked with a smile.

Ouyang Feng did not fall for it. "This old man naturally has confidence. But since it is a bet, the stakes on both sides should be of equal value. This Snake Staff cost me a great deal of effort; what information do you think could be of equal value to it?"

"The whereabouts of the Nine Yin Manual," Meng Li replied.

Ouyang Feng's expression froze, and his eyes flickered.

Medicine Master Huang's expression became subtle.

Hong Qi's interest was piqued.

Mu Nianci, Huang Rong, and Guo Jing had strange looks in their eyes.

The whereabouts of the Nine Yin Manual?

The Nine Yin Manual was right here on Peach Blossom Island. Leaving aside what Meng Li himself had learned, Old Imp knew the first volume, and Medicine Master Huang had the second volume. In their eyes, Meng Li using this information to trade for Ouyang Feng's Snake Staff was somewhat like trying to catch a wolf with empty hands.

However, they did not expose him.

Immediately after, Meng Li added, "An honest man does not resort to deception."

"If my guess is correct, Your Excellency's visit this time is ostensibly to propose for Ouyang Ke and marry Huang Rong. But in reality, you want to use this matter to plot for the Nine Yin Manual in Island Master Huang's hands, correct?"

"Nonsense!"

Ouyang Feng denied it without a second thought.

Some things are easy to do but hard to say, especially before they have succeeded.

Medicine Master Huang and Hong Qi were both here. If he admitted to this, Medicine Master Huang would surely become wary, and Hong Qi would take the opportunity to interfere.

This would cause his plot for the Nine Yin Manual to face many complications.

In fact, complications had already arisen.

Because Medicine Master Huang's expression had changed.

Hong Qi even spoke mockingly, "I was wondering why you, Old Poison, would suddenly care about the matters of young love that you used to despise. It turns out your wicked heart hasn't died, and you're after the Nine Yin Manual again. You really don't learn your lesson. It seems The Real Person of Chongyang went too easy on you last time."

"Old beggar, you're asking for it!" Ouyang Feng instantly flushed with anger, his eyes gleaming with ferocity.

Having his Toad Kung Fu broken by Wang Chongyang's scheme was the greatest humiliation and sore point of his life.

As soon as he spoke, he directly launched a strike at Hong Qi.

"It's not certain who's going to beat whom. It's the perfect time for me to see if you've made any progress."

Hong Qi gave a light laugh, flashed to dodge the attack, and leapt toward an open space in the distant peach blossom forest.

Ouyang Feng utilized his Lightness Skill to follow closely behind.

Medicine Master Huang, Meng Li, and the others instinctively looked over.

In just a few moves, Hong Qi and Ouyang Feng were fighting for real.

Hong Qi's moves were fierce and unstoppable, with True Qi circulating around his body. Accompanied by bursts of dragon roars, a crimson dragon shadow churned and spiraled, appearing and disappearing fitfully, showing its head but not its tail.

Ouyang Feng used stillness to control motion. The True Qi on his body fluctuated, emitting a green light. A massive, imposing toad could be faintly seen, making croaking sounds. As they exchanged moves, it constantly accumulated its power and Aura, waiting for the right moment to strike and defeat the enemy in one blow.

Seeing this scene, Medicine Master Huang, Meng Li, and the others were all captivated. They leapt to high ground one after another, each finding a better vantage point to watch the battle.

...