SWDnovel Chapter 6 Vajra Gate, Black Jade Rejuvenating Ointment!
Chapter 6 Vajra Gate, Black Jade Rejuvenating Ointment!
Not long after parting ways with Hong Qigong and his group, Ouyang Feng found a secluded courtyard in Sheyang County so that Ouyang Ke could recuperate in peace.
The courtyard wasn't large, with two sections, front and back, and gray tiles and blue bricks, but it was quite quiet and secluded. An old jujube tree stood in the center, its branches and leaves lush and providing ample shade. Ouyang Feng settled Ouyang Ke in the east wing, while he himself occupied the west wing; the uncle and nephew then stayed there temporarily.
However, right now, these two uncles and nephews are truly all alone.
The snake slaves and concubines who originally accompanied him all perished in the sea. Those servants who had served Ouyang Ke since childhood, and those snake slaves who had followed Ouyang Feng for many years, had all sunk to the bottom of the sea and become food for fish and shrimp.
Now, in this huge courtyard, inside and out, there is not a single person who can be ordered around.
As a master of martial arts and one of the Five Greats, "Western Poison," Ouyang Feng had never done any work of serving others.
But now, in order to take care of Ouyang Ke, he has to do everything himself, serving tea and water, decocting medicine and feeding him, and even wiping Ouyang Ke's body and changing his clothes.
If Hong Qigong, Zhou Botong, and others were to witness this scene, they would be utterly astonished.
In their eyes, Ouyang Feng was ruthless and cold-blooded, unscrupulous in his actions, and extremely concerned with his status. Even on that deserted island, he used Guo Jing and Huang Rong's lives as leverage to force Huang Rong to take care of Ouyang Ke. When had they ever seen him personally do such trivial things?
But in Ouyang Ke's eyes, all of this seemed perfectly natural.
He had been cared for by Ouyang Feng since childhood. This uncle, who was seen as ruthless and vicious by outsiders, was completely devoted to him, and would never refuse him if he asked. When he was a child, Ouyang Feng gave him whatever he wanted; when he grew up and caused trouble, Ouyang Feng would clean up his messes.
This affection has long surpassed the ordinary bond between uncle and nephew.
Ouyang Ke knew in his heart that this uncle had another identity that he had never spoken of—
He is the original owner's biological father.
……
Ouyang Ke stayed in Sheyang County for half a month.
However, his legs had been broken by a massive boulder falling from a great height, and the bones were shattered beyond recognition, making ordinary treatments ineffective. In the past two weeks, Ouyang Feng had searched for almost every renowned doctor in Sheyang County and its surrounding areas, and even asked people to invite several highly respected orthopedic specialists from Yangzhou and Suzhou.
However, the results were minimal.
The doctors came and went, some shaking their heads and sighing, some looking ashamed, and others trying folk remedies, but to no avail. The worst off were thrown out of the courtyard, medicine boxes and all, by Ouyang Feng, landing on the long street in a sorry state.
The neighbors went from initial shock to becoming accustomed to it in just a few days. Each time someone was thrown out, they would only peek in briefly before retreating back inside to continue with their daily lives.
That day, yet another doctor was thrown out, along with his medicine box.
Ouyang Ke sat under the old jujube tree in the courtyard, listening to the cries of pain coming from the street, and couldn't help but shake his head slightly. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves, falling on him and making his fair face appear even more handsome. His legs were still fixed with wooden boards, propped up on another stool, unable to move.
Ouyang Feng walked in from outside, his anger still lingering on his face.
Ouyang Ke looked up at him, smiled slightly, and said calmly, "Uncle, you don't need to be angry. It's not that those doctors are incompetent; it's just that my leg injuries are too severe, and ordinary methods are ineffective."
His tone was indifferent, as if he were talking about someone else's business, and there was no trace of frustration or resentment on his face.
Ouyang Feng looked at him, his gaze falling on the legs tightly bound by wooden boards, the anger in his eyes gradually turning into heartache. He took a few steps closer and said in a deep voice, "Ke'er, your uncle will definitely heal your legs."
Ouyang Ke shook his head, a hint of relief in his smile: "Uncle, you don't need to comfort me. My legs are almost completely crushed. Unless a miracle doctor descends from the heavens, otherwise..."
He stopped there and didn't continue, only shaking his head slightly.
That relieved smile, however, made Ouyang Feng's heart ache.
Ouyang Feng was a man of unyielding heart, never hesitant to kill or show mercy to his enemies. Yet, when faced with this nephew, even his hardened heart couldn't harden.
Seeing his reaction, Ouyang Ke changed the subject, saying, "Uncle, there's always a way out. I remember when I was in Dadu, the capital of the Jin Kingdom, I heard some interesting stories from merchants from the Western Regions."
Ouyang Feng's gaze sharpened: "What interesting tidbit?"
Ouyang Ke slowly said, "Those traveling merchants said that there is a sect in a certain place in the Western Regions called the Vajra Sect. The sect has a kind of spiritual medicine called 'Black Jade Bone-Mending Ointment'. It is said that this medicine is incredibly effective. As long as a person is still alive, even if the bones are shattered into powder, they can be reconnected as before."
"Black Jade Rejuvenating Ointment?" Ouyang Feng's eyes lit up, and his previously dull expression instantly sharpened.
"Not bad." Ouyang Ke nodded.
He secretly calculated that, based on the timeline, the Fire-Worker Monk who betrayed Shaolin should have traveled west to the Western Regions more than twenty years ago and founded the Vajra Sect.
Shaolin Temple, a major sect in the north and the ancestral home of Zen Buddhism, suffered damage to its reputation during the Northern Song Dynasty due to the affair between Abbot Xuanci and Ye Erniang, and was forced to close its doors for a time. However, more than a hundred years have passed since then. The Central Plains experienced the humiliation of the Jingkang Incident, Zhao Gou's rebellion in the south, and now the Southern Song Dynasty has been passed down through several generations. Logically, Shaolin Temple should have long since recovered its strength and regained its prestige, and the fame of Shaolin masters should be resounding throughout the martial arts world.
Strangely, since Wang Chongyang won the martial arts competition at Mount Hua 25 years ago, the Shaolin sect seems to have disappeared from the martial arts world.
All of this is naturally illogical.
Ouyang Ke recalled the opening of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," which described how Shaolin Temple had experienced an internal strife seventy years prior. The cook, having suffered years of humiliation at the hands of the kitchen monks, grew increasingly ruthless and unruly, secretly learning martial arts. This man, possessing both diligence and exceptional intelligence, honed his skills to a superior level over twenty years. Later, during a major competition at the Bodhidharma Hall, he killed the head monk, Master Kuzhi, and then fled to the Western Regions, founding the Vajra Sect.
The Shaolin Temple was severely weakened by this battle and closed itself off again, only to re-emerge decades later.
This incident must have happened more than 20 years ago.
Ouyang Feng was overjoyed and said, "Now that we have this miraculous medicine, why worry that Ke'er's legs won't recover?"
His words revealed no doubt about the existence of the Vajra Sect. The Western Regions were vast and sparsely populated, with numerous sects. Even though White Camel Manor had long resided in the Western Regions, it was unlikely that they knew every single sect. If the Vajra Sect was truly a recent creation, it was normal that he was unaware of it.
Ouyang Feng pondered for a moment and said, "Uncle, set off immediately for the Western Regions. I must find that Black Jade Rejuvenating Ointment for you no matter what."
Ouyang Ke said, "Uncle, please wait. As far as I know, the founder of the Vajra Sect was a traitor to Shaolin Temple. When he defected, he killed the head monk of the Bodhidharma Hall of Shaolin Temple, Master Kuzhi. His martial arts skills were extraordinary. I have investigated in many ways and learned that Shaolin Temple has been in seclusion for many years, which is inseparable from this matter."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Feng became somewhat interested: "Oh? So, that's why Shaolin Temple didn't send anyone to participate when Wang Chongyang invited us to the martial arts competition at Mount Hua?"
He knew that Ouyang Ke had been in Dadu, the capital of the Jin Kingdom, for more than a year, so his information network was naturally better than his own, who had lived in the Western Regions for a long time. He did not doubt it at the moment, but he was more interested in the founder of the Vajra Sect.
Since he began practicing martial arts, he has fought against various famous martial arts masters in the Central Plains, but Shaolin Temple is the only exception.
Ouyang Ke was not worried about Ouyang Feng's upcoming journey to the west.
Because with his uncle's martial arts skills, that Fire-Worker Monk was no threat at all. The only reason this man was able to kill Zen Master Kuzhi was because Kuzhi was kind-hearted and spared him, considering the difficulty of his martial arts training. If we're talking about raw power, who in the world can compare to Hong Qigong's Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms? And if we're talking about ruthlessness and viciousness, who can match his uncle's Toad Style Kung Fu?
Since it concerned whether Ouyang Ke's legs could recover, he left without hesitation, displaying a decisive and efficient manner. That same day, he packed his bags and went to the city to hire several servants and maids to settle the small courtyard in.
Before leaving, Ouyang Feng stood at the courtyard gate, watching Ouyang Ke, who was seeing him off on crutches, and solemnly instructed him: "Ke'er, my trip to the Western Regions will last at least several months, and possibly half a year. You will be here alone, so do not take any risks and just focus on recovering from your injuries."
He originally intended to take Ouyang Ke back to White Camel Manor to recuperate, but Ouyang Ke politely declined. Ouyang Ke only said that he had other plans and wanted to stay here to rest.
Although Ouyang Feng was puzzled, he didn't ask further. Since his leg was broken, his nephew's behavior had changed drastically; he now spoke and acted with his own set of rules. Although he was a father, he respected his son's choices.
Ouyang Ke, leaning on his crutches, stood inside the door and respectfully said, "Uncle, rest assured, I know what I'm doing. Take care on your journey, Uncle."
"it is good."
Ouyang Feng nodded, and in a flash, he was several feet away. In a few leaps, he disappeared at the end of the street corner.
Ouyang Ke, leaning on his crutches, stared in the direction his uncle had disappeared, remaining motionless for a long time.
Only after the figure completely disappeared from sight did he slowly turn around, leaning on his crutches, and step by step return to the courtyard.
Although his legs were broken, he was by no means someone who could be easily humiliated. Moreover, he had recently been taught the "Yi Jin Duan Gu Pian" by Hong Qigong and had been practicing it every day. Although his legs were difficult to heal, his strength had actually increased and his internal energy was more solid than before.
This is why Ouyang Feng could travel west with peace of mind.
As for whether his uncle could find the Vajra Sect on this trip, Ouyang Ke wasn't worried. With Ouyang Feng's martial arts skills, if that Fire-Worker Monk knew what was good for him and obediently handed over the Black Jade Rejuvenating Ointment, he might suffer less; but if he remained stubborn, then the Western Regions might not have the Vajra Sect anymore.
In Ouyang Ke's view, the only thing his uncle would need to work on on this trip was finding the whereabouts of the Vajra Sect as soon as possible. As for everything else, it was not a concern.
……
After seeing Ouyang Feng off, Ouyang Ke rested for two more days in Sheyang County.
Over the past two days, he had carefully studied the "Yi Jin Duan Gu Pian" again, finding it to be infinitely profound, and gaining new insights with each reading. He secretly rejoiced that the good relationship he had formed with Hong Qigong on Mingxia Island was truly the greatest blessing he had received since his transmigration.
Two days later, he sent someone to the city to hire a carriage, bought several sets of fine clothes, prepared some silver and dry food, and then ordered the driver to drive the carriage north.
The driver was a middle-aged man in his forties, surnamed Liu, and a local.
Seeing that the young employer, despite his obvious leg injury, possessed an extraordinary demeanor, was dressed in fine clothes, and was generous with his money, he dared not ask any further questions and obediently drove north.
The carriage traveled north for several days.
On this day, the carriage traveled into a desolate wilderness. Weeds grew rampant on both sides of the official road, and there were few people around; as far as the eye could see, it was a desolate wasteland.
As Liu the coachman was driving, he suddenly heard the sound of rapid hoofbeats coming from ahead. He looked up and his face turned deathly pale.
A cloud of dust billowed ahead as more than ten riders galloped toward them. The riders were all burly and muscular, with ferocious faces, and carried gleaming swords and spears.
"Horse...bandit!"
The coachman, Liu, was terrified, and the reins nearly slipped from his grasp. He desperately tried to turn the horse around and escape, but the bandits arrived too quickly, surrounding the carriage in the blink of an eye.
"Whoa—"
The lead bandit pulled on the reins, and his horse reared up with a loud neigh. He glanced sideways at the trembling coachman, then at the tightly closed carriage curtain, and burst into laughter: "Brothers, we've got some fat sheep!"
The other bandits joined in the commotion, their laughter deafening.
"You guys in the carriage, get out here!" one of the bandits shouted, using the tip of his knife to lift the carriage curtain.
The curtain was lifted, revealing the interior of the carriage.
Inside the carriage sat a young gentleman, dressed in fine clothes, with a handsome face.
He leaned against the carriage wall, his expression indifferent, as if the shouts of battle outside had nothing to do with him. However, his legs were draped unnaturally to the side, clearly indicating that he had suffered serious injuries.
The bandits were taken aback at first, then burst into even louder laughter.
"Hahaha! Turns out he's a cripple!"
"He's still a fair-skinned, delicate-looking young man!"
"This kind of guy probably couldn't even lift a knife, right?"
"Brothers, we've really hit the jackpot this time!"
The leader of the bandits laughed so hard he almost fell over, pointing at Ouyang Ke and saying, "Young master, you go out like this without any guards. Aren't you afraid of running into us?"
Ouyang Ke raised his eyes and glanced at them indifferently.
His gaze was calm as still water, without a trace of fear or anger, as if he were looking not at a group of ruthless bandits, but at a bunch of clowns.
The bandits felt uneasy under his gaze, and their laughter gradually subsided.
"This kid's a bit strange," one of the bandits whispered.
"What nonsense!" the bandit leader spat. "He's just a cripple, what can he do to cause trouble?"
Ouyang Ke suddenly sighed softly.
The sigh was very soft, yet it was exceptionally clear in this desolate wilderness.
He spoke slowly, his voice calm yet carrying an indescribable chill: "I didn't want to kill anyone. But you... you just had to come and die."
As soon as he finished speaking, he slammed his hands on the cushion beneath him!
He felt as if he was being lifted up by an invisible force, and instantly soared into the air.
He spun in mid-air and leaped out of the carriage like a white crane!
Before the bandits could react, the young man who had been slumped in the carriage had floated above their heads!
Ouyang Ke moved swiftly, like a ghost, weaving among the dozen or so riders. His palms danced, their shadows falling like snowflakes, swirling and shifting, dazzling the eye and making it impossible to distinguish between feints and deadly attacks.
This is the direct lineage of White Camel Mountain – Divine Camel Snow Mountain Palm!
This palm technique was created by Ouyang Feng, drawing inspiration from the enigmatic and unpredictable atmosphere of the snow-capped mountain peaks.
When facing an enemy, their movements are unpredictable, moving around the enemy with their palms flying everywhere, like snowflakes dazzling the eyes, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion.
The moment the enemy is bewildered by the myriad palm shadows, the killing move arrives silently, striking with deadly precision!
After Ouyang Feng mastered the Toad Stance, he rarely used this palm technique. On the contrary, Ouyang Ke used it the most and had already mastered it.
Although his legs were crippled and he could not walk, he still had the strength in his upper body and the foundation in light-body skills.
Using the force of that strike, he leaped into the air, his body twisting and turning in mid-air as he clapped his hands repeatedly, each move aimed at the bandits' vital points.
"what!"
Screams echoed throughout the room.
Before the bandits could even see how Ouyang Ke made his move, they all fell off their horses. Some had their skulls shattered by a single palm strike, some had their heart meridians severed, and some were struck in the throat, dying instantly.
In just a few breaths, more than ten mounted bandits were all killed!
Ouyang Ke exhausted his breath, his body paused in mid-air, and he was about to fall downwards.
Unable to stand on his own two legs, he would be in serious trouble if he landed on the ground. He took a deep breath, slammed his palms down in the air, and used the recoil to fly backward and land steadily back in the carriage.
The whole process was smooth and seamless, as if it had never happened.
However, the moment he landed back in the carriage...
A lone bandit suddenly appeared from a distance.
It turned out that when Ouyang Ke made his move, this person happened to be at the back of the group and had no idea what had happened.
He caught up and peeked out, only to see corpses strewn everywhere; all his companions were dead. He was terrified. Without a word, he turned his horse and fled!
"Giddy up! Giddy up!"
He whipped his horse relentlessly, and the horse, in pain, galloped away.
Ouyang Ke frowned slightly.
He had exhausted his inner energy and could not move his legs. If this person escaped, there would inevitably be other troubles.
His gaze swept across the carriage and landed on a folding fan inside.
Ouyang Ke reached out and grabbed the folding fan, channeling his inner strength into it, and then swung it violently!
The folding fan shot out like a black lightning bolt!
"ah--!"
Seven or eight zhang away, the galloping bandit let out a scream and fell from his horse. The folding fan struck him squarely in the back, killing him instantly.
The frightened horse ran for several dozen feet before gradually stopping and standing there blankly.
The wilderness was utterly silent.
Liu, the coachman, slumped onto the shaft of the cart, completely dumbfounded. He stared wide-eyed at the scene that had just unfolded, his mouth agape, unable to utter a single word.
He witnessed the young man who had been slumped in the carriage suddenly fly up, circle around the crowd, and the fierce-looking bandits fell down one by one.
He then saw the young man flick a fan and kill one of the fleeing bandits.
Is this...is this even human?
He sat there blankly for a long while before he came to his senses. Trembling, he climbed down from the carriage shaft and stumbled towards the bandit's corpse, picking up the folding fan from the ground.
He held the folding fan in both hands, walked respectfully back to the front of the carriage, and raised the fan above his head.
"Young...Young Master...your...your fan..."
His voice trembled violently, and his whole body was shaking.
Ouyang Ke reached out and took the folding fan, gently wiping away the bloodstains with a handkerchief before casually placing it aside. His face was slightly pale, and his breathing was somewhat disordered, but his expression remained calm.
He glanced at the driver and said indifferently, "Let's go."
Liu, the coachman, was stunned for a moment, then felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He scrambled back onto the carriage shaft, grabbed the reins, and lashed them hard.
The carriage rumbled along, gradually heading into the distance.
Behind them, on the desolate wilderness, only a pile of corpses and a lost, ownerless horse remained.
As the sun set, it cast a very long shadow of the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Ouyang Ke closed his eyes to rest, his face as pale as paper. In the battle just now, although he had killed all the bandits with swift and decisive action, his legs were unable to support him, and he was relying entirely on his inner energy to sustain himself, which had greatly depleted his strength.
At this moment, his true energy was exhausted, his whole body was sore and weak, and he didn't even have the strength to lift his hand.
But a faint smile lingered at the corner of his mouth.
This Yi Jin Duan Gu Pian is indeed extraordinary. If I hadn't cultivated it, I would never have been able to hold on in mid-air for so long with just a breath of true qi!
As long as he practices this skill diligently, Ouyang Ke believes that it will be enough to strengthen his bones and muscles. Once his legs are fully healed, he may well be qualified to rival the Five Great Masters.
The carriage headed north.
Outside the carriage, the clatter of horses' hooves echoed.
Ouyang Ke leaned against the carriage wall, gazing at the wilderness rushing past the window, his thoughts drifting away.
RT: I wonder how long the single-player mode will last.