"Trying to run? Did you ask the Old Beggar?"
The newcomer was none other than Hong Qigong, who had been lying on the rooftop of the Mountain God Temple drinking all along!
Hong Qigong had, at some point unknown, appeared silently before Qiu Qianren. In his hand, at some point unknown, had appeared a gnawed chicken bone. He looked at Qiu Qianren with a smile, his eyes filled with playful mockery, like a cat toying with a mouse.
Qiu Qianren's soul was shaken, his terror absolute. As if seeing a ghost, he stared at the suddenly appearing Hong Qigong, so frightened he almost lost his spirit.
"You... you... you are the Nine-Fingered Divine Beggar, Hong Qigong?!" Qiu Qianren's voice trembled, his teeth chattering, his eyes filled with extreme dread.
Hong Qigong laughed heartily, his smile lewd, his eyes playful, like an old mischievous child. He pointed at the chicken bone in his hand and said with a smile, "The Old Beggar is giving you a gift, no need to be polite!"
With that, Hong Qigong flicked his wrist. The chicken bone in his hand shot out like an arrow leaving the bowstring, carrying an incomparably sharp gust of wind, instantly flying towards Qiu Qianren's ankle.
"Plop—!"
A muffled sound. The chicken bone accurately struck a vital point on Qiu Qianren's ankle with such force that it sent Qiu Qianren sprawling headfirst into the dirt, landing with a face full of mud.
"Ouch—!" Qiu Qianren cried out in pain, grimacing, feeling as if his internal organs had been shattered. He couldn't get up for a long time.
Hong Qigong roared with laughter, his laughter hearty, filled with mockery and glee, like a child who had successfully played a prank.
Qiu Qianren's few surviving subordinates were greatly alarmed by this. They rushed forward and, swarming around, helped Qiu Qianren up from the ground. They carried him, scrambling and stumbling, and fled the scene, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.
The night was as black as ink, the mountain wind howled.
Ji Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering, like an immortal banished from heaven descending upon the mortal world, his aura transcendent and refined. Under the concealment of the Formless Yin-Yang Formula's aura, his power was even more unfathomable.
Hong Qigong clapped his hands and walked smilingly to Ji Yuan's side. He looked at Ji Yuan with appreciative eyes, exclaiming in wonder,
"Boy, what remarkable skill! What overbearing palm techniques! I, the Old Beggar, have roamed the Jianghu for decades, and I have never seen such a formidable young man!"
His tone was full of praise, not sparing any laudatory words, clearly very impressed by Ji Yuan's strength.
Ji Yuan heard this and smiled slightly, replying humbly, "You flatter me, esteemed elder. This junior merely has a superficial understanding of some crude skills. Compared to you, I am still far behind."
His tone was gentle, neither arrogant nor impetuous. He did not become conceited because of Hong Qigong's praise, but instead appeared even more steady and reserved, his bearing extraordinary.
Hong Qigong laughed heartily, his admiration for Ji Yuan's character growing. He patted Ji Yuan's shoulder and said generously, "Boy, you are very good! The Old Beggar likes you! If you have any trouble in the future, feel free to come find the Old Beggar!"
His tone was heroic, utterly righteous, fully displaying the demeanor of a grandmaster.
Ji Yuan's heart stirred upon hearing this. After all, the Beggar's Sect's influence behind Hong Qigong was not to be underestimated. He quickly cupped his fists and bowed respectfully, "Thank you, esteemed elder! This junior is immensely grateful!"
Hong Qigong waved his hand dismissively and turned his gaze to Huang Rong and Guo Jing, his eyes twinkling with amusement:
"I say, Rong'er girl, Jing'er boy, what are you two standing there for? Why aren't you coming forward quickly to thank Young Master Ji? If it weren't for Young Master Ji's help, you would likely have met disaster today!"
Only then did Huang Rong and Guo Jing snap back to reality. They quickly stepped forward, bowed to Ji Yuan, and said gratefully, "Thank you, Elder Brother Ji, for saving our lives!"
Ji Yuan smiled slightly and waved his hand, signaling that they need not be so formal.
His gaze swept into the distance, his eyes deep, the corners of his mouth curling slightly into a profound smile.
Qiu Qianren, having fled in such a sorry state, would surely report to his Young Prince. A new storm was about to arrive.
...
Outside the Mountain God Temple, the setting sun melted like gold, burning the sunset clouds in the sky into a deep crimson, like a landscape painting splashed with ink, magnificent beyond compare.
Hong Qigong's injuries had already healed. The free-spirited Old Beggar bade farewell to Ji Yuan and Guo Jing. As he was leaving, he couldn't resist whispering a few teasing words into Huang Rong's ear:
"I say, Rong girl, you have such good fortune. First, you had Brother Jing, and now you have Elder Brother Ji! Hahaha, the Old Beggar is waiting for the day I go to Peach Blossom Island to have a good wedding wine..."
Huang Rong pouted at him upon hearing this, her face flushing red. Fortunately, Guo Jing, standing blankly at the temple entrance, hadn't heard. She then cast a loving glance at Ji Yuan—
Ji Yuan's internal energy was astonishing. He heard clearly but smiled and said nothing, watching Hong Qigong's figure disappear into the depths of the forest like a clear breeze.
After Hong Qigong had gone far away, a clear eagle's cry suddenly echoed from the sky, approaching from afar, piercing the clouds and shattering stone, its sound reverberating through the wilderness.
Guo Jing, with his excellent eyesight, was the first to look up and exclaimed in surprise, "It's my great eagle! Rong'er, it's my great eagle come looking for us!"
Huang Rong's pretty face lit up upon hearing this, and she quickly walked out of the Mountain God Temple. Ji Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, following her, his gaze fixed on the sky with interest.
Two enormous white eagles, with wingspans of several zhang, descended from the heavens like two balls of white cloud. Their powerful forms and keen eyes exuded the aura of kings.
The male and female eagles circled and landed, settling steadily on the open ground in front of the Mountain God Temple. They affectionately rubbed against Guo Jing's shoulders, letting out calls of joy. Guo Jing smiled foolishly, stroking the eagles' feathers, his face full of delight, as if seeing long-lost friends.
Huang Rong also walked to the female eagle's side with affection. She stretched out her slender hand, gently stroking the female eagle's soft feathers. She let out a crisp whistle, interacting with the eagle, the scene warm and harmonious.
However, just as Huang Rong crouched down to playfully tease the female eagle, a sudden change occurred!
Beside the open ground, a poisonous snake, entirely green with a triangular head, shot out from the grass like an arrow from a bow. It opened its gaping maw and bit down fiercely on Huang Rong's right foot!
"Hiss..." The poisonous snake, having succeeded, let out a triumphant hiss, its scarlet tongue flicking in and out, terrifyingly menacing.
"Ah!" Huang Rong let out a startled cry, her pretty face turning instantly pale. Her delicate body trembled violently, and instinctively she stumbled backward, falling to the ground.
"Rong'er!" Guo Jing exclaimed in alarm, rushing forward to help Huang Rong up and asked with concern, "Rong'er, how are you? Are you alright?"
Ji Yuan's eyes narrowed. He had already noticed Huang Rong's abnormality. On Huang Rong's right ankle, two clear fang marks oozed a trickle of black blood. The skin around the wound rapidly turned blue and purple, clearly a sign of potent venom.
"It's... it's a poisonous snake..." Huang Rong's face was deathly pale, cold sweat beading on her forehead. She bit her red lips tightly, her delicate body trembling slightly, clearly in unbearable pain.
Ji Yuan's brow furrowed. With a thought, he had identified the type of snake venom Huang Rong had been inflicted with—it was a highly venomous species raised by Ouyang Feng, the Green Bamboo Viper. Its poison was incredibly potent, and if not treated promptly, her life could be in danger.
He quickly stepped forward and crouched down, saying in a steady voice, "Miss Rong'er, let me see your injury."
Huang Rong was utterly distraught at this moment, her mind in a panic. Upon hearing this, she subconsciously nodded, allowing Ji Yuan to examine her injury.
Ji Yuan's gaze fell upon Huang Rong's right foot, and he couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.
She saw Huang Rong's right foot was delicate and beautiful, her skin as fair and smooth as congealed fat. The arch of her foot curved gracefully, the lines flowing like a meticulously carved work of art, truly a marvel of exquisite beauty, embodying elegance externally.
Especially her ten toes, which were round and full, like ten crystal-clear pearls, emitting an alluring luster that was pleasing to the eye and impossible to look away from.
Could this be the so-called jade feet, the "golden lotus"? Truly, it lived up to its reputation, incomparably beautiful.
Ji Yuan sighed inwardly, a trace of imperceptible astonishment flashing in his eyes. At this moment, these originally flawless jade feet were bitten by a venomous snake, adding a touch of pitiable vulnerability, stirring even more compassion in one's heart.