Chapter - 68 Sailing Home After Ten Years In Qiongfa (3)

"I said, 'If so, then ask my master to come see me, so we can settle our differences.' Reverend Kong Jian said, 'Your master says that he has no face to see you. Besides, you are hardly his match anyway. So seeing him would be pointless.' I said, 'I know you are a venerable reverend. You should know about right and wrong. Are you telling me that I should simply forget the death of my family?' He said, 'I am also saddened by your misfortune. But your master did not willingly commit those crimes. Besides, he has since repented. On the account of your past master-disciple relationship, he hoped you would leave him be.' I became quite angry, said, 'If I cannot defeat him, then he can just go ahead and kill me. I would rather die than leave my family unavenged.'

"Reverend Kong Jian thought for a long time, then said, 'Mr. Xie, your master's kung fu is not what it used to be. Even though you've learned the 'Fists of Seven Damages', you are still not his match. If you do not believe me, then try hitting me a few times.' I said, 'I have no quarrel with you, why should I hit you? Although my kung fu is low, the 'Fist of Seven Damages' is nonetheless not easy to absorb.' He said, 'Mr. Xie, let us make a wager. Your master killed thirteen people in your family. Today you can hit me thirteen times. If you can injure me, I will get out of your way. Your master will then come out to see you. Otherwise, you must promise to let go of revenge.' I did not respond. His kung fu is amazing. If my 'Fists of Seven Damages' could not hurt him, then what about my revenge?

Reverend Kong Jian added, 'Let me be frank with you. Since I decided to concern myself in this matter, do you really think I can let you keep hurting others? If you go back to doing good deeds, and give up on vengeance, I can forgive for your past crimes. Otherwise, if you can seek revenge, what about the relatives of those you killed? Do they not deserve their vengeance too?'

"Upon hearing his voice becoming stern, I got quite annoyed, yelled, 'Fine, I will go ahead and give you thirteen punches! You can give up any time you want to. However, do not go back on your promise. You better ask my master to come see me.' Reverend Kong Jian smiled, said, 'Please go on ahead!' His body was very short and thin, with white hair and white eyebrows, and a gentle, compassionate face. I didn't want to really hurt him. My first fist only used thirty percent of my power. Pang! The fist landed on his chest."

WuJi gasped, yelled, "Did you use the 'Fists of Seven Damages' that destroyed the tree?"

Xie Xun said, "No! I used my master's 'Lightning and Thunder Fist'. When my punch landed, his body lightly shook, and retreated a step. Realizing that this punch can make him back off, I figured the 'Fists of Seven Damages' would probably kill him in three punches. So I added a bit more power to my second punch. Again his body lightly shook, and retreated another step. My third punch incorporated seventy percent of my power. But once again, his body just light shook, and retreated a step. I was surprised, as I have more than doubled my power, yet his expression remained the same. Considering his thin body, my punches should at least break his bones. Yet I found no signs of a competing force to negate my punch. It's as if his body simply absorbed my power.

"I thought that to hurt him, I must use all my power. But if I used full power, he will likely die. Even though I've done many evil deeds, I respected his kindheartedness. So I said, 'Reverend, I cannot stand the fact that you do not return any blows. For taking three punches, I promise that I will not seek out Song YuanQiao.' He said, 'Then what about Cheng Kun?' I said, 'Nothing can change my mind on revenge. Only one of us can live.' I paused for a moment, then added, 'Out of respect for you, I will only look for Cheng Kun himself, and no longer hurt any innocents.'

"Reverend Kong Jian put his palms together, said, 'That is great. I am glad that you feel this way. On behalf of the martial world, I thank you. It's just that I really wish to resolve this issue. So please go ahead and finish the rest of your punches.'

"I realized that only by using the 'Fists of Seven Damages' could I make my master appear. Thankfully, I can retract the 'Fists of Seven Damages' power at will. So I said, 'I am sorry to offend you!' and followed with my fourth punch. This time I used the 'Fists of Seven Damages'. His chest tightened, and then he stepped forward."

WuJi said, "That's strange. How come he didn't retreat like before?"

Zhang CuiShan said, "Did he use Shaolin's Divine Art 'Diamond Armor Invincible Body'?"

Xie Xun nodded, said, "Fifth brother, you really are knowledgeable. That's correct. When this punch connected, I felt totally different from the previous three punches. This time, his body produced a protective counterforce, which sent a tremor all the way into my inner organs. I knew that he must've had no other choice, and had to use this divine art to protect from the Fists of Seven Damages. I have long heard that Shaolin's 'Diamond Armor Invincible Body' is one of the five top divine arts in history. It certainly lived up to its reputation. Then I unleashed my fifth punch, purposely made it carry more soft-yin force. Once again he stepped forward, and I had to spend a long time neutralizing the counterforce from his body."

WuJi said, "Godfather, this old monk promised not to fight back. So why did he still try to hurt you by countering your punches?"

Xie Xun rubbed his hair, said, "After my fifth punch, Reverend Kong Jian said, "I never expected the Fists of Seven Damages to be so powerful. If I don't use my inner power to counter your punches, I could not remain injury-free.' I said, 'I am already grateful that you have not tried to hit me.' Immediately afterwards, I sent out the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth punches in one swift motion. Reverend Kong Jian really is amazing. He countered each and every one of those punches, using just the right blend of yin and yang for his counter.

"Shocked at his ability, I yelled, 'Watch out!' and the tenth punch floated out lightly. He nodded, and before my punch reached his body, stepped forward two steps. At this moment, he actually gained the initiative."

WuJi obviously did not know the importance of these two steps. But Zhang CuiShan realized that when experts exchange blows, it is very difficult for one person to anticipate an opponent's attack before it comes out. The ability to do so, even for one move, could very well mean a victory. He nodded, said, "Incredible, incredible!"

Xie Xun continued, "I used all of my power in this tenth punch. Yet when he stepped up and shocked me, I had to back off a couple of steps. Although I couldn't see my own expression, one can easily imagine just how pale I was. Reverend Kong Jian sighed, said, 'Don't be too hasty with your eleventh punch. Recover your strength first.' Despite my combative nature, I had to follow his advice, for I really lacked the energy for another punch."

Zhang CuiShan and his family all worried for Xie Xun at this moment. WuJi suddenly said, "Godfather, I think you should just give up on the last three punches." Xie said, "Why?" WuJi said, "This old monk is a really good person. You would feel guilty if you hurt him. If you end up hurting yourself, that would be bad too." Zhang CuiShan and Yin SuSu glanced at each other, surprised that their child could have such insight at his young age. Zhang CuiShan rejoiced at WuJi's compassionate nature, and his ability to comprehend good and evil.