Chapter - 238 The Three Test Questions (6)

"I am not done with you," she said turning to Ouyang Ke, "That day when we were having a martial art contest at the Zhao Palace you tied both your hands behind your back and said that you didn't need any hand to subdue me, did you not?" Ouyang Ke admitted with a nod of his head.

"Later on after I took Senior Qigong as my master we met again in Baoying," Huang Rong continued. "You said that no matter what kind of martial arts I used, whether it be from my father or the ones taught by Hong Qigong; you would only use your Uncle's martial art to defeat me, didn't you?"

Ouyang Ke thought, "It was your own idea, I did not say such thing."

Seeing his hesitation Huang Rong quickly continued, "You have drawn a circle on the ground with your feet and said that if I can compel you out of the circle using the martial arts I learned from my father you would admit defeat, didn't you?" Ouyang Ke nodded again.

Turning to her father Huang Rong said, "Father, did you hear that? He did not have any regards toward Hong Qigong; he also did not have any regards toward you. He said that the martial arts of the two of you are inferior to his uncle's; that even if you two come together still cannot defeat his uncle. I don't believe it."

"Little girl has a long tongue," Huang Yaoshi said. "Who among the people under the heaven did not know that Eastern Heretic, Western Poison, Southern Emperor and Northern Beggar's martial arts are like a pound to sixteen ounces? No one is superior to the others." Although his mouth said those words, but he resented Ouyang Ke's arrogance; only he did not want to raise this matter anymore. He turned his head to Hong Qigong and asked, "Qi Xiong, your presence has brought honor to the Peach Blossom Island. I wonder if there is anything I can do for you?"

"I come here to ask you a favor," Hong Qigong replied.

Although Hong Qigong loved to joke around, but he was an honest and straightforward man, always upholding justice; his martial art skill was very high, so Huang Yaoshi had always respected him. Huang Yaoshi knew that whatever business Hong Qigong was dealing with, it was always taken care of, if not personally, then with the help of his numerous Beggar Clan's members. This time Hong Qigong was asking him a favor he was extremely delighted, busily said, "We have been friends for dozens of years; Qi Xiong has anything to say, how can your younger brother dare not to comply?"

"Don't comply too quickly," Hong Qigong said, "I am afraid this matter is not easy to manage."

Huang Yaoshi smiled, "If the matter is easy, Qi Xiong won't think of asking your younger brother."

Hong Qigong clapped his hands. "That's right!" he laughed, "That was the sign of a real friendship! You have decided to comply to my request then?"

"Speak up!" Huang Yaoshi said. "Whether going through fire or water, I'll do it."

Ouyang Feng swung his snake staff and opened his mouth, "Slow down Yao Xiong, first we must ask Qi Xiong what is it that he wants?"

Hong Qigong laughed. "Old Poison, this matter does not concern you. You are being nosy. You'd better prepare your belly to drink 'xi jiu' [lit. happiness wine – the term used for wine served in wedding banquet. I don't know the correct English translation. Any suggestions?]."

"Drink 'xi jiu'?" Ouyang Feng wondered.

"That's correct!" Hong Qigong replied. "Exactly, 'xi jiu'." Pointing to Guo Jing and Huang Rong he continued, "These two are my disciples; I have agreed to ask Yao Xiong on their behalf to let them marry each other; and Yao Xiong has agreed to it."

Guo Jing and Huang Rong were both scared and happy at the same time. They exchanged glances at each other. Ouyang Feng uncle and nephew, along with Huang Yaoshi were startled.

"Qi Xiong!" Ouyang Feng said, "You are wrong! Yao Xiong's 'qian jin' [thousand gold – meaning 'precious'] has early on betrothed to my nephew. We come to the Peach Blossom Island today to deliver the dowry and arrange for the ceremony."

"Yao Xiong," Hong Qigong asked, "Is that so?"

"I am afraid so," Huang Yaoshi replied, "Qi Xiong, please don't play a joke on your younger brother."

Hong Qigong put a sour face. "Who plays joke on you?" he said. "You have betrothed your daughter to two families; your family's reputation is at stake here." Turning his head to Ouyang Feng he asked, "I am the Guo family's primary matchmaker, where is yours?"

Ouyang Feng was dumbfounded; he did not expect Hong Qigong would ask him that question. Stammering he tried to answer, "Yao Xiong has consented to this marriage, I have also consented; why would we need a matchmaker?"

"Are you aware that there is somebody who has not consented to this arrangement?" Hong Qigong cut him off.

"Who?" Ouyang Feng asked.

"Ha … ha … it's yours truly, the Old Beggar Hong!" Hong Qigong laughed.

As soon as Ouyang Feng heard this – knowing Hong Qigong's character to be strong-willed; his conduct to be firm and resolute, he knew a fight was unavoidable; but his face did not show even a slight change; only he hesitated to say anything.

Hong Qigong smiled, "Your nephew's behavior was improper, how can he be compared to Yao Xiong's beautiful-as-a-flower daughter? If you force them to get married, they will fight over all kinds of disagreement everyday; they might end up killing each other. What good does it do?"

Huang Yaoshi listened attentively, his heart was stirred. He looked at her, who was gazing lovingly toward Guo Jing. Then he looked at Guo Jing. He hated this dumb kid to the guts: Guo Jing's intelligence was questionable; he knew neither literature nor martial art; music, chess, calligraphy nor painting. He would not be a talented scholar or a gallant knight. Both he and his wife were intelligent people and he knew their only daughter's brainpower was not anywhere below their own. If he let this scattered brain married his daughter, it would be like throwing a fresh flower to the cow dung.

Right now he saw Guo Jing stood alongside Ouyang Ke, he could not help but comparing those two. Ouyang Ke's intelligence and smart appearance was a hundred times better than Guo Jing's. His mind was set to take this young man as his son-in-law; but Hong Qigong's face showed he would not easily give up; so he cooked up a scheme and said, "Feng Xiong, your nephew is injured. You'd better take care of that first; we will discuss this matter further later."

Ouyang Feng had worried about his nephew's condition for a while, and was hoping Huang Yaoshi would give them a chance to take care of the wound. So immediately he beckoned his nephew and two people walked back into the bamboo groove. Huang Yaoshi then engaged Hong Qigong in some pleasantries.

About the time needed to cook some rice later uncle and nephew returned to the pavilion. Ouyang Feng had extracted the steel needles in his nephew's body and mended the broken rib as well.

"My daughter's posture is as weak as a willow tree; she is stubborn and disobedient; hardly worthy to be a gentleman's wife. But unexpectedly Qi Xiong and Feng Xiong both have given me the highest honor by asking her hand in marriage. My daughter has already betrothed to Mr. Ouyang, but Qi Xiong's request is also difficult not to accept. I have an idea, I wonder if you two brothers would tell me if this idea will work or not?" Huang Yaoshi said.