Zhen Zhibing replied respectfully, âZhao Zhijing is the disciple of the Jade Sun Elder Wang; I am the disciple of the Eternal Spring Elder Qiu.â
Zhou Botong said, âHmm, seems like each generation is getting worse and worse, and it looks like you two are bad characters.â Suddenly he kicked out with both his legs and his shoes went flying forward towards them.
Zhen Zhibing saw that the shoe was coming at him quite slowly without much force; even if it struck him in the face it wouldnât hurt, he dare not lose his manners and kept bowing. But Zhao Zhijing stretched out his hand to catch the shoe. But who knew that when they arrived within three feet of them, the shoes suddenly curled back. Zhao Zhijing grabbed empty air as the left shoe turned right and the right shoe turned left. The shoes circled back and crossed each other and went back to Zhou Botong. Zhou Botong stretched out his feet and the shoes slipped on.
Though this was just a trick, without extremely profound internal energy, it would be impossible to kick the shoes with the right weight and force like this. Jinlun Fawang and Nimoxing had seen him throw some spearheads in Khubilaiâs tent that dropped midway in their flight. The shoes were kicked off with the same type of skill except that an extra back force was added. That was why they werenât shocked when they saw this. But when Zhao Zhijing stretched out his hand and missed, he was shocked. With his martial arts, even the most lethal projectile would be plucked out of the air by him yet he wasnât able to catch this slow shoe. He no longer had any doubts and did as Zhen Zhibing did and bowed, saying, âDisciple Zhao Zhijing greets great Martial Uncle.â
Zhou Botong laughed, âQiu Chuji and Wang Chuyiâs eyes must be bad; none of their disciples are up to it. Just forget it, who wants kowtows from you?â He roared, âOnwards!â The four horses galloped forward.
Fawang leapt off his horse and blurred towards the horsesâ path. He called out, âWait!â Each of his palms was pressed onto one horse each. The horses were advancing forward at this time but this press by Fawang actually made them move two steps back.
Zhou Botong was furious and shouted, âBig monk, do you want a fight? The Old Urchin hasnât found a worthy opponent for years; my fists are getting a bit itchy. Come now, letâs have a few rounds.â He loved martial arts and in recent years, his martial arts have been getting better and better; finding a worthy opponent was an extremely difficult task. He knew Fawangâs martial arts were of a high standard, someone worthy to exchange stances with, so he got off his horse ready to fight.
Fawang waved his hand and said, âI never fight with shameless scoundrels. Fight if you want, I wonât.â
Zhou Botong was angry and said, âYou dare call me a shameless scoundrel?â
Fawang said, âYou knew that I wasnât at the camp so you went and stole the banner, wouldnât you call that shameless? You knew that you werenât a match for me so you waited until you were sure that I wasnât there before you sneakily stole the flag. Ha-ha, Zhou Botong, looks like you donât have any pride.â
Zhou Botong said, âFine, weâll know whether Iâm a match for you after weâve had a fight.â
Fawang shook his head and said, âI said I donât fight with shameless scoundrels, you canât force me to fight. My knuckles are very proud, once they hit any shameless scoundrels, the knuckles would be covered with a stench thatâll hang around for three years and six months.â
Zhou Botong shouted, âWhat do you want to do?â
Fawang said, âHand the banner back to me and then come back later tonight to steal it again while Iâll guard it. No matter what method you use, if you are able to steal it again, Iâll give my respects to you as a great hero.â
Zhou Botong could never resist challenges and the harder it was, the greater the urge to do it. He immediately shot the flag back to Fawang and said, âCatch, Iâll be back for it tonight.â
Fawang stretched out his hand and caught the flag pole only to realize the great force behind the throw, he quickly circulated his internal energy to resist but in the end, he still had to take two steps back before he steadied himself.
The horses had been pressing forward but were held back by Fawang; now, Fawangâs hold on them loosened. All the horses suddenly leapt forward at least twenty feet and galloped ahead. Everyone watched as Zhou Botong and the horses raced away further and further into the distance until they were small dots.
Fawangâs mind was occupied for a while before he passed the flag over to Sa Duo and said, âLetâs make a move.â
Fawang knew that Zhou Botongâs actions were hard to fathom, how was he going to win? He thought for a while on the horseback but couldnât come up with anything. By chance, he looked around and saw Zhen and Zhao were speaking quietly to each other and were constantly looking back at Xiao Longnu with fear on their faces. He thought, âCould it be that she has come for them?â So he decided to investigate and said, âBrother Zhen, do you know Miss Long?â
Zhen Zhibingâs face changed and he replied, âHmm.â Fawang knew that there more to this so he continued, âYou two have offended her and now sheâs looking for you to get her own back, right? That girl is extremely powerful; to offend her is not a good idea.â He had no idea what was going on but from the fearful look on the twoâs faces, he made a guess, tested the two, and managed to get the right answer straight away.
Zhao Zhijing took this opportunity to reply, âShe has offended you as well; that day at the âHeroesâ gathering she beat you, you must avenge what she did to you.â
Fawang scoffed, âYou know as well?â
Zhao Zhijing replied, âEveryone in the world of Wulin knows about this.â
Fawang thought, âThis Taoist is not so simple. I want him to help me defeat my enemy yet heâs trying to use me to help him escape his predicament.â He continued, âThese two men are not your average men, if I just leave it out in the open, things will go a lot easier.â So he said, âThat Miss Long wants to kill you but you canât beat her so you seek my protection, right?â
Zhao Zhijing replied furiously, âDo I look like someone who needs to rely on others to save myself? Besides, the good Reverend here may not be able to beat her.â
Fawang was shocked by his proud reply and thought, âCould my assumptions be wrong?â He could not tell what the two were thinking so he smiled, âHer twin swordplay with Yang Guo is indeed extremely powerful. But sheâs alone right now; it would be extremely easy for me to kill her.â
Zhao Zhijing shook his head, âIâm afraid itâs not as easy as it sounds. Everyone in the Jianghu world says that Jinlun Fawang was defeated by Xiao Longnu.â
Fawang laughed, âI have meditated for years, so how could your words anger me?â From what Zhao Zhijing said, he knew that Zhao Zhijing was hoping that he would defeat Xiao Longnu for him. Before Zhou Botong arrived, he had planned on killing Xiao Longnu but, with the bet he made with Zhou Botong, he had a use for the two. If he killed Xiao Longnu, he no longer had any leverage over the two, so he cupped his hands and said, âSince it is so, I will make my way. After youâve sorted out the matter with Xiao Longnu, please come and visit his Highnessâ camp.â He pulled his reigns and rode forward.