Reborn Ouyang Ke: From The Condor Heroes to the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 38 Miss Sha, Dugu Feng.

Deep within the Sha family mansion, morning light streams through the carved windows into the guest rooms, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

Ouyang Ke sat cross-legged on the bed, closing his eyes and regulating his breathing.

A surge of vigorous Nine Yang True Qi flowed slowly along his meridians, and with each cycle, the aura of purple energy in his dantian grew richer. His cultivation had recently progressed, and he had already faintly touched the threshold of mastering the Nine Yang Divine Skill.

With just one final step remaining, all the acupoints in the body will be connected, and internal energy will be inexhaustible, with no fear of depletion.

It took Zhang Wuji five years of arduous cultivation in the Kunlun Valley to reach that level of mastery. But he achieved it in less than a year.

While the miraculous effects of the Bodhi snake gall and the aid of the Nine Yin Manual certainly played a part, the most important factor was the unquenchable flame within him. From The Eagle Shooting Heroes to the Tang Dynasty, from a broken leg to walking with crutches, he always moved forward, never stopping.

The firebird was fast asleep, its little head buried in its wings, perched in a corner of the bed. The little fellow had become much lazier lately, perhaps because of the new environment and the absence of the pair of white eagles to keep it entertained; it spent its days dozing.

Ouyang Ke opened his eyes, his gaze calm and restrained, his brilliance completely concealed, revealing not a trace of sharpness. A smile appeared on his lips as he reached out and flicked the firebird's little head.

"Little one, it's time to get up."

The firebird groggily raised its head, rubbed its beak against his fingers, and made a muffled "coo" before burying its head back down. Ouyang Ke gently lifted it and placed it on his shoulder. The firebird shook its feathers in dissatisfaction, then fully woke up and tilted its head to look at him.

"I know you're bored staying here." Ouyang Ke opened the window, and the morning breeze rushed in, carrying the fragrance of flowers and plants in the yard. "Go out for a walk by yourself."

The firebird's eyes lit up, it let out a low cry, flapped its wings and took flight, transforming into a streak of red light as it darted out the window. Its speed was astonishing; in the blink of an eye, it disappeared beyond the courtyard wall.

A woman's soft "Eh" came from not far outside the courtyard, clearly startled by the firebird that had suddenly flown out.

Ouyang Ke heard a hint of curiosity in the voice, but didn't pay it any mind. He had already sensed the footsteps of the newcomer—two, one light and one heavy. The one with light footsteps was graceful yet steady, clearly someone who had practiced martial arts, while the one with heavy footsteps was an ordinary servant.

Ouyang Ke had seen those heavy footsteps yesterday; they belonged to Sha Fu, who had brought him to the courtyard last night.

Sure enough, a moment later, footsteps stopped outside the door. Sha Fu's voice rang out, respectful and cautious: "Young Master Ouyang, may you rise?"

"Come in, the door is open."

The door was gently pushed open. Shafu stood sideways by the door, glanced inside, and was about to speak when a beautiful figure impatiently stepped across the threshold behind him.

She was a young woman, about eighteen or nineteen years old, dressed in a light green silk dress with a white sash around her waist. Her black hair was like clouds, and her features were exquisite. She wasn't exceptionally beautiful, but her large eyes were bright and direct. At that moment, she was looking Ouyang Ke up and down, making no attempt to hide the curiosity in her eyes.

"Young Master Ouyang, this is our Sha family's fifth young lady," Sha Fu quickly introduced.

Ouyang Ke bowed slightly: "Greetings, Fifth Miss."

Sha Zhijing, however, disregarded these formalities and went straight to the point: "Was that red bird that flew out of your room just now?"

"Exactly."

"How magnificent!" Sha Zhijing exclaimed, her eyes filled with envy. "I heard from the maid that those birds can even drink alcohol, is that true?"

Ouyang Ke nodded: "It's a heavy drinker; it can't move when it sees alcohol."

Sha Zhijing couldn't help but laugh out loud, her gaze returning to Ouyang Ke, sizing him up from head to toe. Although she was not skilled in martial arts, she had seen many figures in the martial world. This white-clad man, though leaning on crutches, possessed a calm and composed demeanor, exuding an indescribable air of ease.

"Father said that you used your internal energy to force out the residual poison from Jin'er's body?" Her tone was a mix of curiosity and probing.

Ouyang Ke nodded.

Sha Zhijing's curiosity deepened, even tinged with suspicion: "Although I've never practiced martial arts, I know that to expel toxins hidden in the internal organs and integrated with the blood from the body, only top-tier experts can do it. I've seen those people, and they're all quite old. Why are you so young?"

Ouyang Ke chuckled upon hearing this and shook his head, saying, "Fifth Miss, I don't know how to answer this question."

Sha Zhijing readily replied, "Just call me Zhijing. Young master, there's no need for such formalities."

Ouyang Ke pondered for a moment and said, "In the path of martial arts, personal talent is certainly important, but the lineage of a sect is also crucial. Some people have no famous teachers to guide them from a young age and can only hone their skills through hard work in the martial world; others, however, are born with the foundation of a prestigious sect, giving them a head start. I received my uncle's teachings from a young age, which gave me an advantage at the beginning, and naturally, I also have an advantage in age."

He paused, then added, "However, those masters who emerge from the shadows of swords are often seasoned veterans, and their combat experience is far superior to that of disciples from prestigious schools."

Sha Zhijing's eyes flashed as she pressed on, "Then which category does Young Master Ouyang fall into?"

Ouyang Ke shook his head slightly, smiling without saying a word.

Sha Zhijing feigned anger and said, "Brother Ouyang, why are you deliberately keeping me in suspense?"

The way he addressed him as "Brother Ouyang" was so natural, as if the two had known each other for many years. Ouyang Ke didn't mind and said calmly, "I possess both qualities."

His tone was calm, yet it subtly revealed an undeniable confidence and domineering presence. Sha Zhijing's beautiful eyes lit up, and she felt even more curious about the white-clad man with the cane.

She suddenly remembered something, and a mischievous smile appeared on her lips: "Since Brother Ouyang is so confident, would you be interested in sparring with one of my friends?"

Ouyang Ke raised an eyebrow slightly: "Oh? Who is it?"

Sha Zhijing said, "This person is my younger sister's close friend, Feng'er from the Dugu clan. Brother Ouyang, don't underestimate her. Feng'er's martial arts skills are so high that it's said she has no rivals among the younger generation in Luoyang!"

Ouyang Ke's heart stirred.

The Dugu Clan is one of the four great clans. The clan leader, Dugu Feng, is the daughter of You Chuhong, who is nearly a hundred years old and created the "Cloak and Staff Technique," ranking among the top martial arts masters. Among the third generation of the Dugu Clan, the most skilled martial artist is Dugu Feng, whose swordsmanship rivals that of his grandmother, making him virtually unmatched in Luoyang.

It would be quite an interesting experience to be able to fight against someone like that.

Ouyang Ke smiled slightly: "In that case, I am certainly looking forward to it."

Seeing that he did not refuse, Sha Zhijing happily said, "There's no time like the present. It just so happens that Feng'er invited me to a small gathering at the Dugu Clan today. Would Brother Ouyang like to come along?"

Ouyang Ke said calmly, "I am willing to go with Zhijing."

"Alright!" Sha Zhijing turned to Sha Fu and instructed him, "Go quickly and tell the manor to prepare a carriage!"

The Dugu clan's mansion was located in the West Market of Luoyang, southwest of Tianjin Bridge. It covered a vast area, with buildings stacked one upon another, featuring flying eaves and bracket sets, creating a magnificent and imposing atmosphere. Two stone lions stood before the vermilion gate, their eyes wide open in anger, lifelike in appearance.

Seven or eight men in tight-fitting clothes stood in front of the gate, with swords hanging from their waists and eyes like eagles; it was clear at a glance that they were well-trained experts.

Sha Zhijing was clearly a regular here; the man guarding the gate merely bowed slightly and made way for her. Ouyang Ke, with a crutch under his arm, entered alongside her without being questioned.

After passing through a long passageway and around a screen wall, a garden suddenly comes into view, with lush rockeries, flowing water, and several old plum trees whose flowering season has passed, but whose branches and leaves are still evergreen.

A small hall with carved doors and windows and elegant furnishings was built on one side of the garden, clearly a place to entertain guests.

Sha Zhijing led Ouyang Ke to sit down in the small hall, where a maidservant served him fragrant tea. After waiting for a while, they suddenly heard light footsteps outside the hall.

"Zhijing, you're here!" The voice was clear and melodious, with a touch of joy.

Before the words were even finished, a figure appeared at the entrance of the hall.

She was a young woman, around twenty years old, petite and delicate, yet possessing an air of unapproachable dignity.

She wore a well-tailored black samurai outfit with black trim, and a red silk overcoat, the contrast of black and white making her skin appear even whiter.

Her face was cold and beautiful, with distinct features, yet it exuded a lively charm.

At first glance, she appears young and beautiful, but upon closer inspection, she becomes even more captivating, as if beneath her cool and aloof demeanor lies an indescribable charm.

Her eyes were particularly striking, clear and bright like stars, yet with a sharp edge, as if they could see right through people's hearts.

It was Dugu Feng.

Ouyang Ke secretly admired her: As expected of the proud daughter of the Dugu clan, her demeanor and temperament alone are no less than Huang Rong's.

Dugu Feng's gaze swept across the hall, landing on Sha Zhijing with a smile, but his expression hardened slightly when he turned to Ouyang Ke.

She sized up the white-clad man with the cane, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

This person was sitting there, but she couldn't sense any martial arts aura from him; he seemed like just an ordinary person who knew nothing about martial arts.

Of course, she knew perfectly well that the person who accompanied Sha Zhijing here today was no ordinary person.

Sha Zhijing stepped forward, took Dugu Feng's hand, and said with a smile, "Feng'er, let me introduce you to a friend. This is Young Master Ouyang Ke, a guest elder of the Great River Alliance. Yesterday, he was poisoned on the street and was on the verge of death. It was Brother Ouyang who used his internal energy to force out the poison and save his life."

Upon hearing this, Dugu Feng raised her eyebrows slightly, her gaze falling once more on Ouyang Ke. She was an expert, well aware of how difficult it was to use internal energy to expel poison from someone. Those who could do this were invariably masters with profound internal strength.

And this person in front of me, so young, has such cultivation?

What surprised her even more was that she couldn't sense any fluctuation of internal energy from the other party.

There is only one possibility—the opponent's internal strength is far superior to hers, and he is able to conceal his aura perfectly.

Dugu Feng felt a chill run down her spine, but her face remained impassive. She clasped her hands in a fist and said, "So it's Brother Ouyang. I'm so ignorant; I didn't know there was such a person as Brother Ouyang in the martial world. May I ask which school of martial arts you belong to?"

Ouyang Ke bowed slightly and said calmly, "I have lived in the Western Regions for a long time, so it is not surprising that Miss Feng has not heard of me. All my martial arts skills were personally taught by my uncle."

Dugu Feng suddenly realized: "So you come from the Western Regions, brother. No wonder I've never heard of you."

Since the chaos caused by the Five Barbarian Tribes at the end of the Western Jin Dynasty, the country has been divided for nearly three hundred years. The Han Chinese in the north and the Xianbei and other ethnic groups have been integrating for a century, and they are now intertwined. It is not uncommon for people from the Western Regions to travel to the Central Plains.

Sha Zhijing laughed from the side, "Feng'er, didn't you boast that you were invincible in Luoyang? Today I've found you an opponent. Do you dare to accept the challenge?"

Upon hearing this, Dugu Feng's beautiful eyes lit up immediately. She stared intently at Ouyang Ke, a smile playing on her lips, a smile that held both anticipation and a hint of eager fighting spirit.

"Brother Ouyang, would you be willing to offer your guidance?" she asked directly, without beating around the bush.

Ouyang Ke met her gaze and smiled calmly: "Before coming to Luoyang, I had already heard of Miss Feng's great reputation. It is said that Miss Dugu has not only surpassed the two Dugu masters, Dugu Sheng and Dugu Ba, but even your father, Dugu Feng, has to admit defeat. Her martial arts are on par with the venerable You Chuhong. It is my honor to be able to spar with such a master."

A flicker of emotion crossed Dugu Feng's eyes. She hadn't expected that this white-clad man from the Western Regions would know so much about her background.

"It seems that although Brother Ouyang has lived in the Western Regions for a long time, he is quite knowledgeable about the affairs of the Central Plains martial arts world." Her voice held a hint of seriousness.

Ouyang Ke said, "Although I have been in the Western Regions for a long time, I still know a little about the affairs of the four major clans and various schools in the Central Plains."

His explanation was so flawless that it would be difficult for anyone to find any flaws!

Dugu Feng gave him a deep look, then suddenly smiled. Her smile was like the first melting of snow, a captivating beauty amidst her cold elegance.

"In that case, Feng'er is even more eager to learn Brother Ouyang's martial arts skills."

Having said that, she spun around, her red silk robe fluttering in the wind, her figure as swift as a fleeting shadow, and landed in the center of the garden. She stood with her hands behind her back, her robes gently swaying in the wind, exuding an air of otherworldly elegance.

"Please." She clasped her hands in a fist salute and bowed from afar.

Ouyang Ke lightly tapped his crutches under his armpits, his white robes fluttering as he gracefully landed in the arena.

Sha Zhijing stepped back onto the steps in front of the hall, clasped her hands together, and looked on with anticipation in her eyes.

In the garden, the autumn wind rustled, and a few withered leaves swirled and fell.

The two stood three zhang apart, their eyes meeting.

Dugu Feng's lips curled slightly as her right hand slowly rested on the hilt of the sword at her waist. It was a three-foot-long green blade, its scabbard ancient and subtly exuding a chilling aura.

Ouyang Ke remained calm, holding his crutch in his left hand while his right hand hung naturally at his side.

He had no weapons.

At least, not at this moment.

A hint of doubt flashed in Dugu Feng's eyes, but she did not ask any further questions.

She took a deep breath, and her aura suddenly surged. A sharp sword energy emanated from her body, scattering fallen leaves all over the ground.

As Ouyang Ke sensed that aura, he nodded inwardly.

The swordsmanship of the Dugu clan is indeed as good as its reputation suggests.

But he still didn't move.

Dugu Feng frowned slightly and finally spoke: "Brother Ouyang, please draw your weapons."

Ouyang Ke shook his head and said calmly, "Since I broke my leg, I have rarely used weapons. Miss Feng, please go first!"

Dugu Feng was taken aback, but when her gaze fell on Ouyang Ke's legs, she seemed to have misunderstood something.

Seeing that Ouyang Ke was using crutches and was clearly having difficulty moving, she immediately assumed that Ouyang Ke was waiting for her to make the first move so that he could remain still and strike later.

P.S.: Is the pace too slow? It feels like nobody's discussing it!

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