The Book And The Sword

Book Title: The Book And The Sword
Author: Jin Yong
Genre: Wuxia Novel
Country of Origin: China
Delivery Formats: TXT, EPUB, MOBI, PDF,AZW3

The night was deep, and the wind whistled coldly across the barren hill west of Fufeng City. Under the faint moonlight, Lu Feiqing stood with his White Dragon Sword sheathed, his expression calm but his eyes sharp as daggers. Before him stood three figures: Jiao Wenqi, the third of the Six Devils of Guandong, and his two companions—Luo Xin, the Iron-Armed Arhat, and Bei Renlong, the Jade Judge of the Two Lakes.

Jiao Wenqi stepped forward, a cold smile twisting his thin lips. “Old Hero Lu, eighteen years have passed. Do you still remember the palm strike you gave me? Today, I’ve come to return the favor.”

Lu Feiqing clasped his hands mildly. “Third Master Jiao, if I offended you in the past, I offer my apologies now.” He bowed deeply, but his eyes never left theirs.

Bei Renlong spat. “Shameless!”

Lu Feiqing’s gaze turned icy. “In all my years in the martial world, I have never disgraced myself. If you seek revenge, I have apologized. If you serve the Manchus and wish to use my head for your promotion—then come and take it!”

Luo Xin, impatient, roared and charged, throwing a heavy punch. Lu Feiqing did not dodge. Only when the fist was inches from his face did he move—his left hand striking like lightning toward Luo Xin’s wrist. Luo Xin stumbled back, shocked by the speed.

He launched into Five Elements Fist, attacks flowing relentlessly. Yet Lu Feiqing’s movements were deceptively slow yet precise, each deflection and counter effortless. After a dozen exchanges, Luo Xin found himself grasping at air—Lu Feiqing had circled behind him. In panic, he grabbed at Lu’s shoulder, but the moment he touched cloth, his own massive body was flung through the air as if by invisible force. He landed heavily two zhang away, dazed and confused.

It was the internal martial art “Eighteen Trips upon Touch”—a technique that used the opponent’s force against them.

Bei Renlong attacked next, twin hook-swords aiming for throat and waist. Lu Feiqing vanished before his eyes, then reappeared behind him, delivering two sharp slaps to his face. “Arrogant junior! Learn some respect!”

Now it was Jiao Wenqi’s turn. His Iron Pipa Hand technique—inherited from the Han family of Luoyang—was swift and deadly. Lu Feiqing recognized the improvement since their last encounter and responded with his Wuji Xuan Gong Fist.

Jiao’s moves were a blend of feint and force, soft yet firm, fingers stiffening like iron at the last moment. Lu Feiqing evaded with “Tiger Leaping Step,” striking at Jiao’s armpit. Jiao twisted, deflecting with “Pipa Shielding the Face,” then thrust with fingers like swords.

They exchanged seven—eight moves. Lu Feiqing saw an opening and struck with a “Seal Palm,” holding back half his strength, hoping Jiao would retreat. But Jiao, sensing mercy, pressed on. As Lu Feiqing chuckled, not fully retracted, Jiao’s left hand shot out—“Spring Flowing Downhill”—jabbing hard below Lu’s left breast.

Lu Feiqing grunted, pain shooting through him. He staggered but maintained his defense, crossing his palms, steadily retreating while regulating his breath. He knew he was injured—internally.

Jiao Wenqi showed no mercy. “Attack together! The old man is desperate!”

Bei Renlong and Luo Xin joined—hook-swords and steel whip surrounding Lu Feiqing. Though outnumbered and wounded, Lu Feiqing’s Flowing Cloud Sword technique was a continuous, unbroken flow. Yet with each opponent he engaged, the others struck from the sides. He felt a dull ache in his chest—his internal injury was flaring.

He thought bitterly, After a lifetime of heroism, must I fall to these petty villains?

Enraged, he fought more recklessly, narrowly avoiding several lethal strikes. Then he calmed himself—he must escape, recover, and seek vengeance later.

Changing tactics, he slashed at Luo Xin, creating an opening. With a sweeping “Full Sky Blossoms” arc of his sword, he broke free and dashed downhill.

But Jiao Wenqi triggered a mechanism on his iron plaque—three barbed darts shot toward Lu’s back. Lu deflected two with his sword and leaped over the third, but the effort made him stumble. Sharp pain pierced his chest; his vision dimmed.

Jiao and the others closed in, eager and triumphant.

Lu Feiqing switched his sword to his left hand—a reverse-style attack that took Jiao by surprise, forcing him back. He thrust toward Bei Renlong—“White Rainbow Pierces the Sun.” Bei dodged, but the reversed blade followed. Terrified, Bei dropped and rolled.

Just then, Luo Xin’s steel whip came crashing down. Lu Feiqing shifted his upper body, reached out, and struck Luo’s acupoint. Luo went limp, his whip striking rock and sparking.

At that moment, Jiao’s three darts flew again. Lu Feiqing had no time to dodge. He grabbed the paralyzed Luo Xin as a shield. Two darts struck the chest, one the abdomen—Luo Xin died instantly.

Enraged, Jiao Wenqi charged with his iron plaque. Bei Renlong attacked again with his hooks.

Lu Feiqing, wounded and exhausted, knew he had to end this. He thrust his sword forward, drawing Bei’s attention, then threw his White Dragon Sword with all his strength—using the Great Stone Tablet Hand technique. The sword pierced through Bei’s chest, pinning him to the ground.

As Jiao Wenqi swung his plaque, Lu Feiqing turned suddenly and—with a backhand motion—shot a handful of Lotus Golden Needles into Jiao’s face. The distance was close, the move swift. Jiao’s eyes were blinded; he clawed frantically at his face.

Seizing the moment, Lu Feiqing executed “Twisting Whip” with both fists, striking Jiao’s vital points and killing him on the spot.