Dual wielding volcanoes, killing through the west

Chapter 559: Cause is the beginning of effect, and effect is the end of cause.

"Dang-dang-dang-dang..."

A series of sounds, like chopping dumpling filling, snapped Zhang Renfeng out of his daze. He rubbed his eyes and stared at the shimmering light reflected off the sea for a long time, feeling a bit dry.

He suddenly realized that this was the first time he had ever seen the sea.

He had heard countless stories related to the sea, and since childhood, he had longed for the grasslands and the ocean.

The vast and boundless martial arts world was undoubtedly his favorite, but even as a child, he vaguely knew that the embodiment of the martial arts world was people. And these two places were secret realms that transcended the human world, filled with countless unknowns waiting for him to discover.

However, sitting on the boat now, all the anticipation and expectations have been worn away, leaving only a numb feeling as I sit by the window, gazing at the sea.

“Young benefactor, looking at the sea for too long is bad for your eyes.”

In the spacious cabin, only Zhang Renfeng and the black-robed monk remained. The latter was sitting cross-legged with his five hearts facing upwards, constantly turning the rosary in his hands, and said, "Young benefactor, your bones are extraordinary. The stab wound on your lower back has healed completely. Why not go out onto the deck and take a walk to see the sky and the sea view? Why be so sad here?"

"..." Zhang Renfeng smiled bitterly, wanting to explain, but his thoughts were all jumbled up like a ball of yarn stuck in his throat, and he couldn't say anything.

In the past few days, he has hardly left his bed and has rarely interacted with the people on the ship. He eats whatever is given to him, accepting whatever is offered, including wine, meat, and cigarettes. The only saving grace is that his appetite is still quite good. Despite it being his first time on a ship, he has not experienced dizziness or nausea and has quickly adapted to life at sea.

For most of the day, he either lay on his bed in a daze or sat up, staring blankly at the distant sea.

With such quiet rest, the physical injuries healed quickly. However, the bitterness in my heart could not be explained to others in just a few words.

The black-robed monk clasped his hands together and said in a calm tone, “Young benefactor, you are only twenty-seven years old. You have only lived one or two-tenths of your long life. At this moment, you are in the sixth position of the Kun hexagram, trapped in vines. The most dangerous moment has passed. You will regret your actions, but you will eventually get a good omen.”

"Ha..." Zhang Renfeng chuckled, not taking it seriously. "Master can also tell fortunes?"

"I dare not claim to be an expert," the black-robed monk said modestly with a smile. "This humble monk has traveled extensively for many years, piecing together bits and pieces of information. It is all mixed and not very profound. I am ashamed, truly ashamed."

“These past few days… I haven’t had a good night’s sleep. Maybe you’re used to it by now, but the waves wake me up in the middle of the night. And then…” He covered his head, his voice filled with deep helplessness, “I feel like my life has become a dreamlike illusion.”

"After waking up, I lay on my bed, desperately trying to recall my past life. My parents, my wife, my friends, everyone I knew. They are so far away from me now, and each time I wake up they seem farther away than the last. I'm afraid that one day I will forget them completely!"

The black-robed monk lowered his thick, hawk-like eyebrows, revealing a hint of pity. "Young benefactor, your heart is unsettled."

"Humans experience seven emotions and eight sufferings. When the mind is unsettled, worries and fears rise and fall unpredictably. Worrying injures the spirit, which in turn damages the vital energy and harms the internal organs."

"The skill you practiced, young benefactor, was originally meant to control your body with qi, like a bright moon illuminating the universe. Now that your mind is unsettled and your qi is disturbed, it will harm your body. Naturally, the skill will become ineffective and you will be pierced by ordinary sharp objects. This is the reason why."

……

"?!" The calm and unassuming narration startled Zhang Renfeng, who immediately sat up straight, not daring to be negligent. "May I ask your Dharma name, Master? And who exactly are you?"

"This humble monk is but a lazy hermit from the mountains, and as for my name, it is truly insignificant. Having done all that I should do in my life, I now have the leisure to travel the world." The black-robed monk closed his eyes again, continuing to turn the prayer beads, and asked, "Young benefactor, do you know of the Dream of Nanke?"

"Once upon a time, there was a man named Chunyu Fen who slept under a locust tree and dreamed that he came to the Great Huai'an Kingdom, married a princess, became the governor of Nanke, and enjoyed a life of wealth and honor. Later, he was suspected by the king and sent back to his hometown. His former fame and glory vanished in an instant. He was filled with regret and sighs."

"Then he woke up from his dream and found that the so-called Great Huai'an Kingdom was nothing more than a small ant hole under a locust tree."

……

"Ha." Zhang Renfeng laughed with a hint of despondency, but as he spoke, he became excited again, "The people in the story have only experienced a dreamlike life, yet they have so many feelings... But I have truly been through the trials of swords and spears!"

"I don't understand, Master... I just wanted to save people, to do something right and good, why did I end up like this, with my wife and children separated, my family destroyed and my life ruined?!"

"Does this mean that if you want to be a good person, you don't deserve good fortune?"

The black-robed monk raised his head, glanced at him, and shook his head with a smile.

"Ha ha ha ha--"

"Master, why are you laughing?" Zhang Renfeng asked weakly. "Are you mocking me for being ignorant of social etiquette?"

"No, young benefactor, I was merely lamenting how long the world has been troubled by the word 'retribution.' Even a peerless hero like you cannot escape it."

The black-robed monk said in a deep voice, "Young benefactor, if you don't mind me bothering you, I would like to ask you two questions."

Zhang Renfeng nodded.

Are there more good people or bad people in this world?

"..." Zhang Renfeng was somewhat taken aback. He realized that this was a problem that required a lot of effort and that he might not be able to figure out.

"Secondly," the black-robed monk held up two fingers, "Why are you so certain, young benefactor, that good people will always be rewarded?"

"But...that's not what you monks have always said..."

"Xiao Yan, the founding emperor of the Southern Liang Dynasty, was a devout Buddhist. He built numerous temples throughout the country, wore only coarse cloth clothes all year round, and was a vegetarian. Sometimes, after noon, he would simply rinse his mouth and consider it a meal. Even when he was alone, he would sit upright and be completely respectful. He treated his servants with gentleness and courtesy, and he couldn't even bear to step on an ant."

"When Hou Jing entered the pass, this bodhisattva emperor's final fate was to starve to death in his own palace. Before he died, he asked for a bowl of honey water, but no one paid any attention to him."

The black-robed monk looked into Zhang Renfeng's eyes and said meaningfully, "Young benefactor, there is no retribution in this world, only cause and effect."

"Because the beginning of the effect is the end of the cause. All the great men are subject to the law of cause and effect. Your current situation is like a dragon trapped in shallow water. You must not give up on the world. You should hide yourself and wait for the right time to rise again."

"When it rises again..."

Zhang Renfeng repeated it with a half-believing smile, "Master, it's not that I don't believe you, it's just that I'm already like this... even if I rise again, what good will it do? Where can I go to start over, just like you, and stay on this ship forever?"

“起者，动身走也。”

The black-robed monk did not answer the question directly. He simply lowered his eyes, resumed his original seated posture, and said, "Young benefactor, you have cultivated for long enough."

"Let's go out for a walk."

Chapter 560: A Real Man's Game

Although it's called going out, the ship is actually only this big. Once you leave the cabin, you're on the deck.

The sea breeze on my face always carried a hint of saltiness. Whether it was the black-robed monk's comforting words or the wider perspective, standing on the deck, the monotonous sea did indeed take on a somewhat magnificent and awe-inspiring quality.

He also figured it out; the sound he had just heard in the cabin was like chopping dumpling filling.

Robin, the guy in the yellow cowboy shirt, was sitting opposite Ah Tian. Each of them placed one hand on the table with the back of their hand facing up, then pulled out a dagger and stabbed it into the back of their hand!

With their fingers spread out, there are four gaps between them. They quickly stab the gaps with the tip of their knives, making a clattering sound.

Zhang Renfeng was dumbfounded. He unconsciously thought of the local thugs, who had a unique culture—in other places, it was a competition of who could cut the other more, but here it was the opposite, a competition of who could be more ruthless to themselves.

When the two sides clash, without saying a word, someone lies down on the main road and gets their leg crushed by a carriage, while their own people cheer. The question is, do you dare to try? If you do, then we'll replicate it, increasing the stakes in the second round. If you don't, then you should just admit defeat.

"This is at……"

"Oh, you're awake?" Robin caught a glimpse of Zhang Renfeng out of the corner of his eye, then twirled his knife with a flourish, impaling the intricately carved dagger on the wooden table. He chuckled, "This is called 'A Swift Knife Piercing Between Fingers.' In America, it's a game only real men dare to play. Want to give it a try?"

"Quick Knife Through the Finger," as the name suggests, is all about speed. In reality, a round only costs a few cents, and if you miss even slightly, the dagger will cut your finger. This cheap thrill and excitement is perfect for cash-strapped cowboys.

Ah Tian looked somewhat confused; for him, the fun of this game remained a mystery.

"Women's games, daggers, fingers, utterly boring." The tall Zhuo Gen leaned against the mast, mocking him while making a strange gesture. "The elephant keeper, you're a good man, don't be like him. And you, Iron Man."

"Let's settle this like men!"

……

Zhang Renfeng stood there listening for a long time. When Zhuo Gen suddenly looked at him with a smile, he was stunned for a while before realizing that the "Iron Man" was calling him.

"Huh?" He frowned. "Why Iron Man?"

"Your body has been beaten until it is as hard as iron."

Zhuo Gen carried a table out of the cabin and slammed it onto the deck. He leaned forward slightly, occupying one corner of the table, his right elbow resting on it. Despite the cultural differences, Zhang Renfeng knew what he was going to do from this posture and was momentarily taken aback. Since he was very young, no one had ever asked him to do this kind of thing.

"You want to arm wrestle with me?" Zhang Renfeng tilted his head, still incredulous.

"No fancy stuff, just a test of strength." Zhuo Gen's rugged face was filled with a smile that suggested he had found his prey. "Do you dare?"

----

"Everyone is in your place!"

Ah Tian took on the role of referee, speaking loudly from beside the table. Zhang Renfeng also grasped Zhuo Gen's hand—it wasn't as hard as he had imagined, but it was a size larger than his own palm. Their wrists were lightly touching, but his thoughts remained on the words the black-robed monk had just spoken.

They set off.

So, here we go.

Sitting still makes it easy to overthink. From the clearest perspective, things have already turned out this way, and you're already on this journey. Thinking more is useless and will only harm your health due to excessive worry and fear. The best solution is to get out of bed immediately, find something to do outside, and distract yourself.

Even a game that only requires physical strength and doesn't require any brainpower is better than...

"start!"

"Bang---!!"

As soon as the referee finished speaking, Zhuo Gen suddenly exerted force and slammed Zhang Renfeng's right hand onto the table with a loud bang.

……

Zhang Renfeng stared blankly at his right hand that was being pinned down. His expression froze for a moment, his pupils dilated, and he repeatedly confirmed that what was being pressed down was indeed his own hand.

"One to zero, Iron Man."

Across from him, Zhuo Gen raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a provocative smile. "Perhaps I overestimated you. You seem to be nothing special after all."

"Huh?" Zhang Renfeng tilted his head, his face darkening.

"Second round, begin!"

"Thump—!!"

Zhuo Gen's expression also changed. This time, Zhang Renfeng retaliated almost immediately, slamming the back of his hand heavily onto the table. The immense wrist strength emanated from this arm, which seemed less robust than his own, instantly killing him without leaving him even the slightest chance to fight back.

"It's one to one now." After the victory, Zhang Renfeng narrowed his eyes slightly. "Don't underestimate your opponent, Ma Wang."

"Oh, interesting..."

Before A-Tian could give the order, Zhuo Gen suddenly pulled his shoulder, using his shoulder and elbow to move his wrist, turning a grip into a hook, and taking advantage of the larger palm to directly grab Zhang Renfeng's fingers. This was no longer an arm-wrestling posture, but a pure contest of brute force, and the marble-like muscles under that bronze skin instantly tensed.

Zhang Renfeng tried to deflect the force by touching the wrist, but it was like a close-quarters battle. He was a step too slow, and his right hand was pressed down on the table again.

"Two to one, Iron Man." Zhuo Gen's smile was very smug. "You've been tricked."

Zhang Renfeng took a deep breath, twisted his free left wrist around once, and pushed out with great force, slamming his palm into the edge of the table!

"boom----!!"

The table was easily pushed, hitting Zhuo Gen's abdomen. Taking advantage of the moment when Zhuo Gen's attention shifted downwards, Zhang Renfeng pulled the captured right hand towards his chest, and his left elbow was pressed against Zhuo Gen's right elbow. He twisted his waist to the left, leaned his upper body forward, and with a twisting force, pressed down on Zhuo Gen's right arm with his left elbow, forming a standard joint lock.

"?!"

A sharp pain shot through his bones, and Zhuo Gen's expression changed drastically. To resist the attack, he had to push off the ground with both feet and spin in the air to dissipate the circular force. But Zhang Renfeng immediately noticed this and leaped across the table, the two of them crossing in opposite directions in mid-air, exchanging positions, but the force was still not dissipated.

"Bang---!!"

The commotion was quite loud, and the tabletop was slightly cracked.

Zhang Renfeng pinned Zhuo Gen's wrist down.

"Two to two." Zhang Renfeng released his wrist and laughed, "Kung Fu... is something that requires even more brainpower."

"Hahahaha—! I knew I hadn't misjudged you!" Zhuo Gen shook his wrist, which had been captured, and even stuck out his tongue to lick his lips. "So..."

"bring it on!"

One last time, neither of them used any tricks; they simply returned to clasping their hands together. Like two bulls locked in a horn-butting contest, neither was willing to give in first. Their expressions were calm, but the wooden table was creaking incessantly. The cracks that had been created earlier seemed to be slowly widening without them even noticing.

"Dong dong!"

"Dong dong!"

……

Zhuo Gen's heartbeat grew louder and louder, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, but he was smiling, only his smile became more and more ferocious.

The two hands, which had been still, began to tremble slightly.

"boom----!!"

The next moment, the poor wooden table split in two and shattered on the ground.

----

"It's a pity... since we're not on land, this ship is still too small for us." Zhuo Gen shook the fragments in his hand and laughed, "Iron Man, remember, this isn't over yet."

"One day..." Zhang Renfeng's heart beat faster. Since boarding the ship, he hadn't smiled in a long time. He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I will definitely have a contest with you to see who wins!"

Chapter 561: Even when you can't see me, I still wish you good morning, good afternoon, and good night.

Upon entering the captain's cabin, Zhang Renfeng felt as if he had stepped into an old museum. Scrolls, books, bamboo slips... all sorts of written materials were piled up in the space, stacked as high as pillars. This made the originally spacious area seem cramped.