How long, REALLY, was Xuanming Elder's encounter with Zhang Real Man?

[PJ]

In describing the real time encounter between Zhang Sanfeng and the Xuanming Elder, Jin Yong made it seem like all that happened was Zhang Sanfeng placed a hand on the Xuanming Elder's shoulder, and victory was the Real Man's.

However, in chapter 27, it's said for the original incident, Zhang Sanfeng actually had a palm-to-palm clash with the Xuanming Elder, which was not described in the novel (in so far as I remember).

The exact quote is: 那玄冥神掌何等厉害，当年在武当山上，甚至和张三丰都对得一掌

The Xuanming Divine Palm is so powerful, it had been a match for one of Zhang Sanfeng's palms on Mt. Wudang years ago...

Which begs the question, what exactly happened in that encounter? Was there more than told in real time?

[forgot password]

that sentence is obviously a mistake. there is absolutely not any palm clash in chapter 10 where zsf pwned the xuanming dude.

[jiang bao]

Another one of many goofs in the novels. Gotta wonder who they hired as proof readers.

[PJ]

that sentence is obviously a mistake. there is absolutely not any palm clash in chapter 10 where zsf pwned the xuanming dude.

Just because it's not explicitly described in real time, does not necessarily denote it did not happen. Some things are told retrospectively.

[forgot password]

in chapter 10 zsf explained the dangers of the xuan ming divine palm to his students so maybe in his young years he once fought with the man who taught the xuanming 2 elders? judging by zsf's surprise when he knew that there were still practicians of the xuanming divine palm in chapter 10, i guess that man went to wudang to challenge zsf but lost and got his signature martial arts destroyed.