Chapter 10: Into the Tiger's Den

Generally, as long as one has killed and seen blood, there is no difference between killing one and killing ten.

Feng Yi killed Xia Wan Chong, thus passing this hurdle. Moreover, having self-taught Shen Zhao Gong and Wu Ying Shen Quan but not yet tested their power, he took these government runners as targets for practice, so he showed no mercy.

These jailers, on the fifteenth of every month for three years, had whipped Ding Dian; now that he is leaving, this also counts as revenge, and he shows no mercy. Seeing Feng Yi's clean and decisive strike, he inwardly praised him and laughed: 'I don't think it will take a year for your fame to spread throughout the martial world!'

Ding Dian, of extraordinary insight, knew that Feng Yi's martial arts comprehension was truly astonishing; combined with his meticulous mind and decisive killing, such a person would find it hard not to become famous. Seeing his own methods, Feng Yi also felt somewhat relieved.

He felt he was too strong; even though Shen Zhao Gong had not yet reached great accomplishment, it was already this awesome—how formidable would it become later?

But hearing Ding Dian praise himself, he couldn't help recalling the original plot where Ding Dian's Shen Zhao Gong reached great accomplishment, making him even more formidable—yet he was poisoned to death!

Thus, in the jianghu, no matter how high one's martial arts, one must be cautious!

Feng Yi smiled, drew a single-edged sword from a jailer's waist, and said: 'Brother Ding, we have suffered enough; the iron chain on your pipa bone is hard to deal with, so take off these handcuffs and shackles.'

The two exchanged a smile; Feng Yi sank into a horse stance and straightened the iron chains on his hands.

Ding Dian took the sword, infused it with internal energy, swung it out; a white light like a silk ribbon flashed, with a clang, sparks flew, and Feng Yi's hand chain broke.

Ding Dian swung the sword again, also cutting his foot chain in half.

Feng Yi saw that the iron chain was as thick as a braid, yet Ding Dian cut it with an ordinary single-edged sword; the true power attached was truly extraordinary, and he secretly marveled.

Ding Dian said: 'The manacles on our hands and feet, however, are not easy to break; not to mention my divine skill is not yet complete, and even if it were, if we mishandle the force, our hands and feet would be ruined!'

Feng Yi understood this principle; the manacles binding his hands and feet, located on his wrists and ankles, when struck with a blade, lack sufficient force and cannot be cut.

But if the force were applied too deeply, with his strength, would it not dislocate his hands and feet? Ding Dian, knowing his power had not yet reached proficiency, naturally dared not take the risk.

However, with the middle of the chain removed, even though each end still cuffed his hands and feet, Feng Yi stretched out his hand and kicked his leg, feeling indescribably relieved, and laughed: 'This is already quite loose!'

Ding Dian handed him the sword: 'You come help me!'

Feng Yi took the sword, gathered power in his right arm, exerted force to chop Ding Dian's iron chain; with a crack, unexpectedly the single-edged sword broke, while the iron chain only got a notch.

He had thought his internal strength was inferior to Ding Dian's, but cutting the chain should have been no problem; who would have expected this result.

Seeing Feng Yi's failure, Ding Dian asked: 'You don't know how to use a sword?'

Feng Yi grunted in acknowledgment.

The way of martial arts is vast and profound; thus some excel in fists and feet, while others excel in weapons.

Just like Linghu Chong in The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, whose internal strength is deep and who holds a sword, making him nearly invincible under heaven.

With bare hands his ability is merely average; yet, according to the essentials of the Dugu Nine Swords, he clearly sees the opponent's flaw and can strike to hit them, only because he does not know how to channel power, he cannot injure a skilled opponent.

Now Feng Yi is the opposite: he knows how to attach internal force to his fists and feet, but correctly infusing internal energy into a weapon to break a chain is another matter entirely.

Thus, the internal energy of Feng Yi's minor accomplishment in Shen Zhao Gong and Ding Dian's internal energy are not qualitatively different, but when displayed with a sword, the difference is enormous.

Ding Dian pondered briefly, already understood the principle, and said: 'No one taught you superior martial arts in the Longsha Gang, so it's not your fault.'

The sword emphasizes heaviness, so sword techniques mostly take the path of hardness and strength; however, true masters of the sword possess both hardness and agility.

Therefore, to break the iron chain, one must not use hard force.

The strike appears heavy and clumsy, but in reality it is as if there and yet not there.

At the instant the blade contacts the iron chain, the blade edge tilts slightly, the force turns; at that moment the preceding force has not yet dissipated while the following force arrives—this is the principle of Butcher Ding dissecting an ox, using no thickness to enter the gap.

Thus, although it seems merely a single chop, the forces overlap and multiply, stacking to become heavy enough to overcome strength with weakness and cut the iron chain.

Feng Yi, being intelligent and having internal energy at the right stage, suddenly realized; with a swish, he drew another sword from a government runner's waist.

When he chopped again, the force was as if present yet absent, as if real yet unreal; as the blade edge touched the iron chain, only a red qi rose from below Feng Yi's neck, straight up to his brow.

With a soft 'screech', the iron chain indeed broke.

Feng Yi felt both grateful and admiring toward Ding Dian, saying: 'Many thanks, Brother Ding, for your guidance.'

Saying this, he followed the method and swung the sword, also severing the iron chain beneath Ding Dian's feet.

Ding Dian bent down, searched the jailer's body, produced a bunch of keys, and said: 'Let's go!' leading the way.

Feng Yi unfastened the sword scabbard, closely followed, returned the sword to its sheath, and tucked it at his waist.

Seeing this, Ding Dian couldn't help but laugh: 'You don't know swordsmanship, yet you carry a sword.'

Feng Yi gave him a sideways glance: 'Not carrying a sword, does that still count as being a jianghu person?'

Do you think I, this little chief, came here for nothing? Back then I, with a single-edged sword, slaughtered the Dongting Gang's lackeys, cutting down more than ten in a row, as if chopping vegetables, without even blinking.

Ding Dian laughed heartily: 'Your eyes aren't working?'

Feng Yi felt his lungs ache from that remark, and involuntarily punched Ding Dian, saying: 'You've gone off topic.'

Ding Dian opened the iron gate of the prison, the two left the government prison, looked up at the sky, and saw only a high-hanging round moon, everywhere a bright silver sheen.

Ding Dian couldn't help sighing: 'What a beautiful night!'

A voice sounded in Feng Yi's mind: 【Drip, host and allies have slain fifteen ordinary-level enemies, earning 15 achievement points, triggering the mission: let Ding Dian and Ling Shuanghua finally become a couple, escape the deadly calamity, reward 100 achievement points.】

Feng Yi thought: 'No mission, I would have done this anyway; this wave is not a loss.'

Ding Dian, not knowing what he was thinking, took a few steps to a fire-prevention water vat, looked at his reflection in the water, and saw a face full of beard, an iron chain threaded through his pipa bone, ragged clothes, resembling a savage.

Feng Yi gathered himself and said: 'Brother Ding, hurry to see Miss Ling.'

Ding Dian shook his head: 'How could I see Shuanghua looking like this? No……'

Feng Yi blinked, then said: 'Do we still have time to worry about appearance? I'm not much different from you; moreover, the more miserable you look, the easier it is to gain sympathy, making it easier for Miss Ling to elope with you!'

Ding Dian shook his head: 'If it were only to see Shuanghua, this appearance would be fine. But today I swear to take her away; how could I meet people looking like this?'

Feng Yi both felt that this mission's reward of 100 achievement points indicated high difficulty, and he simply could not understand Ding Dian's mood.

If it were him, going to see a beloved he hadn't met in years and asking her to elope, would he end up disheveled? That remains unknown.

Ding Dian frowned slightly and said: 'Moreover, even if I disregard appearance, I need to find a place where I can calmly draw the iron chain from my pipa bone; otherwise, once I encounter a fierce battle, I will surely be at a disadvantage.'

Saying this, he walked to the wall, gathered his breath, leapt up, and scrambled onto the walltop.

Feng Yi thought the same; since Ding Dian's pipa bone was pierced, it would certainly affect his power display; Feng Yi tapped his foot and, with a 'Pulling Out the Radish', also scrambled onto the wall.

On the walltop, the two looked around and saw no guards; they jumped down, and Ding Dian said: 'I thought coming out would inevitably involve a fierce fight; who knew it would be this easy. It seems Ling Tui Si no longer harbors defensive intentions toward me, so he has withdrawn the outer guards.'

Saying this, he sighed deeply: 'Shuanghua has a personal maid named Ju You; in Wuchang City I was able to recognize Shuanghua, and it all began because of her words.'

I was imprisoned by Ling Tui Si, entirely thanks to Shuanghua letting Ju You come see me once; she didn't dare say a word, only pointing to the window sill on a distant high-rise.

I saw a pot of fresh flowers on the windowsill and knew it was Shuanghua who placed it there as my companion.

Otherwise, how could I have endured to now? Back then I was only locked up for a month and almost went mad.

But she was shot to death by Ling Tui Si's people, alas...

Feng Yi saw Ding Dian again lost in memories of the past and said, "Ling Tui Si never expected the Divine Illumination Technique to be so wonderful; someone whose shoulder blades were pierced and tendons severed can still practice high-level martial arts. So we weren't valued much, but now we've killed someone and can't delay."

"I've avenged Ju You's grudge for you!"

Ding Dian chuckled, and the two again leapt over the high wall ahead. Outside was a narrow alley. Ding Dian walked to the end of the alley, Feng Yi followed, and upon leaving the alley they reached the street.

Ding Dian seemed extremely familiar with the lanes of Jingzhou City; after crossing one street and two alleys, he arrived at the door of an iron shop.

Ding Dian pushed against the gate; with a soft "pa" sound, the bolt snapped from inside.

As soon as they entered the shop, the blacksmith, still dazed, was grabbed by Ding Dian and lifted up, who coldly said, "Open the chains!"

The blacksmith's vision was still fuzzy, but in the moonlight he took in their appearances and instantly shuddered, almost as if he wanted to write "escaped convict" on their faces.

The blacksmith thought he had encountered a great bandit, his three hun and seven po nearly flying from his body in fright; yet, despite his fear, he lit a candle and began to chisel shackles for the two.

Ding Dian seized the moment to pull the iron chain from his shoulder blade; Feng Yi saw the blood‑stained chain being drawn from Ding Dian's scapula, and he showed no change of expression.

Feng Yi couldn't help thinking, "If Ding Dian didn't have Shuanghua, he would be a decisive, iron‑willed hero of the jianghu. But because of a woman, he seems to have become another person."

"The gentle village is indeed a hero's grave — truly not deceiving me! From now on I will certainly take this to heart."

With a "clang", Ding Dian's shackles were chiseled open, and he asked the blacksmith, "Do you have water?" "Yes, there's a well in the courtyard." The blacksmith, about to chisel Feng Yi's shackles, quickly nodded.

Ding Dian said, "I'm going to wash up!"

Feng Yi grunted in acknowledgment.

Ding Dian entered the rear courtyard.

Feng Yi, meanwhile, used the time while the blacksmith was chiseling the shackles to reflect on martial arts.

He now increasingly felt himself to be useless.

Without the system, he estimated he would remain the lowest of the low for his whole life.

Then, lacking talent, he must be diligent.

Make use of every usable moment.

Just as the blacksmith finished chiseling Feng Yi's shackles, Feng Yi felt an indescribable lightness, tapped the blacksmith's sleep‑inducing acupoint, and said, "You might as well keep sleeping!" before laying him on the bed.

Immediately circulating his qi to warm up the Shadowless Fist Technique, he threw a sudden punch; the room instantly went dark, and the punch's wind even extinguished a candle five feet away.

Feng Yi saw that even a casual punch had such force, and he was overjoyed. He relit the candle, then noticed the rear window paper had split a slit; just as he was feeling pleased, he felt a light tap on his shoulder.

With Feng Yi's current skill, someone could reach behind him and he wouldn't notice; startled, he lashed his left hand backward, then turned, swapping light and shadow.

Only eight feet away stood a middle‑aged man in gray clothes, with long brows, handsome eyes, and a beard reaching his chest; his gaze radiated heroic vigor, his face seemed familiar, and he smiled, saying, "How? You don't recognize me?"

Feng Yi gasped in surprise, immediately recognized him, and shouted, "Ah, it's you, Great Hero Ding!"

It turned out Ding Dian had changed his clothes and washed his face clean of dust, so Feng Yi momentarily failed to recognize him.

Ding Dian said with a smile, "On the martial path, haste makes waste — especially with high‑level martial arts."

Feng Yi gave a wry smile; as he turned, he thought the person was only two or three feet away, but Ding Dian's pat sent him floating several yards — if he wanted to kill Feng Yi, it would be a mere raise of hand, leaving Feng Yi somewhat disheartened.

Ding Dian stepped forward and patted his shoulder, saying, "To escape early, I've been training hard, painstakingly practicing the Divine Illumination Classic, hoping to complete my cultivation soon, break free, and get Shuanghua out of trouble."

But the Divine Illumination Technique relies on subtle natural insight, not mere hard practice; you achieved this in a single night — who knows how many envy you — yet if you're still not resolute enough, it may not be a good thing! Having said that, he turned and left.

Feng Yi sighed and followed.

He also realized his own problem.

Simply because he knew the abilities of some martial arts masters, and the people of this Liancheng world were excessively wicked and dark, he therefore craved absolute strength to an unhealthy degree.

With their shackles gone, both felt an indescribable lightness underfoot, and Feng Yi said on the road, "Great Hero Ding, tonight you must take Miss Ling away — you absolutely cannot be soft‑hearted."

"If she has any notion of bidding farewell to her father, you must not agree — remember this!"

"Moreover, if anything changes, if I offend Miss Ling, you must not turn against me!"

Ding Dian gave no clear answer.

Feng Yi guessed he must have reservations and said, "Great Hero Ding, speaking bluntly, even if you take Miss Ling, your life will be one of living for today with no tomorrow."

"Don't even think about starting a family or establishing a career."

"If you want to marry and have children, sooner or later people will see through your true face — when could you ever be at ease? So, Great Hero Ding, treating a girl not always yielding to her is itself an expression of love."

What Feng Yi said, Ding Dian, being clever, had naturally considered; he had received Mei Niansheng's inheritance, which everyone in the jianghu knows.

Once he shows up in the jianghu, how could there be any moment of peace? Even if he were invincible under heaven, he could not escape constant annoyance.

Feng Yi saw that Ding Dian was overly sentimental; making friends with such a person is naturally good, but cooperating cannot maximize benefit, so he corrected his view of love with a sentence.

After a while, Ding Dian smiled and said, "How do you plan to proceed? Speak plainly."

Feng Yi said, word by word, "We are going to steal a person, not take a wife!"

Ding Dian's foot paused, a gleam flashed in his eyes as he glared at Feng Yi, who did not avoid the gaze.

Ding Dian suddenly burst out laughing, "Damn it! What's there to think about? If she blames me, I can't even care! I can't let her stay here suffering!"

Feng Yi felt relieved; the two arrived quickly, and in a moment they reached the side wall of the Jingzhou Prefecture.

The two looked up at the sky; tonight was the sixteenth, a bright moon like a silver basin hanging in the heavens, casting their beards and hair silver.

Ding Dian exhaled a long sigh and said softly, "If you leave now, you could gain everything without any risk."

Feng Yi's eyes gleamed; he looked at Ding Dian and said arrogantly, "If I leave now, I fear that later, when I use the Divine Illumination Technique, my heart will feel lacking!"

Ding Dian gave a faint smile and leapt onto the wall.

Feng Yi also leapt up, saying, "Be sure to watch out for the Golden Wave Ten‑day Flower; even if you meet Miss Ling, don't let your IQ drop to zero the moment you see her!"

"\"IQ to zero? \" Ding Dian stared, dumbfounded."

"In short, when you encounter any flowers or grasses, or see Miss Ling, don't just rush to embrace her all at once!"

Feng Yi said as he jumped down the wall.

Ding Dian muttered softly, "You really underestimate me; I've already suffered a loss once, how could I not be on guard?" He also jumped down.

After they jumped down the wall, they saw pitch darkness with no lights; artificial hills and trees crisscrossed the way. Fortunately, Ding Dian was very familiar with the gates of the Ling Manor, passing through corridors and rooms as if walking in his own home.

They had just passed a corridor when Ding Dian suddenly shouted, "Careful!"

Feng Yi startled, then immediately composed himself.

As Ding Dian's shout faded, seven or eight figures emerged from the bushes beside the corridor and lunged at them.

Several staff shadows swept low at Ding Dian; he coldly smiled, suddenly stepped forward with his left foot, snapping the staff heads in one go, and unleashed a chain of punches.

With thuds, those ambushers didn't even see a clear figure before rolling helplessly into the bushes.

On Feng Yi's side, a white blade thrust straight at him, while two others slashed at his waist and ribs; the three attacks were swift and heavy, truly formidable.

Feng Yi grunted, shot out his right hand, actually closing in to seize the blade aimed at his head; in an instant, his swift counter grabbed the attacker's wrist.

He swayed nearby, threw a punch; the man grunted and fell, while he simultaneously planted his feet and leapt up.

With a clang, the two blades aimed at his waist and ribs missed, clashing together and sending sparks flying.

Feng Yi laughed loudly, simultaneously kicking out with both feet; though he had never learned leg techniques, the Divine Illumination Technique made his legs agile and unpredictable, striking the chins of the two attackers flanking him.

His punches and kicks were extraordinarily fast; the two spat blood and also collapsed to the ground.

Although Ding Dian knew Feng Yi would win, he hadn't expected it to be so swift and clean; his joy was beyond words, and he only smiled, saying, "Not bad, not bad, truly not bad!"

Feng Yi said, "The matter is exposed; I'll hold this spot, you go bring people!"

He had just spoken a few words when he heard footsteps all around; a troop carrying torches came rushing over.

Feng Yi looked left and right; in the torchlight he saw that the arrivals were not constables but sturdy men in black tight clothing, armed with various weapons, over fifty of them, all stern-faced and silent.

Feng Yi's face darkened as he said, "That old scoundrel even brought the elite of the Dragon Sand Gang over!"

He recognized them as the tough fighters of the Dragon Sand Gang who dare to fight and do; in clashes with other gangs, they rely on these people.

Ding Dian nodded grimly and said, "It seems succeeding today will be no easy task."

"You can still make it if you leave now!"

Feng Yi gave a long laugh and said, "You underestimate me too much! Against these people, if I were to run, I might as well slash my throat with a knife!"

Suddenly a sinister voice said, "Feng Yi, you treacherous wretch who betrays your superiors, how dare you utter such boastful words?"

Feng Yi glanced sideways and saw he was thin and gaunt, with hardly any flesh on his face, a single blade hanging at his waist, then coldly said, "Wang Zhaoxiang, this isn't three years ago when you begged me to save you, is it?"

The man called Wang Zhaoxiang, hearing this, felt a flush rise on his deathly pale face, clasped his fists in a bow, and said, "Three years ago, if you hadn't rescued me from the Cavern Court Gang, I wouldn't be here today."

But back then we were in the same gang, jointly resisting external foes; now I act on the Dragon Head's orders to capture the traitor!

Feng Yi grunted, stepped forward, and shouted loudly, "Great Dragon Head, I know you're out there; now I'm completely surrounded by you—you, this big shot, ought to make a grand entrance!"

(End of chapter)