Chapter 106

Feng Yi's lightness skill was rare under heaven; in one breath he darted over ten li, arriving before a ruined temple, only then did he stop, loosen his arms, and set the two women down.

Cheng Ying was flexing her numb limbs, while Lu Wushuang had already been seething with anger, her face flushed; now that she was free, a murderous look flashed in her eyes, and she swung a slap at Feng Yi's face.

She knew the other party was formidable, but as an unmarried young woman held under a man's arm, unable to move, not striking him once left her feeling utterly aggrieved.

Feng Yi's eyes turned cold, about to retaliate, when unexpectedly a plain white jade hand shot out, hooking and sweeping, already seizing Lu Wushuang's pulse point.

Lu Wushuang couldn't break free, shocked and furious, she glared hatefully at Cheng Ying and snapped: "Look at you, strange and weird, not a good person. His boldness is all because you've spoiled him."

She had already seen that Feng Yi treated Cheng Ying differently from the norm; compared to how he treated her, it was better, so she concluded the two were in league together.

Cheng Ying gave a bitter smile: "He's doing it to save us, not deliberately taking advantage of us!"

She knew Feng Yi's conduct was improper, also knew her cousin's thoughts, and moreover knew that someone as self-centered as Feng Yi would not be willing to let her hit him.

Lu Wushuang, however, found it baffling, gave a heh heh laugh and said: "Saving us? You really are good at making excuses for him."

Cheng Ying laughed: "Now with snow flying everywhere, tracking by footprints is as easy as it gets. With our lightness skills, how could we not leave footprints? Someone like Li Mochou needs no explanation from me."

Feng Yi saw that she understood his feelings, and was arguing for him with his cousin, and he felt a hint of sweet satisfaction, so he remained silent.

After all, he truly did not want to meet Li Mochou; if that woman came to kill Lu Wushuang and clean up the sect, should he intervene or not?

Feeling guilty and ashamed either way, he simply ran away— the easiest course.

Lu Wushuang also came to understand: if she fled alone, footprints in the snow would let her master track her down. But a few words from Cheng Ying made her seem unable to tell good from bad, narrow-minded; in a flash of anger she laughed coldly: "That Feng's martial arts are certainly not inferior to Li Mochou's; if he wants to help us, why must he skulk like a mouse seeing a cat?"

Cheng Ying glanced at Feng Yi and said softly: "He has unavoidable difficulties."

After all, she knew Feng Yi's relationship with Hong Lingbo, but for a moment she could not find the right words to say to Lu Wushuang.

Yet Feng Yi let out a cold laugh and said: "If it weren't for Lingbo and your cousin's sake, you'd just be waiting for Li Mochou to do you in!"

Lu Wushuang's beautiful eyes turned cold: "Surname Feng…" She suddenly realized, turned to Cheng Ying, and asked: "What? You're my cousin?"

Cheng Ying nodded silently.

Lu Wushuang gazed at her and added: "How did you end up like this?"

Feng Yi said: "She's wearing a human-skin mask."

Lu Wushuang exclaimed, threw herself into Cheng Ying's arms, and yanked off her mask.

Snow fell soundlessly; upon seeing Cheng Ying's true face, Feng Yi was also startled.

This start was not only because of her beauty; it was because she resembled someone from his past life.

He saw her complexion crystalline, her skin glowing like snow, on her oval face a small dimple, faintly shy.

Feng Yi had seen many beauties, but Cheng Ying's oval face reminded him of Liu Yifei from his previous life.

She was a beauty who would not lose to any woman in comparison!

Feng Yi clicked his tongue in admiration: "It turns out the real Cheng Ying is the woman who resembles Liu Yifei, not Xiao Longnv!"

Cheng Ying's oval face truly set off her fresh, tranquil, and moist temperament to the utmost, elevating her entire bearing.

Damn, she's gorgeous! In short, Cheng Ying's beauty, while not matching the peerless loveliness of Xiao Longnv seen in this world, certainly does not fall short of great beauties like Guo Fu, Shui Sheng, Qi Fang, Huang Rong, and Li Mochou; her looks even surpass those of Hong Lingbo, Lu Wushuang, and Yelü Yan. He silently praised: "Only one born with such a visage could justify my curiosity about her."

Lu Wushuang leaned against Cheng Ying and said: "Cousin, have you been well these years? How did you come here?" Speaking, her shoulders trembled and tears already fell.

Cheng Ying's shoulders also shook uncontrollably as she said: "I've been fine; I was taken as a disciple by the master of Peach Blossom Island."

Upon hearing that, Lu Wushuang instantly felt a surge of grievance, tears bursting forth like a broken dam. She had taken Li Mochou as her master only because Hong Lingbo had pleaded for her, while her cousin had met Huang Yaoshi.

Feng Yi saw the two women reunite after a long separation, touching and moving, and not wishing to disturb them, he led the way into the temple.

The temple had long been without incense, dilapidated beyond repair; Feng Yi gathered some dry firewood and lit it, the light revealing inches-thick dust everywhere, showing that no human trace remained for ages; he was about to retreat.

Cheng Ying, who followed him in, said: "No problem, just tidy up a bit."

Feng Yi replied: "Better to find another town."

Lu Wushuang also said: "I haven't eaten today."

Cheng Ying laughed: "I have dry rations in my pack."

Lu Wushuang snorted: "I want meat."

Cheng Ying said: "Feng elder brother," her snow-white cheeks flushing: "I'm hungry too; let us tidy this place, and trouble you to go into the woods and rustle up some game for us."

At that moment she had already secretly made a decision in her heart, but her complexion was fair and she blushed easily; as soon as she spoke, she flushed rosy as a peach blossom, stirring Feng Yi's heart greatly, and he silently sighed: "What does it mean for one's three views to follow one's five features? This is it!"

Lu Wushuang, however, could not let go of her resentment, shouting angrily: "I won't eat the game she hunts!"

"Is that so rare?" Feng Yi scoffed: "Give me the Five Poisons secret transmission, and I'll leave at once."

Lu Wushuang glared at him suddenly and snapped: "What gives you the right?"

Feng Yi, unwilling to indulge her, barked: "Just because I'm stronger than you! In my eyes you're like chickens and ducks in the kitchen, a lamb awaiting slaughter; searching you by force, what's so hard about that?"

Lu Wushuang fumed: "You're shameless, cousin, look!"

But see Cheng Ying's eyes fixed on Feng Yi, her lips trembling, her pupils gradually growing hazy.

Feng Yi saw her strange state, assuming she resented him for not helping her kill Li Mochou, and utterly unaware that his offhand remark had wounded her heart, he said: "Miss Cheng, I cannot kill Li Mochou."

Cheng Ying forced a smile: "It's nothing, Wushuang; if you get Li Mochou's Five Poisons secret transmission, just give it to him."

A young lady's reserve had already diluted her earlier shyness and joy; hearing Feng Yi's words, she suddenly realized he was only after the Five Poisons secret transmission, not for her at all. Her earlier thoughts had been sheer ignorant fantasy, and she couldn't help but mock herself.

Feng Yi consistently self-centered; in his genuine dealings with women, he treated them like merchandise awaiting customers—if he liked them he'd buy, if not he'd forget, and he simply had no idea how to promote himself.

His ability to give lessons to Li Mochou and Xiao Longnv merely stemmed from knowing their experiences—that is, an advantage of foreknowledge—and how could he truly understand a maiden's heart?

However, Feng Yi invariably does as he pleases; seeing Cheng Ying like this, he even felt a bit wronged, saying: "Forget it, you two sisters have a good chat; I'll go hunt some game." And he went out.

Cheng Ying gazed at Feng Yi's back, her mind wandering, lost in thought; then she heard sobbing, turned her head, and saw Lu Wushuang pouting her little mouth, face streaked with tears, asking: "What's wrong?"

Lu Wushuang choked: "I… I also don't know why… I just… want to cry…"

Cheng Ying knew her cousin had been spoiled since childhood, with a great temper, yet she had happened upon Feng Yi, who indulged her not at all, and she could do nothing about it, so she felt aggrieved in her heart.

She also didn't know how to comfort her; noticing a broom in the corner, she rolled up her sleeves and swept the snow off the ground.

Cheng Ying acted efficiently and with cleverness; like a gust of wind, she soon had the floor spotless.

Feng Yi also easily bagged a wild hare and a mountain pheasant, brought them back, saw the ruined temple now neat and orderly, and couldn't help thinking: "In my past life, a woman capable of managing a household ought to be just like this!"

Cheng Ying and Lu Wushuang plucked the feathers and fur from the pheasant and wild rabbit, washed them clean with snow, added the spices Cheng Ying carried with her, and began to roast them.

Translation: Cheng Ying and Lu Wushuang removed the skins and fur of the mountain chicken and wild rabbit, washed them clean with snow, added the spices Cheng Ying carried on her person, and began to roast them.

Make sure it's one line.

While roasting, Cheng Ying chatted with Lu Wushuang, and they each recounted their own experiences, sometimes laughing, sometimes tearing up.

Translation: Cheng Ying roasted while talking with Lu Wushuang; both recounted their own experiences, sometimes laughing, sometimes tearing up.

Soon a wonderful aroma filled the air, making mouths water; the two girls beamed with joy, while Feng Yi simply held his wine jug, staring blankly into space.

Translation: Soon a strange fragrance assailed the nose, making mouths water; the two women beamed with delight, while Feng Yi held his wine jug, dazed.

He clearly believed that, for various reasons, he and Cheng Ying were no longer kindred spirits. Yet, bathed in the firelight, Cheng Ying's flushed cheeks were truly captivating, and he couldn't help feeling that having her by his side would be the greatest joy in life—just as Huang Yaoshi had said, missing her would surely be regretted, and now it seemed true.

Translation: He clearly believed, for various reasons, that Cheng Ying and he were no longer kindred spirits. Yet in the firelight, Cheng Ying's flushed pink face was truly captivating; he couldn't help feeling that having her company would be a lifetime joy, and Huang Yaoshi's saying that missing her would surely bring regret seemed to prove true.

His heart began to pound again.

Translation: His heart began to thump thump again.

Yet just moments ago he had firmly resolved to part ways amicably—so how could a single glance at someone's appearance instantly stir his thoughts again?

Translation: Yet he had just resolved to part ways amicably; how could a single glance at someone's appearance instantly stir his thoughts again?

Feng Yi secretly wondered: "Could it really be that I'm so shallow that I can't move my feet when I see a beautiful woman? But Lu Wushuang and Guo Fu are also beautiful—why don't I feel that way about them?"

Translation: Feng Yi secretly wondered: "Could it be that I'm really this shallow, unable to move my feet upon seeing a beauty? But Lu Wushuang and Guo Fu are beauties too—why don't I feel that way about them?"

After speaking with her cousin, Lu Wushuang glanced at Feng Yi and saw him holding his wine jug, staring dreamily at her sister, and said, "Mr. Feng, are you secretly happy again?"

Translation: Lu Wushuang chatted with her cousin, glanced sideways at Feng Yi, saw him holding his wine jug, staring foolishly at her cousin, and said, "Surname Feng, are you secretly happy again?"

Feng Yi snapped out of his reverie, gave a faint smile, and replied, "What do I have to be happy about? Why would I need to hide it?"

Translation: Feng Yi then came to himself, gave a faint smile, and said, "What do I have to be happy about? Why would I need to hide it?"

Lu Wushuang sneered, "Do you like my cousin and want to take her as your wife?"

Translation: Lu Wushuang snorted coldly, "Do you like my cousin and want to take her as your wife?"

Girls are especially perceptive; she had long noticed that Feng Yi's attitude toward Cheng Ying was unusual, and now his behavior practically screamed his affection for her.

Translation: Girls are extremely sensitive; she had long noticed that Feng Yi's attitude toward Cheng Ying was unusual, especially now—he might as well have carved "I like you" on his face.

Hearing her speak so bluntly, Cheng Ying hurriedly said, "Cousin, how can you be so rash? He and Hong Lingbo..."

Translation: Cheng Ying, hearing her speak so bluntly, hurriedly said, "Cousin, how can you be so rash? He and Hong Lingbo—"

"What about my senior sister?" Lu Wushuang exclaimed in surprise.

Translation: "What about my senior sister?" Lu Wushuang exclaimed in surprise.

Although Li Mochou was her master, she didn't treat her as one, whereas Hong Lingbo, her senior sister, certainly did.

Translation: Although Li Mochou was her master, she didn't regard her as such, whereas Hong Lingbo, this senior sister, was different.

Feng Yi sighed inwardly, "Indeed, Lingbo!"

Translation: Feng Yi sighed inwardly, "Indeed, Lingbo!"

Although this era allows three wives and four concubines, throughout history a man has only ever had one true wife.

Translation: Although this era permits three wives and four concubines, from ancient times to the present, a man has only one wife!

Other women are merely concubines with no status—it's not something you can claim just by saying so; it's like a master-disciple union, which is widely understood.

Translation: Other women are merely concubines of no status! It's not something you can claim just by saying one side is greater; it's like a master-disciple union, a matter of common perception.

How could such virtuous women ever share a husband? Thinking this, Feng Yi looked at Lu Wushuang and said somewhat resentfully, "Anyway, you should call me brother-in-law."

Translation: How could these respectable women ever share a husband? Thinking this, Feng Yi looked at Lu Wushuang and said rather resentfully, "Anyway, you should call me brother-in-law,"

Lu Wushuang stared, glanced at Cheng Ying, and snorted, "I never expected you to be so wanton and shameless, yet you enjoy boundless romantic fortune—and now you want to be two brothers-in-law to me?"

Translation: Lu Wushuang stared, glanced at Cheng Ying, and huffed, "I wouldn't have thought you so licentious and shameless, yet you enjoy boundless romantic fortune! Do you also want to be two brothers-in-law to me?"

Cheng Ying's cheeks flushed as she snapped, "Wushuang, where did you learn such talk? The more you say, the more unpleasant you become."

Translation: Cheng Ying's cheeks flushed, and she snapped, "Wushuang, where did you learn such talk? The more you say, the more hateful it becomes."

Seeing her anger, Lu Wushuang laughed, "All right, I know it's not true—I was just joking."

Translation: Seeing her anger, Lu Wushuang laughed, "All right, I know it's just a joke."

Feng Yi suddenly said, "Miss Lu, speak plainly—hand over the Five Poisons secret manual to me."

Translation: Feng Yi suddenly said, "Miss Lu, speak properly—hand over the Five Poisons Secret Transmission to me."

Lu Wushuang replied, "Sure, as long as you help me kill Li Mochou, I'll give it to you!"

Translation: Lu Wushuang replied, "Fine, as long as you help me kill Li Mochou, I'll give it to you!"

"That won't do!" Feng Yi shook his head.

Translation: "That won't do!" Feng Yi shook his head.

Lu Wushuang snapped, "Why not?"

Translation: Lu Wushuang snapped, "Why not?"

Feng Yi asked, "Why would that be acceptable?"

Translation: Feng Yi said, "Why would it be acceptable?"

Lu Wushuang said, "Leaving aside your request of me, Li Mochou is vile and shameless, ruthless and murderous—killing her would be a righteous act, enough to make your name renowned in the martial world."

Translation: Lu Wushuang said, "Leaving aside your request of me, Li Mochou is vile and shameless, recklessly violent, having killed countless people; slaying her would be a righteous deed, enough to make your name renowned in the martial world!"

Cheng Ying couldn't help but shout, "Wushuang, don't force him!"

Translation: Cheng Ying couldn't help shouting, "Wushuang, don't force him!"

Lu Wushuang turned her eyes toward him, tears welling, her body trembling slightly, and she said in a quivering voice, "Don't you want to avenge my parents?"

Translation: Lu Wushuang turned her gaze, eyes brimming with tears, her body trembling slightly, and said in a quivering voice, "Don't you want to avenge my parents?"

Cheng Ying stared blankly, wondering where that comment had come from.

Translation: Cheng Ying stared, wondering where this came from.

Feng Yi suddenly burst into loud laughter, saying, "Good—no wonder you're Li Mochou's disciple." Lu Wushuang's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she turned away coldly, asking, "What do you mean?"

Translation: Feng Yi suddenly burst into loud laughter, saying, "Good, truly worthy of being Li Mochou's disciple." Lu Wushuang's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she turned away, coldly asking, "What do you mean?"

Feng Yi said, "Don't you feel that you and Li Mochou are cut from the same cloth?"

Translation: Feng Yi said, "Don't you feel you and Li Mochou are cut from the same cloth?"

Lu Wushuang's eyes widened and she shouted angrily, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Translation: Lu Wushuang's eyes widened, and she shouted sternly, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Feng Yi sneered, "Li Mochou has committed countless evils, even killing your parents—that's true. Wanting revenge is understandable."

Translation: Feng Yi sneered, "Li Mochou has committed countless evils, killing your parents—that's true; wanting revenge is understandable.

But what gives you the right to demand that I act? Moreover, her infamous reputation stems from her tendency to take out her anger on others and harm the innocent.

Translation: But what gives you the right to demand I do it? Moreover, her infamous reputation stems from her taking out her anger on others and harming the innocent.

And you, Miss Lu, just because someone glanced at your limp, you shout for violence and cut off people's ears.

Translation: And you, Miss Lu, just because someone glanced at your limp, you shout for violence and cut off people's ears.

I merely laughed beside you, and you want to hack off my head with a knife—such unreasonableness. Isn't that also displacing your anger onto others? If I were to cut off your ears, would that likewise be a righteous deed that could earn me fame?

Translation: I merely laughed beside you, and you want to hack my head with a knife—so unreasonable; isn't this also displacing anger onto others? Then if I cut off your ears, wouldn't that likewise be a righteous act, earning fame?

Lu Wushuang's heart pounded like thunder, her eyes blazing, her vision nearly bursting, her chest heaving, her facial muscles twitching, and she hissed, "You're talking nonsense—if they didn't stare at my leg, or if they apologized, I wouldn't lay a hand on them."

Translation: Lu Wushuang's heart pounded like thunder, her eyes blazing, her vision nearly bursting, her chest heaving violently, the muscles in her face twitching, and she hissed, "You're talking nonsense; if they didn't look at my leg, or if they apologized, I wouldn't lay a hand on them."

Feng Yi continued, took a sip of wine, and sneered, "Heh, just because someone glances at your limp through your pants, you think they deserve your scolding and an apology? Where does your arrogance come from? Isn't it just your martial arts?"

Translation: Feng Yi said this, took a sip of wine, and sneered, "Heh, just because they glance at your limp through your pants, you demand a scolding and an apology? Your arrogant attitude—what do you rely on? Isn't it just your martial arts?"

And where did all that martial skill come from?

Translation: And where does your martial arts come from?"

Cheng Ying mused, "Even though Li Mochou isn't a good person, she didn't kill Wushuang; instead, she taught her a full set of martial arts."

Translation: Cheng Ying pondered, "Even if Li Mochou isn't a good person, she didn't kill Wushuang; on the contrary, she taught her this martial arts."

Feng Yi went on, "To be frank, you're simply not as skilled as Li Mochou; if you had her level of ability, your ruthlessness would not be inferior to hers."

Translation: Feng Yi continued, "To be frank, you're merely not as skilled in martial arts as Li Mochou; if you had her level of ability, your ruthlessness would not be inferior to hers.

Furthermore, anyone who kills Li Mochou—whether out of chivalry or just happening upon the scene—may speak ill of her, and that's perfectly acceptable. But you? Since you call her vile and shameless, a murderer without number, how is it that Miss Lu, her enemy's daughter, escapes unscathed and avoids disaster?

Translation: Furthermore, when others kill Li Mochou—whether out of chivalry or justice—or utter disrespect toward her, it's all justified; but you? Since she is, in your words, that vile and shameless killer of countless people, how then does Miss Lu, daughter of her enemy, escape unscathed and avoid great calamity?

Moreover, you wield her martial arts to intimidate, chopping off ears—ask yourself honestly how many such deeds you've committed; otherwise, given the vastness of the world, how great could Li Mochou's abilities be to track you down?

Translation: Moreover, you flaunt her martial arts, cutting off ears; ask yourself honestly, how many such deeds have you done along the way? Otherwise, given the vastness of the world, how great could Li Mochou's abilities be to track you down?

Lu Wushuang spat resentfully, "Who let them look at my foot? I cut off their ears—so what? And you? You're no saint either!"

Translation: Lu Wushuang spat resentfully, "Who let them look at my foot? I cut off their ears—so what? And you? You're no good person either!"

Feng Yi chuckled, "You know that well. Precisely because I'm not a good person. I, too, am ruthless and murderous, and someday I'll be no different from Li Mochou."

Translation: Feng Yi chuckled, "You know well enough. Precisely because I'm not a good person. Moreover, I too am recklessly violent, having killed countless; in the future I'll be no different from Li Mochou.

Including you, Lu Wushuang—to those two Taoists, you and Li Mochou are indistinguishable.

Translation: Including you, Lu Wushuang—in the eyes of those two Daoists, you are no different from Li Mochou."

Lu Wushuang bit her lip and shouted, "You're right, after all… you want the Five Poisons secret manual—either kill Li Mochou, or else, in front of my cousin, kill me…"

Translation: Lu Wushuang bit her lip, then shouted loudly, "You do have a point… In short… you want the Five Poisons Secret Transmission—either kill Li Mochou, or else, in front of my cousin, kill me…"

Cheng Ying stared blankly and said, "Wushuang..."

Translation: Cheng Ying stared blankly and said, "Wushuang…"

Lu Wushuang covered her ears and said, "I won't listen, I won't listen."

Translation: Lu Wushuang covered her ears, saying, "I won't listen, I won't listen."

Outside the temple, snowflakes fell endlessly, tirelessly, without cease.

Translation: Outside the temple, snow fell in profuse, endless, tireless, continuous flakes.

After a long silence, Feng Yi murmured, "In the martial world, we all have blood on our hands; no one's reasoning is greater than another's—really, only the size of one's fist matters."

Translation: After a long silence, Feng Yi murmured, "In the martial world, we all have blood-stained hands; no one's reasoning is greater than another's—only the size of one's fist matters.

"If you're stronger than the Quanzhen Taoists, you can disagree and cut off their ears; if I'm stronger than you, and I wish it, you must assume whatever posture I demand—that's the harsh reality."

Translation: If you're stronger than a Quanzhen Daoist, you can, at a disagreement, lop off his ear; if I'm stronger than you and willing, you must assume whatever posture I dictate—this is the harsh reality.

"You want to seek revenge on Li Mochou—I can understand that."

Translation: You want to seek Li Mochou for revenge; I can understand that.

"But now you're merely relying on your cousin to act so recklessly; otherwise, what leverage do you have over me?"

Translation: But now you merely rely on your cousin to act so recklessly; otherwise, what leverage do you have over me?"

Lu Wushuang grew more sorrowful the more she thought, her fingers clenched into a fist.

Translation: The more Lu Wushuang thought, the more her heart ached; she clenched her fists tightly.

Cheng Ying turned and saw her brows and eyes slightly reddened, a mist gathering in her gaze. She forced a smile, reached out to wipe her tears, and said, "Why cry? Let's train hard together and later avenge our aunt and uncle. Isn't that enough?"

Translation: Cheng Ying turned back, seeing her brows and eyes slightly red, a mist veiling her gaze. She forced a smile, reached out to wipe her tears, and said, "Why cry? Let's train diligently later and avenge our aunt and uncle. Isn't that enough?"

Upon hearing that, Lu Wushuang felt greatly moved, unaware of the danger, only sensing the difficulty, and sighed, "To surpass my master's martial arts would take at least ten or eight years—who knows what things will be like then?"

Translation: Upon hearing this, Lu Wushuang's heart stirred greatly; she felt no danger, only difficulty, and sighed, "To surpass my master's martial arts would take at least ten or eight years; who knows what things will be like then?"

"Perhaps by then you'll have settled down, have a little nephew, and still be able to accompany me in seeking revenge?"

Translation: Perhaps by then you'll have settled down, have a little nephew, and still be able to accompany me in seeking revenge?"

Cheng Ying heard these words, her expression sad and wistful, she said, "I am free and carefree—what's the point of starting a family?"

Feng Yi sighed inwardly: "In the original plot, these two maidens both fell for Yang Guo, yet even after sixteen years they remained unmarried."

He said: "Miss Lu, don't be afraid to tell you, I want the Five Poisons Secret Transmission in your hand because I intend to go to the grasslands to spread poison, kill countless livestock, and create a plague."

"What?"

The two maidens startled, their pretty faces instantly turned pale.

Yet Feng Yi gave a grim smile: "Now you know, my future actions will be ten to a hundred times more vicious than Li Mochou's; I don't know how many innocents will die miserably, nor how many heroes will wish me dead. What right do I have to label myself with the gold of righteousness and chivalry?"

Lu Wushuang and Cheng Ying saw his face fluctuate between green and white, with a hint of desolation in their eyes, only to hear Feng Yi say: "Just speaking of those Yelu siblings, they can step forward for a stranger like you, that is the bearing of chivalry, which I also acknowledge."

But because they are Mongol nobles, I killed his brother, and now they wish me dead.

Is this way of thinking right or wrong?

Feng Yi's gaze lingered, staring blankly out the window, he said lightly: "In their eyes, it is naturally not wrong; if someone killed my brother, I too would have to avenge him."

But in my view, if they seek revenge against me, I ought to kill them; that is self-defense, which is also not wrong.

Who is good, who is bad? Even Heaven lacks the power to strike down so‑called evildoers with thunderbolts, letting none slip through.

What's the point of telling someone like me about righteousness, fame, and glory? It's laughable. Li Mochou clearly has killed countless people, yet she left you, the daughter of her enemy, alive; if she died before you, you might not feel the satisfaction you imagined from avenging that grudge—so is that right or wrong? Thus, in this world, grudges are fundamentally impossible to clarify.

Lu Wushuang trembled all over, her eyes shut tight, two lines of pearl tears already rolling down her cheeks; Cheng Ying also felt her nose sour and eyes hot.

At that moment the roasted hare and pheasant were burnt yellow; Cheng Ying took them down from the rack and distributed them to everyone.

Feng Yi took it and said: "Moreover, I already obtained a copy of the Five Poisons Secret Transmission from Li Mochou long ago; but before my plan is carried out, the antidote formula on that secret transmission must not be leaked. Otherwise you'd think I'm idle, wasting time entangling with a girl like you."

Cheng Ying lowered her head and said: "You clearly know the consequences; why do this? Must resisting the Mongols necessarily be like this?"

Feng Yi sighed: "In this world, affection and duty are hard to reconcile completely. Especially when it involves ethnic conflict, if a few thousand years passed and we were all one family, I would naturally not act this way."

But now I have no choice; otherwise I fear my descendants will be called something like Feng Three-Four, Feng Five-Six—ridiculous names.

Lu Wushuang intended to sway him with emotion, to turn him against his ways, not wanting Feng Yi to stir her thoughts into turmoil; after a long silence she suddenly said: "Could it be that there is no one in this world capable of killing Li Mochou?"

Feng Yi shook his head and said: "There are plenty; as long as one's martial arts surpass hers, anyone can kill her."

But if you kill her and still want to place yourself on the moral high ground, then nobody has the right to do so!

Cheng Ying furrowed her brows and said: "I heard from my master that the Nine-Fingered Divine Beggar, who all his life championed justice and eradicated evil, said that even Iron Palm Water Floater Qiu Qianren, atop Hua Mountain's summit, had repented and wanted to commit suicide. He should be able to kill her and eliminate evil."

Feng Yi gave a light chuckle: "Hong Qigong's chivalry and punishment of evil are too selective. Anyone with his abilities could easily achieve that; he's not as good as Ke Zhen'e, whose righteous aura is awe-inspiring, and could easily swindle the disheartened Qiu Qianren."

The two women heard this and were both stunned; Cheng Ying exclaimed in surprise: "What do you mean?"

Feng Yi sighed: "Li Mochou's fearsome reputation isn't just her martial arts, but also her cunning and viciousness."

She is well-versed in the lore of the martial world; if she encounters someone like Hong Qigong, who lists his opponent's crimes before killing them, she only needs a few words to leave him utterly confused.

Think back: how many women's reputations did Ouyang Ke, nephew of the Western Poison Ouyang Feng, ruin in the Central Plains, how many innocents did his snake‑herding harm, and Hong Qigong, who witnessed it all firsthand, what did he do?

He's not even comparable to the Jiangnan Seven Freaks, who spared nothing in hunting down Ouyang Ke and broke his fingers.

Feng Yi knew that in the original storyline, when Li Mochou encountered Huang Yaoshi, the phrase "Master of Peach Blossom Island, with many disciples, fighting five against one, a laughingstock in the jianghu" was enough to keep him from making a move.

Feng Mofeng boasted about how formidable his several senior martial brothers and sisters were, but in the end Li Mochou turned the tables on them, using their own causes of death to rebut him.

So when facing Hong Qigong, Li Mochou would certainly employ the same tactic.

Each lost in thought, they all fell silent, aside from the faint sound of chewing, only the breathing of the group could be heard.

Suddenly, a strange, eerie voice said: "There's a fire up ahead."

Then came the sound of crunching snow—crunch, crunch, crunch—growing nearer; it was not just one person, and another voice shouted sharply: "Damn it, Third Brother, we'll risk our lives to charge at that bastard, head straight for Mount Hua—why waste time making a huge detour, going west then south, laying false traps along the way?"

A strange, eerie voice angrily said: "Damn it, it's all because of that immortal old bastard Hong Qigong..."

Upon hearing that, Cheng Ying and Lu Wushuang were both startled; still, someone dared to scold Hong Qigong as an immortal old bastard. Focused their hearing, they saw four people rushing over swiftly.

Feng Yi had already vaguely guessed the newcomers' identity, then heard one of them grind his teeth and say: "That old thief wanted to eliminate us, the Five Heroes of the Chuan Border, so he let his guard down, allowing us to escape."

You see, he intended to kill us five; when we meet our elder brother, he would then take the opportunity to wipe us out—wouldn't that save him effort?

As they spoke, four figures burst from the snow into the temple—some tall, some thin, with small eyes and lion-like mouths, appearing non‑Han, all dressed in gray, with the glint of blades on their backs.

The four saw that inside the temple a deity was enshrined; in the center a bonfire blazed brightly, while one man and two women turned food on skewers over dried branches, dripping fat that hissed.

The aroma drifted into their nostrils, making them gulp saliva; upon looking, the two women were both beauties, their eyes lighting up instantly— as for Feng Yi, the male, they automatically overlooked him.

They exchanged glances; one with a squinting eye and crooked mouth, drooling at the corner, laughed loudly: "Kid, you've got quite the luck—playing with two girls, can you handle it?"

Another let out an evil laugh: "Second Brother's right—since we've bumped into you, let's all help you have some fun!"

Lu Wushuang shouted in anger, picked up a dry branch, leapt out, and unleashed a flurry of quick thrusts, aiming at the four.

Cheng Ying worried about her sister and wanted to intervene, but Feng Yi grabbed her hand and held her back.

Cheng Ying's heart raced and her face flushed; she only heard Feng Yi whisper: "Let her learn a lesson—she attacks anyone she sees; if there's no expert nearby, she'll eventually suffer. You, too, are a weak woman; how long can you secretly protect her?"

Cheng Ying stared, stunned; she had never before been understood this way. She had already found her cousin, deliberately avoided acknowledging her, and was secretly protecting her so she could gain more jianghu experience.

Now hearing Feng Yi's tender voice, she couldn't help but feel her heart go soft, her body as if set aflame.

Feng Yi knew that the so‑called Five Heroes of the Chuan Border were actually the Five Ugly Ones; though their names were ugly, their martial arts were not weak— even the newly descended Yang Guo couldn't beat them, let alone Lu Wushuang.

He merely thought it would be good for Lu Wushuang to taste a bit of hardship—so that when she meets someone she can defeat, she won't go on a killing spree, and when she meets someone she can't beat, she'll see how miserable she is.

Indeed, Lu Wushuang employed Ancient Tomb sect arts, aiming to strike the opponents' pressure points; her moves were swift, but the four hastily retreated three steps and evaded.

The four saw Lu Wushuang holding the dry branch, standing gracefully before them, her clothes clinging tightly to her body, accentuating her figure,

Lu Wushuang, having observed their evasive maneuvers, could roughly gauge their martial arts level.

In a one‑on‑one fight she might prevail, but against all four together she couldn't hold up, and she silently cursed: "Feng Yi, you dead man, watch me make a fool of this lady!"

The third ugly one laughed: "Little lass, you've got some skill, but fighting clothed is no fun; why not let the brothers strip off your clothes so we can all have a good time?"

The four uglies exchanged lewd jokes, their words obscene to the extreme, making Lu Wushuang's eyes blaze with fury.

The few exchanged glances; the second ugly suddenly flickered, drew his steel saber, and engaged Lu Wushuang in combat.

However, Feng Yi's heart jolted as he suddenly recalled something, and he broke out in a sweat on his forehead.

(End of chapter)