Chapter 107

Haha, this girl is beautiful, but she's a cripple!

Si Chou saw Lu Wushuang leap, his legs unresponsive, immediately noticed the flaw, and the few people immediately gave a strange laugh.

Lu Wushuang, after someone glanced at his lame foot, still drew his knife and attacked; hearing these words, he naturally grew murderous intent.

Unfortunately, her usual Silver Fox Knife was knocked away by Feng Yi, falling into the inn; she could only use a dry branch, thrusting twice with a 'swish-swish' sound—fortunately her swordplay followed the Ancient Tomb School's style, each thrust faster than the last.

The Borderlands Si Chou, having seen her lame leg, assumed Er Chou alone could subdue her; unexpectedly, Lu Wushuang's swordplay was floating and agile, with only a 'hiss'—Er Chou's sleeve was actually pierced.

Er Chou's big eyes burst with fierce light as he shouted, 'What are you looking at? Attack together!'

He had already seen that Lu Wushuang's martial arts were not weak, and since he could not overcome her, he no longer cared about face.

Lu Wushuang felt astonished: 'I can barely handle one, let alone four—alas, where in this world do so many experts come from?'

In a flash of thought, he heard Si Chou laugh: 'Second Brother is in a hurry—everyone, quickly help him!'

San Chou sneered, 'Help what? I think he's lust-addled!'

Er Chou gave an angry snort, not yet replying, when Wu Chou laughed: 'Third Brother, that's not right—although this woman is lame in one leg, her appearance is flawless; how could one not be moved?'

Si Chou added, 'Yeah, we'd better finish him off quickly so we can have some fun!'

The several people burst into laughter; with a 'clang', each drew the saber at his back and rushed forward together.

Lu Wushuang's martial arts were roughly on par with the four; he had only gained a slight advantage by launching a sudden attack, but once the four joined forces, a single offensive move forced Lu Wushuang to retreat step by step.

Lu Wushuang could no longer endure, shouting: 'Surname Feng, you bastard! You won't help me yourself, and you won't let my older female cousin help me—just you wait!'

She actually knew her older female cousin was present, so she wasn't truly without help, but Feng Yi obviously was watching her for amusement—how could she not be angry? Feng Yi furrowed his brows and said, 'So it turns out you're not only fierce toward those weaker than you, but also fierce toward your own kind.'

Feng Yi had already seen that the four's martial arts varied in skill, but their style was ordinary; he harbored no killing intent toward Lu Wushuang, his blade technique aimed only to subdue without hurting, so he did not rush to attack—he wanted Lu Wushuang to feel despair.

How could one remember without despair? Lu Wushuang indeed could not handle the Four Ugly, so he vented his anger on Feng Yi, the one who dared not harm her.

Because she had already seen that Feng Yi liked her older female cousin; under the principle of loving the house and thus the crow, could she still bear to see herself being bullied?

Now, having his thoughts laid bare by him, her face flushed crimson, and she spat, 'Who says you're one of us?'

'There's no helping it—who made me your brother-in-law? How could I not be one of your own?' Feng Yi said, giving Cheng Ying a slight smile.

Cheng Ying was both startled and angry, raising her fist to strike him once, saying, 'What nonsense are you spouting? What brother-in-law?'

'What nonsense?' Feng Yi laughed, saying, 'She's supposed to call Hong Lingbo senior sister!'

'Who would believe you.' Cheng Ying's face flushed red, she gave him a white-eye: 'You know what you're thinking; anyway, if you keep spouting nonsense, I'll ignore you.'

Feng Yi's expression turned serious as he said, 'Actually I haven't thought of anything else; anyway, just looking at you makes my heart glad—this is sincere, heaven can bear witness!'

Cheng Ying's heart warmed, then she heard a 'crack'—the dry branch in Lu Wushuang's hand was already severed; at this moment three blades blocked her left and right, leaving no escape or retreat, as she saw the blade and palm shadows about to fall.

Lu Wushuang also understood that the Four Ugly intended to capture him alive.

In an instant he understood Feng Yi's intention: in this world, one cannot rely on such modest skill to run rampant unchecked; without a master, there will always be others one cannot defeat.

Even without provoking anyone, one can still run into these few troublemakers.

If one acts without restraint, isn't that even more dangerous? A fleeting thought crossed her mind, when suddenly she heard a 'whoosh'—the Four Ugly all cried out in unison, the sound of metal blades tearing through the air instantly ceasing.

Lu Wushuang then saw Feng Yi already standing beside him.

Before Feng Yi made a move, there was no sign; appearing leisurely and slow, he was actually incredibly swift, rescuing Lu Wushuang at the critical moment.

Only then did the Four Ugly clearly see this person who stood up to tyranny—actually the youngster they had just ignored.

Actually, the Borderlands Five Ugly were no novices; how could they not know that a man and two women appearing in a ruined temple at midnight would hardly be ordinary folk?

Yet they had been pursued all the way from Guangdong by Hong Qigong to Shaanxi, with no chance to do evil along the road; seeing how stunning Cheng Ying and Lu Wushuang were, they finally felt lustful, wanting to indulge.

These few had extraordinary backgrounds; united, even ordinary masters could not contend with them, having long been renowned in the Borderlands, so psychologically they never regarded Feng Yi and the two women as anything, thus remaining unfazed, paying no heed to his conversation with Cheng Ying.

Only when Feng Yi showed a hint of skill did they finally give him a proper look: they saw his bearing majestic, his face indifferent, a murderous air between his brows, his lips tightly pressed, his angular face like a stone carving; the Borderlands Four Ugly, seeing this posture, realized they had met a tough opponent, exchanged glances, and the Second Ugly, knife in hand, asked, 'Who are you?'

The Third Ugly chuckled, 'Second Brother, they're having a tryst here; we'd better go find the Eldest Brother, not spoil their fun.'

He was the strongest among the Five Ugly; seeing that Feng Yi was not to be provoked, he already harbored a desire to retreat.

The Second Ugly also nodded, saying, 'Damn, a tryst is a tryst, sneaking about—made me think it was that old thief Hong Qigong, a false alarm. Farewell.' He then turned and prepared to leave.

Feng Yi saw these fellows bullying the weak and fearing the strong, stubborn as a dead duck's beak, acting out to the fullest; he chuckled, 'Just now you ganged up on a girl, now you want to leave—you're not good-looking, yet you have lofty dreams!'

Among the Five Ugly, the Fifth Ugly was the most wild; he snorted coldly and replied in a sinister tone, 'In the jianghu, victory goes to the strong; what's this about ganging up? We, the Borderlands Five Heroes, never talk about those damn jianghu rules!'

Today, if the masters are pleased, otherwise I'll make you know what death by myriad dismemberments is—don't blame me for not warning you!

Feng Yi hooked his hand: 'Don't move your mouth! Come on!'

The Four Ugly exchanged glances, a hint of killing intent instantly arising in their eyes, thinking, 'We were willing to yield, but you don't know gratitude—could our four combined still fear you?'

Suddenly like a fierce beast, the steel blades surged forth like a flood dragon leaving the sea, accompanied by a wailing wind, and abruptly slashed toward Feng Yi.

For Lu Wushuang they intended only to capture alive for amusement; for Feng Yi, however, it was naturally different—upon striking, they sought his death.

The four blades flashed with bright light, flying toward Feng Yi's perimeter, seeming about to strike him; Feng Yi suddenly shook his hand and pushed, causing the Third Ugly's blade to seem alive as it circled back.

With a 'clang-clang' sound, it knocked aside the other Ugly's weapons; the four felt numbness start at the tiger's mouth, spreading to the chest, even the heart tingling painfully, they cried out at once, arms going numb, weapons clattering to the ground as they fell face up.

Everyone was astonished, not knowing what technique Feng Yi had used.

It turned out that Feng Yi, having seen Guo Jing's exquisite method of opposing blade with blade that day, immediately learned it.

With his current martial arts cultivation, any technique he sees he can master instantly, with no secrets; he can always put learning into practice.

The Borderlands Four Ugly fully believed the opponent's martial arts, no matter how high, were limited; they never expected his skill to be so formidable that a single move would send their four single blades flying, leaving them lying on the ground, stunned.

The Fifth Ugly, stern outwardly but weak within, shouted repeatedly, 'Sorcery! Sorcery! This is witchcraft!' while calling and rising to his feet.

The Third Ugly stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said, 'May I ask your esteemed name? Our master is the Second Disciple Darba, under the Holy Monk of the Esoteric Tradition, the Golden Wheel National Teacher; today there has been a misunderstanding, please show some leniency!' He invoked his backing, his tone fierce but his breath clearly insufficient.

Feng Yi saw these fellows bullying the weak and fearing the strong, utterly shameless, and coldly said, 'I am Feng Yi—have you heard of me?'

'Feng Yi!'

The four simultaneously exclaimed, 'That name—it's like thunder in their ears! Lately, all over Shaanxi, the news is of his capture; this man specializes in killing Mongols.'

They, however, were in the Mongols' employ, committing evil—surely due to their nature, but also to cause trouble for the Song court and the populace. Meeting Feng Yi, how could they not be doomed? The four all started in surprise, retreated two steps, intending to leap out the door.

Feng Yi gave a slight smile: 'The Golden Wheel doesn't teach disciples, nor does Darba; I'll still send you to meet your master's uncle Huodu—you lot are a den!'

As they spoke, his body swayed; the four leapt up, but before they could fly out, they felt a sudden constriction at the back of the neck, then a sensation of light‑headedness and heaviness in the legs, and they flew out of the temple. Mid‑air they emitted a long, miserable wail, utterly mournful, enough to make one's hair stand on end.

With a thudding sound, the four flew several zhang, fell to the ground, and made no further sound.

It turned out that the four uglies had all been killed by his internal force.

Cheng Ying had indeed seen Feng Yi unleash his full martial prowess; ordinary jianghu masters could not withstand a single move of his.

Lu Wushuang was seeing this for the first time, her heart pounding; even a rival whose skill matched her own could be seized by Feng Yi in a single grasp, and she couldn't help admiring: 'I wonder how this guy cultivates?'

Feng Yi used a heavy hand to shake several people to death, stepped out of the temple gate, gazed at a distant large tree, and said, 'Since you have arrived, why hide your head and reveal your tail?'

As his words fell, a green shadow appeared, like a meteor falling to earth, descending silently; when his feet touched the ground there was no sound, and not a snowflake was disturbed, showing his lightness skill was extraordinary.

'It's you!' Feng Yi sighed: 'When did you arrive?'

The newcomer was as beautiful as a flower, clad in indigo‑blue Daoist robes—none other than Li Mochou, with whom Feng Yi had much history.

Moreover, her cultivation had clearly advanced greatly; though not at her peak, she was far beyond what Cheng Ying and Lu Wushuang could match.

Li Mochou's greatest shame in life was everything concerning Feng Yi, yet seeing him aroused no trace of humiliation or resentment in her heart.

Although she had heard news of Feng Yi in Shaanxi and had imagined countless times the scene of meeting him again,

but when she actually faced him, her heart still became disordered.

Li Mochou did not know what was happening; she had drifted for so long, experienced many things, and had spent her life amidst the blade‑light and blood‑shadow of the jianghu.

The restless heart of her youth had long been tempered into endurance, decisiveness, coldness, even some numbness; her mind was filled only with slaughter and blood, leaving no room for anything else.

She had never imagined that a man could break into her heart.

But half a year ago, on a certain day, that man barged in without restraint.

She again thought that it was merely a fleeting, playful encounter life had tossed her way, soon to drift away like clouds in the sky to an unknown place.

Therefore she left Feng Yi with Yuan Haowen's ci 'Ask the world, what is love, that it binds life and death?' together with the Five Poisons Secret Transmission. She then departed from Chang'an, returned to Shanxi's Chixia Zhuang, intending to start a new life. But when her Five Poisons Secret Transmission was stolen, she understood. That man's shadow had already taken deep root in her heart; she simply refused to admit it.

Why, upon learning the secret manual was stolen, was she not worried that Lu Wushuang would use it to neutralize her poison skills? Because she now possessed the martial arts from the Yang Legacy Inscription, and the poison antidotes from the Five Poisons Secret Transmission were actually no longer important.

But she thought that the loss of the manual would certainly affect his grand plan to deal with the Mongols.

She had never cared about whether the world belonged to the Mongols or the Han, but now she recalled Feng Yi's words.

This world may bear any surname, except Mongol.

Although her profound arts had not yet recovered, she could not restrain her anxious feelings, day and night desperately seeking Lu Wushuang. Could this be what is meant by 'Life itself is passionate folly; this matter has nothing to do with wind or moon'?

She gazed at Feng Yi, and Feng Yi gazed back at her in silence; their eyes met, and thoughts flashed incessantly in their hearts.

Li Mochou spoke softly: 'Since our parting in Chang'an, have you been well? Li Mochou thanks the young master for saving my life.' Saying this, she bowed deeply.

Feng Yi did not know how to return the salute for a moment, and stood there embarrassed.

At that moment the heavy snow had not yet ceased; the cold, clear moonlight filtered through the snowflakes, illuminating the autumn‑water beauty beneath the moonlight.

But the Li Mochou before him was now completely different from half a year ago.

Feng Yi wondered whether she was still that ruthless, crimson‑clad immortal.

In his mind remained the image he had once imagined of Li Mochou writing the 'Yanqiu Ci'—lonely and dependent—yet now seeing her, he detected a touch of gentleness.

Moreover, her mention of the life‑saving favor and her deep bow made Feng Yi involuntarily recall their earlier ambiguity; he was momentarily at a loss, unsure what to say or whether to help her up.

Li Mochou, however, rose lightly and said: 'Thanks to the young master's rescue that day, I am Li Mochou today; I do not wish to be bullied by rebels.' She spoke with tears in her eyes.

Then she smiled sweetly and said: 'Today I could meet the young master; I originally came to express gratitude, yet I ended up bringing up those past events.'

'Although my reputation is wicked, I also understand the principle that words must be kept. I will no longer slaughter indiscriminately; only my disciples have produced a traitor, and I hope the young master will not blame me.'

Having spoken, Li Mochou did not wait for Feng Yi's reply and floated into the temple.

Cheng Ying and Lu Wushuang, hearing her voice, both turned pale at once.

Lu Wushuang felt her hands and feet turn icy, and said to Cheng Ying, 'Elder sister, you flee first!'

Cheng Ying replied, 'What is there to flee? Sooner or later we must settle things with her.' She reached out and firmly grasped Lu Wushuang's hand.

Lu Wushuang glanced at her elder sister, seeing no fear, and wondered whether it was because Feng Yi was fearless or something else.

But in a flash of thought, she heard a voice say, 'Well said!'

A green shadow flickered at the temple gate, and Li Mochou stood before the two.

Upon hearing her master's arrival, Lu Wushuang knew there was no hope; seeing her stand before her, she hardened her heart, offered no resistance, and awaited death.

In her panic, Cheng Ying raised her sleeve and pointed her jade flute at Li Mochou's chest; suddenly the flute tightened, already grasped by her, a stream of true qi transmitted, heating Cheng Ying's palm. Though she had never fought a true master after cultivating, she remained calm, hooked her left thumb and index finger, slightly spread the other three, and brushed her fingers like an orchid toward Li Mochou's pulse point.

This was the Peach Blossom Island martial art 'Orchid Sweeping Pulse Hand'.

Seeing her fingers flutter like blooming spring orchids, Li Mochou exclaimed, loosened her grip on the flute.

Cheng Ying pulled Lu Wushuang and hastily retreated several feet.

Li Mochou laughed, 'Excellent skill!' and inwardly wondered, 'What martial art is this? Could it be the Peach Blossom Island Orchid Sweeping Pulse Hand?'

At this moment, without realizing it, he focused his gaze on Cheng Ying; in the firelight he saw her graceful and lovely, clad in coarse blue cloth, yet her beauty could not be concealed.

Although Li Mochou was a woman, she also felt her heart stir; looking again, she felt a sense of familiarity and smiled, saying, 'Indeed it is you.'

'I once said that with your appearance, it would be better if you were dead; I wasn't wrong, was I?'

Cheng Ying stared blankly, then suddenly recalled that as a child Li Mochou had told her, 'With looks like yours, when you grow up you will either break others' hearts or your own; better to die early, sparing the world many troubles.'

Now, thinking back, it seems her words truly came true.

Cheng Ying felt a hint of sorrow, but mostly confusion; for she knew Feng Yi harbored a special feeling for her, and after seeing her appearance his words grew more ardent and bold.

Feng Yi is handsome and unrestrained, his martial prowess surpasses the crowd, bold and uninhibited, never hiding his thoughts—these are the qualities of a fine young man.

But whenever she thought of Hong Lingbo, her heart filled with bitter resentment; she had heard clearly that Hong Lingbo was already Feng Yi's bedmate, and just now, due to a fleeting emotion, she had indulged in an unrealistic notion.

A single word from Li Mochou awakened her.

Lu Wushuang saw her elder sister's dazed expression, her eyes complex, and couldn't help snorting, 'Is it because my elder sister is prettier than you, making you jealous?'

Li Mochou, already proud of her beauty, upon seeing Cheng Ying not inferior to her, and confirming that she had been rescued by Huang Yaoshi and received his true transmission, naturally felt resentment.

Hearing Lu Wushuang still not yielding, her tone mocking, she glanced and said, 'Your wings have grown, you glib talker—is this also what I taught you? Heh, now that you have your elder sister, do you still not bow when you see your master?' Her face was frosty, yet her voice remained as gentle as usual.

Lu Wushuang thought: "Today I have already fallen into her hands; if Feng Yi this dead person doesn't care, whether I beg or resist, I will inevitably suffer torment." She said lightly: "You and my family have deep-seated enmity across generations; there's no need for any words."

Li Mochou gazed at her silently, her eyes showing neither joy nor sorrow; Cheng Ying's face was full of bewilderment, while Lu Wushuang's upper lip twitched slightly, yet her expression was arrogant.

Li Mochou truly suffered hardship in pursuit of Lu Wushuang. Although she chased day and night, Lu Wushuang had already fled long ago, and she took remote byways. Over the past half year, Li Mochou had gone from north to south and back north several times, traveling thousands of miles round trip, before finally finding her trace; naturally she was furious.

The three stared at each other for a long while, then Li Mochou said: "Where is that book? Hand it over."

Lu Wushuang said: "It was snatched away by the Feng!"

Li Mochou's body trembled slightly, she widened her almond eyes, and said angrily: "It seems if I don't teach you a lesson, you really don't know the immensity of heaven and earth."

Lu Wushuang said: "If you don't believe me, go ahead and ask him!"

Li Mochou said coldly: "Regardless of whether he took it or not, you have betrayed me, so you deserve to die."

Just as she was about to raise her hand, she suddenly heard Feng Yi shout: "Wait!" Li Mochou glanced over; that brat had somehow already entered the temple, and was now adding firewood to the flames.

Li Mochou sneered: "Great Hero Feng, are you going to interfere even when I'm cleaning up my own sect?"

Feng Yi knew his virtue was lacking; he never cared for the title "Great Hero", especially when it came from Li Mochou's mouth, which sounded grating to him.

"Who in the world would look at someone's body, touch them there, and then force them to secretly copy the secret manual for a Great Hero?" He immediately gave a light cough and gave a dry laugh: "With your demonic reputation, you killed her parents but spared her, even took her as a disciple; she has now grown into a lovely maiden—do you really have the heart to strike her down?"

"Why not have mercy?" Li Mochou said coldly: "If she hadn't betrayed me, I wouldn't even bother to kill her."

"But she has been deceiving me, saying she forgot her parents' grudge; I took her as my disciple, taught her martial arts, yet now she has become a tiger I raised that threatens me!"

"You, who have killed countless people, when you meet someone seeking revenge, would you let them go?"

"Especially someone like Lu Wushuang, so young yet with deep scheming and a vicious heart? Or is there any master in the world who would allow their disciple to betray them? Or, Feng Yi, if you were in my place, would you let this traitor go?"

Feng Yi opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but when his eyes met hers—clear as snow, swift as lightning—he found himself unable to utter a word.

He knew he wouldn't; having killed someone, with his children nearby, he would inevitably have to eradicate the roots.

In the world of Liancheng, he killed Wan Zhenshan; his son and disciples were all secretly done away with by him, not a single one left, all to avoid trouble.

Like the daughter of Qi Changfa's disciple, Di Yun and Qiu Fang—though he didn't kill them—only because these two are the utterly honest people in the world; even if they sought revenge against him, they would do so openly, and he fears nothing.

If they were as deceitful and treacherous as Lu Wushuang, they would surely be dead—no doubt about it.

Lu Wushuang, however, shouted loudly: "Li Mochou, kill me if you want; I have never regretted betraying you."

While fleeing on the road, she had been anxious, fearing her master's pursuit; now that he had truly caught up, she felt less afraid than before.

Li Mochou snorted, stepped forward, and said coldly: "If you die unrepentant, I will grant you your wish."

Feng Yi shouted: "Li Mochou!"

Li Mochou laughed: "Great Hero Feng, you're calling me? No rush; I've punished the traitor, then I'll talk to you."

"No way!" Feng Yi shouted loudly: "Miss Cheng is my good friend; how could I let you kill her?"

"Friend? Or good friend?" Li Mochou looked at Cheng Ying, inwardly sneering: "This girl is so beautiful; this lad must have taken a liking to her again—indeed he's even more of a scoundrel than Lu Zhan yuan."

She said coldly: "If they're Great Hero Feng's good friends, I wouldn't dare kill them; but I suppose all pretty girls are your good friends—don't you think you have too many good friends?"

Feng Yi shouted: "What are you saying?"

"What are you getting angry about?" Li Mochou sneered: "First it was Lingbo, now it's Miss Cheng; I fear you're not content with the blessings of many beauties, and you want to wipe out all my disciples in one fell swoop."

Upon hearing this, Feng Yi felt a faint, inexplicable agitation and tension; a bluish aura instantly rose on his face as he struggled to suppress his panic, feigning calm.

He appeared stern-faced, yet the dry twig in his hand turned to sawdust, fluttering down in the wind.

Seeing his state, Li Mochou also realized she had misspoken, and shouted: "I don't care whether she's your friend or not; I have a death feud with them—if you want to help them, then kill me!"

As she spoke, she clenched her silver teeth, rolled her almond eyes, and a short sword flashing with purple light and exuding biting cold emerged from her robe sleeve; she flung it forward, landing before Feng Yi, and shouted: "I, Li Mochou, have committed countless evils and am destined to die badly anyway; you've already killed me once, so what's another killing? Moreover, if you kill me, you can avenge these two; wouldn't they be grateful, embracing their beauties and returning home—no longer a dream—so why not?"

(End of chapter)