Chapter 113

Feng Yi walked at an even pace down the main street and through the alleys, but everyone stared at him strangely; when he reached a deserted spot, he immediately took out a human skin mask from his bosom and put it on his face.

Interpretation: Feng Yi walked neither hurried nor slow, passing through main street and alleys, but everyone looked at him with strange gazes; when he reached a deserted place, he immediately took out a human skin mask from his bosom and put it on his face.

We need to produce concise translation: "Feng Yi walked at an even pace down the main street and through the alleys, but everyone stared at him strangely; when he reached a deserted spot, he quickly pulled a human skin mask from his bosom and put it on his face."

Feng Yi walked at an even pace down the main street and through the alleys, but everyone stared at him strangely; when he reached a deserted spot, he immediately took out a human skin mask from his bosom and put it on his face.

That seems fine.

Actually, the reason people stare at him is entirely because of Xiao Longnu's presence; she is following six feet behind him without speaking, and she is so beautiful that it's impossible not to attract attention.

Translation: "Actually, the reason people stared at him was entirely because of Xiao Longnv's influence—she followed behind him six feet away, silent, and her extraordinary beauty made it impossible not to draw attention."

We need to keep meaning: "Actually, the reason people stared at him was entirely because of Xiao Longnv's influence—she followed behind him six feet away, silent, and her extraordinary beauty made it impossible not to draw attention."

Check: "because" = "because". Good.

Xiao Longnu does as she pleases, paying no heed to others' gazes, so Feng Yi has no choice but to wear the mask, which at least reduces the silent curses directed at him.

Translation: "Xiao Longnv went her own way, indifferent to others' gazes, so Feng Yi had no choice but to wear the mask, which at least lessened the curses people directed at him in their hearts."

Xiao Longnv did as she pleased, not caring about others' gazes, so Feng Yi had to wear the mask, which at least reduced the silent curses aimed at him.

Let's produce: "Xiao Longnv did as she pleased, ignoring others' gazes, so Feng Yi had to wear the mask, which at least lessened the silent curses people aimed at him."

After walking for a while, Xiao Longnu grew impatient and coldly said, "Where is Guo'er? Take me to him quickly."

Translation: "After walking a while, Xiao Longnv grew impatient and coldly said, 'Where is Guo'er? Take me to him quickly.'"

Feng Yi said offhandedly, "I don't know."

Translation: "Feng Yi said offhandedly, 'I don't know.'"

Xiao Longnu's eyes dimmed slightly, she stopped in her tracks, and softly asked, "Didn't you say you had seen him?"

Translation: "Xiao Longnv's eyes dimmed slightly, she stopped in her tracks, and she said wistfully, 'Didn't you say you had seen him?'"

Feng Yi couldn't help but chuckle, thinking this girl is simple-minded; to make things clear to her, he said, "I have seen Yang Guo, but that was a month ago—I truly don't know where he is now, so how could I bring you to him?"

Check: "and I need to speak to her clearly and thoroughly".

Fortunately, I know where he is going; if you're not afraid I'll abduct you, come with me.

Translation: "Fortunately, I know where he is headed; if you're not afraid I'll abduct you, come with me."

Xiao Longnu asked, "Where did you see him, and where is he going?"

Xiao Longnv asked, 'Where did you see him, and where is he going?'

Feng Yi then recounted how he had coincidentally encountered Yang Guo while looking for Xiao Longnu, and added that Yang Guo would surely go to Dasheng Gate to attend the martial arts assembly.

We need to parse: "Feng Yi then told the story of how he had coincidentally met Xiao Longnv while looking for Yang Guo, and added that the other party would certainly go to Dashengguan to attend the martial arts assembly."

Let's translate: "Feng Yi then recounted how he had coincidentally encountered Xiao Longnv while searching for Yang Guo, and said that Yang Guo would surely go to Dashengguan to take part in the martial arts conference."

Upon learning that Yang Guo was searching for her, Xiao Longnu felt moved, yet her inner conflict deepened; however, she would not reveal the complicated circumstances to Feng Yi.

Translation: "Knowing that Yang Guo was searching for her, Xiao Longnv felt moved, yet her inner conflict deepened; however, she would not reveal the twists and turns of this situation to Feng Yi."

After Feng Yi finished speaking, the two of them, one behind the other, had already arrived in front of the Taibai Tower.

Translation: "After Feng Yi finished speaking, the two, one ahead of the other, had already arrived before the Taibai Tower."

The Taibai Tower is built beside the water, three stories high, with a roof of yellow-green glazed tiles, flying eaves and upturned corners, arched gates like a moon, corridors like bridges, and front and rear annexes arranged in three sections, resembling stars accompanying the moon.

We need to keep meaning but not add. Let's produce: "Taibai Tower was built beside the water, three stories high, with a roof of yellow-green glazed tiles, flying eaves and upturned corners, arched gates like a moon, corridors like bridges, and front and rear three-section annexes arranged like stars around the moon."

Not only is it a first-class tavern in Chang'an, but looking across the whole country, it ranks among the very best.

Translation: "It was not only the top tavern in Chang'an, but also one of the finest in the whole country."

It is said that this tavern was where the great Tang poet Li Bai drank himself drunk. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang issued an edict summoning him to the palace to compose poetry, yet Li Bai proclaimed, "I am an immortal of wine; the emperor may summon me, but I will not board his boat."

Translation: "It is said that this tower was where the great Tang poet Li Bai drank himself drunk. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang issued an edict summoning him to the palace to compose poetry, yet he called himself 'an immortal of wine, whom the Son of Heaven cannot lure aboard his boat.'"

Consequently, the tavern earned the name "Taibai Drunkenness Tavern."

Translation: "Thus the tower earned the name 'Taibai Drunken Tavern.'"

Li Bai's lofty, unmatched literary bearing further enhanced the fame of the Taibai Tower.

Translation: "Li Bai's lofty demeanor, surpassing ancient and modern, further enhanced the fame of Taibai Tower."

For hundreds of years, the Taibai Tower has thrived, its fine wines fragrant; even though Chang'an has endured many wars, its prosperity has not diminished.

Translation: "For centuries, Taibai Tower has thrived, its fine wines fragrant; even though Chang'an has endured many wars, its prosperity has not waned."

After all, every dynasty has its high officials, nobles, and meritorious classes, all of whom need a high‑class place to eat.

Translation: "After all, every dynasty has its nobles and meritorious classes, who always need a high-class place to eat."

Xiao Longnu looks like a celestial maiden; wherever she goes, everyone turns to look, but Feng Yi, wearing a human‑skin mask, resembles a zombie, and this contrast also draws considerable attention.

Translation: "Xiao Longnv resembled a celestial maiden; wherever she went, all eyes were drawn to her, but Feng Yi wore a human skin mask, making him look like a corpse—this contrast also attracted much attention."

Especially since the Taibai Tower stands on Chang'an's most prosperous street, it draws astonished glances; even though Feng Yi knows that walking with Xiao Longnu will inevitably attract attention, wearing the mask still feels somewhat awkward to him.

Translation: "Especially since Taibai Tower stands on Chang'an's most prosperous street, drawing astonishment from everyone; even though Feng Yi knew that walking with Xiao Longnv would inevitably cause such a scene, wearing the human skin mask still made him feel somewhat ill at ease."

He feels as if he has become a spectacle, yet Xiao Longnu remains composed, causing Feng Yi to admire her strong mental fortitude.

Translation: "He felt like he had become a spectacle, yet Xiao Longnv remained composed, which made Feng Yi admire her strong mental fortitude."

Gazing at the bustling tavern, although she had never seen it before, she could sense its atmosphere and softly asked, "Why have we come here?"

Translation: "Xiao Longnv gazed at the bustling tavern, though she had never seen it before, she could smell it, and she asked softly, 'Why have we come here?'"

Feng Yi replied, "Let's get something to eat—this is the finest tavern in all of Sanqin; we'll eat our fill and drink our fill before hitting the road again."

Translation: "Feng Yi replied, 'To eat, of course—this is the finest tavern in the whole Sanqin region; let's eat our fill and drink our fill before we hit the road.'"

Having already entered the tavern, Xiao Longnu eats simply; she had just eaten a few buns and was no longer hungry, but seeing Feng Yi go inside, she dislikes dealing with strangers, so having encountered an acquaintance like him, she simply follows along.

Let's produce: "Having said that, they had already entered the tavern. Xiao Longnv ate simply; she had just had a few buns and was no longer hungry, but seeing Feng Yi already inside, she disliked dealing with strangers, and since she could meet an acquaintance like Feng Yi, she had no choice but to follow him in."

It was already afternoon; although the Taibai Tower had few patrons, Xiao Longnu's entrance immediately drew everyone's gaze—a woman whose beauty rivals a celestial being and whose skin outshines snow is truly rare.

Translation: "It was already afternoon; although the tavern had few patrons, Xiao Longnv's entrance immediately drew everyone's gaze. A woman whose beauty rivaled a celestial maiden and whose skin outshone snow is truly a rare sight."

As soon as Feng Yi went upstairs, he told the attendant, "Bring a large platter of beef, a large platter of rolled pancakes, sweet-and-sour carp, Jade Pearl Double Treasures, osmanthus‑shredded skin, millet porridge, and an extra five catties of Taibai wine."

Translation: "As soon as Feng Yi went upstairs, he told the attendant, 'Bring a large platter of beef, a large platter of rolled pancakes, sweet-and-sour carp, Jade Pearl Double Delicacy, osmanthus shreds, millet porridge, and an extra five jin of Taibai wine.'"

This wasn't his first visit; these are the Taibai Tower's specialties, so the attendant dared not be negligent.

Translation: "This was not his first visit here; these were the tavern's specialties, so the attendant dared not be negligent."

Feng Yi requested a private room on the third floor; aside from faint murmurs of conversation, everything fell into silence, as if only then did the Taibai Tower truly possess the lofty, aloof bearing of a distinguished scholar, and it could restore Xiao Longnu's icy, otherworldly aura of a celestial maiden descended to the mortal realm.

Seated by the window, Xiao Longnu only after sitting down and facing Feng Yi did she notice his visage had drastically changed into a zombie‑like appearance, and she asked strangely, "What happened to your face?"

Translation: "The two sat by the window; only after Xiao Longnv settled down and faced Feng Yi did she notice his visage had completely changed into that of a corpse, and she asked strangely, 'What happened to your face?'"

Feng Yi pulled off the human‑skin mask, chuckling, "You're too beautiful; walking beside you draws too many glances—how much they like you is how much they hate me. I don't want to bear this unjust blame!"

Translation: "Feng Yi pulled off the human skin mask and chuckled, 'You're too fairy-like; walking with you draws too many glances—how much they like you is how much they hate me. I don't want to bear this unjust blame!'"

Xiao Longnu previously had no concept of her own beauty or ugliness, but hearing Yang Guo and Li Mochou say she was beautiful made her realize she truly was lovely; now, having been called a fairy, she knows the phrase "beautiful as a celestial maiden," yet she still finds it odd and says, "No matter how others love or admire you, how does that make me suffer unjust blame?"

Let's produce: "Xiao Longnv previously had no concept of her own beauty or ugliness, but hearing both Yang Guo and Li Mochou say she was beautiful made her realize she was indeed lovely; today she had also been called a fairy, and though she knew the phrase 'beauty like a celestial maiden,' she still found it odd, saying, 'Others may love or hate as they please—how does that make me the cause of your unjust blame?'"

Feng Yi laughed heartily and said, "You only have Yang Guo in your heart; I'm merely a guide who helps you, gaining nothing for myself. Being envied and jealous is tolerable, but if they actually hate me, that would be a huge loss—I won't stand for it!"

Translation: "Feng Yi laughed loudly and said, 'You have only Yang Guo in your heart; I am merely a guide who helps, gaining nothing—being envied and hated is tolerable, but if they truly hate me, isn't that a great loss? I won't stand for it!'"

Saying such a thing to any woman would be taken as flirtation.

Translation: "Saying such a thing to any woman would be taken as flirtation."

Because people of that era were strictly bound by propriety, they never dared to speak of private feelings in public; even among martial‑arts youth, such wanton remarks were rare.

Translation: "For people of that era were strictly bound by propriety; they never dared to speak of private chamber matters in public, and even among martial arts youths such licentious words were rare."

Yet Xiao Longnu took no offense, replying, "You're right—I usually feel no fondness for men, but I am extremely fond of Guo'er."

Translation: "However, Xiao Longnv paid no heed to his words and said, 'What you say is true—I feel no fondness for men in general, but I am extremely fond of Guo'er.'"

Speaking of such romantic matters, this young maiden did so without a hint of breathlessness, without changing her expression, showing no trace of shyness; Feng Yi secretly admired her composure.

Translation: "Speaking of such romantic feelings, she, a young maiden, did so without catching her breath, without changing her expression, showing not the slightest shyness, and Feng Yi secretly admired her."

Not only in this age, but even in past lives, women who have long been accustomed to men would still show bashfulness when discussing such matters.

Translation: "Not only in this age, but even in a previous life, women who had long been intimate with men would still show bashfulness when discussing such matters."

Soon enough, the dishes were ready and all set out on the table.

Translation: "Soon enough, the dishes were ready and placed on the table."

Feng Yi gestured with his hand and said, "Miss Long, please try it."

Translation: "Feng Yi gestured and said, 'Miss Long, please try them.'"

Seeing so many dishes for the first time, Xiao Longnu thought back to her childhood, when Grandma Sun prepared her meals; after the grandmother's death, she relied on Yang Guo, subsisting mostly on wild game and honey, and had never seen such a dazzling array of food, wondering, "Could it be that Guo'er's sole purpose in coming down the mountain is for these delicacies?"

Let's produce: "Seeing so many dishes for the first time, Xiao Longnv thought back to her childhood, when Grandma Sun prepared her meals; after Grandma Sun's death, she relied on Yang Guo, and they mostly ate wild game and honey, never having seen such a dazzling array of dishes, and she wondered, 'Could it be that Guo'er's wholehearted desire to leave the mountains is just for these?'"

Noticing her strange demeanor and guessing her thoughts, Feng Yi said, "Miss Long, since you have entered the mortal world, this is merely the first step; you will face many more challenges ahead."

Translation: "Seeing her strange demeanor, Feng Yi roughly guessed her thoughts and said, 'Miss Long, since you have entered the mortal world, this is only the first step; you will face much more ahead.'"

Saying this, he first picked up his chopsticks; having subsisted on dry rations for days, he now heartily ate and drank as the aroma of food and wine filled the hall.

Translation: "Having said that, he began to eat with his chopsticks; he had been living on dry rations for days, but now the aroma of food and wine filled the hall, and he ate and drank heartily."

Xiao Longnu also took up her chopsticks, sipping some millet porridge; Feng Yi poured her a bowl of wine and said, "You dared to come down the mountain for that boy Yang Guo—this step is truly brave, even braver than your grandmother; I raise a bowl to you."

Translation: "Xiao Longnv also picked up her chopsticks, sipping some millet porridge; Feng Yi poured her a bowl of wine and said, 'You dared to come down the mountain for that brat Yang Guo—this step is truly brave, even stronger than your grandmother; I toast you with a bowl.'"

Hearing this, Xiao Longnu felt delighted, drank half a bowl of wine, her complexion grew even more radiant, and she asked, "You say I'm brave?"

Translation: "Hearing this, Xiao Longnv felt delighted and also drank half a bowl of wine; her complexion grew even more radiant, and she asked, 'You say I am brave?'"

Feng Yi nodded and said, "That's only natural. Any man who receives such treatment from you is blessed. Yang Guo is a man of feeling; if he knew, he'd surely roll over several times in delight."

Translation: "Feng Yi nodded and said, 'That is natural. Any man who receives such treatment from you is blessed. Yang Guo is a man of feeling; if he knew, he would surely tumble over and over.'"

Xiao Longnu lowered her head in thought, then suddenly lifted her gaze; her clear, star‑like eyes were full of pleading as she looked at Feng Yi and said, "You've also seen him—Yang Guo would die for me, so why is he so determined to come down the mountain? Isn't having me by his side enough?"

Translation: "Xiao Longnv lowered her head in thought for a moment, then suddenly lifted it, her clear starry eyes full of pleading, and she asked Feng Yi, 'You have also seen him—Guo'er would die for me, so why is he so determined to come down the mountain? Is my company not enough for him?'"

This remark caught Feng Yi completely off guard; despite his keen wit, he was momentarily at a loss for words, paused, and said, "Miss, I have no answer to that."

Translation: "This question took Feng Yi by surprise; despite his exceptional wit, he was momentarily at a loss for a proper reply, and after a pause he said, 'Miss, I have no answer to that.'"

"You know as well that I and Hong Lingbo were lovers, yet she, like you, left me."

"I thought I had done enough—I passed on all the advanced martial‑arts secrets to her, and I would give her anything she wanted if I could. Yet she remains dissatisfied; what answer could I possibly give you? I have none!" He said this while downing a bowl of wine.

Translation: "I thought I had done enough—I passed on all the profound martial arts secrets to her, and I would give her anything I could manage; yet she remained dissatisfied. You ask what answer I could give you? I have none either!' Saying this, he downed a bowl of wine."

Xiao Longnu let out a soft sigh and said, "If you can't figure it out, then I certainly can't either."

Translation: "Xiao Longnv let out a soft sigh and said, 'If you can't figure it out, then I certainly can't either.'"

She then finished the half‑bowl of wine.

Translation: "Having said that, she finished the half bowl of wine."

Feng Yi sighed inwardly, "This woman trusts people too easily—no wonder in the original story Zhen Zhibing managed to steal from her home, and even Gongsun Zhi picked up the leftovers, almost taking advantage of her."

We need to keep names: Zhen Zhongbing? Not in glossary; but it's a name appearing. Should we translate? It's a person's name, we should keep pinyin? According to rules: Use Hanyu Pinyin ONLY for a person's actual NAME. So we should romanize Zhen Zhongbing as "Zhen Zhongbing". Similarly Gongsun Zhi is already in glossary as Gongsun Zhi. So we keep those.

Thus translation: "Feng Yi sighed inwardly: 'This woman trusts people too easily—no wonder in the original plot there was Zhen Zhongbing stealing her home, and then Gongsun Zhi swooped in to pick up the leftovers, almost taking advantage of her.'"

Having almost finished their meal, Xiao Longnu, lost in thought, fixed her icy‑clear eyes on him and suddenly asked, "When you were leaving that day, what did you say to Guo'er?"

Translation: "Having almost finished their meal, Xiao Longnv, lost in thought, fixed her clear, ice‑snow eyes on him and suddenly asked, 'What did you say to Guo'er when you were about to leave that day?'"

Seeing her unfriendly gaze, Feng Yi thought to himself, "I just told him I want to marry you, but don't tell anyone you're his master!" Yet he said aloud, "Nothing much—I just mentioned something about his father."

Translation: "Seeing her unfriendly gaze, Feng Yi thought, 'I just told him that if he wanted to marry you, he shouldn't tell others that you are his master!' but he said aloud, 'Nothing much—I just mentioned something about his father.'"

Xiao Longnu coldly replied, "You're lying to me!"

Translation: "Xiao Longnv coldly replied, 'You're lying to me!'"

Feng Yi thought, "If I call her stupid, she shows astonishing cleverness in some areas; if I call her clever, she proves utterly foolish."

Translation: "Feng Yi thought, 'If I call her stupid, she shows astonishing cleverness in some respects; if I call her clever, she is utterly foolish.'"

On Xiao Longnu's icy‑cold face rose an expression of deep resentment as she said, "Guo'er used to be fine, but ever since he parted from you, he's constantly wanted to come down the mountain; if it weren't for that, we…"

Thus: "On Xiao Longnv's face, cold as ice and frost, appeared an expression of deep resentment, and she said, 'Guo'er used to be fine, but ever since he parted from you, he has constantly wanted to come down the mountain; if it weren't so, we…'"

As she spoke, her face turned pale, her eyes suddenly grew cloudy, as if veiled by a thin mist.

Translation: "As she spoke, her face turned pale and her eyes suddenly grew cloudy, as if a thin veil of mist had covered them."

Feng Yi inwardly shouted that he was wronged; Yang Guo, with a carefree nature, wanted to go out into the jianghu to roam—what did that have to do with me? But when their eyes met, it seemed to say, "You're the one at fault—how could I still deceive her?" So he could only wave his hand and say, "Don't label me, I'm telling you the truth."

I'm just saying he wants to marry you as his wife, so don't tell people you're his master—that's all.

Yang Guo himself wants to go down the mountain, and it has nothing to do with me.

Xiao Longnv's expression changed, and she coldly said, "Why is that again?"

Ahem, you insist I give a reason—it's too complicated, far from being explained in a few words.

But I'll just say the simplest point: a woman like you takes up at least half of the world's beauty, who knows how many men would like to look at you.

Then for the man with you, many people would feel jealous, which would eventually turn into hatred.

Holding such malice, if given the chance to ruin him, how could one let it go?

Feng Yi deeply knows that in the original plot, Yang Guo and Xiao Longnv's union is obstructed by people; while it's due to rites and laws, who knows how many among them are driven by envy, jealousy, and hatred.

In short, you, Yang Guo, get lost—let me come!

A hint of rose appeared on Xiao Longnv's fair cheeks as she said, "You speak so strangely; what other men do has nothing to do with me. I only have Guo'er in my heart, and I'm not on good terms with him."

Feng Yi let out a sigh and said, "You're still too naive; you don't understand the ins and outs. Let me give a simple example: if your master were a man and wanted to marry you as his wife, what would you do?"

Xiao Longnv's cold, ice‑like, self‑willed contempt for conventional ethics stemmed from her upbringing; but she truly knows her master's status and the master‑disciple bounds. Upon Feng Yi's question, she was stunned speechless.

"Well…" Xiao Longnv stammered, unable to speak. A look of hitherto unseen resentment rose on her face, and her clear, ice‑water eyes brimmed with glistening tears.

At that moment she seemed to have lost all her strength, appearing frail, evoking spontaneous pity.

This scene also reminded Feng Yi of the tearstains Hong Lingbo left on his note; he poured a bowl of wine and added, "Actually, I sometimes can't figure out what you girls think about all day."

Saying you don't love Yang Guo just doesn't fit.

Saying you do love him, yet you just walk off without any communication.

Now I'm in the same predicament; Hong Lingbo left a few words and ran away.

I don't know what's wrong with me, and since nobody says it outright, I have to guess—it's infuriating.

Speaking of your Ancient Tomb Sect's internal energy, isn't there a big problem with it?

Xiao Longnv's heart sank slightly as she stared at Feng Yi and asked, "Why say that?"

Feng Yi's remarks weren't premeditated; they were sparked by the scene and his feelings.

Since Xiao Longnv, Li Mochou, and Hong Lingbo are all like that, he strongly suspects that the Ancient Tomb Sect's internal energy is what makes people this way, and he's quite curious.

Feng Yi said calmly, "Back then your founding grandmother liked Wang Zhongyang, but she was conceited, wanting to make her thoughts understood through internal energy. In short, she acted according to her own nature; now you are like that, and so are Li Mochou and Hong Lingbo."

Who isn't extremely self‑centered, ending up obsessive? I think the former Senior Lin and Wang Zhongyang were in a state of being near yet distant.

Moreover, internal energy and mindset are closely related; especially, the creators of martial arts shape their arts according to what kind of people they are.

So you disciples, while you've gained benefits, also suffer drawbacks!

Xiao Longnv gave a cold stare, pursed her lips, gazed at Feng Yi, hesitated a moment, snorted, and turned her head away.

Feng Yi was about to elaborate when a sudden commotion erupted downstairs in the street; he and Xiao Longnv looked out the window and saw pedestrians parting like waves to either side.

Xiao Longnv wondered, looking not far off, and saw a procession of about forty‑five people, with an eight‑person‑carried green‑cloth gold‑topped grand carriage in the center, flanked front and rear by Mongol escort troops.

The mighty procession came forward, pedestrians dodging to stand on either side of the street, faces full of fear.

In an instant the street was empty and silent; Xiao Longnv gazed silently, her eyes full of undisguised bewilderment.

She didn't understand why these people were making way for one another.

Feng Yi saw what she was thinking and said, "This is Jingzhao Prefecture; it was once ruled by the Jin, now controlled by the Mongols—all foreign tribes. My Han compatriots have been trampled at will for hundreds of years, and it's become habit."

Xiao Longnv felt no love or hate toward the Mongols, but seeing this she grew weary and sighed softly, "So in this world, are there more good people or bad?"

Xiao Longnv's thoughts are simple, but that question is too philosophical.

Because Feng Yi believes good and bad are often relative, depending on stance and environment, it's really hard to answer that question for Xiao Longnv.

For example, treating Xiao Longnv versus an ordinary woman—though they're the same group of people—the resulting proportion of good to bad is completely different.

Just as he hesitated, a woman in green leapt from the crowd, shook her hands, and with a whoosh threw a cluster of hidden weapons at the escort soldiers.

She struck swiftly; in an instant cries of anguish rang out, and five or six soldiers lay on the ground, unable to rise.

With her move successful, she hung in midair, felt at her waist, and now held a willow‑leaf blade, shouting, "Yelu Chucai, prepare to die!" In one leap she lunged at the carriage, her weapon flashing as she slashed toward its interior.

Xiao Longnv frowned slightly and said, "This woman's movement is superb."

The Ancient Tomb Sect's lightness skill is unrivaled under heaven; to earn even a praise from Xiao Longnv is extraordinary, and Feng Yi nodded in agreement.

However, they praised her lightness skill itself; though her grasp is shallow, her technique is top‑notch.

Only see the woman launch herself at the carriage; before her blade touched the curtain, a man and a woman flashed out from either side, the man lightly throwing a punch at her chest.

The assassin, sensing danger and knowing success was impossible, flicked her willow‑leaf blade to deflect the punch, tapped the carriage pillar with the blade's edge, and, using the rebound, lightly retreated more than ten feet.

Though she avoided the blow, it was still a close call; her cherry lips parted as she panted, cold sweat trickling down her temples, her angry eyes fixed on the two before her.

Two people already stood before the carriage; the street crowd burst into an uproar, simply because all three were young and handsome.

The assassin was indeed lovely, the other woman equally beautiful—she was Yelu Yan—and the handsome, stalwart man was Yelu Qi.

Yelu Yan stepped forward and said, "Wanyan Ping, we already let you go once—how dare you come back?"

Wanyan Ping stared fixedly at Yelü Yan with her lovely eyes: "The grudge against my parents cannot be shared under the same heaven!"

Yelü Yan shouted angrily: "Then don't blame me!"

He struck out with his right palm, slashing down at Wanyan Ping's face; with his left hand he used the empty-hand weapon-seizing technique to snatch her single blade.

The two moves were coordinated quite cleverly; Wanyan Ping tilted her head to avoid the palm, kicked out with a flying leg, forcing him to retreat, so her single blade was not snatched away.

Xiao Longnv and Yelü Yan moved swiftly; secretly marveling, and Yelü Yan's martial arts seemed to be that of the Quanzhen Sect; in an instant they had exchanged blows, parries, and deflections, having broken through seven or eight moves.

At that moment, a deep, resonant voice from the corridor said: "These two girls are really quite formidable."

Feng Yi stretched his head out the window and saw four people leaning on the railing of the third floor, looking down.

One person was eight feet tall, with coarse hands and big feet, his face bearing a foolish grin, his eyes dull.

Another was short and thin, shriveled, wearing a black robe; his dark, sooty face had deep-set eye sockets, making his age indiscernible; he wore large gold earrings, was barefoot, and from his attire he looked like an Indian.

A sharp voice also rang out, saying: "Brother Yin, you are well-traveled and knowledgeable; perhaps you can tell their school?"

Feng Yi looked toward the speaker, this person dressed all in dark blue cloth brocade robe, tall and thin, with a slight turn of the face, actually had no blood color, resembling a zombie, only a pair of eyes sparkling extraordinarily, cold light flowing, seizing people's souls and spirits, showing that his inner strength is extraordinary.

Only heard one person chuckle and say: "Brother Xiao Xiang, you overpraise me; the path of martial arts is deep as an ocean, extraordinary talents emerge endlessly, my knowledge is merely superficial."

Xiao Longnv hearing this also turned her gaze, seeing he was tall and slender, with a high nose and deep-set eyes, at first glance a Western Regions Hu person, his whole body radiating pearls and gems, indeed the Yin Kexi that Feng Yi had previously exchanged moves with.

And that zombie-like Xiao Xiangzi, Feng Yi had already guessed it was him, although they had never met before, but just from that unique appearance it was not hard to guess.

Xiao Xiangzi knew Yin Kexi was feigning modesty, also not interrupting, he shook his head and gave a low smile, wanting to hear his later words.

Indeed, Yin Kexi said again: "The daughter of the Yelü Chancellor, her martial arts seem to be of the Quanzhen Sect, that Miss Wanyan, I have poor eyesight, please Brother Xiao Xiang give me guidance."

Xiao Xiangzi's pair of deep-pool-like eyes watched the two girls fight, unable to help shaking his head and letting out a soft sigh: "The kung fu is good, but it merely wastes the reputation of Iron Palm Water Float in vain, alas, alas!"

As he shook his head, Xiao Longnv saw his profile and gaze, her heart involuntarily sank; she saw his pair of deep-pool-like eyes like rippling green waves, containing a strange radiance, his face faintly revealing a hint of greenish qi, knowing this person's internal strength was extremely profound, far above her own.

Yin Kexi sucked in a breath of cold air, saying: "You say that Wanyan Yanping is the inheritor of Qiu Tie Zhang?"

Xiao Xiangzi arrogantly gave no answer.

The black dwarf laughed ha ha and said: "I have long dwelled in India, yet I also know that the Iron Palm Gang once dominated Jingxiang, its chief Iron Palm Water Float shook the martial world; I originally wanted to meet him, but the journey was too far, so I could not make it."

Xiao Xiangzi, you have long resided in western Hunan, neighboring the Iron Palm Gang, why not contend with him for supremacy?

Xiao Xiangzi's face sank like water, instantly a mass of greenish qi rose on his face, from his robe sleeve he extended five withered fingers, grabbing the railing before him, his five fingers exerted force, as if piercing rotten earth.

That wooden railing was pinched off a piece by him, with a casual flick the wood chip turned into sawdust, rustling down in the wind.

Xiao Xiangzi clapped his hands and said gloomily: "When Qiu Qianren shook the martial world, I was bitterly practicing the Longevity Wood Eternal Life Skill, and could only watch him take the title. Alas, Brother Ni Mo Xing, your martial arts prowess is unmatched in India; if you had come earlier to the Central Plains, how could others have claimed supremacy?"

Ni Mo Xing's eyes gleamed with divine light, suddenly he looked up and laughed ha ha, saying nothing, yet very pleased.

Xiao Xiangzi's face changed several times, also letting out a few cold laughs.

Feng Yi knew these two were proud of their divine skills, neither submitting to the other, secretly scheming, but how could they appear here? Xiao Longnv, however, doubted and asked Feng Yi: "These people's inner strength is so profound; are there really that many masters in the world?"

(End of chapter)