Chapter 116

Before the camp gate all was silent; only the wind blowing the banners made a rustling sound.

Translation: "Before the camp gate all was silent; only the wind blowing the banners made a rustling sound."

Before the camp gate all was silent; only the wind blowing the banners made a rustling sound.

You should know that after Empress Nimaqa of Ögedei assumed the regency, she trusted the minister Wendu'er Hama'er, repeatedly belittled Yelü Chucai, yet she dared not act against him lightly, for he was a veteran of three reigns, and many of the Mongols' military and political policies were implemented according to his thinking.

Translation: "You should know that after Empress Nimaqa of Ögedei assumed regency, she trusted the minister Wendu'er Hama'er and repeatedly belittled Yelü Chucai, yet she dared not act against him lightly, for he was a veteran of three reigns, and many of Mongolia's military and political policies were implemented according to his thinking."

You should know that after Empress Nimaqa of Ögedei assumed the regency, she trusted the minister Wendu'er Hama'er, repeatedly belittled Yelü Chucai, yet she dared not act against him lightly, for he was a veteran of three reigns, and many of the Mongols' military and political policies were implemented according to his thinking.

We'll produce a concise translation.

And Kublai's father, Prince Tolui, had once served as regent of the Mongols, though he was not the Great Khan, he was akin to one.

Translation: "And Kublai's father, Prince Tolui, once served as regent of Mongolia; he was not the Great Khan, yet he acted like one."

Later, although Tolui died, Kublai and his brothers were still feared by Ögedei and his empress, yet they were entrusted with important responsibilities, all because the Tolui family's power was too great.

Translation: "Later, although Tolui died, Kublai and his brothers were still feared by Ögedei and the empress, yet they were entrusted with important duties, all because the Tolui clan wielded great power."

Möngke and Kublai were both exceptionally talented and won the Mongols' hearts; as long as one did not want to see internal Mongol strife, nobody could be swayed.

Translation: "Mongke and Kublai were especially talented, winning the hearts of the Mongols; as long as one did not want internal strife in Mongolia, none could be shaken."

Yet both of them jointly tried to retain a young Han man, which was unprecedented.

Translation: "Yet the two of them jointly tried to retain a Han boy, which was unprecedented."

Some people felt both anxious and jealous.

Translation: "Some felt both apprehensive and jealous."

Feng Yi remained silent for a moment, then said: "You and I are neither old acquaintances nor friends; we are mortal enemies. What talk of shared aspirations? Do I really have to call you comrades?"

Translation: "Feng Yi fell silent for a moment, then said: 'We are neither old friends nor companions; we are mortal enemies. What talk of shared aspirations? Do I have to call you comrades?'"

"Comrades?" Yelü Chucai stroked his beard and pondered.

Translation: "'Comrades?' Yelü Chucai stroked his beard and pondered."

"Comrades!" Kublai laughed heartily: "You and Chancellor Yelü are surely men of virtue and shared aspirations, are you not?"

"Comrades!" Kublai laughed heartily: "You and Chancellor Yelü are surely men of virtue and shared aspirations, are you not?"

Feng Yi, because of that word we also need to have a deep discussion. Your Highness would like to invite Feng Yi inside the tent for a chat—may I?

Translation: "'Feng Yi, because of that word we also need to have a deep discussion. Your Highness would like to invite Feng Yi inside the tent for a chat—may I?'"

"Feng Yi, because of that word we also need to have a deep discussion. Your Highness would like to invite Feng Yi inside the tent for a chat—may I?"

Feng Yi laughed and said: "Could it be that you intend to give me a Hongmen banquet?"

Translation: "Feng Yi smiled: 'Are you intending to give me a Hongmen banquet?'"

Yelü Chucai laughed and said: "Absolutely not; the four princes seek talent eagerly, so you may rest assured."

Translation: "Yelü Chucai laughed: 'Not at all; the Fourth Prince seeks talent eagerly, so you may rest assured.'"

Yin Kexi chuckled and said: "Master Feng, your martial prowess is unrivaled under heaven, peerless in the world."

Translation: "Yin Kexi chuckled: 'Feng Yi, your martial prowess is unrivaled under heaven, without equal.'"

The prince must sincerely admire you, which is why we have sincerely invited you; if it were a Hongmen banquet, we would still worry about being unable to protect the prince's safety.

Translation: "The Prince must sincerely admire you, which is why we sincerely invite you; if it were a Hongmen banquet, we would still worry about failing to protect the Prince's safety.'"

Yin Kexi is crafty and fearful of Feng Yi's martial skill; he therefore first flatters Feng Yi, so that if they truly came to blows, he would find it hard to deliver a killing blow—this is his way of self-preservation.

Translation: "Yin Kexi is crafty and wary of Feng Yi's martial skill; he therefore first flatters Feng Yi, so that if they truly came to blows, he would find it hard to deliver a killing blow—this is his way of self-preservation."

Feng Yi actually knew Kublai's intentions all along; he understood that Kublai wanted to win him over.

Translation: "Feng Yi actually knew Kublai's intentions early on; he knew Kublai wanted to win him over."

Upon this, he was also greatly moved, for being in the same tent would bring them closer, making assassination much easier.

Translation: "Upon this, he also felt tempted, for being in the same tent would shorten the distance and make assassination much easier."

But regardless of whether the assassination succeeds, trying to escape afterward would become far more difficult.

Translation: "But regardless of whether the assassination succeeded, escaping afterward would become far more difficult."

Because there is a watchtower on each side of the gate, at this moment the soldiers on the towers have already drawn their bows and nocked arrows, ready to shoot. Being at the gate, if the enemy tries to surround and kill me, I can escape at any time.

Translation: "Because there were watchtowers on either side of the Yuan Gate for lookout, the sentries on the towers had already nocked their bows, ready to shoot. Standing at the camp gate, if they tried to surround and kill him, he could break away at any moment."

But once I enter the tent, Kublai will surely mobilize troops to surround me from all sides; if the Golden Wheel State Master is also lying in wait inside, with experts closing in nearby and cavalry encircling from afar, I could easily be done for.

Translation: "But once he entered the tent, Kublai would surely mobilize troops to surround him from all sides; if the Golden Wheel National Teacher also lay in ambush inside, with experts closing in and troops encircling from afar, he would surely come to grief."

Feng Yi pondered, glanced at Yin Kexi with a hint of mockery, and said: "I have trained my breath for years; how could I fall for your provocation?"

Translation: "Feng Yi pondered, his gaze on Yin Kexi, and said with a hint of mockery: 'I have cultivated Qi for years; how could I fall for a provocation tactic?'"

You boast of being experts, yet you would enslave others; your courage is not even that of a common man, and any overreaching thoughts will only bring about your own ruin.

Translation: "You boast of being masters, yet you would make others slaves; your courage is not even that of a rustic, and any overreaching thought will only bring about your own ruin.'"

Yin Kexi, the Xiangxiaozi, and others heard this, their faces slightly flushed. Though they have never cared for benevolence, righteousness, or morality, they are all arrogant and self-important, yet they place great weight on status and dignity.

Translation: "Yin Kexi, Xiao Xiangzi, and the others heard this, their faces slightly flushed. Though they had never cared for benevolence or morality, they were arrogant and self-important, yet they placed great stock in status and dignity."

Usually, even if all three of them were present, let alone just one, they would not fear a youngster; but now they know that relying on themselves alone, they are no match for Feng Yi—anything they say or do will only bring them shame.

Translation: "Normally, even if all three were present, let alone just one, they would not fear a youth; but now they know that singly they are no match for Feng Yi—anything they say or do would only bring them shame."

Seeing several people lower their heads in silence, Feng Yi felt that his performance had already established his reputation; he eased his expression, turned to Kublai, and said: "Your Highness, I know exactly what you want. A talk inside the tent is nothing more than first trying to lure me with profit; if I refuse, you will then resort to force. Anyway, having come here, you will not let me leave, right?"

Translation: "Seeing several people lower their heads in silence, Feng Yi felt that his performance had established his reputation; he eased his expression and turned to Kublai, saying: 'Fourth Prince, I know exactly what you want. A talk inside the tent is nothing more than first luring with profit; if I refuse, then coercion follows. Since I have come, you will not let me leave, am I right?'"

Kublai was taken aback, gave a wry smile, and said: "If you were me, what would you do?"

Translation: "Kublai was taken aback, gave a wry smile, and said: 'If you were me, what would you do?'"

Feng Yi laughed heartily: "If I were in your place, I would certainly do the same. After all, someone like me, constantly watching you, would make you unable to sleep soundly!"

Translation: "Feng Yi laughed heartily: 'If I were in your place, I would certainly do the same. After all, someone like me watching you every day would make you unable to sleep soundly!'"

Nimoxing, seeing him treat everyone as nothing, angrily said: "You surnamed Feng, always twisting and turning—what are you up to?"

Translation: "Nimo Xing, seeing him treat everyone as nothing, shouted angrily: 'Surname Feng, you keep twisting and turning—what are you up to?'"

Do you dare to enter the camp to drink wine and eat meat?

Translation: "Do you dare to enter the camp to drink wine and eat meat?'"

Feng Yi sneered: "You little dark dwarf, dare you come out and fight me for three rounds?"

Translation: "Feng Yi sneered: 'Black dwarf, do you dare to come out and fight me for three bouts?'"

Nimoxing shouted: "Afraid I can't handle you?" Looking around, he suddenly swayed and darted off toward the tents.

Translation: "Nimo Xing shouted: 'Afraid you won't make it?' He glanced left and right, then suddenly swayed and darted off toward the tents."

Everyone was stunned.

Translation: "Everyone was stunned."

Wasn't it supposed to be a fight? What are you doing? Kublai said: "Master Feng, you killed my great Mongol official; you have come into my army today, intending to prevent my Mongols from invading the Song—am I not right?"

Translation: "Wasn't it supposed to be a fight? What are you doing? Kublai said: 'Feng Yi, you killed my Mongol official; today you have come into my great army, intending to prevent my Mongolia from invading the Song—am I not right?'"

Kublai's talent and ambition rival even his ancestor Genghis Khan; seeing Feng Yi wave his arms freely, he gazes upon tens of thousands of troops and his own elite warriors as if they were nothing.

Translation: "Kublai's talent and ambition directly pursue his ancestor Genghis Khan; seeing Feng Yi wield his power at will, he regards tens of thousands of troops and his own elite as nothing."

Such bearing and martial skill made him unable to help but admire him; he not only refrains from mentioning Feng Yi's assassination of his subordinates, but also wishes to recruit him into his own retinue.

Translation: "Such bearing and skill made him favor Feng Yi involuntarily; he not only refrained from mentioning Feng Yi's assassination of his subordinates, but also wanted to recruit him into his retinue."

If we let him go assassinate Song masters and deal with Central Plains martial artists, what worry would there be that the Song would not fall?

Translation: "If he were sent to assassinate Song masters and deal with Central Plains martial artists, what worry would there be that the Song would not fall?"

Just now he mentioned Guo Jing's martial arts being the best in the Central Plains, precisely to spur this vigorous young man to seek fame by confronting Guo Jing.

Translation: "Just now he mentioned Guo Jing's martial arts being number one in the Central Plains, intending to have this hot‑blooded youth contend with Guo Jing for fame."

But Feng Yi could not fail to see his intention; he completely ignored the bait, so Kublai changed his approach.

Translation: "But Feng Yi could not fail to see his intention; he completely ignored the hint, so Kublai changed his approach."

Feng Yi said: "Not bad!"

Translation: "Feng Yi said: 'Not bad!'"

Kublai nodded and said: "Yes, I have heard that when one's martial arts reach the pinnacle, they must be a hero who sees things clearly."

Translation: "Kublai nodded: 'Yes, I have heard that when one's martial skill reaches the peak, one must be a hero who sees things clearly.'"

You and I, Han and Mongol, differ; whether you wish to kill me or I wish to kill you, both are understandable.

Translation: "You and I, Han and Mongol apart, whether you wish to kill me or I wish to kill you, both are understandable."

But if you killed me, or I killed you, could this Song-Mongol war possibly be avoided?

Translation: "But if you killed me, or I killed you, could this Song‑Mongol war be avoided?"

Feng Yi was taken aback, thought it over, and said: "I actually don't know that!"

Translation: "Feng Yi was startled, thought it over, and said: 'I don't know that!'"

Kublai laughed and said: "Then let me tell you, Your Highness, even if I died, this war would still be unavoidable."

Translation: "Kublai laughed: 'Your Highness can tell you that even if I died, this war would still be unavoidable.'"

Because as long as multiple states coexist in the world, war is inevitable; even within the same nation or ethnic group, conflict will arise.

Translation: "For as long as several states coexist, war is inevitable; even within the same nation and clan, conflict arises."

Not to mention before my grandfather Genghis Khan unified the Mongols, just look at you Han people—from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, through the late Han and Three Kingdoms, when has there not been incessant slaughter?

Translation: "Not to mention my grandfather Genghis Khan unifying Mongolia beforehand—just look at you Han people, from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods to the late Han and Three Kingdoms, when has there not been incessant slaughter?"

Feng Yi frowned and said: "Don't feed me that; you're merely talking about the survival of the fittest, and I am well aware of it. But this Central Plains land must never be occupied by your brutal Mongols!"

Translation: "Feng Yi frowned: 'Don't feed me that; it's nothing but the law of the jungle, and I am well aware of it—but the Central Plains must not be occupied by your brutal Mongols!'"

Yelü Chucai responded: "Your Excellency says the Mongols are brutal; that cannot be denied. But this is only a part of them, not the whole."

Translation: "Yelü Chucai replied: 'Your Excellency says the Mongols are brutal; that cannot be denied. But this is only part of them, not the whole.'"

And you are merely a jianghu person, unaware of great righteousness, disregarding the law, rebelling and causing disorder, which draws copycats, forces officials to launch campaigns, deprives the people of peace and livelihood, wastes labor and wealth, yet you claim to be just—however...

Translation: "And you are merely a jianghu dweller, ignorant of righteousness, disobeying the law, rebelling and causing disorder, which draws copycats, making officials and soldiers rush to suppress, leaving the people unable to live in peace, wasting labor and wealth, while you claim to be just—yet …"

Feng Yi chuckled and said: "Yelü Chucai, you are nothing more than a hunting dog raised by Temujin's lot; you bite whoever they tell you to, what qualification do you have to sit here and grandly discuss, judging my actions?"

Translation: "Feng Yi chuckled: 'Yelü Chucai, you are nothing but a hunting dog raised by Temujin and his ilk—you bite whoever they tell you to; what qualification do you have here to hold forth and judge my actions?'"

Yelü Chucai was slightly taken aback; he had never been insulted like this before. His daughter Yelü Yan loudly exclaimed: "You are talking nonsense! The Mongols want to turn the Central Plains into a horse pasture, enslaving the Han people—it is entirely thanks to my father's repeated efforts that he stopped them from indiscriminate killing and allowed Han people to hold office."

Translation: "Yelü Chucai blinked, never having been insulted like this before; his daughter Yelü Yan shouted: 'You are talking nonsense! The Mongols want to turn the Central Plains into a horse pasture, making Han people slaves—this is entirely due to my father's repeated efforts to stop them from killing indiscriminately and to let Han people hold office.'"

These facts, you, as a Han, fail to appreciate; you even killed my elder brother and slandered my father. With such indiscriminate right and wrong, what kind of hero are you?

Translation: "These deeds, you as a Han not only fail to appreciate, but you killed my elder brother and slandered my father; with such confusion of right and wrong, what kind of hero are you?"

Feng Yi lifted his head and laughed long; as he laughed, he channeled his inner energy, and the sound was heard by tens of thousands.

Translation: "Feng Yi threw back his head and laughed long, sending forth his inner power; tens of thousands heard it clearly."

Yelü Qi shook his head at Yelü Yan, fearing that if she spoke again, he would resonate with her voice and injure her.

Translation: "Yelü Qi shook his head at Yelü Yan, fearing that if she spoke again he would resonate with her voice and injure her."

Yelü Yan dared not speak further.

Translation: "Yelü Yan likewise dared not speak further."

After Feng Yi's laughter subsided, he spoke solemnly: "The Mongols invade our land, slaughter our people; as a Han, each of us bears the duty to defend our soil and home. Your father appears to have done some good for the Han, but is it not actually helping the Mongols win over hearts for their own use?"

Translation: "When Feng Yi's laughter faded, he spoke solemnly: 'The Mongols invade our land and kill our people; as a Han, everyone has the duty to defend the homeland. Your father may seem to have done some good for the Han, but is he not merely helping the Mongols win over hearts for their own use?'"

He looked around and said: "If the Mongols had their way, turning all of our Central Plains into pastures and denying Han people any path to advancement, then these newly enlisted soldiers and their families would have no hope—would they serve the Mongols willingly, or rise in revolt? The reason these people now enlist is precisely because Yelü Chucai makes them feel they are equal to the Mongols, able to earn merit in the army and let their families live well."

Translation: "He looked around and said: 'If the Mongols had their way, turning my Central Plains into pastures and giving Han people no path to advancement, these newly enlisted soldiers and their families would have no hope—would they serve the Mongols willingly or rise in revolt? The reason these people enlisted is precisely because Yelü Chucai made them feel they were equal to the Mongols, able to earn merit in the army and secure a good life for their families.'"

And this comes at the cost of their blood and that of the southern Han; should we someday regain our Han realm, these northern Han would appear somewhat superior to the southern Han.

Translation: "This, however, would be bought with the blood of them and the southern Han; moreover, should we ever win the Han realm, these northern Han would appear somewhat superior to the southern Han."

But in the eyes of the Mongols, they were still slaves.

Are the current Mongolian laws not the highest privilege for Mongols? Among these soldiers, the centurions, thousand-commanders, and ten-thousand-commanders—could any be Han? Aren't they all Mongols and Semu people? Yelv Chucai seems to be speaking for the Han, but in fact he first gives benefits to the Han, then lets these so-called vested-interest parties fight to the death.

And as the rulers, the Mongols are just waiting to reap the fruits—what a vicious trick to deceive us Han! I scold Yelv Chucai as nothing but a good dog raised by Tiemuzhen and Wokuotai; am I wrong?

He gathered his inner strength and spoke out, and everyone heard him clearly.

Yelv Chucai's face turned greenish, and he snorted, 'Well done! I, an old man who has seen countless people, have never before encountered such a talented and eloquent youth!'

However, the Song dynasty's mandate has shifted, its affairs lie in ruins, and the people flock to our army because the Mongols govern with harmony, uphold the way of benevolence and righteousness, and have won the people's hearts.

And though Jiangnan's scenery is picturesque and its scholars and men of letters possess extraordinary grace, since the Song court fled south, its rulers have been cowardly and its officials weak, relying on the Yangtze's natural defenses, leading to a decadent and licentious lifestyle.

Today's Jiangnan may be refined, but how could it withstand the Mongol war machine? I also know that raising armies for the sake of one family's rule brings great disaster—certainly wrong—but I can only, within my ability, lessen the people's suffering; could this too be a sin?

He spoke with effort to stay calm, yet his grief and indignation leaked out unintentionally.

Feng Yi is merely a rustic brute, unaware of any grand principles of governing and pacifying the realm, yet he acts as he pleases and sneered, 'Chancellor Yelv, your great benevolence may be fine, or my Feng Yi's shallowness may be the case, but it cannot be denied that your contributions to the Mongols are indeed immeasurable.'

Yet I know that, being of a different race, his heart must be different; no matter how great his achievements, he will never receive sincere treatment from his lord, and will sooner or later be purged, ending in utter ruin.

You, Yelv Chucai, will soon—second, you will not leave fame for a hundred generations; someone like Yue Fei, even after a thousand or ten thousand years, remains a model for humanity, and the people will never cease to sacrifice to him, whereas you, Yelv Chucai, will not.

Because no matter how many states you help the Mongols destroy, you cannot change the fact that you are a Khitan.

Moreover, since ancient times, loyal and valiant scholars, even if they suffer defeat, never fail to leave their names in history and be respected.

Those who surrender and lose their integrity may enjoy high office and generous stipends while alive, but posterity will surely heap curses upon them, leaving a stench for ten thousand ages—this is the most basic human value; you want me to look highly upon you without scolding you?

Unless you have the ability to drive the Mongols back to the desert and cease invading the Song, if not, take your damned benevolence theory and stuff it!' These words rang out loudly; over ten thousand people heard them clearly. The Han commoners may not understand much else, but they grasped the meaning that after the Mongols, they would settle scores with the Han oppressors.

Yelv Chucai shook his head, feeling somewhat disheartened, and sighed slowly, 'Truly, the younger generation is to be feared,'

My son died at your hands, and that is not in vain. I am indeed old and useless; the world belongs to the young now, and as one of the Four Great Kings, I have no face to remain.

Saying this, he spurred his horse out of the camp; the Yelv siblings and their retinue of guards followed closely, and as Yelv Yan passed Feng Yi's side, she let out a cold snort.

Feng Yi, like Hubielie, also did not respond.

Hubielie said, 'Great Hero Feng, I also deeply agree with what you just said; the Mongols have indeed been overly lethal, provoking dissatisfaction among some benevolent scholars, and long ago the Quanzhen Taoist Changchun Zhenren once advised Genghis Khan.'

Therefore, the little prince believes that, since ancient times, those who have conquered Jiangnan have done best only as the Song Taizu's great general Cao Bin.

Feng Yi stared, thinking, 'Who is Cao Bin?'

Although he is not an ignorant fool, he has no fondness for the Song dynasty; emperors like Zhao Kuangyin, compared to other emperors, he looks down upon, so how could he know about their subordinates?

As for the famous generals of the Song's several hundred years, he knows only a few.

Hubielie chuckled lightly, 'Cao Bin, when he pacified Jiangnan in the past, killed very few, so I sincerely admire him.'

Feng Yi's eyes rolled a few times as he smiled, 'Your Highness harbors lofty ambitions; indeed you bear the aura of a true dragon, Son of Heaven, and your presence is extraordinary.'

In my eyes, Zhao Kuangyin is nothing but a brother‑betrayer, a petty man who bullies orphans and widows, far inferior to you—but I don't know where your Cao Bin is now.

Upon hearing this, everyone was startled at once—he actually dared to scold the founding emperor of the Song; is he a Song person? Hubielie felt both pleased and surprised, and spoke calmly, 'Great Hero Feng, you think highly of me; I have no intention, no courage, no ability—how could I compare with Song Taizu?'

All I have ever wanted in my life is to emulate Cao Bin, to take Jiangnan without killing, so that the world may be free of strife, the people may live in peace and prosperity, and Han and Mongols may become one family.

As he spoke these words, he bore a righteous and resolute mien, seeming not to be empty talk.

Feng Yi, however, knew that he was merely concealing his ambition.

Hubielie then said, 'Great Hero Feng, the Zhao Song dynasty is misgoverned, the ruler is dim and the people troubled, treacherous ministers hold power, loyal subjects suffer injustice—are these statements correct or not?'

Feng Yi laughed, 'Correct!'

Upon hearing this, everyone again exchanged bewildered glances.

Hubielie's eyes shone with spirit as he added, 'A fine bird chooses its tree to roost in; talented persons choose their lord to serve—are these statements correct or not?'

Feng Yi replied, 'That counts as correct!'

Hubielie gave a slight smile and proclaimed loudly, 'The smartest person never needs others to explain too many principles!'

Your martial prowess makes me fearful and also arouses envy among the world, yet the commoners of the southern dynasties mired in suffering cannot be changed by your strength alone, nor can the corrupt and incapable Song court alter it.

The Mongols' expedition to attack the Song follows heavenly will, so it is certain to win the people's hopes, with responders gathering like clouds.

Unifying the world will give tens of millions of people a peaceful and happy living environment—just a snap of the fingers—and if you are willing to follow me, whatever you desire, as long as I have it, I will give it to you.

Upon uttering these words, Feng Yi's expression changed at once.

It was only because the long‑dormant system sounded again.

【Ding, pledge allegiance to Hubielie, complete the task of aiding the Mongols in destroying the Song and unifying the world, reward achievement points 1000】

This blow made Feng Yi feel as if he had been struck on the head with a stick, his body swaying twice.

With Feng Yi's skill, even if Mount Tai collapsed and ten thousand horses suddenly arrived, he would not be this startled.

But he knows that once he accepts this mission, it poses no difficulty for him, because in the original plot the Mongols already unified the world.

Moreover, this thousand achievement points are enough to raise his strength to the next level.

For example, practicing the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill.

With his inner strength, practicing Central Plains martial arts comes instantly; for these arts all follow the Eight Extraordinary and Twelve Regular Meridians, so they are essentially the same.

However, Tantric Buddhism has a different theory of the qi‑channels, namely the three channels and seven wheels: the left channel, right channel, and middle channel; the base wheel, abdomen wheel, navel wheel, heart wheel, throat wheel, forehead wheel, and crown wheel.

Furthermore, practicing Tantric martial arts emphasizes the three mysteries of body, speech, and mind, aiming through specific training methods to attain the state of becoming a Buddha in this very body; it is not only technique but also the cultivation of internal energy and heart‑method.

Feng Yi had already used the achievement points he earned earlier from Li Mochou's Five Poisons Secret Transmission to practice the Ancient Tomb School's lightness skill.

Therefore, relying on his own ability to practice the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill, perhaps he could never surpass the Golden Wheel in a lifetime, so he had kept it on hold.

Now that there is an opportunity to earn achievement points, mastering the thirteen layers of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill would require no millennia of theory.

But to do this, would he not become a great Han traitor?

Are not the words he just spoke a great joke?

Even though Feng Yi had long known this system was unreliable, the tasks it assigned him had never been normal.

From the very start of escaping with his life, it was nothing but pulling down his pants and farting.

It seemed as if without a mission he would not flee.

Then, when cleaning up the gates for Mei Niansheng, it seemed as if without this task he would not do it.

This time, traversing the Condor Heroes, falling from the sky, then obtaining the Five Poisons Secret Transmission from Li Mochou's hands, nothing about it resembles a normal mission.

He has become entangled with women in an unclear way.

But none of these have troubled him as much as this.

Feng Yi opened the panel with his mind's eye:

【Host: Feng Yi

Age: 22 Identity: Jianghu vagabond

Internal skill: Divine Illumination Skill (purest fire), Blood Saber Sect internal skill (purest fire), Nine Yin Divine Skill (great accomplishment)+, Note: 'purest fire' requires 100 achievement points Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill (uninitiated).

Martial techniques: Shadowless Divine Fist, Liancheng Sword Technique, Blood Saber Classic, Nine Yin True Classic, Splitting Empty Palm, Finger Snap Divine Ability, Jade Flute Sword Technique, Orchid Palm Acupoint Hand, Mystic Gate Five Transformations, Clear Wind Sword, Five Tigers Breaking Gate Sword, Mountain Opening Palm, Eagle Claw Hand, Tiger Claw Technique, major and minor grappling hands…

Lightness skill: Lift and Leap Technique, Eight Steps to Chase Cicadas, Grass-Skimming Flight, Spirit Turtle Step, Heavenly Net and Earthly Trap.

Hidden weapons: A Throw of a Thousand Jun (purest fire), Ice Soul Silver Needle (purest fire).

(Note: Proficiency levels are uninitiated, initial glimpse, minor achievement, great accomplishment, purest fire) Enemy: Those who obstruct the destruction of the Song.

Achievement points: 6 (Note: Obtained by completing missions and slaying enemies. Achievement points can be used to increase martial arts experience)】

As Feng Yi was dazed, a monk came smiling, walked up beside Hu Bi Lie, whispered a few words to him, their exchange in Mongolian.

The monk appeared to be about forty years old, with an elegant, scholarly appearance, broad shoulders and long arms, slender and upright, his demeanor and gestures like a scholar's, his eyes dark and bright, occasionally flashing a cunning light.

Everyone around Hu Bi Lie knew the monk was Han Chinese, his dharma name Zicong, and he was Hu Bi Lie's strategist. His secular surname was Liu, given name Kan, also known as Liu Bingzhong; as a youth he worked as a clerk in the county office, later became a monk, his learning profound, his judgments meticulous, and Hu Bi Lie trusted him greatly.

Hu Bi Lie gave Feng Yi a slight glance, seeing his forehead veins bulging, his complexion alternating red and white, he laughed and said: "Today I am fortunate to meet the foremost expert of the Central Plains; how could we do without wine? Attendants, bring wine! Let us drink three bowls heartily!"

Mongols, born and raised on the vast steppes, take heaven and earth as their dwelling, their gate-side dining no different from that in the hall.

Immediately, attendants brought over strong liquor and dried meat, laying them out directly at the camp gate.

As Feng Yi weighed his options, the monk said: "Master Feng, with your divine abilities, you are truly rare under heaven; this humble monk, on behalf of the prince, offers you a cup."

Having said that, he handed the prepared cup of wine to Feng Yi.

Feng Yi stared at the wine, his expression shifting uncertainly.

The monk's origins are unknown, and whether the wine is poisoned is not important either.

Rather, if he drank Hu Bi Lie's wine, would he truly be doing it just for the system's reward, to ally himself with him?

Once the bottom line is breached, there is only a single time versus countless times.

If he did not accept the wine, lacking etiquette would be secondary; it would make him seem afraid of Hu Bi Lie.

For a moment, Feng Yi could neither accept nor refuse.

(End of chapter)