Chapter 122

Everyone turned their heads and saw Lu Wushuang step out from the crowd, silently staring at Li Mochou.

Guo Fu was seized by her master, feeling stifled; she had pleaded for mercy, yet was quite puzzled—wasn't Li Mochou helping her?

Suddenly, eagle cries rang from the sky; two white shadows swooped at Li Mochou, talons like wind, pecks like lightning,

Li Mochou's phoenix eyes snapped open, she cried sharply: "Don't let these beasts come again, or I'll take their lives!" Her left hand pressed hard on Guo Fu's "Dazhui" acupoint, her right hand flicked the whisk—feathers flew everywhere, the eagles shrieked in angry pain.

Guo Fu's face turned ashen; she whistled repeatedly, the two great eagles obeyed, leapt up, soon rose to a height of a hundred zhang, becoming a tiny dot, circling back and forth.

Seeing the eagles' futility, everyone felt disheartened; Lu Wushuang also felt disappointed.

Then Li Mochou said: "Miss Lu, are you addled? I'm helping you."

"You're the one who's addled!" Lu Wushuang replied coldly: "Even if I get beaten to death, it's my own fault—what's it to you?"

Seeing Li Mochou stand up for her, she felt a bit warm inside, yet the more so, the less she wanted to accept the favor.

After all, the scenes of her parents injured and vomiting blood are still fresh in her memory.

Seeing this, everyone thought: "No wonder they're master and disciple—equally full of tricks, equally arrogant, equally stubborn."

Just now Lu Wushuang's verbal attack on Guo Fu turned defeat into victory, while Li Mochou directly pointed her fury at Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and the Southern Emperor's sect, agitating the Wu brothers into losing their wits, and in an instant seized Guo Fu.

Among the onlookers were many experts in concealed weapons, yet none stepped forward to help.

To say this wasn't Li Mochou's scheme would be truly strange.

Li Mochou's jianghu experience is exceedingly rich; how could she not know that when she defeated the Wu brothers and Guo Fu, someone would surely intervene? Thus she disturbed their minds, struck like lightning, and achieved her goal in one move, lest anyone meddle.

Guo Fu couldn't help cursing: "What a nest of wicked women!" She was always rash; even though captured, she spared no one with her mouth.

Li Mochou felt some sentiment toward Lu Wushuang, who had betrayed her; in the original plot she had captured her several times without killing her, and all the more now. But seeing her act thus before so many, preventing Li Mochou from saving face, her anger flared; hearing Guo Fu's words, her gaze turned icy, and she said sternly: "Miss Guo, with all the heroes gathered, your parents are the hosts; since I, Li Mochou, dare come here, do you think I fear death?"

Upon hearing this, everyone shuddered.

Guo Fu also trembled all over and fell silent.

No matter how rash she was, she knew that if Li Mochou didn't fear death, her backing would be useless, and she grew afraid inside.

Li Mochou glanced at Lu Wushuang and said lightly: "Although we have an irreconcilable grudge, you did perform the initiation rite of calling me master; whether to kill or strike, that's my prerogative—others may not bully you, you may not see her as an equal, but I, Li Mochou, cannot allow it!"

Hearing this, the crowd somewhat understood; everyone knows martial artists share a common ailment: they'd rather lose their lives than their reputation.

Especially for a famed master like Li Mochou, to have her disciple rebuked by a junior like Guo Fu already loses face; moreover Guo Fu brazenly claimed to be teaching her on behalf of her master.

Anyone who dares say such things is either invincible under heaven, or has ties with the opposing sect; otherwise it's an insoluble grudge.

Suddenly a thunderous shout rang: "Li Mochou, you're harming people again!"

This cry was full of vigor, making the crowd's ears buzz; they cleared a path, and saw four Daoists slowly approaching.

"Who are they?"

Someone in the crowd asked.

"The one in front is Quanzhen Sect's Guangningzi Daoist Hao, and the other is the Purified Scatterer Daoist Sun." Those well‑informed explained it to the others.

Feng Yi had long since leapt out the window, sat on the roof to watch the show, and glanced askance.

The leader was an old Daoist with white hair and white brows, his face suffused with purple aura—this was Guangningzi Hao Datong; beside him, an old Daoist nun with gray‑white hair was the Purified Scatterer Sun Bu'er.

The two middle‑aged Daoists behind them were third‑generation disciples Zhao Zhi Jing and Zhen Zhi Bing.

Li Mochou's gaze swept over them, then turned to the female Daoist, saying: "Daoist Sun, long time no see."

"Cut the chatter!" Sun Bu'er spoke bluntly: "You, the Scarlet Serpent Immortal, have such renown—yet you're sparring with a junior; don't you feel it's beneath your stature?"

Li Mochou's face flushed; holding Guo Fu with her reputation certainly didn't look good.

"All right, all right." Li Mochou laughed: "If Miss Guo says a word, I, Li the senior, will admit I was ignorant and impertinent, and I'll release her!"

Guo Fu snorted and turned her head away.

Spoiled and pampered since childhood, to admit fault before so many was worse than being killed for her; tears already welled in her eyes.

In fact, seeing Li Mochou seize Guo Fu, Hao Datong and Sun Bu'er thought this demoness was ruthless; if she harmed Guo Fu, the trouble would be considerable.

The Wu brothers, chests heaving, pointed at Li Mochou trembling all over, about to launch a tirade, but seeing Hao Datong's stern expression, he bowed, and the four moved in unison, spreading like a fan to encircle Li Mochou, poised to erupt at any moment.

"How so?" Li Mochou raised her face, calmly asking: "Are you intending to fight?"

Hao Datong's three long whiskers fluttered, his face purple as he stared at her: "Li Mochou, Quanzhen Sect, mindful of our shared origins, has tolerated you in many ways; now the Heroes' Assembly is about to convene, heroes gather, yet you target Guo the Great Hero's daughter—we cannot tolerate you!"

They admired Guo Jing's moral martial arts; Guo Jing often regarded himself as a private disciple of Quanzhen, and had once wholeheartedly defended the sect.

At this moment they only hoped Li Mochou would consider the friendship between the two sects and be awed by their gathered masters, so that a major affair could be reduced to a minor one, lest it spiral out of control.

Li Mochou said with a hint of sarcasm: "Indeed, Quanzhen claims to be the orthodoxy of martial arts under heaven; if they didn't come to the Heroes' Assembly to give Guo Jing and his wife a platform, wouldn't the assembly lack luster?"

Sun Bu'er replied coldly: "Li Mochou, last time I lost to you, I originally had no face to fight you; but since you're adverse to Guo the Great Hero's daughter, you're opposing the Central Plains martial world—you judge for yourself!"

Li Mochou and Sun Bu'er had crossed hands before; they knew the other was far from a match for her, but joined with Hao Datong, she would certainly be no match for them.

Zhao Zhi Jing and Zhen Zhi Bing also bore a solemn, extraordinary demeanor; Li Mochou, a martial arts connoisseur, could tell at a glance they were versed in both internal and external arts—outstanding figures among Quanzhen's third generation—and these four she could not overcome.

Yet facing adversity, Li Mochou's arrogance surged; she declared proudly: "Though I know the fame of Guo the Great Hero and Quanzhen, I, Li Mochou, having dared come to this Heroes' Assembly, have long cast life and death aside! I only wish to ask the two Daoists: once someone told me that if I, Li Mochou, reformed myself and was willing to contribute to resisting the Mongols, the righteous of the world would not make things difficult for me; otherwise I'd be a demonic heretic, fit for everyone to slay. Is that true?"

Li Mochou's aura of fearing death no less than a man drew admiration from the crowd.

Especially those latter words, heard by Feng Yi, stirred him deeply—because they were what he had once said to Li Mochou.

Hao Datong and Sun Bu'er were baffled, staring at Li Mochou this way and that, unable to fathom her thoughts.

Then Wu Xiuwen spat and said: "Li Mochou, stop indulging in idle fantasies..."

Hao Datong waved a hand; Wu Xiuwen, helpless, could only keep silent, and Hao Datong fixed his gaze on Li Mochou, asking: "Who said that to you?"

Li Mochou replied calmly: "Feng Yi!"

Hao Datong exclaimed in shock: "What? It's him!"

Zhao Zhi Jing and Zhen Zhi Bing felt a chill run down their backs.

Many around recalled how, when Feng Yi had assassinated Mongol officials, someone had been poisoned by the Ice Soul Silver Needle; they whispered among themselves, some already suspecting a private bond between the two—otherwise how could Li Mochou's skills for survival end up in Feng Yi's hands? This only added to their certainty.

Guo Fu, hearing the chatter, was lost for words; she had previously seen Feng Yi with her parents, knew he had a woman and even brought another girl along, and now another demoness had appeared—she glanced at Li Mochou, who wore a calm expression.

Feng Yi, hearing the uproar, felt his ears buzz as well; he gradually realized that Li Mochou's coming to the Heroes' Assembly this time was entirely because of him.

If not so, she would most likely still be living the days of the Crimson Silk Fairy wandering the jianghu as in the original plot; how could she have ventured into the dragon's den and tiger's lair?

With her intelligence, how could she not know that her ill fame had followed her, and coming to the Heroes' Assembly meant enemies everywhere and danger aplenty? Thinking of this, she felt her heart go "thump-thump" nonstop.

Only hearing Hao Datong say again: "Li Mochou, these words were truly spoken by Feng Yi; who can bear witness?"

Li Mochou's face flushed red then turned pale; after a long while she softly said: "He said it to me alone."

The crowd erupted in an uproar.

Indeed!

These two clearly have a private affair!

Moreover, alone! Li Mochou, this kind of demon that everyone wants to slay, Feng Yi actually didn't kill her, wasting his heroic reputation! Hearing these whispers, Feng Yi treated them as wind passing his ears; what great hero, he never considered himself one—this was merely others imposing it upon him.

Then Li Mochou's gaze softened again as she said: "I came here just to see whether you so-called righteous ones, upon seeing me this demon, would, as Feng Yi said, give me a chance to reform!"

Saying this with a bright gaze, she looked at Hao Datong: "Your Quanzhen Sect is the number one sect under heaven, mighty and awe-inspiring, with strict discipline; I have long admired it. I ask Daoist Hao, before the martial world's peers, to say whether someone like me could have a path to redemption."

Feng Yi glanced over; Hao Datong's brows were tightly knit, full of doubt; Sun Bu'er's eyes were half-open, half-closed, revealing nothing of her thoughts; Guo Fu's cheeks were flushed, her eyes looking aside; Li Mochou's eyes were glossy and lustrous, like morning dew.

As for Zhao Zhijing, his face was grim; Zhen Zhibing tightly pressed his lips.

"Shut up!" Wu Dunru flew into a rage: "You clearly have a silver tongue, several Daoists…" He was already frantic: "Absolutely not!"

He well knew that, given the Quanzhen Sect's standing in the martial world, if they said this, Li Mochou could thereafter rest easy; for his master and master's wife would have to give them face.

Wu Xiuwen shouted: "Li Mochou, you have a heart of serpents and scorpions, a demon wreaking havoc in the martial world—what nonsense about reforming yourself?"

Li Mochou raised her delicate brows slightly and said: "Your mother ultimately died because of me; hating me is justified, and if you want revenge you'd probably need to train another thirty years."

If you truly can't wait, go ask your master to intervene; I, Li Mochou, am ready to instruct you anytime.

Now I am speaking again with Daoist Hao of the Quanzhen Sect—could it be that Guo Jing and Huang Rong didn't teach you even a bit of propriety?

The Wu brothers' faces flushed red, both shocked and angry, feeling they had lost composure, they glared at Li Mochou.

Li Mochou's expression unchanged, she glanced at Hao Datong and chuckled: "What? Daoist Hao, could it be that what Feng Yi said about reforming oneself is all wrong? When facing enemies, one must exterminate them utterly, just as I do!" The Wu brothers trembled with rage, their eyes reddened, and the veins on their necks stood out distinctly.

Li Mochou came prepared, spoke fluently and confidently, her demeanor composed. Feng Yi saw her speaking with conviction and righteous vigor, and watching her, he truly admired her eloquence.

Moreover, he knew that whether it was Quanzhen disciples or any righteous hero, even Guo Jing, would be left speechless by her.

Given that Li Mochou formerly exterminated every foe she faced, earning her the title of demon, now that I have cleansed my heart and turned over a new leaf, if you still refuse to relent and insist on exterminating me utterly, what difference is there between me now and before? Hao Datong glanced at Sun Bu'er, then looked around, sighed, and said: "Li Mochou, did you truly come to participate in the resistance against the Mongols?"

"Of course." Li Mochou said solemnly: "The Mongols are so brutal; as a Han, how could I stand by and do nothing?"

"That said..." Li Mochou said with a half-smile: "I also need to see whose hands the leadership of the martial world will fall into; if it lands with certain people who will settle private scores under the guise of justice, wouldn't I die wronged?"

The crowd burst into an uproar; Wu Xiuwen angrily demanded: "What do you mean?"

Hao Datong glanced at him; Wu Xiuwen felt he was out of line and stepped back two paces.

Hao Datong stroked his beard, pondering.

He well knew that Li Mochou would indeed be a great aid in resisting the Mongols. Moreover, if one could turn a person who harms heaven and reason, whose ill fame spreads far, toward goodness, that would be exactly the teaching of his master: to tolerate self-restraint and cultivate humility.

Thus Hao Datong heaved a long sigh toward the heavens: "Li Mochou, your master hopes you will reform yourself."

My master also often said: "Knowing one's faults and being able to change them is the greatest goodness."

Now you again bring up Feng Yi as your guarantor.

Simply for his daring to risk life and limb, charging into the Mongol camp, he is a true hero of the age, earning Kublai's personal praise as the world's foremost master—this shows not only admiration but also hatred!

As long as he opens his golden mouth, even the deepest grudge can be dissolved!

But now you hold the daughter of the Great Hero Guo, forcing her to admit fault before everyone—isn't that breaking one family to elevate another? Do you think this is proper?

The crowd looked at each other, agreeing: "Indeed! At this moment, Feng Yi being the world's foremost and Guo Jing being the world's foremost have naturally become a topic of endless debate."

At this juncture, to deal with Guo Jing and Huang Rong's daughter and make her admit fault—wouldn't that undermine their couple's prestige? Invisibly, it would also boost Feng Yi's prestige? Thinking further of Li Mochou's relationship with Feng Yi, in this way everyone hesitated.

After Hao Datong finished speaking, there was a long silence with no one uttering a word.

Feng Yi glanced at Li Mochou, seeing her reveal a leisurely air, as if this were exactly what she had in mind; he thought: "Fame and profit are indeed honeyed poison; Kublai has lifted me to be the world's foremost—this is surely to exalt me to death…"

Just as he was pondering, suddenly he heard someone cough and then chuckle coldly: "What a shameless troublemaker, spreading rumors!"

The crowd turned in response, seeing only a beggar in tattered clothes, his face swollen and bruised, with faint bloodstains on his skin, his garments torn and filthy, standing beside Lu Wushuang; they all thought: "Is this a Beggars' Sect disciple? How could he insult Hao Datong?"

Lu Wushuang then reacted, seeing his filth, she hastily jumped back.

The Quanzhen Daoist felt strange, thinking this person unfamiliar yet somehow as if he had seen him before.

Li Mochou's eyes flashed: "Yang Guo!" She frowned and asked: "What are you up to?"

The name Yang Guo was unknown in the jianghu, so others didn't know it, yet it caused several Quanzhen Daoists and the Wu brothers to each be moved.

Zhao Zhijing called out: "Yang Guo… Yang Guo… you little……"

"Zhijing!"

Sun Bu'er gave a sharp shout.

Zhao Zhijing dared not speak further.

The Quanzhen Daoists, though inwardly indignant at being scolded by Yang Guo, kept silent, for after all their affair was a sect's disgrace, and it was hardly proper to speak of it before the assembled crowd.

As for Guo Fu, the Wu brothers, and Yang Guo, they had been apart for a long time; youths' appearances change the most, and even a few months apart bring differences, let alone several years, especially since Yang Guo deliberately dressed as a destitute vagrant; they naturally did not recognize him, but upon hearing Li Mochou call his name, they recalled that he had been an old playmate from their childhood on Peach Blossom Island.

Guo Fu couldn't help but feel her heart stir; recalling the quarrels and scuffles on Peach Blossom Island years ago, she wondered whether he still remembered their old grudge; seeing his disheveled, downcast state, which contrasted starkly with the handsome bearing of the Wu brothers, she felt a faint pity arise, thinking: "My father sent him to study arts at Quanzhen—how did he end up in such a miserable state? His foundations were poor to begin with; it seems he hasn't fared well at Quanzhen either."

Only seeing Yang Guo clasp his fists toward Li Mochou and say: "Disciple pays respects to my aunt-master!"

Besides the Quanzhen Daoists, everyone else was startled: how could he be Li Mochou's nephew? Is he also a disciple of the Ancient Tomb Sect?

Li Mochou nodded and said: "And your master?"

Yang Guo startled, not knowing how to reply, merely gave an "umm" and said: "My aunt has sent me to ask you for a favor, and please release the Guo family maiden."

It turned out that Yang Guo, after failing to find Xiao Longnv that day, also felt disheartened; he told Ouyang Feng about his situation, but Ouyang Feng ran off again, and Xiao Longnv likewise; he thought that whether others valued him or slighted him, what did it have to do with him? Yet he became resentful of the world and wanton.

Thinking of Feng Yi's words that Xiao Longnv would go to the Heroes' Assembly, he felt Feng Yi's predictions were infallible, so he decided to come here.

Moreover, he thought back to the days on Peach Blossom Island, recalling how he used to mooch off the Guo family, being toyed with and looked down upon; back then he was young and incapable, suffering much. Now he considers the world his home, yet what does he rely on you for? So he resolved to pretend to be utterly down-and-out, go to seek refuge, and see how the Guo couple would treat him.

He then messed up his hair, punched his left eye hard, scratched his cheeks a few times; his left eye immediately swelled and bruised, and his face gained several bloodstains.

Yang Guo's clothes were already in disarray; now he tore his garments to shreds, rolled several times in the mud and dust, and, following the Beggars' Sect disciples, had long since encountered Guo Fu and the Wu brothers on the road. But merely following them to Great Victory Pass, Guo Fu, upon hearing someone discuss who was number one under heaven, could not help but enter the inn.

Therefore Yang Guo had long taken in everything; at this moment his reason for helping was twofold: first, seeing Guo Fu being tormented by Li Mochou to the point of almost crying, he felt unwilling to bear it; second, he bore a grudge against Hao Datong for beating Granny Sun to death. He thought: 'If you cannot do it, I can—wouldn't that be a slap in the face of you, that cow-nosed old Daoist?'

Everyone was unaware of the situation, yet they all started; Li Mochou also felt surprised, gave a hehe laugh twice, and in a shrill voice said: 'Release the person? What's so hard about that? But where did this Guo family girl come from? Could it be that you, too, are of two minds toward my junior martial sister, thus disappointing her?'

These words struck Yang Guo's heart directly; he immediately felt as if struck by lightning and thunder, his whole body trembling, his face turning ashen.

Seeing his expression, Guo Fu could not help but feel afraid.

Li Mochou, reading his expression and tone, knew she had hit the mark, and coldly said: 'That day I wanted to tell my junior martial sister that men are no good, but Feng Yi wouldn't let me say it—she has indeed fallen for your trick!'

Upon hearing this, everyone erupted in an uproar.

What junior sister, men, and moreover it's Feng Yi.

Although Feng Yi had not yet appeared, many did not know him, yet everything seemed to revolve around him.

Feng Yi hearing this, also felt helpless. Yang Guo and Xiao Longnv's natures—how could they be changed by what you say? I have helped them in this way, yet they still suffer the pain of separation! How could your damned experience change anything? 'I…' Yang Guo took a deep breath, gathered his scattered thoughts, and said: 'The ancestors of the Yang and Guo families have been friends for generations; I ask you, Uncle Master, for the sake of my master, to spare her this once.'

Guo Fu and the Wu brothers, hearing these few words, were all greatly startled. Although they knew that the Guo and Yang families originally had some connections, they did not know that the earlier generation's origins were so deep; no wonder Guo Jing regarded Yang Guo as a nephew, the Wu brothers' hearts were pounding wildly.

They saw Yang Guo in such a sorry state, originally looked down on him, but thinking that their master would naturally favor this kid, in the future regarding Fu sister, their several generations of friendship could instantly reverse the strength balance; their hearts felt like a string of beads, suffering continuously.

Yang Guo again said to Guo Fu: "It must be your mischief that provoked my master. What kind of person is my master, how could he have the same opinion as a yellow-haired girl like you? He was just trying to scare you, to prevent you from being arrogant and willful! Right, master?"

Li Mochou clearly knows Yang Guo will capture her, but she truly fears the joint forces of her martial sister Xiao Longnv and Yang Guo; although Xiao Longnv is probably not here, even if she appears I have a way to restrain her, yet I hear a faint mosquito-like voice suddenly sounding beside my ear: "Know when to stop!"

Li Mochou clearly heard that this was Feng Yi, and she shouted: "Where are you?" She blurted it out, and everyone around turned to look at her.

Li Mochou's face was flushed like fire; fortunately she didn't shout out a name, she scanned the crowd but found nothing; she knew Feng Yi had used deep inner power to concentrate sound into a line and send it into her ear—if she wanted to remain unseen, how could she find him in her haste?

"Guo Jing is coming soon!"

Feng Yi's voice sounded again, just as before.

Li Mochou pondered a moment; although she does not fear Huang Rong, she is quite wary of Guo Jing; she immediately smiled at Yang Guo and said: "You still understand my master!" Then she said to Miss Guo: "From now on don't go disciplining others' disciples again."

Saying this, she lightly pushed Guo Fu toward Yang Guo with a palm, smiled faintly, and said: "If you want to do a favor, you should see it through completely."

Guo Fu stumbled; Yang Guo sighed slightly, reached out with his left hand, and seized her fair wrist.

Guo Fu stared at Yang Guo, her face showing a very strange expression—neither hatred nor a smile.

Yang Guo saw her skin as white as snow, her eyebrows like kingfisher feathers, bright and lovely; his heart stirred, his face flushed slightly, he hastily let go and turned his head away.

Guo Fu had always manipulated the Wu brothers into confusion; she didn't think much of it, but now seeing Yang Guo's expression, she knew he had fallen for her beauty, and secretly felt pleased.

Li Mochou did this on purpose; the Wu brothers could only stand aside and glare.

Li Mochou gave a hehe laugh, then bowed to Hao Datong and Sun Bu'er, flicked her whisk, and turned to leave.

The Wu brothers, seeing Yang Guo rescue their Fu sister, were already angry; seeing Li Mochou leave so carelessly, they were furious; Wu Xiuwen gave a deep shout, raised his sword and stabbed at Li Mochou's back; Yang Guo frowned slightly, unable to shout in time.

Only hearing a ting, Li Mochou lightly flicked her whisk, entangling the sword blade; she lightly shook her wrist, with a few ding-dang sounds, the blue-steel long sword broke into three pieces.

Wu Xiuwen staggered backward, clutching the sword hilt tightly, looking at Li Mochou with an ashen face.

Li Mochou looked back and smiled: "My disciple hates me for killing her parents; you brothers also hate me; there are surely many in the world who want to kill me; I give you the chance. At the Heroes' Assembly, whoever has the intention, I will not refuse anyone who comes."

Saying this, she slightly shrugged her shoulders, without bending her legs or moving her feet, she had already leapt onto the roof; turning back, she said to Yang Guo: "When you see Hero Guo, please convey my regards."

Yang Guo bowed and said: "Disciple will remember."

When he raised his head again, Li Mochou had already vanished.

"Yang Guo, didn't you go to the Quanzhen Sect to learn martial arts?" Wu Xiuwen exploded in rage: "Why do you call this demonic master your master?"

Yang Guo gave a cold snort, suddenly heard someone call: "Guo'er! The voice was very cheerful."

(End of chapter)