Chapter 125

Help?

Feng Yi stared, then smiled and said, "Your way of asking for help is truly original."

Xiao Longnv gave him a deep look, her pupils dark and unfathomable, forming a stark contrast with her pale face.

Feng Yi had wanted to ask what help she needed, but seeing her strange, dazed gaze, he held his tongue. He focused his qi to unblock the meridians, yet as soon as he stirred his true qi, his dantian spasmed, his face turned ashen with pain, and the veins on his forehead bulged.

Xiao Longnv said, "My senior sister studied the Legacy of Chongyang; she naturally knows the secret of unsealing acupoints. Understanding the basis of self‑unblocking, she used our school's unique method to seal your dantian's qi sea. With her profound inner strength, if you force your qi to rush the points within an hour, you'll only be asking for suffering."

She paused slightly, then added, "There is actually a two‑pronged solution now; I don't know if you're willing to accept it."

Feng Yi secretly sighed that this was karmic retribution. The lower abdomen has always been a vital spot on the body, especially critical for internal martial artists; once the qi sea is shaken, even the most exquisite inner strength cannot be exerted.

Li Mochou, aware of Feng Yi's ability, seized the moment unintentionally; she was seated while he stood, and as he lowered his hand, his abdomen was exposed. The Ancient Tomb Sect's acupuncture technique is extraordinarily potent—even if Feng Yi wore the black silkworm armor and possessed formidable inner strength, a strike here would validate Xiao Longnv's words.

Feng Yi exhaled a long breath and asked, "What method?"

Xiao Longnv lowered her head and whispered, "I'll unseal your acupoints now; you help me kill someone!"

"Kill someone?" Feng Yi startled, asked, "Could it be to kill Ouyang Feng?" His tone shifted.

Xiao Longnv let out a soft sigh and said, "You really understand me!"

Feng Yi thought to himself, "I'm not stupid!"

Now the night grew deeper, the starlight brighter, yet Feng Yi's mood became heavier.

Under the same night sky and starlight, Feng Yi faced a different person, but what remained unchanged was his immobility, meaning he now had to confront another extraordinary woman.

In this state, he truly feared the people of the Ancient Tomb Sect!

Suddenly a gust came, trees swayed and shadows shifted, a rustling sound rose, and a mysterious atmosphere quietly spread.

"Hehe." Feng Yi chuckled, "Is this the plan you came up with after careful thought?"

"Yes!" Xiao Longnv nodded slightly and said, "Ouyang Feng killed my master; he must die!"

Feng Yi smiled and asked, "Then why seek me?"

Xiao Longnv gazed at him for a moment, then murmured, "I originally wanted to kill him myself. But if I killed him, even if Yang Guo wouldn't hate me, he would surely be heartbroken. So I thought letting someone else kill him would be better."

Feng Yi found it amusing and said, "You really think of such a good plan, but if I kill Ouyang Feng, wouldn't your Yang Guo still be heartbroken? Wouldn't he resent me and come seeking revenge?"

On Xiao Longnv's cold yet lovely cheeks, a faint smile appeared as she said, "If you kill Ouyang Feng, Yang Guo will be sad, but as long as I stay with him, he will be happy."

"If he seeks revenge on you, your martial skill surpasses his, leaving him helpless."

Even though Feng Yi understood Xiao Longnv's nature, hearing this left him stunned.

Just then a mountain wind blew, making her robes flutter like a celestial being.

Feng Yi had seen Xiao Longnv many times before, but never had he examined her so closely as today.

Because he wanted to see through her organs and thoughts, yet all he perceived was her unusual coldness and stunning beauty, unable to discern her emotions, let alone know her mind or her next words and actions.

Feng Yi sized up Xiao Longnv for a while; aside from the thought that she embodied 'gorgeous as peach and plum, cold as ice and frost' to the utmost, he had no other impression.

Under his gaze, Xiao Longnv showed no shyness; her two clear, autumn‑water eyes locked onto his face without blinking, moving not a muscle, uttering not a word.

Instead, Feng Yi felt embarrassed under her stare, inwardly amused, and said, "Since you care so much for Yang Guo, why not just let go of your hatred?"

Xiao Longnv lifted her face to the moon, yet gave no reply.

Yet her flawless face bore a deepening sorrow, tears dripping ceaselessly from her clear starry eyes.

It turned out that after parting with Feng Yi last time, Xiao Longnv, unsure how to face Ouyang Feng's grudge for killing her master, followed Wanyan Ping to see how she would act after being spared twice by Yelü Qi, hoping to gain insight.

She thus stumbled upon Yang Guo teasing Wanyan Ping, telling her she shouldn't practice the Iron Palm Seizing Hand but should train the 'Mutton‑fat White Jade Skill,' and recounting his childhood, even kissing her.

Xiao Longnv's heart was like crystal—clear, pure, unstained by dust; she knew nothing of human deceit, falseness, or flirtatious behavior. Moreover, Yang Guo was always glib and nonsensical with others, but with her he was utterly serious, never joking, so she always believed his words completely.

The scene of Yang Guo embracing and kissing Wanyan Ping made her recall how, after their hearts had intertwined in the Ancient Tomb, Yang Guo too had wanted to kiss her; naturally she felt self‑pity and sorrow, sighed deeply, and wandered off in a daze.

At that moment Yang Guo held the beautiful lady, thinking of the pretty 'auntie,' his mind in turmoil, assuming it was merely an auditory hallucination.

Had Feng Yi not exposed it, he would not have known Xiao Longnv had left.

Afterward Yang Guo followed the direction Xiao Longnv had taken, continuously shouting 'Auntie!'

Although Xiao Longnv did not respond, hearing his mournful cries stirred her feelings; she would think of the moments she shared with Yang Guo in the Ancient Tomb, yet a gentle, lovely image would drift through her mind—that of her master.

Xiao Longnv's heart felt as if pricked; she knew that as a child she had been left at the Chongyang Palace, then her master had taken her back to the Ancient Tomb to raise her.

Before, she had no worldly desires; even her master's death caused little grief. But with Yang Guo, emotions awoke, and all manner of thoughts surged: 'Wanyan Ping's martial arts are lowly, yet even after being spared three times by Yelü Qi she still remembers her parents' grudge.'

'I was raised and taught by my master, yet for the sake of love I forgot her great vengeance—I am the most unfilial person under heaven.'

Having reached this point, she resolved to kill Ouyang Feng, but then recalled Yang Guo telling Wanyan Ping that, having no parents since childhood and being bullied everywhere, Ouyang Feng was his foster father.

At that instant, Yang Guo's words and deeds flashed before her eyes alongside her master's visage and smile, making Xiao Longnv's vision darken and her throat feel sweet: 'Should I truly seek vengeance? Killing Ouyang Feng would only hurt Yang Guo; sparing him, how could my master's spirit rest in peace?'

At that time Xiao Longnv merely wished that if she died she would not be so tormented; the thought arose, and she spat a mouthful of blood.

For years Xiao Longnv had never blamed herself, but then she loathed herself deeply and sought a place to end her life once and for all.

But hearing Yang Guo still shouting 'Auntie!' far off in the empty valley, his voice echoing with sorrow, Xiao Longnv felt her heart about to break, thinking, 'If I had not known the way out of the Ancient Tomb that day, you and I would never have come to this!' At that thought, a smiling face flashed in her mind—unmistakably Feng Yi's.

"Exactly, it's him, him, him—he found the exit of the Ancient Tomb, putting me and Yang Guo in a dilemma…"

Xiao Longnv had been utterly confused, but in an instant she gained clarity.

Though she was inexperienced in worldly affairs, she acted on impulse, following Yang Guo's cries and seeking him out again.

But not knowing how to interact with Yang Guo, she remained unseen.

Seeing Yang Guo unable to find her, feeling listless, she kept trailing him from afar until they reached Dasheng Pass, where she observed him tearing his clothes and beating himself, unaware that he was testing Guo Jing's couple's attitude toward her; she simply thought it was because of herself, feeling miserable.

Later, seeing Li Mochou depart, Feng Yi followed as well; each preoccupied with their own thoughts, Xiao Longnv's lightness was so great that she did not notice she was being tailed.

Although Feng Yi did not know Xiao Longnv's thoughts, he could roughly guess her dilemma; looking up, he saw the full moon shining across the sky and sighed, 'May we live long, sharing the beauty of the moon across a thousand miles.' Hehe, 'You seem to have pondered much, yet it's only you and Yang Guo? No one else.'

Leaving aside other matters, Ouyang Feng himself is presently the most formidable master; I have no certainty of killing him, and if I were slain by him, what would I gain?

Xiao Longnv, however, gave no reply.

Feng Yi raised his brows and added, 'Even if I killed Ouyang Feng, would Yang Guo stage a revenge‑for‑father drama? In order to eliminate future trouble, should I or should I not kill him? Don't you regret it?'

Xiao Longnv's starry eyes shifted, she glanced at Feng Yi coldly and said, 'Don't you think you ought to kill Ouyang Feng?'

My senior sister has always despised men, yet she is devoted to you; and for someone as proud as her, once she devotes herself, it is for life! Just now you were with my senior sister like that—surely you have made a lifelong pledge, surely you intend to marry her as your wife? My master is also her master; shouldn't you do something for her?

She spoke of male-female matters with equal ease, her expression unchanged, yet she made Feng Yi blush and flush, but he still refused to yield, saying: "Then this matter should be spoken by her, not you!"

Xiao Longnv's cold and solemn face almost turned an iron-blue hue as she said: "My senior sister is so proud; Ouyang Feng was brought by her, which caused my master to suffer fatal injuries—how could she let you go take revenge? If that were the case, wouldn't you have to kill her first?"

Feng Yi pondered these words, finding them quite reasonable, and gave a faint smile: "All right, I will consider this matter; first, release my acupoints."

"What is there to consider?" Xiao Longnv said: "Ouyang Feng is a notorious villain in the martial world; I have heard that all famous figures will attend the Heroes' Assembly, and he will likely come as well. If you kill him, your heroic fame will surely be sung throughout the martial world."

At that time my senior sister could also be protected under your heroic fame, free from trouble by martial world figures—so why would you not do it?

Although she is ignorant of worldly affairs, when dealing with those she hates, she shows no mercy whatsoever; back when she avenged Granny Sun, she once made the various Daoist masters of Chongyang Palace tremble with fear, and Grandmaster Haodatong of Broad Tranquility nearly lost his life.

She now feels that it is Ouyang Feng and Feng Yi who have prevented her from meeting Yang Guo, a hatred she feels to the extreme, and therefore she hopes Feng Yi will immediately agree to this.

Feng Yi glanced at Xiao Longnv, quite displeased, and said: "Miss, don't you feel that you are not asking for my help but rather forcing me?"

Xiao Longnv replied indifferently: "You may also think that way; my senior sister can subdue you, which is also heaven's will, perhaps meant to make you listen to us sisters—so just say whether you agree or not."

Feng Yi's anger flared up instantly, and he coldly said: "What if I refuse?"

Xiao Longnv's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she said: "Hong Lingbo and my senior sister are both members of the Ancient Tomb Sect, and you have bullied them; having inherited my master's legacy, in this situation killing you is perfectly justified."

Feng Yi felt even angrier inside, yet outwardly his fury seemed to vanish.

He knew well that Xiao Longnv differed from Li Mochou; her thoughts are simple, and if she truly fell ill, killing herself would be pointless—being under the eaves, one must lower one's head, so he immediately smiled and said: "Miss Long, now that you have emerged into the world, your way of conducting yourself is wrong, whether it is how you get along with Yang Guo or how you seek to avenge your master." Xiao Longnv's expression shifted slightly, and she said: "What's wrong about it? As long as you kill Ouyang Feng for me, my master's vengeance will be fulfilled."

I can also face Yang Guo again—what else could be wrong?

Feng Yi burst out laughing helplessly and said: "Miss Long, people are complex, having their own thoughts, desires, and temper."

Yang Guo enjoys teasing beautiful women—that is his desire; you like him, which is also desire; and when you see him being affectionate with other women and leaving without a word, that is your thoughts and temper.

And I, too, have thoughts and temper; I am currently immobilized, yet you forcibly compel me to agree to this major matter, which greatly wounds my dignity and face—do you consider that appropriate?

Xiao Longnv replied calmly: "Why should I care whether you are hurt? You only need to keep your promise."

She is by nature aloof, caring only for those she cares about, indifferent to everyone else—her words are spoken with utter justification!

Seeing her act as if it were a matter of course, Feng Yi felt both angry and amused, and said: "Aren't you afraid that after I agree to you and free myself, I will immediately renege?"

Xiao Longnv grew even more puzzled, saying: "If spoken words don't count, is one still a person? We women must keep our promises—my senior sister does, and I do as well; moreover, aren't you men supposed to be true to your word, a gentleman's promise being as hard to retract as four horses cannot pull back?"

She simply found it utterly bewildering.

Feng Yi stared, completely dumbfounded.

He felt that he and this somewhat dim-witted woman were not on the same wavelength, so he let out a faint sigh and said: "Miss, what you say is only part of the story; there are people in the world who will deceive others, regardless of gender, and promises can be broken."

Xiao Longnv pondered and said: "Oh, I see. So you also deceive people and go back on your word?"

Feng Yi replied breezily: "Naturally; promises also depend on the circumstances."

Xiao Longnv gave an "oh", raised her jade-white palm, and said: "I have been speaking to you at length, taking you for a man of integrity whose word is like an arrow, never to be retracted."

You turn out to be a petty person who goes back on his word; then today I have coerced you, and once you are free, will you not seek revenge? In that case, you would be better off dead!

Suddenly she lunged forward, thrusting her finger toward Feng Yi's vital throat spot.

Seeing her move to kill as soon as she spoke, striking straight at a vital point, Feng Yi panicked and shouted: "Hold on!"

Xiao Longnv's finger halted three inches from Feng Yi's throat, and she asked: "How so?"

Feng Yi composed himself and said: "What I mean is that, under certain specific circumstances, I will deceive people; I am telling you a principle—that men's words cannot be wholly trusted—not that I am an untrustworthy petty person."

Xiao Longnv replied, quite puzzled: "Is there a difference?"

She simply did not know that people could deceive; in the original plot, Zhao Zhijing deceived her terribly, and she swore not to tell a fifth person about her and Yang Guo's affair, believing him implicitly—yet Zhao Zhijing, in front of the crowd at the Heroes' Assembly, claimed he had told the sixth and seventh persons.

Later, too, she was deceived by Gongsun Zhi, who clearly gave Yang Guo no antidote for the emotion-flower poison, threw him into the crocodile pool, yet claimed he was fine, deceiving Xiao Longnv into marrying him; she still believed him.

However, seeing that Feng Yi was about to be killed by her, he felt indignant and burst out: "You are simply a lunatic!"

"A lunatic?" Xiao Longnv still did not understand: "What kind of illness is that?"

Feng Yi was at a loss for words, knowing that with this woman he needed to administer a strong dose, otherwise she might really kill him; he forced himself to say: "You claim to be avenging your master, but in truth it is only because you do not know Yang Guo's feelings toward you. Thus you are grieving, you are confused, you are beset by doubts and anxieties."

And yet you speak of avenging your master? Even if Ouyang Feng died, if you saw Yang Guo laughing and joking with other women, how would you feel? Wouldn't you be heartbroken? In the end you would still run away, unwilling to face it.

Even if Yang Guo lived alone with you in the Ancient Tomb, if he were unhappy, would you be happy? Have you considered these things? Is the obstacle between you and him truly just the person Ouyang Feng? Now, because of your hesitation, you have seized me here, compelled me—who owes you a favor and is utterly unable to resist—to swear a city‑below oath; is this what your master taught you?

These words struck Xiao Longnv like a thunderbolt, her blood boiling, her whole body seeming to ignite.

In that instant, countless thoughts arose in her mind, thinking that even if Ouyang Feng died, if she and Yang Guo were to dwell forever in the Ancient Tomb and never emerge, given his lively, active nature and love of bustle, he would inevitably become depressed and joyless—thus only she would be happy while making Yang Guo unhappy.

But if they were to emerge into the world, even if Yang Guo were to kiss other women in that manner, she would still not want to see it, and would still feel sorrow.

In that moment, Xiao Longnv's mind was in turmoil, and involuntarily her blood surged upward; with a puff, a mouthful of fresh blood spurted out.

At that time she and Feng Yi were less than a foot apart; Feng Yi had no time to react, not even to turn his head, so that mouthful of blood sprayed directly onto his face.

Feng Yi was both startled and angry, nearly fainting, but seeing her pallid face he forcibly restrained the angry words that wanted to burst out.

When Xiao Longnv cultivated the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra, Zhao Zhijing's deviation into demonic cultivation left her gravely injured; furthermore, Yang Guo's stirring of emotion shattered the quietude she had cultivated since childhood, damaging her foundation and leaving a chronic ailment.

That day, after seeing Yang Guo with Wanyan Ping, her emotions surged and she vomited blood, causing her old injury to flare up; fortunately she was not in a training state then, which allowed it to be suppressed. Over these days her wounds have somewhat improved, but her heart sickness remains unhealed, and internal injuries cannot truly mend; now, stimulated by Feng Yi's remarks, ashamed and anxious, she vomited blood again.

Feng Yi thought of her desire to kill him, and felt no blame toward himself, saying: "I already said that your Ancient Tomb internal arts are not right, yet you refuse to believe it!"

Xiao Longnv suddenly lifted her head and saw Feng Yi's face covered in blood, his eyes full of reproach; she hastily said: "I'm sorry…" intending to wipe his blood, but as she spoke another mouthful of blood spurted out.

Feng Yi remained immobilized, able only to turn his head as much as possible; seeing her deathly pale complexion, he hurriedly said: "Don't bother wiping me—quickly release my acupoints."

Xiao Longnv shook her head: "Your acupoints were sealed by my senior sister; she told you to think it over—if you do not agree to me, I, I… will not release them." She staggered and jumped down from the tree.

Feng Yi silently cursed: "The entire Ancient Tomb Sect are lunatics!"

But seeing her steps unsteady and slow, yet her body seemed to have been drained of all substance, as if a mere breeze could blow her to the edge of dreams.

Feng Yi suddenly felt a pang of regret: why had he said those things, striking at a pure girl ignorant of worldly affairs? Seeing the white-clad figure about to vanish into the night, he suddenly spoke in a deep voice: "Miss Long, you truly should not continue practicing the Ancient Tomb Sect's internal arts, or else you might end up letting others take advantage of you!"

Xiao Longnv remained silent.

Feng Yi then asked: "Where are you headed?"

Xiao Longnv gradually halted her steps, turned around, and said: "Can you promise me not to tell Yang Guo that you have seen me?"

Feng Yi replied: "Why?"

Xiao Longnv stared at him for a while, then said: "You really don't love my martial sister; you're just deceiving her."

Feng Yi was embarrassed.

Xiao Longnv turned her body and vanished in an instant.

She loved Yang Guo deeply in her heart; even if she had to endure a thousand cuts and ten thousand swords, she would consider it sweet, whether entering the world or withdrawing from it with him she would be happy all her life, but the thought of Yang Guo having to endure pain for her sake is something she does not wish; though she never discussed the true essence of love with her master and Grandma Sun, loving Yang Guo to the utmost, she feels she ought to make her beloved happy and let herself bear the heartache and suffering.

So she decided that, from now on, not seeing Yang Guo, she did not want him to know she had come; then she saw Wanyan Ping, Yelü Yan, Lu Wushuang, and Guo Fu, all very beautiful, and thought, with his talents and looks, why worry about lacking a lovely lady to match him?

Thus, seeing Feng Yi able to ask this, she knew he did not love her martial sister, so he could not understand her meaning.

"Who should enjoy happiness and who should bear the heartache?" For a person who truly loves and pities the other deeply, this is easy to decide.

But for Feng Yi, who lacks the baptism of true love, it is truly incomprehensible; on the contrary, regarding Xiao Longnv's actions, there is only resentment, thinking Xiao Longnv is beautiful indeed, but her thoughts are like a needle at the bottom of the sea, utterly unfathomable, simply a lunatic.

Yang Guo liking her is blind! After Xiao Longnv left, Feng Yi escaped the life-threatening danger, no longer thought of anything else, and once again mobilized his qi to strike the blocked acupoints.

After a while, he felt his dantian grow warm, his breath able to move, so he employed the secret technique to unseal the acupoints, striking the four blocked points. After an hour, Feng Yi rose abruptly, drew his blood saber, let out a faint sigh, as if from another world.

Since his divine skill was perfected, he had never suffered such a great fall; it was a real life-threatening crisis, and moreover he had been bullied in succession by two women whose martial arts were far inferior to his—a utter disgrace! The more he thought about it, the angrier he became; suddenly he clenched his fist and slammed it hard against the tree. With a 'crack', the large tree snapped.

Suddenly he thought of Li Mochou probably already having arrived at the Heroes' Assembly; he hurriedly leapt down from the tree and rode several li, seeing some people either on horseback or on foot, either alone or in groups.

From their attire and speech, Feng Yi heard they were going to attend the martial arts gathering; suddenly a shout came from afar, followed by hurried footsteps and a blaze of firelight.

Feng Yi felt surprised, he moved his body and ran over to see; a crowd circled a large tree, holding torches, bright as daylight.

Feng Yi casually grabbed the shoulder of an outsider and asked, "What happened?"

That person was originally impatient, about to scold, but seeing the other's ugly appearance and astonishing strength, he could only swallow his saliva and say, "Someone died..."

"Someone died?" Feng Yi pushed aside with both hands, squeezed into the crowd, and saw a person sitting under the tree; instantly his heart pounded wildly, he was as surprised as everyone else, and opened his mouth wide.

This so-called dead person was Xiao Longnv.

Then one person said, "What a pity, such a beautiful woman died just like that."

"Yes!"

"Is she really dead or not?"

"We have checked; she has already stopped breathing."

The crowd chattered, when suddenly one person said, "Stop arguing; let me bury this young lady properly."

Everyone looked, only to see a person wearing a scholar's cap, walking with measured steps out of the crowd, about to bend down to embrace Xiao Longnv.

Feng Yi also came to his senses, thinking: "Xiao Longnv perhaps truly has an ill fate, she is nothing but a picked-up corpse! Should I respect fate, or intervene?"

(End of chapter)