Chapter 127

Everyone, having been greeted by Manor Lord Lu and his wife, kept their eyes on the hall entrance, but saw that sturdy man stride purposefully toward Feng Yi, with everyone holding their breath to watch.

He was about sixty years old, with a black as a pot‑bottom face, cheeks full of flower‑white beard, each strand like iron; added to the aura in his steps, his stature was towering like a mountain, his gaze fierce, naturally making people fearful—this man was like a general commanding tens of thousands of troops.

The old sturdy man arrived before Feng Yi, clasped his fists, and said, "You must be the renowned Hero Feng whose fame covers the world, right?"

His voice rang like a great bell; although he spoke casually, everyone in the hall of several hundred heard him clearly.

Feng Yi smiled faintly, rose, clasped his fists, and said, "Not at all; the so‑called hero is merely kind words from friends—I dare not accept such praise. What advice do you have, sir?"

At this moment, Manor Lord Lu also hurried forward, smiling, "Hero Feng, let me introduce you: this is Senior Fisherman Recluse of Dangang, a disciple of the One Lamp Grandmaster!"

"This is Senior Zhu, you are all heroes of the present age—you should get close to one another!"

Feng Yi glanced at the scholar beside him and gave a slight nod.

Under the One Lamp Grandmaster there are four disciples known as the "Fisherman, Woodcutter, Farmer, Scholar"; the Fisherman is Dangang Fisherman Recluse, the Grandmaster's eldest disciple, formerly the naval commander of the Dali Kingdom, possessing immeasurable strength.

The father of the Wu brothers, Wu Santong, is a farmer under the One Lamp Grandmaster; after being wounded in a battle with Li Mochou, he has vanished without trace, his fate unknown.

The scholar was Zhu Ziliu; seen wearing a long robe and holding a folding fan, he smiled, "I am Zhu Ziliu; traveling with my senior brother, I have long heard of your great name—please do not consider our intrusion rude."

Feng Yi smiled and said nothing.

As soon as they entered the hall, they adopted the posture of someone looking for a person; upon seeing me they rushed straight over, clearly with ill intent.

Only the Fisherman Recluse said, "Rumors in the jianghu say your relationship with that devil Li Mochou is not shallow—is it true or false?"

Yesterday, in the conversation between Li Mochou and Haodatong, Feng Yi was mentioned, saying he had reformed; the news spread instantly, and all the heroes who came to the appointment knew of it.

Moreover, people speculated that Feng Yi and Li Mochou had become lovers; otherwise, what courage would Li Mochou have to dare say she would attend the heroes' gathering—clearly she had Feng Yi, such a supreme expert, backing her.

Thus the Fisherman Recluse's question, though his own inquiry, amounted to voicing everyone's thoughts; in an instant, all eyes gathered on Feng Yi and Xiao Longnv.

Xiao Longnv is peerlessly beautiful; no matter how composed a person, seeing her gorgeous appearance makes it hard not to glance—she has long been accustomed to such looks on her journey.

But now the crowd looks at her not for her beauty, but because she still veils her face with white gauze in the public assembly, eats nothing, drinks nothing, merely sits silently aside, leading some to suspect, "Could she be Li Mochou?"

Fortunately, when Feng Yi introduced himself at the door, he called her his sister; had he, as Xiao Longnv imagined, called her his wife, the Fisherman Recluse's question would have caused an even greater uproar, inevitably prompting someone to demand to see her face.

Feng Yi stared at the Fisherman Recluse for a moment, then coldly said, "Could this matter also be related to you, or to this heroes' gathering?"

The Fisherman Recluse had not yet spoken when Zhu Ziliu burst into a long laugh, his shoulders twitching slightly as he stepped between the two, clasped his fists toward Feng Yi and said, "Hero Feng, please don't take offense—it is indeed that Li Mochou has caused my martial brother's life or death to be unknown, and my sister‑in‑law died of poison; moreover, yesterday she publicly denounced him as wrong, speaking insolently to our master; since she has declared she will come to the martial arts assembly, we brothers must settle the score with her!"

At this moment, our inquiry is merely to gain clarity, not to deliberately pry into your privacy.

Feng Yi suddenly realized: Li Mochou had yesterday exposed Wu Santong's illicit affair with his adopted daughter, causing an uproar; this act greatly damaged the reputation of the One Lamp Grandmaster's school, so these two old men wish to deal with Li Mochou and thus probed ahead.

Feng Yi smiled faintly and said, "I appreciate your inquiry, but I must say the jianghu rumors are true—I am indeed involved with Li Mochou; surely you will not make things difficult for her?"

Zhu Ziliu gave a dry laugh: "Well, I cannot speak for the sentiments of all heroes under heaven."

His implication was that Li Mochou has committed countless evils, and many people will not let her off—not just him and his brother.

Feng Yi, too, could not fail to know, and he laughed heartily: "The name Scarlet Fairy shakes the world, relying not on me, Feng; your words, sir, somewhat underestimate women—this will surely lead to a great loss!"

Having suffered a great loss at the hands of Li Mochou and Xiao Longnv, he still harbored fear; his words were spoken with deep feeling.

This left Zhu Ziliu speechless.

Back then, Guo Jing brought Huang Rong to seek treatment from the One Lamp Grandmaster; though he acted arrogantly, he was utterly defeated at Huang Rong's hands.

Feng Yi saying this seemed to imply that even he could not match Li Mochou, so there was no need for him to interfere!

The Fisherman Recluse furrowed his brows and said, "Hero Feng, Manor Lord Lu said we should get close."

Saying this, he reached out to shake Feng Yi's hand.

He possessed immense strength; while serving the One Lamp Grandmaster in seclusion in western Hunan, he daily rowed upstream with an iron oar against the rapids, his arms trained to iron‑like sinew and bone, having practiced longest under the master; among the four disciples he had always been foremost in martial arts, merely his talent was inferior, so in recent years Zhu Ziliu surpassed him in internal energy, but his external hard technique remained extremely formidable.

When Feng Yi shook his hand, he felt a tremendous force pressing in; he slightly circulated his Divine Illumination Skill.

The Dangang Fisherman Recluse felt as if he had grasped a burning coal, sensed something amiss, and immediately withdrew his hand and stepped back.

Feng Yi merely made light contact; he had already tested that the opponent's strength was great but his internal energy quite ordinary, similar to Daliba's type. Even so, the Fisherman Recluse withdrew too violently, almost losing his footing.

Fortunately, his entire body's strength had reached the point of effortless control; after retreating a step, he employed the "Thousand‑Pound Drop" technique, planting his feet firmly on the ground to steady himself.

Hundreds of people filled the main hall, among them many martial arts connoisseurs who knew that the Fisherman Recluse's handshake was in fact a test of skill against Feng Yi.

This is a common jianghu way of exchanging blows; it does not lose face too much, for if they truly fought, one would be beaten like a dog—too unsightly.

Who would have expected that a senior disciple of the One Lamp Grandmaster would, in an instant, almost be knocked down by Feng Yi; everyone was shocked, thinking, "Feng Yi's martial arts are truly formidable!"

The Dangang Fisherman Recluse and Zhu Ziliu stood there dazed; to be frank, although the jianghu rumors had already raised Feng Yi's skill to be on par with the Five Absolutes, they now sensed he was already the best in the world.

They were extremely unconvinced; yet after exchanging just one move, they saw Feng Yi resolve the Fisherman Recluse's full‑force handshake with ease, his internal energy already unfathomable—even if the master himself came, it would probably be no different.

Upon this thought, the Dangang Fisherman Recluse rose in respect, performed a deep bow, and said, "Indeed, under great fame there are no false men; today I am fortunate to meet you—I truly feel blessed for three lifetimes!"

He is a straightforward man; admitting he cannot win, his words are sincere and come from the heart.

Feng Yi returned the salute, saying, "The martial arts of the Dali Duan clan are profound and long‑standing, shaking the south for hundreds of years—I also hold them in great esteem!"

Zhu Ziliu had formerly been the grand chancellor of the Dali Kingdom; seeing Feng Yi, at his age, easily defeat his senior brother—a first‑rate master—before the heroes of the world, showing no pride on his face, he was even more astonished inside.

He prided himself on his talents as a top scholar, yet at this age he also lacked Feng Yi's composure.

How could he know how many first‑rate masters Feng Yi has encountered on his journey?

With his present martial ability, in single combat there is hardly anyone in the world who would provoke him to act; if not for the Fisherman Recluse's initiative, he would hardly bother to respond, naturally feeling no need to show off.

Lu Yingying, watching from the side, was greatly troubled; if the two sides fought and something went wrong, he as host would be in a bind. Seeing their words were courteous, he hurriedly said, "Everyone, the heroes' gathering will be held at night; since Chief Guo and Chief Huang are not present now, please, Hero Feng and your sister, follow me to the guest quarters to rest temporarily."

He well knew that jianghu people are untamed horses without reins, ready to fight at the slightest disagreement; Feng Yi is so young and his reputation so great that those dissatisfied are certainly not just one or two—he truly feared causing further trouble.

Feng Yi thought it would be fine; with Guo Jing and Huang Rong absent, there was no point in talking with these people, so he prepared to rise and leave.

Suddenly a voice called out loudly, "Brother Feng, Brother Zhu, you have both arrived; Guo Jing was unable to greet you in person—my apologies."

Then Guo Jing and Huang Rong were seen walking side by side into the main hall; Lu Yingying immediately breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that with the couple present, even a great disturbance could be suppressed.

The Dangang Fisherman Recluse and Zhu Ziliu had been separated from the Guo couple for over ten years; now they saw Guo Jing's bearing even more composed, while Huang Rong's appearance was wan, yet her eyes remained lively.

Feng Yi could not help but guess, "It seems she is still pregnant, her true qi has gone awry."

Guo Jing and Feng Yi began exchanging pleasantries, while Zhu Ziliu and Huang Rong, who loved to spar verbally, were in the midst of their talk.

Suddenly a cry rang out, "Aunt!"

Everyone followed the sound and saw Guo Fu, the Wu brothers, and a raggedly dressed youth standing at the hall entrance; the one shouting loudly was Yang Guo.

It turned out that in the morning Guo Fu had asked Yang Guo to speak with her; over the years Huang Rong had entrusted all the beggar gang's affairs, big and small, to Elder Lu Youjiao, and she intended to pass the gang leader's position to him, so she taught him the Dog-Beating Staff Technique.

Yang Guo, the Wu brothers, and Guo Fu secretly watched and overheard Guo Jing say that the Quanzhen Sect refused to take in Guo'er, but in the future he would pass all his martial arts to him and also intended to betroth Fu to Yang Guo.

Huang Rong originally had little connection with the Quanzhen Sect; years ago the Seven Masters of Quanzhen formed the Big Dipper Formation to besiege her father Huang Yaoshi, and Qiu Chuji had once insisted on betrothing Mu Nianci to Guo Jing, both of which had greatly displeased her; although time had passed and she no longer held a grudge, last night Zhao Zhijing shouted loudly in her presence, speaking rudely and offensively.

Therefore she paid no mind to Yang Guo's troublemaking in the Quanzhen Sect, but she deeply hated Yang Kang for having killed Guo Jing, murdered the Jiangnan Five Freaks, and framed her father.

Last night Yang Guo's remarks about the Quanzhen Sect were believed by Guo Jing without doubt, but she saw through the falsehoods in his words; his sly demeanor reminded her more and more of Yang Kang, yet she refused to consent to the marriage.

On the contrary, when speaking of Guo Fu's attitude toward the Wu brothers, she saw no difference between them; Guo Jing had not yet answered who was better when a subordinate reported that Feng Yi had arrived at Lu Manor with his sister.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong, recalling the matter Feng Yi had once asked them to consider, immediately went to meet him; hearing that Feng Yi had arrived, Yang Guo followed Guo Fu and the others back with Guo Jing and Huang Rong.

Along the way they heard that a disciple of Master Yideng had also arrived; Guo Jing and Huang Rong, remembering Master Yideng's life-saving kindness, came even faster, while Yang Guo and the others, lacking their speed, arrived a step behind.

Upon entering the main hall, Yang Guo saw the white-clad woman beside Feng Yi; others could not recognize her behind her veil, but having lived with Xiao Longnv for years, he could not fail to know her, and in his excitement he immediately shouted aloud.

His shout certainly stirred Xiao Longnv's tender feelings, yet it left Guo Jing and Huang Rong somewhat dazed.

Guo Jing mused, 'Uncle Yang Tiexin had no daughter!' Then he looked at Feng Yi, as if asking, 'Isn't this your sister?' Feng Yi understood his intent, spread his hands and smiled, saying, 'Just look and you'll know.' Then Yang Guo rushed forward in three strides, reached Xiao Longnv, and snatched off her bamboo hat.

Everyone's eyes lit up; they felt Xiao Longnv was gorgeous and pure, beyond compare, and in that instant they all grasped the meaning of 'beautiful as a heavenly immortal.'

Even such rare beauties as Huang Rong and Guo Fu were astonished by her beauty.

Upon seeing her, Yang Guo thought, 'This is indeed the Xiao Longnv I have longed for day and night,' opened his arms to embrace her, and cried, 'Auntie, Auntie, you have really come!'

Unexpectedly, Xiao Longnv's body swayed and she darted past Yang Guo's side; he reached back to grab her, but her lunging frame suddenly jerked backward, returning her to her original position.

The speed of their movements and the agility of their techniques were extraordinary, representing the highest martial arts of the Ancient Tomb Sect.

Seeing such skill, everyone secretly marveled, 'These two youths' martial arts are actually so formidable.'

Guo Jing, however, was overjoyed and exclaimed, 'Guo'er, where did you learn such superb martial arts!'

He had originally thought that since Yang Guo had not learned Quanzhen martial arts, he could marry his daughter to him, fearing Guo Fu would mistreat him; now he was delighted beyond measure.

Yet when Yang Guo saw Xiao Longnv reject his embrace, his chest felt as if struck by a heavy hammer; he could think of nothing else, merely staring at her and trembling, 'Auntie, what's wrong with you?'

Xiao Longnv's genuine feelings had just begun to stir; although she did not resist when Yang Guo lifted her veil, moved by emotion she immediately realized that all this was merely a test of his feelings for her, and she could not abandon it halfway.

Naturally she would not let him hold her, and instead coldly said, 'Guo'er, listen well—I intend to become Feng Yi's wife.' Saying this, she walked over and sat beside Feng Yi.

Yang Guo was greatly startled, stared at her intently, but saw her expression was cold, as if she were not joking; he hurriedly said, 'Auntie, what nonsense are you speaking?' and moved to embrace Xiao Longnv again.

Guo Jing swayed, seized Yang Guo by the back of the neck, and shouted, 'Guo'er, what are you doing?'

Seeing Yang Guo, in front of all the heroes, about to embrace the woman beside Feng Yi, who even claimed to be Feng Yi's wife, was not only a grave breach of decorum but would also utterly offend Feng Yi; if they struck him down, no one could say a word against it, so he naturally would not let Yang Guo step forward.

Fortunately, Feng Yi ignored Yang Guo's rudeness, even continuing to drink and eat.

Everyone saw him act as if no one were present, his expression unchanged, and admired him all the more.

After all, given Feng Yi's stature, to regard Yang Guo—a lowly, insignificant jianghu brat—as an equal would be a great loss of dignity.

Feng Yi had long become a peer of Guo Jing, a great master; as for Yang Guo, although his martial arts were not bad, he was ultimately a spoiled brat who relied on Guo Jing and Huang Rong to run wild! Held by Guo Jing, Yang Guo could not break free, his face flushed red, and he gasped, 'Uncle Guo, let go of me—she is Xiao Longnv, my master, she is not Feng Yi's wife!'

Guo Jing was again stunned, 'Didn't you say these years Guo'er had lived in darkness? How does he suddenly have a master?' The heroes burst into laughter. Seeing Xiao Longnv's lovely appearance and her being younger than Yang Guo, how could she be his master? Clearly this youth, seeing her beauty, was speaking nonsense here.

Although Huang Rong was extraordinarily wise, she also refused to believe that such a delicate young girl as Xiao Longnv could be his master; instead, recalling how Yang Kang had once seen Mu Nianci's beauty, teased her, and imprisoned her, scenes flashed in her mind, and she silently cursed, 'Like father, like son—how could Fu'er marry such a man!' Yang Guo, at a loss, glanced toward Feng Yi and said, 'Brother Feng, what is going on?'

Feng Yi didn't even glance at him, merely continuing to drink and eat; after all, Lu Guan Ying had served him and Xiao Longnv a table of dishes, and since Xiao Longnv wouldn't eat, he felt no need to be polite.

In any case, Xiao Longnv was merely testing Yang Guo's feelings for her; all that was needed was to reveal this information.

Since he had agreed to act with Xiao Longnv, he could not ruin the play; but he knew her heart held only Yang Guo, and if he declared her his wife, it would be treating the audience as fools—useless except for becoming a laughingstock later—so upon entering he simply said she was his sister.

Now, hearing Xiao Longnv's bombshell, he neither admitted nor denied it, but simply resigned himself to being a mere tool for eating and drinking, watching what Xiao Longnv would do.

Moreover, Yang Guo's reaction was as expected; at worst he would receive a scolding, and obtaining the Ancient Tomb Sect's internal cultivation secret manual would already be no loss.

Then Xiao Longnv added, 'Don't ask him—I have already decided to become his wife; what will you do about it?'

Yang Guo's eyes filled with hot tears as he said to Xiao Longnv, 'Auntie, if I have done wrong, you may strike and scold me, even kill me with a sword—I would accept it gladly. But how could you marry another?'

Xiao Longnv's gaze met his; seeing his face filled with endless affection and myriad sorrows, her heart stirred, and she thought, 'I will follow him then!'

But she immediately reflected, 'This action is not a momentary impulse; after careful consideration of right and wrong, if I do not endure this temporarily, I may bring him lifelong harm.' She calmly said, 'I have decided—we will marry at once!' She rose and headed toward the outside of the main hall.

Everyone found it strange—words and deeds did not match! Feng Yi was eating here, where are you going? Yang Guo's face changed dramatically, his whole body trembled, his chest ached severely, and suddenly he spat a large mouthful of blood onto the ground.

'Guo'er!' Guo Jing rushed forward and seized him in an embrace.

Seeing this, Xiao Longnv trembled, 'You… you…' She hastily turned, reaching to support Yang Guo's arm, but Guo Jing got there first; instantly her whole body shook, and she also spat a mouthful of blood onto her chest, staining her white robe with vivid red.

The Ancient Tomb Sect's internal cultivation emphasizes self-restraint and moderation of desire; when her master transmitted the heart method to her, he earnestly instructed her to renounce joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure, but later Xiao Longnv could not control her emotions, resulting in repeated bouts of vomiting blood.

Having received Xiao Longnv's transmission, Yang Guo's internal cultivation followed the same path; at this moment his hands and feet grew icy, and he thought, 'I am spraying blood before Auntie's face—if I die here, let her see whether she still wishes to marry another.'

But then he reconsidered, 'Auntie usually treats me with such affection; today's affair must involve some other circumstance—most likely she has been coerced by that villain Feng Yi, unable to resist; if I harm myself, I would only make opposition harder.'

Upon this thought, his heroic spirit rose; he resolved to fight Feng Yi to the death, then and there calmed his mind, sank his qi to the dantian, gradually pressed down his surging blood, and shouted loudly, 'Feng Yi, you clearly know I intend to marry my aunt, yet I once regarded you as a superior person—you are nothing but a heartless, unrighteous wretch who forgets righteousness at the sight of beauty! If you wish to marry my aunt, first kill me!'

Everyone saw his emotions shift dramatically, as if he were about to go mad, yet suddenly his spirit settled and his breath grew calm, and they all felt strange.

But they had already perceived that Yang Guo and Xiao Longnv shared affection, though they did not know why they had quarreled; hearing Yang Guo rebuke Feng Yi, they felt it made perfect sense.

After all, Feng Yi could even provoke a demoness like Li Mochou—what would one more matter? But what did he mean by saying he would marry my aunt? Just moments ago he called her his master; perhaps that title was merely a lovers' flirtatious nickname? Everyone could see that the two had a man-woman relationship, yet none considered that Xiao Longnv was Yang Guo's instructing teacher.

Xiao Longnv caught her breath, said, 'Guo'er, I'm leaving!' and walked toward the door.

When Yang Guo spat that blood, she understood everything.

If she did not hold him in her heart as he held her in his, how could she vomit blood just like him?

Once she confirmed Yang Guo's feelings, she wished for him to return with her to the Ancient Tomb, where she would become his wife and thereafter avoid all outsiders.

Whatever grudges, she would not concern herself with them at all.

Xiao Longnv's feet seemed to flow like water as she walked swiftly, but then she heard Feng Yi call, 'Miss Long, shouldn't we find a quiet room to talk?'

Feng Yi being scolded by Yang Guo was expected; after all, this was merely a transaction— to obtain something, one must give something in return.

He merely found it amusing, but paid it no heed.

Anyway, regarding male-female affairs, the rumors of his involvement with Li Mochou had already stabbed him in the back; what is this now? But if Xiao Longnv leaves, that won't do! He has served as a tool, endured the scolding, yet received no payoff; if Xiao Longnv departs, whom will he turn to? Xiao Longnv furrowed her brows slightly and said, 'Hmm, all right!'

She usually keeps her word.

Moreover, with Feng Yi's martial arts, she wouldn't dare to go back on her word! Yang Guo had already seen through it, Xiao Longnv's feelings for him were due to Feng Yi's coercion, and she shouted angrily: "You, surnamed Feng, you are shameless!" She lunged forward with a palm strike at Feng Yi.

"Guo'er!" Guo Jing exclaimed, he well knew Feng Yi's divine skill was astonishing; Yang Guo's cultivation depth, with one palm strike, would result in a death so miserable it cannot be described.

But he had just been in a dazed state, pondering the subtleties, when Yang Guo struck out too fast; wanting to save him, it was already too late, fortunately Feng Yi remained seated and unmoving, merely waving a hand, a surge of hidden energy sent Yang Guo flying back several zhang.

Guo Jing hurriedly flew forward and caught him.

Yang Guo's breath was blocked, he almost couldn't catch his breath.

Everyone had not yet reacted when they heard a clear, bell-like laughter from outside the hall, saying, "Well scolded!"

The heroes turned their heads and saw a purple streak flying swiftly toward them, its speed astonishing to behold.

In the blink of an eye, they had reached the main hall; a flash of white light from his hand, with a whoosh, lunged at Xiao Longnv, who had already walked to the door.

Xiao Longnv's expression changed slightly; she instantly retreated several zhang, her speed equally unimpressive.

Everyone then saw a beautiful woman in purple robes, holding a horsetail whisk, appear at the hall entrance.

This person's lightness skill was not inferior to Xiao Longnv's, and her age was not much greater than Xiao Longnv's; she couldn't help thinking: "Coming to this Heroes' Assembly was certainly not in vain; Feng Yi and Guo Jing's martial arts are indeed as renowned as their reputation suggests, it seems there will be a fierce battle; these two women are equally beautiful as flowers, yet I do not know whose martial arts is stronger."

Jianghu people love to watch the excitement; seeing that the contest for the Martial Arts Alliance Leader has not yet been decided, already many masters have successively taken action, the main drama has begun—how could it not be more exciting?

But people's thoughts cannot be generalized; someone harbored doubts, when they heard Guo Fu shout loudly: "Mother, she is Li Mochou!"

Indeed, a person's name is like the shadow of a tree!

This exclamation startled everyone; indeed, she was beautiful as a flower, her heart as venomous as a scorpion, truly her portrayal—the title "Chilian Xianzi" is not undeserved.

For "Chilian" describes her cruelty as akin to the red silk snake, while "Xianzi" naturally praises her beauty.

Although Li Mochou's name is well-known, few have actually seen her; upon seeing her now, hearts filled with dread.

Even Huang Rong couldn't help thinking: "She actually is such a beautiful woman!" Then her expression changed, and she lamented repeatedly.

(End of chapter)