Chapter 129: The Mad Guest Comes Uninvited

Feng Yi's remark drew no surprise from anyone; after all, anyone with a bit of perception could see that Xiao Longnv was aloof toward everyone, Feng Yi included—she hardly seemed like a wife material, yet she showed deep concern for Yang Guo.

Li Mochou, too, was a clever person; hearing the tone, she understood the implication, realizing Feng Yi was explaining himself to her while also sparing her face, lest people say she had attacked her junior sister out of jealousy.

But she knew she had overreacted, yet she cared greatly about her dignity; she snorted, lowered her head and stayed silent, while her mind raced, thinking how to settle today's affair.

Then Guo Fu couldn't help but ask: "Why are you helping him? What big benefit could there be, worth letting Yang Guo brat curse you to your face?"

Before Feng Yi could speak, Xiao Longnv said: "Feng Yi, don't tell them."

Her tone was gentle and calm, neither humble nor arrogant, yet it left Feng Yi no chance to refuse.

Because her expression showed a hint of fear.

Her beautiful eyes, with spring ripples flowing, glancing back and forth radiating charm, both pitifully lovely and elegantly striking, captivated everyone; half the crowd thought: "Whatever she asks of me, I must fulfill it."

Xiao Longnv didn't understand human deceit, lacked worldly experience, and felt she should answer whatever others asked, fearing Feng Yi would reveal her agreement with him.

Even though she was still naive about worldly affairs, she knew that transmitting her sect's internal arts to outsiders was forbidden.

Thus this was actually a plea to Feng Yi, only she wouldn't beg; she merely appeared to be holding herself aloof.

Feng Yi gazed at Xiao Longnv, also slightly lost in thought, and gave a wry smile: "Actually the reason is simple—I just saw Dragon Maiden suffering for love, felt deeply moved, so I wanted to help her a bit!"

Hearing this, Xiao Longnv's lovely eyes fixed, almost tearing up. Suddenly she understood what Feng Yi meant when he said men's words aren't always reliable.

Guo Fu then laughed: "You just wanted to have a private chat with her, didn't you?"

Huang Rong suddenly turned her head and said: "Fu'er, you're a young lady—why are you so curious?"

Guo Fu replied: "He said it himself; everyone heard it."

Wuxiuwen said: "Indeed."

"Indeed."

Everyone was discussing it, and all eyes in the room were fixed on Feng Yi.

Feng Yi glanced around and saw everyone staring at him, each with different expressions; then he looked at Xiao Longnv, who wore a blank stare and was also looking at him.

Feng Yi coughed and said: "Guo Fu's suspicions are understandable. Everyone knows I'm not particularly proper in matters between men and women."

Many have called me a rogue, and I don't deny it; naturally I'm not worthy of a woman's affection.

Upon seeing genuine human affection, I naturally yearn for it.

Seeing Dragon Maiden's sincere devotion to her lover—something I've never experienced—I wanted to take her place, to taste what it's like to be loved; this is the condition I set for agreeing to help her, so please forgive my presumption.

Feng Yi well knew that martial arts must not be transmitted outside; it is the sect's strict rule—while it may seem like clinging to one's own broken broom, it is also the foundation for the sect's longevity.

Therefore, whether Xiao Longnv asks him or not, he will never speak plainly about it.

In these words, half lies and half truth, spoken with great caution, so that no one detected any flaw.

Everyone felt astonished; seeing him in a scholar's robe, standing there like a jade tree in the wind, yet he called himself a rogue—those who had intended to accuse him of an affair with Li Mochou were left speechless.

There are many unfaithful men who pretend to be devoted, but Feng Yi essentially declared himself a scoundrel—who could do anything about him?

This was Feng Yi's prepared excuse, namely: "I don't talk about morality—how can you bind me with morality?"

Some women almost laughed out loud.

Guo Fu suddenly understood what her father had said that day.

Feng Yi says what he means, never hiding anything—that's a true gentleman, utterly unrelated to lecherous types!

Li Mochou, however, was so angry her pretty face turned pale, a flicker of helplessness crossing her eyes, thinking: "He must be after the Jade Maiden Heart Classic; I don't know this skill, only my junior sister does, and by making a scene I've forced him to stay silent, thus I've dirtied myself!"

Alas, he's also quite a fool—if he only thought of himself, why would he go to such lengths?

Then Xiao Longnv choked out: "Feng Yi, thank you." With a "puff", another mouthful of blood spurted out and she collapsed face up.

Seeing this, Feng Yi flashed forward, grabbed her, and saw her face flushed like fire, her eyes seeming to drip blood.

Everyone thought "oh no"; anyone with some experience could see that this lovely maiden might perish in the blink of an eye.

Feng Yi placed a hand on her pulse and found her qi and blood boiling and churning, repeatedly striking her meridians like a flood breaking a dam, on the verge of bursting her body.

After Xiao Longnv became emotional, her composure greatly diminished; learning today of Yang Guo's feelings should have been a joy, but her battle with Li Mochou was merely a grim endurance; seeing Feng Yi not speak of what she sought, her emotions surged, she could not control herself, could no longer endure, and had reached the brink of death.

Feng Yi pressed his palm to her back, the Divine Illumination Skill circulating, true qi gushing from his palm into her back; everyone saw her jade-like cheeks flush with a vivid red, admiring the purity of Feng Yi's internal energy.

Guo Jing, well versed in the subtleties of the Divine Illumination Classic, knew that if Feng Yi acted, Xiao Longnv would be unharmed; he raised his eyebrows and struck open Yang Guo's acupoint with a palm.

Yang Guo opened his eyes and cried out "Ah!" as he lunged forward, shouting: "Release my aunt!"

Guo Jing flashed into position before Yang Guo and barked: "Er'er, have you gone mad?"

Yang Guo angrily said: "He's this despicable little..."

Guo Jing flicked his sleeve, a strong gust rushed into Yang Guo's mouth and nose; he couldn't exhale, and the rest of his words were blown back.

Huang Rong stepped forward two paces and said coldly: "Feng Yi and your aunt are innocent; Xiao Longnv asked him for help merely to test your feelings!"

Yang Guo stared at Huang Rong, his face flushing. He then calmed, turned his thoughts, and realized something was off, thinking: "Could I have been mistaken? Feng Yi didn't force my aunt."

Upon further reflection, seeing Xiao Longnv's expression from start to finish, Feng Yi never spoke; obviously the notion of his aunt being his wife was false, leaving him stunned and at a loss what to do.

Huang Rong asked Yang Guo: "Er'er, is your martial arts truly all taught by Dragon Maiden?"

Yang Guo nodded: "Indeed, Aunt Guo, don't you believe me?"

Guo Jing's face darkened like gathering clouds; Huang Rong glanced at her husband, realizing today's affair would become a big joke.

Feng Yi's Divine Illumination true qi was incomparably pure; Xiao Longnv caught her breath, her consciousness slightly cleared, and she called: "Er'er, er'er!"

Yang Guo said: "Aunt, I'm here!" and hurriedly bent down to check.

Feng Yi withdrew his hand, fixed his gaze on Yang Guo, and said: "If you let her suffer emotional stimulation again, she'll either go qi deviant and die, or lose her mind and die young—remember that!"

Yang Guo's face changed drastically; he involuntarily asked: "Is there a cure?" As he spoke, he thought of the granny master's past—she too had died young in middle age—and his heart churned, his expression grim.

Feng Yi gave a slight smile, said nothing, knowing that a warning bell needs no repeated strike—he had already thought of it. He walked toward Li Mochou and whispered: "You'd better leave this place of right and wrong."

Li Mochou lightly sighed, her face full of resentment, and said: "I carry a lifetime of blood debts; if I don't settle them today, you'll curse me forever, and I'll be unable to do anything."

Feng Yi said: "What nonsense are you spouting?"

Li Mochou added: "Just now I acted that way—don't you hate me?" As she spoke, she frowned tightly, her brows knit, her face full of expectation.

Feng Yi smiled faintly and said, "You're overthinking! Being jealous means you have me in your heart—how could I possibly hate you?"

Li Mochou smiled alluringly, lowered her voice: "Today you just watch—I'll definitely earn you some face."

Feng Yi wanted to speak but stopped, when suddenly a clear, bell-like voice interjected: "Guo'er, stop crying—since I know you want me as your wife, what does it matter if I die?"

Yang Guo, tears streaming down his face, suddenly blurted out: "Auntie, are you willing to be my wife?"

Feng Yi and Li Mochou whispered, yet their voices were loud—so blatantly ignoring everyone—that the whole place fell dead silent.

Only Xiao Longnv's laugh was heard as she said, "Then are you willing or not?"

Yang Guo hurriedly said: "I'm willing, I'm willing—just please don't leave me!"

Xiao Longnv sighed, then softly said: "I had wanted to leave you, but seeing you so heartbroken and asking me to be your wife, I just can't bear to part with you."

Everyone saw Xiao Longnv instantly become graceful and elegant, her skin fairer than snow, a hint of joy showing between her brows—but instead she drew hundreds of gazes aimed at them. Among those looks were surprise, anger, regret, disdain, and many more bewildered.

The Song people valued propriety above all; the hierarchy between master and disciple was seen as no different than that between ruler and subject or father and son, and must never be disrupted. As for the "Three Bonds and Five Constants," the ruler is the bond for the subject, the father for the son, the husband for the wife. Since a master is like a father, the term "master" (shīfu) is used; a master marrying his disciple is tantamount to father‑daughter incest or mother‑son incest—something people of that time could not even imagine.

Even Guo Jing and Huang Rong, upon hearing Li Mochou and Xiao Longnv speak of incest, felt some suspicion; this remark also made Guo Jing unwilling to believe his own ears, yet seeing Xiao Longnv and Yang Guo holding hands, intimate in expression, he could not help but believe it, stammering: "Miss Long, you… aren't… master and disciple…? Or could it be that you are not?"

Feng Yi could see that he desperately wanted to hear a "no."

But Xiao Longnv simply smiled: "Yes!"

Her smile was pure and lovely; Xiao Longnv, having long dwelt in the underground tomb without sunlight, had a bloodless, pallid complexion—but now, having received Feng Yi's Divine Illumination true qi and filled with inner joy, her face blossomed with a rosy glow, like a shy orchid bursting into bloom.

Only Xiao Longnv's soft laugh was heard as she said: "Yes! I once taught him martial arts, but now his skill equals mine. He likes me, and I like him very much. Before…"

Having said that, her voice dropped; though she was innocent and pure, a maiden's shyness came naturally, and she continued softly: "Before… I thought he didn't like me, didn't want me to be with him, to be his wife… I… I felt terrible inside, wishing only to die. But today I finally know he truly loves me… I… I…"

Normally a maiden, no matter how full of love, could not blurt it out in public—but Xiao Longnv, utterly ignorant of etiquette and human feelings, felt these words needed to be spoken plainly.

Yang Guo, moved by her sincere confession, was about to respond, but seeing the faces around him—surprised, bewildered, embarrassed, and dismissive—he realized Xiao Longnv was too ignorant to speak thus here; he took her hand, rose, and said gently: "Auntie, let's go!" Xiao Longnv replied: "Okay!"

The two walked side by side toward the hall's exit.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong stared at each other in shock; though they had endured countless strange and perilous trials in their lives, they now had no idea how to deal with this situation.

Suddenly Xiao Longnv strode straight toward Feng Yi. Li Mochou gripped her whisk tightly, fearing she would again seize the chance to attack her,

Xiao Longnv smiled, saying: "Senior Sister, instead of spouting nonsense, you'd better keep a close eye on him, lest someone snatch him away!"

Feng Yi was instantly stunned, and Li Mochou even more so—her eyes widened round and large, staring fixedly at Xiao Longnv's face, as if she never imagined that, in front of everyone, her own junior sister would say such a thing to her.

Xiao Longnv distinguishes gratitude from grudge; she hasn't forgotten Li Mochou's earlier accusation that she and Yang Guo committed bestial incest.

Moreover, she knew full well what was going on between Li Mochou and Feng Yi, and before leaving she also struck back.

Under everyone's gaze, Li Mochou felt uneasy, then flared with shame and anger, raised her right hand and lashed out her whisk with lightning speed, striking at Xiao Longnv.

Seeing her about to strike again, Feng Yi grabbed the whisk's tip and said: "As a senior sister, you should have some decorum—why bother with her at all?"

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It's unclear whether Li Mochou heeded her words or realized that Xiao Longnv doesn't even avoid speaking of her own affairs; in any case, her remark was understandable, she snorted and then stayed still.

Yang Guo clasped his fists toward Feng Yi and said: "Brother Feng, I've been rash; I apologize here."

Xiao Longnv laughed: "Feng Yi is a good person—you must not be rude to him from now on! You may come to the ancient tomb to find me anytime!"

The first sentence was for Yang Guo, the last for Feng Yi; after saying that, she took Yang Guo's hand and walked out again.

Feng Yi thought: "It's good that she can keep her promise; if I happen to pass by, I can drop by the tomb!"

Suddenly Guo Jing shouted: "Guo'er, you must plant your feet firmly, behave yourself, don't ruin your reputation. Your name was given by your Aunt Guo—do you know what the character 'Guo' signifies?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Guo's heart jolted; he suddenly recalled many childhood memories, the various hurts and humiliations, and wondered: "How come my name was given by Aunt Guo?"

Guo Jing loved Yang Guo deeply, so he naturally held him to high standards and was strict; seeing him today, before the heroes, fight Li Mochou for dozens of moves without defeat, he felt greatly pleased.

After all, anyone under heaven who can withstand three of Li Mochou's moves is already a top martial artist; recalling how Mei Chaofeng once boasted she could kill him in three moves, that already showed high regard for him.

Thus, being able to withstand three moves from a first‑rate master carries great weight in the martial world.

Guo Jing was feeling pleased, when suddenly he realized he had done something utterly unacceptable; his heart tightened, his voice grew especially stern, and he added: "Your late mother surely told you that your single given name 'Guo'—what is your courtesy name?"

Yang Guo recalled that his mother had indeed said so, but being young, no one ever used his courtesy name, and he had almost forgotten it himself; he answered: "It is 'Gai zhi'."

Guo Jing barked: "Correct—what does it mean?"

Yang Guo thought a moment, recalled the sutras Huang Rong had taught him, and said: "Aunt Guo meant that if I make a mistake, I should repent and reform."

Guo Jing's tone softened a little: "Guo'er, nobody is without fault; to err and then amend is the greatest virtue, as the ancient sages said. Your disrespect toward your master is a serious fault—think it over well."

Yang Guo said: "If I am wrong, I will naturally correct it. But…"

Huang Rong stepped forward slowly and said: "Guo'er, is Miss Long really your master?"

Yang Guo replied: "Aunt Guo, you still don't believe me?"

Huang Rong, knowing he was sly, but seeing Xiao Longnv's pure innocence, assumed she wouldn't lie, turned to her and asked: "Sister, is his martial art your teaching?"

Xiao Longnv was quite pleased, saying: "Yes! Did I teach him well?"

Yang Guo's martial arts now are unbeatable among his peers—naturally she taught him well, but no one says so.

Huang Rong then asked Yang Guo: "Have you performed the kowtow and the full rites of apprenticeship?"

Yang Guo without hesitation: "Yes."

Huang Rong said: "Uncle Guo has kindly advised you—don't misunderstand his intentions."

Yang Guo's tone softened: "Uncle Guo treats me well, I know that, but I just don't understand—what exactly have I done wrong?"

Huang Rong's face darkened: "Are you truly not understanding, or are you just messing with us?"

Yang Guo felt resentful, thinking: "You treat me well, I'll repay you in kind—so why do you keep demanding this?" He bit his lip, but said nothing.

Huang Rong said: "Fine, if you want me to speak plainly, I won't beat around the bush. Since Miss Long is your master, she is your elder, and thus you may not have a private romantic relationship."

This rule, Yang Guo is not as clueless as Xiao Longnv; moreover, Feng Yi had already told him not to tell others that Xiao Longnv is his master, to avoid trouble—but he still refuses to accept it, wondering why, just because his aunt taught him martial arts, he cannot make her his wife.

Yang Guo, by nature fearless and hot‑headed, now cared for nothing and shouted: "What have I done to offend you? Whom have I harmed? Auntie taught me martial arts, yet I insist on making her my wife. Even if you cut me a thousand, ten thousand times, I will still have her as my wife."

These words truly shocked everyone present, horrifying to hear.

At that time, the Song people were sticklers for propriety; such wanton, contrary‑to‑ethics speech left everyone feeling uneasy, as if they had heard someone openly declare they wanted to marry their mother.

Guo Jing revered his master above all in his life; he only felt his qi rush upward, stepped forward, and reached out to grab his chest.

Xiao Longnv was startled, and she reached out to block.

Guo Jing's martial arts far surpassed hers; in his fury he exerted all his strength, with a pull and a swing he flung Xiao Longnv more than a zhang away, then his palm shot out fast, seizing Yang Guo's chest at the Heaven's Rush point; he raised his left palm and shouted, "You bastard, how dare you utter such treasonous words!"

Only then did the crowd understand what a top-tier master is!

When Xiao Longnv and Li Mochou exchanged blows, their martial arts were superb, yet in Guo Jing's hands they seemed like infants.

Li Mochou was even more shocked and turned pale. She couldn't help wondering what the outcome would be if she were to fight Guo Jing; his casual pull-and-swing was effortless, but how could she resist it?

It seemed she had no counter!

Yang Guo was seized by Guo Jing, losing all his strength; he felt inexplicable grief and indignation, yet felt no fear at all, and declared loudly, "Aunt loves me with all her heart, and I love her likewise. Uncle Guo, if you want to kill me, go ahead—my resolve to marry her will never change."

Guo Jing said, "I treat you as my own son; I will not allow you to do wrong and not repent."

Yang Guo raised his voice: "I have done no wrong! I have done no evil! I have harmed no one! Even if you crush my bones to dust, I will still marry my aunt as my wife and never be parted from her!"

These words were spoken with firm conviction, ringing clear and loud.

The heroes in the hall heard this and all felt a chill, thinking his words were indeed somewhat reasonable; if he and his disciple never said a word, became husband and wife in some paradise or remote desolate island, and remained unknown to the world, it would indeed harm no one.

As long as they do not reveal their master-disciple relationship, this handsome man and beautiful woman becoming husband and wife would indeed interfere with no one's affairs, harm no one; but his brazen, unrestrained misconduct goes against societal morals, making him not only a scoundrel in the martial world but also a wicked villain in secular society.

Feng Yi understands; Yang Guo's behavior can be done in secret, but cannot be put on the table, for fear that everyone will imitate it and that the public will come to regard such a relationship as the norm between master and disciple.

If a master takes on a female disciple, and when she grows up he finds her beautiful and marries her; or a female master takes on a male disciple. If people assume that such a relationship exists between master and disciple, how could they face others?

Why did Huang Rong become the queen of pornographic novels? How much of it is due to the plot involving the Wu brothers, all because people's hearts have gone astray!

But seeing Guo Jing speak sorrowfully: "Guo'er, my heart aches, do you understand? I would rather you were dead than have you do evil deeds, do you understand?" As he spoke, his voice choked with sobs.

Yang Guo, though sometimes full of schemes, is now extraordinarily stubborn, and he declared loudly: "I know I am not wrong; I must marry my aunt as my wife; if you don't believe me, just beat me to death, come on."

Guo Jing raised his left palm high; if this strike were to hit Yang Guo's crown, would he still have any life left?

The heroes held their breath in silence, hundreds of gazes fixed on Guo Jing's palm.

Suddenly a violent shout rang out: "Release my son!"

A shadow flickered before the hall, and a tall, disheveled figure flashed in, his eyes gleaming; after a shout, he lifted his foot from the hall door and instantly stood before Guo Jing, the distance of several zhang seeming but a step, and whoosh, a palm struck toward Guo Jing.

Guo Jing only felt that the palm wind was unusual, fearing to hurt Yang Guo, he flung him away with his right hand and blocked with his left palm; with a bang, their forces met, each retreated three steps, everyone was shocked and terrified—who is this person? He can actually match Guo Jing evenly.

This scene changed suddenly; while others had no time to react, Feng Yi saw it clearly, yet was also stunned, and he felt all the more the power of the butterfly effect, which indeed proved formidable!

The Golden Wheel National Master probably wouldn't dare come to show off, but Xidu has appeared here; although he's a madman, it seems this heroes' gathering must have a top-tier villain to cause trouble.

Yang Guo, seized by Guo Jing, not knowing whether it was fortune or disaster, felt somewhat apprehensive; but upon seeing the newcomer's face, he was overjoyed with surprise, crying, "Father, father!" and leapt toward the newcomer.

Guo Jing stared at the newcomer and shouted, "Ouyang Feng!"

"Xidu Ouyang Feng!"

Everyone was shocked and moved; just one Li Mochou, because someone said her venom was not inferior to Xidu Ouyang Feng, her name resounded like thunder, and the skills she had just displayed were truly up to her reputation.

Then, with Ouyang Feng himself arriving, who could fail to change color?

Ouyang Feng, seeing Yang Guo, rejoiced: "Son, this kid is quite formidable; let's go!" He grabbed Yang Guo in one motion and was about to leave.

Guo Jing shouted, "Stay!" He slightly bent his left leg, his right hand traced a circle, and pushed forward.

Ouyang Feng had just seized Yang Guo in his hand when he felt a slight breeze coming; though the wind was not strong, it already made his body shudder.

"Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms!" Ouyang Feng's eyes flashed with fierce light, his countenance filled with intense killing intent, and he released Yang Guo.

With a 'gud' sound, he bent his knees slightly, pushed out both palms, and a surging force like a tide rushed toward Guo Jing.

(End of chapter)