Chapter 147: On Heartbreak Cliff, sighing over severed love

The bright moon hung high, a gentle cool breeze blew.

Gongsun Lü E, however, felt the dark night had no light; she thought she was the loneliest, most pitiful girl in the world!

"Why does he treat Mother like that? How can he do this to Mother?"

"Why does he treat me this way too?"

Gongsun Lü E repeatedly asked herself, but had no answer, her mind unsettled, walking aimlessly, utterly unaware of where she was.

Since childhood, Gongsun Lü E has lamented her birth, been sullen and joyless; now learning her mother was killed by her father, at this moment she understood everything—why her father not only disliked her but feared her, because he feared she would learn the truth and avenge her mother.

But he forgot—he is also her father!

Why has it come to this!

Thinking again of Feng Yi, I treated him with courtesy, yet why is he so cruel and heartless toward me!

Lü E, heart chilled and spirit numb, heard only one voice in her mind: 'I don't want to live, I don't want to live!'

She staggered, stepping deep then shallow, not knowing how long she had walked, when suddenly she heard a sigh: 'Go any further and you'll be gone!'

The voice seemed far away, yet also near.

Lü E startled, turned to look, and saw a person approaching, steps graceful, the night dark, unable to see the face, but she already knew this was the person she hated to the bone.

Feng Yi saw her gazing deeply at him, his expression between tears and a smile, and sighed: 'I know your heart is heavy, you hate me yet can do nothing about me—if you want to cry, then cry.'

Feng Yi's frank words were like a stone dropped in water, making Lü E's heart tremble and ripple, yet she blurted out: 'I refuse to cry!'

Feng Yi nodded, saying, 'If you don't cry, then don't cry!' He looked around: 'What place is this? The scenery is lovely—are you here to enjoy the view?'

Hearing this, Lü E glanced up and saw a mountain peak soaring skyward, before it a lofty cliff; realizing her bewildered wandering had brought her to the rarely visited western part of the valley, the perilous spot in Jueqing Gu known as Heartbreak Peak, she said: 'This is Heartbreak Cliff!'

Before the cliff lay a sheer wall, on which someone had carved the three characters 'Heartbreak Cliff'; no one knows how long it has existed.

Year-round clouds and mist swirl, the heavenly wind fierce, making it hard for birds to perch on the summit; the cliff overlooks a dark, bottomless abyss.

Feng Yi stepped closer, unable to refrain from softly chanting: 'On Heartbreak Cliff I sigh over severed love; in Jueqing Gu, who could not have their liver and intestines torn apart!'

These words caused Gongsun Lü E's defenses to collapse; her legs gave way, she knelt on the ground, and burst into a loud wail.

The news that her father killed her mother, and that her courteous treatment of Feng Yi earned only this tragic human drama, filled Lü E's body and mind with torment; Feng Yi's words seemed to give her a channel to vent her inner sorrow.

Feng Yi sat beside her, listening to her sorrowful weeping, unwilling to interrupt her catharsis or speak. On Heartbreak Cliff only Lü E's sobs and the wind answered each other, coming and going.

The mountain wind blew on her body, seeping chill to the bone, as if freezing her heart. Lü E's body suddenly trembled; a warm hand reached from behind, a current of energy making her feel warm all over.

She turned her head: Feng Yi sat beside her under faint starlight, his clear, godlike eyes full of pity.

Lü E, who had thought of nothing but death, after crying awhile felt her grief ease a little, and hoarsely asked: 'What have you done to my father?'

Feng Yi softly replied: 'He's dead!'

Although he did not witness Gongsun Zhi's death, the man had lost an arm, exchanged a heavy palm strike with him, lost copious blood, his five viscera shaken, and taken a palm strike from Yang Guo to the chest, extinguishing his vitality; at that moment he clung to life only by a breath of true qi protecting his pulse, unable to last more than a moment, so Feng Yi felt safe leaving.

After all, he would not leave any chance of survival for a man like Gongsun Zhi!

Lü E's eyes flashed with anger, but only for an instant, then she relented, murmuring: 'He's already crippled; why can't you spare his life?'

Her heart was full of conflict; she clearly knew her father had wronged her mother, yet she did not wish him dead.

After all, how could a father‑daughter bond be so easily severed just because he failed his mother and her?

Feng Yi naturally knew Lü E was a deep‑feeling person; in the original plot she was pushed by her father into the crocodile pool, aware of his evil toward her mother, yet she also wanted to protect her father's life.

Thus he said: 'Your father has the heart of a wolf; he could lay hands on your mother, and even abandon his own daughter. Having wounded him and ruined his schemes, how could I let the tiger return to the mountain?'

Lü E stared at him and said softly: 'Then I am my father's daughter; why don't you eradicate him root and branch?'

Feng Yi gave a dry chuckle, his tone softening: 'Miss, a girl as pure and clear as water—what man in the world would dare lay a hand on you? I merely wanted to reveal your father's true nature.'

'Is that so?' Lü E gave a bleak smile: 'You killed my father, making my suffering worse; if you don't kill me, I can do anything!' She closed her eyes, tears dripping down.

Feng Yi laughed: 'Really? Then be my wife!'

These words came like a sudden peak; Lü E's eyes widened, she shouted angrily: 'You're shameless!' She suddenly shoved his shoulder, crying: 'I'll kill you…'

But before she finished, with an 'ah ya' sound, Feng Yi gave a gurgling noise and had already tumbled down Heartbreak Cliff.

Feng Yi's martial arts were superb, unseen by Gongsun Lü E; she never imagined that her casual push would send this peerless master tumbling down the cliff.

After a moment of stupor, Lü E rushed to the cliff's edge, shouting loudly: 'Feng Yi, Feng Yi…'

After two calls, only the misty depths below echoed back her voice; nothing else.

Instantly Lü E trembled all over, tears bursting forth; she could not fail to understand that Feng Yi, seeking to dominate Jueqing Gu and having slain her father, ought to kill her as well to prevent future trouble.

Yet he did not kill her, and fearing she might suicide, he hurried up; besides, having endured this tragic human drama, she already wished to die—why bother killing him?

Thinking thus, Lü E slowly rose, letting the wind tousle her hair and dry her tears, thinking: 'Enough—my mother killed by my father, he killed my father to avenge my mother; if I kill him I avenge my father, then I will repay him a life, and we will be even.' With that she closed her eyes and leapt toward the cliff bottom.

She felt wind at her ears, mist blinding her eyes; suddenly a hand seized her wrist, arresting her fall and suspending her in midair.

Lü E startled, turned her head, and saw Feng Yi gripping her with his left hand while his right hand's five fingers clutched a protruding rock, as if cast of forged iron, his face full of astonishment.

Seeing he was unharmed, Lü E felt a little relieved, but instantly realized he had not been pushed down by her—he had done it on purpose, toying with her; she fumed, about to speak, when a gust of mountain wind rose.

The scenery before and after Heartbreak Cliff is serene, yet because the terrain is truly perilous—slippery rocks, high winds—it is easy to fall into the abyss; valley dwellers avoid it, and even the green‑clad martial disciples rarely dare come. This breeze made her sway like a swing, and she cried out 'wa' once more.

Feng Yi laughed heartily, channeled power into his arm, and shouted 'Rise!' Lü E felt the wind at her ears and, as if riding clouds and mist, flipped onto the cliff top; before she landed, the wind above surged sharply, and Feng Yi, arriving after her, also flipped back to the cliff's edge.

Lü E, both ashamed and angry, pounded with both fists while shouting: 'You're pretending again, deceiving me—how can you be so wicked!'

Feng Yi endured her blows, laughing heartily: 'Not only I feign—how do you know heaven, earth, sun and moon, the myriad beings, are not mere illusions? Real can be false, false can be made real; it all depends on what you think in your heart.'

Lü E's cultivated art belongs to the Chan school; hearing this, her grip loosened, she looked at Feng Yi and could not help but ask: 'Then why did you save me? I seek death myself—what business is it of yours?'

Feng Yi sighed, saying: 'My falling from the cliff is feigned, but I know your heart is anguished; you want to kill me once to avenge your father—that is genuine!'

I had thought that once your great vengeance was satisfied you would leave, and I would follow up; but you too jumped down—life is precious, how could I stand by and do nothing?

Lü E's body trembled; she lifted her head, saw his gentle gaze, a warm surge rose from her heart, her eyes softened, she walked to one side, sat slowly, and sighed lightly: 'Go on, don't sweet‑talk me here—I don't want to hear it.'

Feng Yi saw her tender words entwined, her lovely eyes clear and rippling, ever more pure and lustrous, and thought without realizing: 'This girl's nature is deeply devoted; my scheming against Gongsun Zhi is conspiratorial, but toward her I am committing wrongdoing.'

He sighed softly: 'All right. But you must never again entertain thoughts of suicide; a girl like you, your parents ought to treasure you as a jade disc, yet you have met misfortune.'

But a lifetime should not be spent in self‑indulgence and self‑destruction; in your prime years, if you do not pluck flowers for hairpins and live joyfully, you will not only waste nature's bounty, but also wound your mother's heart.

Lü E saw Feng Yi's sincerity could not be greater, she didn't take it to heart, but the last sentence did remind her.

Lü E thought of this, let out a long sigh, gently closed her eyes, and said in a hoarse voice: "My mother and Rou'er's affair, few in the valley know; how did you come to know?"

Feng Yi smiled slightly: "Prepare and you will succeed; neglect preparation and you will fail. I came alone to seize Jueqing Gu, so I cannot rely solely on martial strength; I must understand everything, and casting down your valley lord, whom you revere as a heavenly deity, is just one part. If you wish to know everything, keep your mind on it and investigate slowly!"

Lü E's beauty is undeniable, and Feng Yi knows her virtue is excellent, so his heart cannot help but be moved; yet he deeply understands that killing her father and taking her, even if he could do it, would be no different from letting this girl live in anguish and torment.

Therefore, regarding Lü E, he only wished that this "affectionate flower blooming in Jueqing Gu" would not wither like Yang Guo and Gongsun Zhi, without further thought.

Now Gongsun Zhi is dead; although Yang Guo flirted a few words, Lü E seeing Yang Guo and Xiao Longnv's affection, she surely would not develop deep feelings for him again; this lie might not be a reason for her to go on living. As for rescuing Qiu Qianchi, that bitter woman, only a fool would do that!

Her coming out would benefit no one!

Not even Lü E!

This was Feng Yi's plan all along; after speaking, he didn't wait for Lü E's reply and turned to leave.

But after taking just one step, Lü E lunged forward, grabbed him, and urged: "Tell me directly, or I won't let you go!"

Feng Yi, a young man of vigorous blood, being embraced around the waist by a maiden, felt that soft, fragrant sensation as if his body were on fire, and he exclaimed: "How can a girl hug a man? Aren't you afraid I'll eat you?"

Lü E's face instantly burned hot; she quickly let go, aware of her impropriety, and said: "I'm thirsty."

Feng Yi cheerfully said: "I have no water, only wine; do you want some?"

In Jueqing Gu for hundreds of years, alcohol has been forbidden; Lü E had only seen the words "fine wine" in books, never tasted it. But today she didn't care, saying: "Bring it!"

Feng Yi untied his waist gourd and handed it to her; Lü E first smelled it, then took a sip, instantly feeling fiery heat pierce her heart, clearing her turbid mind, and she quickly fanned her mouth with her hand.

Seeing her maidenly demeanor, Feng Yi felt pleased and laughed: "Your heart is like dead-ash wood, my body like an unmoored boat; we are kindred spirits, we could easily get drunk to dispel a thousand sorrows."

Lü E snorted: "Who says we're kindred? Drowning sorrow in wine only makes sorrow grow—how can you say that?"

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Feng Yi was stunned, Lü E gave a quiet smile, sat down, said nothing, and began to drink her wine in silence.

She remained silent, and Feng Yi also found it hard to speak.

Suddenly Lü E exclaimed: "I just can't understand why my father killed my mother!"

"They were husband and wife! As spouses, shouldn't they treat each other with respect and grow in love? If they didn't love each other, why marry at all!"

Feng Yi gave a wry smile: "Your question is very complicated."

"First, not all couples come together because of love."

"Second, everyone's way of loving is different; what seems useful for others may not suit everyone."

"So when you consider marriage, you must judge whether you yourself would be happy; others' examples don't count!"

Lü E's gaze softened: "I believe the greatest happiness in this world is meeting someone you truly love, who loves you in return—just like Young Master Yang and Miss Liu."

Although she had only met Yang Guo once, she knew he loved Xiao Longnv, and Xiao Longnv's treatment of him was obvious.

Feng Yi gave a light smile: "Their love seems enviable, but when it comes to oneself, it's not necessarily so!"

Lü E pondered, then said: "That's true too! I don't know what conflict arose between them that made Miss Liu want to marry someone else; if it weren't for you, perhaps my father would have married her. Then Young Master Yang would surely have suffered greatly, and she herself wouldn't be happy!"

"If my beloved behaved like her, I would not be happy either."

Feng Yi gave a slight nod: "You can see that point, which is not bad. Xiao Longnv is excellent in every way, except her way of loving, which absolutely no ordinary person could accept."

"She feels everything she does is for her lover's good, regardless of whether others accept it; she just does it. Otherwise, how could she have married your father?"

"Today you see them tender and affectionate; perhaps one day Yang Guo will be with another woman, saying meeting you once is a blessing across three lifetimes, or perhaps he'll find such days boring and she'll vanish again—who knows?"

Lü E gave a soft hum, pouted, and said: "You don't need to point at mulberries while cursing locust trees here!"

Feng Yi chuckled: "I'm not pointing at mulberries while cursing locust trees! Because you're neither the first nor the last he's praised!"

"You are a good girl; go out and see more, find someone gentle and considerate, who knows cold and warmth; it's rare enough to find someone who often keeps you in his heart, even if he doesn't promise to sacrifice his life for you."

Lü E stared at him, blurted: "You couldn't be talking about yourself, could you?" She then realized her impropriety.

Seeing her bite her lower lip made Feng Yi feel even more endeared; he laughed heartily: "You've figured it out, huh?"

Lü E feigned anger: "Shameless!"

Feng Yi's expression turned serious: "No joking, I'm not talking about myself. The person you dream of, if you truly wish for it, is not hard to find."

Seeing his expression, Lü E suddenly felt a sense of loss, silently took a few big gulps, then abruptly set the wine gourd aside, placed her hands under her cheeks, and fell asleep.

Soon, under the alcohol's effect, her breathing became light, even, and long; she had entered a dream.

Her beautiful face, bathed in moonlight, carried an indescribable clarity and grace.

Feng Yi quietly watched Lü E's sleeping face, his heart very peaceful. The night breeze came; Lü E seemed to sense it, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, making her even more endearing; Feng Yi, fearing she might catch a chill, shifted slightly to block the wind.

Before long, a feeling of fatigue arose; though his inner strength was profound, and even fighting masters day and night without rest was ordinary for him, now his eyelids grew ever heavier.

He struggled to stay awake, wanting to open his eyes, but couldn't; he drifted into a daze and fell asleep face down.

After an unknown time, Feng Yi suddenly felt a pain on his face, then heard Lü E's startled cry: "What are you doing!" Her voice full of panic.

Feng Yi startled awake, saw Lü E's embarrassed expression, and realized he had actually held her in his arms.

Feng Yi hastily let go; Lü E quickly rose; Feng Yi glanced and saw her upper clothing half-open, his own clothes intact, knowing nothing improper had occurred, yet sleepiness welled up again; in his panic, he slapped himself.

Yet Lü E shouted: "You stinking men, always chasing novelty, lustful without end. When you lack ability, you spout sweet words; once you gain skill, you become fickle!"

Feng Yi slapped himself awake, thinking: "How could I have been so careless as to fall asleep—if she wanted to kill me, I..." He touched his forehead, drenched in cold sweat, and nodded: "Exactly, she's right."

Lü E startled, turned her back to him, shrugged her shoulders slightly, and muttered: "Watch this; if I ever gain ability, the first thing I'll do is kill all you faithless, fortunate, arrogant, presumptuous men." She flicked her hand and walked away.

Feng Yi understood she had learned from her father that men turn bad when they gain ability; although this is common, he couldn't let this blank-slate girl develop such thoughts and become a second Li Mochou.

Just as he was about to pursue, Lü E suddenly turned, a gleaming dagger appearing in her hand, and declared sharply: "If you follow me, I'll truly die before your eyes." She hurried away.

Feng Yi didn't know where she got the dagger, so he could only call out; Lü E never turned back.

The two walked one behind the other, several zhang apart, down to the mountain's base, when suddenly they saw four green-clad disciples in the distance carrying a stretcher rushing toward them; Lü E darted into the woods beside the path.

From afar Feng Yi saw them carrying Fan Yiweng, sensed something was up, and went forward to meet them.

Fan Yiweng said: "Five strange people have come to the valley; Miss Li sent me to find you."

Feng Yi doubted: "Strange people?"

Fan Yiweng again said: "How is my junior sister?"

Feng Yi turned his head again and already could not see Lü E's shadow; he looked at him and said, "You're not leaving?"

Feng Yi knew he was wholeheartedly loyal to Gongsun Zhi.

Fan Yiweng looked very troubled: "I also don't know what I should do; my master is dead, and I also don't know whether I should seek you or Yang Guo and his disciple to take revenge, and my junior sister also doesn't know what she intends."

Feng Yi laughed and said: "A true man takes responsibility for his own actions; your master's grudge naturally falls on me. For now, you should first heal your wounds; whether to go or stay is up to you to decide."

If you stay in the valley, I will naturally call on you as assistance. If it's awkward, with your abilities you could also roam the jianghu and make a name for ten thousand. Should you encounter a fortunate opportunity and greatly improve your martial arts, wanting to take revenge, as long as I am not dead, I will teach you at any time!

Fan Yiweng hearing this, felt even more favorably, thinking: "This person may be young, but his bearing is great! Although my master's bearing is not small, in the end it is only superficial, not comparable to him!"

While the two were speaking, in the distance they saw a huge stone house on the shady side of the mountain. Before they even approached, they heard someone inside letting out a long, loud laugh, the voice strong and vigorous, followed by two clanging sounds.

Feng Yi also gave a hehe laugh.

(End of chapter)