Chapter 155

Because Zhou Botong seldom visited Chongyang Palace and had little contact with Ma Yu, Qiu Chuji and the others, the third‑generation disciples hardly knew him at all; only Yin Zhiping had the good fortune to see him once many years ago.

Although others had heard their master say that their sect had such a solitary, wandering granduncle‑master who roamed the world, they had not heard from him for a long time and assumed he was dead; yet they never expected to meet his disciple now.

Yelü Qi remained composed and said, 'Hero Feng, you are indeed well‑versed; you not only know the great events that have occurred among the Mongols, but also know my lineage—truly admirable.'

'You're welcome!' Feng Yi said, 'After all, out of respect for the Quanzhen Sect and Old Master Zhou, I ought to let you die with understanding.'

Before anyone else could speak, Zhao Zhijing could not hold back: 'Hero Feng, our Quanzhen Sect always keeps in mind our founder's heart of saving the world and helping people; we never do wrong, yet today you wish to kill our Quanzhen disciples—what is the reason for this?'

Feng Yi gave a cold snort and suddenly raised his hand.

A hiss, a sharp piercing sound—Zhao Zhijing cried 'Ah,' his body swayed, and with a thud he fell to the ground.

Li Zhichang, standing beside him, rushed forward to help him up, only to see fresh blood seeping from his Qimen acupoint, staining his Daoist robe red—a shocking and horrifying sight.

The others all drew their weapons.

Yelü Qi glared at Feng Yi and shouted in a stern voice, 'Feng Yi, though you are a master of your generation, you actually resort to sneak attacks to hurt people.'

Feng Yi burst into loud laughter; his laughter pierced clouds and split stones, shaking everyone so that they all covered their ears.

Suddenly his body swayed, his feet not touching the ground, and in an instant he launched an attack against Zhen Zhibing and the others together.

Zhen Zhibing, Li Zhichang and the others were just about to draw their swords and form the array when Feng Yi swayed lightly, waving both hands repeatedly, and had already broken free of the formation.

Only then did they feel numbness in their bodies; with Zhen Zhibing at the lead, the Quanzhen disciples' long swords clanged as they all fell to the ground, and several of them had their acupoints sealed, leaving them like puppets.

Feng Yi's movement was too fast; the Quanzhen disciples varied in strength and timing, and they were a beat slow in their innate response. Having observed the Big Dipper Heavenly Gang formation many times, and with Zhao Zhijing—whom he had knocked down—also being a pivotal point of the formation, Feng Yi's strike caused the formation to collapse on its own.

Even though everyone knew Feng Yi's martial arts were unsurpassed, they were still shocked to the point of despair.

Yelü Qi's handsome face flushed purple as despair welled up; he also understood that Feng Yi's martial arts were so high as to be unattainable, yet he still harbored a slim hope,

He hoped that the Quanzhen Daoists together with himself could muster some strength for a fight, but given the present situation, it was merely his own over‑optimism.

Yelü Yan also heard her brother say that in this life there was no hope of catching up to Feng Yi, yet she could not bring herself to believe it, for the fact was simply this cruel.

Although the Quanzhen Sect's Big Dipper Heavenly Gang formation is formidable, it also places extremely high demands on the abilities of those who set it up.

In the previous few encounters, Feng Yi had exchanged moves with Zhen Zhibing, Zhao Zhijing and the others merely to observe the subtleties of the formation, without using his full strength. Now, having no interest in delay, he struck and subdued several of them at once.

Feng Yi swayed leisurely, looked at Zhao Zhijing and said, 'Don't think I don't know your petty motives; you believe that by helping Yelü Qi you will gain Zhou Botong's favor and thus have a chance to become the Quanzhen Sect's leader—right? Your haughty then fawning attitude is laughable.'

As soon as these words were spoken, the Quanzhen disciples' expressions were a sight to behold; Zhen Zhibing felt delight in his heart, wanting to burst out laughing yet feeling ashamed to laugh at his fellow disciples, while Li Zhichang and the others, also knowing Zhao Zhijing's thoughts, puffed their cheeks and glared, straining immensely.

Having been defeated by a single move from him, Zhao Zhijing also had his thoughts laid bare, his face burning hot.

Originally, the Quanzhen Six Masters had appointed Yin Zhiping, the third disciple of Qiu Chuji, as the chief of the third‑generation disciples, implicitly designating him as the future sect leader. However, in recent years Yin Zhiping has devoted himself to studying alchemy and the pursuit of immortality, withdrawing from worldly affairs and unwilling to attend to mundane matters.

The choice of successor for the sect leadership thus fell to Zhen Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing, but when Guo Jing brought Yang Guo up Mount Zhongnan, Zhao Zhijing set up a great formation to oppose Guo Jing, allowing Huodu, D'erba and others to lead a host of demons and monsters in an attack on Chongyang Palace, and Haodatong was even more severely wounded by Huodu.

The Quanzhen Sect indeed lost all face, and Zhao Zhijing also acquired the reputation of being rash and hot‑tempered, unfit for important duties; consequently the position of third‑generation sect leader fell to Zhen Zhibing.

Yet Zhao Zhijing considered himself the foremost in martial ability among the third‑generation disciples, naturally feeling unconvinced, and he continually watched Zhen Zhibing. Not only did he know that Zhen Zhibing lingered in the ancient tomb forest, but he also obtained the handwritten gift list that Zhen Zhibing had previously prepared for Xiao Longnv's birthday, and he repeatedly mocked and ridiculed Zhen Zhibing to his face, insulting him in countless ways.

Zhen Zhibing, however, never dared to resist, yet his heart was tormented beyond words, suffering immensely.

Thus Zhen Zhibing, once a handsome Daoist, became emaciated—not only because of his physique and his longing for Xiao Longnv, but also because of Zhao Zhijing.

Only then did Feng Yi add: 'Although the Quanzhen disciples are somewhat muddled, relying on this little cleverness of yours you still cannot become the leader of the Quanzhen Sect. Zhou Botong may be senior in rank, but he has a childlike nature; the Quanzhen disciples know this well—their martial arts and seniority fall short of Zhou Botong's, yet their insight far surpasses his. How could his opinion be used to decide the successor?'

If Zhou Botong were truly speaking on your behalf, heh, people would likely think you were exploiting an elder with a childlike disposition, and such a heart deserves punishment!'

Hearing this, Zhao Zhijing broke out in a cold sweat; Feng Yi not only saw through his thoughts, but also foresaw his own fate.

Zhao Zhijing also knew that even if he ruined Zhen Zhibing's reputation, he himself might not obtain what he wished, so he seized Zhen Zhibing's weakness and refrained from reporting it to the elders.

Instead, he mocked and ridiculed him, trying to force him to admit before the sect's leadership that he had committed the grave crime of ruining the Quanzhen Sect's reputation.

Otherwise, after Zhen Zhibing was expelled, the seat of chief among the third‑generation disciples would still fall to the most numerous and powerful lineage of Changchunzi—for example, Li Zhichang and Yin Zhiping—unless Qiu Chuji felt ashamed, in which case the position could possibly go to him.

If Zhen Zhibing does not go, then after he assumes the sect leadership, the Five Masters of Quanzhen will die off one by one, and they will use his lustful thoughts toward Xiao Longnv—violating the sect's major precept—to join forces with like‑minded Daoists and compel him to yield the leadership to them.

But he knows this is utterly hopeless; even if it succeeded, he does not know how many years it would take.

He is impatient by nature; upon seeing that Yelü Qi is actually a disciple of Zhou Botong, he immediately thought of doing him a favor.

Zhou Botong is the granduncle‑master of the Quanzhen disciples; his words carry great weight, yet he only thought of currying favor with Yelü Qi, without considering what kind of character his own granduncle‑master possesses!

Will the Quanzhen disciples heed his words?

They will likely not only ignore him, but think he is exploiting an elder to covet the sect leadership, and will have him executed!

Thinking of this, Zhao Zhijing hastily shook his head and said, 'I merely feel that everything should be justified; with your martial prowess and reputation, you must not wantonly kill.'

Feng Yi didn't even glance at Zhao Zhijing, then turned to Zhen Zhibing and said, 'Zhao Zhijing will stop at nothing in his bid for the sect leadership. Everyone has a love of beauty; your feelings for Xiao Longnv are merely affection, and you sent only a few birthday gifts—you have not committed a grave fault.'

'A true man dares to act and take responsibility; you would do better to confess openly to your master, whether accepting punishment or otherwise, rather than endure endless blackmail from others—if one day you jeopardize the Quanzhen Sect's foundation, you will regret it too late.'

Feng Yi knew that the Quanzhen Sect's power was vast, its followers countless; with the Beggars' Sect assisting in poisoning, and then having the Quanzhen Sect assassinate Central Plains officials, the effect would be doubled, so he decided to win over Zhen Zhibing, so that the latter could be used for his own purposes.

Saying this, he patted Zhen Zhibing on the shoulder; a warm current instantly flowed into him, unsealing his blocked acupoint. Bowing respectfully, he said, 'Hero Feng's words are absolutely correct; I also do not wish to suffer Zhao Zhijing's endless threats, but for a while now Martial Uncle Ma has been in poor health, and I have dared not confess to my master.'

'Now Martial Uncle Ma has passed away; I only await going to Xiangyang to confer with Lord Guo and his wife on a joint offensive‑defensive plan, then return to the mountain to confess to my master and willingly accept punishment.'

Zhen Zhibing followed Qiu Chuji's teachings, spending his life pursuing purity and non‑action, a clear mind and few desires; when Genghis Khan once invited Qiu Chuji, eighteen disciples attended him, and Zhen Zhibing was among them.

But upon seeing Xiao Longnv, he began to think of her day and night, unable to restrain himself. After his previous meeting with Feng Yi, upon learning that Feng Yi also liked Xiao Longnv, he was intimidated and dared not act further.

Yet although he was coerced, in the middle of the night, asking himself, he still felt that his affection for Xiao Longnv indeed violated the sect's precepts; several times he had wanted to confess his sin to Master Changchunzi and beg for heavier punishment, but unfortunately Martial Uncle Ma was gravely ill.

In his eyes, Xiao Longnv was the fairy of Mount Miaogushe, the daughter of the Queen Mother of the West, Meilan.

He also feared that the sect leadership dispute would tarnish Xiao Longnv's spotless reputation, and Zhao Zhijing from time to time brought this up to insult him; Zhen Zhibing suffered torment within and coercion without, as if he were in hell, anguish beyond words. Hearing Feng Yi's words, he truly felt exhausted in body and mind; it would indeed be better to simply confess to his master, whatever the outcome, in order to seek relief.

Zhao Zhijing and Li Zhichang, upon hearing this, both frowned and remained silent.

Zhen Zhibing again bowed to Feng Yi and said, 'Please forgive our earlier rudeness; however, Hero Feng, why do you wish to kill this Yelü… Yelü gentleman? Please tell us the truth, so that we may report it to the sect's leader.'

He is steady by nature and did not know how to address Yelü Qi appropriately just now; after all, he has never even seen his granduncle‑master Zhou Botong, let alone a disciple.

Feng Yi chuckled, looked left and right, and said, 'You've wandered the jianghu in vain; I, Feng Yi, need not report to anyone whom I wish to kill.'

Everyone saw him grinning and giggling, yet inside they all felt a chill.

For since Feng Yi debuted, he has been said to have killed countless people; although he claims to have slain only Mongol officials, he does not distinguish who they are or whether their governance is good or bad—anyone who serves the Mongols is killed without mercy, which inevitably leads to bias.

Those who approve of his ideas call him a hero, a great warrior; those who do not, label him an outright demon.

Compared to the Scarlet Silk Fairy Li Mochou, he is nothing but a kind and faithful man.

But they feared his solitary nature and his superb martial arts, so they could only whisper behind his back.

Although rumors in the jianghu say that Li Mochou has a deep relationship with him, that woman herself is not to be provoked, and she certainly would not become Feng Yi's weakness.

Yet Zhao Zhijing took the opportunity to say, 'Junior Brother Zhen, what kind of person is Hero Feng? He even proposed creating a plague to repel the Mongols; even the great benevolent and righteous Hero Guo cannot do anything about it, so what are we?'

Feng Yi snorted, 'You also know about this?'

Zhao Zhijing said, 'This matter has spread throughout the world; which hero of the martial arts world hasn't heard of it?'

He was told by his master and uncles that he was useless, his position as sect leader ruined, all because Guo Jing and Yang Guo went up Mount Zhongnan; knowing that Guo Jing was defeated by Feng Yi, he is happier than anyone!

Zhen Zhibing knew Zhao Zhijing's thoughts, and hurriedly bowed to Feng Yi, saying, 'Hero Feng, those who don't know say you are ruthless and heartless, but those who know all praise your lofty righteousness; those you killed are all Mongol officials overseeing Han lands, as well as Han traitors who sold out the country—just that alone is worthy of admiration.'

Only hearing Yelü Yan snort: 'Flatterer!'

Zhen Zhibing paid no heed, merely giving a faint smile.

He has always been shrewd and capable, handling affairs far better than Zhao Zhijing; thus Ma Yu, Qiu Chuji and others intended for him to succeed as sect leader, knowing Feng Yi's nature is wild and unbridled, lawless, and absolutely cannot be subdued by force.

Feng Yi thought to himself, 'If I say this and don't give a reasonable reason, it will really be hard for others to believe.'

He also thought: 'Zhen Zhibing, Zhao Zhijing and the others are not mediocre; being frank with them might save a lot of trouble.'

Thinking of this, he calmly said, 'The only reason I want to kill this Yelü lord is that I suspect he is Kublai's secret agent, intending to infiltrate our Central Plains martial arts under the guise of Zhou Botong's disciple, to wreak havoc upon our Han lands!'

All the disciples of the All-True Sect were stunned; at this time, all lands north of Xiangyang had fallen into Mongol hands, the Song populace suffered slaughter and oppression—if a traitor emerged from our own sect, what would the All-True Sect become?

Yelü Qi could no longer restrain himself, angrily saying, 'Truly, to accuse someone is to find no lack of excuses!'

Feng Yi coldly snorted, 'I learned from Mongolia's National Preceptor that your father Yelü Chucai was killed by the Mongol empress, who ordered Kublai to exterminate the root and branch; yet Kublai defied the edict and ignored it—why?' All eyes turned to Yelü Qi.

Yelü Qi sighed, 'My father rendered great service to Mongolia; the empress trusted treacherous villains, harming my father; the prince is heroic and magnanimous, looking upon us pitifully—what more is there?'

Feng Yi calmly said, 'Do not think I am unaware of Mongolia's affairs; when Temujin died, his sons contended for the Great Khan's throne, the position was undecided, and only then did Tuolei become regent.'

After Ögedei ascended the throne, he greatly feared Tuolei's power and thus had him killed; now Ögedei's empress holds power, still fearing the Tuolei clan's power, and she restrains Mongke and Kublai alike.

Kublai knows this well, yet at this critical juncture, for you and your mother and sister, he feigns deafness and dumbness, openly defying the empress's edict; for a man of such grand ambition, there is no benefit worth risking—would he really do such a foolish thing?

Everyone listened with shock; all the All-True Sect disciples stared at each other, Yelü Qi's face turned ashen, his expression dazed, he muttered, 'What the prince thinks is not something outsiders could know; you should go ask him.'

'You think I haven't asked?' Feng Yi coldly snorted, 'There is another laughable matter: a few days ago Zhou Botong stirred up Kublai's great camp; Kublai clearly knows he is the sworn brother of Hero Guo, yet he actually wanted to take the old man into his service.'

Everyone, think about it: if there were no hidden circumstances, how could Kublai have such a ridiculous idea?

Feng Yi now feels more and more that Yelü Qi is not right; when he left Jueqing Gu, he spoke again with the Golden Wheel National Preceptor, asking why they came to Jueqing Gu and what his next plan was.

The National Preceptor knew his methods, missing a leg and an arm, fearing torture, he did not conceal anything; he said he was acting on Kublai's order to win over Zhou Botong, at the very least not letting him go to Xiangyang to aid Guo Jing, and thus he followed into Jueqing Gu.

At that time Feng Yi merely thought Kublai was desperately seeking talent, after all he had also tried to win him over, but Zhou Botong is mad as a hatter,

without a pivotal person to mediate and restrain him, what basis does Kublai have to think he can win over Guo Jing's sworn brother to serve him?

'Lord Yelü?'

Zhen Zhibing said hoarsely, 'You wouldn't really be using my grandmaster-uncle's name to infiltrate our Central Plains martial arts, would you?'

Not only did he somewhat believe it, but others did as well; this is due to Feng Yi's reputation.

Feng Yi has considerable notoriety in the jianghu, yet no one says he talks nonsense or speaks wildly.

Because he openly admits he is a lecher who loves beauty, and even that he would resort to poisoning, a vile act, in plain sight—would such a person tell lies and frame someone he could kill with a flick of his wrist?

Nobody believes it!

Yelü Qi felt indignant and shouted, 'I don't know whether this is true or false; even if the prince wishes to recruit his benefactor, it's merely his thirst for talent—what's so remarkable about that?'

Feng Yi coldly snorted, 'Words are for the living; believe them or not as you like!'

Without seeing him move, his body shot like a meteor, already raising his hand to seize Yelü Qi's wrist.

Yelü Qi, already seriously injured, had no time to react; he gave a miserable groan, his body swaying, as if unable to stand.

'Brother!' Yelü Yan shouted sharply; Feng Yi flicked his hand, a gust of wind rushed into her mouth and nose, leaving her unable to utter a word.

Wanyan Ping cried, 'You would take a life based solely on speculation, with no evidence at all—could there be any justice under heaven?'

Saying this, she then looked at Zhen Zhibing: 'You All-True Sect claim to be the orthodoxy of martial arts under heaven, yet you suffer such humiliation—do you really just stand by and do nothing?'

=9+book eh

Zhen Zhibing felt bitter in his heart—this is Feng Yi.

It's not easy for him to kill someone and yet be willing to give a reason!

Even if he wanted to stop it, could he?

Can't you see that among the six senior brothers, one is lying down and five are standing?

But now we cannot ignore it; he immediately bowed and said, 'Hero Feng, although you have many reasons, you lack evidence; in my humble opinion, why not take him to Mount Zhongnan, hand him over to the sect leader, investigate, and then decide?'

Feng Yi gazed heavenward, his eyes cold, and said, 'Daoist Zhen, to demand a person from my hands—you still lack the stature; however, considering the All-True Sect's ability to serve the country, I will give you face, step back one step: as long as Yelü Qi agrees to one condition, I will let him go.'

'What condition?' Yelü Yan urged.

Feng Yi said, 'Everyone knows I intend to go to Mongolia to spread poison; Yelü Lord, having grown up in Mongolia, if he agrees to act with me, we will go and cause a great disturbance in the Mongol capital and its forests; once successful, the four seas will be open for you to roam freely.'

If you resent what Feng has done today, Feng Yi will offer apologies, kowtow and make amends—anything goes! How about that?

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present felt a chill in their hearts.

Whether Yelü Qi agrees or not, it's death either way!

First, even if he is a spy, with this matter the Yelü family will never be able to establish a foothold in Mongolia!

Second, the reputation of being greedy for life and fearful of death cannot be escaped.

'You shameless—how could anyone of my Yelü family commit such insane, heinous acts?' Yelü Yan said through gritted teeth.

Yelü Qi's expression remained composed; he calmly said, 'Good idea, but you have wasted your efforts.'

Feng Yi said, 'How so?'

Yelü Qi said, 'Feng Yi, let alone saying the All-True Sect are all virtuous and lofty, how could they be as wicked and insane as you?'

Moreover, how could I possibly conclude a treaty under the city walls!

"Heartless and mad?" Feng Yi clenched his fingers, Yelü Qi's wrist cracked, he said coldly: "You Khitan people, in the past on our Central Plains land, slaughtered our Central Plains civilians, calling it 'beating the grass valley'—is that not heartless and mad?"

Your father helped Tie Muzhen and Wo Kuotai destroy countless nations, his city‑slaughtering campaigns too many to count; in the past Quanzhen Sect's Master Qiu went west to dissuade Tie Muzhen from creating more killing karma—did he listen? Instead he invaded the Southern Song—is that not heartless and mad?

Moreover, I Feng Yi can do this—why can't you, Yelü Qi, do it?

These words left everyone dumbfounded—if you can do it, must others follow?

But no one dared speak it aloud!

Because everyone knows this person's thoughts differ from ordinary people's!

Yelü Qi's bones cracked under his grip, his face twisted in pain as he gritted his teeth and sucked in cold air; he gave Feng Yi a grim smile and said: "When two armies face off, a fair fight of blades and spears is acceptable enough—but what crime have the civilians committed?"

My father loved the people as his own children all his life; if I followed you in this wicked deed, it would be the utmost unfilial— a person who disregards filial duty and righteousness, what face would he have to stand between heaven and earth? Kill me if you must, but Yelü Qi will never commit this unjust act!

Everyone saw his heroic spirit of sacrificing himself for righteousness and his benevolent heart of great benevolence and righteousness, and all admired him.

Yelü Yan and Wanyan Ping stood one on his left, one on his right, tightly guarding Yelü Qi's sides, looking at Feng Yi with obvious mockery.

"Such nonsense is nothing but a huge joke!" Feng Yi sneered: "In this world, who is not born of parents?"

When war breaks out, the carnage of death and injury—must only soldiers suffer? Killing with poison is killing; killing with blades and spears is not killing?

If civilians are innocent, why do the Mongols slaughter my Central Plains civilians? My Central Plains civilians can be used by you as siege tools—that is supposedly right, yet your Mongols who fight on horseback and herd on foot are innocent? What bullshit logic is this?

His words were like knives, piercing straight into everyone's hearts; combined with this unorthodox, fervent bearing, they truly moved the crowd.

Want to refute? There's no way to refute!

Exactly, the Central Plains civilians massacred by you—driving them away to attack the city is considered proper; so the Mongol civilians cannot be killed by poison?

Feng Yi, emboldened, seized Yelü Qi's shoulder blade: "Let me be frank—I've long known you, Yelü Qi, are a true hero; yet the more benevolent and righteous you are, the more I must kill you—do you understand the reasoning?"

Yelü Qi stared at Feng Yi, seeming surprised yet sorrowful, then sighed softly and said: "As long as you don't mind the trouble, I'm willing to listen attentively!"

Feng Yi said calmly: "First, if you lack heroic spirit, how could you sneak inside and fool the Central Plains' great talents? How could you attain a high position?

Second, someone like you who claims benevolence and righteousness—if one day you gain power, see the military situation waning, and the Mongols urge surrender, saying 'if you surrender I won't kill the civilians,' do not, for the sake of your personal loyalty and righteousness, let the whole city's civilians die with you.

Then you, Yelü Qi, would surely seize the excuse, saying you'd rather surrender to spare a city's civilians from slaughter.

If it's merely to white‑wash yourself, you could even claim that those who swore to resist unto death, not surrender, are the true villains who, under the banner of loyalty, filial piety, benevolence and righteousness, steal the lives of the whole city—most hateful!

This speech sums up surrender and resistance thoroughly; for throughout history, surrender factions never admit they are shameful, always claiming they act for the people's good, willing to bear infamy unwillingly, and thus self‑justify.

And those who swear to fight to the death are naturally labeled as seeking fame and profit, staining their merit ledger with others' blood.

Yelü Qi suddenly burst into loud, grating laughter, manic and wild; Feng Yi shouted sternly: "Send Lord Yelü on his way!"

"Crack—"

Where Feng Yi's divine power reached, Yelü Qi's shoulder bone, chest bone, and leg bone all snapped; a mouthful of blood spurted out like an arrow, he collapsed to the ground, his body becoming a lump of flesh.

"Brother!" Yelü Yan lunged to Yelü Qi's front, hands and feet at a loss, she let out a wailing cry.

Wanyan Ping gazed at the motionless Yelü Qi, gritted her teeth and said: "Elder Brother Yelü, if I do not die today, I will surely avenge you!"

Feng Yi smiled faintly: "Revenge is possible, but I am not Yang Guo; you have only one chance—please take note."

He swayed, unlocked the acupoints of the Quanzhen masters, and said: "Regardless whether this person was an enemy on a special mission, I have already killed him; go find Great Hero Guo to discuss military affairs—I must immediately meet the Beggar Sect, I have some ideas to exchange with Master Qiu and others; please, Masters Zhen and Zhao, show the way."

The Quanzhen masters' faces flushed green then white, greatly uneasy.

Feng Yi is too wicked!

Who knows what he intends to do at the Quanzhen Sect?

But for now it seems we cannot refuse; after exchanging a glance, Zhen Zhibing said: "Junior Brother Li, you five go to Xiangyang; I and Senior Brother Zhao will return to Chongyang Palace to see the sect head."

Li Zhichang nodded, and the five mounted and rode off.

Feng Yi turned his body and strode away; Zhen Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing rode up beside him, Zhao Zhijing saying: "Hero Feng, I feel you are right; I have offended you just now—please forgive me."

Feng Yi smiled slightly, thinking: "This Zhao hopes I won't make things difficult for him, but this person ultimately has a traitor's nature in his bones—I must find a way to eliminate him!" He said: "Master Zhao, you flatter me; in the great affair of resisting the Mongols, perhaps you will still be needed."

Zhao Zhijing hurriedly said: "Hero Feng, whatever your orders, this humble disciple will obey without fail."

Feng Yi laughed heartily, casually inquiring about the Quanzhen Sect's situation; Zhao Zhijing and Zhen Zhibing concealed nothing, answering fully.

In the Northern Song, Daoism comprised only the Zhengyi lineage, led by the Celestial Master Zhang of Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi.

After the Jurchens invaded China and the Song court fled south, Hebei Daoism created three new sects: Quanzhen, Great Dao, and Taiyi; among them Quanzhen flourished most, its priests practicing chivalry, relieving suffering, aiding the poor, and performing many good deeds.

At that time the north had fallen to alien tribes, the people suffered immensely, seeing no hope of court restoration, the common folk often regarded Quanzhen as their savior. Someone then wrote: "The Central Plains are in turmoil, the Southern Song weak, heroes of the world have nowhere to turn…… the Chongyang Sect Master, the Eternal Spring True Person, transcending all things, solely through the teaching of non‑action, transforming active persons, pacifying the eastern lands, awaiting a wise ruler, thus setting a model for the world," and so on.

At that time, north of the great river, Quanzhen Sect and the Beggar Sect sometimes outweighed the government. Quanzhen Sect actually had three thousand temples and eighty thousand disciples—a huge scale—no wonder Zhao Zhijing wanted to become sect head!

Feng Yi increasingly felt he had not killed Yelü Qi in error!

This guy is absolutely the biggest traitor!

Because the Golden Wheel State Master once said that Kublai Khan told him, the rear now faces two major threats: one is Quanzhen Sect, the other is the Beggar Sect; both are loyal to the Southern Song, and as the Mongol armies advance south, they constantly harass the Mongol rear, slaying troops and commanders, hindering them greatly—allowing him to seize the opportunity to deal with Quanzhen and the Beggar Sect.

Now, hearing that Quanzhen Sect has eighty thousand disciples and the Beggar Sect tens of thousands, Feng Yi knows they all resisted the Mongols with all their might—yet in the end not only did Xiangyang fall, Quanzhen Sect vanished like smoke, and by the time of the Heavenly Sword era the Beggar Sect had dwindled to merely tens of thousands of disciples.

Moreover, the Ming Cult's Holy Fire Tablet was also seized by the Beggar Sect; looking at the time period, this occurred during Yelü Qi's tenure.

Although the Ming Cult is called a demonic sect, it has always possessed a rebellious spirit; the most famous example is Fang La, who rebelled against the Song dynasty.

Later it was even said the Ming Cult took it upon itself to expel the Tatar barbarians—so why would the Beggar Sect be enemies with the Ming Cult?

As for the claim that Guo Jing defended Xiangyang to preserve the Southern Song—

That's nonsense!

Guo Jing made it clear—he could not serve a foolish king and treacherous ministers; his burning passion was for the poor common folk of the vast land!

Feng Yi understood that only Guo Jing and Yelü Qi could be linked to both Quanzhen Sect and the Beggar Sect in one person.

Guo Jing died defending the city; what about Yelü Qi?

Where is he?

Why would Yelü Qi, chief of the Beggar Sect, also act against the Ming Cult?

Simply thinking about it is terrifying!

Of course, now that Yelü Qi is slain, Feng Yi feels even more that he has eliminated a great calamity!

The uncertainty that never began, feeling somewhat embarrassed, turned into being justified.

Several people walked over ten li, the sky gradually darkened, they stopped in front of an inn in a small town, and Zhen Zhibing supported Zhao Zijing as they walked in.

Feng Yi really couldn't understand this person Zhen Zhibing; someone like Zhao Zijing who dares to threaten himself ought to be killed.

Now they're injured, yet still taking care of them—utterly bewildering!

After the three of them had dinner, they still needed to set off early next morning, so they went to sleep early.

Feng Yi had a room to himself, while Zhen and Zhao shared a room.

No one knew how long had passed; Feng Yi was sleeping soundly when suddenly there was a soft sound outside his window, and then a bamboo tube slipped in through the window, a wisp of white smoke drifting out.

After a long while, Feng Yi remained completely unaware, still snoring loudly.

Only saw the window crack open a slit, then a figure slipped in.

This person wore all-black nightclothes, held a gleaming willow-leaf blade, moved with agility and vigor, and was also quite bold; she coldly glanced at Feng Yi and said, 'People like you, who think highly of themselves, living in this world only bring more suffering to others!'

After saying that, she didn't look at Feng Yi again, and with one swing she chopped down at his head.

(End of chapter)