Chapter 158

Everyone present were men of insight, well aware that in terms of martial skill, Qiu Chuji was naturally no match for Feng Yi.

Feng Yi said he wanted the Quanzhen Sect and the Beggar Sect to cooperate with his actions, and that this was to give an explanation for Yelü Qi's death, a matter concerning the Quanzhen Sect's reputation; naturally it could not be settled by his offhand words alone, so they had to settle it with martial prowess.

Yet Feng Yi's martial prowess is such that no one in the Quanzhen Sect can match him; even the Five Masters of Quanzhen plus two disciples might not win, and it would be impossible to have hundreds of sect members form a grand formation to surround him—would that not sacrifice the face of the orthodox martial arts world?

Qiu Chuji's heart holds vast skies and seas; personal victory or loss means nothing to him, so though he knows he will lose, he steps forward anyway.

Moreover, losing alone is far better than a group losing.

As for Feng Yi, his purpose here is cooperation; he does not wish to offend the Quanzhen Sect.

As for Yelü Qi's death, he knows full well that there is no grudge or enmity between him and the Quanzhen Sect.

Because he currently lacks Huang Rong's acknowledgment and Zhou Botong's personal verification, whether in martial arts standing or personal feelings, in Qiu Chuji's etc. eyes he doesn't even measure up to Zhao Zhijing.

After all, favoring one over another is human nature; even lofty Daoists cannot escape it.

So after a moment's thought, he wanted to give the Quanzhen Sect a way out, but he knew that if he didn't show a high-level martial arts move and display his might, the matter wouldn't be settled; when he later proposed his idea, others might not accept it, requiring more talk, so he deliberately held back his technique.

At the 101st move, he let Qiu Chuji cut his own robe's collar, while his sword thrust at Qiu Chuji's throat vital point, he then withdrew his sword and took a palm strike to his chest from the opponent.

This move gave both face and substance to the Quanzhen Sect.

After all, since Feng Yi debuted, he has never lost in one-on-one combat, except that he himself admitted losing a move to Ouyang Feng when his leg was broken; yet at the Heroes' Gathering he easily subdued Ouyang Feng, and his reputation suffered not at all.

Feng Yi's intention, while others certainly understand, is clearest to Qiu Chuji's feeling; yet ending the fight at the 101st move shows he knows Qiu Chuji inside out and could defeat him anytime. He sighed inwardly: Feng Yi's martial profundity is like the brightest star in the night sky, inspiring awe but unattainable.

Seeing that he won yet still held Wang Zhongyang in high esteem and admitted his own inadequacy, the Quanzhen disciples' resentment had already vanished.

Sun Bu'er said: "Alright, the matter of Yelü Qi's death has been settled with our sect; I just don't know what you, Hero Feng, mean by having our sect cooperate with you and the Beggar Sect—what exactly is this proposal?"

Liu Chuxuan said: "Today, we are honored that the Lu Sect chief and Hero Feng have graced us with their presence; it's a matter of great importance. Let's go to the Sanqing Hall and discuss further before the ancestors of the Three Purities and our forefathers."

Liu Chuxuan is Qiu Chuji's senior martial brother; he is deep and scheming. Ma Yu once passed the sect leadership to him, but he only held it for half a year before passing it to Qiu Chuji; his actions make it hard for Quanzhen disciples to guess his intentions.

Ancestral Master of the Three Purities

Primordial Heavenly Lord

Feng Yi sensed that Liu Chuxuan's words were smooth on the outside but had hidden intent; nevertheless he followed the crowd to the Sanqing Hall and together they paid homage to the Three Pure Ones: Yuanshi Tianzun, Tai Shang Dao Jun, and Tai Shang Lao Jun.

In fact, the Quanzhen Sect advocates saving the world and helping people; they had long heard of Feng Yi's ideas, which are utterly opposed to theirs, and they feared he would make excessive demands they could not fulfill.

If they refused, they feared Feng Yi would settle things with his fists, but they could not beat him in a fight; so they went straight to the Sanqing Hall, hoping that speaking violently and cruelly before the Three Pure Ones' ancestors would make him wary and keep him silent.

Although Feng Yi is not a Daoist disciple, he knows that in any world he knows of, the Three Pure Ones are the ultimate ceiling; combined with his Divine Illumination Scripture, he feels it must have been written by a Daoist master, so paying homage to the Three Pure Ones leaves him with a clear conscience.

Chongyang's Legacy Inscriptions

Hall of the Three Purities

Everyone then went to the rear hall to pay homage to the portrait of the sect's founder, Patriarch Wang Zhongyang; Feng Yi had learned the martial arts inscribed on Wang Zhongyang's legacy, so though he is not a direct descendant, he is also a successor, making his homage all the more conscientious.

Quanzhen Sect

The Quanzhen disciples watching Feng Yi pay homage felt he was sinister, yet seeing him so reverently honor the ancestors with a disciple's rites, they were indeed pleased in their hearts—such a contradiction!

Then they came to the third hall where the Quanzhen Seven Masters convene; seven empty chairs were set out, and the Quanzhen Five Masters and other Daoists paid respects and bowed to the seats of Ma Yu and Tan Chuduan.

Quanzhen Seven Masters

Beggars' Sect

Heavenly Gang Big Dipper Formation

Dog Beating Formation

Qiu Chuji laughed and said: "Hero Feng, let's get down to business!"

Feng Yi set down his teacup, clasped his hands, and said: "I am a mere mortal of the dusty world; some of my words may offend the pure ears of the Daoist sect, but the barbarians run rampant, treating us Han people like pigs and dogs."

Even though the Quanzhen Sect is Daoist, Patriarch Wang Zhongyang and the Seven Masters are patriotic and caring gentlemen; thus if anything I say offends you, it is certainly not my intention, and I ask for your forgiveness.

Qiu Chuji burst out laughing and said: "Hero Feng, speak your proposals freely; for the sake of preventing our Han people from becoming slaves to the Mongols, our sect is duty-bound!"

Feng Yi said: "I have heard that your sect intends to consult with Hero Guo, plotting to slay enemy soldiers and generals and destroy their grain supplies; Hero Guo's having the Lu Sect chief come is likewise a common idea."

Hao Datong and Sun Bu'er started, thinking: "Because of my momentary anger, I nearly delayed the important matter."

Three Qins region

Heroes' Gathering

"That's certainly correct!" Feng Yi's gaze sharpened as he slowly swept over the disciples and Lu Youjiao and others: "But I think this isn't enough; we need to add another clause."

(maybe also Chongyang True Person but we skip)

Feng Yi's killing intent flared, and he coldly said: "Kill officials—anyone serving the Mongols as an official is to be exterminated, none spared!"

Hearing that he did not ask the Quanzhen Sect to join him in poisoning and creating plague, the Daoists breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear Sun Bu'er coldly say: "Hero Feng, while corrupt officials certainly deserve death, some good officials are innocent—must they also be killed?"

Moreover, you slaughter indiscriminately in Shaanxi for months—what real significance does that have? The Mongols still invade the Song just as before; what have you changed?

All the Quanzhen Daoists shared her view and chorused: "The Recluse of Purity is right!"

Feng Yi gave a slight smile: "Recluse of Purity, do you know how vast the land of the Three Qins is? If one person did nothing but travel through all those prefectures, counties, towns, and cities, how long would it take?"

Grandmaster of the Three Purities

Ancestral Master of the Three Purities

But warfare, the sect's teachings have never been merely about soldiers' courage and tactics; there is also logistics and supply!

This logistics refers to fodder for men and horses, siege equipment, and weapons for soldiers, as well as the money and grain supplies needed to recruit soldiers.

These things are actually organized by relying on the lowest-level officials, who mobilize the common people to carry them out!

We cannot indiscriminately kill the common people; first, we must uphold benevolence and righteousness, and besides, their numbers are large, so we can only target officials whose numbers are smaller.

This is the principle of choice and abandonment.

But my own strength is ultimately limited; after killing the officials here, I would have to go elsewhere, and they would have time to mobilize; they are not fools, they could also set traps for me to fall into, so my solitary strength cannot ultimately succeed.

However, the Quanzhen Sect has eighty thousand disciples, the Beggars' Gang has tens of thousands of disciples, among whom the number of skilled martial artists runs into the thousands or hundreds!

Especially the Big Dipper Formation and the Dog-Beating Formation, when placed within the Mongol army formation, their effect is not great; but if placed behind enemy lines, with slightly stronger martial arts, seven people forming a formation become a first-rate master—how could the Mongols compare?

If the low-level officials in regions such as Shaanxi, Gansu, Henan, and Hubei all died simultaneously, with no one to mobilize the common people to guarantee the army's logistics, how long could the Mongol forces continue to endure?

Feng Yi can slap his chest and say, if they don't retreat, this Huaxia land will be the burial place of his Mongol army!

Lu Youjiao said: "These principles, in fact we are not ignorant of them, but if we follow what you say, there will inevitably be innocent commoners who suffer revenge and die miserably. Moreover, it will cause some officials who truly serve the people to die unjustly!"

Feng Yi nodded: "Chief Lu, how could I not know what you say? Take, for example, that Yelü prince—he is chivalrous and righteous, an outstanding talent of the younger generation. Perhaps if Chief Lu unfortunately passes away, with the support of Hero Guo and Chief Huang Qian, he could still succeed your position, become the chief of your gang, and accomplish something."

But his father Yelü Chucai was a Khitan who first served as a subject in the Jin state; after Temujin unified Mongolia, he immediately defected to Temujin to offer strategies—advancing, he conquered countless states; retreating, he pacified the populace.

When encountering enemies who come to kill him, he still claims he destroyed the Jin state out of vengeance for his motherland, the Khitan, being destroyed!

One may ask, what grudge do the hundred states of the Western Regions have against him? Why does he help Temujin destroy their countries and ruin their homes?

And why does he assist Ögedei in invading our Song territory?

Qiu Chuji sighed: "As a subject, one should be loyal—how can one idly stand by?"

Feng Yi smiled slightly: "If one speaks of eating the ruler's stipend and serving the ruler loyally, yet he served in the Jin state and then defected to Temujin—is this not betraying his lord and being disloyal?"

Everyone did not know how to answer.

Feng Yi continued: "Yelü Chucai indeed advised Temujin and Ögedei to reduce killing, but this move was to win hearts and ensure the stability of Mongol rule."

Indeed, in just a few years, this attack on the Song alone—just Shaanxi and Henan—has mustered tens of thousands of troops, and the provisions are incalculable; all of this comes from us Han people!

Yet it is to be used against our Jiangnan lands—who knows how many commoners and soldiers will die under the butcher's blade!

So are they innocent or guilty?

This remark again left everyone unsure how to answer.

Feng Yi took a sip of tea and said slowly: "Yelü Chucai has done deeds of loving the people and bears a reputation of benevolence and righteousness; Temujin praised him as a minister of the state!"

He assisted Ögedei for many years; now Ögedei's empress regent, he shares the same political views as Kublai and is very close to her.

But before Ögedei ascended, Tolui, in the name of supervising the state, actually wielded the great khan's power, which already made Ögedei wary; he feared the Tolui clan most, so he had Tolui killed!

After Ögedei's death, his empress naturally sought to sideline Yelü Chucai, who shared Kublai's political views; yet he fled to the Central Plains to take refuge.

These lands south of the desert, however, are Kublai's fief.

Thus Yelü Chucai bears only an empty reputation of loyalty and righteousness; in reality he plays both sides, being disloyal as a subject. Moreover, he steals the foundation of our Han people, arms the Mongols, and ultimately turns them into arrows aimed at us Han.

So, if Yelü Chucai, despite such a reputation, still plays both sides, what more of his son?

Yelü Qi is indeed talented, but he is not Han; he was nurtured by the elder Zhou. When Yelü Chucai held power, he had already grown up and possessed independent thought; over twenty-plus years, when has he ever shown any inclination toward the Han?

Now that Yelü Chucai is dead, Kublai, bearing the empress's edict, does not pursue him; he too could turn his heart toward the Han.

Given his abilities, he could certainly make a name for himself; with a patron's support, his future would be limitless.

One day, if Ögedei's empress dies, the Tolui clan will overthrow the Ögedei clan, seize Mongol power, avenge his father and clear his name; then our Han people will again be in a weak position. People will say your Yelü family merely bears an empty reputation of benevolence and righteousness, yet because of you, you let the whole city's people be buried with you—this is not benevolence, but hypocrisy, and so on.

Given these internal and external considerations, will Yelü Qi, like his father who defected from the Jin to the Mongols, instead defect from our Song to the Mongols?

Everyone, don't forget—he is not Han!

Perhaps it is my petty heart, but he is far stronger than his father, would not abandon wife and child, and is a model of loyalty and righteousness for the ages; yet our Han realm is at a critical juncture of survival—must we really consider the thoughts of a Khitan?

To consider whether he is guilty or innocent?

Nowadays, myriads of Han commoners have already become slaves and beasts of burden for the Mongols; producing a few officials who love the people as their own children.

Compared to that, are we still considering whether they are guilty or innocent?

So I ask again: when these foreign peoples brandish the butcher's knife at us Han, when have they ever considered what is innocent or guilty?

I, together with Daoist Zhen and Daoist Zhao, have come north all the way; the Mongol army's passage is like a locust swarm, leaving nine out of ten homes empty. Why do they not consider guilt or innocence, yet we must?

Guilt or innocence— in war, it is utterly meaningless!

Know that soldiers obey orders; sometimes they do not want to act, but when the order comes they must— is that guilt or innocence?

There is no time to define it, and it is also hard to define.

Therefore, on the battlefield, they ought to die!

Thus, anyone who participates in war is likewise—there is hardly any innocence, especially officials of enemy states.

If, in an avalanche, our dearest loved ones are buried, would everyone consider whether any snowflake within is unwilling? Whether they were swept along or went willingly?

Upon hearing Feng Yi's words, everyone suddenly realized: it turns out that Yelü Qi, having repeatedly defected back and forth like his father, and having set foot in this southern land, already has a reason he must die!

Because his life is not worth gambling with the lives of myriad commoners!

Zhao Zhijing immediately said: "Master Feng, your words are correct— as the saying goes, dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and a rat's son will dig holes."

In the past, was Yang Kang not behaving arrogantly before the whole city, bullying the Guo family father and daughter, while Hero Guo upheld justice, yet got beaten black and blue—if not for my master's intervention, he would have died long ago at the hands of thugs in Zhongdu; later Yang Kang even acknowledged a thief as his father, betraying home and country—today's Yang Guo is no different!

As a disciple, he actually engaged in illicit acts with his master, and even at the Heroes' Assembly declared he wanted to marry his master—utterly depraved!

Master, fellow uncles and martial uncles, Yelü Qi's death is good—this is nip the danger in the bud!

The Quanzhen sect members know he lost his chief disciple because Guo Jing went up the mountain, and furthermore was disciplined by Yang Guo in the Dachengguan study room, holding a grudge, which is why they exposed their scars; although they lack the bearing of monastics, one cannot say they are entirely without reason.

Feng Yi also knows Zhao Zhijing is currying favor with him, merely fearing that later his master will discover his designs on the sect leadership; when punished, he could obtain Feng Yi's assistance.

Regarding this, naturally I pay no heed, saying: "In view of this, I did not consider whether Yelü Qi is a Mongol spy; I simply decided to kill him."

Later, at the request of Daoist Zhen, I gave him a way out, letting him join me in dealing with the Mongols to cut off any future thought of turning back to them; but because he mouthed benevolence and morality incessantly, I killed him!

The more benevolent and righteous, the greater the harm when they betray!

Even if I wronged him, I have a clear conscience!

Because as long as I do not let my Han people become slaves of the Mongols, allowing my descendants to be called names like Feng Qingyang, not something like Feng Fifty-four or Feng Thirty-two.

Any means, any infamy—I, Feng Yi, do not care; whether some officials are guilty or innocent is not even worth mentioning!

Seeing his killing intent arise and his heroic spirit soar, everyone fell silent; a solemn yet blood-boiling atmosphere pervaded the Sanqing Hall.

Suddenly Qiu Chuji rose to his feet and sang in a flowing voice: "The stars turn, the nations war. There is no time even to sleep in bed, as they mutually plunder and loot."

The world overturns, the nations attack; there is no time even to sleep under the covers, as they mutually contend and slaughter, with no leisure for thought, only to exert themselves; there is nowhere to flee, only to charge into battle.

Upon hearing him suddenly sing this song, Feng Yi said: "This is the Mongol battle song that Daoist Qiu once heard at Temujin's place, right?"

He spoke bluntly, and the Quanzhen disciples' faces showed embarrassment.

Qiu Chuji glanced at Feng Yi, let out a long sigh, his expression full of contradiction, and said: "Yes, back then Temujin came to me seeking the art of longevity; I once personally heard the Mongol army sing this song, and from that I knew the ambition of this Mongol, Genghis Khan, was immense—unprecedented."

I said that winning people through virtue is the true teacher of kings; I ask the Great Khan, while organizing the army and practicing martial arts, to also practice benevolence and righteousness.

Feng Yi let out a cold snort: "How could that butcher Temujin listen?"

Qiu Chuji bowed his head, sighed, sat down, and softly said: "What you say is correct; he also gave a cold snort back then—this is what you Han people call Confucian doctrine, right?"

Heh, heh! The views of pedantic scholars—how could they be believed? Besides empty talk of benevolence and righteousness, what else do they do? In life, subduing the world with martial force is the supreme joy!

Feng Yi shrugged: "He once said the greatest joy in life is nothing more than hunting down one's enemies everywhere, seizing their lands, plundering their wealth, and listening to the wails of their wives and children."

"Shameless! Butcher!"

Many righteous individuals from the Quanzhen Sect and the Beggars' Sect, hearing these bloody words, were all filled with indignation.

Feng Yi solemnly said: "You all speak correctly—it is indeed bloody, shameless, and disregards any morality or righteousness.

Not only do the Mongols uphold this as a life creed, but among us Han people there are countless followers who go mad for it, trying to imitate it; do you all know why?"

"Why?"

Feng Yi sighed: "Because the victor writes history, the loser is bandit!

Because Temujin unified the Mongol tribes, left no rival in the western regions, and even the mighty Jin state was beaten by him to the brink of collapse.

But if he had failed, been wiped out by other Mongol tribes or by the Jin, his words would be nonsense.

Consider this: if Xiang Yu had killed Liu Bang at the Hongmen Banquet, that heroic talent and strategy, rising from commoner to emperor and opening a new era in history—the Han Gaozu—would never have existed.

Instead there would be only a petty rascal who dared to challenge the hegemon, only to be frightened to death by the hegemon's shout at the Hongmen Banquet, inevitably becoming a laughingstock.

If Li Shimin had been killed by Li Jiancheng at the Xuanwu Gate, then the Tang Taizong whose name is etched in history would not exist.

There would be only a wretch who ignored his father's and elder brother's kindness, seeking to satisfy his private desires, failing to murder his brother and seize the throne—nothing but a rebel! The halos of titles like King of Qin and General of Heavenly Strategy would all become a joke!"

Feng Yi knew well that the Quanzhen disciples and the Beggars' Sect's inner disciples do not fear death; thus even facing a Mongol invasion they can still resist unyieldingly, but what they care about is the so-called righteous reputation and the means against enemies.

Everyone listened, their hearts shaken; as Feng Yi said, history has always recorded only the footsteps of the victors.

Once heaven is overturned and power changes hands, who cares about methods? Many will speak up for them.

From this angle, if the Quanzhen Sect and the Beggars' Sect truly had no scruples, killing Mongol officials on sight, and if they succeeded in driving out the Mongol invasion, their various despicable deeds might be labeled as righteous—who knows?

Yet the notion of righteousness instilled over the years has deeply taken root in some people's hearts.

"Wrong!" Hao Datong could not help but shout: "Those who leave a name for eternity are those who surpass in benevolence and righteousness; those who slaughter innocents are condemned for ten thousand ages—what fame is there?"

"Daoist Hao, I know you care about your sect's righteous reputation and look down on my methods!" Feng Yi coldly laughed: "But so-called justice and evil are mostly just excuses of the victor over the vanquished!

For example, you killed the Ancient Tomb Sect's Granny Sun; you yourself know you showed mercy, encountered her sneak attack, and in desperation used excessive force, which caused you to accidentally kill her.

But how does Yang Guo view it?

Does he care about the process?

He looks only at the result!

What he sees is his kind Granny Sun killed by the evil Quanzhen Daoist who treated him badly!

Yet he curses you as a shameless thief Daoist—can you say he shouldn't curse you?

I can tell you: not only do some people think his cursing is justified, but if one day he gains strength, storms your Chongyang Palace, seeks revenge, and kills you, there will be plenty of people speaking for him.

Say you deserve it, because you are fundamentally not good people, your hands unknown how many innocents they have slaughtered—do you believe that?"

=9+book bar

His words left Hao Datong stunned; this is indeed a fact!

Even if he has never killed an innocent in his life, merely because he mistakenly killed Granny Sun, Yang Guo will curse him as a wicked Daoist in front of Guo Jing and demand the world's heroes judge him!

Is that clear?

Even if the Quanzhen Sect's fame is great, there are still those who despise them!

Even if Hao Datong still believes he is right, he cannot refute it.

Zhao Zhijing immediately echoed: "Master Feng, your words are very reasonable."

The Quanzhen Daoists glanced at this senior brother; those who didn't know thought he was Feng Yi's disciple.

Feng Yi said in a deep voice: "Now most of the Central Plains has fallen, but if the Song dynasty is destroyed and the Mongols unify the land, whether it be the Beggars' Sect or the Quanzhen Sect, your current patriotic deeds to save the people will instantly change in the eyes of Feng Yi!

Zhen Zhibing asked: "What will it become?"

Feng Yi replied: "At the very least, you will be labeled as overreaching; certainly someone will say, you Quanzhen Daoists, as cultivators, violate the doctrine of purity and non-action, yet you suppress fellow Buddhist practitioners, stir up the populace, commit rebellion, making it impossible for the people to live in peace, causing officials to rush about on campaigns, wasting the people's labor and wealth—what purpose does such a sect still serve?

They will not only want to destroy you, but also smear you with filth; after hundreds or thousands of years, you may not even retain a good reputation.

Moreover, who cares about true or false? Who can know whether you truly suppressed Buddhism? Remember, during the Northern Song, the orthodox martial arts of the world were none other than the Shaolin Temple!

Now they close their doors and stay out, heh, but that does not mean the world will forget them!"

The hearts of the Quanzhen disciples all tightened.

Liu Chuxuan coughed and said: "Back then, the Founder Chongyang took saving the world as his mission, established the Quanzhen Sect, and thanks to the support of Daoist brothers and martial arts comrades, it was able to flourish.

We are incapable; even if we cannot promote the Quanzhen Sect, we must not do anything that disgraces it; if one day we truly decline, then the teaching remains with the people, the teaching perishes with the people—we shall have no shame!"

Though he spoke slowly and his voice was not loud, every sentence could be heard by the Daoists in the Hall of Three Purities.

As soon as he finished speaking, the Quanzhen Daoists all shouted loudly: "The teaching remains with the people, the teaching perishes with the people! We swear to defend the Quanzhen Sect unto death!"

Hearing the Daoists speak in unison, the Beggars' Sect members also nodded in approval.

Feng Yi gave a cold chuckle and said: "Sometimes, proposing a condition hard to accept is merely laying groundwork for the true purpose.

If you want to exterminate you completely, you will surely rise in resistance; but if you say the Quanzhen Sect violates the prohibition, then henceforth you will all shave your heads and become monks, still able to spread the Dao—today's resolve to perish together may thus waver!"

Sun Bu'er angrily said: "Master Feng, what do you mean by these words?"

Feng Yi said lightly: "Isn't my meaning clear enough? Do you think there would be no one in your Quanzhen Sect who fears Mongol power and becomes a Han collaborator?

Zhao Zhijing trembled all over.

"Master Qiu was summoned by Temujin; you think it's all fame? No one says he is a Han collaborator?"

"Nonsense!" A short, sturdy Daoist shook his head: "Back then the Mongols and the Jin were enemies, they had not yet invaded our lands, and they were allied with the Great Song; now the Mongols launch a massive southern campaign, who knows how many thousands or tens of thousands of commoners will die because of this—we naturally must resist with force!"

This short Daoist is named Song Defang, one of the eighteen disciples who accompanied Qiu Chuji on his western journey years ago.

Feng Yi said: "Winning, it's like this!"

Losing would be Daoist Qiu going to flatter Temujin, so Mongolia could grow strong; your Quanzhen Sect is a Han‑traitor sect.

Do you think such ignorant people are few?

To tell you the truth, what most people see is only what those in power want them to see.

And what they care about is who is stronger, so they decide whom to submit to!

Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune is human nature!

If the Chongyang True Person were still alive, would Ouyang Feng dare to attack Chongyang Palace?

Could Xiao Longnv nearly drive Daoist Hao to suicide?

I dare to be this arrogant?

Such shameful matters, he casually mentions them, and the low‑level Quanzhen Daoists become so angry their heads almost swim.

Lu Youjie gave a dry laugh and said: "Everyone, don't get angry; in my view, this matter……"

Feng Yi said: "Chief Lu, your Beggars' Sect is the same!"

You think the Beggars' Sect wouldn't have Han traitors?

Or people who betray the sect?

Do you know of Chief Qiao Feng from a hundred years ago?

A seven‑pouch disciple snorted and said: "Who doesn't know Chief Qiao Feng?"

Back then he single‑handedly fought countless heroes at the Villa of Gathered Worthies, and with the Dragon Subduing Twenty‑Eight Palms he drove countless demons fleeing before the Shaolin Temple; at Yumen Pass he forced the Khitan emperor to break arrows as an oath, daring not to invade south—what a hero!

Such major sect affairs are known by the high‑pouch disciples of the Beggars' Sect; especially Chief Qiao Feng's heroic deeds, which Elder Hong Qigong has mentioned.

Feng Yi laughed: "Exactly, you only know these things, but when Chief Qiao Feng fought the heroes at the Villa of Gathered Worthies and killed one of your nine‑pouch elders, why don't you mention that?"

Do you know your sect's deputy chief Ma Dayuan? Have you heard of Kang Min? What about Bai Shijing and Quan Guanqing?

The Beggars' Sect disciples were left speechless by his questioning; Chief Qiao Feng killed a nine‑pouch elder—who else are they?

They couldn't help but look toward Lu Youjie.

Lu Youjie was also greatly surprised; he didn't know what Feng Yi was talking about—what's the purpose again?

Feng Yi also said: "This Chief Qiao Feng was ruined in reputation and nearly died at the Villa of Gathered Worthies at the hands of those people I mentioned; you don't know that, yet you know his heroic deeds—why?

Because you are just seeking fame!

For fear that such disgraceful matters become known.

So you conceal them!

What remains is a good name; disgraceful matters are never mentioned!

But is this pursuit of fame really right?

The Beggars' Sect has for hundreds of years been chivalrous, serving country and people—no one can deny that—but if it ends up with the country destroyed and families ruined,

then someone will surely say, "A bunch of beggars who can't even feed or clothe themselves, yet they meddle in state affairs—utterly foolish, laughable, laughable!"

Bullshit!

A seven‑pouch disciple shouted with a voice like a great bell, he was simply furious.

What the hell is this nonsense!

Lu Youjie, fearing Feng Yi's anger, hastily said: "Great Hero Feng, you don't know that although our Beggars' Sect consists mostly of poor people, we are divided into the dirty‑clothes and clean‑clothes factions, which also include wealthy merchants and gentry; we are not merely starving, and this behavior is meant to remember our roots!

Moreover, the rise and fall of the world is the responsibility of every commoner!

If we martial artists cannot defend the country and practice chivalry, what is the point of training martial arts?

Feng Yi actually isn't angry; he's just heard countless times in his past life people speaking like this about the Beggars' Sect.

The group closest to his era, the "Pole‑bearing Sect," were mostly beggars, yet they did not retreat during the resistance against Japan!

Feng Yi greatly admired them.

After winning the war against Japan, the Pole‑bearing Sect enjoyed a good reputation.

But the Beggars' Sect has always lost, so people blame them, as if they were good for nothing except meddling.

Feng Yi nodded and said: "Chief Lu, you don't need to explain all this; I actually understand.

But people aren't necessarily like that; they mostly care about results.

We have become slaves of a fallen nation, yet others can say whatever they please; the chivalrous reputation you value so much is truly useless!

Suddenly Qiu Chuji laughed and said: "Hero Feng, your words are indeed reasonable, but we will, based on your words, ignore all reputation and slaughter every Mongol official in the north, causing chaos in the north, disrupting governance—what then?"

Feng Yi said: "Hero Guo holding Xiangyang is no problem; your sect will assassinate officials in the rear, while I will go with the Beggars' Sect to strike straight at the Mongol heartland.

With all three sides acting together, I just don't believe we can't turn the tide!

"Words are easy to say, but hard to do." Qiu Chuji pondered: "Mongolia's terrain is complex. Even the martial prowess of Qin Shi Huang and Han Wudi was mainly defensive; Han Wudi had generals Huo Qubing and Wei Qing, yet they still couldn't achieve victory!"

Feng Yi laughed: "How could I not know that Mongolia is vast, with deserts, grasslands, and mountains? To boast of going there to poison and create a plague—without a specific poison, that's hardly practical, and how much poison could we possibly carry!

With too few people it wouldn't be enough; with too many, how could we evade Mongol scouts, and how could we get close?

Feng Yi is no fool; the reason I say this is exactly what I said before—making an unreasonable demand is actually meant to give people a flexible option, and also to give myself another way to survive!

Qiu Chuji stroked his beard and asked: "How so?"

Feng Yi said: "The reason I enlist the Beggars' Sect disciples is to have them prepare dry rations, fresh water, and horses along the route, so they can support my return south after success—not that I must have them do exactly what I do!

Lu Youjie and the others still didn't understand, asking: "Please explain in detail!"

Feng Yi said: "I will first spread the news that I intend to use poison; the Mongol high‑ranking officials will certainly know.

Perhaps they will scoff at first; then I will go to poison the water source.

But if I cannot do that, I will only go to He Lin and use poison to kill some Mongol high officials, such as Ögedei's Empress, Tolui's son Mongke, and the like!

First, it will plunge them into a struggle for power and profit; second, it will let them know that poisoning all Mongols is impossible, but poisoning the high officials is no empty threat, making those in power wary!

But if I succeed, the Mongols will surely go mad trying to kill me so they can seize the khan's throne!

The Mongol Harmony Forest is nothing like our capital; it has no cities or homes, only tents, making it hard to stay hidden for long.

Either I don't leave Harmony Forest, or I'll be killed!

Even if I manage to escape Harmony Forest, the vast grasslands and desert are not as mountainous as the Central Plains, nor easy to hide while fleeing; I can only rely on the Beggars' Sect brothers to meet me along the way.

Furthermore, once the Mongols fall into internal strife, Kublai Khan, who commands the armies abroad, will surely rush back to vie for the khanate, lest someone else seize it first.

With this buffer zone, the useless traitors of the Song dynasty also deserve to be killed.

At that time, there might well be capable ministers daring to launch a northern expedition.

If not, we have Guo Daxia, a successor of the Wu Mu tradition, and the Quanzhen Sect and Beggars' Sect with hundreds of thousands of supporters; we cannot accomplish what Zhao Kuangyin did. Could we not then carry out the deeds of Yue Wumu?

We can resist the Mongols without relying on the court; why, when counterattacking, must we cling to the heart of a Song subject?

The Quanzhen disciples heard these heartfelt words, and the youthful aspirations that seemed to have faded with the years surged again in their hearts: their master harbored great ambitions, wanting to drive out the Jin troops and help the court regain the realm, but the court paid no heed, and over ten years of time slipped away in endless waiting and failure; in their despair, they dwelt in the ancient tomb.

Later, Lin Chaoying appeared, forcing out the master, who became a Daoist.

He took them as disciples, diligently studying Daoism, rigorously training martial arts, practicing chivalry, slaying corrupt officials, eliminating violence and preserving peace; later Tan Chuduan died early, but after decades of development, the Quanzhen Sect now boasts three thousand Daoist temples and eighty thousand disciples, a magnificent scale, always upholding benevolence and righteousness first, the mission to save the world and its people, never disappointing our master.

Yet Feng Yi's words, like the morning bell and evening drum, awakened them; but if we were to lose, all this would vanish like smoke!

If we perform righteous deeds but the sect is destroyed and our efforts come to naught, what use is righteousness?

A flash of light also crossed Lu Youjiao's eyes.

According to the Beggars' Sect rules, the former chief should be under the command of the current chief, yet his glory is being suppressed by Huang Rong.

Huang Rong has stepped down, but I still have to listen to her. If I can drive out the Mongols with my own hands, Lu Youjiao's prestige will surely surpass Huang Rong's.

After Feng Yi's persistent indoctrination, everyone's steadfast belief, which had been hesitating in silence, and their burning enthusiasm, which had been gradually cooling, now all had a single idea.

Facing the invasion of a powerful enemy and protecting the homeland of the masses, that is indeed fame; but only true success brings true fame!

Because the heroic spirit of failure is utterly insignificant!

Just like Feng Yi killing a Yelü Qi.

Even if he is Zhou Botong's disciple, a member of the Quanzhen Sect, his single life is utterly insignificant compared to the countless innocent lives!

Then the chivalrous righteousness their sect upholds is even lighter than reed grass compared to the life-and-death honor of countless compatriots!

Likewise, as the initiator, Feng Yi would go alone to cause a disturbance in Harmony Forest, sacrificing both reputation and life!

With such martial arts and at such a young age, what he goes to do and what he does—what could we possibly not accomplish?

At this moment, everyone resolved themselves!

Qiu Chuji suddenly rose, his gaze slowly sweeping over the Quanzhen disciples, and said in a deep voice: "Our sect, founded by Patriarch Chongyang, has always taken saving the world and its people as its mission; now the Mongol great army advances south to attack Xiangyang, invading our lands and slaughtering our people."

If the patriarch were still alive, he would surely not bear to see our Chinese myriad compatriots wailing under iron hooves, reduced to oxen and horses, slaves and servants, with no morning guarantee of evening.

Today, as the sect leader, I order that all eighty thousand disciples of our sect take the assassination of Mongol officials on Chinese soil as their duty; whether by poison or blade, nothing is forbidden!

Regardless of success or failure, I, Qiu Chuji, will bear all guilt alone, and I will go to apologize to the patriarch!

I only hope that the disciples of our sect will unite and cooperate wholeheartedly!

The Seven Masters of Quanzhen have all experienced warfare and endured the humiliation of a fallen state; Qiu Chuji, moreover, is fiery in nature and surpasses others in loyalty and righteousness.

The Quanzhen disciples unanimously exclaimed: "We will faithfully follow the sect leader's orders and certainly not disappoint him!"

Feng Yi laughed heartily, bowed deeply to Qiu Chuji, and said: "Qiu Zhenren, with such breadth of mind and insight, this is to bless the world and let its grace flow for a hundred generations—what sin could there be? I see Qiu Zhenren as truly great benevolence and righteousness, a living immortal of our age!"

Having said that, he rose and looked toward Lu Youjiao.

Lu Youjiao also solemnly raised his dog-beating staff and shouted: "No matter how the eventual outcome turns out, it's not important; I only hope the Beggars' Sect can join forces with the Quanzhen Sect to drive the Mongol barbarians back to their homeland!"

Feng Yi knew these two were the heads of great sects, each carrying decisive authority; he immediately rose, laughed loudly, grasped both their hands and lifted them skyward, laughing: "With the two of you joining forces, we can achieve an unparalleled feat—"

He had not finished speaking when his brows suddenly furrowed slightly.

Qiu Chuji also turned his gaze toward the hall's exterior.

(End of chapter)