Chapter 162: Clearing the Gates

Qiu Chuji led Feng Yi, Huang Yaoshi, Hong Qigong, Lu Youjiao, and others into the side hall, ordered the guest daoist to arrange a vegetarian meal, and invited everyone to eat.

Feng Yi then circulated his qi to restore his strength, competing in internal power with Ouyang Feng for several hours, defeating him—no easy feat.

He had just spoken toughly, yet he feared Xiao Longnv would not observe martial virtue and help Yang Guo challenge him.

Even if the Jade Maiden Pure Heart Sword Technique could not kill him, being beaten into a sorry state would still be extremely unsightly.

Hong Qigong, however, wanted to drink; when the wine arrived, he complained it was too weak, saying, "Wang Zhongyang's damn rules are truly many, really making one feel unpleasant!"

Everyone knew he always spoke recklessly without fear, so they took no offense; moreover, Hong Qigong drank while speaking, and soon a whole jar of wine lay upside down, still feeling unsatisfied, he casually grabbed Huang Yaoshi's wine to drink.

Huang Yaoshi, in front of the juniors, could not possibly let him snatch his wine; naturally he refused.

Hong Qigong said, "Medicine Brother, why are you so stingy?" As he spoke, the two compared gestures with one hand each on the wine jar.

The Quanzhen disciples watched, both amused and annoyed, as if Quanzhen Sect had run out of wine; they simply withdrew and discussed important matters with Lu Youjiao.

Seeing everyone leave, Hong Qigong went along with it, letting go of his hand and laughing heartily: "At last no one disturbs us."

Huang Yaoshi turned his head toward Feng Yi and said, "Feng Brother, how is it?"

Feng Yi exhaled a mouthful of turbid qi, then slowly said, "Ouyang Feng is indeed formidable; if his blood and vitality had not waned and his mind remained clear, I might have suffered a great loss!"

Hong Qigong and Huang Yaoshi both nodded.

Hong Qigong suddenly said, "Did you not just deeply offend Yang Guo? Are you not afraid of his retaliation?"

Feng Yi smiled faintly and said, "Yang Guo is a man of feeling; no matter how many harsh words he speaks, it is merely in the heat of anger, nothing more than striking someone with a stick.

Before Guo the Great Hero, he claimed he would seek revenge on Hao Datong, yet he did nothing—fundamentally not to be taken seriously!

The most dangerous moment is actually his impulsive instant, so I had already moved Xiao Longnv out beforehand.

As long as she keeps a clear mind and does not act, Yang Guo's deep affection for her, sharing life and death, ensures he will not move; what is there to worry about?"

Hong Qigong laughed heartily: "Your meaning is that Ouyang Feng judges others by himself, underestimating the weight of love in his adopted son's heart—needless worry!"

Feng Yi nodded and said, "Ordinary people cannot comprehend the weight of love in Yang Guo's heart!" He thought: "Xiao Longnv insulted, to Yang Guo saying you make things difficult for him—anyway, it's my ill fate; Yang Guo would not retaliate even against me, let alone an Ouyang Feng."

Huang Yaoshi laughed: "I really don't know what kind of brain you, brat, have grown, seeing everything so clearly!"

Feng Yi said, "How did the two of you come here?"

Hong Qigong and Huang Yaoshi exchanged a glance; Hong Qigong said, "How? Do you think only you have a heart for country and people?"

Feng Yi laughed openly: "You overestimate me; what am I for country and people? I merely have a sense of indignation."

"Indignation?" Hong Qigong stared deeply at him and said, "Your every move is plainly seen by all of us."

Huang Yaoshi stroked his beard and said, "Young brother, people usually take pride in their achievements, yet you do not even dwell on yours, harboring no contention for fame or profit—no wonder you could cultivate the Divine Illumination Classic to such a high level; I, Huang, am truly impressed!"

Feng Yi sighed: "You two are teasing me!"

After speaking, he rose and said softly: "Perhaps I understand better than you the suffering of the Han people when foreign tribes rule; I have often thought, if only I could change it.

But these are mostly idle fantasies; fortunately this time it became true, giving me an opportunity, and I have also gained an ability I never possessed before—so I must strive.

This is not for country nor for people, but for myself.

If the Mongol invasion of the Song could be changed because of me, such fame and profit would last for a thousand years—how could there be no fame or profit in my heart then?"

He knew the Mongols had originally destroyed the Great Song, taken over the Central Plains, but because of him it could be altered, making him the great savior!

Even if it is only what he himself believes!

This emotional value is also what he needs most!

As for other things, Feng Yi simply does not care.

Hong Qigong stared unblinkingly at Feng Yi and said, "Then if Ouyang Feng had not listened to you just now, would you not kill Yang Guo?"

Feng Yi pondered a moment and said, "Then it would only amount to empty talk."

Huang Yaoshi laughed: "I may not win against you in martial arts, but I am certain my eyesight will not lose to you; your demeanor just now does not look like someone speaking empty words!"

Feng Yi said, "In this world, all matters—good or evil, right or wrong—lie within one's heart. As the saying goes, one thought becomes Buddha, one thought becomes demon—this is how it is.

Thus whether to kill Yang Guo or not is truly insignificant in my heart, yet I must consider the actual circumstances.

I have fought Ouyang Feng, expending great strength; if I truly moved against Yang Guo, even though I owe Xiao Longnv a life-saving debt, that woman loves deeply and would certainly aid her lover.

By then, seeking honor and suffering disgrace would be pointless; to have the two elders come to his rescue would be a loss outweighing the gain—someone like me, who cherishes his life, could not do such a foolish act!"

Huang Yaoshi drew a deep breath and said, "You are not cherishing life; you are great courage appearing as timidity, great wisdom appearing as foolishness—truly a man among men!"

Hong Qigong also felt respect arise spontaneously, thinking: "This young man's martial prowess is high, that aside; this insight is what is truly remarkable!" He sighed: "Although Yang Guo is extremely cunning, compared with you he falls far short."

Feng Yi chuckled: "Are the elders praising me or scolding me?"

Hong Qigong laughed heartily and said, "Young man, I and Old Heretic Huang have decided—we two will also accompany you to He Lin."

Feng Yi's heart jolted; that these two seniors would willingly join him in such an endeavor truly exceeded his expectations,

he suppressed his excitement and said, "To receive the aid of the two seniors, the junior is endlessly grateful.

However, the junior's limited intellect means his plans may not succeed; the two seniors are advanced in years, the western journey need not mention human factors—just the natural environment is perilous enough; if some mishap..."

Hong Qigong waved his hand and said, "You need say no more; we already know what you said.

Although we are old and our hearts have softened, we still harbor a fervent passion against the Mongol barbarians!"

"Speaking of this brings shame." Huang Yaoshi sighed: "We are martial artists; we know that inner emptiness is the pinnacle of martial arts. Yet to truly watch our Han lands fall into foreign hands, to let the Jingkang shame occur upon our generation—no matter how great the sect's renown, how high the martial skill, what use is it? It is merely to be laughed at by later generations!"

Feng Yi felt his heart surge upon hearing this; suddenly a clamor arose outside the hall, and Quanzhen disciple Qi Zhicheng entered, saying, "Hong Senior, Huang Island Master asks for your indulgence!"

"Feng Great Hero, please move your esteemed carriage."

Feng Yi said, "How?"

Qi Zhicheng said, "The Sect Leader True Person and Jade Yang True Person are presently handling the matter of Senior Brother Zhen and Senior Brother Zhao in the Hall of Three Purities; please go there to serve as a witness!"

Feng Yi inwardly sighed, followed Qi Zhicheng to outside the Hall of Three Purities, and saw the Daoists all gathered, faces solemn.

Passing through the crowd, he saw Zhen Zhibing and Zhao Zhijing both kneeling on the ground, beside them kneeling some Daoists; he recognized only Zhao Zhijing's disciple Lu Qindu, the others he did not know.

Upon seeing Feng Yi, Zhao Zhijing immediately cried out, "Feng Great Hero, save me, save me!"

"Silence!" Wang Chuyi shouted sternly: "Feng Great Hero, Senior Brother Qiu's disciple Zhen Zhibing admits he harbored lustful thoughts toward Xiao Longnv."

My sect's chief disciple Zhao Zhi Jing has already discovered this, yet he does not report it; instead he intends to use it to blackmail and coerce Zhen Zhi Bing, in order to seize the leadership position. This point has already been confirmed by our sect from his disciples.

We were originally going to execute this traitorous disciple, but he says he merely had a thought, did not actually commit a grave error, is willing to atone with merit, and wishes to accompany you to Mongolia; what do you think?

The Five Masters of Quanzhen have been acquainted for decades; the fellow apprentices all know that Wang Chu Yi is upright and selfless. Although Zhao Zhi Jing is his chief disciple, plotting to seize the leadership is a grave crime, and he will certainly not show favoritism to protect him.

Moreover, Zhao Zhi Jing's martial arts skill is the highest among the third-generation disciples; he looks down on his fellow apprentices, and this time, having committed a crime, hardly anyone is pleading for him.

However, we also know that Zhao Zhi Jing merely harbored a covetous desire for the leadership position and did not cause serious consequences; if Feng Yi were to speak up, Zhao Zhi Jing's life would be spared.

Zhao Zhi Jing immediately spoke fluently: 'Don't conceal it from you all, uncles and elders; I indeed harbor the intention to seize the leadership. Fellow apprentices, do not look at me sometimes acting high and mighty, unbeatable—that is all because I feel guilty, because I fear that you uncles and elders, as well as my fellow apprentices, look down on me for having once obstructed Guo Da Xia's deed.'

That is why I deliberately put on this appearance; deep down I am filled with remorse. If I had a choice, I would absolutely not behave this way…

This is certainly not Zhao Zhi Jing's heartfelt words, but he is also a talented person who has once killed evildoers; now, in order to preserve his life, he actually uses the remorseful words others have said to him upon himself, which is rather a pretense.

Feng Yi clasped his hands in a salute and said: 'The internal affairs of your sect are not something I should meddle in. However, sometimes whether a person deserves death cannot be judged solely by what he has done.'

but rather whether he has the motive; if he does so, can we bear the consequences!

Zhao Zhi Jing's body shuddered, and the words in his mouth came to an abrupt halt.

Feng Yi then said: 'Zhao Zhi Jing, because Guo Da Xia went up the mountain, lost his position as chief disciple, and has always held a grudge; whenever he gets a chance, he mocks him, showing his petty mind.'

He can, for the sake of the leadership position, defy the wishes of several elders and threaten Zhen Zhi Bing, showing that he has no respect for his superiors!

Then, if he encounters Mongol recruitment, would he defect from the sect?

I think he is capable of forgetting righteousness for profit.

Moreover, given his status and position, if he were to betray the sect, he would reveal the locations of all your sect's Daoist temples to the Mongols; can you bear such a loss?

Just like the divine generals Bai Qi, Han Xin, and Yue Wumu, with such great achievements, do they truly deserve death as a capital crime?

Or what about Yelü Qi—does he truly deserve to die?

Those who establish great achievements attract countless admirers, yet no one is willing to wager on their loyalty and righteousness; even when they die, few people speak out for their grievances—is it that people are oblivious and unintentional?

How can one not understand the principle of mistaken killing?

Nothing more than one person's death enabling ten thousand others to live more securely; thus they are merely the ones sacrificed.

Otherwise, throughout history, the phenomenon of preferring to let the guilty go free rather than wrongly punish the innocent would be endless.

But if your sect is truly benevolent and righteous, willing to stake the lives of ten million people on Zhao Zhi Jing's loyalty and righteousness, then you might as well not punish him at all.

In any case, I, Feng Yi, am naturally timid and would never dare to take him to Mongolia!

Upon thinking of Zhao Zhi Jing's usual conduct, the Quanzhen Daoists felt a raging fire ignite in their hearts; such a scoundrel, if left alive, would only bring harm to the world.

As Feng Yi said, if he were to flee to Mongolia today, once he takes revenge and betrays, Feng Yi himself would surely not meet a good end, and who knows how many fellow Daoists would be harmed innocently!

How could Zhao Zhi Jing not understand Feng Yi's implication? He seethed with hatred toward Feng Yi and shouted, 'Elders, Feng Yi kills people based solely on baseless accusations!'

When Zhen Zhi Bing awakens from his midnight dreams, he also calls out for Xiao Longnv; if we follow his reasoning, does that mean Xiao Longnv sleeping beside Zhen Zhi Bing's junior fellow apprentice would lead him to engage in sexual relations?

I, Zhao Zhi Jing, absolutely do not believe that Zhen Zhi Bing's junior fellow apprentice would disregard Elder Qiu's teachings…

But then Qiu Chuji's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he angrily shouted, 'As a cultivator, you actually utter such filthy language! You deserve to die!' He then sent a palm strike toward Zhao Zhi Jing's head.

Zhao Zhi Jing had already been acupoint-sealed and could not resist; with a soft 'pah' sound, his skull shattered, he did not even utter a groan, and collapsed limp to the ground.

Feng Yi saw Qiu Chuji's palm emerge light and floating, seemingly insubstantial, yet that single strike shattered Zhao Zhi Jing's skull; its power was indeed not small, and his expression turned grim: 'This old man truly lives up to being the Quanzhen sect's foremost expert; if I did not know Quanzhen martial arts, defeating him would certainly not be so effortless!'

Qiu Chuji waved his hand: 'Take away Zhao Zhi Jing's followers and execute them!' The Quanzhen disciples immediately obeyed.

Qiu Chuji looked toward Zhen Zhi Bing and coldly said: 'Zhen Zhi Bing, I and several fellow apprentices had high hopes for you; I never expected you to be so inadequate, tarnishing the reputation of our Quanzhen sect—do not blame the master for being ruthless today!'

Seeing his master kill Zhao Zhi Jing and also execute his disciples, upon hearing these words Zhen Zhi Bing knew his time had come; he immediately shouted loudly: 'Master, four uncles and elders, disciple's sins are deep, I have failed your grace; I am going now!'

Saying this, he struck his own forehead with a palm!

In order to die swiftly, he put all his strength into that palm, but unexpectedly his hand clenched and was seized by Feng Yi.

Zhen Zhi Bing looked at Feng Yi in bewilderment: 'Why are you saving me?'

He thought Feng Yi also liked Xiao Longnv, but her heart was wholly devoted to Yang Guo; someone as proud as Feng Yi would scorn the act of seizing love with a sword, yet he could not deny his fondness for her, and since he too liked her, he felt guilty in his heart.

Feng Yi said: 'Everyone, this Daoist Zhen has indeed stirred a mortal affection for the Maiden Long, violating your sect's precepts!'

However, humans are born with emotions, and the love of beauty is moreover unavoidable.

The Maiden Long's beauty is such that even I, Feng Yi, with three wives, have dreamed of her at midnight; if we were to condemn her for that!

Even if I, Feng Yi, were to be cut to pieces by a thousand blades, I could hardly atone for that sin!

However, the state has its laws and the family its rules; I am not questioning your sect's precepts, but now is the time to employ people. Since Daoist Zhen once accompanied Master Qiu on a distant journey to the Western Regions and also knows the Mongolian language, I wish to take him to Mongolia to atone with merit; I wonder whether you could grant me this favor?

Qiu Chuji looked toward Wang Chu Yi, who calmly said: 'If this villain can harbor lust, are you not afraid he will betray you?' His sharp gaze locked onto Zhen Zhi Bing, observing his reaction.

Feng Yi smiled faintly and said: 'Based on his daring to commit suicide, at the moment of life and death he utters no plea for mercy; such a man, I do not believe he is the same sort of person as Zhao Zhi Jing.'

If I have misjudged him, I will give this pair of eyes to Daoist Wang as compensation for the loss of his disciple!

Upon hearing this, Wang Chu Yi's expression slightly changed: 'Do you think I want Zhen Zhi Bing to die just because Zhao Zhi Jing died?'

Feng Yi said: 'I don't know what you think! But I do know that there is no master who does not love his disciple, and no master who does not wish his disciple to become accomplished!'

If he dies here and you truly have no wavering in your heart, then you estimate that attaining the Dao and becoming an immortal is impossible!

Wang Chu Yi suddenly shuddered, finally uttering a few words: 'If that is the case, this journey is fraught with unknown danger; please, Great Hero Feng Yi, take good care of yourself.'

Feng Yi laughed: 'Many thanks!'

Looking at Zhen Zhi Bing, he said: 'Daoist Zhen, the Quanzhen Sect has nurtured you for many years; I hope you will accomplish something to bring them glory!'

Zhen Zhi Bing solemnly said: 'I will certainly obey Commander Feng Yi's dispatch on this journey; even if I die and my corpse lies exposed in a foreign land, I will have no regrets.'

Feng Yi nodded and said: 'I know Daoist Zhen is not afraid of death.' Then he said to the Five Masters: 'Please, masters, summon the chief of the Lu gang to the side chamber so we can discuss the plan of action.'

Lu Youjiao was not present, so Qiu Chuji personally sent someone to fetch him.

Soon after, they all gathered in the side chamber; Huang Yaoshi was busy writing and drawing, while Hong Qigong was nevertheless drinking alcohol.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Feng Yi said: 'You all already know that Ouyang Feng told me the formula for the corpse-dissolving powder.'

Qiu Chuji could not help but ask: 'Just how potent is this corpse-dissolving powder, that it warrants such attention from you?'

Feng Yi hesitated slightly and said: 'If this corpse-dissolving powder were to adhere to intact skin, it would be absolutely harmless,'

Only a drop of blood is needed; it turns into yellow water. This yellow water is extremely corrosive, capable of rotting flesh and blood, and it becomes more yellow‑water poison, multiplying endlessly." Hong Qigong startled, said: "Isn't this just the poison of the venomous snakes hidden in Ouyang Feng's snake staff from back then!"

Everyone was likewise startled, and they all said, 'Please, Chief Hong, enlighten us.'

Ouyang Feng once took a cup of poison, fed it to a giant shark several zhang long. With a single palm he shoved it into the sea; instantly its belly faced upward, and seven or eight sharks swarmed over it, biting fiercely. In a moment the giant shark turned into a pile of white bones and sank to the seabed.

The seven or eight sharks that had eaten the giant shark's meat, in less than half a cup of tea's time, also turned belly‑up and floated to the surface. The sharks then fell into a frenzy of feeding, and all succumbed to the poison and died.

One becomes ten, ten becomes a hundred, a hundred becomes a thousand; in just a little under half an hour, the sea surface was covered with floating shark corpses.

Hong Qigong had seen such a strange sight before, and his face changed color.

However, when he was bitten on the neck, fortunately Ouyang Feng had exhausted the poison while slaughtering the shark, and the strange snake could not recover its venom for several days. Thus Hong Qigong's poisoning from the bite was much milder, but snake venom is extremely potent; even with his deep inner strength, he quickly grew dazed.

Struck by Ouyang Feng's Toad Technique, he failed to muster his energy to defend; the blow shattered the meridians in his back, and his martial arts were completely lost.

Upon hearing Hong Qigong's brief account, everyone turned pale with fright.

Feng Yi laughed and said, 'The snakes in Ouyang Feng's snake staff are hybrid breeds, so this corpse‑transforming powder must be compounded from the venom of more than ten kinds of poisonous snakes and insects.'

Once the mother poison is finished, thereafter there is no need to make it again; one only needs to dry the yellow poisonous water formed from blood and flesh, and it becomes corpse-transforming powder. I want to see if the Beggars' Sect and the Quanzhen Sect can compound it!

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Huang Yaoshi suddenly said: "When Ouyang Feng was speaking, I already heard it; you all see if you can compound it completely!"

A slip was passed over; Qiu Chuji and Lu Youjiao looked at it and said: "These Central Plains poisonous insects are easy to find, but some are items from the Western Regions; I fear they cannot be compounded in a short time."

Feng Yi said: "Yesterday Ouyang Feng thought of this, saying his White Camel Mountain Manor still has stored goods hidden in a secret place."

Hong Qigong pondered: "But the Old Poisonous One hasn't returned to the mountains for twenty years; does the White Camel Mountain Manor still have anything?"

Feng Yi said: "Perhaps everyone wonders how I know about corpse-transforming powder, because this thing was transmitted from his disciple the snake slave; regardless of whether we have corpse-transforming powder, we must go west. So let's look for it along the way!"

Now please Daoist Qiu and Chief Lu first compound the medicine according to the prescription; once made, send some to Xiangyang. At the critical moment, we will accomplish everything in one battle!

Everyone knowing that this corpse-transforming powder turns toxic upon contact with blood, like a spark bursting from flint, can burn a great hayfield to ashes; they all agreed, saying that if used properly, the Mongol army will surely be reduced to ashes.

Feng Yi specially instructed: even if the medicine is compounded, it must not be used lightly, nor must its purpose be leaked to others; it must be kept strictly secret!

The use of this thing and its timing are strategic secrets; everyone understands this principle.

This corpse-transforming powder is the number one poison under heaven; only the mother poison is difficult to compound, while obtaining the child poison is simple. If leaked, the Mongols could also use it against us.

After discussion, everyone began packing and rushed to Chang'an, where many poisons and Bingpo silver needles are hidden.

The Quanzhen Sect prepared horses for Feng Yi, Hong Qigong, Huang Yaoshi, Lu Youjiao, Zhen Zhibing, and others.

Huang Yaoshi and Hong Qigong mounted their horses, flicked the whip, took the lead, and galloped away.

Feng Yi then clasped his hands and loudly said: "Gentlemen, may we meet again if fate allows!" He followed closely behind.

Everyone also bade farewell; in the blink of an eye, people and horses vanished, leaving only a speck of dust at the end of the road.

Qiu Chuji watched the group disappear, turned his head, and sighed to his fellow brothers: "We too must leave!"

Feng Yi and company whipped their horses and soon reached Chang'an, entering the city in batches.

Arriving at the place where Feng Yi formerly lived, a beggar was squatting before the alley; seeing Lu Youjiao approach, he said: "Chief, you said that household has a woman who claims it as her home; she has a bad temper, and some brothers have even been beaten. We fear leaking our movements, so we dare not easily offend her!"

Feng Yi frowned deeply, and Lu Youjiao asked: "Do you have someone in mind?"

Feng Yi's eyes showed a complex expression; he asked everyone to rest and discuss again tomorrow morning.

Hong Qigong laughed heartily and went ahead with Huang Yaoshi.

Lu Youjiao and the others also knew Feng Yi was amorous; they dispersed, leaving him to handle things, to speak later.

Feng Yi's house was originally rented, but he bought it outright to store goods, knowing that the only women in this place are Li Mochou and Hong Lingbo.

Li Mochou thought it impossible; could it be Hong Lingbo?

Feng Yi arrived at the gate, did not knock, leapt over the courtyard wall, and saw that both sides of the blue-stone path were filled with small orchids.

The garden's fragrance was something he had never seen before; following the blue-stone path, he unknowingly walked to the backyard.

Suddenly he heard a coquettish shout from behind: "Who are you?"

Feng Yi turned his head and saw only a seven- or eight-year-old girl holding a watering can, her big eyes blinking as she looked at him.

Feng Yi smiled slightly and said: "Little sister, who are you?"

The girl said: "You'd better leave quickly! If my master sees you, you'll be in trouble!"

Feng Yi wondered: "Master? What is her name?"

The girl replied: "Master is master; how would I know what my master is called?"

Feng Yi was taken aback, then laughed: "That also makes sense!"

Only then did she glance at Feng Yi and suddenly say mysteriously: "My master is very fierce; she does not allow outsiders in, especially men, and she will beat them."

Just as Feng Yi was about to speak, a cold, charming female voice suddenly sounded: "Lan'er, who are you talking to?"

Feng Yi turned around and saw a graceful figure appear on the corridor—it was Hong Lingbo.

Upon seeing her, Hong Lingbo also saw him, suddenly twisted her waist, and turned to leave.

Feng Yi hurriedly followed; Hong Lingbo entered the room and was about to close the door, but Feng Yi would not let her have her way and rushed straight in.

Upon seeing her lover, Hong Lingbo's heart felt both joy and resentment, her eyes reddened as she said: "Is it that you'd be happy if I died?"

Feng Yi suddenly felt the unjust grievance being imposed on him, and said: "How could I possibly wish for your death?"

Hong Lingbo said: "You abandoned me here alone; when I get anxious, can I even stay alive?"

Feng Yi saw her reddened eye sockets, felt embarrassed as well, took her hand with his right hand, lifted her forehead hair with his left, and softly said: "Okay, it's all my fault for being worthless."

Hong Lingbo choked: "I merely went out for a while; you neither sought me nor stopped entangling with Li Mochou—how could you not be worthless!" As she spoke, tears streamed down.

Feng Yi embraced her, not knowing how to comfort her, only nodding repeatedly: "Yes, madam says so; I am worthless, please forgive me, madam..."

Seeing his apology, Hong Lingbo's anger lessened somewhat; she smiled and interrupted him: "Never mind, never mind. I dare not condemn you! This time you've come back—are you not leaving?"

Feng Yi took her hand and sat her down, explaining his plan to go to Mongolia; Hong Lingbo suddenly said: "I will go too."

Feng Yi was startled and said: "What do you intend to do by going?"

Hong Lingbo pouted: "I cannot let you risk your person!"

Feng Yi said: "Going there is fraught with danger; how could I let you go?"

Hong Lingbo said: "Since you know the danger, why must you go? Saying this, her voice choked slightly, she said: 'You have understood. I cannot let you not go, but I can go together with you, life and death as one.'"

Even though Feng Yi does not believe in love, in this situation he also felt his heart race; he never imagined he would be treated this way by a woman, which made him feel a twinge of reluctance to go; he unconsciously sighed and said: "I never thought I, Feng Yi, would have such a day; no wonder the saying goes that the pass of love is hard to overcome and heroes' spirit wanes."

Hong Lingbo laughed and said: "Your martial arts are high, you are handsome, and you dare to oppose the Mongols—naturally you are a hero."

"I am stupid, ugly, and my martial arts are poor; besides facing everything with you, I can do nothing else."

Feng Yi saw her voice trembling, a sharp pain struck his chest, and he forced a smile: "You actually think highly of me. In fact, I am even less worthy of you."

"You say my martial arts are high and I dare to resist the Mongols, but that's not really the case."

"Everyone knows that the meaning of life lies in the pursuit of dreams; I am no exception."

"The so-called high martial arts that people see in me are actually not due to effort but to luck; therefore my achievements in martial arts are what I least want to mention."

"I want to free myself from others' influence, but I am unable to do so; to me, that is even more of a failure."

"So I can only focus my thoughts on resisting the Mongols; I want to accomplish what others cannot, not because I have lofty ideological awareness, but merely to prove my worth."

"If I did not have this martial arts skill, I would not do these things; even if this skill were attained through my own diligent practice, I still would not do this."

"I am merely trying to prove myself!"

"So, in pursuing my own dream, harming people unrelated to me is tolerable, but if I let my woman accompany me on this adventure, I would look down on myself."

"Lingbo, give me some dignity, please!"

Hong Lingbo said hoarsely: "To keep me from going, why must you speak so poorly of yourself? Even if you had no martial arts and did nothing, you would still be my husband."

Feng Yi gave a bitter smile and said: "People like you actually view others through rose‑colored glasses."

"Actually, someone like me is just a chestnut in the vast sea—utterly ordinary, not worth your regard."

"A simple truth: whether it's you, Li Mochou, or any woman, having me accompany you to death,"

"I know I cannot do it, so how could I, with your affection for me, let you share this burden guiltlessly?"

"I have told you before: a girl cannot have her heart set only on love and men, for once a problem arises she will end up like Li Mochou, unable to move on; I do not want you to become like her—do you understand?"

Hong Lingbo felt gloomy, took hold of Feng Yi's arm, and smiled: "Okay, okay, stop talking; I'll listen to you, I won't go, I'll guard our home well." Her tone was extremely gentle.

"Just those words let Feng Yi's heart feel greatly relieved, not only dispelling his worries about the aftermath, but also making him understand himself."

"As it turned out, in the eyes of a woman like Hong Lingbo, Feng Yi was also a notable figure; he couldn't help but chuckle foolishly."

Hong Lingbo misunderstood, snorted: "What are you laughing at? Anyway, I'm a wild child with no parents, no mother, no master—I have no choice but to cling to your house and not leave!"

Feng Yi scooped her up in his arms and walked toward the bed.

Hong Lingbo instantly blushed and said: "It's daytime!"

Feng Yi laughed: "That's what makes it exciting!"

Hong Lingbo beat and hit him, yet buried her forehead in his broad embrace,

Feng Yi burst into loud laughter; after a long separation, it felt better than a new marriage—he felt the greatest joy of his life, reaching the peak of happiness on Lingbo's pure white body……

"What Feng Yi wants to do is something most people cannot understand; for this he has suffered insults and mockery, yet he has always held fast and pursued his own dream."

"Hong Lingbo is the first woman Feng Yi ever met, and also the first woman who let him experience happiness."

"She does not match Li Mochou in beauty, intelligence, or martial arts."

"Even compared to Cheng Ying, Lu Wushuang, Guo Fu, and others, she falls short."

"But Feng Yi knows her kindness!"

"Although Hong Lingbo was raised by the transformed Li Mochou who saved her life, that very kindness is all the more precious!"

"At the very least, it is far stronger than Lu Wushuang's."

"Her kindness manifests in many ways—not only toward her junior sister Lu Wushuang, but also toward strangers."

"In the original plot, Li Mochou, in pursuit of the Five Poisons Secret Transmission, twisted the arms of the Beggars' Sect disciples and wanted to break their legs; Hong Lingbo could not bear to watch and once pleaded for mercy."

"Of course, it is also due to her life experiences and personality traits that she ended up tragic in the original story."

"Fortunately, with Feng Yi, all of this has changed."

"Of course, many people have had their destinies changed by Feng Yi."

"Whether it's Yang Guo and Xiao Longnv, or Guo Jing and Huang Rong, etc., they simply do not know."

"Because they are unaware of their original fate, they naturally do not realize how happy they are now."

"All of this is Feng Yi's achievement."

"Fortunately, Feng Yi is the sort who does good deeds without seeking credit, does not care about others' opinions of him, and is certainly not the sort of petty person who destroys what he cannot obtain."

"He is simply a pure person."

"His purity lies in doing exactly what he has set out to do!"

"For example, in the Linked City World, he merely wants the world to know how good Me Niansheng and Ding Dian are, and how despicable those who oppose them are."

"Here, he only wants the Han people not to be trampled by Mongol iron hooves, and not to let those who strive for country and people sacrifice in vain."

"If he can achieve that, it will be the thing that excites him most."

"As for being the number one martial artist under heaven, he has never claimed that title. Just as he defeated the West Poison, he knows it was due to luck, not ability, so he feels no pride, let alone joy."

"(End of chapter)"