Chapter 167

You Ju seethed with indignation, his voice ringing, making all who heard it moved.

Feng Yi also knew that, in the original plot, this person met his end and his manor destroyed because he opposed Qiao Feng.

From Qiao Feng's point of view, one could say he fails to discern the times and overestimates himself.

Feng Yi possesses a god's-eye view, and having no personal ties to Qiao Feng, he is not blinded by emotion, so his judgment of matters is naturally rational.

Qiao Feng bears an ill reputation, though it is unjust, yet others are unaware. The You brothers, facing such a formidable, renowned beast of a man, stepped forward to prevent him from running amok, taking it upon themselves to uphold righteousness, contributing money and effort; such conduct is truly commendable.

After all, the You brothers already had fame and wealth; they could be said to have achieved success and renown. Unlike impoverished nobodies who need to shed the blood of famed jianghu figures to add chips to their future jianghu careers.

After being disarmed by Qiao Feng, he slew the heroes, uttering "The shield stands as long as its bearer lives; when the shield falls, the bearer dies," then took his own life, thereby displaying a jianghu warrior's mettle in full measure—so much so that Qiao Feng himself was moved, felt regret, and laid his weapons again at their feet.

Thus Feng Yi admired the brothers, so when You Ju looked down on and scolded him, he did not get angry; instead he nodded and praised, saying, "The You brothers' ambitions are bold and generous; if I did not admire your heroism, I, Feng Yi, a nobody, would have just been loafing for food and drink."

But how could so many illustrious figures come here to take part in this endeavor?

The so‑called gathering of worthies at the Manor of Gathered Worthies brings together talent that complements each other. Everyone, tell me—am I right?

Jianghu folks are extremely proud; hearing this flattery, the mood instantly eased, and they burst out laughing, saying, "That's not bad!"

After all, Feng Yi's demeanor makes it clear he is not someone to be trifled with; You Ju's remark could easily provoke him, yet Feng Yi showed no anger, which instead embarrassed You Ju, who bowed his fists in apology.

You Ji cupped his hands and said, "My brother is too blunt; please excuse him. I imagine you have not been in the Central Plains for long?"

Feng Yi smiled and said, "I, Feng Yi, have long been cultivating in the deep mountains, only recently leaving my master's gate; thus, if there is anything I do not understand, I would ask Brother You for guidance."

You Ji replied, "Brother Feng, with your dragon‑phoenix bearing, even I might not grasp what you don't understand; but I will tell you everything I know."

Feng Yi nodded and said, "Then thank you. What I do not understand is this person Qiao Feng: though I have never met him, his reputation truly rings like thunder, yet even beasts would not commit such acts as killing father, mother, and master."

I have heard that the Beggar Sect's Chief Wang once set up trials, layer upon layer, to test Qiao Feng, and only after being unanimously endorsed by the sect's heroes did he assume the role of chief.

Among those present, many were on good terms with him; now the contrast is so great—could it be that Chief Wang and the Beggar Sect's heroes were blind, choosing such a wolf‑hearted beast as chief?" Having said that, he glanced at the Beggar Sect's crowd.

Everyone sensed his implied intention to speak up for Qiao Feng, and a chill ran through them.

Beggar Sect's members rose as one, drawing blades and swords, facing a great foe; the sounds of "clang" and "clack" filled the air.

Feng Yi gave a cold chuckle and said, "How so, annoyed into anger?"

My master and the Beggar Sect are on good terms, and I respect their service defending the nation, but if you rely on numbers to resort to violence? I, Feng Yi, may be a nobody, but I am not easy to bully!

Upon hearing this, everyone realized he was saying the Beggar Sect had lost the argument and now wanted to bully the few with numbers and force, and their faces flushed.

One of the Beggar Sect's Four Elders, Elder Wu Changfeng, known for his fiery temper, heard this, grew angry and urgent, and said, "How have we come to blows with you? If you do not make this clear, do not blame me for giving offense."

Feng Yi replied calmly, "If your sect harbors no such intent, that would be best. Let us reason if we are to reason; if we fight, we harm harmony, and the wicked would surely rejoice—don't you all agree?"

Divine Physician Xue, thoughtful as he was, instantly sensed there was more to this, and at once stepped in to mediate, saying, "Everyone, please do not lose your temper; the weather is a bit dry, and everyone's liver fire is a little heightened."

The heroes all echoed, "Yes, indeed."

Qiao Feng is about to arrive, a great enemy looms—how can we brawl?

Only then did Feng Yi lift a wine pot, pour a cup, drink it down, and say, "Everyone, though I have just left my mountain retreat, I also enjoy judging right and wrong in the jianghu, but my master told me that in wandering the jianghu, some things can only be sensed, not spoken, and that is how one lives longer."

Furthermore, he said that to topple a wicked person, the best way is to expose his crimes; but to topple a good person, the best way is to fabricate his crimes and smear him thoroughly.

All manner of beastly deeds are pinned on him; this wronged man refuses to admit guilt, yet most people disbelieve him, thinking he is making excuses, and thus force becomes necessary.

Heh heh, once blood is shed, the charge cannot be washed away, so one is left with no choice but to go down the dark path!

Then the matter of his innocence ceases to matter!

"Amitabha!" a Buddhist intonation rang from the crowd, old and hoarse: "Your words are most extraordinary; may I ask which master you follow?"

Everyone turned toward the sound and saw it was Master Xuanzhi, the chief of the Dragon Tree Courtyard of Shaolin Temple.

Arguing and reasoning are Feng Yi's forte, but he is presently unknown in the jianghu, so some things are not convenient to say.

More precisely, if his words carry no weight, they naturally lack credibility.

The principle that a poor person should keep silent applies at all times.

For example, if Feng Yi tried to clear Qiao Feng's name by claiming he did not kill, and then cited Lady Ma, Xu Chongxiao, Bai Shijing, and Quan Guanqing as having illicit relations, others would not only disbelieve him but would accuse him of ulterior motives, of insulting the Beggar Sect and Shaolin, and would gang up on him.

Since Qiao Feng's killing was witnessed by the Shaolin monks, to say he did not kill is to accuse the Shaolin of framing an innocent—a matter of honor; who could let that rest?

Qiao Feng explained repeatedly, to no avail; he would not be an exception either.

Feng Yi himself knows this!

But he is highly skilled and bold, unafraid; second, these words stick in his throat and he must speak them; third, A Zhu possesses something he intends to obtain.

This is a premeditated move.

Divine Physician Xue also puzzled and said, "Brother Feng, given what you imply, are Qiao Feng's deeds actually a deliberate smear by the Shaolin Temple?"

If you do not explain the circumstances, I fear everyone will lose patience.

His words, soft yet firm, plainly state that if Feng Yi does not speak up, he will become the public enemy of everyone present.

Feng Yi's expression unchanged, he looked around and said lightly, "I, Feng Yi, am but a nobody; how could I possibly know the circumstances?"

I merely admire those righteous heroes who disregard sacrifice, while I despise the deceitful who twist right and wrong.

Elder Xu, you spared no effort that day to expose Qiao Feng's origins; today all the heroes present are preparing to face him, and who knows how many of them may lose their lives once he arrives.

But ultimately, why fight, why die—can we not be given a clear understanding, so as not to become bewildered ghosts?

As soon as he spoke, the hall erupted in murmurs, faces turning to one another in bewilderment.

Beggar Sect's elders, having followed Qiao Feng for a long time, know his conduct is always brave and wise; if he truly came alone to the Manor of Gathered Worthies, that would be utterly strange.

Elder Xu saw Feng Yi staring straight at him, his gaze seeming to pierce his heart, making him nearly breathless; he forced composure and said, "What do you want me to say?"

I once admired Qiao Feng's character, but he is a Khitan; raised by the Qiao Sanhuai couple, taught martial arts by Shaolin Master Xuanku, he trained relentlessly for ten years, yet in order to conceal his Khitan identity he ended up killing them.

Such behavior is utterly barbaric and regressive—basically a rabid wolf that bites anyone, oblivious to good or evil.

We are merely upholding the righteous path of the martial world; if we fall, dying at his hands is acceptable—what is unclear about that?

Feng Yi fixed his gaze on Elder Xu and asked, "Is it really that simple? Is the great fellow killed because he is a Khitan, or because of the charges against him?"

Beggar Sect's Elder Xu Chongxiao holds the highest seniority in the sect; at eighty‑seven years old, even the former Chief Wang addresses him as "uncle‑master," and every member of the sect is his junior.

It was he who invited the occupants of Chongxiao Cave, Tan Gong and Tan Po, and the Shandong "Iron‑Faced Judge" Shan Zheng, etc., to go to Xingzi Lin to verify that thirty years ago the chief brother ambushed Khitan warriors at Yamen Gate.

Xu Chongxiao flushed with displeasure and said: "What's the difference?"

"Naturally they're different!" Feng Yi laughed and said: "If you say the Khitan are enemies of our Great Song, often raiding the borders and slaughtering civilians, then even if Qiao Feng has no evil deeds, merely being Khitan makes him a public enemy of the martial world, and it's only natural for heroes worldwide to rise up and attack him; I, Feng, also agree with that."

After all, the Khitan kill Han people with brutal methods, sparing no men, women, old or young; for us Han to treat the Khitan the same way is nothing to complain about.

But to say that because of his atrocities everyone should be punished—then we must make it clear and unambiguous!

Xu Chongxiao sneered: "You seem to have decided we're wronging Qiao Feng."

Feng Yi coldly laughed: "If you want no one to know, don't do it." His gaze flicked again to Madame Ma, and he lightly chuckled: "I can't help but think of a saying: if a few people bump my butt, then just as many must wipe it for me—how ridiculous!"

Everyone's hearts trembled for some unknown reason, they all stared at each other, feeling bewildered. Looking at Feng Yi, they saw his cold laughter continue, as if he utterly despised them.

These words made Elder Xu, Elder Bai, and Quan Guanqing, etc., all shudder. The three knew deep down that they had framed Qiao Feng merely because they had enjoyed Madame Ma's favors, and now they felt murderous intent.

Feng Yi's face showed no expression; his eyes fixed on their reactions. Seeing their faces light up, he realized his 'shaking the mountain to startle the tiger' tactic had worked; next he would establish his reputation through a display of power, then proceed with the transaction.

Only hearing Bao Qianling say: "I have always greatly admired Qiao Feng's character."

When Zhao Lao San said he was a Khitan barbarian, I fiercely objected, arguing with Zhao Lao San until our faces flushed red, nearly coming to blows. Alas, barbarians are indeed no different from beasts.

Feng Yi laughed: "That sounds somewhat reasonable, but Qiao Feng has shaken the martial world for years; today, knowing the heroes would gather at Zhu Xian Manor, he still came to keep the appointment."

To single-handedly oppose all the heroes under heaven, regardless of the outcome, his courage alone qualifies him as a hero among heroes.

In my view, whether the crowd can kill him or not, many will surely die, ending in mutual destruction.

Can a person who has trained his martial arts to such a high level, among the many martial arts masters present, well‑versed and experienced, ever be one of beastly nature and still achieve such feats?

If such a person existed, wouldn't he have slaughtered everyone under heaven, leaving no room for us to survive?

Thus I, Feng, today want everyone to have some judgment, avoid pointless sacrifice, and also get a look at this man's bearing.

At that time, the Han people of Central Plains hated the Khitan with a passion, regarding them as poisonous snakes and ferocious beasts; hearing this, everyone was stunned.

Everyone knows Qiao Feng's martial arts are astonishing; his reputation in the martial world has been soaring these years, yet throughout history, martial arts masters of good or evil have never been beasts capable of killing their masters and parents; first, the inner‑energy heart‑demon barrier would stop them.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd whispered softly: "Excellent, excellent—Qiao Feng has sent such a formidable fellow to go undercover; later there will surely be a good show to watch."

In an instant, hundreds of eyes fixed on Feng Yi's face—some showed doubt, others anger or sneers; hundreds rested their hands on sword hilts, and the hall filled with the smell of gunpowder, as if a spark could set it off.

Kuai Dao Qi Liu coldly said: "You loudly praise that demon hated by ten thousand people—this is unheard of. Are you intending to help a tyrant, to aid evil? How could anyone believe you?"

Feng Yi laughed: "Who told you I need to make anyone convinced? As long as I'm comfortable, that's fine."

"Comfortable?" Everyone was taken aback.

Feng Yi asked: "May I ask, is it more comfortable to be alive or to be dead?"

Qi Liu replied: "That goes without saying—of course being alive is more comfortable."

Feng Yi coldly laughed: "Then when Qiao Feng arrives, none of us will keep our lives—will that be comfortable?"

They burst into loud laughter, tinged with mockery. They all knew that even if Qiao Feng had three heads and six arms, a siege by the heroes would still overwhelm him; Feng Yi is just greedy for life and afraid of death.

Feng Yi heard their mockery, his expression unchanged, he lifted a cup of wine and sipped it slowly.

Everyone saw his lowered sleeve hanging straight as a blade, clearly his heart was undisturbed, showing his formidable composure.

Everyone could not help but secretly marvel, thinking that this young man of little fame and an unremarkable badge truly possessed supreme skill.

After they finished laughing, Feng Yi coldly said: "What are you laughing at? Do you think you can kill Qiao Feng?"

"Shameless!" Xu Chongxiao's face darkened and he shouted sternly: "Just because Qiao Feng's martial arts are high, should we stand by and let him act wantonly?"

"Well said!" Feng Yi laughed: "Then when Qiao Feng comes, we'll wait and see—let Elder Xu display his might and take him down!"

Xu Chongxiao stared, not knowing how to answer; despite his formidable martial arts, he dared not boast about capturing Qiao Feng.

In the midst of his contemplation, Feng Yi coldly said: "I see now—Elder Xu's ability amounts to nothing more than being a turtle that pulls its head in."

Alright, I estimate that when Qiao Feng arrives, out of old affection he'll let you off—what do you have to fear?

Those who die will be nothing but the heroes outside the Beggars' Gang who sincerely exert themselves—truly pitiful, lamentable, and sad!" Upon saying this, the heroes all recalled Qiao Feng's past benevolence and wore doubtful expressions.

Just then, someone shouted loudly: "I suspect this is Qiao Feng's plot—he deliberately let the rumor out so he could pull a golden cicada shedding its shell."

This person was Xiang Dong's Wang Hai, nicknamed 'Ba Ye Xiang'. He was wealthy, his martial arts were formidable, and he was no treacherous villain.

Elder Wu slammed his hand hard on the table and cursed: "Lose your mother's stinking shell! Qiao Feng is what sort of person—his words never fail to count!"

Wang Hai, having been scolded till his face flushed red, angrily replied: "You want to stand up for Qiao Feng, don't you? I, Xiang, am the first to refuse to accept this—come on, let's have a match."

Elder Wu, hearing the news that Qiao Feng had killed his parents, murdered his master, and caused a ruckus at the Shaolin Temple, felt extreme resentment; although Feng Yi had been rude earlier, he had praised Qiao Feng greatly, and Wu's pent‑up resentment and anger had nowhere to go—then Wang Hai, cluelessly, came to challenge him, which was exactly what he wanted.

He swayed his body, leapt into the courtyard before the hall, and shouted loudly: "Is Qiao Feng a Khitan dog or a proper Han? It's not yet clear. If he truly is a Khitan barbarian, I, Wu, will be the first to fight him. To kill Qiao Feng, even counting to the thousandth, it won't be your turn, you stinking turtle bastard."

What are you, babbling on here? Strip off your grandmother's stinking cicada shell! Come over, I'll teach you a lesson.

Wang Hai's face had already turned ashen; with a swish he drew his single blade from its sheath, and upon seeing the blade's edge he instantly recalled the note 'Qiao Feng pays homage', and couldn't help but stare.

You Ji advised: "Both of you are honored guests of mine; for my sake, do not lose harmony."

Elder Xu also said: "Wu brother, don't act rashly; you must uphold the gang's reputation."

=9+_book ba

Suddenly someone in the crowd whispered: "The Beggars' Gang has produced a figure like Qiao Feng—his reputation is indeed splendid; we really ought to cherish it properly."

This person was the one who had earlier mocked Feng Yi, but he was squeezed in the crowd, uttering only a sentence or two before falling silent, so no one knew exactly who he was.

Moreover, what he had just said about Feng Yi resonated with everyone—it was practically boosting others' morale while crushing their own prestige, so the heroes paid no heed; now he went on to mock the Beggars' Gang.

Upon hearing this, the Beggars' Gang heroes all shouted angrily: "Who's speaking?!"

"If you've got guts, come out—hiding in the crowd and acting like a shrimp, what kind of hero is that?!"

"Which bastard son of a turtle is this?!"

Although the Beggars' Gang is the foremost clan in the martial world, its members are all beggars, ultimately not refined gentlemen; some shout and call out, others even curse the ancestors of others eighteen generations back.

Suddenly Feng Yi shook out his robes, rose to his feet, and walked off in a certain direction.

He was tall and long‑legged, his strides wide; though he walked forward as usual, a fierce aura swept over, making people instinctively feel they should avoid his sharpness, and the crowd instantly parted.

Feng Yi stopped before a man in blue robes and said lightly: "You love stirring trouble so much—keep at it!"

The heroes did not recognize who this person was.

Master Tan suddenly shouted: "Ah, he is Tan Qing of the Soul-Chasing Staff. Indeed, he is a disciple of 'Evil Fully Replete'."

The beggar gang's heroes, upon hearing he was the chief of the Four Evils, disciple of 'Evil Fully Replete', flew into a rage, shouting curses in unison, yet in their hearts they all felt terrified.

It turned out that on that day, the Western Xia General Helian Tieshu and the masters of the First Rank Hall had all been poisoned by my Mourning Pure Wind toxin and were all captured by the beggar gang; soon after, Evil Fully Replete Duan Yanqing arrived, and none of the beggar gang's heroes could match him.

Duan Yanqing used a strange-smelling antidote to neutralize the poison affecting the First Rank Hall's masters; they all turned on him and attacked, but the beggar gang instead suffered a great loss.

The beggars felt both anger and fear toward Duan Yanqing, all thinking that without Qiao Feng in the beggar gang, any future encounter with the world's number one villain would still be impossible to resist.

Tan Qing, upon being recognized, was startled; seeing Feng Yi's gaze, sharp as an arrow, fixed on him, he then steeled himself, puffed out his chest, and said: "Not bad! All this was done by me; what do you want to do about it?"

Feng Yi stared at him, enunciating each word: "You will pay the price!"

Tan Qing burst into wild laughter: "You're the one who will pay the price!" Saying that, he drew a short iron rod from his clothes, about to strike.

Feng Yi casually flicked his hand, seizing his Soul-Chasing Staff, then with his left hand gripped Tan Qing's shoulder and sneered: "Your ventriloquism is passable; how do you want to die?"

Feng Yi infused his five fingers with power, comparable to a treasure blade, and with a casual move he snatched Tan Qing's weapon.

Tan Qing had never seen such a formidable martial artist; in pain and fear, his whole body trembled, he was panic-stricken, his heart seemed to die, and from him came a voice saying: "What are you saying? I—I—I don't understand..."

Feng Yi smiled narrowly and said: "I'll make you understand." He lifted the hand holding the other's shoulder and lightly patted the other's face.

Tan Qing saw Feng Yi's sharp eyes like lightning, seemingly piercing straight into his heart; his heart jumped, his blood seemed to freeze in that instant, then surge upward.

Startled, Tan Qing opened his mouth to call out, but suddenly his body went limp and he collapsed to the ground; his abdomen tightened and loosened, as if a strand of strange qi burst into his chest and abdomen, a large mouthful of blood spurted out like an arrow, rolling on the ground, obviously unable to bear the pain.

Feng Yi, however, went straight to the table, picked up an unused cup, lifted the wine jug, and began pouring.

Onlookers saw Tan Qing's eyes suddenly widen, blood spurt from his mouth, he went limp and fell to the ground; they all gasped and were greatly shocked.

Only a few people in the hall knew that Tan Qing's speech without moving his lips was ventriloquism combined with superior internal energy, capable of bewildering the opponent's mind and causing loss of soul and death.

But if he faced an opponent with deeper inner power, the technique would fail and instead harm him.

But Feng Yi had not spoken loudly just now; using sound to counter, how did he reduce him to this state? Not understanding, it seemed as if he were seeing the opponent as such.

Tan Qing also didn't understand how Feng Yi could have found him. He never imagined that, under the prolonged nurturing of the Divine Illumination Skill, Feng Yi's perception far surpassed ordinary people; hearing his earlier words, Feng Yi was merely testing whether he could locate someone.

Tan Qing never imagined that this glance of Feng Yi contained a great secret of his martial arts.

Feng Yi had diligently trained for two years, not only practicing under the waterfall; when his body grew tired and he rested, he still pondered other matters.

For example, combining the Soul-Moving Great Law from the Nine Yin True Classic with the life-saving method from the Divine Illumination Classic, to create a technique that, without moving a hand, relies solely on mental power to stir the opponent's heartbeat and kill.

But this was only a modest gain; in the deep valley, there was no one to verify it. This person happened to be a perfect target.

Had it not been for the need to verify his martial art, when Tan Qing spoke just now, Feng Yi would only have needed to seize his voice and give a sharp shout to shake him to death.

What Qiao Feng could do, he could also do.

Even what Qiao Feng could not do, he could still do; that is why Feng Yi dared to speak freely at the Heroes' Assembly.

No fame, but with strength, it's just a matter of using whom to establish prestige and gain renown.

Divine Doctor Xue looked at Tan Qing and snapped: "You're a disciple of 'Evil Fully Replete'? My Heroes' Feast invites heroes of the world; how could such a shameless scoundrel sneak in?"

Suddenly, a voice from the distant wall called out: "What Heroes' Feast? I see it as a Dog Bear Gathering!"

A figure drifted down from the high wall; when he began speaking, he was still far away, but by the time he uttered the final "hui" character, he had arrived at the sound.

The newcomer was extraordinarily tall yet moved with extreme speed; many recognized him as Yun Zhonghe, the Utterly Wicked and Evil among the Four Evils.

Yun Zhonghe drifted down into the courtyard, swayed slightly, then rushed into the hall, seized Tan Qing, and hurried toward Divine Doctor Xue.

Everyone in the hall feared he would harm Divine Doctor Xue, and immediately seven or eight people rushed forward to protect her.

Little did they know, Yun Zhonghe had already planned it, employing the tactic of advancing to retreat, feinting east to strike west; seeing the crowd rush forward, he had already slipped back and climbed onto the high wall.

Though there were indeed many skilled fighters at the Heroes' Assembly, truly capable of defeating Yun Zhonghe numbered not seventy or eighty, but fifty or sixty; yet having seized the initiative, none were prepared.

Moreover, his lightness skill was superb; once he was on the wall, no one could catch him. Many heroes reached into their pockets to draw hidden weapons, but by then it was already too late.

Feng Yi watched Yun Zhonghe, the wine down his throat, a cold snort from his nostrils; he shook his right arm violently, hurling the Soul-Chasing Staff he had taken from Tan Qing, accompanied by a gust of wind like extreme thunder and lightning, flying toward Yun Zhonghe.

Yun Zhonghe heard the gust of wind, let out a loud shout, raised his right hand with the steel claw to block, and the iron rod struck the steel claw heavily.

With a loud "clang," Yun Zhonghe felt as if shocked by electricity; his arms felt like thousands of tiny needles pricking him, half his body went numb, his cheeks flushed red as blood, his weapon flew from his hand, he was greatly alarmed, and Tan Qing also fell from his grasp.

Then came a muffled "thud" mixed with the sound of breaking bones; the Soul-Chasing Staff pierced straight into Yun Zhonghe's right chest without hesitation, carrying his body outward and pinning him to the wall of the Manor of Gathered Worthies.

Yun Zhonghe's fresh blood spurted out, and he kept screaming in agony.

Tan Qing lay face up, motionless; obviously he had breathed his last.

Everyone stopped what they were doing, utterly stunned.

Feng Yi intended to establish his authority; otherwise his words would lack force, and Yun Zhonghe, this flower-picking thief, was the perfect target.

He trained beneath the waterfall; as he swung the staff, its force was relentless—even the iron staff itself buzzed and trembled slightly, and even the high wall seemed as if it might be toppled by Feng Yi's staff.

In an instant, aside from the Crane in the Clouds' shrill cries, all fell silent— not even a bird chirped.

Even though everyone knew Feng Yi's martial arts were certainly not low, they never expected him to be this strong— after all, this is the renowned Crane in the Clouds!

In other words, the fifty or sixty people present who could defeat the Crane in the Clouds certainly did not have such ability.

Feng Yi said expressionlessly: "Gentlemen, who wishes to make a profit from this lecher's head? No need to worry about my face."

Seeing the Crane in the Clouds gravely wounded, none of the heroes wanted to trouble him.

Feng Yi sneered: "This flower‑picking lecher calls us the 'Clumsy Bear Society'; should we still talk righteousness with him? I reckon even Qiao Feng would be far stronger than him."

Everyone then turned their gazes toward the Divine Doctor Xue.

Yet the Divine Doctor Xue stared at Feng Yi, his expression utterly bewildered.

It turned out his medical skill was superb, but his martial arts were not top‑tier. In medicine he possessed extraordinary talent, almost able to master it without study.

He had loved martial arts since childhood, and his master was a remarkable figure of profound martial learning; yet in a certain year, the Divine Doctor Xue and his seven senior brothers were simultaneously expelled from the master's door.

Unwilling to take another master, he devised his own method: exchanging medical treatment for martial arts, learning a move here, a form there— his martial knowledge was so broad as to be extremely rare in the jianghu.

But the flaw lay in that very 'broadness': greedily taking on too much left him unable to truly master any single art.

His medical skill, famed as divine, earned him respect wherever he went. When he asked others for martial arts advice, they usually gave empty praise to curry favor, often exaggerating; no one took him seriously. He could not help feeling smug, convinced that eight or nine out of ten martial arts in the world were already in his chest.

At this moment, seeing Feng Yi's move, it was almost supernatural— something he never dreamed of in his life; his face turned ashen and his heart pounded uncontrollably.

Seeing Feng Yi calm and composed, hands tucked in his sleeves, as if slaying a cloud crane were a trifle, he said, "Brother Feng, who is your master, this exalted one?" After Xuan Ji, he again asked Feng Yi.

"My master's surname is Jin." Feng Yi's eyes suddenly shifted, and he smiled faintly: "The main character of the big show has finally arrived—those listening are annoyed!"

With a sudden flick of his sleeve, he struck out with a Splitting the Air Palm.

With a thud, the cloud crane's tragic cry came to an abrupt halt.

Everyone immediately understood; experts Xuan Nan and Xuan Ji listened intently, and indeed a faint wheel sound approached from afar, which they silently estimated to be half a li away.

Yet Feng Yi, without changing expression, had already sensed the presence; his internal energy was all the more profound.

(End of chapter)