Chapter 168: with translation of chapter title

In the midst of utter silence, everyone understood the meaning of Feng Yi's words; Qiao Feng had arrived.

The heroes suddenly stirred, their eyes turning toward the gate.

No matter how they thought, they could not fathom that, with so many heroes gathered here, even if Qiao Feng's martial arts were superb, if they all rushed him he could kill a few but would inevitably end up hacked to pieces by the mob.

Yet this person's reputation was so immense that having Ba Qianling and others relay words showed he was fearless, making it impossible to guess what treacherous scheme he might have.

Feng Yi directly brought over a chair and sat by the side pillar at the hall's entrance.

From here his line of sight allowed him to see the gate area clearly and also gave a feeling of sudden openness.

Just as if responding to Feng Yi's actions, a steward hurried in, walked to You Ji's side, and whispered in his ear: "Sir, Qiao Feng pays his respects to the manor."

You Ji looked at his brother You Ju, then at the Divine Doctor Xue.

Divine Doctor Xue nodded to the You brothers, glanced at the monks Xuannan and Xuanzhi as well as Feng Yi, and said: "Please come in!"

The steward turned and walked out.

In the stillness, only the clip-clop of hooves and the rumble of wheels rolling on the stone slabs could be heard,

From Feng Yi's angle, he saw the distant gate tower as if holding up half a red sun; the open ground was cold and deserted, no dust rising, a mule cart came slowly into view.

On the driver's seat sat a sturdy man in a gray cloth robe, whip in hand, about thirty years old, with a huge frame, a square face, a very broad forehead, a bold and imposing presence, his skin yellowish with a reddish tint, reddish with black, like flying-sword eyebrows pressing over a pair of extraordinarily spirited eyes.

Feng Yi's heart jolted: "This figure of wind and cloud in the Tianlong world is truly extraordinary; no wonder Duan Yu, upon seeing him, would feel inspired to sing heroic lament. How am I to get A Zhu's Yijin Jing over here?"

In Feng Yi's view, since A Zhu could steal from the Shaolin Temple, he could certainly manage the other side; there was nothing to say about it.

Moreover, what A Zhu stole was one book and two classics, containing the original Sanskrit Yijin Jing and also hiding a Divine Foot Classic, which is of great value.

But A Zhu is now in the midst of this gathering of heroes; openly there are Qiao Feng and others, while secretly there are Xiao Yuanshan and the Shaolin masters tailing Qiao Feng, making it difficult to spirit it away without anyone noticing.

As he pondered, the mule cart drove to the gate but did not stop, going straight through the gate and inside.

Such brazen audacity made the You brothers frown deeply.

With two "ge-ge" sounds, the cart's wheels rolled over the threshold, the curtain lowered, and no one knew what was hidden inside the cart.

The heroes all gazed at the cart driver in unison.

He was broad-faced and tall-bodied, with a wide chest and thick arms, his brows and eyes exuding authority without anger—indeed he was the former chief of the Beggars' Sect, Qiao Feng.

Qiao Feng set the whip on the seat, leapt down, and with a slight sweep of his tiger eyes saw many martial arts masters, over half of whom he knew, all possessed of extraordinary skills.

But when he caught sight of the corpses of Yun Zhonghe and Tan Qing, his eyes suddenly flashed with sharp light, wondering who could possess such ability.

He was a master of martial arts; at a glance he saw that Yun Zhonghe had been pierced through the chest by a staff while flying and nailed to the wall. The attacker's inner strength was tremendous, his strike precise—such people are exceedingly rare in the present age.

Qiao Feng's two icy, lightning-like glances swept over the faces of Tan Gong, Tan Po, Zhao Qian Sun and the other masters, thinking: "It wasn't them."

Being looked at by him made everyone feel as if swords and blades were at their bodies, a lifelong chill.

You Ju waved his left hand, and his four disciples discreetly checked the manor's front and rear for any irregularities.

Qiao Feng paid no heed, turning his gaze to pause on Xuanzhi and Xuannan, thinking: "Though these two have deep inner power, they are virtuous high monks and would not kill outright!"

Thinking thus, he turned his gaze toward Feng Yi, who sat by the courtyard pillar.

Feng Yi remained seated, unmoving, his eyes locked on Qiao Feng without blinking.

Seeing him step down from the cart, his stature appeared even more heroic and imposing, yet his demeanor was relaxed and self-satisfied—truly a natural aura.

Qiao Feng also held his gaze on Feng Yi.

He saw that Feng Yi was slender, with a narrow waist and long legs, yet gave no impression of weakness; his eyes shone like morning stars, and his chest and abdomen were held ramrod straight.

Perhaps because his hand rested on the chair, his chest and back muscles bulged, making his whole person seem to harbor a power ready to burst forth at any moment, and his white-with-yellow robe bore not a single wrinkle,

Qiao Feng suddenly felt a sense of threat.

Actually, his coming to Zhu Xian Manor was, first, because he deeply valued Murong Fu, extending affection to his household and even favoring his maidservant; thinking that A Zhu had suffered this grave injury entirely because of him, he felt duty-bound to cure her at all costs.

Second, it arose from righteous indignation; since entering the jianghu, Qiao Feng had only ever been respected by friends and feared by foes.

But when heaven and earth suddenly stirred up turmoil, the once-renowned, utterly sincere and righteous chief was regarded as a traitorous, shameless, faithless villain; with the murder of his parents and teachers, he became a scoundrel denounced by all, this contempt and scorn even extending to Ba Qianling, who had dealings with him, let alone others.

In his utter despair, he thought: having suffered this unfathomable wrong, why bother seeking vindication? Henceforth he would hide his name and identity; after more than ten years, letting the jianghu's friends forget that a person like him ever existed would suffice.

However, seeing Qiao Feng's ashen face and grim expression, A Zhu felt worried, fearing he had suffered internal injury, and asked him: "Are you injured?"

This remark instantly stirred Qiao Feng's pride; he said those ignorant petty people spreading rumors and slander against him was no trouble, but to actually strike and injure him would not be so easy.

Hardening his resolve, he aroused heroic spirit; knowing Zhu Xian Manor was fraught with danger, he still sought the finest doctor in the world to heal A Zhu.

Yet after Qiao Feng's arrival, this surge of righteous indignation was completely shattered by Feng Yi's immovable, rock-steady demeanor.

Qiao Feng secretly marveled: "Who is this person? This young lord is so outstanding, he rivals my brother Duan Yu in talent—could he be Murong Fu?"

Having once competed with Duan Yu in leg strength and found his internal power inferior, seeing Feng Yi so young and knowing that besides Murong Fu there was no one else in the martial world, he cupped his fists and asked: "Is this person someone you killed?"

Though startled inside, his face showed no change; his voice sounded somewhat arrogant yet also gentle and placid.

"Ha ha..." Feng Yi's feat was instantly seen by Qiao Feng, who felt quite pleased, rose and returned the salute: "Indeed, it is I, the Northern Qiao Feng whose fame shakes the jianghu, truly living up to his reputation!"

"That Yun Zhonghe actually called us a gang of dog-bears; I couldn't stand it, so I gave him a tap—I never expected this wicked evil to be so unable to take a blow; it seems the so-called Four Evils are nothing much."

The crowd thought: "The Four Evils may seem nothing to you, but is Yun Zhonghe's death merely a matter of being unable to take a hit?"

In the heroes' eyes, Feng Yi's finishing blow was something they would disdain to do.

In the original plot, Qiao Feng struck Yun Zhonghe with a palm and wounded him; with so many people present, how could Yun Zhonghe just leave like that?

Feng Yi found it utterly laughable!

That's why he let these people have a go, but they still refused, instead turning to look at Divine Doctor Xue.

Feng Yi had originally wanted to properly discipline Yun Zhonghe, to let him experience what true wicked evil meant, but Qiao Feng arrived.

He then abandoned the idea and sent him on his way with a single palm.

Qiao Feng, however, burst into loud laughter, clapped his hands and said: "What a fellow who can't take a hit! Yun Zhonghe, listed among the Four Evils, is no ordinary person—may I ask your esteemed name?"

Feng Yi smiled and replied: "No need for honorifics; my surname is Feng, given name Yi."

Qiao Feng's expression shifted slightly; he saw that Feng Yi's martial prowess was not ordinary, took him for Murong Fu, and thought that bringing A Zhu for treatment should by reason and emotion not pit them against each other—yet he turned out to be someone Qiao Feng did not know.

Qiao Feng's mind raced, reviewing all such-appearing masters in the martial world, yet he could not guess even a clue about his origin.

Seeing that everyone around were martial arts masters bearing supreme skills, plus this person, I feared I could not cope; at this thought I involuntarily stepped back. Since Qiao Feng entered, the masters all around had taken their positions, even on the roof there were people, surrounding Qiao Feng and A Zhu, lying in wait to strike.

At this moment, seeing Qiao Feng inexplicably retreat a step, his heart also jumped, and he involuntarily stepped back as well.

Qiao Feng and Feng Yi exchanged words as if no one else were present; Divine Doctor Xue, half ashamed and half angry, flashed his body, blocking the gaze between Feng Yi and Qiao Feng, and said lightly, "Qiao Feng, what do you intend?"

As the host of the gathering, he could not believe that Qiao Feng arrived and yet did not speak to him—utterly outrageous!

Qiao Feng's gaze had originally been fixed on Feng Yi; hearing this, his heart gave a slight start, and he thought: 'I came here to save someone, not to make friends; I will hand A Zhu over to Divine Doctor Xue, regardless of his background.'

Having thought this, I clasped my hands before Divine Doctor Xue and said, 'I, Qiao, have heard that Divine Doctor Xue and the You brothers have invited the martial arts heroes to set up a grand hero banquet.'

Qiao Feng despised the heroes of the Central Plains and originally would not dare to come brazenly, but having an urgent matter to seek Divine Doctor Xue, he came rashly and hopes for forgiveness; saying this, he made a deep bow, his demeanor very respectful.

Divine Doctor Xue returned the salute with clasped hands and said, "Qiao Brother, what business do you have that I may attend to?"

Qiao Feng's respectful attitude made him feel honored.

That's how people of the jianghu are.

Qiao Feng lifted the curtain of the mule cart, reached out and helped a young woman out, saying, 'It's only because I acted rashly, causing this young girl to be struck by someone's fist and suffer serious injury. In today's world, aside from Divine Doctor Xue, no one else can cure her; therefore I dare not hesitate and have come to beg Divine Doctor Xue to save her life.'

Apart from Feng Yi, everyone present was greatly startled.

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Seeing Qiao Feng driving a mule cart, the heroes speculated what odd thing it might contain—some guessed poison or explosives, some guessed venomous snakes or ferocious beasts, and others even guessed that it was Divine Doctor Xue's parents, wife, and children, captured by Qiao Feng to serve as hostages.

Yet no one expected that Qiao Feng would come alone to the gathering for the sake of a woman; at once everyone's hearts were shaken, filled with doubt, and they stared closely at the woman.

She wore a pale yellow shirt, her cheekbones high and prominent, truly unsightly. Qiao Feng's reputation in the jianghu was like the sun at its zenith; no one knew what entanglement he had with women, yet now he actually dared to risk great danger for an ugly woman—truly beyond comprehension!

One might say men are easily bewitched by beauty and thus do foolish things, which is normal, but this woman is so ugly—how could Qiao Feng be bewitched by her?

This woman is none other than the maid A Zhu of Murong Fu.

She thought that the Murong clan of Gusu had too many enemies in the jianghu; if Divine Doctor Xue learned of her background, he might refuse to treat her.

Therefore she altered her appearance, but a doctor must take the pulse to examine the injury; disguising herself as a man or an old woman would not work.

Divine Doctor Xue was also stunned for a moment; in his life, people coming from afar to beg him for healing was extremely common, almost daily.

But Qiao Feng, who does all kinds of evil and is hated by gods and men, actually had a woman come to him of her own accord—truly hard to believe.

Divine Doctor Xue naturally knew this had nothing to do with beauty; his medical skill is divine, and he merely sized up A Zhu from head to toe—seeing her slight and frail, Qiao Feng sturdy and rugged, with no resemblance between them, he could conclude they were certainly not related by blood.

As for the claim that this young lady is his sister, Divine Doctor Xue found it even harder to believe, for in his view Qiao Feng had even harmed his parents and master—how could he risk his life for a sister?

Divine Doctor Xue pondered slightly, his brows relaxing, and said, 'Miss, what is your surname, and what connection do you have with him?'

Qiao Feng startled; having known A Zhu for a while, he only knew she was called 'A Zhu', unsure whether her surname was Zhu, so he asked her, 'Are you surnamed Zhu?'

A Zhu smiled and said, 'My surname is Ruan.'

Qiao Feng nodded and said, 'Divine Doctor Xue, she originally bore the surname Ruan; I too only learned this just now.'

Divine Doctor Xue was moved and said, 'If so, then you have no deep acquaintance with this lady?'

Qiao Feng said, 'She is the maid of a friend of mine.'

Divine Doctor Xue said, 'To make you care so much, this friend of yours must be no ordinary person—or else you are as close as flesh and blood.'

Qiao Feng said, 'Don't blame me, Divine Doctor Xue, but I have only met that friend in spirit; we have never seen each other.'

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall exclaimed 'Ah!' and were all moved.

This scene is truly hard to believe—how could Qiao Feng do such a foolish thing?

Many thought he was talking nonsense, surely using this as a pretext to carry out some scheme.

But many also knew that Qiao Feng never lies in his life; although he has committed many vicious and heinous acts, he values his reputation and would hardly openly lie and deceive.

Whether they believed it or not, the heroes were all astonished, but Feng Yi kept his eyes tightly shut, as if everything around him had nothing to do with him.

He knew that Qiao Feng, in a fit of stubbornness, disregarded everything for A Zhu, and for this he had even been rebuked by his own father, feeling frustrated at his lack of competitiveness.

After all, without Xiao Yuanshan's rescue, Qiao Feng would have met his end at the Villa of Gathered Virtues.

At that time, Qiao Feng felt no affection for A Zhu; it was merely a burst of stubbornness.

For this reason, Feng Yi, knowing that Xiao Yuanshan, that old fellow, had been hiding in the shadows, followed Qiao Feng and needed to observe whether he had actually entered.

Divine Doctor Xue had just regained his composure, fixed his gaze on A Zhu, reached out to take her pulse, and felt that her pulse was weak while her internal qi surged—extremely mismatched; after taking the pulse of her left hand, he already understood the reason.

Divine Doctor Xue exhaled and said to Qiao Feng, 'If this young lady had not applied the healing spirit medicine of Tan Gong of Mount Taihang, and if you had not sustained her life with your internal energy, she would have already died under the Great Diamond Fist of Master Xuan Ci.'

He spoke with such certainty, leaving no room for doubt.

Apart from Feng Yi and Qiao Feng, who knew the truth and felt admiration, everyone else felt utterly bewildered.

Tan Gong and Tan Po looked at each other, thinking, 'How could she have applied our healing spirit medicine?'

That day in the Apricot Grove, A Zhu, in front of everyone, imitated the tone and voice of Zhao, Qian, and Sun, speaking wildly nonsense; Tan Po, furious, slapped her.

After Tan Gong treated A Zhu's injury, he gave her his miraculous healing medicine; many had seen it at the time. But after A Zhu changed her appearance, they could no longer recognize her.

Masters Xuan Nan and Xuan Ji were even more puzzled, both thinking, 'When did the abbot elder brother strike this little girl with the Great Diamond Fist?'

If she had truly been struck by the abbot elder brother's Great Diamond Fist, how could she still be alive?

Originally, A Zhu, A Bi, and Wang Yuyan, together with others, went to Shaolin Temple to inquire about Murong Fu's whereabouts; after all, the jianghu rumor held that the death of Shaolin's Master Xuan Bei was at the hands of Murong Fu.

As a result, Shaolin Temple refused them entry on the grounds that it does not receive female guests. A Zhu, clever and skilled in disguise, posed as the Shaolin monk Xu Qing, went to the Bodhi Hall and stole the Yi Jin Jing; while hiding, she happened to be hiding in the same place as Qiao Feng.

Shaolin Temple's abbot Master Xuan Ci, together with Masters Xuan Nan and Xuan Ji, heard the disturbance and engaged in a fierce fight with Qiao Feng.

At that time, Qiao Feng did not know the person who had stolen the scripture, and originally had no intention to save him; but after holding him in his hand, he naturally felt compelled to care for him, and he thrust out the copper mirror in his hand to block Master Xuan Ci's Diamond Fist.

However, the copper mirror in his hand had already been shattered by Master Xuan Nan's palm strike, and he used it to parry Master Xuan Ci's abbot's Diamond Fist from afar; although it did not strike A Zhu, his left hand was holding her at the time, and this extremely fierce force transmitted to her body, causing her to be severely wounded and on the verge of death.

Amitabha!

A short-statured monk said, 'Layman Xue, my abbot elder brother has not left the temple for years, and Shaolin Temple admits no women; this Great Diamond Fist certainly did not come from my elder brother's hand.'

This person was none other than the chief of the Shaolin Temple's Dharma Hall, Master Xuan Nan.

Before the assembled heroes, to claim that this temple's abbot would unleash a Great Diamond Fist on a young lady—is this still the orthodox Shaolin Temple of the martial world?

Feng Yi suddenly opened his eyes, spoke calmly, "All right, Divine Doctor Xue, they've come for treatment—just say whether you can save them or not, willing or not; why bother probing the roots and questioning the bottom line?"

"Are you saying that if it were Abbot Xuanci who struck him, you could save him but choose not to?"

"These words left the crowd half‑understanding, but some sharp listeners caught the meaning: could it be that Divine Doctor Xue also judges people by their status!"

""Master Feng, you're joking." Divine Doctor Xue shook his head and said: "In my view, when this person struck, he encountered some obstruction, and his punch lost seventy or eighty percent of its force, which is why Miss Ruan did not die on the spot.""

""Such formidable punching power could only come from Abbot Xuanci; if it weren't him, this person could probably match Abbot Xuanci.""

"(End of chapter)"