Chapter 178: with translation of chapter title

Qiao Feng's physique is extraordinarily mighty, his bearing heroic; he pushes out both palms, though the momentum is not fast, yet it is the move "Dragon Battle in the Wild!"

The wooden door at the gate was swept by his palm wind, creaking, exactly fulfilling the saying "When the dragon moves, clouds follow; when the tiger moves, wind follows."

That black-clad person seemed compelled by his aura, involuntarily stepping back one step, his bones crackling like fried beans, snap-crackling, as he pushed out both palms flatly.

Qiao Feng knew well that this black-clad person's martial arts were not inferior to his own; as soon as he moved, he used the "Dragon Subduing Twenty-Eight Palms" transmitted by Wang Jian Tong.

This is a profound martial art, neither utterly hard nor utterly soft, incorporating the philosophies of Confucianism and Daoism. But Qiao Feng was born with exceptional talent, heaven-sent in martial arts; his Dragon Subduing Twenty-Eight Palms destroy the rotten and break the solid, nothing can withstand it, surpassing even Chief Wang of the Beggars' Gang.

In his left and right palms, the force he used was four parts outward, six parts inward, retaining most of the power unreleased.

The essence of the Dragon Subduing Palm is that the remaining force is inexhaustible; even so, this force is as heavy as mountains, extraordinarily rigid and fierce.

The black-clad person also did not dare to be negligent, giving a hey as he exhaled; in an instant, with a soft "peng" sound,

Their four palms met; Qiao Feng remained unmoving, while the black-clad person seemed like a long banner snatched diagonally by a gale, snapping back to land on the opposite street's rooftop, laughing loudly: "This Dragon Subduing Twenty-Eight Palms is indeed incredibly sharp!"

Qiao Feng sneered: "Old thief, your Shaolin sect palm technique is nothing special! Today, life or death, I will not cease!" He sprang up and gave chase.

As it turned out, this black-clad person had no intention of exchanging moves with Qiao Feng; instead, he borrowed the force of Qiao Feng's palm to escape, all the while mocking loudly.

This "Dragon Subduing Twenty-Eight Palms" was taught by my benefactor Wang Jian Tong; how could Qiao Feng allow himself to be humiliated?

Indeed, new grudges and old hatreds turned into raging flames, scorching his body.

Although Qiao Feng had decided to retire from the jianghu, that was based on not knowing the enemy's whereabouts; now the enemy stands before him, what could he say about retiring from the jianghu? That would not be him!

As Qiao Feng moved, the black-clad person swayed, gliding several zhang, floating down from the rooftop, still laughing: "You wretched lowlife brat, still want to chase me? Dream on!"

Qiao Feng secretly marveled: "This person is truly formidable, indeed one of the top experts in the martial world; if not someone of this caliber, he could not have killed my master." Standing on the rooftop, he glanced at A Zhu and said, "Wait for me!" then rushed off.

He summoned fierce strength; although he knew the opponent's inner power was deep and his martial arts formidable, hearing his voice, he was older, not in his prime like Qiao Feng; he had to catch and kill this man.

Qiao Feng's lightness skill originated from Shaolin, refined by Chief Wang of the Beggars' Gang, purely yang and rigid; a single large step spans about a zhang, his body leaping into the air, he clasped his fists toward Feng Yi, then took another large step, his speed extraordinary, like a shooting star across the sky, already landing from the rooftop.

Feng Yi and A Zhu watched the two figures disappear, each lost in thought.

Feng Yi thought: Xiao Yuanshan's martial arts were hard-won; he used to be a real mighty hero!

Yet the hard-earned half-lifetime reputation he had was ruined by his killing of Qiao Sanhuai and his wife, as well as Master Xuanku.

One could also say that Qiao Feng's death in the original story also owed to his doing.

It was he who made Qiao Feng's former heroic vows to avenge his parents and master come to nothing, leaving him no face to meet the Central Plains martial world.

Yelü Hongji also forbade him from setting foot on Liao territory, leaving the heroic Qiao Feng with nowhere to go in the vast world.

His beloved was killed by his own hand, his parents and master harmed by his biological father, unable to avenge; wanting to seek Murong Bo to avenge his mother, he was also stopped by the Sweeping Monk.

Such a messed-up life, for a heroic figure like Qiao Feng, seems meaningless even to live.

A Zhu, meanwhile, thought that this person loudly cursed Qiao Feng, belittled the Dragon Subduing Twenty-Eight Palms, obviously trying to rekindle Qiao Feng's ambition to return to the jianghu, but how could she guarantee Qiao Feng would come to no harm?

"Sigh..."

Feng Yi let out a long sigh, withdrew his gaze, and said: "This person is basically crazy; not letting Qiao Feng feel hatred, he's sworn to never cease!"

"Stir up hatred?" A Zhu stared at Feng Yi, pondering slightly, seeing his sorrowful sigh, she asked: "Brother Feng, why can't you just lend a hand to help Big Brother Qiao?"

"Help?" Feng Yi glanced at A Zhu: "How to help?"

A Zhu wore a worried frown, her delicate brows knitted, she said: "This person has been tailing us, yet even with Big Brother Qiao's superb martial arts, he hasn't noticed."

"Obviously he's framing Big Brother Qiao as the true murderer of his parents and master; if Qiao Feng kills him, everything will be over!"

"You ought to step in and intercept him!"

"Kill him?" Feng Yi laughed: "Over? You're thinking too simply."

Feng Yi knew well that Xiao Yuanshan and Qiao Feng looked identical; once he helped Qiao Feng, if Xiao Yuanshan were at a disadvantage, he only needed to pull down his veil to instantly defuse the situation.

Because at a glance anyone can see they are father and son.

Qiao Feng would certainly not strike again,

If he were to act, Qiao Feng would still help his father, making it pointless; Feng Yi would never do such a thing.

A Zhu suddenly fixed her gaze on Feng Yi, word by word: "Brother Feng, I ask you, is the chief leader Abbot Xuanci?"

Feng Yi raised his brows: "Why do you ask that?"

A Zhu said: "The Yanmen Gate bloodbath was nominally about Khitan warriors seizing the Shaolin martial arts manuals; how could Shaolin have no participants? Compared to Duan Zhengchun, he is more capable of making the Beggars' Gang chief submit, and you just used Shaolin as a comparison, speaking of danger and warning us, so I faintly sensed something."

Feng Yi chuckled, his body like floating fluff, he leapt down from the second floor, landed silently, poured a bowl of wine, and said: "Indeed, love makes people blind. Without talking about love, one becomes shrewd; but why didn't you tell Brother Qiao?"

A Zhu sighed: "Abbot Xuanci fits the status of the chief leader; how could Big Brother Qiao not have guessed? But his teaching master was a senior Shaolin monk who died in the Shaolin temple; he values love and righteousness, so I dare not recklessly speculate on this."

Feng Yi smiled: "Since you've gotten this far, let's go take a look together to see if we can confirm your guess."

Saying this, he took A Zhu's hand, floated out the shop door, leapt onto the roof, and pursued in the direction Qiao Feng and the black-clad person had gone.

A Zhu couldn't help but ask: "Can we still catch up?"

Feng Yi laughed: "Brother Qiao won't fight in the city; he must have left the city; knowing the rough direction is enough!"

Feng Yi pulled her as they ran across the rooftops toward the outskirts, like chasing stars and the moon, swifter than a galloping horse; in no time they were out of the city.

After running several li, along the way they saw some trees broken and soil overturned, resembling the traces of a hurricane's sweep.

A Zhu felt shocked; this must be from palm force. In the distance they saw a grove; upon entering the woods, many trees had been toppled; A Zhu worried for Qiao Feng, while Feng Yi suddenly halted.

Feng Yi looked back, tapped lightly on a branch, and slipped into a large tree, hiding among its forks.

Just as A Zhu was about to ask, Feng Yi shushed her, signaling her to stay quiet.

A Zhu scanned the leaves and branches; after a moment, she saw two figures hurrying from the direction they had come, flying over.

A Zhu saw their wide sleeves fluttering, their movements very agile; Feng Yi saw clearly that both were no longer young, each wearing a gray robe and a gray cloth cap, their techniques swift, like flying arrows, they shot through the woods in an instant.

Seeing their skill, A Zhu was doubtful and asked: "Who are they?"

Feng Yi said gloomily: "I don't know!"

A Zhu gave him a white-eyed look: "Who are you fooling?"

Feng Yi said: "Just fooling you!"

A Zhu was momentarily choked with anger, about to speak.

Feng Yi let out another sigh, then suddenly saw a shadow flicker; he saw the two gray-clothed men again side by side turning back, but this time they simply walked back.

A somewhat young man with half-gray eyebrows said, "I don't know where Feng Yi and that woman have gone," looking worried.

Then he heard an elderly voice grunt, clearly distracted.

That person then said, "If it weren't for Feng Yi and that woman delaying their appearance, we wouldn't have lost them. Senior brother, that black-clothed man just exchanged a palm with Qiao Feng…"

"Not bad, it's our sect's Prajna Palm!"

The younger one added, "Senior brother, I'm just wondering why we didn't simply kill Qiao Feng that day. Why go through all this trouble, letting Qiao Feng gain fame and even lose our temple's scriptures?"

"Junior brother, you don't know!" the elder sighed, "This is no trivial matter; whether the couple Qiao Sanhuai and Junior Brother Xuanku were actually harmed by Qiao Feng, the abbot harbors doubts."

That's why we're following to investigate his actions; if we had simply killed Qiao Feng in the temple, he'd fear falling into the enemy's 'borrowed knife' scheme, and the abbot's grievance from that deceitful person back then is no minor matter.

"Senior brother, could that black-clothed man be secretly colluding with Qiao Feng?"

Hearing this, Feng Yi thought, "This is truly the Shaolin Temple."

After all, when Qiao Feng took Ah Zhu away from the Shaolin Temple, Xuanci, Xuanzhi, and Xuannan were standing by; a mere greeting would have been enough, for even with Qiao Feng's great abilities, he could not have escaped with Ah Zhu.

Ah Zhu, however, knew the Prajna Palm was Shaolin's supreme skill; their speech carried a northern accent, and thinking that this leading elder was the one who brought ruin to Qiao Feng's family, the meaning of their words still made them suspect Qiao Feng and that black-clothed man were in league. Unable to contain herself, she rose and shouted, "Grand Shaolin…"

Before she finished, both struck out with their palms simultaneously, a 'thud' hitting the tree trunk.

With a creak, the branch beneath Ah Zhu's feet snapped, sending her crashing down; just as she was about to hit the ground, a strong force pulled from above, making her tumble in a somersault and soften her fall. Ah Zhu's light kung fu had a solid foundation, so she landed steadily and immediately asked, "Are you two Shaolin eminent monks?"

The two exchanged a glance, then again fixed their gaze on Ah Zhu and Feng Yi, who had landed alongside her.

The two removed their hats; the younger one's eyes were like narrow slits, flashing with light, while the other bore a solemn, dignified appearance, clasped his hands together and said, "Layman, your tactics are superb, your perception keen."

Feng Yi clasped his fists and said, "Greetings, two masters!" He seized Ah Zhu and turned to leave.

Suddenly he heard the elderly monk shout, "Hold it!"

The younger monk reached out to grab Feng Yi's back, his hand covering five vital points, swift and powerful.

Feng Yi felt a sudden gust of wind behind him, kicked back with his heel, but unexpectedly another strong force struck midway, causing his calf to sink.

Feng Yi secretly applauded, swept his left hand out with a 'pop', palm and foot meeting simultaneously.

Feng Yi grabbed Ah Zhu and shot through the air, flying several zhang, flipping once, the two landing lightly atop a large tree, feet on the branches, swaying up and down. The two monks' faces flushed, each retreating three steps; this exchange was as quick as a rabbit's start and a falcon's drop, separating instantly, yet the superiority was clear— the two monks ultimately fell short by a margin.

"Hero Feng, what splendid martial arts!"

I am Xuanci of Shaolin.

"Xuanshi of Shaolin."

Ah Zhu only felt a gust of wind sweep past her, causing intense pain; she thought, "These two's martial arts are truly formidable— even my young master might not match them. Shaolin Temple truly is the foremost martial arts school under heaven!"

Suddenly Feng Yi gave a light chuckle and said, "You two eminent monks, is following me all the way not enough— do you intend to detain me?"

Xuangou smiled faintly and sighed, "Before a true person, I speak no falsehood; matters have come to this, layman, you too should understand."

Qiao Feng came from our temple; he once caused a great disturbance there, we failed to capture him, allowing him to escape; I and Junior Brother Xuanshi were ordered by the abbot, our senior brother, to secretly track him.

Hero Feng, at Zhu Xian Manor, you prevented Qiao Feng from turning against the heroes of the world, averting a bloodbath; we two deeply admire you.

Only because the abbot, our senior brother, gave strict orders that we must investigate Qiao Feng's deeds and whereabouts, and must not engage him in combat, therefore we dare not reveal ourselves; please do not take offense.

Feng Yi laughed, "Well said, well said— Shaolin Temple truly has masters like clouds, its reputation well deserved. Hero Qiao's movements are all under your surveillance."

=9+_book eh

Ah Zhu, hearing this, felt both shame and anger, her body burning; she spat and shouted, "How can eminent Shaolin monks commit such voyeurism— it makes people's teeth go cold!"

Xuanshi couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

Xuangou shook his head, smiling, "Lady benefactor, no need to be angry— Qiao Feng and Hero Feng are both top-notch masters of the age, so perceptive that we dare not get close; we merely followed from afar."

What this means is that we don't know what sweet nothings you two are whispering; there's no need to mind it.

Ah Zhu's anger subsided a bit, after all, nobody likes having their privacy invaded by eavesdroppers.

Then Xuanshi said, "Junior monk has a matter I wish to ask Hero Feng about."

Feng Yi asked, "What is it?"

Xuanshi asked, "Do you know the identity of that black-clothed person?"

Feng Yi shook his head and said, "Green hills remain unchanged; we'll meet again." He twisted his body, leapt up, and in an instant he and Ah Zhu vanished without a trace.

The two Shaolin monks stared agape, even more puzzled, not knowing why Feng Yi suddenly left, but at this moment it was also inappropriate to pursue.

Qiao Feng is a Shaolin disciple, suspected of killing his parents and master; under the monastic rules, tracking him is already a past matter, but since we've taken his likeness and now follow Feng Yi, we are essentially forming a grudge.

Such masters, even Shaolin Temple would not provoke them willingly.

Seeing the two Shaolin monks, Ah Zhu felt a spark of hope; having been seized by Feng Yi, she was most unwilling and said, "Hero Feng, let me ask them about the person who falsely transmitted a message to Abbot Xuanci; I, a lowly woman, will never forget it."

Feng Yi said, "I brought you here because you guessed correctly about the Shaolin abbot, and also to make you understand that Qiao Feng has long been ensnared in the scheme; if you wish to fare well, just heed my assumed name!"

If you insist on asking that informant, wait until Qiao Feng returns, then you yourselves go find Xuanci.

Ah Zhu heard this and fell silent, pondering Feng Yi's words; her mood rose and fell with his soaring form— sometimes hurried, sometimes slow, sometimes high, sometimes low.

Feng Yi and Ah Zhu returned to the inn; he went straight to his room, lay down and slept. Upon waking, the sky was already dark.

His stomach was empty, feeling uneasy; mealtime at the inn had passed, so he immediately summoned a servant to light the fire and cook, and while the food was not yet ready, he opened from his bosom the Classic of Muscle-Tendon Changing and began to read.

Seeing the Shaolin monks, Feng Yi inevitably felt a bit guilty, like a thief, so he didn't want to say more.

He then thought, since the Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic cannot be translated, could he wet it with water to first bring out the hidden Divine Foot Classic inside?

But after looking it over, he thought, if this thing gets wet, the Divine Foot Classic will appear, but what about the original Sanskrit content of the book?

If water reveals the Divine Foot Classic but the Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic is lost, it's still a losing deal.

He also didn't know whether the hidden pages of the scripture, once exposed to water, would disappear on their own without affecting the Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic, or what.

After consideration, he felt the safest course was either to first transcribe the Sanskrit, then wet the scripture to extract the Divine Foot Classic, or wait until he had translated the Muscle-Tendon Changing Classic before obtaining the Divine Foot Classic,

But if he were to transcribe it, he doesn't know the Sanskrit; a single mistake would ruin the translator's chances.

For him, transcribing was also a laborious task, so he decided to wait until after translation; although it would take time, after all, good food fears no delay!

As for the choice of translator, Feng Yi had already given it thought.

This is Henan; as soon as Qiao Feng returns, he will immediately rush over.

While lost in thought, he suddenly heard the door sound; A Zhu pushed the door open and entered, holding a tray with several small dishes and a pot of wine.

Feng Yi immediately startled and said, "Miss, what is this for?" He then wrapped the secret manual again and kept it close to his body.

Seeing his startled expression, A Zhu stepped forward, placed the tray on the table, and said, "I heard you call for food; you've helped me and Brother Qiao so much—what's the harm in treating you to a meal?"

Feng Yi smiled and said, "We're just making a trade; it doesn't count as help."

A Zhu let out a breath and said, "The person who spread the false message to Abbot Xuan Ci is my family's Master Murong; you didn't want to let me and Brother Qiao know, finding it hard to face, so you refused to speak plainly—isn't that helping us?" After saying this, her eyes gleamed as she stared straight at him.

Feng Yi gazed at A Zhu, unable to utter a word.

In an instant, A Zhu's tears welled up, swirling in her eye sockets, and she thought only: "Indeed, indeed! I don't want it, I don't want it!"

Originally, A Zhu was extremely clever, but anyone who falls into an emotional vortex, when facing someone they care about, will lose their proper judgment—this is what "care leads to chaos" means.

Whether it's A Zhu, Huang Rong, or even Zhao Ming, they all sound exceptionally smart, but when it comes to lovers and family, each appears worryingly lacking in intellect; yet toward outsiders, it's not the same.

She combined Feng Yi's example with the Young Forest, using it as an analogy: sure enough, the abbot is the eldest brother, so when Feng Yi said that Qiao Feng's enemy is the Murong family, how could you all say that?

Furthermore, combining some actions of Master Murong and the young master, she immediately grew suspicious; taking advantage of Feng Yi's pretense of sleeping while asking for food, she personally prepared a few small dishes, using this as an opening, and with just a light remark, she understood the truth from Feng Yi's expression.

Having come to this point, Feng Yi could only close his eyes and remain silent; he simply didn't know what to say.

A Zhu, however, felt indignant, shoved the tray forward heavily, and shouted, "I'm treating you to a meal—why won't you eat?"

Feng Yi knew she was feeling sorrowful, and thus used the occasion to vent, so he still kept his eyes slightly closed and remained silent.

A Zhu only felt a sudden surge of inexplicable anger welling up in her chest, and she shouted, "You're the most annoying person—just let us go find Duan Zhengchun to take revenge, what's the harm?"

Having said that, her eyes grew hot, fearing that if she stayed longer she would burst into tears on the spot; she turned around, intending to leave.

Just then, suddenly she saw a person standing at the doorway,

A Zhu exclaimed in surprise, "Big brother!"

Feng Yi's eyes widened slightly; it was indeed Qiao Feng, who had gone after the black-clad person. He saw that Qiao Feng's upper garment was torn, his complexion deathly pale, his gaze dazed, yet his body remained completely still.

Feng Yi let out a quiet sigh.

A Zhu stared blankly for a moment, composed herself, took Qiao Feng's hand, and softly said, "Big brother, did you two exchange blows? Who won, who lost?"

Qiao Feng glanced at her, then followed her inside, leaned on the chair, swayed twice, and collapsed onto it.

A Zhu said in a trembling voice, "Big brother, are you injured?"

Qiao Feng cracked a smile, but in an instant his smile vanished, he let out a soft sigh, and stared blankly at Feng Yi.

A Zhu felt a sour ache in her heart, fell silent for a moment, then forced a smile and said, "Big brother, don't worry—you will surely be able to take revenge!"

Feng Yi turned his head to look at her, furrowed his brow slightly, and said, "Don't try to be clever; even if you ruin Qiao Qiao's life, that's bad enough, but I fear it would also be of no help."

Qiao Feng immediately voiced the doubt he had long kept in his heart: "Brother Feng, did you already know who he is?"

Feng Yi made an uncertain sound and thought, "Was my hint too obvious, or do they naturally possess extraordinary intelligence?"

Qiao Feng's gaze flickered with dazed confusion, and he said hoarsely, "Before, I thought everyone was framing me; now I realize, no one is framing me!"

"What does it have to do with you?" Feng Yi sighed: "This grudge, resentment, and love are all tangled together, making people unable to disentangle themselves, causing pain. I have seen this before, so I wanted you to keep your distance; I never expected that his vengeful heart would be so strong that he would not hesitate to bind you tightly to his chariot of revenge. Sigh, perhaps this is fate. Before parting, I still say that saying: if something cannot be obtained, why torment yourself—just let it go, how about that?"

Feng Yi's words fell, he picked up the bundle, left the house, went onto the roof, and drifted away.

Having come to this point, it was up to Qiao Feng and them to save themselves.

Because of this situation, it was obvious that Xiao Yuanshan had taken off his mask in front of Qiao Feng.

Otherwise, both possessed peak martial arts, but Qiao Feng was in his prime, which was a great advantage; since regarding Xiao Yuanshan as an enemy and wholeheartedly wanting to kill him, that meant he would not give up until reaching the underworld.

It seems that, aside from this method, Xiao Yuanshan could not escape the frenzied Qiao Feng when his barbaric nature flared.

After all, Xiao Yuanshan's barbaric nature never flared up against his son, so he always ended up at a loss.

And since Qiao Feng knew that his father was the murderer of his adoptive parents and teacher, whether he heard that Murong Bo was the lunatic who reported to Abbot Xuan Ci seemed no longer important.

Compared to his father's death and rebirth, being his own heart's great villain, such shocking information was digestible for Qiao Feng—what else could it matter?

But perhaps the one suffering unbearable pain, beyond description, is A Zhu.

And this, moreover, is something Feng Yi cannot help with.

All developments now depend entirely on fate!

(End of chapter)

All development now depends entirely on fate!

(End of chapter)