Chapter 182: Gusu Murong

The moonlight was thin and pale, curved like a lady's brow, and the scattered stars sparkled like jade.

In Open Seal City, vermilion gates and myriad households abound; the whole city is scattered with stars, the long river lies deep green, moonlight sways to and fro, heads throng, fine garments and handsome hues, merchants gather, dazzling sights fill the eyes—truly fulfilling the saying that all the world's prosperity lies in Bian Bridge.

Feng Yi walked along the bluestone street, stepping slowly, glancing left and right.

You may say the Song dynasty is weak, but you cannot say it is poor.

Especially this Bian Bridge city.

He had been here several days, yet he had never properly taken in the city's moonlit prosperity; he only wanted to stay by Huang Shang, master the martial arts manuals, find a place to diligently train.

But today he really felt somewhat embarrassed.

Feng Yi felt that Huang Shang's trying as much as possible to keep his daughter away from him was only natural, and thought nothing of it.

Because someone like him, a wandering jianghu rascal with no fixed abode and trouble always tagging along, might at any moment bring great disaster, and entangling with any woman would only harm her.

For women who themselves bear a tragic fate, being with him is still better than death; with a mindset of doing good, he could at least feel somewhat justified.

But with a girl like Huang Wan'er, he truly had no intention of provoking her; otherwise, with his methods, he would have long since taken advantage. Yet girls like her are inexperienced, unaware of their parents' painstaking efforts, and instead think they judge people best.

From ancient times to the present, most girls follow their own hearts, only to end up entangled in worries, regretting without end.

Those who actually find a satisfactory husband are, by the numbers, few and far between, basically not enough to emulate.

Simply put, Feng Yi would never allow his daughter to be with someone like himself.

But he also understood that, in this matter, the more parents forbid, the less children listen; this rebellious psychology is itself an insurmountable problem.

Feng Yi thought it over and realized he could only wait until he and Huang Shang fully understood the Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic, then quietly withdraw.

After all, a young woman's feelings come quickly and go just as fast.

Feng Yi wandered leisurely through Eastern Capital City, and without realizing it arrived at East Splendid Gate.

A Song saying goes, 'Only those who announce their names outside East Splendid Gate are fine young men,' which both shows the scholars' glorious moment in the Song and indicates East Splendid Gate's status in the Song; here silhouettes flit, noises mingle—one must say the Song had no curfew and was quite open.

Feng Yi was leisurely strolling when suddenly he felt five strands of strong wind attack his back.

With Feng Yi's ability, he could naturally ignore it and send the attacker flying back, but having trained his martial arts to this level, his movements were faster than thought; he instinctively turned his hand and seized a bright white jade wrist, pulling her over.

She let out a soft hum, her manner quite charming.

He saw her dressed in a man's cyan long robe, cheeks smooth and lustrous like jade, eyebrows like kingfisher feathers slanting upward; beneath her brows were a pair of clear black-and-white eyes—who else could it be but Huang Wan'er?

Feng Yi loosened his five fingers, stepped back one step, clasped his fists, and said, 'Feng Yi's unintentional mistake; I hope Miss will excuse me!'

Huang Wan'er rubbed her sore wrist, gave a light cold laugh: 'What "Hand Wave Five Strings," specially breaking protective true qi—you have no effect at all, yet you almost snapped my wrist; a deceitful trick.'

That sweep she just made was indeed the 'Hand Wave Five Strings' from the Nine Yin True Classic; though it looked gentle in the fingers, it specially breaks all kinds of protective true qi, but her skill is not yet matured, and Feng Yi's inner strength is far deeper—how could she succeed?

Feng Yi laughed: 'I am indeed a great martial arts master; under heaven, hardly anyone can hurt me.'

You've only trained a few days, your strength is insufficient, so you can't injure me—but that doesn't mean the martial art itself is ineffective!

He must let this girl know that the martial art is good; it just needs more practice—perhaps after decades she could preserve her life. If he doesn't make it clear, he fears she will lose faith in martial arts.

Huang Wan'er snorted, 'Boasting?' On her lips she didn't believe, but in her heart she did, for Feng Yi's bearing gave an air of convincing confidence from within.

Feng Yi also smiled, no longer explaining, and said, 'Late at night, how come you're out again? Aren't you afraid your father will worry?'

Suddenly, Huang Wan'er let out a soft cry, her voice tinged with a hint of sobbing: 'The first time I saw you, I already liked you; I've never cooked for anyone else, how could you treat me like this?'

Feng Yi gave a wry smile: 'Silly girl, do you even know what liking means? At your age, liking is the cheapest and most common thing in the world.'

Moreover, I might be killed at any moment, and might also implicate you in being killed.

Besides martial arts, I have nothing else to give you; why would you do this?

What Feng Yi said is not false; people like him, possessing great abilities, already cannot tolerate the petty grievances others can bear, act with little restraint, and thus easily stir up grudges.

And with his level of mastery, any grudge he incurs will be against fellow masters; no one can guarantee her safety.

Huang Wan'er gave a cold snort: 'Sounds like it's for my own good, Hero Feng; then what crime should you bear for abducting me?'

Feng Yi laughed: 'How have I abducted you?'

Huang Wan'er also smiled and said, 'You say if I went to the Open Seal Prefecture to sue you, would the authorities believe me or you?'

Feng Yi, hearing her say that, was also somewhat speechless, and said, 'Please Miss, don't treat me as an equal in knowledge, don't make things difficult for me.'

Feng Yi teaching her martial arts should, by rights, make him her elder, but she either acts coquettishly foolish or talks back and bluffs; Feng Yi can do nothing, since even her father can't.

Huang Wan'er put her hands behind her back, smiling, and said, 'Not making things difficult with you is fine, but you must accompany me to Fan Building; my father originally planned to take me there, but you've disrupted his time, so you must come with me!'

Feng Yi smiled: 'That's not really a loss; I actually had the same intention.'

This companionship is not that compensation; both of them were lacking in intention.

But when Huang Wan'er saw his agreement, she was extremely pleased, clapping her hands and said, 'Good, then let's go together.'

The two turned into a lane, rounded a bend; gentle breezes blew in waves, facing them; lights along both banks were sparse, pleasure boats drifted to and fro on the river, lanterns on the boats swayed with the wind, and from time to time came the sounds of strings, flutes, and male and female laughter.

Huang Wan'er laughed: 'How is this Eastern Capital City, huh?'

Feng Yi sighed deeply: 'With caps and canopies covering the divine land, Eastern Capital City's prosperity knows no end—how could it not be good? Yet living in the Eastern Capital is no easy feat!'

Saying this, he let out a long sigh, full of regret.

Huang Wan'er did not know that his sigh was because, decades later, this place would be burned, killed, and looted by the Jin people, destroyed in an instant; those who once lived happily here would be utterly miserable. Moreover, she thought, as her father said, his heart was not here, he was thinking how to change his mind.

The two stopped before an extremely magnificent building, high with four layers of overlapping eaves.

This building stands out among the many luxurious taverns of Bian Bridge; it is the premier of the seventy-two proper shops in Eastern Capital Bian Bridge, known as White Alum Building, also called Fan Building.

This name, if you ask any random person in Eastern Capital City who still has a pair of functioning ears, they will have heard of it.

Here there are inns, taverns, gambling houses, and brothels; it is the world's largest money-sinking den, and a necessary place for social interactions in Bian Bridge.

To ask someone to handle affairs, to exchange favors, if you don't come to Fan Building, that means your sincerity is lacking.

For example, before Lin Chong was harmed, he had been treated to a meal at Fan Building.

The two leisurely ascended the building, and indeed saw that the White Alum Building's decoration was truly luxurious; halls, corridors, and elegant chambers were all hung with bead curtains and embroidered plaques, retaining elegance and warmth.

On the third floor, leaning out the window, the capital's night view lay fully before their eyes.

But see, the overlapping eaves and layered structures resembled myriad birds spreading wings to soar high; candlelight flickered, below a long river wound around the feet of Bian Bridge, still as if not flowing, moonlight poured down, laying a thin layer of frost on the water surface.

Feng Yi felt relaxed, pointing at the river and saying, "What river is this?"

Huang Wan'er said: "This is the Zhangwei River. The night scenery here is most beautiful, especially on the evening of the first day of the first lunar month, when every tile ridge on the eaves is lit with a colored lantern, truly giving one the feeling of being in a fairyland on earth."

Amidst the lively song and dance, poetry and laughter, Feng Yi couldn't help recalling a poem, and he leisurely said: "In Liang's garden, song and dance abound with charm; fine wine like a blade cuts through sorrow. Remembering youthful joys, late at night lamps blaze atop the altar tower, hehe..."

Huang Wan'er clapped her hands and said: "What a fitting fine poem; elder brother, you compose verses as soon as you speak—I admire you!"

Feng Yi shook his head and said: "I don't have that talent; this was done by someone else."

One must admit, the Song people still know how to have fun; this place truly embodies the line "Remembering youthful joys, late at night lamps blaze atop the altar tower" as a super leisurely aesthetic setting.

The two quickly went up to the third floor, only to see bustling lights and a clamor of voices; Huang Wan'er had hoped this floor would be endless to wander, but in the end she was disappointed.

Feng Yi glanced around and saw the place was truly crowded, mostly with scholars; he had originally wanted to find a window-side table to watch the Bianliang night sky and drink in the breeze, but there were no vacant seats, so he could only sit at a nearby table.

Huang Wan'er took the menu from the waiter's hand and said: "Today I'm treating, no fighting over it with me."

Seeing her excited expression, Feng Yi didn't want to dampen her spirits and nodded with a smile.

Huang Wan'er thought she must make Feng Yi develop a lingering affection for Dongjing (the capital), so she called to the waiter: "First bring out one serving of each signature dish; if it's not enough, we'll order more."

She still had a childish air, her voice clear and crisp, yet she spoke with great heroism, causing everyone in the hall to turn and look.

The waiter, probably never having heard anyone order like this, and seeing he was a youth, hesitated a moment and asked: "Young customer, does our shop want one serving of each signature dish?"

Huang Wan'er naturally knew the Fanlou signature dishes were too much for two to finish, but hearing the waiter prepend "xiao" (little) before "customer" made her feel uneasy; she slapped her silver pouch on the table and said: "Are you bullying me for being young, afraid I'll eat your food for free?"

Such words ought to be spoken with righteous confidence to count as heroic, but her family was far from wealthy, spending only three or five taels of silver a month.

Although she had taken her father's coffin savings to entertain Feng Yi, she still feared it wouldn't be enough to pay the bill.

In that case, her lifelong first plan to host a guest would become a laughingstock.

Her voice dropped as she said that.

Feng Yi guessed her thoughts and said softly: "Miss Huang, rest assured, I have silver here; feel free to take some first."

Seeing Huang Wan'er full of childish charm and endearing youthfulness, Feng Yi was in high spirits and jokingly called her "Miss Huang the Heroine."

The waiter wanted to say more, but Feng Yi glanced at him, giving the waiter an inexplicable chill; he dared not speak further, apologized and got to work. Huang Wan'er, still unsatisfied, called out: "Bring another two jin of the best wine." Turning to Feng Yi, she gave a heehee laugh and said: "Let me first toast you, Sir Feng."

She also teased Feng Yi by calling him "Sir Feng."

Who would have thought Feng Yi's gaze was actually directed toward a table by the eastern window.

Because he had just heard the name "Feng Yi."

At that table sat two women and one man; a woman wearing an lotus-colored gauze shirt revealed a head of dark, cloud-like hair, lightly bound with a silver silk ribbon. It not only outlined her slender waist but also made her appear graceful and alluring, her radiant beauty captivating, her every gesture exuding an indescribable charm.

The other girl in green, no older than fourteen or fifteen, had an oval face; though not absolutely beautiful, her complexion was as delicate as powdered jade, giving a sense of ineffable purity and loveliness.

The two chatted and laughed quietly, utterly unaware they had become the focus of Feng Yi's gaze.

Their eyes occasionally drifted toward Huang Wan'er, then they broke into soft, whispered laughter.

When the lotus-colored woman turned her head, a single fleeting glance allowed Feng Yi to see her features: she appeared eighteen or nineteen, with tranquil arched brows, a delicate face, a straight, elegant nose, a complexion like snow, and an expression that seemed alternately aloof, mischievous, wistful, and stubborn, giving her a uniquely striking beauty.

Yet at this moment his gaze lingered more on the man seated opposite them at the same table.

That person sat facing the two women, wearing a large straw raincoat on his head, slowly pouring a cup of wine into his mouth; merely having his back turned, his appearance was unclear, and even Huang Wan'er's earlier ostentatious behavior had not prompted him to turn around.

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Huang Wan'er saw Feng Yi's gaze not on her, lightly poked him, was about to speak when suddenly a clamor rose from downstairs; a hoarse, aged voice shouted loudly: "Why won't you let me in? I never said I wouldn't pay for my meal."

A waiter followed up with an angry shout, seemingly trying to stop someone from going upstairs.

Everyone heard it clearly, but no one paid attention.

Soon after, a sudden clatter of thuds rang on the stairs, and an old man with unsteady steps hurried up.

Everyone upstairs was startled by his appearance.

The old man's face was devoid of color, as if gravely ill, dressed in gray rags, his age indeterminate.

While everyone was puzzled, a sturdy man came running up, grabbed the old man's arm and shoved him downstairs, shouting as he pushed: "You old fool, why don't you understand the rules? Weren't you told to wait outside while we bring you some leftovers? How dare you barge upstairs yourself?"

The old man took no offense, giving a dry, tsk-tsk laugh and retorted: "When have I ever begged from you? Don't judge people with a dog's eyes."

Seeing the old man insult him, the man immediately raised his fist to strike.

Then came a noisy uproar upstairs as a portly old man, panting, led seven or eight people charging up, shouting: "You beggar, don't you see what kind of place this is?"

He waved at the waiters and shouted: "Drag them to the authorities for punishment!"

Upon hearing that, they surged forward, swinging fists and kicking at the old man.

Only after beating them and handing them over to the officials was that Fanlou's way of doing things.

The old man muttered: "In this great Song realm, there is actually no one to uphold justice?"

Before his words faded, a few hissing sounds were heard; the seven or eight people who had surrounded him all gaped, their raised fists and feet frozen in place, as if turned into wooden or stone carvings.

Amid the astonishment of the upstairs diners, a few "dukdukduk" sounds rang out, and several chopsticks appeared beneath those people's feet.

Feng Yi saw clearly that the man wearing the bamboo hat seized chopsticks from the holder, flicked his wrist lightly, and seven or eight chopshots shot out like meteors, striking those people's pressure points.

Then the man said leisurely: "I've already treated his guest; why resort to force?" His voice was very clear and bright.

As he spoke, he flicked his hand and another chopstick flew out, releasing the pressure points of the snarling, grimacing thugs.

Huang Wan'er gazed, dazzled, mouth agape, murmuring: "Is this acupoint sealing? Big brother, can you do this?"

Feng Yi gave a faint smile.

Then the shopkeeper's face darkened, his eyes hinting at anger, as he said: "Sir, dare you leave your calligraphy size?"

The man didn't turn his head, gave a light smile: "You're not worthy to ask about my calligraphy size."

He sealed and released pressure points with effortless ease, his words leaving no room for doubt—clearly he had no regard for Fanlou.

The portly old man gave a hehe cold chuckle, about to speak, when the green-clad girl rose and said: "Elder, does harmony bring wealth? Why such great anger?"

Her voice was clear and sweet, with a Jiangnan accent and a soft, melodic tone, very pleasant to hear; as she spoke she had already placed a gold ingot into the fat old man's hand.

The fat old man weighed the gold, gave a cold snort, and led his people downstairs.

He also knew that the other party's almost supernatural skill was not to be provoked; even if Fanlou had a powerful backer, it wasn't his concern, so he could only yield and withdraw.

Upstairs finally quieted down; the man clasped his hands toward the old man and said, "Sir, if you don't take offense, please come over and sit with us."

The old man rolled his eyes and said, "I, an old fool, never accept charity!" Having said that, he walked to an empty table and sat down.

In the midst of his thoughts, however, he heard the green-clad woman say, "This old sir, my young master helped you out of trouble—won't you even thank him?"

The man in the bamboo hat said, "Ah Bi, you're being meddlesome." He was clearly displeased.

The lotus-clad woman spoke softly, "Cousin brother, this is the capital; why stir up more trouble? Let's go."

At that moment, upstairs was quiet, and her voice was clearly heard by everyone.

One could say her voice was lovely as an oriole, clear as a silver bell, or pure like jade stones striking—each description seemed fitting.

Because it was simply too pleasant to hear.

This left some people dazed, and they couldn't help thinking that even being scolded by such a voice would be something they'd willingly accept.

But the man's face darkened, and he shouted, "Upholding justice and aiding the weak is the very duty of a hero; even if I faced villains like Qiao Feng and Feng Yi, I would not yield an inch, let alone this insignificant Fan Tower!"

His words rang loud, startling everyone.

Anyone who has wandered the martial world knows Qiao Feng's fame, and even Feng Yi's reputation after the incident at Gathered Virtues Manor has risen like water lifting a boat.

As for scholars, they looked down on Fan Tower even more because of his words, which was tantamount to looking down on the Great Song dynasty.

Huang Wan'er's heart also involuntarily trembled; she couldn't help glancing at Feng Yi, for she couldn't understand how her beloved could be considered a villain.

Feng Yi's expression remained calm, as if he hadn't heard, yet he turned his gaze toward the gray-clad old man.

It turned out that upon hearing his hoarse voice, Feng Yi realized he was using superior internal energy to force the sound from his throat—it was not his natural voice.

Moreover, he appeared emaciated, but when the henchmen's fists fell, his cloudy old eyes flashed a sharp, electric gleam, revealing profound internal mastery; his face showed no expression, its pallor seeming not natural, as if wearing a human-skin mask.

As for those few people, Feng Yi deduced from their forms of address that they were Murong Fu, Wang Yuyan, and Ah Bi, among others.

Feng Yi gave no thought to their presence here.

Murong Fu constantly thinks of restoring his kingdom; having come to the Central Plains, not coming to the capital would be strange.

Huang Wan'er could only restrain herself, practicing the internal energy Feng Yi had passed to her, and listened intently.

Wang Yuyan, rebuked by her cousin brother, replied bashfully, "What my cousin brother says is right, but if Qiao Feng and Feng Yi join forces, we should first go home and then discuss further."

She still had an unspoken thought: "Although I don't know how Feng Yi compares, your martial arts could hardly match Qiao Feng's, let alone both of them together."

Ah Bi also said softly, "Yes, young master, perhaps Qiao Feng is stronger than you now, but in a few years your martial arts will surely be the best under heaven."

Both women were devoted to Murong Fu, praising him as much as possible,

Suddenly a trio of "heh heh heh" cold laughs rang out, the sound piercingly sharp, like metal clashing.

That laugh instantly startled everyone; it turned out to be the old man whom Murong Fu had rescued.

Ah Bi angrily said, "Sir, why are you laughing coldly?"

The old man coldly replied, "I merely didn't expect that being number one under heaven would be so easy—just need a few beautiful women to pucker their lips and blow; it seems I should also bring along a few more lassies before undertaking great endeavors."

Upon hearing this, everyone first froze, then Huang Wan'er couldn't help but let out a puffed laugh.

Her laugh immediately provoked uproarious laughter from the whole hall.

Wang Yuyan and Ah Bi's cheeks flushed red; they realized their words had been overheard, losing face.

Ah Bi looked resentful and couldn't help but say, "At your age, listening to people's talk, aren't you ashamed?"

Murong Fu, however, furrowed his brow, waved his hand, and said, "Arguing with a fool only loses one's dignity for nothing."

No sooner had his words fallen than the old man coldly laughed again, saying, "A fool? Dignity? It seems you think they're right, and you don't even put Qiao Feng and Feng Yi in your eyes."

Murong Fu replied arrogantly, "Qiao Feng is bad enough, but that Feng Yi—just because he killed a Yun Zhonghe, he dares to spout grandiose words, acting as if he fears no one; if we meet, I will naturally seek instruction, and this is no trouble for you to worry about."

Having said that, Huang Wan'er could no longer restrain herself, slammed the table and stood up, shouting, "I think it's you who's spouting grandiose words and fearing no one!"

Murong Fu abruptly turned his body, coldly said, "Miss, are you intending to uphold justice?"

(End of chapter)