Chapter 190

Luoyang is an important transportation hub connecting north and south; Kaifeng is over a thousand kilometers from Fuzhou. Feng Yi originally wanted to take the land route, thinking it safer, and while practicing martial arts, he could also enjoy the scenery along the way. But if traveling by water, once something goes wrong with the boat, with so many people, even the highest martial arts would be of little use.

But they had only traveled a few hundred li from Kaifeng to Luoyang when too many things happened, leaving Feng Yi feeling mentally and physically exhausted. Indeed, being a bodyguard is far more tiring than fighting experts, so he agreed to Huang Shang's suggestion to take a boat south from Luoyang's canal ferry.

Feng Yi's money came from the government, and he spent it without hesitation, directly chartering a boat that passed through Xingyang and Xuchang, reached Nanyang, crossed the Yangtze River, and arrived at Jiangxia.

Although they rarely went ashore along the way, everything was peaceful, which greatly relaxed Feng Yi. Upon arriving in Jiangxia, Feng Yi and Huang Shang were fine, but the others, weary from travel, felt exhausted and decided to rest for a day before continuing.

In the afternoon, Feng Yi and Huang Shang were discussing martial arts and martial world news, enjoying their conversation, when suddenly someone knocked on the door.

Feng Yi said: "Come in."

When the door opened, it was the innkeeper.

Feng Yi said: "What's the matter?"

The innkeeper said: "Someone asked me to deliver this visiting card to Feng Yi, Great Hero Feng!"

Feng Yi and Huang Shang both started, wondering who had come seeking them.

Feng Yi took the card, opened it, and read: "An urgent matter—please, Feng Jun, come to Bailong Ao, ten li east of the city, for a meeting!"

Feng Yi thought: "Indeed, an urgent matter. If I go, someone might harm Huang Shang and the others—wouldn't that be playing into the 'lure the tiger from the mountain' stratagem? If I don't go, with so many people, our whereabouts would be hard to conceal, which is also most inadvisable." Thinking this, he looked up at the innkeeper and smiled: "Alright, I understand."

The innkeeper withdrew.

Huang Shang said: "These people truly have vast supernatural powers—we only arrived yesterday, yet our movements are already known to them. For him to ask you to go alone to Bailong Ao is unlikely to be well-intentioned."

Feng Yi smiled and said: "Whether good or evil, we'll see soon enough."

Feng Yi naturally did not go, reasoning that since the other party knew his whereabouts, they would surely come to him regardless, so why should he comply with their summons?

The next morning, after breakfast, everyone headed to the ferry, where they could see in the distance the mighty Yangtze, its turbid waters rolling eastward without end.

As they chatted and laughed along the winding path to the ferry, Feng Yi's eyes darted about, scanning the surroundings—suddenly, a shadow flashed, and five men leapt out from the pine trees beside the road.

They were all dressed in black long robes, wearing cloth caps, and appeared vigorous and alert.

Seeing that the five men were clearly advanced in age, most with white eyebrows, three with faint white beards, and eyes gleaming with sharp light, it was evident their inner power was extraordinary. Their movements just now had been swift and agile, almost soundless.

At a glance, Feng Yi could tell their martial arts and inner strength were not inferior to Duan Yanqing's, and some even surpassed him. He mused: "Could they be like Xuan Gou and Xuan Shi—monks from Shaolin Temple?"

Feng Yi knew well that under heaven, only Shaolin Temple could produce so many first-rate experts at once; no other sect could match it.

At that moment, Huang Shang's group's mule cart also came to a stop. Huang Wan'er said: "Greetings, elders! Your martial arts are truly superb."

The five men laughed heartily, clasped their fists in salute, and in unison said: "Miss, you are well; everyone, be well."

Huang Wan'er bowed her knees and lowered her body in a respectful salute.

During this time, Feng Yi had instructed her extensively: most people in the martial world are just blowing hot air, so naturally one should follow the principle of 'not striking a smiling face'—more courtesy means fewer troubles, and thus fewer losses.

One old man chuckled and said: "Everyone is just a traveler—there's no need for you to be so polite, young lady."

Huang Wan'er smiled and said: "You are all elders, indeed martial arts masters—I just don't know why you've blocked our path."

The chuckling old man laughed hehe, extended his withered palm, made a gesture in midair as if stroking her hair, and said: "Miss, don't take offense—I am surnamed Du, from Huabei. These four are my junior brothers. This one is surnamed Chi, this one Jin, this one Chu, and this one Sun."

Upon hearing their names mentioned, the four men clasped their fists in salute.

The Du elder continued: "We only have a major matter to inquire of Great Hero Feng, which is why we came from Henan to Jiangbei, sent the visiting card to request a meeting. But since Great Hero Feng refuses to see us, we had no choice but to act rashly."

Seeing Du elder's gesture—so light yet so stable, as if even hundreds of jin of force could not move his palm, as though it contained decades of profound skill, truly remarkable—Feng Yi felt deep admiration, clasped his hands, and said: "Not at all—I, Feng Yi, am honored to meet five such exalted masters; it is a blessing of three lifetimes!"

Du elder said: "May I trouble you for a moment's private talk?"

Feng Yi fixed his gaze, pondered for a moment, then softly said: "Are you all disciples of the Shaolin Sect?" as if muttering to himself.

The men's faces changed slightly; the Chi elder said: "Feng Jun, you have keen eyes!"

Seeing the Chi elder tall and broad-chested, with flowing gray beard and eyes flashing like lightning—clearly a man of profound inner strength, likely the leader among them—Feng Yi nodded and said: "Shaolin Temple is the orthodox lineage of martial arts under heaven, the pinnacle of the martial world, upright and righteous, open and aboveboard. Since you all acknowledge being disciples of Shaolin, what harm could there be?"

"Please!"

The five men shouted in unison, their bodies flickered, they lightly tapped the treetops with their toes, leaned forward, and sprang to another tree, then exerted force again to leap over yet another tree.

In the blink of an eye, the five men had leapt over several large trees. Feng Yi, seeing them testing him, shifted his body and followed closely behind.

Huang Wan'er looked worried and called out: "Father, let's go see what's happening!"

Huang Shang said: "I heard Feng Yi say that Shaolin Sect is currently the largest sect in the martial world, with countless disciples, and their martial arts have long been renowned as the leaders of the martial world. When Feng Yi departed, he exposed their identities precisely to avoid dragging us into this—don't you understand his meaning?"

Huang Shang deeply understood that Feng Yi had revealed their identities precisely to bind them by their sect's reputation, so as not to implicate others.

Huang Wan'er said anxiously: "But there are five of them—if they start fighting, can Elder Brother Feng handle them?"

Seeing their lightness skills, each extraordinary, she feared Feng Yi, outnumbered and weak, would suffer a loss.

Huang Shang sighed softly: "Silly girl, don't you still not understand? Your Elder Brother Feng turns a blind eye to your feelings—why?"

"Because he does not want to have any attachments; only when he is alone is he at his strongest!"

Huang Wan'er was stunned.

……

In the blink of an eye, the six of them leapt over ten or more large trees, flew down, and landed in an open clearing.

Feng Yi saw them stop and turn, but did not press forward, keeping a distance of several zhang, and said: "Shaolin Temple has always been upright and righteous—I, Feng Yi, could never have compelled five Shaolin masters to disguise themselves and visit me—truly unexpected. But what advice do you have?"

The five men, upon hearing his words, secretly felt Feng Yi was not someone to be provoked.

The Du elder said: "Our intentions—before a man of your clarity, Great Hero Feng, there is no need for concealment.

The You Brothers were chivalrous and righteous, aiding the endangered and relieving the distressed—yet the entire manor was wiped out. My master and I five brothers have come specially to ask: is this deed yours and Qiao Feng's doing?"

Feng Yi said: "No. When the Juxian Manor was destroyed, I and Qiao Feng were together in one place—I did not kill, and he was unable to divide himself!"

Du elder said: "A man's word is as swift as a whip on a fast horse—since you say so, my five brothers naturally believe you.

Consider Qiao Feng—his fame was great at the time, and he came from our sect. Yet Master Xuan Ku died an unjust death, and a disciple personally witnessed him doing it. You, at Juxian Manor, nevertheless proved Qiao Feng's innocence, as if our temple had wronged him.

We ourselves know that with your skill and reputation, you would not speak without basis—but we do not know what your evidence is.

Moreover, our fellow disciples Xuan Gou and Xuan Shi once sent word back saying a black-clad person had used our sect's martial arts—do you have any opinion on that? Since this is our first meeting, our words may be shallow but our meaning deep—speak plainly, and do not take offense."

These words were spoken very appropriately—tactfully, yet they gently revealed their true intent.

Feng Yi smiled faintly and said: "I speak for Qiao Feng only because, from his martial arts, I know his character—a beast who killed his master and parents could never wield the Beggar Sect's Dragon Subduing Palm."

As for that black-clad person, I did chase after him once, but I was followed by the two venerable monks Xuan Gou and Xuan Shi, so I had no choice but to give up!

However, I am insignificant and my words carry little weight—what reputation or prestige could I possibly have? Whether you believe me or not, feel free to decide as you wish!

Everyone present is a martial arts master, and they all understand the principle that martial arts reflect one's character.

The old man Du shook his head and said: "Feng Jun, you are too modest. Though I have only a modest reputation in the martial world, these four junior brothers of mine are also not unknown nobodies. You have long since gained fame throughout the martial world, and we, my brothers, have long admired your great name.

Each of these Four Great Evils possesses astonishing martial arts, capable of matching Ye Erniang, the Nanhai E Shen, and Yun Zhonghe—such equals are already rare in the martial world. Merely hearing their names is enough to make one hesitate and retreat. Yet you, Great Hero Feng, managed to slay all four evils in one stroke—truly an unimaginable feat.

Feng Yi's heart skipped a beat: "How did they know? Could it be that Qin Hongmian and her daughter let it slip?"

He had originally planned to send Huang Shang and the others to Fuzhou, then, after mastering the divine art, return to the martial world and use the Four Evils to establish his prestige—but he had already been discovered.

After a brief pause, the old man Du continued: "I dare not conceal this from Great Hero Feng. Although we left the temple for Qiao Feng, you have also stirred in us old fellows a desire to meet you!"

Feng Yi laughed heartily and said: "You flatter me. The Four Great Evils have committed countless evils—I was merely lucky to encounter them. If a few true masters had met them, they would surely have subdued the demons with thunderous force!"

The old man Du shook his head, sighed, and said: "Our martial arts are far inferior to yours. Even if we wished to subdue demons, we lack the strength!"

Feng Yi smiled without speaking.

The old man Du added: "We five brothers have come this far not only to find Qiao Feng and tell him something absolutely true, but also to ask, if you please, whether you can tell us his whereabouts?"

Feng Yi said: "I don't know where he is."

The five exchanged glances.

The old man Du said: "We received news that Qiao Feng has also arrived in Jiangnan, and we thought you crossed the river to meet him."

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Feng Yi thought: "I am not crossing the river—I am going downstream with the current." He shook his head: "I do not know whether Qiao Feng has gone to Jiangnan."

The old man surnamed Chi stroked his long beard, smiled, and said: "I still have a matter to ask for your guidance!"

Feng Yi said: "Please speak."

The old man Chi sighed heavily, lowered his voice, and said: "I do not know what martial art you used to slay the Four Evils."

Feng Yi harbored deep suspicions toward this old man of extraordinary martial skill, yet he could detect no flaw in his expression, and said: "What does it matter? Your interest in this affair is rather surprising."

The old man surnamed Du spoke in a deep voice: "We few have long hidden ourselves in remote mountains and forests. Our martial arts are far inferior to yours. Now that we have met, we still ought to present our clumsy skills and exchange a palm with you—but we wish you to know that my brothers and I are certainly not wicked men, and we are not speaking nonsense here."

Having said that, he stepped to one side, bowed politely, and said: "Great Hero Feng, I beg your instruction in one of your exquisite palm techniques!"

The other four made way and also said: "Great Hero Feng's martial arts are superb—we too cannot miss such a fine opportunity!"

Feng Yi smiled faintly and said: "I understand your intentions. Perhaps your palm strengths differ—some yang and firm, some yin and supple—so you wish to exchange a palm with me to probe my foundation.

From this, you may deduce whether I am Qiao Feng's accomplice, namely the murderer of the Venerable Xuan Ku. If so, you few would swarm me and kill me—is that not so?"

The few were slightly startled upon hearing this.

The old man Chi spoke slowly: "Great Hero Feng, before we obtain solid evidence, we will never falsely accuse others of baseless crimes—but some matters cannot be avoided.

Do not conceal it from me: the murderer who killed our sect's Venerable Xuan Ku, we initially thought was Qiao Feng, but later learned of a highly skilled black-clad person hiding in the shadows, who actually uses our sect's martial arts. Yet we have carefully examined the corpse of Venerable Xuan Ku—the palm strike that killed him was unusually fierce and vicious, and it is certainly not a Shaolin Sect technique.

We once saw the corpse of Duan Yanqing in a ruined temple—the manner of death was quite similar to that of our Venerable Xuan Ku. We indeed wish to examine your martial arts."

Feng Yi nodded and said: "Good. Since you say so, I will frankly tell you: Duan Yanqing indeed died under my Dragon Subduing Palm—no need to test."

The old man Chi's expression suddenly changed, becoming very stern: "Great Hero Feng, you practice the Dragon Subduing Palm—this is truly beyond my expectation. I do not know who transmitted it to you."

This tone of questioning was extremely hard to endure, but Feng Yi roughly guessed who it was, knowing that Ye Erniang had after all borne him a son. If he felt even a hint of guilt, he would naturally not show a pleasant face—this is only human nature.

Therefore, Feng Yi did not mind his tone, and only said: "You few, as leaders of the Shaolin Sect, have heard all I have to say. But regarding my master's transmission, please refrain from speaking. If you have any dissatisfaction, you may speak freely!"

The old man Chi laughed: "Great Hero Feng, your frankness is admirable. I wish, under your Dragon Subduing Palm, to learn one of your supreme techniques."

Feng Yi shook his head: "If we were to fight, it would not be difficult, but if you wish to see the Dragon Subduing Palm, I, Feng, cannot possibly comply."

The few exchanged glances again, utterly bewildered.

The old man Du said: "The Dragon Subduing Twenty-Eight Palms is extremely profound, but in a hundred years, only one or two have achieved mastery—especially in recent years, only Qiao Feng alone has roamed the martial world with it.

Your palm struck Duan Yanqing, breaking his tendons and bones completely—such a peerless absolute art, which we have fortunately encountered, if we do not ask for a lesson or two, it would be a lifelong regret."

The old man Sun added: "Even if we, my brothers, overestimate ourselves, we still beg Great Hero Feng to grant us a lesson or two—we would be endlessly grateful."

Feng Yi furrowed his brows and said: "Though you have this refined interest, I ought to accompany you—but since you come from the Beggar Sect, if I use the Beggar Sect's supreme art to contend with you, it would inevitably cause controversy."

He paused, then continued: "If you win, the Beggar Sect's reputation would suffer, and I myself would not accept it—inevitably leading to a sordid dispute with your sect.

If I win, I would fear that your sect's senior monks would not accept it, leading to trouble—who among my companions could bear the responsibility?

If we both hold back and fight to a draw, it would be better not to fight at all!"

The old man surnamed Chi suddenly burst into loud laughter.

Feng Yi said: "What are you laughing at?"

The old man Chi stroked his long beard and said: "People say Great Hero Feng has profound insight, but today, upon seeing him, I find the rumors mistaken!

For hundreds of years, the Shaolin Sect and the Beggar Sect have maintained good relations, often exchanging practice. The Beggar Sect's 'Dragon Subduing Twenty-Eight Palms' is naturally profound, but as for superiority or inferiority to the Shaolin Sect's supreme arts, it depends entirely on the practitioner's cultivation.

Therefore, both sects have had great masters who made their names known—how could our exchange breed ill will?"

Feng Yi thought: "My Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms have already reached the pinnacle of palm technique—it is not the Twenty-Eight Palms you imagine!"

The old man Du also laughed: "We brothers have repeatedly asked Great Hero Feng to display his Dragon Subduing Palm supreme art, to broaden our horizons—but I did not expect you to regard us as lowly martial world folk!"

Feng Yi coldly laughed: "Since you all have such broad minds, why not announce your respective dharma names?"

He insisted on making them reveal their identities—only then could they have genuine reservations, lest they send others to inquire about his movements.

Upon these words, the few became solemn.

The old man Chi removed his hat, pressed his palms together, and said: "My dharma name is Xuan Ci."

The old man Du said: "Xuan Du!"

The old man Jin said: "Xuan Yin!"

The old man Chou said: "Xuan Zhi!"

The old man Sun said: "Xuan Sheng!"

Feng Yi thought: "Indeed, it is the old monk Xuan Ci!"

Yet he wore a look of surprise as he said: "So it is the 'Subduing Tiger Arhat'; the Shaolin abbot's Buddha-carriage has graced us with his presence, and Feng's eyes have failed him."

Abbot Xuan Ci pressed his palms together and said: "You flatter me."

Feng Yi said: "If that is the case, then for me not to display my clumsiness would indeed be contrary to your kind intentions, but..."

Abbot Xuan Ci interjected: "But what?"

Feng Yi said: "But to compare martial skills and discuss technique is a personal matter of mine; I hope Abbot Xuan Ci of the Shaolin Temple will, for the sake of the temple's several-hundred-year-old pure reputation, consent to this—regardless of the outcome of victory or defeat, it shall have absolutely nothing to do with the Shaolin Temple, the Beggar Sect, or outsiders!"

And you gentlemen should not blame me for petty-mindedness; after all, I have seen much, and the so-called distinction between demon and Buddha often lies only in a single thought!"

(End of chapter)