Chapter 191

Feng Yi naturally knew Xuan Ci was not a despicable villain who would implicate the innocent, but he also knew full well that if his woman were killed, no matter what evil she had done, as a man he should avenge her.

Ye Erniang died at his hands—how would Xuan Ci think? Would he become like Xiao Yuanshan, a man who would stop at nothing for revenge? No one could guarantee that.

After all, human nature simply cannot withstand the test.

With Xuan Ci's status as abbot, if he were to "turn dark," his destructive power would far surpass Xiao Yuanshan's.

Because he could mobilize too many resources, checking a person's information was effortless. How he knew the whereabouts of Huang Shang and his family was obvious.

If he wanted revenge, he could have his subordinates find the hiding place, wait a while, then put on a "black hood" and act—how convenient.

Therefore, Feng Yi wanted Xuan Ci to declare before all his fellow disciples, using Shaolin Temple's centuries-old pure reputation as a guarantee.

This also served as a warning to him in his heart: seeking revenge was acceptable, but he must not take the vile path for revenge and tarnish Shaolin Temple's good name.

This was actually a bet between Shaolin Temple's reputation and Ye Erniang's feelings—which weighed more.

If Feng Yi were alone, daring to kill, he would fear no retaliation, but he never expected that while escorting Huang Shang's family at a critical moment, he would project his own thoughts onto others—where would he dare act recklessly?

Yet Shaolin Temple is the pinnacle of the martial world, its senior monks are highly virtuous and prestigious, their fame long-established—when have they ever suffered such injustice?

The somewhat younger Xuan Sheng, both startled and angry, his face extremely grim, said: "Feng Xia, we came to exchange pointers in goodwill, yet you provoke us like this—what is your intention?"

Feng Yi did not answer, merely gazing at Xuan Ci.

His provocation was also to see if Xuan Ci would use this as an excuse to find fault with him. If he seized the opportunity to find fault, today he would have to kill!

But this careful thought, no one knew.

Xuan Ci, standing before all his fellow disciples, felt an indescribable emotion in his heart.

He was the abbot of Shaolin Temple, holding the Central Plains martial world by the bull's ear, admired by all, yet in the matter of Ye Erniang, he harbored a pain he could not speak of.

Upon hearing Feng Yi's words about the Demon Buddha One Thought, his gaunt face flushed with red, he lowered his head, clasped his hands, and said: "Amitabha, the Demon Buddha One Thought—well said! I, your humble servant, accept the teaching!"

Feng Yi smiled and said: "With Abbot Xuan Ci's word, this is settled."

Xuan Du clasped his hands and said: "Feng Xia, I have offended you!" As he spoke, he bent his knees and waist, slowly pushing out his right palm.

Feng Yi saw that although his palm came slowly, without apparent rigidity, it actually contained profound internal strength. He immediately used circular force with his left palm and direct force with his right, executing the "Hidden Dragon Do Not Use" technique—instantly, a surge of gang qi arose around his body.

Xuan Du saw Feng Yi's palm come out, its direction slanting sideways, not meeting him head-on—he felt slightly surprised, and continued pushing his palm forward.

But this palm was still two chi away from Feng Yi's body, not touching his arm, when he felt a qi wall blocking his path. Upon contact, his arm felt sharp pain, his chest slightly warm—this palm was immediately rebounded, his body slightly leaning back.

The five Xuan were all greatly startled and dismayed. They knew the Dragon Subduing Palm's power was an extremely renowned supreme technique in the martial world—besides its grand and vigorous force, it also had inexhaustible residual strength.

Yet they never expected the palm force to bend and go straight like this—so marvelous.

Fortunately, Xuan Du's palm was also deeply accumulated, with internal residual strength greater than the palm force itself, so he immediately reactivated his palm force.

Feng Yi's move was purely defensive—external three, internal seven—like erecting a solid wall between them: block if the enemy comes, dissipate if not. So when he felt Xuan Du's palm emit a continuous, endless yin-yang soft force, he again sent forth his Dragon Subduing Palm's residual force, which far exceeded the palm force, and added more strength.

Xuan Du suddenly felt his chest qi slightly stagnant, face red and ears hot—he hastily withdrew his palm force, retreated a step, and Feng Yi also withdrew his palm force, without advancing.

Xuan Du suffered a crushing defeat, his face like dead ashes, thinking inwardly: "Abbot Xuan Ci said the Beggar Sect's Twenty-Eight Palms are neither purely hard nor purely soft—how could Feng Yi's palm be as soft as still water, yet victorious or firm and hard?" He clasped his hands and said: "Feng Xia's divine skill—I admire, I admire!" Then he returned to his formation.

Although those present expected a gap in martial skill between the two, they never imagined Feng Yi could repel Xuan Du without even exchanging palms—thus they understood why the Four Great Evils, despite their martial prowess, could not withstand Feng Yi.

Feng Yi clasped his hands and said: "Abbot Xuan Du's yin-yang palm force, continuous and endless, is truly not trivial—indeed worthy of being the orthodox lineage of martial arts!"

Several people saw he had gained the upper hand with this move, yet showed no trace of arrogance, and their ill feeling toward him lessened somewhat.

Xuan Yin stepped forward a few steps, smiled slightly, and said: "Feng Xia, your Dragon Subduing Palm force is indeed formidable—I humbly ask for instruction!" He rooted his steps like a stake, left palm behind, right palm pushing out.

Feng Yi raised his palm to block, but unexpectedly the opponent's palm suddenly sped up—with a hu, it struck his chest.

Feng Yi did not expect such a sudden move—he hastily crossed his palm before his chest, with a dok sound—this time their palms made solid contact. When Xuan Yin touched Feng Yi's palm, he felt as if touching cold iron.

In this strike, both used hard force.

Feng Yi's body swayed slightly, then immediately stood firm.

Xuan Yin, however, was shaken backward a step, feeling a cotton-like force seep out through his palm—soreness, numbness, and various discomforts, his meridians and five viscera vaguely obstructed—he could not help but feel great alarm in his heart, secretly thinking: "This Dragon Subduing Palm force—not only is its hard and vigorous aspect powerful, but its internal force takes a different path, unlike what I know—why is this?"

Xuan Yin adjusted his breath slightly, his internal energy already recovered, and said with a smile: "This Dragon Subduing Palm is indeed overwhelmingly mighty—I, your humble servant, am no match!"

He slowly raised his right hand, and everyone saw his right hand was swollen and red—greatly surprised, they then realized: indeed, there are people beyond people, mountains beyond mountains.

Xuan Zhi shouted and struck out with a palm.

He had accumulated strength for a long time—this palm was the gathering of his entire body's cultivation, its strong and forceful power coming straight on.

Feng Yi pushed out a palm—Xuan Zhi only felt the palm force as if striking soft water, the opponent's palm force swiftly retracting backward.

This continuous yin-yang soft force, upon meeting the extremely strong hard palm force, caused Feng Yi's body to sway slightly backward, while Xuan Zhi's body involuntarily stepped forward.

Feng Yi's palm force slightly emitted, Xuan Sheng immediately tapped the ground with his foot, floated back several zhang, inwardly admiring, clasped his hands and praised: "Excellent palm technique, excellent palm force!"

Though he had just unleashed that fierce palm, his internal energy could not be withdrawn, and seeing Feng Yi full of spirit and energy, eyes clear, he knew that if Feng Yi fully unleashed his strength, he would be struck by both their palm forces combined—he would inevitably suffer serious injury.

Xuan Sheng let out a great shout, like a thunderclap in clear sky, and thrust out a palm—this was the "Mount Sumeru Palm" technique.

This Mount Sumeru Palm is one of Shaolin's Seventy-Two Secret Arts, extremely difficult to master; even if barely achieved, each palm strike requires sitting in a horse stance, regulating breath, and focusing the mind for a long time before release.

Feng Yi and several fellow disciples exchanged palms—he was gathering strength at that moment, and when he struck, his palm force came like mountains collapsing and seas overturning.

Feng Yi saw the danger, did not dare be careless, struck out a palm—this was the "Proud Dragon Has Regret" technique.

Bo!

The two palms made solid contact—Feng Yi was actually shaken and swayed slightly.

Originally, Feng Yi feared injuring his opponent by mistake, so this palm used external three, internal seven, releasing only thirty percent force—he never expected the opponent's palm technique to be so formidable, and said: "Shaolin palm techniques are justly renowned!"

Even so, Xuan Sheng was shaken by the rebound force from Feng Yi's palm until his face glowed like a red sun, his internal energy surging like boiling water, and said: "Feng Xia's divine skill—I, Xuan Sheng, lose with heart and mouth convinced!"

The five Xuan exchanged glances, after a long while, slightly nodded, and in unison clasped their hands and bowed: "People say Feng Xia's martial arts are unparalleled, worthy to stand shoulder to shoulder with 'Northern Qiao Feng, Southern Murong'—we are utterly convinced!"

Feng Yi clasped his hands and said: "You flatter me—though the way of martial arts has developed to this point, exchanging strengths and compensating for weaknesses, long since you have me in you and I have you in me, yet as the leader of the Shaolin Sect, recognized by all for hundreds of years, I admire you to the utmost!"

Several people saw he won without arrogance, did not trample on Shaolin's dignity, and felt grateful in return, returning the salute: "Feng Xia, you flatter me."

Originally, the four Xuan had each exchanged palms with Feng Yi—not a contest of internal strength, not full-force attacks. They merely varied the use of force to the utmost.

By probing the opponent's palm force origin and direction, the Shaolin monks came to know that Abbot Xuan Ku was not harmed by Feng Yi.

Feng Yi, meanwhile, perceived the profundity of the Shaolin Sect's palm techniques—and also wanted them to know his innocence. He did not wish to take the blame for Xuan Ku's death on behalf of others.

Xuan Ci looked even more shocked. Although this kind of probing, only the person exchanging palms knows, like a person drinking water, cold and warm known to oneself. But he could cultivate the "Great Vajra Fist," which is a rare genius encountered once in a century in Shaolin, and his familiarity with the sect's cultivation can be said to be unmatched by anyone.

He saw the palm force used by his fellow disciples, having hardness and softness, thickness and continuity, while Feng Yi slightly resisted, then turned defense into offense, and countless variations immediately arose on his palm.

Moreover, he had a very good relationship with the former sect leader of the Beggar Sect, Wang Jiantong, and had exchanged many times with the "Dragon Subduing Palm Technique." He also once exchanged moves with Qiao Feng in the Bodhi Courtyard, having witnessed his Dragon Subduing Palm. Although its power was great, it was not necessarily superior to Shaolin's supreme techniques.

Yet for some unknown reason, this palm technique, when it came into Feng Yi's hands, suddenly produced the marvelous use of wanting to spit out yet retract, wanting to refuse yet welcome. The exquisite application of palm force was simply immeasurable.

Especially the exquisite subtlety of Feng Yi's palm technique and the profundity of his attainment were actually unprecedented in his lifetime.

Although Xuan Ci thought so in his heart, after all he had enjoyed great fame for decades, possessed great dignity and presence, he walked two steps forward, pressed his palms together, and said: "Feng Great Hero, indeed your divine skill is invincible. But we had agreed beforehand, I too must ask for a lesson with one palm!"

Feng Yi at that moment secretly gathered his true qi, his face expressionless, and said: "I dare not accept. Shaolin's divine skill, the mighty reputation of the Subduing Tiger Arhat, Feng has long yearned for it!"

He dared not be the slightest bit careless toward this Abbot Xuan Ci.

Being able to with one palm make Qiao Feng's legs go weak and fall from the roof, he did not think such a person was common in the world.

He also did not think that making Qiao Feng feel he had encountered a supreme expert unprecedented in his life lacked substance, that Qiao Feng was deliberately exaggerating, and that his strength would not surpass that of an ordinary cultivator with only yin-cold inner force like You Tanzhi. Feng Yi could also see that Xuan Ci's cultivation far surpassed that of the other few fellow disciples.

Xuan Ci is the most underestimated expert in the entire Tianlong world.

Xuan Ci lowered his voice and said to the four fellow disciples beside him: "You all step back a little." The four responded in unison and retreated eight feet.

Xuan Ci stood with focused spirit, his eyes fixed on Feng Yi, sharp light flashing.

Feng Yi gathered his strength in anticipation of the enemy, his expression stern, thinking: "It seems this old man truly wants to fight me!"

To be safe, he also used inner force to protect his vital points, to prevent the overwhelming power of the Great Vajra Fist, and in case he did not understand the situation, he would not suffer injury.

Being able to pass through Qiao Feng's body and shake A Zhu to near death with fist and palm force, just thinking about it is enough to be terrifying!

In a flash of thought, Xuan Ci stepped forward, his robes fluttering, obviously his entire body's true qi was surging.

Xuan Ci looked at the person who killed Ye Erniang, and his thoughts were myriad.

In those days, Ye Erniang's father was critically ill, he treated him, yet he formed a karmic bond with Ye Erniang, later gave birth to a son, but the son was snatched away, and her face was also scratched.

These years she took pleasure in her son, and to others it seemed utterly unforgivable, but all this was her own doing!

She now died an unjust death, what should I do?

Feng Yi watched Xuan Ci's face alternate between green and red, his eyes like sharp blades, his heart even more astonished: "Could it be that this old man wants to go into demonhood?"

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He was also today for the first time exerting his full strength, protecting his vital points, this being even more his most difficult moment.

If he seriously injured and killed the Shaolin Abbot, what consequences would arise?

But if he retained a yielding heart, being beaten to death or injured by him, how would it end?

Feng Yi understood the other four Xuan, they had no intention to harm him, their palm force was on contact and then withdrawn, only he could not fathom Xuan Ci's thoughts.

After all, human nature is complex, Ye Erniang being utterly wicked cannot require Xuan Ci to also think she should be killed.

The so-called righteous destruction of kin, when spoken of, is simple, but when truly put into practice, how arduous it is. Absolutely beyond what ordinary people can do.

The two each had their own thoughts, four eyes met, cold electricity swallowing the wind.

Xuan Ci pressed his palms together, about to separate and strike toward Feng Yi, when he heard a deep voice transmit in real time: "Feng brother, take a rest, this round, let me come!"

The voice was like a great bell, shaking the scene.

This voice was not only familiar to the crowd, Xuan Ci and others hearing it, their hearts trembled violently.

Then came the sound of boots tapping, turning head to look, only see in the forest a person striding out, extraordinarily tall and robust, gray robe, black hair, bright eyes, exactly Qiao Feng.

As he walked, his gaze burned fiercely toward Abbot Xuan Ci, staring at him, seeing this posture, obviously the comer meant no good.

Xuan Ci let out a long breath slowly, his face as usual, pressed his palms together and said: "Qiao Facilitator, long time no see!"

The other four Xuan also pressed their palms together in salute.

Qiao Feng approached, clasped his hands all around and said: "Several Masters, are you well?"

He paused slightly, then his expression suddenly turned very solemn, and said to Xuan Ci: "Abbot Master, good to let you know, I bear the surname Xiao."

Then he laughed loudly toward Feng Yi: "Feng brother, your single act of exterminating the Four Evils of the World, truly shaking the martial world, Xiao, though a thousand miles away, has also heard of it like thunder in the ears. How is it that today you have the interest to exchange moves with the Shaolin high monk!"

Upon seeing Xiao Feng arrive, Feng Yi felt a surge of relief in his heart, Xuan Ci this hot potato finally had someone to take it, and he said: "This is also unavoidable!"

But seeing only him alone, his mind moved: "Shaolin Temple said Qiao Feng went to Jiangnan, should be going to the Murong Family, now he has run to this Jiangbei, most likely because of A Zhu. This grudge is also not easy to avenge, today, I fear I can only watch the good show."

Xuan Du Master said: "Xiao Facilitator, my fellow disciples and I left the temple to inform you of one matter."

Xiao Feng said lightly: "Please, Master, instruct."

Xuan Du Master said: "That Leading Brother said, regarding that matter at Yanmen Pass outside, he was greatly at fault, long ago should have paid with his life to apologize, Xiao Facilitator, if you go to find him for revenge, he intends to bare his chest and accept death, will not avoid..."

Xiao Feng coldly laughed: "Master's words are too heavy. If the five of you were to strike together, you could take my life, why then trouble five Masters to inform me!"

Xuan Du Master said: "Xiao Facilitator, this matter is absolutely true, that Leading Brother's indeed is this meaning."

Xiao Feng said sternly: "Then may I ask, who exactly is that Leading Brother?"

"Amitabha Buddha!" Xuan Ci Master pressed his palms together, slowly said: "Xiao Facilitator, the Leading Brother who killed your parents is this old monk, Xuan Ci!"

Xiao Feng slowly nodded and said: "Abbot Master, in those days someone falsely transmitted information, Master mistakenly believed rumors, leading to the unfortunate incident outside Yanmen Pass. If Xiao Feng were in Master's position, he would likewise act thus. Abbot Master's conduct and intention, not the slightest bit violated the Buddha's teachings. However, the person who reported the news to you, who again is he?"

Although Xiao Feng had long known the Leading Brother was Xuan Ci, various doubts were also resolved. He thought back then someone had transmitted false news, saying my father was coming to Shaolin Temple's Cangjing Pavilion to seize martial arts secrets, Central Plains martial people should find a way to stop it, naturally it should be led by the Shaolin Temple Abbot with the Leading Brother; and the martial arts senior who had deep friendship with the former sect leader Wang Jiantong, naturally took Xuan Ci Abbot as leader.

Only because I come from Shaolin, I know Abbot Xuan Ci is kind and would not without reason lead people to kill my parents and master, I had a bias, thus I turned a blind eye to the Leading Brother clearly appearing before me, never thought again, Abbot Xuan Ci should be the Leading Brother!

Only because this person in my heart is utterly wicked, no matter how, cannot be connected with Abbot Master.

But this utterly wicked person, again is my biological father, Feng Yi again said the person who reported the news was Murong Bo.

A Zhu was rescued by Murong Bo, raised as his daughter in the Murong Family, the gratitude of nurturing and the hatred of love enemies made her unable to face herself, Xiao Feng's heart was very sore, at this moment he wanted to ask clearly in person, not to say, he greatly hoped Feng Yi was talking nonsense, speaking recklessly!

Xiao Feng's thoughts turned like lightning, only to hear Xuan Ci say: "That person who reported the news is also a person of great renown in the martial world. This person has already died, old monk does not want to ruin his posthumous reputation. Xiao Facilitator, to avenge your parents is the duty of a son. Please come forward and strike me dead with one palm!"

"All fellow disciples, Xiao Feng killing me is to conclude a karmic cycle, since there is this cause, there will be this effect. No one may extend a finger to harm him!" Lowering hands, bowing head, chest forward, only waiting for Xiao Feng to strike.

Xiao Feng said word by word: "Was the person who reported the news indeed Murong Bo?"

Xuan Ci's face changed slightly.

Xiao Feng observed appearance and discerned color, his heart already understood, and said: "That day in the Xingzi Forest, I defended Murong Fu, saying he was not the murderer who killed Deputy Sect Leader Ma's son, Elder Xu said I colluded with the Hu barbarians, then I knew, this Murong clan is not Han people, but Xianbei people."

In those days, Murong Bo sent a false sound transmission, plotting to kill my father, yet he merely eliminated a man who would have stopped the Khitan from mobilizing troops against the Song—what was his purpose? Do you still not understand?

The Five Xuan heard these words and were greatly shocked.

"Amitabha!" Xuan Ci pressed his palms together and said: "Now I understand. What you say is correct. The person who reported to me that day was Murong Bo!

I have known him for many years and have always admired his martial arts and character, so I believed without doubt the news that Khitan warriors would come to Shaolin Temple to seize the sutras. Only after reading your father's last writings did I realize I had been deceived.

I then sent people to find him, seeking an explanation, but he had already left home, his whereabouts unknown. Later we learned he had returned home, so I sent my junior martial brother Xuan Bei to investigate, only to hear news of Murong Bo's death.

A few months ago, the Four Great Evils went to Dali to oppose the Duan Clan. I received the news and sent my junior martial brother Xuan Bei to inform the Dali Duan Clan, never expecting he would pass away at Shenjie Temple, struck by Shaolin's 'Great Weituo Pestle'.

Now it appears the Murong family of Gusu harbors great ambitions—they hoped to sow internal strife in Dali, yet I instead caused the death of my junior martial brother Xuan Bei!

Xiao Feng and Xuan Ci are both leaders of major sects, exceptionally sharp and capable beyond ordinary men. Previously, emotions clouded their judgment, each with their own flaws. Once someone pointed it out, they immediately understood the Murong family's plot concerned affairs of state and military.

"Amitabha!"

The remaining four Xuan in unison chanted the Buddha's name. Xuan Sheng said coldly: "Several senior martial brothers, since we have come to Jiangbei, why not seek out the Murong family? Though Murong Bo is dead, if his ambitions were great, how could his descendants not inherit his legacy?"

Xiao Feng said: "I have already been to Yanziwu. Aside from maidservants and servants, the Murong household has no one else. I simply do not know his whereabouts!"

Xuan Du suddenly said: "Xiao Feng, from your reaction you clearly already know who the Leading Brother and the messenger are. Then do you know who killed my junior martial brother Xuan Ku and Qiao Sanhuai and his wife?"

Xiao Feng gave no answer, but said to Xuan Ci: "Master, as a sect leader, but uncertain whether your earlier words still hold?"

Xuan Ci said: "I am a Buddhist disciple—how could I utter falsehoods?"

Xiao Feng nodded and said: "Good. Since this is so, the grudge for killing my mother must be avenged. Yet even if I seek revenge, I will not strike a defenseless person!"

Xuan Ci pondered, then pressed his palms together and said: "Good! Northern Qiao Feng shakes the present age—I too would not wish to miss this opportunity. Please instruct me!"

Saying this, he separated his palms, each tracing a circle, and simultaneously pushed forward.

Xiao Feng saw his palms emerge and realized he had already been enveloped, whereupon he also unleashed the 'Dragon Subduing Twenty-Eight Palms', both palms striking out.

In his left and right palms, the force he employed was three parts external, seven parts internal, retaining most of the power without release.

When their four palms met, Xiao Feng was suddenly startled.

(End of Chapter)