Chapter 197

Everyone turned their gaze, only to see a "young master" limping in—who else could it be but A Zi?

Feng Yi is a character.

But then he thought: "She managed to escape the Star Frost Sect's pursuit from all directions; she must have some unknown means."

A Zi sat down at a table not far from Feng Yi, Xuan Nan, and the others; the waiter hurried over to serve: "Young master, what would you like to eat?"

A Zi pulled out a silver ingot and stuffed it into the waiter's hand, glanced at Feng Yi, and said: "Waiter, is that guest staying at the inn?"

The waiter gave Feng Yi a sideways glance, smiling as he pocketed the silver, saying: "As this sir says, our Tongda Guesthouse is the only major inn in Pingning Town; anyone of status stays here."

Anyone who can be a waiter is sharp; I used Feng Yi's information to earn money and even flattered him, lest I offend him and suffer a loss.

A Zi, however, kept a straight face and said: "I'm asking whether that guest is staying at the inn."

Xiao Er is a generic term, not a specific name.

A Zi smiled slightly, produced another silver ingot, which clinked as she tossed it onto the table, saying: "Find me a guest room, right next to that person!"

Feng Yi, A Zi, and Qiao Feng are mentioned; in the original plot, it's just like that entangling Qiao Feng, so Qiao Feng is a character from another work.

Feng Yi again felt it wasn't likely, since he bore no resemblance to Qiao Feng; as he pondered, Xuan Nan said: "Master Feng, we must be on our way tomorrow—excuse us."

At this point everyone saw that A Zi had come for Feng Yi; Xuan Nan and Xuan Tong even realized she was dressed as a man, and immediately rose to take their leave.

Feng Yi rose to see them off, but saw A Zi hop over to his table, saying: "I kindly invited you to eat, yet you leave without a greeting—is this the conduct of a benevolent hero?"

Feng Yi knew that calling her ruthless had upset her, so she came to mock him, hoping he would approve of her methods.

But he stubbornly ignored her, rose, picked up the teapot, and headed back to his room.

A Zi, Feng Yi, and Qin Hongmian? Actually she sees Qin Hongmian and her mother fighting over the father; Qin Hongmian is a character, mother is not named.

Qin Hongmian, mother (generic), father (generic).

Although A Zi's deeds are vicious, her appearance is extremely deceiving; without seeing her in person, no one would associate her with the word "evil".

Consequently, the other patrons felt Feng Yi had wronged this young lady, causing her to limp after him, their gazes full of contempt—and inevitably, envy as well.

They fantasized about how wonderful it would be to have such a beautiful maiden follow them!

Feng Yi couldn't help but chuckle, but he was thick-skinned when it came to male-female matters, so he simply sat down to see what antics she would pull, and how long she would cry.

Seeing his reaction, A Zi also found it boring, immediately stopped crying and said: "I know you're angry with me; I'll sing you a tune—if you won't listen, how about I play you a melody instead?"

Feng Yi.

The bystanders felt considerable resentment toward Feng Yi; this young lady speaks like a warbler, her singing must be superb, yet you refuse to listen—damn it, you don't know what's good for you!

Just then A Zi sighed, gave Feng Yi a sideways glance, and said: "If you don't speak, that means you acquiesce, right?"

"You dead person, truly hard to serve—you won't speak, yet you insist someone play a tune for you!"

Saying this, she drew a jade flute from her bosom and brought it to her lips.

Everyone (generic).

It's not unusual for a woman to play the flute, but what's remarkable is how extraordinarily short this flute is—only about seven inches long, and entirely pure white, sparkling and adorable.

Observant people saw this delicate young woman brandishing a jade flute here, which would surely attract the covetous gaze of ruffians, and thought they ought to warn her later.

A Zi gave a gentle blow, and a sharp sound carried far away.

Normally flute notes are clear and soaring, but the sound issuing from this white jade flute is exceptionally mournful, lamentable and poignant, enough to break one's heart—far from any melody.

Such a lively, beautiful maiden and such a sparkling, adorable jade flute would naturally be a perfect match.

Everyone had expected to hear a wonderful sound, yet what came out was incredibly mournful.

Even so, some listeners found themselves recalling many painful memories, their eye sockets unconsciously reddening.

Feng Yi's mind was as firm as a rock, unshakable; seeing this, he thought: "The Star Frost Sect is indeed nefarious!"

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but recall the shrill whistle when Mo Yunzi and the others of the Star Frost Sect had robbed him that day; he smirked inwardly: "This girl surely wants me to take the blade for her—good, and if it could lure Ding Chunqiu, all the better!"

All one heard was A Zi's flute wailing high and low, like a pig being slaughtered, like a ghost's lament—unbearably harsh.

Feng Yi and Ding Chunqiu (character).

Before long, a great commotion erupted outside, someone shouting: "It's here!"

Junior martial sister (Xiao Shimei) – a sect rank, referring to A Zi.

Then came the sound of footsteps, and a burly crowd surged in.

This group numbered over a dozen, all dressed in brown, with fierce brows and angry eyes, radiating menace. Feng Yi recognized them as the Star Frost Sect members who had failed to rob him.

The leader, about forty years old, had a pair of shining gold rings hanging from his ears, a lion-like nose and wide mouth, his appearance rather ferocious and bizarre, especially his prominent nose—he was the Star Frost Sect's second senior brother, Mo Yunzi.

A Zi also stopped playing the flute, smiling: "Second Senior Brother, Third Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Brother, Seventh Senior Brother, Eighth Senior Brother, you're all well. How coincidental that we all happen to gather here!"

A short, fat man jumped onto the table, hands on hips, and declared: "Star Frost Sect business—outsiders, clear out!"

(no names)

Shaolin Temple (place/sect).

Mo Yunzi snorted coldly and said: "Junior Sister, you sure made us hunt for you?"

A Zi laughed and said: "What do you want from me?"

Mo Yunzi said: "The master has ordered me to escort you back!"

A Zi shook her head and said: "I won't go."

Looking at Feng Yi, she said: "I've finally made it to Jiangnan, and I intend to keep this elder brother company properly!"

The Star Frost Sect members kept glancing askance at Feng Yi, sizing him up.

Mo Yunzi glared and said: "Who is this guy?"

They had met before, but back then Feng Yi wore a human-skin mask, so now, seeing his true face, they didn't recognize him.

A Zi, Moyunzi, and Gusu Murong (place/sect/family).

Moyunzi, Gusu Murong, Qingcheng Sect, Qin Family Stronghold, and second senior brother.

Third Senior Brother Zhuifengzi said: "Junior Sister, you probably don't know, the Qingcheng Sect's Qin Family Stronghold that has taken refuge under the Murong Sect, and also that packet, not the same, gave Second Senior Brother forty thousand taels of silver; only then did Second Senior Brother spare them!"

These few words were spoken loftily, but A Zi laughed and said: "Master loves me the most, second senior brother, please go back and report to Master; after I've had enough fun in Jiangnan, I'll buy him some fun antique jewelry and then return."

Mo Yunzi shook his head and said: "No, you took Master's..." He said up to here, glanced sideways around, as if fearing leaking a secret, paused, then said: "Master is furious and has personally come to the Central Plains!"

A Zi pleaded: "Second senior brother, you know Master is coming yet you still want to force me back—are you deliberately trying to make me suffer? Next time Master blames you, I won't intercede for you." Mo Yunzi couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat on his forehead, his face showing hesitation, for he knew the Xingxiu Old Monster doted on A Zi and could speak well before Master; if he took her back, she would surely drag him into trouble and he would certainly be punished.

Thinking this, he said: "Since you insist on not going back, then give me that thing. I'll take it back to return to Master, so I can have an explanation, and Master's anger will also subside!"

A Zi said: "What thing? I don't know!"

Mo Yunzi said in a deep voice: "Could it be that you rely on your martial arts being superior to mine and treat my words like a fart?"

After the Xingxiu Old Monster transmitted the martial arts to his disciples, each practiced separately; among fellow disciples, aside from fighting to the death over sect rank, they never practiced sparring by breaking each other's moves, because breaking moves decides superiority, and a decision of superiority leads to casualties.

The living naturally rank higher; Mo Yunzi's words, A Zi not listening, according to Xingxiu Sect rules, that is a challenge to oneself.

A Zi said: "I won't go back. I also don't know what you're saying. You want my belongings? Fine..."

Saying this, he took out a pearl hairpin from his bosom and said: "You want a token to report to Master? Then take this pearl hairpin."

Mo Yunzi said: "Junior sister, I won't move my hands to offend you, out of respect for our fellow-disciple bond, but you don't know good from bad, forcing me to act!"

He spoke while walking toward A Zi, and just as he said the word "hand", his palm surged with a gust of wind, using a seizing technique to grab Feng Yi's wrist.

Mo Yunzi did not want to strike a killing blow against A Zi here; he only wanted to show off his prowess, make her fearful, and have her obediently follow him back, so he directed his move at Feng Yi.

=9+book_ba

Feng Yi had previously seen them chattering about sect affairs, but he just treated it as a show to relieve boredom; who would have thought Mo Yunzi would actually strike at him.

Moreover, his palm wind had a foul stench, obviously poisoned; Feng Yi saw his viciousness and became extremely angry, already having sentenced him to death in his mind. But to test his own poison resistance, he let him grab his wrist, feeling the palm scorching hot, knowing the opponent's palm held deadly poison, he immediately circulated his internal energy to his wrist and laughed: "Where is Ding Chunqiu?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Yunzi and all the Xingxiu Sect members were startled together.

That third senior brother, Zhui Fengzi, shouted: "Second senior brother, it's him, it's him!"

Mo Yunzi was also greatly shocked and turned pale; they weren't startled by the matter but because the voice was too familiar. He thought that back then, taking his life would have been as easy as turning over his palm; in an instant cold sweat poured forth, realizing he had provoked someone he shouldn't have, and he wanted to loosen his grip and release Feng Yi's wrist.

Unexpectedly, Feng Yi's wrist had an extremely strong adhesive force, his palm sticking to the wrist, unable to break free; although he was arrogant, he was also quite scheming, so he did not act out, glaring and saying: "Who exactly are you, sir? Repeatedly causing trouble for my Xingxiu Sect, what power do you rely on?"

These two sentences were soft yet firm, aiming to ascertain the other's background while not losing his own dignity.

But A Zi saw that he was fierce outwardly but weak within; if not for the fellow disciples present, he would have already been begging for mercy nonstop, only watching with brows dancing and color flushed, quite delighted.

Feng Yi said lightly: "Have you heard of Feng Yi?"

Upon hearing this name, A Zi felt delighted inside: "So he's called Feng Yi."

Mo Yunzi, however, kept trembling, his lips slightly twitching.

The Four Evils of the world have all been exterminated by Feng Yi; how could he not know? But if he leaked the Master's whereabouts, he would suffer a death worse than words can describe. He immediately strained with all his might, like a mayfly shaking a tree, yet his hand remained firmly stuck to the other's hand, unable to move; in that instant his eyes flashed, and with all his strength he struck his left palm toward Feng Yi's face.

This attack struck his unguarded side, truly hard to dodge; unexpectedly, before the palm force arrived, Feng Yi already smelled a foul, rotten stench, like a heap of dead fish, and as his right palm turned, it had already met the opponent's two palms.

With a gentle exertion of force, Mo Yunzi felt a great power shoving him back, his body involuntarily retreating several steps; in an instant his face turned from green to black, his body swayed a few times, he fell to the ground and remained motionless.

The onlookers all gasped in surprise; Feng Yi's move was gentle, how could it be like this?

It turns out the Xingxiu Sect's martial arts are heretical, their internal energy contains poison, thus becoming a poisonous palm; striking someone else naturally kills the opponent instantly, but Feng Yi's internal energy is profoundly deep, his palm gentle yet secretly sharp, so this internal energy laced with deadly poison is like a sea tide reversing into a river, flowing from the elbow joint directly to the chest and heart, causing Mo Yunzi to die on his own body.

Moreover, this section, every Xingxiu Sect disciple certainly learns it as the first lesson of initiation: if the technique fails, one suffers the backlash!

Therefore, among these fellow disciples, aside from competing for rank, they never practice exchanging moves.

Suddenly a wild shout rang out: "Brothers, the wind is urgent, the wind is urgent, hustle and bustle!"

The Xingxiu Sect members are all perceptive "talents"; hearing Feng Yi's voice, they originally wanted to flee, but recalling that Feng Yi hadn't killed them last time, they refrained.

Unexpectedly, this time it changed; they couldn't help but stare at each other, someone suddenly shouted, hastily turned around, wanting to escape for their lives.

Feng Yi smiled faintly and said: "Let you off once, this time don't go anywhere!" He shook his hand, and the chopsticks in the chopstick holder shot out like a sudden downpour, fiercely toward the crowd.

Last time, if not for considering the safety of Huang Shang and others, he would have already eliminated them; this time he naturally developed killing intent.

The Xingxiu Sect members only thought of fleeing, and were all struck in the back's "spirit platform" acupoint by the chopsticks, collapsing limp on the ground.

This scene frightened others into ashen faces; A Zi also hadn't expected Feng Yi to be so ruthless, but seeing his smiling face, she suddenly understood why Feng Yi said he wasn't a good person.

This person instantly killed his own fellow disciples; his martial prowess is high and his heart vicious, truly beyond belief; compared to him, I am like a petty witch seeing a great witch.

Feng Yi glanced at his palm, felt nothing unusual, thinking: "This poison is just like that, it can't hurt me!" He then looked around and saw Xuan Nan, Xuan Tong, etc., with sorrowful faces, silently chanting sutras, as if saying he was too cruel.

Feng Yi, to avoid arguing with them, returned to the house, picked up the bundle, and loudly said: "The Xingxiu Sect people were killed by me, Feng Yi; if Ding Chunqiu is not satisfied, he is welcome to come to Lei Gu Mountain to find me!" Then he left.

A Zi also hurriedly followed up, for she suddenly realized: Feng Yi is so ruthless, how could she dare call herself wicked? He is not a good person, so I naturally am good; thinking this, she no longer feared Feng Yi and called out from behind: "Hey, wait for me!"

She feared losing Feng Yi, mustered her strength and rushed toward the shop door; just as she stepped out, someone entered from outside and immediately bumped into her embrace.

A Zi had practiced martial arts for years, her lightness skill not weak; who would have thought that being bumped by this person entering would cause her to unable to steady her feet, she retreated several steps in succession and fell to the ground.

This blow could be disastrous; she already had an injured foot, and this blow caused her to cry out in pain; lifting her head, she saw the one who knocked her down was a middle-aged monk, extremely obese, yet extremely short in stature, especially with a huge belly, resembling a pregnant woman, like a big meatball.

A Zi, furious, pointed and cursed: "You dead bald donkey..."

"Amitabha!" only to hear Xuan Nan utter a Buddhist proclamation, the sound shaking the venue, everyone's ears ringing, A Zi immediately sensed the situation and closed her mouth.

Suddenly, the fat monk turned and ran.

Xuan Tong shouted: "Hui Jing, don't you realize you're wrong yet?"

Xuan Nan swayed his body and had already chased out of the shop door.

As Hui Jing stepped out of the shop door, he tapped his feet; despite his obese body, his feet still landed on the opposite roof eave.

"Where are you going!" Xuan Nan's body flickered, he leapt onto the roof, let out a fierce shout, and executed a claw strike to seize Hui Jing's shoulder.

He, as the chief of the Shaolin Temple's Damo Academy, possessed profound divine skill; this "Dragon Claw Hand" technique is exquisitely superb.

The contemporary Shaolin Temple uses the generation names "Xuan, Hui, Xu, Kong"; upon hearing this, Hui Jing knew he was a second-generation disciple of the Shaolin Temple, only feeling a swift gust of wind, he flipped and fell from the roof, instinctively throwing a punch aimed at Xuan Nan's shin.

Xuan Nan angrily said: "You traitor!" He lifted his foot, slapped his palm, and a strong wind surged straight toward Hui Jing's back.

Hui Jing felt the palm wind was fierce and forceful, like a mountain pressing down; in midair he had nothing to rely on, and seemed unable to dodge.

Unexpectedly, a fierce gust of wind arose beside him.

Then they saw Hui Jing whoosh to the side with a bang, dust and sand flying up; Xuan Nan's palm missed, striking the ground.

At this moment, Xuan Tong, A Zi, and the other Shaolin monks rushed out of the shop, their gazes all fixed on Hui Jing.

(End of chapter)