Chapter 215: with translation of chapter title

Murong Fu and his subordinates were also prominent figures; usually they did not act high-handed, yet they were mighty and imposing, but after not receiving news of A Zhu in Luoyang,

Murong Fu also said he would go west to check the current state of the jianghu, see if he could take the opportunity to recruit followers and expand his forces for future restoration.

In fact, his saying this was ultimately to avoid Feng Yi's sharpness, but for someone as proud and arrogant as Murong Fu, it was truly a hundred times more painful than being beheaded and having his chest caved in.

Now being openly insulted by this bunch of nobodies, how could they endure it? The six immediately turned back and went up to meet them.

Bao Butong and Feng Bo'e, who hadn't fought anyone in a long time, took the lead, but Murong Fu, fearing Wang Yuyan would be startled and suffer, slowed his steps and stayed by her side.

In the green light, five figures tangled back and forth, with two people swiftly circling around three.

Then came a shout from Bao and Feng, three cracking sounds, the three either stalled in their movements or staggered, their bodies flying up to strike the cliff; in the blink of an eye, Bao and Feng had disposed of the three.

Feng Yi, A Zi, and Duan Yu hid behind the bushes, seeing clearly; Duan Yu suddenly let out a soft sigh.

A Zi heard it and said, "What are you sighing about?"

Duan Yu lightly replied, "Nothing!"

A Zi gave a cold snort: "You're probably just thinking you have no chance to play the hero saving the beauty."

Duan Yu gave a wry smile: "With Mister Murong's martial arts so superb, how could it be my turn?"

A Zi pursed her lips, turned to Feng Yi and whispered, "Big brother, I see this bunch is utterly ordinary, just some country bumpkins pretending to be mystical; why should we hide? Let's just take them out, why let Murong Fu show off?"

Feng Yi said, "Don't rush, let's look first." Saying that, he lifted the two, leapt over ten zhang, then jumped onto a large tree, taking in the entire Murong party at a glance.

These few moves, swift as a rabbit's start and a falcon's descent, wind sweeping the grass, were utterly soundless; even a master like Murong Fu didn't notice, truly divine skill and boldness beyond measure; Duan Yu saw it with his own eyes, his heart full of admiration.

Feng Yi wanted to look, so A Zi had to look too; this glance made her heart race, her slender fingers clenched tightly into fists.

But Wang Yuyan said, "It is the Sangtu Gong faction of the West Sichuan Bi Ling Cave."

A Zi had Bi Ling needles in her hand, and there was a Bi Ling Cave; she wondered if it might be related to the Xingxiu sect.

Deng Baichuan nodded and said, "Miss, you are indeed well versed."

Under the green lamp, Murong Fu and the others gathered around a large bronze cauldron; inside, a wisp of smoke rose, thin as a thread yet straight as an arrow.

Beside the bronze cauldron lay an old man, his breath faint, yet he stared wide-eyed, angrily glaring at everyone; he was the one who had spoken earlier and been shaken by Deng Baichuan.

Bao Butong turned around and said, "How do you know? The method of sending signals with burning wolf smoke has existed for thousands of years; it need not be exclusive to the West Sichuan Bi Ling Cave..." He hadn't finished when Gongye Qian pointed to a foot of the bronze cauldron, indicating he should look.

Bao Butong bent down, flicked a fire starter to look, and saw the character 'Sang' cast on the cauldron's foot, formed by several small snakes and centipedes intertwined, mottled with verdigris, indeed an antique.

Bao Butong knew Wang Yuyan was right, yet he insisted: "Even if this bronze cauldron belongs to the West Sichuan Sangtu Gong faction, who knows they didn't borrow or steal it? Besides, as the saying goes, 'fake cauldrons, fake cauldrons'—out of ten cauldrons, nine are fake."

Everyone showed a hint of a smile.

Murong Fu pondered briefly, then said, "This is a place of trouble; it's best to leave early."

He had originally resolved to fight to the end, but this situation was somewhat thorny, exceeding his expectations.

For several people knew that the Sangtu Gong faction of the West Sichuan Bi Ling Cave consisted mostly of Miao and Qiang peoples, whose conduct differed greatly from that of Central Plains martial artists; they excelled at poison, and jianghu folks regarded them with great apprehension.

Murong Fu, Deng Baichuan, and the others weren't afraid of the Sangtu Gong; they simply found it tedious to feud with such evil, poisonous, bizarre outsiders, and once entangled, it was troublesome, so they changed their minds and wanted to disengage; the others all agreed.

Murong Fu nodded at Bao Butong, then tilted his mouth toward the old man.

Bao Butong waved his hand; with a puff, the old man was pierced in the chest by the bamboo pole holding the green lamp, and the lamp went out at once.

Wang Yuyan exclaimed "Ah!" in great surprise.

Deng Baichuan and the others, however, paid no heed, turned and walked away.

"A petty person is no gentleman; without poison, one is not a true man!" Gongye Qian said, "This is killing to silence, to avoid future trouble." He kicked up his right foot and overturned the bronze cauldron.

Murong Fu took Wang Yuyan's hand and leapt out diagonally to the left.

A Zi sighed, "This Mister Murong is truly remarkable!"

Feng Yi gave a slight nod and said, "If not so, he could not be called 'Southern Murong'; in today's martial world, at his age, besides Qiao Feng, who could match him?"

Feng Yi spoke the truth; in the original plot, the youths Murong Fu could not overcome were precisely the three brothers Qiao Feng, Xu Zhu, and Duan Yu.

But they are all overpowered, and Murong Fu happens to be their enemy, naturally becoming a stepping stone, making himself a tragedy and a laughingstock.

Besides these three, there's also You Tanzhi, another overpowered; even if he truly fought Murong Fu, he might not win!

While they were talking, Murong Fu, with Wang Yuyan, rushed out over ten zhang; two black shadows suddenly leapt out, blades from the long grass chopping down toward them, not slow in speed.

But Murong Fu merely flicked his sleeve, employing 'Dou Zhuan Xing Yi'; the ambusher, unexpectedly, though his blade came down, did not strike the enemy but hit his own companion's head, then felt a pang in his chest, only to be run through by his companion's long sword.

Both let out a miserable groan, struggled slightly, then lay still; Murong Fu's feet did not pause, and Gongye Qian praised, "Sir, excellent skill!"

Murong Fu gave a faint smile, pressed on; with a wave of his right palm, an enemy before him tumbled down the slope rolling; with a strike of his left palm, an enemy ahead cried out "Ah!", spat blood, gave a shrill scream, rolled twice and lay still.

At this moment, a buzzing sound rose urgently; Murong Fu suddenly smelled a foul, fishy odor swiftly drifting down from above, followed by a faint sharp wind blowing toward him.

In the darkness Murong Fu could not see, yet he hastily gathered his palm wind and actually flung back two unknown hidden weapons; hearing a miserable "Ah!" cry, the enemy had already been struck by his own poisonous hidden weapon.

Duan Yu and A Zi saw the persons attacking Murong Fu and Wang Yuyan fall one after another; his killing seemed even easier than slaughtering chickens and dogs.

Duan Yu let out a long breath and said softly, "I finally understand why Miss Wang is so devoted to Mister Murong."

"That's because you're useless!" A Zi said coldly, "In my view, they have no place for you in their heart; since an open abduction won't make you a wife, you might as well kill them—why torment yourself?"

Duan Yu regarded Wang Yuyan as a deity, and could not help but say, "How can you kill at the drop of a hat? If Miss Wang doesn't like me, must I kill her? What kind of reasoning is that?"

A Zi's face darkened slightly, and she said, "I simply don't reason; I must kill Wang Yuyan—let's see what you can do to me."

"Absolutely not." Duan Yu waved his hands repeatedly, his eyes showing unease.

A Zi felt amused inwardly, when suddenly she heard Deng Baichuan's harsh shout from afar: "Everyone, charge side by side into the 'Listening Fragrance Water Pavilion'!"

"Listening Fragrance Water Pavilion?" Duan Yu exclaimed strangely, "That's Miss A Zhu's residence!"

A Zi's pretty face turned pale, and she trembled, "A Zhu? What A Zhu?"

She had heard Duan Yu mention A Zhu once on Lei Gu Mountain; she had wanted to ask then but couldn't, and now, hearing him again, she voiced her doubt.

Duan Yu said, "Miss A Zhu is Murong Fu's maid."

A Zi pursed her lips and said, "My older sister is also called A Zhu; that Murong Fu's servant dares to bear the name A Zhu—she truly deserves to die!"

Feng Yi secretly amused.

Duan Yu scratched his head and said, "So your older sister is also called A Zhu!"

A Zi pursed her lips and said, "Dad didn't tell you, did he? I'm A Zi, my older sister is A Zhu. The first time he saw me, he just blurted out my name—I found it odd; otherwise, you'd think I could casually call someone Dad?"

Duan Yu had only heard Duan Zhengchun and Ruan Xingzhu briefly mention the sisters, and it wasn't easy to ask for details. Now, hearing this, he carefully observed A Zi's appearance and felt that her features resembled A Zhu's, especially that lively spirit; he suddenly clapped and said, "You really are somewhat like Miss A Zhu, especially that bright and well-behaved air."

Feng Yi suddenly made a hand gesture, cutting off their conversation, signaling them to be silent, and led the two onward. At this moment, all around was pitch black, with no starlight or moonlight; the three went forward another ten or so zhang and hid behind a thicket.

As it turned out, Deng Bai chuan, Gongye Qian, Bao Butong, and Feng Bo'e each used either palms or swords to meet the enemy, palms and blades flying, blood spraying. Although the enemies' techniques and movements were not entirely unlike those of Central Plains martial arts, they didn't seem particularly extraordinary, yet these people's martial arts belonged to different schools.

In the darkness, no one knew how many foes there were, and grudges were piling up—this was very bad. Deng Bai chuan then said they should charge toward the Listening Fragrance Water Pavilion, for that was A Zhu's manor, located west of Swallow Nest; that meant retreating to the west, so as not to let the enemy learn of it.

Feng Yi knew these people had come far into the Central Plains merely to plot a rebellion; who lived or died on either side was of no concern to him.

But he well knew that during this period, the Tianshan Tonglao had lost all her martial arts, having been seized from the Spirit Vulture Palace; her whereabouts were unknown, but they must lie with this gang, so he followed them closely, not leaving their side for a moment.

Only saw Deng Bai chuan thrust both palms outward left and right, with two muffled "pup-pup" sounds; the opponent was truly capable, actually blocking that heavy palm force. Deng Bai chuan shouted angrily, thrusting two palms, and one body was already sent flying by his blow.

The wails grew louder and then faded, as if sinking into the earth, followed by the sounds of rolling stones and breaking branches.

Everyone started, realizing that the person had been struck down into a deep valley; otherwise, stepping into empty air in the darkness would have been fatal.

The cries still drifted in the air when a voice floated over from the left high slope: "Which exalted one dares to come cause trouble at the Myriad Immortals Assembly? Do you truly hold the Thirty-Six Cave Masters and Seventy-Two Island Masters in no regard?"

Murong Fu and the others all let out a soft "ah", simultaneously ceasing their moves and going on high alert.

A Zi sensed something fishy, turned her head to Feng Yi and said, "Big brother, did you already know where these people come from?"

Feng Yi nodded.

"They call themselves immortals," Duan Yu said. "Where are these exalted ones from?"

"They're no exalted ones—just a bunch of slaves!" Feng Yi said, showing sympathy.

"Slaves?" A Zi asked in surprise.

Feng Yi said: "They are all practitioners of heterodox ways, controlled by others through various means to be used as tools!"

Duan Yu's face fell displeased: "Since you know what sort of people they are, why didn't you stop Young Master Murong and his companions from entering this place?"

Feng Yi smiled: "Don't meddle, and not to mention this is the Southern Murong's sole moment of glory—if you interfere recklessly and something goes wrong, the trouble will be great."

Feng Yi said: "My aim cannot be fulfilled, and your Miss Wang certainly won't be able to get out of here!"

"What do you mean?" Duan Yu said, quite puzzled.

Feng Yi said: "At the very least, five or six hundred people have gathered here."

Duan Yu immediately looked left and right, but all around was pitch black; he could see nothing.

Just then Murong Fu spoke loudly: "My six friends and I are traveling by night; we did not know you all were gathered here, and we have inadvertently given offense—I apologize. In the darkness, this is a misunderstanding; let both sides laugh it off and please make way." The "Thirty-Six Cave Masters and Seventy-Two Island Masters" are scattered across islands in the Eastern and Yellow Seas, or dwell in seclusion deep in the Kunlun and Qilian mountains; they belong to no sect nor any gang, being heterodox practitioners. Their martial arts vary in strength, and their characters range from good to evil.

Murong Fu and company had long heard these people's names, but according to what they knew, these individuals kept to themselves, each going their own way, not communicating with one another, so they never amounted to much; the martial world had always disregarded them, yet they never expected to run into them in this desolate mountain valley.

Suddenly, all around erupted with ha, hei, ho, hum laughter, the number of laughers growing ever larger.

At first only ten or so people laughed, but later voices from all directions joined the laughter, the sound amounting to no fewer than five or six hundred people, some nearby, some seemingly several li away.

Duan Yu was moved and said: "There really are that many people!"

A Zi said: "This place is pitch black; if an ambush were set along the way, whether Murong Fu and company could escape is debatable, but that surnamed Wang will surely be done for."

Duan Yu's heart jolted, his body swaying as if about to fall.

"Stay calm!" Feng Yi said lightly: "These people's target is not Murong Fu!"

A Zi asked suspiciously: "Then what are they holding a gathering in the wilderness for in the middle of the night?"

Feng Yi smiled: "As the saying goes, a cornered dog jumps over the wall, a startled rabbit bites—so what does a desperate person do?"

Duan Yu and A Zi, without hesitation, said: "Rebel!"

=9+book, right?

One of them is the heir of Dali, who knows the people's sentiments; the other is one who rebelled against his master, and together they hit the nail on the head.

Feng Yi nodded: "So this is lively and worth watching—don't act rashly!"

Amidst the crowd's uproarious laughter, the person on the high slope said: "You dismiss it with a light remark, which is really making things seem too easy."

"You six have already struck and injured several of our brothers; if the Myriad Immortals Assembly's myriad immortals were to just let you go, where would the face of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands be put?"

As the words fell, one could see shadows of people everywhere on the surrounding slopes, peaks, gullies, and ridges; in the darkness, one could not make out anyone's appearance.

"'Brother Feng, how do you know there are so many people?' Duan Yu felt it unbelievable; these folks originally had unknown hiding places, but suddenly they seemed to surge up from the ground, yet from Feng Yi's tone it was clear he fully understood."

Feng Yi's martial prowess was exquisite, his hearing far superior to his sight, especially evident in the night. Just now, by focusing his energy on both ears, he could clearly hear the voices, wind, and the sound of flags blowing within several li.

All we don't know is where the Tianshan Tonglao is; for now we must stay hidden, wait for someone to appear, then seize them—that's the real task.

At this moment, Deng Bai chuan, Gongye Qian, Bao Butong, and Feng Bo'e stood with blades and palms, gathering around Murong Fu and Wang Yuyan. Yet despite being surrounded by the iron-clad encirclement of hundreds, Murong Fu and company couldn't help but feel a creepy sensation.

Murong Fu reflected that his luck had been poor; having previously encountered Feng Yi, tonight he had also run into terrible misfortune, inadvertently stumbling into this great gathering of heterodox practitioners. He had kept his name secret so far, lest things become irreparable; with his party of six being outnumbered, how could they possibly resist hundreds?

Murong Fu gathered his qi in his dantian and spoke loudly: "As the saying goes, the ignorant are not blameworthy. I have also long heard the great names of the Thirty-Six Cave Masters and Seventy-Two Island Masters, and I certainly dare not intentionally offend. Master Sangtu of the Western Sichuan Emerald Phosphor Cave, Master Xuanhuang of the Gansu Coiling Dragon Cave, and Master Zhang Dari, lord of the Eastern Sea Profound Darkness Island—I imagine they are all present here. I, Murong Fu, wish to make your acquaintance, with no intent to give offense."

Everyone gasped in surprise; they hadn't expected the visitor to be the renowned Gusu Murong of the martial world, and some were quite shocked.

That coarse voice asked: "Are you the Gusu Murong who practices 'using their own methods against them'?"

Murong Fu said: "I dare not; it is indeed I, your humble self."

That person said: "The Gusu Murong are no ordinary folk. Light the lamps! Let everyone take a look!"

As soon as those words were spoken, a yellow lamp rose in the southeast corner, followed by red lamps rising in the west and northwest corners.

In an instant, lights rose all around—lanterns, torches, Kongming lamps, pine torches; the lamps each family's cave and island masters brought varied greatly, some crude and simple, others exquisitely crafted, the flickering light casting strange shadows on everyone's faces, wondrous and inexplicable.

The crowd gazed upon them: there were men and women, handsome and ugly, monks and daoists; some were skin-and-bones, some had hollow eyes, some wore wide sleeves flowing, some wore tight short garments, some were old men with long flowing beards, some were women with towering cloud buns; in short, they were strangely shaped, their attire likewise odd, over half carrying weapons, the weapons themselves also mostly odd in appearance.

Murong Fu returned a deep bow on all sides and said loudly: "Greetings, everyone; I, Murong Fu of Gusu, offer my respects."

Those around either returned the salute or ignored it completely.

A person from the west said: "Murong Fu, you Gusu Murong like to show off your might in the Central Plains—that's your affair. But to come to the Myriad Immortals Assembly and run roughshod without restraint—do you not think little of us?"

He paused, then asked: "You go by the name 'using their own methods against them'; so how would you apply my methods to me?"

Murong Fu followed the sound and saw, on a rock to the west, a big-headed old man sitting cross-legged, his huge bald head completely hairless, his face flushed with blood; from afar he looked like a great ball of blood.

Murong Fu cupped his fists slightly and said: "Greetings! May I ask your esteemed name?"

That person clutched his belly and laughed, saying, "Old man, I'm testing you to see whether the Gusu Murong clan truly possesses real talent and learning, or merely bears an empty reputation."

He paused, then said: "Just now I asked you: if you want to use my Dao and apply it to my person, how would you carry it out? As long as you answer correctly, I don't care what others do; I, the old man, will no longer give you trouble. You may go wherever you like."

Murong Fu, seeing the situation, realized that today's affair could not be settled with mere words; he would have to strike and demonstrate a few moves. He then said: "In that case, I will accompany you for a few moves, senior—please make your move."

The man again clutched his belly and laughed, saying, "I am testing you, not asking you to measure me."

"If you cannot answer, you had better put away those eight characters, 'to use his Dao against him'."

Everyone found it amusing and burst into laughter.

Murong Fu suppressed his anger and thought: "You sit there motionless; I don't know your sect, nor your name, so how can I know what your best technique is? I don't know what your 'Dao' is, so how could I apply it to you?"

As he pondered, the big-headed old man coldly snorted: "My friends from the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands are scattered to the ends of the earth, paying no heed to the mundane affairs of the Central Plains. Yet here, in the mountains devoid of tigers, monkeys call themselves kings. A brat like you, still wet behind the ears, dares to speak of 'Northern Qiao Feng, Southern Murong'—hah, it's all sheer boasting, laughable and shameless!"

Everyone burst into loud laughter.

The old man then said: "Murong Fu, listen: if you want to leave today, it's not difficult. You must kowtow ten times to each lord of the Thirty-Six Caves and each master of the Seventy-Two Islands—a total of one thousand and eighty kowtows—and we will let your six children go."

Duan Yu, his heart stirred, said: "How could Young Master Murong kowtow? Brother Feng, for A Zhu's sake, let us help—" He grabbed Feng Yi, his body swaying, shaking the branches, and leaves rustled down.

What a person Murong Fu is—he immediately exclaimed, turned toward the sound, and Bao Butong shouted sternly: "Who is the shameless one hiding in the dark?"

Duan Yu, guilty as a thief, turned pale with fright; Feng Yi inwardly cursed, fearing that if he slipped and fell from the tree, it would ruin his plans, so he had no choice but to hold onto him.

He had come only for the Tian Shan Tonglao; since the main party hadn't been brought out to swear the blood oath, he fundamentally did not want to confront these people face to face.

Yet someone laughed and said: "You're overthinking it; your shout was too loud and startled the birds in the trees."

Suddenly, with a whoosh, a heavy object fell from a pine tree, clanging loudly as it struck the rocks—it was a huge bronze cauldron.

Murong Fu startled again, looked up at the pine tree, wondering what sort of person could have hauled this several-hundred-pound bulk up to the treetop and then dropped it down.

Looking at this bronze cauldron's shape, it matched the one that Gong Ye Qian had kicked over earlier from the Azure Phosphor Cave, except its body was far larger—could Sang Tu Gong actually be hiding in the treetop?

Yet the pine branches swayed lightly, with no sign of a person.

At that moment, a cold snort came from within the cauldron: "Never mind whether it's man or bird!" Silver light flashed, and thousands of tiny needles as fine as cow hair shot toward the pine where Feng Yi and the others stood.

Duan Yu and A Zi wanted to descend the tree to evade, when they heard Feng Yi's whisper, faint as a mosquito: "Don't move!" He circulated his inner power, forming a true qi shield that enveloped the three of them.

Duan Yu and A Zi only heard a fierce wind whistling past their ears, the needles emitting a continuous hiss, yet they felt nothing on their bodies, though a faint foul odor lingered in their noses.

Duan Yu and A Zi also felt that the poisonous needles seemed to encounter an invisible barrier, so they could not strike them; although they did not understand why, they knew it was Feng Yi's doing, which puzzled them greatly, yet under everyone's gaze they dared not speak up to ask.

After a moment, the big-headed old man chuckled: "Sang Tu Gong, the older you get, the smaller your courage!"

"These are the Azure Phosphor Cave's hair-thin needles, which seal the throat and attack the heart—nothing is more lethal."

"Indeed, with such a vicious hidden weapon, who could be up in the tree?" everyone remarked.

Although the sky lacked starlight or moonlight, the lanterns and torches below shone brightly enough that anyone hiding among the lush foliage, trying to dodge the hair-thin needles, would surely be seen.

As for Feng Yi's such defensive martial arts, it was completely beyond their imagination, so they naturally suspected nothing of him.

Even Murong Fu thought he had misheard.

Suddenly the great cauldron lurched, and a short figure leapt out, pacing back and forth by its rim: "One, two, three..." He counted on his fingers and said, "Murong Fu, a life for a life—you have taken three lives from my Azure Phosphor Cave; how shall this debt be settled?"

Murong Fu startled, then asked back: "Are you Sang Tu Gong?"

The short figure replied proudly: "Exactly!"

Murong Fu fell silent for a moment, then clasped his hands and said: "I did not mean to injure your subordinates; I hope the Sang Cave Lord will show magnanimity."

Sang Tu Gong snorted and coldly laughed: "You're blind? I'm small—how could I have magnanimity?"

Murong Fu realized there was no way to settle this amicably, so he said: "Sang Cave Lord, tell me what to do."

Sang Tu Gong narrowed his eyes, sizing up Wang Yuyan, then said: "You killed three of my subordinates; I demand you compensate me with one person—isn't that a bargain?"

Murong Fu asked: "Compensate with whom?"

"Her!" Sang Tu Gong pointed at Wang Yuyan, grinning: "As long as she bears me three sons, I'll let you go!"

Murong Fu's eyebrows knitted in anger; Wang Yuyan's face changed, revealing a flash of annoyance amid her panic, and she snapped: "Don't even think about it!"

Bao Butong drew out his voice: "No, no, there's actually such a huge toad here—what a worthwhile trip!"

Murong Fu coldly snorted: "I respect you all as elders; I observe propriety before force, offering polite words first. Do you think I, Murong Fu, am afraid of you?"

Suddenly Sang Tu Gong shrank back, and all that could be heard was a hissing sound as silver light flashed; hundreds of tiny needles shot toward him.

Murong Fu was suddenly assaulted; knowing that the sheer number and force of the hair-thin needles exceeded human strength and must be mechanical, he realized that dodging would endanger his brothers and Wang Yuyan, so he instead stepped forward, gave a deep shout, channeled his qi into his sleeves, and swept them outward.

Only a series of hisses were heard, as all those hair-thin needles were swept skyward by his inner strength.

A Zi admired his martial arts in her heart, but she snorted: "We've come this far, and you still won't deliver a killing blow—Murong Fu is nothing but an empty reputation!"

She knew Murong Fu could counterattack yet chose not to harm anyone, feeling contemptuous; but before her words had even faded, a voice rang out: "Gusu Murong, indeed your reputation is not in vain!"

(End of chapter)