Chapter 223

Feng Yi exerted force with his feet, rushing forward like a gust of wind and lightning, only to see several hundred people forming a tight circle, watertight.

Immediately he leapt up, flying swiftly like a glide, but after gliding several zhang, he needed to borrow a little force from people's heads, shoulders, and weapons; those stepped on sometimes felt nothing, while those with higher skill, once they realized, looked up and saw nothing.

Feng Yi's lightness skill was superb; in an instant he passed through the dense crowd, landing lightly under a tree, while everyone's attention was on the fight, yet no one noticed him.

He saw the two sides fighting fiercely; one group wore varied clothing and wielded assorted weapons—these were the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands' people, some of whom he had seen before,

Another group consisted of women holding long swords, clad in light blue cloaks, each cloak embroidered with a black vulture on the chest, their expressions fierce, ages ranging from over sixty to seventeen or eighteen.

Both sides exerted all they had, fighting with incredible ferocity; dozens of corpses lay on the ground, male and female, and among the onlookers many were missing arms or legs, drenched in blood.

Feng Yi sighed inwardly: "I arrived two months earlier than in the original story, yet there are still this many casualties; I don't know how many died in the original plot, but could this great hatred really be resolved when Xu Zhu lifts the Life and Death Talisman?"

In the midst of his thoughts, he heard a woman on the battlefield shout: "Everyone, retreat first to Misty Peak!"

The Spirit Vulture Palace women, having received pointers from Elder Tong, fought in small groups, advancing and retreating swiftly; their swordsmanship was formidable, but the leaders of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands were all skilled and numerous, leaving the outnumbered Spirit Vulture Palace women unable to hold out.

Suddenly Wu Lao Da shouted: "Young Master Murong, please unleash your killing move quickly, settle this battle so we can move on to the next!"

Murong Fu and the others were also present, but he wore a relaxed expression and did not intervene.

Zhuo Bu Fan, with an utterly carefree demeanor, said: "Young Master Murong, since you've joined the alliance, Wu Lao Da invites you to act; not doing so would be hard to justify, wouldn't it?"

Duan Yu's expression was the tensest; he urged: "Young Master Murong, what status you hold—how could you fight with a bunch of women? Improper, utterly improper!"

Upon hearing this, Murong Fu's naturally proud face fluctuated; he truly did not want to act against those women, yet if he didn't, it would indeed be hard to justify, so he glanced at his subordinates Deng Baichuan and the others.

Deng Baichuan and the others understood his intent, gripped their weapons, and were about to charge out.

Duan Yu stretched out his arms to block: "No, no!"

Deng Baichuan and the others also did not wish to spar with those women; Duan Yu's intervention gave them a convenient excuse to back down.

A leader of one of the Thirty-Six Caves shouted curses: "Blockhead, whose side are you on, anyway?"

"You're so meddlesome; if it weren't for your brother-in-law's sake, I'd have cut you down long ago!"

Duan Yu, chivalrous at heart, although knowing these women were no pushovers, did not want to see them killed, so he kept blocking them.

The Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands' people both feared Feng Yi and were unable to deal with Duan Yu's exquisite lightness skill.

As they spoke, the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands' people formed a encirclement, gradually closing in, driving the women onto the mountain path; it looked as if they would soon follow them up.

Suddenly a voice called out: "Everyone, long time no see!"

A figure shot up from outside the circle like lightning, twisted in midair, and landed gracefully in the arena, swift as a shooting star and wondrous to behold; upon touching the ground, a refined, ethereal young man appeared.

Murong Fu silently groaned; the newcomer was none other than Feng Yi.

Although the Spirit Vulture Palace women were female, they were hot-tempered and did not recognize Feng Yi, so they naturally paid him no heed; the Thirty-Six Caves fighters were also locked in fierce combat with them, unable to relent.

Feng Yi swayed, darted into the crowd rushing up the mountain path, employed the Small Seizing Hand, his hands grabbing and seizing in succession, with only the constant clinking of metal heard as the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands' weapons fell to the ground.

Everyone was startled, hastily leaping down the mountain path; upon seeing it was Feng Yi, the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands' people nearly fainted from rage.

The Spirit Vulture Palace women saw his dignified bearing and handsome appearance, yet did not know him nor why he was helping them; one exclaimed in surprise: "Snowplucking Hand!"

Feng Yi turned his head and saw that the woman was an elderly lady in her fifties or sixties, surrounded by the other women, evidently their leader; he gave a slight nod.

That old lady had witnessed Elder Tong snatching weapons in such a manner; Feng Yi's swift strike, plus his recent practice of the Snowplucking Hand with A Zi, though unconscious, carried some of its essence.

In fact, whether Feng Yi used the Small Seizing Hand or the Snowplucking Hand, the effect against these people was the same,

Suddenly Wu Lao Da shouted: "Hero Feng, you're meddling again!"

Feng Yi glanced at him and said: "How is this meddling?"

Someone in the crowd shouted angrily: "Surname Feng, you rescued the people of Misty Peak, you promised as much—damn it, you lack integrity!"

Feng Yi smiled: "I said I wouldn't spread word of your betrayal of Misty Peak, and I haven't told anyone else—how did this become a question of integrity?"

Someone who understood wordplay better than Feng Yi remarked, leaving everyone stunned; Old Master Wu's face turned ashen as he snorted: "You, a distinguished gentleman, would lower yourself to serve under that old hag—doesn't that damage your status?"

"That's wrong!" Feng Yi laughed: "Don't blame me—I only just learned that I, too, am a member of Misty Peak."

Everyone felt bewildered and turned to look at the Spirit Vulture Palace women.

A young woman asked: "Granny Yu, is he the one?"

The old lady frowned: "Master Feng, don't talk nonsense—our Misty Peak has no men."

Misty Peak has the Nine Heavens Nine Divisions; this Granny Yu is the leader of the Heavenly Division.

Feng Yi laughed: "That's just because you don't know!"

Granny Yu's brows slightly furrowed: "Kid, don't think that helping us lets you spout nonsense!

Hmph, if the Supreme Master finds out, you'll wish you could die but won't be able to!"

Feng Yi smiled.

It turned out that after the Spirit Vulture Palace women discovered Elder Tong's disappearance, they left one division to guard Misty Peak while the other eight scattered in all directions to search for her whereabouts.

Wu Lao Da and the others, having had the girl rescued by Feng Yi, feared delay and directly proposed attacking Misty Peak; coincidentally, they encountered Granny Yu's division, which had just descended the peak and was heading east to search for the person.

The Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands' people risked their lives to lift the Life and Death Talisman so they could live like normal people; at this moment Elder Tong was ill—this was an opportunity not to be missed, never to return.

As for the Spirit Vulture Palace side, because Elder Tong had gone missing in Misty Peak, these women were all rescued by her amid hardship, feeling deep gratitude; now that Elder Tong's fate is unknown, they mourn as if they had lost their parents, their grief and hatred no less than that of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands' people.

When these two forces of mourners met, they fought until the sky darkened, inflicting heavy casualties; Granny Yu's side, being outmatched, decided to retreat first to Misty Peak to regroup.

The Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands' people also knew Misty Peak had eighteen perilous layers, so they did not wish to annihilate this group but rather to drive them back to Misty Peak, then follow up with a surge to seize it in one fell swoop.

Had it not been for this consideration, even if Murong Fu refrained from acting, with experts like Zhuo Bu Fan and Daoist Bu Ping assisting, these women would have long been slaughtered to the last.

Old Master Wu, after consulting with the several cave leaders beside him, suddenly proclaimed: "Hero Feng, you are a prominent figure in the martial world, which we all know, but what is your relationship with the Spirit Vulture Palace?"

Feng Yi replied lightly: "No need to tell you how it's judged. This time I came to deliver a message for Elder Tong."

"If you are sensible, kneel now and beg forgiveness—perhaps you may still find a way out; otherwise, when Elder Tong appears, you will truly be unable to live or to die."

"What?" Old Master Wu blurted: "Elder Tong has arrived?"

Those words struck like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, shaking the heroes so that all changed expression and looked around in alarm.

Murong Fu, however, stepped out of the crowd, wanting to see what the Elder Tong, whose name makes everyone turn pale, actually looks like.

Duan Yu stood in front of Wang Yuyan, fearing she might be harmed; Wang Yuyan called out: "Cousin, be careful!"

The Spirit Vulture Palace women thought Feng Yi was spouting nonsense, they felt both angry and amused, Tong Lao hates men; how could she let him deliver a message? Clearly his martial arts are extraordinary, and he speaks with certainty, a young woman couldn't help but ask, "Really? Where is Granny?"

Feng Yi knew Tong Lao's reason for not showing herself was that she had been abused, intending to kill everyone, but her power had not recovered, she absolutely could not do it, so he asked A Zi to act.

Actually, he just hoped to act himself.

Because A Zi's martial arts are not yet complete, and the other side has so many people, she would surely encounter danger; how could I stand by and do nothing?

As for Feng Yi, from a standpoint he should help Tong Lao, but from his heart he does not want to do so.

For if he were in their position, he too would rebel.

No one can endure endless torment and humiliation.

Thus he not only understands them deeply, but also wholeheartedly agrees, so he hopes they will kowtow and make amends, to give Tong Lao a way out, and also make things easier for him.

But then Zhuo Bufan raised his voice and said, "Are you really Tong Lao's messenger?" His voice was very calm, unlike the others' fearful expressions.

Feng Yi glanced at him, sighed slightly, and said, "Zhuo the Sword God still doesn't understand my pain!"

"Pain?" Zhuo Bufan stroked his beard and said, "You might as well speak plainly."

Feng Yi pondered, undecided,

But then Baobu Tong shouted loudly, "Tong Lao, I hear you kill without a second move; if you're angry with us, come out and fight! Baobu Tong is different, and I'm not afraid of you!"

Feng Bo'e nodded and said, "Third Brother is right; if this Tong Lao is truly invincible under heaven, why wouldn't she dare show her face?"

Moreover, even knowing we can't win, we still want to fight—that's my stubborn temperament I'll never change; if Tong Lao doesn't come, fine, but if she really dares to come, I'll be the first to experience her techniques.

The cave and island leaders, some admired their bravery, while others secretly sneered, "You haven't seen how fearsome Tong Lao is, yet you come out playing the hero; you'll suffer soon and regret it endlessly."

Feng Yi smiled slightly and said, "Wu Lao Da, I know the desire to survive is human nature, so I fully understand your betrayal."

So now, although there have been casualties, you haven't yet set foot on Ethereal Peak, and the situation isn't beyond redemption.

At this moment, if you lay down your weapons and kneel to surrender, the Life and Death Talisman might still be lifted; but if you think of forcing them by force, consider carefully: even if you charge up, could someone like Tong Lao really be subdued?

This remark was astonishing; the Spirit Vulture Palace women showed surprise, Wu Lao Da and others turned ashen, staring at him wordlessly. In their hearts they all wondered, how could the Life and Death Talisman be lifted?

Zhuo Bufan snorted coldly, speaking with a sinister tone: "Your light words demand we lay down weapons—how laughable! If Tong Lao were truly that merciful, why would she need to hold the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands hostage? You're merely stalling; anyone can see through it."

Upon hearing Feng Yi's words, Zhuo Bufan felt truly anxious; his goal was to destroy the Spirit Vulture Palace, avenge his master, seize the Life and Death Talisman, continue to dominate the heroes, and wield power—seeing Feng Yi arrive with mighty prestige, the crowd already feared him, how could they tolerate it?

"Stalling?" Feng Yi laughed: "The 'troops' you mention—are they you? I pity you, so I won't kill you; do you really think I'm the god of swords, whose word is law?"

Zhuo Bufan's face flushed, eyes flashing with fury, he shouted: "Surname Feng, if you have the skill, don't rely on internal energy—let us duel with swords to the death!"

Even after exchanging a move with Feng Yi, he still dismissed it, thinking Feng Yi relied only on deep internal energy plus luck, not genuine skill; he considered his swordsmanship peerless, unmatched, and having just faced the Spirit Vulture Palace women, he felt superior and had no chance to act.

Without waiting for Feng Yi's reply, he leapt from the crowd, a swish—his three-foot sword nearly simultaneously left its sheath, turning into layers of sword shadows that enveloped Feng Yi.

Seeing the sword approach, Feng Yi neither dodged nor fled; his clothes fluttered in the sword wind, he stared unblinking, a faint smile curled at his lips, and said: "Then I won't hold back either!"

He flicked his sleeve—"hiss"—a sound like a sword tearing through the air.

Zhuo Bufan felt a gust as if blades were striking; realizing danger, he tried to dodge, but it was too late.

With a puff, a chill ran through his right shoulder; instantly a spring of blood spurted from his sword arm. Everyone watched, their faces changing; Zhuo Bufan staggered two steps, his arm fell with a thud, yet his deep internal energy kept him upright; shocked and angry, he cried: "You're shameless—you said we'd duel with swords!"

Feng Yi chuckled: "Isn't this swordsmanship?" He glanced toward Wang Yuyan.

Wang Yuyan's face paled, she cried out: "This is the Six Meridian Divine Sword!" Then she looked toward Duan Yu.

Duan Yu immediately scratched his head.

Murong Fu also said: "Did you teach him?" After speaking, fear showed on his face, his heart filled with shock and regret, thinking: "If he can pass this divine skill to outsiders, if my cousin steps forward, what worry is there that I couldn't learn it?"

Feng Yi slowly swept his gaze from left to right across everyone's faces, then right to left: "Gentlemen, Murong Gongzi, Bu Ping Dao Ren, Zhuo the Sword God—they are not under the Life and Death Talisman, unlike you. If you remain obstinate, there is no remedy for regret in this world; you'll end up like Zhuo Bufan."

Zhuo Bufan roared: "You have the guts—kill your grandfather, surname——"

Before he finished, Feng Yi flicked his sleeve—"hiss"—Zhuo Bufan's vocal cords seemed snipped by scissors.

A head rolled off his neck with a gurgle, blood spraying three feet.

After losing his arm, Zhuo Bufan felt his martial arts utterly gone; flustered, he blurted out, but before he could finish, his boast—"A Zhuo who frowns is no hero"—could only be spoken in the netherworld.

Feng Yi sneered: "My grandfather is gone; whoever still wants to be, step up—I, Feng Yi, won't grudge sending you to meet him."

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Everyone's faces turned pale, none dared to respond.

Feng Yi sighed deeply: "Today a sword art has been extinguished—a pity!"

Feng Yi is not just empty talk; he previously defeated Zhuo Bufan unknown to others, merely to protect his reputation, yet he overestimates himself.

Now he wants to stop the fight, but this person keeps jumping in to stir trouble, so he must resort to harsh means—thus he cut off Zhuo Bufan's arm, yet did not take his life.

He merely left Zhuo Bufan a way out—if he takes on disciples or trains his left-hand sword, it won't hinder him; but since Zhuo Bufan keeps demanding to call Feng Yi grandfather, he had no choice but to indulge him.

Feng Yi shifted his gaze: "Wu Lao Da, still not decided?"

In an instant, hundreds of eyes fell on Wu Lao Da's face.

Wu Lao Da hesitated, murmuring: "Your martial arts are astounding; we are no match, and besides we are all under Granny Tong—kowtowing is nothing, but if we kowtow, can Granny truly lift our Life and Death Talismans?"

Everyone also held their breath; kowtowing is nothing, as long as the Life and Death Talisman can be lifted.

"Granny's temperament—you know better than I, how would she give you relief?" Feng Yi smiled, then raised his voice: "But I, Feng Yi, can lift it for you!"

Everyone jumped at once; suddenly a woman went "pah!" and sneered: "Feng Yi, with your status, you dare utter such nonsense! Aren't you afraid of making people's teeth chill?"

Then a middle-aged beauty in light red robes stepped forward, moving lotus steps.

Feng Yi glanced at her, smiling: "Miss, who are you? How do you know I'm speaking nonsense, or do you have some instruction to give?"

Bu Ping Dao Ren said: "This is Furong Xianzi, her flying dagger technique is superb."

Feng Yi nodded, smiling: "So you're allied with Zhuo the Sword God, then, and here to avenge him?"

Everyone also recalled that night, when plotting to attack Ethereal Peak, Zhuo Bufan, Furong Xianzi, and Bu Ping Dao Ren were together.

Furong Xianzi smiled: "I dare not seek revenge, but what basis do you claim to lift the Life and Death Talisman for the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands? Aren't you just toying with people?"

Upon hearing this, the heroes felt it made sense, all grew angry, and curses rose.

Feng Yi sneered: "If you don't believe me, what else is there to say!"

Lotus Fairy shouted, "We have so many people; left or right, it's death anyway. Even if Feng Yi's martial arts are superb, what is there to fear? Let's fight him!" As she spoke, she waved both hands, two blades of white light whistling strangely flew toward Feng Yi.

The people of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands seek to remove the death sigils; Bu Ping Daoist, Zhuo Bu Fan, and Murong Fu aim to gather followers for their own use, but this Lotus Fairy's intention is entirely different.

Her elder brother was killed by the joint effort of the three cave masters of the Thirty-Six Caves; she thought that as long as she provoked Feng Yi, whether Feng Yi killed them or no one removed the death sigils from those three cave masters, it would be far better than killing them herself for revenge; thus, knowing Feng Yi's martial arts are superb, she still threw her blades to attack him, to provoke a great battle.

The Lotus Fairy struck with great speed; as soon as the two flying knives left her hand, another ten flew out in rapid succession like linked beads.

Moreover, this flying knife technique differs from ordinary concealed weapons; upon release they do not travel only in straight lines but also loop left and right to attack the enemy, covering Feng Yi's vital points—face, throat, chest, abdomen—all within the knives' envelope.

Feng Yi saw the dazzling cold light, swift as lightning, and smiled, saying, "Merely flashy tricks."

With just a flick of his sleeve, a gust of gang wind actually caused over a dozen flying knives to collide with each other; sparks flew everywhere, and they all fell to the ground.

The Lotus Fairy's flying-knife mastery, famed throughout the jianghu, was shattered by Feng Yi's casual sleeve wave; everyone watched, dazed and shaken, hardly believing such inconceivable divine skill existed in the world.

Cui Lv Hua shouted, "Heroes, before life and death, am I not better than this lowly woman?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's anger blazed, their courage doubled; left or right, it's death anyway—what is there to fear?

"Let's all attack together!"

"Let's fight him to the finish!"

In an instant, everyone brandished their weapons and surged toward Feng Yi.

Feng Yi laughed heartily: "Then I'll offend you!"

His body swayed as he charged into the crowd, like a shooting star and lightning, extraordinarily fast; wherever he passed, he struck with palms and poked with fingers, pointing east and striking west; everyone's weapons were flung from their hands, they collapsed to the ground, and none could withstand him.

Feng Yi's martial arts have reached such a height that he can do as he pleases, everything goes as he wishes; yet the more excited he becomes, he employs the recently learned "Tian Shan Plucking Plum Hand," intending no harm, merely knocking people down; in the blink of an eye, twenty or thirty fell, yet not a single one could return a move.

Only then did the Lingjiu Palace women realize that Feng Yi was indeed displaying their school's orthodox martial arts; however, the purity of his inner power and the marvel of his technique seemed even superior to that of the sect leader.

Murong Fu stared, his palms sweating coldly; he had never imagined that these opponents, who were quite troublesome in his own hands, would be so utterly feeble before Feng Yi—clearly the gap between them is vast.

Feng Yi wanted to test whether he could single-handedly take on hundreds; he was enjoying the fight when suddenly he heard Old Master Wu shout loudly, "Everyone, stop!"

The crowd immediately withdrew, and Feng Yi also ceased his attack.

Old Master Wu said, "Since Great Hero Feng Yi intends this, we dare not refuse to give face; let us go back to discuss."

He is seasoned in handling affairs; regardless of whether they can defeat Feng Yi today, for them it is a great loss.

After all, their goal is to deal with the Misty Peak, to remove the death sigils—that is, to kill Feng Yi; how many of them could remain?

In the end, it's still just death; they immediately thought to avoid his sharp edge and make long-term plans.

Feng Yi also nodded: "As you wish!"

The reason he had these people kowtow was actually to save face for Lady Tong Lao; seeing they agreed to retreat, he naturally would not pursue them relentlessly, after all they bear the "death sigils" and will surely return; later, after consulting with Lady Tong Lao, it would be best to handle them then.

The people of the Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-Two Islands immediately lifted the dead, supported the wounded, and turned to leave.

The Lingjiu Palace women suffered heavy casualties, naturally resentful, yet weak and few; they also did not know where this man of extraordinarily high martial arts, Feng Yi, came from, and did not try to stop him.

"Lotus Fairy, you're just leaving like that?" Feng Yi suddenly interjected.

"How?" Cui Lv Hua turned, her lovely eyes fixed on him: "You won't let me go?"

Seeing the crowd retreat, she wanted to leave on her own, but Feng Yi called her back.

Feng Yi said lightly, "Is that not possible?"

The Lotus Fairy said coldly, "Then come on; I, Cui Lv Hua, dare to oppose the Tian Shan Tong Lao and strike at you—I am not the arrogant Zhuo Bu Fan; I simply had no thought of surviving."

Feng Yi smiled and said, "I want to kill you; with those flying knives you just threw, you wouldn't be alive. I merely wish to tell you that the scheme of killing with a borrowed knife, if mishandled, will backfire; if I were not a person of lustful yet principled nature, you would have been doomed."

Cui Lv Hua's pretty face instantly flushed; she stamped her foot hard and floated away.

Having understood the meaning, she thought: with her beautiful appearance, if some inhuman, shameless scoundrels possessed such skill, capturing her and then raping and killing her would not be impossible.

Murong Fu had been a mere spectator, intending to display extraordinary ability at a critical moment to win back people's hearts; but now everything had come to nothing, he felt bored, and together with Deng Bai Chuan and others he was about to leave.

But then he heard a coquettish shout: "Murong Fu, you must stay!"

A figure flashed like a purple swallow skimming the sky, bearing a strong wind as it lunged toward Murong Fu.

Murong Fu's body spun like electricity, then he landed a zhang away; turning his head, he saw the comer was a stunning purple-clad maiden—none other than A Zi.

Murong Fu couldn't help but start, secretly thinking this girl really had a bit of an uncanny air; he looked toward Feng Yi and asked, "Is this your intention?"

Feng Yi's brows furrowed slightly as he pondered.

A Zi pursed her lips and said, "It's I who wants to keep you; it has nothing to do with my elder brother!"

Deng Bai Chuan gave a cold snort and said, "What an arrogant girl—can you really detain him?" Having spoken, he thrust out his right palm, a mighty force like mountains and seas surging toward A Zi.

A Zi, always spoiled and willful, now having obtained divine skill, felt no fear; she raised her eyebrows and said, "Good, I'll take care of you first!" and also struck out with a palm.

"Peng!"

When their palms met, Deng Bai Chuan's face flushed red; he retreated three steps with a thud-thud-thud, while Gong Ye Qian frowned and steadied him.

A Zi bent her knees, her feet unmoving, she had already closed to Murong Fu's side, and with her right hand she exerted force and struck out.

Murong Fu, wishing to maintain his status as a top expert, refused to clash palms with A Zi; he leapt up, soaring into the air, evading her palm force, a fierce gust of wind slammed straight into the woods behind him, breaking branches and scattering them.

Everyone was startled, wondering what was happening.

A Zi's inner power is extraordinary; they had long known this, but they never expected that after not seeing her for a few days, her martial arts would have become so formidable.

This is not merely a matter of deep inner power; what palm technique is this? Everyone turned their gaze to Wang Yue Yan.

Wang Yue Yan also stared dumbfounded; she did not recognize it either.

Duan Yu found it even harder to believe his sister could be so capable; he hastily waved his hands and cried, "Little sister, no, no, how can you oppose Master Murong?"

A Zi gave him a sideways glance and laughed coquettishly, "Silly brother, I'm doing this for your own good!"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—three palms were struck out, their power like surging waves, once again lunging toward Murong Fu.

(End of chapter)