Chapter 25

The yellow-clad youth came from a prominent family, his martial arts not weak, but when the old man seized his wrist he felt half his body go numb, was forcibly pulled by the hand, and uncontrollably sheathed his sword, knowing the old man's skill was extraordinary and that he himself was far from being a match.

The old man gave a slight smile, released his hand, and said, "Today, it's fate that we can all gather here, but we also have pressing matters. Why get worked up over a few idle words?"

The yellow‑clad youth had not yet replied when Wu Shi Fei impatiently said coldly, "Old man, you want to be like Lu Zhonglian! What gives you the right?"

The old man rolled his eyes and said, "Wu, the second brother, don't think that just because this is the territory of the Yangtze Iron Net Gang and you're on good terms with gang leader Wang, you brothers can act recklessly."

Wu Shi Fei and the three others at the table were all startled.

Wu Shi Fei turned to the yellow‑faced man and asked, "Brother Wang, this is your turf—who is this old guy?"

The yellow‑faced man was Wang Shaohua, chief of the Yangtze Iron Net Gang; in Hua Rong County he too commanded respect, stroking his rat‑whiskers, he gave a slight smile, awkward yet polite, clearly not recognizing the old man.

Just then, the shop assistant hurried over and brought Feng Yi a pot of wine.

Feng Yi lifted the lid, circulated his inner energy to sniff, and felt the wine's aroma hit his nose—there was no other odd smell.

He was naturally fond of drink, but now he had to be cautious, so he poured himself a cup, took a small sip, wrapped it in his true qi, and slowly examined it drop by drop.

This was the anti‑poison measure Ding Dian taught him.

Given Feng Yi's current inner strength, as long as he is mindful, ordinary poisons can't affect him at all.

Even if it were the world's deadliest poison, whether inhaled or ingested, as long as he stays alert, first wrapping a tiny amount in his inner energy and then examining it carefully, he can remain unharmed.

But Ding Dian had twice fallen victim to the poison of the Golden Wave Flower; the first time was when he was with his beloved, at her place, without any precautions.

In the original plot, that scene occurred because Ling Shuanghua had died, leaving Ding Dian's mind in turmoil; he could only express and vent his emotions, naturally putting everything else out of his mind.

Feng Yi, having learned this method, thought it over and indeed it was true: those poisoned martial arts masters, though the poison was potent, each time it came from someone close, and they never suspected it—for example, Qiao Feng, Zhang Wuji, and Xia Xueyi.

For instance, Zhou Botong dared to drink the Mongol prince's poisoned wine in front of everyone; sure, his inner strength was deep, but he also took precautions, wrapping it tightly in his inner energy so it wouldn't dissipate, ready to spit it out at any moment.

If poison alone could make these martial arts masters submit, they'd be too easy to kill—where would any deterrent come from?

After all, they are merely mortals; a colorless, tasteless poison would finish them off.

Actually, that's not the case.

When these people are out and about, they always test their food and drink before consuming it.

But with those close to you, you can't do that—wouldn't it be telling them you're on guard, which would hurt their feelings?

So one can only eat and drink normally, but for those deadly poisons, the dose is already excessive; by the time you feel something's wrong, it's too late to resist.

Thus Feng Yi merely takes a small taste first; if there is indeed something amiss, he will detect it and not be left helpless.

And this is already his greatest precaution.

After all, he is still a mortal body and needs to eat, drink, and relieve himself.

While Feng Yi was tasting the wine, naturally no one paid attention to him, after all, nowadays too many martial artists rush at the slightest provocation, all staring at the Dongting Twin Heroes and this youngster. Then the old man turned again to the youth in white and said, "Little miss, where does a young lady get such a fiery temper? Over a mere idle word you'd come to blows; if one day you meet some ruthless people, even having a mighty backer won't help."

The two youths raised their eyebrows, and the old man shook his head, saying, "Look, I just told young people not to be competitive, and here we go again."

Miss, just now you flung your chopsticks at Wu Shi Fei, nearly hurting the lad in blue; he bore no grudge, but if not for his broad‑mindedness, wouldn't you have made another enemy?

Thus the two youths found themselves at a loss for words, exchanged a glance, and the yellow‑clad youth sat back down, remaining silent.

Feng Yi glanced at the youth in white and saw her smooth, tender skin, long slender neck, white and smooth without an Adam's apple—clearly a girl. Such a girl dressing as a boy, who in the jianghu wouldn't see through it? He couldn't help thinking, "It's pure nonsense—taking off one's pants just to fart, a pointless effort!"

In his thoughts, the old man turned his gaze to the Dongting Twin Heroes and said, "Gentle brothers, I've heard of your reputation; your skills are certainly not ordinary."

But you've probably only heard of the Southern Four Marvels and never actually seen them, right?

Wu Shi Fei sneered, "Or perhaps you have seen them?"

The old man, answering a different question, said, "These two fine youths are the biological daughter and nephew of the swordsman known as the Cold Moon Blade, Water Hero."

They've just entered the jianghu, and you're already gossiping about their father and uncle—who could tolerate that?

In an instant, the clamor of diners in the tavern seemed to vanish suddenly.

As the saying goes, a person's name is like a tree's shadow.

Not everyone in the jianghu is as reckless as Wu Shi Fei! The Southern Four Marvels are famed as Falling Flowers Flowing Water, their name known throughout the world, standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder with the Northern Four Oddities as the foremost masters of the Central Plains.

The leader, Lu Tian Shu, bears the nickname 'Righteous Lu Great Blade'; the second, Hua Tie Gan, is called 'Invincible with the Middle‑Level Spear' and famed for his Middle‑Level Spear; the third, 'Soft Cloud Sword' Liu Cheng Feng, is known in Shui Dai as the Cold Moon Blade; and the so‑called Falling Flowers Flowing Water is actually 'Lu Flower Liu Water'.

Each one is a top‑tier master of the present age, the four are sworn brothers, and few dare provoke them.

Although Wu Shi Fei is arrogant, he also realizes that his earlier remarks were just casual talk and no great harm; yet speaking that way in front of their daughter and nephew was truly improper, so without arguing he drained the bowl of strong liquor in one gulp.

The youth in yellow and the maiden in white, though surprised that this stranger had laid bare their background, could not hide a flicker of pride in their brows.

The youth in yellow rose, clasped his fists, and said, "Junior Wang Xiao Feng, this is my cousin Shui Sheng; senior, might you have known my master? Please forgive our youth and inexperience for not recognizing your esteemed face; I dare to ask for your honored name."

Seeing Wang Xiao Feng's courteous and refined manner, the old man found it pleasing and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Ah! This old man is nothing special, but under a renowned master, outstanding disciples indeed emerge."

Although Wang Xiao Feng is the nephew of Shui Dai, he is also a disciple.

Feng Yi, hearing this, couldn't help turning his gaze over; he saw that Wang Xiao Feng, too, was an outstanding talent, a remarkable person.

He knew that Wang Xiao Feng had originally been a promising youth from the Lian Cheng World, but after encountering Di Yun and the Blood Blade Old Ancestor, everything changed.

His own master had died, and his childhood sweetheart cousin was gone.

However, Feng Yi knew that his tragedy was not a matter of personal character, but forced by circumstances, leaving him no choice.

(End of chapter)