Chapter 258: Grand Drama Linked Stages

Numerous people saw a figure walk out from the crowd, his back bent, his face plastered with medicinal paste—it was the very camel who had earlier accused Yu Canghai of indiscriminate slaughter and robbery in Liu Manor's main hall.

The camel glared with fury and shouted loudly: "Your Qingcheng Sect has been slaughtering innocents and looting goods at various Fuwei Escort Agency branches—do you dare swear before heaven that none of this happened?"

Yu Canghai glanced at Feng Yi, seeing him calm and composed, his expression as if watching a play; clearly he was not allied with this camel, and his heart eased somewhat.

Yu Canghai had seen this camel once at Liu Manor, immediately taking him for someone connected to the "Northern Frontier Bright Camel"; recalling the rumors of Mu Gao Feng's myriad villainous deeds in the jianghu, he dared not openly turn hostile, so he ignored him—yet now the camel reappeared, and Yu Canghai coldly said: "Qingcheng Sect and Mister Mu of the Northern Frontier have no grudge; where have I offended you? You repeatedly cause me trouble—what do you intend?"

Those present who were well‑traveled and knowledgeable observed that this man was young, the plasters on his face clearly meant to conceal his true appearance; he could not possibly be the famed "Northern Frontier Bright Camel" Mu Gao Feng, who had been renowned for decades, and they guessed he was a nephew or junior of Mu Gao Feng, acting under the latter's instructions.

In fact, this camel had no relation to Mu Gao Feng at all—he was Lin Pingzhi, the junior escort head of Fuwei Escort Agency, in disguise.

Having escaped from Qingcheng Sect's grasp, he came to Hengshan City hoping to borrow the aid of the gathered martial arts masters to seek justice for the Lin family.

Yet these past days he had endured much hardship; he was no longer the frivolous, cock‑fighting, horse‑riding youth of Fuzhou Prefecture, and knowing Yu Canghai's profound martial prowess and mighty sect, he dared not openly reveal his identity.

He merely wished to broadcast the Lin family's ordeal before all; just now at Liu Manor he had shouted a single sentence, and Yu Canghai's eyes flashed with menace.

He knew the opponent's martial skill exceeded his own a hundredfold; had it not been for someone tossing a Qingcheng disciple into the hall to draw Yu Canghai's attention, he would already have been seized, so he dared not speak further.

Seeing everyone rush to Qunyu Pavilion, he followed suit, watching Feng Yi beat Yu Canghai into utter helplessness.

Yet the Five Peaks' people were all aiding Yu Canghai, and the more he thought about it, the more indignant he became; seeing Yu Canghai still claim Feng Yi was inverting black and white, a surge of anger rose unbearable, and he cursed again.

Lin Pingzhi pointed with one finger at the two headless Qingcheng disciples, Shen Renjun and Ji Rentong, lying on the ground: "These two robbed goods at the Fuwei Escort Agency in Changsha Prefecture, Hunan, intending to present a pair of jade horses to Liu San Ye of Hengshan Sect as a favor.

You also have a gang led by someone surnamed Pi who burned the Fuwei Escort Agency in Nanchang, even setting fire to dozens of neighboring houses—this is what your disciples say; these wicked deeds of your Qingcheng Sect are what I have personally seen and heard."

As he spoke, he turned to Yu Canghai and cried: "Yu Canghai, let the heroes of the world judge—does the famed Qingcheng Sect leader really indulge in wanton slaughter and evildoing without admitting it? Or do you intend to push all blame onto a few worthless disciples, and how many innocents have you killed with your Heart‑Destroying Palm at the Lin manor?"

These days Lin Pingzhi's home lies shattered, his parents seized, their fate unknown; his resentment has long festered. Though he knows his own strength is slight and without external aid he cannot rescue his parents, Feng Yi's appearance is like a timely rain.

Yu Canghai's fearsome reputation spreads far and wide, yet in Feng Yi's hands he is like a bullied old man, daring not to retaliate in the slightest.

If I could expose Yu Canghai's shame before all, I would not only vent my spite but also give Feng Yi a pretext for chivalry; and if I then used his hand to free my parents, that would truly be a double gain.

The crowd listened, growing ever more astonished: Qingcheng Sect had targeted Fuwei Escort Agency, slaughtered innocents, looted goods—already a grave breach of the chivalrous path—and they even used the stolen riches to curry favor with Liu Zhengfeng of Hengshan Sect. Is this not dragging Hengshan Sect and even the Five Peaks Sword Sect into the same corruption?

At once, all eyes fixed on Yu Canghai.

Yu Canghai's face flushed then paled; the matters Lin Pingzhi spoke of he had long known, some not ordered by him—such as the arson—but now laid bare, explanation was useless; he could no longer restrain himself and cursed: "You turtle‑spawn, fart!" He lunged to grab Lin Pingzhi.

His strike was fierce; Lin Pingzhi had no power to resist, seeing no way to dodge, he felt himself about to be seized.

Suddenly Feng Yi shouted sharply, a stream of water issuing from his wrist, slicing the sky, shooting toward Yu Canghai's back vital point.

Wherever the water arrow passed, the air left a faint watery trace, and everyone caught a whiff of wine fragrance.

Among the crowd were sect masters and first‑rate experts, broad‑learned and experienced; seeing Feng Yi point out the water flow, they recognized it as wine forced out by internal energy, laced with concealed wind power, striking a vital point—Yu Canghai would likely not withstand it.

Yu Canghai too did not expect such a sudden change; glancing over, he saw a water stream in the firelight, dazzling and bright, rushing straight at him; his heart startled, he thrust his left palm forward with a shout.

Palm wind met water flow with a hiss; the palm wind was pierced through, yet after Yu Canghai's palm blocked it, the water's force had already waned; he shifted his body, the water streaming past his flank and striking the wall with a series of hisses.

Yu Canghai snapped: "Is this camel's offspring also connected to you? Just what school do you belong to? Must you also champion the hero Mu Gao Feng?"

The onlookers saw his small stature, like a child's, probably under eighty pounds, yet standing there he seemed as deep as an abyss and as lofty as a mountain, bearing the air of a grand master; yet they all felt curious, thinking: "Qingcheng Sect has produced countless renowned masters through the ages, its leader Yu Canghai is certainly no ordinary man, yet this Feng Yi is only about twenty—how can he possess such deep internal energy, pressing Yu Canghai as if he were a bullied wretch? What is his origin?"

Originally the Heavenly Gate Daoists and others had thought Feng Yi a demonic cult member, but after seeing his person and his skill, they instantly dismissed that notion.

The Demonic Sect's leader Dongfang Bubai is famed as the world's top expert; comparing Feng Yi to him, who is higher or lower now is hard to gauge.

Yet Dongfang Bubai has been renowned for many years, while Feng Yi is so young—he would certainly not submit to another, so naturally we rule out his being a demonic cult member.

Feng Yi raised his wine cup, narrowed his eyes, and smiled affably: "Which school I belong to is up to you to guess; I only know that wine is a treasure of the world, a day cannot go without it, and you should feel honored."

Feng Yi had forced out the wine using the Six Meridian Divine Sword; however, the sword's energy, when shot forth, could inflict effective lethal force on Yu Canghai only within about ten feet.

Even if Feng Yi focused his mind and exerted his utmost, he could not exceed twenty feet.

Since the distance between him and Yu Canghai was over forty feet, the wine he had just shot, though carrying internal energy, traveled too far for its power to compare with the formless qi‑sword of the Six Meridian Divine Sword; thus Yu Canghai could resist it with his palm wind.

Even so, the depth of this Daoist's internal energy is far from ordinary; Feng Yi could not help thinking: "No wonder Lin Pingzhi in the original storyline cultivated the Evil‑Repelling Sword Art, yet his internal energy still falls far short of Yu Canghai's depth."

Yu Canghai said: "I am humbled to receive your exalted technique, truly an honor; yet Mu Gao Feng's junior generation here spouts nonsense, tarnishing my sect's reputation, and you still insist on meddling—do you truly fear no loss of your standing?"

Feng Yi rolled his eyes, shook his head, and said: "As a monk you have wives and concubines in abundance, descendants filling the hall; regarding this Qunyu Pavilion matter you are naturally well‑versed. But why do you great fellows come here at night?

Is it merely to watch the spectacle? Do you really think Heavenly Gate Daoist and Nun Dingyi are like you, breaking monastic rules to come drink flower wine?"

The crowd heard and strained not to laugh; Nun Dingyi's brows knit tightly, and the Heavenly Gate Daoist's whiskers nearly stood up.

Feng Yi continued: "Yet you insist on preventing this young man from speaking—is this not disturbing everyone's enjoyment of the show?

I care not whether he is the camel's grandfather or grandson; if you won't let me watch the play, then you shall not!"

Feng Yi's words were no falsehood.

He is a lover of right and wrong, fond of watching lively scenes.

Moreover, how could he not know this camel is Lin Pingzhi? Hence this "delicacy" of his—whose hands will it fall into, and let us see.

Those who enjoy meddling in the jianghu are many; immediately a burst of boisterous laughter rose from all sides, someone echoing: "Exactly, this short Daoist wants to silence mouths by killing!"

"Surname Yu, do you intend to block the mouths of all the world's people?"

"Make you rein in at the cliff's edge—do you pretend not to know?"

Yu Canghai snorted coldly, sank his breath to the dantian, and said: "A true man is open and upright; whichever friend bears grudge against me, Yu Canghai, let him step forward like this Hero Feng and clamor—what kind of hero is that?"

Though his stature is small, his internal energy is deep, his qi abundant, shaking the ears of all with a resonant hum.

The heroes heard and could not help but rise in solemn respect, utterly changing their former contemptuous looks.

After he finished speaking, the field fell into utter silence, no one answering.

After all, not everyone can be like Feng Yi, who disregards the Qingcheng Sect leader entirely; even the Five Peaks Sword Sect's masters cannot do so.

Though Yu Canghai's mouth is hard, his heart is also secretly startled, knowing many dislike Qingcheng Sect; if today goes badly, he may provoke public outrage.

Lin Pingzhi seized the chance and shouted: "Your Qingcheng Sect has stood for hundreds of years, boasting of abundant talents, yet they are nothing but a band of brigands, falsely claiming chivalry while deceiving the jianghu for decades—shameful!"

Each time Lin Pingzhi cursed, Yu Canghai's facial muscles twitched, his fury mounting; he truly wished to strike this camel dead with a single palm.

Yet he knows that today's affair concerns not only his own life and death but also the rise and fall, honor and disgrace of the entire Qingcheng Sect, allowing no margin for error.

If he were to silence mouths by killing, doing so before the assembled martial arts masters and adding Feng Yi this meddlesome "stirring‑shit‑stick" would only cement the truth.

Earlier the Five Peaks masters had aided him precisely because Feng Yi's conduct was unreasonable, and furthermore, as hosts the Five Peaks Sword Sect bore the duty and obligation to assist fellow martial artists, not to suffer intrusion from heretical ways.

Feng Yi appears. Qingcheng Sect. Group Jade Courtyard.

Yu Canghai appears. Qingcheng Sect. Fang Renzi appears.

He arrived at the Jade Assembly Courtyard and kept shrinking back to the rear; he hadn't drawn his sword just now, so Feng Yi spared his life.

But he also thought that if he didn't put on a show, his master would not spare him later, so he said: "My two junior brothers are dead, with no witnesses to corroborate; this disciple of Master Mu is merely offering a one-sided account—if any hero truly believes it, heh..."

Yu Canghai appears. Sai Bei Ming Tuo appears. Mu Gaofeng appears.

Everyone thought that made sense—although Northern Bright Camel Mu Gaofeng's martial arts were high, he fawned on the powerful, disregarded loyalty, and was of low character.

But he is highly skilled and vigilant; if one were to feud with him, one could hardly guard against it—people in the martial world fear and dread him, yet no one truly respects him. Thus his disciples must be of the same ilk; how could their words be credible?

This is the importance of reputation among martial artists.

Nun Dingyi appears. Yilin appears.

Lin Pingzhi appears. Mu Gaofeng appears.

Feng Yi appears.

Feng Yi appears. Ding Dian appears. Guo Jing appears. Xiao Feng appears. Lin Pingzhi appears.

He does not consider himself a knight-errant, nor is he any kind of hero; his principle in life is: "Encountering the nameless wastes effort; sweet dew does not moisten rootless grass; exquisite teachings are only for those with affinity." The recent exposure of the Fuwei Escort Agency affair was merely a pretext to deal with Yu Canghai—he found a reasonable excuse, and this too was sought out by Yu Canghai; it certainly was not done out of chivalry or to help the Fuwei Escort Agency.

Feng Yi knows full well that being a knight-errant means suffering losses and seeking grievances for himself—he has no intention of doing that!

Lin Pingzhi appears. Fang Renzi appears.

He knew today's opportunity was rare, so he threw caution to the wind—even if it meant death, he would face it openly and honorably.

With both hands he tore off the plaster on his face, then gave his robe a tug.

In an instant, a clatter rang out—Lin Pingzhi's body was suddenly showered with gold and silver treasures like rain, the hump on his back vanished, and everyone stared dumbstruck.

Onlookers saw Lin Pingzhi's face clearly for the first time: his nose was straight, his mouth square, his eyebrows clear and his eyes beautiful—he was quite handsome, a tall and graceful youth, though his eyes were suffused with bloodshot veins, giving him a rather fierce aspect.

Yue Lingshan appears.

Linghu Chong appears. Yue Lingshan appears.

Yue Lingshan appears. Lin Pingzhi appears. Shen Renjun appears. Ji Ren Tong appears. Fuwei Escort Agency appears. Changsha Branch appears.

【85】 Lin Pingzhi appears. Shen Renjun appears. Ji Ren Tong appears. Fuwei Escort Agency appears. Lin Family appears.

Lin Pingzhi again. Shen Renjun again. Ji Rentong again. Fuwei Escort Agency again. Lin family.

Nanchang Escort Agency appears. Fuwei Escort Agency appears.

"They actually hung a woman's undergarment on the flagpole of my Fuwei Escort Agency—heh, you sure love to meddle!"

Lin Pingzhi learned from Shen Renjun and Ji Rentong that the Azure City Sect had laid deep plans and was simultaneously attacking the headquarters of the Fuwei Escort Agency and its branches in all provinces.

It wasn't because he had killed Yu Canghai that he brought disaster upon himself—no wonder, after having slain Yu Canghai's son in the daytime, that very night the escort guards fell victim to the Crushing Heart Palm, which shatters the heart and leaves no outward mark.

Huashan Sect appears. Lao Denuo appears. Yue Lingshan appears. Yu Canghai appears. Fuwei Escort Agency appears. Bixie Sword Manual appears.

"What a fine Lin Pingzhi!" Yu Canghai narrowed his eyes, light flashing, and said word by word: "You killed my son, yet you dare to speak back to my face!"

Lin Pingzhi shouted: "Your son harassed a respectable maiden—I killed him. One who does the deed bears the blame; you ruined my family, so where have you locked up my parents?"

Yu Canghai's anger surged, and he said: "Excellent—'one who does the deed bears the blame'! Today I will not tolerate you!"

Lin Pingzhi appears. Feng Yi appears.

Feng Yi appears.

Observatory Master Yu appears.

【103】 Lin Pingzhi appears. Fuwei Escort Agency appears. Bixie Sword Technique appears.

The crowd turned to see a fat, fat humpbacked man pushing through, his face covered in white scars, plus a high, protruding hump—truly bizarre and ugly to the extreme.

Though few had seen the appearance of the "Northern Bright Camel" Mu Gaofeng, upon hearing these words and seeing this strange visage, everyone immediately realized it was Mu Gaofeng who had arrived.

Yu Canghai's face also changed, and he let out a heavy snort.

In a blink, Mu Gaofeng stepped forward, closed in on Lin Pingzhi, flipped his palm, and seized at his left pulse gate—his body and hand movements were extremely swift.

Lin Pingzhi again. Fuwei Escort Agency again. Bixie Sword Technique appears.

After all, Yu Canghai attacked the Fuwei Escort Agency under the pretext of venting for his master and avenging his son, and to everyone's eyes he appeared as one who coveted the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual.

Yu Canghai may not care about his own reputation or that of his sect, but others cannot afford to do so.

Yu Canghai does not actually value the grudge over his son's death as much as he claims; he has not yet obtained the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual, has no intention of killing Lin Pingzhi, and moreover, with Feng Yi this "nutcase" around, he is happy to watch the show.

Feng Yi saw Lin Pingzhi reveal his identity and paid no heed; instead he wanted to see how this struggle over Lin Pingzhi would play out.

As Lin Pingzhi was about to be seized, Mu Gaofeng suddenly felt a mighty internal force surge from the side like a tidal wave, startled him greatly, and he abandoned the grab to block with a palm.

Mu Gaofeng appears. Huashan Sect appears.

【112】

Feng Yi glanced at the sky, saw the drizzle had stopped, and couldn't help thinking: "Damn, what a show-off—just as the rain stops, he's still waving his fan in the middle of the night!"

Mu Xiong again a term of address for Mu Gaofeng. We'll treat as 'Brother Mu'. Not a rank.

【114】

Huashan Sect disciples (generic).

Huashan Sect Leader appears. Junzi Jian appears. Yue Buqun appears.

Heavenly Gate Daoist appears.

Nun Dingyi appears.

Yu Canghai appears.

Mr. Wen appears.

He Sanqi appears.

Mu Gaofeng felt even more apprehensive; he had just sensed the opponent's strength, which seemed to be the famed Magnificent Mountain Sect's Purple Rosy Clouds Technique—heard that when this internal art first manifests it is barely there, soft as clouds, yet when cultivated it becomes extraordinarily tenacious, later spreading across heaven and earth, irresistible; hence the name "Purple Rosy Clouds". Having just personally experienced it, he found the reputation well deserved.

Liu Zhengfeng appears. Huashan Sect Leader appears. Junzi Jian appears.

Yue Buqun appears. Heavenly Gate Daoist appears. Nun Dingyi appears. Yu Canghai appears. Mr. Wen appears. He Sanqi appears.

Yu Canghai harbored ulterior motives, thinking: "The head of the Magnificent Mountain Sect has come in person—surely Liu Zhengfeng doesn't have such great influence; he must be here for me. Although the Five Peaks Sword Sect is numerous and powerful, my Azure City Sect is no pushover; if we really turn hostile, we'll have to fight."

Yue Buqun appears. Yu Canghai appears. He Ming Jiutian Divine Skill appears.

Yu Canghai was startled, reflecting: "My Cry of the Crane Nine Heavens Divine Skill has indeed reached the pinnacle of merit, yet I am still lacking three parts of fervor—this old fellow truly has some ability."

He Ming Jiutian Divine Skill appears. Mr. Yue appears.

He, before many masters, could not expose his own shortcomings; he spoke vaguely, both giving himself a gold-plated face and not forgetting modesty, praising Yue Buqun.

The Heaven Gate Daoist, Master Dingyi, and the others felt a chill in their hearts; they all knew that the 'Cry of the Crane Nine Heavens Divine Skill' was a tremendously powerful martial art of the Qingcheng Sect, one that no one had mastered in hundreds of years and was thought lost, yet this short fellow had secretly trained bitterly and mastered it—no wonder he is so arrogant, having wiped out the Lin family and daring to come to Hengshan City, a display of might.

Mù Gāofēng chuckled and said, 'Abbot Yu, you are still wise; Brother Yuè, you keep getting younger—this camel truly wants to become your disciple and learn the art of absorbing Yin to supplement Yang.'

Yuè Bùqún spat 'Pah!' and laughed, 'This camel is getting more and more boring; what does this little brother know about such heretical arts?'

Saying this, he turned to look at Feng Yi, clasped his fists in salute, and said, 'Master Yuè, today I have the fortune to meet a supreme expert of the martial world—what a blessing from three lifetimes; my disciple has received your aid, and I hereby thank you.'

As soon as he finished speaking, Líng Húchōng hurried forward, clasped his fists and bowed, leaned forward, and said, 'Líng Húchōng thanks Hero Feng for saving my life.' He was about to kowtow in gratitude for the great favor of saving his life.

Feng Yi waved his hand and said, 'Don't, I don't kill people to save them. Besides, you invited me to drink; even if I helped you a bit in fact, I don't know whether it will bring fortune or misfortune, so no need for formalities.'

Líng Húchōng leaned forward to bow, but an invisible force stopped him, preventing him from bowing down.

He knew this martial world oddity disliked such formalities, so he merely smiled faintly, deciding that respect meant obeying his wishes, and his admiration for Feng Yi's profound martial arts grew even deeper.

He heard Mù Gāofēng laugh and say, 'Brother Yuè, you are nearly sixty, yet you have suddenly returned to youth, looking like this camel's grandson. This art of Yin‑Yang harvesting is indeed formidable!'

Besides, everyone treats the Lin family lad as my junior, and I truly like him, intending to take him as my disciple—why must you meddle? Or could it be that you also know the art of 'absorbing Yang to supplement Yang'?

【13131】 Yuè Bùqún laughed heartily and said, 'Brother Mù, you are truly difficult to get along with; having read the sages' books, how could I practice such Yin‑Yang harvesting techniques?'

Yue Buqun laughed heartily and said: "Brother Mu, you're really difficult to get along with; I study the sages' books, how could I go practice any such plucking-and-supplementing arts!"

Brother Mù, this youth is a filial son and also possesses considerable heroic spirit; he is certainly capable of being shaped—no wonder you like him.

All his present troubles stem from that day in Fuzhou when he righteous‑ly rescued the young lady Líng Shān; I truly cannot stand by and do nothing, and I hope Brother Mù will, out of regard for my modest standing, lend a helping hand.

Feng Yi secretly amused himself.

Líng Húchōng calling Tián Bóguāng 'Brother Tián' means he is sworn brothers with a lecher, which tarnishes the reputation of Huashan.

Even before the vile petty man Mù Gāofēng, Yuè Bùqún readily calls him 'Brother Mù' and does so quite smoothly.

It seems my thought was correct.

As long as I am strong, whatever I say will be justified.

Because of Yuè Bùqún's conduct in everyone's eyes, there will naturally be another explanation: he is looking out for the greater good and treating people with courtesy.

They say that even if a gentleman severs ties, he would not utter harsh words!

Although Yuè Bùqún's few words were spoken calmly, they nevertheless shocked everyone—could this Lin family lad actually have the ability to rescue Master Yuè's daughter?

(End of chapter)