Chapter 265

As soon as that sound rang out, everyone was startled and lost their fright; even the Liu family's children stopped crying.

The heroes followed the sound and saw a girl walk into the hall; she chirped "gee-gee, lo-lo", her speech clear and pleasant, spoken crisply and decisively, yet with an overbearing air.

Originally, martial artists, regardless of skill level, placed utmost importance on the word 'fame'; hearing these words, they were naturally furious.

She appeared to be about twelve or thirteen, dressed in an emerald-green outfit, her skin snow-white, a round face, very pretty and lovable; everyone who saw her felt pleased, and though the anger did not vanish completely, it could not be directed at her.

Only the Tianmen Daoist's face alternated between green and red, as if each sentence the girl spoke struck straight at his heart.

Only to see his eyes flash with vicious light, he gave a sudden palm strike that collapsed half a table, shouting, 'Good brothers, farewell!' He strode out the door, and the Taishan Sect disciples followed.

Those who came today to attend Liu Zhengfeng's retirement ceremony were the leaders of various sects and schools, highly skilled and accustomed to dominating their own territories, none of them cowards greedy for life and afraid of death, yet Feng Yi was too wicked.

Not only was his martial prowess astonishingly high and unfathomable even to spirits, his temperament was even more elusive.

Originally everyone thought he would help Liu Zhengfeng, but in the end he still beat the person to death.

All present were top-tier masters; without needing to look, just by listening closely one could tell that Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang had indeed stopped breathing.

Some could not help speculating that Liu Zhengfeng had blocked his killing, causing him to lose face, so he killed the person.

So, if anyone dared to besiege him, he said he could not finish killing them today, but would visit each one later—naturally not an empty boast.

As for claiming they had the ability to stop Feng Yi, nobody believed that.

For a master like Feng Yi, if he were determined to flee, even several individuals whose skill matched his would not dare claim they could surely detain him, let alone them.

Thinking this way, though they themselves were not afraid of death, they still had to consider the rise and fall, honor and disgrace of their own sect.

For example, the Tianmen Daoist had his weapon seized by Feng Yi last night, his spirit dampened, and today he was pierced straight to the heart by an innocent, lovable little girl.

If one were to say they sought to avenge Liu Zhengfeng, he died together with a demon cult elder, while the Tianmen master was slain by a female elder of the demon cult, and he actually did not approve of Liu Zhengfeng's conduct.

If they did not seek vengeance, it would show that the Taishan Sect truly lacked martial world righteousness.

This pent-up fury had nowhere to vent; they really could not stay any longer without losing face.

Seeing the Tianmen Daoist leave, the crowd turned their gaze to Feng Yi, who stood aside in wide robes and sleeves, aloft and unworldly, hands clasped behind his back, as if he had not heard the girl's words, nor noticed the Daoist's departure.

The heroes saw that the girl appeared to be thirteen, her stature quite tall, comparable to a seventeen-year-old like Yue Lingshan; moreover, every word she spoke was disparaging toward the Wuyue Sword Sect and Feng Yi, clearly not the innocent prattle of a child—perhaps someone behind the scenes was urging her.

Dingyi Shi Tai, who usually loved lovely pretty girls, immediately stepped forward and spoke gently: 'Good child, where are your father and mother?'

The girl looked at Dingyi Shi Tai, a mist rising in her eyes, and with a 'waa' she burst into tears, saying, 'My father and mother are dead, grandfather… grandfather was also killed by someone!'

She was beautiful and lovely, lively and active, and now so movingly sorrowful that many deep down could not help regarding her as a sister, daughter, or granddaughter, their faces showing either sympathy or affection.

Feng Yi said calmly: 'Life and death are intertwined; death and life follow each other. For those who regard life and death lightly, only by truly dying can one not waste this life and achieve true pride in the martial world.'

The heroes listened to his vague, mystical words and were pondering.

Suddenly, with a 'gudong' sound, Fei Bin fell again, his teeth chattering once more.

It turned out he had just suffered an outbreak of cold poison, which Ding Mian and Lu Bai helped suppress.

Although the Songshan Sect could establish itself beside the Shaolin Temple, naturally possessing unique martial secrets, who would have thought that shortly afterward, the cold poison afflicting Fei Bin would flare up again.

Ding Mian sat cross-legged, placed his palm on Fei Bin's back, and began to exert his internal energy.

Everyone could see that these two were renowned figures in the martial world, always extremely concerned with reputation, and would not embarrass themselves in public unless forced. Fei Bin endured relentless torment; if he kept going, he would eventually be unable to bear it, likely losing his life before reaching Songshan.

Lu Bai could only clasp his fists and say, 'Master Feng, a peerless expert of our age, today my Songshan Sect admits defeat; my junior brother is seriously injured, please rescue him—my Songshan Sect will be eternally grateful.'

Feng Yi gave a light smile: 'I am a man of my word; since Liu Zhengfeng wishes to be a hero who values righteousness over life, I naturally must fulfill that—this is seeking benevolence and attaining it, finding one's proper place; I, Feng, also count it as boundless merit.'

Upon hearing this, many silently cursed him as 'shameless,' such as the girl and Yue Lingshan.

His image in these women's minds had already been fixed: a man of high martial strength, unreasonable and barbaric.

Yet seeing Feng Yi's face darken, he said: 'Your lives were exchanged for Liu Zhengfeng's own life; they are, in effect, preserved.'

But Feng has cultivated this extreme cold true qi precisely to overcome enemies and win; since he is an enemy, having struck him, why save him? Or if I did save him, would I then have to expend extra effort when he comes to seek revenge?

The crowd agreed, that was indeed the reasoning.

Especially, Feng Yi's ruthless strikes and disregard for life left an impression on everyone's hearts.

Fei Bin, too, was a tough man, saying, 'You… tormenting… tormenting people like this—what kind of… hero is that?!'

His whole body trembled, his teeth clacking 'ge-ge' nonstop.

The girl turned her body and said to Fei Bin, 'Sir Fei, you are certainly no hero; isn't this just playing music to a cow?'

As soon as she spoke, Lu Bai and Ding Mian both showed surprise, and the others were likewise startled.

Those who had been in Qunyu Villa the previous night had all heard Feng Yi admit he was no hero; yet this little lass so boldly provoked him—what could be her aim, and where did she get the nerve?

Feng Yi had long known that this girl was Qu Yang's granddaughter, Qu Feiyan; thus her impertinent words were to be expected.

Seeing her grandfather dead, Qu Feiyan was furious in her heart, but knowing Feng Yi's martial prowess was unmatched and wishing to avenge him, she lacked the ability, so she stirred the flames, hoping the crowd would besiege Feng Yi.

But she did not understand that Feng Yi embodied arrogance and tyranny, unreasonable brutality, unpredictable moods, and disregard for reputation, which he displayed to the fullest.

Consider the 'Northern Frontier Bright Camel' Mu Gaofeng, who likewise, by employing any means, made even the Wuyue Sword Sect and other orthodox factions hesitate to provoke him lightly—how much more so Feng Yi, who with a single raise of his hand knocked Mu Gaofeng to his knees begging for mercy?

Furthermore, many among the heroes took a dislike to the Wuyue Sword Sect; not only did they remain indifferent to its fate, deep down they also harbored a hidden glee at its misfortune.

Thus Qu Feiyan continued to fan the flames and sow discord, but the heroes merely gave a faint smile and paid no heed.

This much is clear not only to Feng Yi but also to the entire Wuyue Sect; otherwise, if over a thousand people united to deal with Feng Yi, whether he could retreat unscathed would still be unknown, but such a scenario is utterly unrealistic.

Lu Bai loudly declared, 'We today follow the Left Alliance Chief's orders, namely to announce to all heroes that Liu Zhengfeng colluded with the demon cult; now that he is dead, we have fulfilled our mission and bid farewell to all friends.' He waved his right hand, and the Songshan Sect disciples retreated together from the hall.

Ding Mian said to Feng Yi in a low voice, 'The green hills remain unchanged, the clear waters flow on; the Songshan Sect distinguishes gratitude from grudge—if my junior brother loses his life at your hands, someone will surely come to seek revenge from you.'

Their five-colored command banner was still in Feng Yi's hand, but they knew full well that their martial arts were vastly inferior to his, and could not retrieve it then.

If they were to beg Feng Yi for the banner, that would be even more humiliating than losing it; at worst they could simply make another later. For now they could only utter a harsh remark to save face.

Feng Yi said lightly, 'Just for those words of yours, your heads will first be lodged on your necks; whenever I feel like it, I'll take them down to play with!'

Rest assured, I will certainly make your death somewhat splendid,

but as I am a man of my word, I can also give you some pointers: if Zuo Lengchan lacks the ability to save people, go see whether that famed killer-physician can manage to save them.

Ding Mian paused slightly, but did not force himself to stay; he took Fei Bin and left the hall, departing straight away.

Seeing the Songshan Sect leave, Yue Buqun also bowed his hands to Feng Yi and said, 'Master Feng, your martial arts are profound, your heart benevolent, Brother Liu's righteousness runs deep; I, Yue, feel it in my five viscera!' Having said this, his eyes flashed with a hint of sorrowful pity: 'Today I have received Master Feng's high techniques; I am greatly impressed. If there are any shortcomings, please come to Mount Hua and stay a few days!'

Feng Yi is extremely clever, knowing that Yue Buqun sensed something odd, he smiled slightly and said: "Mr. Yue, you're too polite. But I don't like dealing with gentlemen who have too many schemes."

Everyone thought: "Although this person's martial arts are strong, his temperament is crazy and unreasonable! It seems Heaven is still fair!"

Who would have thought Yue Buqun smiled slightly and said: "A gentleman in the world can bend and stretch, has things he does and does not do. There should be the transformation of dragon and serpent, clinging to the wilds, waiting for the right moment to act, defeated without resentment. When he becomes a dragon, he soars ten thousand miles, roams the nine heavens, proud but not arrogant. Hero Feng, let us encourage each other!"

A glint of light flashed in Feng Yi's eyes as he clasped his hands and said: "I've been taught!"

Yue Buqun clasped his hands toward the Liu family's household, turned his body, and departed gracefully, with all the Magnificent Mountain disciples following him.

Linghu Chong glanced at the corpses of Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang, truly wishing to take their musical scores, for he loved listening to them, but the people were lying on the ground—who could he ask?

He also resented Feng Yi for killing Liu Zhengfeng, but his master and the others actually didn't utter a single word.

He couldn't understand: Uncle Liu merely wanted to retire from the martial world, so why force him to death?

Could it be just because he associated with members of the Demonic Cult?

Why go to such extremes?

"Senior Brother, aren't you leaving yet?"

Yue Lingshan's call not only pulled Linghu Chong's thoughts back, but she also grabbed his sleeve and dragged him out of the hall.

Seeing the Great Mountain Sect, Magnificent Mountain Sect, and Lofty Mountain Sect depart, the heroes realized there was no more excitement to watch, and they too filed out one after another.

Qu Feiyan giggled, looked at Feng Yi, and said: "This gentleman's sword is indeed interesting!" As she spoke, she had already walked toward Feng Yi.

Feng Yi threw his head back and laughed heartily, saying: "You're not bad either."

Suddenly Qu Feiyan shot forward with a swish-swish, a faint blue light flickering; she had two dagger-like short weapons concealed in her hands, and with a hiss, her left-hand sword thrust straight at Feng Yi's abdomen.

"Stop!" Venerable Dingyi shouted urgently—what kind of person is Feng Yi, how could she succeed in a sneak attack?

Unexpectedly, Qu Feiyan harbored a hatred that gritted her teeth, embracing the resolve to die with her grandfather, she thrust her sword forward, turning a deaf ear.

Ding, a flash of light, Qu Feiyan's tiger's mouth erupted in pain, her left-hand sword flew from her grip, and Feng Yi reached out, already seizing her shoulder.

Qu Feiyan felt half her body go numb, she grunted, summoning all her strength, her right-hand sword flew from her grip, thrusting toward his chest.

With a clang, the short sword fell to the ground, never making contact with Feng Yi's body.

This sight left everyone dumbfounded; Venerable Dingyi murmured: "Is this the legendary body-protecting vigorous energy?"

Feng Yi exerted a little force, seized Qu Feiyan's shoulder, and lifted her up.

Qu Feiyan was twelve or thirteen years old, her stature considered tall among girls, but when Feng Yi lifted her, her feet left the ground by over three feet; she panicked, shrieked, and tried to kick Feng Yi, yet her body went limp with no strength at all. Venerable Dingyi walked two steps forward, pressed her palms together, and said: "Hero Feng, show mercy—this girl is still young; please spare her!"

Feng Yi held Qu Feiyan aloft, smiling faintly, and asked: "Why do you seek to kill me?"

Tears welled in Qu Feiyan's eyes as she sobbed: "You… you killed my grandfather; I must… kill… you to avenge him!"

Venerable Dingyi stared in doubt and asked: "Who is your grandfather?"

Qu Feiyan sobbed: "My grandfather is Qu Yang!"

Everyone was immediately startled.

Seeing Qu Feiyan so fierce, Feng Yi thought it no wonder the original plot had her die at Fei Bin's hands; he turned to the stunned Venerable Dingyi and said: "I, Feng, am not one who delights in killing children; Venerable, you may rest assured."

Venerable Dingyi originally liked Qu Feiyan, but hearing she was a member of the Demonic Cult, according to her attitude toward such people, she ought to kill her; yet she asked herself she could not bring herself to kill Qu Feiyan.

But if she did not kill her, it would seem to violate the Five Peaks Sect's principle of irreconcilable opposition with the Demonic Cult.

This left her feeling somewhat confused.

>

It seems that encountering a Demonic Cult member and slaying them without questioning right or wrong is not necessarily a righteous act.

Feng Yi tossed the five-colored order flag to Venerable Dingyi, saying: "Please handle this Five Peaks order flag, Venerable."

Seeing that the Lofty Mountain Sect's disciples had a hard time demanding the flag, the Everlasting Mountain Sect's disciples didn't even bring it up, yet Feng Yi proactively gave it to his master.

Venerable Dingyi couldn't help but let out a long sigh, took the flag, and said to the Liu family's household: "Brother Liu, you will no longer be a person of the martial world; the kindness of offering shelter and food, I, Dingyi, feel ashamed, and thus I take my leave." She waved her hand, strode out the door, and the nuns under her followed.

The remaining people in the hall also bowed to the Liu family, then turned and left one after another.

In an instant, the Liu family hall was left with only Feng Yi, the Liu family, and Liu Zhengfeng's disciple.

Qu Feiyan shouted: "Surname Feng, if you want to kill me, then kill me—I, this young lady, am not afraid of you!"

Feng Yi gave a hehe cold chuckle and said: "Killing you is not urgent, but if you delay, your grandfather and the others will truly be dead beyond revival!" Saying this, he set her down.

Qu Feiyan's heart startled; the Liu family had already been despairing, all hope lost, and this sentence truly was a heavenly decree—Liu Zhengfeng's daughter Liu Jing urgently said: "Hero, you…"

Before she could finish speaking, she heard Feng Yi say: "Help them up."

Liu family disciples Mi Wei Yi and Xiang Dainan hurriedly helped Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang sit upright, checked their breath, and indeed they had been dead for a long time.

Feng Yi extended both hands and began to massage the Chest Center acupoint on the chests of Liu and Qu.

This Chest Center acupoint, also known as the Qi Sea, is the source of a person's vital energy; for example, the storage of internal energy in the Carefree Sect's Northern Void Divine Art is located here, not in the dantian.

As soon as he began the massage, both bodies started to tremble.

Everyone's faces showed fear, yet they dared not ask.

Only saw Feng Yi's hands move not swiftly, yet his palms were ever-changing, marvelously exquisite; suddenly he struck a palm on both individuals' Great Vertebra acupoint.

This acupoint is where the yang energy of the hand-and-foot three yang meridians and the yang energy of the Governor Vessel converge; Feng Yi's palm sent internal energy coursing through the whole body, and both let out a long exhalation and opened their eyes.

Qu Feiyan joyfully cried: "Grandfather!" and flung herself into his embrace.

The crystal tears on her face had not yet been wiped away, yet now she laughed radiantly.

Liu Jing opened her arms, also flung herself into Liu Zhengfeng's embrace and wept; Liu Zhengfeng supported her body and said: "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Qu Yang laughed: "What a refreshing sleep that was!"

Feng Yi gave a hehe laugh.

Upon hearing that laugh, Qu Yang, Liu Zhengfeng, and the others were truly as if seeing a ghost; despite their ability to stay calm, their fingers involuntarily began to tremble—just what kind of person is this?

Now Qu Feiyan realizes she misunderstood Feng Yi, but she doesn't know how to express her apology.

Little did she know that Feng Yi, in order to fulfill his promise, acted very differently from before, not caring at all how the world viewed him.

How could he care about the opinion of a little girl?

Liu Zhengfeng bowed with clasped hands and said sincerely, "I, along with my family, thank you, great hero, for your rescue; I do not know how to repay you, please accept my family's bow!"

Feng Yi flicked his sleeve, supporting him, and laughed heartily: "I was entrusted by someone; if thanks are due, thank your senior brother instead. Moreover, whether I can actually save your family's lives remains uncertain!"

Qu Yang let out a soft sigh and said, "Liu, younger brother, you once said you and your senior brother were estranged; I never expected him to extend a helping hand when you were in dire straits."

Liu Zhengfeng also felt deeply moved, fell silent for a moment, showed a bitter smile, and said softly, "My senior brother's behavior is eccentric, hard to predict. Our estrangement is not about wealth or status; we simply clash in temperament. Thinking of how I have been disrespectful toward him in daily life, I now feel truly ashamed."

Feng Yi smiled and said, "Get ready; I'm tired and need a good sleep. We'll depart tonight!" He then strolled out the door.

Liu Zhengfeng bowed with clasped hands and said, "Yes!"

Feng Yi understands the martial world well; he knows these martial heroes, whether they are open-hearted and bold or narrow-minded, care most about saving face.

The Songshan School came today merely to have Liu Zhengfeng display his prowess before everyone, to establish prestige and overawe the martial world, to intimidate the Four Peaks.

But this limelight was snatched away by him; they must consider whether they can afford retaliation.

But retaliating against Liu Zhengfeng's family is out of the question. While he can protect the Liu family in front of the heroes, once the gathering disperses, he may not be able to.

After all, the Songshan School bears the name of an orthodox sect; its actions must have a justifiable pretext. But if they wear black, mask their faces, and impersonate others, that is another matter.

Prominent figures of the orthodox path commonly possess a 'black glove'; it's nothing unusual.

As for this blinding tactic, even if the heroes cannot see through it, the sharper‑minded can guess it.

But this is also a wise course.

This both gives the Songshan School a way out and serves as a deterrent.

Liu Zhengfeng has been forced to his death by you; your aim is achieved. Even if they suspect these two are feigning death, Feng Yi can beat two top‑tier experts into appearing dead—could he not kill them for real?

Thus Lu Bai, Ding Mian and the others, even if they harbored doubts, had to grit their teeth and accept it; what point would there be in exposing the ruse?

To claim that Feng Yi deceived them, that he is no hero, that he looks down on the Five Peaks School and on heroes of the world?

Sorry, but he never claimed to be a hero, and he openly said he looks down on you—what more can be done?

This is just like the choice the Songshan School gave Liu Zhengfeng to kill Qu Yang.

No matter how you choose, there is no solution!

Either kill Feng Yi, and the problem disappears.

But he cannot be killed.

But Feng Yi knows that Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang are unwelcome among both the righteous and the wicked; he can protect them for a while, but not forever. They therefore must change their residence, traveling by day, attracting attention, needing to eat and sleep by day and travel by night.

Liu Zhengfeng naturally thought of this as well and said, "Da Nian, take the Wind Hero to rest, gather our valuables; we will set out tonight—this Central Plains is no place to linger."

Liu Zhengfeng naturally also thought of this, he said: "Da Nian, take Great Hero Feng to rest, for righteousness, pack up the valuables, we will leave tonight, we cannot stay in this Central Plains."

After he finished speaking, he and Qu Yang exchanged a glance, both filled with astonishment.

They all realized that Feng Yi's actions were meticulous, obviously a seasoned jianghu veteran, certainly not as reckless as he appeared on the surface, yet why had they never heard of this person before?

Perhaps his martial arts were cultivated through bitter training in the deep mountains, unknown to the world, but jianghu experience requires accumulation and settling.

A master like Feng Yi, having walked the jianghu, would not be utterly obscure and unknown to anyone.

The appearance of this person, just like his martial arts, is utterly astonishing and completely overturns one's understanding.

Qu Feiyan saw that both men looked deep in thought, and couldn't help asking: "Lord Liu, are we really going to leave the Central Plains?"

Liu Zhengfeng nodded silently.

Qu Feiyan said: "But..."

Qu Yang waved his hand: "Feifei, heaven has unpredictable storms, people have sudden fortune and misfortune, the jianghu is a bloody storm, ever-changing; even if one's martial arts are as strong as Feng Yi's, there are endless worries!"

He is skilled at judging people; after meeting Feng Yi twice, he felt that Feng Yi also had his own helplessness.

Qu Feiyan stared, then said: "With such great ability, what worries could he possibly have?"

In her heart, as long as one's martial arts are strong, nothing is impossible; naturally she didn't believe it, and immediately left the main hall for the rear courtyard.

Feng Yi entered the room, lay on the bed, as if a tightly drawn bowstring had finally relaxed, a hint of weariness showing between his brows.

He had just drunk a jar of wine; although he used internal energy to force some out, the alcohol was still absorbed somewhat, and after a while he fell asleep.

Qu Feiyan tiptoed over, looking through the window at his sleeping face, she faintly felt that although he had saved Lord Liu's family, his vitality seemed to have been exhausted.

(End of chapter)