Chapter 268

~43 min read 8,483 words

The moon rose above the treetops, a gentle breeze blew slowly, and Feng Yi walked leisurely on the treetops.

Translation: "The moon rose above the treetops, a gentle breeze blew slowly, and Feng Yi walked leisurely on the treetops."

The moon rose above the treetops, a gentle breeze blew slowly, and Feng Yi walked leisurely on the treetops.

Suddenly, a sharp howl like an evil owl's cry echoed from afar, shaking the hills and fields,

Translation: "Suddenly, a sharp howl like an evil owl's cry echoed from afar, shaking the hills and fields,"

Suddenly, a sharp howl like an evil owl's cry echoed from afar, shaking the hills and fields,

In the silent night, this wail seemed especially terrifying; in an instant, birds and beasts scattered in fright.

Translation: "In the silent night, this wail seemed especially terrifying; in an instant, birds and beasts scattered in fright."

In the silent night, this wail seemed especially terrifying; in an instant, birds and beasts scattered in fright.

Feng Yi heard it clearly: this is Mu Gao Feng.

Translation: "Feng Yi heard it clearly; this was Mu Gao Feng."

Although Feng Yi hadn't seen anything yet, he suspected that Mu Gao Feng had suffered a loss.

Translation: "Although Feng Yi had not yet seen anything, he had a guess: Mu Gao Feng had suffered a loss."

One tree, two trees, three trees…

Translation: "One tree, two trees, three trees…"

Feng Yi lightly tapped the treetop with his toes, and saw sword light flashing, a sharp cry tearing the air, a mass of black shadow and a patch of green mist rapidly rolling back and forth.

Within the black shadow and yellow mist, two white lights flashed back and forth, the clashing of weapons sounding like linked bells.

Within the black shadow and yellow mist, two white lights flashed back and forth, the clashing of weapons sounding like linked beads.

Feng Yi completely hid in the shadow of a large tree, focusing his vision, and saw in the devastated scene trees snapped and soil flying wildly.

Translation: "Feng Yi completely hid in the shadow of a large tree, focusing his vision, and saw in the devastated scene trees snapped and soil flying wildly."

Feng Yi completely hid in the shadow of a large tree, focusing his vision, and saw in the devastated scene trees snapped and soil flying wildly.

Mu Gao Feng darted high and low, lunging left and right, his long sword issuing a roaring sound.

Translation: "Mu Gao Feng darted high and low, lunging left and right, his long sword issuing a roaring sound."

Don't mistake him for a hunchbacked camel whose movements seem inconvenient; his agility is extreme, and when Feng Yi looked closer, he saw a long wound from his left chest to shoulder, blood flowing, flesh turned outward, the black hair on his chest clearly visible.

Yet Yue Buqun remained in his green robe, poised and unhurried, his sword issuing a clear tone, white light flowing like falling blossoms and leaves, encircling Mu Gao Feng in a sword ring.

Translation: "Yet Yue Buqun remained in his green robe, poised and unhurried, his sword issuing a clear tone, white light flowing like falling blossoms and leaves, encircling Mu Gao Feng in a sword ring."

Yet Yue Buqun remained in his green robe, poised and unhurried, his sword issuing a clear tone, white light flowing like falling blossoms and leaves, encircling Mu Gao Feng in a sword ring.

Feng Yi thought: 'Yue Buqun really has some skill, but Mu Gao Feng does have a poison sac!'

Translation: "Feng Yi thought: 'Yue Buqun really has some skill, but Mu Gao Feng does have a poison sac!'"

Feng Yi thought: 'Yue Buqun really has some skill, but Mu Gao Feng does have a poison sac!'

Both are top-tier masters; Yue Buqun is stronger than Mu Gao Feng, but only slightly. Yet this fellow's camel hump has a poison sac—could he not have poisoned hidden weapons? So the outcome is not certain.

Translation: "Both are top-tier masters; Yue Buqun is stronger than Mu Gao Feng, but only slightly. Yet this fellow's camel hump has a poison sac—could he not have poisoned hidden weapons? So the outcome is not certain."

Feng Yi watched with interest, waiting to see what the outcome would be.

Translation: "This made Feng Yi watch with interest, to see what the result would be."

Then came the sound of 'clang clang clang clang' all around, sparks flying, their swords clashing four times; Mu Gao Feng lowered his body, swish swish swish, thrusting three consecutive strikes at Yue Buqun's lower gate.

Translation: "Then came the sound of 'clang clang clang clang' all around, sparks flying, their swords clashing four times; Mu Gao Feng lowered his body, swish swish swish, thrusting three consecutive strikes at Yue Buqun's lower gate."

He was a short, stout man, while Yue Buqun was tall and sturdy, hastily raising his sword to block downward.

Translation: "He was a short, fat man, while Yue Buqun was tall and sturdy, hastily raising his sword to block."

Although Mu Gao Feng's three thrusts mixed feint and thrust, Yue Buqun's block was solid, leaving no opening; his sword swept flat, blades meeting, he borrowed a little force, and his ball-like body rolled away.

Translation: "Although Mu Gao Feng's three thrusts mixed feint and thrust, Yue Buqun's block was solid, leaving no opening; his sword swept flat, blades meeting, he borrowed a little force, and his ball-like body rolled away."

These few changes of move were as quick as a rabbit's start and a falcon's drop, extremely swift. Yet with just these few exchanges, containing Mu Gao Feng's lifetime martial skill and wit, he managed to break free from Yue Buqun's sword encirclement, hastily shouting: 'Stop!'

Translation: "These few changes of move were as quick as a rabbit's start and a falcon's drop, extremely swift. Yet with just these few exchanges, containing Mu Gao Feng's lifetime martial skill and wit, he managed to break free from Yue Buqun's sword encirclement, hastily shouting: 'Stop!'"

Only saw Yue Buqun swish, sheathing his sword at his waist, 'How come? The victory is undecided—why call a halt?' He stood there, calm and composed, truly graceful.

Translation: "Only saw Yue Buqun swish, sheathing his sword at his waist, 'How come? The victory is undecided—why call a halt?' He stood there, calm and composed, truly graceful."

Only saw Yue Buqun swish, sheathing his sword at his waist, 'How come? The victory is undecided—why call a halt?' He stood there, calm and composed, truly graceful.

Mu Gao Feng, having reached a distance of three or four zhang from Yue Buqun, then stood up, quickly sealed several acupoints to stop the bleeding, caught his breath, his face ashen as paper, his voice hoarse and raspy, he said: 'Brother Yue, do you really want to perish together with the Camel?'

Translation: "Mu Gao Feng, having reached a distance of three or four zhang from Yue Buqun, then stood up, quickly sealed several acupoints to stop the bleeding, caught his breath, his face ashen as paper, his voice hoarse and raspy, he said: 'Brother Yue, do you really want to perish together with the Camel?'"

He held a sword with icy gleam, the Camel's sword, his eyes fixed on Yue Buqun, his breathing heavy and ragged.

Translation: "He held a sword with icy gleam, the Camel's sword, his eyes fixed on Yue Buqun, his breathing heavy and ragged."

He held a sword with icy gleam, the Camel's sword, his eyes fixed on Yue Buqun, his breathing heavy and ragged.

Yue Buqun laughed: 'Perish together—do you really have the ability?'

Translation: "Yue Buqun laughed: 'Perish together? Do you really have the ability?'"

Mu Gao Feng replied: 'If I hadn't been injured first, how could you defeat me?'

Translation: "Mu Gao Feng said: 'If I hadn't been wounded first, how could you defeat me?'"

Yue Buqun grunted, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Translation: "Yue Buqun grunted noncommittally."

He too had been struck by Feng Yi, but could hardly admit it, losing face.

Translation: "He too had been struck by Feng Yi, but could hardly admit it, losing face."

He too had been struck by Feng Yi, but could hardly admit it, losing face.

Mu Gao Feng panted: 'Brother Yue, you are a sect master, virtuous and esteemed; the Camel likes to take advantage, not accepted by the orthodox path, I know I am unworthy to befriend you, but I am not an evildoer; please recall our past friendship and spare me, your younger brother—I, the Camel, am deeply grateful.'

Translation: "Mu Gao Feng panted: 'Brother Yue, you are a sect master, virtuous and esteemed; the Camel likes to take advantage, not accepted by the orthodox path, I know I am unworthy to befriend you, but I am not an evildoer; please recall our past friendship and spare me, your younger brother—I, the Camel, am deeply grateful.'"

Yue Buqun gave an oh, then said lightly: 'You claim not to be evil? Lin Zhen Nan and his wife lived blameless lives; what have they done to you that you would harm them?'

Translation: "Yue Buqun gave an oh, then said lightly: 'You claim not to be evil? Lin Zhen Nan and his wife lived blameless lives; what have they done to you that you would harm them?'"

Yue Buqun gave an oh, then said lightly: 'You claim not to be evil? Lin Zhen Nan and his wife lived blameless lives; what have they done to you that you would harm them?'

Mu Gao Feng said: 'You know, the Camel never engages in losing ventures. They have been tormented all the way by the Azure City Sect, their lives hanging by a thread; even if I didn't kill them, they could not survive!'

Translation: "Mu Gao Feng said: 'You know, the Camel never engages in losing ventures. They have been tormented all the way by the Azure City Sect, their lives hanging by a thread; even if I didn't kill them, they could not survive!'"

Only then did Feng Yi learn that Lin Zhen Nan and his wife had died; he sighed: 'Alas, they are still dead. Feng Yi, Feng Yi, you only sought your own pleasure, killing Yu Canghai, which led to being unable to save them—is this not giving Lin Pingzhi hope, then despair?'

Translation: "Only then did Feng Yi learn that Lin Zhen Nan and his wife had died; he sighed: 'Alas, they are still dead. Feng Yi, Feng Yi, you only sought your own pleasure, killing Yu Canghai, which led to being unable to save them—is this not giving Lin Pingzhi hope, then despair?'"

Although he felt some self-reproach, he was not wallowing in self-pity.

Translation: "He did feel some self-reproach, but not to the point of self-loathing."

After all, people die every day in this world; I'm just an ordinary person, and it's hard enough to look after myself—how could I consider everyone?

Translation: "After all, people die every day in this world; I am merely mortal, struggling to care for myself, how could I consider everyone?"

Only saw Yue Buqun shake his head: 'Brother Mu, I know your character. Yet Lin Pingzhi has shown kindness to my daughter; you killed his parents, I ought to capture you as repayment—just surrender your sword!'

Translation: "Only saw Yue Buqun shake his head: 'Brother Mu, I know your character. Yet Lin Pingzhi has shown kindness to my daughter; you killed his parents, I ought to capture you as repayment—just surrender your sword!'"

A flash of anger crossed Mu Gao Feng's face, but he finally laughed: 'Good, good, what a fine gentleman's sword—such a renowned name, humph!'

Translation: "A flash of anger crossed Mu Gao Feng's face, but he finally laughed: 'Good, good, what a fine gentleman's sword—such a renowned name, humph!'"

A flash of anger crossed Mu Gao Feng's face, but he finally laughed: 'Good, good, what a fine gentleman's sword—such a renowned name, humph!'

Yue Buqun asked: 'How so?'

Translation: "Yue Buqun said: 'How then?'"

Mu Gao Feng said: 'If you seek to repay kindness or champion justice, taking advantage of someone's peril is hardly the way of a gentleman; if you truly mean it, wait till I heal my wounds, then we can fairly contest—only then would you be a true righteous gentleman.'

Translation: "Mu Gao Feng said: 'If you seek to repay kindness or champion justice, taking advantage of someone's peril is hardly the way of a gentleman; if you truly mean it, wait till I heal my wounds, then we can fairly contest—only then would you be a true righteous gentleman.'"

Yue Buqun fell silent, then laughed: 'Brother Mu, you have real skill; you must have obtained the Lin family's Warding-off Evil Sword Manual—pretending to heal wounds while actually practicing the sword, right?'

Translation: "Yue Buqun fell silent, then laughed: 'Brother Mu, you have real skill; you must have obtained the Lin family's Warding-off Evil Sword Manual—pretending to heal wounds while actually practicing the sword, right?'"

Mu Gao Feng sighed: 'Brother Yue guessed correctly; I simply love taking advantage, seeing benefit, not wanting to miss it—that's why I wanted to take Lin Pingzhi as a disciple, to torture Lin Zhen Nan and his wife, indeed for the Warding-off Evil Sword Manual!'

Translation: "Mu Gao Feng sighed: 'Brother Yue guessed correctly; I simply love taking advantage, seeing benefit, not wanting to miss it—that's why I wanted to take Lin Pingzhi as a disciple, to torture Lin Zhen Nan and his wife, indeed for the Warding-off Evil Sword Manual!'"

Yue Buqun gave a cold snort: 'The Warding-off Evil Sword Manual belongs to the Lin family; what information have you obtained? Speak it out, so I may also lend a little help to Lin Pingzhi and set my mind at ease.'

Translation: "Yue Buqun gave a cold snort: 'The Warding-off Evil Sword Manual belongs to the Lin family; what information have you obtained? Speak it out, so I may also lend a little help to Lin Pingzhi and set my mind at ease.'"

Mu Gao Feng well knew why Yue Buqun pursued him relentlessly: he believed Mu Gao Feng had learned the whereabouts of the Warding-off Evil Sword Manual from Lin Zhen Nan's mouth.

Translation: "Mu Gao Feng well knew why Yue Buqun pursued him relentlessly: he believed Mu Gao Feng had learned the whereabouts of the Warding-off Evil Sword Manual from Lin Zhen Nan's mouth."

Mu Gao Feng well knew why Yue Buqun pursued him relentlessly: he believed Mu Gao Feng had learned the whereabouts of the Warding-off Evil Sword Manual from Lin Zhen Nan's mouth.

But being under someone's eaves, he had to lower his head, and could only say: 'Don't blame me, Brother Yue—though Lin Zhen Nan's martial skills were ordinary, his bones were tough; the Azure City Sect tormented him all the way, yet he uttered not a word.'

Translation: "But being under someone's eaves, he had to lower his head, and could only say: 'Don't blame me, Brother Yue—though Lin Zhen Nan's martial skills were ordinary, his bones were tough; the Azure City Sect tormented him all the way, yet he uttered not a word.'"

The Camel lied, saying he had taken his son as a disciple, but he didn't say anything.

Translation: "The Camel deceived him, saying he had taken his son as a disciple, yet he still said nothing."

Yue Buqun snorted and paid no attention.

Translation: "Yue Buqun grunted and paid no heed."

Blood continued to flow from Mu Gao Feng's chest, his complexion turning bluish-gray; he knew the wound would not staunch, the blood would have to drain completely, for sealing acupoints is not omnipotent.

Translation: "Blood continued to flow from Mu Gao Feng's chest, his complexion turning bluish-gray; he knew the wound would not staunch, the blood would have to drain completely, for sealing acupoints is not omnipotent."

But with Yue Buqun before him, how could he free his hands? He blurted: 'Brother Yue, since ancient times the weak are prey to the strong; the Lin family's decline naturally made them fodder for the Azure City Sect, and the Camel also wants a share.'

Translation: "But with Yue Buqun before him, how could he free his hands? He blurted: 'Brother Yue, since ancient times the weak are prey to the strong; the Lin family's decline naturally made them fodder for the Azure City Sect, and the Camel also wants a share.'"

There's nothing to say about that.

Translation: "There's nothing more to say."

But even if the Camel had ten guts, he would not dare deceive you now—look at my ear, bitten by that woman; she coaxed me with the whereabouts of the Warding-off Evil Sword Manual, then gave me a bite, and in my rage I killed her, truly ill-fated.

Translation: "But even if the Camel had ten guts, he would not dare deceive you now—look at my ear, bitten by that woman; she coaxed me with the whereabouts of the Warding-off Evil Sword Manual, then gave me a bite, and in my rage I killed her, truly ill-fated."

Yue Buqun saw his demeanor did not seem feigned, and he even admitted the embarrassing fact of being bitten on the ear by a woman; it should not be a lie, yet considering his deceitfulness and sharp gaze: 'Brother Mu, we have known each other for years—you are most changeable, fond of flashy spears? How could I believe your words?'

Translation: "Yue Buqun saw his demeanor did not seem feigned, and he even admitted the embarrassing fact of being bitten on the ear by a woman; it should not be a lie, yet considering his deceitfulness and sharp gaze: 'Brother Mu, we have known each other for years—you are most changeable, fond of flashy spears? How could I believe your words?'"

Mu Gao Feng forced a laugh: 'Even if you don't believe me, Brother Yue, it's understandable—but even if you killed me, this would still be the truth!'

Translation: "Mu Gao Feng forced a laugh: 'Brother Yue not believing me is understandable, but even if you killed me, this remains true!'"

Yue Buqun's eyes flashed, and he said: 'Good, I admire your extraordinary martial skill; you must swear an oath on a master like Feng Yi to prove you speak no falsehood, and thereafter you may not set foot in the Central Plains even half a step.'

Translation: "Yue Buqun's eyes flashed, and he said: 'Good, I admire your extraordinary martial skill; you must swear an oath on a master like Feng Yi to prove you speak no falsehood, and thereafter you may not set foot in the Central Plains even half a step.'"

Feng Yi knew Yue Buqun, though renowned worldwide, certainly did not dare underestimate Mu Gao Feng, thinking: 'This Camel's martial skill is formidable, his nature ruthless; Yue Buqun also does not wish to create a strong enemy, merely wants to verify whether this Camel knows the whereabouts of the Warding-off Evil Sword Manual, just as in the original plot pursuing Yu Canghai!'

Translation: "Feng Yi knew Yue Buqun, though renowned worldwide, certainly did not dare underestimate Mu Gao Feng, thinking: 'This Camel's martial skill is formidable, his nature ruthless; Yue Buqun also does not wish to create a strong enemy, merely wants to verify whether this Camel knows the whereabouts of the Warding-off Evil Sword Manual, just as in the original plot pursuing Yu Canghai!'"

Mu Gao Feng, however, was both angry and resentful, a feeling of indignation rising in his heart.

Translation: "Mu Gao Feng, however, was both angry and resentful, a surge of indignation rising in his heart."

One must know that in the martial world, everyone vies for fame and victory, preferring to suffer a thousand cuts rather than bow; though Mu Gao Feng's reputation in the martial world is extremely low, since his rise he has rarely met an equal, and even when encountering a stronger master, hearing his name still causes a start, daring not to slight him. How could one conclude a treaty under the city walls?

Translation: "One must know that in the martial world, everyone vies for fame and victory, preferring to suffer a thousand cuts rather than bow; though Mu Gao Feng's reputation in the martial world is extremely low, since his rise he has rarely met an equal, and even when encountering a stronger master, hearing his name still causes a start, daring not to slight him. How could one conclude a treaty under the city walls?"

The reason he knelt at Feng Yi's feet was that Feng Yi's martial prowess was so high it exceeded his comprehension.

Translation: "The reason he knelt at Feng Yi's feet was that Feng Yi's martial skill was too high, beyond his comprehension."

After all, everyone loves life and fears death.

Translation: "After all, the love of life and fear of death are common to all."

At that time, Feng Yi could have killed Mu Gao Feng with a single gesture, leaving him no chance to resist, so he naturally knelt quickly.

Translation: "At that time, Feng Yi could have killed Mu Gao Feng with a single gesture, leaving no chance to resist, so he naturally knelt quickly."

He knew that to such an immortal-like figure, he was nothing but an ant.

Translation: "He deeply knew that to such an immortal-like being, he was but an ant."

Who would hesitate to step on an ant?

Translation: "Who would hesitate to tread on an ant?"

Of course, he feared that if he knelt too late, he would lose his head.

Translation: "Naturally, he feared that kneeling too late would cost him his head."

But when facing someone like Yue Buqun, who is stronger than oneself yet limited, it is not the case.

After all, I am seriously wounded; even he cannot defeat me—what's that?

What happened at the Liu residence during the day, Mu Gaofeng is still unaware, so naturally he doesn't know that Yue Buqun is also wounded; before the final moment, he naturally won't readily agree.

But Mu Gaofeng is deep‑scheming; his anger surged, then he suppressed it, staring at the wound on his chest, he pondered: "It's all my fault for being careless; I didn't pay respects to the great deity Feng Yi, and suffered a great loss. Now my injury is serious, and I even took a sword to the chest…"

Thinking this over, a thought suddenly popped into his mind: "That's right, since I have knelt before Feng Yi, this matter will spread far and wide within a few days, known throughout the world—what reputation could a Mu Tuozi possibly have?"

Thinking this over, he reckoned that continuing to contend with Yue Buqun would be no different from being fish on a chopping block; after a moment's thought, he chuckled: "All right, Mu Tuozi weighs the pros and cons—this calculation rings loud, so if we do it, we do it. But this present transaction, utterly without profit, is absolutely not something I will undertake!"

Saying this, he pointed his sword to the heavens: "I, Mu Gaofeng, swear to heaven that if I uttered even half a falsehood just now, may I die without a burial place."

From now on, I will never set foot in the Central Plains again; otherwise, I'll run into experts like Feng Yi the moment I step out, and my life or death will not be my own. Brother Yue, is that satisfactory now?

Hearing this, Yue Buqun thought that this camel seemed sincere, and decided to leave.

He certainly didn't want to fight to the death with the "Northern Frontier Bright Camel"; that would be a losing proposition.

Just as he was about to utter some formal words, he heard a low whistle from the northeast corner, followed by someone in the southwest corner clapping four times in rapid succession—pa-pa, pa-pa.

He turned his head and saw a figure flying toward him, calling out, "Master!"—that was Linghu Chong's voice.

At that moment, someone cried, "Father!" Mu Gaofeng turned his head and, in the faint starlight, made out an old man and a young woman running toward him, their long swords flashing intermittently, while many footsteps sounded nearby.

Mu Gaofeng silently cried, "Oh no, oh no! The Hua Shan disciples have all arrived as well—Old Mu, you're done for!"

For a moment he didn't know whether to flee or fight to the death.

While he hesitated, a few more people appeared on either side, their faces indistinct, but they seemed young as well.

On the left was a man dressed as a laborer; on the right, one held an abacus, and another had a small monkey perched on his shoulder, as if they were a monkey‑show troupe.

In an instant, Mu Gaofeng found himself surrounded on all sides.

They were all Hua Shan disciples: Lao Denuo, Liang Fa, Shi Daizi, Gao Genming, Tao Jun, Ying Bai Luo, and Yue Lingshan, among others.

They had gone to Hengshan City to buy coffins, collected the bodies of the Lin couple, but not seeing their master return, they worried and kept following the traces of the two fighters, tracking them here.

Mu Gaofeng, both angry and anxious, gritted his teeth: "Fine, the mighty Hua Shan sect actually takes advantage of someone's peril, bullying the few with the many—I, Mu Gaofeng, will fight you to the death today; even if I die, it will be glorious."

"You, Mu!" Linghu Chong laughed, "Don't boast empty words—you're wounded, and I am wounded too; let's have a bout!"

Yue Lingshan clapped her hands and said, "Senior Brother, hit him, hit him!"

Mu Gaofeng fixed his gaze on Linghu Chong; he had long heard that the Hua Shan chief disciple had received Yue Buqun's true transmission, his swordsmanship superb, not inferior to the top experts of the Five Peaks Sect, and thus he normally felt no fear.

Now, however, it's hard to say, but he could not refuse to fight a junior; so he gritted his teeth: "All right, all right, let me see just how formidable the swordsmanship of Linghu Chong, who can match Tian Boguang, really is."

He slowly bent his body low.

His back was naturally hunched; at this moment his chin was barely two feet above the ground, a hissing sound came from between his teeth, and his body swelled up like an inflated bladder.

Linghu Chong's face grew solemn, his sword humming, when someone called out, "Wait!"

Only a figure came running out, stepping into the moonlight.

Mu Gaofeng's heart sank—the comer was none other than Lin Pingzhi.

As it turned out, he had also followed the Hua Shan disciples here.

Lin Pingzhi bowed to Yue Buqun and Linghu Chong and said, "Mr. Yue, Brother Linghu, this Mu fellow killed my parents; I must personally slay him…"

Mu Gaofeng didn't let him finish, sneering, "Good grandson, what makes you spout such big talk?"

In the moonlight, Lin Pingzhi gave a faint cold smile, turned his gaze to Mu Gaofeng, pointed and shouted, "Mu Tuozi, I, Lin Pingzhi, am a true man—how could I avenge my parents through another?"

My parents' blood feud I have temporarily set aside; someday I will surely settle the score with you!

Mu Gaofeng showed a flicker of delight, then shifted his eyes and said calmly, "When will it be settled?"

Lin Pingzhi said solemnly, "When I have dealt with you, I will come find you myself—listen well."

Mu Gaofeng laughed heartily, immensely pleased; at that moment his laughter was filled with genuine delight, extreme joy.

As his laughter faded, he said, "Brother Yue, this little trick of mine is far inferior to yours, but I don't know where this brat gets such audacity—it's laughable!"

Yue Buqun and the remaining Hua Shan disciples also showed a hint of bewilderment.

Only Linghu Chong seemed lost in thought.

Because his martial arts were the best among his peers, he had been the first to rush to the ruined temple when Yue Buqun gave the signal.

He actually found Lin Zhen'nan still alive, his internal energy already quite solid, and immediately transmitted true qi to him.

Lin Zhen'nan came to and told Lin Pingzhi a dying wish: in the old residence of the Lin family on Yangxiang Lane there is an ancestral item, but Grand Master Yuan Tu left a precept that none of his descendants may open it, lest they invite endless calamity; he urged him to remember this well.

Linghu Chong thought at the time: "The Qingcheng sect forced him to reveal the location of the Bixie Sword Manual; he would rather die than speak, yet in giving his son this instruction he was actually wary of me nearby, afraid I would take his family's sword manual, so he deliberately said, 'Do not open it, otherwise endless disaster.'"

Heh, what do you think Linghu Chong is, that he would come to covet your Lin family's sword manual? The Hua Shan sect's own martial arts I have yet to master fully in a lifetime—where would I find the energy to concern myself with other schools' sword techniques?

Besides, if your Lin family's sword technique were truly superior, how could you and your wife have ended up in such a plight?

Linghu Chong thought that way, and it was utterly insignificant to him.

Yue Buqun, however, gave an oh and said, "A man without backbone cannot stand; martial virtue compared to integrity is merely superficial learning—how do you know you weren't defeated that day by Lord Lin's sword?"

Mu Gaofeng snorted, "What ability does a three‑legged‑cat‑skill embroidered pillow have? At best he's just a son‑in‑law who hasn't even passed the threshold of the Gentleman's Sword."

Yue Lingshan's face flushed. Linghu Chong shouted, "What nonsense are you spouting?" Mu Gaofeng laughed loudly, then suddenly flickered his form and darted toward Lin Pingzhi.

As Lin Pingzhi was focused, he suddenly saw a black shadow lunging at him; startled, Yue Buqun and the Hua Shan disciples all shifted their bodies to shield him.

Unexpectedly, Mu Gaofeng's forward charge was merely a feint; having stepped only halfway, he planted his sword in the ground, pushed off, leapt up two zhang, and flew onto the treetop, disappearing into the distance.

His sword thrust was a feint; borrowing force to escape was his true intent.

Yet this ploy of feigning east while striking west was truly exquisite; Linghu Chong and the others misjudged the enemy, able only to watch a dark mass vanish from sight.

Feng Yi could naturally have detained Mu Gaofeng, but he did not intervene.

If he kept killing, not only would there be no fun left, he himself would fall into great danger.

Because he believed he could safely traverse several worlds, his greatest advantage was actually not martial prowess, but foresight.

The more he acted, the larger the butterfly effect grew, causing his foresight to dwindle until it vanished entirely.

Yue Buqun could not help but let out a long sigh: "Good camel, truly capable—yet you refuse to learn well."

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Hua Shan disciples saw Mu Gaofeng reveal this skill as he was leaving; after their anger subsided, they also greatly admired, whispering, "That camel's martial arts are really good!"

"But his chest wound..."

"Master could stab him and wound him—that's even more formidable!"

Yue Buqun rarely engages in combat; Hua Shan disciples usually see him act only when sparring with his wife to demonstrate to the disciples.

As for fighting Feng Yi, they never even consider it.

Because Feng Yi defeated the Songshan Sect's three great guardians with a single move, he has practically become a legendary figure in the martial world.

Anyone who can contend with Dongfang Bubai, the world's number one expert, is simply not among ordinary people.

Because Dongfang Bubai is not only the world's number one expert, he is also hailed as 'the greatest expert of the past century.'

Comparing him to one's master is overly unfair and also disrespectful.

But after the Hua Shan disciples admired him, they also felt great sympathy for Lin Pingzhi.

With his abilities, seeking revenge against Mu Gaofeng is probably impossible even if he trained a lifetime!

Just then, they saw Lin Pingzhi punch a tree and shout, "If I don't avenge this, I, Lin Pingzhi, swear not to be a person!"

His martial arts were mediocre, but because he was filled with indignation, this punch was remarkably strong, as if even the leaves were trembling nonstop.

Yue Ling Shan said, "Revenge is justified, but what will you use to take revenge?"

Yue Buqun slightly nodded and said, "Yes, Yu Canghai is dead, Mu Gaofeng's martial arts are superb; if you want revenge, you must plan long-term, never act rashly or recklessly."

"Exactly!" Yue Ling Shan said, "You want to take Master Feng as your teacher, but he is cold-hearted and arrogantly extreme; seeking to contend with the Demon Sect's leader Dongfang Bubai for supremacy, where would he place you in his heart?"

If he hadn't killed Yu Canghai, how could your parents have died?

A flicker of something unusual passed through Lin Pingzhi's eyes,

Recalling these past days, it truly feels like a grand dream of millet—joy and sorrow, parting and reunion, gaining and losing; his parents' faces appear faintly, then vividly, two visages alternating.

Lin Pingzhi's sorrow welled up; two streams of tears rolled down. He nodded and said, "Miss Yue is right—I will no longer think of taking him as my teacher. I earnestly request Mr. Yue to accept me into your school."

Saying this, he fell with a thud and knelt on the ground.

Yue Buqun was half‑believing, half‑doubting, staring at Lin Pingzhi and asked, "What are you doing?"

Lin Pingzhi kowtowed and said, "As a disciple, upon seeing my master I am overcome with admiration and reverence, but being young and inexperienced I mistook a savior; I regret it too late!" He kept kowtowing.

He suddenly encountered a calamity, hatred burning in his heart; he guessed that the item mentioned in his father's last words must be a sword manual, though it lies far away in Fujian. As Yue Ling Shan said, Feng Yi's martial arts may be high, but they are utterly unreliable.

Moreover, his parents' deaths are closely related to him. If he hadn't killed Yu Canghai, causing the Qingcheng disciples to lose control, how could he have come to this point?

But Feng Yi said everyone covets his own sword manual, which is undoubtedly true; having revealed himself at the Jade Gathering Pavilion, he knows not how dangerous it is. If he now entered the Hua Shan school, he could first find a refuge where others dare not trouble him, and also plot to obtain the manual and then seek revenge.

Feng Yi watched all this from the treetop, his expression somewhat strange,

Lin Pingzhi's words seemed fine at first, but upon reflection it seemed he had come to hate himself; he couldn't help sighing, "You've come too late, this young man—indeed he has gone astray, become someone who knows neither gratitude nor resentment!"

If you say anything to Lin Pingzhi, even without me your parents would still be dead!

Feng Yi has no interest at all.

As for Lin Pingzhi now being able to view himself this way, he actually can understand it as well.

In the original plot, Lin Pingzhi, knowing Yue Ling Shan knows nothing, even more so relies on her, staying constantly by her side, not giving Yue Buqun a chance to kill him.

Yue Ling Shan saw that he was blind, knew he had emasculated himself, yet did not abandon him; she wished to live in seclusion with him.

But when Lin Pingzhi killed her, he showed no mercy.

He completely forgot that this woman was his wife, sworn to heaven and earth, and the one who saved his life. Such a character who even hates and kills his own wife—what more can be said of himself?

As for the claim that Lin Pingzhi saved Yue Ling Shan, thereby inviting disaster upon his sect, that is pure nonsense.

Because without his act of righteous courage toward Yue Ling Shan—killing Yu Canghai's son—they would still have moved against the Fuwei Escort Agency!

Moreover, his righteous courage is commendable chivalry; it cannot be lumped together with his later indiscriminate killing of his wife, unable to distinguish right from wrong.

In Feng Yi's eyes, anyone who mingles in the jianghu deserves to die.

But Yue Ling Shan could be killed by anyone—except him!

Because Yue Ling Shan saved him not only from Yue Buqun's hands but also from the Qingcheng Sect; otherwise how could he have escaped and reached Mount Heng?

As the saying goes, to have a grudge and not repay it is to live in vain!

To have a kindness and not repay it—how is that not living in vain?

Or perhaps he misunderstood Yue Ling Shan, thinking she was in league with her father; acting on that misunderstanding, he killed her—that is another matter.

This is the principle of doing evil unintentionally, yet evil unpunished; it is also where righteousness lies.

But he is not.

Lin Pingzhi clearly knows that Yue Buqun treats Yue Ling Shan just as he treats him—using her as a tool to achieve his goals; so pitiful, yet could he still strike?

If a person, in order to preserve his own life, needs a so‑called pledge of loyalty and kills his wife, is such behavior still praiseworthy, worthy of imitation, worthy of sympathy? Feng Yi, who believes kindness must be repaid, can no way comprehend it.

In Feng Yi's view, even if he wiped out the entire Hua Shan Sect, it would still be more loathsome than killing just Yue Ling Shan.

As the saying goes, true feelings must not be betrayed; he is giving his true heart to a dog!

Therefore, Lin Pingzhi wanting to take him as a teacher, he flatly refuses.

Such a person, once his wings are hardened, will surely turn on himself.

Because in the original plot, Linghu Chong has no grudge against him and even told him his father's last words, yet he is also an object of his hatred.

Before learning the Evil‑Resisting Sword Art, Linghu Chong displayed the Nine Swords of Dugu; not only did Yue Buqun suspect he had obtained the Evil‑Resisting manual, Lin Pingzhi thought the same.

When leading the Hua Shan Sect to the Luoyang Wang family, in conversation he told his maternal grandparents of Linghu Chong's brave exploits and his swordsmanship's wondrous perfection, etc., without reservation even revealing that he learned from Yue Ling Shan that this was not Hua Shan swordsmanship.

Thus the Wang family suspected Linghu Chong of stealing the Evil‑Resisting manual, resulting in a broken arm, suffering, and beatings.

After later learning the Evil‑Resisting Sword Art, he then said things like "What is Linghu Chong's swordsmanship? How could it be compared to the Evil‑Resisting Sword Art!" etc.

That arrogant demeanor, as if the former person who praised the eldest senior brother's swordsmanship as wondrously perfect wasn't him; such behavior is truly just like Yue Buqun's, making people's teeth chill!

Of course, also because Lin Pingzhi hasn't yet reached that stage; although he is no longer the pure‑hearted, hot‑blooded youth of Fuzhou City, he is not yet a ruthless figure who rejects all kin and takes out his anger on others.

Feng Yi had merely given him many pointers at the Jade Gathering Pavilion, and was even willing to offend Yue Buqun, that paragon of virtue, short of spelling it out plainly. Lin Pingzhi should have been wary, yet he still went ahead and bowed as a disciple.

He certainly knew that Lin Pingzhi already had a scheming mind, but not much.

Because you want to use others, how could they not want to use you?

Just as in the original storyline, when he was on Mount Hua, he had Yue Lingshan secretly teach him swordsmanship behind Yue Buqun's back, considering himself clever, but how could this not be exactly what Yue Buqun wanted?

Only hearing Yue Buqun gaze at Lin Pingzhi, he slowly said: "Your aptitude is excellent, you have both integrity and filial piety; you are certainly usable material, fully capable of entering my Hua Shan sect."

But my Hua Shan sect's rules are strict; its longstanding principle is "Do not provoke me, and I will not provoke you." Apart from being mortal enemies with the Demonic Sect, we have no grudges with any other school in the martial world.

But you are wholeheartedly seeking revenge; I fear there will be no peaceful days for you by Jade Maiden Peak.

Alas, since one is immersed in the martial world, wanting to offend no one in anything—how could that be easy!

After Yue Buqun finished speaking, everyone remained silent, gazing at Lin Pingzhi.

Lin Pingzhi said: "I beg the master's mercy; I will myself observe the sect's rules and dare not violate them!"

The crowd exchanged smiles,

Yue Lingshan clapped her hands and said: "Good, with those words, you are now a member of my Hua Shan Sect."

Linghu Chong said: "Little martial sister, words can't be said like that; only what the master said counts. Master, you say it's so, right?"

Yue Lingshan said: "Father, I want to have a junior martial brother; everyone calls me junior martial sister, but from today onward, I want to be a senior martial sister."

Yue Buqun nodded and said: "All right, I will take you as my disciple. Get up!"

Lin Pingzhi said: "Thank you, Master, thank you, Senior Sister."

Yue Lingshan became a senior sister, and she was extremely happy.

Yue Buqun said: "Let us first attend to your parents' funeral, then set out to return to Hua Shan."

The group headed toward the ruined temple where the bodies of Lin Zhenan and his wife were kept.

Yue Buqun looked at Lin Pingzhi, seeming lost in thought, and said: "Chong'er, come here!" Linghu Chong walked over.

Yue Buqun said: "Who was the first to see Pingzhi?"

Linghu Chong said: "It was me!"

Yue Buqun gave an "oh" and said: "It seems Pingzhi is very confident about taking revenge; what's going on?"

Linghu Chong then related what he had seen: Lin Zhenan was not dead; he had transmitted true qi, Lin Zhenan's last words, and his own conjectures—all of which he told Yue Buqun.

Linghu Chong also said: "But the father of my junior martial brother Lin obviously also feels uneasy, saying something like 'calamities are endless.' Hmph, what does he think of me, Linghu Chong? Am I also a shameless wretch like Yu Canghai and Mu Gaofeng? Even if I saw the Bixie Sword Manual and could thereby become the best martial artist in the world, I would still disdain it."

Yue Buqun nodded and said: "Excellent, not in vain my teaching; I also do not believe there is any other Bixie Sword Manual."

Otherwise, how could Lin Zhenan and his wife have ended up like this? This matter is as clear as can be. But this is a Lin family affair; also, do not dampen your junior martial brother Lin's enterprising spirit—henceforth, do not tell others about this last will.

Linghu Chong bowed and said: "Yes!"

"Go!"

Linghu Chong laughed as he went to chase after Yue Lingshan.

Feng Yi also laughed, then vanished from the treetops without making a whisper of wind, his form merging into the clear breeze.

That's how it becomes interesting.

Let's see what kind of moves these upstanding gentlemen can make on Hua Shan, whether genuine or not.

However, he figured it out: Linghu Chong, this clueless fellow, is bound to stir up waves in the sea of love, and this cannot be changed anymore.

Because of his extensive experience with women, he saw that Yue Lingshan took a liking to Lin Pingzhi at first glance.

This unique freshness is certainly an important factor in why a childhood sweetheart cannot resist a sudden arrival, and the notion of 'first impression' is even more terrifying.

Because Yue Lingshan fundamentally dislikes drunkards.

Coincidentally, Linghu Chong is exactly that.

(End of chapter)

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