Chapter 277

Feng Yi glanced over and saw that all five were dressed in black robes with yellow sashes around their waists, just like Qu Yang's attire; obviously they were all elder figures of the Demonic Cult.

Of the five, four were men and one woman, all in their fifties or sixties, their eyes bright and piercing, clearly their internal energy cultivation was extremely profound.

As soon as the five went upstairs, some stroked their beards in thought, some had icy gazes, some puffed their cheeks and glared, yet without exception they were scanning the surroundings; but when their eyes fell on the Holy Maiden and her companions, their hearts jolted, they silently thought 'not good,' and their expressions turned solemn.

This contrast is rather comical.

The few exchanged glances, and one stepped forward, clasping his hands and saying, 'So it is the young lady here; we have been remiss, we deserve death, we deserve death!'

Feng Yi saw that this man was gaunt, his complexion sallow, his temples bulging high as if hiding a walnut; his internal strength was certainly not low, but though he had originally worn a stern expression, he now put on a fawning, obsequious demeanor, and Feng Yi couldn't help thinking: 'These demon cult disciples think they're above everyone; meeting this woman is like a mouse seeing a cat. Let them put on a good show—I can enjoy the spectacle, which is splendid.'

Feng Yi, having experienced much of the world, had thoughts that were changeable and hard to fathom, even for himself.

He had endured countless hardships, drifting at the bottom, his life hanging by a thread; after mastering his divine skill he slaughtered many, and in the era of the Divine Condor he overturned cities and shattered states—yet when it came to fighting and killing, he had long since grown weary.

Thus, in the world of Heavenly Dragon, he avoids acting if he can.

Now the only thing he finds meaningful is doing something that gives him a sense of accomplishment, or else watching the excitement to relieve boredom.

Because no normal person rushes to trample flies and mosquitoes, nor does anyone, upon seeing them, immediately want to step on them.

Of course, except for those who provoke others and are psychologically deviant.

But Feng Yi is not a deviant.

Now, Feng Yi only feels battle spirit when Dongfang Bubai or Feng Qingyang appear before him; otherwise, he simply seeks amusement, his main aim being to loaf and play.

The Holy Maiden gave a slight nod and said lightly, 'Uncle Jia, Uncle Shangguan, what matter could warrant the two of you bringing Elders Wang, Qin, and Sang—five in all—along with so many others to surround my dining place?'

Though she addressed them as 'uncle,' her tone naturally carried an air of commanding superiority.

Another elder stepped forward from the crowd, long-limbed, his eyes gleaming sharply, full of majesty yet bearing a fearful mien; he repeatedly clasped his hands and bowed, saying, 'Young lady, misunderstanding, misunderstanding. We were momentarily negligent, acted rashly; even ten thousand deaths would not dare to surround the young lady!' His voice trembled, showing his utter terror.

This man bears the double surname Shangguan, a single given name Yun, nicknamed 'the Eagle Hero'; he is an elder of the White Tiger Hall, while the first speaker was the elder of the Azure Dragon Hall, known as the 'Yellow-Faced Venerable' Jia Bu.

Their martial prowess is said to far surpass that of ordinary sect leaders, gang chiefs, and altar masters.

Although their seniority in the Sun Moon Divine Sect is not deep, recent years have seen great upheaval within the sect; elders like Xiang Wentian have been sidelined or withdrawn, and Jia Bu and Shangguan Yun have become top-tier figures wielding great power and prestige.

As for the other three elders—Wang Cheng, Qin Weibang, and Sang San Niang—they too are highly skilled martial artists, each with their own strengths.

However, in the martial world the foremost taboo is betraying one's master and ancestors; showing disrespect to superiors brings, at minimum, the loss of one's martial arts and expulsion from the school, at worst, execution—all to prevent some from growing arrogant and vying for position.

Especially the Sun Moon Divine Sect, whose rules are exceedingly strict: those who rebel against superiors are, at minimum, executed personally, and at most, their entire families are put to death.

This Ren Yingying is the Holy Maiden personally appointed by Dongfang Bubai; within the Sun Moon Divine Sect she stands below one and above ten thousand. To surround her is tantamount to regicide, and under the sect's statutes everyone breaks out in a cold sweat.

The Holy Maiden said lightly, 'You elders are renowned figures in the martial world; mustering such forces, what brings you here?'

Yet a burly old man flashed forward, proclaiming loudly, 'Young lady, we act on the sect master's strict orders to seize Feng Yi!'

His frame was massive, his voice like a bronze bell, shaking the whole hall with a resonant hum.

The Holy Maiden chuckled and said, 'Elder Qin, do you think invoking Uncle Dongfang gives you license to be rude to me?'

Ren Yingying commands such great authority in the Sun Moon Divine Sect solely because she is the biological daughter of the former sect master, Ren Woxing; most elders have watched her grow up.

As for Dongfang Bubai's usurpation, some believe Ren Woxing's death was sudden and the populace unwilling to accept it.

Dongfang Bubai killed a few diehard opponents, yet some still resisted; he could not slay all dissenters, so he conferred the title of Holy Maiden upon Ren Yingying to stabilize hearts.

Furthermore, he deliberately made things difficult for the Three Mountains and Five Peaks folk, withholding the antidote to the 'Three Corpses Brain Divine Pill' until Ren Yingying pleaded for it, at which point he would dispense the cure.

Seeing how kindly Dongfang Bubai treats Ren Yingying, the Sun Moon followers deem the rumor of his murdering the previous sect master and seizing power pure fabrication.

For if he had seized power, there would be no reason not to eradicate the root.

Thus Dongfang Bubai used Ren Yingying to steady the populace, and Ren Yingying herself enjoyed the favor.

However, this elder named Qin Weibang, when Ren Woxing was sect master, was merely a banner chief unqualified to learn Ren Woxing's techniques; he naturally looked down on Ren Yingying, and now, acting on Dongfang Bubai's orders, he esteems her even less.

As Ren Yingying's words fell, Green Bamboo Elder snorted coldly, swayed, and appeared like a phantom before Qin Weibang.

Several elders flared with rage, ready to intervene, but upon seeing the old man's lightning-like gaze and phantom-like movements they instantly recognized him as someone they dared not provoke, and who also dared not kill Elder Qin.

Yet Qin Weibang, a master, had already thrust his palms out by reflex; who would have thought that before his strike landed, a creak sounded and his burly body flew out the window as if riding clouds and mist.

Outside arose a clamor of exclamations, followed by the thud of a pained cry; evidently the Sun Moon disciples outside had scattered, and Qin Weibang fell to the ground.

In an instant everyone stood dumbstruck, silent as cold cicadas; even Master Mo's muddy old eyes flashed a glint.

This old man moved strangely, without moving hand or foot, yet sent Qin Weibang flying several zhang; his martial skill is truly rare.

Mo Da reflected that he lacked such ability; Feng Yi too was somewhat surprised, thinking, 'This old man is actually so formidable!'

Others did not know how the old man threw Qin Weibang, but he understood that the Green Bamboo Elder had slightly bent his legs, first drawing in Qin Weibang's palm force, then straightening his legs.

This drawing in and extending released Qin Weibang, propelling him outward.

Know that Qin Weibang's pushing force was already extremely strong; added to the Green Bamboo Elder's borrowed force recoil, he could hardly resist—yet the elder's motion was so subtle that others could not perceive it, only his feet exerted force, causing the floor to strain and emit a creak.

Even so, this borrowing-force technique is extraordinarily adept; Feng Yi could not help thinking, 'It seems I must not underestimate the figures of the Laughing Jianghu world—a mere Green Bamboo Elder possesses such divine skill, so Ren Woxing and Zuo Lengchan and their ilk must be even more formidable!'

But then he thought it natural: for Ren Yingying to venture into the jianghu with her status, lacking such capable guards, how could her safety be assured?

The demon sect members were shocked by the Green Bamboo Elder's high martial skill, yet felt caught between a rock and a hard place.

Jia Bu understood all the more clearly that the sect master sought Feng Yi because he was somewhat uneasy about the Holy Maiden.

For rumors in the jianghu say the Holy Maiden has demanded that the left-hand practitioners of the Three Mountains and Five Peaks not seek trouble with Feng Yi, who bears the Scripture of Warding Evil.

The influential figures of the Sun Moon Divine Sect all know the Holy Maiden's past; to be so involved with a man suggests a romantic entanglement.

Ren Yingying's great authority in the Sun Moon Sect is common knowledge; Feng Yi's martial prowess is spoken of as godlike in the jianghu; moreover, his arrogant nature means that should the two unite, they would truly overturn the jianghu.

Dongfang Bubai had not yet made up his mind, but upon learning that the Sun Moon Divine Sect's branch had been bloodbathed by Feng Yi, and that Yang Lian ting had long wished to be rid of the Holy Maiden, he sent several elders to capture or kill Feng Yi—thus also severing a strong aid to the Holy Maiden, a precautionary measure.

The Sun Moon Divine Sect has many eyes and ears, yet only with great difficulty did they learn of Feng Yi's whereabouts; the bigwigs had readied everything to take his life, not expecting the Holy Maiden to be dining here as well.

Thus, without the sect master's order they dare not lay hands on the Holy Maiden, but if Feng Yi leaves with her, would they not merely stand and watch? How could the sect master's mission be accomplished? They find themselves in a difficult quandary.

Feng Yi watched their dilemma, poured himself a drink, and gazed up and down at the people below, like a spectator enjoying a fine show.

The Holy Maiden, however, slightly furrowed her brows, cradling her teacup, neither sipping nor setting it down.

Jia Bu's eyes shifted, and he clasped his hands to Feng Yi, saying, 'I have long heard of Master Feng's peerless divine skill, shaking the martial world; today meeting you falls short of the reputation!'

Feng Yi did not even glance at him, replying lightly, 'Jianghu rumors are never to be trusted!'

Jia Bu coldly laughed and said: "Then the flute player who killed Incense Master Xue and many fellow disciples in the Sun Moon Divine Sect's branch hall the day before yesterday wasn't you, was it?"

Feng Yi glanced sideways, then said: "Well then, watch closely!"

He flicked his right hand, suddenly drew the jade xiao, casually tossed it; green light flashed like electricity, with a hum it lodged in the table before him, and he coldly said: "It was this that killed them!"

Everyone secretly gasped; Feng Yi's hand speed was astonishing, almost like a magic trick.

Upon focusing, they saw it was a xiao carved from jadeite, ancient and simple in form, one end already plunged into the table, standing upright.

Everyone knows jadeite is extraordinarily hard, yet he merely flicked it out with no sign of using internal energy and drove the xiao into the wooden table—truly profound skill.

This xiao, though appearing to be stuck in the table, seemed instead to have been plunged into everyone's hearts.

Moreover, the sky had darkened; candlelight shone on the jadeite, which reflected back, making Feng Yi's skin lustrous, his features handsome and lofty, as if an immortal or Buddha had descended to the mortal world.

Jia Bu collected himself, then clapped and said: "Excellent, excellent! I've heard that Hero Feng can, with a single move, cause the renowned Qingcheng Sect to vanish like smoke; seeing it today, he truly is a bold and courageous hero."

If anyone again claims that Hero Feng relies on women's skirts, a coward clinging to life, I, Jia Bu, will be the first to fight him to the death!

Everyone present saw Jia Bu's intention: this was a provocation, hoping to get Feng Yi to speak of that matter so as to sever the Holy Maiden's protective intent.

After all, the Holy Maiden protecting those who killed our sect's members would make no sense at all.

Feng Yi turned his head, giving the Holy Maiden a half-smile glance.

At that moment, the Holy Maiden sipped her tea mouthful by mouthful.

The atmosphere upstairs was somewhat delicate.

The Holy Maiden suddenly set down her teacup, as if muttering to herself: "Since Uncle Dongfang has already given orders, I cannot meddle in those trivial matters."

Having said that, everyone understood her meaning: she had nothing to do with Feng Yi.

Feng Yi gave a light smile and said: "Forget it!"

He swept his gaze, nodded, and said: "So many elders of the Demonic Sect have come; my face is not small. Yet Eastern Invincible, as sect leader, hides and refuses to show himself, truly infuriating. The saying 'the sun rises in the east, only I am invincible' is probably just an exaggeration, right?"

Jia Bu sneered: "The sect leader hasn't come—isn't that your luck? If he did, could you remain so calm?"

"Is that so?" Feng Yi gave a faint smile: "Heh, going to Black Wood Cliff to meet Eastern Invincible would sacrifice terrain advantage, not my style. Wanting a fair fight, I've heard he keeps a male favorite; this lifetime he probably never leaves his boudoir—what a pity!"

Everyone's faces changed at once, all turning to look at the Holy Maiden.

Eastern Invincible keeps a male favorite, Yang Lian Ting; the influential figures of the Sun Moon Divine Sect all know it, yet none speak of it aloud, and outsiders have no way to learn it—Feng Yi's knowledge must have come from Ren Yingying.

The Holy Maiden also showed surprise; she had no idea how Feng Yi could know that.

Jia Bu's face twisted; he said word by word: "Miss, today's affair—don't blame me for failing to uphold your dignity."

The Holy Maiden said: "Uncle Jia, what do you mean by saying that? Did I ask you to look after my face?"

Hearing her words full of anger, Jia Bu turned his gaze to Feng Yi: "Then let's go downstairs for a fight, so I may learn your supreme techniques!"

Feng Yi laughed freely: "If Eastern Invincible himself were here today, I'd listen to that; but with just you, heh, you're not even worthy of uttering the word 'battle'!"

Jia Bu heheh sneered: "You roam the martial world, your divine skill invincible, never defeated—we are certainly aware of that."

"Naturally I am not worthy to duel you alone; I must ask the brothers to join forces—this is how the wise avoid present loss!"

He said this beforehand to avoid being blamed for talking nonsense.

Actually, given Jia Bu's martial reputation, he would normally disdain to team up against ordinary folk, but Feng Yi is truly too wicked, so he threw away face. Feng Yi laughed heartily: "You old fellow are quite blunt!"

Jia Bu said: "I am indeed a true petty man."

"Good!" Feng Yi smiled at the corners of his mouth, rose slowly: "I've heard the Sun Moon Divine Sect's masters are as numerous as clouds, with the ambition to unite the martial world; I shall then seek instruction from a few of them!" As he spoke, he produced a silver ingot from his bosom and placed it on the table.

Everyone's eyes lit up instantly; Shangguan Yun raised his thumb, praising: "Good, good Feng Yi—he takes no unfair advantage, truly deserves the title of hero; we below await your arrival!"

He bowed to the Holy Maiden, flicked his sleeves, and led the way downstairs.

Jia Bu and the others also bowed to the Holy Maiden, then turned and went downstairs.

Feng Yi lifted the jade xiao, his sleeves flowing elegantly, and walked leisurely to the stairwell.

"Hold on!"

The Holy Maiden suddenly called out to him.

Feng Yi's steps halted.

Not a single mistake, not a single thread, not a single emission, not a single inner, not a single containment, in a one-one look!

The Holy Maiden's voice seemed suddenly much graver, as if carrying a hint of longing, making him unable not to stop.

The Holy Maiden exhaled a long breath and spoke loudly: "They are many and strong; why must you insist on a hard clash?"

Feng Yi lightly replied: "Since I entered the martial world, few have fought me one-on-one; can that be blamed on me?"

"That's also because your skill is too high!" the Holy Maiden stood up gracefully, walking and saying: "They came prepared; do you really think they intend to decide the outcome by martial skill alone?"

Saying this, she had already reached the window, pointing and saying: "Look!"

Below, hundreds of people stood silently, making no sound; some held torches, some gripped weapons, others had their sleeves wrapped around their hands.

She had already sensed something amiss; there must be a device for spraying poison water here, otherwise these few elders would not have withdrawn outside the building.

She knew these people's nature: they are not concerned about others, but fear hurting themselves, which is why they asked Feng Yi to come downstairs for a while.

Thinking thus, the Holy Maiden's heart also trembled slightly.

This feeling truly made Ren Yingying find it strange; in the past, when she killed people or when some offenders received punishment and endured torture, she had never before felt such concern for a single person.

She knew this was truly not wanting Feng Yi to go downstairs.

Who would have thought Feng Yi didn't move his feet at all, didn't even glance at her, and sighed softly: "I have a regret; if I die today, I fear I will never be satisfied."

The Holy Maiden could not bear her curiosity: "What regret?"

Feng Yi glanced over, and suddenly his form turned into a wisp of green smoke, like a ghost slipping silently, instantly bringing him within arm's reach of the Holy Maiden.

In Feng Yi's eyes he saw her jade-like nose slightly upturned, brows curving into her temples, a pair of lustrous dark eyes with rippling watery light; he smelled a sweet, rich, intoxicating fragrance, and heard her heart racing wildly.

Green Bamboo Elder was greatly startled; he knew his martial arts were far inferior to Feng Yi's, and even if he risked his life to rush forward to rescue, it would be of no avail, so he could only utter a sound: "Not—"

He never got to utter the "ke" syllable; he had already seen Feng Yi make no move, while the Holy Maiden also reacted, hastily retreating several feet, her heart pounding.

How could she not know that in that instant she had gone from life to death and back to life, silently thinking: "Look at his face—no more than twenty years old, though he already has white hair; even if his internal energy is profound and he has arts to preserve his youth, at most he is thirty or forty—how could he possess such formidable martial internal strength?"

I consider myself a martial arts genius; even if I trained another thirty years, I'm afraid I still wouldn't reach such a realm!

The Holy Maiden's thoughts flashed like lightning; she snorted, her cheeks flushed a faint crimson, she pouted and said: "All right, Brother Feng, your divine skill is extraordinary; I was overthinking."

Feng Yi said softly: "Hands like soft jade, skin like congealed fat, forehead like a silkworm's, eyebrows like moths, a lovely smile, beautiful eyes gazing, clear eyes and good looks."

Having said that, he paused slightly, then suddenly said to the Holy Maiden: "You say you've seen such a beauty, yet you don't know her name—isn't that a pity?"

The Holy Maiden furrowed her brows, inwardly annoyed: "This brat is so lecherous?" She wanted to strike him, but knowing she couldn't beat him, she gave him a fierce glare and spat: "How would I know? I've never seen such a woman! If you dare spout nonsense at me again, you'll see I will kill you!"

Feng Yi seeing her both shy and annoyed found it even more amusing; after all, being able to tease the Holy Maiden of the Sun Moon Divine Sect, he was probably the only one in the world, and he was delighted.

Feng Yi pretended to be deep, sighed: "All right, you don't have to kill me either; beauties always have privileges, they can be allowed to be willful."

But I still drove off these flies, and will go look for someone else; after all, the world is vast, there will surely be one!" He said this, feeling resentful.

These infamous demon sect elders, whose names strike fear in the martial world, in Feng Yi's eyes are merely tools for watching a show and for amusing Ren Yingying.

Just like Darba and Hulü and their ilk in the era of the Divine Eagle, each a top-notch master, yet they were his tools for teasing Guo Fu, just the same.

Killing is fine, not killing is also fine!

It's only a matter of a thought!

The Holy Maiden pondered the meaning of his words, her heart surged, unable to calm, her cheeks flushed, seeing him about to go downstairs, she called out: "Hey, such a man, your magnanimity is so narrow!"

"Magnanimity?" Feng Yi suddenly turned his head, smiled at the Holy Maiden: "Is it that you don't care on the surface, but in your heart you're afraid I'll die?"

The Holy Maiden, having her thoughts exposed by him, lowered her head and softly said: "I really like that piece of yours; I want to learn it, but if you die, I'm afraid I won't be able to learn it."

Feng Yi chuckled: "You really are a studious little treasure, interesting."

Talking with you today has made me feel somewhat refreshed; I just don't know if your name is somewhat lacking in beauty.

He said, pausing: "Perhaps this is what life is!"

The Holy Maiden laughed helplessly: "Not knowing my name, how is that life?"

Feng Yi gazed out the window, leisurely said: "Actually, life is essentially a series of partings and reunions, facing one sorrow and joy after another; when I think I'm about to be happy, sorrow begins its countdown."

The Holy Maiden and the others watched him stare fixedly out the window, seemingly talking to himself, a hint of smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, sweet yet bitter, hard to describe.

After a while, Feng Yi sighed and continued: "This encounter with my divine skill, to me, is both a blessing and a calamity."

That fresh feeling that moves the heart is never lacking, but sincere, lasting companionship is as hard to attain as climbing to heaven; it seems every time it's the same, without exception.

That's why I especially like the moment when I first meet a beautiful woman—that false yet passionate, fresh and romantic feeling—so I don't feel as if everything is Zhuang Zhou's dream of a butterfly.

These words are Feng Yi's most genuine inner feeling; saying them here, he also feels rather dim.

The Holy Maiden, unaware of his past, couldn't help but think of her own origins, feeling desolate: "I never expected he'd have such great abilities, seeming omnipotent, yet also so lonely and miserable; what difference is there between him and me, an orphan without parents?"

The Holy Maiden immediately lowered her head and said: "Since you know that, why do you still go provoking others?"

Lust is a poison that harms the heart and nature; you should keep yourself pure to avoid bringing suffering upon yourself.

Feng Yi said lightly: "Everyone knows drinking harms the liver, rich food harms the stomach; throughout history, struggles for power and status have always been accompanied by ruin of families and deaths, yet they clearly know this principle, why do they still indulge tirelessly?"

The Holy Maiden felt it made sense, lowered her head and remained silent.

Feng Yi glanced at him, then chuckled: "Your words are actually not wrong; they align with Laozi's saying 'Knowing contentment brings no disgrace'."

He sighed again: "But the suffering of the human heart lies in not knowing contentment; let's not even mention how common folk go from wanting to be full to wanting to eat well and play."

Those famous figures throughout history who left their names in the annals—who isn't a person versed in both civil and military affairs, intelligent? Everyone knows this principle, yet how many can actually put it into practice? I, Feng Yi, am merely an ordinary mortal.

Mo Da listened, astonished beyond measure, feeling only that Feng Yi's martial arts were already extraordinary, yet his insight was also so profound and far-reaching.

The Holy Maiden also fell silent, drifted off in thought, then suddenly said: "Then, upon entering the martial world, what do you wish to accomplish?"

Feng Yi frowned, silent; seeing his expression, the Holy Maiden felt uneasy and slowly said: "Joy reflects character; listening to your flute, you ought to be an enlightened person—could that also be hard to say?"

"Not either." Feng Yi shook his head slightly: "But I also don't know what I want to do, as if I've lost my life's goal, as if everything in the world is less important than your name."

The Holy Maiden startled, her blood surging: "You just want to know my name that badly?"

Feng Yi smiled: "Then will you tell me?"

"Just tell you." The Holy Maiden said offhandedly: "My name is Yingying. I'm afraid someone must have already told you, but you've forgotten."

Feng Yi laughed heartily: "I'm so happy today!"

"What's there to be happy about?" Yingying blurted out.

Feng Yi laughed: "Since I can know what that maiden is called, I suppose I have some merit after all!"

"You really have no proper form!" Yingying understood Feng Yi's implication—that he was saying she was that very "hands like soft jade... clear eyes and good looks" woman.

All women love being praised for their beauty; Ren Yingying is no exception—her tone is cold, her heart overjoyed, her face flushed, yet she straightened her expression and said: "You know my name, but you can't just call me at will!"

"Not allowed to call you?" Feng Yi exclaimed in surprise: "How is it calling you at will, and how is it not?"

Yingying said: "Not allowed means not allowed, because I don't like it."

"Well, a 'not allowed means not allowed'!" Feng Yi clapped his jade flute, gave a self-mocking laugh: "You're also so domineering; from now on this will be hard to handle."

Ren Yingying furrowed her elegant brows, as if wanting to ask him how it would be hard to handle.

Feng Yi's blue robe fluttered, and he vanished in an instant.

He left Yingying and the others behind, standing there dazedly.

"This person's lightness skill is truly too high!"

The Green Bamboo Old Man let out a long sigh: "Simply not human!"

Qin'er stamped her foot: "But he uses his martial arts for no good; just now he almost bullied the young lady!"

"Yes, yes."

"He should be properly taught a lesson!"

Ren Yingying is versed in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; the four maidservants who grew up with her from childhood are named after the four arts.

When someone is present, they dare not interject, lest they damage the Holy Maiden's authority; when no one is around, they begin to chatter incessantly.

This too is what Ren Yingying likes—liveliness with tranquility.

Too bad, as Ren Yingying gave a cold snort.

All four girls lowered their heads; who would have thought that their young lady's face was as red as a ripe apple?

(End of chapter)