Chapter 285: with translation of chapter title

"Well, my head hurts so much—where am I? Why does it smell like disinfectant?" OK.

Translation: "Forehead, my head hurts so much—where am I? Why does it smell like disinfectant?"

We need to keep the quotes? The Chinese includes quotation marks. Should we keep them? The instruction: translate faithfully, preserve every sentence. The quotes are part of the text. We should keep them as they are? Usually we translate the content, but we can keep the quotation marks as they appear in English? The Chinese uses 「」 which are Chinese quotation marks. In English we would use standard quotes. Should we convert? The instruction: "Render EXACTLY what the source says — same meaning, same information, nothing added." The punctuation is part of the source. We could keep the Chinese quotes? But output must be English. Usually we replace with English quotes. I think we should translate the content and use English quotation marks. The instruction didn't forbid changing punctuation style. We'll use standard English double quotes.

Thus: "Forehead, my head hurts so much—where am I? Why does it smell like disinfectant?"

same.

"Feng Yi opened his eyes to see skyscrapers outside the window." OK.

Translation: Feng Yi opened his eyes, and what came into view were the skyscrapers outside the window.

We need to keep the comma at end? The Chinese line ends with a comma, indicating continuation. We should keep the comma? The instruction: keep each translation on a single output line. We can keep the comma as part of the line. So we translate: Feng Yi opened his eyes, and what came into view were the skyscrapers outside the window,

But we need to keep the trailing comma? The Chinese line ends with a comma, meaning the sentence continues in next line. We'll keep a comma at end.

Thus: Feng Yi opened his eyes, and what came into view were the skyscrapers outside the window,

"Little Yi, you've finally woken up!" OK.

Translation: "Xiao Yi, you finally woke up!"

"Feng Yi turned his head and saw a middle-aged woman raising her sleeve to wipe the corner of her eye." OK.

Translation: Feng Yi turned his head and saw a middle-aged woman raising her sleeve to wipe the corner of her eye.

same.

But we need to keep the meaning: "Feng Yi turned his head and saw a middle-aged woman lift her sleeve and wipe the corner of her eye." Let's do: Feng Yi turned his head and saw a middle-aged woman lift her sleeve and wipe the corner of her eye.

"He saw his parents and relatives from his previous life; a middle-aged man used his trembling hand to rub his face hard a few times, looking very kind and gentle." OK.

Translation: He saw his parents and relatives from his previous life; a middle-aged man used his trembling hand to rub his face hard a few times, looking very kind and gentle.

same.

"Dad, Mom, what's wrong with me?" OK.

Translation: "Dad, Mom, what happened to me?"

"Brother, someone knocked you on the head, you don't remember?" OK.

Translation: "Brother, someone got you drunk, you don't remember?"

"His cousin put away her phone and began to narrate the story vividly." OK.

Translation: The older cousin put away her phone and began to narrate vividly.

"As she spoke, Feng Yi recalled past events and couldn't help letting out a soft sigh." OK.

Translation: As she spoke, Feng Yi recalled past events and couldn't help but sigh softly.

"It turned out that day he and a few of his dubious friends were at a roadside stall, eating grilled meat and drinking beer, when they saw some long-legged beauties and started commenting on their looks; then everything went black and he knew nothing more." OK.

Translation: It turned out that day he and a few drinking buddies were at a roadside stall, eating grilled meat and drinking beer; upon seeing a few long-legged beauties, he started commenting on their looks, and then everything went black—he knew nothing.

"It turned out he was knocked out by a bottle swung by a spirited young guy." OK.

Translation: It turned out he was knocked out by a bottle swung by a spirited young man.

"His dubious friends then got into a fight with him, and the 'uncles' arranged for them all to be given food and lodging." OK.

Translation: His drinking buddies then engaged in a tiger-dragon showdown with him, and the "uncles" arranged food and lodging for all of them.

"Feng Yi, however, was lucky—he only fainted once, but he remained unconscious in the hospital for three days, leaving everyone anxious." OK.

Translation: Feng Yi was actually lucky—he just passed out, only staying unconscious in the hospital for three days, yet it had everyone on edge.

"Not only his relatives, but also the wandering youths who were given food and lodging cared, because the severity of his injury determined the nature of the incident." OK.

Translation: Not only relatives, but also those wandering youths who were given food and lodging, because the severity of his injury determined the nature of this incident.

"Feng Yi stretched his waist, his expression relaxed yet tinged with nostalgia." OK.

Translation: Feng Yi stretched his waist, his expression lazy yet touched with a hint of nostalgia.

"I haven't dreamed in a long time." OK.

Translation: "I haven't dreamed in a long time."

"It turned out that when he once stood at the pinnacle of the martial world, feeling the cold at the top, it was merely a figment of his imagination." OK.

Translation: It turned out that when he once stood at the pinnacle of the martial world, feeling the cold at the top, it was merely a fleeting imagination.

"He recalled the divine techniques he had mastered, that surging, mighty power now vanished; this memory felt like a sword thrust straight into his heart, instantly filling him with sorrow, though his face still bore a smile." OK.

Translation: He recalled the divine skill he had mastered; that surging, mighty power had vanished completely. This memory was like a sword thrust straight into his heart, instantly filling him with sorrow, yet his face still bore a smile.

"Because he felt that although it was just a dream, it also gave him much." OK.

Translation: Because he felt that although it was a dream, it also gave him much.

"The martial world taught Feng Yi what survival of the fittest means—the strong endure." OK.

Translation: The martial world taught Feng Yi what survival of the fittest means—the strong endure.

"This strength isn't necessarily martial prowess." OK.

Translation: This strength is not necessarily martial power.

"Perhaps possessing good looks, talent, upright character, and a pleasant nature means that wherever he goes, people are willing to draw near and accompany him." OK.

Translation: Perhaps possessing good looks, talent, or upright character and a pleasant nature means that wherever he goes, people are willing to approach him and join him.

"Even without a patron, he can become his own support—like Mei Niansheng for Ding Dian, Ding Dian for Di Yun, or Feng Yi for Di Yun." OK.

Translation: Even if he had no backing, he could become his own support—for example, Mei Niansheng to Ding Dian, Ding Dian to Di Yun, or Feng Yi to Di Yun.

"Feng Yi also came to see what true human wickedness looks like." OK.

Translation: Feng Yi also came to see what true human treachery is.

"In life, people's greed and desires amount to nothing more than wealth, lust, power, and fame. What martial artists day and night crave appears to be supreme martial skill, yet in reality they cannot escape those four pursuits." OK.

Translation: In life, all one's desires boil down to wealth, lust, power, and fame. What martial artists day and night crave appears to be supreme martial skill, yet in reality they cannot escape those four things.

"With supreme martial ability, one can command the wind and rain, and wealth, lust, power, and fame are at one's disposal." OK.

Translation: With supreme martial skill in hand, one can summon wind and rain, and wealth, lust, power, and fame are at one's discretion.

"Thus Mei Niansheng was backstabbed by his disciple, and Ding Dian, merely for erecting a tombstone for Mei Niansheng, was thought to have inherited his legacy; this rumor aroused envy and greed, drawing in both martial world magnates and court officials, leading to successive disasters for Mei Niansheng and Ding Dian." OK.

Translation: Therefore Mei Niansheng was backstabbed by her disciple; Ding Dian only because he erected a tombstone for Mei Niansheng, everyone thought he had inherited her legacy, and merely this rumor aroused everyone's greed, prompting them to seek a share—whether martial world magnates or court officials, none could escape, and Mei Niansheng and Ding Dian subsequently brought disaster.

"The methods involved—killing masters, slaying daughters, fellow disciples turning on each other, kin against kin—truly embody the idea that chivalrous men have righteousness, beauties weep, jewels bring poison, and greed is the deadliest sin." OK.

Translation: And the means involved—killing masters, slaying daughters, fellow disciples slaughtering each other, kin turning on kin—truly embody the saying: "Chivalrous men have righteousness, beauties shed tears, jewels bear poison, people lack righteousness; greed is the deadliest!"

"Feng Yi also came to understand what love means." OK.

Translation: Feng Yi also came to understand what love is.

"Two people stay together till death; when one perishes, the other follows—yes, but it's not quite that simple!" OK.

Translation: Two people cling to each other till death; when one perishes, the other follows—yes, but perhaps not entirely so!

"Ding Dian originally felt that as a lowly martial vagrant he was unworthy of Ling Shuanghua, an official's daughter, yet they ended up together." OK.

Translation: Ding Dian originally felt that as a martial-world rustic he was unworthy of Ling Shuanghua, an official's daughter, yet they still ended up together.

"Feng Yi only gradually grasped this insight while in the world of the Divine Eagle." OK.

Translation: Feng Yi only gained a faint understanding while in the Divine Condor World.

"Since there is no predetermined outcome between people, why worry about an unknown factor?" OK.

Translation: Since there is no worldly-agreed outcome between people, why then worry over an unknown?

"Many people agonize because they expect a perfect ending, yet they forget to enjoy the beauty along the way, ending up exhausted and disheveled." OK.

Translation: Many people agonize because they expect a perfect ending, yet they alone forget to enjoy the beauty along the way, ending up exhausted and disheveled.

"So Feng Yi's affection—don't, don't—actually, to have met you across three lifetimes is a blessing; even if it brings sorrow, is it still love?" OK.

Translation: So Feng Yi's affection—don't, don't—actually, to have met you across three lifetimes is a blessing; even if sorrowful, is it still love?

"Spring blossoms, autumn moon, mountains and rivers flowing on." OK.

Translation: Spring flowers, autumn moon, mountains and rivers flowing on.

"In your world, is there someone you long to see but can never meet; someone you wish to love but never dare to speak to; someone you wish to forget but cannot bring yourself to let go?" OK.

Translation: In your world, is there someone you long to see but can never meet; someone you wish to love but have never spoken to; someone you want to forget but cannot bring yourself to let go?

"Feng Yi has daydreamed countless times about what his love would be like, never imagining that you would be an unattainable refuge for me." OK.

Translation: Feng Yi has fantasized countless times about what his incoming love would be like, yet never imagined that you would be an unattainable refuge for me.

"Upon first meeting Cheng Ying, Feng Yi joked, 'I never imagined that after roaming the world all my life, I would die at a maiden's hands—truly a matter of timing and fate!'" OK.

Translation: When Feng Yi first met Cheng Ying, he joked, "I never imagined that I, Feng Yi, who roamed the world all my life, would die today at a maiden's hands—truly a matter of timing and fate!"

"Little did he know that those words had already betrayed his aloof pride." OK.

Translation: Little did he know that this remark had already betrayed his aloof pride.

"At that time Feng Yi possessed unparalleled divine abilities, roamed the world, galloped across the four seas, and feared no one; yet at Longju Village, the first glance of her eyes reflecting moonlight, bright and sparkling, he didn't know if she was moved, but he realized that from then on, the world had one more her." OK.

Translation: At that time Feng Yi possessed peerless divine skill, roamed the world, galloped across the four seas, looked down on none—yet at Dragon Colt Stronghold, the first glance of those moon‑lit, sparkling eyes, he did not know if she was moved, but he realized that from then on, the world had one more her.

"Just as fallen flowers intentionally follow the stream while the stream has no affection for them, it's as if nothing ever began before it was already over." OK.

Translation: Only the fallen blossoms intentionally follow the stream, while the stream has no heart to cherish the blossoms—it seems that before it even began, it was already over.

"This is exactly the same as Cheng Ying's original line, 'Upon seeing a gentleman, how could one not be pleased?'" OK.

Translation: This is exactly the same as Cheng Ying's original line: "Upon seeing a gentleman, how could one not be pleased?"

"Yet who can say that love must always be grandiose? Silent nourishment is also love." OK.

Translation: Yet who can define that love must be earth‑shaking? Silent nourishment is also love.

"Love arises without knowing why, yet once it begins, it runs deep." OK.

Translation: Love knows no origin, yet once devoted, it runs deep.

"Liking is just liking; there's no need for justification." OK.

Translation: Liking is liking—what reasoning is there?

"Cheng Ying is to Yang Guo as Feng Yi is to Cheng Ying." OK.

Translation: Cheng Ying is to Yang Guo as Feng Yi is to Cheng Ying.

"Being able to accompany you on the martial road is indeed fulfilling, yet a single oath of righteousness shattered all of Feng Yi's fantasies." OK.

Translation: Being able to accompany you left and right in the martial world is indeed a satisfaction, yet a single oath of righteousness shattered all of Feng Yi's fantasies.

"That moment's heartache perhaps only Feng Yi truly understands, or perhaps it is the best comfort Cheng Ying could give him." OK.

Translation: That moment's heartache—perhaps only Feng Yi himself truly understands, or perhaps it is the best comfort Cheng Ying can give him.

"After parting in the martial world, they have no fate to meet again. Once, under the moonlight, the song 'Ying Xian Ke' was heard with graceful courtesy, kept in the heart; hearing it again filled the air with loneliness and helplessness." OK.

Translation: After parting in the martial world, we shall never meet again. Once, beneath the moonlight, the piece "Welcoming the Immortal Guest" was first heard with graceful courtesy, kept within the heart; hearing it again, the air filled with loneliness and helplessness.

"Years later, Cheng Ying may not even remember Feng Yi's old appearance, yet Feng Yi keeps her deep within his heart." OK.

Translation: After years apart, Cheng Ying may not even recall Feng Yi's old appearance, yet Feng Yi has placed her deep within his innermost heart.

"After all, Cheng Ying is the one who, having immersed Feng Yi in the mortal world, can wake him from fatigue and dispel his worries with a single word, and also the one who lets him scatter his sorrows and longings." OK.

Translation: After all, Cheng Ying is the one who, having stained Feng Yi with the dust of the world, can with a single word awaken him from weariness and dispel his worries, and also the one who can scatter his sorrows and longings.

"From that day onward, Feng Yi realized that not every liking bears fruit, nor does every love receive a response." OK.

Translation: From that day onward, Feng Yi knew that not every liking bears fruit, nor will every love receive a response.

"Love is not merely pursuit and possession; it is that I have never truly had, yet my eyes and heart will forever be frozen at the day I met you." OK.

Translation: Love is not merely pursuit and possession; it is that which I have never held, yet in my eyes and heart it remains forever fixed on the day I met you.

"As the saying goes, flowers bloom and fall in their own time; meetings happen without purpose, and not all love is as steadfast as mountains without ridges or heaven and earth united—only then would one dare to part from one's beloved." OK.

Translation: As the saying goes, flowers bloom and fall in due season; meetings and encounters are inherently purposeless—not all love is like mountains without ridges and heaven and earth united, daring to sever ties with the lord.

"To love and not obtain is the norm of life; the end of fate is separation." OK.

Translation: Unrequited love is the norm of life; the end of fate is parting.

"Since gathering and parting are not up to us, why let anguish replace the memory of that utopian haven?" OK.

Translation: Since gathering and scattering are not up to us, why let anguish replace that memory of a utopian realm?

"Although unrequited love is painful, we have at least experienced beauty; to have met is already rare and precious, but to stubbornly demand an outcome turns that beauty into pain, for that is mere obstinacy." OK.

Translation: Although unrequited love is painful, we have once known beauty; to have met is already rare and precious, yet to stubbornly demand an outcome turns that beauty into pain, for this is a kind of obsession.

"Yet if one clings, one will surely be covered in wounds." OK.

Translation: But if one clings, one will surely be covered in wounds.

If you don't believe, just look at Heavenly Dragon Eight Divisions.

What is it that you turn a blind eye to, something easily at hand, that is precisely what others dream of and the driving force for upward striving?

The strong perish, talents go mad; having no desire and no pursuit makes one a winner; the eternally youthful beauty never grows up, the moon‑hiding, flower‑shy face is veiled, the wise heart and silver tongue pretend to be deaf‑mute, beauty like a celestial maiden falls from a cliff, and the vow made by a dry well comes to nothing.

Nothing surpasses true feeling in depth, nothing exceeds human hearts in coldness, nothing exceeds memories in beauty, nothing exceeds parting in pain; therefore life is only a fleeting startled swan like a white colt passing a crack. Rather than endure lifelong regret of stagnation, it is better to seize the moment following one's heart.

Because obsession runs too deep, it will ultimately become a weapon that harms oneself.

Murong Fu is the most realistic example.

He appears to be a figure destined for tragedy from birth.

Everyone eventually sees Murong Fu's vileness and shamelessness, yet few understand his pitiable helplessness.

As a descendant of a fallen royal house, his tragedy is his helplessness.

Living in the same era as Qiao Feng and sharing fame in the martial world is likewise so.

Born into wealth and nobility, he could have enjoyed a lifetime of glory, yet he bears the dream of restoring the Great Yan.

It is laughable to say that after centuries of buried past, it could be revived by one person's fervent zeal.

Though in the martial world he is ranked alongside Qiao Feng of the same era, in people's eyes Qiao Feng is the mighty, unrivaled force of the age.

Yet all he gained was that his reputation exceeds his actual presence—seeing him falls short of hearing his name.

The dream of restoring the nation had long set this graceful young man apart from the world; how could he not have felt his heart stir for his childhood sweetheart, the naturally beautiful cousin? Yet his mission had already filled his entire world, leaving him no room for love's entanglements.

For that unattainable dream, he sacrificed everything he could—his devoted cousin, his loyal brothers, even relinquishing the proud name 'Gusu Murong' if needed.

Yet this remains as futile as trying to scoop the moon from water.

All his actions are merely the product of an obsession too deep to escape, hence Murong Fu's final madness.

Perhaps it is retribution for his various despicable acts, yet it could also be a release, or even a comfort.

Because here he can truly become the lord of Great Yan, the emperor.

But among all beings, deep obsession is not unique to Murong Fu alone.

Feng Yi experienced several worlds, yet in the end he still could not figure out what the adult world truly seeks.

In this illusory and false world, he has long been polished into a sleek, rounded appearance, yet he can no longer find his original self.

In pursuing what he wants bit by bit, he gradually loses his former reluctance and becomes the person he once despised.

For example, Feng Yi's attitude toward women.

He initially showed proper respect toward women, but later he began to flirt wantonly—why?

Because he is strong.

He has become strong enough to ignore any worldly opinion.

How is this behavior any different from the wealthy scions he once cursed and despised when he was at the bottom?

Compared to figures like Yun Zhonghe and Tian Boguang, his superiority lies in not yet having resorted to force; of course, if he were to do so, no one could stop him.

Since even Yun Zhonghe and Tian Boguang are beyond anyone's control, how much more so Feng Yi.

Yet a bottom line still remains within him.

Initially, Feng Yi had no means; seeing beautiful women, they were others' possessions, leaving him with both envy and resentment.

Because as long as a powerful, influential person wishes, they can change beauties daily without repetition, and perhaps among them is someone he once regarded as a goddess.

In reality Feng Yi lacks the means, but in his fantasies he is the sole peerless figure under heaven—he needs no deceased wife, nor does he have to play the erhu with bloodied hands; he is the rightful legend of the martial world.

But later he no longer knew what he was truly doing, constantly making things difficult for himself and others.

Regarding Ren Yingying, he is merely making things difficult.

Because he can never match Linghu Chong's affection for Ren Yingying.

He knows this full well, yet he still acts that way.

It seems like a outbreak of bad taste; how could this not be his vile side, yet he can always find a suitable excuse for himself.

Since Linghu Chong has a little martial sister, Ren Yingying having a Feng Yi as an older brother is also fair.

They are a perfect match! Haha, I've gone off track!

The author is not Feng Yi; I lack his courage and ability.

And martial arts fiction is martial arts fiction not only for its stirring, grand heroism, but also for the inadvertent sorrow and loss it contains.

Moreover, 'Laughing in the Jianghu' is not merely a martial arts world with profound meaning; it is actually telling everyone.

True love that etches itself into the heart is not merely mutual survival; it is the belief that it would last forever, only to find that a childhood sweetheart of over ten years cannot withstand the cruelty of a single month's time.

Of course, love has no reason, which many know. Yet the sweetness of love's budding makes many who know love entails both sweetness and bitterness still willing to drown in it.

Linghu Chong is unrestrained and free-spirited, his heroic spirit reaches the clouds; walking the martial world with a chivalrous heart, he earns respect not only from the orthodox sects but also from all heterodox paths—this is not just Ren Yingying's face. For example, he disregards his own life, bleeding to save an old man's daughter.

This deed sounds simple in description, yet how many can truly accomplish it?

He could also accept his master's and everyone's suspicion and slander, yet he alone cannot move past the innocence with his little martial sister.

At Huashan Contemplation Cliff, the biting cold wind; Linghu Chong keeps company with the lone mountain's cold moon, snow piled deep, months pass without feeling lonely, yet because his little martial sister learned Fujian mountain songs from Lin Pingzhi, he feels aching solitude.

Even having learned the unparalleled peerless sword art and the supreme divine technique, becoming invincible under heaven, he cannot mend his inner anguish; a single question from her brings tears to his eyes, leaving him dim and sorrowful amidst the waning lights, able only to drown his sorrows in cold wine.

Not a single word is wrong, not a single sentence off, not a single character missing, not a single detail omitted—everything is correct as seen.

If not for emotions that run deep and are hard to restrain, how else could it be explained?

Yue Lingshan is the heart demon that Linghu Chong cannot escape in his lifetime.

He could endure the little martial sister hurting him countless times, yet he could not tolerate anyone bullying or scolding her even slightly. Even if his destined heavenly maiden appeared, even if he also liked her, a corner of his heart would still belong to the little martial sister. Thus he cast aside the expectations of Fangzheng and Chongxu and Ren Yingying's efforts, and at the gathering of all heroes under heaven, he willingly bore injury beneath her sword.

Even if in the end the little martial sister was slain by Lin Pingzhi and fell into his arms, he gritted his teeth in hatred, yet he still did not want to disappoint her, reluctantly agreeing to her request and keeping his promise.

Such a promise, to the readers, would seem quite laughable.

Just as Wei Xiaobao promised Chen Jinnan not to kill Zheng Keshuang for revenge.

But this is a case of 'once spoken, prefer death to regret'.

Yet how could it not be that the person making the request holds too great a place in his heart, leaving him unable to refuse?

"As for breaking promises and gaining weight, yet among martial folk a single vow leads to a lifetime of going against one's word." OK.

"This is also something Feng Yi will never possess." OK.

"For if the woman he loves were killed by others, how could he keep such a vow and not seek revenge?" OK.

"Of course, the martial world's notion of vows as weighty as mountains, universally respected, is also something many cannot comprehend." OK.

"Whether hero or villain, being able to speak with the certainty of an arrow, never retracting, is something many people today scoff at." OK.

"What is a xia (hero/knight-errant)?" OK.

"A xia may be many and varied." OK.

"There are those who practice chivalry and righteousness, who topple the strong and aid the weak; there are those who serve country and people without regard for personal sacrifice; but the most basic principle is that a promise is worth a thousand gold." OK.

"Even when that promise brings him immense suffering." OK.

"For example, Di Yun promised to bury Ding Dian and Ling Shuanghua together; despite missing fingers, injured, and hunted day and night, he still carried his elder brother's corpse on his back, refusing to let go, believing the promise outweighed his own life." OK.

"Likewise, the great hero Guo Jing, at age seven, was whipped with a horsewhip for a promise yet uttered not a word, leading his master to misunderstand and nearly strike him to death with his staff." OK.

"Later, because of a promise, he gave up learning the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, thus losing the woman he loved." OK.

"The Divine Eagle hero Yang Guo, atop the snowy peak of Mount Hua, guarded the corpse of Hong Qigong for three days and nights, enduring bitter cold and hunger while constantly facing the threat of being killed." OK.

"Had it been Feng Yi, he would not have managed that; he would have fallen short." OK.

"Likewise, Linghu Chong, because he kept his promise to Feng Qingyang, aroused his master's suspicion, caused his junior sister to misunderstand, suffered immensely, yet said nothing." OK.

"Their conduct may seem pedantic, yet it is precisely an exposition of the preciousness of fidelity." OK.

"If fidelity could be compromised for personal gain, it would not be worthy of admiration." OK.

"Then what qualification would one have to obtain opportunities that others can only envy?" OK.

"Even the heinous Ouyang Feng, for breaking a promise, fled shame-faced when confronted by Guo Jing, unable to face him." OK.

"The treacherous Ding Chunqiu, whose elder brother feigned deafness and muteness, could go decades without being bothered, simply because they retained a shred of humanity and understood what trust means." OK.

"All right!" OK.

He's fine; he can be discharged.

As Feng Yi's thoughts wandered, a white-coated doctor entered the ward.

Feng Yi smiled.

The corner of his mouth had never risen to this angle before.

Life is like a dream, made up of unexpected encounters and partings without looking back.

It's merely that meeting certain people gives rise to others, mere embellishments of this dream, no different from grass and trees.

Yet perhaps we have neither cherished nor let go of that person.

So-called worldly beauty is often mere fantasy; if we can minimize regrets as much as possible, living out one's life is the greatest happiness.

Although Feng Yi experienced a grand spring‑autumn dream,

this dream left him feeling very fulfilled.

Because people grow through repeated meetings and partings, and though he has endured much, even applying the slightest gain to real‑world conduct, relationships, and interactions would greatly benefit his personal development.

For this is like martial arts—it's not that the higher you train, the stronger you necessarily become.

Only through actual application in combat does true skill reveal itself.

That is "learning for practical use"!

Even if you are versed in ancient and modern knowledge, knowing everything, when the moment arrives, it is the measures you take that matter most.

Simply put, if you were the protagonist facing his dilemma, what would you do?

Could you do better than the protagonist?

Feng Yi had fateful encounters with many beauties, but lacking destiny to stay together, he could not break worldly constraints, for he had his own path and responsibilities, and they had their own ideas and steadfastness; all that remained were unforgettable memories.

Whether those memories are beautiful or painful, others cannot judge.

Only Feng Yi can voice his own thoughts.

He did not feel tormented.

Because being tormented by endless thoughts—whether due to emotional entanglements, rationality, or foolishness—is also a kind of obsession, and this runs contrary to Daoist martial arts.

In matters of the heart, Feng Yi observes as an onlooker with perfect clarity, yet when it concerns himself he seems careless and indifferent—truly this is "having no intent, being oblivious."

Thus his martial prowess grew ever stronger; even without focused practice, he remained just as strong.

So strong that he imagined his opponents to be extremely formidable, yet he remained indifferent and dared to face them.

This is his true growth.

It is also "To achieve great things, first break the heart's thieves. All things arise from the mind; all laws are mind‑only. Defeating mountain bandits is easy; defeating the heart's bandits is hard.

When the heart's thieves are broken, all things can be accomplished; sitting in stillness breaks the anxiety thief; gaining in the dwelling breaks the desire thief; practicing on the job breaks the hesitation thief. When the three thieves are shattered, everything can be achieved."

The martial arts Feng Yi has mastered span Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism, and the demonic schools, and their quality is top‑tier; even placed in a fantastical world where one can shift stars and change constellations, these teachings remain at the pinnacle.

Thus Feng Yi is invincible in Jin Yong's world, remains unbeatable in the Tang dynasty setting, and stays undefeated in realms such as Dou Po Chetian, Xiyou, Honghuang, and so on.

Because all of this is merely a dream beneath the southern boughs; ultimately one must return to the real world.

As the saying goes, "His strength comes from his strength, the clear wind sweeps the hills, his ferocity comes from his ferocity, the bright moon shines on the great river, and I rely on a single breath of true qi!"

This is both cultivating the mind, cultivating the body, and refining oneself.

Because you yourself are sufficiently excellent and strong, everything that was once distant and untouchable will naturally be drawn to you.

At that point you will both feel a sense of accomplishment and a touch of loneliness.

Since people ultimately strive for their dreams, when one reaches a certain height, not only is loneliness like a song and the cold at the summit unbearable, but one also realizes that former desires and beauties are no different.

Take, for example, Ren Yingying—this high‑status, powerful, peerlessly beautiful rich beauty—Feng Yi in his former life could never even see.

Seeing her, he would likely feel his heart race and his speech become incoherent.

Don't laugh.

Of course, people who have never seen a big shot cannot understand my way of speaking; they think you're useless, but I am sure I can stay calm as when facing ordinary people.

Actually, when he was eighteen or nineteen, he also thought that way.

But later, he no longer thought so.

Because when a true big shot stands before you, that sense of oppression makes your palms sweat—no exaggeration.

In a word, even if the previous life's Feng Yi went crazy, wanting to lick the feet of a woman of Ren Yingying's stature, he lacked the ability to do so.

But in the Smiling Proud World, he could not only face it calmly, but also tease; if he wanted to kiss someone in his heart, he just did.

As long as he wished, he could take the emperor's head; who would he fear?

But in reality, he wouldn't dare even with a hundred guts.

Real life makes us live under countless rules, but Feng Yi has already broken out of everything in the martial arts world, thus losing his sense of awe.

This is like how, when people do something, few truly care about the opinions of cats and dogs.

This is also what Grand Master Zhiguang told Qiao Feng: killing someone is no skill; being able to kill but refraining is the true skill.

Of course, these words are enlightening for Qiao Feng.

Because even amidst thousands of troops, he can come and go freely in the imperial palace's inner court; to him, killing is just too simple. Therefore, being able to kill but refraining is remarkable.

Because even amidst tens of thousands of troops, within the inner court of the palace he could come and go as he pleased; to him, killing was far too simple. So being able to kill but not kill is truly remarkable.

Being able to kill is awesome; not being punished is even more awesome.

The so-called ability to kill but refrain is nothing remarkable.

This is the same saying; it depends on whom you say it to.

"The air is nice!"

Feng Yi walked out of the hospital gates and stretched lazily.

His older female cousin said, "Brother, if you dare to ogle women again, you'll surely suffer! This time it was a beer bottle; if you run into those uncouth folks, it might be a knife—don't make Uncle Four worry."

Feng Yi smiled slightly and said, "Sister, as the saying goes, food and sex…"

"Get lost!" Feng Yi's father kicked him in the butt with one foot. "If you go out drinking with those rascally friends again, I'll break your legs!"

Feng Yi felt embarrassed; he hadn't had such an experience in a long time, and he forced a smile worse than crying, saying, "I dare not! I'll be a decent person, earn an honest living to support my family, and never dare again!"

"Gu Chaoshi, you're finally out of the hospital; once your injury heals, we'll go again…"

"Zhuo Lingfeng, you're still reading novels—what is this?"

"Smiling, Proud Wanderer!" (End of chapter)

"Laughing proudly in the Jianghu!" (End of chapter)