Chapter 30

Shui Dai was mocked by Feng Yi, but his face showed no noticeable change.

Because he felt no guilt, just now he spoke from behind Feng Yi before striking, and with this reminder it wouldn't be considered a sneak attack.

If he truly intended a sneak attack, upon entering the room he would have pinched his sleeve to muffle the sound of his sleeves brushing the air, and there would be no need to speak.

But given his reputation and status, it would be awkward to say such things.

After all, Feng Yi is a young junior newly entered the jianghu, whereas he is an old hero whose fame has lasted decades.

From just this one sentence by Feng Yi, Shui Dai could see that the other party not only had high martial skill, but also a more keen mind.

With just this simple sentence, he seized the moral high ground; once a righteous person grasps the essence of this ability, they become extremely hard to contend with.

Even if his three sworn brothers came, it would be in vain, because later people in the jianghu would say that Shui Dai became angry from embarrassment after being told a truth by Feng Yi, and thus gathered his brothers to surround him; the reputation of 'Falling Flowers Flowing Water' built over decades would thus be ruined.

After all, Feng Yi just mentioned 'respecting the teacher in the nine springs etc.'; Shui Dai's master is indeed deceased, but what about Mei Niansheng? Although Feng Yi is not the Divine Illumination Skill heir chosen by the two-lakes hero 'Iron Bone Ink Sepal' Mei Niansheng, he is a disciple of Ding Dian, which is an indisputable fact.

Those who personally experienced the events at the Jingzhou prefectural office numbered several hundred; the two called each other brothers, which everyone saw. Moreover, Ding Dian also had a reputable name in the jianghu, so Feng Yi is not a wicked bandit but a proper upright member of the orthodox path.

Shui Dai, are you doing this with an ulterior motive? Most people in the jianghu would deal with Feng Yi for the secret manual, shameless as long as there is profit!

Because their faces are worth less than the secret manual!

But what about Shui Dai? Are the 'Southern Four Oddities' also like that?

He himself cannot afford to lose face over this person!

His brothers cannot afford to lose face over this person either.

Thinking of Shui Dai, a renowned master, actually being put in a difficult position by a single sentence from Feng Yi, not knowing how to phrase a proper response, just then a pleasant bell-like sound came over.

From Feng Yi's position, he could see the 'Bell Sword Twin Heroes' each riding a horse galloping over, and Shui Sheng cried out, 'Father——'

Shui Dai turned his head and said, 'I am here.'

As soon as the words fell, the two had already arrived before the shop, simultaneously dismounted, and walked together into the shop.

Wang Xiaofeng was handsome and graceful, while Shui Sheng dressed as a scholar, spirited and vigorous, making a fine pair.

Shui Sheng's cheeks were flushed, the tip of her nose and upper lip slightly sweating, obviously having ridden nonstop without rest.

But as she was about to step through the shop door, her face turned deathly pale, one foot frozen in midair, not knowing whether she had landed.

For at the entrance lay several corpses; she was the daughter of a prestigious martial clan, and her courage was not small to begin with.

She never expected that in just a moment, not only the doorway but the entire inn interior would be covered with corpses, yet these people bore not a single wound or trace of blood.

The remaining people were all pallid, resembling zombies.

Feng Yi stood with his hands behind his back, surrounded by corpses and these stiff figures, an indescribable eeriness.

This scene is more frightening than a gruesome sight of flesh and blood flying about.

Shui Sheng looked at Feng Yi and trembled as she asked, 'Are these people all killed by you?'

Feng Yi gave a soft hum.

Wang Xiaofeng, a man, was also stunned by Feng Yi's feat; recalling the cold snort Feng Yi gave him just before leaving, his heart involuntarily jumped.

Shui Sheng momentarily lost her composure, stammering, 'You… you… how can you be so ruthless?'

Feng Yi coldly laughed, 'Ruthless? Why did they come?'

If my abilities were insufficient and they captured me to torture, who do you think would be more ruthless? Moreover, if I were ruthless, could you still be speaking with me now?

He was referring to when he had just entered the inn; Shui Sheng had flicked her chopsticks to strike Wu Shifei, and he had merely brushed them aside casually—if he wished, he could have shot the chopsticks directly at Shui Sheng's body.

But upon hearing this, Shui Sheng felt as if enlightened, suddenly realizing that Feng Yi had merely urged her to leave earlier, knowing that once his name was exposed he would have to fight, and thus he did not want to implicate her, the daughter of a prestigious clan.

After all, her father is the leader of the Jiangnan martial world, who has always upheld justice in Jiangnan; if a tragedy occurred, she would certainly intervene.

But with so many people hostile toward Feng Yi, killing had become instinctive, leaving no spare attention.

One could not be sure it would not harm her.

Thinking of this, Shui Sheng's face beamed; she was very happy, her face lit with a pleased glow, revealing fine white pearl-like teeth, fully displaying a maiden's charming allure.

Seeing her smile, Feng Yi thought she looked like a blooming flower, even more beautiful and moving; he unconsciously frowned slightly, secretly thinking, 'This little girl is strange—what is there to find beautiful about her?'

In the midst of his thoughts, he heard Shui Dai lightly cough and say, 'Was the Owl Daoist defeated by your hand?'

Feng Yi gave a slight nod.

Shui Dai then asked, 'Was it you who erected the memorial tablet beside his corpse?'

Feng Yi replied, 'Exactly!'

Shui Dai raised his eyebrows and asked, 'Since you killed him, why erect a tablet for him—is it to demonstrate to the world?'

Feng Yi lightly said, 'The Owl Daoist fought me one-on-one, managed to receive three of my palms, remained standing, and could even match my inner strength; his inner strength is truly not bad.'

And though he sought the secret manual, he did not rally a crowd but brought only a few small disciples; his conduct was also fairly open and aboveboard, making him a qualified jianghu person.

Although his skill was inferior to mine and he died by my hand, he still deserved that I leave a tablet for him; he should not die unnoticed and unheard!

As for demonstrating to the world, heh, I think the Dongting Gang has said enough already; there's no need for that.

Everyone hearing this was shocked and looked at each other.

Even Shui Dai drew a cold breath; the Owl Daoist, famous for years for his profound inner strength, had every bone in his body broken inch by inch.

Many thought the two had endured a bitter struggle, but hearing Feng Yi's words, the Owl Daoist had actually only taken three of his palms, yet earned the evaluation of having decent inner strength.

As for the Dongting Gang's rumor that Feng Yi wanted to test his fists against the world, everyone had also heard of it; for a moment they did not know whether to say Feng Yi was arrogant or that his skill was great and his courage bold.

Little did they know that Feng Yi, having achieved great accomplishment in the Divine Illumination Skill, had his inner strength reach the pinnacle; when he said it was 'not bad,' that was already an extremely high evaluation.

Shui Dai stroked his beard and smiled, saying, 'Your words show you are also a reasonable person; I would like to ask a favor of you.'

Feng Yi raised his eyebrows and said, 'What?'

Shui Dai said, 'These people are all after the secret manual, but everyone has greed, which is human nature; with your peerless divine skill, merely repelling them would suffice—why create needless killing? I think after today they will dare no more.'

One old man with a bitter face said, 'Young Hero Feng, we have had our hearts blinded by lard; from now on we truly will not dare again.'

'Yes, we will go home now, tend our two mu of thin fields to get by, and no longer concern ourselves with jianghu affairs!'

'Yes, Young Hero Feng, if you can spare us, why insist on correctness? Just let us go.'

Before seeing Feng Yi, these people had imagined how wonderful it would be, but now they are utterly humble.

Because they realized a problem.

Even a master like Shui Dai can only offer Feng Yi verbal advice—what does that mean? It's self-evident!

Using force is pointless! Do they really think anyone is worthy of Shui Dai asking for favors? They are seasoned jianghu veterans, they read words and tones better than anyone; if they weren't each somewhat renowned in the jianghu and wanted to retain a shred of human decency, they'd all be groveling on the ground.

The Bell-Sword Twin Heroes exchanged glances, both showing contempt. Shui Sheng snorted, 'You all dare to roam the jianghu, yet you're not even dead, and you look like this—aren't you ashamed?'

Everyone was taken aback, thinking, 'This little girl talks big without a sore back—you haven't seen how Feng Yi just grabbed someone and killed them instantly; who wouldn't be afraid?'

After Shui Sheng's words trailed off, she looked at Feng Yi and cupped her hands, saying, 'Young Hero Feng, they're already terrified like this; as the saying goes, spare them when you can—let them off, and I, Shui family, will owe you a favor.'

Feng Yi's eyes flashed, and he coldly snorted, 'A favor? I've long announced that anyone can come seize me, but they must bring their heads.'

Do you think the Shui family's favor is worth money, and my words are just fart?

'You...'

This vulgar remark made Shui Sheng's face flush with anger, yet she couldn't utter a word.

Wang Xiaofeng's jade face darkened further as he stepped forward and said in a low voice, 'Feng Yi, you flaunt your martial might elsewhere, ruthless and fond of killing— that's bad enough. But my master has personally arrived, and this is Jiangnan territory; is this a place where you can run wild?'

Seeing her cousin dare to tug at Feng Yi's tiger whiskers, Shui Sheng was stunned.

She had no idea that Wang Xiaofeng, for her sake, truly had the courage to fear neither life nor death. No matter how strong Feng Yi's martial arts, he still dared to step forward.

Feng Yi gave a faint cold smile: 'Heh, run wild? Today I, Feng Yi, will tell the world that from the day I debuted, I've never chosen a place to run wild.'

As he spoke, he flicked his sleeve, and his fist power shot out through the sleeve.

Shui Dai, too a present-day expert, had long been on full alert; seeing his cold smile, he immediately channeled his qi throughout his body, and as Feng Yi threw his punch, Shui Dai slapped a palm sideways at Wang Xiaofeng.

Wang Xiaofeng felt a huge force strike his shoulder, unable to keep his footing, he stumbled back several zhang; fortunately his family's learning was extraordinary, his internal energy already had a solid foundation, and he still managed to plant his feet and stand firm.

'Crack-crack' sounded a few times, yet the table beside Wang Xiaofeng still felt the shockwave of the fist and shattered into pieces.

In an instant, everyone's hearts clenched; seeing Feng Yi dare to strike a killing blow at Wang Xiaofeng even in front of Shui Dai, what did that mean for them…

After Wang Xiaofeng's shock, his hair stood on end and his rage flared; seeing Shui Sheng and Feng Yi chatting amiably, he was already displeased, and Feng Yi's attack right in front of his master and cousin was like pouring oil on fire—he simply didn't regard them at all.

'Clang,' he was about to draw his sword and fight Feng Yi to the death, but his long blade had only left the sheath halfway when Shui Dai waved a hand to stop him, shouting sharply, 'What are you doing?'

Wang Xiaofeng, too a talented youth, never mind his own skill—just the reputation of Falling Flowers Flowing Water had let him sail smoothly; when had he ever suffered such humiliation? He couldn't help but cry out, 'Uncle!'

But seeing Shui Dai's face as still as water, he ultimately dared not defy his uncle's will; his sword was only half-drawn, and he had no choice but to fiercely return it to its sheath, glaring at Feng Yi.

Feng Yi didn't even glance at him, only coldly said to Shui Dai, 'Great Hero Shui, must you really erect this beam?'

Shui Dai's eyes flashed, and he said coldly, 'It's not about setting up a beam, but while these people are indeed driven by greed to rob and kill you, you also bear responsibility.'

If you hadn't deliberately boasted to the world, how could such trouble have arisen? Moreover, jianghu folk are mixed—good and bad—among them there may well be those who just wanted to watch the fun; how can you indiscriminately kill them just because your martial skill surpasses theirs?

This is probably not what Old Master Mei wished to see, and even Great Hero Ding in the past never acted like you.

You may disregard your own reputation, yet you let theirs suffer—how can you be at peace? Surely your Divine Illumination Technique wouldn't feel so smooth in practice, would it?

Shui Dai knew Feng Yi's martial arts were peerless, and he was greatly wary, but as a top-tier expert and leader of the Jiangnan martial world, he could not simply stand by while bloodshed occurred in Jiangnan.

Such a reputation as Falling Flowers Flowing Water would suffer great harm.

Who would have thought Feng Yi wouldn't argue, merely nodding and saying, 'Good, Great Hero Shui, I've long heard of your heroic name; today, for the sake of your decades of renown, I'll give you face.'

Everyone thought there would be no luck today, never expecting such an outcome; they were greatly pleased.

Shui Sheng also wore a smile, thinking he gave her father face; his earlier rudeness toward her was now forgiven.

Wang Xiaofeng, however, felt great doubt, thinking, 'This brat is so arrogant—how could he be so easily dealt with?'

Shui Dai nodded, raised his thumb, and praised, 'Not bad—this is the bearing of one who shares the same school as the three great heroes Wan, Yan, and Qi.'

Feng Yi waved his hand, his eyes like two cold bolts shooting into the crowd, and said, 'Out of respect for Great Hero Shui's honorable face, if any of you can withstand one of my punches, today's matter will be written off.'

As soon as he spoke, everyone's hearts shattered; Feng Yi had just casually grabbed someone and shaken them to death, and Xiao Dao Ren, after taking three punches, died a miserable death—even Shui Dai, a top expert, after taking one punch, was blown back several zhang.

If they take one punch, won't they ascend to heaven instantly?

Shui Dai's brows knit tightly, his eyes holding deep meaning as he stared fixedly at Feng Yi.

Feng Yi felt that his gaze could see into people's hearts, as if he could tell what Feng Yi was about to do.

Then Shui Sheng whispered, 'My father often says that martial artists should come to others' aid; a promise is worth a thousand gold—how can you go back on your word? That's overly tyrannical.'

Feng Yi glanced sideways, smirking, 'I'm from the Longsha Gang, unlike you, Miss Shui of a noble clan, who puts righteousness first!'

Moreover, I've been tyrannical since childhood; otherwise I couldn't survive in the Longsha Gang. Thus these people were originally destined to die, but now, out of respect for your father, I let them take just one of my punches—no second strike.

Life and death are subject to heavenly mandate; with such honesty to young and old, how could that be called going back on one's word? Of course, there are nine people here—if anyone wishes to take nine of my punches, that's also fine.

Shui Sheng's face flushed red to her ears, and she could no longer speak.

By now Shui Dai had guessed that Feng Yi's true aim was himself, not others—he was forcing Shui Dai to step forward for others instead of fighting.

Thus, the reasoning lay entirely with Feng Yi.

Even with the three sworn brothers present, there was no reason to lend a hand.

But given Feng Yi's formidable strength, which Shui Dai had already experienced, if he didn't step forward, how could these people withstand one punch? Yet if he did step forward, he feared he couldn't withstand nine punches!

He had this thought—what about the others?

Suddenly, two people almost simultaneously bolted outward, one to the left, one to the right, both rushing toward the window; their movement was not slow, and in an instant they reached the window.

Feng Yi let out a cold snort, his eyes emitting a faint, fierce light, and with a flick of his sleeves left and right, a long sword and a saber shot up from the ground.

In an instant, white light flashed, accompanied by a tearing sound, like a meteor chasing the moon straight for their backs.

The two felt the sound of metal blades cleaving the wind, unable to dodge in time, and involuntarily let out wild cries.

Everyone present hadn't expected Feng Yi to say he'd kill and then actually do it, utterly disregarding Shui Dai, and these two were even more doomed.

Suddenly a white light flashed, and only a ding-dang was heard as Shui Dai shouted, 'You are bullying people too much!'

In fact he had also kicked out a long sword, blocking the saber that Feng Yi had kicked out to the right.

At the same moment, Shui Dai leapt left with extreme swiftness, flicked a sleeve, and wrapped the sword blade; just as he was about to pull it aside, the long sword contained immense force, hissed, and tore through his sleeve.

Though Shui Dai's martial arts were high, the fleeing man was no ordinary sort; the long sword paused just there, and that person had already leapt out the window and escaped.

Only heard a puff sound, that long sword was stuck in the window frame, glittering.

Shui Dai's swipe failed to block the long sword; he felt his cheeks flush, but having saved someone, it wasn't too embarrassing.

Unexpectedly, Feng Yi gave a long laugh, his body shot out like electricity, and lunged at Shui Sheng and Wang Xiaofeng.

Thanks to A Miao's family's cat for the reward. Thank you.

(End of chapter)