Chapter 33

However, it was unexpected that Lu Tian Shu and the others would actually come together just as in the original plot.

After all, although the four are sworn brothers, they are not always together—for instance, Hua Tiegan is from Jiangxi.

Feng Yi knew his internal strength surpassed theirs, but his combat experience was far inferior, making him wary; thus he captured Shui Sheng and then released her under a pretext.

Simply to let Shui Dai owe him a favor first, adding a layer of insurance; even if they later turn against each other, he won't be in a desperate situation.

Therefore, when facing a righteous person like Shui Dai, Feng Yi appears arrogant, relying on martial strength, but actually he is scheming, intending to teach Shui Dai's superb swordsmanship with his bare palms.

But if he weren't pushed to desperation, given Shui Dai's reputation, how could he use weapons against an unarmed person? Shui Dai hearing this, couldn't help but startle, thinking: "Could I have been mistaken? Is he not trying to step on my name to rise?"

Shui Dai clearly knows that receiving Feng Yi's divine fist, he might not withstand six strikes, but if he uses a sword, it would be extremely unfair to Feng Yi, and his chances of winning would greatly diminish!

But before he could speak, an old, hoarse voice from outside the door coldly snorted: "You have quite the big mouth!"

This sentence is full of dignity; obviously he is used to having his words obeyed and giving orders.

Feng Yi glanced over and saw three people walking like the wind, side by side, their movements swift; in the blink of an eye they entered the shop.

Shui Dai stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said: "Elder brother, second brother, third brother, you've all arrived; let me introduce you—this is Feng Yi!"

The several people took a deep look at Feng Yi, seeing his dignified bearing, his plain clothes spotless, and a pair of elongated phoenix eyes that, when opening and closing, revealed a divine light.

At this moment, facing these several renowned masters, he still stood with his hands behind his back, calm and unhurried.

The several people exchanged glances, all knowing that the rumors in the jianghu were true: Feng Yi indeed possessed profound internal strength, his dominance unmatched; the claim of testing swords under heaven was certainly not empty talk.

Shui Dai suddenly stepped forward, gestured toward the burly, red-faced white-bearded old man in the middle, and said: "Young Hero Feng, this is my elder brother Lu Tian Shu, nicknamed 'Benevolent and Righteous Lu the Great Blade.'"

Lu Tian Shu had thick eyebrows and big eyes, a tiger back and bear waist, his appearance extremely formidable; a broad-backed, square-headed devil-headed broadsword was slung across his back, truly imposing.

Feng Yi had also heard of Lu Tian Shu in the Longsha Gang: he hated evil as an enemy, his temperament like blazing fire, a true hero.

The so-called Falling Flowers Flowing Water—when it comes to martial prowess, Lu Tian Shu may not be first, but being the eldest and having excellent reputation in the jianghu, he ranks as the leader of the Southern Four Oddities.

Feng Yi clasped his fists and said: "I have long admired Elder Lu's heroic reputation!"

Lu Tian Shu returned the salute with clasped fists, saying: "You're welcome!"

His voice thundered like a clap of thunder, shaking the roof tiles.

Everyone glanced sideways, secretly thinking: "Lu Tian Shu, as the leader of the Southern Four Oddities, truly possesses profound internal strength!"

Feng Yi, however, knew he was dissatisfied and intentionally displayed his strength.

Shui Dai then laughed and pointed to the old man in splendid robes on the left, saying: "This is my second brother, 'Invincible in the Central Plains' Hua Tiegan, head of the Jiangxi Ying Claw Iron Spear School."

Hua Tiegan clasped his fists but said nothing.

Feng Yi saw that he was tall and slender, with a white face and long beard, his skin smooth and showing no signs of age, indicating profound internal strength and good cultivation; the only flaw was a pair of wrinkles at the corners of his eyes that didn't match his age, making him look like a weathered old man at first glance. Of course, Feng Yi merely nodded in acknowledgment.

Shui Dai then pointed to a middle-aged man in a Daoist robe and said: "This is my third brother, 'Gentle Wind and Soft Cloud Sword' Liu Chengfeng."

Feng Yi saw that he was over fifty, handsome and upright, with a long sword on his back, long eyebrows slanting into his temples, his face like an ancient well, calm and dignified, his bearing extraordinary. Feng Yi thought of this person's astonishing skills; in the original plot he actually died at the hands of his sworn brothers, and he let out a long sigh, saying: "I, Feng, am fortunate to have finally met all the masters of the Southern Four Oddities!"

Hua Tiegan sneered: "You, who have seen great winds and waves and experienced the world, have even made a high-ranking official look disheveled, and you also possess the Divine Illumination Skill, renowned under heaven. We old fogeys, in your eyes, Young Hero Feng, what weight do we carry? This 'fortunate' word is too much for us to bear!"

What kind of people are the Southern Four Oddities? For Feng Yi to say he could catch Shui Dai's Cold Moon Sword bare-handed is nothing but blatant humiliation.

Not only Hua Tiegan, everyone was dissatisfied. Feng Yi glanced sideways, smirked, and said: "Just now, was it you who said I have a big mouth?"

Hua Tiegan, hearing this, had his bright eyes flash with cold light and said coldly: "Indeed! To bare-handedly catch my junior brother Shui's Cold Moon Sword, do you still think it's justified?"

He is a renowned hero of the martial world, the head of the Jiangxi Ying Claw Iron Spear School, usually giving orders with a wave of his hand; although he knows Feng Yi is certainly no ordinary person, he is not afraid!

But he didn't know that Feng Yi despised him greatly in his heart.

Feng Yi said faintly: "Whether my mouth is big or not, Old Hero Hua, why not try it yourself?"

He knew well that Hua Tiegan's martial arts were roughly equal to Shui Dai's; dealing with him would be more suitable than dealing with Shui Dai, after all, defeating Shui Dai would also ruin his reputation!

For such a hero, ruining his reputation would also make him feel reluctant, but toward Hua Tiegan he felt no psychological burden; moreover, for Hua Tiegan it might also be a good thing—given his prestige in the martial world, how could he be willing to earn the name of avoiding battle? He immediately shouted: "Good, then let me test your Divine Illumination Skill!"

Feng Yi laughed loudly and shouted: "Then let's see your move!" Suddenly he thrust a punch at Hua Tiegan; his voice rang like thunder, yet there was not a whisper of wind around his fist.

Lu Tian Shu's face changed slightly, and he blurted: "The Shadowless Divine Fist!"

Hua Tiegan only felt as if a stone wall were pressing down from the void, instantly enveloping his whole body; he was immediately startled—this kid's punch was so powerful.

Although startled, his reaction was not slow either; he thrust his whole body into the "Double Push Hand" technique from the Yue Family Scattered Hands, lashing out like lightning.

Bang—

Strong winds rose in all directions; Feng Yi remained motionless, while Hua Tiegan felt a huge force surge toward him; in an instant, stars flashed before his eyes, and he stumbled back several steps, even cracking the blue bricks under his feet.

Hua Tiegan staggered, unsteady on his feet, his qi and blood surging, feeling awful; his only thought at that moment was: "It turns out this kid isn't arrogant—he's simply too formidable!"

Lu Tian Shu, Liu Chengfeng, and Shui Dai were shocked beyond words.

Knowing that Hua Tiegan's martial arts and internal strength were not inferior to theirs, yet after a single punch he ended up in such a sorry state, while Feng Yi seemed unfazed—immediately the superiority of their internal strengths was clear.

Shui Dai was even more embarrassed; if he truly had to receive nine punches from Feng Yi, death would be certain, and even six punches would likely mean death or injury.

Everyone was shocked, but Feng Yi was not.

Feng Yi threw his punches in succession—one punch struck out, then the right punch followed.

Hua Tiegan was about to block when suddenly a figure flashed before his eyes; he heard a "clang" as a long sword was drawn—it was Shui Dai. At the same time, a ring of sword light burst forth, rolling toward Feng Yi.

Feng Yi suddenly felt a slight numbness in his neck; a glance to the right revealed a cold blade of light heading for his throat.

Shui Dai's martial arts were formidable, his precious sword a rare weapon; wherever its light went, a chilling aura spread, sword qi like a rainbow, making Feng Yi's hairs stand on end.

At this moment, while Feng Yi was attacking Hua Tiegan, it was also when his defenses were weakest; he couldn't attack Hua Tiegan, couldn't change moves in time, couldn't block either—he could only sweep his sleeve outward, hoping to deflect the sword, but unexpectedly a hissing sound rang out and his sleeve was pierced.

(End of chapter)