Chapter 37

When the Tai Chi Sword Technique is practiced to a profound depth, each sword circle drawn divides yin and yang, taking the form of the Taiji symbol; inside the circle it is straight as a vast ocean, and this pressure can make the opponent feel as if a small boat is tumbling in stormy waves, compelled to go east when you wish east, west when you wish west.

Back then on Mount Wudang, Zhang Wuji defeated the wielder of the Yitian Sword, the 'Eight-Armed Divine Sword' Fang Dongbai, using a wooden sword—this is the same principle.

However, in the Tai Chi Sword Technique, the yin and yang poles also have a flaw when they rotate—the flaw is where yin and yang intersect.

That is the sword circle! Although it is a flaw, if wielded by masters like Zhang Sanfeng or Zhang Wuji whose internal energy has reached the pinnacle, then whether weapons or fist force will be like sinking into quicksand, empty and without any point of leverage.

Even if one uses weapons, no one in the world can shake their long swords open with internal energy; when one realizes something is wrong and tries to withdraw the weapon, techniques such as adhering, coiling, seizing, and leading can all be used against you.

Whether using adhering energy to firmly absorb the sword blade, or following the momentum to change moves and detach your arm, the opponent can seize the initiative, putting you in a disadvantageous position.

When masters clash, once they fall into a disadvantage, trying to turn the tide is doubly difficult.

Feng Yi was proud and lofty; having said he wanted to witness the Tai Chi Sword Technique, he did not wish to break it with brute force, for although his opponent was Liu Chengfeng, in his mind he was thinking of Zhang Sanfeng and Zhang Wuji personally wielding the Tai Chi Sword.

He would not resort to using internal energy to shatter the sword unless absolutely necessary, but nobody expected that in that instant Feng Yi would hurl a corpse over, startling everyone so much their eyes widened like copper bells.

If Liu Chengfeng did not withdraw his sword, he would surely smash the corpse to pieces, which would greatly contravene the deportment of Daoist practitioners; thus he had to retract his hand and gather his sword light, and his sword momentum instantly weakened.

Yet in that flash of lightning, Feng Yi surged forward like a bolt, striking sideways with a palm to deflect the corpse while, following the momentum, executing the 'Heaven-Outside Flying Mountain' move from the Opening Mountain Palm.

Liu Chengfeng was urgently retracting his sword, and having just struggled with Feng Yi, he had already expended much internal energy; his internal breath was weak, and his strikes were not as swift as at the start.

A hum— the palm wind swept the sword blade, Liu Chengfeng's arm went numb, his long sword nearly slipped from his grasp, and Feng Yi's right arm shot out, seizing his shoulder with the Tiger Claw Seizing Hand taught by Ding Dian.

By this point, Liu Chengfeng's Tai Chi Sword could no longer be employed; seeing he was about to be controlled, everyone watched in alarm as Hua Tiegan suddenly shifted his body and appeared to their left.

Lu Tianshu and Shui Dai were both focused on the battle and did not notice his sudden leap.

Martial arts masters are all observant of six directions and attentive to eight sounds; Liu Chengfeng and Feng Yi were fully engaged in resisting each other, leaving no room to divert their internal energy and will, yet Feng Yi still had spare strength, immediately sensed it, and his hand involuntarily slowed.

Liu Chengfeng seized the opportunity, exerted force with his feet, and abruptly retreated three feet.

With a 'hiss', Liu Chengfeng felt pain in his left shoulder; Feng Yi's claw still tore it open, the wound not deep but blood began to seep.

Feng Yi glanced at Hua Tiegan, his heart instantly gladdened; he had intended to snatch Liu Chengfeng's long sword in passing, but immediately dropped it.

Liu Chengfeng was already of no value; nevertheless, having been grabbed by him, he also felt half his body go numb and sore from the shock of the Divine Illumination Skill.

Feng Yi shifted his body, flashed to Hua Tiegan's side, and laughed loudly: 'Hero Hua, since you're interested, why not go all out?'

A fist as fast as lightning shot straight for Hua Tiegan's chest and abdomen.

Hua Tiegan's move was indeed calculated; he had not actually struck out, but as Feng Yi, one could not neglect guarding against a sneak attack.

A simple sentence from Hua Tiegan gave Feng Yi the feeling that he was about to be ambushed, solely to distract him.

Seeing Hua Tiegan employ such tactics against him, Feng Yi thought: 'This old fellow deliberately tries to distract me; indeed his nature is base, I must quickly defeat him, creating a huge gap between him and Liu Chengfeng, so he loses all face.'

His internal energy was enduring; even in a wheel battle against four opponents he would not fear, let alone Hua Tiegan! Seeing his fist coming, Hua Tiegan snorted, flipped his sleeve, and a three-foot steel spear shot forth, breaking the air with specks of cold light and flying red tassels.

Know that the red tassels on the spear are used to confuse the opponent; the spear's wild dance is merely a feint to confuse the ears, and only a well-timed thrust is the lethal strike that takes a life.

Hua Tiegan's spear technique, so uncertain between real and feigned, and launched suddenly, had its tip's red tassels fluttering like fallen leaves in a gale, the spear shooting like lightning; an ordinary person amidst it would surely be dazzled and unable to discern truth from falsehood.

Unfortunately, Feng Yi's mind was settled, unmoved by the display nor blinded by the red tassels; as the hand arrived, he retracted his fist, and Hua Tiegan immediately changed his move, angling the short spear toward his chest in an ethereal, dust‑like manner.

Feng Yi tilted his body slightly and shouted: 'Let go!'

Changing fist to palm, he gathered his true strength upon it and slapped upward suddenly, striking squarely on Hua Tiegan's spear shaft.

With a hum, Hua Tiegan felt a surge of heat rush from his tiger's mouth upward, his arm seeming to be burned by fire, and the short spear slipped from his hand, flying straight up into the air.

With a clink, it lodged into the hotel's crossbeam.

Their exchange this round changed with astonishing speed; the onlookers could barely follow, let alone shout to stop it.

Yet after seeing Feng Yi and Liu Chengfeng fight fiercely, everyone was astonished that they still possessed such ability, and all turned pale with shock.

Feng Yi would not let Hua Tiegan catch his breath; he reached out to seize his wrist, intending to capture him alive, but unexpectedly a burst of wind erupted from his back as Liu Chengfeng, having caught his breath, thrust a sword forward.

Feng Yi suddenly leapt up, dodged the incoming sword, and kicked with his right leg toward Hua Tiegan's chin.

Before the words could finish, the action was swift: Hua Tiegan suffered a violent shock, half his body went numb, and the lingering force of the Divine Illumination Skill lifted both his legs off the ground; at that moment he felt a strong wind rushing straight at his face.

He was instantly startled, but as a renowned master his technique did not falter; he forcibly drew a breath, raised both arms, and blocked the incoming kick.

With a thud, foot met arm; Hua Tiegan's arms suddenly grew hot, yet he felt the force emanating from the opponent's foot surge like a mountain‑toppling sea, and involuntarily he flew backward once more.

As soon as Feng Yi's foot touched the ground, he prepared to lunge forward again.

Then Liu Chengfeng shouted, 'Take this move!' He followed like a shadow, waving his right wrist; his long sword transformed into three sword blossoms, aiming for three major acupoints on Feng Yi's back.

Liu Chengfeng's martial skill was already superb; now, in his anger, this strike was even stronger, the sword wind producing a faint whistle.

Feng Yi listened to the wind to discern the shape, without turning his head he flicked a finger backward; only a clang was heard as he deflected the long sword.

Using the rebound from that flick, Feng Yi shot forward swiftly, still lunging at Hua Tiegan, determined to capture him alive.

Unexpectedly, Lu Tianshu also raised his brows, glared angrily, and brandished his knife in a diagonal chop, stirring up a fierce wind that surged violently.

Lu Tianshu thought Feng Yi had injured his third brother and struck his second brother, and still would not relent; he could think of nothing else and immediately rushed forward.

Wielding his ghost‑head knife, he rolled, entwined, sliced, and hacked with the force of the Yangtze River, covering heaven and earth; the blade light completely engulfed Feng Yi.

Feng Yi swung both fists straight toward Lu Tianshu's blade face; Lu Tianshu dared not be struck by them, and Liu Chengfeng thrust his sword again at Feng Yi.

While Feng Yi was engaged with Lu Tianshu, he had to turn his hand to defend as well; in an instant a situation formed where Feng Yi, barehanded, opposed the two great masters Lu and Liu.

Just as Lu Tianshu made his move, Shui Dai also leapt up swiftly; his 'Mounting Duckweed to Cross Water' lightness skill was extraordinary, fast as a released arrow, flying straight over to try to embrace Hua Tiegan in midair.

But as soon as he laid hands on him, he felt the force sink like a mountain.

He was a renowned martial artist; knowing that hard resistance against his elder brother would only worsen injury, he yielded to the force, leapt backward, and tapped his foot against the wall; instantly the roof tiles trembled and dust drifted down.

After Shui Dai dissipated that rearward force, he performed a 'sparrow flip' and landed lightly on the ground.

Hua Tiegan's throat felt sweet, and he spat out a mouthful of blood; the internal injury he had sustained was indeed serious.

In that span, Feng, Lu, and Liu separated and rejoined, breaking seven moves; although their attacks were swift, palm, sword, and blade never made contact.

Because Lu Tianshu and Liu Chengfeng knew Feng Yi's internal energy was profound, they dared not let him touch their weapons, employing only high‑level moves that split the advance and strike the void; Feng Yi showed no panic, rather he grew happier the more they fought, wishing to test whether he could take on two opponents alone, his fists and feet tightening as the Divine Illumination Skill surged forth.

Seeing the three locked in combat, Shui Dai feared they would forge an irreconcilable grudge, and loudly called out: 'Elder brother, third brother, Young Hero Feng, since the victory is decided, let us stop here!'

He spoke this sentence with his internal energy fully aroused, uttering it with a resounding thud; all who heard felt their hearts jolt.

Although Feng Yi's martial prowess advanced rapidly, he also knew the principle of knowing when to stop; if he persisted, it would surely become a four‑against‑one situation, and he still had shortcomings, so he steadied himself first! He immediately threw a punch to push Liu Chengfeng aside, then leapt out of the circle using the momentum.

Lu Tian Shu and Liu Cheng Feng also felt too embarrassed to press forward.

The rest of the people, awed by Feng Yi's astonishingly fierce fist technique and inner force, felt a sense of dread, each with a solemn expression; only Hua Tie Gan stared at Feng Yi with eyes full of resentment.

Feng Yi clasped his hands behind his back, coldly laughing at Hua Tie Gan: 'Heh, Invincible in the Middle, you can't even hold your spear; from now on, you'd better stop pretending to be a big shot in the martial world!'

Wang Xiao Feng flew into a rage, lunging out from behind Shui Dai, shouting: 'You surnamed Feng, you're bullying people too much!'

Feng Yi coldly laughed: 'Could I be wrong? Just now, when my victory over Brother Liu was about to be decided, this Hero Hua suddenly sprang out, pretending to be an exalted adept, though he made no move, he created pressure on me so I couldn't win! Hero Hua, am I right?'

Saying this, he glanced at Hua Tie Gan.

Hua Tie Gan's complexion was ashen and defeated, supported by Shui Dai; hearing this, his old face flushed red, and he angrily said: 'What's this about? I was merely overcome with urgency—how could I stand by and watch my third brother lose without feeling anything?' He trailed off, unable to continue.

Feng Yi gave a light chuckle and said: 'If that's the case, then your brotherly love runs deep, yet Hero Lu and Hero Shui stand by idly, which is hardly observing the oath of sworn brothers.'

Hua Tie Gan was precisely thinking of this, which is why he couldn't go on. Then Feng Yi leisurely said: 'I don't think so; rather, I'd say Hero Hua, you've always harbored a belly full of base thoughts, while in daily life you have Brothers Lu, Liu, and Shui, plus the world's high esteem for you.'

You could only suppress these petty thoughts in your heart, but when faced with something unpredictable, your true nature would show.

You can also deny it, but as the saying goes, a mute eating dumplings knows the count in his heart—just knowing is enough.

Everyone hearing this wore angry looks, but Feng Yi appeared nonchalant, as if what he said were true; if anyone didn't believe him, they could go ahead and verify.

It also seemed as if he were saying, 'I'm just spouting nonsense, but what can you do about me?'

Seeing this, the crowd instead turned their gaze to Hua Tie Gan.

Hua Tie Gan was defeated by Feng Yi as easily as crushing dry weeds and snapping rotten wood; his reputation of decades was ruined in an instant, leaving him with a feeling of bitter sorrow.

Moreover, his own kin knew his own affairs, and they knew that over the decades he had indeed arisen countless base thoughts, merely suppressed by the glorious reputations of 'Falling Flowers Flowing Water' and 'Invincible in the Middle,' never put into action.

Yet Feng Yi's words were like a dagger stabbing straight into that sore spot; despite Hua Tie Gan's deep scheming, he seemed to lose all spirit, his face as pale as gold paper, appearing even more frail and aged.

Then Lu Tian Shu slowly said: 'Young Hero Feng, with such heart‑rending accusations, are you trying to take us four old fellows down in one fell swoop?'

Feng Yi smiled: 'Hero Lu, you jest. I only wish to fairly exchange martial arts with you all; defeating you would mean nothing to me.'

So‑called heart‑rending accusations are utterly mistaken; I am merely stating the facts.

Think about it, everyone: Hero Liu was merely about to lose, yet he prepared a sneak attack on me; why then did you and Hero Shui not do the same?

This isn't about whether brotherly love is deep; it's that your character is sound—you'd rather lose in martial arts than lose as a person, and such petty thoughts never even entered your minds.

Lu Tian Shu coldly said: 'Your second brother's action makes it understandable for you to strike him; in a contest of blows, no one can guarantee they'll come out unscathed, so that part is understandable.'

But your technique for dealing with my worthy younger brother Liu is not exactly glorious, is it?

Feng Yi gave a warm, apologetic smile: 'That's not bad at all!'

But Hero Lu, I'd like to ask: in the world, what martial art could defeat this Taiji sword technique?

My earlier boastful words were clearly a goading tactic; everyone knows I wanted to see the divine sword, not truly to belittle Master Zhang.

In breaking the Taiji sword, I used a corpse precisely because I was betting on Hero Liu's righteous heart; it wasn't exactly glorious.

Yet sparring is also for accumulating experience in future life‑and‑death combat; one can't rely solely on martial arts. My method was adapting to circumstances, using what was at hand—could it be that one day your enemies won't devise such crooked tricks? Thus today I won in martial skill against Hero Liu, but he won in the way of righteousness.

We each got what we wanted; a perfect win‑win!

Everyone hearing this was left speechless.

Who dares say that there exists a martial art capable of breaking Zhang Sanfeng's Taiji sword?

Moreover, his words are indeed quite reasonable.

The purpose of sparring and exchange is always to prepare against enemies.

Moreover, he claims himself inferior to Hero Liu Cheng Feng in righteousness, which leaves no one able to find fault.

Lu Tian Shu's beard bristled, his lips trembling for a moment, then he suddenly stamped his foot and said in a resentful voice: 'All right, you're right; this old man can't argue with you!'

Seeing the usually stern Uncle Lu in such a state, Shui Sheng couldn't help but giggle.

Shui Dai, feeling angry inside, immediately barked: 'What are you laughing at?'

Only then did Shui Sheng recall that Uncle Hua had just suffered a great loss and Uncle Liu had lost a match; realizing it was improper to laugh, she lowered her head slightly and stuck out her tongue.

Suddenly Hua Tie Gan leapt up, pulled the short spear from the beam, and channeled his qi into his arm.

With a clang, the pure‑steel short spear plunged straight into the ground.

Hua Tie Gan slowly said: 'From today onward, there will be no more "Invincible in the Middle" in the martial world!'

Having said that, his face flushed with shame, he turned to flee, but Lu Tian Shu grabbed him firmly.

Feng Yi shook his head and said: 'Heroes, you spend your whole lives bound by fame and profit—so‑called "name‑ropes and profit‑locks"—excessive to the point of absurdity; why bother?'

However, Hero Hua, now that I, Feng Yi, am withdrawing from the martial world, perhaps it won't be long before this ceases to be a blemish on your life and instead becomes your honor.

As for Hua Tie Gan, Feng Yi could only handle him this way: this man had spent his life as a righteous wanderer, yet ended up becoming a devil in Snow Valley; in Feng Yi's eyes, his deeds deserved death.

Yet whether the Snow Valley battle will happen again is hard to say.

He could only force Hua Tie Gan to retire from the martial world; doing so is not bad for him nor for his brothers.

Everyone hearing this was astonished and convinced by Feng Yi's arrogance.

Yet they also felt that this might become reality.

After all, when Feng Yi now says something, he claims to be second‑best in martial arts under heaven; who dares claim to be first?

They searched their minds, but could not think of anyone.

And Feng Yi is only twenty years old.

If he does not die, the pattern of the martial world for the next sixty years will be whatever he says.

After all, in the future no one will speak of the Central Plains' greatest experts as the 'Southern Four Marvels' or the 'Northern Four Oddities'!

Only one! That's Feng Yi! If you don't believe it, ask the Southern Four Marvels! At that moment, with a clang, Liu Cheng Feng sheathed his long sword, took two steps forward, and bowed with clasped fists to Feng Yi: 'Young Hero Feng, you are a peerless talent of the age; not only is your martial prowess superior, your strategies are extraordinary; I, Liu Cheng Feng, today have lost, convinced in heart and mouth.'

But I have one matter I don't understand; I hope Young Hero Feng can clarify it, so that this poor Daoist's journey won't be in vain.

Feng Yi stared for a moment, then returned the bow and said: 'Please, Daoist, speak.'

Liu Cheng Feng, a Taiji master, even if defeated, was unwilling to lose his composure; he pondered briefly and said: 'Young Hero Feng, does this divine power of yours truly come only from the Divine Illumination Classic?'

This remark voiced everyone's inner thoughts; all held their breath and gazed at Feng Yi.

After all, his martial arts were too high, high to the point of exceeding everyone's understanding.

After all, everyone in the martial world knows: Falling Flowers Flowing Water is already the strongest expert in the Central Plains martial world, but what was the result? In one-on-one combat, utter defeat; even two against one, he probably couldn't win.

Liu Chengfeng and Hua Tiegen, after all, cannot be considered truly joining forces.

But Lu Tianshu and Liu Chengfeng joining forces, after over ten moves, they didn't even touch Feng Yi's clothes; wanting to win would probably be difficult.

As for three against one, that remains unknown.

Is that Divine Illumination Skill really that powerful? But Mei Niansheng, when he was alive, didn't seem to have such ability! Feng Yi smiled faintly and said: "Besides the Divine Illumination Skill, do you think, Daoist Priest, there is any other divine skill that could compare with it?"

Feng Yi also didn't know just how formidable Mei Niansheng was, nor did he know what these people doubted, but his abilities were indeed due to the Divine Illumination Skill, and there was nothing to hide about it.

Liu Chengfeng thought for a moment and said: "Old Master Mei is famous throughout the world for the Linked City Sword Technique; we brothers have some understanding, we've even seen a few moves, and it's not that impressive—never expecting the Divine Illumination Skill to be this powerful."

Although Liu Mou has been defeated today, just to witness the Divine Illumination Skill is a great fortune in three lifetimes; farewell!

Speaking of which, a yellow shadow flashed and he drifted out of the shop.

Lu Tianshu also clasped his fists and said: "Young hero, you possess unparalleled skill; may you use it well, benefit the martial world, and we shall meet again!"

Saying that, he grabbed Hua Tiegen and also rushed out of the shop door.

They didn't want to stay here for even a moment.

Sure enough, wish fulfilled, the Southern Four Oddities became the Hard Four Oddities.

(End of chapter)