Chapter 48

That day, the sky was high and the wind clear.

The largest building in the southern part of Jiangling covered over ten hectares; it was a grand residence with six courtyards and six sections.

Above the vermilion-painted copper-nailed great gate hung a gold-lacquered plaque bearing the two large characters "Wan Fu".

Flanking the gate stood two lifelike stone lions; besides their grandeur, they added an aura of might.

Inside, everywhere one could see carved beams and painted rafters, hung lanterns and tied ribbons, with a clamor of voices and extraordinary liveliness.

The entire street before the gate was also a flow of carriages and horses.

Only because today is the sixteenth of the fourth month, the time when heaven and earth first meet and all things flourish, and also the fiftieth birthday of Wan Zhenshan, the patriarch of the Wan family.

Speaking of Wan Zhenshan, within a hundred-li radius of Jingzhou, there is no one who does not know him, no one who is unaware of him.

He is the senior disciple of Mei Niansheng, the "Great Hero of the Two Lakes, with Iron Bones and Plum Blossom Spirit," and thus his reputation in the martial world is truly renowned.

Not only is his martial skill high, but he is also chivalrous and righteous, earning praise from his peers and the nickname "Five Clouds Hand."

Wan Zhenshan's family is affluent, his conduct earns the deep admiration of neighbors, and he has taken eight high-level disciples; he truly shakes the jianghu, earning the title "Old Hero Wan."

Although his second disciple, Zhou Qi, had recently been defeated by Feng Yi, this in no way affected Wan Zhenshan's reputation.

For Feng Yi's name has long shaken the martial world; famous fighters like the "Twin Blades" Geng Tianba, the chief of the Yangtze Iron Net Gang, and the Dongting Twin Heroes—needless to say, they have all fallen before him.

Even the "Southern Four Wonders," the most prestigious figures of the Central Plains martial world, have been defeated by Feng Yi.

Even "Invincible at Center Level" Hua Tiegang was forced to lay down his spear and retire from the jianghu; such is his fame—add to that, the prefect Ling of Jingzhou Prefecture has been left embarrassed, awaiting Feng Yi's antidote, a matter known throughout Jiangling City.

Thus, Zhou Qi's death at Feng Yi's hand is not disgraceful but a great honor.

After all, on the path to fame of such a master as Feng Yi, being the first to draw a sword against him is worthy of admiration; consequently, his master Wan Zhenshan, who nurtured such talent, needs no further praise—he naturally deserves great acclaim.

In the Wan family's spacious hall stood about ten or so eight‑immortal tables, nearly all filled with guests, while another table had only two seated.

One was the head of the Wan family, Wan Zhenshan; the other was his junior fellow disciple Qi Changfa; both sat upright with solemn expressions.

Qi Changfa is resourceful and scheming to an extreme; whoever provokes him will surely face his exhaustive revenge, leaving one feeling like a boat caught in a mid‑river whirlpool, unable to go up or down—hence his epithet "Iron Lock Across the River."

He originally lived with his disciple Di Yun and his daughter Qi Fang in the countryside of Miaoxi Station in western Hunan, making a living by farming.

But a few days ago he received a message from Wan Zhenshan's disciple Bu Yuan, saying that Wan Zhenshan had mastered the "Linked City Sword Art," while Ding Dian and Feng Yi had also obtained their master Mei Niansheng's secret teachings; thus Qi Changfa brought Di Yun and Qi Fang to attend the banquet.

Wan Zhenshan spoke to Qi Changfa about Feng Yi's person and deeds, using this to probe whether the "Selected Tang Poems" that the three had taken from their master were genuine or false, and who now held them; Qi Changfa, deep‑minded and clever, naturally put on a solemn look, as if earnestly pondering whose hands the anthology was in.

The other tables were also occupied by prominent persons—not only martial heroes but also successful scholars and presented candidates.

Even the prefect Ling of Jingzhou Prefecture and the magistrate Shang of Jiangling County sent birthday congratulatory banners.

Wan Zhenshan spared no expense, keeping the kitchen fires burning twelve double‑hours a day; no matter which friend arrived at what time, a feast could be readied instantly, with fine porcelain chopsticks and an abundantly stocked spread of dishes and wines.

Such lavishness is truly unmatched in Jingzhou City; even the servants of the Wan manor wondered whether their master, having passed today, would have nothing left to live on.

In fact, Wan Zhenshan harbored unspoken worries; as Feng Yi's fame grew louder, his heart became increasingly uncertain.

He had not forgotten what Feng Yi said that night—that he would come to the manor to pay a visit; what could be more suitable than today?

Even if he knew the birthday banquet might encounter trouble, he still had to hold it, for some invitations had already been sent out in advance—could he simply cancel? From noon until the end of the Shen hour, guests continued to arrive in an unbroken stream; those who recognized each other greeted with clasped hands and exchanged pleasantries, filling the hall with a festive atmosphere.

All of Wan Zhenshan's disciples were busy receiving guests, except the third disciple, who felt restless and anxious.

This third disciple was Wan Zhenshan's own son, Wan Gui.

He is twenty years old, tall and graceful, handsome and elegant; though born into a martial family, he bears the air of a jade tree in the wind, causing the ladies of Jiangling, both noble and common, to be utterly enamored.

Matchmakers from all quarters took turns appearing, nearly breaking the Wan family's threshold, but Wan Gui had no interest in them—until today, when everything changed.

Because his third‑generation uncle Qi Changfa brought his daughter Qi Fang and his disciple Di Yun to celebrate his father's birthday.

Qi Fang, his junior sister, with her dimpled round face, bell‑like voice, dark large eyes, and two braids, attracted him like a magnet.

Although her skin is somewhat darkened by the sun, not matching the ladies of noble houses, her beautiful face cannot be concealed.

Moreover, the simple, rustic flavor unique to a country girl like Qi Fang stirs the heartstrings even more.

Wan Gui felt his heart race and become disordered.

This was certainly being moved, and also a touch of jealousy.

All because of her senior fellow disciple Di Yun standing beside her.

That lad is dark and sturdy, rustic and unsophisticated; not to mention the manor's servants, even the cats and dogs in his father's concubines' quarters look more pleasing than he does, yet Qi Fang's eyes are fixed on this country bumpkin.

Wan Gui heard the bustle in the courtyard and watched Di Yun and Qi Fang whispering, his heart aching uncontrollably.

But with so many people present, he had to maintain his composure; left with no choice, he thought of stepping outside for fresh air to devise a plan—how could he win that junior sister Qi?

Wan Gui, while gesturing a smile to the guests, slowly walked toward the gate.

Upon reaching the gate, a male servant chuckled and said, "Young master, do you have any orders?"

Wan Gui was lost in thought, unaware, when suddenly a noisy clamor came from the street.

Wan Gui turned his head to look, and saw the crowds on both sides of the street erupt like an exploding pot, with passersby stopping to stare.

There he saw a person dressed in white, wearing a bamboo hat, driving a cart pulled by two donkeys, hauling three black‑lacquered coffins slowly along the street.

Wan Gui's heart gave a start; although this street was not exclusively the Wan family's, on such a joyous day one would hardly dare to carry coffins through it.

Thinking of Lü Tong of Taihang Mountain, who had caused trouble at the gate earlier that noon, he briefly considered, then not only did he not step forward to stop it, he turned and walked back inside.

Suddenly a slow, drawn‑out voice asked, "Are you Wan Zhenshan's son?"

Wan Gui followed the sound and saw a person standing at the gate.

This person was thin and gaunt, leaning on a dragon‑head cane about as thick as a wine cup, wearing blue cloth and socks, with a long beard of five strands, very suave and imposing, about fifty years old, the corners of his mouth bearing a smile, his eyes opening and closing to flash a cold gleam like a swimming lightning.

Wan Gui felt that this person's martial arts must be considerable, perhaps a friend of his father come to offer birthday congratulations; he bowed and asked, "May I inquire, sir, what is your esteemed name?"

Yan Daping, hearing this, looked up to the sky and let out a strange laugh.

Suddenly came a soft "xu" sound.

The tone was not loud, yet it was clearly audible mixed with the old man's laughter, as if right beside the ear.

Yan Daping instantly restrained his laughter, his face turning solemn; this made Wan Gui's heart leap—had this old man not just been wearing a look of unbridled defiance? In the blink of an eye he looked over and saw the hat‑wearing man drive his donkey cart directly to a stop at his own gate.

Wan Gui could not help but raise his brows, anger rising from his heart, yet seeing that the man's build was familiar, he could not at once recall where he had seen him.

At this moment, several attendants of the Wan Manor gate were about to step forward to drive them away, but the white‑clothed person merely flicked his sleeve; a strong wind swept everywhere, and with three "Bang, bang, bang" three people were blown away.

One attendant immediately ran into the mansion.

The white‑clothed person jumped off the donkey cart, glanced at the crowd, gave a slight smile, clasped his hands and said, "Today Master Wan is celebrating his birthday; I have prepared a modest gift, and I ask all the villagers who should disperse to step back a little—please bear with us."

His voice was clear and bright; everyone could tell he was young, and they strained to see his face, but his bamboo hat hung low, obscuring his features.

Those who obeyed stepped back, after all, pulling coffins to block the Wan family gate—one had to be careful not to cause accidental harm! Feng Yi drew a breath, had already activated the Divine Illumination Technique, and lightly pressed his palm on the cart's front; with a "Pong", the front of the donkey cart, as frail as paper paste, instantly turned into a pile of wood chips.

Meanwhile, the three coffins were jolted by this pressing force, actually leaping into the air and flying up more than three zhang.

The two donkeys were also frightened, uttering "wa‑wa", and they pulled the broken cart out with a clatter.

In the panic, the crowd let out a shout and then all scattered.

As the three black coffins fell from mid‑air, Feng Yi lightly patted them with both palms; the coffins, carrying a wailing wind sound, flew toward the gate.

With three "Pong, pong, pong", the three coffins landed sideways in the doorway, stacked together to form a coffin wall; a few more feet high and it would completely block the gate.

Although Wan Gui knew the visitor had come with coffins and certainly harbored ill intent, he relied on his family's numbers and did not take it too seriously. But seeing Feng Yi reveal this divine skill, so profound that even his father could not match it, he was greatly startled, lost his former composure, and was about to dash inside.

But just as he moved, someone grabbed his shoulder: "Nephew, where are you going?" Yan Daping said with a smile.

Wan Zhenshan, Yan Daping, and Qi Changfa—three brothers who had not seen each other for ten years—Wan Gui did not recognize this second martial uncle, taking the old man and the white‑clothed person as allies, deliberately taking advantage of him; his veins bulged as he cursed, "Pah, who is your nephew!"

He threw a punch at his arm, but Yan Daping did not dodge; instead, he pulled him back, retreating over a zhang.

Wan Gui's fist struck Yan Daping's arm, and he thought he had landed a blow, but suddenly he felt his fist meet only softness, exerting no force, while the opponent generated a releasing power—as if a layer of oil had been applied—and his fist slipped away; in his shock, a vital point on his chest was seized.

Yan Daping, however, was taken aback, muttering, "Did your father teach you only this much?" He was quite surprised.

Then Feng Yi calmly said, "Go on and attend to the proper business!"

Yan Daping laughed heartily, flung Wan Gui aside, and in a flash leapt from the coffin wall into the gate.

All of this happened so suddenly that the onlookers outside the gate only just came to their senses; seeing Feng Yi's effortless, graceful move, they could hardly believe such a person existed in the world—this arm strength was more than a thousand jin, and they all thought, "How did Old Hero Wan provoke such a figure?"

Wan Gui was thrown by Yan Daping, fell to the ground, covered in dust and dirt, so angry he nearly burst a lung; he got up, turned, and wanted to enter the gate to demand justice.

Suddenly a cold voice said, "Why the rush to leave?"

Wan Gui's body jolted; turning his head, he saw the bamboo‑hat person standing just three feet behind him, not knowing when he had approached.

Wan Gui's heart pounded wildly, as if facing a formidable foe; he stepped back two steps, composed himself, clasped his fists, and said, "I am Wan Gui, somewhat lacking in perception—I do not know what brings you here."

He saw Feng Yi using coffins to block the gate, clearly intending to provoke trouble, but the opponent's martial arts were too high, so he dared not neglect courtesy.

Feng Yi calmly asked, "Has Qi Changfa and his group arrived?"

Wan Gui frowned slightly and said, "They have come!"

Feng Yi glanced at him, nodded, and said, "Is Qi Fangmei beautiful? To possess her, you must first get rid of her senior brother Di Yun; you must have realized that by now—but have you figured out how to harm him?"

His tone was plain, yet his two eyes were sharp as blades, seeming to want to dissect Wan Gui's five viscera and six bowels.

Wan Gui, still doubtful, was then directly called out on his thoughts; startled, his face flushed red, and he instantly became angry from shame, pointing his finger and shouting, "Friend, don't push your luck—don't think my Wan family fears you; I'm merely afraid the flood will wash away the Dragon King Temple!"

Feng Yi's face was frosted with cold; he gave a sideways glance and said, "Having not seen the old beast, I see the young beast first—then I'll start with you!"

As he spoke, he stepped forward, spread his right hand's five fingers, and reached for Wan Gui.

Wan Gui knew he could not resist, yet he steeled himself, feinted with his left fist, and drove his right fist up from under the elbow straight at Feng Yi's bamboo hat.

This move was extremely clever—the first feint drew the opponent's gaze, then the second punch struck; aiming to knock off the newcomer's hat, it was not too great a loss.

But his cultivation was ordinary; even against Di Yun's brute force he could not hold his own, and before his punch could land, Feng Yi slightly turned his wrist, his fingers snapping out like lightning to seize Wan Gui's wrist.

Wan Gui suddenly felt his wrist tighten, as if bound by an iron hoop, and a sharp pain surged—with a "Crack", his right arm was dislocated at the shoulder.

Feng Yi's other hand again grabbed Wan Gui's chest.

Wan Gui instantly felt his chest ache as if split, his body went weak and limp, he was lifted off his feet, and cried out, "Why do you speak so hurtfully!" He simply would not admit he was a beast.

"Something that destroys humanity, calling you a beast—do you still feel wronged?"

Feng Yi gave a light curse, his left hand like wind, with a few "crack, crack" sounds, he dislocated all of Wan Gui's major joints.

Wan Gui let out a miserable scream, his eyes rolled, his breath between mouth and nose faint, he had fainted from pain.

The onlookers at the door never expected that in an instant, the Wan family's young master would become a limp shrimp, all shocked and pale.

Feng Yi casually infused Wan Gui with a strand of Divine Illumination true qi, Wan Gui immediately woke again, the pain surged once more, and he couldn't help but howl miserably.

Feng Yi gave a cold smile, slowly said: "Today's show, you little beast had better watch closely—how can you pass out?"

Wan Gui could not bear the pain; each time Feng Yi spoke, he let out a miserable cry, and in an instant tears streamed uncontrollably.

He knew, today his image was completely ruined.

Feng Yi sealed his mute acupoint, allowing him to stay conscious but unable to make a sound.

Grabbing Wan Gui's back, he tapped his foot, traced an arc in midair, and lightly landed on the high wall of the Wan manor.

In the world of Lian Cheng, there are many evildoers and villains, but Wan Gui is the easiest to overlook.

Because compared to Hua Tiegan, Ling Tui Si, the three disciples of the Plum Gate, and the Blood Blade Ancestor, he is not very famous.

Yet his cruelty is not inferior to theirs.

This person is indeed the chief culprit behind Di Yun's tragedy, but the most heinous aspect—first using his own biological daughter's life to blackmail his wife for the antidote, then agreeing with his father's view to kill the daughter to silence her—is utterly inhuman.

Afterwards, when he killed the one who had saved his life and then dug his wife out from the wall, he was so resolute! Such a person, just like his father, is fundamentally a beast!

If Wan Zhenshan and Qi Changfa had not yet been executed, Feng Yi, suppressing his killing intent, would have already cut him into eight pieces right at the Wan manor gate!

(Chapter complete)