Chapter 6: Each Harboring Ulterior Motives, Mission Accomplished

Ling Tui Si wanted Feng Yi to risk his life willingly, even adopting him as a foster son; Feng Yi also wanted the other side to believe that he and Ding Dian were not of one mind.

Feng Yi knew even more that Ling Tui Si despised someone like Ding Dian, yet he still wanted to be his son-in-law—a foolish dream; at most he would merely pay lip service, promising whatever after success.

This way, there would be no actual relationship, and it would also extinguish the other side's idea of taking him as a foster son; therefore he solemnly expressed his love for Ling Shuanghua.

But hearing Feng Yi's shocking words, even though Ling Tui Si was seasoned with age, he was startled, his smile faded and his face lengthened, and he secretly thought: "This brat actually has designs on Shuanghua."

Before Ling Tui Si could speak, Xia San Dao gritted his teeth and shouted, "How bold!" He leapt forward and struck at Feng Yi's chest with a palm.

Feng Yi instinctively shrank his body to dodge the move, then shouted, "Master Xia, who exactly is being bold? In front of the Dragon Head, how dare you attack me?"

In the time it took to speak, Xia San Dao had already launched several moves; Feng Yi, not knowing why, though wearing shackles, also managed to dodge a few.

It seemed as if all the abilities of his previous self had been inherited by him, allowing him to naturally employ that martial art.

Consequently, even though it was Feng Yi's first time using lightness skill, he felt no sense of incongruity.

Ling Tui Si watched the two fight, neither stopping them nor summoning outsiders; he simply stared fixedly at Feng Yi.

Xia San Dao could also guess Ling Tui Si's intention: to have him create a mortal danger for Feng Yi, so he pressed the attack step by step.

Seeing his palm strikes, finger jabs, kicks and elbow strikes, Feng Yi, wearing shackles and unable to counter effectively, simply leapt back and forth to dodge, while his mouth never ceased.

"I dare not deceive the Dragon Head; I know that being undercover beside Ding Dian means near-certain death. Yet I still go, out of loyal devotion to the Dragon Head, though I also have my own private motives."

Feng Yi's skill was inferior to Xia San Dao's, and he was also wearing shackles while talking and dodging; at this point, only a soft "pah" sound was heard.

Feng Yi had already been struck on the shoulder by Xia San Dao's palm, instantly feeling numbness in half his body, his movements slowing.

Xia San Dao then launched three more moves; his right hand sealed Feng Yi's Shoulder Celestial and Capital Gate acupoints, while his left palm came down toward Feng Yi's forehead.

Feng Yi had already determined in his heart that Ling Tui Si would not kill him at this moment, and seeing himself speaking while clashing with Xia San Dao, with Ling Tui Si neither shouting stop nor sending people to seize him, he must have wanted to give himself a show of force.

Now that Xia San Dao had sealed his acupoints and he could not move, he simply put on a look of utter terror, gazing at Ling Tui Si with a face full of pleading.

Sure enough, as Feng Yi's life hung in the balance, Ling Tui Si finally bellowed, "Stop!"

Xia San Dao naturally withdrew his palm in time.

Ling Tui Si's expression also thawed, his tone becoming kind as he said, "Listen to his explanation before deciding."

"Yes." Xia San Dao then released Feng Yi's acupoints and bowed back.

Feng Yi let out a long breath and said, "Master Xia, you are truly skilled; today I have truly broadened my horizons."

Xia San Dao snorted, "You ignorant brat."

Ling Tui Si smiled and said, "Master Xia's Great Capturing Hand is renowned; you are still young and no match for it—quite ordinary!"

But then he shifted his tone, his eyes flashing like blades, fixed on Feng Yi's face, and said in a cold voice, "You surely aren't toying with this official, are you?"

Ling Tui Si himself was skilled in scheming, his talent surpassing Feng Yi's a hundredfold, enabling him to infer many things from one hint.

Whatever Feng Yi said, he would associate it with some opportunity; how could he not think that Feng Yi might also be setting up a false front, feeding him a reassurance pill, though he could not guess the internal changes.

However, as someone like Ling Tui Si, he naturally did not take Feng Yi seriously; even if Ding Dian had imparted the Divine Illumination Skill to him, he would not fear it.

For no matter how miraculous the martial art, it could never be achieved overnight; as long as Feng Yi returned to prison and was no longer tortured by Ding Dian, then Ding Dian must have spilled his secret to Feng Yi, allowing him to treat Feng Yi the same way he treated Ding Dian.

Ding Dian was a man of iron, unyielding even under torture; but a person like Feng Yi, after a few lashes, would have to confess everything his ancestors up to eighteen generations had done.

Ling Tui Si trusted his judgment of Feng Yi.

But no matter what, both harbored ulterior motives, merely waiting to see who would have the last laugh.

Feng Yi saw Ling Tui Si's face turn deathly pale, killing intent flashing in his brows and eyes, his heart gave a jolt; he thought secretly, "Don't really mess up, or it'll be screwed!"

He then put on a solemn face and said, "How could I dare to deceive my heart? It's only because I had the fortune five years ago to see the eldest miss once; at that moment I was astonished as if seeing a heavenly being, my feelings took root, and I could not control myself."

Therefore he had always wanted to achieve something, to earn the Dragon Head's recognition and be worthy of the eldest miss; who would have expected Ding Dian to suddenly appear.

He not only stole my beloved, but also caused a rift between the Dragon Head and his daughter, so I have hated him from the bottom of my heart.

"As long as I extract his secret, I will personally kill him, sparing no effort!"

In the world there is no love or hatred without cause.

A man's greatest hatred for another man is nothing more than the hatred for killing his father or taking his wife.

When the beloved likes someone else, jealousy arises.

When the beloved follows someone else, deep hatred ensues.

After such hatred, the desire is to kill the other party.

This is what most hot-blooded young men can think of.

As for those who commit such acts, one need only look through history to see that bloodshed caused by love affairs is all too common.

Then Feng Yi's fabrication of liking Ling Shuanghua means he and Ding Dian cannot coexist, since he is Ling Shuanghua's beloved.

This is reasonable and logical.

As for whether Ling Tui Si believes that I like Ling Shuanghua,

he is not the slightest bit worried.

Because most people's likes and affections are based on appearance; after all, inner beauty is hard for ordinary people to discern.

And if one is unwilling to make contact, how could one discover it?

Coincidentally, Ling Shuanghua is a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms; a single glance stole Ding Dian's soul.

To speak of Ding Dian's first impression, it came from her understanding of chrysanthemums, which is really a joke.

Therefore, upon seeing Ling Shuanghua's beauty, few men would dislike her.

At the very least, my previous self was not among them; my previous self had a clear self-assessment and dared not harbor designs on her.

Feng Yi naturally also lacked that heart of poaching a desperate man's corner, but using it as a shield against disaster is still feasible! Upon hearing this, Ling Tui Si burst into laughter, his face lighting up with delight, perhaps feeling a bit indiscreet; he smiled and stopped, twirling his beard, and said slowly, "A graceful and virtuous lady—gentlemen seek her. That too is common."

"However, since you wish to become my son-in-law, talking about sparing no effort is overkill! Overkill!"

This is the ability of an official: what he thinks in his heart and what he says need not be consistent.

Hence the saying "an official has two mouths" is widely known.

"But, sir, he now..." Xia San Dao said.

Feng Yi said solemnly: "I know, I will first settle the matter of the dragon head; otherwise I would have no face to call the dragon head father-in-law, so there's no need for Master Xia to worry."

Good, you bear a great responsibility!

Ling Tui Si said in a deep, gloomy voice: "As long as you obtain what this old man wants, marrying Shuanghua is impossible."

However, taking you as a son-in-law could be considered; after all, this old man has only one daughter. But if it comes to nothing, don't blame this official for forgetting old ties—watch your life and property!

Ling Tui Si, being crafty and wary, feared that agreeing too readily would arouse Feng Yi's suspicion, so he bluntly said he could only take him as a son-in-law, thereby dispelling his doubts.

Feng Yi, hearing this, feigned delight and said: "I, your subordinate, am willing to establish a household for the Dragon Head Sir; I will surely devote myself wholeheartedly and not disgrace the mission!"

Ling Tui Si stroked his beard, nodded, and said: "Good, then go!"

"Your subordinate takes his leave."

Feng Yi immediately turned, putting on a faint smile, but a hint of gloom in his eyes vanished in an instant.

Feng Yi knows that this sneaky maneuver of his barely saved his head, yet he feels nervous, like walking on thin ice—truly agonizing! In the future, he will certainly let Ling Tui Si taste the feeling of a sword hanging over his neck, hanging but not falling. Because Feng Yi understands!

What's most terrifying in the world is not death! It's knowing you will die but not knowing exactly when!

Now Feng Yi has just experienced such a feeling!

Ling Tui Si watched Feng Yi's retreating back, his smile still on his face, but his old eyes narrowed into slits, killing intent evident.

Xia San Dao saw the killing intent in Ling Tui Si's eyes, secretly pleased, he nudged the tea cup toward him and whispered: "A person like the Miss Immortal, yet Feng Yi, a toad, wants to eat swan meat—truly oblivious to death!"

Xia San Dao understands Ling Tui Si; if someone like Feng Yi became his son-in-law, how could this Jingzhou prefect save face? Feng Yi harboring such thoughts is practically courting death!

Ling Tui Si smiled slightly, took a sip of tea, then slowly said: "Young men admiring the virtuous is human nature."

Feng Yi is indeed a talent; his willingness to risk great danger to pursue Shuanghua truly matches his character, or perhaps he also hopes to learn the Divine Illumination Skill to free himself from my control.

Xia San Dao probed: "Mei Niansheng once relied on the Divine Illumination Skill and the Liancheng Sword Technique to gain great fame; if one truly raised a tiger as a threat…"

"A tiger?" Ling Tui Si said with great contempt: "Even if the martial arts in the Divine Illumination Classic are profound and mysterious, Ding Dian has had his pipa bones pierced and his tendons severed; he is a cripple, naturally unable to cultivate."

Feng Yi only knows rudimentary boxing and kicking, lacks internal energy; even if Ding Dian truly imparted all his knowledge to him, it would likely take ten or eight years to achieve anything.

This statement clearly reveals Ling Tui Si's shrewd, capable nature and his keen attention to detail.

In the original plot, Ling Tui Si believed that piercing Ding Dian's pipa bones and severing his leg tendons would render him unable to practice martial arts, even if he possessed the Divine Illumination Skill.

After all, everyone in the martial world shares this view: as long as the pipa bones are pierced and the hand and leg tendons are severed, no matter how profound the martial art, it cannot be displayed—equivalent to a cripple, let alone having never trained.

Thus, Ling Tui Si later loosened his guard on Ding Dian; after Ding Dian mastered the Divine Illumination Skill, he silently and easily left the prison and met Ling Shuanghua.

He originally wanted to flee far away with Ling Shuanghua, but Ling Shuanghua, having sworn a poisonous oath concerning her mother, refused to leave.

Ding Dian, having no choice, willingly accompanied her, not escaping prison; but on the fifteenth night of his punishment, several highly skilled assassins came to kill Ling Tui Si.

Just as Ling Tui Si was about to perish, Ding Dian, unwilling to see Ling Shuanghua lose her father, intervened to save him; however, being shackled and facing equally skilled opponents, he killed only three and let one escape.

That person naturally recognized the Divine Illumination Skill and the Shadowless Divine Fist, thus knowing he was Ding Dian, the successor of Mei Niansheng. Consequently, the news spread, drawing nearby martial figures to the prison to seek Ding Dian, and it also shocked Ling Tui Si to his core.

One must know, Ling Tui Si had thought Ding Dian was a cripple, yet who would have guessed he could cultivate the Divine Illumination Skill even with pierced pipa bones and severed leg tendons, and even while shackled kill three experts of the Snow Mountain Sect—his martial prowess is truly unimaginable.

So, after treating Ding Dian this way and forcing his daughter's disfigurement, could he expect forgiveness? Ling Tui Si always judges others by himself; how could he imagine Ding Dian had secretly met Ling Shuanghua, harboring no revenge toward him—otherwise, why would he have saved him?

He only thought of striking first to eliminate Ding Dian.

But the opponent's martial arts are too high; he could only prevail by stratagem.

Thus he turned his attention to his daughter.

At that time, Ling Shuanghua was already disfigured; even her value as a marriage partner for nobles and officials was gone, and living was pointless.

However, Ling Shuanghua was after all his own daughter; Ling Tui Si perhaps could not bear to kill her himself, so he placed her in a coffin, left her to suffocate, smeared the poison powder of Golden Wave Hibiscus on the coffin, set up a memorial hall, and waited for Ding Dian to take the bait.

Surely, after Ding Dian escaped prison, upon seeing Ling Shuanghua's coffin, he embraced and kissed it, thereby contracting deadly poison; this toxin instantly destroys cultivation and corrodes bone—though Ding Dian possessed peerless martial arts, he could only die in hatred!

Thus the tragedy between him and Ling Shuanghua stems not only from Ling Tui Si's cruelty, but also from Ding Dian's having cultivated divine skill despite pierced pipa bones and severed leg tendons, which shattered Ling Tui Si's arrogance.

After all, if Ding Dian remained a cripple in Ling Tui Si's eyes, he would have no need to use his daughter to scheme against Ding Dian.

"Sir, you are wise…" Xia San Dao laughed: "But Feng Yi doesn't have ten or eight years to spare! Right now you're pressing him hard; you command heavy troops and have many experts under you—whether Feng Yi or Ding Dian lives or dies is entirely up to your single thought."

"Hehe…" Ling Tui Si gave a slight smile, revealing his confidence that everything was under his control.

……

Feng Yi knows that a person who is base and shameless will also assume others think like him.

So-called self‑fabrication is the most deadly.

Thus his words about Ling Tui Si are not all baseless rumor; they mix truth and falsehood, reality and illusion, making it hard to discern what is real.

This way, he can at least gain a one‑month buffer, giving him room to maneuver.

Feng Yi, thinking this, had already left the courtyard when he heard a chime: "【Ding, 'Task: Walk out of the prison alive' completed, reward 50 achievement points】"

Feng Yi's eyes brightened; he really hadn't expected that the earlier 'Successfully Walk Out of the Prison Alive' task would have its reward arrive only now.

He had thought something was wrong, giving up hope on task rewards. But after a moment's thought he understood: Old Fogey Ling Tui Si probably only now lowered his killing intent toward him, so the 'system' then judged the task successful.

However, this experience also gave Feng Yi a more comprehensive understanding of the system.

It seems the system's issued tasks are not merely literal; one must cling to a 'Buff' to leverage the system for a comeback and survival, which could lead to missteps.

Remember!!! However, he is somewhat disappointed with the system's rewards.

Originally said to be an 'unknown reward', he had still hoped for some great divine technique, so he wasn't determined to obtain the Divine Illumination Classic; but now it seems he must capture Ding Dian.

Feng Yi glanced at the system panel: 【Host: Feng Yi

Age: 21 Identity: Dragon Sand Gang minor leader

Internal Energy: None; Martial Technique: Mountain Opening Palm (Initial Stage) + Note: To reach 'Minor Accomplishment' requires 5 achievement points; Lightness Skill: Leap Technique (Initial Stage) + Note: To reach 'Minor Accomplishment' requires 5 achievement points (Note: Martial techniques are divided into Initial Stage, Minor Accomplishment, Major Accomplishment, and Perfected); Mission: Escape the prison alive (Completed)

Reward: Already issued — enemies: those who obstruct the host's escape.

Achievement Points: 50 (Note: Obtained by slaying enemies. Achievement points can be used to increase martial arts experience.)

Feng Yi pondered, then revealed a smile from the heart.

These fifty achievement points let Feng Yi instantly see a glimmer of hope; his day of rising is not far off!

He certainly hadn't thought of spending those achievement points on ordinary martial arts like Mountain Opening Palm or Leap Technique.

Good steel should be used on the blade's edge; that is an unchanging truth.

Feng Yi has already made Ding Dian have the idea of jailbreak, but his divine skill is not yet accomplished, his strength insufficient.

Then this time returning to prison, using Ling Shuanghua as a breakthrough, let Ding Dian teach me the Divine Illumination Skill; it should not be difficult, then use achievement points to upgrade the Divine Illumination Skill.

Ha ha...

I, Feng Yi, the day I roam the martial world and wander freely under heaven is coming soon!

Just as Feng Yi was looking forward to the future, he heard a voice from Xia San Dao: 'You guys take him back to prison!' 'Yes!'

Several constables answered together.

Xia San Dao again said lightly: 'Feng Yi, handle affairs honestly; if you ruin the big matter over some trifles, hehe...'

His meaning is blatant: don't fantasize about Ling Shuanghua in your heart.

Feng Yi smiled broadly: 'That's right, that's right!'

His attitude was very humble, but what he thought was: 'Old immortal, wait! When I succeed, I'll test my skill on you first!'

'Let's go!'

Originally, the few constables escorting Feng Yi had him in the middle, two carrying lanterns leading the way, and the group walked toward the prison.

Feng Yi now had neither the ability nor the thought to escape; naturally he was very honest. Leaving Ling Tusi's cottage, after not walking far, just after turning a corridor, he saw bright lights on the open ground ahead.

Under the lights stood a troop of people.

(End of chapter)