Chapter 64

Feng Yi gave a wild laugh, advancing with his sword, infusing it with true power; as soon as he struck, it was irresistibly sharp.

Seeing the sword rainbow suddenly spit forth, whether weapon or flesh, whoever met it was instantly broken beneath the blade; in an instant, more than ten people died on the spot.

Feng Yi naturally pressed step by step; his reason for choosing the alley was deliberate.

After all, in open ground, Ling Tusi's spearmen and archers could be fully effective, able to attack from all directions; such exquisite martial skill could not be displayed to its fullest.

On the contrary, in this narrow place he only needed to guard one side; even if someone came from the other end, there would be only two fronts, and with a blood blade at his waist he had nothing to fear.

As for above, once they went up, would Feng Yi not follow?

Thus this is where Feng Yi's drifting, maneuvering, and exquisite sword technique come into play; relying on his superhuman martial prowess, deep inner strength, and sharp weapon, he is like an executioner carrying out a death sentence.

Wherever the sword light reached, blood spurted; the path instantly became a gruesome hell of carnage.

In a moment, Feng Yi had nearly killed his way from the alley to its mouth, his white robes soaked in blood, corpses piled behind him in the lane; yet this sight did not make the Longsha gang retreat a step, they kept coming forward one after another, fighting desperately, heedless of danger.

It seemed that as long as they could land a single slash on Feng Yi, they would be satisfied.

These people acted thus not out of great loyalty to Ling Tusi, but for their own sake.

Those who grew up with Feng Yi, fought side by side, drank flower wine together, gambled together, and so on, were the same.

One slash at his neck, a spear thrust at his kidneys—no affection remained.

The main reason they could establish camaraderie with their former selves was that each day they either fought for territory or collected protection fees from shops, and in their leisure they mingled in brothels and gambling houses.

Such conduct, though considered lowly by ambitious, high‑ranking figures, still placed everyone in the same social stratum.

But what about now?

Although Feng Yi's deeds are widely talked about, most martial‑world people only know them as rumors; the Longsha gang is different.

They have seen with their own eyes that in just a few days, Feng Yi went from being a nobody like them to someone who could make a great figure like Ling Tusi lower his voice and speak humbly.

Yet they remain as they were before! And Feng Yi no longer associates with them.

Hearing his exploits, they are all great figures whose stature they could never reach by standing on tiptoe—such as the Five Clouds Hand, Earthly Divine Dragon, Iron Chain Across the River, Falling Flowers Flowing Water, and the Blood Blade Sect—things they previously dared not even imagine.

That envy and jealousy had long stripped them of their sanity, turning camaraderie into hatred; moreover, throughout history, perhaps many divine arts could rival the Divine Illumination Classic, but only when the Nine Yin True Classic was first revealed could anything stir up a bloody storm in the martial world.

Although this secret manual was obtained by the central divine talent who won the Hua Shan Sword Debate, everyone knows that Wang Zhongyang's martial arts were already supreme under heaven even before he got the Nine Yin True Classic.

Hence the subtlety of the Nine Yin True Classic does not give a strong immediate impression.

Even though many later masters have learned the Nine Yin True Classic, they are also versed in various schools and cannot fully display its power.

By contrast, what about Feng Yi?

He merely stayed a few days with Ding Dian, mastering the Divine Illumination Skill; Feng Yi's "system" ability is unknown to them, so they naturally believe only what they see with their own eyes.

Then seven days can produce a Feng Yi.

Why couldn't they achieve the same for themselves? As the saying goes, when profit reaches 10% they begin to stir; at 50% they venture into risk; at 100% they dare to trample all human laws; at 300% they dare to risk the hangman's noose.

And Feng Yi can multiply their profits tenfold, a hundredfold, or more; what will this lot become? Naturally, a pack of ravenous wolves bereft of all reason!

Madmen!

Nobody fears losing their life; they fear only that they will act too slowly, letting Feng Yi die at another's hand and the benefits go to someone else! Hence this scene of blood‑red carnage, severed limbs flying, like a Shura battlefield, does not frighten them but instead fuels their emotions.

The Longsha gang truly surged like a tide, retreating then advancing, relentlessly pressing forward.

In short, the more impressively Feng Yi performs now, the more excited they become, all imagining themselves as the next Feng Yi.

This also manifests the greatest evil of human nature: you may do well, but you must not do better than I!

Especially when you were originally worthless, just like everyone else.

But when you suddenly open an unbridgeable gap, that becomes the greatest sin! Feng Yi understands human nature; just now he deliberately raised his voice to speak, audible throughout the city—not to the Longsha gang, but to the broad populace of Jingzhou—not because Feng Yi disregards loyalty, but because his comrades reject him, while the elders and townsfolk bear witness! Feng Yi has slain countless; he never loses in the battle of public opinion because before each killing he deliberately projects his voice, making everyone within several li hear him.

Then it's also hard for others to slap a demon's hat on him!

The crowd's eyes and mouths cannot be blocked by anyone!

Feng Yi has laid the groundwork; once he acts, he shows no mercy—whether you grew up with him or frequented brothels together, he closes his eyes and slaughters all without exception.

Watching Feng Yi drenched in blood, wielding his sword to cut down, killing as easily as mowing grass, Ling Tusi and Cheng Shiqiang, these senior Longsha leaders, had already withdrawn to the alley's exterior—this is what is meant by "a gentleman does not stand beside a dangerous wall."

Ling Tusi, however, secretly wondered: "In just half a month, this brat's sword technique and inner power are so extraordinary—could there truly be immortals in this world who crowned him, not to mention granting him a talent that grows stronger with each battle?" Thinking thus, he asked: "Did you bring the person?"

"Brought!"

Ling Tusi gave a slight nod.

After an unknown amount of time, night gradually fell; Feng Yi had kept fighting his way out of the alley, killing over two hundred people within it.

Yet before him rose flames shooting to the sky, densely surrounded by countless soldiers, numbering a thousand.

Feng Yi looked left and right; these troops were divided into four squads—those holding long spears, those cradling red‑tasseled long blades, fire‑tubes, and crossbow bolts, arrayed on all four sides. Such a formation also made Feng Yi's heart tighten.

His Ren and Du meridians are already penetrated, his inner power deep; unless he over‑exerts, it is virtually inexhaustible. If these thousand came at him one‑on‑one, he would cut them down as easily as slicing melons and vegetables.

But that is a naïve thought! After all, with so many of them, engaging in a wheel‑battle style single combat simply does not work.

As for the rest, it's easy to say; Feng Yi glanced at the fire‑tube, his expression grave—inside surely lies the deadly "Golden Wave Xun Flower"; once struck, he would have no place to bury himself.

It seems today he cannot take risks.

A true man adapts to circumstances; upon reaching this thought, Feng Yi slowly retreated toward the alley mouth.

Ling Tusi said in a calm voice: "How so? Hero Feng, having slaughtered all your old acquaintances, now you want to flee for your life? Aren't you afraid of inviting ridicule?"

Feng Yi fell silent for a moment; in the past he would surely have fled first, after all a brave man does not suffer present loss! But now, for some unknown reason, heroic spirit surged in his chest, his steps halted, and he then strode straight toward Ling Tusi.

It seemed that if he did not kill Ling Tusi today, his thoughts would not be resolved!

Everyone was startled; you dare to come in this posture, especially with Feng Yi's whole body resembling a blood‑soaked man, the visual impact remains great.

Ling Tusi lightly raised his hand; the crowd nocked bows, poisoned arrows and some fire‑tubes all aimed at Feng Yi in unison. Feng Yi's feet paused again.

Ling Tusi laughed: "Feng Yi, you think you're fishing and I wouldn't notice? Today I'll tell you this: fishing also depends on whether your net is big enough and strong enough; moreover, a dead fish with a torn net is a common occurrence."

Feng Yi coldly replied: "Do you think these people can hold me? And you certainly won't die?"

Ling Tusi glanced at him, gave a faint smile, spoke slowly and deliberately, flicked his sleeve to smooth his robe, and said softly: "Normally wanting to keep you, you'd naturally not be able to; but what about abnormal means?"

Saying this, he lightly clapped his hands.

Just then, the sound of shuffling footsteps reached his ears; a pair of sword-and-axe wielders pressed two people as they came out from an alley mouth.

Feng Yi turned toward the sound, his heart jolted— the hostages were not strangers, but Di Yun and Qi Fang.

Di Yun glared fiercely at Ling Tui Si, while Qi Fang gazed gently yet firmly at Di Yun, as if being able to die together with him would already satisfy her.

Just then Ling Tui Si said: 'I was worried you'd escape this time; next time I'd have to go through extra trouble to find you. I didn't expect you to go out of your way to lure me here— it actually saves me a lot of effort.'

'Now are you going to flee, bearing the name of killing an old acquaintance and abandoning your friend, or are you going to fight me to the death?'

As it turned out, Ling Tui Si was perceptive; if the Blood Knife Old Ancestor could notice that Feng Yi's attitude toward Di Yun and Qi Fang was unusual, how could he fail to notice it himself?

When Di Yun and Qi Fang left the city, they were easily captured. The two of them didn't know what had happened between Feng Yi and Ling Tui Si; therefore they truly didn't understand why they were being arrested by the authorities— until they saw Feng Yi, then they realized they were being seized because of Feng Yi.

Upon realizing this, Di Yun, who already harbored great anger, suddenly exploded, his face full of killing intent, shouting loudly: 'You dog official, since you can't deal with others, you bully us common folk!'

His voice was extremely loud; the whole street heard it clearly, and it became eerily silent.

With two sharp 'pak-pak' sounds, Di Yun's face was slapped twice by Cheng Shiqiang, the Second Dragon Head of the Long Sha Gang; his cheeks instantly swelled up high, rendering him speechless.

Feng Yi knew Ling Tui Si's character well; judging others by himself, saying anything about not being friends was utterly useless.

Even in this situation, even if he had great abilities, he could not save the two of them. He could only sigh inwardly: this Jing Province is the land of suffering for Di Yun and Qi Fang, unchangeable.

Ling Tui Si did not order his men to shoot arrows, saying: 'Feng Yi, you think you're clever, but anyone who opposes me— no matter how strong their martial arts or how deep their wisdom— I eliminate them all; otherwise, how could there be a Two Lakes Long Sha Gang?'

Feng Yi looked up at the sky and said slowly: 'Your deeds need no mention, yet even trying to threaten me with my Blood Knife Old Man has never succeeded— what makes you think you can?'

Ling Tui Si said: 'If you do as I say, they can keep their lives; but if you refuse, whether you live or die is another matter— this little Di will go first to scout the path for you! This Miss Qi, as lovely as a flower and jade, can you bear to lose her? Haha…'

Di Yun shouted angrily: 'Feng Yi, don't listen to him; we'd rather die than watch you threatened by this dog official!'

Ling Tui Si gave a dark, cold chuckle several times, saying: 'You little brat, you've got guts, you're not afraid of death—I know that.'

Yet this lady's fragrant skin and jade-like flesh could earn praise from the Blood Knife Monk; to kill her would be a waste— my brothers down there sure would like that.

Some soldiers' eyes instantly gleamed with a greedy light.

Di Yun was so furious he wanted to curse Ling Tui Si's ancestors eighteen generations over, but he dared not; for a moment his face turned as white as paper.

Qi Fang's tears spilled uncontrollably. They weren't afraid of death, but to be insulted by a man was something no one could imagine.

Although Feng Yi showed little expression, his eyes blazing with anger were fixed on Ling Tui Si's face; finally unable to bear it, he burst out cursing: 'Ling Tui Si, I fuck your mother!'

You bastard, selfish, vile, deceitful, hypocritical, brutal, evil, greedy, feigning benevolence and righteousness, a beast with a human face and beastly heart— the day I fucked your mother, how did she give birth to something like you!'

After this tirade of scolding, Ling Tui Si was not angry but rather delighted, saying: 'Haha, how about that? You finally got angry!'

'This is the real Feng Yi from before! Hehe, don't you feel like you've lost the grip on heaven and earth this time?'

Feng Yi seemed extremely astonished as he said: 'You did all this just to make me angry?'

Ling Tui Si gave a cold snort and said: 'Feng Yi, do you know? Since you and Ding Dian broke out of prison, you've become like a different person; whenever I see your faint smile rise, I hate you.'

'It feels like whatever I do, you have it all under control; you seem able to see into my heart. This makes me more panicked than facing the current emperor himself! And this change— you achieved it in just seven days; if I hadn't watched you grow up and personally arranged your imprisonment, I'd think you weren't Feng Yi at all!'

Feng Yi secretly thought: 'Isn't that just exchanging one Feng Yi for another?'

Ling Tui Si then said: 'I used my daughter to capture Ding Dian, pierced his pipa bone, severed his tendons, employed torture and inducement, exhausted every means— for three whole years the flesh on his body rotted away layer by layer, yet he never told me the secrets of the Divine Illumination Classic and the Linked City Manual; but you, in just seven days total, he told you everything— what gives you the right?'

Although Di Yun had never met Ding Dian in person, he knew that Ding Dian had risked his life to rescue Mei Niansheng; especially Feng Yi's retelling of that line: 'Only his courage and skill make it worth my Ding Dian laying down my life for him!'

Di Yun deeply knew this man was a heroic man, a peerless hero, yet hearing of this torture he couldn't help but curse: 'Shameless, truly shameless to the utmost!'

Ling Tui Si's gaze was icy; as it swept over Di Yun and Qi Fang's faces, they instantly felt a chill rise from their hearts.

Feng Yi said: 'Ling Tui Si, saying such sneaky, vile things in front of your subordinates, you feel no shame, only smug— calling you shameless, aren't you just empty?'

Ling Tui Si gave a hehe laugh and said: 'To achieve great deeds, one must be ruthless and harsh!'

Feng Yi smiled and said: 'Your heart is ruthless enough, and harsh enough— why haven't you gotten what you wanted?'

Ling Tui Si gave a cold huff and said: 'That's because I'm not ruthless enough; if I had earlier used Shuanghua to force Ding Dian to comply, how could it have benefited you?'

Feng Yi said: 'Your conceited habit will never change. Why don't you think: if you had married your daughter to Great Hero Ding, you'd already have gotten what you wanted!'

Ling Tui Si gave a huff and said: 'Ding Dian's martial arts may be strong, but he's trapped in personal feelings, unable to extricate himself, and lacks grand ambitions— such a person is not even worthy of marrying my daughter!'

'Grand ambitions?' Feng Yi sneered: 'Just like you, for some external trinkets, not acting human but like beasts?'

Ling Tui Si's brows knit tight, his face suddenly like frost, he gritted his teeth and said: 'As an official, I no longer care about external things; what I care about is you kneeling before me!'

Feng Yi frowned slightly and said: 'Kneel?'

Ling Tui Si snarled: 'Exactly. Make me kneel and speak! I've fed you, which to me is a great kindness; you're not only ungrateful, but you betray me and threaten me? You'd make me lose face, become a laughingstock— truly unreasonable!'

Saying this, Ling Tui Si's face suddenly turned iron-gray; he raised his right hand, and the people behind him immediately raised their bows and drew the strings.

He aimed the poisoned arrows at Feng Yi, Di Yun, and Qi Fang.

All that remained was for Ling Tui Si to lower his right hand, then a volley of arrows would be released.

Ling Tui Si said slowly: 'From the day you and Ding Dian left Jing Province, I've been thinking: you're nothing but my dog; where does your sense of superiority come from in front of me? When can I make you feel hysterical, turn you back into the dog I raised? Even if I die, I'd have no regrets! I ask you one thing— will you kneel or not?'

Di Yun and Qi Fang originally didn't know the relationship between Ling Tui Si and Feng Yi, nor the specifics of their feud, but hearing the deep sorrow and hatred in his voice, they realized it was far more intense than the matter of Wan Zhenshan and the others being exposed by Feng Yi for killing their master.

(End of chapter)