Chapter 65

Di Yun and Qi Fang were bewildered, yet they could still hear the sorrow and hatred in Ling Tui Si's words; how could Feng Yi fail to hear them?

He immediately stared closely at Ling Tui Si and saw his cheeks devoid of flesh, his face ashen and lips white, a vicious expression, his eyes flashing with a feral light, looking like a crawling corpse risen from hell. Thinking of Ling Tui Si's various abnormal actions, Feng Yi inwardly sneered.

His fear of bows and poison, the thought of temporarily escaping, had vanished; his mind was deranged, and he would surely die today!

Seeing Feng Yi show no fear at all and wear an air of confidence, as if he had seen through his thoughts, Ling Tui Si flew into a rage, glowering at Di Yun and Qi Fang as he said, "Feng Yi, I ask you again: will you kneel or not? My patience is limited!"

As he spoke, his right hand was about to swing down, ordering his subordinates to release poison arrows that would turn the two into porcupines.

Di Yun and Qi Fang exchanged a glance, realizing they could not escape death today, and instinctively drew close together, merely awaiting the poison arrows.

Feng Yi immediately snorted coldly, utterly disdainful: "A vile, shameless old beast who would sacrifice hundreds of his subordinates to cover up his shame—you might as well kill them all, or even slaughter every person in Jingzhou, and still you could not make me, Feng Yi, kneel!"

As soon as he spoke, everyone was bewildered. Ling Tui Si, however, drifted off, seemingly lost in deep recollection,

At this moment, if Ling Tui Si wished to kill Di Yun and Qi Fang, a mere gesture would send a hail of arrows through their bodies.

But Ling Tui Si's target had never been Di Yun or Qi Fang.

He had long been driven somewhat mad by Feng Yi's handling.

From the time Feng Yi escaped the prison until now, only a few short days have passed, leaving him living in fear each day, his mind constantly replaying the scene of being captured before everyone's eyes by Feng Yi and forced to swallow "poison," truly unable to taste food or find rest.

In just a few short days, a high‑ranking prefect lost twenty pounds, becoming like a skeleton, showing how great the psychological pressure! Now Ling Tui Si boasts that he has seized Feng Yi's weakness, with soldiers guarding his rear; he seeks not the Divine Illumination Skill or the Lian Cheng Jue, but insists on making Feng Yi kneel.

Obviously, Feng Yi has become his heart's ailment! And anyone who, after painstakingly devising a clever scheme and succeeding, feels immense joy, always hoping someone will know; if the one who fell for the scheme understands the whole story, it becomes even more exquisite.

Hence the saying "villains die from talking too much."

There is also the saying "great heroes are long‑winded."

Any martial artist of supreme skill either disdains to fight with petty thugs or disdains to engage in assassination.

Killing must be done openly and honorably!

Nothing else, it's merely for the psychological satisfaction!

Because the higher one's status and the greater one's fame, the fewer things there are that can interest them and satisfy their psyche; thus they will not easily relinquish any of them—this is what is meant by "seeing prey brings joy," which is also human nature. Feng Yi, from Ling Tui Si's abnormal behavior, saw this point, so how could he fear him? Ling Tui Si stared at Feng Yi again and again, then suddenly laughed: "You really saw through it, huh? No wonder I picked you as usable material—but what can you do about it?"

A stir rose among the crowd; the soldiers listening were also greatly astonished, for it seemed Feng Yi was speaking the truth.

Feng Yi gave a cold laugh, sweeping his gaze over the people behind Ling Tui Si and said: "I was originally puzzled—since you figured out I was luring you into a hook, why bring the brothers of the Longsha Gang to face me? Now I understand: you just want them to die!"

Ling Tui Si gritted his teeth and said: "Who let them once be on good terms with you? They look at me with the wrong eyes, and all day long they keep saying you are truly a martial arts genius, in just seven days …"

"…so much so that many say I am lifting a stone only to drop it on my own foot, losing my daughter and wasting troops, putting the face of this great dragon head aside without regard."

Upon reaching this point, Ling Tui Si's face turned ashen, and he said word by word: "What's more hateful is that they also want to become a second Feng Yi! Tell me, should they die or not?"

"They deserve to die!" Feng Yi replied with a slight smile, his gaze clear as water: "They know me, and whenever you see them, you are reminded of my wretched past before you."

"They will also recall how I, Feng Yi, was before and how I am now; they have seen and remembered this side of you, the great dragon head, whose dignity is utterly lost—this is their path to death."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers: "After all, I, Feng Yi, am just like you all in Lord Ling's eyes—no matter how great my achievements, I am merely a dog that must live off his breath. Once a dog defies its master and speaks as an equal, it must die!"

Once a dog defies its master and speaks to him as an equal, it must die!

Ling Tui Si gave a sharp shout, staring at Feng Yi, sparks flashing in his eyes: "You dare to spout wild nonsense and sow discord here; if I do not kill you today, I, Ling Tui Si, swear I will not be considered human."

Ling Tui Si is versed in both civil and military arts, confident in his schemes; Feng Yi has been under his command for over ten years, always obeying orders.

Never did he expect that Feng Yi would suddenly rise to power, rendering all his painstaking efforts futile and turning him into a laughingstock.

Now he appears to have victory in hand, yet his thoughts are wholly about making Feng Yi bow and kowtow before him as before.

These few words he wished he could spit out from between his teeth, full of gloomy, vicious intent; moreover, this hand was about to fall, and the soldiers had already drawn their bowstrings.

But at this critical moment, Feng Yi gave a light hehe laugh and called out loudly: "Lord Ling, don't you want to know where the Lian Cheng treasure you have long yearned for actually lies?"

This remark came out of nowhere like a thunderbolt from the blue, instantly shocking Ling Tui Si; he stared blankly at Feng Yi, half‑sober, half‑confused, and stammered: "Where is it?"

The soldiers also grew curious, whispering among themselves, all eyes fixed on Feng Yi.

Feng Yi smiled: "Do you remember what I said to you when I left the Wan mansion? You, Lord Ling, being a busy dignitary, certainly didn't take it to heart. Otherwise, the Lian Cheng treasure would have been found long ago."

The Lian Cheng treasure had been Ling Tui Si's lifelong quest; he had devoted decades to investigating it, knowing only that after the Liang Yuan Emperor hid the treasure, he slaughtered all the officials, soldiers, and artisans involved; later, when he fell victim to Northern Zhou troops, the treasure left no trace.

Later, Ding Dian learned of its whereabouts, causing him and his daughter to become estranged.

Ling Tui Si could no longer hold back, saying: "Cut the nonsense—where is the treasure? Tell me, and I'll release these two."

At this moment, Ling Tui Si's greed for the treasure surpassed even his desire to see Feng Yi kowtow.

As for Di Yun and Qi Fang, they were merely tools; whether they lived or died mattered to no one.

The reason Ling Tui Si seized Di Yun and Qi Fang was merely to provoke Feng Yi's anger—or, put another way, to give someone who always had everything under control an unexpected surprise.

Ling Tui Si is no fool; given his understanding of Feng Yi, to think that Di Yun and Qi Fang alone could kill Feng Yi would be the biggest joke!

Speaking of this, the soldiers stirred slightly, all staring fixedly at Feng Yi, many opening and closing their mouths as if wanting to ask him where the treasure was.

Feng Yi, as if unaware, laughed and said: "I told you that you don't understand karmic retribution; even if the treasure lay right under your eyelids, you wouldn't find it. You haven't given it any thought—why do I emphasize karmic retribution so much?"

Feng Yi seemed unaware, smiling as he said: "I tell you that you who don't understand karma; even if the treasure is under your eyelids, you still won't find it—you haven't given it any thought—why do I stress karma so much?"

Suddenly he burst into wild laughter: "Fine, I'd like to see whether any retribution will actually fall upon my head!"

Feng Yi shook his head and said: "You are a vile petty person who likes to judge others by your own standards; even now you still think my talk of karmic retribution is a threat to make you turn back? You are what sort of person—I know you completely—and when I speak of karmic retribution to you, I am deliberately hiding the treasure's clues within it, so that you may hear it but never figure it out. Hahaha…"

Ling Tui Si felt as if struck by a heavy blow to the head, golden stars flashing before his eyes, ears ringing like cicadas; he was about to say something when he heard Feng Yi proclaim loudly: "You only know that the Lian Cheng treasure belonged to the Liang Yuan Emperor of the Six Dynasties, who loved hoarding wealth, reigned three years in Jiangling, and amassed countless gold, pearls, and jewels. When his kingdom fell, he hid the treasure in Jiangling, sparing no expense—tens of thousands of silver—and using every means to become the prefect of Jingzhou, unaware that karmic retribution is a Buddhist teaching, and that this Lian Cheng treasure is actually hidden in a Buddhist site in Jiangling!"

Ling Tui Si, as if waking from a dream, said hoarsely: "The treasure is hidden in a Buddhist place? Where?"

Had he spoken with certainty, it would have been one thing, but his doubtful tone made the whole street fall silent as death in an instant; not even a thunderclap of ten thousand bolts could be as terrifying as these few words from Ling Tui Si.

Because everyone knows the Lian Cheng treasure is indeed real, those soldiers each swallowed their saliva, staring straight at Feng Yi.

Ling Tui Si felt extremely strange—not surprise nor anger, but more like an inexpressible panic.

Feng Yi glanced at him, smiling: "Still can't guess? The great Lian Cheng treasure is actually in the Tianning Temple outside Jiangling City!"

"Bullshit!" Ling Tui Si's face flushed crimson, his eyes blazing, and he shouted harshly: "Are your fatuous words finished? If so, then die!"

Ling Tui Si felt very strange, neither startled nor angry, more like an indescribable panic.

Feng Yi glanced at him, smiling and said: "How come, still can't guess? This great treasure of Liancheng is actually in Tianning Temple outside Jiangling City!"

"Bullshit!" Ling Tui Si's face flushed red, his eyes blazing, he shouted angrily: "Are you done with your nonsense? If you are, then die!"

Fire arrows!

But he waved his hand twice, yet nobody shot any arrows.

Seeing Feng Yi shake his head, he said, "You know I'm not spouting nonsense; it's that you still want to hog the treasure! You don't want your men to know—heh, that's a fortune for a lifetime: those jade horses, golden Buddhas, tsk tsk, one piece would last a lifetime; why would you need to depend on others, be someone's dog?"

No sooner had he spoken than a soft voice came from the distant wall: "Heaven Peace Temple lies just south of Jiangling City—how wonderful, how wonderful, ha ha..."

The soldiers jumped in shock, looked out, and saw a silhouette slipping into an alley at incredible speed, shouting as he ran: "Quick, go loot—if you don't grab the treasure now, it'll be gone!"

Feng Yi saw it clearly; from his movement, this person was Yan Daping. He also realized that while Ling Tui Si could capture Di Yun and Qi Fang, it would be difficult to apprehend Yan Daping, a master of his caliber.

Feng Yi immediately gathered his breath and shouted, "Even though Heaven Peace Temple holds a fortune, if you go late it'll all belong to others!"

No sooner were these words spoken than everyone's ears rang, the whole city heard it, and many rooms lit up.

Ling Tui Si, to deal with Feng Yi, had cleared the nearby streets of people; upon hearing this, someone shouted, "We might as well be idle—let's go take a look at Heaven Peace Temple!"

Ling Tui Si's men instantly stirred like wind through a forest, with someone shouting, "He can go loot the treasure—so can we!"

"Damn it, with the treasure I'll still work my ass off for you!"

Someone also said, "Feng Yi's words will be heard by everyone in the city; if we don't go now, we fear the treasure will be looted clean."

Someone shouted, "Let's all go together!"

In an instant, shouts rose and fell; those in front, facing Ling Tui Si, had not yet stirred, while those behind had already turned and headed for Heaven Peace Temple. Soldiers take their pay mainly for a better life.

Ling Tui Si's aberrant conduct was plain for all to see; a commander who doesn't treat his men as humans—unless absolutely necessary, who the hell would want to serve him? Now that a better choice presented itself, they immediately decided.

As one person departed, everyone's greed surged forth like a flood breaking a dam.

The Dragon Sand Gang's Second Dragon Chief Cheng Shijiang also immediately ran for Heaven Peace Temple; the gang members all wished they could sprout wings and rush there early to seize all the treasure for themselves.

They flowed like cold crows diving into water, forming a human stream—just as when they had besieged Feng Yi.

It's not about loyalty! It's about living better for ourselves! Feng Yi can't really be killed; killing Di Yun and Qi Fang would be pointless—what's the use? Treasure or divine art? Those two are nobody's concern.

Di Yun pulled Qi Fang close to the street edge, watching the crowd surge like hungry wolves toward the hunting ground. His only thought: Ling Tui Si is a devil, a madman, and his men are no different.

Ling Tui Si, seeing this, flew into a rage; he had already regarded the Liancheng Treasure as his own, how could he allow others to lay hands on it? Seeing his men all desert him, in an instant he couldn't help but think of the once-betraying Feng Yi, his eyes bloodshot, he hysterically shouted, "Anyone who disobeys orders shall be executed!"

He had always struck ruthlessly, and none of his men failed to fear him—but today everything has changed.

Feng Yi, such a master, even killing hundreds couldn't suppress people's greed—how could he possibly stop it?

He saw the orderly military ranks, already like a herd of out-of-control wild horses, racing toward the southern city; Ling Tui Si, burning with anger, struck out with his folding fan repeatedly, instantly felling several.

But this move of his, his men not only didn't obey, but each stared wide-eyed, looking straight ahead, like beasts lunging at prey.

Feng Yi long knew that a crooked beam makes crooked rafters is normal! Even Di Yun and Qi Fang are merely Qi Changfa covering up their true nature, taught to appear honest and loyal. If he were to tell his children his own shady deeds, who knows what they'd turn out like? And the Dragon Sand Gang is actually just a gang of ruffians; these fellows are just hired muscle, unlike modern armies where recruits first learn service principles before skills.

Moreover, armies have always feared mutiny most; once the camp erupts, nobody can control it.

Watching his men and soldiers all leave him, the street held only himself; Ling Tui Si felt that the mansion he had painstakingly built over the years collapsed in an instant, his body swayed, and he could no longer stand.

He used Feng Yi's hand to destroy the Dragon Sand Gang, and now even the official troops won't obey him?

Isn't everything gone now! Feng Yi had been watching all this unfold; seeing Ling Tui Si about to sit down, he shouted sharply, "I'll help you stand!"

His long sword left his hand and flew forth—truly a sword turned divine dragon, like a meteor chasing the moon, like lightning and thunder, hurtling straight at Ling Tui Si.

Ling Tui Si, dazed and disoriented, suddenly heard Feng Yi's voice; upon looking up, his soul fled, a white light shot straight at his chest and abdomen, but he reacted with incredible speed, extending his iron fan to meet it.

This parrying technique was also top-notch, exactly the "four ounces deflect a thousand catties" method; by slightly reducing the sword's momentum, a press and a lift could send the long sword flying.

Who would have thought his internal energy was far inferior to Feng Yi's; this parry, though the sword deflected, its momentum remained overwhelmingly fierce.

Ling Tui Si felt a great force drive his iron fan, his tiger's mouth shook violently, the fan flew out, and then his abdomen felt a chill.

Feng Yi's lightning-fast sword thrust entered from the front abdomen and exited at the lower back; Ling Tui Si immediately let out a miserable cry.

Yet the sword pierced his body, its force undiminished, it continued straight, carrying his whole body flying backward.

With a clang, the sword plunged straight into a mud wall, pinning Ling Tui Si to it; only the hilt remained outside, trembling "buhlengbuhleng", showing how tremendous Feng Yi's throwing force was.

Even though Di Yun and Qi Fang had already seen Feng Yi display his divine might at the Wan Jia scene, seeing this wind-chasing, lightning-like sword still left them dazed, tongues tied, each thinking, "Who could withstand his thunderbolt strike?"

Thinking that the two still wanted to take revenge on him, that feeling was a mix of envy, admiration, and dread—more than enough.

Ling Tui Si's abdomen bled profusely; he hadn't yet breathed his last, merely feeling the blade embedded in his belly, as if it were squeezing out his life force mixed with blood drop by drop.

Then Feng Yi stepped forward slowly, stopping three feet away, his expression calm, seeming to smile. He said slowly, "I originally wanted to settle the outcome with you by martial prowess, but I didn't expect you to bring so many troops and even use your so-called hostages; I almost got scared off by you—alas, truly embarrassing!"

Feng Yi's smile also made Ling Tui Si recall those unbearable memories; his sorrowful gaze fixed on Feng Yi's face, he bit his lips until they bled, angrily shouting, "That day, you... you were smiling just like that, and you still are now, you damn... you damn, Feng Yi, no matter how formidable you are, you can never change the fact that seven days ago you were kneeling before me!"

Blood poured from his lips, each utterance a cry of blood.

Several people watched Ling Tui Si as if he had fallen into a frenzied state, all somewhat at a loss.

Ling Tui Si was normally deep and inscrutable, his joy and anger not showing on his face; but facing Feng Yi, his former subordinate, this was naturally an exception! Of course, in his heart, subordinates were just his dogs.

But he was defeated again by the dog subordinate he saw in his eyes; that mix of indignation, fear, and unwillingness had long drained his usual scheming, cultivation, and bearing.

Actually, if Feng Yi weren't from the Dragon Sand Gang, Ling Tui Si could have lost several times and still not have been so broken through! But Feng Yi's life trajectory had always been under his control. Half a month ago he was thrown into prison, enduring seven days of beatings by Ding Dian; seven days ago he had Xia San Dao drag Feng Yi out of prison, preparing to kill this useless person, yet he still groveled, bowing and begging for merit to show loyalty.

But when he returned to prison again, everything had changed; the mighty Prefect Ling and Dragon Chief that very night became Feng Yi's plaything in his palm.

This made the resentment and unprecedented stifling intensity in Ling Tui Si's heart nearly burst his lungs.

So he didn't hesitate to collude with the infamous Blood Blade Sect, just to make Feng Yi kneel at his feet again—but he still failed.

Feng Yi remained as calm as ever.

All this is cruel, and also a reality that Ling Tui Si must face yet cannot face.

At this moment Ling Tui Si's belly hurt more and more, his body grew colder; he knew that when his blood ran out would be his time of death, and he couldn't help but roar, "Although I may die today, your misfortune won't end today; the people of the jianghu won't let you go, even if your martial arts are supreme, someday you'll ultimately be unable to protect yourself—what are you raving about?"

Feng Yi's eyes shot out light like icy lightning; coldly he said, "You've always been self-righteous, thinking yourself clever; how do you know I won't choose to vanish without a trace?"

He seemed afraid Ling Tui Si wouldn't understand, and explained in a refined manner, "I'm not the Feng Yi you know; I'm a visitor from beyond the heavens, here specifically to cure you, this old beast who sacrifices kin for wealth!"

Suddenly Ling Tui Si felt his chest and abdomen turn ice-cold; lowering his gaze, he saw his entire chest and abdomen sliced open by the sword's edge, his body split diagonally from lower abdomen to right shoulder into two halves.

Ling Tui Si's eyes showed an expression of disbelief; his separated hands still grasped at the air.

At this moment, he still wanted to grasp.

What was he grasping for? Fame?

Is it profit?

Is it wealth enough to rival a nation?

Is it peerless divine skill?

Or is it the repentance of conscience? Besides himself, no one knows.

No one wants to know either.

Feng Yi had already stood several zhang away, so as not to be splattered by the spurting blood and entrails.

But this sudden change for Di Yun and Qi Fang was extremely abrupt, its astonishing nature still lying in Feng Yi's throw.

They both hated Ling Tui Si to the bone; seeing such a gruesome scene, they couldn't help but stare dumbfounded.

Feng Yi killed Ling Tui Si, yet he felt none of the exhilarating joy he had when slaying the Blood Saber Monk and his ilk; his mouth tasted only sour and bitter, his heart filled with bleak sorrow...

Di Yun and Qi Fang exchanged a glance, their eyes flicking toward Feng Yi.

Qi Fang understood, nodded slightly, and Di Yun stepped forward, clasping his hands in a salute to Feng Yi, saying: "Many thanks for saving..."

Feng Yi waved a hand at him: "I didn't save your lives, nor did I intend to.

My reason for not attacking Ling Tui Si was merely to consider his bow, arrows, and poison—all for my own sake.

If Ling Tui Si had shot arrows at you, I wouldn't have saved you."

Feng Yi is just like that; earlier he refrained from striking Ling Tui Si solely because he feared death, and even though the facts are now thus, he would not accept this favor.

Outsiders judge by conduct, but Feng Yi judges by heart!

He never intended to do anything; yet he inadvertently accomplished something, so he would not accept this gratitude! This is Feng Yi's arrogant nature! Di Yun cleared his throat, stammering: "But you ultimately saved us, I..."

Feng Yi suddenly said: "You were captured because of me; don't you hate me?"

Di Yun scratched his head: "Why should I hate you? They captured me and my junior sister; that's their wickedness. It has nothing to do with you!"

Feng Yi turned his head, stared at Di Yun from head to toe, gave a light hehe laugh, nodded: "Not bad, no wonder Great Hero Ding likes you."

Then he looked toward Qi Fang, speaking loudly: "Miss Qi, how do you view your father's death and his severed arm?"

Qi Fang felt as if struck by lightning, instinctively retreated two steps, as if that could avoid the topic; she pressed her lips, two lines of clear tears slowly slid down her cheeks, then abruptly turned and flung herself into Di Yun's arms, crying sorrowfully: "Senior brother!"

Di Yun embraced his junior sister, also crying out mournfully: "Junior sister!"

A pair of ill‑fated souls thus clung together and wept bitterly.

(End of chapter)