Chapter 68

Feng Yi leapt onto the roof, but his leg still wasn't healed, so he couldn't exert force; he tucked Hong Lingbo under his arm and sprang down, racing over eaves and walls.

Seeing his lightning-fast movement, Hong Lingbo never imagined a cripple could possess such superb lightness skill—perhaps even her master couldn't match him.

Moreover, though she had wandered the jianghu for quite some time, this was her first ever physical contact with a man; being held by Feng Yi, she felt a wave of masculine heat travel from her waist to her heart, stirring her soul, her face flushing crimson; even without her acupoints sealed, she would have gone limp all over.

Feng Yi cradled Hong Lingbo in his arms, feeling her soft warmth and catching a hint of feminine fragrance; he lowered his head, saw her flushed cheeks and faint smile, and sensed her great comfort.

He secretly chuckled, yet he himself also enjoyed this feeling.

After all, since his transmigration he had never tasted meat; though he had visited brothels, his view of women had been refined by two lifetimes, making his standards absurdly high—he had no interest in anyone, nor did he wish to give his first time to a prostitute.

As for the Liancheng world, it wasn't that he didn't want to, but that he couldn't.

With unfamiliar women, he feared they might scheme against him for his Divine Illumination Skill and the Liancheng Skill; after all, a man is most vulnerable to treachery when his spirit soars and he feels blissful like an immortal.

As for the decent, good-looking women like Water Sheng and Qu Fang, their fates were already miserable; Feng Yi, though no saint, would not harm them, so he could only forcibly suppress any thoughts.

But upon entering the Divine Eagle World, his own danger level dropped dramatically, giving him the leisure to seek pleasure.

He felt little psychological burden dealing with murderous witches like Li Mochou and Hong Lingbo.

After all, Feng Yi's principle in dealing with people is: treat them according to what they are.

Treating good and bad alike—that's not him!

You're wicked; I'm even more wicked—that's Feng Yi.

Only upon reaching a courtyard did Feng Yi set Hong Lingbo down, leaning on his crutch and panting heavily.

Seeing this, Hong Lingbo couldn't help think: "His internal energy is indeed ordinary; after running just a little, he's already out of breath." She pursed her lips and smiled: "Your martial arts and internal energy are not bad, but your lightness skill is truly mediocre!"

After Feng Yi caught his breath, he muttered resentfully: "My lightness skill truly falls short of the Ancient Tomb Sect's—what's the big deal?"

He had a purpose, so he deliberately hid his prowess; otherwise, even with a broken leg, why would he gasp after such a short run? And when he'd just exchanged moves with Hong Lingbo, how could he fail to knock her sword away?

Feng Yi's broken leg is a tendon‑bone issue; it will take at least two months to heal, but his internal energy has long recovered. With one leg, he believes he'll be invincible unless he meets the Five Absolutes.

That's why he dares to provoke Li Mochou!

Seeing Feng Yi's foul mood, Hong Lingbo dared not say more, only pondering how to escape, yet feeling her whole body weak and unable to gather internal energy.

She glanced around: the small courtyard, though modest with just a few rooms, had white walls and blue tiles, looking clean and tidy; in the yard stood a large ink‑brush flower tree, lush with leaves and branches, beside an octagonal pavilion.

"Where is this?" Hong Lingbo wondered aloud.

"Naturally it's my place."

Feng Yi replied in a single sentence.

This was the secluded small courtyard Feng Yi had rented in the city, yet it startled Hong Lingbo so much she clutched her chest, trembling: "What do you want to do?"

She liked others admiring her beauty, but disliked ill intentions toward her.

Feng Yi glanced at her, smirked coldly: "Go boil me a pot of tea." As he spoke, he extended his crutch, lightly touching her chest with its tip; Hong Lingbo felt a warmth in her chest—her acupoints were released. She sprang up and immediately cursed: "You, a mighty man, bully a lone woman—are you still a man?"

Feng Yi turned, sat on the stone bench in the courtyard, leaned his crutch against the stone table, and smiled faintly: "Just now you were still acting all arrogant, inviting people to kill themselves; now you're playing the delicate maiden?"

Hong Lingbo's cheeks flushed like dye, she lowered her head and stammered: "You… I"

As she lowered her head, a blue light flickered between her fingers; she flicked her right hand, three silver needles shooting straight for Feng Yi's throat, chest, and left leg.

But she knew she couldn't wound Feng Yi; at the same moment she leapt backward, trying to flee—yet as soon as she stirred her internal energy, her whole body went limp and she collapsed to the ground.

Hong Lingbo hadn't expected Feng Yi's internal energy to be so exquisite; her heart jumped to her throat as she looked up, seeing Feng Yi's crutch swing up and down, clink‑clink‑clink, and instantly three azure‑glowing silver needles appeared on it.

Feng Yi's martial prowess was superb, and he had long known her identity; though he seemed to have unsealed her acupoints, the moment she used internal energy she would instantly go limp.

Seeing these three silver needles, Feng Yi noted the filigreed patterns on their shafts, exquisitely crafted, lacking the usual foul stench of poisonous needles; he thought: "Good, poison—this is something I can work with."

So far, Feng Yi's dissatisfaction with his own strength lies in lightness skill and poison techniques.

His lightness skill is rather ordinary; his speed comes solely from deep internal energy driving it, unlike the Five Absolutes, Guo Jing, Yang Guo, Zhang Wuji, who all possess renowned lightness skills.

If he possessed a truly exquisite lightness skill, combined with the mighty internal energy of the Divine Illumination Classic, that would be genuine strength.

That's why he captured Hong Lingbo, intending to draw out Li Mochou.

Otherwise, even if he wanted to eat meat, he wouldn't have thought of using force.

Such conduct would breach his personal bottom line.

Feng Yi mused silently, then muttered to himself: "These must be the Ice Soul Silver Needles, right?"

Hong Lingbo hummed in affirmation.

Feng Yi glanced askance, smirked coldly: "You little slut, I had no mind to kill you, yet you seek my life—is this the ruthless heart your master taught you?"

Hong Lingbo had always considered herself clever and capable; never did she imagine she'd be bested by a cripple. Earlier, being held in his arms had pleased her, yet also angered her; hearing this, she snapped: "I, the eldest lady, am Hong Lingbo—not some little slut…

You brat, your intentions aren't any better! You seek my master, seize me—what's the meaning of this!

Just now there were so many people; even if you killed me, my master would hear and certainly not spare you!"

Feng Yi chuckled: "Do you think you hold great weight in your master's eyes?

If she truly had the ability, she would have come to rescue you then, instead of watching me abduct you—your life ultimately amounts to nothing compared to the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra."

Hong Lingbo's mind shuddered again; after a moment she asked: "Sir, are you enemies with my master, or friends? How do you know our sect's Jade Maiden Heart Sutra?"

Originally, Hong Lingbo had recently received her master's teachings, her martial arts had improved considerably; in Shanxi she assisted her master in defeating martial heroes, even winning Li Mochou's favor.

She heard her master discuss contests with the Quanzhen Sect's disciples, saying that if she could master the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra, she need not fear those Quanzhen old Taoists; sadly, the manual recording this art remains in the ancient tomb on Zhongnan Mountain.

Hong Lingbo asked why she didn't go to the tomb to study this skill; Li Mochou gave a vague reply, only saying she had already yielded the place to her junior sister, the two senior sisters not on good terms, rarely interacting.

She loved to win; she had repeatedly stormed the Tomb of the Living Dead, suffered defeat, fled in disgrace—she would never tell her disciples about it, instead claiming her junior sister was young and mediocre in martial arts, making it unbecoming for a senior to bully a junior.

Hong Lingbo exerted herself to persuade her master to seize the tomb and obtain the manual; in truth, Li Mochou never forgot this desire, but having once dwelt in the ancient tomb and roughly known its main mechanisms, she was not told how to activate them because her master had decided not to pass on her mantle.

For years she had failed to grasp the tomb's mechanisms, hesitating to act; hearing her disciple's eager report, she merely smiled and gave no answer.

Hong Lingbo tried several times, seeing her master's indecision, she secretly took note and asked her master for the route to the Zhongnan Mountain ancient tomb, privately drawing a map—unaware that Li Mochou had not actually shared all she knew.

This time her master sent her to Chang'an to kill a nobody named Li Yi; she planned to succeed, then go to Zhongnan Mountain, enter the ancient tomb, and seize the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra. Unexpectedly, the target wasn't slain and was instead captured by Feng Yi.

Feng Yi glanced at her, smirked coldly: "I have neither grudge nor friendship with your master.

I merely heard she looks decent and her martial arts are good, so I wanted to see for myself whether the rumors are exaggerated or true.

I never thought she'd shrink back and not come out, but having you, this beauty, keep me company isn't bad.

But you just used the Ice Soul Silver Needle to prick me; I have a quirk—I like to repay in kind, so I must prick you too!

Saying this, he wrapped his finger in his robe, pulled the silver needle from his crutch, and leaning on the crutch walked slowly toward Hong Lingbo.

Hong Lingbo, as an insider, knows her own affairs; this Ice Soul Silver Needle, when an ordinary person pinches it in hand, immediately becomes deadly poison; if it pricks the body, it would be disastrous. Even if she had an antidote, she would have no chance to take it, only frightened to the point of her soul fleeing, her silver teeth clenched tightly as she said: 'What do you want to do? Don't do anything; this needle must absolutely not be used to prick.' Her eyes showed a look of pity.

She wanted to escape with her life; force wouldn't work, so she thought of seduction, but at this moment her facial muscles twitched, her smile uglier than crying.

Feng Yi saw her expression, laughed heartily, and said: 'Your method of luring men—could it also be thanks to your master's usual teachings!'

Although Hong Lingbo knew how to seduce, everyone who had seen it was dead; hearing these few mocking words, each word felt like a sharp needle piercing her heart, and for some reason she lowered her head, tears fell, and she began to sob softly.

Feng Yi furrowed his brows and said: 'Why are you crying? Jianghu youths shed blood, not tears; you and your master have killed how many people—who are you putting on this act for?'

Hong Lingbo naturally knew that she and her master had countless lives on their hands; if they fell into an enemy's hands, even with a silver tongue it would be useless. But she felt she had no grudge against Feng Yi, yet he wanted to find her master, so he had captured her.

Moreover, she had some fondness for Feng Yi, which made her heart even angrier, more furious, more indignant; she couldn't help but shed tears, her delicate body trembled, her cherry lips opened and closed several times, but she could no longer utter a word.

Feng Yi saw her like this, also showed surprise; thinking it over, he agreed: in the original plot, the only person Hong Lingbo had seduced was Yang Guo, and she was not a frivolous, wanton woman; he smiled and said: 'All right, I won't joke with you anymore.'

I see your lightness skill has some technique; could you tell me about this method?

Hong Lingbo heard this, startled, stopped crying, stared blankly at Feng Yi.

She saw Feng Yi's revealed skills were indeed extraordinary, indicating he had considerable background; she never expected him to covet her lightness skill, and said in bewilderment: 'This is a major taboo in the jianghu; if I speak of it, not only will I die, but you will also be looked down upon by others!'

Feng Yi gave a cold smile and said: 'Everything your master does is a violation of jianghu taboos; if she can do it, why can't I? Besides, I don't care whether others look down on me.'

Hong Lingbo felt a wave of bewilderment; she had never heard such a theory before, and then she said: 'You want to learn skills, yet instead of becoming a disciple you come to force me—aren't you ashamed?' Feng Yi let out a faint sigh and said: 'I am interested in the martial arts of your Ancient Tomb Sect, but your level is still insufficient to be my master; as for your master, I don't know her true ability, I wanted to gauge it, yet she avoids battle.'

Obviously the jianghu rumors are mistaken; what 'Scarlet Silk Fairy'—beautiful as flowers, martial arts strong—I see her as bland as unsalted, her martial arts weak, not even a fraction as good as yours!

Hong Lingbo chuckled and said: 'My master's martial arts are far superior to mine, but am I really that good-looking?'

Feng Yi nodded, smiling, and said: 'I spent a few days at the largest brothel in Chang'an, and I haven't seen anyone more beautiful than you.'

As the saying goes, one white covers a hundred ugliness; even after they piled on so much powder, they still aren't as fair as you.

Hong Lingbo had always prided herself on her smooth, white skin and crystalline complexion; but Feng Yi compared her to a courtesan, and if it were anyone else treating her so rudely, she would have drawn her sword and slain them; however, her martial arts were inferior, and seeing Feng Yi's handsome appearance, she felt a bit of fondness, so she did not get angry, thinking to herself: 'Such a person actually goes to brothels and mingles with those lowly women!'

She said: 'My master is not only highly skilled in martial arts, she is also very beautiful; if you speak of her like this and she hears about it someday, she will surely tear you apart limb from limb!'

Feng Yi shook his head and said: 'Here there are only the two of us; if you don't tell her, isn't that settled?'

Moreover, your master probably has some looks, but she has been famous for over ten years, at least in her thirties, so how could she compete with your youthful vigor!

Hong Lingbo felt both angry and amused; yet she indeed believed she was younger than her master, which was an advantage, her face flushed involuntarily, and she stammered, speechless.

Suddenly, a clear female shout split the stillness; a yellow mass, accompanied by a strand of silver silk, swooped down; the strong wind swept Hong Lingbo's hair, making it flutter.

Hearing the shout, Hong Lingbo's face changed abruptly, losing all color; suddenly she felt her shoulder tighten, and Feng Yi grabbed her, pulling her back into the courtyard.

Had it not been for Feng Yi's series of movements—swift as lightning, fast as a shooting star—this deadly sudden strike could have landed on anyone.

Feng Yi raised his eyebrows slightly, looked ahead, and saw before him a graceful, stunning Daoist nun whose face was like peach blossoms.

Like Hong Lingbo, she wore an apricot-yellow Daoist robe, held a horsetail whisk in her hand, and between her brows flickered a faint killing intent; she gazed coldly at Hong Lingbo, those two lightning-like eyes containing menace and killing intent, truly embodying the modern phrase 'both beautiful and chic'.

Hong Lingbo exclaimed in astonishment: 'Master… Master, how did you come?' Thinking that her conversation and behavior with Feng Yi had been fully witnessed by her, she felt genuinely afraid.

Li Mochou smiled faintly and said: 'You are truly useless; I sent you on an errand, yet here you are sniffling—I really wish to let you be freed once and for all.'

Her voice was soft and melodious, her manner charming, with bright eyes and white teeth, her skin smooth and white; she truly was an outstanding beauty, naturally surpassing Hong Lingbo.

Feng Yi's heart stirred involuntarily: 'My goodness, this woman is fierce, indeed beautiful to the point of bubbling over; if she sat in Huamanlou, it would surely be packed to bursting!'

He immediately tossed Hong Lingbo aside, his eyes full of interest as he scanned the Scarlet Silk Fairy from head to toe.

He saw her cheeks white with a hint of red, her demeanor calm and composed, her beautiful eyes flashing with a hidden cold light; this charm surpassed that of beauties like Shui Sheng and Qi Fang, and could more easily pluck at heartstrings—perhaps this is what people call an added aura.

Although Hong Lingbo had guessed her master's strike just now was meant to kill her, hearing Li Mochou say it herself still made her body go limp, she collapsed to the ground, eyes full of tears, she glared angrily at Feng Yi, but saw him staring fixedly at her master; inside she felt three parts annoyance and seven parts sorrow, and she snorted: 'You have a thoroughly wicked heart.'

Feng Yi saw her like this, felt amused in his heart; he knew this master-disciple pair were the most interesting, each more vain about beauty than the other, and they were secretly competing.

He previously did not know Hong Lingbo's identity, so he hadn't paid much attention; but later, after taking her away, his steps were unsteady and he deliberately panted—just an act—thus he knew Li Mochou had followed him.

That's why he deliberately teased her, provoking her out; Hong Lingbo didn't realize it, so she was essentially being trapped by him.

Feng Yi fixed his gaze on Li Mochou, smiled faintly, and said: 'Since you've already arrived, come out and let me see—whether you are more beautiful or your disciple is more beautiful—isn't that obvious at a glance.'

Why bother holding a grudge and taking out your anger on the disciple! Li Mochou, however, laughed coquettishly, her waist swaying, and said: 'You brat, truly audacious—who is your master?'

When Hong Lingbo was inquiring about the routes to the Tomb of the Living Dead, Li Mochou had already anticipated that she would come on her own to steal the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra; sending her to Chang'an to kill people, etc., were all deliberate arrangements.

She had been secretly following her all along, just to use her as a pawn to sound out the situation.

How Feng Yi tailed Hong Lingbo, how she exchanged moves with others, how she was captured by Feng Yi—all were observed by her.

Only because Li Mochou's movements were swift and her steps light, Hong Lingbo noticed nothing at all.

However, seeing that Feng Yi's martial arts were not weak, Li Mochou, having come to Shaanxi this time, wanted to visit the ancient tomb, not wishing to stir up more trouble, so she thought of seizing the opportunity to rescue her disciple and then leave.

But Li Mochou has always been gloomy and overbearing; hearing Feng Yi repeatedly make sarcastic, mocking remarks, how could she not fly into a rage? Moreover, being proud of her beauty, Feng Yi's various conversations and attitudes with Hong Lingbo made her unable to suppress her killing intent.

Therefore, that sneak attack, even if it didn't kill Feng Yi could still kill Hong Lingbo; who would have thought the killing move would be easily dodged by Feng Yi, and he even rescued Hong Lingbo.

Because her strike missed the disciple, her anger lessened considerably, and she wanted to probe Feng Yi's background.

After all, although Li Mochou is ruthless and vicious, she is not lawless; there are certain people's relatives and friends she dares not provoke.

Unexpectedly, Feng Yi gave an irrelevant answer; his eyes only roved over Li Mochou's person, nodding frequently and saying: 'Good, good—no wonder the title Fairy is coupled with Scarlet Silk; it truly lives up to its name, an eye-opener.'

Li Mochou's reputation resounds; in the martial world no one is unaware that her looks are like peach and plum, her heart like a snake and scorpion, hence she is called the Scarlet Silk Fairy.

'Scarlet Silk' is the name of a venomous snake; giving a woman who looks like a fairy this snake's name directly highlights Li Mochou's viciousness.

Li Mochou at this time is about thirty years old, but her internal energy is profound, her skin snow-white and tender, her face without a single wrinkle, appearing still like a twenty-year-old; she has always prided herself on her beauty, hearing Feng Yi say this, she naturally feels pleased; as for saying she is vicious, she never denies it.

She flicked her horsetail whisk, half-smiling, and said: 'We have never met before; we bear no grudge, no enmity—it is you who sought me out!'

I gave you good advice, yet you joke with me and don't even mention your teacher; if you lose your life today, don't blame me!

As her words fell, the yellow shadow fluttered; she stepped forward, striking the center, shook her horsetail whisk, which became straight as a spear, and thrust straight at Feng Yi's throat.

Although the whisk's threads are soft, by applying a clever force, the point aimed is a vital spot; this thrust is like a cold blast of green smoke, quite formidable.

Feng Yi gave a faint smile, only when the whisk was about to reach his eyes did he exhale and shout: 'Go!'

He spat out a mouthful of Divine Illumination true qi; all he saw was Li Mochou's tensed, straight horsetail whisk, which he actually blew into a scattered sheet.

Li Mochou retrieved her horsetail whisk, secretly startled, and shouted angrily: "Who exactly are you? Is someone asking you to make things difficult for me?"

Feng Yi's shout seized the initiative; Li Mochou sensed that this person's internal force was unfathomably deep, something she had rarely seen in her life, and she couldn't help but feel inclined to retreat.

Feng Yi said helplessly: "How many times do I have to say it? I'm not trying to make things difficult for you."

It's just that I've heard people say you're good-looking and ruthless, so I wanted to meet you.

After all, you know, if I were looking for another beautiful woman, people would inevitably say I'm bullying the weak with my strength, or call me a rogue, a scoundrel, and such terms would be used against me; but if I seek you out, others would instead say I'm full of courage, and that I'm doing a good deed for the martial world!

Li Mochou's beauty is such that her looks and grace are rarely seen even in the martial world, let alone among ladies of noble families; she has wandered the martial world for many years.

Many men, upon seeing her beauty, cannot help but develop feelings and become infatuated; but she shows no favor to anyone, and if the slightest lustful thought appears in her expression, she often kills on the spot—no handsome young talent is exempt.

In a single sentence, men may praise my beauty, but they must not show lustful looks toward me; this is indeed a difficulty for men, and thus not a few have lost their lives because of it.

Li Mochou's killing intent toward Feng Yi naturally flared up; although she saw his internal force was deep, his disability meant her wariness diminished considerably, and she immediately said with almond eyes full of murder, softly and tenderly: "Fine, then let's see if you can do a good deed for the martial world!"

The horsetail whisk swept forth, whoosh whoosh whoosh, launching three moves.

Although these three moves were issued in succession, they seemed to arrive simultaneously; they are precisely the lethal technique "Three Sparrows Enter the Forest" of the Ancient Tomb Sect's martial arts.

When these three moves are combined, any practitioner of another school who fails to grasp their subtlety will, upon first contact, have their tendons severed and bones broken by her.

Feng Yi couldn't help but exclaim in admiration: "Nice move!" He flicked his large sleeve, drifted sideways several feet, raised his left hand, swung his crutch in a circle, and a soft force lifted the horsetail whisk, pointing the tip of the crutch at Li Mochou's chest.

Seeing this thrust come with unpredictable force, as if it contained a thousand jun, Li Mochou did not dare be careless; she lightly waved her horsetail whisk, and the silver threads floated lightly onto the crutch tip, like a spider spitting silk, tightly wrapping the crutch tip.

Feng Yi raised his eyebrows and shouted: "Let go!"

Those two words were what Li Mochou had been about to shout, but he had actually snatched them away, leaving her stunned.

It turns out this move of Li Mochou is the Ancient Tomb Sect's high-level technique "Tai Gong Fishing", which takes its meaning from "those willing take the bait"; by borrowing force, the hundreds of silver threads on her horsetail whisk borrow the opponent's strength entirely, using the opponent's own strength to seize their weapon—a technique that rarely fails.

Her most recent failure was a few years ago when she faced "Flying Bat" Ke Zhen'e.

However, Ke Zhen'e has been renowned for many years; he is a leading figure of the Jiangnan martial world, and even failing to seize a weapon in one move is not disgraceful.

Unexpectedly, Feng Yi's eyebrows twitched, he waved his hand and sent a force following the crutch and horsetail whisk, surging forth; upon contact with her own true qi and internal force, it was like ice meeting fire, instantly vanishing completely.

Li Mochou felt no awareness of her arm burning hot, her qi and blood surging upward, and her body swaying repeatedly.

Having been injured by this move, since Li Mochou completed her training, the only time she has experienced such a situation was when she encountered a master like Huang Yaoshi.

But her fame was no fluke; she immediately flung open her horsetail whisk, performed a backward somersault to dissipate the residual force, reached into her right sleeve, and shot a shower of needles at Feng Yi.

Feng Yi saw her waist extremely supple, like a narcissus swaying in the wind, and he was enjoying the sight when suddenly a flash of silver light appeared and a cluster of silver needles flew toward him.

Feng Yi felt no fear, let out a long laugh, turned and shifted his steps, and casually used his crutch to drive the horsetail whisk, pointing its handle at Li Mochou's wrist vital point.

Thanks to readers "Jiang JDC" and "Li Gongzi 2019" for their rewards.

(End of Chapter)