Chapter 82: with translation of chapter title

It turned out that Ouyang Feng learned from Feng Yi's mouth that Yang Guo was in the Ancient Tomb Sect, and he immediately rushed to Mount Zhongnan. But he was, after all, mad and different from ordinary people; Mount Zhongnan is so vast that he simply could not recall where that tomb was located.

So he simply grabbed Daoists on the road and asked where the tomb was, anyway Mount Zhongnan is full of Daoists.

However, such a huge mountain has no precise coordinates; which Daoist could clearly explain to a madman exactly how to get there?

The stupid ones got slapped down by Ouyang Feng with a palm, while the clever ones casually pointed to a hill and told him to go look.

The Quanzhen Sect is a top-tier great sect in the martial world, with extraordinarily strict defenses; moreover, a disciple reported that a madman with extremely high martial arts was seeking the Ancient Tomb Sect.

Qiu Chuji and the others are eminent scholars of Quanzhen, versed in Daoist learning and martial arts, having cultivated to a very high realm, far surpassing the junior disciples; they thought the Ancient Tomb Sect was again being bullied, and recalling the ancestral ties between their founder and the Ancient Tomb Sect, they immediately rushed to the sect's base, where they happened to encounter Ouyang Feng running amok everywhere.

At first no one recognized who this old madman was, but when Ouyang Feng opened his mouth, it was truly enemies meeting, and their eyes flared with hatred.

After all, the True Yang Child Tan Chuduan of the Quanzhen Seven Masters had died at Ouyang Feng's hands; they immediately formed a formation to meet the enemy, but lacking Tan Chuduan, the replacement Yin Zhiping, though outstanding among third-generation disciples, was far inferior in skill and, unlike Tan Chuduan when the Seven Masters set up the formation as a seamless whole, the formation's power was consequently limited.

Thus they could only resort to a head‑on confrontation.

Feng Yi had seen this point, and therefore felt somewhat worried.

For he had long discovered that the terror of the Heavenly Dipper Formation lay in the changing of steps and the unification of inner power.

Their approach clearly showed they feared that when changing formation, the young Daoists would fail to keep up with the step rhythm, giving Ouyang Feng a chance to break the formation.

Fortunately Ouyang Feng is a madman, not a normal among the Five Absolutes, so this could at least maintain a draw; but once Ouyang Feng unleashes the Toad Skill, the Seven Daoists of Quanzhen probably could not withstand it.

But he never imagined that, in the original plot, Ouyang Feng had searched for Yang Guo at the Quanzhen Palace for a long time without incident; why did his own hint cause this to happen?

These Daoists might be like the stubborn old Ke Zhen'e, each having various flaws; those who favor Yang Guo would likely think they all deserve to die!

But Feng Yi knows that nobody is perfect; in matters of principle, they are upright heroes.

Therefore Feng Yi does not wish to see these old Daoists harmed by Ouyang Feng.

Although Feng Yi had the advantage of foreknowledge, he did not truly consider the practicalities; when Ouyang Feng learned from Peach Blossom Island that Yang Guo was at the Quanzhen Palace, that was in the open, and he could search palace by palace himself, since all those buildings were in plain sight, needing no one to ask and alarming no one.

But this time the tomb Ouyang Feng heard of lies underground; from the outside it blends with the mountain as one, the entrance is only that big, Ouyang Feng cannot see it with his eyes, nor can his mind figure out which hill the place he once visited is on, so he can only ask people.

With his temper, whenever he asks someone, conflict erupts; thus on Mount Zhongnan, beside the pine forest, the Seven Daoists of Quanzhen engage in a great battle with the Western Poison Ouyang Feng.

This is the inscrutability of Heaven's Way, the difficulty of speaking of worldly affairs, and how nothing can ever fully go as one wishes!

Thus in the world, joy and sorrow, parting and reunion, fortune and misfortune, honor and disgrace often differ by only a hair's breadth.

As Feng Yi pondered, he suddenly heard Yang Guo whisper: "Brother Feng, what should I do?"

Feng Yi turned his head to look, but Yang Guo did not glance at him, his eyes fixed tightly on the arena.

Feng Yi sighed: "I know this is indeed a dilemma for you, rather like drawing one's sword and looking about in bewilderment."

"Bewildered heart, bewildered heart……"

Yang Guo's face turned ashen, his eyes dull and vacant, like a wooden puppet or clay figurine.

He knew Feng Yi was right; originally he should have halted the fight without hesitation, even to the point of aiding Ouyang Feng.

Because Ouyang Feng is his adoptive father.

But now he knows the various grudges between his father and Ouyang Feng, especially after Xiao Longnv said: "These Quanzhen bullies only killed Granny Sun; they've done nothing else evil. We need only settle accounts with Hao Daitong alone." My master said, these bullies roam the martial world upholding justice, aiding the distressed, and have done many good deeds; they may be considered righteous.

He had heard those words before and merely accepted them, but now he knows that the Quanzhen Sect has deep ties to his grandparents and parents, while his adoptive father's own son is the very person his father killed, and his father died from Ouyang Feng's snake venom; now he truly finds himself in a state of utter bewilderment.

Yang Guo thought for a while, then spoke hoarsely: "Who among them could win?"

Feng Yi said: "Ouyang Feng will probably not lose, but even if he wins it will be a pyrrhic victory, and there are still hundreds of Daoists around—certainly not pushovers."

Yang Guo's face turned ashen; scanning his surroundings, he saw the Quanzhen Daoists arranged in groups of seven, forming their formation, faces full of indignation, eyes unblinking, locked on the duel.

Yang Guo secretly shuddered: "The Heavenly Dipper Formation's power is peerless; these hundreds of Daoists have laid out their formation, lying in wait—whether his adoptive father wins or loses, he will hardly escape!"

Seeing Ouyang Feng fiercely battling the Heavenly Dipper Formation, such a fierce fight they had never witnessed, the Quanzhen Daoists all stared at the arena, and even with a few extra people nearby, none diverted their attention.

Yang Guo murmured: "What on earth should I do?"

Feng Yi said faintly: "Although this matter was caused by me, perhaps it is your tribulation."

"Tribulation……" Yang Guo was utterly bewildered.

Feng Yi said: "Those who practice martial arts are already beyond ordinary, yet Heaven's Way takes from the surplus to compensate the deficient; throughout history, any martial arts master encounters tribulation.

This tribulation need not be internal; it may come from outside, yet it is intimately related to the individual.

Ouyang Feng is such, your Uncle Guo is such, and including Wang Zhongyang, Huang Yaoshi, Yideng Dashi, Zhou Botong—these contemporary masters are all alike.

Having said that, he paused briefly, then continued: "The higher one's martial arts, the greater one's ability, and the larger one's impact on the world.

Therefore this thieving Heaven will visit disaster or retribution upon those whose capacity is great, either upon themselves or upon their parents, spouse, children, or those closest to them.

This is 'the tree that stands out in the forest will be blown down by the wind'—this is the tribulation Heaven sets for the strong!

If one passes it, the road is smooth and leads straight to the blue clouds; if one fails, one sinks into obscurity, and a slight misstep can endanger one's life.

Hence the saying: 'It is easy to defeat bandits in the mountains, hard to defeat the thieves within the heart.'

The saying 'dwelling in the mundane world, where right and wrong abound, do not let waves arise in the sea of the mind' is what we ought to pursue, and it is also the principle of overcoming tribulation and rebirth.

"'Overcoming tribulation and rebirth?' If it were you, what would you do?" Yang Guo became confused.

He was originally clever beyond compare, but today he has heard too much that contradicts his expectations; upset and distracted, his martial arts cultivation and understanding of things are insufficient, so how could he grasp Feng Yi's words, which are full of ultimate truth and the essence of martial arts?

"You and I are different." Feng Yi glanced at him and said: "The Quanzhen Sect has always upheld justice, never lagging behind when major national affairs arise; moreover, your adoptive father was brought here by me, so from my standpoint I ought to help them!"

"Then why don't you go?" Yang Guo raised his eyebrows, pinching his collar with his index and middle fingers, obviously quite nervous.

Feng Yi let out a slight sigh, gazed at the arena, and said slowly: "But today I fought Ouyang Feng and lost a move; he showed me mercy, so how could I take advantage of his peril?

"All I can do is remain neutral and just watch the excitement."

Seeing him say this, Yang Guo faintly sensed a feeling of desolation,

thinking of his own predicament, all because Feng Yi had told him tragic tales and made him angry, a surge of vengeful fire rose, and his voice sank: "But I am not you; must I also remain unhelpful??

Feng Yi, without lifting his eyes, said lightly: "I've said all this, and you still don't understand; you've wasted your stay in the Ancient Tomb Sect!"

"What do you mean?" Yang Guo's eyes flashed with a sharp gleam.

Feng Yi smiled faintly: "In this world, who behind one's back has no gossip? You don't even grasp the principle of letting go and following your heart; what's the point of practicing martial arts?"

Yang Guo stared, then said: "Can I go to stop it?"

Feng Yi glanced at him and said, "It's not a question of whether you can stop it, but what you want in your heart."

Yang Guo's mind was clear: "What I want, that's what I should do!"

Feng Yi paused, then said, "If you think the Quanzhen Sect's old Daoists deserve death, just watch and let them both lose!"

If you don't want to, then only you can stop this; no one else could.

Yang Guo felt doubtful: "Am I really that capable?"

Feng Yi said softly: "Their hatred runs too deep and their martial arts are too high; no one can overpower them by force, but if someone like that steps forward, it changes everything."

Yang Guo seemed to realize: "With the Quanzhen Sect's great reputation, if outsiders forcibly stop them and they don't avenge their fellow disciples, how could they hold their heads up in the martial world?"

At that moment he felt Feng Yi was young, highly skilled, understood everything—he had encountered a remarkable person.

In the midst of his thoughts, suddenly there was a "ge" sound, and he saw Ouyang Feng leap up, squatting with legs bent, hands supporting, his belly bulging round like a giant frog.

Yang Guo knew this was his adoptive father's proudest Toad Skill; the Quanzhen priests called out to each other, steam rising from their heads.

Even if Yang Guo's martial arts were low, he understood that the confrontation had reached the point where victory or defeat, life or death would be decided; he immediately cast aside all reservations and shouted loudly, "Everyone, stop!"

He leapt into the arena, but unexpectedly, from several zhang away, he felt the surrounding air surge, a fierce wind striking like a blade; startled, Yang Guo threw out a palm to block.

A dull thud, as if striking leather; Yang Guo's body became like a large bird, drifting several zhang before landing on the ground, his face flushed red as if drunk, swaying, staring at the arena with a look of panic.

Only then did the Quanzhen priests notice Yang Guo and Feng Yi, these uninvited guests; despising them, they immediately drew their swords and, displaying their footwork, surrounded them.

Yang Guo saw swords flashing all around; fourteen Daoists formed two teams, encircling the two at the core.

As for Li Mochou and Hong Lingbo, hidden among the trees, no one noticed them.

These seven priests of intermediate to high martial skill, joining their swords together, could match a first-rate expert; seeing Yang Guo blown away by the strong wind and judging his martial arts ordinary, the others stood still. At that moment, to his front, back, left, and right, it was as if two first-rate experts were holding their swords in guard.

One of the short priests called out, "Who are you?"

Yang Guo exhaled a breath of foul air and said, "Daoist Song, I am Yang Guo."

This priest was named Song Defang, one of Qiu Chuji's disciples, whom Yang Guo had met before.

Song Defang sneered, "You're Yang Guo—so what? Didn't you defect from our sect?"

Before Yang Guo could speak, a booming "honglong" sound shook the mountains and earth, peaks roaring; he saw Ouyang Feng emit a "gu-gu" strange cry from his mouth, thrusting both palms forward. The Quanzhen Seven seemed not to hear, their long swords whirling, slicing through the palm force. In a clash of masters, every move hangs by a thread; none dare relax, their minds fixed on the opponent—who could hear Yang Guo's shout? Naturally they continued fighting fiercely.

As for Yang Guo wanting to get close, at this moment the eight's internal energy was exerted to the utmost, the fierce wind howling; the Quanzhen disciples did not step forward not only out of respect for their seniors' reputation, but also because they could not approach.

Yang Guo's own skill was also very shallow, so he naturally could not break in.

In his life, Yang Guo had never hated himself so much.

He hated his own inadequacy; having finally mustered the courage to do what he wanted, he was nonetheless powerless to stop it.

Moreover, he could not penetrate their formation; Yang Guo's spirit sank, he almost burst into tears, looking toward Feng Yi and saying, "Little brother is incapable; I beg Elder Feng to help me and call a halt to this fight!"

In an instant, a white-haired priest appeared, calling to Feng Yi, "Sir, what brings you here at this late hour?"

Feng Yi gave a slight smile, gazed at the battlefield, and said slowly, "Yang Guo has arrived; everyone, please cease fighting for now."

His tone, though peaceful, was like metal and jade ringing, halting moving clouds; striking a cliff, the echo lingered endlessly, stirring the valley, truly like a tiger's roar and a dragon's chant.

Not to mention amidst the fierce battle of eight, even if tens of thousands of soldiers clashed violently, everyone could hear it clearly.

All the Quanzhen priests were shocked; seeing he was at most in his twenties, leaning on a cane, they had not originally taken him seriously, yet his exhaled power and voice shook mountains and valleys—though the Quanzhen Seven could do it, they could not be so composed; his internal depth rivals that of the West Poison.

Yang Guo seized the moment to leap out, shouting, "Stop fighting!"

At that moment, Ouyang Feng and the six Quanzhen priests were pulled from their bitter struggle by Feng Yi's sudden shout, each withdrawing six-tenths of their strength.

For everyone knows such masters can sway the battle; the Quanzhen Six turned their gaze to Feng Yi, and seeing Yang Guo dart out, they all stared in surprise; a red-faced old Daoist exclaimed, "Yang Guo, what are you doing?"

However, Ouyang Feng momentarily dazed, then struck again; the Quanzhen priests were just about to resist when Yang Guo had already darted in front of Ouyang Feng, shouting "Father!" He naturally squatted, let out a loud "ge" cry, and thrust both palms forward, employing the Toad Skill Ouyang Feng had taught him.

He had practiced for two years in the ancient tomb, his internal energy greatly increased; although it had nothing to do with the Toad Skill, this was the martial art he learned as a child—he had not practiced it since entering the tomb, but it remained deeply imprinted in his mind, emerging unbidden at the moment of greatest peril.

As Ouyang Feng's palm was about to be unleashed, hearing the caller address him as "Father" gave him a start; seeing his own secret art, he immediately withdrew his power: "You…"

His eyes, like copper bells, stared at Yang Guo: "Who are you? How do you know the Toad Skill?"

Yang Guo knew Ouyang Feng was usually mad; fearing he had forgotten him, he shouted, "Father! It's me! I am your son!" These words were full of passion.

Upon hearing this, everyone was greatly startled.

Unexpectedly, Ouyang Feng suddenly leapt up, wrapped both arms around Yang Guo, squeezing with such force it nearly broke his arm, shouting loudly, "My child, I have searched for you so desperately!" He wept as he spoke.

Ouyang Feng had come looking for his son, but Yang Guo had grown tall, making him initially hard to recognize.

Yang Guo's eyes were also moist; he called, "Dad! Dad!"

From the age of two or three, he had longed for a loving, protective father.

Sometimes in his sleep he would suddenly have a kind, heroic father, but upon waking, that father was nowhere to be found, often causing him to burst into tears.

Initially, he took Ouyang Feng as his father merely to survive, calling him "dad" with his mouth while letting him think he was his own father in his heart.

But later, Ouyang Feng treated him exceedingly well, teaching him martial arts and saying he would protect him, so Yang Guo truly came to regard him as his father.

At this moment, although because of Ouyang Feng's past with his father he felt confused, though only a moment had passed, it seemed like many years.

Seeing Ouyang Feng see him, that joy overflowed; his two cries of "Dad" likewise poured out his deep longing, two streams of tears pouring down.

Ouyang Feng cupped his face, saw his vigorous spirit, and loudly called, "Son, son, my good son, you're not dead, you're still alive!" The cry was mournful, making one's hair stand on end.

Everyone was stunned by this scene.

The matter of Ouyang Ke was known to some extent by those present.

It was guessed that Ouyang Ke was nominally his nephew but actually his son, a violation of human ethics; Ouyang Ke had died early an unnatural death, which was also a hidden pain in his heart; now, in his madness, he unintentionally revealed that secret.

Suddenly a harsh shout rang out: "Yang Guo, do you know who he is? You call him father?"

Yang Guo turned his gaze and saw it was Changchunzi Qiu Chuji.

Before he could speak, an elderly Daoist nun solemnly said, "Li Mochou!" This was Sun Bu'er, who had once been struck by the Ice Soul Silver Needle, her internal energy deep, and she spotted Li Mochou far up in the treetops.

Feng Yi turned his head and saw a yellow flash dart into the woods; he immediately gave chase, but unexpectedly the Quanzhen priests beside him thrust their swords out; he deflected with his left hand and swept with his cane, sending all seven priests sprawling, their teeth bared in pain.

His move was unmatched in speed; in an instant he knocked down the seven Quanzhen disciples nearby.

On the field, hundreds of Daoists were all shocked, unable to believe that this cripple's martial arts could be so formidable.

Everyone, hindered by the distinction between friend and foe, naturally felt embarrassed to praise, but Qiu Chuji couldn't help exclaiming: "Good! Who are you, and what brings you here?"

His casual sweep and brush seemed effortless to a layman, but to an expert like Qiu Chuji it was a move that shattered the Big Dipper Formation—his timing, rhythm, and precision were simply unmatched.

Feng Yi smiled and said, "Priest Qiu, I mean no harm; I've come only to pursue Li Mochou."

Saying that, he flashed his body, seized Hong Lingbo, leapt onto a large tree branch, and overlooked from above.

With that, he took in the whole scene of the forest at a glance, seeing only Li Mochou dart into a thicket of shrubs.

Yang Guo, however, was startled and cried out, "Oh no, the tomb gate isn't closed…" Then he shouted, "Father, let's go!" He sprang to his feet, about to leave.

Then Qiu Chuji gave a stern shout: "You can't leave!"

Sword lights flashed as seven long swords pointed at Ouyang Feng and Yang Guo, each a few inches from their bodies, while the other Quanzhen disciples surged forward in waves.

Ouyang Feng, angry, was about to strike, but Yang Guo grabbed his hand and shouted loudly, "Feng Yi, you promised me you wouldn't let Li Mochou hurt my aunt; I'll finish up and come right after!"

Feng Yi gave a slight smile: "Good!" He deployed his lightness skill, tapped lightly on the branches, floated down onto another large tree, and after just a few leaps arrived above Li Mochou's head, landing softly.

Li Mochou unconsciously swung her whisk.

Feng Yi smiled and said, "You want to shake me off and go to the ancient tomb yourself?" He held Hong Lingbo with one hand and tapped her leg with his cane using the other.

Li Mochou hastily jumped back: "What do you mean shake you off? Men aren't allowed in the ancient tomb!"

Feng Yi blinked and said, "People need face, trees need bark; Yang Guo is currently restrained, so if you act recklessly, wouldn't I be going back on my word?"

Li Mochou snorted, turned, and walked away.

Actually, she wasn't afraid to bring Feng Yi inside either.

Since Xiao Longnv has already taken on male disciples, breaking the sect's rules, what's the harm in her bringing a man into the tomb? …

"Grandfather Qiu."

Yang Guo bowed his body, tears streaming like beads, and said, "Grandfather Qiu, I only now realize that you and my grandfather…" He pulled out his sleeve, vigorously wiping away his tears: "Our friendship is deep; the Yang family has suffered a terrible misfortune, and it is entirely thanks to your strength that you uncovered my father's whereabouts, preventing him from falling into the Jin kingdom's palace. I was previously unaware and have been disrespectful toward Priest Qiu, but now I wish, with all my fervent blood, to uphold the name of Quanzhen!"

As he spoke here, Ouyang Feng would at times rub his head, at times pull up his arm, at times pinch his cheek; this burst of joy moved even the veteran Daoists who knew Ouyang Feng's character.

Although Qiu Chuji was displeased with Yang Guo's arrogance and lawlessness, and his lack of respect for elders, recalling Guo Jing's earnest entrustment and his former master-disciple bond with Yang Guo's father Yang Kang, he let out a soft sigh and said, "Child, you need not provoke me with words. My friendship with your grandfather is deep; though your father committed many wrongs, he remains my disciple, and my sorrow is profound—I will not be outdone by you!"

Upon saying this, he could hardly restrain himself, and two streams of old tears rolled down.

Yang Guo fell with a thud, kowtowing on the ground, and said, "I, as the junior generation, beg Priest Qiu's forgiveness on behalf of my deceased father!"

Qiu Chuji, being a person of deep cultivation, after a wave of agitation gradually calmed; his gaze, cold as swords, swept from head to toe over Yang Guo, then turned to Ouyang Feng, and said, "Please rise, and slowly tell me how you came to regard him as your father."

Upon hearing this, Yang Guo was both startled and delighted; he raised his sleeve, wiped away the tears on his face, and said, "I, as the junior generation, was once struck by Li Mochou's Ice Soul Silver Needle; without his rescue, I would have died long ago, which is why I took him as my father. Back then I didn't know who he was, but now I know that Priest Tan died at the hands of my foster father. However, it was the Western Poison Ouyang Feng who actually killed him…"

Suddenly, Ouyang Feng planted his hands on his hips and wailed, "What Ouyang Feng? Ouyang Feng is a bad guy, haha, Ouyang Feng is amazing, Ouyang Feng is number one under heaven…"

Saying that, he lunged like a tiger to embrace Yang Guo, looking over and over, murmuring, "Son, son, it's wonderful that you're alive… they said you were dead…" As he spoke, Ouyang Feng's breathing became erratic, alternating between rapid and slow, growing disordered.

Everyone exchanged glances; earlier some had thought Ouyang Feng was feigning madness, but seeing his state now, it was absolutely not an act.

After all, given Ouyang Feng's reputation in the martial world, how could he alternate between cursing himself and praising himself? Is this truly shameless?

Martial arts celebrities live just for a thin veneer of face.

Yang Guo wept and said, "Back then I didn't know whether he was a martial arts master or a destitute beggar; I only knew he was a good father to me, even if he was crazy."

The Daoists seeking revenge, while justified, ought to go after the truly evil Ouyang Feng, not this present one who doesn't even know who he is—a madman…

Everyone looked at one another; killing Ouyang Feng to avenge Priest Tan would naturally be righteous, but now Ouyang Feng is half-mad, half-witted—back then, Huang Yaoshi, Hong Qigong, Guo Jing, and Huang Rong could have slain him on Mount Hua with ease.

Yet they all let him go, solely because he was mad.

For such a master, not knowing who he is, though alive, he might as well be dead,

The Quanzhen Sect, which claims to be the orthodox pinnacle of martial arts, would it not be shameful to besiege a madman in the jianghu?

After Yang Guo finished speaking, there was a long silence with no one uttering a word.

Yang Guo let out a long breath, his body relaxing.

He was ultimately no ordinary person; thinking that since he had already resolved to acknowledge this father, the only way to quell the Quanzhen Sect's hatred and prevent his foster father from killing their people was to move them with emotion and then enlighten them with reason.

(End of chapter)