Chapter 88

Chang'an city.

Feng Yi's residence.

Among the several elegant lodgings, Feng Yi, Li Mochou, and Hong Lingbo were now present.

After returning to the city, Hong Lingbo heated some hot water, allowing Li Mochou and Feng Yi to bathe and change clothes.

Feng Yi soaked in the bathtub, examining his leg wound; the broken bone had already scabbed over, and the bone injury had healed about sixty or seventy percent.

That day, Feng Yi fell from a height of tens of thousands of feet; the impact force was far beyond human imagination. As he was about to hit the ground, unable to reach solid ground, he borrowed the wind to twist his body mid‑air, and with all his inner strength he managed to touch down with one leg to lessen the falling force.

It wasn't that he didn't want to use both legs; he had already exerted all his strength, and his posture no longer allowed it.

If not for that, he would have slammed straight into the ground and turned into a pulp. Even so, the impact force of tens of thousands of jin is hard to describe; otherwise, with his inner strength, how could he fracture upon touching the ground? But if he didn't fracture, fine; once fractured, it is extremely serious—a genuine open fracture where the bone fragments pierce the flesh, worlds apart from the simple closed fracture ordinary people know.

If not for Feng Yi's miraculous Divine Illumination Skill, with such injuries he could hardly be walking about after only a few days.

Feng Yi touched his wound and thought: 'It seems I underestimated the marvels of the Divine Illumination Skill; I won't need a month for this leg to be fully healed. In this time I'll obtain poison secrets, prepare poison needles and toxins, and march all the way, heh heh, making them drink a potful to see if they still have the heart to launch a large‑scale war.'

"Thud, thud!"

Suddenly came two knocks on the door; Feng Yi needed not look, just by hearing the breath he knew it was Li Mochou, and said, 'Anything the matter?'

Feng Yi stepped out of the wooden tub and put on clean clothes.

Li Mochou said, 'I have a question for you.'

"What is it?"

"Creak!" Li Mochou, impatient with the wait, pushed the door open, only to see him in the act of pulling up his trousers; her face flushed, and she was about to retreat.

Feng Yi was also embarrassed; this woman was so fierce that even his hand, which was pulling up his trousers, froze.

Li Mochou's gaze fell on Feng Yi's right leg, still without trousers; she hesitated slightly, stepped inside, lowered her head to glance at his wound, and casually asked, 'How did you get injured so badly?'

Feng Yi shrugged his shoulders slightly and said, 'It's a long story.'

Speaking, he slowly pulled that pant leg up.

Li Mochou asked, 'You wouldn't happen to be a new disciple of the Heretic Huang, would you?'

Feng Yi glanced at her, gave a wry smile, and said, 'You wouldn't think I'm that just because my name has "wind" and I've lost a leg, would you?'

Li Mochou snorted, 'Your skill has reached the peak of perfection; there are peers in today's martial world, but none can surpass you. I really can't fathom, aside from your willingness, what circumstance could have left your leg in such a state.'

She reasoned that with Feng Yi's martial prowess, slipping and falling off a cliff simply wouldn't happen; the most likely explanation was being crippled by his master, and in today's martial world only someone as reclusive as Huang Yaoshi could do that.

Feng Yi knew what she was thinking, and with a playful grin said, 'Li great beauty, you care so much about me—could it be you've fallen for me?'

He found himself increasingly enjoying teasing Li Mochou; it was a different kind of thrill—while others fear stirring up romantic debts with outsiders, with her he felt no burden, after all she was already entangled in love.

Li Mochou suddenly startled, snapped irritably, 'Stop teasing me; I'm just saying, with your skill you could roam the jianghu taking revenge as you please—why must you provoke the Mongols?'

She had pondered it all along the way, yet still couldn't grasp Feng Yi's thinking.

Feng Yi's expression turned solemn as he said, 'As for the days of slaughter and stirring up hatred in the jianghu, I have long grown weary of them.'

Moreover, where in the jianghu is there true gratification from vengeance? You think this way only because you have no attachments; if Lu Zhanyuan were still alive, would you dare act so recklessly, slaughtering the innocent?'

These words struck Li Mochou's chest with pain; years of longing, grievance, and even the sorrow and anger upon seeing Lu Zhanyuan's wedding suddenly turned into a surge of resentment that burst forth: 'Before I met him, I was a decent girl, not the Scarlet Serpent Immortal!'

Having spoken, she turned and walked away; upon reaching the door she suddenly stopped, looked back, and saw Feng Yi gazing steadily at her, his eyes holding surprise, pity, and also mockery.

Li Mochou startled, thinking, 'Oh no, could this brat also be my calamity?' A flash of slyness crossed her charming face as she asked, 'Feng Yi, do those words you said that day still count?'

Her tone was not pleasant, yet it was full of tenderness; truly, her charm was beyond compare.

Feng Yi stared, genuinely not expecting Li Mochou to show this side; after a moment he said, 'What words?'

In an instant, Li Mochou's face darkened, and she said word by word, 'You said you'd let me go with you to kill the Mongols, and that my blood debts would be borne by you?'

"Did I say that?" Feng Yi blinked.

He felt he hadn't said it, but seeing Li Mochou's earnest conviction, his mind was thrown into confusion; he truly couldn't recall how he had spoken, nor how he'd given her that impression.

Li Mochou narrowed her eyes, coldly saying, 'I was just joking with you. Since the founding of the Great Song, there have been the Khitan, Western Xia, and Jin dynasties; now the Mongols are immensely powerful, Western Xia is gone, and even the Jin, which had destroyed the Khitan, has been destroyed.'

Today's Song court daily seeks peace; what use is one person's strength? I certainly won't join you in this thankless, foolish endeavor.'

Feng Yi shook his head and said, 'Although everyone has their own aspirations, which cannot be forced, many people still haven't realized how brutal the Mongols are; they are not like the Khitan, Western Xia, or even the Jin—they aim to conquer the world.'

They would turn the Central Plains into their pasture, make Central Plains women their tools for lust, and reduce men to their slaves.

As you yourself said, if at the time of foreign invasion everyone held your view, would this nation and ethnicity still have any hope? With the great state gone, only small families can survive; whether you wish to live leisurely or to take revenge as you please, that is not something you can control.'

Li Mochou stared, then sighed, 'Perhaps you share the heroic vision of Wang Zhongyang.'

Having said that, she said, 'Come on, it's time to eat!'

Feng Yi nodded, rose to his feet, and, leaning on his crutch, stepped forward with effort; after just two steps he felt a warm softness under his elbow as Li Mochou reached out to steady him, a faint fragrance drifting over.

Although Feng Yi said he didn't need help, he didn't pull away, and unable to describe the feeling, he murmured, 'Miss Li, I sometimes act out of line, enjoying joking with you.'

'But now I solemnly tell you: please refrain from wantonly killing the innocent from now on.'

Since they met, this was the first time Feng Yi addressed her thus; Li Mochou felt a surge of emotions, glanced at him, a hint of regret rose in her heart, yet her womanly pride still made her lift her chin and ask, 'Are you pleading with me?'

Feng Yi sighed, 'Then just treat it as my plea.'

Li Mochou's face blossomed like peach flowers, she gazed at Feng Yi with a beaming smile, her heart throbbing 'thump‑thump'; after a moment of silence she asked, 'Last night, what exactly did my junior sister say to you?'

Feng Yi thought those words were hard to utter, shook his head, and said, 'I promised Xiao Longnv I wouldn't tell.'

Li Mochou's visage darkened, she gave a cold huff, and said, 'Isn't it because your master ordered her to clean up the sect, fearing I'd learn Wang Zhongyang's martial arts which she couldn't control, and you gave her some promise, so she agreed to find a secret passage to get us out?'

'Well…' Feng Yi truly admired the woman's cleverness, gave a wry smile, and said, 'It's not entirely like that. However, your master did indeed leave a dying wish: she hoped you would reform and cease your wicked ways; though you and your junior sister share sectarian bonds, she could not sway you with gentle persuasion.'

'If you resort to force, having learned the martial arts inscribed on Zhongyang's relics, alas, she would still be unable to subdue you.'

'As you know, I fear death; to stay alive I promised her that if you commit evil, I would…'

Li Mochou saw him halt there, wanting to speak but stopping, and she flared with anger and urgency, shouting, 'Then what would you do?'

Feng Yi said, 'I would kill you!'

Immediately after, he sighed again: 'I am so useless; knowing your crimes are grave, I still saved you.'

I said it was for the Five Poisons Secret Transmission, but these past two days I've realized it's not entirely that.

Miss Li, a woman as beautiful as you, the lovely phrases I've read over several lifetimes—'graceful and lovely, eyebrows like kingfisher feathers, a charming smile, lovely eyes'—and so on; any nice words used to describe a beauty are wholly appropriate when applied to you. If that day ever comes, you'd better make me suffer to death!

Line: "Miss Li, a woman as beautiful as you, the kind of beauty described by those words I've read in several lifetimes—'graceful and varied, eyebrows like kingfisher feathers, a lovely smile, eyes full of longing' and so on—any nice words used to describe a beauty are wholly appropriate when applied to you. If that day ever comes, you'd better make me suffer to death!"

But we need to be faithful, not add. Let's break down:

Miss Li, a woman as beautiful as you, the lovely phrases I've read over several lifetimes—'graceful and lovely, eyebrows like kingfisher feathers, a charming smile, lovely eyes'—and so on; any nice words used to describe a beauty are wholly appropriate when applied to you. If that day ever comes, you'd better make me suffer to death!

Let's produce: "Miss Li, a woman as beautiful as you, the kind of beauty described by those words I've read over several lifetimes—'graceful and varied, eyebrows like kingfisher feathers, a lovely smile, eyes full of longing' and so on—any nice words used to describe a beauty are wholly appropriate when applied to you. If that day ever comes, you'd better make me suffer to death!"

Over several lifetimes I've read, and so on, any nice words used to describe a beauty are wholly appropriate when applied to you. If that day ever comes, you'd better make me suffer to death!

Thus translation is fine.

Now we need to output as 【61】 translation.

"What's difficult?" Li Mochou laughed, saying, "You're afraid you won't be able to bring yourself to do it?"

Translation: ""What's difficult?" Li Mochou laughed, saying, "You're afraid you won't be able to bring yourself to do it?""

"What's difficult?" Li Mochou laughed, saying, "You're afraid you won't be able to bring yourself to do it?"

"What's difficult?" Li Mochou laughed, saying, "You're afraid you won't be able to bring yourself to do it?"

Li Mochou laughed and said: "What's difficult?"

Thus 【62】 translation.

Feng Yi hummed in agreement.

Translation: "Feng Yi gave an affirmative hum."

Feng Yi hummed in agreement.

He felt that Li Mochou, although previous TV drama actors had portrayed her viciousness, none of them were worthy of her beauty.

Translation: "He felt that Li Mochou, though previous TV drama actors had portrayed her viciousness, none of them matched her beauty."

He felt that Li Mochou, though previous TV drama actors had portrayed her viciousness, none of them matched her beauty.

After all, she's the kind of woman who could stand face-to-face with a beauty like Huang Rong and make her sincerely admire beauty.

Translation: "After all, she's the kind of woman who could stand face-to-face with a beauty like Huang Rong and make her sincerely admire beauty."

After all, she's the kind of woman who could stand face-to-face with a beauty like Huang Rong and make her sincerely admire beauty.

How rare this is!

Translation: "How rare this is!"

Moreover, it could even let Yang Guo, who daily faces the peerless beauty Xiao Longnv, say a sentence like 'She's as beautiful as a fairy,' showing just a glimpse of her beauty.

Translation: "Moreover, it could even let Yang Guo, who daily faces the peerless beauty Xiao Longnv, say a sentence like 'She's as beautiful as a fairy,' showing just a glimpse of her beauty."

Moreover, it could even let Yang Guo, who daily faces the peerless beauty Xiao Longnv, say a sentence like "She's as beautiful as a fairy," showing just a glimpse of her beauty.

As for Li Mochou, she was already in her early thirties, but her internal energy was profound, her skin snow-white and tender, with not a wrinkle on her face, still looking like a woman in her twenties.

Translation: "As for Li Mochou, she was already in her early thirties, but her internal energy was profound, her skin snow-white and tender, with not a wrinkle on her face, still looking like a woman in her twenties."

As for Li Mochou, she was already in her early thirties, but her internal energy was profound, her skin snow-white and tender, with not a wrinkle on her face, still looking like a woman in her twenties.

Moreover, she had always been proud of her beauty; being praised this way by Feng Yi made her even happier, her heart instantly softened, and she nodded, saying, 'Good, as long as you don't provoke me, I will never kill anyone!'

Translation: "Moreover, she had always been proud of her beauty; being praised this way by Feng Yi made her even happier, her heart instantly softened, and she nodded, saying, 'Good, as long as you don't provoke me, I will never kill anyone!'"

Moreover, she had always been proud of her beauty; being praised this way by Feng Yi made her even happier, her heart instantly softened, and she nodded, saying, "Good, as long as you don't provoke me, I will never kill anyone!"

Feng Yi knew she was ruthless, yet she kept her word, even more so than most men; he nodded and said, 'That's great.' Then he walked out of the room.

Translation: "Feng Yi knew she was ruthless, yet she kept her word, even more so than most men; he nodded and said, 'That's great.' Then he walked out of the room."

Feng Yi knew she was ruthless, yet she kept her word, even more so than most men; he nodded and said, "That's great." Then he walked out of the room.

Li Mochou watched him limp away, and after a long while, she let out a 'pfft' laugh.

Translation: "Li Mochou watched him limp away, and after a long while, she let out a 'pfft' laugh."

Li Mochou watched him limp away, and after a long while, she let out a "pfft" laugh.

That smile was like ice and snow just melting, spring warmth and blooming flowers, gorgeous beyond description—yet no one saw it.

Translation: "That smile was like ice and snow just melting, spring warmth and blooming flowers, gorgeous beyond description—yet no one saw it."

That smile was like ice and snow just melting, spring warmth and blooming flowers, gorgeous beyond description—yet no one saw it.

Hong Lingbo had prepared the meal, the three sat down to eat, Feng Yi saw Li Mochou calm and composed, while Hong Lingbo was absent-minded and never spoke a word.

Translation: "Hong Lingbo had prepared the meal, the three sat down to eat, Feng Yi saw Li Mochou calm and composed, while Hong Lingbo was absent-minded and never spoke a word."

Hong Lingbo had prepared the meal, the three sat down to eat, Feng Yi saw Li Mochou calm and composed, while Hong Lingbo was absent-minded and never spoke a word.

Feng Yi wanted to say a few witty remarks to liven the mood, but seeing them like that, he felt awkward and flavorless, so he just ate silently.

Translation: "Feng Yi wanted to say a few witty remarks to liven the mood, but seeing them like that, he felt awkward and flavorless, so he just ate silently."

Feng Yi wanted to say a few witty remarks to liven the mood, but seeing them like that, he felt awkward and flavorless, so he just ate silently.

After the meal, Feng Yi pondered in the room for a long time, then went to outside Li Mochou's room, peered through the window and saw her writing at her desk, and then went to Hong Lingbo's room.

Translation: "After the meal, Feng Yi pondered in the room for a long time, then went to Li Mochou's room outside, peered through the window and saw her writing at her desk, and then went to Hong Lingbo's room."

After the meal, Feng Yi pondered in the room for a long time, then went to Li Mochou's room outside, peered through the window and saw her writing at her desk, and then went to Hong Lingbo's room.

He pushed open the door and saw her lying in bed wearing only a thin silk garment, eyes slightly closed; he felt that the gloom in her brow seemed to have grown a bit heavier.

Translation: "He pushed open the door and saw her lying in bed wearing only a thin silk garment, eyes slightly closed; he felt that the gloom in her brow seemed to have grown a bit heavier."

He pushed open the door and saw her lying in bed wearing only a thin silk garment, eyes slightly closed; he felt that the gloom in her brow seemed to have grown a bit heavier.

However, Feng Yi caught sight of her feet, which were truly snow-white and tender, naturally formed, with fine tendons visible, and the ten toes stood out like bamboo shoots.

Translation: "However, Feng Yi caught sight of her feet, which were truly snow-white and tender, naturally formed, with fine tendons visible, and the ten toes stood out like bamboo shoots."

However, Feng Yi caught sight of her feet, which were truly snow-white and tender, naturally formed, with fine tendons visible, and the ten toes stood out like bamboo shoots.

For women who practice martial arts, speaking of nothing else, their physique is beyond reproach; training internal energy grants the ability to change tendons and wash marrow, which is how they can preserve their looks and prolong life.

Translation: "For women who practice martial arts, speaking of nothing else, their physique is beyond reproach; training internal energy grants the ability to change tendons and wash marrow, which is how they can preserve their looks and prolong life."

For women who practice martial arts, speaking of nothing else, their physique is beyond reproach; training internal energy grants the ability to change tendons and wash marrow, which is how they can preserve their looks and prolong life.

With diligent practice of external techniques, one's physique is naturally honed to have not an ounce of excess flesh.

Translation: "With diligent practice of external techniques, one's physique is naturally honed to have not an ounce of excess flesh."

With diligent practice of external techniques, one's physique is naturally honed to have not an ounce of excess flesh.

Even if there were beauties in past lives who could match them in appearance, in physique none could surpass them.

Translation: "Even if there were beauties in past lives who could match them in appearance, in physique none could surpass them."

Even if there were beauties in past lives who could match them in appearance, in physique none could surpass them.

Feng Yi felt a surge of joy, stepped forward a few paces, sat on the edge of the bed, and took hold of one of her feet, unable to resist gripping it in his hand as he rubbed and played with it, saying, 'Lingbo, the martial arts in Chongyang's Legacy Inscription combine the essences of Huang Shang and Wang Zhongyang, two grand masters; it is profound and extensive, seemingly complex yet simple, seemingly simple yet complex. If one's skill is insufficient, it won't have much power, so do not rush for quick success, lest you hurt your body.'

Translation: "Feng Yi felt delighted, stepped forward a few paces, sat beside the bed, lifted one of her feet, and involuntarily held it in his hand, rubbing and playing with it as he said, 'Lingbo, the martial arts in Chongyang's Legacy Inscription combine the essences of Huang Shang and Wang Zhongyang, two grand masters; it is profound and extensive, seemingly complex yet simple, seemingly simple yet complex; if one's skill is insufficient, it won't have much power, so do not rush for quick success, lest you hurt your body.'"

This martial art is the martial arts found in Chongyang's Legacy Inscription, combining the essences of Huang Shang and Wang Zhongyang, two grand masters; it is profound and extensive, seemingly complex yet simple, seemingly simple yet complex. If one's skill is insufficient, it won't have much power; do not rush for quick success, lest you hurt your body.

We need to be faithful: Let's break down original:

"Lingbo, the martial arts in Chongyang's Legacy Inscription combine the essences of Huang Shang and Wang Zhongyang, two grand masters; it is profound and extensive, seemingly complex yet simple, seemingly simple yet complex. If one's skill is insufficient, it won't have much power, so do not rush for quick success, lest you hurt your body."

We translated as: "Lingbo, the martial arts in Chongyang's Legacy Inscription combine the essences of Huang Shang and Wang Zhongyang, two grand masters; it is profound and extensive, seemingly complex yet simple, seemingly simple yet complex; if one's skill is insufficient, it won't have much power, so do not rush for quick success, lest you hurt your body."

Check each piece:

Lingbo

the martial arts in Chongyang's Legacy Inscription

combine the essences of Huang Shang and Wang Zhongyang, two grand masters

profound and extensive

seemingly complex yet simple, seemingly simple yet complex

if one's skill is insufficient

it won't have much power

do not rush for quick success

lest you hurt your body

Looks good.

Hong Lingbo, having her foot seized by him, felt secretly pleased, yet somehow she suddenly pulled her foot back and softly said, 'Someone as clumsy as me would definitely not learn it in ten or eight years, right?'

Translation: "Hong Lingbo, having her foot seized by him, felt secretly pleased, yet somehow she suddenly pulled her foot back and softly said, 'Someone as clumsy as me would definitely not learn it in ten or eight years, right?'"

Hong Lingbo, having her foot seized by him, felt secretly pleased, yet somehow she suddenly pulled her foot back and softly said, "Someone as clumsy as me would definitely not learn it in ten or eight years, right?"

Her attitude made Feng Yi utterly bored; after a long silence he finally sighed, 'I know you resent me in your heart.'

Translation: "Her attitude made Feng Yi utterly bored; after a long silence he finally sighed, 'I know you resent me in your heart.'"

Her attitude made Feng Yi utterly bored; after a long silence he finally sighed, "I know you resent me in your heart."

Hong Lingbo said resentfully: 'No matter how right you say, it's no use.'

Hong Lingbo said resentfully: "No matter how right you say, it's no use."

Thus: "Hong Lingbo said resentfully: 'No matter how right you say, it's no use.'"

Saying this, her eyes reddened, she turned sideways, shoulders slightly trembling; at first there was no sound, then she began to sob softly.

Translation: "Saying this, her eyes reddened, she turned sideways, shoulders slightly trembling; at first there was no sound, then she began to sob softly."

Saying this, her eyes reddened, she turned sideways, shoulders slightly trembling; at first there was no sound, then she began to sob softly.

Feng Yi sighed, 'What do you have to cry about? I'm the one who fell into your hands—I should be the one bawling my eyes out!'

Translation: "Feng Yi sighed, 'What do you have to cry about? I'm the one who fell into your hands—I should be the one bawling my eyes out!'"

Feng Yi sighed, "What do you have to cry about? I'm the one who fell into your hands—I should be the one bawling my eyes out!"

Hong Lingbo suddenly turned around, shouting angrily, 'I know in your eyes I'm not as good as this, not as good as that; if you don't want me, just say it straight—stop beating around the bush here!'

Translation: "Hong Lingbo suddenly turned around, shouting angrily, 'I know in your eyes I'm not as good as this, not as good as that; if you don't want me, just say it straight—stop beating around the bush here!'"

Hong Lingbo suddenly turned around, shouting angrily, "I know in your eyes I'm not as good as this, not as good as that; if you don't want me, just say it straight—stop beating around the bush here!"

Seeing her angry expression, Feng Yi couldn't help but smile; he then pulled both her feet onto his lap, holding them in his arms and playing with them, softly saying, 'You've wronged me to death—how could I not want you? I'm just a little afraid.'

Translation: "Seeing her angry expression, Feng Yi couldn't help but smile; he then pulled both her feet onto his lap, holding them in his arms and playing with them, softly saying, 'You've wronged me to death—how could I not want you? I'm just a little afraid.'"

Seeing her angry expression, Feng Yi couldn't help but smile; he then pulled both her feet onto his lap, holding them in his arms and playing with them, softly saying, "You've wronged me to death—how could I not want you? I'm just a little afraid."

Hong Lingbo, seeing he liked her feet, was already delighted; hearing his tone soften, she also said softly, 'What are you afraid of?'

Translation: "Hong Lingbo, seeing he liked her feet, was already delighted; hearing his tone soften, she also said softly, 'What are you afraid of?'"

Hong Lingbo, seeing he liked her feet, was already delighted; hearing his tone soften, she also said softly, "What are you afraid of?"

Feng Yi let out a long sigh, 'I have many flaws: when I meet a pretty girl, I like to glance at her a few more times and like to say witty remarks; I actually mean nothing by it, but in your eyes it might seem like teasing, and this habit of mine is deeply ingrained—so I'll say that I could meet you is also because I looked at beautiful women and was sent down the mountain.'

Translation: "Feng Yi let out a long sigh, 'I have many flaws: when I meet a pretty girl, I like to glance at her a few more times and like to say witty remarks; I actually mean nothing by it, but in your eyes it might seem like teasing, and this habit of mine is deeply ingrained—so I'll say that I could meet you is also because I looked at beautiful women and was sent down the mountain.'"

Feng Yi let out a long sigh, "I have many flaws: when I meet a pretty girl, I like to glance at her a few more times and like to say witty remarks; I actually mean nothing by it, but in your eyes it might seem like teasing, and this habit of mine is deeply ingrained—so I'll say that I could meet you is also because I looked at beautiful women and was sent down the mountain."

But I also know that being indecisive is my fault; I've wronged you, miss.

And there's what I have to do ahead; my own life is uncertain, and it will bring you endless danger.

Before Feng Yi crossed over, he was just looking at long-legged girls. He also knows that women's sensitivity and suspicion are only one aspect; once his idea is carried out, the road ahead will be winding and fraught with thorns.

Hong Lingbo suddenly sat up, bit his face hard, and said angrily, 'You don't cultivate your petty morals, you disrespect your elders, you just love to take advantage with your words; if one day you make a big mistake...'

As she spoke, her brows and eyes reddened, and her voice grew choked.

Feng Yi frowned at her and said, 'What do you mean by disrespecting elders?'

Hong Lingbo snorted and said, 'I'm not unreasonable either; with your abilities, becoming a world-renowned great figure would be easy. Who knows how many girls would fall for you, and how could I possibly hold onto you? Even if I wanted to kill them, I probably couldn't.'

Feng Yi burst out laughing and said, 'No wonder you're Li Mochou's disciple, but am I really that good? Is it worth you fighting to the death for me?'

Hong Lingbo's brows showed a sorrowful expression as she leaned into Feng Yi's embrace, burying her face in his neck, trembling as she said, 'You just need to keep me in your heart, love me; being with others is fine, but if you're with my master... how could I live?'

After becoming intimate, Feng Yi, like any young man, was naturally fond of fighting; but these days, with others around and less closeness, just playing with her feet stirred his feelings.

As her soft, fat-like body pressed into his embrace, his heart stirred, his whole body instantly burned with desire he could not restrain, like the Yellow River's waters—once unleashed, impossible to hold back.

He at once stripped her of all her gear, and they went wild together; after the clouds dispersed and the rain ceased, Hong Lingbo suddenly bit his ear and whispered, 'Do you have feelings for her?'

Feng Yi feigned an 'aiyo' and asked, 'Who?'

You know who I'm talking about!

You really are—she's that old, and you're jealous of her; besides, with your fierceness, I wouldn't have the guts.

Hong Lingbo said resentfully, 'She looks about my age, she's pretty too, I can't compare to her alluring charm—what man wouldn't like her?'

Feng Yi gave a faint smile and said, 'You're trying to sound me out, but that's also true!'

Hong Lingbo stared, then spat, 'You're so shameless!'

Feng Yi let out a soft sigh and said, 'How to put it? My feelings for her aren't of that romantic kind.'

How should I describe it? She has encountered formidable foes in her life—you know Ouyang Feng—and she has also met Huang Yaoshi, do you know that?

Hong Lingbo hummed and said, 'I know—she originally intended to kill my junior martial sister and her female cousin, but Huang Yaoshi suddenly appeared and rescued that girl.'

Feng Yi laughed and said, 'She's just gilding her face.'

Huang Yaoshi was just playing with her at first.

If he got serious, she would have been killed long ago.

Moreover, Huang Yaoshi clearly knows she has done countless evil deeds; killing her would be effortless—so why is it like this?

Hong Lingbo pondered and said, 'I've heard Huang Yaoshi is very magnanimous; perhaps he doesn't want to stoop to the level of juniors.'

Feng Yi gave a faint smile and said, 'Huang Yaoshi's status certainly plays a role, but one cannot deny that her beauty gives people a feeling of reluctance to destroy it—in idiom, "burning the lute to cook the crane."'

Imagine if she were an ugly woman as bland as unsalted food, yet still did countless evil deeds—would Huang Yaoshi have the mind to play with her?

Hong Lingbo gave him a sideways glance and said, 'If that's what you're saying, even the grandmaster Huang Yaoshi would be so superficial?'

'You can't say it's superficial,' Feng Yi said. 'But Huang Yaoshi, the old heretic, spent his life seeking fame through dubious means, acting independently; I've also heard he once had feelings for his own disciple.'

"What?" Hong Lingbo was startled, rose and said, "Who? Is it Mei Chaofeng?"

Feng Yi touched her two liang of chest, pulled her back into his embrace and said: "This is just rumor; the so-called early affection when we met, let alone now!"

Hong Lingbo tilted her half face, giggling: "If people hear this, Huang Yaoshi will surely fight you to the death!"

Feng Yi laughed heartily: "As long as you don't fight me to the death, I fear no one!"

Their sweet talk continued, dispelling all estrangement; Feng Yi then realized that Hong Lingbo ultimately feared Li Mochou would join them, and also feared that after he slept with her, he would abandon her.

Fortunately, he hadn't considered these two points, so they spent another night entwined unto death.

The next morning, Hong Lingbo prepared breakfast, went to Li Mochou's room to call her to eat, called twice, but no one answered.

He pushed the door open and saw the room empty, no one inside, the quilt neatly folded on the bed, yet there was no trace of Li Mochou.

Hong Lingbo shouted, "Feng Ge, come quickly!"

Feng Yi flashed into the room, his heart gave a jolt.

Looking around, he saw a book placed on the table, inscribed "Five Poisons Secret Transmission"; on the inkstone rested a few brushes, beside them several sheets of xuan paper, on which was written a line of delicate small script.

The inscription read: "Ask the world, what is love? It makes life and death pledge to each other. Southern and northern wandering lovers, old wings how many cycles of cold and heat. Joy is fun, parting is bitter; among them are even more infatuated men and women. You should have words: vast ten thousand layers of clouds, thousand mountains' evening snow, a lone shadow—where does it go?"

Yuan Haowen was also a man of deep feeling; this ci "Playing with Fish" tightly revolves around the character "qing" (emotion), delicate and sorrowful, expressing praise for ultimate love and affection; this too was Li Mochou's lifelong suffering.

Feng Yi picked up the Five Poisons Secret Transmission, turned the page【Ding, obtained Five Poisons Secret Transmission, reward achievement points 100】.

At this moment Feng Yi had obtained what he wanted, and could imagine Li Mochou last night writing by candlelight, her phoenix eyes brimming with spring, like resentment and lament, sometimes pursing her lips in a soft laugh, sometimes looking sorrowful.

Feng Yi pondered for a while, then said: "I thought she had left without saying goodbye, deceiving me!"

Hong Lingbo faintly showed a desolate air, sighing: "She is extremely self-confident, never goes back on her word. Since she promised you, she won't deceive you! She hates the Lu Zhanyuan family, but the ten-year period hasn't arrived yet, so she endures without coming to the door..."

Seeing her speak, her brows and eyes gradually reddening, Feng Yi couldn't help but feel pity, drawing her into his embrace and said: "Yes. Although she is vicious, in keeping her word she surpasses many men; it's just a pity that she fell because of the character 'qing' (emotion)."

Feng Yi believed that in this world there must be a love that lasts unto death. In the face of such intense love, life and death, wealth and status, fame and profit can all be set aside.

Of course, letting go of everything is difficult; how long this love can last is even harder! Just as Lu Zhanyuan treated Li Mochou—initially he must have been sincere, otherwise Li Mochou would not have been so unforgettable; yet men's hearts that forget righteousness for profit, chase novelty and abandon the old, are far more common than steadfastness.

What "the seas run dry and rocks rot, love eternal", "mountains lack ridges, heaven and earth unite before parting"—these are ultimately just beautiful wishes of many! In the remaining days, Feng Yi each day purchased materials for making poison and sought people to forge silver needles.

Chang'an City has always been the cultural, political, and commercial center; several dynasties had their capitals here. Although now occupied by the Mongols, it has become the fief of the Mongol Fourth Prince Kublai, and commerce remains prosperous.

Because shops were closed, Mongol soldiers also forced you to open your door and set up stalls to do business. It was merely that Mongols and some Westerners were elated, laughing and chatting, while Han people remained expressionless; although they set up stalls to trade, Mongols buying goods merely gave money casually, and Han people dared not speak despite their anger.

Many who wanted to pack up their stalls and go home were beaten by Mongol soldiers, then forced to set them up again.

At this time Feng Yi did not want to cause trouble, so he secretly used stones to knock out several brutal Mongol soldiers who were beating people.

When the Mongols saw a soldier suddenly faint on the ground, they thought they had offended the shaman god and Eternal Heaven, and hurriedly knelt to pray.

Feng Yi then unblocked their pressure points, and this group became even more convinced, afterwards becoming much more restrained.

Given this situation, the items Feng Yi wanted to purchase were not hard to obtain.

In his free time, Feng Yi gave pointers to Hong Lingbo's martial arts, and of course he didn't forget to fully develop and savor her everything.

This was Feng Yi's last moment of contentment.

Although Hong Lingbo lacked extraordinary talent, diligence can compensate for clumsiness; following Li Mochou in the jianghu, she is no longer an amateur.

Although her martial arts foundation is not weak, the Nine Yin True Classic nearly contains the essence of all schools' martial arts, thus it has long been called the supreme compendium of martial arts under heaven.

That is truly profound and mysterious; Hong Lingbo only relied on rote memorization, so how could she comprehend its infinite subtleties?

Even with Feng Yi's guidance, given Hong Lingbo's current cultivation, many advanced martial arts cannot be learned.

Because her internal strength is insufficient, her power inadequate; even if you tell her the tricks, she still cannot execute them, or when facing experts, even her current techniques are useless.

Feng Yi then told her, only having her practice the Muscle and Bone Strengthening Chapter to increase her internal strength; in terms of martial arts moves, he combined the Blood Blade sword technique with the Ancient Tomb Sect martial arts she already knew, tailoring eight moves for her to practice diligently.

The Blood Blade sword technique is renowned for its strangeness and unpredictability, while the Ancient Tomb Sect martial arts emphasize swiftness; Feng Yi's eight moves each have nine variations, focusing on the element of surprise and attacking where the opponent is unprepared. If she further achieves even a modest accomplishment in the Muscle and Bone Strengthening technique, she will surely rarely meet an equal in the martial world.

Although being a teacher is not easy, since she is his own woman, Feng Yi can only be patient, teaching her move by move; even if he gets annoyed, he will scold her a couple of times.

However, Hong Lingbo had already grown accustomed to her man's temperament, which alternates between gentle and violent; she herself merely humbly accepts instruction and practice, anyway Feng Yi treats her better than Li Mochou does.

Day after day, time flew; Feng Yi's leg healed, but he had to mass-produce silver needles, craft poison needles and poison, and teach Hong Lingbo, which also immersed him in the vast and profound martial arts of the Nine Yin True Classic.

In the meantime, he also made a trip to the Capital Prefecture office, leaving a knife with a note; on it were the six characters "Those who serve as officials for the Mongols shall die!"

After that, three months had passed.

That night, Feng Yi dressed in black, equipped himself, and walked out of the house; Hong Lingbo was all in black, fully prepared.

The two left the courtyard together.

At this moment the night was dark as ink, with few pedestrians on the street; both employed lightness kung fu, Hong Lingbo appearing to glide along as if walking slowly, yet each step carried her far away, stepping forth leisurely, showing her enduring stamina.

Feng Yi praised, "Lingbo, your internal strength has improved quite well over these three months!"

Hearing his praise, Hong Lingbo felt an indescribable warmth and sweetness in her heart.

The two passed several major streets and arrived outside a large compound. This compound was very spacious; inside, buildings rose high, outside, high walls stood tall, imposing; outside the wall, several rows of willow trees stood side by side, and in the strong wind their branches all drifted eastward—at a glance it was clearly an official's residence! This was a spot Feng Yi had already scouted out; it was the Capital Prefecture office.

After Feng Yi reached behind the compound wall, he looked around and saw no one, listened and heard no sound from within, then the two leapt over and entered the compound.

Inside, there were many guards, with patrols of three to five scattered all around.

The two moved silently across the rooftops, arriving at the roof of a building in the rear courtyard, where they stopped to observe the surroundings.

Inside the compound, lights were everywhere; the west wing rooms had lights on, and the east wing rooms also had lights on.

Feng Yi couldn't help but ask, "Lingbo, which room do you think the official lives in?"

Hong Lingbo said, "The east is the master's side, so that room must be it." As she spoke, she reached out and pointed to the lit room ahead.

Feng Yi laughed, "Truly clever!"

Hong Lingbo looked up at the night sky, only a few stars visible, and couldn't help but say, "Feng Brother, with your high level of martial arts, if people knew you were doing assassinations, they would laugh at you!"

Feng Yi lightly replied, "I care only about your opinion, or that of those I approve; how others view me is of no consequence to me! Moreover, the conflict between the two states is not a duel to be won by rules, but a matter of using any means necessary."

"Yes." Hong Lingbo lightly nodded,

She knew that martial arts masters value reputation above all; like her master, when killing someone they would leave a bloody palm print to signal "I have come to kill you," and they never wear night-clothes.

Speaking of martial arts, Feng Yi is far superior to his master—a top-tier expert; yet the outcome is like that of a petty thief, something no one else would ever do.

However, this was the first time she was following Feng Yi on an errand, and she had to obey him in everything—just fine.

Feng Yi said: "Wait here."

He leapt up, his form agile like a dragon, using hands and feet to push off slightly from the grass and tree branches in the courtyard, his body shooting out like a strong arrow, swift as thunder and lightning, darting toward the east wing.

(End of chapter)