Chapter 96

All men, regardless of age, wisdom or foolishness, when facing beautiful women, inevitably have some shamelessness. Moreover, Feng Yi was never honest to begin with; after getting along with Cheng Ying, he deeply felt her gentleness and meticulousness, something he had never encountered before.

Although he did not know her exact appearance, the foresight advantage let him know that she must be beautiful. Moreover, upon seeing Guo Fu, he truly felt an urgent desire to see what Cheng Ying looked like, and who between the two was more beautiful.

And this seemed to become the only seasoning Feng Yi could enjoy in this fragmented world.

Cheng Ying angrily said: "You always talk nonsense; I am not as beautiful as Miss Guo, nor as beautiful as your Hong Lingbo, so what's the point?"

Feng Yi originally thought that all women cared about beauty; even if someone flattered him with false sincerity, he would feel pleased, as with Huang Rong, Li Mochou, Guo Fu, Hong Lingbo, etc. Unexpectedly, Cheng Ying became angry, which was somewhat unexpected, and he sheepishly said: "Miss Cheng, don't be angry—I was just joking; I won't say it again."

Cheng Ying snorted and said: "I am myself; why compare with others? They are teasing Guo the Great Hero, and you still have the heart to joke?" Saying this, her eye sockets reddened, and she resentfully turned her head away.

Feng Yi stared, startled, wanting to explain, but seeing Cheng Ying turn her head away, his heart cooled by half; he could only sigh inwardly: "It's also my fault for behaving oddly—what woman could accept someone like me? Yet Old Master Huang Yaoshi, who disregards worldly conventions, has actually trained his disciple to be so proper, like a Confucian scholar—truly strange!"

Alas, it seems I don't have the fortune to have beauties on both arms.

Actually, Feng Yi saw Huodu here, using the ten-year agreement to provoke Guo Jing, and instead thought it was quite good.

First, even if Guo Jing did not make a move, with Huang Rong present Huodu still could not defeat him.

Second, the more Huodu is vile and shameless, the more it lets Guo Jing know that if you reason with barbarians, they will play tricks on you, resulting in a great loss.

If one says Feng Yi judges people, he usually sees only their shortcomings, not their strengths; whereas Guo Jing looks at everyone and sees only their strengths, not their shortcomings.

Thus, despite possessing supreme skills, he ends up helpless in the face of everything, ultimately meeting an end where he perishes together with the city.

In the original plot, Jinlun brought his two disciples and dared to come to the heroes' gathering of thousands, stealing the spotlight. If Guo Jing did not bother with reason, he could take down Jinlun in a few dozen moves; even with the two disciples added, it would likely not be enough for him to win. Unfortunately, insisting on righteousness ultimately let Yang Guo and Xiao Longnv steal the limelight.

But what about Jinlun?

At first he considered himself supreme, invincible under heaven; after being taught a lesson by Guo Jing, he either seized his daughter or took his wife, and later even allied with three top masters, joining Yang Guo in an attempt to kill him—where is the slightest bearing of a grand master? Moreover, Hulagu, after Guo Jing's righteous defense of Xiangyang, continuously sent assassins and poisoners to kill him, though he never succeeded.

In short, to deal with Guo Jing, the Mongol side had no one who would talk about righteousness with him.

Now making Guo Jing face difficulties for a while will also help later with my own plan implementation and his counter-enemy strategy.

Therefore Feng Yi would coldly observe from the sidelines, but it's hard to say this outright, and no one could understand his painstaking efforts; feeling rather helpless, he could only sigh.

Seeing him sigh, Cheng Ying felt very puzzled, only sensing that his every word and deed were truly inscrutable, leaving her mind in a daze.

After a moment of silence on the field, Guo Fu loudly said: "Brother Wu, let us three go up together and fight him again."

Holding the sword in her right hand, she waved her left hand and shouted: "We three senior/junior disciples will come together."

Guo Jing shouted: "Fu'er, don't mess around!"

Guo Fu, who feared her father most, could only retreat a few steps, glaring angrily at Huodu.

Although Huodu is a first-rate master, in Guo Jing's eyes he could be defeated with a casual move; however, since Guo Jing had a prior agreement with him at the Quanyang Palace, he also knew nothing about this Mongol prince's background.

Genghis Khan had four sons: the eldest son Juchi was brave and valiant; the second son Chagatai had a violent temper but was actually shrewd; the third son Ögedei had a gentle nature and became the Great Khan of Mongolia; the fourth son Tolui was extraordinarily fierce.

Although Guo Jing was acquainted with them all, he felt Huodu's appearance was handsome and unlike any of the four, truly not knowing whose son he was.

Just now Huodu also clearly stated that he does not know his own daughter, that in dealing with his own disciples there is no bullying of the small by the great, nor any oppression of the few by the many.

On the contrary, his own disciple, facing two opponents, could not prevail.

After all, he associates with Tolui and others as peers; if the notion of bullying the weak with strength were valid, wouldn't that elevate this Mongol prince of unknown background to his own level?

Huang Rong also deeply knew that Huodu, being a Mongol prince, eliminating him today would also be beneficial to the state.

Unfortunately, in the martial world, those who kill and set fires still value righteousness above all; at the critical moment of convening the martial arts assembly, if her husband, as the initiator of the gathering, were to go back on his word for personal gain, it would be no different from giving others a handle to criticize him, causing discord among the people—how could they then unite to face national calamity?

Huang Rong floated forward, gave a slight smile, and said: "Huodu, you clearly know that my clumsy husband keeps his word and values righteousness, and he is not your match; so why are you using words against him—what exactly do you intend?"

Her Dog Beating Staff technique is peerless under heaven; one would expect it could also defeat Huodu, and Guo Jing, naturally aware of this, did not stop her.

Seeing Huang Rong smile, Huodu felt as if spring wind melted snow, with a hint of softness appearing in his brows and eye corners. He had only been wary of Guo Jing; seeing Huang Rong as merely a delicate, beautiful woman, he did not take her too seriously, but now seeing her gentle demeanor, he found her somewhat inscrutable.

Huodu pondered briefly, flicked his folding fan, revealing a peony blossom vivid and dripping on the fan, and gave a dry laugh: "Lady Guo, you overpraise me; Guo the Great Hero was once my Mongol's golden‑knife prince consort; during the western campaigns, his might shook the world."

I, when studying in Mongolia, had already heard his great name; I regretted lacking the opportunity to meet him earlier. Fortunately meeting him at Quanyang Palace, his reputation proved true, and I felt deep admiration; as long as he does not make things difficult for me, how could this prince dare to offend him?

Upon hearing "golden‑knife prince consort," Huang Rong raised her brows repeatedly and coldly snorted: "Those old tales—what's the point of bringing them up?"

Only see Huodu shaking his fan with a laugh: "Well, that was then, this is now; if my aunt Huazheng knew, she would also be displeased."

This prince has heard that Guo the Great Hero and his wife are having the Beggar Gang's disciples widely distribute heroes' invitations, intending to convene the martial arts assembly; being able to meet Guo the Great Hero here today is truly a heaven‑sent opportunity.

My master, the Mongolian holy monk Jinlun National Master, happens to have his Buddhist procession here; I hope Guo the Great Hero, his wife, and Miss will honor us with their presence for a few days, to discuss martial affairs together, and also let this prince fulfill his duties as host—wouldn't that be wonderful?

Zhamuhe and Tiemuzhen were sworn brothers (anda); Huodu is Zhamuhe's close grandson, calling Huazheng "aunt" is indeed appropriate, and the reason he mentions Huazheng is moreover to give himself an insurance.

In the past he lost to Guo Jing in a single move; after descending the mountain, a little inquiry revealed that he had fallen into the hands of the Mongolian golden‑knife prince consort. Therefore, when he meets Guo Jing, he has nothing to fear from any angle.

Guo Jing raised his thick brows and said: "You are on Song territory; what sort of landlord are you?"

Huodu laughed: "Fine, then will Guo the Great Hero go or not go to this Song territory?"

"You stinking Tatar, how absurd!... Go have a nice dream, you son of a bitch..."

The crowd, big and small, shouted curses.

Huodu is sinister and crafty; he knows that the so‑called ten‑year agreement can only keep Guo Jing from laying hands on him, and even if he were not afraid of Huang Rong and managed to win, abducting them would still be impossible.

Thus he intends to invite Guo Jing into Longju Fortress, or rather to provoke him, for his master Jinlun National Master possesses the power to move heaven and earth, unmatched in the world—would Guo Jing not be easily captured? But if Guo Jing does not go, would Huodu not deal a heavy blow to Guo Jing's spirit, not only avenging the past humiliation at Quanyang Palace but also shaking the martial world—wouldn't that be a great thing? Hence he puts on an air of fearless confidence.

Guo Jing's mind is slow, he is inept with words, not knowing how to respond, and simply said lightly: "If I do not go, what then?"

Huodu snapped his folding fan shut and said with a grin: "Guo the Great Hero has a heroic bearing and divine martial skill; my master also possesses the power to move heaven and earth, and I have long wished to meet him. If you are afraid and unwilling to go, I have followed my master for many years but have learned only a little superficial skill, and I cannot insist—let us meet again another time!"

Several people stared at each other in astonishment, unaware of his intention.

But Huang Rong already understood: evidently Huodu had learned that the heroes' assembly would be disadvantageous to the Mongols, and moreover this Jinlun National Master's martial arts are extremely high, and besides, this place has already been occupied by the Mongols.

If Guo Jing were to go, he would face great danger.

If he does not go, despite his great reputation, Guo Jing would be seen as a coward who loves life and fears death, and this would also weaken the prestige of the host of the heroes' assembly in resisting the Mongols.

Huang Rong smiled faintly and said: "You are so deceitful, your words sound beautiful; if we were to go as guests, we would certainly be at a disadvantage; if we do not go, it would appear that Lord Guo is afraid of some Mongol master, and you could then spread the word far and wide, letting all the heroes under heaven know! Right?"

Huodu immediately shook his fan and laughed loudly, saying: "Lady Guo truly has extraordinary insight. This is called 'a fierce tiger in front, a thunder pool behind—you cannot advance, you cannot retreat.'"

Step forward and you'll become a prisoner; step back and you'll be a lost dog—hahaha……

Even though Huang Rong's strategies are myriad, her inner state is also in utter turmoil.

If it were just her and her husband, even a dragon's pool and tiger's den they would dare to break into; but now, with a daughter disciple, going there would be like lambs entering a tiger's mouth, and she is actually intending to argue forcefully with him.

Guo Jing lightly nodded, then slowly said: "Good, I'll go with you to meet your master!"

Guo Fu, upon hearing this, jumped up in anxiety: "Father, how can that be?"

The Wu brothers also said: "Master, no, no……"

Guo Jing shook his head and said: "I have my own plans; you all leave quickly!"

Huo Du shook his fan and laughed: "Great Hero Guo, your bearing is truly extraordinary; I, the little prince, admire you!"

Cheng Ying had been watching for a while; now she couldn't help biting her lip and said: "In this world, there actually exists such a shameless wretch!"

Feng Yi sighed: "Great Hero Guo and his ilk are too upright, thus lacking flexibility; therefore, wicked people must be dealt with by wicked means."

Cheng Ying saw Feng Yi rise, knowing he was about to act, and said: "Wear the mask."

Feng Yi thought it reasonable; since he did not seek fame in the martial world this time, he took out the human-skin mask she had given him, put it on, loosened his sleeves, and leapt straight down from the cliff top. Cheng Ying couldn't help but startle, blurting out: "Don't!" Her voice was clear, gentle, and graceful, revealing a hint of concern. Feng Yi glanced at her; the woman's complexion remained wooden, yet sorrow filled her eyes, sunlight spilling over her like a translucent veil, like a wisp of cloud that might dissipate at any moment.

A heat rose in Feng Yi's chest, and a surge of pride welled up as he thought: "What sort of person am I, Feng Yi, to constantly want to see a woman's appearance? That would discard a man's nature and let others look down on me for no reason!"

Thinking this, he let out a loud, long laugh.

Everyone heard clearly, all looked up together, and saw a person leaping down from a cliff seven or eight zhang high like a flying general.

The newcomer wore shining black clothes, sleeves fluttering, as if descending on the wind; everyone was astonished beyond words. Feng Yi suddenly unfolded his large sleeve, gave a empty-handed sweep; the sleeve's wind rubbed, his body paused slightly, the falling force diminished, and he landed lightly on a boulder, hands on hips, laughing loudly: "Today I finally get to see what is meant by 'a gentleman may be bullied with righteousness!'"

This display of lightness skill left everyone dazzled and dazed.

The Wu brothers and Guo Fu saw his expression wooden, like a corpse, glanced once and dared not look again.

Huo Du, Darba, and others were even more shocked than the few; they each possessed formidable martial arts, yet knew Feng Yi's lightness skill was something they could not achieve.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong exchanged a glance; despite Feng Yi wearing a mask, they recognized his stature and movements. Huang Rong thought even more: "Once this person arrives, all difficulties will be solved; Brother Jing need not risk himself."

Feng Yi's eyes turned, his gaze like arrows sweeping over Huo Du and Darba; he lifted a foot and arrived before Guo Jing in what seemed like a few paces despite the several zhang distance, smiling: "Great Hero Guo, I and this Mongol brat, plus whatever grievance remains with the Golden Wheel National Master, please let me settle this first, then you may meet him."

These words gave Guo Jing a face-saving way out, while lightly taking on the burden.

Huang Rong originally thought Huo Du's martial arts were superb, his shamelessness known to her master; if Brother Jing went, even if he could retreat unharmed, he might not gain an advantage.

Quite troubled, Feng Yi's arrival lightly took the problem off their hands; they were sincerely grateful.

Guo Jing was about to speak to recognize Feng Yi, but Huang Rong tugged his sleeve, smiled slightly at Feng Yi, and said: "Please, sir."

Guo Jing couldn't react in time, but knowing his wife's actions always had purpose, he also refrained from recognizing Feng Yi.

Huo Du suddenly folded his fan, sneering: "How marvelous, how marvelous! I, the little prince, have always cultivated in obscurity in Mongolia, ignorant and inexperienced; I never expected there to be such a figure in the Central Plains martial world. May I ask what grievance you have with me and my master?"

Seeing Feng Yi's strange expression and stiff face, he felt surprised, wanting first to clarify his background, but his speech was pompous and arrogant to the extreme.

Feng Yi gave a slight smile: "You and that old bald donkey of the Golden Wheel, wearing a troupe of lamas all along, digging up graves, and yet beautifying it as 'cutting off the Han dragon veins.'"

"The other day you even snatched a prostitute at Cui Fang Ju, refused to pay, claimed it was what I wanted, and let the madam take away my ten taels of silver—basically worse than pigs and dogs! I've been chasing you for a long time..."

The more Huo Du exalted himself, the more arrogant he became; Feng Yi thus wanted to trample his words into the mud.

Digging up Han tombs is something the Mongols have done before, merely for gold, silver, and treasures to expand military supplies. The idea of cutting off Han dragon veins, the court indeed has considered it now, convening Tantric living buddhas for discussion, yet not implemented.

But when it came to the courtesan and ten taels of silver, Huo Du finally realized this was just making trouble for no reason; his face changed, he gave a heavy snort, and angrily said: "What's the point of lip service? If you have ability, let's decide superiority by hand and foot; as long as you can beat me, ten taels, a hundred, or a thousand taels of silver mean nothing."

Although Huo Du saw Feng Yi's lightness skill was excellent, hearing his clear voice suggested he was young, so he wondered how much internal power he truly possessed.

Moreover, he is naturally arrogant and overbearing; when Guo Jing previously struck, he defeated four of Huo Du's top aides in succession, yet dared to say, "If you can withstand thirty of my moves, how about that?" The result was a single move defeat upon engagement, becoming a great joke.

But there is only one Guo Jing in the world; what does he have to fear from others?

Feng Yi smiled, his eyes bright and spirited: "With such big talk, if you can't produce the money, I might just beat you to death!"

Huo Du turned purple with anger, shouting sharply: "Do you dare to fight me one-on-one, without letting others interfere?"

"Good!" Feng Yi clapped his hands: "Rest assured, Great Hero Guo is a gentleman; a gentleman's word is hard to chase even with four horses. I also have no relation or acquaintance with Great Hero Guo; he will not help me!"

This remark struck right at Huo Du's heart's ailment.

Since entering the Central Plains, he has only suffered losses at Guo Jing's hands; the others are not worth fearing. Now, if he were to fight Feng Yi, he worries Guo Jing might intervene; hearing this, he glanced at Guo Jing in an instant.

Suddenly Huang Rong laughed: "My husband has always kept his word!"

Huo Du gave a snort, sprang forward like a snake, swift as a serpent, and thrust out a palm.

His movements were swift; in a flash he arrived, yet Feng Yi did not dodge or evade; Guo Fu caught a glimpse and cried: "Be careful!"

Huo Du snorted coldly; this palm contained stored power, truly the essence of Mongolian Vajra Sect martial arts, intending with one strike to knock Feng Yi unconscious and down; in a flash, his palm fell like lightning.

Feng Yi laughed: "Still have two brushes!" He slightly turned his forearm upward; only a faint swoosh of wind was heard as his sleeve swept up, and in the motion of lifting, the sleeve's edge struck Huo Du's wrist.

This move he learned from the Nine Yin True Classic; internal energy travels along the sleeve to directly seal the opponent's acupoint.

This move is not particularly extraordinary, but Huo Du, confident in his deep internal strength, thought: "Even if his power is profound and his internal force fierce, it cannot harm me under a sleeve flick."

Suddenly a layer of purple aura appeared on his face, having sealed the acupoint; heedless, he continued his attack.

Who knew his wrist would go numb, as if pricked by a spear tip; he felt a hot current surge into his meridians, his arm went limp, his palm power not only failed to issue forth, but an instant tingling numbness spread through his whole body! In a flash, Huo Du's three souls and six spirits were frightened out of his body, yet Feng Yi did not follow up; he hastily retreated in disarray.

Huo Du lowered his gaze; his left hand was already red and swollen, he could not help but feel great alarm, narrowing his eyes, staring at Feng Yi's face, thinking: "Who is this person, with such profound skill? Hmm, his appearance is strange; perhaps he practices some sinister art, and his internal strength may not surpass mine by much."

The Wu brothers and Guo Fu were also astonished; they had witnessed Huo Du's formidable martial arts, yet this person repelled him with a single move, shocking them immensely, each thinking: "Just who is this person? His martial arts are so powerful!"

Guo Jing and Huang Rong exchanged a glance, naturally recognizing this as the acupoint-sealing method from the Nine Yin True Classic—nothing more than Feng Yi channeling internal energy into his sleeve to achieve success with one strike.

Feng Yi snorted coldly: "Just now you said here that you had a ten-year agreement with Great Hero Guo; I thought you were a person of note, but it turns out you only have this superficial skill, spouting nonsense here—truly the utmost shamelessness!" His tone was plain, yet it actually struck straight at Huo Du's heart.

Huo Du is arrogant; having been subdued in one move by Guo Jing, even if given ten years, or twenty or thirty, he could never be a match for Guo Jing. He felt ashamed to speak of it, ordering his subordinates to stay silent, and never told his master, the Golden Wheel Lama.

Huo Du, doubtful and uncertain, asked: "May I ask your esteemed name and whose disciple you are? Did you come specially to oppose me?"

Feng Yi replied: "My name is Tu Mengke; my master has already passed from this world."

"Tu Mengke?"

Huo Du racked his brains, yet had never heard that name.

Guo Fu lightly tugged at Huang Rong's sleeve and asked: "Mother, have you heard this name?"

Huang Rong glanced at her precious daughter, secretly sighing: "This daughter of mine is too honest; she takes entirely after her father."

Huo Du thought that Tu Mengke's lightness skill was superb, his internal strength certainly not inferior to his own; his senior brother Darba's martial arts were roughly equal to his; if they all rushed up together, the other side still had Guo Jing and Huang Rong; considering this, he broke into a cold sweat behind his back, clasped his hands, and said: "Your martial arts are high and strong; I submit; farewell until we meet again!"

With those words spoken, he turned and left.

But as soon as he moved, his left wrist suddenly tightened; in an instant his arm hurt even more, and he almost cried out. He heard Feng Yi laugh and say: "You just finished showing off your might, talking about hundreds or thousands of taels, but even ten taels you didn't give, and you just want to leave like that?"

Huo Du was supremely arrogant, believing he had victory in hand, which is why he spoke of hundreds or thousands of taels; if these ten taels of silver were paid, wouldn't that be tantamount to admitting he and his master had visited prostitutes together and still not paid? This matter is too great, absolutely cannot be admitted! Yet unexpectedly, Feng Yi closed in and grabbed him, and he didn't even notice; if Feng Yi wanted to take his life, wouldn't it be as easy as flipping his hand? In panic, he waved his right-hand fan, sending a gust of wind toward Feng Yi's face; the wind actually carried a faint fragrance.

Feng Yi, fearing poison in the wind, held his breath, grabbed Huo Du's fan with his left hand, and with a swing of his right hand, Huo Du suddenly felt a huge force like a surging tide; unable to control himself, he flipped out in a somersault.

With a thud, he fell heavily to the ground, his back aching fiercely; fortunately he didn't land face-first, or he would have been disfigured.

However, Huo Du was indeed a top-notch expert; he braced with his elbows to check his fall, but Feng Yi laughed and said, "Still not paying?" and swung his fan to strike Huo Du's head.

Huo Du bent his waist inward and unleashed the "Mandarin Duck Linked Leg Technique"; this strike, even a tree as thick as a bowl's mouth, if kicked, would inevitably break.

Unexpectedly, his lower leg went numb, already struck by Feng Yi's fan.

Feng Yi followed by shaking his folding fan, suddenly generating a subtle force; though slight, it was just right, Huo Du couldn't help but let out a pained cry, his legs kicking empty air, as this huge force pulled him, he actually flew up six feet into the air, made a turn, and ended up facing downward.

With a "bang," he landed face down, from forehead to groin every spot aching to the bone.

"Haha, eating dirt!" Guo Fu clapped and shouted.

"Miss, you're wrong!" Feng Yi laughed and said, "This is called eating feces!"

He could still speak calmly in the midst of battle; Huo Du's followers were all shocked, Guo Fu's face flushed red, thinking, "This person is so vulgar!" and she said, "What's this about eating feces? It's disgusting!"

Guo Jing shouted, "Fu'er!"

Guo Fu stuck out her tongue, not daring to speak again.

Feng Yi, seeing this, laughed heartily.

He knew well that Guo Fu was spoiled, a habit of Huang Rong's upbringing, so this spoiled young lady feared neither Huang Rong nor anyone else, only Guo Jing.

Huo Du suffered repeated losses, but Feng Yi did not use heavy force, so his injuries were not serious; nevertheless, he was shocked to the extreme, as soon as he landed he braced himself with both hands, and while still airborne he seemed to spin like a wind wheel, wanting to escape Feng Yi and jump into the crowd.

Feng Yi didn't chase him, letting him tumble in the air; Huo Du flipped several times, leapt more than a zhang, straightened his waist as he landed, turned his head and saw Feng Yi nowhere in sight, instead all his subordinates were staring at his back, feeling apprehensive, when a gust of wind suddenly arose behind him.

Huo Du hastily swung his hand back, but unexpectedly, when his palm reached halfway, his arm went numb and his wrist was struck again; then he heard Feng Yi say, "Still not paying?" with a slap, his face already took a blow.

Despite Huo Du's deep internal strength, his head felt like it would split, his nose sore, tears and snot streaming, so angry and furious he was on the verge of fainting.

Feng Yi remained leisurely, toying with his folding fan on one hand and laughing on the other: "Young Lord, will you pay or not?"

In the midst of speaking, a loud shout like thunder rang out, a red shadow leapt from the crowd and lunged at Feng Yi.

(End of chapter)