Chapter 98: with translation of chapter title

~46 min read 9,123 words

Guo Jing and the others walked several li, looking back at the majestic mountain range; Guo Jing hesitated, reluctant to leave, so he pulled Huang Rong aside and whispered, "Rong'er, you take Fu'er and them ahead first; I need to go back for a trip."

But we need to be concise, not add extra. Let's translate exactly.

We need to keep numbers etc.

Let's go line by line.

Guo Jing and the others walked several li, looking back at the towering mountain range; Guo Jing hesitated, reluctant to leave, so he pulled Huang Rong aside and whispered, "Rong'er, take Fu'er and the others on ahead; I need to go back for a bit."

We need to keep punctuation? We'll keep as natural English.

Now output as 【1】 translation.

Huang Rong smiled faintly and said softly, "Jing brother, how is Feng Yi's martial arts? We've seen it with our own eyes; he won't come to harm."

Huang Rong smiled slightly and said softly, "Jing brother, how is Feng Yi's martial arts? We've seen it with our own eyes; he won't come to harm."

Thus: "Huang Rong smiled slightly and said softly, \"Brother Jing, how is Feng Yi's martial arts? We've seen it with our own eyes; he won't come to harm. \""

Guo Jing frowned slightly: "Even a mighty tiger can't withstand a pack of wolves, let alone he has a girl in green by his side."

With Guo Jing's martial prowess, when Feng Yi leapt off the cliff and Cheng Ying cried out in surprise, he had already discovered her whereabouts; but seeing her together with Feng Yi, he pretended not to know.

Translation: "With Guo Jing's martial prowess, when Feng Yi leapt off the cliff and Cheng Ying cried out in surprise, he had already noticed her movements, but seeing her together with Feng Yi, he pretended not to know."

Thus: "With Guo Jing's martial prowess, when Feng Yi leapt off the cliff and Cheng Ying cried out in surprise, he had already noticed her movements, but seeing her together with Feng Yi, he pretended not to know."

Huang Rong shook her head and said, "Feng Yi wants to do something he doesn't want us to see. If you go, you'll only make things harder for him."

Translation: "Huang Rong shook her head and said, \"Feng Yi wants to do something; he doesn't want us to see it. If you go, it will only make things harder for him. \""

Guo Jing was startled; he knew his wife was exceptionally clever, and asked, "How so?"

Translation: "Guo Jing startled, knowing his wife was exceptionally clever, he asked, \"How so? \""

Huang Rong chuckled: "Those people probably won't survive; what would happen if you went?"

Huang Rong laughed: "Those people likely won't make it alive; what would happen if you went?"

Guo Jing was astonished and hesitated, saying, "You mean he arranged to meet the Golden Wheel using hostages, and that's a trick?"

Translation: "Hearing this, Guo Jing was astonished and hesitated: \"You mean he used hostages to meet with the Golden Wheel, and that's a deception? \""

Guo Jing was astonished and hesitated, saying, "You mean he arranged to meet the Golden Wheel using hostages, and that's a trick?"

Huang Rong said, "Whether he's deceiving people or not, I don't know, but I know his methods don't match your usual conduct, Great Hero Guo."

Now continue translation of line 9: "Huang Rong said, \"Whether he's deceiving people or not, I don't know, but I know his methods don't match your usual conduct, Great Hero Guo. \""

So he had us leave! He just didn't want complications."

Translation: "That's why he had us leave! He just didn't want complications. \""

So he had us leave! He just didn't want complications."

Guo Jing sighed: "If he weren't doing something that harms heaven and reason, I certainly wouldn't interfere."

Translation: "Guo Jing sighed: \"If he weren't doing things that harm heaven and reason, I certainly wouldn't interfere. \""

Huang Rong's eyes flashed, and she smiled: "Then tell me, what is heavenly principle?"

Translation: "Huang Rong's eyes flashed as she smiled and said, \"Then tell me, what is heavenly principle? \""

Guo Jing replied without hesitation: "Not bullying the weak is heavenly principle!"

Guo Jing answered without hesitation: "Not bullying the weak is heavenly principle!"

Huang Rong said: "Though that's true, the weak are relative; in his eyes, who isn't weak? He treats Huo Du like a three‑year‑old child, yet is he really weak?"

We need to keep the quote marks. Translation: "Huang Rong said, \"Though that's true, weakness is relative; in his eyes, who isn't weak? He treats Huo Du like a three-year-old child to play with, but is Huo Du weak? \""

Our Central Plains have countless heroes; how many could compare? Just say I and you trained hard on Peach Blossom Island, thinking ourselves quite formidable, yet beside him I feel like a weak woman.

Translation: "Among the countless heroes of the Central Plains martial world, who could compare? Even saying that I and you have trained diligently on Peach Blossom Island, thinking ourselves quite remarkable, yet compared to him I become a weak woman."

We need to keep the quote. So: "Huang Rong continued, \"Among the countless heroes of the Central Plains martial world, who could compare? Even saying that I and you have trained diligently on Peach Blossom Island, thinking ourselves quite remarkable, yet compared to him I become a weak woman. \""

Furthermore, Mongolia's military might now reaches in all directions, its vast territory unprecedented in ancient times; the Western Regions stretch tens of thousands of li, and even our Central Plains already possess two‑thirds of it; compared to the Song state, are we not weak?

Guo Jing recalled what Genghis Khan had said more than ten years ago—that his realm stretched from the center to the four borders, and even a swift horse needed a year to travel from one side to the other; the size of his lands was unprecedented. Reflecting on this, Guo Jing could not help but sigh: "How does the heavenly way prevail? My China is about to fall into thorns." Tears glistened in his eyes.

Translation: "Guo Jing, thinking back more than ten years to what Genghis Khan said—that his realm stretched from the center to the four borders, requiring a fast horse a year to reach from the center to the edge, the vastness of his land unprecedented—upon this thought, Guo Jing couldn't help sighing, \"How does the heavenly way prevail? My China is about to fall into thorns. \" His eyes filled with tears."

We'll keep the quote.

Seeing her husband tearful, Huang Rong kissed his face, stroked his cheek, and said: "Jing brother, you could also go see—first, to discern the true nature of that Golden Wheel National Teacher; second, to observe what sort of person the Mongolian National Teacher really is, and whether he truly repays kindness with hatred as Feng Yi said, base and shameless, so that when we meet them later we'll know how to deal with them."

Translation: "Seeing her husband tear up, Huang Rong kissed his face, stroked his cheek, and said, \"Brother Jing, however you can also go take a look: first to see through the reality of that Golden Wheel National Teacher, second to see what sort of person this Mongolian National Teacher really is, and whether it's truly as Feng Yi said—repaying kindness with hatred, base and shameless—so that when we encounter them later, we'll know how to deal with them. \""

Thus: "Seeing her husband tear up, Huang Rong kissed his face, stroked his cheek, and said, \"Brother Jing, however you can also go take a look: first to see through the reality of that Golden Wheel National Teacher, second to see what sort of person this Mongolian National Teacher really is, and whether it's truly as Feng Yi said—repaying kindness with hatred, base and shameless—so that when we encounter them later, we'll know how to deal with them. \""

Guo Jing nodded.

Translation: "Guo Jing nodded."

Huang Rong added: "But unless it's absolutely necessary, don't reveal yourself, even if Feng Yi kills those people!"

Translation: "Huang Rong added, \"However, unless absolutely necessary, do not reveal yourself, even if Feng Yi kills those people. \""

After a long while, Guo Jing still had nothing to say.

Translation: "After a long while, Guo Jing still had no response."

Huang Rong gave him a sideways glance and said lightly: "What? Great Hero Guo, you can't forget old feelings, can't bear to let go?"

Translation: "Huang Rong gave him a sideways glance and said lightly, \"What? Great Hero Guo, you can't forget old feelings, can't bear to let go? \""

Huang Rong gave him a sideways glance and said lightly: "What? Great Hero Guo, you can't forget old feelings, can't bear to let go?"

"What old feelings are hard to forget?" Guo Jing started, then saw his wife's mouth utter something cold while her face held a mischievous look, and realized she was teasing him with the huazheng; his face flushed red and he said: "Rong'er, I'm only thinking that those people have already been subdued by Feng Yi; if it were me, I could never kill them! But if I don't kill them, it's like letting the tiger return to the mountain—sooner or later they'll become enemies of our Han household, so I don't know what's right or wrong! You keep day‑dreaming, the huazheng is just the huazheng; I don't even know who Huo Du is—maybe he's a fake prince inflating his own worth—could I still help him?"

Translation: "\"What old feelings are hard to forget? \" Guo Jing startled, then saw his wife's tone cold but her face mischievous, realizing she was teasing him with Huazheng, he blushed and said, \"Rong'er, I'm just thinking those people have already been subdued by Feng Yi; if it were me, I certainly couldn't kill them! But if I don't kill them, it's letting the tiger return to the mountain, and sooner or later we'll be enemies with the Han household, so I don't know what's right or wrong! You keep daydreaming—Huazheng is Huazheng, and as for Huo Du, I don't even know who he is; maybe he's a pretended prince inflating his worth—could I still help him? \""

Thus: "\"What old feelings are hard to forget? \" Guo Jing startled, then saw his wife's tone cold but her face mischievous, realizing she was teasing him with Huazheng, he blushed and said, \"Rong'er, I'm just thinking those people have already been subdued by Feng Yi; if it were me, I certainly couldn't kill them! But if I don't kill them, it's letting the tiger return to the mountain, and sooner or later we'll be enemies with the Han household, so I don't know what's right or wrong! You keep daydreaming—Huazheng is Huazheng, and as for Huo Du, I don't even know who he is; maybe he's a pretended prince inflating his worth—could I still help him? \""

Huang Rong lifted her chin and said: "How? You're angry, embarrassed, and want to hit someone?"

Translation: "Huang Rong lifted her chin and said, \"How? You're annoyed, embarrassed into anger, wanting to hit someone? \""

Guo Jing smiled: "You say I wouldn't dare?" He put his arms around his wife; Huang Rong could not move and cried out: "Save me, save me! Killing people!" Guo Jing laughed, kissed her cheek, and let her go.

Translation: "Guo Jing smiled and said, \"You say I dare not? \" He reached out and embraced his wife; Huang Rong couldn't move, shouting, \"Save me, save me! Killing people?! \" Guo Jing laughed, kissed her cheek, and let her go."

Thus: "Guo Jing smiled and said, \"You say I dare not? \" He reached out and embraced his wife; Huang Rong couldn't move, shouting, \"Save me, save me! Killing people?! \" Guo Jing laughed, kissed her cheek, and let her go."

Huang Rong whispered softly: "Be careful!"

Translation: "Huang Rong said softly, \"Be careful! \""

Guo Jing grunted: "You be careful too." He turned and walked back the way they came.

Translation: "Guo Jing grunted in acknowledgment: \"You be careful too. \" He said as he headed back the way they came."

After two steps he added: "Fu'er, Ru'er, Wen'er, come out!"

Translation: "After walking two steps, he called again, \"Fu'er, Ru'er, Wen'er, come out! \""

Guo Fu leapt out lightly, and Wu Dunru and Wu Wen also jumped out from behind the trees.

The three youths, unable to contain their curiosity upon seeing their masters talking, ran over to eavesdrop and thus learned that the so‑called Tu Mengke was actually named Feng Yi, whom Jing and Rong had met before. Guo Jing said: "You three had better follow your mistress closely; if you sneak out again and cause trouble, see if I'll spare you!"

Translation: "All three, being youths of impulsive nature, seeing their master and mistress talking, couldn't curb their curiosity, ran over to eavesdrop, and thus learned that the so-called 'Mongol-slaying guest' was actually named Feng Yi, whom Jing and Rong had already met before. Guo Jing said, \"You three had better follow your mistress closely; if you sneak out again and cause trouble, see if I'll spare you! \""

Thus: "All three, being youths of impulsive nature, seeing their master and mistress talking, couldn't curb their curiosity, ran over to eavesdrop, and thus learned that the so-called Tu Mengke was actually named Feng Yi, whom Jing and Rong had already met before. Guo Jing said, \"You three had better follow your mistress closely; if you sneak out again and cause trouble, see if I'll spare you! \""

The Wu brothers nodded glumly, and Guo Fu pursed her lips.

Translation: "The two Wu brothers nodded glumly, and Guo Fu pursed her lips."

Huang Rong smiled faintly: "Jing brother, this too is heavenly fate—who knew we'd meet such masters as Huo Du? They've performed quite well!"

Translation: "Huang Rong smiled faintly and said, \"Brother Jing, this too is heavenly fate; who knew we'd meet Huo Du and these experts? Their performance wasn't bad either. \""

Upon hearing his mistress speak, Wu Wen hurriedly said: "Master, that man is so arrogant and doesn't appreciate your kindness—why bother with him?"

Translation: "Upon hearing the mistress speak, Wu Wen hastily said, \"Master, that person is so arrogant and doesn't appreciate your kindness; why bother with him? \""

Before Guo Jing could reply, Huang Rong's smile faded, her face hardened, and she snapped: "What did you say?"

Translation: "Before Guo Jing could reply, Huang Rong's smile faded, her face stern as she scolded, \"What did you say? \""

Wu Dunru also summoned his courage and said: "Master, mistress, you're just too good. That man is accompanied by a woman, and there's another woman placed in the inn; earlier his eyes kept glancing at Fu Mei. Such a licentious person—why bother with him?"

Translation: "Wu Dunru also summoned his courage and said, \"Master, mistress, you're just too good. That person has a girl beside him, and another girl is left at the inn; just now a pair of eyes kept glancing at Fu Mei—such a licentious person, why bother with him? \""

Thus: "Wu Dunru also summoned his courage and said, \"Master, mistress, you're just too good. That person has a girl beside him, and another girl is left at the inn; just now a pair of eyes kept glancing at Fu Mei—such a licentious person, why bother with him? \""

These two brothers are of average talent, each deeply infatuated with Guo Fu; whenever Feng Yi looks at Guo Fu, or Guo Fu speaks with him, they feel great dissatisfaction.

Translation: "These two brothers are of average talent, each infatuated with Guo Fu; seeing Feng Yi look at Guo Fu, or Guo Fu speaking with him, they are greatly dissatisfied."

For a young man, whether someone eyes his beloved or speaks with her, even if it doesn't rise to the level of enmity, his heart still feels ill at ease.

Translation: "For a young man, whether someone eyes his beloved or speaks with her, even if it doesn't reach the point of regarding them as enemies, his heart feels uneasy."

Especially when the other person far surpasses him in certain aspects, hostility arises more easily.

Translation: "Especially when the other far surpasses him in certain aspects, hostility arises more easily."

Guo Fu, however, beamed with smiling eyes; she delighted in men being captivated by her looks, and having grown accustomed to toying with the Wu brothers, she paid it no mind.

Translation: "Guo Fu, however, had her eyebrows dancing and eyes smiling; she was pleased when men admired her looks, and especially since she was used to toying with the Wu brothers, she didn't take it to heart."

Guo Jing, hearing this, grew greatly displeased, his face turned ashen, and he shouted: "I've always taught you that martial artists must value their hearts above all—what nonsense are you spouting?"

Translation: "Hearing this, Guo Jing was greatly displeased, his face turning dark, and he shouted, \"I've always taught you that martial artists value inner cultivation above all; what nonsense are you spouting? \""

The Wu brothers, startled by his shout, involuntarily jerked.

Translation: "The two Wu brothers jumped at his shout."

Guo Jing softened his tone: "You're young and seldom leave Peach Blossom Island; you don't know how treacherous the world is."

Translation: "Guo Jing's tone softened: \"You're young and rarely leave Peach Blossom Island; you don't know how treacherous the world is. \""

In this world there are those who, for wealth, beauty, and luxury, will stop at nothing, ultimately ruining their reputation and themselves.

Translation: "In this world, some people, for wealth and status, gold and jade, beauty, will stop at nothing, ultimately ending in ruin and disgrace."

There are those who, to appear upright, shy away from such things, yet in fact reveal their own guilt.

Translation: "Others, to appear righteous, upon seeing these, act as if they must avoid them at all costs, actually revealing their inner guilt."

Because they harbor great desire for riches and beauty, they force themselves to restrain, but their will is weak; in the end they become slaves to profit, forgetting righteousness, deceiving the world and stealing fame! This Master Feng can speak frankly of his faults, without concealment; even if, as you say, he has a woman by his side and another woman in the inn, and even if Fu'er's heart is not good,

Translation: "Because they harbor great desire for wealth and beauty, needing to restrain themselves forcibly, their willpower falls short, and they ultimately become profit-obsessed, forgetting righteousness, deceiving the world and stealing fame! This Master Feng, able to speak plainly of the harms without concealment, even if as you say he has a woman beside him and a woman at the inn, and looking at Fu'er, her intentions are not good,"

Thus: "Because they harbor great desire for wealth and beauty, needing to restrain themselves forcibly, their willpower falls short, and they ultimately become profit-obsessed, forgetting righteousness, deceiving the world and stealing fame! This Master Feng, able to speak plainly of the harms without concealment, even if as you say he has a woman beside him and a woman at the inn, and looking at Fu'er, her intentions are not good,"

Yet he can say to me and your mistress, and even to that girl in green, 'Let my bedside person deliver a message,' without fear that the girl in green or Fu'er will learn of it.

Translation: "yet he, in front of me and your mistress, together with that girl in green, could say to me, letting us send a message to his bedside person, unafraid that the green-clad girl and Fu'er would find out."

Yet he can say to me and your mistress, and even to that girl in green, 'Let my bedside person deliver a message,' without fear that the girl in green or Fu'er will learn of it.

Thus: "yet he, in front of me and your mistress, together with that girl in green, could say to me, letting us send a message to his bedside person, unafraid that the green-clad girl and Fu'er would find out."

Such an open and magnanimous bearing is something only a person of high standing could possess; how could it be licentious? Is it your turn here to spout three or four things?

Thus: "Such an open and magnanimous bearing is something only a person of high standing could possess; how could it be licentious? Is it your turn here to say three or four things?"

These words carried deep meaning; Guo Fu blushed and her heart raced, she glanced sideways at the Wu brothers, who also stared at Guo Fu, a hint of bewilderment appearing between their brows.

Translation: "These words carried deep meaning; Guo Fu's face flushed and her heart raced as she glanced sideways at the Wu brothers, who also stared at Guo Fu, a hint of bewilderment appearing between their brows."

Huang Rong, however, merely smiled and said nothing.

Translation: "Huang Rong, however, merely smiled and said nothing."

She knew Guo Jing was recalling the events of Zhongdu from that day.

Translation: "She well knew Guo Jing was recalling the events of that day in Zhongdu."

Long ago Yang Kang and Mu Ninci compared martial arts to win a bride; clearly moved by her beauty, he won yet did not marry her, instead abducting her and Yang Tiexin to the prince's mansion, then deceiving both, claiming he truly loved Mu Ninci, blaming his status, and waiting a year or two until the talk died down, or perhaps having an elder send his beloved daughter to complete the marriage, etc.

Translation: "In the past, Yang Kang and Mu Nianci held a martial arts contest to win a bride; clearly he acted on lust, yet after winning he did not marry her, instead abducting her and Yang Tiexin into the prince's mansion, then deceiving both, claiming he truly loved Mu Nianci, merely due to identity, etc., and waiting a year and a half until the matter cooled, so that no one would gossip, or perhaps I would go to the mansion to welcome the bride, or ask an elder to escort the bride to complete the marriage, and so on."

Thus: "In the past, Yang Kang and Mu Nianci held a martial arts contest to win a bride; clearly he acted on lust, yet after winning he did not marry her, instead abducting her and Yang Tiexin into the prince's mansion, then deceiving both, claiming he truly loved Mu Nianci, merely due to identity, etc., and waiting a year and a half until the matter cooled, so that no one would gossip, or perhaps I would go to the mansion to welcome the bride, or ask an elder to escort the bride to complete the marriage, and so on."

In the end he turned to Bao Xiruo, and to show his compassionate heart he deliberately broke a good rabbit leg and gave it to Bao Xiruo.

Translation: "The result was that he turned to Bao Xiruo, and to show his compassionate heart, he deliberately broke a good rabbit's leg and gave it to Bao Xiruo."

Bao Xiruo said she saw Mu Ninci's appearance and character were good, she liked her and would be willing to marry her, but Yang Kang said, 'Jianghu men and women are not worthy of me; I want to marry a princess.'

Translation: "Bao Xiruo said she saw Mu Nianci's appearance and character were good, she liked her and would be willing to marry her, but Yang Kang said something like, \"Jianghu youths are not worthy of me; I want to marry a princess. \""

He seized them, spoke sweet words to deceive them into returning to their hometown, where they would wait for him for life—ten years, twenty years, endless! This scene made Guo Jing and Huang Rong grit their teeth in hatred; the most despicable man, in their eyes, was Wanyan Kang.

Translation: "He seized them both, speaking sweet words deliberately to lure them back to their hometown, so they would stay at home waiting for me for life—ten years, twenty years, endless! This scene made Guo Jing and Huang Rong grit their teeth in hatred that day; the most despicable man was Wanyan Kang."

Thus: "He seized them both, speaking sweet words deliberately to lure them back to their hometown, so they would stay at home waiting for me for life—ten years, twenty years, endless! This scene made Guo Jing and Huang Rong grit their teeth in hatred that day; the most despicable man was Wanyan Kang."

Later, learning he was of the Yang family, Guo Jing, out of respect for his ancestors, said he had mistakenly entered a wicked household, had not recovered, and could improve if he could.

Translation: "Only later did they learn he was of the Yang family; Guo Jing, out of respect for ancestral ties, said it was a mistaken entry into a villain's manor, not yet reformed, but could be improved."

But the result? He said one thing, did another, wavered constantly, and grew worse! Compared to Feng Yi's conduct, Yang Kang's is like heaven and earth.

Translation: "But what was the result? His words one thing, his actions another, inconsistent and worsening! Compared to Feng Yi's conduct, Yang Kang's is like heaven and earth."

But the result? He said one thing, did another, wavered constantly, and grew worse! Compared to Feng Yi's conduct, Yang Kang's is like heaven and earth.

Thus: "But what was the result? His words one thing, his actions another, inconsistent and worsening! Compared to Feng Yi's conduct, Yang Kang's is like heaven and earth."

Moreover, in Guo Jing's eyes, a woman liked by many men, or a man liking many women, he understands; recalling Ouyang Ke with his many women who also loved Huang Rong.

Translation: "Furthermore, in Guo Jing's view, whether a woman is liked by many men or a man likes many women, he understands; thinking back to Ouyang Ke with so many women, he also liked Huang Rong."

Translation: "His seventh master, Han Xiao Ying, once said that a real man may have three wives and four concubines, which is perfectly fine, and urged him to marry both Huazheng and Huang Rong. Although Guo Jing's heart holds only Huang Rong, that doesn't mean all men are like him."

Moreover, in Guo Jing's eyes, a woman liked by many men, or a man liking many women, he understands; recalling Ouyang Ke with his many women who also loved Huang Rong. The seventh master, Han Xiao Ying, once said a real man may have three wives and four concubines—nothing wrong with that—and urged him to marry both Huazheng and Huang Rong. Though Guo Jing's heart holds only Huang Rong, that does not mean all men are like him. Furthermore, saying that his daughter takes after her mother in beauty, that is indeed top‑notch; others may not know, but Guo Jing has seen Feng Yi—he is twenty, young and full of passion, which is natural; his mind is open, he hides nothing and deceives no one; such a person certainly cannot be counted among the licentious.

Translation: "Furthermore, his daughter's looks take after her mother, which is also top-notch; others don't know, but Guo Jing has seen Feng Yi, who is only twenty, a youth in the bloom of love, natural human emotion; his bearing is open and upright, he does not hide or deceive—such a person certainly cannot be considered licentious."

Guo Jing finished scolding a few people, snorted, and said, "You all think it over properly!" He flicked his sleeves and left.

Guo Fu and the Wu brothers exchanged glances for a moment; then Guo Fu tugged at Huang Rong's sleeve, acting coquettishly: 'Mom, listening to my father's opinion, that person's approach is actually pretty good!'

'It's not quite like that.' Huang Rong lightly brushed her hair and said: 'For the same thing, it depends on who does it!'

Guo Fu furrowed her brows slightly: 'What do you mean?'

Huang Rong said: 'Your Ke Gonggong is known throughout the jianghu as Ke the Great Hero; do you know why?'

Guo Fu said: 'That's because Ke Gonggong spent his life upholding justice and chivalry!'

Huang Rong laughed and said: 'This is only one reason; the other is his nature.'

He has a hot temper, all his life he liked to hang out with riffraff, enjoying drinking and gambling; when he lost, he'd rather hide from his creditors than renege on his debts.

Such behavior in an ordinary person would be nothing praiseworthy, but Ke Gonggong's ear-transmission skill is superb; how could he lose at gambling? It's because he doesn't cheat with martial arts, relying solely on luck.

Even if he owed money, who would dare to collect given his reputation? With his martial arts, who could force him to pay if he wanted to renege? Like Feng Yi, who is twenty and possesses such extraordinary abilities, as long as he can see beauty without lust and encounter nobility without changing his aspirations, he is naturally a top-notch person.

The Wu brothers showed a hint of sadness. Could it be that just because someone is capable, doing that makes them a top-notch person? Huang Rong, reading their expressions, said: 'Let's talk about just now, when you eavesdropped on our conversation—what did you rely on? Wasn't it because of me and your master? Even if they heard, they wouldn't harm you, but if it were anyone else, you'd have committed a major jianghu taboo, and they'd strike to take your lives. Isn't that also what you're relying on to dare do this? Furthermore, martial artists don't see things the way ordinary people do—that's the principle of what kind of person does what kind of thing! If you had his abilities, could you, like him, openly admit your shortcomings?'

After saying that, she paused and said: 'A real man, a true hero, with such a narrow mind—what could he ever accomplish?'

Her tone was calm, yet her bearing naturally carried a kind of dignity.

The Wu brothers both lowered their heads.

Huang Rong naturally understood why these two disciples felt hostility toward Feng Yi—wasn't it simply because they liked her daughter?

But she also felt helpless; she only had one daughter, and these two held the same place in her heart, so she worried endlessly about what trouble they might stir up in the future.

Guo Fu felt a bit embarrassed, but relying on her mother's usual indulgence, she wasn't afraid of being scolded, and laughed: 'Mom, I'm the one who brought them here!'

Huang Rong tapped her forehead and said: 'I'm telling you all this to let you know that nobody is perfect, and pure gold is rare.'

Your master is stubborn and places great importance on righteousness; your Hong shizu loved eating all his life, but these flaws won't make them change their principles of conduct, nor will they, upon encountering everything that doesn't align with their understanding, necessarily compete with others to determine right and wrong.

This is what is meant by 'harmony with light, sameness with dust, able to come and go, able to enter and exit; vulgarity becomes elegance, and that is true freedom.'

Feng Yi's saying 'I am I, why change it?' is indeed due to his arrogance; if someone else said that, wouldn't it invite ridicule? If you three could have even half his abilities, then my taking you as disciples alongside your master wouldn't have been in vain.

Everyone listened, shocked beyond belief; being young and inexperienced, how could they understand that the master and mistress, in just a short time, had seen so deeply into the person who falsely calls himself Tu Mengke, Feng Yi? Guo Fu pouted and said: 'Fine, let him be smug!' Then she giggled and said: 'Mom, between him and my father, whose martial arts is higher?'

Wu Xiuwen said: 'Is that even a question?'

Wu Dunru also said: 'Definitely the master is more formidable!'

'Guo'er!' Huang Rong glared at her daughter, then looked at the two Wu brothers: 'Saying that here is fine enough, but from now on when you go out, you are forbidden to say it again!'

The three of them heard this and felt a jolt in their hearts.

Guo Fu, spoiled and pampered since childhood, doesn't understand worldly affairs; her remark was merely out of curiosity, but she didn't realize she had already committed a major taboo.

Huang Rong, having lived through the era of the Five Greats, knows well those supreme masters—East Heretic, West Poison, South Emperor, North Beggar—and you say they are like this, how so, but most people pay no heed.

Only when it comes to martial arts skill do they, from disciples to individuals, never yield; a single dispute can last decades.

Feng Yi has a strange temperament; he fought a bout with his father Huang Yaoshi, speaking humbly, but there was no clear verdict on who won—only the benevolent see benevolence, the wise see wisdom. If today's remark by the Wu brothers reached Feng Yi's ears, his inner turmoil would flare, he would feel unwilling to accept it, and would want to measure himself against her husband—isn't that just looking for trouble? Guo Fu couldn't find a reason, felt annoyed, and said: 'I'm just curious, wondering when I'll be able to match him.'

Huang Rong chuckled lightly: 'To become a top-tier master, sufficient talent and diligent effort will eventually get you there. At his level, diligence and talent are certainly necessary, but you also need tremendous luck—you're unlikely to achieve it.'

'Luck?' Guo Fu felt a bit surprised: 'What luck? Huang Rong slowly said: 'Guo'er, between me and your father, whose martial arts is higher?'

Guo Fu chuckled: 'Probably my father.'

'That's right.' Huang Rong nodded: 'In terms of cleverness and quick wit, I far surpass him; later, when we were together, we met Hong Enshi and Yideng Dashi, who pointed out the essentials of martial arts, and we trained together. But your father's achievements exceed mine, entirely due to his various experiences; the top masters of this world have all had extensive dealings with him, whether as foes or friends, especially your maternal grandfather and West Poison at that time, who constantly urged him on.'

'Urged?' Guo Fu's thoughts turned, and her face went pale: 'You mean my maternal grandfather and West Poison once wanted to take his life?'

Huang Rong sighed: 'So your father's martial prowess was actually forced out of him; without the hardships of those years, there would be no Guo the Great Hero today, and that is tremendous luck.'

Saying this, she lifted her head to the sky: 'Therefore Feng Yi's martial abilities are truly extraordinary! Even though he is exceptionally gifted and can cultivate his martial arts, combat experience against enemies can only be gained through life-and-death battles; that is the essential condition for becoming a supreme master. Yet he has always remained obscure, and I have never heard of him until he suddenly descended from the mountain, and his deeds immediately shook the world.'

Having said that, she let out a clear whistle, and the great eagle overhead swooped down; Huang Rong said: 'Prepare brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.'

The Wu brothers hurriedly took them out from their pouches; Huang Rong placed the white paper on a stone, wrote two lines, tied the paper to the white eagle's leg, and watched it spread its wings and fly away.

……

Feng Yi watched the backs of Guo Jing and the others disappear, then finally took out a flask of water and wine, took a sip, glanced at Huo Du and the others, smiled, and said: 'Do you have any last words to say?'

In astonishment, they shouted: 'Hero Tu, we are no match for you; please, with your magnanimity, release us!'

'Yes,'

'Yes!'

'Hero Tu!'

Feng Yi tied the flask to his waist, pulled out a folding fan, his smile suddenly vanished, and he barked: 'Noisy!'

With a flash of movement, he struck each of the acupoint-sealed wooden dummies with his fan, piercing their vital points.

The field was littered with bodies twisted in agony; he kicked each wounded person to death, leaving only Huo Du and Darba standing.

Feng Yi had long been hardened by the world of Liancheng into a heart of iron and stone; once he decided to kill, it was as easy as cutting grass.

Cheng Ying, standing on the clifftop, saw the dead men's ferocious faces, was greatly shocked, and her delicate body trembled involuntarily.

Feng Yi's ruthless methods left her without the courage to even step forward and face him.

Feng Yi was fully aware of this and made no secret of it; he is simply the sort of person who, if he doesn't want to deal with someone, leaves immediately, settles the matter once and for all, so as not to appear before them and stir their emotions.

Feng Yi swept his sleeve and said softly: 'If it were a contest of martial prowess, I could grant you your lives and let you go—there would be nothing wrong with that, since killing in such a context would be unmartial. But the struggle between the civilized and the barbarians outweighs everything; since you serve the Mongols, not a single one of you deserves to live!'

Saying this, he looked toward Huo Du and Darba.

The two watched Feng Yi's murderous deed, their faces turning ashen; Huo Du was both startled and frightened, as if paralyzed, while Darba wore a look of sorrowful indignation.

Feng Yi thrust out a palm; Darba fell with a thud, already knocked unconscious.

He then turned to Huo Du, bent down, and coldly laughed: 'Tell me, who is stronger—me or your master?'

Huo Du laughed: 'Hero Tu's divine might, I, the little prince, greatly admire……'

Before his words faded, he flipped his palm and struck toward Feng Yi's chest.

Although he had suffered severe injuries, he had not been sealed at an acupoint and was still circulating his qi; this sudden strike was exceptionally vicious.

With a 'pah' sound, it squarely hit Feng Yi's chest.

Huodu succeeded in a sneak attack, but he was puzzled inside; he only thought Feng Yi's martial arts were astonishing, so this move "Great Hand Seal" sought only speed, not power—yet unexpectedly, a single palm strike landed, far beyond his expectations; in a flash of thought, he urgently urged his palm power.

"What a fine Great Hand Seal!" Feng Yi chuckled: "Do you know the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill?"

How could Feng Yi not know what sort of person Huodu is? How could he let himself be ambushed by him?

But since he possessed the Divine Illumination Skill and wore the Silkworm Armor, he did not dodge or avoid, taking the palm strike; he felt it differed subtly from the lama's palm power he had encountered in Chang'an, yet it came from the same source—surely it was the Great Hand Seal.

Seeing Feng Yi struck in a vital spot on the chest yet still speaking with unchanged composure, Huodu was startled, realizing he could not injure Feng Yi, and said: "Hero Tu, your martial arts are indeed astonishing; I, the little prince, am blind and overreached!" He tried to withdraw his hand and release his force.

But suddenly, Huodu realized something was wrong—his palm felt as if stuck in a pile of cotton, unable to pull free.

Then Feng Yi coldly said: "Are you unable to understand words?"

Speaking, he stirred his internal energy.

Huodu instantly felt a tremendous force erupt from Feng Yi's chest; with a few "crack" sounds, his whole arm broke into several pieces, he fell face-up on the ground, writhing; had his internal energy not been deep, the pain would have nearly made him faint.

Feng Yi rose and said: "You call yourself a prince; surely you are the bloodline of that old man Temujin. Having met me, you are doomed! Now you still wish to sneak‑attack me—tell me how I should let you die, so I may vent the hatred in my heart."

Huodu's face turned pale, his chest heaved violently; after catching his breath, he shouted angrily: "A scholar may be killed but not humiliated! Besides, I am not a descendant of Temujin—I am the grandson of Zhamuhe. In Mongolia I merely bear the empty title of prince, with no real power; to torture me, what sort of hero are you?"

Feng Yi had long known that although Huodu appeared arrogant, he was by nature cold‑hearted, greedy for life and fearful of death.

In the original plot, the Golden Wheel was wounded by Yang Guo and Xiao Longnv; Yang Guo tried to split him with his iron sword, but Huodu and Darba together blocked the sword.

Seeing he could not win, this fellow first deceived Darba, saying let him bear the brunt alone while he moved aside his master; Darba believed him and strove to resist.

As soon as this fellow jumped away, he cared nothing for the Golden Wheel's life or death, and instead said, "Senior brother, I'll return to Mongolia to train diligently; in ten years I'll find that Yang lad and avenge master and you." Then he fled at once.

His ten‑year pledge actually named the two supreme masters Guo Jing and Yang Guo, which would make him incredibly arrogant! Yet Yang Guo did not kill the Golden Wheel or Darba, because Huodu had betrayed the sect, leading to Darba's battle to purge the sect at Xiangyang.

Feng Yi immediately laughed: "Alright, then answer what I just said!"

Huodu thought for a moment and said: "I do not know the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill."

Feng Yi nodded and said: "You just said that if I defeat you, I would receive a hundred or a thousand taels of silver; I have thought it over, and this action of mine is somewhat excessive."

How about this: you recite all the martial arts you know; if I find no omission, I will take no money—would that be a fair deal?

His words were utterly hateful; Huodu was so angry he nearly fainted, his eyes wide, he uttered word by word: "Really?"

Feng Yi lightly replied: "Is there still any falseness?"

Huodu directly burst out in a torrent of curses from anger.

"Feng Yi is shameless, lacks the bearing of a master, …" In short, the little prince Huodu's proud demeanor was completely lost.

Feng Yi, however, let him rant without a word, instead hoisting him and Darba up and walking to a hillside.

He flung the two down at his feet; looking out, he saw endless mountains, verdant trees, the spring boundless and lovely; he untied his gourd and drank deeply.

Huodu cursed for a long while, yet received no response; on the contrary, he was drinking, and he said bitterly: "If I tell you, how will you treat me?"

Feng Yi swallowed a mouthful of wine and said: "I will not kill you."

Huodu remained silent for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said: "Good!"

Feng Yi said: "First, speak of the Great Hand Seal skill."

Huodu immediately began to speak of the Great Hand Seal martial art.

Feng Yi did this merely to confirm a conjecture.

Surely, as Huodu began to speak, the system in Feng Yi's mind reacted.

In the martial arts column, a Great Hand Seal skill was added.

Feng Yi felt delighted; indeed, it was so.

When he cultivated the Divine Illumination Skill and the Ancient Tomb School's lightness technique that day, it was Ding Dian and Hong Lingbo who orally transmitted them; he himself could not remember them at all, so he relied on the system to record them.

But those two had no ill will toward him then; they spoke the truth. Persons like Huodu, however, might not. He wanted to test: if the other spoke falsely, could the system detect it?

This bears on how he will treat the Golden Wheel.

After all, in a previous life someone had exaggerated the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill, claiming to have reached the thirteenth layer, as if able to destroy heaven and earth.

He needed to see whether the Golden Wheel, as the first person to cultivate this skill to the tenth layer, actually had the eleventh through thirteenth layers existing!

This is a problem worth verifying! As for whether it can be obtained—

This is a matter of ability; we'll take it step by step.

After Feng Yi heard Huodu finish speaking of the Great Hand Seal, he said: "Now speak of the internal energy you cultivate."

He knew that if Huodu were to play tricks, it would be in his internal energy.

Huodu then began to speak of his internal energy; as he spoke more and more, Feng Yi's gaze shifted, and he coldly said: "Well done, little prince Huodu—you are seeking your own death; don't blame me!"

Originally, he opened the panel with his mind's eye and saw the system display 【Diamond Internal Energy (Defective)】; he immediately understood that this fellow had mixed in falsehoods.

Precisely because Huodu, even if he wanted to deceive a martial‑arts master like Feng Yi, would not dare to spout nonsense outright—just as Guo Jing wrote a false Nine Yin Manual for Ouyang Feng, he merely altered a few words in the minutiae, causing the cultivation route to go awry; if it were all false, how could he fool a martial‑arts master?

Seeing Feng Yi's unpleasant expression, Huodu forced a smile and said: "Hero Tu, why is this?"

Feng Yi's dark eyebrows rose as he laughed loudly: "Do you think I would cultivate your broken internal energy and still have you tell me a modified skill? Do you believe your master is invincible under heaven, that when he arrives I will have no place to bury my corpse, so you are just going through the motions?"

Huodu, having his thoughts laid bare by him, flushed red all over.

Feng Yi sneered: "Today you die—don't blame me!" He tapped Huodu's acupoints, knocked him unconscious, lifted his gaze to the cliff top and said: "Miss Cheng, there will be great danger later; you had better leave quickly!" Having spoken, he sat cross‑legged and quietly rested his spirit.

Cheng Ying had not yet left; she watched the whole scene unfold, and suddenly tears gushed forth like a spring, and she drifted away.

When Feng Yi heard she had gone, those lingering tender thoughts also scattered with the wind.

He finally understood that he was not the type Cheng Ying liked; she preferred someone like Yang Guo—affectionate, kind, a gentlemanly hero, refined and elegant.

And his innate cruel and violent nature—what woman would like that? Even Hong Lingbo was probably deceived by his earlier gentle façade; if she had known early on how ruthless and bloodthirsty he was, whether she would be willing to share a spring breeze with him remains unknown.

Fortunately, women to Feng Yi are merely a pastime.

Whether he obtains them or not makes no difference.

Feng Yi then began to meditate on how to deal with the Golden Wheel and also obtain the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill; he did not know how long passed.

Suddenly, he heard dozens of horns in the distance wailing in unison, followed by booming drums, as if ten thousand troops had arrived.

Feng Yi thought: "Sure enough, the Golden Wheel is just as in the original story, putting on such a grand display, such a huge spectacle—does he intend to scare people to death?" After a while, the drum and horn sounds ceased together, and he heard thirty or fifty voices shouting in unison: "The Grand National Protector of the Great Mongol State, the Holy Monk of Mongolia, the Golden Wheel National Teacher has arrived!"

These people were all masters of deep skill; as they shouted in unison, the valley rang, echoes unceasing all around, their aura intimidating.

Feng Yi couldn't help but be greatly startled, thinking: "Is this a mistake? Bringing so many experts just to fight over a chicken feather!"

Jin Yong's note: In the initial edition of this book, the Golden Wheel National Preceptor was made the Golden Wheel "Dharma King", his identity being the Dharma King of Tibetan Lama Buddhism. Some readers accused the author of discriminating against Tibetan Vajrayana, often portraying the Lama sect as villains. In fact, the author holds Tibetan Vajrayana in equal reverence, no different from respecting other Buddhist sects, and certainly does not discriminate against Tibet and Qinghai. According to historical records, after the mid-Yuan dynasty, Mongol rulers entered the Central Plains, utilizing a minority of Tibetan Lamas to oppress the people, committing many licentious acts, violating Buddhist precepts; in the story, the Lamas are written as antagonistic characters, not out of intentional discrimination. To avoid misunderstanding, in the third edition revision, the original "Dharma King" was changed to "Mongol National Preceptor", but his personal conduct still largely follows the "foreign monk" behavior described in historical records, having nothing in common with the other Lamas whose conduct is noble and pure.

(End of chapter)

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