Chapter 99

Feng Yi, the phrase 'horse hooves sound' (not a name), 'mountain foot' (not a name), 'monk' (not a name), 'layperson' (not a name), 'old' (not a name), 'young' (not a name), 'martial skill' (not a name).

The phrase 'Golden Wheel appears strong outside but weak inside' is not a name; 'Golden Wheel State Preceptor' is a title/name; 'State Preceptor' is part of that title; 'Mongol cavalry' is not a name.

The forces are vastly unequal; we certainly won't gain any advantage. Yet these past few months I've been killing officials precisely to create an aura that Mongols aren't fearsome, that we can all join together to kill them.

If I encounter the Golden Wheel National Preceptor, I won't fight; I'll just leave directly.

Jianghu is not a name; the nickname meaning 'Great Hero Who Slays Mongols' used as a name should be rendered in pinyin as Tu Meng Da Xia; also the nickname meaning 'Slayer of Mongols' will be rendered as Tu Meng Ke.

Feng Yi's resolve firm, he leapt down from the tree, seized Huo Du and Da Erba, chose a favorable terrain where he could escape at any moment, leapt onto a huge boulder, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes like an old monk entering meditation.

The term 'yellow-clad lamas' is not a name; 'round tube' is not a name; 'golden light wheel' is not a name; 'temple' is not a name.

Eight people stepped into the center of the mountain clearing, then all stopped together, thereafter spreading to both sides, leaving a wide road over ten feet wide in the middle; each raised the cylinder in his hand high and murmured incantations.

The term 'large sedan' is not a name; 'pearl curtain' is not a name; 'red-robed monk' is not a name.

The eight‑bearer sedan chair walked to the midst of the eight lamas previously; several people halted in unison, lowered the cylinders, and the bearers also set the chair down, standing with hands at their sides on both flanks.

The phrase 'three persons' is not a name; 'the three persons sent back by Feng Yi to report' is not a name.

none.

Golden Wheel State Preceptor (again); the phrase 'previous life TV drama Tathagata appearance' is not a name.

Great Mongol Golden Wheel State Preceptor (title); Guo Jing Huang Rong (names); holy procession (not a name).

He spoke in Chinese, his voice booming, causing continual echoes in the mountains, showing his profound inner strength.

Feng Yi suddenly understood why so many people had come; surely those three had gone back and said Guo Jing and Huang Rong were also present, so they had mustered such a grand formation, not aimed solely at him.

The nickname 'Great Hero Guo' for Guo Jing used as a name should be rendered in pinyin as Guo Da Xia; the nickname 'Chief Huang' for Huang Rong used as a name should be rendered as Huang Bangzhu; the phrase 'virtuous couple' is not a name.

Feng Yi saw that he kept provoking Guo Jing and Huang Rong, ignoring him; he stared closely at the man, seeing a face full of disheveled, tangled beard, his hat lowered to shield his eyes, making his features indiscernible and his identity unfathomable; he sneered, "Old man, who gathered this crowd, running here to look for Guo Jing and Huang Rong—are you blind?"

The Mongol fat man glanced at Feng Yi, then abruptly pushed his hat up; Feng Yi saw his left eye covered with a black cloth, a few scratch marks between his eyebrows, and he sneered, "So you really are blind after all—my mistake."

The fat man looked at him with a kindly smile and said, "I was saying, even if Guo Jing and Huang Rong are despicable, they wouldn't seize others and threaten them, let alone be so vicious and cruel."

Mongol holy monk (not a name); Golden Wheel State Preceptor (again); Empress of the Great Mongol State (title); First National Protector Grand Master (title).

The name Ögedei Khan (pinyin Wo Kuotai) is a person's name; Tuoleigena is a person's name; Regent is a title; Mongol orthodox political turmoil is not a name.

The fat man solemnly introduced the Golden Wheel National Preceptor, but seeing Feng Yi's expressionless, unwavering gaze, as if he didn't care, he continued, "Since you've arranged a meeting with the Golden Wheel National Preceptor, and he hasn't arrived yet, how can you harm lives? That's hardly keeping faith."

Feng Yi coldly replied, "I said if you want his disciple to live, come see me; are others also his disciples? Besides, what are you, to have the right to speak here?"

Elder Peng.

Beggars' Sect (sect name); Xuanyuan Terrace (place name); Yang Kang (name); Huang Rong (name).

Mu Nianci (name); Yang Guo (name); Guo Jing Huang Rong (again); double condors (not a name).

Mu Nianci (again); Yang Guo (again); Guo Jing Huang Rong (again); Yang Guo (again).

Thus in a past life, people kept saying the Guo family owed Yang Guo neither gratitude nor duty, while Yang Guo kept rescuing the Guo family; they didn't realize that without this earlier rescue, Yang Guo could not have been raised to his early teens by Mu Nianci, nor would he have any future.

This is the workings of fate, the turning of karmic cycles.

Elder Peng (again); Mongol (not a name); Golden Wheel State Preceptor (again); Guo Jing Huang Rong (again).

Feng Yi knew of this incident, but he could not equate this old man with Elder Peng; he merely regarded him as an ordinary Han collaborator. Such people are all too common, so he paid no further heed, glanced over to the one seated in the sedan, eyes closed, nurturing his spirit—the Golden Wheel National Preceptor—and said lightly, "Great Preceptor, I have seen the martial arts of your two top disciples; they are quite ordinary. Now it's time to see what you, as their master, are truly capable of—don't stand on ceremony here."

Upon hearing Feng Yi say "put on airs," the Golden Wheel National Preceptor's eyes snapped open, suddenly radiating sharp light; it passed through the bead curtain and swept across Feng Yi's face. His countenance was indescribably strange and ugly, the muscles on his face utterly still, resembling a corpse.

Taking another look, Huo Du and Da Erba at his feet, though motionless, rose and fell with breath, their lives unharmed; their eyes drooped half-closed, utterly ignoring Feng Yi.

Elder Peng pondered briefly, then smiled, "Since the Golden Wheel National Preceptor has come as promised, why don't you hurry and release the hostages before speaking further?"

none.

Feng Yi slowly rose, lifted his leg and kicked; Huo Du, before his feet, sprang up and flew straight toward Elder Peng.

Elder Peng was no ordinary man; seeing Huo Du come at great speed, he startled, shouted loudly, extended his hands to catch him, but felt the force like a mountain; in an instant, both stumbled backward.

Suddenly a red shadow flashed out of the sedan like lightning, reached out to push Elder Peng aside, and had already taken hold of Huo Du's body—this person was the Golden Wheel National Preceptor.

He proclaimed himself invincible under heaven, originally not taking Feng Yi seriously, but seeing the opponent kick his disciple away with an off wind sound, he darted out to intercept.

Elder Peng was pushed aside by the Golden Wheel National Preceptor's palm; although he deflected the force and suffered no injury, he felt his viscera compressed together, his single eye staring at Feng Yi, a hint of fear appearing on his face.

Such was the power of Feng Yi's kick that the Golden Wheel National Preceptor's astonishment was no less than Elder Peng's; just as he was about to set his disciple down, he froze—Huo Du's mouth corner was bleeding, he had already breathed his last.

Feng Yi (again); Golden Wheel State Preceptor (again); Huo Du (again).

Feng Yi stretched his leg and said, "Sitting too long, my leg's gone numb—alas, I originally meant to beat that Han collaborator to death, but I misjudged my strength and accidentally injured your disciple; sorry." As he spoke, he bowed his hands to the preceptor.

While speaking, he sized up the Golden Wheel National Preceptor: see him wearing a red robe, extremely tall and thin, his figure like a bamboo pole, his forehead slightly sunken, resembling a dish; he thought, "This person bears a strange appearance; his combat experience may be lacking, but his inner strength and martial arts are not to be underestimated—it seems if I wish to achieve my goal, I cannot fight him here."

Guo Jing (again); Huang Yaoshi (name); Golden Wheel State Preceptor (again); Esoteric Diamond Sect (sect name); top of head slightly sunken (not a name).

The Golden Wheel National Preceptor was extremely arrogant, considering himself invincible under heaven; he thought, "When I arrive, who wouldn't bow down? Who would dare injure my disciple right before my eyes—are you tired of living?"

He never expected Feng Yi would turn Huo Du into a corpse, his heart nearly bleeding with grief; yet besides the sorrow, he couldn't help but admire the opponent's great boldness.

Then he scrutinized Feng Yi closely: seeing his expressionless face already bearing a third of ghostly aura, surrounded by corpses and dressed in black, he seemed like a life‑and‑death judge walking out of a demon realm, especially his bright eyes revealing a cold, faint contempt toward him.

Golden Wheel State Preceptor (again); Feng Yi (again); righteousness (not a name); villainy (not a name).

Besides his peerless martial arts, the Golden Wheel National Preceptor is also erudite and versatile; he himself speaks Chinese, his voice heavy and turbid—this sentence he uttered in one breath without needing to change his breathing, showing the depth of his inner strength.

Feng Yi (again); old monk (not a name); Buddha (not a name); villainy and righteousness (not a name); the nickname meaning 'Slayer of Mongols' used as a name should be rendered in pinyin as Tu Meng Ke.

Tu Meng Ke (again); the name Tu Meng Ke; Tu Meng Ke (again).

Upon hearing Feng Yi's forcible arguments, the Golden Wheel National Preceptor suddenly burst into hysterical laughter, the sound shaking the heavens.

The echo lingered in the valley without cease, startling the birds and beasts of the mountains into flight.

Golden Wheel State Preceptor (again); human skin mask (not a name); Guo Jing Huang Rong (again).

Perhaps Guo Jing and Huang Rong are hiding in the dark, but they dare not meet me; they must not be very capable. Yet if the three of them joined forces and let this person escape, he would be hard to find, and I would also fail the prince's solemn commission—so we should first ascertain his background before saying more.

East Evil, West Poison, North Beggar (nicknames used as names); Guo Jing Huang Rong (again); Huo Du (again); Da Er Ba (again); three reporters (not a name).

Guo Jing Huang Rong (again); Golden Wheel Three Strikes (technique name); East Evil, West Poison, North Beggar (again).

The Golden Wheel National Teacher's laughter died down, his eyes rolled, and he slowly said: "Good, truly heroic bearing! Are you the one who recently killed several of my Mongol officials? The name 'Slayer of Mongols' is probably a false name; dare you give your real name?"

Feng Yi smiled and said: "Not bad, you guessed right, I killed the man, Tu Mengke is also an alias; as for what you want to know my name, it depends on how much you weigh."

Golden Wheel National Master's face sank, he coldly said: "This lowly monk first set foot in the Central Plains and immediately heard your great name. I originally thought the rumors might not be true, but who would have thought that upon meeting today you are so extraordinary; my disciple's death is not unjust, it's just a pity!"

Seeing him talk and laugh freely, as usual, his deep composure also let Feng Yi find it unexpected. Upon hearing the last sentence, he frowned slightly and said: "What a pity?"

Golden Wheel National Master said: "It's a pity that you have such martial arts yet behave so basely; you have offended me so greatly today, and even if you die, no one will know your name—how regrettable!"

Feng Yi's starry eyes shifted, he put his hands on his hips, looked up and laughed loudly: "Your tone is truly big. Tsk tsk, hurry and let me see how I will die!"

Suddenly, Golden Wheel National Master leapt up from the ground, like a red cloud, swift as a flying pellet.

He was originally five zhang away from Feng Yi, but his movement was incomparably swift; as he leapt, he struck out with a palm, hitting toward Feng Yi.

Logically, as a sect master, such behavior is truly unbecoming of his status and his usual arrogance.

But he appears heroic, yet is utterly treacherous, lacking any semblance of a master's bearing.

In the original trajectory, at the martial arts conference he put on an airs of invincibility, glancing at people with half‑closed eyes.

After exchanging two palms with Guo Jing and suffering losses both times, he then began to seize Guo Fu, Huang Rong, and Guo Xiang, intending to blackmail Guo Jing.

These events can also be blamed on the conflict between the two states, each side showing its methods. However, when he was capturing Huang Rong and the others, he was struck by a huge rock; while recuperating in a shack on a desolate mountain, he was discovered by Yang Guo.

At that time Yang Guo believed Guo Jing and Huang Rong had killed his father, and wanting revenge, he helped heal his wounds; the two swore an oath by clapping palms, agreeing to kill Guo Jing together.

As a result, in Jueqing Gu, Golden Wheel saw Yang Guo and Xiao Longnv arguing, and he was instantly delighted, thinking that their sword skills were too exquisite for him to match; he therefore sought to use others to eliminate them, repeatedly stirring up trouble between Gongsun Zhi and Yang Guo, nearly causing the latter to perish in the valley.

Such treacherous and ungrateful conduct enraged Yang Guo, who secretly regretted not having struck him down with a palm while he was injured.

Feng Yi, knowing Golden Wheel's character well, showed no courtesy; although he laughed loudly, he could not guard against a sudden strike. Golden Wheel's palm, born of extreme anger, unleashed force like a collapsing mountain and tsunami, straight toward Feng Yi.

Feng Yi only felt a fierce wind like a bronze wall pressing toward him face‑on, and he shouted, "Good coming!" With a hu sound, he turned his palm to meet it.

Their palm forces met in mid‑air with a si sound; the Divine Illumination Skill and the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill clashed for the first time.

The two streams of energy pressed together, emitting a low, muffled roar like thunder from the horizon; even a group of lamas far away felt the hot wind fierce.

With a duk sound, Golden Wheel, mid‑air with nowhere to borrow force, tumbled backward; Feng Yi also turned his body swiftly, scattering stone chips beneath his feet.

Golden Wheel's strike came from above; Feng Yi met it head‑on, inevitably somewhat passive, so he turned his body to channel the remaining force into the ground to dissipate it—a technique from the Blood Saber Classic. He couldn't help thinking this person's inner energy was deep and solid, his palm method fierce and powerful, its might not inferior to Guo Jing's Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms that day, truly possessing the power to overturn mountains and seas.

Golden Wheel planted his feet, steadied himself, let out a cold snort, and said: "How do you know Esoteric Buddhist martial arts? Who exactly are you?"

He felt the opponent's inner energy was deep and vast, yet could not discern its origin; however, the moves were both simple and strange, seeming proper yet improper, as if bearing a trace of Esoteric Buddhism. Just now he had exerted all his strength, unleashing the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill, and the opponent could actually receive it—truly terrifying and awe‑inspiring.

"What a hard palm!" Feng Yi shook his hand, a hint of smile at the corner of his mouth, and said: "Huo Du, to save his life, passed on your martial arts to me and told me everything, so that I could teach according to ability in the Central Plains and reduce his sins!"

In fact he was using the fist and foot techniques from the Blood Saber Classic, unrelated to what Huo Du said, but he deliberately did so to make Golden Wheel develop a murderous intent toward him.

The lamas and Mongol warriors were already startled and moved by his having exchanged a palm with Golden Wheel.

After all, Golden Wheel National Master's martial arts are truly unrivaled, his strength able to match nine oxen; they never imagined anyone else could withstand one of his palms.

Moreover, when Feng Yi's words were spoken, the lamas who could understand could not help but feel shocked.

To spread one's martial arts abroad is a matter of life‑and‑death enmity.

Golden Wheel is an unsurpassed hero of the Esoteric teaching; upon exchanging palms with Feng Yi he immediately sensed his extraordinary origin. Although he had wanted to inquire further, upon hearing this, despite his clear mind and bright wisdom, he could not help but be moved by ignorance; he rummaged in his bosom, a dang‑dang‑dang sound rang out, and he drew out a golden wheel.

This golden wheel is one and a half chi in diameter, cast from gold mixed with platinum and other metals; the wheel bears engraved Indian Sanskrit Esoteric mantras, and inside it hides nine small balls; a light shake produces a resonant sound that lasts long.

The National Master Golden Wheel pointed at Feng Yi and shouted sternly: "Hmph, this lowly monk sees you do have some skill; I originally wanted to ask whether you have any connection with my Esoteric teaching, but you insist on seeking death, so I cannot be blamed! Draw your weapon!"

Feng Yi sneered: "You can't beat me, and you want to scare people with a broken wheel?"

Golden Wheel National Master raised his brows: "Courting death!"

Suddenly he lunged toward Feng Yi, pushing the golden wheel straight forward at chest level.

This push seemed ordinary, yet it was extremely fierce; from several zhang away, the force even sent Feng Yi's two sashes flying straight out.

Yet Feng Yi did not dodge or evade; he grabbed Darba with his left hand and blocked in front of himself.

Golden Wheel National Master's eyes nearly burst; he is a generation's martial arts master who in his life took three disciples: the eldest died early of illness, the third, Huo Du, was killed before everyone's eyes, leaving him without honor; now only Darba, the second disciple, remains.

Darba's acupoints were sealed, he could not move; this strike might accidentally injure the disciple, so he hastily withdrew his right hand holding the wheel and grabbed leftward, trying to snatch the person back.

Who would have thought Feng Yi would lift Darba over his head in one motion, strike out with a palm from his waist, and the golden wheel would change technique with astonishing speed, turning from a grab into a palm.

With a duk sound, the two palms met; Feng Yi floated back several zhang, landed staggering, placed Darba on his shoulder, and turned to run.

Golden Wheel National Master also seemed not to expect the opponent to be so feeble; with a yi sound, the wheel slipped from his hand and flew toward Feng Yi's back.

He launched the flying wheel to strike the enemy; the wheel made no sound, yet it spun so fast that the small balls inside had no time to collide.

Yet Feng Yi felt a fierce wind stir behind him; turning his head, he saw a golden light sweeping fiercely toward him.

Feng Yi gave a cold snort, took out Huo Du's folding fan, turned it like lightning, and flicked it at the wheel.

Dang dang dang……

The wheel is heavy, the fan light; normally it could not be blocked, yet Feng Yi's move came from Taiji Sword, embodying the principle of "four taels deflect a thousand catties"; the wheel's direction reversed, flying back toward the National Master.

Feng Yi laughed loudly: "You Mongols have many tricks; lest the Great Golden Wheel National Master rely on numbers to win, if you have the ability find a deserted place and let us fight three hundred rounds!"

His black silhouette flickered, and he slipped like a wisp of smoke into the woods.

Golden Wheel National Master rushed forward, flicked his robe sleeve, seized the wheel, and then realized: "Villainous and treacherous, you actually used my palm strength to escape!" He was extremely proud, but Feng Yi's taunts and jeers made his old face flush like pig's liver.

He had intended to use the flying wheel to stop Feng Yi's feet so he could rush in, but who would have thought Feng Yi would deflect the wheel and not pause at all.

Now that the opponent has fled, if he does not pursue, in front of his many subordinates he has killed one disciple and captured another; thereafter he would have no face to remain a National Master. Immediately wind stirred under his feet, his momentum like an arrow, he also entered the woods, closely following Feng Yi's trail.

(End of chapter)