Chapter 156: Feng Siniang and the Deer-Carving Blade

Early autumn, a sunny day.

Another guest arrived at the inn on Luan Shi Mountain.

This was a woman, a very beautiful woman.

This beautiful woman was taking a bath.

Sunlight shone in through the thin window paper, illuminating her skin, which was as smooth as silk.

The water temperature was just a little warmer than the sunlight; she lay lazily in the water, propping her pair of slender, delicate jade feet high up on the basin, letting the soles of her feet receive the gentle caress of the sunlight, as if it were a lover's hand.

These feet had climbed mountains, waded through rivers, walked for three days and three nights in a desert as scorching as a hot pan, and had also crossed thousands of miles of frozen rivers in the dead of winter.

These feet had kicked three starving wolves and one wild cat to death, trampled countless poisonous snakes, and even kicked the bandit "Man Tian Yun," who had entrenched himself in Qilian Shan for many years, off a ten-thousand-foot precipice.

Yet now, these feet still looked so dainty, so delicate; even a young lady of noble birth who had never left her boudoir might not have such a perfect pair of feet.

She was very satisfied in her heart.

She added more hot water to the basin; she liked this stimulation of "heat," and she also liked all kinds of other stimulation.

She liked riding the fastest horses, climbing the highest mountains, eating the spiciest food, drinking the strongest wine, playing with the sharpest blades, and killing the most ruthless people.

For these thirty-three years, she had never treated herself poorly.

There were not many women like her in the world.

Some envied her, and some were jealous of her; she was almost completely satisfied with herself.

Except for one thing—loneliness.

A loneliness that no amount of stimulation could fill.

But she still had to seek stimulation; only then could she feel a bit more interested, a bit better.

Just at this moment, a knocking sound suddenly came from outside the door.

"Hello, may I come in?" A clear, bright voice suddenly rang out from outside the door, and before Feng Siniang could answer, the person muttered to himself: "I forgot, this is already my territory; do I need to greet anyone when entering my own territory?"

Then, the door was pushed open.

A young man in black walked in from outside, hands behind his back, strolling leisurely, with an indescribable air of ease and grace.

If it were any other woman, even if this young man looked very handsome and very polite, she would probably have laughed out loud at this moment.

But Feng Siniang did not even change her expression; she remained comfortably half-lying and half-sitting in the basin, gently washing her hands with a soft silk cloth.

She did not even lift her eyelids, but merely stared at her fingers, which were like spring onions, slowly washing them clean before saying with a faint smile: "Have you never seen a woman take a bath?"

The young man in black looked at Feng Siniang and smiled: "I have, and I've seen quite a few, but it is rare to see a woman as beautiful and as charming as Feng Siniang taking a bath."

Feng Siniang let out a coquettish giggle: "You certainly know how to talk."

The young man in black shrugged: "But sometimes I also know how to annoy people."

Feng Siniang glanced at him and said: "You know I am Feng Siniang?"

The young man in black said: "For a woman as beautiful and as bold as you, besides a vixen like Feng Siniang, I'm afraid you couldn't find a second one in the whole world."

"You really do know how to talk." Feng Siniang covered her mouth and giggled, her body trembling like a flower in the wind; she raised her pair of fair, firm arms and waved her hands: "Do these hands look like hands that kill?"

These hands had slender fingers, soft and boneless, like orchids.

The young man in black shook his head and said: "They don't."

"But they not only kill, they also blind." Feng Siniang flicked her hands gently, and two silver lights suddenly flew out from between her fingers: "You must remember next time, peeking at a woman bathing will give you styes."

Her skill with flying needles was truly not bad; as a woman wandering in the Edo, if she didn't have some decent skills, she would have been swallowed up, bones and all, long ago.

"You woman, you are truly unreasonable. I was clearly looking openly; how is that peeking?"

But the young man in black wore a smile, and with a flick of his sleeve, the two silver needles were already lying obediently in his palm: "But if you really feel uncomfortable, I'll just call you over to watch when I take a bath next time; that way, we'll be even."

Feng Siniang was stunned for a moment, but soon a charming smile appeared on her face again, becoming even more heart-stirring.

For a beautiful woman like her, a smile was undoubtedly a very good weapon, especially against a man like Yu Liancheng who could not resist temptation: "Little brother, your skill is truly excellent; Siniang is ill-informed, but may I ask your honorable name?"

Yu Liancheng said: "You should indeed know me; after all, you came to Shitou Mountain this time just to find me."

"Find you?" Feng Siniang was startled.

Yu Liancheng said: "Hua Ping has already told me that you entered Guanzhong this time to do something. Although he doesn't know what it is, it must be a big deal. You were afraid your strength wouldn't be enough, so you wanted to find a helper."

Feng Siniang nodded: "But the helper I wanted to find was Hua Ping, not you."

"No! You wanted to find the Chief of the Guanzhong Thirteen Gangs, not Guan Ping," Yu Liancheng said.

"Guan Ping is the Chief."

"Since when did the vixen become so stupid? The Chief of the Thirteen Gangs can only be held by the person with the highest martial arts; otherwise, how could he command respect? Do you think my martial arts are inferior to Guan Ping's?" Yu Liancheng flicked his finger, and the two silver needles were already nailed into the wall, embedded deep within.

Not to mention the astonishing force contained in this move, the speed alone was enough to make the masters of hidden weapons in the Edo look on in despair. If the silver needles had been aimed at Feng Siniang, she would likely have perished by now.

"When did you become the Chief?" Feng Siniang asked in surprise.

"Probably a few days ago." Yu Liancheng turned around: "If we keep chatting, your bathwater will get cold. This is not a place for a long talk; I'll go first. Once you've dressed, go to the inn's lobby and find the manager; he will naturally bring you to see me."

Having said this, he turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

When Yu Liancheng was in the room, Feng Siniang always felt a bit uneasy, fearing that the other party might do something improper.

After all, the other party's martial arts were very high, and she was currently naked; even if she wanted to escape, it wouldn't be easy.

But after Yu Liancheng turned and left, Feng Siniang was simply stunned.

After a long while, she looked down at her own beautiful body. Her chest was still firm, her waist was still slender, her lower abdomen was still flat, and her pair of long, slender jade legs were still firm; there wasn't the slightest wrinkle on her skin from head to toe.

She couldn't help but reach out and take a small mirror from the side.

The woman in the mirror had very bright eyes, and her smile was still very moving; anyone who saw her would likely not believe she was already a thirty-three-year-old woman, and anyone would have to admit that this was a very seductive woman.

Yet this guy had left without the slightest hesitation.

He hadn't been moved in the slightest.

For a beautiful woman like Feng Siniang, she didn't like others looking at her with lecherous eyes, but she could tolerate being ignored even less.

"This little brat, could it be that he's already blind at such a young age?"

……

Shitou Mountain, the Council Hall.

After Feng Siniang arrived at the Council Hall, she saw Yu Liancheng sitting on a stool, leisurely tasting tea.

Guan Ping stood behind him; this person still carried an imposing aura about him, making one dare not slight him.

Yu Liancheng smiled and said, "Siniang, please sit. Although I understand the task you want me to do, it is not yet clear enough. You might as well explain it to me in detail."

Feng Siniang was fuming, still sulking because Yu Liancheng had left so suddenly.

But the two were not very familiar with each other yet, and there were others present. Even if she were a temptress, it would not be appropriate to say, "I took off all my clothes, why didn't you stay a while longer to look?"

Hearing Yu Liancheng's words, Feng Siniang's eyes rolled as she said, "Fine, I can tell you. But this matter requires someone with extremely high martial arts to participate. Although I saw that your technique for catching hidden weapons was not bad, if that is all there is to it, it is still lacking."

Yu Liancheng said, "What do you want?"

Feng Siniang smiled, "Unless you are willing to take a few of my sword strikes."

Yu Liancheng did not speak, but simply smiled and made a gesture of invitation.

"Watch out." With a "Clang!", Feng Siniang drew a short sword from her sleeve, her body already leaping up, and in an instant, she thrust seventeen or eighteen strikes at Yu Liancheng.

The first few strikes held back thirty percent of her power, just in case Yu Liancheng was merely a master of hidden weapons.

The following ten or so strikes were faster than the last, the sword light swift and nimble; it was clear she had attained no small accomplishment in swordplay.

Yet Yu Liancheng only held the teacup in one hand, while his other hand used the lid to tap lightly.

The porcelain teacup should have been smashed to pieces by the sword, but it was not; instead, each time he could lightly tap the flaws in Feng Siniang's swordplay, shattering the sword light.

"No more, no more." After twenty or thirty moves, Feng Siniang panted, "I am no match for you, you win. I really don't know how you have such martial arts at such a young age."

"Only because I am indeed a once-in-a-century martial arts genius, and I am also very hardworking."

This question had been asked by many people, and Yu Liancheng answered fluently.

He smiled and turned his gaze to the sword in Feng Siniang's hand: "This sword is quite good."

This was a short sword over a foot long, the blade exceptionally thin and carrying a green luster; this type of sword was most suitable for women to use, and Gongsun Lan used this type of sword.

Feng Siniang suddenly backhanded a strike, slicing toward another cup on the table like cutting tofu; in an instant, this porcelain cup was also sliced in two: "This is the 'Blue Jade' used by Gongsun Daniang's first disciple, Shen Ruoguan; it was a gift from someone else."

Yu Liancheng said, "Since that person gave the 'Blue Jade' to you, then presumably the 'Red Glow' should also be in your hands; they are a pair."

"That goes without saying." Feng Siniang had already taken out the other sword, the scabbard inlaid with pale red precious jade, and tossed it casually to Yu Liancheng.

"Things used by women really cannot escape the scent of powder." As Yu Liancheng spoke, his hand was already drawing the sword.

However, this 'Red Glow' was actually a broken sword.

Feng Siniang's beautiful eyes looked at Yu Liancheng, sparkling with unconcealable amusement.

This "Red Glow" was also a famous sword; if others saw it had become a broken sword, they would inevitably ask for the reason.

When that time came, if she teased Yu Liancheng's appetite, wouldn't she be able to vent her anger?

"Hmm, good sword." Unexpectedly, after Yu Liancheng took a few looks and offered a compliment, he closed the scabbard and handed it back to Feng Siniang.

Feng Siniang couldn't help but say, "Don't you want to know why this 'Red Glow' is broken?"

Yu Liancheng said, "I don't want to know."

Feng Siniang said, "Why don't you want to know?"

Yu Liancheng said, "Because if I wanted to hear it, you wouldn't tell me, at least not now. But if I don't want to hear it, you will instead be unable to help but tell me."

Feng Siniang was startled, then couldn't help but laugh: "You little devil, not only is your martial arts formidable, but you are also a clever little spirit."

Yu Liancheng took a sip of tea and said indifferently, "Although I am a bit young, whether I am a 'little devil' is a question that needs to be discussed in bed."

Feng Siniang spat, "Go to bed to discuss it with you? Have I gone mad?"

If Feng Siniang had seemed slightly reserved before, after chatting with Yu Liancheng for a while, she had figured out his temperament and became more casual.

This was indeed a temptress; she knew what clothes to wear for what occasion, and she knew what to say to what kind of person.

"That puts my mind at ease." Yu Liancheng let out a long breath: "I was originally worried that you had taken a fancy to me, and since I am only eighteen or nineteen, I naturally want to find a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl to marry and go to bed with, but you are already an old woman."

Feng Siniang was so angry she drew her sword again and thrust five or six times at Yu Liancheng, but without exception, they all missed, and he even took the time to make a face at her.

"You... it's fortunate I didn't know you before, otherwise I would have been angered to death by you long ago." Feng Siniang said fuming.

Yu Liancheng smiled: "There are too many people flattering you. If I want you to like me, I have to anger you a bit so that you feel it's fresh."

Feng Siniang snorted: "Enough idle talk, let's talk about the real business. 'Red Glow' was broken by a saber, and I am aiming for this saber."

The previously silent Hua Ping suddenly had a change in expression and said, "You are actually aiming for the 'Deer-Cutting Saber'?"

Feng Siniang glared at him and couldn't help but say, "Hua Ping, you dead piece of wood, we've been friends for years, and you didn't even greet me when we met; I thought you had become a mute."

Guan Ping said coldly, "The Deer-Cutting Saber was forged by Xu Luzi himself, exhausting all his heart's blood. Such a precious saber, this time entering the pass, is guarded by three great masters: Zhao Wuji, Tu Xiaotian, and Hai Lingzi. I advise you not to aim for it."

"No, you are wrong." Feng Siniang said, "They thought these three guarding the saber were not enough, so they also invited the 'One-Armed Eagle King' Sikong Shu, who in the past swept Tianshan and killed eight bandits with a single palm."

Guan Ping fell silent, and only after a long while did he say, "We are old acquaintances after all; every year during the Qingming Festival, I will remember to burn paper money for you." He paused for a moment and added, "If I am not dead myself."

"You are the one who will die. Even if you cowards don't dare to go, I can seize it alone." Feng Siniang almost jumped up.

"Did I ever say I wasn't going?"

Just then, Yu Liancheng's voice rang out.

Feng Siniang clapped in praise, her smile as bright as a flower: "Good, I knew you were a man among men, a master among masters; your courage is always a bit greater than others."

Guan Ping frowned and said, "Chief, don't you use a sword? Why seize a saber?"

"That's right, I do use a sword." Yu Liancheng nodded, a playful smile lifting the corners of his mouth: "But I am interested in the four masters guarding the saber. And I am even more interested in the person behind them."

In this world, if one speaks of the number one master under heaven, it must be the 'Xiaoyao Hou' Geshu Tian, whose strength is unfathomable. This person founded the Heaven Sect and gathered many followers in the Edo, attempting to control martial arts practitioners like a God.

Hongying and Lvliu are also two top sword technique masters, known as the killers from beyond the heavens, capable of controlling threads with Qi and controlling swords with threads; I imagine their martial arts are also worth seeing.

Besides them, there is also the great thief Xiao Shiyilang.

The level of his saber technique is something I fear I have only seen once in my life.

Of course, the one most worth looking forward to is the Xiaoyao Hou.

It is just that the whereabouts of Xiaoyao Hou are uncertain and mysterious; if Yu Liancheng truly wants to find him, he will inevitably face some trouble.

But Xiaoyao Hou is also eyeing the Deer-Carving Saber, and among the four great experts protecting the saber, three have already defected to him.

Xiaoyao Hou can be said to be determined to obtain the Deer-Carving Saber.

If he could seize the Deer-Carving Saber, perhaps he could track down a trace of the Heaven Sect, and then follow the trail to find Wanyou Shanzhuang and Xiaoyao Hou.

Feng Siniang's eyes, however, lit up: "You are going to seize the Deer-Carving Saber?"

Yu Liancheng nodded.

Feng Siniang said again: "And you use a sword, so the saber is of no use to you."

Yu Liancheng nodded again.

Feng Siniang smiled charmingly: "Good, we will seize the Deer-Carving Saber, and the saber will belong to me. Whatever else you want, whatever you want to do, I can help you."

Yu Liancheng laughed: "I have already thought of what I want."

Feng Siniang was in a good mood and said: "Tell me."

Yu Liancheng said: "Once we hijack the Deer-Carving Saber, the blue jade in your hand will be of no use, so you can give it to me."

"But this is a sword for a woman, and don't you already have a sword at your side?" Feng Siniang frowned.

Yu Liancheng smiled slightly: "Although I am a man, there is no shortage of heroines, female demons, and female immortals in the Edo... why worry about not being able to give it away?"

Feng Siniang snorted softly, a hint of gloom appearing on her beautiful face: "Fine, if the matter succeeds, it doesn't matter if I give it to you. However, the two of us alone are probably not enough; we need to find a few more experts. And we must plan it well; those four people protecting the saber are not easy to deal with."

"There is no need to invite others, and I already have a plan." Yu Liancheng revealed a look of having everything under control.

"What plan?" Feng Siniang asked.

"Find Tu Xiaotian and the others, slaughter them, and incidentally seize the Deer-Carving Saber."

"……What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Women have long hair and short insight. You must understand, the more complex a plan is, the easier it is for loopholes to appear. And the simpler a plan is, the more seamless it is. Trust me, it won't go wrong."

"……Trust your big head."