Chapter 51: Yangchun Literary Gathering·4

Liu Feng looked at Zhang Xungui, whose complexion was poor, and sighed, saying, "Brother, immortals are heavenly beings; even if they occasionally appear in the world, they are not for us to approach. That path can only be walked by those with fate; if we lack it, earnest pleading is futile."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xungui immediately clenched his fists!

But if I don't cultivate, how can I go home! I'm an only child; who will look after my parents!!

They toiled from dawn till dusk for me, and only with great difficulty did they see me reach adulthood; now is the time to repay them...

Yet I ended up in this damned place!

My home is not here!

Zhang Xungui gritted his teeth, unable to suppress the surging sorrow and indignation in his heart, and said, "I merely...."

But before he could finish, a figure suddenly appeared behind everyone!

Liu Feng noticed immediately, stood up at once, frowned, and said, "Who are you? Do you know how exalted the person before you is?!"

"I didn't come for her, Liu Feng; I advise you not to meddle. Otherwise, death!" The black-clad masked man glanced at Zhang Yirong's back, then turned to Liu Feng and said coldly.

Zhang Yirong was startled, and the maid beside her also suddenly drew her waist sword, guarding in front of Zhang Yirong with a solemn expression.

"Dieer, you didn't notice him?!"

"Commandery Princess, please forgive me, this person...."

Liu Feng immediately interjected, "This person's skill rivals creation; he already bears the Celestial Appearance!"

Celestial Appearance?

Zhang Xungui widened his eyes, could it be the supreme martial artist of the Celestial Realm spoken of in the jianghu!

He didn't come for the Commandery Princess; who is he after?

Dieer?

But Dieer seems not to know him either; could it not be me?

Impossible; I've been staying in the prince's mansion since I was five, for fifteen years straight—when have I ever provoked such enemies?

Seeing the black-clad man's gaze fixed on him, Zhang Xungui secretly thought, "Not good."

Too bad, ignoring two beauties as lovely as flowers and jade, he's coming for me!

I'm really screwed!

Liu Feng said solemnly, "Are you with the Ling family's convoy? Earlier I noticed something odd about you, but I didn't realize you had such strength."

"Oh? I also know you're somewhat unusual; could you be a cultivator?"

"Cultivator? Indeed, you also know the cultivation world! Since you understand these matters, you should know that the Yangchun Trading Hall, inside and out, does not allow cultivators to fight among themselves!" Liu Feng openly admitted that, had he not inadvertently embarked on the path of cultivation, he might now be serving in the imperial court.

"Hahaha! Sorry, I'm not a cultivator, just an ordinary mortal! I can see your cultivation is low. If you leave today, I'll consider it a favor I owe you, to be repaid later. But if you intend to strike, then I'll have to learn your high techniques!"

Liu Feng gave a cold laugh: "You sneaky rat, hiding your head and tail, not even daring to give your name while talking about repayment—I see you're practically begging for death today!"

"Nonsense! A cultivator who willingly falls into the mundane and swears brotherhood with mortals? Someone like you doesn't deserve to be a cultivator!"

As they spoke, the black-clad man still moved, his qi and blood surging like a dragon and tiger; in the instant he charged forward, Liu Feng widened his eyes.

What powerful qi and blood!

Although I sensed no spiritual awareness, this person still possesses combat power comparable to a Celestial Realm martial artist!

This is not good.

I am merely a cultivator who has just finished drawing qi into the body and entered the Lianqi Level; I have few means against an enemy, and if I cannot defeat this person....

I fear no one present will survive!

Zhang Xungui hurriedly hid behind Dieer, swallowing his saliva.

Zhang Yirong seemed accustomed to storms, and was not particularly surprised by Liu Feng's identity as a cultivator; she merely frowned and asked:

"Dieer, can Liu Feng defeat that villain?"

"Sorry, Dieer speaks frankly, but it's unlikely! That person's internal energy has reached the peak of perfection, only a step away from the Celestial Realm, and could enter it at any moment. Even if he now appears wounded, in such a confrontation, rich experience often gives the upper hand!"

"Hmm, notify that attendant to come."

"Yes!"

Only then did I see Dieer, while the two were fighting, suddenly pull a firecracker from her sleeve, light it, and a bright, splendid firework shot into the sky and exploded!

The black-clad man immediately increased the force of his strikes, causing Liu Feng, who had not yet learned proper combat techniques, to cry out in misery.

"Alas! Brother Zhang, Commandery Princess, you go first; I'll hold him off!"

"Too late!"

"Big Brother!!"

Even if Liu Feng had opened the Mud Marrow Palace and gained spiritual awareness, even if they could instantly detect the black-clad man's killing move as he advanced, in a short time, aside from mobilizing their meager mana to protect themselves, they actually had no means of counterattack.

Zhang Yirong watched the black-clad man's palm emit a strange suction force, and couldn't help shaking her head: "A lone cultivator is truly inept! Without an Accumulation Device, never mind; they can't even learn the simplest spells!"

"Big Brother! Commandery Princess, Commandery Princess, please save my big brother!" Zhang Xungui hurriedly knelt on the ground and pleaded desperately.

Zhang Yirong shook her head. She said solemnly, "Xungui, that person seems to have come for you; I am not a cultivator, and you know Dieer's strength cannot match his. For now, the only plan is to wait for my family's attendant to arrive to deal with this villain; do you really want us to stay here and let him succeed?"

"Hurry up!!" Liu Feng shouted loudly, his heart hardening as he suddenly burst forth with a terrifying wave that blasted the black-clad man far away. After doing all this, Liu Feng plopped onto the ground, his face pallid, gasping heavily.

"Big Brother!"

"Brother, hurry and leave. This is a cultivation method I happened to obtain; even if I die today, having acknowledged you as this brother, it's not a wasted life for me!" Liu Feng's face took on a sickly pallor as he handed over an ancient book from his bosom to Zhang Xungui.

Zhang Xungui stared, shocked and speechless, hesitating to take the book, and cried out:

"Big Brother, I've only just met you; why go to such lengths for me...."

"Hahaha, fate brings together those a thousand miles apart; without fate, face to face they do not meet. Today, upon seeing you, I know you are a rare true friend in my life! To gain one confidant is better than ten thousand taels, better than life itself! What I seek is not how lofty the path of cultivation is, nor how exalted the imperial court is...."

Liu Feng tightly gripped Zhang Xungui's hand and shoved the book into his.

"Wine with a confidant... a thousand cups are few; alas... this lifetime I'll hardly be able to share more drinks with you, Brother."

Having said that, Liu Feng shoved the weeping Zhang Xungui aside with a shove and faced the black-clad man who came to kill him alone.

Zhang Xungui gritted his teeth, looked at the book in his hands, and lowered his head.

"Go!" Zhang Yirong took the two people and hurriedly left from the side.

Seeing this, the black-clad person did not chase them, but instead stopped and looked at the weak Liu Feng blocking his way.

He was puzzled and asked: "For someone you just met today, to ruin his cultivation path and lose his life—is it worth it?"

Liu Feng took a deep breath: "Death is inevitable for all, but I don't know why you've set your sights on him. However, I, Liu Feng, am not the kind of person who betrays trust and abandons righteousness; since he is my sworn brother, I cannot stand by and watch you harm him!"

"Foolish, utterly foolish. People are selfish and self-serving; to see someone like you, who has integrity for his brother, is truly the first time."

"Hahaha, don't compare me to those mediocre people!"

Liu Feng let out an angry roar, and his spiritual power suddenly burst forth from his whole body.

"All my life I have walked upright and sat straight; as a Confucian scholar, I follow the teachings of the sages!"

"Life is what I desire; righteousness is also what I desire. Since both cannot be had together, I give up life to take righteousness!"

Liu Feng charged forward, laughing openly: "Villain! How dare you disgrace the righteous spirit of a Confucian scholar! Bamboo may be burned but its integrity cannot be destroyed; jade may be shattered but its whiteness cannot be changed! Though my body may die, my name will not perish!"

"My name is Liu Feng!!!"