Feng Xiao attacked at the same time Fan Yun attacked Cui Buqu, launching a palm towards his back.
If Fan Yun wished to save himself, then he would need to abandon the attack on Cui Buqu.
But just as Cui Buqu watched the attack hurling towards him, intending to take a step back, the strong wind of it ceased and turned gentle. Fan Yun made a deceptive move before turning around to lunge at Feng Xiao!
Cui Buqu suddenly understood.
Fan Yun's target all along had been Feng Xiao, because if Feng Xiao was killed, he would have no choice but to surrender, but if Feng Xiao escaped, there would be an endless flow of disastrous aftermath.
Feng Xiao could not retreat in time, allowing Fan Yun to plunge onto his back. He could only retreat and turn around, allowing that palm to hit his shoulder; his other hand launched a zither string, forcing Fan Yun to take a step back.
Both parties fought eye-to-eye for the first time; Feng Xiao took a hit to his shoulder, but Fan Yun wasn't in any special advantage either, for there was a scar on his arm made by the zither string infused with real qi. Blood drenched his torn robes and very quickly dyed his arm in crimson.
From Fan Yun's first attack to both parties being injured, all these events took place in a single breath of Cui Buqu. In the blink of an eye, both of them fought again, this time completely putting Cui Buqu aside and fighting as if horrendous winds and heavy rain met, generating a sky-shattering massive thunder. Real qi billowed from around both of them; fallen leaves from the previous rain were swept up once again, swirling wildly in midair. The sands churned and pebbles rolled, loud bustling was summoned. At this moment, before anyone who has already escaped the cave could rejoice, they would be pushed back in again by this massive wave of real qi and tumble back.
Cui Buqu felt a wave of energy surging towards him and found himself pushed back a few steps. In the blink of an eye, he was at the brink of the cliff. If he hadn't been quick to grip a branch from the side to stabilize his standing, now, there would be no need for Fan Yun to interfere since he would have already fallen.
Only now did he truly acknowledge the true strength of Fan Yun's skills.
This person, Fan Yun, was incredibly knowledgeable, armed with a retentive memory and a broad heart and mind. He travelled across the lands when he was young, gaining the acknowledgement of the Liuli Palace and was invited to be a guest tutor even though in reality he shared no relationship with them. He remained carefree and unrestrained, unshackled from anything. Other than the identity of a descendant of the Fan Clan, his literary skills, knowledge, and background were all a mystery.
After succeeding the Zuoyue Bureau, Cui Buqu had once assigned people to investigate Fan Yun in secret. He discovered that Fan Yun and the number one largest sect in the Southern Dynasty, the Linchuan Palace Academy, were closely associated. Their techniques match each other from movement to movement, and although a great many have been altered for the better, it still carried the shadow of the Linchuan Palace Academy.
The Linchuan Palace Academy upholds Confucianism, the Palace Lord was a known cultivator of Confucianism and martial arts. All his students strive to aid a brilliant Emperor to rule the world, reclaiming the lands of the Han people as their responsibility.
Cui Buqu covered his mouth and coughed a few times. The scent of blood surged up his throat, spilling from the corner of his lips and dampening his fingers. He apathetically wiped them away with the back of his hand, leaning against a boulder half the height of a normal person as he watched the battle, stomaching the dizziness and urge to vomit as he squinted his eyes.
"Fan Yun, you tried so hard to lure me into a trap. Presently, Xiao Lu hasn't even shown himself. After this incident, the Thirteen Pavilions will have also suffered a huge loss, and I am already of no use to you. Why don't you kill me first?"
Fan Yun laughed, "There is no need for you to dissuade me. Commander Feng is one of the top-tier masters of this present world. Before he is defeated, I can never be at peace! Buqu, do you know why I did not take you as my disciple in the past?"
He didn't land with the first hit, but neither did he blindly attack; his footsteps were light as he walked circles with Feng Xiao with boundless patience.
Cui Buqu said coldly, "It's because I'm not willing to pledge to a teacher. Please do not turn the causes around."
Fan Yun heard it but did not listen, he laughed anyways, "Because when I look at your face, I see that you have an incredibly tough life, your kins are not close to you, and your life is destined to be riddled with hardships; no good will come to those who grow close to you. This time, weren't you forced to come alone because Qiao Xian, who had always been by your side, was heavily injured?"
On the surface, this looked as if it was spoken to Cui Buqu, but in reality, it was meant for Feng Xiao.
Among the many worldly affairs; Kings and Emperors were superior, while small tradesmen and porters were inferior. Other than people like Cui Buqu who refused to accept fate, who would dare say they do not believe in it?
Even Fan Yun himself, who had seen all in life, knew very well that fate is destined, and that it is not something human beings could change. He even tried to change fate once when he lost an old friend who fell gravely ill by offering part of his lifespan to him, but in the end, it was to no avail.
Cui Buqu was expressionless on the surface, completely unmoved, like a bamboo shoot who was unwilling to gravel on its knees to the rain. Under his sickly body were cold bones. But if Cui Buqu didn't care for it himself, would people around him not care as well?
Among a hundred ways to attack the enemy, the offence of the heart was the most effective.
There was a sneer.
It came from Feng Xiao's mouth.
"What a coincidence; there was once a fortune-teller who told me that my fate is one of the best beneath the sky, born to have everything luxurious in my possession. Even if Heaven casts a lonely star1, it cannot harm me. Old Fan, you are already an old man, don't blindly torture yourself any longer. Surrender now and admit defeat, and I might offer you a fully attached corpse, to avoid you having to wander about searching for your head when you reach the Yellow Spring River!"
As he spoke, a palm hurled itself. Fan Yun received it, sending two waves of rumbling thunder ringing loudly. Both of them retreated backwards; Fan Yun's expression was calm and at ease. He landed stably, "I've forgotten that you hailed from one of the demonic sects; compared to normal people, you can let go more easily of most things."
Since he knew that words cannot distract the opponent, he no longer spoke. A sword glare shot out horizontally, aiming at Feng Xiao.
That moment was plagued by curtains of rain and dark clouds; halfway through the journey, the fog and rain stopped, turning into specks like fish scales, covering the surface of the lake in twinkling light. The declining sun was like blood rippling on the surface of a frozen pool; it was extremely beautiful, like the vivid imagery of a dream.
Feng Xiao positioned himself, his figure lunging forward in a dash, both his sleeves fluttering behind him widely, breaking through the illusion with familiarity. At that moment, the winds ceased, and a blue sky stood up again.
Fan Yun never stopped; his sword swaying per his body, moving in front of Feng Xiao in the blink of an eye. Sword waves stacked up against each other layer by layer, and another layer was added after the drizzle was broken apart, like shrouding dark clouds, refusing to leave no matter what. The cutting wind from the swords flew across horizontally, sending pebbles flying and shattering leaves as they burst into rain, surrounding Feng Xiao within it so that it could not be avoided.
The deeper Feng Xiao was in the battle, the more he felt it affecting him. Fan Yun's sword techniques looked beautiful like curtains of mist, yet they were brimming with killing intent. If one were to be mesmerized by them, they would meet their doom.
Before this, although Feng Xiao knew that Fan Yun's martial arts were quite good, he had never taken them seriously. He felt that the other surpassed God's will, yet wasn't known in the Jianghu, thus there must be some limitations to his martial arts. Additionally, Fan Yun was valued within the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai for his abilities as a strategist and not a martial artist. Compared to Yu Xiu and Yuan Sansi, that generation of grandmasters, Fan Yun's abilities as a strategist were much more obvious.
But now he knew that his speculation was wrong.
Not only were Fan Yun's martial arts incredible, even with Feng Xiao's confidence, he also could not refrain from admitting that the other's martial arts had already achieved the rankings of a grandmaster and higher.
Why would Fan Yun, a man of such a high degree of martial arts, be unknown in the Jianghu?
As the thought flashed in his mind, Feng Xiao suddenly thought of one possibility.
The ranks of martial artists beneath the sky all came from the Liuli Palace from the Fangzhangzhou. The records in the Liuli Palace cannot be said to be perfect, but it would be accurate in at least eighty to ninety per cent. Since Fan Yun was related to the Liuli Palace, then he could make use of these relationships and remove his name from the Wulin records. Additionally, Fan Yun had no intention to roam the Jianghu, neither was he a person of the Jianghu. He had not fought with many people, thus he was naturally unknown.
Pain shot up in his back: it was the same place as the silver needle just now. There was no doubt that he hurt his meridians.
However, Feng Xiao's hand was very stable.
From the moment a string flew out from his sleeve, one end of it was held by him and the other end would stretch as straight as a pencil, ringing within the sword's glare and pierce through the flying rainbow it left behind, striking like shattering rain. The sound it gave off would travel into Fan Yun's ears, and in it contained the waves of music with an inner strength that could cancel out the real qi which protected Fan Yun's body, striking into his ears.
It seemed as if Fan Yun hadn't expected his enemies to obtain the zither and turn it into strings, turning entertainment to weapons. There was no doubt regarding the surprise unraveling on his face.
The Faxing Sect used zithers for weapons. If there was a zither in his possession, Feng Xiao was a lot more laid back. However, if Fan Yun knew that the weapon used against him just now was a peer of Rao Liang from the legend, the incredibly precious zither Yu Yin whose strings were plucked out one by one by Feng Xiao, he would have been so furious that he'd stab Feng Xiao to death.
However, he didn't know that. So, his hand was only disturbed by waves of music from the zither and wavered a little bit. The sword's glare was shoved aside, but once again it manoeuvred, spread out like a curtain of dawn, summoning wild winds and loud waves, billowing in waves of great fury, churning clouds and beating shores, toiling once against Feng Xiao.
At the same time, Feng Xiao was also immersed in the sword's glare, his other hand once again launching a zither string at Fan Yun.
Tight paths meet again, facing each other head-on with a higher degree of martial arts and deeper inner strength.
However, every second counted for people whose martial arts have achieved their level. Fan Yun's was incredibly meticulous. He could see that Feng Xiao was affected by his old wounds, that his right hand was unstable. His strength was weaker on his left hand. Although these differences were easy to miss, Fan Yun saw them, thus he incessantly made use of them.
So, the sword that attacked Feng Xiao from his left was even heavier.
At that time, Fan Yun heard Cui Buqu's voice.
"I know whose side you are on now."
Cui Buqu's words were like the spring rains of March nights, like silver needles that were barely discernible; yet what level was Fan Yun's sense of hearing? Even if his speaking adversary's voice was like the sound of mosquitoes buzzing, he could still clearly hear them.
"The one you were aiding is an Emperor from the Chens, yet Chen Shubao is not the one. It was the late Emperor Chen Xu. Emperor Xuan was skilled with his subordinates, his abilities laudable, and he was lenient and generous from the beginning to the end during the decade he sat on the throne. Although he could not be called a brilliant Emperor of the dynasty, he could be considered a virtuous Emperor. It was a pity that he did not live a long life and had no successors; the pup is unlike his father, and thus, an incompetent child-like Chen Shubao has destroyed generations of hard work in the Chen Dynasty."
If he could, Fan Yun would give everything to turn back time and make it so that Cui Buqu could no longer open his mouth. However, there were no what-ifs in this world. Since he had already spoken, there was no turning back, and could only allow those words to reach his ears.
Cui Buqu lived up to his name, every word that was spoken were like knives and swords, piercing the most fragile places in one's heart, destroying every and all calmness that existed in Fan Yun.
"Teacher, you and Emperor Xuan shared an intimate friendship, and you were begged by the other before his passing, yet such a disappointing person had been entrusted to you. Your old friend is gone, yet words were as solid as gold, so you could only give it your everything, with a devotion similar to Zhuge Liang2, beating around the bush and gyrating in circles, going so far as to provoke strife between us and the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai so that Emperor Chen may reel in the benefits. What was more pitiable is that Emperor Chen might not be able to acknowledge your goodwill; even if your martial arts surpassed others and schemed plots everywhere, I fear in the end you could only walk the old path of Zhuge Kongming3, watching the star die in the Battle of the Wuzhang plains4. To attempt despite one knowing to succeed is impossible; Teacher, before this path shall end, you have already seen your destination."
He spoke faster and faster, and at the end, everything was revealed, every word piercing the heart, cutting open it so flesh and bones could be seen.
Fan Yun inhaled vaguely, even the glare of his sword had lost its direction.
Whether those words said by Cui Buqu were said early or later did not make a difference. Fan Yun suddenly felt regret; he regretted that he had been sentimental before and did not get rid of the other earlier.
He had only blanked out for a while, but to Feng Xiao, that was already enough.
The zither string pried the sword apart, piercing through Fan Yun's hand. In the next second, Feng Xiao's figure followed suit.
Fan Yun's expression changed, no time was spared for him to even regret it. The other hurled a palm at his chest, and fresh blood spilt out of Fan Yun's mouth, his body falling backwards.
Feng Xiao did not allow him the chance to even breathe, pressing on hard, hitting palm after palm. Fan Yun took two hits subsequently and took a step back with every hit he took, his face growing paler. When Feng Xiao launched the third palm, Fan Yun was no longer willing to take another hit. He turned around to leave, leaping down from the cliff and falling on top of the boulder down below. A few more leaps and his figure disappeared into the fog.
"Er-lang!"
Not long after Fan Yun vanished, a group of people rushed out, and the one leading them was the Third Commander of the Jiejian Bureau, Ming Yue. Behind him, soldiers from the Jiejian Bureau held in their grasp someone familiar—the Young Master of the Yangdang Estate, Lin Wei.
Saying everything in a single breath, Cui Buqu could no longer stand it, not paying any attention to his wound scraping against the rocky surface as he fell sideways.
Feng Xiao's reflexes were quick, holding him before the other's head hit the ground.
"You came just at the right time!" Feng Xiao told Ming Yue, both speechless and mocking.
Ming Yue laughed bitterly, "Their den was hidden so thoroughly, I couldn't find it even after half a day. We mistakenly caught someone from here by chance and had him lead the way!"
Feng Xiao raised his jaw, gesturing for Ming Yue to release Lin Wei from his mute state.
Once Lin Wei's mouth regained its freedom, he immediately shouted non-stop, "Yuntian! I've never harmed you, nor have I helped them do so. When Yuan Sansi's servant asked me to poison you, I never obeyed. Ever since I saw you, my admiration for you grew. Even if you spared me a look, my heart would feel happy…"
Feng Xiao's lips twitched, "Gag him!"
Lin Wei, "No, no, please! I'll just not say anything!"
Feng Xiao knew that this person might look like he had a good network of friends and was easy-going on the surface, but in reality, his ambitions spoke volumes. Otherwise, he would not have taken the cover of a good-for-nothing to conceal his true identity as a member of the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai. Regardless of how the other pleaded and babbled, he would not be moved by it. He only asked, "The others?"
Lin Wei immediately said, "When the fire broke out Ning Shewo that old hag ran even faster than me. I was trapped in the array and delayed for a while. When I came out, I saw no one before running into your subordinates!"
Feng Xiao, "Where's your Pavilion Lord Xiao? After such a grievous thing happened, could he remain inert and not show himself?"
Lin Wei calmed himself down, "The Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai valued superiority and inferiority. I have never had the chance to see the Pavilion Lord myself. Only Fan Yun and Yu Xiu have the chance to interact with him often."
Cui Buqu coughed and said, "He's lying. When we return, use Naihexiang on him during interrogation."
Lin Wei's expression changed, a flash of loathing divulged from his eyes and both his arms spread, pushing away the soldiers from both his sides as he turned and ran.
A silver glare flew out of Ming Yue's sleeve, piercing Lin Wei's back. He fell over from pain and soldiers immediately rushed forward to pin him down.
A drizzle began once again between the mountains.
Feng Xiao has neither the heart or the strength to interrogate Lin Wei here, so he waved a hand to gesture his soldiers to bring him back before decisions could be made.
Ming Yue saw that Cui Buqu was unable to stand up, so he walked over to help him. Cui Buqu thanked him in a soft voice and did not reject it.
Behind him, Feng Xiao said coldly, "He could not even stand up on his own, and you still want him to walk himself? Can this sickly invalid even walk?"
Cui Buqu felt his feet lifted into thin air, his entire person was carried up horizontally.
Ming Yue was an honest person, so he was shocked at the scene and said immediately, "Er-lang, you're injured, let me do it!"
"I am carrying him now anyways. It's even more troublesome to switch hands now!" Feng Xiao twitched his lips, "Carrying such a thick scent of mud and blood on you, it's stifling just to smell it. Did you hear what Master Fan said? Your life is a tough one, bad luck would fall upon anyone close to you. Although my life is luxurious and rich, don't you even think of sticking fast to me when we return. Quickly find yourself a fortune-teller to change your fate, so that I won't have bad luck as well…"
Cui Buqu was exhausted to the brink. It was a rocky journey when the other descended the mountain, it overturned his insides, making him want to vomit blood, so he could only shut his mouth, using the rest of his strength to roll his eyes.
Ming Yue was clouded with confusion as he stood behind. Since you're afraid of bad luck, why are you carrying him down the mountain? Is this truly earnestly complaining, or speaking the opposite of what's intended?
====
[1] Heaven's lonely star: An implication that great danger will come.
[2] With a devotion similar to Zhuge Liang: Probably referring to how Zhuge Liang served Liu Bei at first, who was a competent and brilliant lord, but later on he was forced to serve his son due to an oath to his old friend (Liu Bei). However, Liu Shan was a disappointing and incompetent lord.
[3] Zhuge Kongming: Zhuge Liang's courtesy name.
[4] Watching the star die in the Battle of the Wuzhang plains: The story goes that in Zhuge Liang's final battle, he watched a star falling in the Wuzhang plains right before he died.