Yuan Sansi remembered that a senior had told him once. During that year when five top-tier martial artists ambushed the Huanyue Sect Leader, regardless of how excellent Yan Wushi's martial arts were, under the combined power of those five top-tier martial artists, he lost his life in the end.
Presently, what awaited Feng Xiao wasn't just a potentially formidable enemy like Yuan Sansi. There were also another eleven first-tier martial artists. Yuan Sansi believed that in such a situation, let alone Feng Xiao, even if the number one grandmaster beneath the Heavens came, they would be similarly helpless.
The Pavilion Lord had given orders that Cui Buqu's life was to be remained, but as for Feng Xiao, he was to be killed if he put up resistance.
Since that was the case, there was no need for him to show mercy today.
Feng Xiao must die.
All eleven martial artists embarked at once, himself including; regardless how the incident progressed, Feng Xiao's death is set. It was impossible for him to walk out of this tavern.
The tavern's gates were not closed, but the commotion within was enough to make everyone who was smart enough to stay away. Moreover, the subsequent days of horrendous rains and the rise of flood waters had made life hard for the citizens inside the city. Nobody had the mood to come to the tavern.
The fight was rowdy on the beam. Yet there was still someone who walked in.
Someone of a casual mood, who walked at a leisurely speed and waving a fan in black robes.
Those eleven martial artists turned their gazes, fixing them on the person who walked in.
Instead of teaching this ignorant fool of an uninvited guest a lesson, they gave a strange look as if they had seen a ghost.
Although the sky hasn't turned fully dark, it was already evening. As the eye watched the impending curtain of night, it was the time where the demons and ghosts came out to roam.
This uninvited guest walked in as if the tavern was empty, as if he couldn't see the fighting going-on on the beam. He picked a place to sit down and tap the table with his fan.
"Why is no one selling wine in such a pleasant tavern?"
Looks aside, even his tone and voice were identical to Feng Xiao.
Could it be that the one prior wasn't the real Feng Xiao, but this one that had just come in is the real deal?
Let alone those eleven top-tier martial artists, even Yuan Sansi could see the new Feng Xiao.
If one person saw wrongly, perhaps something was wrong with their eyes, but when twelve people saw the same thing, then it can only mean that an identical Feng Xiao had truly appeared.
The most taboo element when fights between top-tier martial artists take place was distraction. Yuan Sansi was just distracted by the new Feng Xiao for a moment, and in the next tick of second, the palm he had launched was penetrated. A soundless and breathless zither string launched into his direction, aimed at his face!
Yuan Sansi raised a hand to block it without any hesitation. He didn't expect his enemy to attack through the other side. A groan emerged, his shoulders hurt and his posture wavered. He fell from the beam before lending support from a circular pillar midair and launched at Feng Xiao again.
At the same time, all eleven martial artists on the ground, who were of the same mind together, lunged at the other Feng Xiao, who was sitting as steadily as a mountain!
That Feng Xiao laughed boisterously, yet refused to fight them head-on. He instead danced around swiftly, fleeing to the cabinet where wine jars were placed. In the disarray of sword shadows and flying palms, the wine jars all fell to the floor and shattered, its fragrance spreading through the air into everyone's nostrils tipsily like a country of wine.
Among these eleven martial artists, they did not lack people who are sensitive to smell. Even if both Feng Xiaos looked, behaved, and spoke similarly, their scents were different and could be detected from their scanty differences. But once the wine jaws shattered, everyone smelt like wine and they could no longer be told apart.
Someone else stepped into the door.
It was another Feng Xiao.
Everyone has already seen the second one, so they wouldn't be too surprised at the third one.
The third Feng Xiao laughed boisterously: "What a coincidence, Old Yuan. Have you been well?"
Yuan Sansi: "..."
The two fighting on the beam separated, landing on different sides.
Three Feng Xiaos: one on top of the beam, one among the shattered pieces of wine jars, and one at the door. All of them are identical.
There are already three Feng Xiaos.
Who knows if there would be a fourth?
Yuan Sansi snicked: "Such petty tricks! You, Feng Xiao, had always raised your standards so high. Since when have you gone to use such tricks just to keep yourself alive?"
He would never believe that there would truly be three Feng Xiaos in this world. It was just the art of disguise.
Even if these three Feng Xiaos couldn't be told apart by exterior and mannerisms, it was impossible for their weapons to be the same.
The Feng Xiao who stood by the door said: "Old Yuan, you sent eleven people to ambush me, yet you disapprove of me having helpers? Isn't this the same as allowing only a state magistrate to set a fire, but forbidding the citizens to even light lamps?"
The Feng Xiao on top of the beam sighed: "Why the need to expose them? The Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai is at their wit's end!"
The Feng Xiao near those broken wine jars exploded into laughter: "Xiao Lu that sonny dared not show himself, so he could only send you as his frontliner. Old Yuan, you are considered number one yourself, surely there's no need to be in such a sorry state?!"
Yuan Sansi behaved as though he heard nothing. Suspended in midair, he swooped down at the speed of a diving eagle, turning one wave of attack into ten, and ten into a thousand. A thousand shadows of himself coming from all four directions aimed at Feng Xiao!
The colour of the sky outside has completely darkened. The lanterns of the tavern swayed in the breeze as their candles flickered, threatening to go off. The fluctuating brightness cast its light upon the sorry place of a scattered mess.
Those eleven top-tier martial artists turned into flickering shadows, splitting up to attack two different Feng Xiaos. They each held their own weapons of all varying shapes and sizes, all equipped with different sets of skills.
Those who were half a step too late would forever be grateful that their skills were more inferior to others, for it has saved their lives.
The Feng Xiao next to the broken wine jars leaped into the air, a wave of attack that could topple mountains and overturn seas surged, welcoming the approaching three people.
Feng Xiao who stood by the door grabbed the zither on his back. The zither flew up with the support of real qi, spinning in midair. The zither was then caught by a strong, slender, long arm, and in the next moment the zither strings vibrated. Waves of music spread out. Although the music waves were monotone, normal people could not withstand music waves infused with real qi. The frontmost three martial artists felt both their ears bled. They only felt buzzing near his ears, forbidding them from listening to all that happened around them.
Like fluttering snow and flowers, like a pouring huge rain, the loud noise turned into quietness when it reached its peak. The world spun, and fresh blood brimmed up the nose, their actions slowed down similarly. Feng Xiao who was holding his zither snorted coldly. This snort was like a resonating ring to them, hitting their chest heavily. All of a sudden, they became stagnant. They were depleted of strength from holding their knives and swords, before a zither hit their chests continuously. None of them were fortunate enough to avoid it. As cries resounded, they were hit far away.
On the beam, Yuan Sansi watched the happenings below midway, couldn't help but snorted coldly.
When Feng Xiao first joined the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai, he had once relayed his background. Yuan Sansi also knew that among the three Demonic Sects, the Fajing Sect used zithers for weapons, setting their own sail. Presently, since the one on the ground is using a zither to fight, then that must be the real Feng Xiao without a doubt! Thus, the one in front of him is surely a fake!
Two cold glares flew out of his sleeves; one was in front, heading towards his target's neck, and the other aimed for his dantian. When the Feng Xiao who was fighting with him saw this, he let his figure fall, but Yuan Sansi anticipated him to make this move. A cold smile hung by his lips as he flourished his hand and shot two three cold glares. In the midst, his wave of attack followed, aiming to give a thundering clap on Feng Xiao's head.
Feng Xiao falling as his moment was to remove his internal strength. If he mustered his internal strength to block that last cold glare, then he would surely have nothing left. He wouldn't be able to strike back. If Yuan Sansi's wave of attack landed, even if his head wasn't split open, it would at least cause his blood to circulate backwards, thus causing him heavy injuries!
A pained cry sounded nearby.
A large cloak has been lifted highly; the black-robed man, like a black phoenix ready to take flight, spread its wings wide towards the great lands. Its proud and glaring gaze was unique and unmatched.
The razor-sharp zither string in his hand was like a cutting blade, and where it went, two other martial artists' heads fell!
As for the phoenix, it recklessly bent its body like a broken bamboo and pressed forward with indomitable will.
The tavern was in chaos just like before the world was born. Whenever the black robe passed, it left behind a bloody path, cutting through the primordial world, making a thousand ghosts cry in the split of a second in the lonesome night!
It was unknown since when the dense scent of fragrant wine has been overcome by the thick scent of blood. Feng Xiao did not spare mercy. Standing here, these eleven top-tier martial artists were no different from being fresh out of the thatched cottage, being withheld and limited in all perceivable circumstances.
It was unknown when it began, these three Feng Xiaos figures blended together, allowing one to feel an illusionary sense that one had split into three.
Could it be that there really are three Feng Xiaos?
One of the eleven suddenly thought.
His surname is Zhu, and his name Yeqing. He came from the Songshan Sect and used a sword.
Although Songshan Sect was not on a big scale, Zhu Yeqing was gifted in talent. At the age of twenty-five he defeated the three Heroes in the North of the Gobi Desert. He made a name for defeating three of them alone. After that, he showed up at rank thirty-seven of the Wulin scoreboard by the Liuli Palace of Fangzhangzhou. Everyone aimed for the first, but as number thirty-seven of high society, he wasn't just one of the normal caste.
Tonight he had wanted to use Feng Xiao's death to make a name for himself, rising up to a stage above, but he had never expected his enemy to be so powerful.
Since he was young, all his bitter training was for the sake of making a name for himself that was known by the world. But Zhu Yeqing knew that his long-cherished wish would never be fulfilled in this life.
Ghost shadows danced, lights flickering in disarray, and when the last light disappeared like the crippling last candle in a lantern had finally been blown out, Zhi Yeqing's vision darkened, before finally losing all his senses.
His death didn't mean the war had ended.
The leftover top-tier martial artists knew that the fight today would not end without death.
If Feng Xiao didn't die, then every one of them present would have to.
So Feng Xiao could only die. There was no option for begging for mercy, taking a step back, or truce.
Yuan Sansi's palm clashed with one of the Feng Xiaos.
As real qi surged between them like a torrential wave. After that clash of palms, both of them floated backwards and landed on the ground stably.
But Yuan Sansi knew inwardly that blood and qi flipped inside of him. He forcibly swallowed a mouthful of blood, thankful they hadn't spilled out. He didn't know whether Feng Xiao was the same, but he dared not assump.
From the beginning, victory had been in his grasp, but now he was doubtful. Yuan Sansi knew very well that this sort of change is not favourable.
He suddenly recalled the words the Pavilion Lord had told him before he left.
The Pavilion Lord said that after Feng Xiao used those two Śarīras, his martial arts would improve and he would not be the same. He has already turned into a formidable enemy of the Thirteen Pavilions of Yunhai, and now he must be eliminated.
During that time, although Yuan Sansi knew Feng Xiao's martial arts surpassed normal people, he refused to admit that the Pavilion Lord's words were right, simply taking it for his distrust in his own abilities.
But presently, he cannot deny himself from admitting that the Pavilion Lord's words are the truth.
Feng Xiao's improvement in the martial arts, the nature of his talents, is something he rarely saw all his life.
The other was even in possession of the Jiejian Bureau and seemed to share an affair with Cui Buqu.
They were the combined strength and wisdom; the closing of gaps between flaws and virtues.
How can an enemy as powerful as this be left alone?
The tavern suddenly quietened down.
Even the horrendous wind outside had quelled, not moving an inch as if it had been held by the throat.
There were still six people in total including Yuan Sansi.
Yet Feng Xiao and his doppelgangers remained three in number.
The enemy had killed half of his own people.
Yet the doubts in Yuan Sansi were growing.
After all, "a breath of anger would bring three qings1" could only exist in myths. It was impossible for Feng Xiao to truly have two doppelgangers, but martial artists who have achieved his level in the martial world were few in numbers. Even if they exist, who would let themselves be hastily invited here and willing to pass themselves off as his doppelganger?
Superiority and inferiority in the martial arts must exist between the three of them. They would most certainly have weaknesses as well. As long as he could tell them apart, allowing the other martial artists to attack them, then he could focus on Feng Xiao himself entirely. This would increase their chances of success.
Yuan Sansi calmed himself down, closing his eyes. He could hear the enemy's movements in the dark.
Both sides were soundless.
As if even breathings had stopped.
Blood on the zither's string became thicker and thicker. They drip down the string, hardening at a certain point, before finally falling off from its own weight onto the ground.
Among the three Feng Xiaos, one of them couldn't stop themselves from shifting.
That was an instinctive move. That one is the one with the poorest martial arts!
As Yuan Sansi's mind spun, he blew a whistle and two top-tier martial artists attacked that one.
As for the other two Feng Xiaos, one of them couldn't hold himself back, taking off to save his ally.
That person was also a doppelganger!
Another three more martial artists attacked.
Yuan Sansi no longer hesitated. As the cold glare from both his hands shot out, a sword appeared in his grasp, and then he lunged at the last one!
...
The chaos in the Governor's Residence was pacified very quickly.
The victims and the convicts have both been imprisoned for very long, barely having any strength. However, with just a breath of outrage and under the Zuoyue guards' guidance, they attacked the practically empty Governor's Residence. Once Cui Buqu brought soldiers, the entire situation was stabilized quickly.
Pei Jingzhe rushed over at the last minute, and after seeing Cui Buqu hadn't let his people harm those victims, he let out a breath of relief.
Perhaps his expression was far too obvious, even Cui Buqu himself noticed it.
Cui Buqu gave him a half-hearted smile: "You are afraid after I made use of these victims to save myself, I'd kill them afterwards to pacify the riot?"
Pei Jingzhe's face reddened: "I've disgraced myself."
Cui Buqu: "Although I'm not some good person, I have no interest in harming defenseless citizens. Had it not been for Yang Yun's greed and this wave of calamity, they were normal citizens to begin with. In the future, they would even be the best witnesses against Yang Yun, Wu Yi, and the others. Go gather all of them somewhere and count their numbers. Do not let them run about seeking for trouble. Then search the Governor's Residence; Yang Yun must have kept a portion of the rations here. Take them and cook some congee to distribute to these people. Let them fill their stomachs first and leave discussions for later."
Pei Jingzhe mustered his strength, nodded his head and left in a hurry. He had completely forgotten that Cui Buqu is the Zuoyue Commander, and he shouldn't have been commanding him.
Rong Qing couldn't help interfering: "Master Cui, is there anything I can help with?"
Cui Buqu: "Those convicts are still blended among the victims. Take the name list and differentiate them out; which are the ones that deserve their deaths, and which ones were framed by Yang Yun. All of them would depend entirely on you, Imperial Censor Qingtian2."
This was Rong Qing's profession to begin with. He gave a happy look, rubbed his hands together and left.
The Governor's Residence was already ripped apart by the victims. Many of them took advantage of the riot and stole quite a few valuables. However, both of those Zuoyue guards were there on Cui Buqu's orders. They placed their focus on searching Yang Yun's study, and came to report back at this moment, saying they found something strange in the study.
Yang Yun was brought here with his hands tied behind his back. He followed Cui Buqu into his own study.
The floor tiles beneath his bookcase were already lifted up, revealing an inky-black hole.
Many people of higher-offices had secret cellars of varying entries. Due to having a countless number of secrets, they would certainly have a place such as this that allowed them to conceal anything that they wanted to keep hidden.
Seeing the secret cellar opened, Yang Yun didn't feel surprised. His face was ashen gray all along the way, not uttering a word. Yet at this moment he immediately spoke for the first time: "Cui Buqu, I know I cannot stop you from entering, but I beg you to be the only one to enter, please! This matter concerned the pride of the Royal Family, it cannot reach a third person!"
Cui Buqu curiously asked: "When you were doing these things, how could you not have thought of the Royal Family's pride?"
And now all of a sudden, he remembered he belonged to the Yang family?
Yang Yun roared at him in a hoarse and hushed voice: "I guarantee there are no traps inside, but only you are permitted to see everything inside!"
Cui Buqu coldly stated: "The Zuoyue Bureau is bound by duty. There is nothing they cannot know."
Under the firelight, as both of them drew closer to each other, the more he looked the more he thought Yang Yun looked like someone.
But Cui Buqu said nothing. He allowed both his Zuoyue guards to push Yang Yun down to light the fire, while he followed behind. Step by step he went down stone steps leading to the dark cellar.
Following the light of the candles, both Zuoyue guards, as well as Cui Buqu, were stunned.
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Author's Notes: Couldn't write hero (fox) saving the beauty (feng) in time. So, I could only leave it for the next chapter. There should also be a real confession progress in the next chapter.
[1] 一气化三清: from the Chinese classic "The Divestiture of the Gods". It's said that when Laozi is angered, he would split into three. The three Qings are referring to three Daoists.
[2] 御史青天 (lit. Imperial Censor Qingtian): Cui Buqu is probably doing a wordplay on Bao Qingtian, a fair and just judge from the Song Dynasty.