Chapter 44: Walking into a Trap
Feng Yanyuan had already sensed the subtlety of the situation the moment he returned to the Sixian Terrace. The various knights outside, though barred from the inner courtyard, were able to overhear a good portion of what was going on. Their expressions varied widely, some surprised and puzzled, others admiring and sighing, the occasional whispering seemingly already making plans.
The warrior guarding the entrance recognized Feng Yanyuan as he stepped forward, but said with regret, "Third Master Feng is late. I'm afraid there aren't enough seats in the inner courtyard."
Feng Yanyuan was about to speak when he heard an angry roar coming from the inner courtyard.
"Today, all the heroes have gathered here. There is no need for unnecessary politeness! This is originally a royal affair. Why should we, the martial artists, get involved? Wasn't the bloodbath eight years ago enough of a warning?! If the old senior really wants us to be the lackeys of this vassal king again, at least show us a clear way! Let alone others, this King Zhao is the first one who will not accept it! Qingcheng Mountain is high and the emperor is far away. I, Luo, cannot see clearly what the royal family's affairs are like! At least for the past eight years, the country has been peaceful and the court is quiet. I heard that it was all the Queen who was in charge. What has this King Zhao done? This guy has always been known for his flattery and oppression. He is close to treacherous people and far away from virtuous people. The people in his fiefdom are living in misery. If we really become his lackeys, I am afraid our fate will be worse than that of the three major sects back then!"
"Lord Qing, be careful with your words! Senior, you are gathering heroes to discuss a plan to reassure the people. How dare you slander the princes and nobles here?"
"Humph! People in Jianghu are so timid and polite when they speak. It's really boring!"
"May I ask, Senior Yue, if this plan to reassure the people is really about forming an alliance with the martial arts world..."
This last sentence was the voice of King Changshan. Feng Yanyuan was shocked when he heard it. He pushed away the person who was blocking him with a palm and jumped into the inner courtyard with a quick step.
Under the skylight in the courtyard, masters from various factions were startled and looked towards him.
Feng Yanyuan first glanced at the flushed Prince of Changshan. If he hadn't interrupted, he would have been unable to contain himself. Eight years prior, when he was demoted, Prince of Changshan was still a young teenager. After years of imprisonment, he devoted himself solely to martial arts training, even employing only a few dozen guards, never appearing in public. He had attended this meeting simply to understand why someone had falsely assumed Yue Nancang's name and held this birthday banquet, changing his surname and disguising himself. Who could have imagined this was a cover-up? Feng Yanyuan glanced around. It seemed that he and Feng Yanhao weren't the only people in this courtyard who knew he was a prince. Many others were undoubtedly well aware of Ma Shidu's identity.
"Master Feng San! Why did you come just now?" Yue Nancang, who was in a high position, stroked his beard and smiled kindly.
Feng Yanyuan looked forward, and sighed in his heart that the face and figure were really flawless, and the words and actions were extremely similar. If Yun Yuan had not told him, he would not have doubted it at all.
"My father was busy with trivial matters and repeatedly told me to arrive at the banquet on time. Unfortunately, I was delayed in Yuzhou and arrived a step too late. I don't know if I can still make it in time to celebrate Elder Yue's birthday!"
"It's not too late! Third Young Master Feng is a young hero! Take your seat quickly!"
Prince Changshan had entered with Feng Yanhao, and naturally sat beside him under the banner of Xiaofeng Hall. Unfortunately, there were only two seats. Feng Yanyuan briefly greeted the elders present and then took his place behind Prince Changshan. Prince Changshan ignored him, but Feng Yanhao tilted his head and glanced at him with a half-smile.
"Why are there no seats?" Yue Nancang turned to look at Taoist Yuan Yi of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect.
"I'm a newcomer to the martial arts world, and I'm not well-known. I'm very lucky to be able to join the guild. I don't dare to take a seat, so standing here is just fine!"
"Alas, that's wrong." Taoist Yuanyi laughed and said, "Young Master Feng's battle at Xia Pi made him famous in the martial arts world! How could I let you stand? I'm sorry for not taking good care of you! Come, please take a seat!"
A woman from the Wuji Sect smiled sweetly and said to the thin young man beside her, "Speaking of the battle at Xia Pi, should we apologize to the Third Young Master?"
Feng Yanyuan encountered two people from the Wuji Sect at the Wangyou Guesthouse: Zuo Xiaoyao and Wei Qianji. These two were considered experts within the Wuji Sect, but they were still far inferior to the two sitting before him. Although Feng Yanyuan didn't recognize their appearance, he assumed that the man and woman sitting there must be Gongsun Bai and his wife Xue Wuniang from the Wuji Sect.
"It is truly an honor to be able to spar with your sect's masters." Feng Yanyuan said respectfully.
"How dare those two defeated men I sent claim to be sparring with the Third Young Master Hefeng?"
As he spoke, Xue Wuniang had already moved in front of Feng Yanyuan, her speed and lightness startling him. By the time he realized what was happening, he found himself frozen in place, unable to move. He realized he had been tricked—his eyelashes were already covered in misty ice crystals, gradually blurring his vision.
"Wu Niang! What are you doing!" At this time, Gongsun Bai stood up gracefully and said to Feng Yanyuan with a smile: "My wife..." He was stunned before he finished speaking. He took a quick step forward to support Xue Wu Niang's shaking shoulders and steady her.
The two looked at each other for a moment and then looked at the quiet Feng Yanyuan, with a hint of surprise in their eyes.
Gongsun Bai took his hands off and bowed, saying, "Young Master Feng San is indeed worthy of his reputation. At such a young age, he possesses such profound internal strength."
"It was Senior Xue who showed mercy and only used one or two strokes of his strength, which allowed me to escape by luck."
Xue Wuniang laughed and said, "How do you know how much strength I have used?"
"I heard that Senior Xue's 'fog' is only used to test the opponent's strength, and at most only requires 30% of your strength. Just now, your moves were almost unrecognizable. To be so invisible, you must be very comfortable with it, and you must have at least 10% of your strength left."
"Hahaha! Great, great! I haven't seen Xue Wuniang's 'fog' in a long time, and today I saw this amazing feat being broken so quickly. It's truly a spectacle! Heroes emerge young, and the new generation pushes the old generation forward. It's truly heartbreaking!"
The person who spoke was a monk in brown robe, with gray hair and beard, and two long eyebrows drooping on his cheeks. He was sitting under the flag of the Futu Sect with a smile on his face. He was the abbot Wuxu of the Futu Sect.
Gongsun Bai responded with a smile, "It seems that I must not only apologize for not upholding the family's precepts, but also thank Third Young Master Feng for showing mercy!"
Feng Yanyuan bowed to respond, but saw a ball of fire rushing towards him.
"Interesting! Interesting! Really interesting!"
The voice was sharp and high-pitched, making Feng Yanyuan dizzy. He looked closely and saw the man standing in front of Gongsun Bai. He was no taller than Gongsun Bai's waist, dressed in a tattered red robe, and his bare chest and feet were stained with old dirt. Although he looked as thin as a child, his yellow skin enveloped a mature face, and his eyes crinkled when he smiled.
"Senior, are you the leader of the Hua Guimu Hua Gang?" Feng Yanyuan asked.
"Exactly!" Hua Guimu said, "You're quite skilled, kid! I've heard about that, too. You helped me teach that arrogant West Leader of the Beggar Gang a lesson. Haha! This party is finally a little fun! I was so fed up just now! So fed up!"
Just at this moment, the Five Pecks of Rice Sect member brought a chair to Feng Yanyuan, but Hua Guimu waved his palm and the chair fell apart with a "bang". The member holding the chair was so frightened that he retreated in panic and looked at Yuan Yi Taoist, whose face was ashen.
Hua Guimu said, "Don't sit down. Fight with me and make me feel refreshed."
"Boss Hua, this is Senior Yue's birthday party, how can we have fighting and killing!" Taoist Yuan Yi said.
"I don't mean to offend Elder Yue. Beggars are just here to beg for food. They can't discuss world affairs. I haven't eaten a few bites of this meal today, and my ears are about to get calluses!"
"Hahaha! Gang Leader Hua is truly straightforward!" Abbot Wuxu laughed heartily. "However, having come to this, Senior Yue, please forgive me for speaking frankly. When martial artists meet, the more they engage in combat, the more excited they become. Meeting matters is also a difficult matter. We understand your intention, but this alliance is a serious matter. We must discuss it carefully with the other members of our sect. Why not put the discussion aside for now and let everyone have a fight?"
Feng Yanyuan observed for a week and saw that all factions seemed hesitant about forming an alliance. After hearing Wuxu's words, they all responded in agreement. That was fine. He could just get away with it for now. He could take the King of Changshan out, figure out the substitute, and then make plans.
Feng Yanyuan was just trying to find an excuse to take the young prince away when he saw King Changshan slam his sword with a clang. He angrily said, "Before we fight, I'd like to know who sent the invitation to this birthday banquet. Was it Taoist Yuan Yi from the Five Pecks of Rice Sect? Or was it Elder Yue?!"
Feng Yanyuan suddenly became anxious. Looking at his expression, it was obvious that the delay had not calmed him down. Instead, he became angrier and angrier.
"This invitation was distributed to Senior Yue by the Five Pecks of Rice Sect members after consultation with this poor Taoist. Senior Yue has been in seclusion for many years and has long since dispersed his disciples. Now he is concerned about world peace. There is not much I can do, but I can still deliver a message."
"So," King Changshan said, holding his sword tightly in his hand, looking at Yue Nancang with bloodshot eyes, "Senior, do you really want to form an alliance to help King Zhao?"
Yue Nancang stood up and said to Taoist Yuan Yi, "Yuan Yi, Wu Xu is right. This is a serious matter. We should all go back and discuss it further. This old man is just making a suggestion today, and I hope you can come up with a good plan! The banquet is almost over. It's a rare occasion for everyone to get together. Why not open up this Sixiantai as a fighting arena and let them challenge each other? As long as they follow the rules of the martial arts world, let them fight to their heart's content! Let the younger generation make a name for themselves, and let you seniors choose disciples. What do you think?"
These words instantly stirred the atmosphere, and the outsiders who had heard them suddenly responded with a loud voice. Taoist Yuanyi gladly accepted the task, and asked the believers to remove the banquet, open the Sixiantai, and set up the incense burner to count the time. The scene became a little chaotic during this period.
Feng Yanyuan was not distracted. He saw Yue Nancang making a greeting gesture to King Changshan, as if he wanted to have a private chat. He was about to stop him, but King Changshan quickly followed Yue Nancang to the back of Huainan King Temple. Feng Yanyuan had no choice but to follow him quickly.
Yun Yuan waited for Feng Yanyuan in the canyon for a long time, but he didn't see her return. She went to Sixiantai to wait and see. The banquet had been cleared and Sixiantai had been turned into a competition arena. She looked eagerly but couldn't see Feng Yanyuan. Her heart began to beat fast. Just as she was feeling uneasy, she suddenly heard someone calling her.
"Why are you here?"
Yun Yuan turned around and was suddenly startled to find that the person coming was actually King Changshan.
"Master didn't take you in with him?"
"Palace..." Yun Yuan took a step back.
"Shh! Call me Brother Ma!" He smiled and took a step forward.
Yun Yuan took another step back and stared at him blankly, "...You didn't attend the banquet just now?"
"How can I get in? I wanted to look for my master, but I couldn't find him at the agreed-upon inn. When I arrived, I saw Zishang had flown in on his own. It's a martial arts event, and I can't just go in, so I wanted to wait for him to come out and ask him." The King of Changshan took another step forward, only to find that she had taken another step back. Confused, he asked, "Why are you so far away from me?"
This was the distance she was sure she could escape successfully.
Yun Yuan's heart pounded. She had only seen King Changshan and Yue Nancang when she went to Lei Ting Manor, and the assassin had never seen her, so the one who could recognize her must be the real King Changshan!
Then... She turned back to look at Sixiantai in panic, her face pale with shock.
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